Maniolas

FIL-AM MEDIA BAND & FRIENDS: From left, Ana Mendoza, Mat Relox, Mon Concepcion, Nikki Arriola, Christy Rosacia, Malou Toler, Joy Macainan, Joevel “Nukie” Santiago, Jr., Andy Tecson, Roy Cuchado and Abner Galino. LOS ANGELES – Filipino-American media groups here have banded together to honor the memory of the 32 journalists killed in the Ampatuan massacre, the worst single attack on the press. On Nov. 22, members of the media will hold a concert and photo exhibit at the Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles. The event will feature Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon Florante, local celebrity musicians and the newly formed Fil-Am Media Band. The concert, titled ABAKADA: Children Helping Children, will also highlight the youth band Back2Jupiter, who will dedicate their performances to the orphans of the slain journalists. “ABAKADA is the title of Florante’s popular song promoting the value of education,” said Benny Uy, public relations officer of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-US Chapter, producer of the show. “It’s also a fitting title because this project will help us support the education of the orphans of slain journalists.” The concert date – Nov.22 – which is Nov. 23 in Philippine time zone, marks the sixth year after the attack that claimed the lives of 58 people, 32 of them journalists, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province in Southern Philippines. None of the suspects have been convicted of the crime. International media groups, including the New York-based watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Read More …

Presidential candidate Grace Poe, her running mate Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, and veteran lawyer Lorna Kapunan (extreme left), acknowledge crowd after the tandem endorse Kapunan’s senatorial bid on Friday (Oct. 23) at the Balay Kalinaw in UP-Diliman, Quezon City. (MNS photo) With fingers pointing in different directions at the Senate inquiry into the “tanim-bala” extortion racket in airports, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero wants the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to clarify their exact roles in airport security. The senator made the call as some 9,000 APEC delegates and members of foreign media descend on Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this week. “The government is spending some P10 billion to host this major trade meeting and project the strength of the Philippine economy – we can’t possibly let a few bullets finding their way into random bags ruin the good image we’re building here,” said Escudero, an independent vice-presidential candidate and frontrunner in surveys. He said the country cannot afford to be lax amid terror threats in other parts of the world, citing what appeared to be coordinated attacks on different venues in Paris last week that killed at least 129 people. “The MIAA and OTS should know by this time what each agency’s role is in airport security, so that we know who to look for when problems arise,” he said. Escudero wants the OTS, in particular, to explain a recent memorandum it issued that effectively creates an “airport security organization in Read More …

Representatives of the Makabayan bloc led by Rep. Neri Colmenares link arms with Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero during a solidarity event at the Quezon City Sports Club on Thursday. The group declared support for Team Galing at Puso in the 2016 election.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – It’s business as usual for Senator Grace Poe, who is set to visit the province of Laguna on Tuesday, the same day the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) is scheduled to decide on the disqualification case filed against her over her citizenship. Poe and her running mate Senator Francis Escudero will visit the province along with their five senatorial bets – Representatives Sherwin Gatchalian and Roman Romulo, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, lawyer Lorna Kapunan and Susan “Toots” Ople. Based on the media advisory sent to reporters this Monday, Poe’s team will have consultations with various sectors in Calamba, Laguna, on Tuesday morning and another consultation with students of the Perpetual Help University in Biñan, Laguna, in the afternoon. There will also be a press conference scheduled at 11 a.m. While Poe is visiting the province, the 9-member SET will decide on the case filed against her. The senator earlier said that while she is nervous and sad on how the tribunal would decide on her case, this would not stop her from doing what she has to do for the people. “Syempre kailangan tuloy naman pero mas maganda sana kung mas maresolbabahan ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” she said in an Read More …

High winds sweeping down from the north caused power outages Monday in communities across Southern California. High winds sweeping down from the north caused power outages Monday in communities across Southern California. As if 1:30 p.m., Southern California Edison was managing about 500 storm-related incidents with more than 5,400 customers affected by the wind. SCE work crews have begun restoring electric service to customers without power as a result of the high winds. Areas impacted in SCE’s service territory include Huntington Beach, Compton, Whittier, Seal Beach, Valencia, Montebello, Monrovia, Antelope Valley and Tehachapi. Safety is SCE’s No. 1 priority for its customers and employees. If you see a downed line or dangling wire – even if it appears not to be live – don’t touch or approach it and call 911 immediately. Here are some tips for dealing with weather-related outages: If you know someone who is dependent on electrically operated medical equipment, make backup power arrangements in case a power outage affects that equipment. Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops. Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they pose a significant fire hazard. Do not use equipment indoors that is designed for outdoor cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of Read More …

Mercedes-Benz SL teaser imageThe new premium sports coupé is one of 30 cars making their global debut at this year’s event.©Daimler AG (Relaxnews) – From supercars to SUVs, in all some 50 new vehicles are scheduled to make an appearance at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. For some, like the Jaguar F-Pace,  the show will mark a first glimpse on US shores, but for 30 of that number, including the Ferrari F12tdf, LA will be the venue for the car’s first-ever appearance anywhere in the world. But despite its brand appeal, Ferrari will have to fight for attention. Porsche will be bringing a racetrack-ready version of its Cayman, the GT4 Clubsport, to this year’s show and Lamborghini is prepping a new, more dynamic version of its Huracan supercar. For those who want supercar performance with extra comfort and elegance, Mercedes will be unveiling its latest generation SL coupé complete, as always with folding hard top, and although it’s yet to confirm or deny rumors, McLaren could be showing off its 570S Spider too. SUVs and crossovers are also going to be huge draws at this year’s event, especially as the West Coast is the unofficial world capital of the offroader. Range Rover is bringing its Evoque convertible — the world’s first premium compact SUV drop top. It will be doing battle, so to speak, with the Cadillac XT5, a new crossover that proves US carmakers can do luxury as well as any European brand, while Infiniti will be taking Read More …