Maniolas

It is about time that Vice President Jojo Binay should stand up and be man enough to face his accusers regarding allegations of widespread corruption against him and his family while Mayor of the city of Makati for 21 years. VP Binay and his family are the subject of the Senate blue ribbon committee probe regarding the P2.7 billion carpark building in Makati constructed during the vice president’s term as city mayor. A plunder complained has been fild with the Ombudsman against Binay, his mayor son, “Junjun” and his wife Elenita, former Makati mayor herself and her Senator daughter, Nancy Binay. During hearings at the Senate blue ribbon committee, more anomalous transactions have been divulged by witnesses against Binay and his family, prompting the committee to expand its probe. The Senate cited a COA report that uncovered a major problem in the city’s financial records, including  a P57.96 million discrepancy between the city’s cash in bank and the balance recorded by the city’ accountant. Senate probers are also looking into a P627.8 million disallowed purchases or expenditures already made or approved  but later on deemed by COA to be unallowable. Audit reports also showed the overpricing of medical equipment to the Ospital ng Makati, basic office supplies and oil and lubricants used by vehicles assigned to the offices of the mayor and vice mayor. Despite all these corruption charges, Binay remain silent and insisted that he is a victim of a demolition job by his political opponents. Despite his diminishing Read More …

U.S. sailors from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and Philippine civilians unload relief supplies to support Operation Damayan in Guiuan, Philippines, Nov. 17, 2013. The George Washington Strike Group is supporting the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippine government in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Beverly Lesonik MANILA (Mabuhay) – Eleven months after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated some parts of the Visayas, the United States reassured those affected by the cyclone of its continued help in relief and reconstruction work. In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said the US government continues to partner with the Philippines on recovery and rebuilding. “The projects we see today are born from the strong partnership between the US and Philippine governments. As we work together in planting the seeds of recovery, we also direct our efforts toward ensuring that you will be stronger and better equipped to face future disasters,” US Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development Mission Director Gloria Steele said. Overall, the US Embassy said the US government’s support to the Philippines for Yolanda recovery stands at about $142.5 million. Last week, Steele led the turnover of two school buildings at the Tacloban National Agricultural School (TNAS). The schools can withstand winds up to 360 kph and a magnitude-8.5 earthquake. Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez thanked the American people for their ongoing support. Tacloban was one of the areas hit hardest by Yolanda, which left more than 6,000 dead last Read More …

Bea Alonzo (MNS Photo) Bea Alonzo just laughed off rumors that her boyfriend, actor Zanjoe Marudo, is supposedly cheating on her. Alonzo said she is 100 percent certain that Marudo is not cheating on her, especially during the actor’s overseas trips for work. “I am very very sure. Sana naman hindi niya ako ipahiya sa pagsasabi ko nito. Sometimes, talagang you know eh. I will not be in a relationship with Zanjoe kung hindi ako nagtitiwala sa kanya kasi feeling ko ‘yun ang pinakaimportanteng ingredient sa relasyon namin,” she said when asked about blind items apparently pertaining to their relationship. According to Alonzo, she learned about the rumors from a friend in Canada. “Meron nag-text sa akin. Sabi niya, ‘I hope you’re okay, I heard you’re going through something.’ Sabi ko, ‘Ha? Ano po yun?’ Sabi niya may blind item, tapos gusto pa daw niya si Zanjoe para sa akin. So tinignan ko, binasa ko para lang sabihin sa kanya kung totoo or hindi just to appease her ‘di ba? Binasa ko, nag-screen shot ako tapos pinabasa ko kay Zanjoe. Tawang tawa kaming dalawa,” she said. Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo (MNS photo) Asked if she ever confronted Marudo about the blind item, Alonzo said: “Hindi. Hindi talaga. Super biruan lang. Sabi ko ‘Kapal mo ah, cheat ka pa.’” Alonzo explained she just chooses to ignore such rumors because she and Marudo know the truth. Marudo and Alonzo have been in a relationship for three years now.(MNS)

Aerial shot of the province of which was heavily damaged by super typhoon Yolanda (MNS photo) TOKYO (AFP) – A supertyphoon on course to hit Japan over the weekend is as powerful as the deadly storm that ripped through the Philippines in 2013 killing thousands of people, meteorologists said Wednesday The monstrous storm, named Vongfong, was picking up speed as it churned through the far west of the Pacific Ocean. “Its strength is very much similar to Haiyan,” which ravaged the Philippines in November, said a meteorologist at the Japan Meteorological Agency. Haiyan left nearly 8,000 people dead or missing when gusts of around 300 kilometres (190 miles) per hour tore through the country, generating giant waves that swamped coastal communities. Vongfong was registering gusts of the same strength, according to the Japanese agency. Satellite images of Supertyphoon Vongfong show a perfectly formed eye in the middle of a gigantic swirling disc of cloud that appears to be sucking up weather systems from across the Tropics. Its present course will see it smash into Japan sometime over the weekend, just days after another typhoon whipped through the country, leaving 11 people dead or missing and causing travel chaos. Vongfong is expected to continue strengthening over the next 24 hours but could lose some steam as it heads north. “Normally, typhoons are strongest when they are in the Tropics. They start to gradually weaken as they move into the subtropical region and the temperate zone,” he said.

Godinus Executive Producer Becca Godinez and PAE Live Producer Ted Benito are the producers of Ballet Philippines’ performance in the California area. Los Angeles, 08 October 2014. – The Philippine Consulate General welcomed the arrival of Ballet Philippines (BP) in Los Angeles. Ballet Philippines is headed by its President, Ms. Margie Moran-Floirendo and known for winning the second Ms. Universe crown for the Philippines in 1973. Godinus Executive Producer Becca Godinez and PAE Live Producer Ted Benito are the producers of Ballet Philippines’ performance in the California area. BP is in its 45th season this year and is touring in the United States and Canada to exhibit the world-class talent of the oldest surviving ballet company in Southeast Asia. BP founder, Ms. Alice Reyes was named a National Artist this year. Photo above shows (standing 9th frm L-R) BP Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, PAE Live Producer Ted Benito, Madam Fides Herrera-Lim, BP President Margie Moran-Floirendo, Godinus Executive Producer Becca Godinez and BP Ballet Master Victor Usabia with members of Ballet Philippines. — at Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Ballet Philippines kicked-off its month-long US tour at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on 04 October 2014, after a 15 years hiatus since the company’s last performance in the U.S. The BP inaugural performance lasted 90-minutes showcasing its best works, was attended by the luminaries of the Filipino-American community, with the likes of Apl.de.ap, Lou Diamond Phillips, Sony Pictures Entertainment Senior Vice President of Worldwide Publicity Fritz Friedman, Nia Peeples, Ms. Susan Ruttan, and Ms. Janine Tugonon (winner of Miss Universe-Philippines Read More …