Maniolas

— Members of Akbayan Youth troop to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) at the GMA-Kamuning station in Quezon City on Wednesday wearing safety gear such as helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads to dramatize the dangers posed by riding the poorly maintained MRT 3, which is plagued with problems.(MNS photo) Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging former Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) general manager Al Vitangcol to reveal the details of the $1.5-million contract awarded for the commuter train’s maintenance in October 2012, which became the basis of the graft case filed against him. Barely a month after the Sandiganbayan affirmed his indictment for graft, Vitangcol broke his silence last Wednesday to lament what he regarded as apparent haste in resolving the case against him.  He insisted it was actually the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) that awarded the contract. It was earlier reported that the controversial MRT maintenance deal with Philippine Trams Rail Management Service Corp. (PH Trams) was “perfected” at a time when the DOTC was headed by Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas. The Office of the Ombudsman had also cleared incumbent DOTC chief Joseph Emilio Abaya of any liability in connection with the deal because he was appointed just two days earlier when he signed the contract. Escudero said the former MRT chief should reveal the “extent of the culpability of other DOTC officials in the anomalous contract that they have left Vitangcol high and dry to claim responsibility for deal.” “Mr. Vitangcol should not Read More …

The 2017 Genesis G90 on display at the 2016 NAIAS©Newspress (Detroit–AFP) – Hyundai is reaching for the top in launching a new luxury brand, Genesis, which aims to replicate the success of Japanese rivals while redefining the customer experience. The Korean automaker unveiled its flagship sedan, the G90, at the Detroit auto show Monday that was designed to compete with the top offerings of storied brands like Mercedes and BMW by offering best-in-class performance and features. “We are applying ourselves to entirely new objectives to set the benchmark for luxury,” Hyundai vice chair Eui Sun Chung said at the brand’s US launch. “With Genesis we will strive to meet the desire of a new generation of luxury customer… (who) value unique experiences over mere status.” The bold move comes after years of studious planning and work to improve Hyundai’s reputation following a disastrous initial entree into the US market in 1986 with the poorly-built Excel. Hyundai addressed its reputation for poor quality by vigorously improving its production standards and introducing a 10-year warranty program in 1999. It launched its first luxury sedan — the Genesis — shortly before US car sales collapsed to the lows not seen in decades in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Hyundai managed to expand market share during the downturn through clever marketing that included a promise to buy back a customer’s car if they lost their job within the first year of purchase. It also won accolades for the Genesis, including the much-coveted Read More …

Vic Sotto (MNS photo) The full list of names included in the entourage for the upcoming wedding of television host Vic Sotto and actress Pauleen Luna has been revealed. Among the principal sponsors are Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Carmencita Garcia, Tony Tuviera and wife Madeleine Tuviera, comedian Joey de Leon, and Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian. Ruby Rodriguez will be the wedding’s matron of honor, while Franchesca Que will be Luna’s maid of honor. Sotto’s son with award-winning actress and producer Coney Reyes, Vico, will be the best man. Pauleen Luna (MNS photo) Sotto’s siblings—Val and Maru—are among the groomsmen, along with Anjo Yllana, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros. Luna’s bridesmaids, meanwhile, include Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. Here is the full list of the wedding entourage: Principal sponsors: Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Carmencita Garcia, Tony Tuviera and wife Madeleine Tuviera, comedian Joey de Leon and Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian. Pia Wurtzbach (MNS photo) Matron of Honor: Ruby Rodriguez Maid of Honor: Franchesca Que Best Man: Vico Sotto Groomsmen: Val Sotto, Maru Sotto, Anjo Yllana, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, and Paolo Ballesteros. Bridesmaids: Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Anne Margaret Luna, Leah Camille Agcaoili, and Mara Isabel Sotto. Secondary sponsors: Danica Sotto and Marc Pingris (veil), Oyo Sotto and Kristine Hermosa (cord). Ring Bearer: Jean Michel Pingris Coin Bearer: Kristian Daniel Sotto Bible Bearer: Alessandro Jose Sotto Rosary Bearer: Marciano Dominico Antonio Flower Girls: Ryzza Mae Dizon, Anielle Micaela Pingris, Ondrea Bliss Sotto. (MNS)

Kathryn Bernardo (MNS Photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Liza Soberano is the sixth woman with the most beautiful face in the world according to a British-based critic community. “The 26th Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2015″ by TC Candler was released on December 26. Only Soberano and her co-Kapamilya star Kathryn Bernardo were the Filipinas to join the list. Bernardo landed on the 80th spot, ahead of American-Irish actress Olivia Wilde. South Korean singer Nana, whose real name is Im Jin-ah, topped the list. She is followed by Israeli actress Gal Gadot, British model Jourdan Dunn, ‘Harry Potter’s’ Emma Watson, and Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahni. Liza Soberano (MNS Photo) According to TC Candler, the Independent List is not a popularity poll. “Rather, the list attempts to inform public opinion instead of reflecting it.” The criteria for judging include aesthetic perfection, grace, elegance, class, poise, joy, promise, and hope. The public sends suggestions to T.C. Candler which the community puts together and make a list representing “the modern ideal of beauty”. Meanwhile for the male division, three Filipinos were able to enter the list — Enrique Gil on the 13th spot, overshadowing Ryan Gosling and David Beckham among others; Daniel Padilla, 22nd; and Xian Lim, 99th. All the aforementioned Filipino personalities were categorized under the “new entry”. (MNS)

Members of ProGay and women’s rights group in a rally to denounce the alleged government inaction on violence against women. After days of a thorough investigation, the suspect in her death, as US Marine, has been charged with murder. (MNS photo) The lawyer representing a US Marine found guilty of killing a transgender Filipina filed an appeal on Wednesday seeking to reverse his conviction. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide last month by an Olongapo court in a case that reignited long-simmering anti-American sentiment in the country. The American’s lawyer Rowena Garcia-Flores also filed a separate motion seeking a reduced sentence for the marine in the event that the acquittal is not granted. “Of course, we want an acquittal but what is the likelihood the court will grant that?” she told AFP. Pemberton met the transgender Filipina Jennifer Laude in October 2014 in a bar in Olongapo after the marine took part in a joint US-Philippine military exercise. During the trial, the court heard that Pemberton and Laude agreed to have sex after meeting in Olongapo’s red light district, but that the drunken marine turned violent when he discovered Laude still had male genitals. He acted out of “passion and obfuscation,” the court said, adding that “in the heat of passion, he arm-locked the deceased, and dunked [her] head in the toilet.” Pemberton was sentenced to six to 12 years in jail and is being held in a cell in Camp Aguinaldo. If Pemberton’s conviction is upheld, Read More …