Maniolas

Jessy Mendiola (MNS Photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Actress Jessy Mendiola admitted being starstruck with box-office star John Lloyd Cruz during their first shooting day for their upcoming Star Cinema movie. Mendiola was all praises for Cruz, noting that he can be also quite intimidating when he slips into character. “Sobrang bait niya pero kapag in character siya huwag ka ng umasa na siya pa rin si John Lloyd kasi iba, siya na talaga ‘yung character sa movie. Kinabahan ako nung unang shooting day kasi grabe ang galing niy. Alam mong nandun na ‘yung emotion niya unang eksena pa lang namin, no lines pero ang galing niya,” she said. That’s why Mendiola is glad that Cruz helps her in their scenes together. “Kumbaga hindi niya pinapa-feel na kakabahan ka or ma-i-intimidate ka. Tapos dagdagan mo pa ng Direk Chito (Rono) ‘di ba? Sobrang kabado ako nung first day ko halos mamawis-mawis ‘yung kili-kili ko lagi,” she said. According to Mendiola, she is excited to resume shooting for the still-untitled movie this month after the script was revised. “Mas pinaganda nila, mas gusto nila na mas pag-aralan ‘yung script kasi very different siya from other films eh. Hindi siya totally a romantic comedy. Para siyang advocacy din kasi kakaiba siya. Thriller-romance-suspense, ganun siya,” she explained. Promising to give her all in this movie, Mendiola said she is also hoping to win an acting award someday. “Minsan lang ako mabigyan ng ganitong klaseng role so gusto ko talagang pagbutihan,” she said. Aside from Read More …

In this photo taken Feb. 25, 2014 by surveillance planes and released Thursday, May 15, 2014, by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top center, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands at South China Sea, Philippines. The Philippines has protested China’s reclamation of land in the disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The white arrow was added by the source. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines said Thursday it would ask a UN tribunal to speed up its appeal to declare China’s expansive claims to the South China Sea invalid. A formal request would be filed seeking a resolution on the case within the year or early 2015, foreign department spokesman Charles Jose said. “We are consulting our legal team to present a request to the tribunal if it can hasten its process earlier, rather than later,” Jose told AFP. China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters near the shores of its neighbors, which has led to escalating territorial disputes. President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma also confirmed Thursday that the Philippines would repair an airstrip on Thitu island, one of the disputed Spratly islands occupied by Philippine troops in the South China Sea. Read More …

Meeting Senator Poe at the exclusive media press conference prior to Kalayaan’s celebration of the 116th anniversary of Philippine Independence, was not only a privelege, but an unexpected experience of admiration for a public servant who humbly sounded like a powerful, potential Presidential candidate. During the press conference chaired by Susan Dilkes and moderated by Atty. Allison Aquino-Silva, Senator Poe responded to a wide variety of topics ranging from concerns on the allegedly fradulent election results during the 2004 Presidential elections when her Dad lost to GMA, to the questions on the non-bailable plunder charges against the three senators involved in the PDAF scam; to the question on who monitors the millions of financial aid poured to the Haiyan typhoon victims and futher, on a lighter note, the question on her plans of running gor the top office in the next election and how she feels coming to LA where she, along with Senator Chiz Escudero, received the highest OAV votes during the last election, giving way to her current senatorial post. Politely, Senator Poe answered each and every question with her wit and charm, pointing out the rampant ballot-rigging in the Mindanao area where they have proof of ballot tampering during the 2004 elections; regarding the PDAF scam, she said that those guilty will be charged to the full extent of the law and on the millions of financial aid to the Haiyan typhoon victims, that Senator Ping Lacson, as the Rehab czar has the responsibilty given him to report and give updates on the rebuilding programs currently being done. Finally, she said she has no plans to Read More …

Major feat for Philippine Children’s Charities, Incorporated Darna B. Umayam, Project Director, Consul Marlowe MIranda- Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles, Elito Santarina-Mayor Pro Tem Carson City and Manny ILagan-Deputy Tourism Director/OIC Department of Tourism LA. Philippine Children’s Charities, Incorporated scored a major feat with the successful celebration that marked the Grand Coronation of this year’s Ambassadors of Goodwill, Miss Philippines USA, Miss Teen Philippines USA and Mrs. Philippines USA 2014. After many months of hectic preparations, the event held last May 10 at the Hilton Hotel – Los Angeles Airport could only be described as a major success. Crowned this year’s Ambassadors of Goodwill are the following:  Sophia Galicia, Miss Teen Philippines USA Universe; Grachelle Gonong, Miss Philippines USA Universe; Rea Poticar Lazo, Mrs. Philippines USA Universe; Erin Borja, Miss Teen Philippines USA International; Dinah Sarming, Miss Philippines USA International; Jennifer Velasco, Mrs. Philippines USA International; Sychelle Phoebe Jaochico, Miss Teen Philippines USA World; Kristen Solis, Miss Philippines USA World; Vivian Neri, Mrs. Philippines USA World; and Geraldine Gacuya, Mrs. Philippines USA Tourism. Project Director Darna B. Umayam  welcomed the guests who packed the ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, and acknowledged everyone’s support of the humanitarian activities of the Philippine Children’s Charities, Incorporated. “Our mission is to help and answer the cry of the poor, build homes for the homeless families in our homeland, and extend assistance to as much as 20 other beneficiaries,” Umayam said.  “The Philippine Children’s Charities, Incorporated is proud to continue its annual humanitarian projects.” Read More …

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada leads wreath-laying during Commemoration of the 69th Anniversary of the Historic Battle of Manila at the Freedom Triangle, Manila City Hall, on Monday, Feb.03, 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has once again asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the disqualification case against him and to hold oral arguments so he could explain his side further. In a 70-page memorandum, Estrada insisted that despite his plunder conviction in 2007, he can still run for public office because of the “unqualified and absolute” pardon extended to him by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In her petition with the Supreme Court, lawyer Alicia Risos-Vidal, a known lawyer of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, contested the Commission on Elections decision to dismiss with finality her disqualification complaint against Estrada. Last year, Lim asked and subsequently was allowed by the Supreme Court to intervene or participate in the case. In her petition, Vidal stressed that Estrada’s conviction for plunder and his being sentenced to life imprisonment had rendered him disqualified to run for public office. She also said the executive pardon granted to him by Mrs. Arroyo specifically did not restore his right to run for public office. In the pardon given to Estrada, there was a statement in the “whereas clause” that stated: “Whereas, Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office.” But in his memorandum, Estrada maintained that this statement would “not suffice Read More …