BMI Online Editor

Charice: High-voltage baby set to conquer world’s stages this year

Mar 142014

Charice OPRAH WINFREY called her “the most talented girl in the world.” Super producer David Foster (Andre Bocelli, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston) called her his favorite singer. Josh Groban said she possesses one of the most beautiful voices he’s heard in a long time. “When that girl opens her mouth, angels fly out,” gushed “Glee” executive producer Ryan Murphy. Bruno Mars wrote a song for her. And Michael Jackson wanted her for his planned last tour. Her tiny, baby-face appearance belies a high-voltage voice and a fearless spirit that allows her to sing “big songs at a tender age” (New York Post)-indeed, Charice is a certified talent. Charice’s big break. It happened the 21st Century way: through the Internet. A fan posted her videos on YouTube that soon became viral-15 million hits-and came to the attention of South Korean talent show “Star King,” which invited Charice to perform. She sang “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” and “A Whole New World.” Actress and comedian Ellen Degeneres saw the “Star King” videos and soon after hosted Charice in her top-rating TV show-her first performance outside the Philippines. She sang “I Will Always Love You” and “And I’m Telling You.” She was 15, and was on a meteoric track to stardom. In 2008, Charice guested in “The Paul O’Grady Show” in London, and “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” singing “I Have Nothing”-after which Oprah Winfrey referred her to David Foster. Charice shared the stage with Dion, Bocelli, Michael Buble, Josh Groban and Read More …

Easy release of SSS salary loans

Entertainment

Mar 142014

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emilio de Quiros, Jr. (center), Visa Group Country Manager for Southeast Asia Peter Maher (left) and Citi Philippines CEO Batara Sianturi (right) present an enlarged sample of the new SSS Citi Visa Prepaid Card during the media launch held at the SSS Main Office in Diliman, Quezon City on March 6. The Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with Citi Philippines and Visa for the faster, safer and more convenient release of salary loans to members thru the use of a prepaid card, instead of the usual issuance of SSS loan checks. For its pilot launch, the prepaid card will initially be available to members applying for salary loans at the SSS Diliman (along East Avenue) and SSS Makati-Gil Puyat (along Buendia Avenue) branches. Prior to SSS’ tie up with Citi Philippines and Visa, members get their salary loans as checks sent thru mail or picked up by company representatives. The card, which is issued free to first-time users and valid for three years from the date of issuance, may be used to withdraw loan funds from automated teller machines and for over-the-counter and online purchases at millions of Visa-accredited merchants in the Philippines and overseas.

Gutierrezes in first Asian reality family series

Entertainment

Mar 132014

Gutierrezes in first Asian reality family series

The Gutierrez family (MNS photo) With the family of showbiz veterans Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama set to star in their own reality show this summer, daughter Ruffa Gutierrez shared what fans can expect from the six-episode special. Said to be the first show of its kind in Asia, “It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez” will feature the personal and professional lives of the celebrity family. “I’m very, very proud. It’s historic,” Ruffa said Thursday during a press conference attended by her parents and siblings, twins Raymond and Richard. According to the actress, viewers can expect spontaneity and “mayhem” from the family. “The good thing about this is that we’re not only starring it, we’re producing it as well,” she said. “Ang ayaw lang kasi namin na hindi totoo lang lalabas sa publiko. Kaya now that we’re in control, mapapakita namin ‘yung gusto namin ipakita sa mga tao.” If there’s one thing their director, Emmy award-winner Michael Carandang, asked of the Gutierrez family, Ruffa said it is “to be as real as possible.” But she stressed that the freedom given to her family can be a double-edged sword, noting the lack of filtering and editing on the show for her notoriously outspoken mother. “Hindi ko alam kung ano gagawin ni mommy sa show. Kasi reality show ‘di ba? So usually na-fifilter namin si mommy eh ‘to, baka pagtapos ng cruise at pagtapos ng taping, white na ‘yung buhok ko sa stress,” she said, laughing. “There’s always one member of Read More …

Palace maintains diplomatic approach in South China Sea dispute

Entertainment

Mar 132014

Palace maintains diplomatic approach in South China Sea dispute

Photographed through the window of a closed aircraft, an aerial view shows Pagasa Island, part of the disputed Spratly group of islands, in the South China Sea located off the coast of western Philippines Wednesday July 20, 2011. China protested a trip made by Filipino lawmakers to disputed areas in the South China Sea to assert the claim of the Philippines. Ethan Sun, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Manila, said the trip scheduled was ‘against the spirit’ of a code of conduct signed by claimants to the areas in 2002. The Spratlys, believed to be rich in oil, mineral and marine resources, are also claimed in whole or partly by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. (AP Photo/Roley Dela Pena, Pool) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines is still seeking a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea despite the recent incident of harassment involving Chinese vessels. “We believe in the [principle that] what is ours is ours, and so we will continue to push that, and we’re doing that diplomatically,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference Wednesday. The Philippines has filed another diplomatic protest against China — its second in two weeks — after Chinese vessels allegedly prevented two Filipino vessels carrying supplies and personnel from going to Philippine-controlled Ayungin Shoal off the South China Sea last Sunday. On Feb. 25, the Philippines also accused China of harassing a group of fishermen off the Scarborough Shoal, another Philippine-claimed area in the South China Read More …

Village Buildah to Hold International Car Raffle Fundraising Event for Charity

Entertainment

Mar 132014

Village Buildah to Hold International Car Raffle Fundraising Event for Charity

Event to give away nearly $40,000 in prizes, including 2014 Mercedes C250 www.villagebuildah.com Los Angeles, California – Village Buildah, a nonprofit group dedicated to educating, sheltering, and feeding the underprivileged of the world, is proud to announce its first-ever international Car Raffle Fundraising Event to fund four global charities. Those in the United States and Canada can purchase raffle tickets for a tax-deductible donation of only $2 per ticket. Tickets will be entered into a raffle, and winners will be selected on Saturday, June 28th, 2014, at 8:00 pm. The top prize is a brand-new, 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250 luxury sedan. The second prize winner will receive a brand-new Vizio 70-inch HDTV, and the third prize winner will receive $1,000 in cash. The proceeds will serve to advance humanity, fight poverty, and make a difference across the globe through four worthy causes: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Palmdale; Philippines-based Gawad Kalinga; and Typhoon Victims of Haiyan/Yolanda, dedicated to assisting the thousands of victims of the hard-hitting 2013 typhoon in Southeast Asia. “We are humbled to be able to raise much-needed funds for several terrific causes,” said Edwin Fernandez, Village Buildah Chairman of the Charity Committee and Special Events. “Our organization believes in being a vocal advocate for the homeless, hungry, and displaced, and through the raffle, we can help others do the same.” Added Fernandez, “We encourage all to participate and help those in need who cannot help themselves.” Village Buildah is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group based Read More …

PHL Consulate General Signs Alliance with Texas Department of Labor’s OSHA

Entertainment

Mar 122014

PHL Consulate General Signs Alliance with Texas Department of Labor’s OSHA

(L-R) Deputy Consul General Panolong, Consul General De La Vega and Mr. Harbin with the signed alliance. Los Angeles – Consul General Maria Hellen M. Barber-De La Vega signed an “Arrangement Establishing an Alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Texas Area Offices and the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles” on 03 March 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Signing on behalf of the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is Mr. Eric S. Harbin, Acting Regional Administrator. The agreement calls for a collaborative relationship between the two offices to provide Filipino workers and employers in Texas information, guidance and access to resources to promote workers’ rights in occupational safety and health and to ensure that they understand their rights and the employers’ responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). With the signing of this arrangement, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles now has two (2) agreements on the protection of workers’ rights the other one deals with wages and hours.

Visa waiver deal eyed in FVR friendship visit to Taiwan

Entertainment

Mar 122014

Visa waiver deal eyed in FVR friendship visit to Taiwan

Former President and Philippine Constabulary chief, Fidel V. Ramos, pays tribute to Philippine soldiers during a wreath-laying ceremony Monday (Feb. 24, 2014) at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City in commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme ‘Kapig-Bisig Tungo sa Pagbangon.’ (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Philippine traders and prospective overseas Filipino workers may benefit from a visa waiver deal reportedly being worked out between the Philippines and Taiwan. The deal is said to be among the issues to be tackled during former President Fidel Ramos’ visit there, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported. Ramos arrived in Taiwan on March 5 for a five-day “friendship visit” aimed at bolstering ties between the Philippines and Taiwan. He led a 60-member delegation, the CNA report said. The CNA report quoted Philippines-based trader Chen Wen-ju, president of the Taiwanese Chamber of the South Philippines, as saying the mutual visa-waiver agreement was one of the goals of the visit. (MNS)

Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California celebrated their Annual Town Fiesta

Entertainment

Mar 122014

Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California celebrated their Annual Town Fiesta

Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California The Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California celebrated their Annual Town Fiesta last March 9, 2014 at Bill Blevins Park in Rowland Heights, CA. An upcoming big event will be on July 19, the 32nd Anniversary & Coronation of Ofie Villanueva, Mrs. Sto. Tomas 2014 at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills. For inquiries about the association please contact Willie Manacsa at 747-202-035 or Ofie Villanueva at 626-960-8407.

Miriam: Cunanan can still be a state witness even if he’s lying about kickbacks

Entertainment

Mar 122014

Miriam: Cunanan can still be a state witness even if he’s lying about kickbacks

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago attends the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing of the P10 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam Thursday, November 7. Santiago reminded Napoles that she cannot just invoke her right against self-incrimination (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – On-leave Technology Resource Center (TRC) head Dennis Cunanan can still be a state witness despite his supposed lie about not receiving kickbacks from the pork barrel scam. This was according to Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who on Monday said the state witness rule “is an exception to the rule that when a witness is caught lying in one detail, he should be presumed to be lying in all details.” In a statement, Santiago cited several jurisprudence from the Philippine and United States Supreme Court to show that Cunanan’s application to be a state witness should not be thrown out even if it can be shown that he is not telling the entire truth. For instance, Santiago, a former trial court judge, cited the 2008 case of Tarapen v. People, where the Philippine Supreme Court ruled: “The testimony of a witness maybe believed in part and disbelieved in another, depending on the corroborative evidence or the probabilities and improbabilities of the case.” Last Thursday, Cunanan testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee, where he repeatedly denied pocketing public funds from the alleged pork barrel scam. This was contrary to the affidavit executed by principal scam whistleblower Benhur Luy, who revealed during the same hearing that he saw Cunanan carrying a paper bag which Read More …

House committee approves Nets big man Blatche’s naturalization

Entertainment

Mar 102014

House committee approves Nets big man Blatche’s naturalization

Andray Blatche of the New Jersey Brooklyn Nets and seen here on a 2013 invite to his birthday bash is reported to have asked to be naturalized as a Filipino citizen. MANILA (Mabuhay) – The house committee on justice approved Marikina representative Robbie Puno’s House Bill 3783, for the naturalization of Brooklyn Nets big man Andray Blatche. The committee approved the bill though, subject to the condition that Blatche appears before a Philippine consulate to express his intent to be a Filipino citizen. Blatche is also expected to answer questions to be forwarded to the consulate by the Committee on Justice. Meanwhile, Puno withdrew a similar bill filed for the naturalization of JaVale McGee. The Denver Nuggets center is out indefinitely with a fractured tibia. (MNS)

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