Maniolas

Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga (MNS photo) It’s finally happening! The reunion movie of Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga will push through in 2016. This was announced by Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos during the “Chat with the Chairman” event at ABS-CBN on Tuesday, as reported by Star Cinema in its website. Salonga earlier said that she will be very busy in the remaining months of 2015 and won’t be able to do a movie this year. “I have ‘The Voice’ and then I have a Broadway show. As in the day after the grand finals, I leave for New York. Our finals will be on August 29 and August 30, August 31, I’m on a plane out. So no movie this year,” she had said. Salonga will be part of the musical “Allegiance” with Japanese-American actor George Takei, which is scheduled to start previews October 6 at the Longacre Theater in New York prior to its official opening on November 8. Last month, Salonga and Muhlach attended the premiere of the digitally restored version of “Sana Maulit Muli” held at the Cine Adarna at University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. Salonga hinted that the warm reception at the premiere could help railroad the reunion movie that has been in limbo. “Maraming oras na ang nakalipas since we did a movie and then to receive that kind of reception doon sa screening, talagang hindi ako makapaniwala na ganun ang naging pagtanggap ng very, very young audience,” she said. Read More …

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a bold local official who seems to “endorse” violence against criminals. MANILA (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he is definitely not taking part in the presidential race in 2016, saying Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe and Secretary Mar Roxas can take the prize for themselves. “Hindi ko na panahon. Binay, Poe and Mar sa inyo na yan,” he said during a membership meeting of Junior Chambers International Sunday. The tough-talking mayor cited three reasons for not joining the 2016 race: his age, lack of funds and lack of support from his own family. He said he does not want to add his own “inutility” to Malacanang after the administrations of Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Aquino. “Please, not me. Don’t give me the opportunity to add to the hardships of the country. Dadagdagan ko ang six years ni Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino ng 6 years din ng aking ‘inutility.’” When asked if his decision is final, Duterte paused and said he cannot run a country that is divided. He said he will run when all armed groups in the country lay down their arms. “I have had six heart attacks. Pag presidente ako, I have to deal with Bangsamoro and may China pa. Mamatay ako. But if I can get Joma Sison, Nur Misuari, the Bangsamoro to agree, then I will run but they must drop their arms first. It will be an all inclusive government,” he said. The mayor also Read More …

Newly appointed Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista (left) and commissioner Rowena Guanzon face the media at the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday. Bautista was the chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) prior to his new assignment. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections is planning to revamp the assignments of its field officials before the year-end as part of its preparations for the May 2016 national elections. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the possible reshuffle of personnel will involve Regional Election Directors (REDs), Provincial Election Supervisors (PES), and city/municipal Election Officers (EOs). “Part yan ng ating standard na preparation. Nagkakaroon tayo ng evaluation kung kailangan ng reshuffle,” Jimenez said. Jimenez said the reassignments are being planned to avoid any unwanted association between Comelec officials and employees and candidates in the next year’s elections. According to the Comelec Employees Union, are an estimated 16 REDs, 80 PES, and over 1,500 EOs nationwide. “We usually do that to avoid situations kung saan local Comelec officials are already very cozy with local personalities,” Jimenez said. Jimenez said the extent of the revamp would depend on the assessment of the Comelec en banc. “Depende sa need. There were times na hanggang REDs pa e. Definitely, ito ay hanggang level ng EOs,” Jimenez said. (MNS)

Multi-tasking beauty: Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ is a multi-tasking formula that immediately treats the visible signs of aging, blurs imperfections, and protects skin against UV damage. Available at Rustan’s. RISSA, I’ve been reading about blur creams in magazines. I want to try one, but I can’t seem to find one with built-in SPF. Maybe you’ve come across one? TRISH That’s my frustration, too. Blur creams work wonders, but most brands on the market don’t contain SPF. That’s why I was so excited when dermatologist-created brand Murad launched its Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++. I’ve tried it and I love how this multi-tasking product saves time. This three-in-one translucent wonder treats skin while blurring out imperfections and protecting skin against UV damage.  It boasts invisible sunscreen, so you never need to worry about an unflattering white sheen on your complexion, which most sunblocks give off. So with one swipe, you can treat, blur, and protect  your complexion.   I’ve been using it recently and it feels silky upon application, yet dries into a soft matte finish. What excites me most is that it has broad-spectrum sunscreen, so it allows you to skip that extra layer of sunblock in your beauty routine. Since this product also acts as a blur cream, it visibly improves skin texture upon application and refines pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. But since the product is translucent, it does not provide coverage and hide blemishes. I like wearing this on its own, but it can be worn under makeup for extra coverage. Read More …

“Magical Reflections,” with pear-cut diamonds, is inspired by the water chains of Villa Lante, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture just a few kilometers from Rome. PARIS — Bulgari was in full bloom when it launched its latest collection, “Italian Gardens,” at their Paris boutique. There were 100 unique pieces inspired by the art of the garden — the geometric hedges and blooming flowers of the Italian Renaissance. Bulgari’s designers were inspired by nature, transforming precious stones and metals into works of art like the “Blue Iridescence” necklace — a showstopper featuring 184.48 carats of enormous blue sapphires that took Bulgari three years to collect from different parts of the world. This extraordinary set of gems is ringed with 81.13 carats of pink spinels and clusters of diamonds totaling 24.75 carats. Bulgari’s major executives were present for the launch, like lovely Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s jewelry creative director, who has been with the company for 35 years. In the early days, she was the only person besides Bulgari brothers Nicola and Paolo to make major gem purchases for the company. She was very young when she joined the company and was advised “to select and acquire gems only if you could see a possible use for them.” Her combined talent for spotting high-quality gems and envisioning the finished product in her mind is irreplaceable. Today she heads a team of specialized buyers, replicating what she used to do alone. She attributes her success to her passion for the job and believes that Read More …