Spirit Bear

Sharing this video from NatGeo's website.

NG Young Explorers’ Spirit Bear Film Wins Award

 

 

SPOIL from EP Films on Vimeo.

Biggest Croc Ever Caught in the Wild (?)

Since I was kid, other than wanting to become a scientist, I believe I'd be in the field of science. I am not quite sure if somehow am getting there, but my interests are always there, I should say, in regards to animals. To be honest, with all humility, I am big in knowledge about animals compared to an average bloke (well it depends on how you define "average" though.) I'm guessing that you have already heard or read or watched it all over the news, the internet, broadsheets or tabloids about this Jurassic, monster-sized, big-mouthed carnivore muncher (mind you without even really chewing it's prey) reptile that was caught in Agusan del Sur.

"Lolong," as they named him after a deceased croc-hunter who died of stroke on the second week of their operation to capture the beast, is going to be nominated by some committees in a wildlife organizations in the Philippines to be considered as the biggest saltwater crocodile ever captured in the wild in Guinness Book of World Records. The current title holder is an Australian saltwater crocodile with the length of 17.97 ft., in which Lolong, a male Philippine-caught Saltwater Croc is actually, a few feet larger. He's 21 feet and weighing around 2 tons or two thousand plus in pound. Just imagine three 7 footer guys on top of one another. This guy's really massive both in height and weight. According to some, Lolong's only young, around 50 years old. Young? Yes, young. A crocodile lives to about 100 years old.

[edit: Lolong, according to a report was also mentioned in TIME MAGAZINE!!! How awesome was that? here's the link of the report: Click this.]

He's currently in captivity right now and will become a "CROCk STAR" - chyeah! Officials are expecting tourist foot-fall to rise because of this awesome reptilian resident in Agusan del Sur. I sure hope that he's going to be a blessing to the Philippines, especially to the people in the province of Agusan del Sur to emerge as a new tourist spot because of this monstrous beauty. Although, the once-feared giant has been captured, the warning signal is still on - yep red flag indeed. Wildlife officials warned the citizens to still be watchful, since they believe that Lolong has a wife, could be a fierce one. And in croc's size ranges, females are usually bigger than males. The officials and people of the said province can now somehow foresee how big-ger the gal could be. Let's see what would be the next headline coming from Agusan del Sur, Philippines.

Here's a link to National Geographic's Page featuring our not-so gentle giant.

When Small Things DO Matter

I have been so impressed with the idea of the commercial, I once saw, in National Geo Channel long time back: "When Small Things Matter." 


Imagine the screenshots, with cool effects, of  a screwdriver + Airplane, nails + Skycrapers and all those kinds of stuffs. How, we, most of the time just take those puny thingamajigs for granted. We forget of their role and their contributions to the bigger element  we see.


Same thing in organizations, big or bigger, we always tend only to see the bosses, the decision-makers, people with authority, the owners. But how about the rank and file employees, the janitors, the assistants, the lady in the corner of the room with the small table or maybe the one who makes coffee for you, who photocopies the files you need or the person who you send to go mail your billings and checks? Do we often try to appreciate them? Their efforts? The task their doing? Yes, really, when small things DO matter - and most of the time we forget to see their value.


Cutting this post short, uhm, actually, I just wanna rant about a small thing that really does make a lot of effect on me (currently). I have this not-so wonderful Aphthous ulcer  (pronounced as af-thəs) or better known as canker sore (singaw in Filipino) on the side of my tongue that gets rubbed with my molar teeth whenever I talk - actually even when I don't! Gaaaaaaaah!!! Eating is not fun at all. Talking either. Sometimes, even drinking water is not as refreshing! 

Oh well, at least I thought of appreciating those little things. But with this canker, what I appreciate the most is the privilege of having pain. Pain which lets us know that something's wrong - that we need to take action of. I guess it's gonna be a different topic so I won't make this entry as much as to make it boring to read and I have to stop right here. 


So yea, any idea for my fast recovery though?