Former child actor Jaypee de Guzman returns to acting after 20 years.
Jun 292014
Jun 272014
Vicki Belo and daughter Cristalle confess their own beauty secrets.
Jun 272014
Vigan Los Angeles – Philippine officials, including Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Loren Legarda, joined the City officials of Vigan in calling on the public to vote for Vigan City as one of the New7Wonders Cities of the world. The heritage city of Vigan is the lone candidate from the Philippines vying for the spot in the New Seven Wonder Cities of the World List. There are a total of 28 cities contending for the seven slots. (Additional information regarding the mechanics for the online voting, as well as a brief profile of the countries nominated, panelist and the organization can be accessed through this link: www.7wonders.com/en/cities.) “Vigan reflects the Philippines rich culture and history. As Filipinos proud of its own heritage, let us help make Vigan our very own world wonder. This is an opportunity for us to showcase the beauty of our country, and motivate others to protect and preserve their cultural legacy so future generations will be able to appreciate and cherish it,” according to Vice President Binay. Senator Loren Legarda cited the city’s well-preserved, centuries-old structures that seemed to bring people back in time, yet its prosperity shows how the residents and the local government worked well and made good use of its autonomy. Vigan Calle Crisologo Legarda said Vigan is the only UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) world heritage city in the Philippines and was awarded the Best Practice for world heritage site management in November 2012. “The best practices that the people of Vigan have carried out to preserve Read More …
Jun 272014
Julia Barretto and Enrique Gil (MNS Photo) Young stars Julia Barretto and Enrique Gil, who are being romantically linked to each other, believe that experience is the best teacher when it comes to matters of the heart. “I believe you’ll never know if you don’t try,” Barretto said in an interview during a shoot for her first endorsement with Gil. “I’m like that kasi – unless you’ll experience it yourself, unless you learned from it, you’ll never know.” “Now, I can say, I know what’s right for my heart,” she added. Gil agreed with his “Mirabella” leading lady. “How would you know if it’s the right thing if you will not try it? Paano mo masasabi na mahal mo ang isang taong ito kung before, hindi ka pa na-in-love? If I feel I love somebody ‘tapos nag-break kami, hindi pala love ‘yun,” Gil said. “Kasi kung love ‘yun, kami pa rin ‘yun. If you know what love is, madi-distinguish mo ang totoo o hindi. So now, I think I know more and more sa mga nangyari the past few days. Mas alam ko what’s real or not,” Gil added. Barretto and Gil are currently finishing their hit soap, “Mirabella”. (MNS)
Jun 272014
By Jason Gutierrez U.S. Marines board a KC-130J Hercules aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, to depart for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, Nov. 11, 2013. The Marines are assigned to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey ANGELES (AFP) – When the last US ship pulled out of the Philippines’ Subic naval base more than two decades ago, a desperate young woman’s hopes of finding her father sailed away with it. Beirut Calaguas, now 44, is among the tens of thousands of “Amerasians” fathered by US soldiers who served in the Philippines, home to the US military’s biggest overseas bases until they closed down in 1992. Like so many others, Calaguas has endured a life of discrimination and poverty, while battling the mental trauma of having been abandoned and not knowing either of her biological parents. “When the Americans left, my heart broke, I resigned my fate to never finding my father,” said the fair-skinned, brown-eyed Calaguas at her ramshackle home in a rundown suburb close to the former US bases. “I used to cry every night. It’s very difficult to feel so alone in the world, and long for a father whose face you’ve never seen.” Despite one study estimating there are as many as 250,000 Amerasians and their offspring in the Philippines, they are a largely forgotten community. Their plight, however, is gaining fresh attention with the United States Read More …
Jun 272014
Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. undergoes booking procedures in Camp Crame on Friday, June 20, after he surrendered to the Sandiganbayan. The anti-graft court manifested that it has taken Revilla into custody because he surrendered, and that there is no need to serve an arrest warrant issued against him. The booking process included a medical examination, and taking his fingerprints and mugshot. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Thursday said the failed attempt by prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman to amend the information filed against Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was not an indication the plunder and graft cases filed over the pork barrel scam are weak. “The Department of Justice has done its part from the time they submitted their findings. The DOJ conducted a thorough investigation. They submitted the product of their case buildup to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the Ombudsman conducted its own process,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a briefing aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan. “We believe the concerned agency of the government has already done what it should do. The DOJ has done its homework. They have spent enough time to examine the merit of the case that they have filed,” he added. Despite the junking of the petition, Coloma said: “It is our view that in filing an amended information with the Sandiganbayan, the Office of the Special Prosecutor acted well within the rules of court that allow the prosecution to present its Read More …
Jun 272014
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile gestures during the budget committee hearing of Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Department of Finance (DOF) at the senate yesterday afternoon. Also in photo was Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. (edwin muli) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A Malacañang spokesperson on Thursday maintained that President Benigno Aquino III is not trying to influence the Sandiganbayan on how to treat embattled Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. “Malinaw sa pahayag ng Pangulo na ipinapaubaya sa hukuman ang pasya kung saan maaring i-detine si Sen. Enrile,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement. Coloma was responding to Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chair Dante Jimenez, who claimed the President could be held liable for “influence-peddling” since the Sandiganbayan is still in the process of determining probable cause in Enrile’s case. Jimenez was referring to Aquino’s earlier statement that the court should consider the age and frail health of Enrile in determining where he will be detained once a warrant of arrest is issued against him. Coloma, however, said the President was just asking the court to take into consideration the senator’s physical condition. “Hindi ito maaring maituturing na ini-impluwensya ng Pangulo ang sinuman,” he said. Enrile is facing one count of plunder and 15 counts of graft. He and his co-accused are alleged to have amassed P172.8 million in kickbacks from 2004 to 2010 through the pork barrel scam. He Read More …
Jun 272014
PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 18, 2013) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) prepare for an underway replenishment as the guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) conducts an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 2). Preble and Curtis Wilbur are on patrol with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly SUBIC BAY (AFP) – The United States and the Philippines kicked off joint naval exercises Thursday in the South China Sea near waters claimed by Beijing, amid tense territorial rows between China and its neighbors. Filipino military officials said the week-long maneuvers, involving three US warships and more than a thousand servicemen, would address Manila’s “capability gaps” as well as testing its newest military vessels. The Philippines is engaged in a bitter territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. China has increasingly asserted its claims to the sea, which are believed to harbor vast oil and gas deposits, and parts of which are also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Beijing placed an oil rig in disputed waters last month, sparking deadly anti-China riots in Vietnam. Philippine officers said the annual war games, involving more than a thousand US personnel and about 400 Filipino counterparts, would test the Philippines’ two Read More …
Jun 272014
Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henarez advises the camp of boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to talk with the BIR to know all the problems on the garnishment order against his bank accounts during a press conference at the Department of Justice on Thursday (Nov. 28, 2013). Flanking her are BIR Deputy Commissioner Estela V. Sales (left) and Atty. Albert Opon. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares said customs brokers and importers are required to get clearance from the BIR before they can transact with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to help boost government’s drive against smuggling. Henares said the new requirements will ensure that customs brokers and importers are involved in legitimate businesses. “Kung talagang nagnenegosyo kayo, every month nagfa-file kayo ng tax returns, at every quarter nagfa-file kayo ng income tax returns. Ginagamit ‘yung records ng BIR para masigurado na talagang kayo ay lehitimong importer o kaya lehitimong customs broker,” she said. Henares also clarified that the BIR will only give clearances to importers and brokers through the Importer Clearance Certificate or the Broker Clearance Certificate, and it is the BOC that will give the accreditation. “Hindi kami nag a-accredit. Ang requirement ng Bureau of Customs bago sila ma-accredit ng Customs ay kailangang pumunta sila ng Bureau of Internal Revenue at kumuha sila ng clearance na talagang nagbabayad sila ng buwis,” she said. Customs brokers are opposing the new directive issued by the Department of Finance, Read More …
Jun 272014
The grand finals is slated for June 28, at the Solaire Resort and Casino.