Metro Manila Development Authority(MMDA) personnel remove on Wednesday the plastic barriers used to create an exclusive ASEAN lane along EDSA for the 31st ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN lane was reserved for VIPs and delegates traveling from Clark International Airport to Manila and Manila to Clark for the 3-day regional meeting.(MNS photo) MANILA, Nov 16 (Mabuhay) –Hosting the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Meetings, which coincided with the regional bloc’s 50th founding anniversary, was a success considering that no unfortunate incident occurred, Malacañang said on Thursday. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also apologized to the people who were inconvenienced by the ASEAN-related events and said the hosting proved that the Philippines is capable of organizing international events. “Congratulations to the rest of the Filipino people. Siyempre po may mga naabala, lalong-lalo na doon sa closure ng EDSA, pasensya na po kayo. Ang naging kapalit naman ay iyong paghanga ng buong daigdig sa kakayahan ng bansang Pilipinas,” he said at a briefing in Malacañang. There was a collective sigh of relief now that the ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners have left the country, the Palace official noted. “It was a tremendous success. Of course, now that all the guests are gone, there is a sigh of relief that there was not one untoward incident. All that could have happened was one explosion, even if no one was hurt, for us to have a major disaster in our hands,” he said. The cooperation of the Filipinos helped avert untoward incidents, Read More …
Robi Domingo (MNS photo) Robi Domingo was beyond thrilled when he saw what’s waiting for him at home after a long day at work. On Instagram, Domingo shared a clip showing off his “new baby” given to him by celebrity doctor Vicki Belo. “I’VE GOT A NEW BABY! OMG moment right here! I love you sooo much Dra. Vicki Belo,” he wrote in the caption, referring to the mini grand piano in his house. As a sign of his appreciation, Domingo played a song on the piano which he dedicated to Belo. The TV host’s fans immediately recognized that the song was the official soundtrack of the Korean series “Goblin.” As of writing, Domingo’s video playing the piano has already gained over 75,000 views with close to 300 comments. (MNS)
Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo (MNS photo) Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo are one of the most low profile celebrity couples, but their relationship has really stood the test of time. Guidicelli was asked if he believes that Geronimo is “the one” for him. And without hesitation, the 27-year-old actor said, “I pray, and yes, yes, yes.” According to Guidicelli, his relationship with Geronimo has taught him many things. “Sarah is teaching me how to appreciate the basics, the very simple things that sometimes we forget to appreciate,” he said. While he doesn’t regret his past relationships, Guidicelli said if he could go back in time, he wanted the singer to be his first girlfriend. “When you find your love, when you find that person, you cannot go two days or three days without talking to her. You need her, alam mo ‘yon?” Although they quarrel sometimes, Guidicelli said their relationship is something worth keeping. Guidicelli is starring in a concert titled “Hey Matteo,” which is happening on November 30 at KIA Theater. (MNS)
Anne Curtis, who just got married to Erwan Heussaff in New Zealand on Sunday, teased Angel Locsin and Neil Arce that they will probably be the next couple to tie the knot. Curtis made the statement when she commented on Arce’s photo of him and Locsin taken during the “It’s Showtime” host’s pre-wedding party. Without saying much, Curtis wrote: “#NEXTna” Locsin and Arce have been friends for eight years before taking their friendship up a notch. While they have yet to go on record and say that they are officially together now, Locsin described Arce as her “source of happiness.” “Happy kami kung ano kami. We’re very happy. Hindi kami nagmamadali pero sigurado naman kami sa isa’t isa,” Locsin previously said in an interview. Before dating Arce, Locsin was in a relationship with Luis Manzano. On the other hand, Arce, who is a film producer, was previously with Bela Padilla. (MNS)
Jonalyn “Jona” Viray (MNS photo) Singer Jonalyn “Jona” Viray turned emotional as she recalled her father Fernando delos Santos Viray, who passed away last October at the age of 51. In an interview on Monday, Jona said she will be paying tribute to her father in her upcoming concert “Prima Jona on November 18 at the Theatre at Solaire. “After po noong mangyari sa father ko, iniisip ko sa sarili ko kung kakayanin ko bang kantahin ang mga kantang ito. Baka mamaya umiyak ako at mag-breakdown lang ako doon? Pero kailangan kong harapin ‘yon. I think ‘yun po ang challenge sa akin kung paano ko made-deliver ang performance ng maayos kahit tagos na tagos po ang mga kantang kakantahin ko,” she said. Jona was in tears as she talked about what she learned from the death of her father. “Dapat hindi tayo magsasayang ng oras kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan mawawala ang isang tao, kung kailan mawawala ang isang bagay. Minsan sinasabi natin na next time o bukas na lang. Pero dapat ang i-practice natin na hindi sa lahat ng bagay laging may next time. Mas i-treasure natin ang ngayon at hanggang maari ay isipin natin na this is our last chance our last day,” she said. “Na-appreciate ko rin po ‘yung buhay. Dapat sobrang inaalagaan natin ang health natin. Para saan pa ‘yung nagtatrabahaho tayo, nagpapayaman or ginagawa natin para sa wealth natin pero kung health ang magsa-suffer? So importante na bigyan natin ng halaga ang health natin. Read More …
Secretary Raul L. Lambino talks about federalism and the proposed Philippine federalism model at a roundtable discussion organized by the Philippine Embassy and the US-Philippines Society on 08 November 2017. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in cooperation with the US-Philippines Society organized a roundtable discussion on federalism, featuring Cagayan Export Zone Authority (CEZA) CEO Raul L. Lambino on 08 November 2017. Secretary Lambino, a strong advocate of federalism, is also the Vice President for International Affairs of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Party. In the discussion attended by US business representatives and Filipino community leaders, Secretary Lambino highlighted the advantages of having a federal system of government, its objectives, and the proposed model of Philippine federalism. “The objectives of federalism will be to activate the regions’ participation in national decision making, to accelerate economic development of the regions, achieve peace in Mindanao, and allow the preservation of culture and the languages of the various ethno-linguistic groups,” said Secretary Lambino. The Secretary further explained the administrative structure of the regional governments and the division of powers under the proposed model. “This is how we envision the Philippines to be. This is not a proposal that is not subject to modification, but we are proposing the establishment of 11 regional governments in the country,” the Secretary said. Defense, national security, foreign policy, currency, banking, and monetary policy, customs and national taxation, and international trade powers will be retained by the federal government, while the regional governments will be responsible for the development of the Read More …
Franco Hernandez (MNS photo) Franco Hernandez, 26, a member of the “It’s Showtime” boy group Hashtags, was declared dead after drowning in Davao Occidental on Saturday. Following confirmation of the sad news, his fans and other celebrities expressed shock over the loss of the young dancing heartthrob, who just joined the group this February. Among those who were quick to react was “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda, who posted a photo on Instagram indicating that he was heartbroken over the death. Vice Ganda acknowledges the death of Franco Hernandez via a post on Instagram Live. Gretchen Ho expressed her grief by sharing a short clip of Hernandez sending her a greeting. She wrote: “My fangirl video.” Kim Chiu was similarly stunned and said: “I’m not close to him but he is one of the nicest. Prayers for Franco and his family.” Hernandez joined the group this February, and was introduced as the “Hataw Heartthrob” among the new members. He told the show: “We promise to do our best because this kind of opportunity na magpasaya ng madlang people and maging parte masayang pamilya, minsan lang ito mangyari.” He describes himself as “fun-loving and adaptable” on his profile. (MNS)
Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff (MNS photo) Actress Anne Curtis and restaurateur Erwan Heussaff wed in a ceremony in New Zealand Sunday surrounded by just a few friends and family members. The “It’s Showtime” host and her chef beau, who began dating in 2011, exchanged vows less than a year after getting engaged in December. The exact date of their wedding was kept under wraps, with the two insisting on a simple, private affair. But as guests began to arrive in New Zealand, Curtis’ fans couldn’t contain their excitement over the wedding. ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts fly to New Zealand The anticipation was also high after the couple arranged a loved-up photoshoot in South Korea, recreating some of the promotional posters from Curtis’ favorite TV drama a week prior. (MNS
Rhian Ramos (MNS photo) Rhian Ramos got to set foot at ABS-CBN’s 9501, regular venue for Kapamilya presscons, for the first time for the presscon of her movie, “Fallback”, produced by Cineko Productions but distributed by Star Cinema. It seems Cineko is farming out their movies to various more established outfits. “Mang Kepweng” was previously distributed by Viva and “Bes & the Beshies” by Regal. This is the second movie of Rhian released by Star after “Silong” where she played a killer, produced by Piolo Pascual. So how does Rhian feel about being on ABS-CBN grounds? “It feels nice, parang nag-field trip ako rito,” she says. “I feel very lucky because not everyone is given this opportunity. I can feel my horizons expanding and I welcome working with new people.” Some folks might think she’s moving to ABS. “Imposibleng mangyari ‘yun kasi I just renewed my contract with GMA-7 and I’ve just started taping my new show for them, ‘The One That Got Away’, with Dennis Trillo, Lovi Poe and Max Collins, for which I’m grateful and happy.” The movie “Fallback” is about having a “reserba”, an alternative Plan B, so could it be that ABS is the fallback for her? “I don’t know what to say, but I’m happy with what I have right now and there’s no need to change anything at the moment.” Does she have a fallback for her Fil-Chinese, Jason Choachuy? “Wala. None at all. I’ve experienced fallback before, pero ako pala ‘yung fallback, ako Read More …
Iñigo Pascual and Piolo Pascual (MNS photo) Actor-singer Iñigo Pascual is hoping to do a musical collaboration with his “lodi” or idol. And that person, he said, is his father, actor Piolo Pascual. “Sana we will be able to work on a song together, or even a performance on ‘ASAP’ or something,” he said in an interview. “Nami-miss ko ‘yon, nami-miss kong mag-perform with my dad.” “Sana in the future I will be able to work with him on a song,” he added. Pascual went on to describe his father as “petmalu,” saying that the actor has always been his role model. “He is the reason why I’m doing what I’m doing. As a kid, siya talaga ang role model ko. So kung mabigyan ka ng chance na makapag-perform with your idol, your lodi, [siyempre ‘yung] petmalu, si Papa ko. I want to work with him and collaborate with him,” he said. The young singer-actor is also dreaming of writing a song for his father. “Maybe in his next album or something, I will be able to write a song for him,” he said. (MNS)