Maniolas

Vice President Jejomar Binay delivers his speech during the launching of the United Nationalist Alliance as a political party on Wednesday at the Makati Coliseum. Binay lambasted the Aquino administration anew and promised alternatives offered by his party. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday said he and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte are friends. “Wala, wala. Kaibigan ko naman ‘yan. Madalas din naman ako makapunta sa Davao at nagkakasama kami sa ilang social occasion,” Binay said at the sidelines of a forum on the insurance industry in Makati City. Binay said he even wished Duterte “good luck” in his presidential bid in a chance encounter over the weekend. “Nagkasabay kami sa eroplano nung weekend. At nag ‘hi, hello’ naman kami. At ang sabi ko din sa kanya ‘good luck,’” Binay said. On Friday last week, Binay went to General Santos City and was greeted by Pacquiao. In a press conference, Pacquiao reiterated that his support remains with Binay despite Duterte’s filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president in the 2016 elections. Pacquiao is running for senator under Binay’s political party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Pacquiao had also said that he and Duterte are close friends. “Talagang magkaibigan kami, close kami. Hindi iyan maapektuhan dahil dito [sa desisyon ko], politics lang ito,” Pacquiao said. Duterte’s camp earlier stated that the mayor wanted Pacquiao to be part of his “dream team” should he decides to run for president. Binay said that there was no Read More …

By Nimfa U. Rueda The youth band Back2Jupiter dedicates their performance to the children of slain journalists. LOS ANGELES – Filipino-American media groups held a photo exhibit and a tribute concert Sunday night (Monday in Manila) in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles to honor the memory of the 32 journalists killed in the Ampatuan massacre. The show staged by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-USA Chapter at the Celebrity Centre International marked the sixth year after the attack that claimed the lives of 58 people, 32 of them journalists, in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. “May we not forget the victims of the massacre and may justice prevail,” said Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, in his remarks. Arnedo Valera, legal counsel for NUJP-USA, said the massacre could not have taken place without the “existing culture of impunity” in the Philippines. The Fil-Am Media Band: From left, Nukie Santiago, Roy Cuchado, Ana Mendoza, Abner Galino, Christy Rosacia, Joy Macainan, Nikki Arriola, Andy Tecson and Robert Gamo. To date, none of the suspects have been convicted of the crime. International media groups, including the New York-based watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have condemned the slow progress of the case and the continued killing of journalists in the Philippines. Earlier this month, radio broadcaster Jose Bernardo was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in Quezon City. He was the fifth journalist killed in 2015 and the 169th since 1986, according to NUJP. “Justice remains elusive,” Read More …

Regine Tolentino (MNS Photo) Regine Tolentino used to be very visible on-screen, but she is now more often seen at sports complexes, gyms, corporate events and even barangays, where she holds Zumba workout sessions. Regine has always been into dancing and living a healthy lifestyle. She is now certified Zumba instructor. “Nauna ’yung hilig ko sa sayaw. Mahilig na ako magsayaw ever since noong bata pa ako. It’s just the benefit of dancing that you’re healthy and fit. So, I don’t really think about it too much. I used to be so self-conscious of my weight but now I just think about having fun and having a good workout and everything else follows,” she said. “It helps maintain my energy level throughout the day, even with back to back Zumba classes,” she said. Still, Regine admits she misses acting. “I hope I can get back into mainstream acting. However, I’m so blessed to have many Zumba and corporate events lately,” she said. Regine admitted she had turned down some acting offers because her schedule is already full. She also had to limit her hosting stint on “Unang Hirit” to two, three times a week. “My schedule right now is loaded with these wonderful Zumba events all over the country and even in Japan and Dubai. I’m just so happy with this advocacy of fitness. It’s great to reach out to the moms. So as of now, hindi pa ako nakakatanggap. I said no to the soaps but eventually I would Read More …

SSS Representative from San Francisco Marin and SSS Toronto Representative Roberto Roldan providing services. Los Angeles – The Social Security System (SSS) conducted at one (1) day outreach mission at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles on 20 November 2015. President and CEO Emilio S. De Quiros, Jr., led the SSS delegation accompanied by Senior Vice President for International Operations Judy Frances A. See, Vice President Maria Lourdes N. Mendoza, Representative Marites Marin of SSS San Francisco and Representative Roberto Roldan of SSS Toronto. SSS Management President and CEO De Quiros presenting to the audience. SSS President De Quiros informed the audience on the newly established SSS Offices in Toronto, Canada and in San Francisco, California as part of effort to bring their services closer to overseas Filipinos in North America.  He briefed the audience on performance levels of the SSS and continuous improvement in its operations, services and related systems.  The SSS has migrated its service delivery platform from branch-based transactions to internet-based channels in order to give their clients the flexibility of transacting with the SSS within the comfort of their own homes. On-site services were also offered to SSS members and pensioners during the program. Foreign Representatives Marin and Roldan assisted and provided services. (L-R) Vice Consul Dyan Kristine Pastrana, Vice President Maria Lourdes Mendoza, SSS Management President and CEO Emilio S. De QUiros, Jr., Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, SSS Account Management Group Senior Vice President Judy Frances See, SSS Representative to San Francisco Marites Marin.

BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Commonwealth of Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott during the 22nd Apec Leaders’ Meeting Tree Planting Ceremony at the Summer Garden of the International Conference Center at Yanqui Lake here on Tuesday (November 11). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine delegation argued before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands that China’s nine-dash claim has deprived the Philippines of fishing in disputed territories. The first round of arguments for the hearing on the merits of the Philippines’ case challenging the territorial claims of China began November 24 and is scheduled to last until November 30. In a bulletin sent from The Hague, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the team’s November 24 presentation focused “on the lack of basis for China’s historic claims over the Nine-Dash Line.” According to Valte, principal counsel Paul Reichler argued that China’s nine-dash claim does not exist in the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “Mr. Reichler mentioned that China has asserted exclusive rights over the areas covered by the Nine-Dash Line and has deprived the Philippines of fishing and exploration activities,” said Valte. The Philippines is of the position that it has exclusive rights to fish in the disputed waters within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Professor Bernard Oxman, one of the legal counsels, discussed how China’s claims to the South China Sea, parts of which Read More …