Maniolas

Neil Perez (MNS photo) His success in national and international pageants have led to a burgeoning showbiz career but Mariano Perez Flormata Jr. a.k.a. Neil Perez says when it comes to being in front of the camera versus manning traffic as a cop, he’ll choose the latter hands-down. “Kahit saan ako pumunta, mapa Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, basta kailangan ng tulong ko as pulis, tutulong ako,” he said. To prove his point, the bomb and explosives technician attested to helping ease traffic situations whenever he can. “Ginagawa ko ’yun, maraming beses na… ’pagka-alam kong (mabigat ang) traffic lumalabas ako ng sasakyan para mag-direct ng traffic,” he said. But would the hottie take on EDSA? He said, “Pwede naman, kaso iniisip ko rin syempre (na) baka sabihin nagpapa-pogi lang ako. May gan’on po kasi (mag-isip), sasabihin (nila) nagpapakitang gilas ka lang….” The 30-year-old hunk is bent on further improving the police force’s public image by setting an example. “Gusto kong (lalong) mabalik ’yung tiwala ng tao sa kapulisan. Malaking bagay na ’yung tao tumutulong, nakikipag-cooperate sa kapulisan. Madali nating masusugpo ’yung krimen (pag ganon).” Despite his popularity, Neil doesn’t want special treatment or consideration when it comes to his job as man in uniform. And darn it if he grows dark from being exposed to the sun at midnoon if that’s what’s necessary. “Sumasabay po ako kung ano ’yung trabaho ng pulis. Sa’kin, okay lang kahit makaapekto sa itsura ko at lumabas ng hindi maganda sa TV kasi pulis ako eh,” Neil Read More …

Right photo above shows (from left) Councilmember Jose Huizar (Council District 14th), Consul General Herrera-Lim), Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (Council District 13), LAFACE President Linda Granados and Joel Jacinto. Los Angeles – The Los Angeles City Council, led by Councilmembers Mitch O’Farrell and Jose Huizar, honored the Filipino American community in Los Angeles by presenting a Resolution proclaiming October 2015 as Filipino-American History/Heritage Month on 23 October 2015 at the John Ferraro Council Chamber of the City Hall of Los Angeles. The Council honored, among other, Johnny Itliong (son of labor leader Larry Itliong) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of United Farm Workers, and Marissa Aroy, Director of the documentary “The Delano Manongs: The Forgotten Heroes of the UFW.”” Consul General Herrera-Lim told the City Council that the History Month is a celebration of the shared values between Americans and Filipinos and serves to honor the unique relationship that the Philippines has with the US. In his remarks, Consul General Herrera-Lim thanked Council President Herb Wesson for honoring the Filipino community, its pillars and for wearing the Philippine barong shirt with honor and dignity. O’Farrell, during the presentation of the resolution spoke highly of Filipino labor leaders Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and a large group of Filipino farm workers and the pivotal role they played in the Delano Grape Strike of 1965, which led to the formation of the United Farm Workers Movement. Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and Linda Granados, President of the Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE), accepted Read More …

140927-N-TP834-192PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 27, 2014) The Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Strerett (DDG 104) and the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) transit the Siargao Strait as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Phillip Wagner, Jr/Released) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines backed a new plan by the United States to send more warships to sail close to China’s artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, saying its ally’s move is consistent with international law. Washington’s freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, Manila said, “are fully consistent” with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the rule of law, of which the Philippines has been a staunch advocate. “There is a collective need to protect and uphold international law in the South China Sea in response to illegal, unilateral and expansive behavior that undermine security, not only in our region, but potentially for the whole world as well,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said. “This is of paramount concern to all countries,” he added. Earlier, a US official told Agence France Presse that it will send more military vessels to conduct freedom of navigation sail near the man-made islands built by Beijing in the waters disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to respond to a request for comment. On Tuesday, the USS Lassen, Read More …

LP chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with LP Presidential Candidate former DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas II and LP Vice Presidential Candidate Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, flashes the Laban “L” sign during the “Daang Matuwid: To Be Continued…” of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) at the Corazon C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall of the Club Filipino in San Juan City on Monday (October 05). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Presidential aspirant Mar Roxas on Wednesday clarified issues he has faced as part of the Aquino administration and explained programs he plans to implement if he is elected President. One of the issues that marred Roxas’ image as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was the way the government handled the devastation caused about by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. For Roxas, the government did everything it can to prevent the devastation the typhoon would cause. Nobody, however, imagined the effects of Yolanda, making it difficult for the government to provide aid immediately to the victims, he said. “Malinaw din na ginawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng makakaya niya. Si Sec. Volts Gazmin, tsaka ako, nandoon kami bago pa dumating si Yolanda dahil nga sa lahat ng warning na napakatindi nito,” he said. “Gayunpaman, talagang hindi namin na-imagine, palagay ko walang nakapag-imagine, na ganoon kalakas. Ito na ang pinakamalakas na bagyo na tumama sa kasaysayan ng mundo,” Roxas added. Roxas also explained that he was only protecting President Benigno Aquino III, when he Read More …

By Abner Galino Mark Pulido, the first Fil-Am to become mayor of Cerritos, pays tribute to Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong at the first Larry Itliong Day in Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles. Photo by Joy Marivic S. Macainan THE celebration of the 1st Larry Itliong Day in California was a huge success. Thousands of Filipino-Americans came out and participated in a three-day marathon of community activities held in many cities around the state that started in October 23. Art Garcia, a prominent community leader in Los Angeles said the commemoration of union leader Larry Itliong greatly enhanced the significance of the Filipino-American history month as Filipino-Americans were able to relate to an actual Fil-Am hero whose struggles as an agricultural worker epitomize the journeys of most immigrants here in the United States of America. Garcia claimed that the celebration of the Filipino-American history month was primarily based on a “myth.” The Larry Itliong Day, he added, provided Filipino-Americans the faces and stories that can actually be retold and celebrated for their value and consequences to the history and evolution of their community. On Saturday, October 24, simultaneous celebrations were held in downtown Los Angeles and Carson City. The activities included dedicated masses in churches, parades, film showings, awarding of recognitions to exemplary individuals and cultural shows – portraying Philippine indigenous dances and attires. There were also presentations of contemporary Filipino-American progressive arts, poems and music. The son of the Fil-Am hero, Johnny, who was present during the celebration in Read More …