Maniolas

DreamPlay by DreamWorks [via Smart Parenting] Dreamworks Animation is set to open its first indoor theme park outside Hollywood this March. The theme park is designed exclusively for the City of Dreams entertainment centre in Roxas Boulevard, Manila and introduces “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” a new approach to learning and family entertainment with its interactive activities inspired by an educational play centre. The interactive entertainment concept “DreamPlay by DreamWorks” employs hands on activities featuring characters from their movies. The theme park promises to be the perfect place for fans of DreamWorks movies and families looking to unwind and have fun with their favourite characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar and many more. Fans who wish to learn How to Train Your Dragon can become a dragon rider, learn Kung Fu from Master Shifu himself, bake cookies with Gingy the gingerbread man and hang out with the Penguins of Madagascar as their favourite characters come to life with the theme park’s various DreamPlay attractions. Activities include 4D theatres, cooking, toy building, games and wall climbing. Parents, kids and adults who wish to relax after hours of play can eat at the DreamWorks Café. Dim sum, pizza, ice cream and other family favourites are on the menu. The post DreamWorks opens 1st global indoor theme park in Manila appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Sarah Geronimo sings Disney’s “The Glow” theme song Fil-Am wins 1st Global Denim Awards in Amsterdam Global travel group names Luneta among Asia’s best parks DLSU-D ranks Read More …

MANILA, Philippines — There is now a recommendation in the Senate to  summon officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs  (DFA) amid talks of the reported involvement  of the United States in the Mamasapano operation last January 25, 2015, Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday. While there was no motion yet to call the US Embassy in Manila to appear before the Senate probe on the incident, Poe said a suggestion was raised during an executive hearing to instead summon the officials of the DFA. “Sa ngayon wala pa namang nagmo-motion na ipatawag sila at meron ng suhestyon na ipatawag ang DFA para ma eksplika ang mga kasunduan ng ating bansa  sa mga ganitong klaseng pagtutulungan,”  she told reporters  on  Tuesday. (Right now, there are no motions yet to summon them, but there have been suggestions to summon DFA (officials) for them to explain the country’s agreements when it comes to collaborations like this.) “Tatapatin ko kayo (I am going to tell you the truth). We have to be very careful for it involves also diplomatic relations. We want peaceful ties with countries, we want their cooperation to be able to help us secure ourselves as well. We’re not trying to make more enemies in this thing but we also have to be accountable.” “So when it comes to that, it is not because we are trying to hide the information from you, we are just being careful. But we are with you in wanting to know the extent of foreign involvement because if there’s nothing Read More …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday dedicated its 24th founding anniversary ceremonies to the 44 Special Action Force commandos who were killed in the January 25 Mamasapano encounter with Moro guerillas, a TV report said. According to GMA News’ Saleema Refran, while there was a slight improvement in the police force’s morale following the incident, the overall mood during the event was somber and dignified. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas led the ceremonies held Monday morning, where he highlighted the “ultimate sacrifice” made by the PNP-SAF members. Roxas turned emotional when he asked that the Philippine National Anthem be sang for a second time as a tribute to the fallen officers, the report said. “Hindi matatawaran ang kalakihan ng kadakilaan, ang katapangan, ang sakripisyo na pinagkaloob nila sa atin, na kung saan ‘yung banta ng terorismo sa ating bansa — lalo na sa ka-Mindanao-an, ay nabawasan dahil nakuha nila ang kanilang target na si Marwan,” he said during his remarks, referring to Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who was killed during the operation. “All of you who wear the uniform take an oath. All of you who wear a uniform every day, pagsuot niyo ng uniporme, alam ninyo na maaari kayong malagay sa peligro,” Roxas added. The PNP, through its Board of Inquiry, is already looking into the incident, which started when SAF members entered an area in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, considered as bailiwick of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The TV report said Monday’s ceremonies began at around 7:30 Read More …

  First posted in PositivelyFilipino.com World War II was quickly coming to an end. Manila was a jungle of wreckage. Office buildings, churches, homes, hotels, factories and docks lay in ruin. In other parts of the country, people poked through similar scenes of destruction, looking for food or belongings or the remains of family members killed by either the retreating Japanese or the bombardment of the advancing Americans. “Our family survived by gathering wild cassavas, bananas, guavas, pineapple and jackfruit,” recalled Flory Bautista, then a teenager in war-torn Leyte. “There was never enough food, but we hardly thought about it because we were afraid. We just wanted to survive.” A few months later, Bautista would leave behind that tragic chapter of Philippine history and sail for America as the “war bride” of a Filipino serviceman in Uncle Sam’s army. Her journey was part of a larger phenomenon—the beginning of the Second Wave of Filipino immigration to the United States. The Second Wave of Filipino immigration was short in duration but profound in its impact on the size and composition of the Filipino community in America. The bulk of the wave came into the United States directly after the war, between 1946 and 1953, as Filipinos who served in the armed services were granted U.S. citizenship for their contribution to the war effort. Many of these servicemen had been living in the United States before the war as younger members of the First Wave of immigration. Returning with their Florys, they would, Read More …

Instead of calling it a setback, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara sees the temporary suspension in deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as a chance for lawmakers to mull the possible impact of the measure. Angara said it is a good thing that the House of Representatives can take a breather from discussing the Bangsamoro bill considering the breakneck speed that the panel created to work on the bill has been holding discussions. “Maganda na ring nagkaroon ng break or tigil dito sa usapin ng BBL dahil parang tren itong BBL na napakabilis. Mga 20 hearing na sa Kamara at tatlo sa Senado. Mabuti nang nagkaroon muna ng tigil sa debate dito para mapag-isipan natin kung talagang gusto nating pasukin ito,” he told dzBB radio in an interview Sunday. Angara is one of the co-authors of the BBL at the Senate. Shortly after the bloody Jan. 25 clash, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito withdrew as co-authors of the bill. While stressing he supports the concept of peace “in general,” Angara said efforts to attain it should be balanced with justice, especially in light of the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos during a clash with Moro rebels last Jan. 25.  “Eh sa ngayon parang dehado pa ang estado eh, parang masama pa ang loob, so maghintay-hintay pa tayo. Sana ang MILF naman ay magpakita sila ng [participation] sa trust-building dahil nawala ang tiwala sa kanila eh. Makapagpakita man lang sila Read More …