Maniolas

Pilita Corrales (MNS Photo) In entertainment, there are artists that are superbly stellar, and Pilita Corrales is one of them. She has the distinction of being the first female artist to top the Australian pop music charts long before Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John did. At the 1st Tokyo Music Festival in the ‘70s, Pilita even defeated Olivia Newton-John as the Best Performer. Many years and countless accolades later, the one and only Asia’s Queen of Songs continues to be well-loved for her works, humor, and genuine good nature, not just by audiences, but by her fellow artists. No wonder why they are more than happy to collaborate with her, just like in her latest album called “Duets.” When Viva’s Boss Vic Del Rosario commented that it’s been a while since Pilita last released an album, she raised the idea of coming up with a Visayan album. But to her surprise, Boss Vic had something better in mind. “He said, ‘Mag-‘Duets’ album ka na lang with all the icons in the music industry,” Pilita recalled. “And I said, ‘My God, definitely!’” Whatever concerns she had about the difficulty in the scheduling of the artists were assuaged when Boss Vic said, “We can do it.” “So I’m very happy that it happened,” she beamed. With Martin Nievera, Basil Valdez, Vic Sotto, Chad Borja, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Joey Albert, The Company, and Sarah Geronimo on board, the next step was to select the songs. “What Viva did was to ask the Read More …

Loisa Andalio, Jacob Benedicto, Jayme Jalandoni, and Axel Torres talk about their fashion pegs.

Washington, D.C. As the Filipino American community prepares to mark the first year anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is renewing its call on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to do the right thing and grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to 200,000 Filipino nationals in the U.S. “Allowing undocumented Filipinos this immigration relief for at least 18 months will help the Philippines tremendously in its rebuilding efforts,” says NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallonga. “It’s been a year since Nov. 8, 2013, when the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Haiyan took thousands of lives, displaced thousands more and destroyed their source of livelihoods. Immediate and positive consideration of this request is critical to their recovery.” Mallonga added: “As we observe the first year anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, we are grateful to the remarkable outpouring of international, U.S. government and community support and assistance. But we need to be constantly reminded that more needs to be done. And the granting of TPS will help immensely in the country’s reconstruction efforts. The one year anniversary would be a timely opportunity for the U.S. government to act.” NaFFAA is mobilizing its members in all 13 regions to continue putting pressure on DHS. As a partner to the Relief to Recovery Coalition, which has been at the forefront of this campaign, NaFFAA is also joining efforts by several national organizations urging DHS and the US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) “to act and implement this important measure of relief on behalf Read More …

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. delivers his speech at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the House of Representatives at the Batasang Pambansa Bldg. in Quezon City on Monday morning (July 28, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has hailed the landmark meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and Chinese President Xi Jinping as an “icebreaker” that could pave the way for the possible resolution of current and long-standing conflicts between the two countries. In a statement late Wednesday, Belmonte expressed optimism the territorial row between the Philippines and China can be resolved “when harmonious dialogue is possible.” “I congratulate both our President and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their sincerity at seeking peace and stability in the region through this brief but significant meeting that sets the stage not only for harmony but also for a future that sees more vibrant diplomatic relations with our Asian neighbors based on mutual trust and confidence,” he said. Although the Philippines’ relations with China has become strained in recent years over the territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, Belmonte said the existing cultural and economic ties between the the two countries “cannot be denied nor ignored.” “We must not limit our relations to views regarding current maritime conflicts,” he said. Aquino had a 10-minute informal talk with Xi Tuesday following a tree-planting ceremony held on the outskirts of Beijing. He was in China for the Asia-Pacific Read More …

New All-wheel-drive Jaguar F-Type R: The new car is faster off the mark. ©Jaguar (Relaxnews) – After months of speculation, Jaguar has confirmed that a new version of its flagship coupé will be making its debut at the LA Auto Show. The F-Type R Coupé with all-wheel-drive has broken cover in South Africa where it is being used as a high-speed communications car assisting with the Bloodhound SCC’s attempt to set a new land speed record of 1000mph. On the relatively soft surface of the Hakskeen Pan desert in the Northern Cape of South Africa, where the preparations for breaking the record are underway, four-wheel drive is a necessity and Jaguar claims that the new car is 0.2 seconds faster off the mark – 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds – than its two-wheel-drive counterpart but that the all-wheel-drive F-Type will still feel like a rear-wheel drive car, and that’s a good thing. As useful as all-wheel drive is at keeping a car on the road, it can alter a vehicle’s handling characteristics and one of the current F-Type’s biggest selling points is its old school sports car feel. Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar said: “Our target with engineering the all-wheel drive F-TYPE was to maintain the engaging rear-drive character that’s so important to Jaguar sports cars, yet offer even greater dynamic capability. The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions.” As well as offering an all-wheel drive version of the Read More …