BMI Online Editor

Nov 162015
 
Alden Richards denies P100-M offer to endorse presidential bet

Alden Richards (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — ALDEN Richards clarified he had never received a P100 million offer to promote a presidential candidate in the May 2016 elections. “Walang lumapit to offer that much money. Ako, personally, I really don’t want to endorse anyone po. Kungbaga, let them be. Iba ang showbiz sa politics and I don’t want to mix it po,” Richards said. Richards admitted that in the first two months of “Kalye-serye”, the famous segment of “Eat Bulaga” featuring him and on-screen love team Maine Mendoza, aka Yaya Dub, there were offers to endorse a politician. He clarified though that the amount offered was way below P100 million. The actor said that he will not endorse any politician even if he will be offered P100 million. “There have been offers for me to endorse a political party or person, pero sinabi ko na baka pwedeng dito na lang tayo sa showbiz mag concentrate, not the other side,” he said. Richards said that when it comes to his endorsements, GMA Artist Center, the ones handling his career, is closely working with him and he has a say in every project. “Nag-uusap naman kami, yung management, if ever na may endorsements na pumapasok, inquiry, out-of-town or out of the country trips, tinatanong naman nila ako kung gusto ko ba siyang gawin,” he said. “In fairness naman sa management, they ask me if I want to do this if I want to do that, and (that’s the time) I will say Read More …

Nov 162015
 
PHL vows ‘higher’ APEC summit

A Philippine Navy patrol boat takes position along the “no-sail” restricted zone along Manila Bay, near the venues of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Friday. Around 8,000 delegates, CEOs, and 21 leaders from member-economies are expected to arrive in Manila for the APEC summit.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippines Saturday vowed “higher security” for world leaders at an economic summit in Manila next week after a series of bombings and shootings left more than 120 dead in Paris. US President Barack Obama is set to join the leaders of China, Japan, Australia, Canada and 15 others at an annual Asia-Pacific Economic Conference summit in Manila on November 18-19. Asked about the implications of the Paris attacks on the APEC summit, Foreign Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, a member of the summit organizing committee, said: “Higher security.” Foreign department spokesman Charles Jose added: “Our security officials are monitoring and assessing the situation and are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all delegates.” The Philippines cancelled more than a thousand flights, deployed 18,000 police and declared public holidays in Manila to ensure a safe and efficient summit, the organisers have said. Major streets in the usually chaotic capital are being closed to traffic to speed up the shuttling of delegates, with police asking building owners to close their windows to prevent their use by snipers. The Philippines has a long history of Islamic militancy in a southern region about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Manila, Read More …

Nov 162015
 
PNP on full alert nationwide after Paris attack

14rally2.jpg — Lumad representatives march to Mendiola after a closed-door meeting with with Mayor Joseph Estrada at the Manila City Hall on Friday. The lumad representatives had to strike camp Friday afternoon, after a deadline was set by the City of Manila as part of the government’s preparation for the APEC summit. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police on Saturday went on full alert nationwide following the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the declaration of a full alert status is “standard after the occurrence of a suspected terrorist attack in other countries or in the event of a national calamity.” “We are just taking our usual precautions, pero naka-full alert na po ang lahat ng PNP units sa ating bansa,” Valte added. The Palace official also said that modifications will be made on the security plan for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) next week because of the Paris attacks, where at least 120 people were killed. “Our security establishment is already monitoring the situation that is happening and that we will be taking the necessary steps to fine-tune, as necessary, our security plans and our contingency plans for the hosting,” she said. She added that the Philippines is committed to ensuring safety to the world leaders who will start arriving next week for the APEC meeting, which will be held from November 18 and 19. “This is a message that has been sent not just in light of the incident Read More …

Nov 162015
 

MANILA (Mabuhay) – Rep. Susan A. Yap (2nd District, Tarlac) has filed a measure increasing penalties against Public Communications Entities (PCE) for violation of the terms and conditions of any certificate, authority, order, decision, resolution or regulation of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). “In order to ensure compliance by the Public Communications Entities with the law and the NTC’s certificate, authority, order, decision, resolution or regulation, it is necessary to impose higher penalties and to provide a legal mechanism to allow the NTC to adjust penalties based on a rational standard,” said Yap in House Bill 6161. Yap said the penalty imposed in Section 21, Chapter IV (Penalties and Violations) of Commonwealth Act 146 amounts only to PHP200 per day of violation, and the penalty under Section 23 is a maximum of PHP25,000 imposable fines or an imprisonment not exceeding five years. “These penalties are obsolete and insignificant given the high level of income earned by Public Communications Entities,” Yap said. The bill seeks to increase the fines and penalties of Public Telecommunications Entities to PHP300,000 but not exceeding PHP5,000,000 for every day during which such default or violation continues. Likewise, the NTC is authorized and empowered to impose such fine, after due notice and hearing.(MNS)

Nov 162015
 
Embassy hosts forum on addressing violence against women and children

Marie Ramos, Outreach and Training Coordinator at the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, talks about addressing VAW and her experience in dealing with cases of domestic violence among the immigrant community in the United States during the Talakayan sa Pasuguan on 12 November 2015 at the Philippine Embassy. WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the world prepares to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, Embassy personnel and members of the Filipino-American community gathered for a forum on a Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). In his welcome remarks, Minister Patrick Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, pointed out the importance of discussing the issue of VAW. “It is ironic that in conflict situations, for example, women are common targets of violence, and yet they are the ones on whom the families and communities rely the most when it is time to heal and rebuild. It is time that all of us recognize the strength of women, treat them with respect and stop their victimization from violence in their homes and everywhere else,” said Minister Chuasoto. Marie Ramos, Outreach and Training Coordinator at the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, shared her knowledge on addressing VAW and her experience in dealing with cases of domestic violence among the immigrant community in the United States. Atty. JV Chan-Gonzaga, Minister and Economic Officer at the Embassy, talked about Philippine and international laws on the elimination of violence against women and children. Marie Ramos, Outreach and Training Coordinator Read More …

Nov 162015
 
DFA: No reports yet of Pinoys hurt in Paris attacks

MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said it has not yet received reports of Filipinos affected in the terrorist attacks that rocked busy restaurants, bars and a concert hall at locations around Paris, France. DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said the agency is closely coordinating with the Philippine post in the French capital to monitor the safety of Filipinos. “So far, wala po tayong natatanggap na ulat galing sa ating Embassy sa Paris na mayroon pong mga Pilipinong apektado po rito sa nangyari sa France,” Jose said. A Reuters report said about 100 people were killed in the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris and 40 others have died in other locations in and around the city. The apparently coordinated gun and bomb assault came as the country, a founder member of the U.S.-led coalition waging air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq, was on high alert for terrorist attacks ahead of a global climate conference due to open later this month. President Francois Hollande, who was attending an international soccer match with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier when several explosions took place outside the national stadium, declared a state of emergency in the Paris region and announced the closure of France’s borders to stop perpetrators escaping. Andre Estanislao, Philippine vice consul in Paris, said they are coordinating with French authorities to assure that no Filipino has been hurt in the mass hostage-taking at the Bataclan concert hall. A report from Reuters Read More …

Nov 162015
 
Will Nikki Valdez get married again?

Nikki Valdez (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — After being divorced from her Filipino-Canadian husband, is actress Nikki Valdez open to the idea of walking down the aisle once again? Valdez said she is hoping to fix the necessary documents involving her previous marriage within two months. The actress is currently in a relationship with a non-showbiz personality. “I am just waiting for that. Hopefully in a couple of months, sana,” the actress told said. Valdez went on to open up about how she met her boyfriend of less than a year. “Sa isang event ‘yon. May party, [we met] through common friends. Nag-start kaming maging friends muna, text-text… ‘Yun na, nag-start na ‘yung pagkakakilala namin sa isa’t isa. First date namin is a movie. “Ever since, constant ‘yung communication, constant ‘yung going out. We do simple things together. We eat out, minsan punta siya sa bahay ko,” she said. Valdez happily said that her mother approves of her new love. “Sobrang love siya ng mommy ko. Kapag dadalaw siya sa bahay, [sasabihin niya] ‘kakain ba siya dito sa bahay?’ Kasi mag-iisip na si mommy ko kung ano ang lulutuin para sa kanya,” she said. The actress added that she has also met her boyfriend’s family. “Na-meet ko na ‘yung family niya. Nakakatuwa, mababait silang lahat. Mga simpleng tao, they are a family of doctors,” she said. (MNS)

Nov 162015
 
Alex Gonzaga admits seeing non-showbiz guy

Alex Gonzaga (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Alex Gonzaga admitted that she is seeing someone who is not from show business but refused to give further details about the guy. “Malalaman niyo sa Book 2 ko na mayroon na,” Gonzaga said, referring to the best-selling breakup survival guide “Dear Alex, Break Na Kami. Paano?! Love, Catherine,” which she authored. “Mayroon namang nagpapatibok ng puso ko ngayon pero hanggang tibok pa lang muna,” she told reporters on Tuesday after the press conference of the reality competition “Dance Kids” which debuts this Saturday. Gonzaga, who was previously romantically linked to actors Arjo Atayde and Joseph Marco, said she feels she is ready to enter into a new relationship. “Kasi gumagawa ako ng book about dating, tapos bigla na lang nangyaring ganyan, bigla akong may nakilala na okay naman,” she teased. According to Gonzaga, she wants a guy who is consistent. “Kahit na persistent siya, kung ‘di naman siya consistent, wala din. Gusto ko kung ano ang ipinakita sa iyo from Day 1, ‘yun pa din ang intention niya at nararamdaman mo,” she explained. Aside from hosting “Dance Kids,” Gonzaga is also doing the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Buy Now Die Later” with her “Dance Kids” co-star Vhong Navarro. (MNS)

Nov 162015
 
Hyundai launches new global luxury brand, ‘Genesis’

Hyundai Motor Unveils Rendering of New G90: The new flaghsip will make its offical debut in December. ©Hyundai Hyundai Motor has announced an all-new global luxury brand – Genesis – that will deliver ‘human-centered’ luxury through a range of new models that feature the highest standards of performance, design and innovation. Created for a new generation of discerning consumers, Genesis will be a stand-alone brand that operates alongside the company’s popular Hyundai marque. Capitalizing on its success in the fast-growing global car market, Hyundai Motor will launch six new Genesis models by 2020 and will compete with the world’s most renowned luxury car brands. The Genesis brand seeks to create a new definition of luxury, one that will provide a new platform for future mobility centered on people. By anticipating human needs at every touch point, Genesis models will embody four key aspects: Human-focused innovation, refined and balanced performance, athletic elegance in design and hassle-free customer experience. “We have created this new Genesis brand with a complete focus on our customers who want smart ownership experiences that save time and effort, with practical innovations that enhance satisfaction. The Genesis brand will fulfill these expectations, becoming a market leader through our human-centered brand strategy,” said Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor Company Vice Chairman. Genesis models will boast outstanding driving dynamics and design, with innovations tailored to closely-meet the needs of customers. The new model line-up will distance itself from the traditional technological overload of brand-focused competitors, concentrating instead on a personalized, hassle-free customer experience. Continuing the customer-oriented approach that flows through every Genesis model, sales and service staff will Read More …

Nov 162015
 
Tips to avoid being annoyed for US-based balikbayans going home for the holidays

America, as they say is the “land of the free,” and for most of us who now have settled here, freedom and independence are both very important to us. However, per my recent visit back home, I missed being the ultra independent person I am, to the point of being annoyed because suddenly, the freedom we have all been used to here is nowhere to be found there. Tip #1.  Make sure you’re aware of the horrendous TRAFFIC situation in Metro Manila, particularly during weekdays; it usually takes two to three hours to go from one point to another, which is really annoying. Try NOT to go through EDSA, which is the main hub, running from the border of Bulacan up north all the way south to Bicutan and Laguna. Unlike here in LA, people can divert through the side roads that can lead them to the direction where they’re going or rely on their car’s or phone’s GPS systems. In Metro Manila, one can’t escape from TRAFIIC jams even on “side streets.” Part of the reason for these traffic jams is street construction, where most politicians running for election  have to “maximize” their budget to enable them to have a “reason” to be elected by placing banners where their supposed “construction projects” were set up, giving them relevance and something to “show for.” So, if you’re planning on going back home for the holidays, try to ARRIVE at NAIA (airport) on a Sunday, when there’s lesser traffic to go through wherever you wish to go. Tip Read More …