Maniolas

By Ed Rame “The increasing interconnectivity of nations in today’s global economy underscores the need for robust partnerships between communities around the world.  Organizations like Sister Cities Internationalfoster such relationships, increasing mutual knowledge and understanding between cities and cultures.  These collaborations promote collaboration and trust among citizens and nations, create opportunities for technological and economic innovation and development, and lay the foundations for continued peace and prosperity.  I am proud to serve as your Honorary Chair.” – President Barack Obama http://www.sistercitiesofla.com/ The concept of the Sister Cities of Los Angeles is truly timeless.  Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy.  Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world.  By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts. In our times right now, there are enormous conflicts from all sectors of our existence.  Greater understanding among nations and The Sister Cities is a micro approach to reach out deeper to the different communities of the world.  There are a lot of miscommunication, intolerance, misunderstandings, religious differences and entire gamut of indifferences which are recipes for multi pronged disasters that would put the world at the edge of a deadly war outbreak. Makati our foremost city and  is in a great position to reach out to more of the world to share our culture Read More …

Janine says the best accessory that goes with any outfit is a smile.  

United States Army Sargeant First Class (SFC) Melanie Domaoan Williams She’s not your typical dalagang Pilipina – commonly used to describe women who are meek,  shy and delicate. In fact, United States Army Sargeant First Class (SFC) Melanie Domaoan Williams was strong, brave and opinionated enough to decide for herself that she wanted to be a soldier. She was recruited at a mall in Daly City, California, by a fellow Filipino recruiter. The young Pinay signed up for four years. But like most Filipino parents who are protective of their children and have some misconceptions about the Army in general,  SFC Williams’ mom was apprehensive. “My mom didn’t want me to join. I guess because I’m a female and she didn’t think I’d be able to complete the training. It took a lot of convincing,” SFC Williams said of her mother Nadia’s hesitation to give her blessing to join the U.S. Army. “She was scared because she thought I was going to go to war. I think that’s the main misconception. When we go to combat environment, we are there to do our job. I’m a human resources specialist, so even in a combat , when I’m deployed, I’m doing my HR job. We’re not all gonna fight the enemy. We’re there to support the guys who are actually fighting,” SFC Williams explained. While stationed at Fort Drum, SFC Williams deployed to Iraq for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In August 2008, SFC Williams was reassigned to Read More …

(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the exchanges during the Opening Session of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum at the Nusantara Hall II of the Bali International Convention Center on Friday (October 10). The gathering is an annual, intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III may have a chance to discuss with Indonesian leader Jokowi Widodo the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the overseas Filipino worker facing execution for a drug-related case in Indonesia, Malacañang hinted Saturday. Aquino and Widodo are expected to attend a Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Malaysia starting Sunday. “Pangkaraniwan po na sa ganitong mga pagpupulong, sa mga ASEAN Summit, ay may pagkakataon ang heads of state and heads of government na magkausap po sila sa sidelines, sa pagitan ng mga plenary sessions po nila at iba’t ibang pagpupulong,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said on government-run dzRB radio. “At siyempre po kung mayroong pagkakataon na makausap ni Pangulong Aquino si President Widodo, isa po ‘yan sa mga prayoridad na concerns ng ating Pangulo,” he added. At the time, Coloma was fielding questions related to Veloso’s case. He was asked if Aquino may have a chance to talk to Widodo. In the meantime, Coloma said the government will continue to keep tabs on Veloso’s case via the Department of Foreign Affairs. “Ayon po sa kanilang spokesperson, si Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, ay nakatanggap na ng Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and the facilities of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo during the inauguration ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said it has no information on the reported resignation of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said this when asked on government radio. “Wala po tayong impormasyon hinggil diyan,” he said. A report on The Standard newspaper cited sources indicating Caguioa reportedly informed President Benigno Aquino III of his decision. It said Caguioa “wants to focus on his private law firm.” Caguioa, who replaced Eduardo de Mesa in January 2013, was a classmate of the President at the Ateneo de Manila University.(MNS)