Maniolas

Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna have already visited London, Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, to name a few.

Jimmy Abad is conferred the Gawad Dangal ng Lahi by Carl Anthony Palanca and Sylvia Palanca-Quirino. It’s that time of year when our writer-friends reap awards, for individual works or lifetime achievement. Allow me to indulge in furthering literary bonding by congratulating some of them in this space, and turning over much of it to excerpts from a couple of speeches relating to literary milestones. First off, “kongratz y cudoz” as I usually say to all the winners of the 2015 Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas handed out by UMPIL or Writers Union of the Philippines to cap its Writers’ Congress on Aug. 29 — most especially to certain friends. These are Susan S. Lara for Fiction in English, Danton Remoto for Poetry in English, Vim Nadera for Tula sa Filipino, Yen Makabenta for Essay in English, and Rody Vera for Dula sa Filipino, as well as Erlinda Kintanar-Alburo for the Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez. Here’s sharing lifelong friend Susan’s memorable remarks of gratitude:   “Thank you, UMPIL, for this honor. I deeply appreciate receiving this award, and I humbly accept it. We always say that writing is its own reward, and awards are welcome bonuses. They give affirmations, assurances — to us, but especially to our families — assurances that we chose wisely when we took this road, the one less traveled by. Palace poet Peachy Paderna plucked 1st prize for Poetry. Here shown with (from left) Carl Anthony Palanca, Criselda “Dang” Cecilio-Palanca, Budget Sec. Butch Abad, and the Poetry Read More …

Promosyon sa Harvest Moon Table Games May Grand Price Drawing na 2015 Mini Cooper Sa pagdiriwang ng Harvest Moon Festival, isinusulong ng Pechanga ang nakasisindak na September Table Games Promotions na magbibigay ningning sa inyong ngiti gaya ng crescent moon. Lumahok sa amin mula September 1 hanggang 25, upang makakuha ng “Dragon Bet” o anumang “Natural Tie” na diga sa Baccarat, isang “Flush” na diga sa Pai Gow, anumang “Blackjack “ na diga, isang “Straight” na diga at 3-Card Poker, isang “Straight” na diga sa Let It Ride, isang “Straight” na diga sa Ultumate Texas Hold’em, o “Flush” na diga sa Asia Poker, kung saan magkakamit kayo ng drawing entry ticket. Mas maraming laro, mas maraming panalo. Ang grand finale drawings ay gaganapin sa September 18 at September 25. Kada isang bunutan, sampung winners ang pipiliin sa ganap na alas-8 ng gabi na mananalo ng $250 sa EasyPlay, sampung iba pang winners ang pipiliin alas -9 ng gabi upang manalo ng $500 sa EasyPlay, at isang swerteng winner ang mag-uuwi ng 2015 Mini Cooper! Tahakin ang Pechanga’s Moonlit Path para sa Lucky Lanterns “Swipe & Win” at lumahok sa $100K Grand Drawing Maliban sa Harvest Moon Table Games Promotion, isa pang promosyon ng Pechanga ang bagong Lucky Lantern “Swipe & Win “ ngayong September. Tuwing Martes mula September 1 hanggang 26, ang Pechanga Club members  ay maaring mag kaskas ang Club Card sa Kiosks katapat ng box office mula 1pm hanggang 9pm sa pagkakataong manalo hanggang $1,000 sa EasyPlay, isang Regalo o Read More …

WASHINGTON, DC — In a meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. on  01 September, Dr. Susan K. Brems—the incoming Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia—reaffirmed the strong development partnership between the Philippine Government  and USAID. Dr. Brems is a career member of the Senior US Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, who brings to Manila twenty-three (23) years of experience as a development diplomat for USAID. She previously served as Mission Director in Zambia (2011-2015), Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Global Health (2009-2011), and Mission Director for Angola (2007-2009). During the meeting, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. expressed appreciation for the technical and financial support that the United States, through the USAID, provides to the Philippines. He also briefed Dr. Brems on the recent economic developments, including the good governance efforts under the Aquino administration, particularly with respect to transparency and public accountability. “It was a great opportunity to discuss with Dr. Brems our government’s commitment to improving the lives of average Filipinos, as well as the social development objectives under the President’s leadership. We also exchanged views on the conditional cash transfer program of the government,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Ambassador Cuisia also encouraged USAID’s continued support in the following areas: judicial reforms, rule of law, innovation and technology, economic development, educational cooperation, and public health. Dr. Brems expressed her commitment to continuing the strong program and cooperation activities of USAID in the Philippines.

President Aquino raises the hand of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas to the shower of confetti after Aquino endorsed Roxas for the presidential race at the Club Filipino in Greenhills on Friday. Aquino cited Roxas’ record and pointed to him as the best bet to continue the “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has topped a Liberal Party (LP)-commissioned survey on the voter’s preference for president in 2016. Speaking to reporters, LP stalwart and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice disclosed that the LP did a one-to-one survey between Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay. Erice said the survey was conducted only between Roxas and Binay because they were, so far, the only candidates who have declared their presidential ambitions. He said Roxas got 53 percent while Binay had 37 percent. Ten percent remained undecided. The survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents nationwide right after Aquino endorsed Roxas. He said the question was, “If the elections were held today, who will you vote for President?” Erice, however, did not disclose the polling firm the LP commissioned, adding that it was commissioned “to come up with a campaign strategy.” He said that ratings of Roxas surely went up after Aquino anointed him to be his successor. “Lumalabas ngayon na mayroong significant influence yung endorsement ni Pangulong Aquino (It shows that President Aquino’s endorsement has a significant influence [on Roxas’ ratings]),” he said. Asked whether they have already decided on Roxas’ tandem, he said they are Read More …