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) – Vice President Jejomar Binay is urging the public to vote for Vigan as one of the New 7 Wonders Cities of the World. The campaign recognizes places that “best represent the achievements and aspirations of our global urban civilization.” “Vigan reflects our country’s rich culture and history. As Filipinos proud of our own heritage, let us help make Vigan our very own world wonder,” urged Binay. Being the lone Philippine city in the list of nominees, Binay hopes that by being included in the New 7 Wonders, “Vigan will be able to attract more local and foreign visitors, and inspire appreciation of our heritage.” “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,” the Vice President said. Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was dubbed as the “best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia,” joins 27 other finalists in the New7Wonders Cities campaign. The other finalists are: Athens, Greece; Bangkok, Thailand; Barcelona, Spain; Beirut, Lebanon; Casablanca, Read More …

Jomari Yllana and Aiko Melendez (MNS Photo) ACTOR Jomari Yllana said he is leaving everything to fate whether or not he and estranged wife Aiko Melendez would be end up together again. After their separation in 2003, the ex-couple stayed friends and is present in each other’s lives for the sake of their only son, Andrei. In a recent interview with Yllana, the actor said he values Melendez’s support and still treats them as his family. They attend family gatherings and celebrate special occasions together. “Pag sinabi mo na support ni Aiko, kasama yung support ng dalawang bata. Sa kanya nakasilong ‘yan and hindi ‘yan gagalaw ng wala siya. I look at them as my family kahit ako yung hiwalay sa kanila,” he said. When asked if there is a chance to rekindle the romance, especially now that they are both single, Yllana said he is not thinking about it and will just leave everything to fate and God. “Ang dali-daling hawakan, kagatin or kunin (yung opportunity na magkabalikan), pero pag pumalpak kami ulit, masasaktan yung mga bata. Isang mali lang masasaktan ulit yung bagets. Siya ‘yung pinakanasaktan dati and hindi naman kami. So, if we f_ _ _ed up once, I’m not going to allow it again,” he said. Yllana said both of them are doing okay and close to each other. “Steady lang, ganyan lang kami. Nagkakaintindihan bilang kilalang kilala na namin yung isa’t isa. Wala siyang bago and ako ganun din.” He even treats Marthena (Melendez’s daughter Read More …

Former Aliw Awardee wows crowd at Dodgers Filipino Heritage Night Christine Love is the latest Filipino-American to have shared their talent at a major league game. In 2012, our very own Becca Godinez also sang Star Spangled Banner in a Dodgers Filipino Heritage Night in 2012 while another Fil-Am, Krystle Cruz, sang “God Bless America” in the 7th inning of a Dodgers game in 2011. Michelle Martinez, a Bay-Area based pop/R&B artist sang the National Anthem at Dodgers Filipino Heritage Night when the Dodgers met the St. Louis Cardinals. The 5th Annual Los Angeles Dodgers Filipino Heritage Night was held last Friday, June 13, at the Dodger Stadium with nearly 40,000 people in attendance. Christine Love sang the National Anthem and received a thunderous roar and applause after her performance. Christine Love is a Filipina female soul/R&B singer who has received two Awards – Best New Female Artist award on 2009 and Best Female Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges, Bars award on 2010. Her selection to be the Filipino artist to sing the U.S. National Anthem in this annual celebration of Filipino culture was made possible through the efforts of Mutch Cariño of Maxx Promos. Christine is the latest Filipino-American to have shared their talent at a major league game. In 2012, our very own Becca Godinez also sang Star Spangled Banner in a Dodgers Filipino Heritage Night in 2012 while another Fil-Am, Krystle Cruz, sang “God Bless America” in the 7th inning of a Dodgers game in 2011, according Read More …

Senator Pia Cayetano (MNS Photo) MANILA, June 18 (Mabuhay) – Senator Pia Cayetano slammed Destileria Limtuaco, Inc. (DLI) for allegedly desecrating and trivializing the names of historical figures and places, including Tacloban. Cayetano also twitted the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) for giving the firm the go-signal. The senator, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, said DLI’s plan to register as its own trademarks the names of “Rizal,” “Bonifacio,” and “Gomburza” only “threatens to desecrate, misappropriate and trivialize their national and historic significance.” “Dr. Jose Rizal, Gat Andres Bonifacio and the three martyred priests (Padre Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora) all laid their lives for the freedom and rights we enjoy today, and this is how Destileria Limtuaco intends to honor them? Or are they simply taking advantage of their good names to reap the benefits by having their names and images emblazoned on their bottles of whisky, gin, brandy and rhum?” the senator asked. She said the company is so “un-Filipino” to link the names of heroes to products that are known vices. Cayetano also said she could not comprehend why the IPO, a government office, initially approved the DLI’s application to register “Intramuros” as a liquor brand. “I cannot understand how the IPO, a government agency that is tasked to uphold the law and the national interest, would allow the name of a national heritage site to be reduced into a brand of an intoxicating beverage? The IPO could have used its authority Read More …

Susan Roces (MNS Photo) June Susan Roces has endeared herself to the public as the country’s one and only “Queen of Philippine Movies” for decades now, not only because of her longevity and acting prowess but for her humility. Roces downplays the matter saying the title was afforded her merely as a matter of respect by virtue of being the wife of the late Fernando Poe Jr., also known as the “King of Philippine Movies.” Her fans, however, know that her being a “Queen” is more than just about her being married to the “King.” The numerous movies she starred in speaks volume of her achievements as an actress. Roces admitted that she has never taken the title seriously nor did it ever got into her head. Witness to this is Bea Alonzo, her co-star in her latest teleserye from Dreamscape Entertainment Television entitled “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon.” “She won’t make you feel like she’s the ‘Queen.’ She’s very humble and very grounded and I learned a lot from her,” Bea related. Incidentally, Bea was recently christened as “The New Generation’s Movie Queen,” and Roces agrees, admitting, “I am one of her huge fans, I’ve seen many of her performances on TV and in movies. More, I really like how her beauty registers on-screen.” Roces recalled that she admired Bea’s beauty from when she first met her as a guest in the late Dolphy’s sitcom “John and Shirley.” In “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” Bea plays dual roles, that Read More …