Maniolas

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago announces during a press conference on Wednesday (July 2, 2014) that she has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. “God never asks us for an opinion. God just goes ahead and does whatever is in His hands. I just say okay,” Santiago says. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is planning to investigate the murder of a Filipino transgender woman by an alleged US Marine while renewing her call to abolish the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Santiago, who chairs the Senate foreign relations committee, said the case of Jennifer Laude presents an opportunity to reevaluate the agreement. “Paimbestigahan ko nga ‘yan,” she told reporters on Wednesday. “I can open it and I can start the hearing as long as I comply with the three-day notice rule. I have to give them notice in three days’ time.” While the committee does not have the power to invite or subpoena foreign officials, Santiago said she may include witnesses and law enforcers to the probe. She added, however, that she would consult with government agencies first to make sure the Senate’s probe would not hamper their own investigation. Santiago, who has always been against the VFA, believes Laude’s murder and a 2006 rape case involving an American soldier – whom the appellate court later acquitted – are enough reasons to scrap the agreement. “These are no longer temporary but periodic irritants in RP-US relations,” she said. The senator said that in the meantime, the government must Read More …

MANILA (Mabuhay) – Expect cooler days ahead as Amihan, the northeast monsoon, has officially started, state weather agency PAGASA said Thursday. PAGASA said a high-pressure system over China has shifted the direction of the northeasterly wind over to Luzon, bringing cold and dry air to the northern part of the Philippines. “Colder early morning temperature in the coming days and months are likely to be felt over Luzon, with chances of light rains especially over the Northern and Eastern section,” it said. It added that weather conditions over the rest of the country will be generally fair apart from isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening. Meanwhile, state-run Panahon TV posted a graphic saying goodbye to Habagat, or the southwest monsoon, and welcoming the colder days from Amihan. According to PAGASA, the minimum temperature over extreme Northern Luzon has gone down, while strong to gale-force northeasterly winds were observed over the seaboard of Northern Luzon. “These meteorological conditions normally signify the start of the Northeast Monsoon season,” it said. Cool winds from the Northeast Monsoon are associated with the Christmas season in the Philippines. The Philippines is known for having the world’s longest Christmas season, with preparations starting as early as September. Filipinos are also known to count down the 100 days leading to Christmas starting the second week of September. (MNS)

Elmo Magalona and Janine Gutierrez (MNS Photo) After long-standing rumors, Elmo Magalona and Janine Gutierrez have finally admitted to being in a relationship. Despite winning her heart, however, Elmo promises to keep wooing Janine. In fact, he is more determined to show how much he cares for her. “I don’t really want her to get bored, so I just keep thinking of things just to keep it fun,” he said during a recent pocket press conference for GMA-7’s “More Than Words.” As such, he invited Janine to join him and his friends in a recent trip to Hong Kong. Janine more than appreciated the gesture, saying that being able to finally visit Disneyland was a “big deal” to her. “Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, hindi ako makakapunta. As in first time kong (mag-Disneyland) so para akong bata… naiiyak-iyak ako dun kasi sobrang pangarap ko siya dati pa,” she shared. Janine related how Elmo influenced her to take her career seriously. “I became more sure of what I wanted when we got close,” she said, adding, “Kasi when I was starting in showbiz, I was just doing it for fun, I just wanted to grab the opportunity. But now I really really want to make the most of everything…” Elmo also helped Janine get rid of her mañana habit. “He has this way of making things happen. Ang problema ko kasi sa sarili ko, I wasn’t so pushy to myself. Eh important ’yun, na you need to motivate yourself and stick Read More …

Toyota FCV. ©Toyota Interbrand’s 2014 Best Global Brands rankings, published Thursday, deem the Japanese company the world’s most powerful and valuable car brand and the eighth most important brand across all business categories. The latest rankings, announced on Thursday, are based on three criteria: the financial performance of the branded product or service; how that brand influences consumer choice; and how able the brand is to demand a premium price. All of which gives Toyota a brand value of $42.39 billion, significantly more than Mercedes-Benz, ranked in second place. The third most valuable automobile brand is BMW, with Honda and Volkswagen making up the top 5. It is the tenth year in a row that Toyota has come top in the rankings, and Interbrand puts this sterling performance down in part to its perceived dominance in greener technology. The Prius has become the environmentally friendly personal mobility status symbol of choice among a growing number of motorists, particularly in the USA. The company that has risen the most in this year’s rankings is Audi, now in eight place. The company has had back-to-back record years for sales but it is also capturing people’s imaginations with its very impressive demonstrations of autonomous driving technology. Self-driving cars are generating a huge buzz at the moment, even if they won’t become a reality for some years to come. And Audi is one of the company’s generating the most attention and excitement in this area, boosting its brand. Interbrand claims that this association with Read More …

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