Maniolas

Proceeds to fund free clinical breast exams, mammograms and treatment referrals SACRAMENTO — California Governor Jerry Brown kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thursday by urging residents to order the state’s new official Pink Ribbon License Plates. “This year, for the first time, Californians may support the early detection of breast cancer through a specialty license plate, available at https://pinkplate.org/,” Brown said in a letter marking the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Brown also planned to promote the plates on social media. The new specialty license plates are the result of a years-long effort by a group of California breast cancer survivors who call themselves the “Survivor Sisters.” Brown signed AB 49, sponsored by then-Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, into law in September 2014. At least 7,500 pre-orders are needed for the Department of Motor Vehicles to begin producing the plates. Orders can be made at www.pinkplate.org. Plates can be pre-ordered for a driver’s own vehicle or as a gift. A portion of the purchase is tax deductible. Costs begin at as little as $50. Roughly 700 have been ordered. Throughout October, community organizations and individuals throughout California will commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month through a variety of public education and awareness events. The governor is highlighting the Pink Ribbon License Plates, which are designed to deliver a message of “Early Detection Saves Lives” and to help fund breast cancer screenings for underserved women In 2015, it is expected that 25,260 women in California will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 4,240 will die of the disease. Read More …

Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Chito Gascon receives a complaint from typhoon victims and climate justice advocates in Quezon City, Tuesday. The complaint seeks an investigation into 50 investor-owned fossil fuel companies for their accountability for climate impacts. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is proposing the creation of an interagency body to study and address the impacts of El Niño on farmlands and households which are now experiencing water shortages. Escudero said the inter-agency body should be composed of representatives from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Climate Change Commission, private water concessionaires, and other experts that might be able to help the government craft an easily implementable plan on El Niño. “We must convene an inter-agency body to map out the situation in El Niño-affected areas and propose viable solutions to the expected short-term, mid-term, and long-term effects of El Niño,” he said in a statement on Friday. “Water interruptions and shortages are already disrupting the day-to-day activities of Filipinos. The condition of waterless hospitals and health facilities is a major source of concern as early as now,” added the senator, who chairs the Senate committee on environment and natural resources. Pagasa has warned that this year’s El Niño event is expected to be among the worst in history, causing 60 to 80 percent reduced rainfall until early Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) 17th Conferment Ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (September 22). PQA is a national performance excellence program that recognizes achievements of public and private organizations in their journey towards organizational performance excellence. Patterned after the prestigious Baldrige Performance Excellence Program of US, the PQA is the highest award that can be received by any Philippine organization. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – With 280 days left before he steps down from office, President Benigno Aquino III said he believes majority of Filipinos would think he performed beyond what was expected of him. “For the  bulk, I think they will say that we went beyond expectations. And when we say bulk, talagang overwhelming majority,” Aquino said in an interview with ANC’s Tina Monzon Palma Tuesday night. “But I submit that there is a contrarian group that exists anywhere in the world now and then of course the cottage industry of my critics,” Aquino added. Regardless, Aquino, who was once a reluctant president, said it was “really an honor” for him to serve the Filipino people. President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) awardees for a snap shot during the 17thConferment Ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (September 22). PQA is a national performance excellence program that recognizes achievements of public and private organizations in their journey towards organizational performance excellence. Patterned Read More …

British aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, carrying around 500 tons of aid for victims of Typhoon Haiyan docks at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila on Wednesday (December 11, 2013) for relief operation in Tacloban, Leyte. Led by Capt. Mike Utley, the Royal Navy ship carries supplies provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) including 12,500 blankets, 20,000 candles, 30,000 bags of rice and 9,800 tins of sardines, thousand cans of vegetables, shelter kits, and jerry cans. HMS Illustrious is replacing HMS Daring, which has been distributing aid in remote communities for the past week. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Fishermen in areas heavily affected by Typhoon Yolanda in Guiuan, Eastern Samar received a ¥150 million (P58 million) worth of aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA turned over a total of 86 types of equipment for production of fish seedlings and algae to the Guiuan Marine Fisheries Development Center (GMFDC) as part of its ¥4.6 billion aid program to support the country’s “build back better” policy for areas devastated by the 2013 super storm. Guiuan farmers were also assisted in reestablishing grouper or lapu-lapu farming and rehabilitating the public wet market in their province. Meanwhile, the fisheries sector in Tanauan, Leyte received milkfish and oyster racks to restore their aquaculture industry while fishermen in Basey, Western Samar were provided with submersible typhoon-resistant fish cages. JICA Philippines Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa in a statement on Saturday said they hope to contribute to the restoration of “economic opportunities in Read More …

This year will mark the seventh edition of the Annual Green,  Conserve and Health Expo that the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange will be hosting at the Marriott Suites in Anaheim  on September 23rd and will bring together under one roof Orange County’s stern conservationists and green advocates. Adopting the staging of the day-long event to stress the importance of the environment and create awareness on the merits of going green as one of the Chamber’s signature events has been credited to Atty. Linda Sarno, a staunch environmentalist and civic leader and FACCOC former president For the past seven years, FACCOC has been very active in encouraging and promoting the green movement  by providing a venue for exhibitors, participants, cities and government agencies, sponsoring corporations, representatives from the utility companies, sellers of ‘green’ or eco-conservation products, and consumers to meet and exchange information, experience and know-how about preserving the environment  and at the same time provide a marketing outlet for various health and eco-friendly products and service . Fil-Am Chamber goes Green: The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County will host this year’s 7th Annual Green, Conserve and Health Expo on September 23rd at the Marriott Suites in Anaheim. FACCOC’s involvement in the green technology was spearheaded then by Atty. Linda Sarno shown, (4th from left), with other officers of the Chamber and guests in this file photo of one of the earlier editions of the signature project. Not to be missed is the highlight of Read More …