Maniolas

Manila, Philippines (April 27, 2015) Philippine marines assigned to the 67th Company Marine Special Operations Group with U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 in training aboard a riverine patrol boat during Balikatan 2015. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Philippines also plans to have similar exercises with Japan, a former World War II occupier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Scott/Released) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Supreme Court (SC) deferred anew the voting on the constitutionality of the Philippines-United States Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), with deliberations expected to resume next month. The high court did not make any official announcement on the case at a press conference Wednesday morning, but sources privy to what transpired during the special en banc session said deliberations would continue early January. Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), among petitioners against the deal, held a rally outside the Supreme Court amid rains as deliberations went on, keeping watch of the results. They later dispersed upon getting word that there was no official update. The high court’s ruling has been highly anticipated as it would seal the fate of the contentious defense pact, signed as an executive agreement between Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg in April last year, just before Read More …

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (2nd right) and Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. (right) inspect the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday. The inspection is part of efforts to clear the prison of illegal activities. (MN photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) personnel seized dozens of sachets of illegal drugs and hundreds of sex enhancer capsules during another raid at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison on Wednesday morning. BuCor personnel seized at least 22 sachets of shabu from the Building 8 at Quadrant 3 of the maximum security compound. Several improvised handguns and knives were also seized in the building. Also from Building 8, the BuCor raiders seized hundreds of sex enhancer pills and capsules. Meanwhile, the authorities seized 17 more sachets of suspected shabu and two mobile phones from Building 5C, Quadrant 4 of the maximum security compound. Alegre said that according to his source, a sachet of shabu is sold at P5,000 in the jail facility. The BuCor has conducted eight raids in the NBP since November. It said that aside from more surprise inspections in the coming days, they will also impose stricter visitation rules during the Christmas season. (MNS)

Residents assess the damage brought by typhoon Nona at Barangay Pigcale, Legazpi City, Albay on Tuesday. Wide areas of the central Philippines plunged into darkness as ‘Nona’ barreled into the coconut-growing region, causing severe damage in infrastructure and agriculture. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Nine people were killed and hundreds spent the night huddled on their roofs in the central Philippines as floods generated by a powerful typhoon inundated villages, disaster officials said on Wednesday. Typhoon Nona (international name: Melor) had paralyzed Manila by late Tuesday, with floodwaters chest-deep in some areas disrupting train services and causing traffic gridlock on major roads. Five people were listed as missing. The typhoon was about 150 km (95 miles) northwest of Mindoro island, just to the south of Manila, with winds at its center of 130 kph (80 mph). Volunteers pack relief rations at a DSWD warehouse in Pasay City, before distribution to Nona-affected families in central Philippines on Tuesday. DSWD listed a total of 22,897 families who are currently staying in evacuation centers in Regions V and VII. (MNS photo) Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali said in a radio interview four people were killed in what he described as one of the strongest typhoons to hit the province in years. Another five people were killed in Northern Samar, where Nona first made landfall further south. About 90 percent of the province was affected, said disaster official Jonathan Baldo. “Many people will spend Christmas in evacuation centers without power and potable water,” Baldo said. Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III with Liberal Party (LP) standard bearers Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo are greeted by supporters outside the Manila Cathedral as they walk to Commission on Election building to file their Certificate of Candidacy, Thursday, (October 15). Tomorrow, Friday, (October 16) is the deadline of filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night insisted that one of his presidential rivals, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas, is lying about his academic background. “That’s my simple truth na hindi talaga siya sa Wharton,” Duterte told reporters after a dinner meeting with congressmen members of the National Unity Party in Quezon City. Duterte said that after hearing Roxas “boast” about being an alumnus of Wharton, he had it checked. “We had it checked actually. Si Mar, [sa] University of Penn. Undergrad siya don, he was taking special courses. Ang wharton kasi pala is MBA, masters ‘yan. Di siya pumunta roon. He was never there, but he was using Wharton,” the mayor insisted. He said that during the meeting with NUP, two congressmen who went to Wharton told him that they did not see Roxas in the prestigious school. “Pero meron dito, I will not reveal the names, dalawang congressman na nagpunta ng Wharton. Sabi nila hindi talaga nila nakita. Sabi nila hindi talaga,” he added. Duterte said that his revelation against Roxas’ claim that he was a Wharton graduate could be the reason why the Read More …

Max Collins (MNS photo) Three years with GMA-7’s gag show “Bubble Gang” allowed Max Collins to discover the power of comedy. Breaking into showbiz as a dramatic actress, Max revealed during the 20th Anniversary celebration of “Bubble Gang” that she is now more popularly known as cast member of the said gag show. This is ironic for her since she considers herself not really a funny person. “Mas nakilala ako sa ‘Bubble Gang.’ Kasi minsan sinasabi ng fans ko ‘ay si Max from ‘Bubble Gang.’ Laging ‘yun ang naririnig ko. ‘Yun ang tampulan sa mga tao at hindi ‘yung mga teleserye,” said Max. For her, learning comedy is an advantage. “I became versatile dahil sa ‘Bubble Gang.’ Nasanay ako lagi na puro drama lang lagi. Heavy drama lagi and now na nag-co-comedy ako medyo nag-re-relax na ako . At least I look forward to playing other characters in drama, comedy or even in fantaserye because ‘Bubble Gang’ opened more doors for me,” Max related. The 23-year old actress started in the show as a member of the dance group called “Bubble Shakers.” She would also appear every now and then in some gags or skits. According to her, she was announced as one of the new regular cast members during the show’s 18th year anniversary when the winners of the show’s “Bagong Gang” contest were also declared as new members of the show. Working with different personalities, how did she blend in? “Sobrang mahirap. At the end of the day Read More …