Maniolas

Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo (left) urges her supporters to vote for Team Daang Matuwid during a rally held at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City on Friday (April 1, 2016). (MNS photo) MANILA, Apr 6 (Mabuhay)  – Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo asked the government and various interest groups to cease finger-pointing and focus on the interest and welfare of the drought-stricken farmers first. “Walang mangyayari sa pagtuturuan dahil wala itong maitutulong para mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mga magsasaka (Nothing will come out of finger-pointing as it will not help the condition of our farmers),” Robredo said in a statement. A wounded protester is helped by his comrades after a violent dispersal of a rally in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato on Friday. Several people were wounded when the protesters, demanding help from the government because of the effects of drought on their farms, were dispersed by authorities.(MNS photo) “Unahin muna natin tingnan ang kalagayan ng mga magsasaka, pati na ang kanilang mga pamilya, dahil alam naman natin na sila talaga’y naapektuhan ng mariing tagtuyot (Let us first focus on the welfare of the farmers and their families because they are the ones directly affected by drought),” she added. The Camarines Sur representative has earlier demanded that heads should roll at the aftermath of the violent dispersal of farmers which killed at least three people and injured scores of people. “Bakit kailangang mangyari? Bakit kailangang may patayan? Bakit kailangang may barilan? Read More …

Coconut farmers from Quezon province and the Bicol region criticize the alleged connivance between businessman Danding Cojuangco and presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe on the use of the Coco Levy Fund, during a press conference in Quezon City on Monday.(MNS photo) BAGUIO CITY, Apr 6 (Mabuhay) – With finality, Sen. Grace Poe can run for president in the May 9 elections. This, after the Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed its March 8 ruling that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) committed grave abuse of discretion when it canceled the lawmaker’s certificate of candidacy for president. A court insider said “there is no reversal of the decision of the majority.” The source, however, said the minority requested to be given time to submit their respective dissenting opinions. In its original decision on March 8, a majority of nine justices, including Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, outnumbered the minority of six magistrates in declaring that the poll body erred when it canceled Poe’s certificate of candidacy for president. The source said the voting was unchanged: 9-6 in favor of Poe. Now that it’s final, the SC decision eliminates any legal obstacle against Poe’s presidential candidacy, said the same source. The source said the tribunal voted in a timely manner “in consideration of the remaining days leading up to the elections.” At a media briefing here, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te confirmed that the en banc had already reached a decision on the motions for reconsideration on the SC’s March Read More …

Serious drivers rejoice, the fastest production Aston Martin, the Vantage V12 S, is finally getting a proper manual transmission for real driving fun plus a latest-generation infotainment and navigation system to help keep things on track. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S with manual transmission© Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. Aston is calling the new model the ultimate analogue Vantage but a better term would be acoustic. Because the addition of a manual box means the company is listening. A car this compact yet with a 563bhp V12 engine should be the perfect recipe for serious drivers with the finances to make a buying decision simply with their hearts rather than bank manager approval. “The true purist will always hanker for the tactility and connection offered by a manual transmission, so it has been a real pleasure to offer just that in our fastest and most focused model,” said Director of Product Development, Ian Minards. And to show how serious it is at pleasing purists, the transmission is a seven-speed box complete with a ‘dog leg’ first gear. That means it’s across and down from the rest of the set because it should only very rarely be needed, leaving the important gears in a perfect ‘double H’ formation for the fastest changes. However, Aston couldn’t resist adding a touch of technology. The popularity of paddle-shift systems in exotic cars means heel-toe gear changing is a dying art. So the company is adding something called AMSHIFT which will blip the throttle on Read More …

“As the daughter of field workers, I knew that the only way to get ahead in life was to earn an education. Thanks to Edison, I am.”– Diana Valenzuela, Edison Scholar(photo screenshot courtesy of http://www.edison.com/) ROSEMEAD, Calif.,   — Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, congratulates 30 high school seniors who have been named 2016 Edison Scholars, each winning a $40,000 scholarship. Students will learn of their scholarship award April 11-15 when SCE staffers make notifications that will include surprise visits to some schools. “Congratulations to these deserving Edison Scholars,” said Janet Clayton, senior vice president of Corporate Communications for Edison International and SCE. “Their academic excellence has earned each of them a $40,000 scholarship. We wish them continued success as they pursue studies in science, technology, engineering or math.” Each year, the $1.2 million Edison Scholars Program awards $40,000 scholarships paid over four years to 30 high school seniors who want to become engineers – electrical, mechanical, civil, computer, industrial, computer sciences/info system, environmental or environmental sciences — and plan to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering or math, the STEM fields, full time at a four-year college or university. Since 2006, Edison International has awarded $5.3 million in scholarships to520 students in its service territory. Edison Scholars are also eligible to apply for summer internships at SCEafter completing their second year of college. Edison International’s support of charitable causes such as the Edison Scholars Program is funded entirely by Edison International shareholders. SCE customers’ utility bill payments do not fund company donations. Read More …

Lea Salonga (MNS photo) Broadway star Lea Salonga is thrilled that Rachelle Ann Go is carving a name for herself as thespian. “It’s now turning into more and more opportunities for her and I’m so happy. I’m very proud that she’s doing this, doing what she loves to do and they just keep coming,” Lea said in an interview. Note that Rachelle Ann won in the Best Performance in a Long-Running West End show category of the Broadway World UK awards for her performance as Fantine in “Les Misérables.” She was also a big winner at the Broadway World awards, having been named Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Gigi in the revival of “Miss Saigon.” Rachelle Ann is in the Philippines for the Manila run of “Les Misérables.” “It’s fantastic that now, there’s an official production of ‘Les Misérables’ running here in Manila, and in a wonderful theater, so I’m very happy,” Lea said. Rachelle Ann Go (MNS Photo) Lea, who starred as Kim in the original West End and Broadway productions of “Miss Saigon,” is excited to know who will appear in the new version of the musical set for return on Broadway in 2017. The Manila auditions for “Miss Saigon” happened two weeks ago. The singer-actress said at the time of the interview, “I got to speak to Cameron Mackintosh a little bit last night at the (‘Les Misérables’ opening night party). He was very excited about some people that he found, and Read More …