RCBC –Jupiter Branch Manager Maia Santos-Deguito takes an oath before testifying during a Senate hearing on the US$81 million money-laundering scandal, at the Philippines Senate on Tuesday. Deguito was summoned to shed light on the Philippines’ biggest anti-money laundering case involving money stolen from the central bank of Bangladesh.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The government on Tuesday filed complaints against two individuals implicated in the $81-million money laundering controversy involving a branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) filed the complaints against Kim Wong and Weikang Xu. Weikang Xu, reportedly a junket operator, allegedly owned the bank accounts where the $81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank through computer hacking ended up. On the other hand, Kim Wong, a businessman, has been tagged as the mastermind in the money-laundering scheme. He has been described as a valued client of RCBC who is close with the bank’s president and CEO Lorenzo Tan. Tan said he has not seen Wong in more than 10 years. The $81 million was reportedly hacked and stolen from Bangladesh Bank’s account in New York and laundered in Philippine banks and casinos. (MNS)
Kathryn Bernardo (MNS Photo) Kathryn Bernardo won’t be surprised if ever she is cast in a project with Karla Estrada, the mother of her regular leading man Daniel Padilla. The possibility of the three doing a project together isn’t far-fetched after Estrada recently signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. In an interview at the contract signing, the 39-year-old actress admitted that she wants to work with Bernardo and her son. Asked to comment about this, Bernardo told entertainment website Push: “I heard pero parang awkward ‘yon. Pero masaya siguro ‘pag nangyari ‘yon and hindi malabong mangyari kasi nanay siya ni DJ. Masaya ‘yon pero medyo awkward.” In the meantime, Bernardo and Padilla are getting ready for their next project after “Pangako Sa ‘Yo.” Earlier this month, the two met with Star Cinema executives to discuss their still-untitled movie with director Cathy Garcia-Molina. No other details were revealed apart from the fact that they will start filming on April 8. Bernardo said she is excited to work with Molina whom she described as a “perfectionist.” “’Yong boses, ‘yong pagiging OC niya, pagiging perfectionist niya, lahat ‘yan na-miss namin at ang tagal na naming sinasabi parang ‘Direk gawa na tayo ulit’ at finally mangyayari na siya,” she said. Garcia directed her in the 2013 TV series “Got To Believe” and the 2014 movie “She’s Dating The Gangster.” As early as now, Bernardo already feels that the movie will be truly special. “Magiging sobrang special itong project na ito sa amin ni DJ. Read More …

Rachelle Ann Go (MNS Photo) Rachelle Ann Go turned sentimental as she looked back on the night she had a duet with her idol, veteran singer Regine Velasquez. On Instagram, Go shared a collage of pictures when she was still a contestant in the talent competition “Search for A Star,” which was then hosted by Velasquez. “It has been 12 years since it all started! I will never forget that night (March 13, 2004)… Singing with my idol Regine Velasquez was more than enough for me (and always will be) but God has more surprises. My life changed after this,” she said. Noting that she has been through a lot of challenges in life, Go said she manages to pull through every time through prayers. “Even before I joined Search For A Star, I’ve been bullied A LOT. But I kept on moving forward and just trusted God. Prayer is the key. He never left me even when I was on the verge of giving up,” she said. Now that she is celebrating her 12th year in showbiz, Go took the opportunity to thank those who have helped her. “Thank you to my family who is always on my side… To all my friends & Shinatics for all the love and support. Maraming Salamat sa inyo! Cheers to many more years to come,” she said. Go added: “Never stop reaching for that dream. It will happen one day… Believe and it will come true!” Currently, Go is busy playing the Read More …
DIWATA, the first all-Filipino assembled microsatellite, was launched Wednesday by NASA. The potential uses of DIWATA include: improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. Photo: www.gov.ph MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippines made history on Wednesday with the launch of its first microsatellite Diwata-1. The 50-kilogram imaging satellite will be part of the payload of private aerospace company Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA at past 11 a.m. (Philippine time). The Cygnus spacecraft carrying the DIWATA-1, seen in this real-time visualization courtesy of NASA, has just been. posted by Timothy James Dimacali on Tuesday, March 22. The Pinoy microsatellite will stay on board the International Space Station until the end of April. It will be launched into space at an altitude of 400 kilometers above the Earth surface. DIWATA, the first all-Filipino assembled microsatellite, was launched Wednesday by NASA. The potential uses of DIWATA include: improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. Photo: www.gov.ph Once in orbit, Diwata will monitor weather patterns and crop health, among other tasks. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. called the launch a proud and historic milestone for the country’s science and technology sector. “The launch of Diwata-1 is Read More …
Labor groups stage their own passion play in Mendiola, Manila on Tuesday in time with Holy Week. As Filipino Catholics observe religious traditions during the week, the workers used the occasion to depict contemporary “crosses” being carried by workers. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — At least 60,000 local and foreign tourists are expected to flock to Pampanga to witness the reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion in Barangay San Pedro Cutud in San Fernando City on Good Friday. Preparations are underway for the event with medical teams and 100 security personnel composed of cops and village watchmen tasked to guarantee public safety. Edgar Casimiro, chief of security of San Pedro Cutud, also advised tourists traveling by car to be on guard against thieves following cases of vehicle robbery in the past. “Pagbaba po ng sasakyan i-lock po ang mga pinto para hindi masalisihan ng mga nananamantala. Kami na po bahala magbantay,” he said. The decades-old tradition features devotees being nailed to wooden crosses to reenact the passion of Christ and his death. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has been against flagellation and crucifixion during the Holy Week. Prelates instead encourage devotees to pray to atone for their sins. (MNS)
Presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Santiago (right) and vice-presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left), the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, gesture to supporters during a campaign rally in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Tuesday, at the start of the campaign for the May 10 national elections.(MNS photo) LAGUNA (Mabuhay) – Vice presidential aspirant Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he is eyeing the endorsement of One Cebu Party after the latter severed ties with Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Marcos claimed negotiations are underway between him and the influential local political party headed by the Garcia clan. An endorsement from One Cebu is considered a big boost to any national candidate as the province is home to 2.7 million registered voters—the largest in the country. Marcos claimed his camp has long been in talks with One Cebu even before it decided to drop its support for Binay’s camp due to party differences. “Matagal na kami nag-uusap. Lumalapit ako sa kanila para humingi ng suporta,” Marcos said. He, however, clarified that no deal has been reached yet. “Pero sa ngayon marami pa silang isyung tinatalakay,” he said. Marcos is optimistic that he will be endorsed by the the influential political bloc in Cebu. “Matagal na kaming magkakaibigan,” he said, referring to the Garcia clan. “Naging kaalyado iyan ng aking ama.” The possible endorsement would boost an already favorable showing of the young Marcos, who led the latest ABS-CBN-commissioned Pulse Asia survey. “Every endorsement is important moreso that they are Read More …
American Heart Association, Union Bank to host group walk in downtown LA LOS ANGELES, March 23, 2016 – Heart disease is the nation’s No. 1 killer and stroke is the leading cause of disability. LA’s workforce can make a positive impact on their heart and brain health, starting with simple steps – take 30 minutes of the day on National Walking Day, April 6, to get up and walk and stay active throughout the month. Those who work and live in or near Downtown LA are invited to participate in the National Walking Day celebration hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA) and Union Bank at Union Bank Plaza (445 South Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join hundreds for a one-mile group walk, free blood pressure screenings, CPR demonstration, healthy treats and more. The AHA and Union Bank have co-hosted the National Walking Day Downtown LA celebration for several years. For more information about the event, or to download a free toolkit to host your own walk, visit www.heartwalkla.org. Americans are spending more time at work and sitting in front of a screen than ever before. Being physically active is important to prevent heart disease and stroke, which are responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined. “Our support of the American Heart Association has been a tremendous opportunity for us at Union Bank to show our employees, our customers, and the community that we are committed to raising the awareness of the Read More …
Coconut farmers from Quezon province and the Bicol region criticize the alleged connivance between businessman Danding Cojuangco and presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe on the use of the Coco Levy Fund, during a press conference in Quezon City on Monday.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – For the first time, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte joined consistent frontrunner Senator Grace Poe at the top spot of the presidential race. This was the result of the latest ABS-CBN survey conducted by Pulse Asia – which was also the first poll taken after the Supreme Court upheld Poe’s candidacy for president. The poll was conducted two months before the May 9 elections – from March 8 to 13, 2016 nationwide on a sample size of 4,000 – yielding a margin of error of +/- 1.5%. The respondents were asked “If the coming 2016 election were held today, whom would you vote for as President of the Philippines?” and then they were shown a sample ballot and list of candidates as of February 15, 2016. Respondents were adults (18 and above) who were registered voters with biometrics. A total of 26% picked Poe, 25% picked Duterte, 22% picked Vice President Jejomar Binay, 20% picked Mar Roxas, 3% picked Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, and 0.1% picked the late Congressman Roy Seneres. This poll has a bigger sample compared to the March 1-6 ABS-CBN Pre-Electoral National Survey also by Pulse Asia which had 2,600 respondents. In that survey Poe had a slight lead over Duterte (28%-24%). In Read More …

Dawn Zulueta (MNS Photo) “What’s wrong with that? It’s only age.” This was the quick, but direct answer of actress Dawn Zulueta when sought her opinion on relationships with huge age gaps. “I think it is something we should embrace. It kinda feels like it’s taboo. But I see it this way: kung wala kayong attachment with anyone or you’re free, he’s free,” she added. Zulueta, who just turned 47 last March 4, will be starring on the film “Love Me Tomorrow.” She plays the role of an older woman who falls in love with a younger man portrayed by Piolo Pascual. According to her, the movie’s 26-year-old director, Gino Santos, has been teaching her things she never learned in her genre. “I’m having so much fun because I’m learning a lot from Gino. Siyempre iba ‘yong genre na nakasanayan ni Gino, and it’s not a genre that I am familiar with,” she said. Piolo Pascual (MNS photo) “I feel lucky kasi at my age, I was given this project to do naman something different. Kasi ang madalas na ginagawa ko mellow drama, mother roles, ganyan ano.” Zulueta added that she and Pascual immersed themselves into the present generation’s nightlife to understand the trends. “I’m beginning na nga to get to know the young generation e. ‘Yong culture nila,” she said. Meanwhile, she revealed that she has always wanted to work with Pascual, whom she considers as her dream boy. “He is a dream boy. He is gentleman. He is Read More …
Zsa Zsa Padilla (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Zsa Zsa Padilla confirmed that her wedding with her fiancé, popular architect Conrad Onglao, will definitely happen this year. However, she refused to disclose details, saying she actually hasn’t started making concrete plans yet. “Napakasimple lang talaga ng gagawin namin. Ang gusto ko lang talagang present ‘yung mga anak namin pareho. Iyon lang,” she said. Padilla said she wants an intimate ceremony because inviting a lot of people would be too complicated to arrange. “Kasi maraming magtatampo, and ‘yung mga kamag-anak ko, uuwi pa or pupuntahan namin or magmi-meet kami somewhere. Parang masyadong complicated iplano,” she said. When asked if it will happen in Italy, the singer-actress said: “I don’t know where actually. Hindi ko pa alam.” Padilla said she will just surprise everyone when it happens. “Nati-thrill pa ba kayo doon? Sa Instagram, isang post na lang na we did it. Kasi ito pa rin [ang suot ko na singsing hanggang ngayon], engagement ring pa rin,” she said. While there is media interest in her upcoming wedding, Padilla stressed that her focus right now is on “The Story of Us,” which is keeping her busy. Padilla, along with Kim Chiu, Xian Lim and other members of the cast, recently went to New York to shoot some scenes for the primetime series. “I committed to this kasi gusto ko ‘yung mga kasama ko and gusto ko ‘yung binigay na role sa akin. Mabait naman for a change. Kasi parang nagsunud-sunod ‘yung kontrabida Read More …