Maniolas

Firemen from the Bureau of Fire Protection respond to an incident of a fire-engulfed vehicle (right photo) along the EDSA Guadalupe Bridge (northbound lane) during the Metro Manila Shake Drill on Wednesday (June 22, 2016). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Senator Loren Legarda has renewed her call for the nation to develop a culture of safety and preparedness to prevent natural hazards, such as earthquakes, from turning into disasters. “Everyone should be ready when the ‘Big One’ occurs. Government agencies and all public institutions must be prepared,” Legarda said in a statement Wednesday, following the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) second Metro Manila Shake Drill—a simulation of conditions that can occur if and when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila. “There should be an effective early warning system and massive information and education campaign to equip us with knowledge on what to do before, during and after such disasters,” she said. Legarda, Global Champion for Resilience of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), said there should be regular evaluation and retrofitting of public and private infrastructure to ensure that buildings, bridges and other similar structures can withstand strong earthquakes. Local government units (LGUs), including barangay (village) officials, she said, must determine open spaces for safe refuge when earthquakes occur and craft evacuation plans that would help the people find the fastest and safest way to reach open spaces and other secure areas. Legarda said she would file in the 17th Congress a bill that will mandate the regular Read More …

Members of the women’s group GABRIELA hold a protest outside the DSWD headquarters in Quezon City on Friday, to mark the 2nd year commemoration of Typhoon Yolanda. The group pushed for the immediate release of the Emergency Shelter Assistance to help victims with their recovery.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – A women’s rights advocate and former lawmaker urged President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday to “keep his feet and ears on the ground” at all times so he will become more sensitive about women’s issues. Despite criticisms about his view of and attitude towards women, former Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza believes Duterte will lend an ear to their concerns because he is known to be open to receiving advice. “President Duterte is a listening President. Hindi niya magagawa ang kanyang campaign platform na naka-engganyo sa mahigit 16 million voters kundi siya nakinig. Ang tingin namin ay magiging mainam para sa kanya na makinig rin sa kalahati ng ating populasyon,” she said in reference to women. Asked what advice her group would give Duterte to correct criticism that he is disrespectful of women, Maza said: “Ang practical advice namin kay President-elect Duterte would be to keep his feet and ears on the ground at all times kasi alam naman natin na ang kababaihan, one-half ‘yan ng population.” Duterte has drawn flak for catcalling a female reporter in a press conference last May. In his defense, the President-elect said he was only exercising his freedom of expression. He added that he did not Read More …

Nadine Lustre (MNS Photo) Nadine Lustre, who is leading FHM Philippines magazine’s “sexiest women” poll this year, has revealed how daring she would go for a sexy pictorial. The 22-year-old actress said she is not yet open to wearing two-piece or any kind of swim wear. “According po sa road manager ko, shorts and then cropped top na medyo mahaba,” she said. Lustre also clarified that her boyfriend, James Reid, was only joking on his tweet where he seemed displeased with the result of the polls. “Hindi siya nagalit!” Lustre explained. “He was really happy. Sabi niya, ‘Wow! That’s cool. It’s awesome.’” When asked how she would feel of Reid would be declared as one of the sexiest men in the country, Lustre said: “I’d be happy.” Lustre and Reid recently launched their book entitled “Team Real: Your All Access Pass to James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s World,” which contains their insights on fashion, beauty, money, and relationships, among others. (MNS)

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia with FYLPRO representatives as they sign a 3-year partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Ayala Foundation, Inc., which commences the launch of its 2016 Immersion Program application that would identify 10 Filipino-American young leaders to join an all-expense paid, week-long program in the Philippines. The program includes meetings with top government, business and civil society leaders in the Philippine LOS ANGELES — FYLPRO representatives on May 18 signed a 3-year partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Ayala Foundation, Inc., which commences the launch of its 2016 Immersion Program application that would identify 10 Filipino-American young leaders to join an all-expense paid, week-long program in the Philippines, FYLPRO President Bea Rico announced today. The program includes meetings with top government, business and civil society leaders in the Philippines. Rico was joined at the City Hall Tom Bradley Tower by Board Chair Kit Zulueta and Philippine Ambassador to the United States and FYLPRO founder Jose L. Cuisia Jr., as well as a representative of Ayala Foundation. Rico said the partnership strengthens the organization’s relationship with the Philippine Embassy, the Consulates General in the United States, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Ayala Foundation. The official dates of the 2016 Immersion Program is Nov. 24 through Dec. 2. This is the fifth FYLPRO Immersion Program since its inception in 2012. “We are in search of the next 10 to join the esteemed network of FYLPRO delegates across the United Read More …

Duterte graces historic Convergence in Alabel, Sarangani (June 23, 2016) – The Provincial Government of Sarangani hosts the historic event “Convergence: The Inaugural Ceremony of a United Sarangani and General Santos” Wednesday, June 22. It was the oath-taking ceremony of the first-ever Sarangan to be elected Senator, Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao, graced by the first-ever Mindanaoan to be elected President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, along with re-elected Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. Officials from General Santos City and Sarangani were also sworn into office. (Kim Tiblani/Provincial Governor’s Office) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday stood by to his plan to push for the reimposition of the death penalty despite claims by Catholic church leaders and human rights advocates that executions are not a deterrent to crime. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao and other local officials in Sarangani, Duterte said that he was pushing for the revival of dealth penalty not to discourage people from committing crimes but to ensure retribution. “The death penalty might be a deterrence to prevent or matakot siya to commit a crime but that is one school of thought. The other school of thought is iyang death penalty hindi iyan pantakot,” Duterte said. “Hindi iyan to deter. Whether you like to commit a crime or not, that’s not my business. You are equipped with your mental faculty. Iyong death penalty to me is the retribution. Magbayad ka sa ginawa mo sa buhay na ito. Kaya hindi kami magkaintidihan eh,” he added. The Read More …