Maniolas

Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana After their recent trip to Singapore for the taping of their latest Kapuso romantic-drama My Destiny, rumored couple Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez have another opportunity to work closely together as they gear up for an exciting concert titled “Kapusong Pinoy sa L.A.” The concert, organized by GMA Pinoy TV, the flagship international channel of GMA Network, in cooperation with Polaris Media and Marketing, will be held on September 27 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, California. Carla Abellana Following the success of their onscreen pairing in several projects, Carla and Tom are sure to thrill their fans abroad who ardently followed the story of Lally and Vincent in the groundbreaking, international hit series My Husband’s Lover, and the brewing romance between Grace and Matthew in My Destiny. Carla is delighted that she has been given another opportunity to meet her fans in the United States. “During the US tour of My Husband’s Lover last year, we were given such a warm welcome by our kababayans,” she recalls. “The support we’ve been receiving from our fellow Filipinos, especially those outside the Philippines, is very heartwarming and inspiring.” “This is our way of saying thank you to all those who continue to support us,” shares Tom. “We promise to put on a good show for our fans abroad.” Tom Rodriguez The concert also features some of the hottest Kapuso stars seen on GMA Pinoy TV – Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner-at-Large Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III after administering the oath in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and TV host/actress Marian Rivera. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Hope springs eternal, a candid President Benigno Aquino III said Monday as he reacted to news that he was asked by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to be his best man in his wedding with actress Heart Evangelista. “As to being best man syempre (of course) I am honored but I am relieved that I wasn’t made ninong (godfather),” Aquino said in jest. Speaking at the sidelines of the Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program launch at Davao City, Aquino explained that it was taboo for single people to be called on as principal sponsors in weddings since it would make them less likely to find a partner in life. Asked how many times he had become best man, he said, “May mga bagay na hindi na binibilang (There are things that should no longer be counted).” Aquino, since being elected president in 2010, has long been teased about his status as a bachelor. Aquino also confirmed that he was invited to the wedding of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera but said he was just a guest. “They’ve been very supportive, both of them,” he said of the two celebrities. (MNS)

Hundreds of nurses arrive at the Araneta coliseum in Manila, 02 October 2007 to attend official oath taking ceremonies after passing the June 2007 government licensure examination, where 31,275 successful examinees from the more than 64,000 passed the tests conducted nationwide. Last year’s scandal tainted examination resulted in the massive retake for examinees to qualify for US Visa. Filipino nurses are in high demand in the US. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images) MANILA (Mabuhay) – In view of a recent report that some Filipino nurses in Saudi Arabia have been exposed to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday issued a memorandum directing all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to re-establish their respective daily monitoring systems on MERS-CoV and to undertake measures to ensure the protection of OFWs against the deadly virus. In her memorandum, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz also directed all POLOs to make representation with health authorities in their posts to strengthen infection control protocols for Filipino healthcare workers, as well as with labor and health authorities for Filipino agricultural workers whose jobs make them in contact with animals. “We have established the Daily Monitoring System on MERS-CoV last April, whereby our POLOs were required to submit the complete names, addresses in the Philippines, and contact details of vacationing OFWs. We have to re-establish this system,” said Baldoz. The DOLE has 36 POLOs, 15 of which are located in the Middle East; 11 in Asia; and Read More …

Bangs Garcia (MNS Photo) Sexy actress Bangs Garcia finally opened up about her supposed romantic ties with Philippine Azkals striker Phil Younghusband, months after the athlete confirmed that they are “hanging out.” “We are going out, we’re not hiding. We always go to the malls. We always eat out. We go to Baclaran and we love going to videoke. We love singing. Mahilig kami manood ng sine. Actually a lot of people see us outside. We’re not hiding anything,” she said. The actress, however, added that they are still getting to know each other. “We cherish every moment eh. Sobrang okay kasi kami eh. Sobrang click kami,” she said. According to Garcia, she and Younghusband have actually known each other for two years now. “Magkakaibigan ‘yung mga ex namin. Well siyempre kahit na nandiyan ‘yung mga ex namin nag-uusap na kami. Okay kami, naguusap kami but we never texted each other at that time until this year. So nagulat kami that we clicked so much,” she said. Saying they have many things in common, Garcia said: “Sabi ko para kaming mag-best friends talaga eh. We can talk about anything under the sun. We can just keep on talking the whole day. As in. Of course with the company of his sister and our friends. Marami kaming common friends.” Asked if things are okay between her and Angel Locsin, Garcia said, “Angel and I are friends and she’s happily with Luis [Manzano], who’s also my friend. Deadma. I don’t care.” Younghusband Read More …

Gilas Pilipinas is the first team to give the Philippines its first win in a FIBA tournament in 40 years. MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Members of the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team deserve a warm welcome and congratulations from the Filipino people upon their return to the country from the FIBA World Cup, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also indicated the team may make a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino III following their gallant showing in the tournament. “Ang sambayanang Pilipino, dapat maghanda sa kanilang magiting na panalo sa Senegal… We’re very, very proud of the way the Gilas team, our Gilas team performed,” Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio. He added the Palace is sure Filipinos will be celebrating when the team arrives home. Although Gilas lost its chance to advance to the next round in the FIBA World Cup, it ended its stint on a winning note by winning over Senegal, 81-79, in overtime. “I’m sure the Filipino people will be celebrating when they arrive… They put up a good fight and made the Philippines proud, and showed may puso ang Pilipino sa paglaban sa kahit anong larangan in sports or any field to show we have heart,” Lacierda said. When asked if the team will make a courtesy call on Aquino, Lacierda said, “Titingnan natin kasi baka pagdating nila we don’t know kung narito pa si Pangulong Aquino.”(MNS)