BMI Online Editor

Filipinos challenged to join revolution vs poverty

Mar 032014

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)—As the nation commemorates the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution Tuesday, neophyte Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV on Tuesday challenged the Filipinos to join hands in a new battle against poverty. ”As we came together in1986, once again, let us join hands to help the country’s poor and give everyone a chance to gain employment and livelihood,” Aquino, a multi-awarded youth leader and social entrepreneur before being elected into the Senate said. Aquino said the country has achieved freedom from the clutches of dictatorship through peaceful and bloodless protest 28 years ago but the fight will continue, this time, against the prevalent inequality and lack of economic opportunities. ”At present, the revolution to end poverty continues and more than ever, we need to unite to fulfill the full promise of EDSA,” Aquino said. Aquino, the youngest senator of the present 16th Congress, was only nine years old when a bloodless people power ended dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and catapulted his aunt, former President Corazon Aquino to power in 1986. Another neophyte senator Nancy Binay said EDSA Revolution is still “a work in progress as many of our countrymen Read More …

Corpses still being found in Tacloban

Entertainment

Feb 282014

U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce and USAID staff encourage Tacloban residents whose home was completely destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda. Royce (R-CA) with seven other members of U.S. Congress visited and assured continued U.S. humanitarian support for the people of Tacloban. (MNS photo) MANILA, February 27, 2014 (AFP) – Bodies are still being found under the wreckage almost four months after Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the Philippines as survivors struggle to rebuild their lives, officials said Thursday. The government’s confirmed death toll of 6,201 has not been updated for a month, as officials investigate whether the recently-discovered corpses are among the 1,785 listed as missing. This development came in the way of a U.S. congressional visit led by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce visited and assured continued U.S. humanitarian support for the people of Tacloban, the Philippine city devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on Nov. 8. Accompanied by Mayor Alfred Romualdez during the visit to the city and surrounding areas, Chairman Royce visited U.S. and international-funded aid projects for residents, many of whom had their homes completely destroyed. At a rice distribution site, Chairman Royce and the delegation were briefed on aid efforts by representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which along with the World Food Program (WFP) and Samaritan’s Purse are distributing food aid to those in need. Chairman Royce and the delegation also visited a USAID shelter and settlement site, at which aid organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and PLAN Read More …

Palace defends expenses in Napoles’ check-up

Entertainment

Feb 282014

Palace defends expenses in Napoles’ check-up

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, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) – Malacanang defended the government’s expenses whenever alleged pork scam queen Janet Napoles travels to Manila. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it spends roughly P120,000 every time Napoles leaves her detention cell in Laguna to attend to a business here. On Wednesday, Napoles had her check-up at the PNP-General Hospital. “Kailangang gampanan ng PNP ang ‘custodial duty’ bilang pagsunod sa utos ng hukuman,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said. Today, Napoles was again escorted by the Special Action Force to the hospital in Camp Crame. She is considered a “high-risk detainee”. Napoles, a central figure in the P10 billion pork barrel scam, is facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. She is detained at the Special Action Forces (SAF) facility in Fort Sto. Domingo for a separate charge of serious illegal detention filed by her former aide, pork barrel scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy.(MNS)

Ghost applicant can still be sponsored

Entertainment

Feb 282014

by Attorney Henry Moyal MOYAL & MOYAL Canadian Immigration Lawyers (screenshot courtesy of www.moyal.com) Q. My name is Corazon. I applied to obtain a visa to visit Canada three times and I was refused each time. I then met someone who was able to obtain a fake passport in someone else’s name (Sharon) but with a real Canadian visa in it. I entered Canada as “Sharon” in 2008 and have lived in secret the last six years. In 2010 I met a Canadian man and we married. We have three children together. I have been afraid to do anything up to now because I basically do not exist in Canada. I no longer have Sharon’s passport and I am not able to tell anyone my real story. What can I do? A. There are some key issues here. I understand that you are somewhat of a ghost in Canada. I also understand that you feel stuck but I hope, for your sake, that you did not make matters worse after arriving in Canada. Let me elaborate. Ok, I see that you entered Canada using a fraudulent passport under the name of Sharon. So what did you do after that? Did you try to extend your visa or apply as a refugee or work with Sharon’s passport? Further, you said you married a Canadian man. I assume you have a marriage certificate. Under what name is the marriage certificate? My point is that if you continued your lies after arrival then Read More …

Manny Pacquiao Movie – Official Manny Pacquiao Trailer – MANNY

Entertainment

Feb 262014

Manny Pacquiao Movie – Official Manny Pacquiao Trailer – MANNY

(photo courtesy of Manny Pacquiao Movie Facebook page) Manny Pacquiao Movie – Official Trailer – “Manny” narrated by Academy Award Nominee Liam Neeson and directed by Ryan Moore and Academy Award Winner Leon Gast. Coming 2014. *Official World Premiere at 2014 SXSW Film Festival. Synopsis: From abject poverty to becoming an eight time boxing world champion, congressman, and international icon, Manny Pacquiao is the true definition of a Cinderella-man story. In the Philippines, he first entered the ring as a sixteen year old weighing ninety-eight pounds with the goal of earning money to feed his family. Now, almost twenty-years later, when he fights, the country of 100 million people comes to a complete standstill to watch. The army and the rebels cease-fire. There are no cars in the street. There is zero crime. An entire country becomes united. Regarded for his ability to bring people together, Pacquiao entered the political arena in 2010. As history’s first boxing congressman, Pacquiao now fights for his people both inside and outside of the ring. Now at the height of his career, he is faced with maneuvering an unscrupulous sport and maintaining his political duties, while still supporting his family and sustaining a personal life. The question now is, what bridge is too far for Manny Pacquiao to cross? Courtesy of Youtube Manny Pacquiao Movie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqi_DVcSMPY&src_vid=oXmM0KzM1VI&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_361211075#t=1m5s See : http://mannypacquiaomovie.com/about-the-film/ https://www.facebook.com/MannyPacquiaoMovie

Davao Oriental thankful for recovery from typhoon ‘Pablo’

Entertainment

Feb 262014

Davao Oriental thankful for recovery from typhoon ‘Pablo’

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) CATEEL, Davao Oriental (Mabuhay) – For mobilizing the entire national government machinery to address their urgent concerns following the onslaught of super typhoon “Pablo” (Bopha), the people of Davao Oriental thanked President Benigno S. Aquino III during the “Pulong Bayan sa Cateel” program held Monday morning in this town’s municipal plaza. Speaking on behalf of her constituents, Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon said they consider it as a ‘great honor and privilege’ to have Cateel chosen as one of the venues for this year’s commemorative celebration of EDSA, graced by President Aquino and some members of his Cabinet. “The historical incident of EDSA was triggered by political upheavals, yet it has a striking similarity to the climate-related ‘Pablo’ incident our province had just experienced. EDSA Revolution was a story of resiliency, of faith and hope, of rising Read More …

Aquino to undertake state visit to Malaysia

Entertainment

Feb 212014

Aquino to undertake state visit to Malaysia

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building (mMRB) Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19, 2014). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan (RAP) through the People’s Plan mechanism and process for on-site, near-city relocation of affected ISFs in accordance with People’s Plan that contains shelter solutions and finance scheme development, validated and accepted by the ISFs themselves. The MRB model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (MNS photo) 20 February 2014 – President Benigno S. Aquino III will undertake a State Visit to Malaysia on 27-28 February 2014, upon the invitation of His Majesty The Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Head of State of Malaysia, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. The President and Prime Minister Najib are expected to discuss the upcoming signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four annexes of the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, on 25 January 2014. Malaysia has facilitated the GPH-MILF peace talks since 2001, and has also hosted the talks in Kuala Lumpur. They will Read More …

Michael Christian Martinez: The kiss-and-cry spin

Entertainment

Feb 212014

Michael Christian Martinez: The kiss-and-cry spin

By DAVID CASUCO M.C. Martinez does the tough split/spin move LOS ANGELES (Mabuhay) -– At the kiss-and-cry area of the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, young Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez did his final spin – capping his auspicious Winter Olympic debut by telling the whole world that winter-less Philippines is where he came from. The crowd at skating arena, earlier captivated by his not-so-perfect but nonetheless elegant freeskate, responded with a mild roar. A few minutes later, the international media were making a beeline to interview the Filipino athlete. Martinez, who came to the Olympics with a bag of distractions and a shoestring budget, got more than what he bargained for. He set his goal to make the freeskate, he placed 19th; he dreamed to be in the same stage with figure skating stars, he became one of them; he wanted to get the attention of potential sponsors for the next four years, he got the attention of the whole world. The youngest in the field of 30 men’s qualifiers, Martinez has accomplished a great part of his goal to enter the medal round in this, the grandest stage of athletic competition where perfection and excellence are norms. The other half of that dream is compete and win a medal in his next important stop: the 1218 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Widely regarded in the skating world as “one of the next figure skating stars,” Martinez has proved to all and sundry that he has what it Read More …

i-Vice Ganda Mo ‘Ko sa Pechanga

Entertainment

Feb 212014

(www.pechanga.com) TEMECULA, Calif. (Pebrero 11, 2014) – Dadalhin ni Vice Ganda, isa sa mga pinakamainit na komedyante at artista sa Pilipinas, ang pinakahihintay na pinakabago niyang concert series na pinamagatang “i-Vice Ganda Mo ‘ko sa Amerika” sa Pechanga Theater sa Temecula, California. Ang palabas na nagsimula sa ilalim ng orihinal na pamagat na “i-Vice Ganda Mo ‘ko sa Araneta,” ay unang lumabas noong nakalipas na taon sa Smart Araneta Coliseum o “Big Dome” sa Maynila kung saan natamo nito ang posisyon bilang pinakamalakas na palabas na pinangungunahan ng isang lokal na artista, ayon sa ABS-CBN News. Ito ay ang pangatlong palabas ni Vice Ganda sa popular na tanghalang ito. Sa kasalukuyan, si Vice Ganda ay isa sa mga regular na TV host ng “It’s Showtime,” isang lingguhang variety show tuwing tanghali sa ABS-CBN. Mapapanood din siya sa kanyang sariling talk show tuwing Linggo, ang “Gandang Gabi Vice.” Siya rin ay lumabas sa maraming sikat na programang pang telebisyon, tulad ng “Pilipinas Got Talent” at ang popular na telenobelang “Juan Dela Cruz.” Siya ay isang matagumpay na mang-aawit at artista ng pelikulang Pilipino, kung saan siya ay lumabas sa napakaraming pelikula, kasama na ang tatlo sa mga pangunahing pelikula sa takilya. Ang pagtatanghal sa Pechanga Resort & Casino ay magiging isang mahalagang pangyayari sa buong karera ni Vice Ganda. Sa loob ng dalawang gabi, siya ay inaasahang magbigay ng malalaking produksiyon at walang tigil na katatawanan at aliw. Kasama niya ang kanyang mga espesyal na panuhin na sina Eljay Falcon, ang Read More …

Palace: Aquino not insensitive, to spend EDSA anniv in calamity-hit areas

Entertainment

Feb 212014

Palace: Aquino not insensitive, to spend EDSA anniv in calamity-hit areas

President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building (mMRB) Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19, 2014). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan (RAP) through the People’s Plan mechanism and process for on-site, near-city relocation of affected ISFs in accordance with People’s Plan that contains shelter solutions and finance scheme development, validated and accepted by the ISFs themselves. The MRB model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014.(MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 20 (Mabuhay) – A Malacañang spokesperson on Thursday downplayed a reported disconnect between typhoon victims and President Benigno Aquino III, saying the President will even spend the anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution in calamity-hit areas. “Is there a disconnect? I don’t think so. I think the actions of the President have shown that he is anything but insensitive,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference. Lacierda’s remark came a day after Aquino thumbed down the demand of some Yolanda survivors for the government to grant their families P40,000 each, saying it will not solve their problem in the long run. Lacierda, however, said the “resolve to help and assist the people on the affected areas remains to be strong.” In fact, Read More …

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