Tribute to Tita Cory.

Biography of Corazon C. Aquino

As president of the Republic of the Philippines (1986-1992), Corazon Cojuangco Aquino led her country's difficult transition from dictatorship to democracy. After re-establishing the democratic institutions, her administration made them work, bringing about substantive economic and social reforms. Through great personal courage and unwavering commitment to non-violence, she successfully served her term in office and presided over the peaceful and orderly transfer of power to her successor President Fidel V. Ramos.

Born in Manila on January 25, 1933, Cory Aquino was educated in exclusive girls' schools in Manila, before she left for the U.S.A. where she completed her high school and college education. Her father was a three term congressman. Her mother, a pharmacist, was the daughter of a senator.

Cory Aquino graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York where she majored in French and minored in Mathematics. Upon her return to the Philippines, she pursued studies in Law which she discontinued upon her marriage to Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. The marriage was blessed with four daughters and one son, and Mrs. Aquino is now the proud grandmother of five grandsons and two granddaughters.

The late Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., was assassinated on August 21, 1983, at the Manila International Airport, becoming a martyr in the Philippines' struggle for democracy. Senator Aquino, the Opposition leader at the time of his death, had been the first person jailed upon the declaration of martial law in 1972. He suffered incarceration in a military camp for seven years and seven months, with only a brief respite in the U.S. to undergo heart surgery.

For furthering the aspirations of her people for a just society and a better life while honoring Senator's Aquino's memory, Cory Aquino has been conferred 16 honorary degrees from universities in the Philippines, the U.S.A., Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Italy. She was named Time magazine's Woman of the Year for 1986. Following her administration's international initiatives on human rights and on issues affecting women, children, and the family, Cory Aquino now serves a co-president of the Forum of Democratic leaders with Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, Sonja Gandhi of India, and Kim Dae-Jung of South Korea. Her leadership and her example have been recognized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Non-violent Peace Prize, the United Nations Development Fund for Women's Noel Award for Political Leadership, and the 1993 Special Peace Award from the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Awards and Concerned Women of the Philippines, among other distinctions.

Cory Aquino now serves as chairperson of the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation, which awards scholarships for education and develops linkages for non-governmental organizations to improve the quality of life for Filipinos. She is also chairperson of the Board of Advisors of the Metrobank Foundation and serves as honorary chairperson of the Philippine National Centennial Commission, of the Foundation for Clean Elections, of the Sulung Pampanga Foundation and the Piso't Puso ng Tarlac Foundation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noong Marso 24, 2008, napabalita na mayroong cancer sa colon, isang sakit sa bituka, ang dating pangulo, na kasalukuyang may edad na 75. Pero dahil sa supporta ng kanyang anak na si Kris Aquino mayroon sa kanyang nag-aasikaso at ngayon unti-unti na nawawala ang kanyang sakit. Kung hindi dahil sa pagkamatay ng kanyang asawa na si Ninoy Aquino sa ngayon mas naging masaya at matapang si Cory.

Ngunit sa Petsang Agosto 1, taong 2009 sa oras na 3:18 ng umaga sa edad na 76, ay nagpaalam na ang kauna-unahang babaeng naging pangulo ng Pilipinas at ng buong Asya. Ang babaeng simbolo ng demokrasya ay humantong na sa kanyang huling hantungan. Buong bansa ngayon ay nakikidalamhati sa pag panaw niya. Siya na marahil ang isa sa pinaka maimpluwensyang babae sa buong mundo. Pangulong maraming batas na naipatupad para sa mga kababayan niya. Kaya naman kaming lahat at proud na maging pinoy.



MY CONDOLENCES...



(January 25, 1933 - August 1, 2009)

LOVE ANG PRAYERS
Rest In Peace















Informations From:

http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corazon_Aquino
http://www.fulbright.org/prize/1996/aquino1.htm


leave a comment.....:)
ben_thoughts@yahoo.com
|bencism|

Ma'am Mataray, with Walk Out on the side..

-- " so alam na ninyo ang lesson, kau na bahalang
mag-aral mag-isa diyan, tutal alam nyo na..
kasama sa prelims yan. "

-- " 3rd year palang kayo, wala pa kayo sa
4th year & 5th year tapos ganyan na ang
mga ugali ninyo. "

-- " parang walang teacher sa harapan ninyo ha!
pinagbigyan ko na kau nung una, pero
inuulit-ulit nyo pa! "

-- " ang iingay ninyo, tapos pag nag exam
naman ang bababa ng mga scores ninyo."


OUCH! ANG TARAY!

SAPUL.. TUMAGOS..

mabilis na bura ng board, maingay na pagtabig
sa upuan.. tapos
NAG WALK OUT PA!..

BENIFIT -- maagang umuwi..
DISADVANTAGES -- walang nalaman sa lesson, at sayang ang bayad..


lets move on.. wag O.A.
ehehe.. peace..

leave a comment... XD
ben_thoughts@yahoo.com

PINK TABLE

Mayroong mag-asawa na matagal nang nagaasam na magkaroon ng sariling anak tawagin nalang natin silang Mr and Mrs. Bagumbuhay..

Ngunit sa kasamaang palad, hindi sila makabuo ng sarili nilang anak..

Sa tindi ng pagnanasa na magkaroon sila ng anak, dumaan sila sa iba't-ibang medical exams at nasubukan narin nilang sumayaw sa obando at manalangin ng mataimtim..


Hanggang sa di inaasahang araw biglang nabuntis si Mrs. Bagumbuhay..
at pagkalipas ng 9 na buwan nanganak na si Mrs. Bagumbuhay, at ang anak nila ay isang napaka gwapong batang lalaki na tatawagin nating Sosep..

Maykaya naman sa buhay ang mag-asawa kaya naman sunod sa luho si Sosep..
Bukod sa magandang lalaki si Sosep, napakatalino rin nito pagdating sa pag-aaral..

Siya ay pumasok sa pre-elementary..
Grumaduate siya ng may awards..
So tuwang tuwa itong mga magulang niya..

........
Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, ang galing-galing mo talaga..

Mr. Bagumbuhay: Syempre nagmana sakin..

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anong gusto mong gift anak?
New toys?, Bagong damit? Ano anak?..

Sosep: (nahihiyang pasabi) Ma, gusto ko po ng PINK TABLE..






Mrs. Bagumbuhay:(napaisip).. O cge anak.
........

Pasukan nanaman at nasa elementary na si Sosep. Nagumpisa siya ng grade 1 at lagi siyang nasa Rank 1 bawat quarter, nagpatuloy iyon hanggang sa grade 6 consistent Rank 1. Kaya naman sa Graduation Day nila ay siya ang nanguna. Sa lahat ng gagraduate siya ang naging Valedictorian. So tuwang tuwang umakyat ng stage sina Mr. & Mrs. Bagumbuhay..

........
Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak talaga namang pinahahanga mo kami ng daddy mo.
We're so proud of you anak.

Sosep: Thanks ma.

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: O ano gusto mong graduation gift?
Gameboy? PSP? Computer? Ano anak ko?

Sosep: Ma, gusto ko po sana ulit ng PINK TABLE, mejo luma na kc ung dati.

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: (Napahinto at napaisip) ah anak, ayaw mo ba nung mga binanggit ko?

Sosep: PINK TABLE po gusto ko!






Mrs. Bagumbuhay: O cge anak.
........

Pagkatapos ng mahabang bakasyon sa ibang bansa. Bumalik na sila para pumasok
sa High-School si Sosep. 1st year to fourth year consistent siyang nasa honor.
At sumasali pa siya sa iba't-ibang school academic competition. So pagdating ng
graduation niya Valedictorian nanaman tong si Sosep. Galing talaga.

........
Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak kohh, ang galing- galing mo talaga. Very proud ako sayo.
Maipag mamayabang nanaman kita sa mga kumare ko. So anong gift
ang gusto mo? Laptop ba? New Phone? Motor bike? ano anak?

Sosep: Mami gusto ko po ng bagong PINK TABLE yung bongga ah..

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, matanong ko lang, bakit ba gustong-gusto mo ng
Pink Table, ano ba meron yon?

Sosep: Mommy naman, basta po gusto ko un eh.. please mommy.

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: O cge na nga anak.
........

Pagkatapos ulit ng bakasyon, siyempre college na si Sosep.
Kumuha siya ng kursong FineArts sa isang prestihiyosong Universities
sa Manila. Sa Madaling sabi, natapos niya ang kurso at consistent naman siyang
P.L (Presidential Lister) Grumaduate siya ng Magna..

........
Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak ko, ang galing mo talaga, ikaw na ang susunod na hahawak nang
business natin niyan lagi mo talaga kaming pinahahanga ni daddy mo.
anong gift gusto mo? Car? or Condo Unit?

Sosep: Mommy, wag na ung mga un. Gusto ko lang ngayun eh ung Long PINK TABLE, ah ma.
Yun lang poh..






Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, ano ba yan, bakit pink table nanaman? ang dami munang pink
table ah. Ano ba kahulugan ng pink table na yan sa buhay mo?
bakit yan at iyan nalang gusto mong regalo?!

Sosep: Mommy sige na, mamaya ko nalang sasabihin, after kong pumunta sa bahay ng
Classmate ko, may party kc sila. Sige na ma.

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, O cge, hintayin kita sa bahay ah. Tapos sabihin mo na
Kung ano ang Pink Table ah.

Sosep: OK ma, bye I Love You.
........

Ngunit habang patawid ng daan si Sosep, biglang!
Boom, Blag, Wappak!, Sapul! Tug.!
Na hit n' run si Sosep. Kitang kita nang kanyang ina
ang nangyari sa anak. Kaya dali-dali nilang mag-asawang dinala
sa pinaka malapit na ospital si Sosep.

Habang nasa sasakyan. Hirap na hirap na si Sosep.

........
Sosep: Ma, parang mamamatay na ata ako..

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, wag kang mag salita ng ganyan.

Sosep: Ma, gusto mo na bang malaman kung ano ang kahulugan ng pink table?

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Ano nga ba iyon anak?

Sosep: Ang ibig sabihin po nun ayyy..
ayy...
ayy...
ano po...
ayy.. (thug.)

Namatay na si Sosep.
........................................

Makalipas ang ilang gabi..
bigalang napanaginipan ni Mrs. Bagumbuhay si Sosep
at sa panaginip ay nag usap sila.

........
Sosep: Ma, nandito na ulit ako.

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, kumusta ka na? Miss na kita anak ko.. Sasabihin mo na ba
ang kahulugan ng pink table?
Sosep: Ma hindi dito, bukas nalang po, magpapaalam ako, na bababa ako sa lupa ng
madaling madali lang para sabihin ang kahulugan ng Pink Table, gusto ko
palabasin mo lahat ng kapitbahay natin at magpa fiesta ka ma, maraming
handaan.
........

.............
KINABUKASAN..
.............
Isang malaking pag titipon ang naganap sa barangay nina
Mr. & Mrs. Bagumbuhay, kasama lahat ng tao sa barangay.

nang biglang nagbukas ang kalangitan at lumitaw si
Sosep..

Tuwang tuwa ang mga tao..
Nag sisigawan sila at nagpa tugtog ng component ng sobrang lakas.

Mga Tao: woooohhh!!! sosep! yeah! bumalik kanga
wahhhh.. mabuhay ka sosep.. yeahhh...
woooohhhh... plak. plak plak.

Sound: Po po po po poker face.. Po po po po poker face..
Low low low low.....

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak ko, nag balik ka nga.


Nang pag tungtong ng mga paa ni Sosep sa lupa. Umakyat na
rin ito pabalik sa Langit.
Natahimik ang mga tao dahil hindi pa niya
nasasabi umaalis na nga siya.

Mrs. Bagumbuhay: Anak, hindi mo pa nasasabi ang ibig sabihin ng pink table umaalis
ka na nga..

Sosep: (naiinis) pano kc! habang pababa ako sinasabi ko na!! ang iingay ninyo kc eh
kaya hindi nyo narinig!..



THE END.....


bwahahah..

Isa paring napaka laking Misteryo ng PINK TABLE


Sino nakaka alam?
Leave a Comment.. thank u.
ben_thoughts@yahoo.com

Wag kc Ganun: Dapat Quit Smoking

Ano bang meron sa pag hithit ng sigarilyo?

Bakit adik na adik halos lahat ng tao dito?

Kapag nasimulan na nila ayaw na nilang tigilan.


_Acetone: -pang alis ng kyotex sa kuko..
_Cyanide: -nakamamatay na lason..
_Formaldehiyde: -pang embalsamo s patay..
_Nicotine: -pang patay ng ipis..
_Polonium: -cancer na galing sa mga radioactive element..

Ilan lang yan sa 4000 na sangkap sa pag-gawa ng isang stick ng sigarilyo. Naisip mo bang iyan ang ilan sa pinapasok mo sa iyong katawan habang sarap na sarap ka sa paghithit ng sigarilyo mo? Malamang hindi mo na iniisip ang masamang maidudulot nito sayo, habang ramdam mo ang kakaibang sarap ng pagdaloy ng usok patungo sa inosente mong baga(lung).
Marami kang taong makikita na gumagamit nito. Malamang pati mismo sa loob ng bahay ninyo ay merong adik na adik dito. Sa dami ng tumatangkilik sa paninigarilyo milyon-milyon ang kinikita ng mga factory na gumagawa nito.



........ SIR. KING KONG - kaninang umaga lamang ang sarap manapak ng Professor kung sino pa ang na turinggang kailangan magturo ng tamang asal e siya pa itong nagsimula at nagpakita ng kababuyang tunay. Habang nag lelevel ako ng theodolite kasama ng aking mga ka grupo sa HSURVEY LAB. Biglang nag labasan ang mga mahiwagang posporo at lighter, sabay hugot sa nakakamatay na espada ni kamatayan(sigarilyo). Nagtaka ako kung bakit hindi binabawalan at sinusuway ng aking guro ang mga kaklase kong ito. Nang tunguhin ko ang aking tingin sa aking guro, para akong nakakita ng kapreng lumiit. Ayun siya pala ang pasimuno sa paglabas ng mga mahihiwagang sandata. Di mo iisiping siya pa ang dahilan sa mga pangyayaring iyon. Pasaway na Prof. wag ganun!

....... BART MALL - sentro ng usok at tirahan ng mga kapreng walang matuluyan habang nagmumuni muni. Isang lugar na kulang nalang ay maging langit na me ulap sa dami ng mga naninigarilyo sa lugar na iyon. Maliban sa mga internet shop at xerox machine na maaaring makita, mga estudyanteng nakahiligan nalang ang tumambay doon at humithit ng sigarilyo. Maaari din silang tawaging mga taong di tambutso, parang mga sasakyan kung bumuga ng usok walang pakeelam sa mga nakapaligid sa kanila. Wag ganun!

...... SH MEN'S C.R. - palibhasa dominante ang mga lalaki kaya di kataka takang maraming kalalakihan ang nahihilig sa pag hithit ng espada ni kamatayan. Pagkatapos ng isa kong subject, bigla kong naramdaman ang maduming likidong nais kumawala sa aking katawan kaya naman tumungo ako sa isa sa napakaraming sh men's c.r. wala lang pagpasok ko ramdan na ramdaman ko ang prisensya ni kamatayan at pagdungaw ko sa toilet bowl ayun nandun na ang gamit at upos na espada ni kamatayan. Kung minsan pa nga huli sa akto ang ibang alagad ni kamatayan. Mga adik talaga, wag ganun!

..... TSUPER SMOKE LOVER - sumakay ka na ba sa mga ito? Kaasar sarap talagang manapak. Pero kailangan kong pigilan ang aking sarili, kaya kuha nalang ng panyo at takpan ang ilong at bibig. Napakadami ring tsuper ang ka join sa fans club ni kamatayan. Maliban sa usok na nang gagaling sa tambutso ng sasakyan, isa pang usok ang nakaka bulahaw sa mga pasahero ng jeep tulad ko. Ito ay ang tsuper na me tambutso implant sa bibig. Wala lang, hassle lang kasi nakasakay ka sa jeep tapos me naninigarilyo tapos ung driver pa, sana wag ganun..


..Kanya kanyang trip nga lang yan..
.. Walang basagan ng trip

Pero sana ang trip mo ay di nakaka apekto ng masama sa ibang tao..
Walang pumipigil sa trip mo pero siguraduhin mong wala kang dina damay na ibang tao. Dahil mas grabe pa ang maaring mang yari sa mga taong nakalalanghap ng usok mo. Kaya nga hindi sila naninigarilyo kc ayaw niya ng usok sa katawan tapos ikaw si itong walang pakundangan kung magbuga ng lason. Wag ganun.

Bago mo isipin sarili mo,
isipin mo muna ang kapakanan ng mga taong
napapaligiran mo.

Hindi lang ito para sa ibang tao
ito ay para na rin sa pansariling
KALIGTASAN mo.


QUIT SMOKING..

STOP 2ND HAND SMOKE..

SAVE YOUR SELF, SAVE OTHERS, SAVE THE EARTH.

The Proud OLVP Choir

Last vacation the Church of IMACON in Balibago, Angeles City hosted the program entitled "New Voices, Festival of Music". It was collaborated by different kind of Parishes inside the Holy Spirit but only two Parishes joined the choral competition. The first parish is the Our Lady of Grace Parish in Mabalacat and the second is the parish of the Our Lady of Victory Parish in Dau where I belong. The said event happened on April 30, 2009 at SM Clark Cinema 5 at exactly rather late 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

As usual I'm also part of that said event; I am one of the few members of OLVP choir. The choral competition started after the last solo singer ended her song. That was a very tongue-tied moment for us because it was the first competition ever that we joined in. And we are the first to perform. Our choir was composed of different kind of voices like soprano, tenor, alto and bass where I belong, because of having a very big and near to the ground voice.

The performance begins, we went up to the stage having different kind of emotions and the singing get started. We sing two different songs the first was the “I will sing forever” popularized by the Bukas Palad, that was the original piece that we sung given by the competition organizers. The second song was elected by our singing coach and it was entitled “Children of Easter Moring” popularized by Hanggad Music Ministry. At last our performance ended. To make the story short the other participant also ended their performance.

We are now at the deciding moment, the announcement of the winners. We are only two participants that’s why expected that there is only one winner. The score of the judges are final and irrevocable. Before the announcement of the Grand Winner, they gave each participant a certificate of participation. Then winner was announced, the Grand Winner is the OLGP choir, yes they won we lost. But wait there’s more, there is a special award to be announce. We won the best MUSIC CHOICE of the Night. Yeah. Ali kami minuling papasyuk. Cash prize was given and received by our vocal coach.

This is the video attachment of our song that won.

BEST MUSIC CHOICE

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e-mail @ ben_thoughts@yahoo.com

Dapat Gawin kapag Umuulan... Bow!

Tag-ulan nanaman

Tag-ulan nanaman, anu-ano ba ang mga masarap gawin
kapag tag-ulan na? Ito ang mga pili-piling bagay na masarap,
at magandang gawin kapag tag-ulan na...

1. Ilatag mo ang iyong banig, kuhanin ang unan at matulog. Damhin ang lamig ng sahig, para ka nang naka aircon.


2. Buksan ang t.v. manood ng mga paboritong palabas tulad ng Eat Bulaga at Wowowee. Mas maganda kung sasabayan mo ito ng mainit na kape na pampainit sa panahong umuulan. At para hindi ka makatulog habang nanood.


3. Kung gusto mong lumabas pero ayaw mong mabasa ng ulan, wag ka nalang lumabas, sa loob ka nalang ng bahay kasi nga ayaw mong mabasa kaya yon sa loob ka nalang talaga. Kaya wag ka nalang lumabas, tapos imaginin mo nalang nasa labas ka habang nakatitig sa labas.


4. Paraang makakatipid sa tubig. Habang umuulan ng sobra-sobra, todo-todo to the 3rd signal lumabas ka ng bahay at maligo ka sa ulan. Nakatipid ka na sa inyong tubig may added vatamins and minerals pa ang tubig na pinaliligo moh. Mas maganda rin kung wala kang saplot sa paliligo para ramdam na ramdam mo ang kalikasan, siguraduhin mo lamang na walang mga taong nakakakita at baka kuhanan ka sa Hyden Cam(hidden cam) at i upload sa internet ang video mo.


5. Masarap ding maglaro ng board game katulad ng scrabble, word factory, o chess pwede na rin ang classic na snake and ladder pag tag-ulan, at makakatulong din itong i excercise ang iyong nilalamig na utak.


6. Isa pang masarap gawin kapag tag-ulan ay ang panood ng bold. Bakit? Pampainit.. ahahah..


7. Kung ikaw naman ay nilalamig pag umuulan magandang magsuot ng mga makakapal na damit tulad ng jacket at sweater. At isang pang arternatibong paraan ay makipag kita sa Syota at makipag yakapan magdamag. Maging maingat lang, dahil baka sa sobrang tagal ninyong magkayakap ay matungo sa pagjujut-jutan yan.. ehehe..


8. Masarap ding makinig ng iyong paboritong musika habang kumakain ng home made clubhouse at umuinom ng sobrang lamig na iced tea. Tea na mapait na binigyan ng yelo, clubhouse na gawa sa pan, cheese, mayonaise, tapos pan ulet, tapos ham, tapos mayonaise nanaman, tapos pinaka huli pan ulet. Gumawa ng sariling food recipe. Enjoy eating.



leave a comment.. thank you..

Goodbye Mr. Pop Star

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the unforgettable gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

His 1982 album "Thriller" — which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" — remains the biggest-selling album of all time, with more than 100 million copies worldwide.

The public first knew him in the late 1960s, when as a boy he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the music group he formed with his four older brothers. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. In fact, he united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie.

But as years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. He was in rehearsals in Los Angeles for the concert, an extravaganza that was to capture the classic Jackson magic: showstopping dance moves, elaborate staging and throbbing dance beats.

Singer Dionne Warwick said: "Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with........we have lost an icon in our industry."

Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital as word of his death spread. The emergency entrance at the UCLA Medical Center, which is near Jackson's rented home, was roped off with police tape.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson has just died," a woman boarding a Manhattan bus called out, shortly after the news was announced. Immediately many riders reached for their cell phones.

In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."

(News by: By LYNN ELBER, Associated Press Writer)

Rest In Peace

"KING OF POP"

(August 29, 1985 June 25, 2009)