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SPIDER BITE

Three women in North Florida turned up at hospitals over

a 5-day period, all with the same symptoms.

Fever, chills, and vomiting, followed by muscular collapse,

paralysis and finally, death.

There were no outward signs of trauma.

Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood. These

women did not know each other and seemed to have

nothing in common.

It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the

same Restaurant (Olive Garden) within days of their deaths.

The Health Department descended on the restaurant,

shutting it down. The food, water, and air conditioning

were all inspected and tested, to no avail.

The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant

was rushed to the hospital with similar symptoms.

She told doctors that she had been on vacation, and

had only went to the restaurant to pick up her check.

She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had

used the restroom.

That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article

he had read, drove out to the restaurant, went into the

restroom and lifted the toilet seat.

Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider.

The spider was captured and brought back to the lab,

where it was determined to be the Two-Striped Telamonia

(Telamonia dimidiata), so named because of its reddened

flesh color. This spider's venom is extremely toxic, but can

take several days to take effect. They live in cold, dark,

damp climates, and toilet rims provide just the right

atmosphere.

Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up

at a hospital emergency room. Before his death, he told

the doctor, that he had been away on business, had taken

a flight from Indonesia , changing planes in Singapore,

before returning home. He did NOT visit (Olive Garden),

while there. He did (as did all of the other victims) have

what was determined to be a puncture wound, on his

right buttock.

Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had

originated in India .

The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CA ordered an

immediate inspection of the toilets of all flights from

India and discovered the Two-Striped Telamonia

(Telamonia dimidiata) spider's nests on 4 different

planes!

It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere

in the country.

So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat

to check for spiders. It can save your life!

(Somewhere in France)

Rizal Shrine
This two-storey, red-tiled-roof, Spanish-vintage house is maintained as a national shrine by the national government. It houses Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s childhood, ranging from pictures of and early sculptures by the late hero to laminated excerpts of some of his best written works. The house is by no means in its original state – except for the old well, everything is a reconstruction of the original house of Rizal, the country’s national hero. However, the house has maintained much of its colonial appeal.
The museum on-site offers guided tours for groups. It has a gift shop on the ground floor. There is no entrance fee but donations are welcome. Museum hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., everyday except Monday.

Pagsanjan
The town of Pagsanjan is blessed with natural wonders – the awe-inspiring gorges, the roaring rapids, and the Pagsanjan Falls, a plus factor that made Pagsanjan one of the premiere tourist attractions of the country. The gorges teem with wild orchids, ferns, and vines, and in early morning, chattering monkeys and beautiful sunrays and peaceful water. Inside, multi-colored birds flirt in the bushes.
The thrill of shooting the rapids here is an experience of a lifetime, starting with boarding a banca paddled by two expert Pagsanjeño boatmen. The only way to the falls is through the Bumbungan River of Pagsanjan. The upstream trip, three miles from outside town on the rugged Cavinti highlands, is relatively slow as the boatmen paddle and drag the banca against the currents. But the half-hour trip back provides an unforgettable experience in shooting the 14 rapids.
The rainy season is the best time to view the series of mini-falls, over 19 in all, first of which is the Talahib Falls. Farther on are the Kalukuy Falls and the misty Bridal Veil Falls. Some of these mini-falls are unnamed and rarely seen in the summer. Huge stones called Pusong Bato lay at the center of the river.
Pagsanjan is further known for beautiful and quality shoes and locally made slippers. The shoe store located at Gen. Taiño Street is a tourist favorite.

Mount Makiling
The mystical Mount Makiling is an inactive volcano rising to about 1,109 meters above sea level. The vegetation consists of approximately 2,048 different species of plant. The lower slope is a tall dipterocarp forest while the summit is a dwarf mossy forest. The slopes of Mt. Makiling are shaped to resemble a woman reclining, hence, the air of mysticism that surrounds the mountain. Legend has it that it is the profile of the sleeping Maria Makiling, a mythical goddess. Still others say that Maria Makiling dwells in this mountain and protects dwellers and travelers from harm.

Mount Banahaw
Yet another popular spot with great tourism potential is Mount Banahaw. A unique experience awaits mountain climbing enthusiasts who venture to a part of the mountain so-called “Banal na Lugar,” or Holy Place, found in the depths and alleged to be mystical. In fact, Majayjay situated at the foot of the mountain is considered holy ground amongst amulet makers, faith healers, and seekers of the divine. Mystical Mount Banahaw is 2,188 meters in height.

Laguna de Bay
The province owes its name to this body of water that forms its northern boundary which, in turn, was named after the first provincial capital, the town of Bay. Laguna de Bay is known to be Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake. It stays pristine throughout the year as the area is blessed with regular rain showers.

Underground Cemetery
Built in the 18th century by the Franciscan Missionaries, the Underground Cemetery is enclosed by a circular structure. The intricately designed wall and wrought iron gate with a red-tiled walk leads straight to the small chapel, where an altar-like structure is located. The tombstones are embedded on the brick walls of the cemetery and the basement. At the crypt of the cemetery, according to history, is where the local Katipuneros, or followers of the secret revolutionary societies collectively called the Katipunan, plotted against Spanish rule.

National Arts Center
Managed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Arts Center is a show window of cultural development and performing arts education the country. More than this, It is an ideal vantage point for a panoramic view of Laguna de Bay, Talim Island, Crocodile Lake, and the International Rice Research Institute. It boasts 62 cottages, an auditorium, and seminar and convention facilities. Reservations may be coursed through the CCP Main Office on Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Lake Caliraya
The man-made lake was built by American engineers in the 1930s in order to provide hydroelectric power in the region. Lake Caliraya is situated at 1,200 feet above sea level. It is endowed with cool winds, clear water, and the surrounding greenery.

Boy Scouts of the Philippines Camp
The BSP grounds are an ideal camping area. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines usually hold their jamborees and other relevant activities in this campsite.

Woodcarving & Papier-Mache
There is a proliferation of small to large woodcarving and papier-mache factories in the town of Paete. That practically all the townsfolk are involved in these businesses either as factory workers or owners has become a tradition passed on through generations. The artistic ingenuity of Paeteños dates back to the pre-Spanish period, during which the artists created mostly religious articles. Skillful artisans patiently fashioned lanite, amlang, kamagong, lauan, acacia, and santol wood into world-class miniature décor items. The old creations of Paete are among the most valued antiques today. At present, Paete’s artists carve not only religious figures but also furniture and other items. The hard work that each Paete artist devotes to his craft indeed puts meaning to the label, “made in Paete.”

Center for the Philippine Raptors
Situated in Los Baños, Laguna, the site serves as a rescue and rehabilitation center for rescued, confiscated, or donated diurnal and nocturnal raptorial birds. It is also a venue for scientific research and public education as well as a captive breeding facility for Philippine birds of prey, with emphasis on the highly endangered Philippine Eagle, the world’s largest eagle.

Caliraya Boardsailing
Ironically, one of the finest sailing sites in a country with thousands of kilometers of coastline is an artificial lake created by a dam. Caliraya, only three hours’ drive from Manila, is a favorite destination for city-based boardsailors. The wind comes in just above the water, leaving the surface glassy smooth, even in winds of up to 30 knots. These are perfect conditions for speed.

AUGUST 11
ST. CLARE

Clare was born around 1193 in Assisi, Italy. She lived at the time of St. Francis of Assisi. Clare became the foundress of an order of nuns called the "Poor Clares." When she was eighteen, she heard St. Francis preach. Her heart burned with a great desire to imitate him. She also wanted to live a poor, humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home. In a little chapel outside Assisi, she gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and offered her a rough brown habit to wear. She stayed with the Benedictine nuns until more nuns would join her. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not. Soon her fifteen-year-old sister Agnes joined her. Other young women wanted to be brides of Jesus, too. Before long there was a small religious community.

St. Clare and her nuns wore no shoes. They never ate meat. They lived in a poor house and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy because they felt that Jesus was close to them.

Once an army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi. They planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare asked to be carried to the wall. She had the Blessed Sacrament placed right where the soldiers could see it. Then she knelt and begged God to save the nuns. "O Lord, protect these sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. And a voice within her seemed to say: "I will keep them always in my care." At the same time, a sudden fright struck the attackers. They fled as fast as they could.

St. Clare was abbess of her convent for forty years. Twenty-nine of those years she was sick. But she said that she was joyful anyway because she was serving the Lord. Some people worried that the nuns were suffering because they were so poor. "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly poor?"

St. Clare died on August 11, 1253. Just two years later she was proclaimed a saint by Pope Alexander IV.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Friday (8/11): "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it "

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."

Meditation: What is the most important investment you can make with your life? Jesus poses some probing questions to challenge our assumptions about what is most profitable and worthwhile. In every decision of life we are making ourselves a certain kind of person. The kind of person we are, our character, determines to a large extent the kind of future we will face and live. It is possible that some can gain all the things they set their heart on, only to wake up suddenly and discover that they missed the most important things of all. Of what value are material things if they don't help you gain what truly lasts in eternity. Neither money nor possessions can buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a lonely person. Jesus asks the question: What will a person give in exchange for his or her life? Everything we have is an out-right gift from God. We owe him everything, including our very lives. It's possible to give God our money, but not ourselves, or to give him lip-service, but not our hearts. A true disciple gladly gives up all that he or she has in exchange for an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God gives without measure. The joy he offers no sadness or loss can diminish. The cross of Christ leads to victory and freedom from sin, despair, and death.