Maniolas

Jayda Zaragosa-Avanzado (MNS photo) With hitmakers for parents, there is a lot of pressure on the shoulders of young singer Jayda Zaragosa-Avanzado. The 12-year-old girl is a daughter of OPM singers Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado. According to her, being the daughter of two hit makers makes people expect more from her. “There is a certain amount of pressure, like with people whose expectations of me are quite high. But it’s what motivates me to strive harder to hone my skills,” she said. The young singer admitted that she is still developing her own style by learning from other artists, including her mom and dad. “I am actually on the process of developing it [style], but I am adding a few things like a bit of Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, Beyonce, my mom, my dad,” she said. She, clarified, however that she puts a lot of importance on uniqueness because “that’s what makes you an artist.” She also believes that having a good voice is not the only prerequisite to becoming a good performer. “To me, I don’t think a good voice is enough. You have to have passion, you have to have a rapport with the audience,” she said. “You can be a singer, but being a performer is something different. And that’s something I want to do.” (MNS)

The Supreme Court should act immediately on the disqualification case against presidential bet, Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares, to avert possible political unrest in the Philippines With little time left before the final printing of the ballots for the May 16 elections, the Supreme Court, known for taking its time in deciding high profile cases, appears to be unperturbed from a possible scenario wherein a disqualified presidential candidate could win in the elections. This will provoke a sense of frustration and anger among the people, particularly the supporters of Grace Poe, in the event she wins and later on disqualified by the Supreme Court before she could be sworn into office. This could also spark a series of street demonstrations and public indignations all over the country, and as a result, might compel the government or Congress to declare that there was a failure of election. Who would then be the duly elected president? Is it going to be the duly elected Vice President? What happens when the losing presidential candidate in second place files a protest contending that he should be the one who should be installed as president since the winning candidate’s election was declared null and void by the Supreme Court. To avoid all these possible scenarios, the Supreme Court Justices should heed the advice of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to speed the completion of all oral arguments so that the disqualification case of Llamanzares would be decided before the scheduled printing of ballots and avoid what Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by DOT Secretary RamonJimenez, Jr, heads of International Tourism Organizations, and by members of the diplomatic corps upon arrival at the Philippine InternationalConvention Center for the opening ceremony of theASEAN Tourism Forum. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday enjoined the participants of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 to work together and share experiences to enhance the region’s tourism sector. Like the Philippines, tourism is also a major industry in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, which lead the pack when it comes to attracting tourists, President Aquino said during the opening of the ATF 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center. “We belong to a region that holds vast potentials in terms of tourism,” he said, noting that 2014 saw tourist arrivals in ASEAN reaching 105.1 million, a staggering 42.4 percent increase from 73.8 million tourist arrivals in 2010. Of those 105.1 million visitors, he said, 49.22 million came from within the ASEAN itself. “The strong interest that our peoples had in visiting each other’s countries highlights a potential to accelerate the growth of intra-ASEAN tourism, which redounds to all our benefits; not only does it contribute to our respective growth agendas, it also fosters greater understanding and strengthens the ties that bind our people,” the President told the forum participants. He further pointed out that ASEAN integration has made the regional grouping a more attractive destination for visitors from other parts Read More …

Comelec Commissioner Athrur Lim take his biometric registration as overseas voters of Hongkong at DFA Aseana voting field registration center in Macapagal Ave. Pasay City on Wednesday. (MNS Photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections has uploaded eight names in its certified list of presidential candidates. As earlier announced by the Comelec, the name of Senator Grace Poe remained on the list posted on the poll body’s website despite twin rulings by the en banc disqualifying her from the presidential elections. Poe has since questioned the cancellation of her certificate of candidacy for president before the Supreme Court. Her petition is now the subject of oral arguments before the high tribunal. On the other hand, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte also made the list despite disqualification cases pending before the Comelec. There are two new names on the list apart from those that were earlier reported. These are Mel Mendoza of the PMP and Dante Valencia, an independent. Also in the list were Vice President Jejomar Binay of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago of the People’s Reform Party, Mar Roxas of the ruling Liberal Party, and OFW party-list Representative Roy Señeres. The Comelec also uploaded the six names in its list of vice presidential candidates. They are Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who’s listed as an independent; Senator Francis Escudero, also an independent; Senator Gregorio Honasan of UNA; Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., independent; Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo, LP; and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, independent. Cayetano, Marcos Read More …

Small SUV awarded for its outstanding styling and versatility The new Tucson offers a fresh, sporty exterior and appealing interior design while making overall fuel efficiency a top priority, with significantly enhanced fuel economy ratings over the previous model. FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., – Hyundai’s award-winning 2016 Tucson continues to impress automotive journalists around the country, being named a winner in AAA’s Top Vehicle Picks for 2016. Taking home the award in the small SUV category, the Tucson received praise for its design, versatility and incredible value proposition. “The 2016 Tucson represents a massive step forward for Hyundai in the small SUV category,” said Jim Prueter, automotive journalist, AAA. “The car’s design is guaranteed to turn heads, and with a massive selection of standard equipment, the vehicle delivers excellent value to customers.” Top Picks are announced in the January/February issue of Highroads magazine. The list aims to help guide consumers shopping for their next ride. To be eligible for list consideration, Top Picks must be available for sale to the public no later than January 2016 and fall under a base-price cap of $70,000. Vehicles selected for the list are reviewed by AAA Arizona auto expert Jim Prueter, who has provided reviews and advice about cars for more than 20 years. “Hyundai’s commitment to delivering style, convenience and safety is at the center of our product lineup,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Tucson gives growing families a selection of powertrains to fit their lifestyle, with the versatility that all Read More …