Maniolas

Dock workers unload part of the 2,160 bags of Vietnamese rice on Thursday at the Eva Macapagal Port in Pier 15 in Manila. The shipment is part of the 500,000 metric tons scheduled for importation from Vietnam that will add to the country’s stockpile. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 7 (Mabuhay) — Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. alerted the government on Tuesday against profiteers who might jack up prices following the reported proliferation of “fake rice” in some parts of the country. Marcos, member of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, warned that crooked rice traders might hoard rice supplies and create an artificial shortage to push up retail prices. “This situation is not improbable and it has happened before in different situations. Given the creativeness of some dishonest rice traders who defraud the consumers to make money, the possibility of hoarding is not far-fetched,” he said in a statement. Once rice supplies are withheld in warehouses and a fake shortage is created, the senator said, devious rice dealers and traders would be able to jack up rice prices at retail outlets. Marcos said the government should be one step ahead of these scammers and protect consumers. “Government authorities should constantly monitor the supplies and prices of rice in the market and nip in the bud any attempt to exploit the situation,” he said. The Senate is set to probe the reported proliferation of synthetic rice in the country and its possible effects on people’s health. (MNS)

By Nimfa U. Rueda At a time when the use of digital technology are hampering people’s attention spans, entertainer Joseph Gelito has had to be very creative with his stage antics. He dazzles his audiences with killer punchlines and sizzling one-liners. His comedy shticks with drag queens are outrageous. This Saturday, he will embark into a more serious territory – playing the role of Kapitan Tiyago, the father of Maria Clara, in Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere: The Musical. Here’s our Q&A with Joseph: Q: Why did you decide to become a part of this musical? A: I wanted to review the story of “Noli,” which I have forgotten. Actually, I did not fully understand it when we studied the novel in high school. I wasn’t much of a book reader. Now I fully understand and appreciate it by being a part of the play. It’s not merely reading (the novel) but living it as one of the characters. I also wanted to be a part of a quality production I can be proud of. Q: What makes you proud of this production? A:  It was originally staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The costumes are provided by CCP’s Teatro Pilipino. The costume design and production are well researched. I’m very excited to sing songs composed by national artist Bienvenido Lumbera and be a part of a Ryan Caybabyab musical. Nonon Padilla, a Philippine theater icon, directed this musical. Talented professionals and stage personalities are restaging his obra Read More …

Tom Rodriguez (MNS Photo) KAPUSO prime leading man Tom Rodriguez is more than ready to thrill the viewers as he expresses excitement on doing the role of Sergio in GMA’s upcoming primetime series Mari Mar. “I was very surprised, very honored and excited, it felt so unreal. I knew right away when I first heard about it that it was going to be a big project. Nakaka-pressure pero at the same time I’m very excited ’cause I know I’m going to learn a lot on this project,” said the Kapuso actor. Making Tom more delighted about the project is the opportunity to work with Miss World 2013 Megan Young, “I really feel blessed. Mas nakakabawas ng kaba at takot kasi I’ve worked with her before. At least we already have a great working relationship.” Aside from Megan, Tom is likewise excited to collaborate again with director Dominic Zapata whom he first worked with in My Husband’s Lover. Expect as well powerful performances to be delivered by Jaclyn Jose, Ricardo Cepeda, Carmi Martin, Jaya, Cris Villanueva, Candy Pangilinan, and Lauren Young. There will also be portrayals by Frank Magalona, Maricris Garcia, and Dion Ignacio. There is definitely more artists to be revealed as Mari Mar airs this August in GMA Telebabad. (MNS)

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 government on Tuesday rejected the Chinese ambassador’s fresh offer to hold bilateral talks to settle the territorial dispute between the two countries over resource-rich parts of the South China Sea. At a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippine government is firm on pursuing a multilateral approach to the sea row, particularly through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “Hinggil naman sa napaulat na panukalang bilateral talks, malinaw ang posisyon ng Pilipinas: kailangang kilalanin ang prinsipyo ng ASEAN Centrality dahil sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea sa pagitan ng China at sa mga kasapi ng ASEAN,” Coloma told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. The Palace official was referring to a non-binding document signed by ASEAN member-states and China stipulating how territorial disputes over parts of the South China Sea should be resolved. The same document, however, is being used by China to insist that its territorial row with the Philippines should be settled through negotiations. Coloma further said that the Philippines will continue pushing for a legally binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea between the ASEAN and China. On Monday, Chinese Ambassador to Read More …

Julie Anne San Jose (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) –JULIE Anne San Jose says she was shocked when she heard the news that she is pregnant and the father is Kapamilya actor Coco Martin. “Nagulat talaga ako kasi may video pa raw kami,” she says at her solo presscon for the launch of the music video of her single, “Tidal Wave,” that was shot in the U.S.A. no less. “Paano kaya mangyayari ‘yun, e hindi kami magkakilala at all. Ni hindi ko pa nga siya nami-meet in person. Ayoko na sanang sagutin ‘yan, kasi mamaya, ma-bash ako’t maakusahan namang nanggagamit ng iba para ako mapag-usapan.” Julie Anne is so lucky to have met American record producer Sydney Omen Brown from Harlem in L.A. last year. He saw her show then invited her to record not just one but three music videos. This means Brown, who has produced songs for artists like Ludacris and Lil Wayne, really believes in her talent. Aside from “Tidal Wave”, alight upbeat tune, she also did the music videos for the songs “Not Impressed” (which she says has an urban R&B underground sound) and “Forever” (which she says is more mature.) They’ll be released later this year. All the music videos were done under the supervision of Mac House Productions and Julie Anne got to work with dancers and models of different nationalities. “For the shoot, may scenes na nagi-skateboard kami so nag-aral muna ako,” she says. “They were all nice and received me very warmly. They Read More …