Darren Espanto’s fame entails separation from his dad and sister in Canada, which goads him to make it all worth the family sacrifice.
May 132015
May 132015
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) — Instead of wishing for the possible withdrawal of Vice President Jejomar Binay from the 2016 race, Senator Nancy Binay said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other would-be candidates should just show what they can do for the country. “Nakalulungkot kasi imbes na ipagdasal niya ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan para mapabuti ‘yung buhay nila, I think pinagdadasal niya na ‘Lord, please, huwag nang tumakbo si Vice para may pag-asa ako’,” Binay told reporters Monday afternoon. Earlier, Trillanes said he believes the Vice President might withdraw from the 2016 race because of allegations of corruption and the latter’s declining survey ratings. “Naniniwala ako na di na tatakbo si Vice President Binay. Aatras na siya ngayong nararamdaman niyang gumuguho na ang mundo niya,” said Trillanes, one of VP Binay’s vocal critics. But Sen. Binay said there could be other people behind Trillanes who are wishing that they would win by default. Trillanes earlier expressed readiness to run for a higher post in 2016. “Kailangan by default para manalo sila? Bakit, ‘di ba? Magpakitaan kayo kung ano ang nagawa ninyo at kaya ninyong gawin. Hindi ‘yung mananalo ka kasi ‘yung kalaban mo e kung baka e tinechnical mo at Read More …
May 132015
Diana Zubiri (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Diana Zubiri and model-host boyfriend Andy Smith tied the knot last Sunday. Based on photos posted on social media, the wedding was held at the Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City. Andy proposed to Diana in Japan in February. They also took pre-nuptial photos while there. Few hours before their wedding, Andy shared his excitement on Instagram, relating, “Our big day has finally arrived @dianazubiri_ I will be marrying the love of my life and nothing excites me more to know u are my forever.” Among celebrities who attended the ceremony were Ogie Alcasid, Iza Calzado, Karylle, Camille Prats, Francine Prieto, Aubrey Miles, Troy Montero, Roxanne Barcelo, Paolo Ballesteros and Eric Tai. “Congratulations Joi @dianazubiri_ you are a great person and a wonderful friend. You deserve someone who will take care of you and King. It’s an honor to share in such a beautiful and important day. Best wishes for a future filled with happiness and love,” Francine posted. Already her second marriage, Diana first tied the knot in 2008. She lost her husband to cirrhosis of the liver in 2010. They have a son. Her last teleserye was ABS-CBN’s “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” in 2013. (MNS)
May 132015
Senator Grace Poe (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A political analyst believes Sen. Grace Poe has a good chance of beating Vice-President Jejomar Binay in the 2016 elections if she decides to run for president. Political analyst Ramon Casiple said Poe is already a sure win for the vice-presidency. “She is the candidate to beat, more than one third want her,” he said. But he also believes the senator has a good chance of beating Binay, who has long declared his intention to run for president, if she decides to run for the country’s top post. ”Pagdating sa presidente, ang interesting dito, medyo nagsimula siya sa malayo pero recently mabilis ang taas, halos 100% ang taas niya. At ngayon nasa posisyon na siya to contend even sa frontrunner na si VP Binay,” Casiple said. ”Kung itutuloy ang momentum na iyan, ako hindi nagdududa let’s say in six months pagdating ng filing ng candidacy, malamang baka lumampas pa siya.” Poe on Monday confirmed that President Aquino met with her shortly before his recent trip to the US and Canada to discuss the 2016 elections, but she said the president did not ask her to run for any particular position. At the meeting, Poe said the President only told her that the Liberal Party (LP) needs an alternative to the opposition candidate. Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance has openly declared his intention to run for president in 2016. “Ang pinag-usapan namin ng ating pangulo ay ang kanyang layunin Read More …
May 122015
Janine Gutierrez ready to take on her role as the fashion industry’s newest It Girl.
May 122015
Sam Pinto enjoys the adrenaline rush of high-speed racing
May 112015
(OTTAWA, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III looks at the red maple tree planted by his mother, former President Corazon C. Aquino at the Main Drive of the Rideau Hall for the Ceremonial Tree Planting during his State Visit to Canada. Also in photo are Their Excellencies The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The process is underway to fill up the posts at the Commission on Human Rights after chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales and four commissioners ended their terms this week, Malacañang said Saturday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said there is a short list of potential replacements for the commissioners but declined to name names at this time. “Sa alam ko may short list but I’m not at liberty to talk about it,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. “The process is underway,” she added. Last May 5, Rosales ended her term as CHR chairperson. Also vacating their posts were commissioners Cecilia Rachel Quisumbing, Ma. Victoria Cardona, Norberto de la Cruz and Jose Manuel Mamauag. President Benigno Aquino III had named Rosales to the CHR shortly after his election in 2010. Rosales was associated with Akbayan party list, which at the time had allied itself with the ruling Liberal Party. Meanwhile, Valte said there is still no one appointed to replace Presidential Commission on Good Government chairman Andres Bautista, who has been appointed head of the Commission on Elections. “Wala pa rin po. Wala pa rin po. Read More …
May 112015
U.S. soldiers try to start a fire with bamboo sticks during a jungle training exercise in Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 17, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Samantha Van Winkle Manila, Philippines (AFP) Sunday 5/10/2015 – The Philippines’ navy chief said Sunday it would hold a joint exercise with Japan in the South China Sea, but emphasised the collaboration was unrelated to China’s land reclamation efforts in the disputed waters. Two warships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will take part in the exercise with a single Philippine ship after making a port call in the Philippines this month, said Vice Admiral Jesus Millan. “This is a port call, a regular port call of the Japanese navy and while they are here, it would be good if we can practice this code of unplanned encounters at sea,” he said. The exercise will take place just outside the former US naval base of Subic, off the archipelago’s west coast, he added. The Japanese vessels would be leaving Subic while a Philippine ship was heading there under the training scenario, he said. Millan said Japanese and Philippine sailors would have an opportunity to “compare notes” during the exercise, but stressed it had nothing to do with the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China over conflicting claims to large parts of the sea. The Philippines has been seeking closer ties with regional allies amid what it sees as Chinese aggression in pressing its territorial claims. The regional giant claims most of the resource-rich Read More …
May 112015
By Mynardo Macaraig Weather forecasters monitor the progress of typhoon Ruby inside the PAGASA head office in Quezon City on Sunday. Ruby is slowly making its way through central Philippines in a west-northwest direction at 15 kilometers per hour, and is expected to pass near Metro Manila on Monday. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 5/10/2015 – 12:54 GMT – Typhoon Noul slammed into the northern tip of the Philippines Sunday, triggering warnings of possible flash floods, landslides and storm surges and prompting almost 3,000 people to flee their homes. The storm hit Cagayan province late Sunday afternoon and was expected to move north towards Japan, the government weather station said. The civil defense office said there were no immediate reports of storm-related deaths but the typhoon knocked out power in much of the province, making it difficult to get data. Meteorologists said Noul’s movement slowed slightly before reaching the Philippines, but it also strengthened to pack gusts of 220 kilometers (137 miles) per hour. In Taiwan, authorities warned sailors of strong winds and high waves and evacuated almost 1,000 tourists from an island off the southeast coast. “This is a very dangerous storm. It is the strongest so far this year,” said Rene Paciente, head of the Philippines’ marine weather division. More than 1,680 people in Cagayan were evacuated from coastal villages before the storm hit and the exercise was continuing, said Norma Talosig, regional civil defense chief. “They have to evacuate to higher ground, not in their Read More …
May 112015
Makati City Hall department heads and employees read a letter of support for Mayor Junjun Binay after the acting mayor, Romulo Peña, issued an assumption of office order to all employees on Friday. Peña assumed office after the Court of Appeals’ TRO on Binay’s suspension. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday insisted that the recommendation to indict him, his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, and other local officials in connection with the alleged overpricing of the construction of a parking building in 2007 has no basis. An earlier report said the Office of the Ombudsman’s special panel found probable cause to indict the Vice President and other co-accused in the graft complaints stemming from the alleged overpriced Makati building. In a statement on Saturday, lawyer Rico Quicho, vice presidential spokesperson for political concerns, said VP Binay remains firm that the complaints filed against the VP, his son, and other Makati City Hall officials “have no basis in fact and in law.” “There is absolutely no evidence to show any criminal liability on the part of the Vice President and the other respondents,” he added. Quicho said there may be an “unscrupulous group” behind the allegations to “condition the minds of the public that the Vice President is guilty of a wrongdoing by mere perception without the benefit of a fair and impartial appreciation of the parties’ respective position.” A special panel of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman reportedly found probable Read More …