Maniolas

MTRCB chief Toto Villareal (center) with Liezl’s family (husband Albert and their children Alyanna, Alfonso and Alissa, and Liezl’s father Romeo Vasquez) and members and officers of MTRCB during the dedication of the Liezl Martinez Hall at the MTRCB Building on Timog Ave., Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines – Asked why she included Anna Lissa “Liezl” Muhlach Sumilang Martinez among her first batch of members of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Sen. Grace Poe said: “She was a good mother and wife, had a firm grasp of what is right or wrong, with a strong connection and concern for the movie and TV industries,  balanced by her compassion for the welfare of children.” And that is how Liezl will be remembered at the MTRCB: As mother, before anything  else, for she was motherly towards even those older than she, not only to fellow board  members but also to office workers; and fair, even to those deemed difficult to work with. She took charge of the “Matalinong Panonood” sorties to various parts of the country; an able captain of that MTRCB ship, obsessive-compulsive down to the littlest details of who was rooming with whom, to the extent of asking whoever her roommate would be, just before retiring, for the night, “Nagsepilyo ka na ba?” She was designated to take care of physical improvements at the MTRCB Building, a task she relished, and how, down to sighing when the wrong tiles were delivered, or the wrong wallpaper installed. And Read More …

Claudine Barretto on Raymart Santiago: “We failed as husband and wife. We’re trying not to fail as parents now.” Instagram/Claudine Barretto MANILA, Philippines – Actress Claudine Baretto said she is “civil” with estranged husband Raymart Santiago. Reports that Claudine and Raymart are currently in good terms again after their on-and-off falling out surfaced after the two were seen together attending a fun run with their children, Sabina and Santino, earlier this month. Claudine even posted a photo of Raymart on her Instagram account. A photo posted by @claubarretto on Mar 8, 2015 at 10:21pm PDT Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We’re very civil. Yes, now we’re talking,” Claudine told ABS-CBN’s showbiz talk show “The Buzz” in an interview aired Sunday. She added, when asked about the custody case Raymart filed against her: “Napagusapan namin na sana let’s not talk about each other anymore, or let’s not accept questions regarding each other kung hindi maganda yung sasabihin natin.” RELATED: Raymart on marriage with Claudine “We’re trying to be good parents for the kids,” Claudine also said. She added, “We failed as husband and wife. We’re trying not to fail as parents now.” Claudine said she is also “civil” with older sister Marjorie. It can be remembered that the two had a public falling out in 2013, after Marjorie and sister Gretchen after the two supported Raymart’s allegations that Claudine is mentally ill and has a history of drug abuse. But Claudine and Marjorie were seen reunited at Read More …

popular . Santiago: ‘What is Binay afraid of?’ Peace advocates march in QC to mark CAB 1st anniversary Pinoy Pride 30 gets going PH gets P9.5B in new Japan aid US chef is ‘Santa’ to malnourished kids Three vital references for BBL Lessons from Ryan Agoncillo’s private haven You’re entitled to my opinion videos PBA: Ginebra’s LA Tenorio comfortable on the floor with Emman Monfort PBA: Agustin credits good defense, big men performance for win over Purefoods PBA: Warner’s maturity big thing for Globalport, says coach Gonzales Crime watchdog wants advisory body composed of bishops, inter-religious leaders Former Tarlac Governor calls Aquino to resign Top finance and central bank officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations support moves to come up with a regional tax identification number (TIN) in line with plans to harmonize taxation policies as well as strengthen compliance monitoring across member-states. “We acknowledged the progress of work of the Asean Forum on Taxation (AFT), particularly in the continuous efforts to complete a network of bilateral tax agreements, to improve exchange of information for tax purposes, and to enhance members’ cooperation on capacity-building on taxation matters. We also welcomed AFT’s plan to further discuss other areas under taxation, including the feasibility study of the global TIN scoping proposal, base erosion and profit shifting issues, and to explore possible ways on tax harmonization,” read the joint statement issued following the First Asean Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week. Finance Secretary Cesar Read More …

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has dismissed China’s criticism of its plan to repair military facilities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), saying it has sovereign rights over territories in the disputed areas. The Philippines’ activities are “in no way comparable to China’s massive reclamation activities” in the waters, said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose. Jose said accusations that the Philippines was being “hypocritical” would not detract from Beijing’s own actions which are raising regional tensions. The statement by Jose was the latest volley in an increasingly tense war of words over the sea, parts of which are claimed by both countries as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. “The Philippines’ possible undertaking of necessary maintenance and repairs on its existing facilities in the West Philippine Sea… is in no way comparable to China’s massive reclamation activities which not only violate international law… but also unnecessarily raise tensions,” Jose said. West Philippine Sea is the name the Philippines has given to that portion of the South China Sea where Filipino troops and civilians occupy some islands. Most vocal in criticizing China The Philippines has recently been among the most vocal in criticizing China’s development of isolated outcroppings in the waters into large facilities capable of hosting bases and even airstrips. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines would resume its own construction of facilities in the sea, prompting Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying to denounce his remarks on Friday. “This does not only violate Read More …

PNoy addresses nation a year after Bangsamoro peace accord. President Benigno Aquino III delivers another national address on Friday, March 27, a year after the Philippine government signed a comprehensive peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In his address, Aquino said he is enlisting the help of ‘citizen leaders’ to scrutinize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Rey Baniquet President Benigno Aquino III wants Filipinos traveling to the provinces for their Holy Week and summer vacations not just to be safe but to be convenient as well. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday Aquino is concerned that the operation of toll gates may slow down traffic to the provinces. “One of the concerns of the President was the toll gates… It was brought to the President’s attention over Christmas na imbes gumaan ang biyahe ng kababayan natin sa north, naging kalbaryo,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. She said Aquino wants “syncrhonized” operations among toll operators including the North and South Luzon Expressways and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. Such syncrhonized operations should cut down on travel time, she added. “That was one of the President’s directives. Apart from the safety of travelers… is to make sure it remains convenient,” she said. Vendors on Saturday started selling palaspas (palm fronds) in time for Palm Sunday, which marks the start of the Holy Week for Catholics. For its part, the Philippine National Police issued safety tips for travelers who may need to leave their homes for the Holy Week break. Read More …