Kim Jones on being Mrs. Jericho Rosales: “I thank God everyday that he came into my life.”
Aug 112014
Aug 112014
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the “History and her Story” – A Special Commemorative Photo Exhibit on the 5th Death Anniversary of former President Corazon C. Aquino at the Glorietta Activity Center in Palm Drive, Makati City on Monday (August 04, 2014). The exhibit gives its readers a rare glimpse into Mrs. Aquino’s life – from her school years at the St. Scholastica’s College, to her marriage to the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., to the People Power revolution that changed her life, and in the process, Philippine history. It also revisits Mrs. Aquino’s years as the first female President of the Philippines from 1987 to 1992. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Aquino’s proposal for a 2.6 trillion-peso national budget in 2015 gives him powers akin to what he exercised under the unconstitutional disbursement acceleration program (DAP), a lawmaker said Wednesday. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares grilled Budget Secretary Butch Abad about this during the Development Budget Coordinating Committee’s presentation of the proposed 2015 national budget before Congress today. Colmenares singled out the budget’s proposed redefinition of savings, which is meant to address the ruling of unconstitutionality on the DAP. “Redefinition of savings, ito crux of the matter. Sabi doon savings refer to portions of balances of appropriations, not released or obligated as result of discontinuance or abandonment of project of any cause at any time…Pwede niya stop at any time possible,” he said. Abad confirmed this. “Pwede ma-stop. There’s a standard. Congress can define that.” Colmenares explained that Read More …
Aug 112014
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Travel Agencies Association 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel.” The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures of domestic tourists. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Aimed at further boosting the country’s tourism industry, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will commence this year the implementation of Tourism Water Supply Infrastructure Program (TWSIP)to provide potable water supply to 30 waterless tourism spots across the country. DPWH secretary Rogelio L. Singson said with the release by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of P1.73 Billion for the TWSIP, the department is now set to begin with the water source development and corresponding detailed engineering design of projects that were identified in coordination with the Department of Tourism(DOT), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). Singson said areas that were identified as recipients of the projects are considered in-need locations or those that have remain waterless for years, but have potential for growth particularly in the tourism industry. “Tourism spots need to have safe and sustainable water supplies in order to cater to more tourists. This will be addressed once our water resource Read More …
Aug 112014
Senator Pia Cayetano (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Pia Cayetano has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the construction of a condominium tower in Manila that heritage advocates oppose because it would despoil the Rizal Monument. Senate Resolution No.824 filed by Cayetano, who chairs the committee on education, arts and culture, Wednesday said the construction of DMCI Homes’ Torre de Manila would not only spoil the view of the monument but also disrespect the memory of national hero Jose Rizal. Last month, the Manila City council, responding to the clamor of those opposed to the condominium’s construction, unanimously passed a resolution suspending Torre de Manila’s building permit for violating zoning ordinances. An online petition on Change.org initiated by tourist guide and historian Carlos Celdran has so far gathered more than 8,200 signatures. Cayetano’s resolution notes that, “the Rizal Park and Monument is regarded not only as an artistic and cultural icon and famous tourist site,” but is also where “momentous events in our history” have taken place. It also said there is a need to review the laws and policies governing the preservation of national and historical sites. Among these are: Article XIV, Section 15 of the Constitution: ‘The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations’ Republic Act No.4846, otherwise known as the “Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act,” which defines a national cultural treasure as “a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, Read More …
Aug 112014
Piolo Pascual (MNS Photo) Actor Piolo Pascual said he is open to the idea of doing a movie with Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo. “Definitely. She is one of the few na gusto kong makasama but nagkasunud-sunod sila ni Lloydie,” he said, referring to Geronimo’s movies with John Lloyd Cruz. In a previous interview, Geronimo said that she dreams of working with Pascual. Despite his willingness to work with Geronimo, however, Pascual admitted that it will be hard for him to shoot a film while doing “Hawak Kamay”. “It’s hard kasi hindi pa kami nage-ere eh everyday taping na kami. So I don’t think I will be able to devote time kung pagsasabayin ‘yun,” he said. Pascual said that he is set to do two movies, one of them with Toni Gonzaga, his leading lady in “Starting Over Again”. “Sabi sa Star Cinema, there’s going to be one movie before I do another [with] Toni. So it still depends kasi we are taping four times a week for the soap. I will concentrate on this one first bago ko isipin ang pelikula,” he said. Meanwhile, Piolo vowed that he will end his career in ABS-CBN. Pascual said staying with ABS-CBN is the greatest gift that he could give to the network. “I think ang pinakamagandang regalo na maibibigay ko sa ABS-CBN – and you can quote me on this – is that I started with ABS-CBN and I will end my career in ABS-CBN,” he said. (MNS)
Aug 112014
The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County, in cooperation with Southern California Edison, will hold its 6th Annual Green, Conserve and Health Expo on August 21 at Southern California Edison Energy Education Center in Irwindale. The occasion will mark the day that green conservationists and go green adherents and advocates will take center stage and get recognized for their exemplary effort in pushing the environmentalists’ agenda. Emerald Awards will be given to the “Best Green Company (City or Entity),” Best Green Product or Service”, and “Best Conservation Program”. Close to a dozen companies and organizations are pitching as sponsors and partners in this annual event which moved its venue from Orange County where it was traditionally held until two years ago to Los Angeles County. Community activist, civic and religious leader, Atty. Linda Sarno, co-founder and presently Director Emeritus of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce has been credited for FACCOC’s adoption of the go-green project a few years back, being herself also a chemist who seriously concerned with environmental issues. Participants to the annual event were quick to join the worthwhile movement during the initial staging and saw the opportunity to put to public knowledge and consciousness their own environmental-friendly products and services as part of their contributions to the movement. People from several sectors of the society had jumped into the bandwagon of the green movement which actually is not a recent development. The Green Movement as we know about it today is an advocacy that has evolved since Read More …
Aug 112014
http://images.gmanews.tv/ WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Filipino Community in the United States will now be able to listen to daily news updates from GMA Network, one of the largest broadcasters in the Philippines, as part of a public diplomacy initiative being undertaken by the Philippine Embassy in cooperation with AudioNow, the world’s leading call-to-listen platform. The Embassy announced today that as part of its efforts to better serve the diaspora, it was able to convince GMA’s premier radio station, DZBB, to offer US-based Filipinos daily five-minute news headlines on any phone through a simple telephone call. In a statement, the Embassy said GMA Network joins other industry leaders, such as Veritas 846 AM, the Catholic Media Network, and the People’s Television Network, as a part of a public diplomacy initiative to serve the Philippine diaspora in the US with greater access to media. The pioneering initiative also features Radyo Tambuli, a virtual radio station created by the Embassy exclusively for the Filipino Community that broadcasts news, interviews, folk music and opinion polls. “We applaud GMA’s initiative to join in our efforts with other leading Filipino broadcasters to serve the diaspora. This is another great step towards a digital public diplomacy for the Embassy,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. GMA’s flagship AM radio station DZBB, established in 1950 in a small office space in Manila, has become one of the most awarded radio stations in the Philippines by the Association of Broadcasters in the Philippines (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas), and serves Read More …
Aug 112014
By Manny V. Ilagan MANILA – Another ‘FUN’ homecoming full of exciting activities marked this year’s 9th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour to the Philippines (ACGTDT). Despite the threat of Tropical Depression Inday brewing at the northeast of the Philippines area of responsibility, the 9th ACGTDT, held from July 28 to 31, was generally blessed with good weather with only scattered rain showers that did nothing to dampen the high spirits of this year’s tour participants. Close to 300 Filipino-Americans from all over the United States under the jurisdiction of Foreign Service Posts in Agana, Honolulu, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. arrived to a VIP reception on July 28 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The next three nights and four days were a whirlwind of activities for the participants who were entertained, serenaded, wined, dined and were accorded with some of the best receptions organized by Tourism Promotions Board, DOT’s marketing arm and Rajah Tours Philippines, the ground handler of ACGTDT. Cultural presentations highlighted the welcome reception especially arranged for the tour participants held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr., who headed the delegation from Washington D.C., warmly welcomed the participants and further encouraged them to often visit the Philippines for deeper appreciation of all things Filipino. Meanwhile, the fellowship night hosted by Western Union at Dusit Thani Hotel on July 29 was marked by lots of music, entertainment by a live band, Read More …
Aug 112014
Senator Chiz Escudero, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, delivers a privilege speech on the 2014 General Appropriations Bill, Tuesday morning. According to Escudero, the 2014 budget proposal, which includes funds for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs and projects in the amount of P70 billion, will also include specific funding for the rehabilitation of the Visayas on top of the existing calamity fund to be sourced from items which can be postponed in the 2014 national budget. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The timing of the House investigation may be dubious, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Supreme Court still owes the public an explanation on how it utilizes the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), a senator said Thursday. “Wala namang above the law,” said Senator Francis Escudero at a news forum at the Senate. “The issues and the principles of accountability and transparency apply to all, even to SC, even to the chief justice, as it does with the President and all of us.” Still, he believes it was “bad timing” for the House of Representatives to investigate the JDF following the SC’s unfavorable ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which are both discretionary funds. “Hindi ko maikakaila parang napakasama ng timing at talagang mukhang resbak yan lalo na yung imbestigasyon sa JDF,” he said. Escudero, however, refused to comment on the plan of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas to file an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Read More …
Aug 112014
The Wraith has been a huge hit and a drop-top version could be bigger still. ©Rolls- Royce motor cars LTD (Relaxnews) – The world’s leading luxury carmaker has confirmed that its next new model will be coming in 2016 and promises that it will offer a “perfect marriage” of style, elegance and exhilaration. In a statement issued to the press on Tuesday, Rolls-Royce’s CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said: “We are currently developing an exciting and thoroughly contemporary interpretation of a pinnacle drophead tourer which will introduce even more discerning men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership.” It is understood that the car is already in an advanced prototype stage, meaning that it will be ready to make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015. Despite being one of the most exclusive and elusive brands in the industry, Rolls Royce has already sold 1,968 cars this year, up 33.4% year-on-year according to its latest accounts, which were also published Tuesday. This growth in demand has been spurred on in no small part by the introduction of the Wraith. Revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, it is a true GT tourer that’s as fast as it is comfortable and is a serious, luxurious alternative to anything with four seats that Ferrari, Aston Martin or Porsche can offer. The company has made no secret of the fact that the new car has indeed poached clients from all of those marques. And while the company isn’t offering many clues as Read More …