Maniolas

Manny Pacquiao does his daily routine of exercises at Griffith Park in Los Angeles as the Filipino pugilist is in deep in training for the “fight of his life” against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Benny Uy Manila, Philippines, APF – Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who faces his biggest fight against unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather, already holds top spot as the number one taxpayer in the Philippines, government records showed Saturday. A list of top individual tax-payers for 2013, posted on the Bureau of Internal Revenue website, put the boxer-turned-congressman at number one with 163.84 million pesos ($3.72 million) in taxes paid. This was about 64 percent higher than the second-highest taxpayer. Internal revenue chief Kim Henares confirmed that Pacquiao topped the list but stressed that he still had a case pending over alleged non-payment of taxes earlier. Although hailed as a national hero for his boxing feats, Pacquiao has run afoul of tax officials before and is embroiled in a dispute with the revenue bureau saying he owed at least 2.2 billion pesos in unpaid taxes for 2008 and 2009. “It (the case) is still ongoing. No, he has not settled. Being a top tax-payer… does not mean he paid the correct taxes. The two (issues) are not synonymous,” Henares said in a statement to AFP. The boxer has previously insisted he paid the 2008 and 2009 taxes in the United States, so did not need to do Read More …

Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto (MNS photo) Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago have agreed not to bad-mouth each other in media interviews. Barretto said she and Santiago are trying their best to be better parents despite their failed marriage. “I actually talked to Raymart. Napag-usapan namin na sana let’s not talk about each other anymore. Let’s not accept questions regarding each other kung hindi maganda ‘yung sasabihin natin. We are trying to be good parents for the kids. We failed as husband and wife, we are trying to not fail as parents now,” she said. Earlier this month, the estranged couple made headlines when Barretto posted on Instagram pictures of their family as she and Santiago accompanied their children at a fun run organized by their school. “My daughter, she had ‘yung fun run. As family, we attended. We are very civil. We are talking,” she said. As proof of their “civil” relationship, Barretto revealed that their family actually had dinner some weeks after the fun run. Barretto earlier accused Santiago of “physical, sexual, psychological and economic” abuse, supposedly dating back to 2002. These are detailed in her complaint against the actor for his alleged violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. Santiago, for his part, alleged that he was also a victim of domestic violence. In his complaint, the actor accused his wife of being mentally ill and having a history of drug abuse – claims backed by the actress’ estranged siblings Gretchen, Marjorie, Read More …

Clue: The soon-to-be Belo Men endorser recently had a movie.    

Enter summer: Rustan’s holds “Summering with Rustan’s” at the Glorietta Park in Ayala Center. Photos by Walter Bollozos It was a risky thing, to go with the conversion — the “verbification” of the word “summer.” But as fashion is a world known more for compounding words (manbun, mandals, flatforms, maxi-dress — all in attendance at the show) than blind veneration for the rules of syntax, guests at “Summering with Rustan’s” happily embraced the vocab addition.  Recently held at the Glorietta Park in Ayala Center Makati, Summering with Rustan’s was a high-energy presentation of trends for the season reminiscent of an old-school fair. Booths offering games surrounded the venue. Candied apples, cotton candy, and giant lollipops circulated in abundance. The lastest in summer fashion was presented, and there was a slide onstage: does it get more summer than that? Patis Tesoro showcased roadtrip fashion of the boho-luxe kind. Alternative Apparel, Mink Punk, Nike and Armani Jeans took care of skate-and-surf wear. Sinequanon, Adolfo Dominguez and Elie Tahari presented comfortable and casual summer style. Lily Pulitzer and Jill and Luna by Jojie Lloren were go-to brands for vibrant prints. Pedro del Hierro, Faconnable and Thomas Pink showed preppy cruisewear. Hackett, Oleg Cassini and Ascot Chang presented fashion for hot date nights. Natori, Just Cavalli, Seafolly, Despi, Maaji and Azura took us from loungewear to swimwear. Longchamp, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Rebecca Minkoff, Rafe, Sergio Rossi, Christian Louboutin, Rene Caovilla, Ivanka Trump, Jelly Bunny, and metallic tattoos from Kitsch covered the assortment of bags, Read More …

Councilmember Elito M. Santarina with family is sworn-in by Hon. Isadore Hall, lll, California State Senator, 35th District at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-Mcdonald community Center, Carson City, California last March 24. Santarina, a Filipino-American, has been serving the City of Carson for several years. PHOTO: Joe Cobilla Carson, CA – Filipino American Elito Santarina who was re-elected to the City Council of Carson March 3, was sworn into office by California State Senator Isadore Hall, 35th District last March 24 at the Carson Community Center. After Hall administered the oath of office, Santarina astressed the importance of “getting along with each other” in his acceptance speech. He quoted Dr. Martin Luther King who said , “our loyalties must transcend our race and our class.” Santarina who has spearheaded the Safety First, Act Now (SFAN) program and the literacy partnership program urged the residents to work together. Hall also sworn in Councilmember Lula Davis Holmes.Former Carson Mayor Jim Dear who was elected as City Clerk was sworn in by LAUSD board member Dr. George J. Makenna. Dear administered the oath of office of the new treasurer Monica Cooper. The selection of City’s Mayor Protempore was postponed to the next Council Meeting on April 7 because of lack of quorum. Councilmember Albert Robles was not present at the special meeting. Meanwhile, Carson will hold another election on June 2 for the seat vacated by former Councilman Mike Gipson who was elected as Assemblyman.