BMI Online Editor

Bidding for North transport hub eyed in June

Nov 232014

President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to former Congressman Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya as the new Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication in a ceremony at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 18, 2012). Abaya finished his elementary education at the De La Salle University (DLSU) in 1979. He was a consistent honor student during his secondary school years at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS). He topped the entrance examination for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and was sent by the government to the US Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, USA where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1988. Abaya proceeded to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, USA and completed his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1989. He also studied law and received his Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), School of Law in 2005 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2007. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) may bid out the proposed Integrated Transport System-North Terminal by middle of next year, once a location has been locked down for the transportation hub. Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya on Wednesday said the agency is still weighing its options based on the accessibility of the possible sites. One of the sites being considered is the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), which is located along the North and Mindanao Avenues and near the Read More …

Daniel Matsunaga wants to marry a Filipina

Entertainment

Nov 232014

Daniel Matsunaga wants to marry a Filipina

Daniel Matsunaga (MNS photo) MODEL Daniel Matsunaga shared his plans to move his immediate family from Brazil to the Philippines and said he is keen to meet and eventually marry a Filipina. When he was hailed as Pinoy Big Brother’s (PBB) big winner last August, the 24-year-old said that even though he is not born and raised in Manila, he grew to love the country and feels Pinoy at heart. Matsunaga added that he made the right decision to pursue his modeling career in the Philippines and, if given a choice, he does not want to leave the country anymore. Daniel said he is just waiting for his dad to retire before sending them to the Philippines. His mom, Geralda, is still in the country since she flew in to attend his big night. “That’s the plan, to stay here for many, many years. My plan is really to bring them here and have a life here with my family. I’m just waiting for my dad to retire in Brazil because he has work,” he said. “Siguro two more years. Right now, I’m saving while he’s working and my brother is still studying. Gusto din nila dito. All my family they came here four times already. They love it. They love the Philippines,” he added. Matsunaga added that he finds Filipino women attractive and very smart. And if given an opportunity to date and eventually marry someone in the future, Matsunaga hopes he will end up with a Pinay. “May Read More …

Solon seeks stricter SALN filing rules

General

Nov 232014

A utility man cleans Santa Claus decors outside a commercial building along Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City on Monday, November 3, in preparation for the coming Yuletide season. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker from Sorsogon has proposed a bill to strengthen existing anti-corruption laws in the country. Sorsogon 1st District Representative Evelina Escudero recommended in House Bill 4783, or the “Enhanced Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Servants”, a more detailed filing review and compliance procedure of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and Disclosure of Financial and Business Interests to ensure more transparency in the government. “In all the existing anti-corruption laws in the country, it is RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards) that is all encompassing in making it clear that corruption is not acceptable in society by providing ethical standards by which every public official and employee must comply, and by providing a system of rewards that would motivate public officials and employees to do well in the performance of their functions,” Escudero said in a statement. She said RA 6713 needs updating to adapt to current situations in public administration, and to keep abreast with international agreements the country has entered into, one of which is the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). “The proposed amendments to RA 6713 specifically address the gap on the coverage of the law by broadening the definition of the term ‘public official’ and ensuring more transparency in the government,” Escudero said. Read More …

Angeline Quinto live in concert

Entertainment

Nov 232014

Star Power Grand Champion and Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs show Nov. 30 at Alex Theater The multi-talented Angeline Quinto has won all the major singing awards and competitions of her generation. She began her meteoric ascent in 2003 at “Star for a Night,” the national TV contest hosted by Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez, wherein she dueled with Sarah Geronimo, Mark Bautista and Mau Marcelo – all certified stars – in the exciting grand finals, in a performance that impressed Sharon Cuneta, one of the judges. At her next major TV competition, “MTB: Teen PopStar” in 2005, she ousted international winner Jonalyn Viray during the pre-finals and tied with Sherilyn Flores for the grand prize. In 2010, she joined GMA-7′s “Diz Iz Kantahan: Challenge the Champion,” where she was a wildcard finalist. In 2011, Angeline was invited by Sharon Cuneta to compete in the singing contest she hosted, “Star Power: Sharon’s Search For the Next Female Pop Superstar.” After three rounds of competition, she emerged victorious, winning $1 million and a recording contract from Star Records. Later, Angeline joined Sharon Cuneta in her U.S. concert tour. Aside from singing contest champion, Angeline has earned another title – “Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs” – for singing on several soundtracks of top-rating ABS-CBN television dramas and films, including “Princess and I,” “Ina Kapatid, Anak,” “Kahit Konting Pagtingin,” “Apoy sa Dagat,” “Juan de la Cruz,” “Muling Buksan ang Puso,” “Ikaw Lamang,” and “Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon.” She has released four solo albums – three certified double platinum, one certified triple Read More …

38 million kgs pork allegedly smuggled into PHL in 2013 – agri group

Entertainment

Nov 222014

38 million kgs pork allegedly smuggled into PHL in 2013 – agri group

President Benigno S. Aquino III during the exhibit on the 75th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Department of National Defense at the AFP Theater in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday (November 17). Also in photo is Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine government lost nearly P4 billion in tariffs from 38 million kilos of pork allegedly smuggled into the country last year, according to Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Tuesday. Comparing data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the United Nations Commodity Trade Division (UN ComTrade), SINAG came up with a discrepancy of about 38 million kgs pork, presumably smuggled into the Philippines. BAI data showed total pork imports of 199 million kgs, while the UN ComTrade recorded 237 million kgs. “Multiplying the 38 million kilos unaccounted for with the correct duties for prime cuts misdeclared as pork fats or offal, the result is a staggering P3.85 billion in lost revenues for government,” SINAG chair Rosendo So said in an emailed statement. He added that of the 237 million kgs cited by UN Comtrade, 15 million kgs came from China, which the Department of Agriculture banned due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Beijing. “We’re fighting smuggling on two fronts: one is outright smuggling and the other is technical smuggling where illicit importer-traders misdeclare imported prime pork cuts as pork offal to evade paying the right taxes (tariff),” So explained. SINAG said some importers declare their Read More …

A vibrant change for Sarah

Entertainment

Nov 222014

Sarah Geronimo (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sarah Geronimo releases her 11th album, “Perfectly Imperfect,” and, with it, the multi-hyphenate act may just change the way Pinoy pop albums sound. What was initially a brave jump into R&B-tinged pop with last year’s hit “Ikot-Ikot” is now fully embraced here by Geronimo, who comes up with a like-sounding single, “Kilometro.” This R&B-leaning mid-tempo track sizzles with some EDM and, while most local listeners might be hard put to dig the likes of Tiesto, Calvin Harris and others, they might give Geronimo a chance. Now this is good; this is new. It’s about time the pop radio listeners get something more than the formulaic love songs, cringe-inducing novelty pop and mind-numbing remakes. And if there’s anyone that can influence a shift in the music taste of the masses, it would be SG. The album is highlighted by the keyboard-drenched track “Bangon,” a tune that kicks off with an infectious piano lick and SG’s skillful singing. Elsewhere, SG works with themes of yearning, anticipation and yes, love. She waxes hopeful in the face of heartbreak drenched in echoing beats and tasty keyboards on “Dulo.” She changes tempo and mellows out, acoustic-style, on “This Fight.” Meanwhile, ballads like “Kung Sabagay” and “Minamahal” calls to mind Sarah’s pop roots. But the kicker in this album is the bubblegum-pop sounding title track and the piano-decked ballad “Bulletproof.” Canadian import producer Adam Hurstfield (Ne-Yo, Superjunior and Backstreet Boys) gave a Top 40 sheen to SG’s sound that, Read More …

Miss Earth to hold event in Mercado resort – UNA

Entertainment

Nov 222014

Miss Earth to hold event in Mercado resort – UNA

Some of the 86 contestants vying for the Miss Earth 2014 crown are presented to the media in Manila on Monday. The winner of the Miss Earth 2014 pageant will be crowned on November 29 at the University of the Philippines Theater. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is asking the organizers of the Miss Earth beauty pageant to scrap one of its events in a Palawan resort allegedly owned by former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, a critic of former Makati Mayor and now Vice President Jejomar Binay. “I have serious misgivings about the holding an international event in the controversial 100-hectare Coron Underwater Garden Resort in Palawan,” UNA interim president Toby Tiangco told Carousel Productions’ Ramon Monzon, Lorraine Schuck, and Stella Araneta. He said the organizers should think of the repercussions of holding the event at the 100-hectare Coron Underwater Garden Resort. The event will be held on November 23 to 25. “It may be wise for Carousel Productions to think over the holding of the Miss Earth 2014 event in the said resort in order to protect the reputation of the pageant and the Miss Earth franchise,” he added. Tiangco accused Mercado of acquiring the property through illegal means. He said Mercado “has admitted that he got kickbacks during his term as vice mayor and the money he used to acquire the island and build the resort came from illegal sources.” Tiangco had previously asked the Senate and the Bureau of Internal Revenue Read More …

Erap orders probe on ‘prison’-like children’s center

General

Nov 222014

Erap orders probe on ‘prison’-like children’s center

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada confers with police officials on the capital city’s peace and order situation. (From the Facebook Page of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada) MANILA (AFP) – Top Philippines officials said Monday they had launched investigations into a Manila children’s center overseen by a former president, after months of complaints about the “prison”-like conditions. There has been a growing outcry over conditions at the government-run facility where vagrant children and some homeless adults are held, amid allegations of abuse. Charity groups allege a litany of maltreatment including violence, sexual abuse, malnutrition and torture and newspapers have in recent days carried photographs of an emaciated child resident. Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada, now the mayor of Manila, who is in charge of the government-run Manila Reception and Action Centre, said he had ordered an investigation into the facility, which is located near the city hall. “I have already ordered an investigation of that,” he told AFP, reacting to the newspaper images. But Estrada, deposed as president amid a corruption scandal in 2001, also took a defiant stance, saying “they are just trying to blow it (the issue) up,” although he declined to be specific. The charity group Bahay Tuluyan (House of Refuge) which first raised the problems at the centre in 2009, said authorities had consistently failed to act. “They only responded now that (the controversy) is in the open,” said Lily Flordelis, executive director of the charity. “The centre has many abuses going on: violence, sexual abuse, malnutrition, Read More …

Obama order to benefit thousands of TNTs

Entertainment

Nov 212014

Obama order to benefit thousands of TNTs

President Obama’s planned immigration overhaul will benefit thousands of Filipinos staying without proper documentation here in the United States, most of them living here in California. Immigration records have stated that there are roughly about 2.6 million undocumented immigrants residing in the State of California, including thousands of Filipinos. These undocumented immigrants have been found out to have lived in California for at least 10 years. The proposed plan, according to immigration advocates, could bring some legal status to thousands of Filipinos working without legal papers here in California, most of them in restaurants, nursing homes and board and care facilities for the elderly. Some Filipinos who have been here for a number of years but were unable to change their immigration status were so elated about the prospect of finally achieving their “American dream” come true. They said that if what they have been hoping pushes through, it would be an early Christmas present for all of them and hopefully they can be reunited with their loved ones back home. It was reported in the news that these undocumented immigrants are likely to be given work permits, while those on deportation proceedings will probably be granted a temporary stay, if they have lived in the US for at least five to 10 years. If the proposed plan becomes a reality despite strong objections from the Republican-dominated Congress, it would surely help any democratic presidential candidate to win the national elections in less than two years. Speaking of elections…I see Read More …

Lorna Tolentino opts to take it light and easy

Entertainment

Nov 212014

Lorna Tolentino opts to take it light and easy

Lorna Tolentino (MNS Photo) Lorna Tolentino may be a multi-awarded actress but she isn’t looking to doing a “heavy” role soon after GMA-7 soap “My Destiny” ended last Oct. 17. ‘Nakakadalawa na naman ako na ok eh, yung sa ‘Pahiram’ at ‘Genesis’ so okay na muna ang mga light roles,” she said in an interview. Perhaps one of the reasons Lorna wants to take it easy is that she’s recuperating from injury brought about by a bad fall. She’s been wearing a brace for two months now but it would soon go with the fracture healing as fast as expected. “Kasalanan ko eh. Paharap na lakad kasi ako, tapos may tinitingnan ako sa likuran. Yung tsinelas ko biglang nag stuck tapos na-out of balance ako,” she said of the accident. Asked if she plans to star in or maybe even direct a movie, Lorna said she’s only thinking of producing one. “Ayokong mag-direct, ang hirap-hirap, madaming (abalahin). Mas madali maging actress or producer.” She is proud of her sons Renz and Ralph Fernandez who are both making hay these days with several projects under their belt. Lorna said that while she gives them advice on acting, she knows that time and opportunity will play a bigger hand in honing their skills. As for her love life, the actress, it seems, has doors and windows closed, so to speak. “Hindi na, okay na ako (as widow). Wala na din akong mga suitors kasi pag ka di mo naman sila in-entertain titigil Read More …

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