Maniolas

SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine Presidential Awards will be conferred on 33 outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign-based organizations from 13 countries on December 5 at the Malacañang Palace. President Benigno Aquino will personally give the awards, assisted by Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas, the Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The president commended the 33 individuals and organizations not only for their personal and professional achievements, but also for what they’ve contributed to the development of the Philippines and the welfare of their fellow Filipinos everywhere. “I congratulate the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino, Kaanib ng Bayan, Banaag and Pamana ng Pilipino Awardees for their efforts to better the conditions of our kababayans here in the Philippines and abroad, and representing the Filipino talent and industry in their adoptive homelands,” President Aquino stated. Institutionalized in 1991 through Executive Order No. 498, the Presidential Awards is a biennial search for overseas-based individuals and organizations that have dedicated their work in the service and improvement of lives of Filipinos worldwide, selflessly supported relief, rehabilitation and development programs in the home country, or who have excelled in their field or profession. The awardees were thoroughly screened from a total of 157 nominations from 29 countries by three different committees with representatives from the government, civil society, media, academe, religious and business sectors, and finally the President of the Philippines. The Presidential Awards has four categories – Kaanib ng Bayan Award, Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award, Banaag Award, and Pamana ng Pilipino Award. Kaanib ng Bayan Read More …

Four Israeli news and travel companies have featured the Philippines in their websites as the next new destination for Israeli travelers to visit. The feature articles on the Philippines, simultaneously published in Hebrew in late October, highlighted the country’s beautiful nature, especially the inclusion of Palawan and Boracay in Condé Nast Traveler’s “30 Best Islands in the World” this year. At the conclusion of the online poll, Palawan emerged as the winner with more than 76,000 votes, while Boracay got the 12th place. Because of Palawan, Boracay and other natural wonders found across the Philippines, the articles released by News1 (http://www.news1.co.il), Walla (http://travel.walla.co.il), Terminal (http://www.terminal.org.il), and International Air Services (http://www.ias.co.il) said that the country is becoming a “favorite destination among Israelis.” The significant increase in the number of Israeli tourists to the Philippines is partly attributed to the collaborative efforts of the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israel-Philippine Tourism Chamber in promoting Philippine tourism in Israel. Since the chamber’s establishment during the Philippines’ inaugural participation in the 2013 International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) – which is Israel’s flagship and biggest annual tourism fair – he Philippine embassy and the chamber have partnered in several promotional activities to boost the number of Israeli tourists who are becoming more interested to visit the Philippines. In 2013 alone, the number of Israelis traveling to the Philippines reached 7,675, marking a 30-percent increase on the full 2012 figure of 5,895.

The boy group is made up of Joaquin Reyes, John Bermundo, Grae Fernandez, Brace Arquiza and Nash Aguas MANILA, Philippines – Gimme 5’s self-titled debut album under Star Music is all about pure teen fun, vibe and music. Released last Nov. 9 on ABS-CBN’s ASAP 19, the first album of the boy group showcases the talent and energy of its teen heartthrob members, namely, Joaquin Reyes, John Bermundo, Grae Fernandez, Brace Arquiza and Nash Aguas. The tracklist of the all-original, pop-rock album of Gimme 5 includes Pag Kasama Ka, Aking Prinsesa, Hey Girl, Growing Up, Ikaw Na Na Na Na and its carrier single Hatid Sundo. Minus-one versions of the songs are also part of the album. The Gimme 5 album is now available at all record bars nationwide for P199. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via leading record stores all over the country and on online music stores such as iTunes, Mymusicstore.com.ph and Starmusic.ph. For details, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/starrecordsphil, Twitter.com/starrecordsph and Instagram.com/Starmusicph.

Christmas is just weeks away, and many of us have already started preparing for it by decorating our homes, buying presents, and maybe even planning for an out-of-town trip. For some people though, Christmas preparations can be quite stressful, and may even take away from the joy and wonder of the season. Don’t let that happen to you (and your family). Take the time to make this Christmas a truly meaningful one for you and yours. Here are some tips to help you out: 1. Start a special Christmas tradition. Homeschooling is such a blessing to our family in so many ways — one of which is that I get to learn about so many beautiful traditions associated with our Catholic faith. I especially love those that are related to liturgical seasons like Christmas and Advent. Over the years, our family has made some of these traditions our own, and our Christmases have been so much more meaningful because of them. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: For a list of meaningful Christmas traditions that you can start with your own family, try checking out this one by The Learning Basket. It contains most, if not all, of the traditions that we have, too — although I must admit that on some years, we don’t get to do all of them. 2. Give gifts that give life. After Super Typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines last year, my husband and I decided to forego buying Christmas gifts for Read More …

Associate Justice Antonio Carpio FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–There is no guarantee that the United States would come to the aid of the Philippines in case of an external attack despite the long-standing defense partnership signed through several agreements between the two countries. Associate Justice Antonio Carpio emphasized this on Tuesday and got the government side to concede this point when he grilled acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay on the second round of oral arguments on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca). “I just want you to understand [that] even if we declare Edca constitutional, it does not mean the US will defend us, because there is no such guarantee,” Carpio told Hilbay. Carpio, a staunch defender of Philippine sovereignty as reflected in his position on the country’s maritime dispute with China, drew several scenarios of the country coming under attack. He asked Hilbay of the potential US response given its partnership with the Philippines, including Edca and its mother agreement, the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Malacañang has been defending Edca as a vital instrument in assuring the country’s security in the face of external threats amid the unresolved maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea. It has repeatedly said the agreement implemented provisions already approved under standing Philippine treaties with the United States: the MDT and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The Philippines and the United States, while pursuing a strategic defense pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, signed Edca in April, just before the state visit of US Read More …