Maniolas

Visitors to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach not only enjoy a vicarious journey into the bottom of the sea during their visit but they get more in terms of being given the opportunity to discover that beneath the surface lurks a breath-taking milieu that they can only discover because they’ve been afforded the opportunity without getting wet. The late Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water shared the beauty of his underwater discoveries to his followers for many years and from the confines of many living showed in vivid color the wondrous creations beneath the waves. ASIAN CULTURE AT THE AQUARIUM: Autumn affords multi-ethnic groups in California to share the richness and beauty of their cultures by way of festivals like the Autumn Festival of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach over the weekend. It was Japan’s shining opportunity with their group’s rendition of their dance number called Kyo No Kai. North Ridge-based Malaya Filipino American Arts had its window to present the beauty of Filipino dances on the first day of the two-day annual event. The beauty underneath the waves belongs to humanity and must be enjoyed by all. Exploring the sea per se is an expensive proposition but thanks to committed people behind the Aquarium of the Pacific, which formerly was known as Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, for letting people enjoy the Read More …

Presidential Adviser on Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Panfilo M. Lacson answers questions from the media in an interview after he delivered his address at a forum in Makati City last January 23. The former senator had refused to accept his pork barrel funds from the start. He said in a privilege speech that the funds had corrupted legislators. Now, even the members of the media are being named as those who received “payolas.” (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson is appealing to local officials in Tacloban, Leyte and other Yolanda-hit areas to set aside politics and cooperate in rehabilitation efforts. Lacson noted that Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez was a no-show at the turnover of the initial 122 housing units for typhoon survivors last Saturday. “Ang sabi niya walang nangyayari sa Tacloban. But sa infrastructure, if he went around sa siyudad niya, makikita niya na may on-going construction ng classrooms, school buildings, may mga roads, bridges na ginagawa,” Lacson said. “I’m not accusing the mayor of corruption. I’m not accusing him of incompetence. What I’m saying is and I appeal to all the local government executives, not just to Mayor Romualdez, ang sabi ko: ‘Let’s set our priorities right. Kung pwedeng unahin na muna natin itong mga survivors, huwag na muna tayong makialam sa mga rallies,’” he said. The rehabilitation czar earlier criticized Romualdez for saying that Tacloban did not receive money from the national government. He also slammed the mayor for allegedly transporting protesters Read More …

“Nakakatawa lang pag wala naman talaga,” says Kathryn, “Lalo pa siya [Daniel], wala naman ‘yang pakialam sa mga issues…”

A teary-eyed Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez after lambasting the government during a testimony at a Congressional hearing on typhoon “Yolanda” that wide out communities in his hometown. Malacañang has since welcomed the appeal for reconciliation of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez. (MNS Photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) — Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez on Tuesday called on rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson to step down from his post, saying he was disappointed by the way the former senator criticized him for the slow pace of Yolanda rehabilitation efforts in his city. Romualdez said: “If you cannot fulfill your duties as a coordinating body — I don’t know why you’re named czar; you’re not a czar, you’re just a coordinating body… If you cannot fulfill your function… I think you should resign [from your position].” Romualdez added: “If you have political agenda, which is very clear, we’re not gonna get sucked into that. People here in Tacloban have suffered enough.” On Monday, Lacson singled out Tacloban City’s rehabilitation and recovery efforts, decribing its performance as “below par.” Lacson, secretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR), earlier said Romualdez refused help from the national government. For his part, Romualdez said Lacson made his remarks “in bad taste,” adding that the secretary must “reach out to LGUs” and “not pick fights” with them. “I am disappointed with what Sec. Lacson did. Number one, it is in bad taste. You don’t talk that way in front of international communities that are Read More …

AARP releases first of three-part research series on AAPIs age 50+ WASHINGTON, D.C. – According to new report released today from AARP, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are more likely to provide caregiving for older family members at home. “Caregiving Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders” is the first of three reports by AARP about key advocacy areas that impact AAPIs age 50 and older. The next two reports about Economic Security and Health will be released in December and January respectively. “Our report underscores the need for more data and knowledge about older AAPIs,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience. “It is my hope that our reports help individuals, community-based organizations, policy makers, non-profit groups, and funders make informed decisions about the critical needs and concerns of AAPI communities.” AARP data about caregiving among AAPIs shows that: More than any other racial or ethnic group, the vast majority of AAPIs believe that caring for parents is expected of them. A much higher percentage (73%) of AAPIs age 45-55 compared to just under half of the total population of the same age (49%) say they are expected to care for their aging parents.  In fact, 42% of AAPIs in the survey identified themselves as caregivers versus just 22% of other Americans. AAPIs are more likely to provide caregiving for their parents or older relatives. They are more likely to talk to doctors or health providers (54% Read More …