Benjie Paras says having the best of both worlds entails discipline and time management.
Oct 132014
Oct 122014
LJ and Jimmy reveal baby plans.
Oct 122014
I was in Cotabato City recently to attend a meeting of young Maguindanao leaders who planned to set up a political party in preparation for the autonomy that is being planned under the agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It was the first time I visited Cotabato since the Fifties when I was all over the place. Cotabato was not divided then and was one of our largest provinces. In recent times, I have visited Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Jolo, and Zamboanga and noted how these cities have developed. I was surprised to see that Cotabato — yes, it had grown, too, but not in the scale of Davao or Cagayan de Oro. Again, the ancient question: Is it because Cotabato is almost totally Moro while Davao and Cagayan de Oro are not? This question was answered with what I first saw of Buluan, in Cotabato in the Fifties and yet again in the Sixties. Buluan, a Moro town, had remained almost unchanged while Marbel and Tacurong became prosperous. Is it because they were Christian? This is the facile and ready answer. It is incorrect though — the pioneering and immigrant spirit developed Tacurong and Marbel, the same spirit which enables the Moros to progress in non-Moro environment. Perspectives change with the geography. What we consider a normal reaction in Luzon takes a very sharp turn in Moro country and we immediately understand the need for looking at the age-old problems there in a different light from what Read More …
Oct 102014
The Filipino American community notably in the Los Angeles area never had it so good this month for having been blessed to enjoy the artistry of great Filipino artists especially this month which coincides with the celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month. What a more opportune time to showcase the natural gifts of world class ambassadors of music for people to see and enjoy in this part the world. (October was established as Filipino American History Month to acknowledge the first landing of Filipinos on October 18, 1587 in Morro Bay, California.) For a memorable starter for this month, Ballet Philippines basked in admiration for a standing ovation performance last October 4 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to kick off a month-long U.S. tour after a 15-year hiatus since its last performance in the America. Now comes this gathering of talented musical artists who will enthrall their crowd in the Los Angeles area with their gifts in “support struggling Christian ministers around the world”. Leading this virtuousos of gifted performers is no other than world renowned multi-awarded pianist, Raul Sunico, whose litany of award attest to his prodigy and “unusual gifts of lyricism” in his favorite instrument. “An Evening with Raul Sunico” will be held for one night only on October 25 at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena. Along with Sunico, the benefit concert will also feature a variety of brilliant performers, which include Soprano Annie Nepomuceno, the Harana Men’s Chorus, and the Soriano Strings Duet. Raul Sunico, concert pianist: Read More …
Oct 102014
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the exhibit area upon arrival for the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive business on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The slowdown in inflation in September will help boost the country’s economic growth in the second semester of the year, Finance Usec. and Chief Economist Gil Beltran said Thursday. Beltran said the easing inflation allows the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to maintain its interest rates, which in turn will lead to more economic activities. “The economy successfully reversed inflationary expectations through a decisive reduction in food inflation in September. This favorable development will enable the BSP to avoid further tightening of monetary policy and will enable the attainment of a higher GDP growth rate in the second semester,” Beltran said in a statement. Beltran noted that the departments of Agriculture and Trade and Industry “should continue streamlining the delivery of products to the markets and should act more decisively if there are factors that constrain the process.” He added that government should implement longer-term solutions to congestion issues at the Manila ports. The country’s inflation rate slowed down to 4.4 percent in September from 4.9 percent in August due Read More …
Oct 102014
Vice President Jejomar Binay as he receives the Ninoy Aquino Medal of Valor from Ninoy Aquino Movement Chairman Heherson Alvarez during the 31st death anniversary of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday (August 21, 2014) in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – The allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay have caught the “interest” of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is now considering investigating the issues being hurled against him, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Thursday. De Lima said the DOJ, through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), its investigating arm, could conduct its own inquiry. “Pero sa ngayon wala pang basehan for preliminary investigation. Kailangan muna may resulta muna ang imbestigasyon from our investigative arm which is the NBI,” she told reporters after attending a budget hearing at the Senate. (But as of now, there is no basis for a preliminary investigation. What we need are results from the investigation by our investigative arm, which is the NBI.) She said the DOJ was also waiting for an official request from the blue ribbon sub-committee for assistance in the investigation. The investigation of the sub-committee into the alleged overpriced parking building in Makati City involving the Vice President has expanded to other issues, such as his alleged unexplained wealth. But with or without the official request by the committee, De Lima said she could discuss with the NBI for a separate investigation into all Read More …
Oct 102014
Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Koko Pimentel III conduct an ocular inspection of the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II on Monday, September 1. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said he is willing to apologize if proven wrong that Chinese-Filipino businessman Antonio Tiu was Vice President Jejomar Binay’s dummy for his alleged property in Batangas. Trillanes claimed during Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate blue ribbon sub-committee that Binay had ties with Tiu, president of Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park, which operates a 350-hectare agricultural estate in Batangas. The Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park was said to be the lessor of a piggery farm owned by the Binay family though his camp said he already divested himself of interest in the farm after he won the vice presidency in 2010. “He’s a legitimate businessman and that makes him a perfect dummy for this Binay hacienda,” Trillanes said of Tiu. Compared to the testimony of former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, which he said was “much more credible,”Trillanes said Tiu might not be able to survive an intense grilling when he testifies in the sub-committee hearing. Asked if he would be willing to apologize to Tiu if proven wrong, the senator said: “Yes, I will. But I’m definite about this. We’re standing on a very, very solid ground…” “Mr. Tony Tui is a legitimate businessman, I understand, and I concede to that but not for this Hacienda Binay that we’re talking about,” Trillanes stressed.(MNS)
Oct 102014
Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay seen here with a guest at Noypitz Bar & Grill in Glendale, California in 2011 during a fundraising concert organized by members of Filipino-American media for typhoon Sendong victims. Photo: Benny Uy MANILA (Mabuhay) – Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla on Thursday said Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, son of Vice-President Jejomar Binay, does not breed horses as claimed by former Makati Vice-Mayor Ernesto Mercado. Remulla said the younger Binay breeds dogs for the Makati police. “He breeds dogs. That’s his passion. He breeds dogs for the Makati police for the bomb disposal unit,” he said. Mercado earlier claimed before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that the younger Binay owns a horse ranch inside a 350-hectare estate in Rosario, Batangas. He claimed Binay is into breeding horses along with Makati Administrator Jun Mendoza and a Makati councilor. In the interview, Remulla denied Mercado’s claim that the Binays own the entire agricultural estate. Instead, he confirmed that the Binays are leasing 9 hectares of the property since 1994. The spokesman admitted that air coolers were installed in the Binay piggery not because Dra. Elenita Binay did not like the smell of pigs but because the lower temperature would increase the size of the pigs. “If you look at the modern piggeries now, they are not airconditioned, they have air coolers. They lower the temperature because it aids the growth of the hogs but it is not an airconditioned facility and it is not meant to keep the flies Read More …
Oct 102014
Nadine Lustre (MNS photo) Young actress Nadine Lustre remained evasive when asked if she and onscreen partner James Reid are ready to take their friendship to the next level. Lustre said both of them are not thinking about jumping into a relationship just yet. “Right now kasi, me and James, we both value our career, this opportunity. So parang kami din, ayaw pa din namin,” she said. This despite Reid’s statement that Lustre has the qualities he is looking for in a girl. “She’s really thoughtful. She has a really nice small. She’s easy to talk to. She’s a good listener. [She’s my] partner in crime,” Reid said. Asked to react on Reid’s remark, Lustre said: “Ako, I’m the type of person who does not want to expect talaga. Ayaw kong mauna.” The “Talk Back and You’re Dead” stars signed a contract with ABS-CBN, officially making them the newest members of the Kapamilya family. Now that she is with ABS-CBN, does she want to work with any specific actor? “Medyo hindi ko pa naiisip. Kasi focused ako. Focused ako sa isa,” she said, drawing shrieks from the audience. Lustre said she and Reid will soon be appearing in a television series although they are not allowed to reveal any details about the project yet. (MNS)
Oct 102014
CEBUANA actress Kim Chiu was picked by Walt Disney South East Asia to take part in its upcoming project featuring their well-loved Disney Princesses. Star Magic confirmed the news and shared the official statement of Disney through their official Instagram account. “Official Statement from Walt Disney Southeast Asia ‘We confirm that Kim Chiu is part of an upcoming Disney project in Southeast Asia. We will share more details on this in the coming months”. Based from the photos uploaded by Star Magic on its official website, the 24-year-old will take on the role of Mulan in Disney’s 2015 calendar. The Cebu native said it’s a fulfillment of a long-time dream. “Achievement ko siya sa buhay kasi childhood dream ko na maging Disney princess. Nung in-offer sa akin yun, parang nakakatuwa na nakakaiyak,” she said in a “TV Patrol” interview. “Mulan” is a 1998 animated movie about a young Chinese girl who learned that her father was called up in the army. Knowing that he is old and frail, Mulan decided to disguise herself and fight for his place. (Sunnex) DISCLAIMER: Sun.Star website welcomes friendly debate, but comments posted on this site do not necessary reflect the views of the Sun.Star management and its affiliates. Sun.Star reserves the right to delete, reproduce or modify comments posted here without notice. Posts that are inappropriate will automatically be deleted. Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent Read More …