Maniolas

By Nimfa U. Rueda THE WINNER. 22-year-old Crossfit coach Chino Roque bested 28,000 applicants to be the first Filipino to go to space. Photo courtesy of Axe Philippines LOS ANGELES – The first Filipino astronaut, Chino Roque, has said he would bring with him two items on a space flight scheduled next year: a rosary and the Philippine flag. A third item, if allowed, would be a family photo, said Roque, who was honored at a family reunion held at a church hall in Torrance over the weekend. “I am proud of my pamangkin,” said Carson Mayor Pro Tempore Elito Santarina, one of the more than 200 maternal relatives of Roque who attended the Maniquis (also spelled Maniquiz) clan reunion. Santarina handed Roque two plaques of recognition – one from the City of Carson and another from the clan, whose members trace their roots in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. The 23-year-old crossfit trainer is one of 22 people from around the world who will fly in space – and the first Filipino to do so – aboard a suborbital Lynx space plane built by the U.S. company XCOR Aerospace. The psychology graduate of De La Salle University won the lone slot for the Philippines after a series of grueling physical and mental challenges at the AXE Apollo Space Academy (AASA), a global contest that promised to send 22 winners to the edge of space and back aboard the private spaceship. More than 100 candidates from 60 countries took part in the Read More …

By Rocio Nuyda “Tea became more than an idealization of the form of drinking; it is a religion of the art of life”, Kakuzo Okakura.  Then, there is one from George Gissie who was quoted to say, “The mere chink of cups and saucers turns the mind to happy repose” In this vein, I, along with dear friends John Mina, Josie Castro and Benel Liban hosted an afternoon tea for our bride-to-be, Jannelle So. In an attempt to portray the worlds of Jannelle, a Filipina and her fiancé, Lester, a British national; the hosts conceptualized to celebrate her forthcoming marriage by infusing the Filipino guests into the most symbolic of all traditions, the “Britishness” of an afternoon tea. Through the seasons, through the years, it’s your friends who carry you through. What better way to celebrate the warmth and intimacy of beautiful friendship than with the warmest and most intimate of celebrations – a tea. Jannelle’s friends (from left John Mina, Benel Liban, Jannelle, Rocio Nuyda, Josie Castro) gathered on this one glorious afternoon in June to wish her well and send her off to the next journey of her life. A bridal shower it was, but it was more than that…it was an expression of love in this, the most genteel way, over a cup of tea. Photos by Josie Castro & Luchie Allen Though physically absent, Lester “attended” the affair with his phot plastered on the wall, for a game- “Pin the mustache on Lester’s face,” which the little Read More …

Maja Salvador (MNS photo) Actress Maja Salvador had a hard time answering when asked if she is willing to be the contravida of Angel Locsin once again, this time for the latter’s upcoming “Darna” movie. Salvador drew praise for her portrayal of the mistress Nicole in the recently concluded series “The Legal Wife,” which she co-stars with Locsin. “Parang ang hirap sagutin. Pero parang ano kasi, parang ang hirap sundan ng ‘The Legal Wife.’ Kasi hindi ba, tumatak kami as Monica and Nicole? So parang gusto ko munang ipatatak ‘yun sa mga tao,” Salvador said. But in the end, Salvador said she would rather take a break from playing contravida roles. “Maging contravida? Parang hanggang kay Nicole muna ako, ayaw ko namang magsunod-sunod na puro contravida ang ginagawa ko,” she said. The actress said that she is looking forward to meeting the cast and crew of “The Legal Wife” soon for an appreciation dinner. “Makikita ko sila soon kasi mayroon kaming appreciation dinner,” she said. Currently, Salvador is busy preparing for her first major concert dubbed as “MAJ: The Legal Performer” this July 12 at the Music Museum. “Sana po suportahan niyo ako at gustong-gusto ko na pong i-share sa inyo ang happiness ko sa pag-perform,” she said.(MNS)

Carla Abellana (MNS Photo) Carla Abellana refutes insinuations that religion was the deciding factor that led to the demise of her relationship with Geoff Eigenmann. “It’s one of the factors, yes…but it was not the main reason,” she said. “Ang religion naman, nagagawan naman ng paraan ’yun eh. At the end of the day, pare-pareho lang naman tayo ng pinaniniwalaan, ’di ba?” The Kapuso actress also addressed another alleged cause of the breakup – Geoff supposedly not planning for their future despite their being together for four years. “Pwede, isa ’yun sa mga reasons,” she simply said. Carla admitted that she hasn’t moved on but her family and friends keep her from wallowing in heartache. “Maya’t maya inaaya ko silang lumabas. Siyempre may work kaya dapat may personal time,” she added. A seemingly “blooming” Carla explained that she simply makes an effort not to look sad. “Sabi kasi nila dapat maganda para hindi magmukhang heartbroken ka.” Ultimately, she believes that “Happiness is a choice. Mag-focus ka sa maganda para beautiful.” She also clarified she isn’t entertaining suitors just yet. “Kasi wala din akong time. I guess, only time will tell (kung kailan ako magpapaligaw). Iiwan ko na kay Lord lahat.” To prove that she harbors no ill feelings towards anyone, Carla said that she is ready to talk to Geoff, given the chance. “Wala naman kasi kaming galit sa isa’t isa. We’re friends kasi hindi kami magkaaway, though, hindi pa kami nag-uusap talaga. We have no communication but I’m ready Read More …

Imelda Marcos MANILA (AFP) – A leading Catholic university in the Philippines has apologised for inviting former first lady Imelda Marcos to speak after photos of her relishing the occasion caused a social media storm. The 85-year-old wife of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was photographed flashing the victory sign with Ateneo de Manila University students in pictures that went viral on Facebook and Twitter. “To those who did not experience the Marcos era and believe they are saints, you do not know how merciless they were,” said Joel Ramos on Facebook. Andy Summers added that the Jesuit-run institution’s decision to invite Marcos to address scholars showed “hypocrisy at its best”. Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines with an iron fist for more than 20 years and his wife became a symbol of excess with her jet-setting lifestyle as millions at home languished in poverty. She remains an extremely controversial figure in the country. In a statement circulated among Ateneo alumni late Sunday, the university’s chastised president apologised for her invitation to address scholars. Jose Ramon Villarin said Ateneo had not forgotten Marcos’s brutal 20 year rule, during which thousands of activists were either killed or missing as the country plunged into poverty and chaos. “I apologise for any doubts that may have arisen on the mission of the school, and the pain this may have caused,” Villarin, who was in one of the photos with Marcos, said. He added that she had been invited to mark the 40th anniversary of a Read More …