Maniolas

At a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, February 4, AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. shows a map where the January 25 Mamasapano clash that killed over 50 people, most of them PNP-SAF commandos, took place. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP | – The Philippine military and police defended their actions Wednesday as an angry nation demanded answers following the slaughter of 44 police commandos in a chaotic anti-terror operation. The policemen were attacked by at least two Muslim rebel groups, including one that signed a peace treaty with Manila last year, during a January 25 mission to capture or kill Zulkifli bin Hir, one of the world’s most wanted militants. Giving his first public account, military chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang said troops could not respond in time to save the police unit that raided Zulkifli’s hideout on remote and swampy farmland in the southern island of Mindanao. “We did not know the exact place where the (police) forces had to be extricated…. they were not telling us their exact location so it was difficult,” Catapang told a news conference. Catapang, disclosing a summary of a military report of the incident to be submitted to President Benigno Aquino, said troops completed the rescue of the remnants of the force nearly 18 hours later. Aquino and the military have been savagely criticized by the general public for failing to prevent the largest loss of military or police life in recent memory, with some calling for Read More …

Piolo Pascual (MNS Photo) Piolo Pascual is not sure on when he will work on another television series. Pascual said he wants to take a break from doing soaps after his last series, “Hawak Kamay.” “Sabi ko kasi movie-soap-movie-soap. Mahirap magkakasunod na soap eh. Nakakapanghina,” he said. Pascual also noted that he is not like actor Coco Martin, who can keep up with doing several projects at at the same time. “Hindi ako si Coco [Martin], hindi ko na kaya na soap-soap. Saka ‘yung last na soap ko, feeling ko binigay ko na ‘yung kaluluwa ko dun sa soap eh. Hindi lang ako na-drain, ilang beses na ako ni-refill dun,” he said. Meanwhile, he told ABS-CBN News that he is also uncertain on whether or not his movie with Sarah Geronimo will still push through. “I can’t speak about that because hindi pa sila nagpi-pitch ulit. Ang assignment ko kasi was to do my backstory for the movie. Kasi with the recent developments parang hindi na tuloy ang Sarah (movie). But I cannot speak for Star Cinema. I will only find out once I meet them next week kung ano ang matutuloy,” Pascual said. But the actor stressed that he will definitely do a movie this year. Pascual clarified that he really wanted to work with Geronimo – even in another project. “I really want to work with her but I think it’s not the right project or something like that. We’ll see,” the actor said. (MNS)

‘Technology: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing” Debuts at AARP.org Guy Kawasaki at AARP Studios in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON, D.C.,  – Technology entrepreneur and writer Guy Kawasaki is teaming up with AARP for a new web series about how people who are 50-plus can embrace technology. Debuting at www.aarp.org/guykawasakivideos, “Technology: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing” takes a look at how technology can empower people of all ages and change their lives. Hosted by Gil Asakawa, AARP/Asian American Journalists Association Social Media Fellow, “Technology: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing” will focus on the art of innovation, social media, the fundamentals of graphic design, and how digital media is changing the way we consume information. New episodes will premiere every three weeks until the end of March. “AARP shares my passion for helping people master technology,” said Guy Kawasaki. “Digital tools are creative, empowering, and entertaining and help us stay productive and connected.” “People age 50 and over are hungry for information about technology that they can understand and use,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience. “Guy Kawasaki, a pioneer in the technology industry, is the perfect person to help us go in depth on topics that are relevant to everyone.” Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, an online graphic design tool. Formerly, he was an advisor to the Motorola business unit of Google and chief evangelist of Apple. He is also the author of The Read More …

Shaira Luna reveals why she didn’t become a doctor; James Flores and Kiko Galura talk about pressure of being “gifted child”

PEACE ADVOCATES UNITE FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE. Peace and social justice advocates led by former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Atty. Christian Monsod and Akbayan Chairperson Risa Hontiveros reiterated their call to render justice to all those who perished in the Mamasapano incident and for lasting peace in Mindanao. KUALA LUMPUR (Mabuhay) – The peace panels on Saturday announced that the ceremonial decommissioning of forces and firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would take place in February. The decommissioning or disarmament of the MILF is considered the most tangible proof that the Moro secessionist movement had ended and the rebels were now ready to lay down their firearms. “To the MILF, decommissioning is not only an emotional issue, it is an ultimate sacrifice. It is also sensitive, that it is almost a taboo to discuss. But there is no other way, there is no escaping that decommissioning MILF weapons and combatants – and putting beyond use –  have to be undertaken by MILF, as part of the comprehensive normalization process of the Bangsamoro (under the CAB),” MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said. The peace panels led by Iqbal and government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer held a joint press conference to address the bloody Mamasapano incident that threw a monkey wrench in the peace process. Turkish ambassador Hayder Berk, head of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), said at the press briefing that “decommissioning is an important and integral part” of the peace process. He also stressed the need for “trust and Read More …