Maniolas

Thousands of undocumented Filipinos living in the United States must have been dismayed by President Barack Obama’s sensational immigration relief. I’m sure they were expecting a much broader immigration reform. They thought for awhile that the contents of the Executive Order of the President on immigration will pave the way for their citizenship, or at least  for them to become permanent residents. The  order as it turned out is just a temporary relief. It will not even provide healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants. It is still up to the Republican dominated Congress to pass legislation to overhaul  the country’s immigration policies. Some Filipinos here in Orange country said Obama’s immigration program for the undocumented is far too limited. Although the Obama immigration relief is temporary, I hope it will eventually compel Congress to act on the comprehensive immigration reform bill to provide lasting solution to America’ s flawed immigration policies. Under the new immigration program contained in the Executive Order recently signed by President Obama, qualified aliens will be given works permits, driver’s license and a three year protection from deportation, provided they pass criminal background checks and pay back taxes. It will also delay the deportation of undocumented parents of children who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The new immigration law will also protect  children brought in illegally by their parents in America before January 1, 2010. However, these privileges being given to undocumented immigrants who qualify under the new government program, are only good for three Read More …

Julie Anne San Jose (MNS Photo) Hologram technology has been astonishing concertgoers abroad for some time now. It’s been used to bring dead artists back to “life” through digital illusion, including Tupac Shakur in 2012 and Michael Jackson last May. Multi-platinum recording artist Julie Anne San Jose is set to stage a solo concert that her drumbeaters claim would make her the first artist to be holographic in a local show. “I’m excited and, of course, pressured (kasi) dito po talaga natin makikita ’yung advancement ng technology. Of course, makikita ninyo (rin) ’yung other side ni Julie Anne (in the show),” she said. Along with the singer, an “army of Julie Annes” will be “virtualized” in a powerful opening dance number. According to a release, Julie Anne is set to showcase powerful vocals, electrifying dance moves and talent in playing various musical instruments in the concert. Admittedly nervous over filling up the huge concert venue, Julie Anne has been preparing for the big day so her audience would get their money’s worth. “May mga dance lessons po ako and voice lessons. I’ve been preparing a lot kasi po kailangang lumakas ang stamina ko. I work out, I go to the gym, I do rehearsals hanggang sa ma-perfect ko ’yung mga production numbers na gagawin ko,” she said. Julie Anne’s “Hologram” concert will be at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Dec. 13. The show is directed by Louie Ignacio and produced by GMA Network, Inc. and Tarroza Entertainment Productions. Julie Read More …

After months of preparations, two prestigious Orange County groups dedicated to almost identical audiences, the Orange County entrepreneurs and professionals, the organizers from Asian Business Association of Orange Country (ABAOC) and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACCOC) were able to breathe a sigh of relief having done their parts in their respective signature events which were able to attain the objective of recognizing the exemplary achievements of their members and supporters. Separated only by a couple of days, ABAOC and FACCOC had the limelights reserved for extraordinary achievers  at prestigious venues, ABAOC at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach last November 20 and FACCOC at the Paradise Pier Hotel in the world famous Disneyland Resorts in Anaheim last November 22. OC FIL-AM 20 YEARS: Next year’s challenges for the Orange County Fil-Am entrepreneurs and professions, find worthy allies in the new set of officers of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce inducted into office by Cong. Ed Royce at its Gala and Awards Night last Nov. 22 at Paradise Hotel in Disneyland where it also honored the 20 pass presidents of the organization. Combined, ABAOC and FACCOC have a total of 43 years of service to the Orange County business sector in the county’s 34 cities. Orange County is the third-most populous county in California, the sixth-most populous in the United States, and more populous than twenty-one U.S. states. ABAOC and FACCOC had both events highlighted by installations in office of the new set of Read More …

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas III (left) chats with Senators Grace Poe-Llamanzares, JV Ejercito, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the Senate deliberation on the 2015 budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government on Monday, November 24. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday night questioned the P12.9 billion allotment for water supply, low-cost housing and other projects to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which were contained in the errata submitted by the Department of Budget and Management. Marcos, chairman of the Senate local government committee, said the DILG has no mandate to build housing units, which is given to the National Housing Authority (NHA), or to create water supply, which is the concern of the Local Water Utilities Administration or the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He said the role of the DILG is simply supervision and not control of provinces, cities and municipalities. “The DILG chief has no technical expertise in low-cost housing, and even if he has, that is not his mandate. That is the responsibility of the National Housing Authority,” Marcos said. He said that instead of managing water supply projects or building houses, the DILG, headed by Sec. Mar Roxas, should focus on improving the peace and order situation and homeland security. He added that Roxas should strive towards ensuring that Filipinos feel safe at home, on the streets, in their workplaces and renew their trusts with men in uniform. Within DILG’s mandate But Senator Read More …