Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – The most amazing dinosaur experience of all time will happen only on the big screen as we see “Patchi” take center stage during the Late Cretaceous era in “Walking with Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie.” In the last 15 years since the movie was being made, dinosaur remains have been discovered from every continent, proving that these giant creatures thrived on every continent in the Mesozoic era. The remains of old and young alike suggests that the massive death were believed to be caused by catastrophic occurrences such as volcanic eruptions, diseases, climate change or heavenly bodies that struck the earth millions of years ago.   Dinosaur remains have been found on all continents and in all environments across the prehistoric globe. The Troodons found in Alaska, which will be seen in the movie had large eyes and were much bigger than other troodon species elsewhere in the world. Their large eyes gave them an advantage in the polar dark winter, which allowed them to become the most successful predator there, and so they gradually got bigger. Informed of these recent paleontological findings, “Walking with Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie” brings to life newly discovered dinosaurs in a unique and highly authentic way. Directors Neil Nightingale and Barry Cook have re-created one of the last great dinosaur eras in stunning detail, bringing to life on screen a world filled with fascinating creatures such as Pterosaurs, gigantic flying reptiles that once soared through Earth’s skies and Edmontosaurus, huge duck billed Read More …

The US Navy has ordered three amphibious ships to prepare to head to the Philippines to help victims of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan, officials said Tuesday. “They are on standby in Sasebo,” a Navy official told AFP, referring to a port in southern Japan. “They are uniquely suited for this type of mission.” The vessels awaiting orders are the USS Denver, an amphibious transport dock ship, and the Ashland and Germantown, amphibious warfare ships designed to transport and launch landing craft. All three have landing decks that can serve helicopters as well as medical facilities and the capability to produce desalinated water. The US military often employs its versatile amphibious ships for disaster relief efforts. Washington had already ordered urgent emergency efforts in response to the massive typhoon, which has destroyed entire coastal communities, possibly claiming 10,000 lives. On Monday evening, the Pentagon announced it was dispatching the aircraft carrier George Washington and its accompanying cruisers and destroyers, including its fleet of helicopters and airplanes. The carrier group is due to arrive on Thursday or Friday. Another naval destroyer and a supply ship are also en route to the Philippines. The American military has a team of 243 Marines on the ground in hard-hit Tacloban on Leyte island to carry out an initial assessment of humanitarian needs.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan is to send troops to the Philippines to help with relief efforts after a super typhoon killed thousands, with 40 people set to leave as soon as possible, the government said on Tuesday. The dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces emergency relief team comes as the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing to ease limits on the military imposed by its post-war, pacifist constitution. Japan invaded the Philippines in World War Two and scattered fighting continued until Tokyo’s surrender in 1945, but Philippine officials have said their nation does not share the concerns of others in Asia, notably China and South Korea, about Japan’s military past. The Philippines, like Japan a strong ally of the United States, has also said it views Japan as a counterweight to the increasing regional role of China. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the decision to send the troops followed a request from Manila. He also said Tokyo would provide $10 million in emergency aid. “We hope to make every effort to get the aid to the people who need it as soon as possible,” he told a news conference, adding that the number of troops will be increased if the situation on the ground warrants it. Timing of the dispatch was being coordinated with the Philippines, but the troops were ready, Suga added. A team of 25 people, mainly medical workers, left for the Philippines on Monday. Disaster relief activities both at home and abroad by the Self-Defense Read More …

Ariella Arida: ‘What’s so special about the Philippines is the people. There’s always Filipino spirit.’ MANILA, Philippines – Ariella Arida is named third runner-up during the Miss Universe 2013 pageant in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, Nov. 9 (Sunday, Nov, 10 Manila time). Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler, is crowned Miss Universe 2013. Miss Brazil Jakelyne Oliveira was named fourth runner-up, Miss Ecuador Constanza Baez was second runner-up, while Miss Spain Patricia Yurena Rodriguez is first runner-up. The 24-year-old Pinay beauty queen competed against 85 other delegates. During the contest’s question and answer portion, judge Tara Lipinski asked what can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting with their careers around the world. “For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education. And that is my primary advocacy, because if every one of us is educated and we‘re well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and could land good careers in the future. So, education is a primary source and it is a ticket for a better future,” she said. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Ariella made it to the top 16 via the online social media voting. “What’s so special about the Philippines is the people. There’s always Filipino spirit,” she said in a taped interview aired after the presentation of the competition’s top 10. Fans early already had high hopes for Ariella, after Megan Young won the Miss Read More …

HONG KONG – A group of Hong Kong activists Thursday announced they will embark on a “fishing trip” to disputed islands off Chinese shores this month, over a year after 14 were arrested in a similar venture. The activists said they would embark on a “fishing trip in Chinese waters” on November 13, but did not reveal their full itinerary, saying only that one destination would be the Spratly Islands. The Spratlys, known as Nansha Islands in China, are disputed between Taiwan, Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. “It is a fishing trip,” activist Tsang Kin-shing said in a press conference. “If there is no fish there, we will go somewhere else,” he told AFP on the phone after the press conference. Last year, the same group of activists underwent a similar trip, landing on the disputed islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Fourteen were arrested and deported by Japanese authorities. Also claimed by Taiwan, the Senkakus lie in an area with rich fishing grounds that is also believed to contain oil and gas deposits. “We can go anywhere that has fish. We are eligible to go anywhere in Chinese waters,” the owner of the fishing boat, Lo Chau, another activist who embarked on the trip to the Senkakus last year, said. Lo said the trip will last more than 10 days and will include 15 activists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Earlier plans to sail to the disputed waters were derailed by Hong Read More …