Maniolas

The Philippine economy grew by 6.4 percent during the second quarter of 2014 also because of the millions of dollars that our kababayans, especially those in the US, have been sending home says Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Remittances from Filipinos in the United States and other parts of the world helped the Philippines regain its position as Southeast Asia’s best performing economy during the first semester of the year. “The Philippine economy grew by 6.4 percent during the second quarter of 2014 also because of the millions of dollars that our kababayans, especially those in the US, have been sending home,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said after the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced the good news. “Our diaspora plays a very important role in the economic transformation now taking place in the Philippines,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he paid tribute to the 3.5 million members of the Filipino-American Community who consistently account for more than half of the total remittances the Philippines receive annually from abroad. Citing NEDA figures, Ambassador Cuisia said remittances by overseas-based Filipinos reached a new high for the year in June when inflows went up by 5.9 percent to $2.050 billion that month, raising the total for the first half by 5.8 percent to $11.422 billion. “Our economy is performing well as result of a stronger industry and services sector and robust remittances from overseas Filipinos,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “This should make the Philippines more competitive and more attractive Read More …

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) headed by its president, Vicky Achacoso-Gancayco had a reception for UP College of Engineering Dean Dr. Aura Castillo-Matias at the Malburg Atrium of Woodbury University in Burbank recently.. Woodbury University, whose current president, Dr. Luis Ma. Calingo, a UP alumnus himself, provided the perfect venue for the visiting Dean’s presentation on the current status of the UP College of Engineering and an update on significant infrastructure developments of the college. The program started with an invocation by Ray Reyes, followed by the collective singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Lupang Hinirang” led by Annie Nepomuceno and a welcome address by venue host, Dr. Luis Ma. Calingo. The guest speaker was introduced by Arnel Joaquin, M.D. (UPAAGLA President-elect) in the absence of President, Vicky Achacoso-Gancayco. In a powerpoint presentation entitled “Towards a National Center of Excellence in Engineering & Technology Innovation,” Aura C. Matias, Dean of the UP College of Engineering (UPCOE) discussed topics such as: the role of the UP Colllege of Engineering under the new UP charter, the state of the College of Engineering and its role in S & T Education and National Development, its long-term development goals and invitation for support. “The UP System was established on June 18, 1908. Currently, it has 7 constituent universities throughout the Philippines and 1 autonomous  college in 15 campuses. The new UP charter declares it as the national university and Diliman is its main campus and the College of Engineering Read More …

Sam Milby (MNS photo) Sam Milby clarified his earlier statement that his former girlfriend, Anne Curtis, “will always remain in [his] heart.” This comes after Curtis, his co-star in the comedy film “The Gifted,” was asked if she believes that Milby has already moved on from their past relationship. Milby explained that the reason why he said that is because of the things that they have shared in the past. “I will. I will always love her because we shared something, yung pinagdaanan namin, yung pinagsamahan namin, we shared something. Para sa akin, kapag in love, parang umaasa pa. Ako, I know na happy siya. I’m truly happy for the both of them,” he said, referring to Curtis’ four-year relationship with restaurateur Erwan Heussaff. When asked if he’s already over Curtis, Milby said: “If I were still hoping, I’d still feel kind of… basta I’m happy for them.” Anne Curtis and Sam Milby (MNS Photo) Curtis and Milby became a couple during the first quarter of 2007, but the actress broke up with him later that year to establish her “personal relationship with God.” In 2008, the two admitted that they were exclusively dating again. However, Milby ended their relationship in November of the same year. The two have remained friends since then, with Milby even saying that Curtis is his “deepest love.” Aside from their upcoming movie “The Gifted”, Milby and Curtis also reunited on screen when they both starred in the recently concluded fantasy series “Dyesebel.” (MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III is briefed on the status of passenger volume and traffic, airport security and assistance measures by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) OIC, general manager (Ret.) MGen. Vicente Guerzon, Jr.,during the Inspection of Major Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Lobby of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday (April 16, 2014) during the Inspection of Major Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila. The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. Also in photo are Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and NAIA Terminal 3 manager Engr. Octavio Lina.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – An importer of knockoff designer bags and accessories and his customs broker have been sued for smuggling into the country these fake products. In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it sued Noel Villaflor, owner and proprietor of NSGV Trading, and his broker Sherjun Saldon for violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and the Intellectual Property (IP) Code. The case pertains to a shipment from China last May in a 40-foot container that arrived at the Manila International Container Port. Composed of 600 cartons, the shipment’s papers declared that it contained various women’s clothing and accessories, skateboards and parts thereof, PVC flooring, plastic cases and boxes, and aluminum ladder and grinder. Inspection by BOC personnel however uncovered 15,960 undeclared items that included “Class A” counterfeit luxury Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly appointed government officials in a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The House justice committee on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to junk the three impeachment complaints against President Benigno Aquino III, declaring them to “insufficient in substance.” Voting 54-4 in all three impeachment complaints, the panel moved to dismiss the impeachment raps against Aquino. Two of the three complaints filed against the President alleged that Aquino committed a culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in connection with his implementation of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). The Supreme Court has declared the DAP partially unconstitutional. The third complaint also alleged culpable violation of the Constitution with regard to the Aquino administration’s signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US. The EDCA is now the subject of a suit before the Supreme Court. Tension marred the House justice committee’s deliberations on the sufficiency of substance of the three impeachment complaints against Aquino III after a heated exchange between an administration ally and a militant lawmaker. The argument started after Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone accused Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, one of the endorsers of the impeachment complaint, of having received funds from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which has been declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and is the basis of two of the three complaints. In response, Read More …