Maniolas

A view of C5-Bagong Ilog Flyover in Pasig City. File photo/Patrick Roque/CC MANILA, Philippines – Infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has secured the approval of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to start the construction of the C-5 (Circumferential Road 5) Link Expressway project. In a statement, MPIC unit Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said the TRB approved the implementation of the first portion of the C-5 Link Expressway. The notice to proceed covers the C-5 Road in Taguig City until Moonwalk and Merville villages in Sucat, Parañaque City. The groundbreaking for the C-5 Link Expressway is targeted in January, while the construction is slated to begin by February. MPTC said the right-of-way for the first portion of the C-5 Link Expressway has been substantially acquired and is expected to be completed after the transfer of the land by the Manila International Airport Authority to the Department of Public Works and Highways. The C-5 Expressway Link will eventually connect to the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) Coastal Expressway. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 MPTC is targeting to complete the tollway in 2019. The C-5 Expressway Link will provide a seamless connection to the Cavitex road network and to the Cavite-Laguna Expressway slated for completion in 2020. “The new C-5 Link is envisioned to spur further economic development in Parañaque and in Cavite and Laguna provinces by providing a safe and convenient link from the central and northern parts of Metro Manila to the high-growth industrial and residential Read More …

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau By: Cecile Ochoa, December 23rd, 2015 01:16 AM Los Angeles musician-teacher Asuncion Ojeda received the prestigious “Shining Star” award. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS LOS ANGELES, California — Christmas came early this year for Los Angeles Unified School District teacher Asuncion Ojeda as she received December 6 the “2015 Shining Star” award from the non-profit Education Through Music – Los Angeles (ETM-LA) at the iconic Skirball Cultural Center in this city. The only other recipient this year of the prestigious award was Grammy winner and music executive Randy Spendlove, president of Motion Picture Music at Paramount Studios. Spendlove has worked with popular artists including Beyonce, Linkin Park, Green Day and U2. ETM-LA presents these awards every year to people who have had an impact on people’s lives through music. Asuncion Ojeda in performance with her flute. “This is a nonprofit organization that works to put quality music education in disadvantaged schools,” according to Ojeda, who also received recognition from LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. Ojeda has been teaching music in LA public schools for more than 14 years. She currently teaches in three schools: Normandie Avenue, Holmes Ave and Bushnell Way. ETM-LA brings children, families and artists together to make music through school concerts and community events. The group sends excellent music teachers to share their talents with school children, who otherwise would not have the money and chance to learn from the “masters.” Ojeda said, “To me, the award is an affirmation of the work that I have been doing—teaching Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III with Liberal Party (LP) standard bearers Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo are greeted by supporters outside the Manila Cathedral as they walk to Commission on Election building to file their Certificate of Candidacy, Thursday, (October 15). Tomorrow, Friday, (October 16) is the deadline of filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections. (MNS photo) LEYTE, Dec 21 (Mabuhay) – Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas is far from done with his tirades against fellow presidential candidate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. In his visit to Baybay, Leyte Sunday, Roxas taunted Duterte for “backing out” from his challenge of settling their feud through a debate, fistfight or a slapping match. “Hamon sa sampalan, umurong; hamon sa suntukan, umurong; hamon sa debate, umurong. Ang lider ng ating bansa hindi umuurong sa hamon, hinaharap ito,” Roxas insisted. Roxas’ criticism of the peace and order in Davao sparked a bitter word war with Duterte. The seven-term mayor has accused Roxas of falsely claiming that he is a graduate of the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. What followed was a mutual challenge to slap each other if one of them was proven wrong. Roxas also dared Duterte to a fistfight and debate. In the interview, Roxas stressed that he was able to disprove Duterte’s accusation regarding his academic credentials. The administration’s bet said the Wharton School itself confirmed that he finished his undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Science in Economics, major in Finance from the school in Read More …

French-grown quinoa, black truffle, vegetable roots and mushrooms by Alain Ducasse (photo from “Naturalité”, released on October 29, 2015 by Alain Ducasse Edition, 150 euros)©”Naturalité”, Auteurs : Alain Ducasse, Camille Labro et Romain Meder Photographe : Benjamin Schmuck (Relaxnews) – End-of-year festivities are drawing near. This week Relaxnews provides you with recipes from top chefs in Paris to add a gourmet French touch to your Christmas menu. Today, Alain Ducasse tells us how to make his French-grown quinoa, black truffle, vegetable roots and mushroom dish. This recipe is taken from the chef’s repertoire for the Plaza Athénée hotel in Paris and is featured in his book “Naturalité.” Serves 4 Root vegetables 1 20 cm stick of salsify 1 fennel bulb 4 root parsley with tops 4 mini-parsnips with tops 8 small sunchokes (a root vegetable similar to a Jerusalem artichoke) 4 small Jerusalem artichokes 5 drizzles of olive oil 25 cl of vegetable stock Salt Root vegetable glaze 100 g of root vegetable jus 10 g of butter 10 g of chopped truffle Quinoa 80 g of quinoa 10 g of white onion 20 g of butter 24 g of chopped truffle 6 cl of truffle juice 12 cl of vegetable stock Salt Roasted black quinoa 8 g of black quinoa a drizzle of olive oil 20 cl of vegetable stock 10 g of butter Seasoning Tops of the root vegetables 50 g of turnip greens 1 black garlic clove 5 g of chopped truffle 1 cl of olive oil Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Fruit and vegetable processing company AgriNurture Inc. (ANI) has disposed of its shares in AgriNurture HK Holdings Ltd. worth $2.5 million (roughly P117 million) as it shifted its focus on its operation in China and in the local market. “AgriNurture Inc. wishes to inform the investing public that its wholly-owned foreign subsidiary AgriNurture HK  Holdings Ltd. entered into an agreement for the sale of the entire interest of ANI HK in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Freshness First Ltd. Pty, in favor of Organic Path Ltd.,” the company said in its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. Freshness First is part of the Australian operations of the ANI Group and is primarily engaged in the business of processing fruits and vegetables. The divestment in the Australian entity means current ANI management is focusing on its core business in the Philippines and Greater China operation.   “The said divested asset will further reduce liabilities.  This will free up more resources for growth of the core business of ANI locally and improve the balance sheet ratios of the company,” it added. The divestment was concluded last Dec. 11 among the parties. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Organic Path will be solely responsible for the payment of any previous earn-out due to the original shareholders of Freshness First. The ANI board also announced the appointment of veteran Dutch investment banker Ernst Jan Kruis as representative of Solveigh fund that bought out Black River’s stake in ANI.