Maniolas

Nyoy Volante (MNS photo) “Shrek The Musical” is Nyoy Volante’s 10th musical and he is looking forward to doing more in the near future. Christened as the country’s “Acoustic Pop Prince,” Nyoy shared that he made arrangements with Star Magic to allow him to do at least one musical every year. “With musicals, I get to explore different facets of my musical abilities,” explained Nyoy. He divulged that theater has a special place in his heart as it is where he honed his talent prior to making it big as a pop star. “When I did ‘Hair Spray,’ the fans were surprised. They didn’t know I was intro theater, that it was actually a comeback of sorts for me,” remarked Nyoy. In “Shrek The Musical,” he plays Donkey, Shrek’s best friend. Nyoy admitted that he enjoys the role. So did he copy Eddie Murphy’s approach to Donkey as seen in “Shrek” the movie, we asked. “No, I did my own take on the character. I studied what Donkey is all about; his needs, his goals. Hopefully, I got it right,” said Nyoy. It helped too that he was able to establish rapport with Rycharde Everley who plays Shrek. “It’s my first time to work with Rycharde. He is a nice guy. We were always laughing and having fun on and off the stage. So what the audience will see are two real friends having fun on stage,” said Nyoy. Aside from “Shrek The Musical,” Nyoy is currently busy writing songs Read More …

Coco Martin (MNS photo) Coco Martin has finally spoken up on the controversy surrounding the recent Bench fashion show wherein he was made to walk with a woman on a leash in tow. Martin said he was saddened by the turn of events following his appearance at “The Naked Truth” last September 20. Held at the Mall of Asia Arena, the big event featured hundreds of models, including several big-name stars taking turns on the runway in Bench denim and underwear. “Honestly po, sobra akong nalungkot sa mga nangyari,” he said. Martin’s solo spot, which also had him put a rope around the woman’s neck before kissing her on the lips, has become the subject of criticisms from groups and politicians. Women’s party-list group Gabriela referred to the performance as “a disturbing throwback to concepts of enslaving and subjugating women to male fantasies.” The Philippine Commission on Women, meanwhile, said the act “dehumanizes and demeans the dignity of women, treating their bodies as mere sex objects and commodities.” In his statement, Martin admitted he failed to properly assess what his act in the show could mean, and asked for forgiveness and understanding from those who were offended. “Inaamin ko po ang naging pagkukulang ko,” he said. “Dala narin po sa pagod sa araw-araw na trabaho, hindi ko nakita ang malalim na kahalugan ng pinagawa sa akin sa Bench fashion show.” Martin added: “Humihingi po ako ng patawad at pag-intindi sa mga kinauukulan, kasama ang pangako na magiging mas sensitibo ako Read More …

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima during the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL) Conference at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Tuesday (May 13, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA, (Mabuhay) — Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima insisted his conscience is “very, very clean” as he slammed what he called “rabid” attacks from the media. In a press conference, Purisima described as “tenacious and rabid” allegations on his supposed wealth. He said the descriptions made in several news reports seemed to inflate the actual physical status of his property in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. He said the property has a market value between P2.337 million and P4 million, contrary to what has been widely reported. “The total floor area [of the house] is only 204 square meters only. Based on the tax declaration of real properties in Nueva Ecija, it is worth P818,260, with a market value of P2,337,900,” he said. Depending on the transaction, Purisima believes the property – which totals 4.7 hectares land area – may reach P3 million to P4 million. “The aerial shot they took does not show what is on the ground. The gazebo they mentioned is a simple nipa hut worth P17,890. The garage is worth P52,630. The guard house and guest house is worth P510,420,” he said. He added the swimming pool, which was described in a report as Olympic-sized, is only 7.5 meters by 15 meters. Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Heroes’ Welcome Ceremony for the 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said the Philippines cannot just send another batch of peacekeepers to a “mission impossible” in Golan Heights. In an impromptu speech on Wednesday, Aquino said the Philippine government will wait for the results of the United Nations (UN)’s probe on the Golan Heights standoff involving Filipino peacekeepers last month before deciding whether it will deploy new troops to the area. “Hindi pwedeng dadalhin ang ating mga tropa sa isang sitwasyon na imposible o hindi maliwanag ang misyon,” the President said during awarding ceremonies of some Filipino peacekeepers in Malacañang. Aquino also once again defended the Filipino peacekeepers’ decision to escape during a standoff with Syrian rebels in Golan Heights. “Simpleng-simple lang naman ho ‘yon e. Kapag tayo’y ginawang hostage, ‘di lalong magiging kumplikado ang problema. At talagang limitado naman ang kakayahan natin na magpadala ng rescue force dito at ating pinanindigan ito,” he said. In late August, 75 Filipino peacekeepers figured in a standoff with Syrian rebels, which ended that weekend with them escaping after a seven-hour clash. Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. later revealed that Filipino peacekeepers had to defy an order from Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) commander, to be able to escape from the militants. Singha, Read More …

Beleaguered Director General Alan Purisima of the graft ridden Philippine National Police (PNP)  has no other option but to resign to restore the people’s trust in the police force. The PNP, which has been plagued with bribery for years, have been facing widespread criticism from all sectors of society because of inefficiency and unabated corrupt practices in all levels. General Purisima, a very close friend of President Noynoy, is facing three plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. The PNP Chief is accused of accumulating unexplained wealth after the discovery of his huge mansion constructed in the middle of a 47-hectare lot in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. During a recent Senate inquiry, Purisima failed to explain to Senators  Grace Poe and Segio Osmeña III how he was able to acquire  expensive vehicles worth millions of pesos, prompting the legislators to say that the PNP chief was “lying through his teeth.” He is also being accused of receiving donations from his “friends” for the renovation of his so called “white house,” the official residence of the PNP chief inside Camp Crame. The cost of the construction is P11 million. President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima during the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL) Conference at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Tuesday (May 13, 2014). (MNS photo) Despite a strong public clamor for him to step down, Purisima  was Read More …