BMI Online Editor

Aquino calls for inclusive growth at APEC CEO summit in Bali

 Entertainment
Oct 092013
 
Aquino calls for inclusive growth at APEC CEO summit in Bali

BALI, Indonesia –Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions directed to him during the panel discussion in the 2013 APEC CEO Summit at the Summit Plenary, Mangupura Room, Bali International Convention Center in Bali, Republic of Indonesia on Sunday (October 06). The President is one of the three country heads to deliver a message at the APEC CEO Summit on the topic “Why Inclusive Growth Matters.” (MNS photo) (MANILA ,Mabuhay) – As his administration grapples with the problem of jobless growth, President Benigno Aquino III stressed the need to ensure that “wealth is not concentrated in the hands of the few” in a speech before captains of industry in Bali, Indonesia. He arrived in the island, where he is to attend the 21st Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, before noon Sunday. Speaking at the CEO Summit Conversation with Leaders, Aquino said that inclusive growth lets people contribute to nation-building. “The challenge for governments has deepened: When in the past we gravitated towards metrics that reflect merely the wealth collectively amassed by an economy, more and more the task of governments has become ensuring that this wealth is not concentrated in the hands of the few, but rather that it is equitably utilized to raise levels of human development,” Aquino said. “In this manner, we engender a situation wherein the broader base of society can benefit from opportunities opening up through economic growth,” he added. The Philippines received another investment grade rating last week, solidifying the country’s status as the latest invesment Read More …

Fil-Am artist Eliseo Art Silva shows art at Downtown Artwalk

 Entertainment
Oct 082013
 
Fil-Am artist Eliseo Art Silva shows art at Downtown Artwalk

Eliseo Art Silva shows art at Downtown Artwalk (www.downtownartwalk.org) Los Angeles, CA – Filipino-American artist Eliseo Art Silva’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles is one of the “must see” destinations at the LAs Downtown Artwalk on October 10, 2013.  The show entitled “Mga Bulong ng Babaylan:  Whispers of the Shaman,” which will feature some thirty pieces of his work, is running until October 31 at Papi’s Pizzeria and Gallery at 109 E. 8th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014. Silva’s show coincides with Filipino-American History Month which is held annually in October.  This year’s theme, “Hands that Built America,” is particularly significant as it celebrates the centennial birth anniversary of an important Filipino-American figure, Larry Dulay Itliong – catalyst and leader of the 1965 Delano Grape Strike.  He was born on October 25, 1913. The exhibition is dedicated to his legacy and to the 1,500 Filipino farm workers that marched from Delano to Sacramento to fight for social justice and a better life in the 60’s. Silva is well known for his mural “Filipino-Americans: A Glorious History, A Golden Legacy” which is located at the heart of Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles.  Born in 1972 in Manila, Philippines, Silva moved with his family to the U.S. in 1989. He was educated at Riverside Community College, Otis College of Art and Design where he obtained his B.F.A. and Maryland Institute College of Art’s Hoffberger School of Painting under the auspices of Grace Hartigan and Dominique Nahas where he received his M.F.A. Read More …

Denise Laurel engaged to basketball player

 General
Oct 082013
 
Denise Laurel engaged to basketball player

Denise Laurel (MNS Photo) Actress Denise Laurel is now in cloud nine after getting engaged with basketball player Solomon “Sol” Mercado. On her official Instagram, Laurel shared photos and videos of her special day. “I’m still speechless but I got to say the most important word… Yes!.. My love @m3rcmywords I thought I was already so blessed having u as a good friend through the years..but God just keeps on blessing us doesn’t he? Lil warrior and I love u with all of our hearts and I know mom dad n the whole gang do as well,” she said. “I am so excited for the downs as of course ups along the way so we can grow together more with God leading our partnership:) ur lil warrior n my best friend and now life partner I can go on and on but words can even describe how I feel.. I love u with all of me ,” she added. Laurel said she was very surprised by the proposal, which she described as “perfect”. She also showed off her engagement ring. In another post, Laurel also thanked all her fans who also expressed happiness over the engagement. Laurel clarified that Solomon is not her son’s biological father, but he is the “best father” to her son. “No he’s not the father of lil warrior biologically but he is the best father /daddy to lil warrior we are so blessed to have him n our family,” she added. In previous interviews, Laurel Read More …

Free Social Security Disability Screenings at Santa Monica’s Third St. Promenade this Saturday

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
Free Social Security Disability Screenings at Santa Monica’s Third St. Promenade this Saturday

Allsup sponsors Walk for Mental Health to kick off Mental Illness Awareness Week Every journey begins with that first step! As NAMIWalks celebrates our 11th Anniversary in 2013, we are proud to be the largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in America! Through NAMIWalks’ public, active display of support for people affected by mental illness, we are changing how Americans view persons with a mental illness. This is leading to ensuring that help and hope are available for those in need. Please join us as we improve lives and our communities one step at a time. (screenshot photo courtesy of www.namiwalks.org) Belleville, Ill.—Oct.3, 2013—Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation, will offer free SSDI eligibility screenings at the Third St. Promenade in Santa Monica during the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI) Walk for Mental Health, beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 5. The event kicks off Mental Illness Awareness Week, observed nationally Oct. 6-13. According to NAMI, one in four U.S. adults has a mental illness. While treatment works and recovery is possible, mental illness is a leading cause of disability. Individuals who cannot work due to their condition may be eligible for SSDI benefits. SSDI is designed for individuals who are under retirement age, have paid into the system through FICA taxes during their careers, and are unable to work for at least 12 months or more due to disability or have a terminal condition. It provides: Regular monthly income. Medicare eligibility. Dependent benefits. Return-to-Work Read More …

Poe urges Senate committee to initiate a study on suicide prevention in the PHL

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
Poe urges Senate committee to initiate a study on suicide prevention in the PHL

Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares presenting at a budget hearing of the Senate of the Philippines in September 2012 (photo courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Poe) MANILA, Oct. 3 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe on Thursday sought for the creation of a suicide prevention program for people suffering from depression as it remains the number one cause of death in the country. Poe filed Senate Resolution 257 which urged the Senate committee on health and demography to conduct a study in relatively high rates of suicide and depression cases in the country. “The importance of focused suicide prevention program should be studied and assessed by the government to help people with suicidal tendencies and those suffering from depression,” Poe said in a statement. Following depression, death of a loved one is the second reason for suicide followed by separation or break up from a relationship, loss of custody of children, loss of job, house and money, terminal illness, chronic physical pain, loss of hope, and those who were victims of violence, rape, physical or verbal assault and serious legal problems. The neophyte senator explained that in the Philippines, many people still do not consider depression as an illness, but something that “one eventually snaps out of”. She added that it was also the reason why so many people suffering from depression feel embarrassed to seek help. In a country which is predominantly Catholic and where suicide remains to be unacceptable, Poe explained, suicide incident among family members will likely be reported as deaths from other Read More …

New homes in Palo Alto, California to support electric vehicle charging

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
New homes in Palo Alto, California to support electric vehicle charging

Generic: man, holding Electric Car Charging nozzle, energy, grenn, electricity©-Markus- /Shutterstock.com (Relaxnews) – In a move that underlines the city’s importance in driving new technology and consumer behavior into the mainstream, Palo Alto’s city council has voted unanimously to make electric car chargers a standard element of new homes. The proposed change to building codes would mean that the wiring and other components required to fit a 240 volt charging station are preinstalled in all new homes. The amendment would cost house builders an estimated $200 per home but, as some consumers have already been shocked to discover, retrofitting a car charger can cost thousands of dollars. Even with the wiring in place, a vehicle-specific charging box will still need to be installed by the home’s owner but the simple change will make installing an electric charger as easy as plumbing in an existing dishwasher or oven in the kitchen. According to Palo Alto Online, this change, which would only affect new homes, is just the first step. The council also wants to make it easier for companies in the area to install charging stations, a move which will no doubt delight Tesla, the electric car company that more than any other has made battery-powered vehicles an object of desire and which is based in Palo Alto. In a memo, which prompted the debate and the consequent vote, city mayor Greg Scharff, vice mayor Nancy Shepherd and councilwoman Gail Price said: “Because of the high concentration of electric vehicles in Read More …

Matteo on Sarah: I never denied anything

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
Matteo on Sarah: I never denied anything

Matteo Guidicelli (MNS Photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) — Matteo Guidicelli tried but failed to dodge questions about rumored sweetheart Sarah Geronimo as he appealed to be given space to speak on their ties “at the right time.” The 24-year-old actor was cornered by reporters shortly after the Cosmo Bachelor Bash at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. With questions thrown left and right, Guidicelli only offered a smile when Geronimo’s name was first brought up. One reporter teased Guidicelli on whether Geronimo has seen his improved physique, to which the actor answered, laughing, “Hindi pa, ano ba!” He also responded similarly when asked if he has been spending time with the 25-year-old singer. “Hindi, hindi, wala, wala,” he said. Guidicelli attempted to change the subject when quizzed on how he would define his relationship status with Geronimo, saying, “Mamaya na, pag-usapan natin ‘yan sa ibang panahon, nasa Cosmo tayo!” Another reporter told the actor that he supposedly has the approval of the actress’ mother, more commonly known as “Mommy Divine.” “Ay, hindi ko alam! Mamaya na ‘yan!” Guidicelli quipped. The “Paraiso” star went on to block other questions related to Geronimo, such as whether she is supportive of his Cosmo stint, and if he is indeed courting the prized Kapamilya actress. However, Guidicelli’s all-smiles expression changed when one reporter brought up the alleged criticisms directed at him for supposedly denying his relationship with Geronimo. “No, I never denied anything. Wala, eh… I didn’t deny naman. If the right time comes–” Read More …

After one month, Derek, Cristine break up

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
After one month, Derek, Cristine break up

Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes (MNS Photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay)– TV5 ACTOR and host Derek Ramsay and ABS-CBN talent Cristine Reyes are no longer a couple. According to a friend of the couple, the two called it quits after just one month of dating. The friend, who refused to be named, said Derek is not yet ready to talk about the break-up, but he is doing really well right now. Speculations about the breakup began circulating online after Ramsay changed his Instagram username from “kingderekramsay” to “kidlatramsay11.” Meanwhile, from the username @QueenCKRamsay, Reyes is now using the Twitter name @AwesomeQueenCk. While Ramsay has now kept his image-sharing account private, Reyes, for her part, has not posted any picture with the actor in the past few days. Reyes and Ramsay became a couple last August 28. Prior to their relationship, the two first were tapped to play a married couple in the romance-drama film “No Other Woman” in 2011. At the time, Reyes and Ramsay were still with their respective partners. It was only only in January 2013 that Reyes and actor-dancer Rayver Cruz made a televised announcement of their separation, which happened the previous year. Ramsay and actress Angelica Panganiban, on the other hand, broke up in February 2012. Since Reyes’ separation from Cruz, the actress and Ramsay have been romantically linked. While the two admitted that they frequently go out, they maintained they were only friends. The two said becoming a couple came unexpectedly for them as they had intended Read More …

Ex-Pres. Arroyo, Ermita, ex-DAR, DBM execs, 20 others rapped with plunder on P900-M Malampaya fund scam

 Entertainment
Oct 042013
 
Ex-Pres. Arroyo, Ermita, ex-DAR, DBM execs, 20 others rapped with plunder on P900-M Malampaya fund scam

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (MNS Photo) MANILA, Oct. 3 (Mabuhay) – The Dept. of Justice on Thursday filed plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and several former and current government officials in connection with the alleged P900-million Malampaya Fund scam. The P900-million fund was supposed to be intended for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in September 2009 and was allegedly disbursed through the local government units. Aside from Arroyo and Ermita, also charged with plunder and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were former Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and the presidents of the 12 non-governmental organizations of Napoles. Also charged were former Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Rafael Nieto and DAR finance officer Teresita Panlilio; former Budget Secretary and now Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr., and Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos. In the sworn statements filed at the Ombudsman, Napoles allegedly conspired with the other respondents to make it appear that the local government officials have a legitimate request to the Department of Agriculture for the materials and equipment for the farmers for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and repair of damages brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009, however, no delivery of the same was made. The complaint alleged that Executive Order 848 was issued on Oct. 13, 2009 by then President Arroyo which was made as the basis of the Oct. 8, Read More …

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