Maniolas

Aquino in Germany (MNS photo) BOSTON, Massachusetts (Mabuhay) – The Philippines has changed a lot and has created more opportunities for its people because of the reform measures undertaken by the government, President Benigno S. Aquino III said Sunday in a speech before students of Boston College and the Filipino-American community here. Among the major changes that have taken place in the Philippines are the country’s big strides in the economic front, the peace in Mindanao, and government initiatives to fight corruption, he said. The President recalled that from 2006 to 2009, average growth was at 4.3 percent, saying this was largely consumer-driven, fueled by the remittances of overseas workers who had lost hope in the motherland. Since taking office in 2010, President Aquino said, his administration has worked to foster sustainability by rebalancing the economy towards investments. “Since 2010, our economy has been growing at an average of 6.3 percent, and last year, we posted an economic growth of 7.2 percent, making us one of the fastest growing economies in our part of the world,” he told his audience. The World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report showed that the Philippines jumped from 85th place in 2010 to 52nd in 2014, the biggest improvement by any country in that particular time frame. The three major credit ratings agencies, namely Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, also upgraded the country for the first time to investment grade in 2013, he said, adding that these upgrades reduced the cost of borrowing and reinforced Read More …

Paulo Avelino (MNS Photo) Actor Paulo Avelino has clarified why he deleted photos of his rumored girlfriend, actress KC Concepcion, on his Instagram page. Avelino made it clear that he deleted several photos on his Instagram account, not just Concepcion’s, to keep up with his page’s black and white theme. He stressed that people should not make an issue out of his Instagram account, which has the username pauavelino. “Sa Instagram kasi ang theme ko is black and white. So parang nilinis ko lang sila lahat, lahat ng colored. Actually, ang dami ko talagang tinanggal, not just ‘yung picture niya but also pictures with others. Tinanggal ko sila lahat. So if you see my page, it’s just black and white. It’s all quotes, films and me. Wala namang issue,” he explained. Some netizens recently speculated that Avelino and Concepcion are not on good terms after the actor deleted their photos on Instagram. Avelino maintained that he and Concepcion are doing well. KC Concepcion (MNS Photo) “Siguro nabibigyang malisya lang ng mga tao pero wala, wala. We’re okay,” he said. “It’s still the same.” The Kapamilya actor admitted, however, that they barely have time for each other given their hectic schedules. He is currently one of the lead stars of “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” while Concepcion is part of “Ikaw Lamang.” Both are primetime shows on ABS-CBN. “Well, busy pareho eh. Pareho kaming may soap ngayon. May ginagawa rin akong movie ngayon. Mahirap, ang hirap lalo pa ngayon may Cosmo Read More …

Flood victims are evacuated in rescue boats after their homes were swamped by heavy flooding in Marikina, Metro Manila September 19, 2014. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital, Manila, caused flooding in many areas on Friday, shutting schools, government offices and financial markets as a tropical storm made landfall to the north. Thousands of residents in low-lying areas were moved to higher ground, officials said, as flood waters rose quickly after the equivalent of half a month’s usual rain fell in six hours. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The number of people affected by Tropical Storm Mario (Fung-Wong) breached the one million mark as of Monday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said the death toll remained at 11 with 12 injured and two still missing. Mario exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before dawn Monday. According to the NDRRMC, Mario has so far affected 258,976 families or 1,160,050 people in 1,126 barangays in 27 provinces in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central and Southern Luzon, Bicol, Central Visayas, Cordillera, and Metro Manila. Of these, 30,266 families or 129,676 people are staying in 324 evacuation centers. The NDRRMC also said 425 houses were destroyed while 1,710 were damaged in Ilocos, Central and Southern Luzon, and Cordillera. At least 81 roads and six bridges remained impassable in Ilocos, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila. The Department of Public Works and Highways, meanwhile, said at least 22 road sections in Luzon are still Read More …

Tattoo artists from the country and from all over the world gather together in a battle of creativity, skill, and innovation for respect and recognition.  

Mark points to the sign leading to the rehearsal stage for Here Lies Love at the sprawling National Theatre where the musical is scheduled from October to January next year – Photos by RICKY LO   LONDON — First, a little clarification: Unlike Rachelle Ann Go (who’s a smash as Gigi in Miss Saigon, currently playing at the Prince Edward Theater) and the other Filipino talents before her (led by Lea Salonga who originated the role of Kim in the same musical), Mark Bautista will take a bow on world stage as Ferdinand Marcos in the musical Here Lies Love not at the West End but at the National Theatre at the south side of this city. “I would say that the National Theatre is like our CCP back home,” said Mark as he welcomed me into the sprawling theater complex. “Only, it’s much, much bigger.” I could have walked from the Strand Palace Hotel (where journalists invited to the junket for Universal Pictures’ Dracula Untold, starring Luke Evans, were billeted…but more on that later) but I didn’t want to miss my appointment with Mark set before I left Manila, so I took a cab (fare was 20 pounds, roughly P2,000). Mark and two castmates (one a Filipino dancer from  Repertory and the other an artist from Hong Kong who performed in Disneyland) are staying at a three-room house 40 minutes by train to National Theatre, paid for by the producer. “Come,” he gestured toward the NT complex, “I’ll take Read More …