Maniolas

President Rodrigo Duterte, escorted by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Ricardo Visaya, walks past the honor guards on his arrival at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City on September 30.(MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 3 (Mabuhay) – Senator Richard Gordon on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte was “falling on his own sword” for being “too noisy” on publicly expressing his desire to have suspected drug users and pushers killed. “Maingay ang Pangulo, sobrang ingay ng Pangulo. Tama lang na ipakita niya na galit siya sa droga pero huwag na siyang mag-ingay na ‘I will kill you,’ hindi tama ‘yan,” Gordon said. “Kaya he is falling on his own sword, nadadapa siya sa kanyang espada dahil salita siya nang salita, napagbibintangan tuloy ang bansa na ‘yan ang nangyayari,” he added. Gordon, chairman of the Senate justice committee, made the statement at the resumption of the probe on drug-related killings. “Kaibigan ko ang Presidente, pareho kami nag-mayor pero ayokong salita nang salita ang Presidente kung ano gagawin niya. Pero dapat ang sasabihin niya, ‘Masyadong maraming hindi nasu-solve at i-solve ‘yan,’” Gordon said. The senator told Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa that cops involved in killings should be held accountable. “Kahit isa lang ang namatay at hindi na-solve ng pulis ang kaso, ang tao matatakot. Kaya siguro tayo tinitira ng foreign media,” he said. Gordon then took a swipe against international media, and said that foreigners should not be hesitant of visiting the Philippines amid Read More …

Several guests participated in a mini fashion show of the Ati-Atihan costumes. Ati-Atihan is a Filipino festival held annually in January in the province of Aklan to honor the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). WASHINGTON, D.C. – Around sixty (60) young professionals of Metro DC gathered at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy for a fun-filled “Evening at the Embassy of the Philippines”, that featured Filipino music, art, and cuisine on 29 September 2016. “Tonight’s special event is just one of the many ways by which we built on the common ground that exists between our cultures and heritage. Indeed, the relationship between the Philippines and the United States is comprehensive, dynamic, and forward-looking,” said the Philippine Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto as he welcomed the guests to the Philippine Embassy. The Migrant Heritage Commission Ensemble led the cultural presentation, performing original Filipino folk dances such as Aray, Banga at Sarip, Sarimanok, Singkil, and Tinikling. Costumes of the Ati-Atihan festival, which is held annually in January in the province of Aklan to honor the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), were also put on display. The Migrant Heritage Commission Ensemble performed the Tinikling, a Filipino dance that imitates the movement of the tiklingbirds as they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Several guests participated in a mini fashion show of the Ati-Atihan costumes and tried dancing the Tinikling, while enjoying traditional Filipino dinner of pancit, bistek (Filipino version of beef steak), chicken adobo, and fresh fruits. “By hosting these cultural events with Read More …

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his message to the Filipino community in Vietnam during a meeting on September 28. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte has urged the Philippine Marines to stay loyal to the Republic and help to fight the country’s drug problem. 

In his remarks before the elite troops on Tuesday (September 27), Duterte said: “I am now calling you… to also fight drugs.” He stressed, however, that he is not encouraging them to take the law into their own hands. Duterte promised to give the soldiers anything they want and need “to win a fight, to win a war, to win a battle, ibibigay ko sa inyo, walang problema.” President Duterte also assured the troops that economic benefits “will come if there is a peaceful Philippines.” Turning to the government’s peace efforts, the President emphasized that he was “not a wartime President. I am a President seeking peace for my people.” During his dialogue with the Marines, Duterte reiterated his plan to seek closer ties with China and Russia. He announced that he would be visiting these countries soon to discuss trade and commerce. “This Republic will rise, this Republic of the Philippines will continue to be great… We will survive on our own. We will fight our wars on our own and we will win as a country,” Duterte told the soldiers.

By Aerol John B. Pateña View of Carriedo St. in Manila: Photo shows how Carriedo St. in Manila looks like as viewed from the Carriedo station of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 on Thursday (Aug. 11, 2016). The street, which teems with vendors, leads to the revered Quiapo Church. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.) MANILA  (PNA) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed an agreement which identifies a single location for a Common Station that will provide connectivity between LRT Line 1, MRT Line 3 and the proposed MRT Line 7, putting an end to the impasse over the seven-year-old railway project. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed Wednesday by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade; Public Works Secretary Mark Villar; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) President Hans Sy; Vice Chairman of the North Triangle Depot Commercial Corp. and Chairman of Ayala Land Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; San Miguel Corp. (SMC) President Ramon Ang; Light Rail Manila Consortium (LRMC) Vice Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan; and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Deputy Administrator Emerson Benitez. The final site of the Common Station will be situated between SM North EDSA and Trinoma malls. A vehicular underpass designed to decongest the North Ave.-EDSA intersection will be built to seamlessly integrate with the Common Station. The parties have agreed to meet again to finalize its engineering design that will enable commuters to conveniently transfer from one line to another via a common concourse or atrium. The shareholders agreed to Read More …

Bea Alonzo (MNS Photo) After she was named the most influential film actress of the year at the 6th EdukCircle Awards, Bea Alonzo said such kind of recognition explains why she has to be picky when it comes to the roles that she accepts. She said the award reminds her of the big responsibility that she has as an actress. “It reminds me na talagang ang dami naming nai-influence na mga kabataan ngayon. Malaking responsibilidad yun sa end ng mga actors (The award reminds me that we can influence a lot of young people. It’s a big responsibility for us),” she said. Currently, Alonzo is busy working on her comeback television series which will also star Ian Veneracion, Iza Calzado, Enchong Dee and Julia Barretto. Alonzo also teased about an upcoming movie which she will work on towards the end of the year. She is likewise hopeful about her big screen project with fellow actress Bela Padilla. “Sana matuloy na, sana early next year. It’s a good film. Actually siya (Bela) yung nagsulat. Excited ako. Nung nabasa ko yung one-liner na binigay niya sa akin, nakakagulat how talented she is. I like supporting talents like that,” she said. Noting their physical resemblance, Alonzo added: “Ang ganda nga nun paglaruan sa pelikula. Ang gandang gawing advantage yun sa aming dalawa. So talagang excited ako to work with her. I’ve seen her work and gusto ko makipag-collaborate with her.” No other details about the movie have been revealed. (MNS)