Maniolas

Former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has been recently sworn in as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines. A Duterte presidency could very well bring hope to millions of marginalized Filipinos for a better life. Hopefully we will see a change in governance for the better and corruption in government offices to be minimal, if not total eradicated. Duterte won the presidency by a landslide. Thanks to millions of Filipinos who have long been disappointed and dissatisfied with most of their elected officials who they view as either weak, corrupt or inefficient. Most Filipinos, if not all of them, believe that President Duterte is the only elected public official right now who could clean up the corrupted system in government. Filipinos all over the country are optimistic that President Duterte will be able to correct whatever mistakes the Aquino administration may have committed in the past six years for him to lift the lives of millions of Filipinos out of poverty. This is a big and difficult task for President Duterte to tackle. He needs the full support of Congress to implement his economic policies and programs to help turn around the Philippine economy. Some are saying that President Duterte will be spending more of his time in Southern part of the country for him to be able to improve and empower other provinces who have been left behind or neglected by the government in terms of public funding for their development. If Duterte will transfer the Read More …

Around 196 generals, flag and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 28 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials await confirmation of their promotion by the Commission on Appointments during a hearing at the Philippines Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Upon his assumption as the next Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff this July 1, outgoing Southern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya pledged to implement a “24/7 fight” in order to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) threat in Basilan and Sulu. “We are planning to fight the ASG 24/7. We would like to defeat the ASG the fastest way, that can be the best option to (defeat) them,” he added. The terrorist group landed in the limelight again after it kidnapped seven Indonesian sailors in the Sulu Sea last June 22, eight days after it beheaded Canadian hostage Robert Hall in Sulu. Visaya added that the AFP has more than enough resources for his proposed “24/7 fight” against the bandits as the military has 11 battalions deployed in Sulu alone hunting these terrorists. “There will be some procurements, and there will be realignment of resources also,” he stressed. But he declined to give an exact timetable on how this proposed offensive will defeat the ASG. The incoming AFP chief also stressed that civilian support and cooperation is needed in addressing the ASG threat. “We have than enough forces to match them but they are very hard to Read More …

Sylvia La Torre and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle The Philippines’ legendary veteran entertainer, Sylvia La Torre, and her granddaughter, Broadway performer and TV-film actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, will be the special guests in the August 13 concert of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO). La Torre and Perez de Tagle will perform a duet and solo numbers with FASO, the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines. The beloved icon and her talented granddaughter singing with a full orchestra will be a landmark Filipino-American musical event. FASO, under the baton of musical director and conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder, will also play “Peter & the Wolf,” Sergei Prokofiev’s well-loved children’s classic (to be narrated by Joan Almedilla), cherished movie and television tunes, including themes from “Stars Wars” and “Harry Potter” films, Broadway favorites and Filipino music gems. Titled “FASO Plays Prokofiev’s ‘Peter & the Wolf,’ ” the exciting concert for children and adults will be staged on Saturday, August 13, at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center at 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. It will be La Torre and Perez de Tagle’s first time to collaborate musically with FASO. La Torre, a national music treasure who joined a singing contest at the age of five in 1938 in Manila, is acknowledged as the first Filipino artist to enjoy a hugely successful career in all major entertainment fields in the Philippines: radio, television, record, stage and film. Now based in California, La Torre, known as the Queen of Kundiman Read More …

Jasmine Curtis-Smith (MNS Photo) Jasmine Curtis-Smith was at a loss for words when she was informed that she will be working with multi-awarded actress Vilma Santos in her next movie. Curtis-Smith said she loves working with experienced actors in the entertainment industry because she can learn from them. “Actually when we had a meeting, nagulat ako na siya ‘yung binanggit na actress. Sabi ko, ‘Are you sure about this?’ My gosh naka-work ko na si Superstar, tapos ngayon ka-work ko naman si Ate Vi na favorite ni mommy. I was beyond happy not only for myself but naisip ko, my gosh, my mom will definitely come home for this. Ako, swerte ko lang. I’m very thankful,” she said. Curtis-Smith appeared in the 2014 indie film “Dementia” with Nora Aunor. She said she might play the role of Santos’ daughter in the still-untitled project, which will be directed by Quark Henares. With her steady stream of TV and movie projects, the 22-year-old said she is just grateful that her managers continue to believe in her. “I’m happy kasi that’s always been my goal. I want to be known as an actress, not just for my name or the sister or just another talent,” she said. Curtis-Smith first became popular as the younger sister of Kapamilya star Anne Curtis. (MNS)

2017 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition TORRANCE, Calif  – New Sport Special Edition adds premium features in a value package Sporty and sophisticated styling returns with popular features including Honda Sensing, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More powerful and fuel-efficient 2017 Accord Hybrid launched earlier this month The 2017 Accord Sedan and Coupe hit showrooms this Monday with a new Sport Special Edition, ready to continue Accord’s three-year streak as the most popular car in America with individual retail car buyers. Retaining many of the popular enhancements introduced last year, the 2017 Accord will be available starting June 27 at Honda dealerships nationwide with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $22,3551. The 2017 Accord Sedan and Coupe are available in a variety of trims, with 4-cylinder and V6 powertrains, 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, and a continuously variable transmission. For 2017 Honda is introducing the Accord Sport Special Edition sedan with premium features consisting of leather seats with red stitching, heated seats and “Special Edition” badge. The significantly refreshed 2017 Accord Hybrid, featuring a new version of Honda’s two-motor hybrid powertrain technology with both class-leading power and fuel economy ratings, rounds out the 2017 Accord lineup as it launched earlier this month. The Accord received significant upgrades for the 2016 model year, including dynamic new styling, a more rigid body, upgraded chassis and upsized wheels and tires on select models. The 2017 Accord carries over the expanded LED exterior lighting and premium features and technologies of the Read More …