Maniolas

It was difficult enough for Pastor Todd Burpo to deliver his religious sermons before his regular Sunday crowd in hometown Imperial, Nebraska. It was even more difficult to wrestle with his conscience that teetered between right and wrong, especially when the issue involved his four-year-old son, Colton. The Burpos were a typical couple with their beliefs and biases in practically everything except religion. But when their son had to be rushed to the hospital, survived the difficult stomach operation and later started talking about God and Heaven during the time he was being operated on and had an out-of-body experience, the couple faced a different kind of challenge. As Colton recounted the details of his visit with God in Heaven, Todd and Sonja didn’t know how to deal with this turn of events. All these had been written by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent in Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of his Trip to Heaven and Back. And this little piece of non-fiction, which won the best in its category from the New York Times bestsellers in 2010, has been turned into a movie. The process of converting book to film, however, is a more difficult challenge, since one has to be faithful to the book particularly since it is a true-to-life account and will be portraying actual people and events. In the movie, for instance, the couple awaiting the results of Colton’s operation separately find themselves praying to God. Sonja cannot accept the findings of Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN’s ASAP 19 delivers four times the fun as it caps the month of April with spectacular birthday bashes for this month’s celebrators Daniel Padilla, Kim Chiu, Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano today. Expect a grander and more exciting show on the ASAP stage as Daniel headlines the ASAP Fans Day with special guest Kathryn Bernardo for some PINASmile moments. Meanwhile, Pinoy Big Brother All In hosts Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez, John Prats and Robi Domingo will present the first of the many surprises that the returning reality show will offer: The reveal of two of Kuya’s new housemates. 
  
 Dance to the beat with Enrique Gil with The Ateneo Lady Eagles. Witness the sexiest dance treats from Jessy Mendiola, Bangs Garcia and Maja Salvador with models Hideo Muraoka, Sam Adjani, Laxi Villar and Brent Javier. 
 Get ready for a special Supahdance session with Maja, Enchong Dee, Rayver Cruz, Iya Villania, Shaina Magdayao, Gerald Anderson and Gab Valenciano, with teen stars Nash Aguas, Alexa Ilacad, Sharlene San Pedro, Jairus Aquino, Andrea Brillantes and Bugoy Cariño.  Enjoy a musical extravaganza from Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra; MCoy of Orange and Lemons, Aiza Seguerra, Tutti Caringal, Richard Poon, Paolo Valenciano and Sam Milby for the ASAP Sessions; and Zsa Zsa Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Lani Misalucha, Charice, Bamboo, Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, Jed Madela, Angeline Quinto, Morissette Amon and Klarisse de Guzman.   
 Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano will Read More …

Two male Pinoy recording artists whose debut CDs were recently put out offer varying types of music and meaty back stories that make them equally interesting to the ears.  With open arms, the local radio airwaves welcomed the voice of Herbert C. through his ballad carrier single Pano Yon?. His songs’ genre and singing style somewhat fall in the company of ’90s balladeers like Renz Verano (Remember Me) and Jerome Abalos (Larawang Kupas). Yet, while the other two mentioned attracted listeners primarily on the strength of their husky vocals, his can be attributed to the carefully cooked recipe of songs with strong hooks sung by a voice that hits just the right notes without being forceful as to show off.  “Lovelife ko po ang inspiration ng kantang Pano ‘Yon. Martir ako sa babae at lagi akong sugatan,” shared Herbert C. who after realizing the fulfillment a singer gets from recording his own materials now plans to record an album every year.  Two tracks to probably get more attention are Akala Mo Lang ‘Yon, a piece blessed with an infectious chorus and penned for people who wrongly judge, and his rendition of the Willy Cruz-written Doon Lang, his favorite karaoke song. The release of his first album (tracks mostly written and produced by the famed Gallardo sisters, Margot and Edith) is a monument to his peculiar kind of success story — one that involves imprisonment, talent development and unfailing service to fellowmen.  In so short a time, he actually transformed from Read More …

In this file photo taken on August 23, 2010, Philippine policemen take position as they start their attack on a hijacked tourist bus in Manila. AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Hounded by diplomatic tension with Hong Kong for more than two years, President Benigno Aquino was relieved to put the August 2010 Manila hostage drama that caused the problem finally behind him, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras said. Following months of negotiations, the Philippine and Hong Kong governments resolved the row after the victims’ families accepted Manila’s expression of “sorrowful regret” and over P100 million offer of compensation. The compensation, described as “tokens of solidarity” and reportedly raised by traders and private individuals, could total HK$20 million (about P115 million), according to a Manila councilor. “He (the President) sounded very happy when he texted me,” Almendras, the government’s point-man in the negotiations, said in an interview on Thursday after briefing reporters on the agreement. “With all the problems that we have, however small the problem is, if you solve it, it’s one less thing to worry about.” The administration had been dogged by the Aug. 23, 2010 drama in which eight HK residents were killed in a botched police rescue of a busload of tourists taken hostage by a dismissed Manila policeman. The hostage-taker was killed, and many others were hurt. It was the first test for the young administration in handling a hostage crisis, and it drew protests from Hong Kong and Beijing. The agreement restored bilateral relations between Manila and Read More …

By Doris C. DumlaoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:52 pm | Friday, April 25th, 2014 Screengrab from www.emperadorbrandy.com MANILA, Philippines—Emperador Inc. grew its first quarter net profit by 19 percent year-on-year to P1.7 billion on higher sales volume nationwide, the company announced Friday. Consolidated revenues of the parent firm of Emperador Distillers Inc. (EDI) reached P7.7 billion or 17 percent higher than the level in the same period last year, Emperador said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. EDI managed to sell more volume in the first quarter of this year nationwide, the disclosure said, without citing figures. “Emperador is best positioned to take advantage of the country’s robust economic growth and to continue dominating the liquor market. Strategic investments are in place to accelerate the growth momentum and expand its global footprint,” Emperador president Winston Co said. Seven out of 10 liquor bottles sold in Manila are Emperador brandy, making it the largest liquor company in the country. Follow Us Other Stories: Bangko Sentral readies new bank lending rules Metro Pacific acquires stake in Victorias PH banks not ready for Asean integration SM to rebuild Tacloban hospital Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: brandy , Business , emperador inc. , liquor Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe Read More …