Maniolas

Subaru confirms UK specifications and pricing for new Levorg Sport Tourer.© Subaru UK Ltd. (Relaxnews) – The Levorg, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2015, will go on sale in the UK next month. Subaru has announced that the new Levorg tourer will be on sale in the UK in September and will be priced at £27,495 ($42,840). Other announcements included engine specifications — 168bhp 1.6-liter turbo boxer petrol — and safety equipment updates, such as the Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System. The brand has also emphasized the tourer’s high-quality interior: “Subaru engineers and designers promise that the Levorg will offer one of the company’s most refined cabins created, with a greater use of high quality materials.[…] Leather trim is used generously within the cabin, including the door trims, on the centre console and on top of the multi-function display on the dashboard.” The Levorg made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show this year but has been on sale in Japan since 2014. erk/kc

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles Area (UPAAGLA) will hold its Induction Dinner and Dance on August 29 at Glendale Embassy Suites to send deserving scholars in school in much the same way that it kept Armel Grace Lugod’s future ensured through the kindheartedness of the Philippines’ top university alumni. Lugod was a high school valedictorian who went to major in architecture in the University of the Philippines in Mindanao. The nonprofit UPAAGLA whose memberships are representatives of what good educations means in terms of having the right tools for competitiveness in life hopes “to fund the education of more deserving low income students especially in the wake of disasters like Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines”. Tots “Climb” Mt. Everest at VBS: Close to 100 children had their vacation season highlighted by a unique summer experience of being exposed early to spiritual values as more than 30 members of the Climbing Crew joined hands in the annual Vacation Bible School sponsored by Cornerstone Christian Fellowship of Orange County. This month, it will be the indigenous children in Tecate, Mexico who will experience the rare summer treat as the team reaches out to them as they have done in previous years. The theme of the evening is “U.P. Balik Tanaw” – a nostalgic journey for the membership body, which spans from the 1950s to present day. The event will also provide the products of the most prestigious public university in the Philippines “to reconnect with former Read More …

Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga (MNS photo) It’s finally happening! The reunion movie of Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga will push through in 2016. This was announced by Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos during the “Chat with the Chairman” event at ABS-CBN on Tuesday, as reported by Star Cinema in its website. Salonga earlier said that she will be very busy in the remaining months of 2015 and won’t be able to do a movie this year. “I have ‘The Voice’ and then I have a Broadway show. As in the day after the grand finals, I leave for New York. Our finals will be on August 29 and August 30, August 31, I’m on a plane out. So no movie this year,” she had said. Salonga will be part of the musical “Allegiance” with Japanese-American actor George Takei, which is scheduled to start previews October 6 at the Longacre Theater in New York prior to its official opening on November 8. Last month, Salonga and Muhlach attended the premiere of the digitally restored version of “Sana Maulit Muli” held at the Cine Adarna at University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. Salonga hinted that the warm reception at the premiere could help railroad the reunion movie that has been in limbo. “Maraming oras na ang nakalipas since we did a movie and then to receive that kind of reception doon sa screening, talagang hindi ako makapaniwala na ganun ang naging pagtanggap ng very, very young audience,” she said. Read More …

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a bold local official who seems to “endorse” violence against criminals. MANILA (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he is definitely not taking part in the presidential race in 2016, saying Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe and Secretary Mar Roxas can take the prize for themselves. “Hindi ko na panahon. Binay, Poe and Mar sa inyo na yan,” he said during a membership meeting of Junior Chambers International Sunday. The tough-talking mayor cited three reasons for not joining the 2016 race: his age, lack of funds and lack of support from his own family. He said he does not want to add his own “inutility” to Malacanang after the administrations of Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Aquino. “Please, not me. Don’t give me the opportunity to add to the hardships of the country. Dadagdagan ko ang six years ni Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino ng 6 years din ng aking ‘inutility.’” When asked if his decision is final, Duterte paused and said he cannot run a country that is divided. He said he will run when all armed groups in the country lay down their arms. “I have had six heart attacks. Pag presidente ako, I have to deal with Bangsamoro and may China pa. Mamatay ako. But if I can get Joma Sison, Nur Misuari, the Bangsamoro to agree, then I will run but they must drop their arms first. It will be an all inclusive government,” he said. The mayor also Read More …

Newly appointed Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista (left) and commissioner Rowena Guanzon face the media at the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday. Bautista was the chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) prior to his new assignment. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections is planning to revamp the assignments of its field officials before the year-end as part of its preparations for the May 2016 national elections. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the possible reshuffle of personnel will involve Regional Election Directors (REDs), Provincial Election Supervisors (PES), and city/municipal Election Officers (EOs). “Part yan ng ating standard na preparation. Nagkakaroon tayo ng evaluation kung kailangan ng reshuffle,” Jimenez said. Jimenez said the reassignments are being planned to avoid any unwanted association between Comelec officials and employees and candidates in the next year’s elections. According to the Comelec Employees Union, are an estimated 16 REDs, 80 PES, and over 1,500 EOs nationwide. “We usually do that to avoid situations kung saan local Comelec officials are already very cozy with local personalities,” Jimenez said. Jimenez said the extent of the revamp would depend on the assessment of the Comelec en banc. “Depende sa need. There were times na hanggang REDs pa e. Definitely, ito ay hanggang level ng EOs,” Jimenez said. (MNS)