Maniolas

Lucina Donato-Aquino (right), a 68-year old land reform beneficiary in the sprawling Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac affixes her thumbmark as her signature on the Application to Purchase and Farmer’s Undertaking form after receiving her Lot Allocation Certificate (inset). She is among the first batch of 645 qualified beneficiaries to receive lot allocations on Thursday (July 18, 2013) in Barangay Cutcut, Tarlac. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Hacienda Luisita farmworker-beneficiaries (FWBs) stormed the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Quezon City Thursday to protest what they call a “hoax land distribution.” In a statement, the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) said the administration of President Benigno Aquino III “is unlawfully wielding its clout to evict and disenfanchise farmers, and ultimately retain control of Hacienda Luisita” despite an earlier ruling of the Supreme Court. On November 22, 2011, the SC ordered the distribution of almost 5,000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita to 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries. In the decision, 10 Supreme Court magistrates voted to compensate the managers of Hacienda Luisita based on a 1989 valuation. The valuation based on 1989 rates would mean that relatives of President Aquino would be paid P40,000 per hectare or around P200 million instead of P1 million per hectare or P5 billion as petitioned by Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI). The SC also reiterated its earlier ruling ordering HLI to pay the 6,296 farmers a total of P1.33 billion. AMBALA chairperson Florida Sibayan said under the current administration, Luisita’s ricefields and agricultural areas have Read More …

Violent dispersal at US Embassy in Manila condemned President Barack Obama interacts with a robot during a tour at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), in Tokyo, Japan, April 24, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said that the visit of US President Barack Obama will further improve security and defense ties between the United States and the Philippines. Obama is slated to visit the country this coming April 28 to 29. “The AFP believes that the visit of US President Barack Obama will further strengthen the relationship between the American and Filipino nations, especially in terms of mutual security and defense cooperation,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said. Aside from this, both countries have a long tradition of partnership. “The US military and the AFP shares a long history of partnership built on the Mutual Defense Treaty. This visit will also affirm that partnership in order for both the US and the Philippines to create a mutually beneficial environment aimed at addressing broad regional and global challenges, including maritime security, climate change, terrorism, and transnational crimes among others,” Zagala pointed out. Malacañang earlier stated that ways to intensify political and security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States will be discussed during Obama’s visit. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the PHL-US wide-ranging security partnership includes joint military exercises, such as “Balikatan” and Read More …

As we enter the highlight of the Lenten Season on Palm Sunday, this writer is reminded of Euripedes’ famous lines that said: “the greatest pleasure in life is Love.” Though defined in various ways, “Love” was impressively shown by actor/producer, heartthrob 37 year-old Piolo Jose Pascual “PJ” in short,  in his Easter concert by paying tribute to his son, 20 year-old Iñigo Lazaro Pascual, his mother, the former Amelia Nonato and his adoring fans during the concert, produced by the energetic Vic Perez of V Entertainment held at the White Memorial Adventist Church in Los Angeles. As spectators, my friend Danny Bajet, Lou Sabas, Alice Gonzales and I were just pleasantly surprised and mesmerized by Piolo’s wholesome personality like a “breath of fresh air” obliging song requests and selfies while singing through the crowd in spite of the venue security’s relentless effort to stop the crowd of fans practically mobbing and screaming toward him. Piolo Pascual (MNS photo) Garbed in a simple white-collared shirt and black jacket, Piolo’s charisma blended well with his warmth and courteous personality – attributes which particularly impressed me. He didn’t appear like the super star that he already is and together with the Band he’s been working with for several years now, he serenaded us with some of his popular hit songs such as:  “Babe I Love You,” “It’s a Little Bit Funny,” “This One’s For You,” If I give My Heart To You,” and “  “This One’s For You,.” Further, he also sang Martin Nievera’s OPM song such as “Be My Lady,” Elton John’s popular song such as “The Read More …

Ejay Falcon and Yam Concepcion (MNS Photo) Actor Ejay Falcon admitted that he had a short-lived relationship with his “Dugong Buhay” leading lady Yam Concepcion. Falcon said his relationship with Concepcion lasted only for a few months and they broke up two months ago. It was Concepcion who initiated the break up, he said. “Magkaiba ang mundo namin, ‘yun talaga,” explained Falcon, who courted Concepcion while they were doing “Dugong Buhay.” Falcon said their lack of time is one of the reasons behind their separation. In the interview, Falcon again denied reports romantically linking him to actress Sunshine Cruz. (MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the meeting on the update on effects of Typhoon Pablo at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (December 12). In photo are Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Saturday challenged a lawmaker to substantiate his claims that some government officials may have pocketed part of the reward money for the capture of top officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte questioned the basis of Bayan Muna Rep. Isagani Zarate in claiming secretaries Voltaire Gazmin (defense) and Manuel Roxas II (interior) may have kept part of the money. “We don’t know what the basis is for that and I have not seen the good congressman make any statement (kung) ano ang basehan at ano ba yan,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. “We’re certain that is not true,” she added. A report on Manila Standard Today had quoted Zarate as saying the two secretaries may have kept almost half of the reward money for the Read More …