The Philippines Opens Its Shores and Borders to 151 Nationalities

When many governments are restricting entry into their countries, the Philippines is collapsing its borders to allow more foreigners to enter the country.

Starting 1 August 2013, the Philippines will be visa-free for the nationals of 151 countries up to 30 days of stay on any of the 7,107 beautiful islands.

In coordination with concerned governmental agencies such as Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Tourism, Department of Justice, and Bureau of Immigration, the initiative is aimed to attract more tourists and potential investors in the country.

If your country is listed below and you have a valid passport for at least six months, book your round-trip ticket because it is more fun in the Philippines:
Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, 
Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador,
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana,
Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary,
Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar
Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia,
Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland
Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia,
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain,
Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey,
Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia,
and Zimbabwe.

Welcome and see you in the Philippines!

Jason Kidd and the Brooklyn Nets

Source: http://www.streetball.com

The Brooklyn Nets is making a lot of buzz these days. In preparation for the next season, the Nets hired a new coach and got involved in major trades which will definitely impact on the team's fate in the next two to three years and team owner's pocket.

After being surprised and eliminated in the first round by the Chicago Bulls, the Nets decided to overhaul its coaching staff and line-up. It hired Jason Kidd, arguably considered as the greatest franchise player who brought the Nets to its only back-to-back finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. The team hopes that by having Kidd who recently retired as a player, the Nets will soar to new heights.

As a player, there is no doubt in the leadership skills and tenacity of Kidd. Some analysts doubt whether Kidd can bring the same leadership as a coach. Many though believe that Kidd may be what the Nets needs to compete effectively in the Eastern conference where the back-to-back champion, Miami Heat, is a perennial threat.

After the hiring of Kidd, the Nets again hug the limelight by trading its notable players in exchange for the three veterans of the Boston Celtics, a rival in the Atlantic Division. All-Star players, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry, will don the Nets uniform in the next season. The trade gathers an All-Star first five in the line-up and so as the sixth man in Jason Terry who won a championship ring with Kidd in Dallas - a very formidable team, to provide the Heat a dousing effect.