Maniolas

Children hold plates on top of their heads against rainfall as they queue for free meals during Christmas celebrations at the town of Bislig, Tanauan in Leyte province, central Philippines December 24, 2013, a month after Typhoon Haiyan battered central Philippines. The Philippines has warned that predators might prey on Yolanda victims. (MNS photo) TACLOBAN, June 2, 2014 (AFP) – Tens of thousands of students in the central Philippines began the school year on Monday in steamy tents and other makeshift classrooms, seven months after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the region. The government said it had hoped to rebuild or repair 20,000 classrooms before students returned, but new regulations requiring higher building standards so schools withstand future typhoons led to delays. “These are the birth pangs of making sure that resiliency…would be the basis for better structures,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in Manila. “In the meantime, the students will be studying in structures which are not yet resilient, but we hope for their understanding.” At the Panaluran Central School in Tacloban, a coastal city which bore the brunt of the typhoon, hundreds of sweat-soaked children crammed into three temporary classrooms made from steel frames and corrugated iron sheets as the temperature outside hit 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). “It is pitiful to see them packed like sardines,” said housewife Gina Villamor as she anxiously waited for her children, aged 6 and 10, to finish their first day at school. “It is so hot in there. And there is no Read More …

Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford (MNS photo) Coleen Garcia denied that Billy Crawford is already her boyfriend but she was quick to add that what they have is “special.” Garcia said she is not fond of putting labels on any relationship. “May something, may special something. Not girlfriend and boyfriend but I guess the way we see each other. It’s kind of like that already. We see each other in a special way but no labels. Siguro yun yung parang awkward stage in between,” she said. Asked what she thinks is holding them back to be officially together, Garcia simply quipped, “Ako lang, I think I’m waiting for the right time. I’m just very guarded.” “I learned a lot kasi from things in the past. I’m continuing to learn. I just want to take things slowly. There were a lot of things that I rushed in the past. And I’m just enjoying every stage of this,” she added. As she waits for the “right time,” Garcia said she is not worried that Crawford might get impatient. “He’s patient. He’s actually one of the most patient people I know and I always tell him that,” she said. Garcia said she cannot say for now when they will finally decide to be a couple. “Wala naman sa number of months. I guess it’s just kapag nararamdaman mo na,” she said. Last January, Crawford admitted that he is courting Garcia but was quick to add that she was not the third party that Read More …

http://newfacla.org/ Los Angeles – More and more organizations have joined as the preparations for the 2nd Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan 2014 Parade on June 07, 2014 revs up. with 2 weeks to go on its D-Day. This developed as the Justice for Filipino American Veterans National Coordinator and also 2nd Historic Filipinotown Parade Coordinator Arturo Garcia called on the different Filipino American youth and student organizations in California led to participate in the 2nd HFT Philippine Independence Day Parade. “We call on the Filipino American youths and students to attend and participate on this parade on June 7. This is the good opportunity for patriotic and progressive Fil-Am youths to get out of their cozy academe and enclosed communities and from the ritual of their socials and PCN’s and be with the real community in Historic Filipinotown. of Los Angeles. Be proud and let us celebrate the declaration of Asia’s first republic and its independence against a European colonial power –Spain in June 12, 1898. Let us all celebrate our freedom from colonialism.” Garcia said. PTI Mayor Jerry Esguerra also said, “ we call on all Filipino-American organization and our allied organizations among the Asian Pacific Islander Community to participate in our celebration and commitment for freedom at the parade on June 07 in Historic Filipinotown. The 2nd HFT Independence Day Parade will start and end at Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown of Los Angeles. Assembly time will be at 7 a.m. Parade will start promptly at 9 a.m. Participating Organizations The groups who Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited Board of Directors, headed by group chairman David Gonski and group chief executive officer Michael Smith, during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall Receiving Area of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (May 30). (MNS photo) PHILADELPHIA – More investors from the United States are now seriously considering doing business in the Philippines after hearing leading Filipino private sector figures talk about a country brimming with numerous investment opportunities. “A growing number of American investors are convinced that with its unprecedented economic growth, the Philippines will be a good place for their investments,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said at the end of a successful week-long private sector-led investment roadshow that visited Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Ambassador Cuisia said investors heard the positive projection made by noted economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas of the University of Asia and the Pacific, who led the private sector delegation from Manila that participated in the 3rd Philippine Investment Roadshow. In his presentations, Dr. Villegas, who is also known as the “Prophet of Boom,” described the Philippine economy as being at a “tipping point,” citing the positive investment climate in the Philippines, which he predicts to grow up to 15 percent in the next 10 years. “The 2014 roadshow could not have been scheduled at a better time, now that the Philippines is considered one of the best performing economies in Asia,” Dr. Villegas said. “The Philippines is now regarded as an investment haven Read More …

Patricia Javier (MNS photo) Former sexy star Patricia Javier, who has returned to the Philippines, shared the reason why she is making a showbiz comeback. Javier said Vic del Rosario of Viva Entertainment offered her a “good” project. She added that she also wants her children to learn more about Filipino values as well as their native language. “Siguro na-miss ko siya (showbiz) but at the same time, si Boss Vic del Rosario, siya ang nag-push sa akin na, ‘hey, come back. I have a better project for you.’ This time daw, bibigyan niya ako ng medyo dramatic role. So I signed up for Viva,” said Javier, a mother of two who used to work as a head aesthetician at a dermatological clinic in San Diego, California. “Siguro para sa akin ‘yung opportunity na ibinigay again ni Boss Vic. At the same time, para sa anak ko kasi ang mga anak ko gusto ko silang mag-Tagalog at gusto kong makuha nila ‘yung values natin dito, kung anong mayroon tayo rito. At ang asawa ko ay gusto ko siyang mag-practice dito. Bale ano lang, half of the year nandito kami at half doon,” she added. Javier was known for her movies “Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero” and “The Unfaithful Wife.” She was also part of a girl group called Asian Dolls. Currently, Javier is promoting her album titled “Genesis: Songs From My Heart” under Viva. She is also doing an indie film with Ricky Davao, Victor Neri and Melissa Mendez. (MNS)