Maniolas

Matet de Leon, as Tita Gracia on GMA 7’s InstaDad: I’m fine with any role given to me MANILA, Philippines – Add Matet de Leon to the long list of actors who can swing back and forth between different TV networks for acting projects without a hitch. Count her in, too, among the few who have no qualms about slipping into the shoes of any character being offered to them.  “I’m everybody’s bestfriend,” says Matet on the kind of role she often plays onscreen. “As long as I’m not required to go bold (laughs); yung mga tipong pang FHM  ‘di ko kaya ‘yan but other than that I’m fine with any role. I’ve never been choosy (with roles) ever since I started in showbiz.” Matet is only thankful that GMA 7 still sees her fit to be part of its latest drama series InstaDad with Gabby Eigenmann in the title role. You see, Matet is five months heavy with her and husband Mickey Estrada’s third child yet no one seems to play the Tita Gracia role best but her. The role, Matet says, was offered to her when InstaDad was still in its initial planning stage and “I wasn’t yet pregnant that time.” Months after, Matet got a call telling her inclusion in the final casting and that tapings would start soon. “I asked them if they still want me because I’m already pregnant so they had a meeting, and, thankfully, I still got the part. So regalo ng Diyos Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 110th Commencement Exercises of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sundalong Isinilang na may Angking Galing at Lakas, Handang Ipaglaban ang Bayan (Sinaglahi) Class of 2015 at the Fajardo Grandstand, Borromeo Field, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday (March 15, 2015). The PMA boast of a long and illustrious history of preparing only the best Filipino men and women for military service. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Monday defended leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from allegations that they are not Filipino citizens. In a note sent to reporters, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. echoed MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal’s statement that these accusations were “baseless.” Coloma pointed out that Iqbal and MILF chairman Al Haj Ebrahim Murad’s citizenships have remained unquestioned for almost two decades. “For the past 17 years, or dating back to the Ramos administration, Messrs. Murad and Iqbal have engaged the Philippine government in peace negotiations,” he said. “Throughout this period, their citizenship has never been questioned.” “In fact, both houses of Congress have recognized their legitimate roles in the peace process by inviting them to appear in congressional hearings,” he added. Last week, former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan claimed that Murad and Iqbal own Malaysian passports, based on information he received through a Facebook private message. Alunan also accused Malaysian government, which facilitated peace talks between the MILF and the Philippine government, of orchestrating everything that is happening with the peace Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Oscar Lopez; PMA Commandant of Cadets BGen. Rozzano Briguez; and PMA Academic Group head Col. Joseph Villanueva, presents the Presidential Saber Award and diploma to Cadet First Class Arwi Martinez for topping the Sundalong Isinilang na may Angking Galing at Lakas, Handang Ipaglaban ang Bayan (Sinaglahi) Class of 2015 during the 110th Commencement Exercises of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at the Fajardo Grandstand, Borromeo Field, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday (March 15, 2015). The PMA boast of a long and illustrious history of preparing only the best Filipino men and women for military service. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Instead  of pointing blame to others, sacked Special Action Force (SAF) head Director  Getulio Napeñas should  be man enough to accept his fault on the  Mamasapano operation, Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV  said on Monday. “For us, this is clear, being  a former military officer, when  you’re given a mission, and  you fail,  then you’re accountable for it. You can’t blame anyone,” Trillanes, a former  Navy officer, told reporters in an interview at the Senate. “They are blaming  the  6th  Infantry Division  supposedly for not responding, that’s not true. Because  in the Oplan Exodus itself, I asked   Gen.  Napeñas, where  was  the 6th ID here? What’s  their  role? None. So  why will you blame  a unit which  was not in the plan.  You have decided to exclude them, then when you failed, you will blame Read More …

Overseas Filipino Workers (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – A Filipino was among 15 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) recorded in the last week, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health said. In its March 15 update, the Ministry of Health said those who were found infected were aged 17 to 72. “The nationalities of the infected were: 10 Saudis, two Sudanese, one Yemeni, one Filipino and one Egyptian,” it said. Of the new infections, 10 were in Riyadh, two in Al Ihsa, and one each in Jeddah, Qaseem and Tabuk. On the sources of infection, eight acquired MERS-CoV from the public, five at health care facilities – with two cases involving health care workers – and one from home infection. Another case is still under investigation. On the health care facilities where these cases were registered, eight were MoH hospitals, three were university hospitals, two were private sector hospitals, one was in a national guard hospital, and one was in a Ministry of Interior hospital. The MOH’s Command and Control Center commissioned 2,036 samples from people suspected of having been infected with MERS-CoV. Also, rapid intervention teams of the ministry had conducted 48 site investigation visits during the week, and its preventive medicine surveillance teams visited 15 homes, in which 101 MERS-CoV suspected cases were put under surveillance. (MNS)

Some of the transaction windows at the Makati City Hall are shut Friday as supporters of Mayor Junjun Binay occupy the lobby of the building. His supporters gathered in anticipation of authorities serving the suspension order on Binay. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government has already served the Ombudsman’s suspension order on Makati Mayor Junjun Binay. Binay’s suspension stems from the graft and plunder complaint filed against him and father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2. The Binays and their supporters are crying foul over what they say is a railroaded order. “We’re just wondering bakit pag Liberal Party yung may ganitong sitwasyon eh pinapayagan nila at nirerespeto nila yung prosesong legal na pwedeng gamitin nung isususpend na official, and we’re just wondering, parang nagmamadali,” said the mayor’s sister, Senator Nancy Binay. Before the suspension order was served, policemen were sent to the Makati City hall. The city government estimated that at least 2,000 cops were deployed to the city hall. It’s a scene described by Sen. Binay as overkill. “We’re wondering why in Mamasapano 392 lang yung pinadala dito sa Makati 2,000 may kasama pang SAF personnel,” she said. But the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the public should just look at the end result, which is the successful serving of the order and the prevention of violence. “Sa isyu ng ginamit na pwersa sa Makati, ang importante ay gumamit ang ground commanders ng tamang Read More …