Maniolas

A wounded protester is helped by his comrades after a violent dispersal of a rally in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato on Friday. Several people were wounded when the protesters, demanding help from the government because of the effects of drought on their farms, were dispersed by authorities.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Saturday slammed the administration for allegedly turning a blind eye on the food crisis hounding drought-stricken farmers in Mindanao that led to a “bloody and tragic outcome.” Reacting to the clash of cops and protesting peasants in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan said the incident will leave a “dark and bitter legacy” in the leadership of President Benigno Aquino III. “What happened in Kidapawan underlines the administration’s insensitivity and lack of compassion. The carnage is a result of government’s failure to seriously address poverty and hunger,” Ilagan said in a statement. “But what is more revealing is that the bloody events that happened years ago in Mendiola, Hacienda Luisita and now Kidapawan highlight how prominent landowners in government treat farmers and farmworkers,” he added. At least two farmers were dead and several others were wounded after the bloody dispersal of protesters in Kidapawan City on Friday. The farmers, who were demanding relief and subsidy for farm communities affected by the dry spell, said police authorities fired the shot. Human rights groups protest the violent dispersal of farmers in Kidapawan City at the Department of Agriculture on Friday. Two people died and Read More …

Unveiled at Microsoft Build and developed using the software firm’s Azure cloud platform, the new BMW Connected app aims to be a driver’s ‘personal mobility companion.’ The BMW Connected App for North America© BMW Group Initially available for North American BMW drivers with an iPhone as a free download, the new app aims to bring the same levels of curation, personalization and simplicity to transportation that most consumers experience in other areas of their digital life. The app provides users with a host of remote vehicle-related functions such as being able to check on a car’s location and fuel levels or to turn on the air conditioning, unlock the doors and, in the case of hybrid models, the state of battery charge. Added to this is the ability to reserve a parking space, find a fuel station or charging point or an authorized mechanic. Such features have already become standard fare in the luxury car space but what makes the BMW app stand out, and the reason why it was presented at Microsoft’s developer conference rather than an auto show is that it is a ‘smart’ app. It’s capable of learning, be it a driver’s preferences regarding vehicle set-up, or habits regarding regularly visited destinations and other mobility needs and adjusting accordingly. It can also, like the free INRIX Traffic app launched on Wednesday available to all smartphone-owning drivers, globally, offer predictive navigation based on a user’s calendar, frequently traveled routes and live traffic flow data. This means that it Read More …

Disneyland in Anaheim, California © AFP PHOTO/Hector MATA There’s a lot of grumbling about the happiest place on earth following news that Disney is hiking admission prices in an effort to ease traffic during peak season. Introduced this week, Disney’s new tiered system for one-day tickets will make visits to the parks more expensive during peak periods like spring break, the winter holidays and weekends, compared to a random weekday in October. Prices are split across three categories – value, regular and peak – and schedules will be made available online eight to 11 months in advance. In a blog post, Disney said the move is aimed at easing congestion at the parks during peak season. The new pricing is also in anticipation of upcoming attractions that are expected to draw huge crowds such as Avatar, Toy Story and Star Wars-themed lands. In April, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut a new stage show entitled “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” that will play out iconic moments from the film saga, as part of the ongoing roll-out that will end with the opening of the dedicated Star Wars theme park. But fans are expressing their displeasure at the new pricing scheme, pointing out that the parks are becoming increasingly unaffordable. “Such a shame. It was already expensive. This just pushes it over the top. I can travel to Europe for less than a Disney vacation,” reads a comment in response to the Disney blog post. Over on Twitter, another disgruntled fan Read More …

The camp of Senator Grace Poe asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday (Dec. 28, 2015) to stop the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that disqualified her to run in the 2016 presidential polls. Poe, through her legal counsel, Atty. George Garcia (in left photo), filed the petition for certiorari and urgent motion for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Comelec decision. One of the two petitions filed by Poe’s camp challenged the Comelec First Division ruling while the second petition assailed the Comelec Second Division ruling. Poe’s camp also asked the SC to issue a status quo ante order (SQAO) against the Comelec ruling in order that the name of Poe would still be included in the ballot for the 2016 elections. Photo at right shows Poe’s supporters urging the Comelec to allow the lady senator to run for president in the May 2016 polls. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe seemed to be “very calm” and “not anxious” despite the impending decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on the disqualification cases filed against her, Senator Serge Osmeña said on Thursday. “She might know something because last night, my wife bumped into her at a wedding, Grace was the ninang (godmother) and she was very calm and she was not anxious about the decision that will be made next week,” Osmeña said at a regular forum in the Senate. “I believe the Supreme Court is having an en banc session on Read More …

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III flashes the “Laban” sign as he observes the re-enactment of the historic “Salubungan” of former President Fidel Ramos-led AFP- PNP contingents and the civilian components headed by former Senator Butch Aquino now his son Bobby Aquino converge in front of the People Power Monument during the commemorative activities of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in White Plains Avenue corner Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Thursday (February 25). It re-enacts the stopping of the tanks and the convergence of the military and civilian contingents. This year’s theme is “EDSA 30 Pagbabago Ipinaglaban N’yo Itutuloy Ko!” The 1986 peaceful and bloodless uprising ousted the dictatorship and catapulted the late Corazon C. Aquino to the Presidency. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday led the transfer and reinterment of the remains of the late President Elpidio Quirino at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. Aquino joined the funeral march to the gravesite together with the Quirino family, former President Fidel Ramos, some members of the diplomatic corps, and military service commanders. Judy Araneta-Roxas, mother of Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, also came to attend the reinterment. It was Quirino who took oath as president when former President Manuel Roxas died in 1948. Quirino was Roxas’ vice president. Quirino was given a 21-gun salute and volley of fire before the pallbearers turned over the folded flag to President Aquino, who then handed it over to Eduardo Quirino, grandson of Read More …