Maniolas

U.S. First Lady Florence Harding received a group of women from the Philippines led by Sofia de Veyra, wife of the Philippine Resident Commissioner at the South Lawn of the White House on 19 June 1922. These women are the wives and daughters of the delegation which came to Washington to lay before President Harding the plea for Philippine Independence. WASHINGTON, D.C. — “It is worth noting that Philippine society has always been blessed with strong and powerful women who shape the course of our history. Filipinas are active in diverse fields, pouring their talents, skill, and passion into many areas of human endeavor. It is therefore no wonder that the Philippine Suffrage Movement in the early 1900s was composed mainly of Filipinas who were able to carve an identity, and a mission, that were separate from those of the influential men in their lives.” Thus remarked Minister Patrick Chuasoto, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Philippine Embassy, as he formally opened the exhibit “The Washington Home of the Philippine Suffrage Movement” on 16 June 2016 at the Embassy’s Romulo Hall. “The Washington Home of the Philippine Suffrage Movement” stems from the research of husband-and-wife team Erwin Tiongson and Titchie Carandang-Tiongson, who also spearheaded the ongoing project Philippines on the Potomac or POPDC. It was an initiative of Madam Maria Victoria Cuisia, wife of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Another remarkable Filipina, Monique Bascon, lent her artistic talent as exhibit designer. The exhibit focuses on the lives of Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III views the mechanics and instrumentation; heavy equipment operations (simulation); animation; and barista skills demonstration during the Ulat ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority kay Juan at Juana at the Brick Plaza of the TESDA Complex in Taguig City on Tuesday (June 14). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III said on Thursday that under his administration, in terms of foreign policy, the Philippines was able to reclaim its distinguished stature in the community of nations. Speaking during the 118th foundation anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Aquino praised career diplomats and staff of the department for improving the image of the country overseas as well as serving Filipinos working abroad. “Higit sa lahat, nabawi natin ang ating pambansang dangal. Kung dati, tayo ang binabalewalang kasapi ng pandaigdigang komunidad, ngayon isa na tayo sa tinitingalang bansa. Kung dati puro negatibong balita ang bumabandera tungkol sa Pilipinas, ngayon isa na tayo sa laging napupuri,” Aquino said. (Most of all, we have reclaimed our national honor. If previously we are brushed aside as a member of the international community, now we are a country others look up to. If before only negative news about the Philippines abound, now we are among those that receive praises.) He spoke lengthily about the achievements of the department under former Secretary Albert del Rosario such as overseeing the evacuation of thousands of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East. Aquino said that as a Cabinet official, Read More …

A protester holds a placard at a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on Tuesday, denouncing China’s claim to islands claimed by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands. The Philippines will present China’s aggressiveness in staking its claim during a UN tribunal hearing in the Hague. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – China has expressed willingness to work with the Duterte administration to improve its bilateral ties with the Philippines marred by a simmering territorial dispute involving the West Philippine Sea. In a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying stressed that improving bilateral ties between the two countries would provide opportunity to realize common development. “The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts toward that end with the new government of the Philippines,” Hua said. Hua did not mention the territorial dispute, but said the Chinese government believes that “it is in the fundamental interests of both China and the Philippines and in the shared anticipation of the two peoples to handle related issues properly and to bring the bilateral relations back on track of sound and stable development.” “China has always pursued a foreign policy of building good neighborly relationships and partnerships with its neighboring countries including the Philippines,” Hua said. Duterte, who won by a landslide in the May 9 elections, had earlier said that the Philippines under his administration would not engage in war with China, saying doing so would only result in a “massacre.” The Philippines Read More …

Jodi Sta. Maria (MNS Photo) Jodi Sta. Maria and Jolo Revilla have split, the actress confirmed to reporters Tuesday at the sidelines of a press conference for her upcoming film, “The Achy Breaky Hearts.” Sta. Maria, 34, did not go into details about the breakup but said that she and Revilla, the vice governor of Cavite, remain friends. Rumors about their split first surfaced after Revilla accidentally shot himself on the chest back in February 2015 following the arrest of his father, Senator Bong Revilla. According to a report, Revilla and Sta. Maria had decided to call it quits six months earlier. The rumors, however, died down after the two refused to speak up about the issue, and Sta. Maria was seen with Revilla as he recovered from his self-inflicted gunshot wound. It also appeared that the two had ironed out their differences after they were spotted at a local cafe last June 10. Sta. Maria first confirmed her relationship with Revilla in late 2012. Prior to Revilla, Sta. Maria was also in a relationship with Pampi Lacson, with whom she has a son. (MNS)

By Leslie D. Venzon President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officials, headed by Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, for a snap shot during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (June 20).(MNS photo) MANILA, June 22 (PNA) – The country needs to invest more in higher education and skills training that can contribute to inclusive growth, according to a study by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). PIDS consultant Dante Canlas said new jobs in new industries, such as those in information and communications technology (ICT), have emerged. He said the demand for highly productive jobs increases as other industries innovate and grow by adopting ICT in their processes. “It is thus important for public policy to ensure that access to higher education and skills training required by these new jobs are expanded and equalized. Otherwise, income inequality gets perpetuated as the economy continues to grow,” he added. However, Canlas noted that entering college depends on the ability of a family to pay and not on the ability to learn, “a situation that needs to be corrected to make growth that is driven by higher education inclusive.” “If public policy can adequately address the phenomenon of missing financial markets for college education, then the likelihood of achieving inclusive growth from investing in higher education rises profoundly,” he said. In pursuing inclusive growth, Canlas underscored the need for the Commission on Higher Education Read More …