Maniolas

CAPITOL HILL MEETING. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, accompanied by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Rep. Abigail Binay-Campos and Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay discuss bilateral issues with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, Chair of the Sub-Committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of the United States Senate, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Ariel Penaranda) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Contrary to text rumors, Vice-President Jejomar Binay will not be holding a press conference to announce his resignation from the Aquino Cabinet. Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said the text rumors are nothing but a hoax. Binay earlier expressed support for President Aquino amid calls for the latter’s impeachment over the unconstitutional disbursement acceleration program. Last week, the Vice-President said he will respect Aquino’s decision not to accept the resignation of Budget Secretary Butch Abad. “The President has made a decision and I respect his decision. The decision to accept or reject the resignation is the prerogative of the President,” he said. Binay’s ally, United Nationalist Alliance secretary-general Toby Tiangco, refused to comment on why Binay apparently did not clap when Aquino announced that he rejected Abad’s resignation after the Supreme Court declared parts of the disbursement acceleration program (DAP) as unconstitutional. He said he has not yet talked to the Vice-President. “One thing I’m sure of is gusto niya ng transparency,” he said. Binay has called for full disclosure and an independent audit of projects under the DAP. He said the SC decision was clear on Read More …

In an interview with Smart Parenting magazine, Richard Gutierrez also reveals what he felt the first time he held Zion in his arms.

Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was accompanied by Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero and Agricultural Attache Josyline Javelosa during the Economic Outreach in Florida. JACKSONVILLE – A Florida-based Fortune 500 company that is one of the world’s leading provider of banking and payments technology services has expressed serious interest to expand its presence in the Philippines. “We welcome the interest of Florida companies, particularly FIS Global, to collaborate and invest in Philippine businesses and institutions,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. who led an economic diplomacy mission to Florida recently. Ambassador Cuisia said FIS Global wants to tap the Philippines for Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) services. “FIS Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Martire has informed us that his company is considering to expand its present operations in the Philippines because of the favorable investment climate and other advantages, particularly the encouraging support that the government provides,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Trade Representative Maria Roseni Alvero, who accompanied Ambassador Cuisia in the mission, said FIS Global, which is headquartered in Jacksonville, employs more than 37,000 people worldwide, including more than 1,700 in the Philippines. Alvero said FIS Global, which has been serving bank clients in the Philippines for the past two decades, is No. 1 in the annual FinTech 100 list and 434 on the Fortune 500. It is a member of Standard & Poor’s 500® Index. “We see this as a step forward in  further developing our local industries as well as further strengthening economic ties with between the Read More …

Andrea Brillantes (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Child actress Andrea Brillantes has drawn enough life lessons from co-actors to survive the topsy-turvy world of local show business. She shared, “’Wag po lalaki ’yung ulo, act naturally lang po, tsaka dapat lagi pong careful, (and) paglaki ko, mag-ipon po ako nang mag-ipon.” Andrea said that she learned these mostly from her “Annaliza” co-stars, particularly actor Zanjoe Marudo, who plays her father in the family drama. She admitted that among her co-stars in the now defunct show, she has grown closest to Zanjoe, whom she continues to call Tatay. She considers Zanjoe and his girlfriend, actress Bea Alonzo, as her “second family.” “Ninong ko din po siya,” Andrea added, referring to when she was baptized last year. Life has indeed gotten better for the 11-year-old and her family. They have since transferred to a town house and now own a car as well. Humility is important to Andrea, especially with people touting her as the next Judy Ann Santos. “I-a-accept ko ’yun kasi maganda din pong maging next Judy Ann Santos. Magaling po kasi siyang umarte kaya parang feeling ko super touched ako dahil parang magaling siguro akong umarte kaya ako naco-compare sa kanya,” she said. The future is bright Even with a slew of product endorsements and TV projects, Andrea still makes it a point to catch up on her lessons as a regular student. “Siyempre importante po ’yun dahil hanggang sa paglaki ko madadala ko po ’yun. Tsaka gusto ko Read More …

Members of the Filipino-American Veterans of Hampton Roads carry the United States and Virginia State colors during dedication ceremonies for the new Visitor’s Center of the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia, on 13 October 2012. The MacArthur Memorial is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the life of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur who is remembered by Filipinos as the liberator of the Philippines. The Memorial also pays tribute to the millions of men and women who served with General MacArthur in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. (Photo by Ed Pelausa) Los Angeles – On July 26, 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order placing the army of the Philippine Commonwealth under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the command of General Douglas MacArthur who was called from his retirement to active service. Thus, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Ms. FilAm International LCC with the Seniors 4 Pilipino Americans Community Empowerment (S4PACE) will hold a fundraiser  dinner-dance party to commemorate the  73rd USAFFE Day on July 26, 2014 from 4;00 PM to 10:00PM at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA). The ticket for admission is $ 10.00 and the public is cordially invited. Music will be provided by Maestro Buddy Reyes /Letty Reyes and his band. 150th Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini The group will  also mark the 150th birth anniversary of the “Sublime Paralytic’ and the “Brains of the Read More …