Maniolas

Rescuers unload a body bag containing the remains of one the passengers retrieved from the ill-fated M/V Kim Nirvana at the pier in Ormoc City, Leyte on Friday. A ferry loaded with nearly 200 people capsized 200 meters from the shore on Thursday, officials said, killing at least 41 people.(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) –The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Thursday said it found no sign of overloading of the ill-fated MB Kim Nirvana-B, which sank off Ormoc last week and left 62 people dead. MARINA Administrator Maximo Mejia told lawmakers at the House transportation committee’s hearing on the incident that based on their calculations, the motorized boat was not overloaded. This was even if the boat exceeded its approved capacity of 178 passengers by allowing 209 people on board. Sacks of rice, cement and fertilizer were also loaded onto the 33-ton vessel. “There’s no overloading in terms of weight, but there’s overcrowding. We clarify that the accident was not caused by the excess number of passengers but the negligent operations of the captain,” Mejia said. He explained that in theory, MB Kim Nirvana’s carrying capacity was up to 100 tons. The vessel’s actual load, he said, was less than 50 even if there were excess number of passengers and cargo on board. “If we’re going to go by the weight of passengers and cargo, the vessel wasn’t overloaded,” Mejia said. An Agence France Presse report quoted city councilor Godiardo Ebcas as saying that survivors reported seeing up to 150 sacks Read More …

By Abner Galino The musical, originally directed by Nonon Padilla, with Libretto by Bienvenido Lumbera and Music by Ryan Cayabyab, features Miguel Vera as Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Cristina ‘Kit’ Navarro as Maria Clara. It also stars John Arcilla, Joji Isla, Annie Nepomuceno and many more. Photo shows Joseph Gelito (right) with Miguel Vera. For actor Miguel Vera, the second time around must have always been sweeter (pun intended, or not). Happily meeting the press after the successful restaging of the well-known play Noli Me Tangere at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Vera said he was happy with his performance as the lead character Crisostomo Ibarra. The actor said he was more relaxed that night and believed that he has done as much or perhaps better than when the play debuted in Los Angeles in August last year. The fans who gave the cast a standing ovation during the curtain call certainly confirmed Vera’s assessment. Nonie Belarmino, one of the show’s producer, added that if things would turn our right, they would bring Noli me Tangere to San Diego, another Filipino-American hub in southern California. Belarmino believes that Noli Me Tangere remains a potent vehicle, not only for showcasing Filipino culture, but as well as for passing on the patriotic sentiment to the younger generation of Filipino-Americans. “Ang nag-iba lang naman yung panahon at yung mga karakter, pero ang sitwasyon (sa Pilipinas) ganon pa rin. Nandiyan pa rin ang korupsiyon at abuso,” Belarmino explained. The cast of Noli Read More …

Buying power expected to hit $1-T by 2018 By Hannah De Castro-Abinuman Nielsen says the Asian American segment is considered as the fastest growing and most culturally diverse segment in the US population and is perceived to potentially be the multicultural majority in the United States in the near future. In 2014, the Asian-American Buying power was at $770 billion. Showing a 46% growth in population from 2012 to 2014, this unique market segment is expected to increase its buying power to $1 Trillion by 2018. Asian Americans are making a significant and powerful impact on the new American mainstream. Nielsen’s 2015 Asian American Consumer report entitled, “Asian-Americans: Culturally Connected and Forging the Future,” radically highlights how this flourishing segment is making a powerful impact on today’s economy and culture with their unique tastes, preferences and habits. In one year, the buying power of this market segment notably increased by more than $50 Billion. In its most recent report, Nielsen says the Asian American segment is considered as the fastest growing and most culturally diverse segment in the US population and is perceived to potentially be the multicultural majority in the United States in the near future.  In 2014, the Asian-American Buying power was at $770 billion. Showing a 46% growth in population from 2012 to 2014, this unique market segment is expected to increase its buying power to $1 Trillion by 2018. “Asian Americans are focused on the future, trendsetting and leading the way in technology, digital entertainment and Read More …

The 46th Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri delivers his remarks upon assumption as head of AFP during the Testimonial Honors and AFP Change of Command Ceremony at the Tejeros Hall of the AFP Commissioned Officer’s Club (AFPCOC), Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday (July 10). Iriberri replaced former AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. following the latter’s retirement from his Tour of Duty. Lt. Gen. Iriberri is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (MNS photo) (Mabuhay) – Newly installed Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri on Friday defended their decision to scrap the planned purchase of a shore-based missile system and instead, procure helmets, night goggles, and body armor. In an interview with reporters, Iriberri said he was the one who requested for the purchase of the helmets, night goggles, and body armor as he deemed it more important to protect the soldiers during encounters. “We requested it to be moved because as a commanding general of the Philippine Army, umikot ako and sa dami ng binisita ko, alam ninyo po ba na from 2014 to 2015, ang ating casualty sa kasundaluhan ay 280 at ang nasugatan ay 908 na,” he said shortly after assuming the top military post earlier in the day. President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, presents the AFP Command Plaque, encased Philippine Flag, framed medals and Plaque of Honorable Service to Read More …

Fishermen’s group Pamalakaya holds a protest outside Chinese Consulate office in Makati City on Friday to denounce the Chinese Navy’s action prohibiting Filipino fishermen in contested waters in the Spratly Islands. The United Nations arbitration court will hear the Philippines’ claim next week in The Hague, the Netherlands. (MNS photo) Fishermen’s group Pamalakaya holds a protest outside Chinese Consulate office in Makati City on Friday to denounce the Chinese Navy’s action prohibiting Filipino fishermen in contested waters in the Spratly Islands. The United Nations arbitration court will hear the Philippines’ claim next week in The Hague, the Netherlands. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine delegation to The Hague is prepared to field clarificatory questions from the arbitral tribunal handling the case the Philippines filed regarding its maritime dispute with CHina, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the tribunal is likely to ask the clarificatory questions during the second round of oral arguments on July 13. “Ito ay ginagawa nila kapag may kaunting clarification na itatanong uli. Handa ang ating panel isagot ang kanilang katanungan,” he said on state-run dzRB radio, referring to the second round of arguments. Lacierda said the lawyers in the Philippine delegation are ready, adding they had one year to prepare themselves on the case. Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines is to argue its case before the Arbitral Tribunal in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands on July 7 to 13. It said the hearings will address Read More …