Maniolas

Human rights advocates hold a protest rally commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law at the Mendiola Peace Arch on Monday. The protesters urged the government to uphold human rights and immediately address extra-judicial killings in the country. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vice presidential aspirant Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said a public apology for martial law that his critics are demanding from him will not put closure to that dark part of the country’s history. “Ako, tanggap ko. Lahat naman ng administrasyon may nasaktan, may naiwanan. Ganun din siguro sa administrasyon ng tatay ko. Pero siyempre nangyari ‘yan sa administrasyon ng tatay ko,” Marcos said, referring to the late dictator, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The older Marcos declared martial law in 1972 during which many activists were allegedly killed or abducted, while several others were allegedly raped or abused. Marcos was reacting to the statement of a group of martial law victims, who has recently launched what they dubbed as the “Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang” or CARMMA. On its Facebook page, the group said “CARMMA aims to torpedo the VP aspiration of Bongbong Marcos through public information and mass actions.” The group said their mass actions “will hound Marcos wherever he goes” as they will try to maximize their “exposure” on the tri-media (print, radio and television) as well as on the new media or the internet. The group demanded that Marcos acknowledge the abuses committed during Read More …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas MANILA (Mabuhay) — Foreign direct investments (FDI) registered net inflows of $464 million in November 2015, up 16.4 percent from a year earlier. “The robust FDI net inflows during the month were underpinned by sustained investor confidence on the economy on the back of the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals,” the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Thursday. Intercompany borrowings contributed largely to the FDI net inflows. These were net placements by parent companies overseas in debt instruments issued by their Philippine-based affiliates. The central bank noted intercompany borrowings expanded by 26.6 percent to $187 million from $148 million. Net placements in equity capital rose by 11.2 percent to $224 million from $201 million. This development reflected equity capital withdrawals of $10 million compared with the total placements of $234 million. The bulk of equity capital placements came from the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and United States. “By economic activity, equity capital investments were channeled mainly to manufacturing, financial and insurance, real estate, wholesale and retail trade, and information and communication activities,” the central bank said. Reinvested earnings increased by 7.5 percent to $53 million. In the 11 months to November 2015, FDI registered net inflows $5.5 billion or 3.4 percent lower than the $5.6 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier. “This was mainly on account of the 9.9 percent decline in net placements in debt instruments to $3 billion compared with $3.3 billion a year earlier, the central bank said. Read More …

Gerald Anderson (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Is it love at first sight for Gerald Anderson? Anderson admitted that he was captivated by Arci Munoz the very first time he saw her. The two are working together on Star Cinema’s post-Valentine offering, “Always Be My Maybe.” “Standout beauty talaga,” he said. “‘Yung ganda niya ay ‘yung parang maiilang ka o mahihiya ka.” But as they spent more time together on the set of their movie, Anderson revealed that Munoz is actually “kalog and down to earth.” “Magaan katrabaho,” he said of the actress, who is currently starring in the ABS-CBN series “Pasion de Amor.” In a separate interview, Anderson said that he can’t believe this is only Munoz’s first lead role in a film. “Kapag nagre-rehearse kami, parang ginagawa na namin ‘yung eksena… Siya, talagang ginagawa niya kung paano niya gagawin sa eksena. Ako, first time ko na-encounter yung ganon, kasi nga doon siya nagsimula sa teatro,” he said. Meanwhile, Munoz also told Star Cinema that she finds Anderson easy to work with. “Sobrang galing ni Ge. Sobrang professional at sobrang masayang katrabaho.” she said. “Tahimik lang si Ge, pero kapag nasa eksena na doon niya ibinubuhos ang lahat.” Directed by Dan Villegas, “Always Be My Maybe” also features Jane Oineza, Kakai Bautista, Ahron Villena, Matt Evans, Carlo Aquino and Pepe Herrera. (MNS)

All products from the limited edition GODIVA Valentine’s Day collection are now available at your local GODIVA store and on GODIVA.com until Feb. 14, or while supplies last. Visit godiva.com/seasonal-collection for more information and for store locations. GODIVA is encouraging its customers to share their love and create lasting memories this Valentine’s Day with the following new and unique collection of products created especially for the holiday: Coupes d’amour Collection: With whimsical packaging designed by French artist Charlotte Gastaut, the Coupes d’amour chocolates are little “cups of love,” with flavors including ganache and caramel layered in milk, white or dark chocolate Valentine’s Day Keepsake Heart: Wrapped in sumptuous red satin, the 2016 Keepsake Heart contains iconic heart-shaped chocolates, spectacular seasonal truffles, and classic GODIVA pieces Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: Juicy, ripe strawberries dipped in milk or dark chocolate, freshly made and hand-packed in a gold gift box. Available for same day delivery through select local GODIVA boutiques Valentine’s Day Ballotin: An outstanding assortment of milk, dark, and white chocolates with classic fillings, presented in the iconic GODIVA gold gift box tied with lux red ribbon All products from the limited edition GODIVA Valentine’s Day collection are now available at your local GODIVA store and on GODIVA.com until Feb. 14, or while supplies last. Visit http://www.godiva.com/seasonal-collection for more information and for store locations. About GODIVA Chocolatier With a Belgian heritage dating back to 1926, GODIVA Chocolatier is the global leader in premium chocolate.  Inspired by the values of Lady Godiva – her passion, Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III with DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singsonleads the inauguration of the 6,200th km. national roads paved (JCT. National Road Mianay-Duyoc-Calaan-PanitanRoad,Capiz) and briefing on major infrastructure projects in Panay Island, BrgyDuyoc, Dao,Capiz on Tuesday (February 09) . (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) − President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday chided politicians running in the May elections for claiming as personal achievements what his administration has done for the past years. Aquino spoke at the 2016 League of Municipalities of the Philippines general assembly and mayors forum in Pasay City with administration candidates Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo. “Panahon na ng eleksyon, mamimili kayo ng direksyong tutunguhin natin. Alam ko hindi ako nag-iisa pag nakakita tayo ng mga ibang advertisements sa tv, radio, kung saan kanya-kanyang slogan,” said Aquino. “’Yung ibang mga may slogan na ginamit para sa sarili nila, sa totoo lang nagpapasalamat ako dahil araw-araw siguradong may nagbibigay ng katatawanan sa akin. May aangkinin ganito ang kanila,” he added. Aquino urged mayors who attended the event to continue what his administration has started by throwing their support for the Roxas-Robredo tandem. “Hindi yung sinasabing stop and start. Pwede tayong tuloy tuloy, pwede tayong paangat ng paangat sa ating pupuntahan,” he said. “Lahat ng pangako, sa iba baka magkatotoo, pero dito siguradong nagawa na,” Aquino stressed. Aquino, also chairman of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), said local leaders should not risk putting into power a candidate who is only good in making promises. “Baka July 1 sasabihin natin, ‘patay, Read More …