Maniolas

The Christmas season has one particular feature that highlights its significance in the midst of gross commercialism that characterizes its observance. To some, the religious flavor of the One who gave us his life as the supreme gift to save mankind from eternal damnation and condemnation is a factor that sets afire people’s their generosity and inspires them look outward with the thought of sharing. The world has been besieged by calamity after calamity which has put to the limit the giving attitude of some. The inherently benevolent, however, do not experience the donor fatigue that sets in when the demands to share come in quick succession from the many parts of the world hit by various kinds’ never-ending maladies. The Philippines has had its fair share of these catastrophes which tested the limits of its people who have been subjected to massive series devastations. Still, is spite of the “donor fatigue” syndrome, Filipinos in various parts of the world never fail to  come to aid of their kin back home hit by series of misfortunes. In spite of the anomalies that surrounded the shipments of balikbayan boxes in the Philippines, the “more fortunate ones” gamble to have their boxes shipped. Many take the safer and faster route by remitting money instead through remittance centers which have mushroomed in time for the season, Gift-giving in the U.S. is one tradition transplanted by early European immigrants “to preserve the celebrations of their home countries and which has been tainted by gross Read More …

— (ROME, Italy) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Italian Republic President Sergio Mattarella during the bilateral meeting at the Arazzi de Lilla Room of the Quirinal Palace during his official visit on Wednesday (December 02). (MNS photo) ROME (Mabuhay) – Italy threw its support behind the Philippines’ move to hail China to court over the maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi expressed support for the Philippine move to seek arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea when he met with President Aquino at the Palazzo Chigi Wednesday evening. Aquino is in Italy for a three-day working visit. Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said both leaders also “discussed threats posed by radicalization and global terrorism.” (ROME, Italy) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Italian officials at the Sala del Bronzino of the Quirinal Palace for the bilateral meeting with Italian Republic President Sergio Mattarella during his official visit here on Wednesday (December 02). (MNS photo) Aquino thanked Italy for its support for the AFP modernization program following the AFP’s acquisition of Agusta choppers from Italy. Coloma said the two leaders discussed the possibility of increasing trade and investments as well as making the Philippines as “possible manufacturing base” for export products to the European Union, Japan, and the ASEAN. Filipinos in Italy drew praise from Italy’s leaders. Renzi told Aquino Filipino workers are of “good quality” and “highly integrated.” A former mayor of Florence, Renzi said Filipinos “exemplified Read More …

Senator Grace Poe (left) reverses roles with news photographers, taking the picture of newly elected Press Photographers of the Philippines officers shortly after their oath taking Monday at the Senate. Poe led the oath taking as chairman of the Committee for Public Information and Mass Media. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The legal counsel of Senator Grace Poe on Thursday reiterated that the Supreme Court has the final say on whether the presidential aspirant is a natural-born Filipino. Asked for comment on Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s remark that Poe is not a natural-born Filipino, lawyer George Garcia replied, “The final decision on this issue belongs to the SC.” “Perhaps we should all wait for this,” he said. In a radio interview on Wednesday, Santiago said her colleague has a huge problem in qualifying for the presidency, vice presidency, or even a seat in the Senate because candidates for those national posts are required to be natural-born citizens. Asked if Poe is natural-born, Santiago said, “No, she’s not. I’m sorry to say.” “Maski ni-adopt siya, or ni-register sa Department of Social Welfare as a foster child, ‘di siya natural-born,” she said, adding that such status would require knowing that the biological parents or relatives are Filipino. Poe, a foundling, has yet to identify her biological parents. She was found at the Jaro Cathedral in 1968 and was later adopted by actors Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces. Results of a DNA test on the daughters of Eduardo Militar, who was said Read More …

IPOPHIL Director General Josephine Santiago and WIPO Director General Francis Gurry sign the Memorandum of Understanding to develop a national strategy on intellectual property, witnessed by IPOPHIL Deputy Director General Allan Gepty and Mr. Andrew Ong, Director for the WIPO Regional Bureau of Asia and the Pacific. The Philippines and the World Intellectual Property (WIPO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding last November 25 to jointly develop for the Philippines a national strategy for intellectual property (IP), which it can use to address its needs and priorities in line with existing development policies and economic goals. WIPO is the primary international body tasked with helping formulate, implement and coordinate policies and procedures related to copyrights, trademarks, patents and other forms of intellectual property. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, WIPO will provide assistance in the form of assessment missions, research, and data collection and analysis, among other activities. IPOPHIL and WIPO will then develop a national IP strategy in consultation with stakeholders and as appropriate to the circumstances of the Philippines. These circumstances include, for example, its legal environment, market conditions, available organizational support and level of public awareness. “There is a need for the Philippines to have a clear, comprehensive and coordinated approach in promoting and enhancing our capabilities in the field of science and technology, research and innovation. With a national strategy on intellectual property, we can further encourage schools, universities, research development institutes, inventors, creators and the business sector to avail of and utilize the benefits of the IP Read More …

Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona (MNS Photo) Elmo Magalona is the latest actor to ink a deal with the Kapamilya network. Magalona signed a contract with ABS-CBN, which includes a television series with Janella Salvador. He will also be co-managed by his mother, Pia Magalona, and Star Magic. Magalona said he didn’t have a hard time deciding to transfer because he believes ABS-CBN can give him opportunities where he can grow as an actor. “It wasn’t hard at all because nagkasundo naman,” he said. “More on pinag-usapan po namin ni mom kasi she manages me. It took a while. It was a thinking process pero naging mutual po ‘yung decision namin. ‘Yung offer po yung dumating and I didn’t want to lose the opportunity.” However, he clarified that he remains grateful to GMA-7. “Hindi ko naman po iniiwan ‘yung five years na experience ko na binigay sa akin ng GMA. That’s what put me into this one. Yun po ang nag-mold sa akin,” he said. After his contract signing, Magalona is hoping his career would also take off just like those of other former Kapuso stars who transferred to ABS-CBN. “Hopefully. I’m not really expecting but I hope I can deliver para maging ganun din ang [mangyari sa career ko],” he said. Meanwhile, Magalona said he is excited to start working with Salvador. The working title of their series is “Born for You” and it will hit the TV screens in 2016. “Kaka-meet ko lang kay Janella this week and Read More …