Maniolas

LOS ANGELES, CA –  Union Bank and the American Heart Association (AHA) Western States Affiliate announced today their premier float will be called “Union of Hearts.” The float will be a part of the world famous 2016 Rose Parade® presented by Honda. The name pays tribute to the 30-year collaboration between the bank and the AHA.  For three decades, both have united in the fight against heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers of both men and women. Survivors of heart disease and stroke, heart health champions and AHA advocates each with unique, inspiring stories will ride on the float as it travels through Pasadena on New Year’s Day.  It will be decorated with more than 15,000 flowers and will include a daytime fireworks display. Phoenix Decorating Company will design and build the float that will stand 25 feet high, 18 feet wide and 55 feet long and is estimated to weigh 25,000 pounds. To add to the celebration, the familiar song by the Bee Gees,“Stayin’ Alive,” will be playing in the background.  As the lyrics appropriately point out, “whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother, you’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.” The tune  aligns with Union Bank and the AHA’s mission to save lives by reducing the number of deaths attributed to heart disease and stroke. Furthermore, the AHA often uses the tempo of the song to teach people the correct rate of chest compressions when performing CPR. Studies show that when CPR Read More …

Keynote speaker Laura Q. Del Rosario, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations and Chair for the Senior Officials’ Meeting of APEC 2015, at the APEC Philippines 2015 symposium on 30 October 2015 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. WASHINGTON, D.C  – The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the premiere economic policy organization in the region, plays a unique role in supporting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific through a holistic approach which empowers government, business, and civil society sectors of its member economies. Representatives from these three sectors gathered in Washington, DC to talk about the priorities, goals, and milestones of APEC during “APEC Philippines 2015,” a symposium held on 30 October 2015 at the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center. The gathering was organized by the US-Philippines Society, in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center. To explain how APEC works, keynote speaker Laura Q. Del Rosario, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations and Chair for the Senior Officials’ Meeting of APEC 2015, likened APEC to a musical masterpiece. “APEC works like the music of Johannes Sebastian Bach. It’s like having so many instruments playing together and each instrument has its own music but somehow they all lead to one major goal. They all play under one definite key,” said Undersecretary Del Rosario. The one major goal and one definite key for this year Read More …

President meets DOTC officials amid bullet in luggage allegations President Benigno S. Aquino III attends the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibit at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City on Thursday (October 29). This year’s theme: “Asia Fast Forward”. Also in photo are Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Philippine Retailers Association President Lorenzo Formoso. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday morning met with officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) amid allegations of the “laglag-bala” extortion scheme. “The President has been briefed and has given further instructions in order to refine the efforts under way. The DOTC as the lead agency will be updating the public,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message to reporters. Over the weekend, Lacierda said President Aquino and Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya had already ordered an investigation into the alleged “laglag-bala” scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Lacierda said that Abaya had instructed the installation of additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the NAIA terminals. President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibit at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City on Thursday (October 29). This year’s theme: “Asia Fast Forward”. Also in photo are Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Association Chairman Melmet T. Nane and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. (MNS photo) Ninfa Fontamillas, 65, was apprehended Read More …

Commuters wait for their bus rides at the Cubao bus terminal on Friday. Authorities have beefed up security around the country as thousands are expected to travel to the provinces in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this weekend.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – As clearing operations begin on alternative routes or Mabuhay Lanes, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) have reminded vehicle owners that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for parking on the roads. MMDA chair Emerson Carlos siad that they have given enough reminders to owners of private vehicles on the matter. As of Monday noon, at least seven vehicles parked on Mabuhay Lanes have been towed by the MMDA and HPG. Billboards and eateries that have taken space on roads were also cleared out as well, it added. The towed vehicles and other items were taken to the MMDA impounding area in Pasig City. Vehicles may be claimed back for a fee of P1,500, the report said. The MMDA said no parking is allowed on Mabuhay Lanes from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to help decongest EDSA. For his part, HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao said obstructions, from illegally parked cars to stores and signages, will be likewise cleared. He added that they are prepared to tow the same vehicle every day to prove to the car owner that they are seriously implementing the “no parking policy.” (MNS)

Mud flow from Mayon Volcano is seen rushing through a tributary in Bgy. Maipon in Guinobatan, Albay as rain brought about by typhoon Ruby hits the province on Sunday. Ruby is expected to pass near the province after making landfall in Eastern Samar on Sunday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker from Bicol – one of the provinces hardest and most often hit by typhoons – is recommending the creation of mangrove buffer zones along vulnerable coastlines. With several typhoons affecting the country each year, a greenbelt of mangroves and beach forests along coastlines may help mitigate the damaging impact of waves and storm surges. House Bill 5948 filed by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe seeks to establish a National Coastal Greenbelt Program (NCGP) that will oversee the creation of  100-meter protection zones along coastal areas. The initial scope of the program will be the Eastern Pacific seaboard, where typhoons make landfall. Under the measure, a coastal greenbelt stretching at least at least 100 meters in width from the sea towards land will be established in priority areas in each coastal municipality and city identified in the NCGP. Local officials shall prepare a Local Coastal Greenbelt Action plan (LCGGAP) to facilitate the implementation of mandated actions in the program. The bill defines coastal greenbelt as a strip of natural or planted coastal vegetation, stretching at least 100 meters in width from the sea towards land and primarily of mangrove and beach forest species. The plants are seen to Read More …