Maniolas

Members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigating the alleged overpricing of a 12-story building for the University of Makati’s nursing school watch a presentation on Monday. The building’s construction cost of P1.140 billion is alleged to be overpriced to benefit then mayor Jejomar Binay back in 2007. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Monday put its game face on after consistent attacks from Vice President Jejomar Binay’s camp the past few days. “We say to his camp in dishing out lies against the President: Bring it on,” presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said in a statement. Lacierda was reacting to accusations from Binay’s camp that the Aquino government is guilty of bad governance and of harassing officials associated with the Vice President. The Palace official used Binay’s own words to show the Vice President’s supposed change of stance regarding the administration’s performance. Lacierda pointed out that during the World Economic Forum last year, Binay cited “the positive impact of the reforms initiated by President Aquino.” “So, who continues to tell lies? The Vice President then or the Vice President now?” the Palace official said. He added that Binay “continues to attack the President because he refuses to answer convincingly all allegations of corruption and ill gotten wealth against him.” “We have yet to hear a response other than ‘pulitika lang yan’,” Lacierda said. Vice President Binay, his son Mayor Junjun Binay and other Makati officials have at least two pending plunder and graft complaints before the Office of Read More …

Judy Ann discovers that writing is like giving birth to a child.

Whenever Jessica Soho receives an award, she asks herself, “Deserve ko ba ito?” And that’s the reason why she remains humble despite her numerous achievements.

Vice Ganda (MNS Photo) Vice Ganda recalled how he tried to commit suicide when he was 19 years old due to depression. The comedian shared what he went through during his adolescence and how it made him realize that God has better plans for each person. “Meron lang akong gustong i-share. Mabilisan lang. Kagabi kasi nung nakahiga ako, sabi ko ang taray kasi apat na taon sunud-sunod, ako ‘yung binigbigyan ng phenomenal box office award. I am just so blessed. Bigla akong nagka-flashback,” he said. The Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation named Vice Ganda as the Phenomenal Box Office Star for the fourth year in a row. “Doon sa ilang nakakaalam sa storya ng buhay ko, yung mga nakanood ng ‘MMK’ ko dati, na-realize ko lang, kasi nung 19 years old ako, nag-attempt ako mag-suicide sa sobrang depression. Uminom ako ng kung anu-anong gamot. Muntik akong mamatay. Nagising na lang ako nasa ospital na ako. ‘Yun naman ang intention ko, ang magpakamatay dati,” he said. “I am just so blessed na hinarang ng Diyos ‘yung pangit kong trip noong panahon na iyon dahil kung hindi, hindi ko na-experience lahat ng napakagagandang bagay sa mundo na nararanasan ko ngayon,” he added. Vice Ganda is hoping his story would inspire the youths who are also suffering from depression. “Sa lahat ng mga batang may pinagdadaanan katulad ng mga pinagdaanan ko noon, kung ano man ang pangit na binabalak niyo, huwag niyong ituloy dahil may magandang plano ang Diyos. Hang on, hawak lang, Read More …

California’s new law will require all children to be immunized before entering kindergarten,©Dmitry Naumov/shutterstock.com (Los Angeles–AFP) – California’s governor on Tuesday signed a bill toughening vaccination requirements for children, following a measles outbreak and outcry across the country. The new law will require all children to be immunized before entering kindergarten, with exceptions allowed only if a doctor advises against immunization, said Jerry Brown. “The science is clear, that vaccines dramatically protect children against a number of infectious and dangerous diseases,” he said, adding: “While it’s true that no medical intervention is without risk, the evidence shows that immunization powerfully benefits and protects the community.” The bill, approved by state lawmakers earlier in June, exempts a child if a doctor says there are “circumstances, including but not limited to, family medical history, for which the physician does not recommend immunization.” The measure garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats after a measles outbreak in December in the Disneyland theme park affected some 130 people. In total during the outbreak, 159 cases of measles were recorded between January and April in 18 states and the US capital. The viral disease was believed to have disappeared years ago in the US thanks to vaccination programs. But when some parents stopped vaccinating their children due to a range of beliefs, measles made a comeback. The disease is highly contagious. It causes fever and rash and can lead to brain damage, loss of hearing or sight and sometimes death. Infants, the elderly and those Read More …