Oct 152015
 
Marjorie talks about ties with Claudine, Gretchen

Marjorie Barretto (MNS Photo) Marjorie Barretto and sister Claudine are making their respective showbiz comebacks almost at the same time. Claudine is currently working on the Star Cinema movie “Etiqutte for Mistresses” which also stars Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado and Cheena Crab, while Marjorie is busy taping for a series headlined by Jasmine Curtis-Smith. “Nagkataon [na halos sabay kami]. You know, I’m genuinely happy for Claudine. You see, her spirits are very high and talaga namang what a waste kung hindi siya magbalik sa industriya,” Marjorie said. The feeling, it turns out, is mutual. In fact, Claudine gave Marjorie a gift before she started taping for her first showbiz project in 10 years. “She is very supportive. Niregaluhan pa nga niya ako ng chair na magagamit ko sa taping na puwede ring gawing bed. One time sabi niya, ‘Open the door.’ I was in my room, ‘yung kwarto ko buksan ko daw ‘yung pintuan. Sabi ko why and she said, ‘Basta buksan mo lang.’ Pagbukas ko, nandu’n na ‘yung taping chair ko,” she said. Claudine Barretto (MNS Photo) “Kasi siyempre, ang tagal kong walang work so wala akong gamit pang-taping talaga. Pagbukas ko ng door, nandoon na ‘yung taping chair na gustung-gusto ko. Tapos sabi niya, ‘Para you remember me while you work,’” she added. Things are indeed back to normal between the two sisters after being estranged with each other for years. “We are really okay. Of course, hindi maiiwasan na nagkaroon ng konting ilangan before noong Read More …

Oct 152015
 
From the PHL to U.S., Pinoys remember Jennifer Laude one year after her death

We want to honor your life by remembering. Remembering so many others who continue to suffer from transphobia and hate violence. Remembering too many lives that have been taken by U.S. militarization in the Philippines. Remembering all those who have been harmed and dehumanized by systems of power and have not gotten the calls of justice they deserve. Remembering that our struggles are deeply connected. Remembering that all our people deserve to live with dignity. We want to honor your life by taking action.  – GABRIELA Seattle, Pacific Northwest Bayan Queer Collective 26-year-old Filipina transwoman Jennifer Laude was found dead in a hotel room in Olongapo City, after she was allegedly strangled to death by U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. One year after her death, justice still has not been served for Jennifer Laude in spite of international calls. The 26-year-old Filipina transwoman was found dead in a hotel room in Olongapo City, after she was strangled by U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. On the weekend of October 11, Jennifer Laude’s death anniversary, GABRIELA USA chapters held actions, community forums and vigils to commemorate the life of Jennifer Laude. Pemberton has claimed that Laude’s death was caused by experiencing “trans panic,” fearing he would be raped after discovering she was trans. “Pemberton’s claim reveals the transphobia and violence faced by the trans community, particularly trans women. The violence Jennifer experienced as a trans woman is not an isolated case, and we’re seeing that it is a worsening epidemic” says Pia Read More …

Oct 152015
 
PMA alum Lino Caringal, Jr elected president of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA

Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA Cypress, Calif. – Lino Caringal, Jr., a 1972  graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and now a self-employed businessman from Fullerton, California was elected the 15th president of the 37-year-old Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA at Marriott Hotel this city. The 65-year-old Caringal, former president of The Original Urdanetanians and current president of The Global Urdanetanians was unanimously elected by the 11 members of the board. He will succeed businessman Eddie C. Ferrer of Dagupan City, former president of Fil-Am Association of Orange County. The board members were earlier elected by the general membership who in turn elected the top four officers. The other officers elected include Nieves Coquia, former president of Dagupan City Club of So. California, chairperson of the board; Mellie Soriano, past president of Bayambang Assn.  of Southern California, vice chairperson, and Lina Cabal, current president of Alaminos Pangasinan of Southern California, board secretary. Other members of the board elected  include Esmeralda Ceralde (Dagupan City), Neil Estrada (Calasiao) Eddie C. Ferrer (Dagupan City), Rhenee M. Ferrer (San Carlos City), Bong Soriano (Bayambang), Eliseo Turingan (Sual) and Arsenio Valencerina (Bugallon). There was a bit of suspense before the announcement of the top-tier officers akin to Rome’s selection of the pope in a conclave as the religious hymn and ringing of the bells sound bytes from the sound system punctuated  the result of the election before the curious assembly. Other executive officers and cabinet members will be appointed by the new president in due time. After the top-tier officers were Read More …

Oct 152015
 
Kiko Pangilinan, Drilon file COCs for senator

Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III raises the hands of the administration senate slate for the 2016 national elections during the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid: Ang Pagpapakilala at the Balay Expo Centro Building in EDSA corner McArthur Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City on Monday (October 12). The 12 senatorial bets includes COOP NATCCO party-list Representative Cresente Paez; Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) director and former Akbayan party-list Representative Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel; former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Emmanuel “Joel” Villanueva; former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla; Senator Ralph Recto; Senate President Franklin Drilon; former Senator and former food security czar Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan; former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima; Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns Nariman Ambolodto; Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III; and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) general manger and chief operating officer Mark Lapid. Also in photo are LP Presidential Candidate former DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas II; LP Vice Presidential Candidate Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo; and LP vice chairman and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 14 (Mabuhay) — Former food security czar Francis Pangilinan and Senate President Franklin Drilon Wednesday filed their certificates of candidacy for senator at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila. Pangilinan was accompanied by his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, and their two children, Miel and Miguel. In an interview before he entered the Commission on Elections office in Read More …

Oct 152015
 
Trillanes files COC for vice president

Sen. Antonio Trillanes with members of Magdalo party, shows his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for vice president, at the Palacio del Gobernador in Manila, Tuesday. Trillanes will be running as an independent candidate, but expressed support for Sen. Grace Poe’s presidential bid in the 2016 elections. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday morning filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president. Trillanes was accompanied by his wife Arlene and fellow Magdalo group members, including retired Philippine Marines colonel Ariel Querubin, at the Commission on Elections’ main office in Intramuros, Manila. “Kami po ay muling haharap sa taumbayan para ialok ang aming serbisyo para sa kanila at ipagpapatuloy po namin ang sinimulan namin nu’ng 2003,” Trillanes told reporters after signing the Integrity Pledge. Trillanes also announced that he and the Magdalo group are supporting the presidential run of Sen. Grace Poe. “Ang presidenteng susuportahan ng aming grupo ay si Sen. Grace Poe,” Trillanes said. Trillanes had earlier announced his support for Poe’s bid for the presidency in 2016. Poe had introduced Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as her running mate. Both aspirants have not filed their COCs. Trillanes is the second Nacionalista Party (NP) member to file his COC for vice president, after Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, another NP member who has announced an intention to run for vice president, has yet to file his COC. In his COC, Trillanes said he is running as an independent candidate. He told reporters, however, that Read More …

Oct 152015
 
Former MMDA chief Tolentino, Mark Lapid file COCs for senator

Mark Lapid, along with his wife Tanya and father Senator Lito Lapid, files his certificate of candidacy for senator at the Comelec office in Manila on Wednesday, October 14. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Resigned Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy. Tolentino, who withdrew from being part of the Liberal Party’s (LP) senatorial slate after the “Playgirls” controversy, is running as an independent candidate. Tolentino’s supporters trooped early at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. A former three-term mayor of Tagaytay City, Tolentino was accompanied by Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla and local officials from Cavite. Tolentino said he was also accompanied by several mayors, including Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. The former MMDA chairman said he submitted his COC with his resume, complete with a legislative platform of government. “Mabibilang po natin kung sino ang nagpasa ng COC na may resume at legislative platform of government,” he said. He said he will push for higher Internal Revenue Allotment and reforms for local government units. Tolentino, meanwhile, when asked who will he support for president in the coming elections replied: “Independent ako.” “Makikita n’yo po sa certificate of candidacy ko na independent ako,” he reiterated when pressed by members of the media. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief operating officer Mark Lapid also filed his COC for senator. Lapid, included in the LP’s senatorial slate, was accompanied by his wife, former actress Tanya Garcia and father, Sen. Lito Lapid. As part of Read More …

Oct 152015
 
Filipino is new UN official for internal oversight

Commissioner Heidi S. Mendoza as Undersecretary General of the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). Ms. Mendoza is the first Filipino ever to be appointed as Under-Secretary General in the UN Secretariat. (photo image courtesy of http://www.gov.ph/) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A Filipino has been given the go-signal to lead the United Nations Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) for a five-year non-renewable term. In a statement, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the action by the General Assembly to approve Heidi Mendoza of the Philippines as Undersecretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The Office of Internal Oversight Services is the internal oversight body of the United Nation. Established in 1994 by the General Assembly, the Office assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, inspection and evaluation services. Mendoza has been with the Philippine Commission on Audit since 2011. She is the chairperson of the Audit Committee on Public Sector Auditing Standards Board. She briefly took over as head of the commission after the retirement of chairman Grace Pulido-Tan. The UN press statement described Mendoza as a certified public accountant with over 20 years of service in government specializing in audit, investigation, fraud examination, anti-corruption and integrity advocacy. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon announces to the UN General Assembly his appointment of the Philippines’ Ms. Heidi S. Mendoza, Commissioner of the Philippine Commission of Audit, as Read More …

Oct 142015
 
Honasan ‘sad, but excited’ about VP run in 2016

Senator Gringo Honasan pays his final respect to Senator Flavier. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II on Tuesday said he is sad, but excited about his vice presidential run in 2016. Honasan said he was reluctant to accept his nomination as vice presidential candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance because he was already thinking of retiring after his term as senator ends in 2019. “Well, reluctant talaga ako dahil 2019 magre-retire na ako eh. Lima na ang apo ko, so I was looking forward to that,” he said. He said that unlike the previous years, he consulted with his family before accepting UNA’s nomination. “Ang una kong kailangan harapin at kuminsihin, ang pamilya ko. Masyadong maraming pagkakataon na ginawa ko ang nararapat gawin bilang duty, nang hindi ako nagpapaalam sa kanila. Ngayon hindi ko na maaaring ihiwalay ang pagmamahal ko sa pamilya ko at pagmamahal ko sa bayan,” Honasan said. He said the decision to run for vice president was “agonizing.” “Talagang nagdurugo ang puso ko. So ngayon hindi pa rin ako masaya, pero excited ako dahil mayroon pa ring pagkakataon at puwang na sa huling pagkakataon ay tumayo ako sa pambansang entablado at humarap sa taumbayan,” he added. Honasan, meanwhile, clarified that Binay did not convince him to be his running mate. “Hindi naman si VP ang nagkumbinsi sa akin eh. May selection commitee ang UNA,” he said. He added that as vice president of the party, he has a duty to accept the selection Read More …