Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Hon. Jesus Gracia, Secretary of State Latin America Affairs and International Development Cooperation and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez along with the Organizers and Officers of the Madrid Fusion 2016. Event organizers paid a courtesy call on President Aquino Wednesday in Malacañan Palace. (MNS photo) MANILA, Apr 13 (Mabuhay) — Presidential aspirant Grace Poe pinned the blame on the Aquino administration for neglecting its drive against illegal drugs and criminality. Poe also described the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), previously headed by her rival, administration bet Mar Roxas, as a “very weak” institution under this administration. “We all want swift justice–even I want swift justice–but we also have to have a credible system. Sabi nga, hindi karahsan kundi hustisya,” she said in an interview with bloggers and digital media on Wednesday. “Now, how can we have swift justice? I’m sorry to say, but this administration has really neglected our drive against drugs and crimes. The DILG has been a very weak institution with this administration. “We did not have the face of, let’s say, like a Ping Lacson, or a face of that time maybe of Mayor (Alfredo) Lim, or the face of an Erap Estrada; going back to the time of FVR (Former President Fidel V. Ramos), remember when he was there, who was the head of DILG? “So what I’m saying is if only the drive, and if only the people saw the effort of the government in really going after Read More …

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas receives a warm welcome from his supporters upon arrival at Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on Monday (April 4, 2016) as part of his campaign sorties in Mindanao. (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez) MANILA, Apr 13 (Mabuhay) – Administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Wednesday lashed out anew at survey frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, calling his campaign promises “ampaw” or empty. Roxas again questioned Duterte’s vow to eliminate crime in three to six months if he wins the presidency in May. “Huwag mo kaming lokohin, Duterte. Huwag mo kaming linlangin. Puros ampaw ang sinasabi mo. Matapang ka lang sa salita,” he said. “Hindi mo nga nagawa sa sarili mong lungsod, ipapangako mo sa buong sambayanang Pilipino na magagawa mo ito sa loob ng tatlo hanggang anim na buwan? Ampaw ka,” the Liberal Party (LP) candidate added. Duterte claimed the solo lead in the latest Pulse Asia presidential preference survey, overtaking Senator Grace Poe with a five-percentage lead. Vice President Jejomar Binay and Roxas were statistically tied in third place with 20 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, meanwhile, was chosen by two percent of the respondents in the said survey. “Vilification campaign” In a statement, the camp of Duterte said they are expecting more black propaganda and personal attacks against him as the campaign period heads to its final stretch. “We have been seeing old issues being resurrected with more intensity,” said Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s national campaign manager. “The Read More …

Arci Muñoz (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Arci Muñoz, fresh from the success of “Always Be My Maybe,” revealed that, if given the opportunity, she would happily take on the role of the iconic Filipina superhero Darna for a planned Star Cinema film. “It’s actually a big task. Pero if I will be given a chance, of course. Who am I to say no? It’s like the biggest role that if ever na matatanggap at gagawin ko, sino ba naman ako para humindi?” she said. The 28-year-old actress added: “If ever they are going to offer it and it’s really a big challenge for me kasi mahirap ‘yun, hindi siya basta basta, pero oo naman, of course.” Among those who have portrayed Darna, a comic book character created by Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo, were Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, and Marian Rivera. Locsin was supposed to reprise her role for the 2016 film, but had to back out after discovering that she had developed a disc bulge in her spine. She is currently undergoing medical treatment for the injury. Several actresses have since been named as possible replacement for Locsin, including Muñoz, Nadine Lustre, “Dolce Amore” star Liza Soberano, and Jessy Mendiola.(MNS)

by Rob Woollard WBC 2015 Asia Pacific Promoter of the Year Brico Santig of Highlands Promotion said Manny Pacquiao (above photo) has just showed that he can still catch up with his opponents and also has that knockout power. “However, he might have no more time to fight if he gets elected as Senator. He will be very busy already.” Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank Las Vegas, United States | AFP |   – Manny Pacquiao admitted he was “50-50” about retirement after bidding farewell to boxing Saturday with a vintage performance to defeat long-time rival Tim Bradley. The 37-year-old had promised to deliver an explosive display and did not disappoint 14,665 fans who had crammed into the MGM Grand Garden Arena to catch what may have been the final curtain call of an icon. Pacquiao, the only man to capture world titles in eight different weight divisions, produced flashes of brilliance and knocked down Bradley twice on his way to a unanimous decision in the welterweight duel. It was the sort of performance his admirers believe could persuade him to prolong a career that has earned him more than $500 million over 21 years. A smiling Pacquiao later appeared before reporters and admitted that while he was conflicted about quitting the ring, his decision – for now – was to spend more time with his family before concentrating on his political career in the Philippines. Asked if he might best serve his homeland by continuing to fight, Pacquiao said he had promised his Read More …

By Azer N. Parrocha Taiwan’s Taitung No. 1 Hot Air Balloon called “Kid’s Hooray” MANILA, April 12 (PNA) – This year’s 2016 Lubao International Balloon Festival, which will run from April 14-17, 2016 at Lubao, Pampanga, will feature Taiwan’s Taitung No. 1 Hot Air Balloon called “Kid’s Hooray”. This was after the Taitung County Government and the Lubao International Balloon Festival Inc. (LIBF) signed a “memorandum of understanding” (MoU) to have a better collaboration to further promote hot air balloon festivals in the region. They have also invited the LIBF to join the Asia Hot Air Balloon Alliance which aims not only to promote Hot Air Balloon Festivals but also multi-destination travel in Asia. During the event, Taiwan’s Taitung County Government Tourism Department Vice-Director Wang will lead two pilots and Taitung’s “Kid’s Hooray” during the launching ceremony on April 14. “Kid’s Hooray”, which is the first ever legally registered balloon in Taiwan, was a created by five elementary students in the East Rift Valley of Taitung, Taiwan. Taitung is the third largest county in Taiwan, located in Eastern Coast and they are much known for their hot air balloons because of their strategic location. “Kid’s Hooray” serves as a good-will ambassador representing Taitung, which has already flown in countries, such as Australia, Vietnam, Canada, New Zealand and Spain. The Taitung County Government expressed confidence that participating in the LIBF would enhance Taiwan-Philippine substantial relation and people-to-people understanding. Wang noted that Taiwan’s participation in the balloon festival symbolized the friendship between Read More …