Maniolas

Environmentalists stage a protest at the foot of Mendiola bridge in Manila on Monday, May 4, as a send-off to President Aquino on his visit to Canada later this week. The group called on Aquino to demand that the Canadian government take back their illegal waste which has been languishing in the port of Manila. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– President Benigno Aquino III vowed closer ties, especially in terms of trade and investment, between the Philippines and Canada as he left for North America on Wednesday. In his departure speech, Aquino said among his chief missions in his working visit in the US and state visit in Canada is to lure more Canadian investors and tourists to the Philippines. ”Ang US nga po ang pangatlong major trading partner ng Pilipinas, at layon nating paigtingin pa ang pangangalakal na ito. Ngayong lumalago ang mga ekonomiya ng ating dalawang bansa, ihahayag natin ang kahandaang sulitin ang bawat pagkakataon kasama nila, at higit pang ipapakita na talagang more open for business na ang Pilipinas,” Aquino said. ”At gaya po sa Estados Unidos, susulitin natin ang pagkakataong ipakita sa mga kilalang negosyante ng Canada, at sa mga Pilipinong makakaharap natin sa Toronto at Vancouver na talagang it’s more fun na ngayon sa ating bansa.” Canada is the Philippines’ seventh top source market for tourism and 21st largest trading partner. The North American country has also designated Philippines as a ”country of focus” for assistance and ”priority emerging market” for overseas trade and investment. Read More …

Instead of going abroad this summer, Rodjun Cruz says, “Actually parang ang sarap ikutin ng buong Pilipinas…”

Add more excitement to your vacation by trying these recipes from Hunt’s!

Jake Cuenca (MNS Photo) Although he is already 27 and old enough to get married, Jake Cuenca said he is not in a rush to settle down and start his own family. Cuenca said he just wants to go with the flow and see what’s in store for him. “Bahala na si Batman. Kung naramdaman mo, gawin mo. Sa akin sa ngayon, ayaw kong madaliin kasi nakakasira lang sa relasyon kapag minamadali. Wala naman akong problema mag-settle down. Kapag naramdaman ko, gagawin ko. If hindi, hindi,” he said. The actor said what’s important is that he is happy in his professional and personal life. Cuenca is currently in a relationship with model Sarah Grace Kelley. “Super saya. ‘Yun na lang muna [ang maibabahagi ko]. Ayaw ko naman maudlot yung nangyayari sa akin sa buhay ko ngayon,” he said. Prior to his relationship with Kelley, Cuenca was going out with Filipino-Australian model Chanel Olive Thomas. Meanwhile, the actor said he is looking forward to show his supporters what he has been working on these past few weeks. “Meron akong ‘Pasion de Amor.’ Malapit na malapit na ‘yun. Sana abangan niyo. Tine-taping na namin siya ngayon with Joseph Marco and Ejay Falcon,” he said. (MNS)

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman speaks with AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang during the 4th public hearing on the Mamasapano incident. Beside Catapang is Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Western Mindanao Command. (MNS photo) MANILA, May 4 (Mabuhay) — The military is verifying reports that wanted bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman died during a gun fight within his group, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said Monday. Speaking to reporters, Catapang confirmed Usman’s death but said the military is still gathering and verifying pieces of information about the wanted terrorist’s demise. Catapang said he received reports that Usman died after his own men started fighting each other on Sunday. “There was in-fighting among his bodyguards. Because we were able to kill his most of his trusted bodyguards – when he was killed, he had 7 bodyguards – but these bodyguards were not the most loyal to him,” he said. He said the military is still verifying whether Usman, who carries a $1 million bounty on his head, was killed when the infighting broke out or after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters engaged Usman’s men in a firefight. “Nagpunta din ang MILF doon to verify. We are still finding out kung patay na si Usman nung dumating ang MILF o there was a firefight.” Earlier reports said Usman and five of his men died in an exchange of fire in Barangay Muti, Guindulungan, Maguindanao on Sunday. Police and military reports had said Read More …