Maniolas

(Southern California Edison building) ROSEMEAD, Calif., – The ghoulish decorations and costumes are a sure bet to scare up some fun this Halloween season, but much more frightening are the electrical and fire hazards associated with them. With this in mind, Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds its customers that a few simple precautions, especially with candles, decorations and costumes, can help ensure a safe Halloween. One of the best ways to start is by never using burning candles to light jack-o’-lanterns or as part of any decorations because of their severe fire risk. Use battery-operated, flameless candles instead. However, for those who insist on lighting candles, never leave them unattended or too close to combustible materials. This is crucial because Halloween decorations cause more than 1,000 home fires annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Additionally, from 2009-11, an estimated 11,300 fires were reported to fire departments across the country over a three-day period around Halloween that caused an estimated 30 deaths, 175 injuries and $96 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. “The easiest way to a safe Halloween is to make smart decisions from the start,” said Don Neal, SCE director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety. “From not using burning candles to buying costumes and decorations with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials, select with safety in mind.” The savvy decisions extend to not throwing light strands or electrical cords into trees or vegetation near power lines and utility poles. People should also carefully inspect decorations for cracked or frayed wiring that may cause serious electric Read More …

Agnes Bun Manny Pacquiao (left) poses with next foe Chris Algieri in Macau, where two will meet on November 22. HONG KONG (AFP) – Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao said he hoped to finally step in the ring with arch-rival Floyd Mayweather next year as he denied he was taking his upcoming opponent Chris Algieri lightly. Pacquiao, mobbed by his supporters during a promotional trip to Hong Kong, said “I’m crossing my fingers” that the hotly anticipated Mayweather fight could happen in 2015. “Hopefully that fight will happen by next year,” he told AFP in an interview. “I’m crossing my fingers that that fight will happen but right now my mind is already set to focus on my next fight with Algieri. I think the time to talk about that issue is after the fight.” The eyes of the boxing world have long been on a showdown between the unbeaten American and eight-division world champion Pacquiao (56-5-2), two of the greatest boxers of their generation. The two regularly exchange taunts with “Money” Mayweather recently posting pictures of Pacquiao’s losses, and the Filipino last month telling his rival to stop “blabbing” and fight him. Pacquiao, 35, said he had a “couple of years” left before retiring – seemingly ample time to secure the money-spinning fight, if the two sides’ promoters can settle their differences. “I’m not thinking yet about retirement. I will continue my boxing career, the journey will continue in my boxing career and we’ll see what happens,” he said. Read More …

Jolina Magdangal (MNS photo) It’s official: One of the most popular love teams of the ‘90s returns as Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal are back with ABS-CBN as the lead stars of a drama series. On Monday, Magdangal reported to her first shooting day for “Flordeliza,” confirming weeks of speculation that she will reunite with Agustin nearly two decades after they were launched as a tandem via “Gimik” in 1996. Agustin earlier announced in his return to ABS-CBN with the lead role in “Flordeliza,” but could not confirm if Magdangal had officially signed up as his leading lady in the project. The new series is under the direction of Wenn Deramas, who was also behind Magdangal and Agustin’s last film together as ABS-CBN stars, “Kung Ikaw Ay Isang Panaginip,” in 2002. Magdangal transferred to GMA-7 that year. Agustin followed suit in 2006. Without giving details about her role in “Flordeliza,” Magdangal said she has never done a similar character in her career. She added, in jest, that whatever limitations she had as a wholesome actress, Deramas will completely disregard in this new project. Marvin Agustin (MNS photo) “Lahat nung mga ‘di ko nagagawa dati, parang ipagagawa sa akin ni direk dito, eh!” she said. “First time ko talaga siya gagawin. Hinanda ko talaga sarili ko. Nakailang beses ako ng basa ng script!” Asked why she agreed to take up the role, Magdangal said: “Kung pare-pareho ‘yung gagawin, ano pang excitement ang mabibigay sa’yo sa showbiz, ‘di ba? Dapat iba nang Read More …

Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis G. Tagle as announces the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines on January 15-19 next year during a press conference July 29, 2014 in Intramuros, Manila. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Inmates of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City have sought an audience with Pope Francis when he visits the Philippines in January 2015. Saying they are doing their best to repent and live a life of good, the inmates wrote a letter dated September 26 to the pope via Apostolic Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto. “We hope and pray that as you continue God’s mission of loving all His children and inspiring them, you will give us a few minutes of your most precious time during your visit here in January 2015,” they said. Pope Francis is to visit the Philippines on Jan. 15 to 19 next year. “At this point, we know that it is impossible to happen, but we are still taking our chance of inviting you our beloved Father, to please visit us here in prisons. We would like to share with you how God’s eternal grace transforms sinners like us. It will be a great blessing for us to have Christ’s disciple and our Father here in our midst, to give us and many other prisoners strength and unwavering hope in God’s love and forgiveness,” the letter said. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines noted Pope Francis had shown acts of kindness to inmates, including washing the feet of young Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III and his four sisters, visit the graves of their parents on Wednesday,October 30, 2013, two days before the traditional All Saints’ Day commemoration on November 1. The President and his sisters Viel Dee, Pinky Abellada, Kris Aquino and Ballsy Cruz attend a Holy Mass at the Manila Memorial Park (MMP) in Parañaque City, where their parents, former President Corazon Aquino and martyred opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., are buried. (MNS Photo ) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The cold weather plus the damage to greenhouses caused by recent cyclones now threatens the produce of flower growers in Benguet for the coming Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days). Flower growers said the cold weather has caused leaves of Malaysian Mums to dry, and there are no greenhouses to protect them. “Nabutas ‘yung greenhouse. Hindi siguro nila napansin. Tulad niyan may tulo-tulo doon,” said agriculturist Miguel Bagtila. Also, flower growers said they expect a smaller harvest as the greenhouses were damaged by Typhoon Luis and Tropical Storm Mario. Flower grower Marvin Sabela said the cold had also affected the growth of roses. Last September, Mario caused some P100,000 in damage to a greenhouse in La Trinidad in Benguet, destroying the flowers the owner had planned to sell for Undas. The municipal agriculture office estimated some 600 flower growers were affected by Mario. The Benguet Flower Association said Mario had a large effect on their industry. (MNS)