Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – The REO Brothers of Tacloban, composed of the Otic siblings, Reno (drums), Ralph (bass), Raymart (rhythm guitar) and RJ (lead guitar), continue to rock the Philippine music scene with their self-titled debut album under Star Music. According to the band leader RJ, their name REO represents their family. He explained, “R is the first letter of our names; E is for our mother’s maiden name, Evasco; and O stands for Otic, our surname.” The story of the disco, pop-rock band became an inspiring tale of survival after Supertyphoon Yolanda ravaged their hometown Tacloban in 2013. Their mind-blowing musical talent has sent waves of nostalgia through their renditions of hit songs of ‘60s and ‘70s music icons like the Beach Boys, Dave Clark 5, Gary Lewis & the Playboys and The Beatles. “We started playing in Tacloban as REO Brothers in 2009 and we’re formally launched here in Manila at the ABS-CBN Christmas Special in 2013,” the band shared. “We were so nervous that night because we were lined up together with big stars in the program. But everything turned out well and we were overjoyed because we got a standing ovation at the Araneta Coliseum.” With their debut album now out in the market, REO Brothers, also dubbed by fans as the Pinoy Beatles, are excited to share their album with the people who believe in their music and in their dreams to conquer the recording scene. “From international bands, we are  paying tribute to the music of OPM legends like VST & Company, Hotdog, and Juan Read More …

Brgy San Nicolas celebrated the annual Kaplag-Buwad Festival to commemorate the discovery of the image of the Sto. Nino. (Sun.Star file photo) LOCAL festivals can be a vehicle for promoting tourism and boosting the economy. That’s what organizers of the 8th Kaplag and Buwad Festival of Barangay San Nicolas Proper in Cebu City hope to achieve as it celebrates the activity from April 5 to May 10 this year. “We hope to showcase the cultural and the religious aspects as well as the livelihood component of San Nicolas,” said Cebu City Councilor Gerry Carillo, whose responsibilities include overseeing the social and livelihood services programs of the City Government. Kaplag commemorates the discovery in 1565 of a Sto. Niño image in the ruins of a fire in the San Nicolas district. The same district is known for its suppliers of buwad or dried fish. “In fact, this delicacy has become the top homecoming gift or pasalubong by tourists to their families and friends anywhere in the world,” said Carillo. One of the highlights of the month-long festival is its livelihood component. At least 100 food stalls will be put up so residents of San Nicolas District, composed of Barangays Calamba, San Nicolas, Pahina, Pasil, Suba and Sawang, can sell cooked dried fish and barbecue from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. The participants identified by the GSG (Ground Security Group) of 6, the program proponent, will be provided with seed capital of P5,000 on credit, which they can use to purchase items Read More …

A hooded penitent with a bloodied back prays while lying on his belly in front of an image of Jesus Christ during Maundy Thursday Lenten rites in Mandaluyong city, metro Manila March 28, 2013. Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day Christians commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Holy Week is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Filipinos expected to flock to the provinces for Holy Week were warned Wednesday against boarding colorum or unregistered vessels. The Philippine Coast Guard also encouraged the public to call its hotline 0917-PCG-DOTC (0917-724-3682) to report colorums or untoward incidents. In a post on its website, the Coast Guard warned against “colorum” inter-island passenger vessels this Holy Week and dry (summer) season. PCG Commandant Vice admiral Rodolfo Isorena said such colorum vessels may not comply with safety standards of the Maritime Industry Authority. “First and foremost, they won’t give any insurance to the passengers if and when a maritime incident occurs. Most of them also do not have life vests and carry defective life rafts onboard. These violations, obviously, if tolerated may result to a major tragedy which we don’t like to happen,” Isorena said. He added some ship operators exploit the huge number of passengers especially in areas where families will spend their vacations. In most cases, he said colorum owners operate in spots where major shipping lines may have a hard time accommodating the big volume of passengers. Meanwhile, the Coast Read More …

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday presents a copy of the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) report and discusses the findings of the Senate committee on public order that she heads. Poe affirmed most of the BOI’s findings and stressed President Aquino’s responsibility on the incident. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Amid differing findings by various bodies conducting probes into the Mamasapano incident, Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday  urged the Department of Justice to expedite the completion of its investigation report. “Given the differing findings of fact, it is more imperative for the DOJ to expedite and finish its investigation, identify the culpable individuals and prosecute them,” Poe told reporters in a text message. On the other hand, the senator commended the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for completing their investigation on the Mamasapano incident “without further delay, and (for) furnishing the Senate with a copy of the report.” On Tuesday, the MILF submitted its report to the Senate. Much earlier, the Philippine National Police’s Board of Inquiry had submitted its report to the chamber, shortly after completing its probe on the incident. Poe is the head of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which led the probe on the Mamasapano incident that resulted in the deaths of 44 Special Action Force troopers, 18 MILF fighters, and five civilians. Other committees involved in the Senate probe are the committees on peace, unification, and reconciliation; and finance. “Understandably, we have divergent views on certain issues Read More …

Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. Wednesday announced the retirement of Alfredo C. Ramos as president of both the company and its fully owned unit, Carmen Copper Corp. Adrian Paulino, Alfredo’s son and Atlas Mining executive vice president, takes over starting April 1. The father will remain chair of Carmen Copper. “Alfredo Ramos played a leading role in reviving a pillar of the Philippine mining industry,” the company said in a statement. “The entire Atlas Mining organization is grateful for his stewardship of the company, and expresses its full support for its new executive officers.” Adrian is concurrently director of Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp., The Philodrill Corp., United Paragon Mining Corp., Zenith Holdings Corp., and Berong Nickel Corp. In a board meeting held March 23, the directors of Atlas Mining also named Enrico C. Nera and Tristan B. Choa as executive vice presidents. Nera, who will also take office as chief operating officer, will be in charge of operations. A licensed metallurgical engineer, Nera used to be with the consultancy Minercon International, gold producer Philex Mining and international service provider Cytec Industries. Choa will be responsible for general support services. An industrial engineer, Choa used to work for Prudential Company Asia, Coca-Cola Export Corp. and Asian Alliance Investment Corp. Last week, Atlas Mining reported a 79-percent contraction in 2014 income to P397 million. This was much faster than the 45-percent drop recorded in 2013 when net income was pegged at P1.9 billion. In 2014, revenues jumped 12 percent to reach Read More …