Sep 112014
 
AARP TEK Workshops in San Diego empower Asian Americans 50+ to use technology

Free AARP TEK workshops with translation supportexpanding to more cities in 2015 AARP Seminar WASHINGTON, D.C., September 10, 2014 – More than 300 people attended AARP TEK workshops designed for Chinese, Filipino, and other Asian American and Pacific Islander communities on how to use personal technology during AARP’s Ideas@50+ National Event and Expo in San Diego last week. AARP TEK (which stands for Technology Education and Knowledge) is a comprehensive technology education program specifically geared towards the 50+ audience and works to close the technology gap for older adults. Workshops were held in English with translation support available in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Korean. As with the inaugural translation-supported workshops delivered in Boston earlier this year, the San Diego workshops were offered at no charge. As AARP TEK continues to provide more workshops with translation support, AARP trainers are learning how to better present and integrate multilingual content and materials within the program to better serve Chinese, Filipino, and other AAPI communities. AARP Seminar  “After the hands-on training, the smartphone was no longer as intimidating or irrelevant to their lives,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience. “Transformations were occurring in the two-hour session as participants learned basic tools to stay connected with family and friends, including how to Skype, text, send emails, take photos and ‘selfies,’ use maps, and more. A 95-year-old Chinese American woman traveled from Los Angeles to join us! What great spirit!” AARP TEK offered six Read More …

Sep 112014
 
Eraserheads launches 2 new songs

Eraserheads (MNS photo) Twelve years after officially calling it quits, Filipino music icon Eraserheads gathered again for one night at a magazine’s launch party in Makati City. The group – composed of Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro – performed together again for the first time since disbanding in 2002. Eraserheads, whose Esquire cover was unveiled at the event, played some of their most memorable hits, including “Magasin.” Esquire editor-in-chief Erwin Romulo said they chose the band to grace the cover for one simple reason. “We were in London and we decided to talk. We got together in a place at Portobelo Road and we started asking ourselves, what would Eraserheads sound like today? And that was the only thing, we wanted to ask that question,” he explained. And if the reaction of the crowd is any indication, Eraserheads still sounded the way fans loved them through the years. The crowd could not stop singing along with the band in a night that proved to be momentous for another reason. Eraserheads, whose last studio album is “Carbon Stereoxide” in 2001, launched two new songs entitled “Sabado” and “1995.” “It is a tribute to music in general basically. I mean it’s for OPM because people said OPM is dead,” added Romulo. The night became a big throwback and though the group has no plans for a major comeback, the night became a reunion for all OPM lovers and Pinoy rock fans. (MNS)

Sep 112014
 
GMA Pinoy TV presents Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez in Kapusong Pinoy sa L.A.

Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana After their recent trip to Singapore for the taping of their latest Kapuso romantic-drama My Destiny, rumored couple Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez have another opportunity to work closely together as they gear up for an exciting concert titled “Kapusong Pinoy sa L.A.” The concert, organized by GMA Pinoy TV, the flagship international channel of GMA Network, in cooperation with Polaris Media and Marketing, will be held on September 27 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, California. Carla Abellana Following the success of their onscreen pairing in several projects, Carla and Tom are sure to thrill their fans abroad who ardently followed the story of Lally and Vincent in the groundbreaking, international hit series My Husband’s Lover, and the brewing romance between Grace and Matthew in My Destiny. Carla is delighted that she has been given another opportunity to meet her fans in the United States. “During the US tour of My Husband’s Lover last year, we were given such a warm welcome by our kababayans,” she recalls. “The support we’ve been receiving from our fellow Filipinos, especially those outside the Philippines, is very heartwarming and inspiring.” “This is our way of saying thank you to all those who continue to support us,” shares Tom. “We promise to put on a good show for our fans abroad.” Tom Rodriguez The concert also features some of the hottest Kapuso stars seen on GMA Pinoy TV – Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Read More …

Sep 102014
 
Say ‘Om’ for authentic north Indian fare

Om Lifestyle + Cafe owners Suman  Gogna and her daughter Anjie Photos by BOY SANTOS MANILA, Philippines – Mention authentic Indian food and you’ll get divided diners who will hunt for different restaurants that serve Indian cuisine from the southern or northern regions or other states. Curry, dal, and tandoori chicken are Indian foods, all right, but there’s really so much more because each state in India has its own regional cuisines: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bengal. And even the states have subcategories: coastal Maharashtrian, inland Maharashtrian, and Muslim-inspired, according to Indian food connoisseurs.     But for Suman Gogna, a New Delhi native who has been living in the Philippines for 30 years, no matter where the origin of the Indian food is, it becomes unmistakably Indian once you’ve tasted its rich and strong flavors.   “Although each state in India does have its own uniqueness that defines their cooking, there is still that overall similarity such that when one tastes the food, they can say that it is distinctly Indian,” Suman said. “The use of strong flavors and spices, for instance, is something that resonates through all of Indian cooking.” Suman has added a small cafe to her existing lifestyle boutique. The result is Om Lifestyle + Café in Greenhills, where she serves and cooks authentic north Indian fare. “I learned how to cook these dishes from my grandmother in New Delhi,” she said. Suman runs the café/lifestyle store with her daughter Anjie. She explained that a distinct characteristic of northern Indian cuisine is Read More …

Sep 102014
 
Aquino on Chiz-Heart wedding: ‘I’m relieved I’m not ninong’

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner-at-Large Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III after administering the oath in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and TV host/actress Marian Rivera. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Hope springs eternal, a candid President Benigno Aquino III said Monday as he reacted to news that he was asked by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to be his best man in his wedding with actress Heart Evangelista. “As to being best man syempre (of course) I am honored but I am relieved that I wasn’t made ninong (godfather),” Aquino said in jest. Speaking at the sidelines of the Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program launch at Davao City, Aquino explained that it was taboo for single people to be called on as principal sponsors in weddings since it would make them less likely to find a partner in life. Asked how many times he had become best man, he said, “May mga bagay na hindi na binibilang (There are things that should no longer be counted).” Aquino, since being elected president in 2010, has long been teased about his status as a bachelor. Aquino also confirmed that he was invited to the wedding of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera but said he was just a guest. “They’ve been very supportive, both of them,” he said of the two celebrities. (MNS)

Sep 102014
 
Akbayan wants inciting to sedition struck off penal code

Proponents of the Freedom of Information bill hail the technical working group of the House committee on Public Information for the approval of its consolidated version on Wednesday (September 3, 2014) at the House of Representatives in Batasan Complex, Quezon City. From left are Paranaque City Rep. Gustavo Tambunting; Ang NARS party list Rep. Leah Paquiz; Committee on Public Information chairman and Misamis Occidental Rep. Jorge Almonte; Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia; Akbayan party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez and Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – To strengthen the right to freedom of expression, lawmakers of Akabayan party-list have proposed the deletion of Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes inciting to sedition. “This is an outdated penal provision which was based on Article 292 of the Philippine Commission, a law promulgated during the American occupation and intended to clamp down on dissent,” Representatives Ibarra Gutierrez and Walden Bello said as they pushed for the passage of House Bill 4725, or “An Act repealing Article 142 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.” Article 142 of the RPC reads: “The penalty of prision correctional in its maximum period and a fine not exceeding 2,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any person who, without taking any direct part in the crime of sedition, should incite others to the accomplishment of any of the act which constitute sedition, by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners, or other representations Read More …

Sep 102014
 
Baldoz reinstates DOLE convergent actions on MERS-CoV

Hundreds of nurses arrive at the Araneta coliseum in Manila, 02 October 2007 to attend official oath taking ceremonies after passing the June 2007 government licensure examination, where 31,275 successful examinees from the more than 64,000 passed the tests conducted nationwide. Last year’s scandal tainted examination resulted in the massive retake for examinees to qualify for US Visa. Filipino nurses are in high demand in the US. AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images) MANILA (Mabuhay) – In view of a recent report that some Filipino nurses in Saudi Arabia have been exposed to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday issued a memorandum directing all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to re-establish their respective daily monitoring systems on MERS-CoV and to undertake measures to ensure the protection of OFWs against the deadly virus. In her memorandum, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz also directed all POLOs to make representation with health authorities in their posts to strengthen infection control protocols for Filipino healthcare workers, as well as with labor and health authorities for Filipino agricultural workers whose jobs make them in contact with animals. “We have established the Daily Monitoring System on MERS-CoV last April, whereby our POLOs were required to submit the complete names, addresses in the Philippines, and contact details of vacationing OFWs. We have to re-establish this system,” said Baldoz. The DOLE has 36 POLOs, 15 of which are located in the Middle East; 11 in Asia; and Read More …

Sep 102014
 
FACLA feeding program/food distribution for Fil-Ams  on Sept. 27

http://newfacla.org/ Los Angeles – The HIFI CALI EXPO LLC,  Filipino Ministry of the  Wilshire United Methodist Church of Wilshire ( FM-WUMC) and the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) will hold a feeding program/food distribution for Fil-Ams  on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 9-11 a.m. FACLA Director and Ms. FILAM INTERNATIONAL LLC President  Bernie Targa-Ganon “ The feeding program has been one of the community services feature of FACLA since July 2014 and it is in this third month. We call all Fil-Am seniors and indigent needy families to avail of this feeding program.” Pastor Rudy Somaling of FM-WUMC  also said; “ we are not only involve on feeding the souls but also helping people to make their daily ends meet.” Food Distribution Every Last Saturday of the Month On the other hand FACLA President Jun Baul said, “we welcome this monthly community service activity of  these organizations so they can help in feeding the Fil-Am seniors, veterans, widows and indigent families and distributing food to the families who need it.” The Justice for Filipino American veterans (JFAV) MS FILAM INTRNATIONAL LLC and the Seniors for Filipino American Community Empowerment supports this once a month endeavor and community service that is held in FACLA every last Saturday of every month. For more information please call FACLA c/o Clarita Julian  or Cording at (213) 484-1527 or JFAV at (213)241-0995 email us newfacla@yahoo.com.

Sep 102014
 
Bangs opens up about ties with Phil Younghusband

Bangs Garcia (MNS Photo) Sexy actress Bangs Garcia finally opened up about her supposed romantic ties with Philippine Azkals striker Phil Younghusband, months after the athlete confirmed that they are “hanging out.” “We are going out, we’re not hiding. We always go to the malls. We always eat out. We go to Baclaran and we love going to videoke. We love singing. Mahilig kami manood ng sine. Actually a lot of people see us outside. We’re not hiding anything,” she said. The actress, however, added that they are still getting to know each other. “We cherish every moment eh. Sobrang okay kasi kami eh. Sobrang click kami,” she said. According to Garcia, she and Younghusband have actually known each other for two years now. “Magkakaibigan ‘yung mga ex namin. Well siyempre kahit na nandiyan ‘yung mga ex namin nag-uusap na kami. Okay kami, naguusap kami but we never texted each other at that time until this year. So nagulat kami that we clicked so much,” she said. Saying they have many things in common, Garcia said: “Sabi ko para kaming mag-best friends talaga eh. We can talk about anything under the sun. We can just keep on talking the whole day. As in. Of course with the company of his sister and our friends. Marami kaming common friends.” Asked if things are okay between her and Angel Locsin, Garcia said, “Angel and I are friends and she’s happily with Luis [Manzano], who’s also my friend. Deadma. I don’t care.” Younghusband Read More …