BMI Online Editor

Marian named ambassador for women and children with disability

Apr 102014

Marian Rivera (MNS Photo) The House of Representatives’ Committee on Women and Gender Equity headed by Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, and the Committee on Social Services led by Rep. Arturo Robes, named actress Marian Rivera as Ambassador for Women and Children with Disability on Monday, during the closing ceremonies of this month’s Women’s Health celebration. “Marami pong salamat sa inyong pagtitiwala sa akin kaya’t buong puso kong tinatanggap ang tungkuling ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin bilang Ambassador for Women and Children with Disability,” Rivera posted on Instagram as accompanied by a photo of herself wearing a Filipiniana dress and holding her plaque of recognition. “Kabilang ninyo ako sa pag babantay ng karapatan ng kababaihan at kabataang may kapansanan,” she added. The Primetime Queen said that a person with disability should not be judged, noting there are a number of women and children that have successfully overcome their physical disabilities. “I did some research and found out that Jessica Cox, who is armless, is a licensed pilot. And there’s Roselle Ambubuyog, who graduated summa cum laude from Ateneo despite being blind,” Rivera said. Acting executive director of the National Council on Disability Affairs, Carmen Zubiaga, said that they chose Rivera because they believed the roles she had played in the past made her aware of persons with disabilities. “Marian can help if she urges her fellow actors and the public to support the education for children with disabilities. With her popularity, the call will ring to the whole nation,” Zubiaga said. (MNS)

US VegWeek kicks off April 21

Entertainment

Apr 102014

By Elena Johnson There are 52 weeks in a year – why not make at least one of them meat-free? US VegWeek kicks off on April 21! I hope you’ll join me in taking the 7-day VegPledge – for the planet, our health, and animals. When you sign up at USVegWeek.com, you’ll receive a free starter pack loaded with coupons, recipes, and information on the many benefits of veg eating. You can also sign up to receive daily emails during the week – including tips, articles, more recipes, and more coupons! If that’s not enough, this weeklong celebration also features restaurant specials and local events so you can meet other people taking the pledge and try out new vegetarian food together. Check out the map on USVegWeek.com to see what’s happening in your area! Need even more reasons to take the pledge – how about prizes? When you pledge to choose vegetarian foods during US VegWeek, you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes from our sponsors! Want more chances to win? Become a recruiter – the top 10 recruiters will also win prizes for encouraging their friends and family to join in the US VegWeek fun. From April 21 – 27 thousands of people, including celebrities and public officials, will be taking the US VegWeek pledge. Will you join us? I look forward to hearing your experiences during US VegWeek and beyond – Tweet your updates, photos, and food adventures to @ElenaEJohnson. About the Author Elena Johnson Read More …

Angara files bill granting tax incentives for first-time home buyers

Entertainment

Apr 092014

Angara files bill granting tax incentives for first-time home buyers

Juan Edgardo Angara (photo courtesy of www.ivoteph.com) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has filed a bill that grants a tax incentive for first-time home buyers in the form of home mortgage interest relief. Angara’s Senate Bill No. 2148 seeks to provide for home mortgage interest relief, an individual income tax incentive, which allows homeowners to deduct the interest they pay on a qualified mortgage loan used for the purchase or construction of their first family home. “Nothing gives a person a sense of stability and security than having a place to call his or her home” Angara said. He said at present, more and more developers are offering affordable housing options through low down payments and easy payment terms for potential home buyers. ”The only remaining deterrent faced by would-be buyers is the financing aspect, more specifically the interest rates imposed by banking institutions and by these developers themselves,” the lawmaker said. “This is where the government should step in by providing an incentive to those who would be purchasing their first family home,” he added. Angara said that by removing interest rates in the equation, potential homeowners will only have to pay the principal amount of the property, and thus avoid the stress of dealing with ballooning interest payments,” he explained. Angara, chair of the Senate committee on ways and means, said that aside from providing tax savings, the proposed measure also aims to promote home ownership by encouraging families to purchase their own property instead Read More …

Yam Concepcion slams uploads of sex scene in porn sites

Entertainment

Apr 092014

Yam Concepcion slams uploads of sex scene in porn sites

Yam Concepcion (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — “I am not a bold star. I am a sexy actress.” These were the words of Yam Concepcion in reacting to the uploading of her sex scene in the Erik Matti film “Rigodon” on pornographic websites, which she said was “more than surprising.” The Kapamilya actress is set to star in ABS-CBN’s adaptation of the Korean TV series “Pure Love”. According to Concepcion, a sex scene between her and “Rigodon” co-star John James Uy is now making the rounds in adult websites similar to video-streaming platform YouTube. “Medyo nakakabastos kasi ‘yung ibang comments na naririnig ko. Parang nakakabastos sa art na ginawa ng direktor namin na si Erik Matti. This wasn’t a joke when we did the movie,” Concepcion said. “Pinaghirapan po namin ito and it was well thought of. I believe it was tastefully done naman. I think they should respect that also.” Produced by Viva Films, “Rigodon” was the launching movie of Concepcion as the film outfit’s new “sex goddess.” Released in November 2012, it starred her as 25-year-old Sarah Dilag, whose one-night stand with a married man portrayed by Uy leads to a murderous encounter with his wife. “Hindi naman siya porn, e,” Concepcion said. “It’s a movie. It’s an adult drama movie. Medyo may ibang interpretation lang ‘yung ibang tao na baka sabihin nila gano’n.” “I am not a bold star. I am a sexy actress. I get paid to act, right? I don’t sell my body.” (MNS)

Aquino swears in ambassadors, new government officials

Entertainment

Apr 092014

Aquino swears in ambassadors, new government officials

President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 women’s volleyball champion Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles, led by Season and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alyssa Valdez, for a selfie shot during the group’s courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (April 03). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III administered the oath of office of newly appointed ambassadors and government officials in a ceremony at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall on Monday. The newly appointed ambassadors were former Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez as Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Petronila Garcia as Philippine Ambassador to Canada, and Joseph Gerald Angeles as Philippine Ambassador to South Africa. Under the Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus Yabes and Special Envoy of the President to the Gulf Cooperative Council Amable Aguiluz were also sworn into office. Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Eduardo Oban and Marciano Paynor Jr. were both sworn in as Undersecretaries under the Office of the Executive Secretary. Other officials who took their oath of office were Jess Anthony Yu as Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office; Jose Emmanuel Reverente as Undersecretary of the Department of Finance; Edwin Carillo as Assistant Government Corporate Counsel under the Department of Justice; Victorio Mario Dimagiba as Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Rodolfo Isorena as Vice Admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard under Read More …

JPE, Bong, Jinggoy told: Show delicadeza, resign now

Entertainment

Apr 092014

JPE, Bong, Jinggoy told: Show delicadeza, resign now

Senate Minority leader Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the accused in the so-called pork barrel scam, stresses a point in interpellating Senator Koko Pimentel III, sponsor of the Sandigan Bill, who sought the support of his colleagues for the passage of the measure, seeking to improve the disposition of cases in the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday (March 5) at the Session Hall, Senate Bldg in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The three senators accused in the pork barrel scam should show some delicadeza and resign now, according to the Scrap Pork Network. The Scrap Pork Network, whose members were among those who organized the “Million People March” protest in Luneta last year, said it is time for Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada to step down after the Office of the Ombudsman said it had found probable cause to file plunder and graft charges against them. The group’s spokespersons Peachy Tan and Betty Romero said these three lawmakers no longer have the trust of the people. According to the Ombudsman, Enrile, Revilla and Estrada amassed a total of P172 million, P242 million and P183 million, respectively, as kickbacks from their illegal transactions with alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Romero said this is “enough reason” for the people to call for their resignation also “to restore honor in the Senate.” “Let’s give these gentlemen the opportunity to prove that they still have delicadeza. Hindi na Read More …

Sen. Bam: 300,000 Lives at Stake Due to Substandard Steel

Entertainment

Apr 092014

Sen. Bam: 300,000 Lives at Stake Due to Substandard Steel

Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV during a discussion on “Enhancing Competitiveness Amidst A Changing External Economic Environment.” Aquino warns that lives of 300,000 people are at stake due to substandard reinforcement bars created from wire rods and used in estimated 60,000 houses in different parts of the country. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Bam Aquino warned that lives of 300,000 people are at stake due to substandard reinforcement bars created from wire rods and used in estimated 60,000 houses in different parts of the country. “Sixty thousands houses is no joke. That’s 300,000 lives we’re talking about,” Aquino said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, which he chairs, on the rampant selling and distribution of substandard and smuggled steel in the country. This is just the tip of the iceberg as Aquino said the available data is only for substandard reinforcement rebars alone and not for all substandard steel products, like angle bars. “What happened in Bohol and Cebu during last year’s earthquake could happen again anytime and anywhere due to the use of substandard steel in some structures,” Aquino said During the hearing, stakeholders, led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI), revealed that substandard and smuggled steel are being sold in different parts of the country. From 2009 to 2013, the DTI’s market monitoring enforcement team discovered that 49 percent of outlets it visited in 61 provinces were selling substandard angle bars. Read More …

Palace says DENR may conduct consultations on no-build zone rule in Tacloban

Entertainment

Apr 082014

Palace says DENR may conduct consultations on no-build zone rule in Tacloban

Workers from first Bukidnon Electric Cooperatives (FIBECO) repair power lines damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City (November 26). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources may schedule consultations with other stakeholders concerning the no-build zone policy, which prohibits the construction of structures within 40 meters from the shoreline, in areas affected by super Typhoon Yolanda. In an interview on state-run dzRB radio, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also assured the people the DENR is aware of the concerns raised by several groups. “We continue to work with the stakeholders to find a policy, or at least to settle [concerns over the rule]. Ang sa amin po kasi ay safety nung ating mga kababayan ‘yung pinakaimportante at kung papaano tayo mag-a-adjust para masiguradong talagang safe… lalo ‘yung nasa mga low-lying coastal areas,” she said. “So we’ll flag the DENR for this and perhaps they can set for consultations if possible for other stakeholders that have concerns on the ‘No-Build Zone’ policy,” she added. German Development Cooperation (GIZ) chief advisor on disaster risk management Olaf Neussner was quoted in an earlier report as saying the 40-meter no-build zone is not enough to ensure safety from a tsunami or a storm surge. “You have seen that Yolanda in some places went for more than a kilometer [inland],” he said. “So obviously 40 meters does not help very much.” Neussner said the topography of certain areas should have been considered in the delineation Read More …

Napoles ready for biopsy – doctors

Entertainment

Apr 082014

A doctor checks the condition of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame on Wednesday, February 26. Napoles, alleged mastermind in the P10-B pork barrel scam, has been diagnosed to have ovarian cyst.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles is now ready to undergo biopsy to determine if the cyst in her uterus is malignant or benign, doctors said Monday. Dr. Florentina Villanueva, head of Ospital ng Makati OB-Gyn department, said the endocrinologist has already cleared Napoles for the procedure. “We were able to manage the blood sugar over the weekend. She has been cleared by the endocrinologist and the OB-Gyn team is ready to do the procedure,” she said at a press briefing. Villanueva said they are just waiting for Napoles to give her consent for the procedure. Once Napoles gives her consent, it would take six hours to prepare her for the actual procedure, Dr. Perry Peralta, Ospital ng Makati medical director, said at the same briefing. Villanueva said the procedure is called endometrial biopsy where a tissue will be taken from Napoles’ uterus, particularly in her endometrium. The result of the biopsy will be known in three days. It will depend on the result of the biopsy what other procedures will be conducted on Napoles. Villanueva said the biopsy will be performed by Napoles’ doctors, but she will be there inside the operating room to monitor the proceedings. (MNS)

LA Fil-Am leaders hopeful justice will be served on PDAF plunder case vs three PHL senators

Entertainment

Apr 082014

LA Fil-Am leaders hopeful justice will be served on PDAF plunder case vs three PHL senators

Senate Minority leader Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the accused in the so-called pork barrel scam, stresses a point in interpellating Senator Koko Pimentel III, sponsor of the Sandigan Bill, who sought the support of his colleagues for the passage of the measure, seeking to improve the disposition of cases in the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday (March 5) at the Session Hall, Senate Bldg in Pasay City. (MNS photo) Los Angeles – “The wheels of justice grinds slow. But justice will be served in the end. At the end of animated debate over the recent filing of charges by the Ombudsman against three PH Senators Enrile, Estrada and Revilla for plunder and 50 other subulterns including provisional witnesses, Filipino –American leaders at Talakayan sa FACLA last Thursday, April 03, were united that justice will be finally served in the Philippines. FACLA Director Atty. Ben Basilio said, “ Now that the case is filed in the Sandiganbayan, it means that the Aquino III administration is really serious in pursuing the case against three accused senators. They can file their motion for re-considerations but it’s up for the court to dismiss the case or pursue the case and order their arrest.” Justice Will Be Served Larry Pelayo also said, “he doubts if the three senators will heed the call of of the public to resign. They continue their fanatic defense that they are innocent of the charges and even some of them (Estrada and Revilla) went abroad.” Sid Balatan, an online journalist Read More …

Older Entries Newer Entries