Maniolas

President Benigno Aquino III presents a scale model of the Kentex Manufacturing Corporation factory during a press briefing held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Monday (June 1). Also present during the press briefing on Monday (June 1) at Malacanang are Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Labor Secretary Rosalina Baldoz, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, and Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Despite an admission from lawmakers that passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be an uphill battle in Congress, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday expressed his determination to have his allies in the majority pass the controversial legislation. In a speech during his state visit to Japan, Aquino maintained that the BBL will lead to stability in Mindanao. “We are determined to get the BBL passed in Congress, which will be a major step in freeing thousands of our countrymen from the shackles of conflict and attaining lasting peace and prosperity in the autonomous region,” Aquino said at the Nikkei International Conference in Tokyo. On Monday, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II expressed concern about the prospects of the BBL’s passage in the chamber, saying the number of lawmakers supporting the controversial bill remained uncertain. The draft BBL is already being tackled in the House plenary. At the Senate, Senate President Franklin Drilon already pushed back the deadline of the BBL’s passage to October. The bill remains pending in the Senate Committee on Local Government. In Read More …

KC Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta (MNS Photo) Sharon Cuneta has vented her frustration over her daughter KC Concepcion’s “unnecessary too-sexy poses,” saying she is hurt whenever she sees the young actress’ daring outings. The “Your Face Sounds Familiar” judge aired her sentiment in a comment thread on her Facebook post Friday about Frankie, her daughter with former senator Francis Pangilinan, and their first TV commercial together. Cuneta was asked by a follower, Dany Pascual, for her reaction to a photo of Concepcion wearing a bra underneath a coat to pair with her trousers and boots. “I really honestly would rather not say anything,” Cuneta said on Friday. “But I also really honestly would have to say I do not like that she has done this and other unnecessary too-sexy poses.” The photo appears to have been taken during dance group G-Force’s culminating activity for its summer workshop last May 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Concepcion, 30, took the stage as a guest performer wearing the same outfit. According to Cuneta, the photo is not the first time she was shocked by Concepcion’s choice of outfits or poses for a public material. She said: “Sorry pero nanay ako… May mga bagay na ‘di naman na kailangan gawin. Madaming beses na din kasi akong nagulat. Well, she’s an adult and unfortunately, all we parents can do is give our advice, di magkulang sa paalala… Sana lang din tama na yung poses na ganyan. Nasasaktan na ako.” Concepion, Cuneta’s Read More …

2015 CR-V applauded for its optimal balance of family-friendly features, interior room, excellent visibility and rewarding driving experience 2015 Honda CR-V TORRANCE, Calif. – The 2015 Honda CR-V, America’s most popular SUV for the past decade has won the top spot in the Cars.com/USA TODAY/”MotorWeek” Compact SUV Challenge (cars.com/news), with a panel of experts and customers choosing CR-V over six competing models. “The compact SUV segment is among the most competitive in the industry, and we took nothing for granted with the 2015 CR-V,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. “The CR-V has been America’s top SUV choice for many years now, and it’s great to see that real-world customers and experts from Cars.com, USA TODAY and “MotorWeek” agree that the 2015 CR-V continues to live up to their high expectations.” In winning the competition, the CR-V earned praise for its rewarding driving experience, generous interior room and family-friendly features. The 2015 CR-V features upgrades to styling, performance, fuel efficiency and family-friendly technology. “The 2015 Honda CR-V came out on top because it provided the best blend of good interior room, excellent visibility and a surprisingly rewarding driving experience,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com editor-in-chief. “The CR-V was also packed with great family-friendly features like easy-to-fold seats, a low load floor, rear air vents and much more.” The Challenge pitted seven of the most popular compact SUVs against each other in a series of expert and consumer testing, which determined that the 2015 CR-V was overall best-in-class. To Read More …

Gerphil Flores (MNS Photo) Classical singer Gerphil Flores, one of the four Filipino finalists in “Asia’s Got Talent,” said she has no ill feelings towards actress-host Kris Aquino and Ai Ai delas Alas. In 2010, Flores was a semifinalist on “Pilipinas Got Talent”, where judges Aquino and delas Alas voted against her. “I never thought that this issue would open up again, na-resurrect siya. Sabi ko nga po sa media, wala naman akong sama ng loob for what happened. I was even thankful because I learned a lot during my journey in Pilipinas Got Talent and I know for them, bilang judges, they have their right to give out their comments on the performances they saw in Pilipinas Got Talent. Kaya sabi ko maybe it wasn’t just my time, hindi ko pa yan panahon,” she said. Pressed if she has no ill feelings because of what happened, Flores was quick to reply: “No, wala po talaga, not a bit.” Flores, who is still under contract with Asia’s Got Talent, is planning to have a concert. “I’m planning to, hopefully magkaroon and hopefully sunod sunod not only here in the Philippines but abroad as well,” she said. Flores, who dreams of collaborating with her idol Lea Salonga, is also hoping to record her own album. “Of course, that’s actually one of my plans. … Kung sino ang magbigay ng offer, I would definitely grab it,” she said. Aside from singing, Flores is also open to do acting in the future. “Maybe in Read More …

Activists and supporters place candles near slogans during an overnight vigil at a chapel in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday March 29, 2011, near the home of one of three Filipinos that are set to be executed in China. The group called for the government to help save the lives of three Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are set to be executed March 30, after being sentenced by Chinese authorities for drug trafficking. China is set to execute the three Filipinos despite appeals for clemency by the Philippine Government, officials said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Labor and Employment on Friday assured assistance for an overseas Filipino worker sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates for allegedly killing her employer. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the department will extend help even if Jennifer Dalquez is not an act ive member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Baldoz also assured similar assistance to OFW Anita Tonogbanua, who has a pending theft case in Canada. “Although Jennifer Dalquez and Anita Tonogbanua are not active members of the (OWWA), the DOLE will still provide assistance to them and their families,” she said. Baldoz also said the DOLE “will do everything we can to help (Dalquez and Tonogbanua) and their families while they go through their ordeals.” The DOLE cited current rules where migrant workers who cannot renew or update their OWWA membership are not entitled to social benefits. Such social benefits include life insurance, Read More …