Maniolas

Cigarette packs with graphic health warnings: Anna Kapunan (center), spokesperson of Katipunars PSLINK, an association of nurses, shows samples of cigarette packs with graphic health warnings during a press briefing on Saving Lives Through the Full Implementation of the Graphic Health Warnings Law held at Max’s Restaurant, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City on Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2016). With her in photo are (from right): Jorge Banal, president, Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines; and Engr. Emer Rojas, president, New Vois Association of the Philippines. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends graphic health warnings and higher taxes on tobacco products as two of the most effective ways to stop people from smoking. (PNA photo by Johnny D. Guevarra) MANILA, Oct. 19 (PNA) – Beginning Nov. 4, all tobacco products being manufactured and imported for sale in the Philippines must contain graphic health warnings in compliance with Republic Act No. 10643. “This means that cigarette packs must carry graphic health warnings and products with text only warnings are no longer allowed to be sold anywhere in the country,” Emer Rojas, president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) and a throat cancer survivor, said during a press briefing held in Quezon City Wednesday. Ratified in July 2014, RA 10643 mandates that all tobacco products being sold in the country carry graphic health warnings in the lower portion of the cigarette packs, covering at least 50 percent of both sides of the packages. A total of 12 templates or Read More …

By Jason de Asis PAGASA Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio points to the eye of Typhoon “Lawin” during a press conference on Tuesday. Lawin (International name Haima), which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday afternoon, is predicted to make landfall in Cagayan province on Thursday morning. (MNS photo) BALER, Aurora, Oct. 19 (PNA) – This capital town of Aurora was placed under a state of calamity late Tuesday afternoon due to the effects of typhoon Karen. In a special session, the SB unanimously approved the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to declare Baler under a state of calamity to be able to release calamity funds needed to assist the victims of typhoon Karen. On motion of councilor Francisco B. Zubia III which was affirmed by the rest of the SB members in session, they declared this town under a state of calamity until such time that the effects of the disaster have been mitigated and situation in the area has stabilized. Resolution no. 069-2016 was likewise approved by Mayor Nelianto C. Bihasa. This town was heavily hit by Karen which brought extensive damages to properties and livelihood in which a great number of population were affected and in need of emergency assistance, including those individuals and families whose houses were destroyed. Based on the report from the MDRRMO, damage to agriculture brought by typhoon Karen when it made a landfall Sunday in this capital town of Aurora has initially reached to more than PHP53.48 Read More …

http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/ Los Angeles  2016 —- Twenty films submitted to represent their countries in the Motion Picture Academy’s Foreign Language Film category will be among the 34 motion pictures at the 2nd Annual Asian World Film Festival which runs from October 24 to November 1 at the ArcLight Theater in Culver City. In association with CJ Entertainment, this year’s festival will include a special screening track “Korean Film Days,” featuring five films from South Korea, including the Oscar® contender The Age of Shadows. The closing night film will be South Korea’s Operation Chromite. Keon-Seop Park, a visionary producer who opened the door to the New Korean Cinema in the ‘90s, will be honored on that night with the Cinematic Legacy Achievement Award. The three other films screening as part of CJ Entertainment’s Korea Film Days are Asura, The World of Us and The Map Against the World. All five films were released in 2016. The other Oscar contenders are Armenia’s Earthquake, Bangladesh’s The Unnamed, India’s Interrogation, Iraq’s El Clasico, Japan’s Nagasaki Memories of my Son, Jordan’s 3000 Nights, Kazakhstan’s Amanat, Kyrgyzstan’s A Father’s Will, Lebanon’s Very Big Shot, Malaysia’s Redha, Nepal’s The Black Hen, Palestine’sThe Idol, Pakistan’s Mah e Mir, Russia’s Paradise, Singapore’s Apprentice, Taiwan’s Hang In There, Kids!, Thailand’s Karma, Turkey’s Cold of Kalandar andYellow Flowers on the Green Grass from Vietnam. The AWFF is generously sponsored by Aitysh Film, Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions, Etihad Airways, Variety, Sony Entertainment Television – Asia, The Los Angeles Film School, Consulate General of Lebanon Read More …

By Jelly F. Musico President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa in Malacañang on Monday (Oct. 3, 2016). (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday thanked Japan for its continued assistance, including patrol ships, to the country. President Duterte expressed his appreciation to the Japanese people during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila. ”Let me start by giving our gratitude to Japanese Ambassador Ishikawa, our heartfelt thanks for giving us the ships — some are here, others are coming — and your desire to help the Philippines,” President Duterte said in his speech. The President recognized Japan as one of the biggest contributors to the Filipino people. ”In my city alone, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) projects are abundant and it has redounded to the benefit of my countrymen over in Mindanao,” said the former Davao City mayor. ”And now that I’m the President, you continue to pour the aid that you feel you want to extend to us and again, we’d like to thank the Japanese people, your Emperor and your government,” he said. President Duterte said the Philippines needs more ships to patrol the country’s more than 7,000 islands. ”We need the ships. If you count the number of islands of about 7,000 plus, that would count to so many great miles of coastlines. It is not Read More …

By Aerol B. Patena P2P double deck bus in EDSA: A Point-to-Point (P2P) double deck bus travels along the stretch of the EDSA Santolan southbound lane on Thursday (October 13, 2016). The bus is one of the 14 P2P buses plying the Trinoma-Makati (Glorietta 5) route which were launched in a bid to reduce travel time of commuters. (PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan) MANILA  (PNA) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has launched on Wednesday fourteen new double decker premium point to point (P2P) buses traversing the Trinoma-Glorietta route that will operate 24 hours from Monday to Sunday. The buses will carry passengers that will be affected by the implementation of the “no window hours” policy on private vehicles traveling along EDSA, C5, Mandaluyong, Alabang-Zapote, and Roxas Boulevard starting Oct. 17. “The P2P buses offer a convenient transportation option and designed to encourage private car owners to try public transportation,” DOTr said in a statement. Two of the buses are customized VIP units which are equipped with 52 reclining sleeper seats with monitors for latest movies, games and other entertainment apps. Its lower floor features a VIP cabin with CR, cooler, VIP sofas, conference table, and two units of 50” flatscreen TV monitors with KTV functions. The VIP double decker buses are also equipped with CCTV cameras and have passed Euro 5 emission standards. Apart from the VIP bus units, seven semi-VIP and five PWD double decker buses were also launched. The fare for the buses costs PHP55 for single Read More …