Maniolas

By Catherine J. Teves Mayon Volcano on September 23, 1984: Pyroclastic flows descend the south-eastern flank of Mayon Volcano, Philippines. Then, the maximum height of the eruption column was 15 km above sea level, and volcanic ash fell within about 50 km toward the west. There were no casualties from the 1984 eruption because more than 73,000 people evacuated the danger zones as recommended by scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. (Mayon VolcanoPublic Domain C.G. Newhall, Wikipedia) MANILA  (PNA) – A major eruption isn’t yet imminent in Mayon Volcano but this mountain still poses danger due to continuing volcanic activities there. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) science research specialist Ryan Rebadulla cautioned against such danger, noting rockfalls from earthquakes in Mayon and phreatic eruptions from contact of ground water and this mountain’s hot rocks are among life-threatening occurrences possible anytime and almost without warning. He said landslides and avalanche at the middle to upper slope as well as sudden ash puffs are also possible in Mayon. “We advise people to avoid entering Mayon’s permanent danger zone (PDZ),” he said. The PDZ covers an area with a six-kilometer radius measured from Mayon’s summit. Rising some 2.46 km in Albay province, Mayon Volcano is considered the world’s perfect cone. Mayon’s beauty and symmetry is world-famous even if Phivolcs said this volcano already registered around 49 historical eruptions. Among precursors to such eruptions were increased seismicity level and steam emissions, crater glow due to presence of magma at Read More …

Sedan one of top environmentally conscious gas-powered cars in industry today 2017 Mirage G4 SE New York – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today unveiled the all-new 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4. A sibling to the well-established and popular Mirage hatchback, the all-new Mirage G4 brings consumers a fresh dose of clean style, environmental consciousness, agility, connectivity, affordability and value. The Mirage G4 goes on sale this spring at Mitsubishi showrooms across the country. “A few years ago we entered the subcompact segment with the Mirage hatchback and its popularity with consumers has grown every year with its combination of top fuel economy, attractive pricing and one of the industry’s best new car warranties. The new Mirage G4 repeats that value equation in a four-door sedan package,” said MMNA executive vice president, Don Swearingen. “The Mirage hatchback and now the Mirage G4 sedan will form a formidable one-two punch in the subcompact segment.” The Mirage G4 will utilize the same powertrain of the 2017 hatchback, a revised 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. The small displacement engine provides a harmonious blend of lively acceleration and efficiency. The Mirage G4 will be at the top of its class in combined fuel efficiency and C02 emissions. Inside, the Mirage G4’s long wheelbase provides for a spacious interior cabin and trunk. Adding an element of surprise and delight to the subcompact segment, the Mirage G4 will come equipped with available smartphone integrations, features typically reserved for higher priced vehicles. Support for Apple CarPlay™, the smarter, safer Read More …

Ribbon Cutting(L-R) DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick M. Alegre, Undersecretary Katherine Chloe S. de Castro, Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez and OIC NCR Catherine Agustin. At the back is Assistant Secretary Daniel E. Mercado. (photo courtesy of Department of Tourism-Philippines Facebook page) MANILA  (PNA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday inaugurated the Philippine Tourism Showroom located at the lobby of the New DOT Building, Senator Gil Puyat, Makati City. As part of DOT’s aim to boost foreign and local tourist arrivals this year, DOT opened a brand-new showroom that showcases the country’s key destinations, culture, and local products. Welcome Remarks–Undersecretary Katherine Chloe S. de Castro, Administration and Special Concerns (photo courtesy of Department of Tourism-Philippines Facebook page)Welcome Remarks–Undersecretary Katherine Chloe S. de Castro, Administration and Special Concerns (photo courtesy of Department of Tourism-Philippines Facebook page) Among the local products available at the showroom are Marikina bags and shoes, knotted rosaries by Caritas Manila, fashion accessories, a variety of Filipino delicacies, among others. DOT Undersecretary Katherine De Castro and Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez presided over the opening which was attended by educators, students, travel agency owners, and entrepreneurs. “We’ve been having showrooms in different parts of the Philippines, dapat lang meron din dito sa DOT office natin,” De Castro said. De Castro added that DOT eyes more arrivals from India, Korea, and Malaysia and sees France, Germany and Russia as a new market. Tourism showroom in Makati: Department of Tourism (DOT) UnderSecretary Alma Rita Jimenez and Assistant Secretary Daniel Ebarle Mercado Read More …

President Rodigo Duterte shares a light moment with businessman Ramon Ang, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and Alfonso Tan during the wedding of Waldo and Regine Carpio at San Agustin Church in Intramurous, Manila on September 16. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 19 (Mabuhay) — Saying Malacañang looked ridiculous for appearing to have too many spokespersons, Senator Franklin Drilon on Monday urged the Executive Secretary to issue an order telling Cabinet officials to “stop talking” for President Rodrigo Duterte. During the budget presentation of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), headed by Secretary Martin Andanar, before the Senate Committee on Finance, Drilon raised Malacañang’s problem in “message discipline.” “We cannot deny the fact that for the past three months, ang daming nagsasalita para sa Pangulo and I think your job, Mr. Secretary, is one of the most difficult in the government today because marami pong gustong sumali sa inyong katungkulan,” Drilon told Andanar. Drilon said the public’s perception is that the set-up of Malacañang’s communications office is “merely in shambles.” Andanar agreed with Drilon that there were too many officials speaking for Duterte. He said he asked for Duterte’s support in last week’s Cabinet meeting to allow the PCOO to speak first on clarificatory questions that the media may have about the President’s speeches or any of his pronouncements. “Only when we cannot explain comprehensively that we call on some Cabinet member or someone who has field of expertise to explain,” Andanar said. Andanar said the President agreed with him. But Read More …

Sen. Antonio Trillanes with members of Magdalo party, shows his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for vice president, at the Palacio del Gobernador in Manila, Tuesday. Trillanes will be running as an independent candidate, but expressed support for Sen. Grace Poe’s presidential bid in the 2016 elections. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 19 (Mabuhay) – Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday has extended his apology to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano following their heated exchange in a Senate hearing last week. In a letter sent to the office of Cayetano, Trillanes said: “This is to express my apologies for my demeanor during last Thursday’s hearing of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.” “It was brought about because of the intense passion and emotion of the moment. Nonetheless, it was uncalled for,” Trillanes added. “Be assured that such incident will not happen again,” the senator said. Copies of the said letter were also sent to the offices of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senator Leila de Lima, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Senators Trillanes and Cayetano clashed during last week’s hearing on drug-related killings. Cayetano was questioning witness Edgar Matobato on killings allegedly ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte during his term as city mayor of Davao. Cayetano is a close ally of President Duterte. Both Cayetano and Trillanes belong to the Nacionalista Party. Trillanes then asked De Lima to declare Cayetano out of order for taking up the time of the committee in questioning Matobato. De Read More …