Maniolas

Michael V (MNS Photo) In the last two decades, comedy gag show “Bubble Gang” has featured several notable personalities with many more wanting to make a guest appearance. Michael V, the only holdover from the original cast, is not surprised about it. “Kasi may reputasyon na ang ‘Bubble Gang’ bilang pinakamatagal and the best so far, for me ha. Hindi sa pag-a-angat ng bangko pero kasi marami nang pinagdaanan ang show,” he explained. The comedy actor admitted new blood is most welcome in the show because it keeps things interesting. “Open kami na magkaroon ng bagong gangsters kasi evolving ang show eh. Hindi pwedeng manatili na ganu’n lang. Dapat kung ano ang bago eh, dapat magawa namin,” he said. Michael V may be the creative director but he is not taking sole credit for the show’s success. “Team effort ‘yan (and) it has always been like that.” Asked how they come up with sketches, Michael V says they observe what’s going on around them, the idea being that they simply want to hold up a mirror to the comical side of life. He said, “Sa 20 years na takbo ng show, anything na nangyayari sa society natin eh, na-i-re-reflect namin sa ‘Bubble Gang’ through gags, skits, spoofs.” He admitted the show has had its low moments. “Pero nag-survive kami kasi hindi lang basta show ‘to, pamilya na ‘to eh. In a way din eh, nirerendehan kami ng network kaya mas nagiging maingat kami. Kaya nagtatagal kami,” he said. Certainly, Michael Read More …

Miss Universe ‏Twitter. Every #MissUniverse is #ConfidentlyBeautiful. Are you? Show us your no-makeup selfies with #ConfidentlyBeautiful.©2015 Twitter (Relaxnews) – When they take to the stage this Sunday, the Miss Universe contestants will no doubt be a vision of glamour. But the beauty queen hopefuls have flooded the internet with ‘no makeup’ selfies, proving that true star style comes from within. Reigning Miss Universe Paulina Vega, from Colombia, kick-started the craze, laying down the gauntlet with a challenge tweet to this year’s wannabes that read: “Every #MissUniverse is #ConfidentlyBeautiful. Are you? Show us your no-makeup selfies with #ConfidentlyBeautiful.” The message was accompanied by her own flawless make-up free selfie. The models responded with gusto, sharing photos of themselves with squeaky clean faces, pouting and smiling into the camera and using the hashtag #ConfidentlyBeautiful. Some, like Toria Nichole Penn, took the snap upon waking up. The Miss Bahamas 2015 winner showcased a halo of natural curls and a wide smile in her photo, which she captioned “Preliminaries today! Woke up fresh faced and ready to do this!” Others, like Miss Ireland Joanna Cooper, opted for a traditional ‘duck face’, while Lisa Drouillard (Miss Haiti) used the challenge as an opportunity to express her gratefulness, saying: “Today is the day #missuniverse #prelims, words cannot convey how thankful I am!” The models are following in the footsteps of countless celebrities to have stripped off the cosmetics in the name of honesty this year. Stars such as Cindy Crawford, Cameron Diaz and Demi Lovato have all shared ‘no make-up’ Read More …

Outstanding Filipino-American students WASHINGTON, DC—Thirteen young, outstanding Filipino-Americans were recognized for their academic excellence and community service during the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards on 17 December 2015 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy. Now on its 23rd year, the annual award recognizes students from the elementary, high school, and undergraduate levels in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area who epitomize the values of the Philippine National Hero. This year’s awardees were the following (grade levels during AY 2014-2015): Trina Sophia LaFortune – 3rd grade, Holy Spirit School Rebecca Verba Honigford – 4th grade, Our Lady of Good Counsel School Gerard Gonzaga – 6th grade, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School Regina Verba Honigford – 6th grade, Our Lady of Good Counsel School Arianne Arizala – 7th grade, Redland Middle School Adeline Christelle Baban – 8th grade, St. John Academy Justin Francis T. Bustamante – 8th grade, St. Peter’s School Janelle Gonzaga – 9th grade, Freedom High School Nicholas T. Mañalac – 9th grade, Fairfax High School Jed Paolo Dela Torre – 10th grade, Benjamin Banneker High School Joseph Brandon B. Gopiao – 10th grade, Lake Braddock Secondary School Allan James Phillips – 11th grade, Oakton High School Jennifer Marie R. Palo – graduate level, Bowie State University In his keynote address, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. talked about Rizal’s life and urged the awardees to continue learning more about the hero after whom the award is named. “Jose Rizal’s accomplishments were never achieved before by a Filipino during that time. He realized his potential and he never allowed life’s hardships to stop him Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 80th founding anniversary of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (Dec. 21, 2015) at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. Also in photo is National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.(MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP | Monday 12/21/2015 – Philippine President Benigno Aquino promised Monday that 83.9 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) allocated for military modernization projects would be spent by 2017 as the country faces a territorial dispute with China. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the armed forces, Aquino said his administration had already spent 56.79 billion pesos of the total scheduled for full disbursement by 2017 on “big-ticket” modernization programs. This was more than the sum spent by the three previous administrations, said Aquino, who took office in 2010 and leaves office next year, as he bemoaned the lack of proper equipment that had long hampered the military. “Back then, because of lack of equipment, there was a soldier in a sensitive operation carrying a purple backpack from a fast food chain. I just don’t think a purple backpack is suited for an operation in the jungle,” he told assembled soldiers. The president cited the new equipment purchased in recent years including FA-50 jets, the country’s first supersonic fighter aircraft for a decade. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Hernando Iriberri (left), leads the arrival honors for President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 80th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the copy of the 3rd State Conference Resolution on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) from Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Also in photo are Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, DOJ Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, and Budget Secretary Butch Abad at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace Tuesday (December 15). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III’s public satisfaction rating suffered a nine-point drop from +41 in September to +32 this month, results of the fourth quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Wednesday showed. The survey conducted from December 5 to 8 among 1,200 adults nationwide found 58 percent were satisfied, 16 percent undecided, and 26 percent dissatisfied with Aquino. Despite the nine-point decline, Aquino’s net satisfaction ratings were still considered “good.” SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of +70 and above as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; as well as -70 and below as “execrable.” President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 3rd State Conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace Tuesday (December 15). (MNS photo) In Luzon areas outside Metro Manila, Aquino’s net satisfaction rating plunged by half from +46 in September to +23 in December. His ratings also dropped by eight Read More …