Weekend Balita

Coloma cites Aquino government’s five-year digital strategy to provide Filipino people reliable, affordable, secure information access

Feb 272013

(World Summit on the Information Society Logo) Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said President Benigno S. Aquino III’s government has adopted a five-year digital strategy to provide the Filipino people a reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. Speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review Event, High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, held on February 25 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, Sec. Coloma underscored the need for every Filipino to have access to information and communication technology. “The Philippine government has adopted a five-year digital strategy anchored upon this vision: A digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. A government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services. A thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership,” Coloma said. Coloma noted that the Aquino administration is currently implementing five strategies to provide service for the people in all matters concerning communications. “Firstly, the development of e-Government is a priority in order to facilitate greater efficiencies and effectiveness in the delivery of basic social services and minimize opportunities for corruption,” he said. Coloma said the government is also adopting the “strategy of digital inclusion and capacity building” to foster an enabling environment through a broadband policy that aims to reach previously unserved areas and customers. He said the Philippines recently enacted a law that will protect women and children against Read More …

Discover a beauty sanctuary at All About Skin

Entertainment

Feb 262013

Discover a beauty sanctuary at All About Skin

You ladies know and dread this! When you wake up, look in the mirror and start to see and notice the ravaging effects of aging in your face, you know that sun, chemicals, and time have finally caught up with you. Especially so when men start calling you ma’am and tita, you feel self-conscious and start feeling older than you really are. It affects your self-esteem and you feel depressed. You start using many skin creams such as Oil of Olay, Biore, Neutrogena and countless others. However, none of these products really deliver on their promises. It gets so bad that you start to think of facelifts and Botox and yet the mere thought of the expense depresses you even more. But there is still hope for all of you out there. You can stop wrinkles, acne, and aging dead in their tracks! You can even shed YEARS and YEARS off your face and regain your natural skin glow without having to spend a fortune and feeling guilty about wanting to hold on to your youth and beauty. All you need to do is go to the newly-opened and talked about salon in town called All About Skin, get a free consultation from owner and licensed aesthetician Joan Arnaiz-Go, and you are halfway to getting the flawless, all-natural, and glowing face and skin that you have always wanted for yourself. To quote Joan, “My primary goal is to provide exceptional service to my clients at a very affordable price, without Read More …

MILF: We will not revive sultanates

Entertainment

Feb 252013

Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program: Peace Dividends of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) beneficiaries listens to the speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Ceremonial Launch at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) in Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday (February 11, 2013). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not keen on reviving sultanates once the Bangsamoro political entity is established. MILF’s website Luwaran quoted MILF committee on information deputy chairman Khaled Musa as saying: “We want to preserve it, but we will not revive it.” Some 200 Filipinos, who claimed to be followers of Crown Prince Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram, entered Sabah last week. Their intentions were unclear at the beginning, until Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said a royal decree was issued ordering his men to go there and establish anew their claim on Sabah. He said they have been alienated by the peace deal between the MILF and the government. Khaled denied this, saying Kiram’s group has been contacted regarding the peace deal. “We have reached out to you as we did to other groups in Mindanao on the subject of resolving the conflict in Mindanao. We did this on several occasions particularly when the MILF peace panel had a sortie in Zamboanga City more than a year ago.” Khaled said the MILF will not stand in the way if the sultanates would want to revive their political systems. “The sultanate is part of Moro history and heritage Read More …

Myrtle still learning the ropes of showbiz

Entertainment

Feb 252013

Myrtle still learning the ropes of showbiz

Myrtle Sarrosa (MNS Photo) Aware that she’s still far from mastering the ropes of showbiz, “Pinoy Big Brother” winner Myrtle Sarrosa vowed to do her best to become a better actress given all the opportunities that have been going her way. Sarrosa thanked the ABS-CBN management for continuing to trust her with good projects. Immediately after winning the reality show, Sarrosa became part of the series “Kahit Puso’y Masugatan” and was also given a recurring role on the sitcom “Toda Max.” “Kasi I already did some sessions last time with sir Pen Medina. And ngayon naman I’m taking more lessons na with Star Magic,” she said. Aside from taking more acting workshops to hone her skills, Sarrosa said she also tries to talk to her veteran co-stars. “I really, really learn a lot from them. Nung nakausap ko si Miss Dawn (Zulueta), she taught me to always do everything to my best ability para mas gumaling ka kasi if you give your best, you’ll always be happy with your performance,” she shared. The 18-year old actress said it is her resolution this year to “work harder to achieve my dreams.” “I’ll work harder…to improve on my acting, singing, dancing, and hosting so that I can make the people who believe in me proud. I want to do everything I can, lahat ng bagay, to do my best para sa lahat ng tao na nainiwala sa akin na I deserve ‘yung tiwala nila,” she said. Sarrosa said this is also her Read More …

No sanction for Loren, Chiz, Grace Poe if they join UNA sorties, says Team PNoy spokesman

Entertainment

Feb 252013

No sanction for Loren, Chiz, Grace Poe if they join UNA sorties, says Team PNoy spokesman

Senator Loren Legarda (screenshot courtesy of www.liberalparty.org.ph ) Senator Francis Escudero (screenshot courtesy of www.liberalparty.org.ph) former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board head Grace Poe-Llamanzares (screenshot courtesy of www.liberalparty.org.ph) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Team PNoy will not sanction its three candidates – reelectionist senators Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero and former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board head Grace Poe-Llamanzares – if they join the sorties of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Team PNoy spokesman Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone on Monday said it would be the three candidates’ judgement call if they also want to join the rallies of UNA, which adopted them as candidates. Evardone said it was lamentable that UNA was making a big issue out of the non-appearance of Legarda, Escudero, and Poe during its proclamation rally in Cebu last week. He said UNA only wanted to “drive a wedge and sow intrigue” among the members of the Team PNoy senatorial slate. He said the administration would not impose sanctions on the three candidates should they decide to join the stage with other UNA bets. But Evardone said the electorate would prefer a consistent campaign among senatorial bets. (MNS)

Aquino says Sabah standoff must be resolved peacefully

Entertainment

Feb 252013

Aquino says Sabah standoff must be resolved peacefully

President Benigno S. Aquino III meeting with local Leaders with Community, Dumangas, Iloilo 02/21/2013 (screenshot courtesy of RTV Malacanang : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxcJnha5moc) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that resolving the Sabah standoff through the use of force is not the effective way to deal with the problem. “Pag tinapatan mo ng armas siyempre ang kabilang panig iisa lang ang magiging puwedeng tugon sa mga hamon na yun. So hindi yun ang solusyon,” the President said in an interview in Iloilo on Thursday. “We have been dealing with this. We have been talking to parties concerned including the family of the Sultan to ensure na may peaceful resolution.” Resolving the standoff doesn’t rest entirely on the government’s hands, he said, adding that there has to be cooperation among all other entities to achieve a resolution on the current crisis and later on a long-term solution to the dispute. The President also acknowledged the good relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia, having helped the country in forging a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “They (the Malaysians) have been very, very friendly to us. And they have been very, very supportive to us. And we have to, as a brother nation in ASEAN, also have to respond.” The government has been studying the Sabah issue and has compiled available data, the President said. One of the information mentioned by the President includes the treaty or agreement that was signed in 1878, which contain so many amendments. It Read More …

In commemoration of the 27th ANNIVERSARY OF EDSA REVOLUTION

Entertainment

Feb 212013

In commemoration of the 27th ANNIVERSARY OF EDSA REVOLUTION

Yellow Revolution during February 22–25, 1986(photo by Roberto Verzo) THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL In cooperation with THE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE (OFGG) Invite the Public to a Holy Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Manny Gacad, MJ: When: Monday, 25 February 2013, 7:00 p.m. Where: St. Kevin Church, 4072 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004 Let Us Unite in Prayers and Re-Live the Spirit of EDSA People Power of 1986!

President Aquino says reforms are in place to address concerns of water sector that will revitalize country’s agricultural and energy sectors

Entertainment

Feb 212013

President Aquino says reforms are in place to address concerns of water sector that will revitalize country’s agricultural and energy sectors

Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP) Stage II(Photo courtesy of www.iloilotoday.com) IlOILO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III said that various reforms are already in place to effectively address all the issues and concerns of the water sector as part of the administration’s efforts to revitalize the country’s agriculture and energy sectors. In his speech during the ceremonial ground-breaking of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP) Stage II held at the Iloilo Provincial Building along Bonifacio Drive on Thursday, the Chief Executive assured that the government continues to implement various programs to achieve the government’s goal of rice self-sufficiency by year 2013. He said the JRMP project in Iloilo province will boost the country’s agriculture sector. “Oras na matapos ang proyekto, apatnapu’t tatlong porsyento ng lupang agraryo dito sa Iloilo ang magkakaroon ng irigasyon. Ibig-sabihin, inaasahan natin na dodoble ang maaaning bigas sa rehiyon, at aangat nang tatlumpung porsyento ang produksyon pati na ng tubo. Ilan lamang po ito sa positibong ambag ng Jalaur River Project sa ating sektor ng agrikultura,” the President said. The P11.21 billion project will also boost the energy and trade sectors. “Malinaw po, kung ang layunin natin ay ang pangalagaan ang interes at kinabukasan ng ating mamamayan, dapat lamang na karugtong nito ang paninigurong may maayos na mekanismo’t malinaw na istratehiya para sa sistemang patubig ng ating bansa,” the President stressed. The JRMP project will also augment the supply of good quality and potable water for domestic and industrial consumption in the nearby municipalities, including Iloilo Read More …

Irish Culture in ‘The Rhythm of Dance’ and Faith of the Church in ‘Fides Ecclesiae’

Entertainment

Feb 212013

Irish Culture in ‘The Rhythm of Dance’ and Faith of the Church in ‘Fides Ecclesiae’

by Myrna Aquitania Kateri Calungsod This weekend was truly uplifting for me not only did I find myself immersed on Irish culture when we watched “The Rhythm of Dance,” last Saturday night but also overwhelmed by the outstanding performance of the cast and crew of “Fides Ecclesiae” the following day on Sunday evening. On Saturday, after dinner at Mimi’s Cafe, we went to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and watched “The Rhythm of Dance.” “The Rhythm of Dance,” was a variety show which featured Irish tapdancing, singing performances by the three Irish tenors plus a showcase of traditional Irish background music played through the use of various musical instruments such as: the harp, fiddle, bodhran, pochette and guitar. Irish tapdancing is a theatrical show, much like Michael Flatly’s “Riverdance” which I have also seen sometime back. This consists of Irish stepdancing techniques shown by the rhythm of leg movements. Body and arms are also kept stationary and the dancers tap their shoes while hititng the floors, which emanates the sounds of percussive instruments. Musical instruments used such as the Celtic harp produces romantic music which has been an important symbol of Irish nationalism since the 10th century. The Irish fiddle on the other hand, is identical to the violin and is played differently in wide varying regional styles. The pochette or kit violin is a stringed musical instrument named as such due to its “pocket” size and the Bodhran is an Irish drum which symbolizes the heartbeat of Irish music. Traditional Irish music Read More …

Bar exam results out before Holy Week — SC

Entertainment

Feb 212013

Bar exam results out before Holy Week — SC

(Supreme Court of the Philippines) MANILA, Feb 19 (Mabuhay) – The much-awaited results of the October 2012 Bar Exams will be released before the Holy Week in March. This was announced by the Supreme Court Public Information Office in a text message to reporters on Tuesday. “As per Justice Martin Villarama, chair of the 2012 Bar exams, barring unforseen circumstances, results will be out before Holy Week,” said the SC PIO. More than 5,000 law school graduates took the Bar exams during the four Saturdays of October at the University of Santo Tomas along España Boulevard in Manila. The number of examinees last October was lower than in 2011, in which 6,200 law school graduates took the exam. It was the second time that the exams was held at UST, where security had been tightened since the grenade attack during the Bar exams in 2010 when it was still held at the De La Salle University along Taft Avenue. (MNS)

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