Maniolas

This used to be a street. Rocks cover a street in Barangay Calabasa, Gabaldon town. (MNS Photo) MANILA, Oct. 20 (Mabuhay) — Stormy weather will continue to prevail in Northern Luzon as severe tropical storm “Lando” has maintained its strength as it moves slowly in the northeast direction, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geohysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Tuesday. As of 4 a.m. Tuesday, the center of severe tropical storm Lando was estimated — based on all available data — at 130 km northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (19.0°N, 119.7°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. It is forecast to move northeast at 5 kph. Public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 2 (61-120kph expected in 24 hours) is hoisted over the provinces Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Batanes, northern Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of islands. Signal no. 1 (30-60kph expected in 36 hours) remains hoisted in the provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Isabela and the rest of Cagayan Occasional rains and gusty winds will be experienced over provinces under signal no. 1 while those under signal no. 2 will have stormy weather. Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under storm warning signal are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Storm surge may reach a maximum of up to 1.5 meters in the provinces affected by the severe tropical storm. The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy Read More …

Protesters rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on Tuesday, denouncing China’s claim to most of the West Philippine Sea including areas claimed by the Philippines. The protest comes as a UN tribunal in the Hague begins a hearing the Philippines’ claim on the disputed Spratly Islands.(MNS photo) Manila, Oct 20 (Mabuhay) – A former Justice Secretary-turned-opposition lawmaker has asked the Aquino administration to study China’s proposed joint naval drills with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which, he said, could help ease the tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea. 1-BAP pary-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III, a member of the House minority bloc, urged the government to relentlessly pursue diplomatic means to resolve territorial issues with China. “The solution to the dispute between our country and China on the West Philippine Sea should be through diplomacy. A joint exercise on disputed territory could pave the way to a diplomatic solution,” he said in an interview. Like Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., he also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) to study Beijing’s proposal. “It is worth considering as long as we make clear that we are not in any way compromising any of our claims in the West Philippine Sea,” Belmonte said in a separate interview. In an informal summit in Beijing, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan expressed willingness to hold joint drills with the ASEAN countries, covering accidental encounters and search and rescue and Read More …

Several houses are submerged at the City Camp Lagoon in Baguio City on Monday after intense rains spawned by Typhoon Lando. More than 200 families were evacuated from the area, a perennial catch-basin for floodwaters in the summer capital during torrential rains. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The state weather bureau said that the continuous rains from Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu) have brought a “beneficial effect” to major dams in Luzon. “Typhoons are disastrous but to the dams, it is beneficial,” said Pagasa hydrologist Danilo Flores in a televised press briefing on Monday. In Angat Dam in Bulacan, which supplies most of Metro Manila’s water needs, the water level increased by 7.21 meters. From 194.60 meters, it increased to 201.81 meters in 28 hours. In Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, its water level of 195.18 meters increased to 200.37 meters. In Magat Dam, the water level increased from 191.97 meters to 193.83 meters. San Roque Dam’s water level increased from 276.36 meters to 278.14 meters. In Ambuklao Dam in Benguet, water rose from 749.27 meters to 751.35 meters. Both Ambuklao and Binga opened two gates, Flores said. Water from these dams will go to San Roque in Pangasinan, which is still far from its spilling level, he added. Lando is moving slowly due to a high pressure area and a typhoon outside the Philippine area of responsibility. Storm signals in several provinces in Luzon are still raised. The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Read More …

Who among these 70’s and 80’s matinee idols look as if they have not aged?

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe was named the Full-size Crossover Utility Vehicle of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) during its 23rd Annual Texas Truck Rodeo at the Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch near San Antonio. “We are delighted to hear that the Texas Auto Writers Association recognized the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe as the top contender in a highly competitive category,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “This is a tremendous honor that further confirms Hyundai’s commitment to quality, durability, safety and comfort in this important product category.” This win complements the Santa Fe’s victory as CUV of Texas in 2013 and as Compact CUV of Texas in 2012 for its smaller, 5-passenger sibling Santa Fe Sport. During the 2015 Texas Truck Rodeo, more than 70 TAWA members evaluated some of the industry’s leading trucks, SUVs and crossover utilities. In order to put each vehicle through its paces, the famed Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas served as the event’s proving grounds. With driving surfaces including bumpy pavement, loose gravel, slick mud, steep hills, jagged rocks and water crossings, each candidate stayed busy throughout the two days of testing. “The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe earns our award for the Full-size Crossover Utility Vehicle of Texas – it delivers on comfort, functionality and reliability,” said Michael Marrs, president of TAWA. “Once again, Hyundai has exceeded expectations in the segment to receive this award among an outstanding group of competitors.” The Hyundai Santa Read More …