Here’s to chronicle Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera’s wedding preparations 39 days before the “Dday.”
Nov 212014
Nov 202014
AARP members receive $10 discount until December 7 Joseph Lim Kim and Michael Hagiwara in East West Players’ production “Takarazuka” sponsored by AARP. Photo by Michael Lamont. WASHINGTON, D.C. – AARP is a proud sponsor of “Takarazuka,” the latest production of East West Players, the nation’s premier Asian American theater company. AARP is underwriting a special performance on Sunday, November 23 at 2pm at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center of the Arts in Los Angeles. AARP members receive a $10 discount on all performances of “Takarazuka” until Sunday, December 7. “AARP is proud to support organizations and programs that reflect the culture and diversity of our members,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience. “We applaud East West Players for producing artistic works and educational programs that portray the experience of Asian Americans age 50+ and congratulate them on their golden 50th anniversary season.” In the production, Yuko is the Top Star of the Takarazuka, an all-female Japanese performance troupe that has put on lavishly staged spectacles for decades. Facing retirement, Yuko begins to be haunted by the ghost of a former top star. Mysterious events happen at the theater as Yuko’s sayonara performance looms and a new star is set to rise to the top in this thrilling and seductive new play. “We’re grateful to AARP for their ongoing and generous support,” said Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. “Our partnership has enabled us to continue Read More …
Nov 202014
A thankful heart doesn’t recognize color, race, religion and what have you because in so many ways, there are always more than enough reasons to be in a state of gratitude. The splendor of what eyes can see abound and are reasons enough to compel a sense of gratitude and acknowledge the Creator of all this splendor. The state of an individual’s thankful demeanor is not bound by any human law and one that naturally springs from a heartfelt acknowledgment of the faithfulness of the source of everything imaginable. As Filipinos who have considered United States their home and have immersed themselves in its culture and learned to embrace their host’s blessings this Thanksgiving Day has assumed a more meaningful significance. We are blessed in so many ways. Thanksgiving Day is always met with great anticipation because on its heels follow the celebration of the greatest event although not in a manner that many has been accustomed to. Families with their relatives and friends will be happy in celebrating the law-mandated holiday except perhaps for the unfortunate turkey which will wind up on the dinner table “as a centerpiece of thankfulness” and the Native Americans of Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts who have observed the day since 1970 to protest distortions in history involving them. In 1970, the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) organized the first “National Day of Mourning” to counter suppression of the truth and “fight back on such issues as the racism of the Pilgrim Read More …
Nov 202014
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Commonwealth of Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott during the 22nd Apec Leaders’ Meeting Tree Planting Ceremony at the Summer Garden of the International Conference Center at Yanqui Lake here on Tuesday (November 11). (MNS photo) SINGAPORE (Mabuhay) – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong commended President Benigno S. Aquino III on his recent meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Tuesday. Lacierda said President Aquino’s pull-aside meeting with the Chinese leader, after a tree-planting event at the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing last week, was among the topics raised by Prime Minister Lee with the visiting Philippine head of state. President Aquino and Prime Minister Lee met during a courtesy call made by the former at the Istana main building shortly after arriving here for a two-day working visit. The Palace spokesman said President Aquino showed Prime Minister Lee a note bearing President Xi’s statement written in Chinese language, which the Singaporean leader read and took positively. “The first remark (of Prime Minister Lee) after reading the statement was: ‘This is quite a generous discussion,’” Lacierda told Manila-based reporters during a press briefing. He added that the Singaporean leader hoped for a “just and amicable outcome” in the relations between China and the Philippines following that discussion between the two leaders. President Aquino and President Xi touched on the issue of West Philippine Sea (South Read More …
Nov 202014
President Benigno S. Aquino III, ushered by PTAA secretary general and Travel Tour Expo 2014 executive director Marciano Ragaza III, tours the booths during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday(February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures of domestic tourists. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – If the bill seeking to increase the tax exemption cap for 13th month pay and other benefits would be passed into law, those earning up to P82,000 would also be covered. This after Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, the sponsor of the Senate Bill 2437 and chairman of the ways and means committee, has accepted the amendment by Senator Ralph Recto during the plenary deliberations to raise the tax exemption cap to P82,000. “I welcome the amendment of Sen. Recto, the resident tax expert of the chamber. He is correct in saying that if we are to follow the logic of the proposal, we must use the correct figure consistent with the inflation rate,” Angara said Wednesday in a press statement. The Senate on Tuesday evening approved on second reading the bill that seeks to raise the take-home pay of Filipino workers by increasing the tax Read More …
Nov 202014
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar – President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, arrives for the traditional group photo opportunity during the 24th ASEAN Summit Plenary at the Jade Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center here last May 11. “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” is the theme for this year’s ASEAN Summit, highlighting the importance of a united ASEAN. (MNS photo) SINGAPORE (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here Tuesday for a two-day working visit to meet with members of the international business community. Philippine Airlines flight PR001, which carried President Aquino and his official delegation from Manila, landed at 11:28 a.m. at the Changi International Airport. Welcoming President Aquino were Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio Morales, along with other officials of the Philippine Embassy here and Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. President Aquino kick-starts his official activities here with a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana main building, the official residence of the president of Singapore where state guests are received. Upon signing the guest book, President Aquino will be ushered to the Yusof Room for a luncheon, to be hosted by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. He will then proceed to Shangri-La Hotel, where he is billeted. Later in the evening, President Aquino will give a keynote speech at The Economist’s “The World in 2015,” as part of the international business publication‘s gala dinner series. The event, to be held at Read More …
Nov 202014
AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (3rd right) and DOH acting Secretary Janette Garin (3rd left) flash the thumbs up sign while giving copies of news articles about the peacekeepers, during their visit at the quarantine area in Caballo Island on Sunday, November 16. During the visit Catapang announced that the peacekeepers will be allowed to spend Christmas and New Year with their families, drawing loud cheers among the peacekeepers. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines’ top health and military officials were under fire Tuesday for visiting Filipino UN troops undergoing quarantine after serving in Ebola-ravaged Liberia. More than 100 soldiers and police were confined for 21 days on an island at the mouth of Manila Bay last week, part of measures meant to ensure the Asian country remained free from the deadly Ebola virus. However, armed forces chief General Gregorio Catapang and acting health secretary Janette Garin then apparently violated the government’s own protocols with a visit to the island over the weekend, said Philippine College of Physicians president Anthony Leachon. “It was a breach of protocol – quarantine is an enforced isolation during the 21-day incubation period” of the virus, Leachon, who leads the country’s 9,000-plus internal medicine specialists, told AFP. “It might send the wrong signal,” Leachon said. Politicians and netizens also criticized the two officials for the visit, in which neither wore protective gear. The general was shown on television engaging in elbow bumps with the quarantined peacekeepers. “Overflowing supply of stupidity in the Read More …
Nov 202014
Senator Chiz Escudero, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, delivers a privilege speech on the 2014 General Appropriations Bill, Tuesday morning. According to Escudero, the 2014 budget proposal, which includes funds for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs and projects in the amount of P70 billion, will also include specific funding for the rehabilitation of the Visayas on top of the existing calamity fund to be sourced from items which can be postponed in the 2014 national budget. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he remains uncertain whether or not he would seek higher office in 2016. “I’m not even sure if I’m running unlike in the 2013 elections when I was sure of running for reelection, I could easily answer that question. But to begin with, there’s a prejudicial question: Tatakbo ba ako o hindi? (Will I run or won’t I?)” Escudero told reporters on Wednesday when asked if he would continue his alliance with the administration coalition led by the Liberal Party (LP). “Hindi pa naman ako nagpapalano, nag-iisip o nagpapasya (I still haven’t planned about it, thought about it or decided on it) so for me to answer that question would be premature at this time,” he added. Escudero, who has no political group, was adopted by the LP when he ran for reelection in 2013. Asked when he would make a decision, the senator said: “I don’t know, perhaps about a year before (May 2016) siguro. That’s when I think Read More …
Nov 202014
Kris Aquino (MNS photo) Television host and actress Kris Aquino finally offered an explanation on why she was notably absent from ABS-CBN’s 2014 Christmas station ID, which was launched Thursday night. Dubbed “Thank You Ang Babait Ninyo,” the station ID featured the original song of the same title performed by “The Voice Kids” winner Lyca Gairanod and runners-up Darren Espanto, Juan Karlos Labajo and Darlene Vibares. Several of the network’s stars and news personalities were included in the video, where they were seen thanking loved ones and other Kapamilyas around the globe. However, Aquino was not among those who participated in the 10-minute video. It prompted several netizens to question why she was not there, to which Aquino replied on her Instagram account. The actress said: “I was in Japan taping Kris TV when the Thank You spiels were being taped, then super na busy sa FENG SHUI…” Aquino was referring to her trip to Japan last month that was featured on her morning talk show, and the upcoming sequel to the horror hit “Feng Shui,” which is the actress’ entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. (MNS) Video Courtesy f Youtube ABS-CBN Entertainment
Nov 202014
Jake Cuenca (MNS Photo) Actor Jake Cuenca took to Twitter to announce his split with Filipino-Australian model Chanel Olive Thomas. The two have been together for almost six months. Cuenca, without delving into details, simply wrote: “Single again.” The former “Ikaw Lamang” star admitted that he is not ready to settle down just yet. “Basta ang importante sa’kin alagaan ko muna yung girlfriend ko ng maigi tapos tignan natin kung saan mapupunta ‘to,” he said. The actor recently made headlines after he received his first Best Actor Award for his role in the indie film “Mulat” at the 2014 International Film Festival Manhattan held in New York. Cuenca was in the city for a month-long intensive workshop on acting. He is currently back in the country and was even featured in ABS-CBN’s latest Christmas station ID. (MNS)