Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces 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). With the President are former TESDA head and now senator-elect Joel Villanuea and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldos. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday encouraged young engineers who have undergone the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) training program not to lose focus on what they are doing so they could help their countrymen. The President told graduates of the DPWH’s Cadet Engineering Program (CEP) in Malacañang that it is heartwarming to see the youth take an active role in nation building. “The point I am really just trying to raise is: It’s really heartwarming to see the youth really taking an active role in building this country and putting their talents to the use of our countrymen,” he said in his speech. “Dito iyong ipinapakita ninyong pagdamay sa napakarami nating mga kababayan na sigurado naman akong nakatulong na kayo sa pagpapaganda ng buhay nila, e talagang nakakapuno ng puso ko nga na maganda ang patutunguhan ng bansa natin.” The President said he is glad that today’s youth are shaping the future of the country, building from what the administration has begun. “So, I’d like to encourage you, ‘ang life will have ups and downs. Importante huwag tayong mawalan ng focus — Bakit ba natin ginagawa ang ginagawa natin?” he Read More …

Vice president-elect Leni Robredo leads a Holy Mass in commemoration of her late husband Sec. Jesse Robredo’s 58th birthday Friday at Eternal Gardens in Naga City, hours before Congress finished canvassing of votes for president and vice president. Robredo’s victory was affirmed when she garnered 14,418,817 votes, 263,473 votes ahead of closest rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who got 14,155,344.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte would pursue at least a cordial, professional relationship with Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, his spokesman said. Newly-instated Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said though no meeting is set at the moment between the two officials, he is hopeful they will be able to meet soon and start a working relationship. “I don’t know about the exact date or plans, but I’m sure that the president, being president of the entire nation, is quite open to having a cordial relationship with the vice-president. Or at least more than cordial, but at least they have a working relationship,” he said. But Abella said he is not privy to what could be the nature of their relationship at the moment. Duterte and Robredo will be hosting two separate ceremonies for their inauguration set at the end of the month. Duterte’s aide, Christopher “Bong” Go, said the “limited slots” in Malacañang, where Duterte wants to be inaugurated, will not allow Robredo to invite as many guests as she wanted. Boyet Dy, head of Robredo’s transition team, said they respect the Duterte camp’s decision and will begin their own preparations Read More …

In 2014 the UN declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga after a call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to adopt the day as a global celebration of the practice. Enjoy the many health benefits of yoga by joining the thousands of people around the world who will be practicing on the International Day of Yoga on June 21.© lechatnoir/Istock.Com Often seen as a holistic approach to health and well-being, many recent studies have shown that yoga can have significant health benefits on both body and mind. Here we have rounded up some of these health benefits and the reasons to get on the mat on Yoga Day, to celebrate the event and try this ancient Indian tradition for yourself. Yoga can improve brain health The benefits of yoga and exercise in general for good cognitive health have already been shown in many recent studies, helping to reduce the risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s. And in a study published just last month, and the first to compare yoga and meditation against memory training, researchers from UCLA and Australia’s University of Adelaide found that a combination of the two could also help improve cognitive function. Yoga can improve posture Cameron Shayne the founder of Budokon Yoga, a style particularly popular with men, says that “Out of shape men especially benefit from postural yoga practice almost immediately because it lengthens and strengthens soft tissue, improves blood circulation, and relieves emotional tension,” with recent studies also showing that Read More …

(From left) Mr. Matthew Scott, Dr. Renato Solidum, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., and Dr. Chris Newhall at the pre-event reception for the lecture “25 years ago at Pinatubo: The forecast, climax, and aftermath of a giant eruption” at the Carnegie Institution for Science on 13 June 2016. WASHINGTON, D.C.— Twenty-five years after the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, experts and analysts, Government officials, private sector representatives, and members of the academe gathered at the Carnegie Institution for Science for the public lecture, “25 years ago at Pinatubo: The forecast, climax, and aftermath of a giant eruption” by Dr. Chris Newhall and Dr. Renato Solidum. The lecture focused on the preparation and monitoring prior to the Pinatubo eruption, its lasting impact, and lessons learned from the experience.  Dr. Chris Newhall, a career volcanologist from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) described the setting prior to the eruption in which a team of volcanologists from the USGS and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) made pre-eruption preparations that included safety studies, hazard map estimates, alert level reminders, and unrest trend monitoring. Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. emphasized in his remarks the importance of such collaboration in saving hundreds of lives and property from destruction. “Thankfully, prior to the eruption, the collaboration between PHIVOLCS and USGS resulted in intensive studies of the volcano’s past eruption history, timely forecasts and accurate predictions thus prompting the evacuation of 75,000 people living in the lowlands around Mt. Read More …

Supporters of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte pose for media as they launch the “Duterte Bantay Boto Brigade” (DBBB) during a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday. The group aims to solidify its volunteer groups to help safeguard votes for Mayor Duterte, who was ahead in the latest polls. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Philippine aviation officials will implement new airport protocols to ensure the safety of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte during his trips to Manila and Davao City, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Thursday. Gen. Rodante Joya, CAAP Deputy Director General for Operations, said the Presidential Security Group and other government agencies will need to draft new regulations to ensure Duterte’s safety while taking commercial planes from Davao to Manila and back. He said other flights will be affected by Duterte’s trips under the present airport protocol. “No other airplane will move, even vehicles, to ensure the security of the President inside the airport. Siya iyung priority,” he said. “Pagsakay niya ng eroplano at ready for taxi na iyung eroplano, simula na iyun ng quasi-emergency. Matatapos iyan kapag naka-take off na siya, including iyung kanyang back-up aircraft.” Airport operation may be suspended from nine to 12 minutes to give way to the arrival or takeoff of the airplane boarded by the President, Joya said. Duterte has said he would govern the country both from Malacanang and Davao City where he served as mayor for over two decades, unmindful of the grueling commute that Read More …