Maniolas

AFI head praises designer for “Rock The Runway” fundraiser on July 28 in Avalon Hollywood (Leftmost) Celebrity designer Rocky Gathercole will feature a collection for the exciting “Rock the Runway” on July 28 at the landmark Avalon Hollywood. (Center) From left, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI) Chief Finance Officer Noemi B. Samson, Rocky Gathercole, ALKFI Donor Management Head Josine Reyes and ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head and ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett during the visit of Gathercole to the Foundation office in Manila. Gathercole chose one of the Foundation’s core programs – Bantay Bata (Child Watch) – as the beneficiary of “Rock the Runway”. (Photo by Marianne De Vera/ABS-CBN Global Corporate Affairs & PR). (Right) Couture and Compassion meet via “Rock The Runway”, a benefit event featuring the designs of Rocky Gathercole. HOLLYWOOD, CA  – A heartwarming lovefest ensued upon the recent visit of Rocky Gathercole, famed Filipino designer to the biggest music stars, to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya (Family Service) Foundation, Inc. or ALKFI. The designer to celebrities like Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Underwood dropped by to express his commitment to helping one of ALKFI’s core programs called, Bantay Bata (Child Watch), Asia’s model for child care services. Gathercole was warmly welcomed by ALKFI Chief Finance Officer Noemi B. Samson, ALKFI Donor Management Head Josine Reyes and concurrent ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service Head and ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Jerry Bennett during his visit. Come July 28, at the landmark Avalon Hollywood, Gathercole will unveil a collection for the show, “Rock The Runway”, proceeds of which will benefit Bantay Bata.  The Read More …

DRILON’S EULOGY TO BENITEZ: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon delivers his eulogy to the late Senator Helena Benitez, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 102. “Senator Helena Benitez was one of the fortunate people who were blessed with a long life. She did not only bring honor to her family, community and country, she also opened doors that were previously closed to women. In her lifetime, she paved the way and inspired Filipino women to persevere and prosper in their fields of endeavor,” Drilon said.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Lawmakers from the present and past Congresses gathered at the Senate Tuesday to pay their last respects to former Senator Helena Benitez, who passed away on July 14 at the age of 102. The necrological services began shortly past 10 a.m., after the urn containing Benitez’s ashes was brought to the Senate session hall. Among the lawmakers who attended the event were outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Vicente Sotto III and Leila de Lima, and former senators Wigberto Tañada, Leticia Ramos Shahani and Santanina Rasul. SENATE RESOLUTION: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon (4th from right) presents a Senate resolution expressing its sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, during a necrological service at the Senate, July 19, 2016. Benitez died at the age of 102. In photo are Benitez’s family, led by her niece, Petty Benitez-Johannot (fourth from left), Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia B. Licuanan Read More …

By Cielito M. Reganit Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives with husband, Jose Miguel, at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 11, 2012. Arroyo entered a plead of not guilty to allegations of graft and corruption in the tainted telecommunications deal with China in 2007. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) MANILA  (PNA) – Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court decision that acquitted her from plunder charges and said that justice and righteousness have once again prevailed over injustice and wrongdoing. In a statement released after the landmark ruling, the former leader also urged the public to keep faith in the justice system. “With the High Tribunal rendering a final decision on this unfortunate episode, I sincerely hope that everyone will respect and recognize the truth that has been established,” she said. Voting 11-4, the high tribunal granted Arroyo’s petition seeking the dismissal of her remaining plunder case at the Sandiganbayan over the alleged misuse of the Php 366-million confidential intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). In the statement, Arroyo thanked the High Court for finally stopping the persecution she had unjustly gone through for the last five years. She also thanked her supporters for their prayers and immeasurable help in keeping her faith and conviction that truth and justice will ultimately prevail. “It is my fervent hope that nobody else will suffer the persecution that had been levied on me through Read More …

President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivers a speech before the San Beda Law Alumni Association during the Testimonial Dinner Reception at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino in San Juan City on July 14. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 18, (Mabuhay) – Incoming Finance Department spokesperson Paola Alvarez on Monday said the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer be a collision of politics and Filipino fashion in an attempt to “step away from the norm.” Alvarez, daughter of incoming House Speaker Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez who also served as the spokesperson of PDP-Laban during the campaign period and currently helping with the SONA preps, said that the event on July 25 will center on the message of the President that guests, especially the ladies, will be asked to tone down their sartorial picks. “We will downplay the event. It will not be a fashion show. We want to center on the what the President’s message is to our people especially it’s his first State of the Nation Address. So it will be a different take because our guests will be requested not to wear their gowns as what we have previously been seeing in the past SONAs,” she said. Guests will be asked to wear business attire. Female guests have the option to wear a Filipiniana but only if it is knee-length. She said that this will be SONA’s new dress code under the Duterte administration. “During the previous SONAs, most people Read More …

Philippine National Police Chief Director-General Ronald dela Rosa answers questions during a press conference at Camp Crame, Wednesday. Three high-ranking PNP officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs tagged by President Duterte reported to Dela Rosa to clear their names. (MNS photo) CEBU CITY, July 18, (MABUHAY) – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa confirmed Monday that some of the police directors recently relieved from their posts were involved in the narcotics trade. At a command conference in Cebu City, Dela Rosa said some of the relieved senior officials were receiving drug money. Dela Rosa ordered a reorganization of senior officials in the PNP during his first day in office last July 1. The massive reshuffle covered the PNP Command Group. Regional directors were also reassigned to “other equally-important positions in different levels of command.” President Rodrigo Duterte himself recently named five police officers, including two who are already retired, as drug coddlers. Nine police officers also tested positive for drug use earlier this month. The PNP has yet to announce the results of a further confirmatory test to verify the presence of shabu and marijuana in their urine samples. APOLOGY FOR MAYOR Dela Rosa also apologized to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña for the inclusion of the city’s police director among the officials sacked from their posts. Osmeña earlier threatened to stop giving rewards to policemen who arrest or kill drug pushers after Cebu City Police Office Director Benjamin Santos Jr. was reassigned. Dela Rosa Read More …