Maniolas

By Sunshine BlancoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:51 am | Sunday, August 4th, 2013 INQUIRER scholar Jhesset Enano says, “I look forward to telling more and better stories of the people, may it be of the successful or the still hard-at-work, and to let the voice of those without beheard,” as she prepares for her American sojourn. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—“My three years at UP have taught me a central principle: Serve the people. It is a constant reminder that everything I do should not simply be for myself, but for the advancement of the nation and of its people.” That was Jhesset Thrina Enano, a journalism student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, summing up her life experience thus far, on the eve of a giant leap in her pursuit of learning and academic excellence. Along with four other successful nominees from the Philippines, Enano was picked from a pool of 51 applicants to be part of the 2013 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in the United States. In-depth exposure Funded by the US Department of State and administered in this country by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation—also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines—the program aims to “provide a large and diverse group of student leaders with an in-depth exposure to US society, culture and academic institutions by engaging them in substantive academic exchanges in colleges and universities in the United States.” Selection was based on merit in the form of academic accomplishments, leadership and ambassadorial skills, and commitment to Read More …

By Nikko DizonPhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:37 am | Sunday, July 28th, 2013 Former President Fidel Ramos. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO SEOUL—Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos wore his “never forget” ribbon on his left finger the whole day of Saturday, even after the colorful ceremony that commemorated the armistice that ended the Korean War 60 years ago. Ramos, 85, who fought with the 29th Battalion Combat Team from the Philippines in that war, and seven other Filipino veterans attended the Commemorative Ceremony for the United Nations Forces on the 60th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice. “The ribbon was a reminder for us to never forget,” Ramos told the Inquirer in an interview after the ceremony. “But for my part, I assured my fellow veterans seated near me and the ministers that regardless of age, regardless of the lapse of 60 years, the veterans, especially the Filipino veterans of the Korean War who have survived will still be around to help in the defense of freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsula.” Veterans from the 21 countries that sent combat forces to Korea in 1950 came to the ceremony. Some were in wheelchairs, others stooped and walked slowly with their canes. Many remained sprightly, and all of them still had vivid memories of the war they fought 60 years ago under the United Nations flag and for which South Korea formally thanked them on Saturday. Around 300 veterans attended the commemorative ceremony for the UN Forces as the world remembered the 60th Read More …

Agence France-Presse 4:25 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 BEIJING — China’s new unified coast guard agency has gone into operation, state media reported Tuesday amid maritime disputes with neighbors, and experts said more ships will be armed as a result. The China Coast Guard integrates the functions of marine surveillance, the existing coast guard which came under the police, fisheries law enforcement and Customs’ anti-smuggling maritime police. The divisions “that were not allowed to be equipped with weapons can be armed now,” Yang Mian, professor of international relations at the Communication University of China, was quoted as saying by the Global Times newspaper. “The new agency will also make our law enforcement more powerful.” The new agency will “have reasonable and legal law enforcement equipment” and “detect and rapidly handle in accordance with the law acts that harm China’s maritime rights and interests,” Zhang Junshe, a military researcher, wrote in a commentary in the PLA Daily. Tensions have been growing over China’s island disputes with Japan and other neighbors. Chinese surveillance ships have frequently approached disputed islands in the East China Sea, which Japan controls and knows as the Senkakus but China claims as the Diaoyus, after Tokyo nationalized some of them last September. The Philippines and Vietnam have accused Beijing of aggressively asserting its extensive claims in the South China Sea, although tensions have abated slightly with Hanoi in recent weeks. With an eye on the rows, the United States has strengthened military cooperation with Japan and the Read More …