Maniolas

INQUIRER.net By: Ivan Angelo L. de Lara, November 21st, 2015 08:04 PM Arizza Nocum is not just a delegate, but a speaker at the One Young World summit, tackling peace and security as a young woman who has witnessed terrorism. IVAN ANGELO L. DE LARA BANGKOK, Thailand—It was last year when 21-year-old Arizza Nocum learned about the One Young World summit, the largest forum of and by the youth in the world. Learning that being a delegate to the event would cost her an arm and a leg, she applied for a scholarship to attend it, and was luckily chosen by a foundation which would support her trip. On Saturday, she was not just a delegate, but a speaker in front of more than a thousand eager young people from all over the world, talking about peace and security, a cause which she has advanced for years as a young woman who has learned and witnessed terrorism. Library for peace Raised by a Muslim mother and a Christian father, Arizza said her parents have taught her that both religions could co-exist. And so, she has started a library open to young Muslims and Christians in order to bridge the gap between the two faiths and promote education. “My family started building libraries to provide a venue not only for young people of different religions and backgrounds to come together but also to provide access to educational materials that are sparse in these areas,” Nocum said during her speech. Her venture Read More …

Inquirer Visayas By: Connie E. Fernandez, October 22nd, 2015 12:08 AM SHOOTING IN LIGHTHOUSE Police scene of crime investigators enter Lighthouse Restaurant on Gen. Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City following the shooting of two Chinese diplomats allegedly by a fellow Chinese consular officer over lunch Wednesday. CHRISTIAN MANINGO / CEBU DAILY NEWS CEBU CITY—A birthday luncheon for a staff member of the Chinese consulate in a restaurant here turned tragic on Wednesday when the husband of a consular officer  allegedly shot and killed two of her fellow officers. The motive, however, remained unknown as the suspects—Li Qing Ling, 60, and his wife, Consul Gou Jing—were still in police custody undergoing questioning. Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, police director for Central Visayas, told the Inquirer that investigators had difficulty getting the statement because they had to look for an interpreter. The fatalities were identified as Chinese Deputy Consul Sun Shan and finance officer Hui Li. They died while receiving treatment in two different hospitals, said the city’s police director. Chinese Consul General Song Rong Hua was wounded but was in stable condition in a hospital here, Bañas said. Councilor Dave Tumulak, head of Cebu City’s Command Center, said Sun suffered a gunshot wound in the neck and Hui  in the head. Bañas said Song made a reservation for a function room at Lighthouse Restaurant on General Maxilom Avenue here to celebrate the birthday of a staff member. At least nine Chinese nationals attended the luncheon, including Li and Gou, Bañas said. Read More …

Philippine Daily Inquirer August 21st, 2015 05:30 AM Facing a mounting passport backlog, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday reiterated that passport holders needing to renew their travel document may opt to have the validity of their passports extended, a service which is being offered free of charge until the end of the year. In an advisory on Thursday, the DFA said the free extension would be for one to two years and available to applicants for passport renewal both here and abroad. The applications for extension will be processed and released within the same day, it said. The offer will be available only until the end of this year, the DFA said. The DFA last week admitted having received complaints over the growing backlog in passport processing, which as of last week had risen to 42,230 passports. Apart from the old system having become obsolete, the DFA cited technical difficulties due to preparations for the transfer of the passport printing facilities.–Niña Calleja Latest Maja: Coco is ‘boyfriend material’ Vets, indies brave new world of paid TV Cute dissection of present-day narcissism Filipino with drug history nabbed in Disneyland for carrying gun Recommended Filipino with drug history nabbed in Disneyland for carrying gun Comparing Dr. Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino Fil-Am beauty, poise, talent showcased in Bb. Pilipinas USA ‘15 Lawsuits over Pacquiao-Mayweather fight head to Calif. court Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with Read More …

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Niña P. Calleja, August 20th, 2015 05:39 AM British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO The British ambassador to the Philippines offered some advice to Philippine lawmakers on how to solve the Bangsamoro problem. For one, show up in Congress and engage in debates on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). British ambassador Asif Ahmad was reacting to news reports that the lack of quorum was impeding the passage of the BBL at the 291-member House of Representatives. “In the United Kingdom, either you agree or oppose something. It is your duty as an elected official to debate and vote. But to hide under a stone is not doing the job that you are elected to do,” Ahmad told reporters during a reception he hosted at his residence on Tuesday night. The House of Representatives is in the process of interpolating the draft BBL, which was based on the peace agreement signed by the Aguino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It proposes establishing a new, autonomous political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “It is noticeable that many members of Congress are not showing up, which in my view is unacceptable,” Ahmad said. Britain, which has its own experience dealing with separatist movements, had offered the Philippines its advisory assistance in the Mindanao peace process. He cited the processes in the UK that led to the Scotland Independence referendum in 2014.–Niña P. Calleja Latest UK envoy: Lack of Read More …