BMI Online Editor

JC de Vera steps up in ‘Moon of Desire’

Apr 012014

JC De Vera and Meg Imperial (MNS Photo) JC DE VERA relishes his leading man role in the upcoming ABS-CBN series, “Moon of Desire,” saying that it really pays to wait. The 28-year-old actor was launched as one of the lead stars in the newest afternoon drama series along with Dominic Roque, Ellen Adarna and Meg Imperial. Aside from the said program, JC is also part of primetime teleserye “The Legal Wife” opposite Maja Salvador, Jericho Rosales and Angel Locsin. Since he signed a two-year deal with ABS-CBN in July 2013, it is only now that he became visible again on television. “Ever since very patient naman ako pagdating sa projects. Hindi ako nga-expect ng maraming trabaho, hindi rin ako nag-expect ng magandang shows, basta nag-antay ako kung anong ibigay sa akin ng network. Ganun talaga ang labanan dito sa industry,” he said. “I’m very blessed and grateful sa mga nangyayari ngayon. I’m overwhelemed sa mga projects na ginagawa ko. Alam ko na mahirap siya pero minsan lang ito. Minsan lang dumating ang ganitong opportunity,” he added. According to JC, even though he waited for so long for the projects, he never felt discouraged because the network was backing him all the way. “Matagal tagal na rin naman ako sa industry and napag-aralan ko na rin talaga na patience is a virtue. Hindi ka pwedeng nagmamadali. Kapag dumating yung time, darating talaga. Never akong nagmadali at nagreklamo,” he added. He added that when the shows were given to him, it Read More …

PHL Consulate General Celebrates 2014 Women’s Month

Entertainment

Apr 012014

PHL Consulate General Celebrates 2014 Women’s Month

Acting Head of Post Imelda Panolong addressing the audience and seated (L-R) Grants and Communications Manager Jessy Needham, MOTHER, President Rosemarie Mejia and MOTHER, Founder Perla Reyes. Los Angeles – The Philippine Consulate General honors 2014 Women’s Month in support of the theme set by the Philippine Commission on Women and the Civil Service Commission at the Rizal Hall on 27 March 2014. The celebration of Women’s Month was participated by the Center for the Pacific Asian Family, Grants and Communications Manager, Ms. Jessy Needham addressing issues of domestic violence and child abuse in the community, especially in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This was followed by MOTHER (Movement to End Rape and Other Child Abuses) holding a Leadership Training with a Self Defense Training highlighting the event. The event was attended by members of the community and personnel of the Consulate General. (5th frm L-R) Grants and Communications Manager Needham, Cultural Officer Wilma Bautista, MOTHER Founder Reyes. Acting Head of Post Panolong, MOTHER President Mejia with members of MOTHER and personnel of the Consulate General.

Biggest Ferris wheel in the world opens in Sin City

Entertainment

Apr 012014

Biggest Ferris wheel in the world opens in Sin City

Las Vegas High Roller©PRNewsFoto/Caesars Entertainment, Denise Truscello (Relaxnews) – The world’s largest observation wheel has opened in Las Vegas, at 550 feet or 168 meters high. The Las Vegas High Roller began boarding its first passengers this week for 30-minute spins that include a video and music presentation before fading out to let the sky-high views of the city speak for themselves. The High Roller stands more than 100 feet (30 meters) taller than the London Eye and features 28 glass-enclosed cabins that can hold up to 40 people. Despite boasting bragging rights to being the tallest Ferris wheel now, it may not be long before the High Roller has to cede the title to a host of ambitious upcoming projects. Las Vegas High Roller©Newsmarket.com/Las Vegas News Bureau For example, plans for the New York Wheel on Staten Island, scheduled to open in 2016, call for a 630-foot (192-meter) tall observation wheel equal to about 60 storeys, while the Dubai Eye is projected to stand 690-feet-tall (210 meters). The Las Vegas High Roller is open 365 days a year and is the centerpiece of a new outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment district, The LINQ, on the Strip. Tickets to the Las Vegas High Roller are priced at $25 USD. vs/cm

18,000 Students to Kick Up Heels in Simultaneous Participatory Dance Performance on The Music Center Plaza at 44th Annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival

Entertainment

Apr 012014

18,000 Students to Kick Up Heels in Simultaneous Participatory Dance Performance on The Music Center Plaza at 44th Annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival

– California’s Longest-Continuing Arts Education Initiative Keeps Performing Arts Alive for Students Despite Budget Challenges in Schools – (www.musiccenter.org) WHAT: More than 3,100 fifth grade students (18,000 over three days) from throughout Los Angeles County will simultaneously perform a choreographed dance on The Music Center Plaza as part of The 44th Annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival. The free three-day festival provides many children with their first performing arts experience. Students prepare in advance with curriculum provided to their teachers by The Blue Ribbon in partnership with The Music Center. Students learn what to watch for during the performance, history and terminology, themes, and the choreography for their dance. During their visit to The Music Center, students attend a performance of three dances by the iconic modern dance company, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, led by celebrated choreographer and modern dance pioneer, Paul Taylor. Afterwards, students gather on The Music Center Plaza to perform a special dance that incorporates music and movements from the live performance in a dance choreographed just for them. To read teacher blogs about the Festival, visit http://bit.ly/1lzaiDL WHEN: Festival Launch Day, April 9, 2014, with student performance at approximately 11:00 a.m. Media should arrive by10:30 a.m. Media wanting access to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion prior to the student performance on the Plaza should arrive by 10:00 a.m. Media check-in is at the information table located between the flagpoles on The Music Center Plaza. WHERE: The Music Center Plaza 135 N. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 WHY: The Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival responds to the important positive impact of arts education Read More …

All-New 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Ranked #1 in Cars.com’s ‘Top 10 New Cars for Penny Pinchers’

Entertainment

Mar 312014

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES Cypress, California – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has seen its all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 5-door hatchback take overall top honors by finishing in first place in Cars.com’s latest “Top 10 New Cars for Penny Pinchers” list. In its evaluation, Cars.com utilized key data points in its assessment, including a vehicle’s starting price, combined EPA fuel mileage rating and estimated cost for fuel over the first eight years of ownership to determine its rankings. In the very important eight-year cost for fuel metric, Cars.com determined that the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage would save consumers nearly $1,000 in fuel costs when compared to the vehicle that finished in second place, and more than $2,000 over many of the other “Top 10” finishers. The 2014 Mirage delivers impressive fuel economy with an EPA fuel mileage rating of 37 mpg city/44 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. Important standard safety features include 7 air bags (including driver’s side knee air bag), Active Stability Control (ASC) and Mitsubishi Motors’ patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body/chassis construction. Additional peace of mind is delivered through Mitsubishi Motors’ exceptional warranty that includes a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle basic limited warranty, 5-year/unlimited miles roadside assistance and 7-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion limited warranty. If you want to know why the Mitsubishi is up in its sales and why the Outlander is America’s top Mitsubishi vehicle for the past several months or why Evolution is the choice of many who are looking for speed, call Richard Read More …

Palace apologizes for MRT accident

General

Mar 312014

An unusually big number of commuters stand shoulder-to-shoulder while waiting for their train ride at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 station on Taft Avenue and Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Pasay City on Thursday morning (March 27, 2014). The commuters, coming from as far as Cavite, are bound for their places of work in Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan and Quezon City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang apologized for the accident at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) on Wednesday which injured at least 8 passengers when a train came to an abrupt stop. “Patuloy pong tinutukoy ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), LRTA (Light Rail Transport Authority), at management ng MRT yung mahalagang isyu ng kaligtasan ng ating mga commuters, at humihingi ho ng paumanhin doon sa naganap na aksidente kahapon na nagkaroon ng marahas na pagpepreno,” Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said on Thursday. “Ang akin pong pagkakaalam ay sinisiyasat ito at magsasagawa ng mga corrective actions dahil hindi dapat magkaroon ng mga insidenteng katulad nito na nagbibigay ng panganib sa kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan,” he added. Coloma, however, brushed aside a question as to whether the incident will be used as a justification to increase fares by citing the need to improve service. “Hindi po. Yung isyu po kasi ng pagtataas ng presyo, kung maaalala natin, tinukoy na rin ng ating Pangulo sa isa sa kanyang SONA (state of the nation address) — two years ago pa yata yon o last year – at Read More …

Tulfo files libel suit vs PDI

Entertainment

Mar 282014

ERWIN TULFO, talks about network competition in the media. (photo courtesy of http://coolambo.ca/) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo filed Monday a P12 million libel suit against the Philippine Daily Inquirer for publishing a story linking him to alleged media payoffs in 2009. In his complaint affidavit, Tulfo filed a case against PDI editor-in-chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, managing editor Jose Ma. Nolasco, news editor Artemio Engracia and news reporter Nancy Carvajal. Tulfo’s libel complaint stemmed from the alleged libelous and malicious article in PDI dated March 19, 2014, headlined “Payoffs to media bared.” The report quoted former National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) officials Rhodora Mendoza and Vic Cacal as saying that TV5 news anchor Erwin Tulfo and Radio DzBB broadcaster Melo del Prado received payoffs in the form of “advertising expenses” from the government agency in 2009. Mendoza and Cacal said Tulfo received a check for P245,535 on March 10, 2009 drawn from a NABCOR account at United Coconut Planters’ Bank (UCPB), Tektite Branch PSE Center, Ortigas, Pasig City. On the other hand, Del Prado, Carmelo del Prado Magdurulang in real life, received three checks totaling P245,535 on April 27, May 14, and July 6 in 2009, also drawn from the same UCPB account. The checks were part of documents submitted by Mendoza and Cacal to the Office of the Ombudsman. Cacal said apart from the vouchers justifying the processing of the payment, no other documents were provided to justify the expenses. Tulfo said the article placed him in a bad light Read More …

SC upholds sanction vs GMA-7

Entertainment

Mar 272014

GMA KF EVP and COO Mel C. Tiangco (third from left) led the groundbreaking ceremonies together with NHA represented by its Regional Project Manager Engr. Rizalde. Joining them were staff and officers of the local government units in Tacloban led by Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez (leftmost) as well as the beneficiaries of the project.　　　 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the orders of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) sanctioning GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) for operating a radio station with an expired provisional authority (PA). In a decision, the SC 2nd Division denied for lack of merit the petition for review on certiorari against the decision dated Oct. 12, 2010 and a resolution dated March 9, 2011 of the Court of Appeals (CA) which upheld the orders dated May 25, 2009 and Jan. 8, 2010 of the NTC. In an order dated May 25, 2009, the NTC renewed GMA’s PA for three years, or until July 14, 2012, however, pursuant to Section 21 of the Public Service Act, imposed upon it a fine for operating its radio station with an expired PA from July 14, 1998 to Sept. 13, 2002, or for 1,521 days. The NTC was affirmed by the CA. This prompted GMA to elevate the case to the SC. In its decision, the SC found GMA’s reliance on the 60-day prescriptive period under Section 28 of the Public Service Act to be misplaced considering that the fine it assails was imposed in an administrative and not Read More …

Maja Salvador’s debut single released

Entertainment

Mar 272014

Maja Salvador (MNS Photo) The debut single of Maja Salvador has been released. “Dahan-Dahan,” the first single off the 25-year-old actress’ upcoming album, “Believe,” was released Monday by producer Ivory Music & Video on iTunes. Salvador started work on the song’s music video, which was teased recently by Ivory on its official YouTube page. “Believe,” which has eight tracks, was earlier described by Salvador as being inspired by the music of pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce. Noting the album won’t feature “birit” or songs with soaring notes, Salvador shared that the tracks were tailor-made for her voice. “Kung ano ‘yung kayang ibigay ng boses ko, swinak nila. Kung ano ‘yung babagay sa boses ko, iyon ‘yung mga kantang binigay nila sa akin,” she said. According to Salvador in an Instagram post, “Believe” is set for release later this month. (MNS)

PAF wants more sophisticated fighter planes, but will make do with FA-50

Entertainment

Mar 272014

PAF wants more sophisticated fighter planes, but will make do with FA-50

MANILA (Mabuhay) – After the Philippines sealed deals to purchase FA-50 fighter-trainers and eight Bell 412 helicopters to boost its defense capability, a Philippine Air Force official on Saturday said they would have wanted more sophisticated fighters. However, PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said they will make do with the 12 brand-new FA-50 from South Korea and eight helicopters from Canada. But he stressed PAF still needs Multi-Role Fighters or “real fighters” for the country’s defense. Okol said a Multi-Role Fighter has swing-role capabilities, “it can swing air-to-air, air-to-surface, air-to-maritime,” and with its attack capabilities, enemies who will try to infiltrate the country will be “mangled up.” He also noted that while President Benigno Aquino III, who is also the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander-in-Chief, is aware of what is needed, the acquisition of brand-new FA-50 fighters “is already a good start [in] good direction.” “Kung anong ibbiigay sa atin ngayon, we make do what is given,” he said, noting that FA-50 fighters can “carry missiles, intercept aircrafts, deliver bombs, perform maritime strikes….” Defense vs China? Okol was quick to deny that the planned acquisition of fighter jets and helicopters is solely due to the “creeping expansion” of China in the West Philippine Sea. “[The purchases are] for homeland defense against all external threats. It’s just a start of our capability upgrade,” he said. Asked when will the country’s defense attain “minimum capability,” he said it will be by 2023. “Dahan-dahan nating ia-attain ito,” he added. On Friday, Fernando Read More …

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