BMI Online Editor

Sep 222016
 
KC Concepcion reveals ‘relationship status’

KC Concepcion (MNS Photo) While she was seen getting cozy with former Azkals captain Aly Borromeo over the past few months, it appears actress-host KC Concepcion has yet to take her relationship with the football player to another level. Concepcion left many of her followers on Instagram baffled when she gave an “update” regarding her relationship status, wherein she revealed that she is both not “single” and “taken” at the same time. According to Concepcion, she is “building an empire, finding [herself], healing [herself], loving [herself], being passionate, getting fit, growing friendships, meeting new people, and making memories.” Rumors romantically linking the two began when Concepcion was spotted at one of Borromeo’s football games last April. Concepcion has since admitted to dating the athlete, describing him as one of the few “good guys” left. Last May, Concepcion introduced Borromeo to her parents, Megastar Sharon Cuneta and her stepfather Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. They also recently went on a vacation in Hong Kong.(MNS)

Sep 222016
 
The new Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: Open-top driving performance as a twin pack

Mercedes-AMG is blowing even more fresh air into the AMG GT family. Mercedes-Benz presents two exciting roadster variants of the two-seater sports car. Alongside the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT C Roadster Shortly after the world premiere of the AMG GT R, the sports car and performance brand from Affalterbach is presenting two exciting roadster variants of the two-seater sports car. Alongside the AMG GT Roadster*, the AMG GT C Roadster* enhances the portfolio with a completely new model variant. With an output of 410 kW (557 hp) and peak torque of 680 Nm, the AMG GT C is the most powerful new Roadster variant and uses some of the technical refinements of the AMG GT R. These include active rear axle steering and the electronically controlled rear axle locking differential. In combination with the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, the AMG GT C Roadster guarantees dynamic performance at the highest level. The top Roadster also takes its lead from the top AMG GT R sports car where muscular proportions are concerned: the wider rear wings create space for a wider track and wider wheels at the rear axle, allowing even higher cornering speeds and best traction. The variable performance exhaust system also ensures an authentic V8 sound from the AMG Roadster. The new Roadsters make hallmark AMG driving performance an even more intensive experience. “With our two Roadster models, we are strategically expanding the AMG GT family by two exciting variants. With the AMG GT C Roadster, we are also introducing a new model variant to which we have transferred main performance-related Read More …

Sep 212016
 
10 outstanding young Fil-Ams to take part in 2016 FYLPRO

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce the names of the 2016 Filipino American Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) delegates. (photo screenshot courtesy of http://fylpro.org/) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two engineers, two lawyers, two marketing and communications professionals, a Broadway producer, an educator, a transportation infrastructure specialist, and a culinary enthusiast, form the fifth batch of young Filipino- American leaders who will embark on an immersion trip to the Philippines to meet with influential Filipino personalities and deepen their understanding of issues affecting their country of heritage. Now on its fifth year, Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) continues to give high-performing, next-generation Filipino-Americans the opportunity to reconnect with their roots and engage with government leaders, business executives, cultural experts, social entrepreneurs, and innovators in different fields in the Philippines. The following are the 2016 FYLPRO delegates: 1. Noel Aglubat (New York, NY) 2. Tiffany Batac (Washington, DC) 3. Joanne Boston (Daly City, CA) 4. Mark Calaguas (Chicago, IL) 5. Brandon Dela Cruz (Honolulu, HI) 6. Elizabeth Frilles (Honolulu, HI) 7. Christopher Lapinig (Los Angeles, CA) 8. Maria Teresa Quintans (Tamuning, Guam) 9. Donny Rojo (Seattle, WA) 10. Jhett Tolentino (New York, NY) Minister Patrick Chuasoto, the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affairés ad interim and Chair of the FYLPRO Selection Committee, noted the high caliber crop of applicants to the 2016 edition of FYLPRO. “The application process has been highly competitive this year and we are proud of the ten delegates who made the final cut. They have enormous leadership potential, and all have exhibited the will to be Read More …

Sep 202016
 
Congen Adelio Angelito Cruz ‘Meets and Greets’ Pinoys in Bellflower

What was intended to be an intimate gathering to welcome LA’s top public official from the Philippines turned out to be not so with Pinoys from various parts of Southern California coming in force for the event. Newly installed Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, turned out to be a “crowd drawer” with some attendees coming from as far as San Diego to meet him at the Original Lapid Filipino Cuisine in Bellflower known for its delicious Filipino food fares. OC Fil-Am Chamber and Congen Cruz: The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County extended a warm welcome to the newly installed Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz at the Meet and Greet event at the Original Lapid Filipino Cuisine in Bellflower led by (from L-R): Current President Edwin Baloloy, former presidents Elena Salonga Lapid and Edith Andres (flanking Congen Cruz) and Faccoc Board member Andy Edralin. Two city mayors were also at the event to “meet and greet” him – Cerritos Mayor Pro Tempore Mark E. Pulido and former Carson City Mayor Jim Dear. It was not actually the first time that the members of the Filipino community had the honor of meeting the Consul General Cruz as many in the crowd already met him at the Consulate-sponsored introduction event held at the Consulate very recently. Only this time, the meet and greet event attended by members of the business, professional and political sectors within the jurisdiction of the Consular Office had a less formal atmosphere and was an occasion Read More …

Sep 202016
 
Duterte warns of another explosion in Mindanao

By Lilian C. Mellejor President Rodrigo Duterte, Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner, and Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza listen as Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was held hostage for almost a year by bandit group Abu Sayyaf, delivers a message during a press conference in Matina Enclaves, Davao City on September 18.(MNS photo) DAVAO CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte has warned of another possible terrorist attack in Mindanao or in other parts of the country. “There will be another explosion believe me,” Duterte said before a meeting Monday with the victims of the Sept. 2 explosion at the Roxas night market where 15 persons died and injured 69 others. The President met with the survivors and victims of the Davao blast to extend assistance to them. Duterte said young terrorists who identify themselves with the Islamic State (IS) still remember the atrocities of the past such as the 1906 Bud Dajo massacre. “The young don’t belong to any organization, they are identified with the ISIS. They have sworn allegiance already to the Isis,” he said. Atrocities against the Moro people in Mindanao may have happened decades ago but remain as if it happened yesterday, Duterte said. He said he knew there would be an explosion in the city due to his all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf. “I knew na puputok dito. Nung bakbakan na sa Sulu, alam ko (I knew there would be an explosion here. When there was already fighting in Sulu, I know). No need to be Read More …

Sep 202016
 
Gov’t, NDF peace panels to draw up formal bilateral truce in next Oslo talks

By Lilian C. Mellejor NDF negotiator Satur Ocampo greets San Francisco U.S-based Correspondent Myles A. Garcia: National Democratic Front negotiator Satur Ocampo (right) shakes hands with San Francisco U.S-base Correspondent Myles A.Garcia (left) during the latter’s launching of his book “THIRTY YEARS LATER: Catching up with the Marcos-Era Crimes” on Saturday (September 17,2016)at Sikat, 305 Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City (PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan) DAVAO CITY  (PNA) – The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) of the Communist Party of the Philippines are expected to draw up the final bilateral ceasefire in the next round of the peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway on October 6 to 10. Lawyer Angela Librado, a member of the GRP panel, said the final bilateral ceasefire is one of the major items during the next Oslo talks. Last August, both the Philippine government (GRP) and NDF agreed on implementing their respective ceasefires. President Rodrigo Duterte re-imposed ceasefire on August 22 and this was reciprocated by the NDF at the close of the resumption of talks last August 26. Librado explained a unified ceasefire agreement is necessary so that they can come up with deadlines. “We gave ourselves 60 days to draft (the bilateral truce),” Librado said during Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Davao Annex. Librado said the unified ceasefire agreement is crucial because it enables both parties to go around and seek consultations on the substantive agenda, one of which is the socioeconomic reforms. Librado is optimistic both panels will achieve the Read More …

Sep 202016
 
12 cops already slain in anti-illegal drug operations of PNP

Briefing on benefits of policemen killed in action in PNP’s anti-drugs operations: Supt. Arnel A. Esmana (left), Assistant Chief, Morale and Welfare Division of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), briefs the media on the benefits of policemen who were killed in action in the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s anti-drugs operations on Monday (Sept. 19, 2016) at Camp Crame, Quezon City. (PNA photos by Avito C. Dalan) MANILA  (PNA) – There is now a total of 12 policemen killed in the anti-illegal drug operations launched by the Philippine National Police (PNP) since July 1, 2016. In a press conference on Monday, Police Supt. Arnel Esmana, of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Resource Management (DPRM) Assistant Chief on Morale and Welfare Division, said that aside from those policemen killed, there are also 16 other policemen who were wounded in the operations. Esmana added that appropriate assistance such as the Php 100,000 personal financial assistance of PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, the beneficiaries of the slain policemen would also receive benefits from the PNP, Presidential Social Fund-Special Financial Assistance (PSF-SFA) in the amount of Php 250,000, National Police Commission (Napolcom), Pag-IBIG and Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc. (PSMBFI), among others. Esmana noted that the hospital bills of the wounded policemen would entirely be shouldered by the PNP until their full recovery. However, not included in the list of the DPRM are the slain policemen who were suspected to be involved in illegal drugs.

Sep 202016
 
Mayon Volcano poses danger even without looming blast

By Catherine J. Teves Mayon Volcano on September 23, 1984: Pyroclastic flows descend the south-eastern flank of Mayon Volcano, Philippines. Then, the maximum height of the eruption column was 15 km above sea level, and volcanic ash fell within about 50 km toward the west. There were no casualties from the 1984 eruption because more than 73,000 people evacuated the danger zones as recommended by scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. (Mayon VolcanoPublic Domain C.G. Newhall, Wikipedia) MANILA  (PNA) – A major eruption isn’t yet imminent in Mayon Volcano but this mountain still poses danger due to continuing volcanic activities there. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) science research specialist Ryan Rebadulla cautioned against such danger, noting rockfalls from earthquakes in Mayon and phreatic eruptions from contact of ground water and this mountain’s hot rocks are among life-threatening occurrences possible anytime and almost without warning. He said landslides and avalanche at the middle to upper slope as well as sudden ash puffs are also possible in Mayon. “We advise people to avoid entering Mayon’s permanent danger zone (PDZ),” he said. The PDZ covers an area with a six-kilometer radius measured from Mayon’s summit. Rising some 2.46 km in Albay province, Mayon Volcano is considered the world’s perfect cone. Mayon’s beauty and symmetry is world-famous even if Phivolcs said this volcano already registered around 49 historical eruptions. Among precursors to such eruptions were increased seismicity level and steam emissions, crater glow due to presence of magma at Read More …

Sep 202016
 
Will Geneva Cruz make a PHL showbiz comeback?

Geneva Cruz (MNS photo) Singer and former actress Geneva Cruz admitted that she only planned to stay in the Philippines for a couple of days to attend a friend’s wedding, but a problem involving her passport has extended her trip. “Nag-expire iyong passport ko,” she said. But her slight misfortune did not stop Cruz, who is currently based in London with her two children, from enjoying her return to her home country. Based on her recent Instagram posts, Cruz took advantage of her misfortune and went to Balesin with her best friend, Rachel Alejandro. “Iyong beach, iyong mga kaibigan ko, lalo na iyong pamilya ko. And I love the weather, the food, and the people siyempre,” said Cruz when asked about the things she missed the most about the Philippines. Not everything has been rosy, however. On her Twitter account, Cruz wrote a rant about “constantly being judged” and that she is “excited to go home.” “People, they tend to judge you based on what they know about your past. And they don’t even know the ‘truth’ behind everything, like my behavior and actions before,” she said. “Sa kanila kasi puwedeng mistakes, but I don’t think people really make mistakes. For example, having children. No way! My children will never be mistakes to me,” Cruz continued. “Probably hindi nag-work iyong relationship pero sa akin, ang greatest accomplishment ko is mga anak ko. Sa States kasi parang mas free ako to whatever I want without being judged.” Cruz has had two Read More …

Sep 202016
 
Mitsubishi 2017 Mirage G4 features superior fuel economy

Sedan one of top environmentally conscious gas-powered cars in industry today 2017 Mirage G4 SE New York – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today unveiled the all-new 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4. A sibling to the well-established and popular Mirage hatchback, the all-new Mirage G4 brings consumers a fresh dose of clean style, environmental consciousness, agility, connectivity, affordability and value. The Mirage G4 goes on sale this spring at Mitsubishi showrooms across the country. “A few years ago we entered the subcompact segment with the Mirage hatchback and its popularity with consumers has grown every year with its combination of top fuel economy, attractive pricing and one of the industry’s best new car warranties. The new Mirage G4 repeats that value equation in a four-door sedan package,” said MMNA executive vice president, Don Swearingen. “The Mirage hatchback and now the Mirage G4 sedan will form a formidable one-two punch in the subcompact segment.” The Mirage G4 will utilize the same powertrain of the 2017 hatchback, a revised 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. The small displacement engine provides a harmonious blend of lively acceleration and efficiency. The Mirage G4 will be at the top of its class in combined fuel efficiency and C02 emissions. Inside, the Mirage G4’s long wheelbase provides for a spacious interior cabin and trunk. Adding an element of surprise and delight to the subcompact segment, the Mirage G4 will come equipped with available smartphone integrations, features typically reserved for higher priced vehicles. Support for Apple CarPlay™, the smarter, safer Read More …