Maniolas

MATTHEW Lee Guthmiller, 19, waves to welcomers after landing in the country. Heaims to set a world record and raise funds for computer students. RICHARD A. REYES MANILA, Philippines–Surely it takes guts to fly a plane solo across the globe—and at only 19 years of age. The American teenage pilot who is attempting to make it to the Guinness World Records as the youngest person to circumnavigate the world alone, Matthew Lee Guthmiller, reached the Philippines on Tuesday afternoon, making a three-day stop here before flying on to Australia. Guthmiller, a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was given a warm welcome by officials and employees of aviation products supplier Varace Air Corp. and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as soon as he landed his Beechcraft Bonanza A36 in Pasay City. The American pilot arrived at 5 p.m., an hour later than expected as he had to go around a thunderstorm on his way from Kuala Lumpur to the Philippines. As soon as he got out of his aircraft, the bespectacled Guthmiller flashed a smile and waved to waiting photographers and television crew. “This is the best reception I’ve gotten so far. It’s quite amazing. I did not expect this much,” he said. MIT freshman A freshman at MIT majoring in electrical engineering and computer science, Guthmiller got his private pilot’s license on his 17th birthday. He embarked on his record-breaking journey on May 31, with San Diego, California, as the start-off point. He flew Read More …

A group of overseas recruiters has expressed opposition to the plan of airport authorities to include the terminal fee in the price of all airline tickets starting October. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–A group of overseas recruiters has expressed opposition to the plan of airport authorities to include the terminal fee in the price of all airline tickets starting October. The move is aimed at removing the last-minute long queues at the airports for terminal fee payments and was formalized in an agreement between the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) and various airlines on Tuesday. But the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (FAME) is not happy about it, pointing out that overseas Filipino workers, who are exempted from the fee, would face an additional process of refunding the fee. The integration agreement specifies that those exempted from paying terminal fees must submit an exemption certificate for tickets purchased from ticketing offices and travel agents within the Philippines. If tickets are purchased online or outside the Philippines, the terminal fee will be refunded in Manila upon presentation of the exemption certificate. In a statement on Wednesday, FAME president Alfredo Palmiery said the process of refunding the fee would create another queue and become an “additional burden” to exempted OFWs. The terminal fee is also waived for national athletes and Muslims going on pilgrimage. “It will just become an additional burden to the workers, the recruitment agencies and the employers themselves,” the statement said. Also, OFWs need to secure an overseas employment Read More …

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 6:07 am | Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014 Gen. Iriberri with Dep. Chief of Mission Penaranda. PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PHOTOS/TSGT DICK OLIVA & MAJALYA FERNANDO Gen. Iriberri placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery WASHINGTON, DC — Commanding General of the Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, paid a courtesy call at the Philippine Embassy, where Deputy Chief of Mission Ariel Penaranda and other Embassy officials received him. General Iriberri is in the United States upon the invitation of US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno. After the visit to the Embassy, Iriberri placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. on Monday, June 30. PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PHOTOS/TSGT DICK OLIVA & MAJALYA FERNANDO Follow Us Other Stories: Singapore urged: Shut down ‘slave auction’ A ‘kiss’ for Rizal’s 153 birth anniversary Fil-Am girl band steadily shaping its immij Filipino in LA faces life for killing his wife Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=107418 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Read More …

Tomas Infante faces 25 years to life form killing his wife SAN FRANCISCO, California — A Los Angeles jury has found a Filipino man guilty of killing his wife and leaving the body in the trunk of her car, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. Deputy District Attorney Miriam Avalos on Wednesday, June 18 said the jury deliberated for about two hours and found Tomas Rodriguez Infante, 62, guilty of first-degree murder for beating and stabbing his 57-year-old wife, Charito Tolentino. Avalos said Infante is scheduled back at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pomona before Judge Mike Camacho for sentencing.
Avalos said the defendant faces a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison. Prosecutors established that at the time of the killing, Infante was having an affair with another woman. When Infante’s girlfriend learned he was married, she broke up with him. An autopsy determined that the victim, Tolentino, had suffered three stab wounds to her neck and chest area, five lacerations on her head and multiple bruises on her head, face, hands and right forearm. Infante reported his wife missing on Jan. 12 and told authorities she had not returned from work, according to Lt. John Corina of the LA Country Sheriff’s homicide section. Corina said worried family members searched for Tolentino, and with help from her cell phone provider, were able locate her SUV about 20 miles away, at the parking lot of the Hawaiian Gardens Casino at the 11800 block of Read More …

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 4:49 am | Monday, June 23rd, 2014 Flag raising guests include Philippine Consulate General Officials led by newly-arrived Philippine Consul General Henry S. Bernsurto, Jr. and Daly City Officials led by Mayor David Canepa, Council members, Commissioners of Daly city as well as Filipino American community leaders. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO DALY CITY, California — For the very first time, Daly City on June 9 held a Philippine flag-raising ceremony at City Hall to commemorate the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. Mayor David Canepa and Philippine Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr.- in his first official event after arriving in San Francisco to assume his post,  raised the Philippine flag. Officials from the Philippine Consulate and Daly City and members of the Filipino American community attended the event. “I am very touched by this event, which demonstrates how the Daly city government led by Mayor Canepa values the Filipino American community in the city,” remarked Consul General Bensurto. He expressed the hope that  “the commemoration of Philippine Independence day overseas, such as this event in Daly City, would evoke a strong sense of patriotism among overseas Filipinos, particularly in the context of what is happening in the Philippines” and it leaders’ attempts “engage other countries in positive” and peaceful relations. Mayor Canepa said the event was “Daly City’s way of honoring and giving value to its Filipino and Filipino-American residents for having a strong commitment to family, service, faith and hard work, and echoes the belief on the valuable Read More …