Oct 232014
 
Enrique and Liza: Beginning of something wonderful?

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano (MNS photo) Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano are both hoping they’d be given more time together to help them establish a credible on-screen chemistry. Fortunately, the two who played best of friends in the 2013 rom-com “She’s The One,” will get their wish as they headline ABS-CBN’s upcoming primetime romantic drama series “Forevermore.” Enrique, who has already been paired with countless leading ladies in his young career, is aware of the disadvantages of not having a constant love team partner, one of which is the inability to develop rapport. Another point of consideration for him are the fans. “Kapag they fall in love with the love team (established) before, mahirap silang mag-accept ng bago.” On the other hand, being able to share screen time with a variety of actors has proven beneficial for Enrique and has allowed him to “grow more as an actor.” Liza, for her part, is excited to be paired with the actor, whom she admits is her crush. “So ngayon I’m happy na ma-e-experience ko na kung pa’no siya as a leading man,” she says. The two are aware of the pressure their launching project entails. “Kailangan talaga naming i-prove sa kanila na kaya din namin (to carry a show),” Liza says. “And pressured din kami na siyempre maraming comparisons (with other love teams).” Enrique is confident that “Forevermore” will do well. “Sobrang ganda ng script at ang buong team, talagang tinutukan nila every detail. “They gave a lot of time Read More …

Oct 232014
 
Aquino: ‘Farfetched’ to junk VFA to stop crime involving Pinoys, Americans

President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the re-enactment presentation during the 70th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug, Palo, Leyte on Monday (October 20, 2014). With theme: “Leyte 1944, Leyte 2014: Yesterday’s Heroes, Today’s Inspiration on the Road to Recovery.” (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said it would be “farfetched” to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States for the purpose of stopping crimes involving Filipinos and Americans. “If we abrogate the VFA, does that mean that nobody from the Philippines will be killed by someone from [the] US?” Aquino said during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum. The President also maintained that the VFA “serves a purpose for our country, and serves a purpose for America.” Aquino further said that the VFA is constantly being reviewed by his administration. Several lawmakers have called for the renegotiation or the complete termination of the VFA after the killing of 26-year-old transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude. Laude was allegedly killed by a US Marine, identified as Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton. Pemberton was transferred to the Philippine military headquarters earlier in the day. The US Marine is facing a murder complaint in connection with the killing of Laude. Aquino nevertheless assured that the “tragedy” of Laude’s killing “will be settled, in the sense that the guilty will be made to answer for the crime.” (MNS)

Oct 232014
 
Philippine Heritage Institute honors former DOT-LA chief Annie Cuevas

Los Angeles-Former Philippine Dept. of Tourism Attache in Los Angeles Mary Anne Cuevas-Lim was honored by the Philippine Heritage Institute (PHI) last October 11, 2014 at a Gala event in Norwalk, California. Los Angeles-Former Philippine Dept. of Tourism Attache in Los Angeles Mary Anne Cuevas-Lim was honored by the Philippine Heritage Institute (PHI) last October 11, 2014 at a Gala event in Norwalk,  California. The annual Gala also honored other notable leaders of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles. Cuevas-Lim received PHI’s Distinguished Service award for her 20+ years of commendable service with the Phil. Dept. of Tourism.  In addition to the PHI award, Cuevas-Lim received a special Proclamation from the office of California Assemblyman Rob Bonta of Alameda, California, the first and only Filipino-American to be elected to the California Assembly. On behalf of Assemblyman Bonta, the Proclamation was presented to her by her husband Atty. Abraham Lim, a practicing immigration attorney based in Montebello, California and current President of the Los Angeles-Makati Sister City Chapter under the auspices of Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. Atty. Abraham Lim also presented Cuevas-Lim with a special Proclamation from Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge who honored and recognized her years of service and dedication to fostering cultural ties between the Philippines and the United States. Atty. Lim represented the office of Councilmember LaBonge.

Oct 232014
 
Palawan tops Readers’ Choice Awards 2014 by Condè Nast Traveler

The Condè Nast Traveler Magazine (US Edition) announced Palawan as Readers’ 2014 Choice Award for top island destination on October 20, 2014. The Condè Nast Traveler Magazine (US Edition) announced Palawan as Readers’ 2014 Choice Award for top island destination on October 20, 2014. Palawan scored a rating of 88.750%, beating other world famous destinations including  Kauai, Hawaii(4th),  Maui, Hawaii (3rd), and Kiawah Island, South Carolina (2nd)  The award was said to owe much to the declared and acclaimed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River which was professed as one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world. Moreover, Boracay Island was also cited as a top destination and placed number 12 in the said survey. Of the hundreds of awardees globally, during the CBS interview of CNT’s Editor in Chief, award for the Philippines’ Palawan #1 was among those that got featured (after the world’s best cities). “The Condè Nast Traveler Reader’ Choice Survey started in 1988. The 2014 survey got 76,659 responses. Their set of criteria used for ranking is based on a standard five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.” as explained by Condè Nast.

Oct 232014
 
Kylie Padilla on dating Rayver Cruz: Why not?

Kylie Padilla and Rayver Cruz (MNS photo) Kylie Padilla, the daughter of action star Robin Padilla, was not shy to admit that she finds Rayver Cruz attractive. Padilla and Cruz are co-stars in the upcoming horror movie, “Dilim.” Padilla said she likes Cruz for being a gentleman even when he is not in front of a lot of people. “Lahat naman ng lalaki gentleman. Pero siya kasi wala siyang pinipili. Meron kasing lalaki na gentleman lang sa harap ng tao. Siya kahit walang mga tao, gentleman talaga,” she said. Asked if it is possible that their friendship would blossom into a romantic relationship, Padilla said: “Let time tell. Mahirap din mag-expect eh.” Padilla’s last relationship was with Aljur Abrenica, while Cruz’s last girlfriend was Cristine Reyes. “It could be, yes. Mabait [si Ravyer]. Pero ayaw ko kasi mag-judge from that alone. Kasi dito pa lang sa movie na ito ko nakasama. If ever lalabas pa din kami, kung magyayaya siya, titignan ko pa kung puwede. [Kung libre ako] Why not?” she said. Padilla said she also takes into consideration what her father has told her. “Wala pa. Fresh pa kasi yung [last relationship]. Eight months pa lang pero take time lang… Ayaw din muna ni Papa na mag-boyfriend muna ako ulit,” she said. For now, Padilla said it would be better that she and Cruz would get to know each other more first. (MNS)

Oct 232014
 
Aquino: No kid glove treatment for US Marine

‘Barbie,’ the primary witness in the case of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey ‘Jennifer’ Laude, testifies before a Senate inquiry on Wednesday, October 22. A US serviceman has been tagged as suspect in the October 11 killing of Laude, an incident that sparked renewed calls for the termination of the PHL-US Visiting Forces Agreement. Also in photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said that US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, the suspect in the killing of Filipina transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, is not be treated with kid gloves. At a forum, Aquino described Pemberton’s transfer to the Philippine military headquarters earlier in the day as a “healthy development.” “He [Pemberton] is being made available for the investigative and eventually, the judicial processes,” the President said. Aquino however did not answer a question on Pemberton’s custody, saying the matter will be addressed if the suspect is formally charged and ordered arrested. Philippine government officials however had earlier expressed intention to fight for Pemberton’s custody once he is formally accused of murder. In the same forum, Aquino said that the “tragedy” of Laude’s killing “will be settled, in the sense that the guilty will be made to answer for the crime.” (MNS)

Oct 232014
 
Pemberton detained at Camp Aguinaldo

AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (left) and US Marine officials inspect the 20-ft. shipping container which was converted into a temporary detention cell for USMC Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey Laude, in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, October 22. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, the suspect in the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, was transferred on Wednesday to a facility inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo after the United States allowed the move. A helicopter carrying Pemberton landed at Camp Aguinaldo at 8:45 a.m., AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said. AFP received custody of Pemberton at 8:45 a.m., and he will be detained in a 20-footer air-conditioned container van inside the camp while the preliminary investigation of his murder case is ongoing, Catapang told reporters. “He will be detained at the Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Facility inside the camp while the preliminary investigation is ongoing,” he said. “He will be sleeping in a military-type camp bed with an air-conditioned system,” he said. But when asked if Pemberton will be allowed to use a mobile phone, he said they may still discuss the matter. Catapang said it will be up to the court to decide on the appropriate detention facility once a case has been filed against the accused. Among the AFP officials seen in the area was Visiting Forces Read More …