Maniolas

Dennis Trillo (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Dennis Trillo admitted that he received his highest talent fee to date for the biopic of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) leader Felix Manalo. The actor said this was the reason he meticulously prepared for his role in the upcoming movie “Felix Manalo, Ang Talambuhay ng Sugo ng Iglesia ni Cristo.” “Sa preparasyon, marami po kaming pinagdaanan. Nag-immersion po kami, kinausap po kami ng mga ministro, ni-lecture-an po, backgrounder, binigyan po kami ng mga babasahin and siyempre po, pinag-aralan namin ‘yung script,” Trillo said. Trillo said he also did his personal homework to learn more about his character. “Maaga pa lang, noong nalaman ko po na ako po ang gaganap, nag-research na ako sa YouTube. Tinignan ko kung may mga videos ba para makita ko ’yung hitsura niya, kung paano siya nagsasalita, ’yung pamamaraan ng tono ng pananalita niya,” he said. Trillo admitted that the among the biggest challenges in portraying Manalo is that he had to memorize long lines. “Mahahaba talaga ‘yung linya. Kailangang mag-memorize ng maraming pages sa script. Mabuti naman, kahit papaano nakayanan ko. Ang mahirap pa po doon, ‘yung pagiging Ka Felix Manalo mismo dahil isa siyang napakaimpluwensiyang tao,” he said. It took them two months to finish the whole movie. Contrary to the original plan, Trillo was also the one who played the old Manalo, which was originally offered to Albert Martinez. “May separate contract naman po kaya okay lang,” he said. “Medyo mahirap lang yung matandang Ka Felix Read More …

Clutch by Wynn Wynn Ong. (image courtesy of http://asiasociety.org/) Asia Society presents Filipino Design Now, a special showcase of top Filipino designers. This special display coincides with Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms, an exhibition of over 100 spectacular works of gold from the 10th to 13th century, highlighting the creativity, prosperity and cultural connections of the precolonial period. Asia Society celebrates the artistic visions of top Filipino designers in this exclusive showcase conceived by Filipino jewelry designer Federico De Vera. An arbiter of taste, De Vera is a gallery owner of antique objects, curios, and jewelry, and more recently, the author of De Vera Objects andDe Vera Jewelry. Presented in Asia Society’s lobby, the showcase features exclusive collections by fourteen renowned Filipino designers who have been invited to create products inspired by their interpretation of Philippine culture. Filipino Design Now provides an opportunity to experience the rich culture and heritage of the Philippines, promoting appreciation of and inspiring pride in Filipino design, material and craftsmanship. Signature pieces from these talented designer’s collections have been selected for inclusion in the display, with the balance of the collections featured for sale at AsiaStore and online at AsiaStore.org. Featured designers include: – Maricris Brias, home textiles. Brias and her local artisans are committed to reviving the native artistry of Mindanao’s ethnic tribes, manufacturing textiles and home accents created from local abaca and banana fiber, handwoven exclusively by T’boli and Mandaya natives. – Lenora Cabili, fashion. Cabili’s designs are inspired by tradition, mixing Read More …

The presidential candidacy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte appears to be gaining ground as support from people from all sectors of society, as well as from disgruntled political leaders, continue to swell everyday. A few days ago, the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP-Laban) bolted from their coalition with the Liberal Party (LP) of President Aquino to form an alliance to support the presidential bid of Mayor Duterte. The NP is headed by former Senate President Manny Villar and his Senator wife, Cynthia Villar. PDP-Laban, on the other hand, is led by former Senator Aquilino Pimentel and his Senator Son, Koko Pimentel. The Villars and Pimentels said that they have decided to throw their support to Duterte because  they found the controversial mayor to be the strongest contender that can do more for the country  in the fields of economics and peace and order. Mayor Duterte, who was present when the NP and PDP-Laban alliance was formed in a hotel in Metro Manila, was overjoyed and grateful for the support the political leaders of both parties have have extended to him. He said he is comfortable running under the NP banner since his father, former Governor Vicente Duterte was has been an NP throughout his political life. NP and PDP-Laban leaders also gave Mayor Duterte a free hand to choose his vice presidential running mate. As of this writing, they are saying that it is a toss-up between Senator Bongbong Marcos or Senator Alan Cayetano. Mayor Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (September 4). The meeting is to review the Public-Private Partnership projects of the present administration. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Amid public clamor to simplify the country’s tax system to ease the burden of taxpayers, Malacañang on Saturday said the government will not lower income tax rates, but added that it will not also increase the mandatory 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services. Citing Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the government will not implement any change in tax rates as it focuses on improving tax collection. “According to Commissioner Henares, government is not proposing higher VAT rates. We are for status quo,” Coloma said. “No change in tax rates, and no new or higher taxes, and also no income tax cuts. Government will just focus on improving collection,” he added. Meanwhile, Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, previously said his committee is set to approve a bill seeking to lower income tax rates in the country next week. Quimbo said those who earn between P500,001 to P10 million annually will have a 17-percent tax rate, while those who earn more than P10 million will shoulder a 30-percent income tax.(MNS)

— Members of Akbayan Youth troop to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) at the GMA-Kamuning station in Quezon City on Wednesday wearing safety gear such as helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads to dramatize the dangers posed by riding the poorly maintained MRT 3, which is plagued with problems.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The government will have to compensate the consortium of Ayala Land Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. for unfulfilled obligations under a concession agreement for the Light Rail Transit Line 1. In an August 7 letter, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya told Budget Secretary Florencio Abad that the Department of Transportation and Communications will likely fail to meet certain obligations under the concession agreement. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), a multi-sectoral alliance, provided copies of the unsigned letter to members of the media on Friday. Abaya asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to charge nearly P7.52 billion to the P30 billion Risk Management Program Fund under the 2015 national budget to cover the unfulfilled commitments. The penalty payment includes P5.41 billion for the government’s failure to comply with obligations relating to the operation and maintenance of the existing LRT-1 system and P106.67 million for failure to increase the minimum fare. “DOTC anticipates that it may not be able to comply with these obligations and may be liable to make payments to LRMC in 2016,” Abaya said. The government, through the DOTC and Light Rail Transit Authority, signed a concession agreement with the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium, Light Read More …