Maniolas

By Allen Sam V. Estabillo Workers haul their catch of clams and mussels in the late afternoon at the Navotas fish port in Manila on Tuesday. President Duterte is set to discuss rights and access of Filipino fishermen to the disputed West Philippine Sea during his visit to China on October 19-21.(MNS photo) GENERAL SANTOS CITY  (PNA) – Around 9,000 kilograms of tilapia were destroyed as another major fish kill hit Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. Rudy Muyco, lake warden of Lake Sebu town, said Tuesday the ongoing fish kill started in parts of the lake last week as its dissolved oxygen dropped anew to the critical level due to the onset of the rains in the area. Citing their monitoring, he said the decline in dissolved oxygen levels affected about 50 percent of the 354-hectare lake. “At least 9,070 kilos of tilapia were so far destroyed because of the fish kill,” Muyco said in a radio interview. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 12 earlier reported that 19 fish cages owned by nine operators in Barangay Poblacion were affected by the fish kill. Muyco said other fish cage operators at the lake were forced to conduct emergency harvests to avoid further losses. As a result, the price of tilapia from Lake Sebu in the local markets dropped to as low as PHP50 per kilo. Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan clarified that the tilapia from the emergency harvests that are being sold in the markets are safe Read More …

President Duterte, Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol distribute 7 units farm tractor in Basilan: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol, view the 7 units of farm 4WD Farm Tractor for farmers at Limo-ok Lamitan City, Basilan Province on Monday (October 10, 2016). (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez) MANILA  (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte visited on Monday Police Regional Office 9 in Zamboanga City to show solidarity with policemen in the ongoing government war on illegal drugs. “Kaya ako dumaan dito to show my camaraderie with you,” the President said in a speech before the policemen. He said he was happy to personally visit law enforcers in Zamboanga City. The President instructed law enforcers to do their job well by arresting suspects or subduing them if they show resistance. But he reminded police officers to always think of their safety during police raids because they are facing violent individuals. The Chief Executive also warned “ninja cops” or those officers involved in illegal drug trade, reiterating his offer of a PHP2 million reward to anyone who could identify policemen connected to narcotics trafficking. At the same time, the President also expressed his dismay over groups such as bishops complaining about deaths in the administration’s war against illegal drugs. Noting that he is losing two policemen a day all over the country in the ongoing anti-illegal drug war, he said the drug problem must be confronted head-on. According to the President, he takes time to visit dead policemen in different Read More …

Maintaining Olandes Resettlement in Marikina City: Workers of Marikina City maintains the beauty of Olandes Resettlement in Barangay Industrial Valley in Marikina City on Monday (Oct. 10, 2016). The in-city resettlement program for squatters is among the best practices in urban renewal and community development. (PNA photo by Joey Razon) SAN MIGUEL  (PNA) – The local government here and its corporate partner, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) will turn over housing units this month to residents of the town that are living in danger zone. The turn over was originally scheduled on Sept. 28 in time with the town fiesta, but it was moved to this month considering the availability of top SMC officials, said Mayor Cheeryl Enrica Esperas. The company pledged to build 100 houses, but due to limited land area, the developer only completed 98 houses. Of the number, more than half are already completed. Habitat for Humanity supervise the construction of the houses at the Cayare Hills Subdivision in Cayare village, near the town center. “Hopefully, we can turn over the houses this month or at least before the third anniversary commemoration of super typhoon Yolanda,” Esperas said. The donor, Habitat for Humanity and the social welfare officer from the provincial government pre-identified the beneficiaries. Recipients include indigent families and those living in flood-prone and danger zones. Esperas said the local government and the donor, in consultation with potential homeowners, drafted a policy and guidelines that beneficiaries need to follow in order to preserve the dignity of the Read More …

(Filipino American History Month Facebook page) LOS ANGELES, CA — October is Filipino American History Month, and thousands of Filipino Americans from the Los Angeles area are expected to take part in one of the city’s biggest events celebrating their culture and history. The Filipino American History Month Los Angeles (FAHMLA) Coalition will host a diverse array of intergenerational and trans-intercontinental talent at the newly renovated Greek Theater on Sunday, October 23rd presented by Frontier Communications. “We make up one of the fastest growing Asian American groups in the United States,” said Joel Jacinto, appointee of Mayor Eric Garcetti and the first Filipino American Commissioner for the City of L.A. Department of Public Works.  “It’s important for the rest of L.A. to know who we are, and I think there is no better way to do that than through this exciting event for attendees of all ages.” Filipino music legend Gary V will headline the evening, and for the first time his son Gab Valenciano will join him onstage. Dance-pop artist Jocelyn Enriquez, R&B group Kai and others, who helped start the Filipino American music movement during the 1990s, will reunite after more than 15 years. And for the millennial crowd, YouTube sensation AJ Rafael and The Voice Season 9 artist Tim Atlas are among those who are expected to perform. Actor Nico Santos from NBC’s new sitcom “Superstore” will help host the show, and culinary masterminds including Kristine de la Cruz and Lynne Tolentino will be onsite whipping up Read More …

By AbnerGalino Ms. World Philippines 2016 First Princess(First Runner-Up Arienne L. Calingo Since becoming the Miss World Philippines 2016 First Princess (first runner-up), Arienne Louise Calingo has been juggling her commitments as a beauty queen, college lecturer, Education USA Ambassador for the American Embassy in Manila, brand ambassador for Colourette Cosmetics, and an advocate for education and diversity. In a recent phone interview shortly after being named the First Princess, the 24-year-old titleholder elaborated upon her advocacies and why the pageant means a lot to her. Aside from promoting the importance of education to Filipino youth, Arienne Louise hopes to create a more open conversation about issues of diversity.She believes that a woman’s beauty and intellect are not defined by her skin color. “As a proud morena woman, I seek to challenge the common notion that beauty is only associated with light, fair skin,” Arienne Louise explained. She takes pride in empowering and inspiring other morena Filipinas that they too can be competitive in national pageants. With a background as a Diversity Facilitator from the prestigious Georgetown University, Arienne Louise aims to organize “diversity training, discussions, and workshops at various schools across the country.” “I believe that it is time to speak about issues of diversity and change perceptions of beauty in order to promote more inclusivity, tolerance, and understanding in the Philippines,” she added. The Filipina beauty queen revealed that a series of conversations with Miss World Thailand 2014 Maeya Nonthawan Thongleng deeply inspired her. Arienne Louise had been Read More …