Maniolas

Designer Pat Santos shares, “When I was thinking of a fabric that has yet to gain mainstream exposure on the market, Neoprene immediately came to my mind. This fabric is great for creating structure and can be for both casual and formal wear.” MANILA, Philippines – Neoprene, a tech fabric that has gained high fashion status as the fabric of choice of some of the world’s design powerhouses — Gucci, Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, Zac Posen, Stella McCartney, to name a few — reigned supreme in designer Pat Santos’ latest collection Colors and Mixology, launched in Philippine Fashion Week spring/summer 2015. Taking off from scuba diving gear, Santos made neoprene the ultimate style star in fashion-forward but still wearable pieces composed of tailored tops and bottoms, dresses, and couture gowns set in his choice colors of blue and green. The refreshing, cool vibe of the anthology was complemented by interesting bits of net and mesh, colored and medallion laces, textured sheer fabric, and colored applique. To seal the looks and lend them sophistication, Santos also infused his neoprene-based designs with beads, stones, and Swarovski crystals, which have become the Pat Santos trademark. Santos says, “When I was coming up with this collection, I was thinking of a fabric that has yet to gain mainstream exposure on the market. Neoprene immediately came to my mind. This fabric is great for creating structure and can be for both casual and formal wear.” For inquiries and made to order requests, contact Pat Santos Read More …

Thousands of undocumented Filipinos living in the United States must have been dismayed by President Barack Obama’s sensational immigration relief. I’m sure they were expecting a much broader immigration reform. They thought for awhile that the contents of the Executive Order of the President on immigration will pave the way for their citizenship, or at least  for them to become permanent residents. The  order as it turned out is just a temporary relief. It will not even provide healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants. It is still up to the Republican dominated Congress to pass legislation to overhaul  the country’s immigration policies. Some Filipinos here in Orange country said Obama’s immigration program for the undocumented is far too limited. Although the Obama immigration relief is temporary, I hope it will eventually compel Congress to act on the comprehensive immigration reform bill to provide lasting solution to America’ s flawed immigration policies. Under the new immigration program contained in the Executive Order recently signed by President Obama, qualified aliens will be given works permits, driver’s license and a three year protection from deportation, provided they pass criminal background checks and pay back taxes. It will also delay the deportation of undocumented parents of children who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The new immigration law will also protect  children brought in illegally by their parents in America before January 1, 2010. However, these privileges being given to undocumented immigrants who qualify under the new government program, are only good for three Read More …

Julie Anne San Jose (MNS Photo) Hologram technology has been astonishing concertgoers abroad for some time now. It’s been used to bring dead artists back to “life” through digital illusion, including Tupac Shakur in 2012 and Michael Jackson last May. Multi-platinum recording artist Julie Anne San Jose is set to stage a solo concert that her drumbeaters claim would make her the first artist to be holographic in a local show. “I’m excited and, of course, pressured (kasi) dito po talaga natin makikita ’yung advancement ng technology. Of course, makikita ninyo (rin) ’yung other side ni Julie Anne (in the show),” she said. Along with the singer, an “army of Julie Annes” will be “virtualized” in a powerful opening dance number. According to a release, Julie Anne is set to showcase powerful vocals, electrifying dance moves and talent in playing various musical instruments in the concert. Admittedly nervous over filling up the huge concert venue, Julie Anne has been preparing for the big day so her audience would get their money’s worth. “May mga dance lessons po ako and voice lessons. I’ve been preparing a lot kasi po kailangang lumakas ang stamina ko. I work out, I go to the gym, I do rehearsals hanggang sa ma-perfect ko ’yung mga production numbers na gagawin ko,” she said. Julie Anne’s “Hologram” concert will be at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Dec. 13. The show is directed by Louie Ignacio and produced by GMA Network, Inc. and Tarroza Entertainment Productions. Julie Read More …

53 MPG City / 50 MPG combined in Toyota’s most affordable hybrid 2015 Toyota Prius c TORRANCE, Calif., – Toyota’s most affordable hybrid vehicle is also its most fuel efficient.  The Prius c with EPA-estimated 53 MPG city / 46 MPG highway / 50 MPG combined, offers the highest MPG of any vehicle on the road today (MPGe vehicles not included). There’s much more to the Prius c than super-high fuel economy. A restyled front with standard single LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, new exterior colors whose names demand almost as much attention as their hues (Electric Lime Metallic, Tangerine Splash Pearl and Sparkling Sea Metallic), and new “light pipe” taillights add a futuristic touch to the design.  Add to that a cabin upgraded with premium materials, and Prius c makes a compelling choice among compact cars, hybrid or not. For years, the iconic Prius liftback has been synonymous with “hybrid.”  Today, the Prius is available in four different flavors.  The Prius Family includes the larger standard Prius liftback, the even larger and roomier Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid that can handle daily driving for many people without using gasoline. In addition, Toyota offers hybrid versions of its Camry and Avalon sedans and Highlander SUV, making Toyota the clear leader in the number of hybrid vehicle offerings and sales volume.  Toyota Value in Four Grades Prius c is available in four value-packed grades.  In all trim levels the cabin combines futuristic design elements with everyday comfort and practicality.  In addition to the all-new single LED projector low- Read More …

In the age of social media where people spend hours in front of computers, cell phones and other gadgets, it might be wise to reacquaint oneself with the feel of a good book, still the best cure for a lingering attention deficit disorder. Paging all scholars of the late Franz Arcellana, from Francis Quina to Pia Benosa and a couple of others whose names presently escape me. You might be interested to join a gargantuan yet momentous cataloguing of books from his library at the old residence in Maginhawa Street, UP Village by February 2015, and to turn over the first tranche to the Arcellana Reading Room at the Institute of Creative Writing in Diliman around the time of the annual writers’ workshop. True, though the workshop is now held in Baguio only a symbolic turnover may be done there, but actual transfer will be in Quezon City lowlands. This is considered to be a race against time, elements, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, which seeks to collect tax arrears from the estate and has issued threats of garnishment of a potential national shrine. In the age of Internet and fast-food streaming and collection targets, who needs books? My poor mother, may she also rest in peace, thought the world of those books and so never sold the house that contained them, all three floors of them. She was practically hounded to her grave, aside from cirrhosis, by tax demand letters as the original amount of six figures perhaps Read More …