"BER Months" in the Philippines

What is BER Months?

BER Months is what the Filipinos call for the months that ends with “ber”, namely: September, October, November, and December. When BER Months starts in the Philippines, it is also the start of their Christmas celebration. Philippines is named as the world’s longest Christmas season, because as early as September, you can already hear carols and see the beautiful Christmas decors anywhere around the country. 

"BER Months" in the Philippines

1. The Countdown

As early as September 1st, people start to count the days before Christmas. You can hear them every day in different local news channels in the Philippines. You can also see them in classrooms and offices. 

2. The Cold Weather 

Most of the time, BER Months is welcomed by a rain in the evening of August 31 until the dawn of September 1st. You will then feel the cold breeze touching your skin.

3. The Fire Crackers

At the middle of September, you can already hear some fire crackers played by kids around the country. Kids can easily get fire crackers because they are just sold in sidewalks.

4. The “Belen”

“Belen” is a Spanish word for Bethlehem. In the Philippines, some towns will hold an event for the most beautiful and meaningful “Belen” displayed on the sidewalks of the national roads. When you go to the city, every corner of the street has a Christmas decors. 

5. The Essence of Christmas

When BER Months hit the calendar and you are in the Philippines, you will start to feel the essence of Christmas. You will already think about your loved ones who are away from you and wish that you can be together on Christmas day.  

WATCH: Where did ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Started...MUST WATCH!!!

The challenge first received increased media attention in the United States on June 30, 2014, when personalities of the program Morning Drive, which airs weekdays on Golf Channel, televised the social-media phenomenon, and performed a live, on-air Ice Bucket Challenge.

Soon after, the challenge was brought to mainstream audiences when television anchor Matt Lauer did the Ice Bucket Challenge on July 15, 2014 on NBC's The Today Show at Greg Norman's challenge.

On the same day, golfer Chris Kennedy did the challenge and then challenged his cousin Jeanette Senerchia of Pelham, New York, whose husband, Anthony, has had ALS for 11 years. Kennedy "was the first ... to focus the freezing fundraiser on ALS research."

Former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates, who has ALS began posting about the challenge on Twitter. Frates is a patient advocate who was awarded the Stephen Heywood Patients Today Award in 2012 for his fundraising and advocacy work. Frates' Boston College and sporting connections became an initial focus of the challenge and strengthened its focus on ALS.

Source(s): wikipedia.org

US President Obama Mourned Of Robin William's Death

US President Obama led tributes to actor Robin Williams on Monday, after the 63-year-old was found dead at his home in the US state of California.

The President called the Hollywood star a "one of a kind".

His comments came after Susan Schneider, the actor's wife, called her husband one of the world’s “most beloved artists and beautiful human beings”.

Police suspect William’s death was a suicide caused by asphyxiation. Marin County Sheriff's Office added that an investigation into William's death is currently underway.

The star, who appeared in hugely popular films including Mrs Doubtfireand Good Morning Vietnam, was last seen alive at his home, where he lived with Schneider, at around 10pm on Sunday.

Williams shot to fame in the late 1970s as an alien in the US TV comedy series Mork And Mindy, but he won his Oscar as the therapist in the drama Good Will Hunting.

"Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit," Obama said in a statement, ITV News reported

Source(s):

http://www.independent.co.uk