Maniolas

NVM Gonzales Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – Friends, colleagues and former students of Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez, better known as NVM Gonzalez will remember him at a Centennial Celebration on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The event will be held at the Echo Park Branch Library located at 1410 W Temple Street, Los Angeles from 2-5 p.m. NVM was born in Romblon, Philippines on September 8, 1915 and he grew up in Mindoro. He passed away on November 28, 1999 at the age of 84 in Manila. He was a novelist, short story writer, essayist and poet. He wrote five novels, eight short fiction and two essays. His books have been published in English and Filipino, as well as in Chinese, German, Russian and Indonesian.  In 1997, he was declared as one of the Philippines’ National Artists for Literature. He was on the Board of Advisers of Likhaan, the University of the Philippines (UP) Creative Writing Center, Founding Editor of The Diliman Review and first president of the Philippine Writers’ Association. He attended creative writing classes under Wallace Stegner and Katherine Anne Porter at Stanford University. While in the Philippines, he taught at UST, PWU and UP. He also taught in the US at UC-Santa Barbara, CSU-Hayward, the University of Washington, UCLA and UC-Berkeley. Many well-known Filipino and Filipino American writers today have been mentored by NVM. The following will share their memories of NVM: Dr Paulino Lim, Jr., Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Dr Barbara Gaerlan, Mr. Allan G. Aquino and Cecilia Ochoa. Dr Paulino Lim, Jr. is a Read More …

Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the meeting with local leaders and the community at the City Pavilion in Ligao City, Albay on Thursday (May 05). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Tuesday said it “accepts” and “respects” the initial election results showing Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte leading the presidential race with at least six million votes ahead of administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. In a statement released by Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Malacañang said: “Our people have spoken and their verdict is accepted and respected.” “The path of good governance or Daang Matuwid is already established as all presidential candidates spoke out against corruption, and in favor of continuing and expanding present pro-poor programs, and pursuing more initiatives to sustain the strong economy and achieve inclusive growth,” Coloma said. “Daang Matuwid may be called different names, but its purpose and spirit will have lasting impact, and continue to shape the consciousness of our people and those that serve them in accordance with the principles of good governance and responsible citizenship,” he added. Partial and unofficial results as of 11:30 a.m. show Duterte leading the presidential elections with 15,295,515 votes. Roxas is at second place with 9,221,159 votes. Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, was at third place with 8,566,885; Vice President Jejomar Binay, 5,073,511; Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, 1,367,731; and the late Rep. Roy Señeres with 24,028 votes. Poe on Monday night conceded to Duterte. President Benigno Aquino III earlier Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-thru of the Yawa Bridge during the inauguration ceremony in Rawis, Legaspi City, Albay on Thursday (May 05). Also in photo are Albay Governor Joey Salceda and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP   – The Philippines holds elections on Monday to choose a successor to President Benigno Aquino. Here are 10 crucial victories and setbacks that came to define his six years in office: – August 23, 2010: Hong Kong hostage crisis Barely two months in office, Aquino faces his first major crisis when a disgraced policeman takes a busload of Hong Kong tourists hostage. The gunman and eight hostages are killed in a hail of gunfire hours later in a bungled police rescue operation that deeply embarrasses the young administration and strains ties with the Chinese territory for years. – November 18, 2011: Arroyo arrest Benigno Aquino makes good on a vow to have his predecessor and arch-rival Gloria Arroyo arrested and stand trial for vote fraud. When the country’s chief justice, Renato Corona, takes steps to get Arroyo bailed, Aquino allies have him impeached and removed from office. Arroyo remains under house arrest for the rest of Aquino’s term as the trial drags on with little progress. – December 21, 2012: Reproductive health law Aquino signs a landmark law mandating the state provide free contraceptives to poor couples and teach sex education in schools, defeating years of opposition by the dominant Roman Catholic church. – March 27, 2013: Read More …

By Jelly F. Musico Vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis “ Chiz” Escudero of Team Galing at Puso, together with his wife, Actress Heart Evangelista, cast their votes at Precinct No. 0079A of Buhatan Intergrated National School in Brgy. Buhatan, Sorsogon City on Monday morning.(MNS photo) MANILA, May 10 (PNA) – Like her running mate presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe, Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero has conceded defeat in the presidential race. Escudero made his announcement in his home province in Sorsogon on Tuesday morning, eight hours after Poe conceded to frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. ”Tinatanggap ko ng buong pagpapakumbaba ang resulta ng halalan. Naging malaking karangalan sa akin na makatrabaho lahat ng nakatrabaho at nakasama ko nitong nakaraang buwan kaugnay ng halalan na ito,” Escudero told the media interview. With Escudero 4,562,806 votes, Escudero is currently in fourth place behind fellow candidate from Bicol congresswoman Leni Robredo (13,251,341), Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (13,124.911), and Senator Alan Cayetano (5,421,493 votes). Escudero congratulated Duterte and encouraged his supporters to support whoever wins the elections. ”Binabati ko si Mayor Duterte at sa dikitan laban sa ikalawang pagkapangulo, binabati ko sino man sa kanila manalo pero syempre mas ninanais ko na ang kababayan ko kung may mananalo,” Escudero said. Escudero did not name names but two other vice presidential aspirants Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Gringo Honasan are also from Bicol but currently in fifth and sixth spot with 792,778 and 711,450 votes, respectively. Escudero said he is looking forward “to quieter times” Read More …

WASHINGTON, D.C  – Vote now for AARP’s inaugural Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards to acknowledge the hard-working staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations serving AAPIs age 50-plus. Visitfacebook.com/AARPAAPICommunity to cast your vote during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month until May 31, 2016 at 11pm ET. Three heroes and their organizations will each receive a $1,000 cash prize when the winners are announced in June.  “We’re thrilled with the caliber of all the nominees who were submitted for consideration by their colleagues, friends and family,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “Each and every one of the nominees provides invaluable service to our community.  Many have been serving for decades. We’re proud to recognize this outstanding group of individuals for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of older adults and ask that you vote now! We hope that by highlighting these community members we will inspire people to either volunteer or to work for our older adults.” The ten AARP Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Award finalists are: Lourdes Santos Tancinco of the Veterans Equity Center in San Francisco, CA Katty Chow, Kin On Community Health Care in Seattle, WA Enoch Fung, Chinatown Community Development Center in San Francisco, CA Julie Kimiyo Hubbard, Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Community Senior Servicein San Jose, CA Shiao-Lin D. Hui, Chinese Community Center Free Clinic at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Chicago (CCBA) in Read More …