Maniolas

SAN FRANCISCO, California—Fil-Am singer Ellona Santiago instantly became the pride of Filipinos worldwide after her solo debut on the Fox Channel hit music television competition, “X Factor.” Her passion for music, upbeat performances and strong vocals gained her international attention as she worked her way deeper into the competition. But this teen singing sensation did not happen over night.  Her music abilities have been honed since she could barely walk. “I’ve been singing since I was about two-and-a-half years old. I would perform at various events like birthdays, weddings and fiestas,” Ellona recalls. “My dad was actually the one who has been with me from the start. He would always play songs on our stereo machine and everywhere we go so I would listen to it and one day I started to sing through our karaoke machine. My family thought I could read but I really just memorized the song.” The “X Factor” stage was no mystery to Ellona, who had competed previously. Taking a big step and moving into a solo career, she competed for the second time and won the hearts of not only the audience, but judges as well.  Her time on “X Factor” has given her the experience, exposure and opportunity to further her music and move towards a more serious singing career. “I’ve always been so passionate with music especially because my whole family is musically inclined,” Ellona explains. “I’ve always wanted to inspire others through my singing and performance. My favorite part is actually performing Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that there is still a possibility that Filipino peacekeepers may return to their assignments abroad. Gazmin on Monday said that they would assess the situation on when the troops can return to their assignments. UN Filipino peacekeepers. FILE PHOTO “It’s still probable that they may return,” Gazmin said. “We have threat assessments, periodic threat assessments.” “If the situation improves, why not?” On Saturday, the Department of National Defense said that they would pull out its peacekeeping troops, under the UN, amid the worsening conflict in Golan Heights and the heightening threat of the Ebola virus in Liberia. DND spokesman Peter Galvez said the 331 peacekeepers in Golan Heights would be sent home once their tour of duty ends in October while the 115 troops in Liberia “would be repatriated as soon as possible.” Gazmin said the reason for the pull out was the heightening threats in both countries adding that President Benigno Aquino III has a responsibility to protect every Filipino. “Threats are getting worse and the President needs to protect every Filipino citizen,” Gazmin said. “In terms of security, we have a physical threat in Golan Heights and a health risk in Liberia.” Golan Heights is smack in the middle of the war zone between Israel and Palestine where air strikes occur frequently while Liberia is the epicenter of the Ebola virus. Gazmin, however, said that other peacekeepers deployed in other countries are to stay put, like the 156-strong contingent in Read More …

By Matikas Santos |INQUIRER.net 5:37 pm | Monday, August 25th, 2014 ICRC President Peter Maurer interacts with a young patient at the Basey District Hospital in Samar. The ICRC and PRC are doing major repair works at this facility, which was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. PHOTO BY: ICRC/H.S. Toeli MANILA, Philippines – The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is in the country for a three-day assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts in areas devastated by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). “During his three-day visit in the Philippines, ICRC President Peter Maurer went to Typhoon Haiyan-affected areas in Samar island where the rebuilding efforts of the ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross are moving at a fast pace,” the ICRC said in a statement Monday. “Since the emergency, the ICRC and PRC provided humanitarian assistance to the survivors in Samar Island. It continues to help communities rebuild their lives by providing shelter, supporting livelihoods, and enhancing access to clean water and healthcare facilities,” it said. Maurer spoke with staff and patients of Basey district hospital, which is being repaired with ICRC-PRC support, and went to Santa Cruz, Giporlos, where storm-resilient shelters have been built, ICRC said. He will also meet with high-level government officials on Tuesday to discuss humanitarian issues. Nearly a year since Yolanda tore through several provinces in the Visayas region, rehabilitation efforts continue at a steady pace particularly in Tacloban, Leyte, the city which bore the brunt of Yolanda’s winds and storm surges. Read More …

By Bong Lozada |INQUIRER.net 4:47 pm | Monday, August 25th, 2014 Lieutenant General Eduardo Año. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–After Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte claimed that some Muslim rebels in Davao have joined terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that his information was still unverified. Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, 10th Infantry Division (ID) Commander, said there are no valid intelligence reports supporting the claims of Duterte, who echoed the statement of former president Fidel V. Ramos. “We haven’t covered any valid intel or any valid information,” said Año, who was still the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief early August. “We have not reported any of the local jihadists leaving the country.” He added that the AFP does not release any unverified information as it might cause panic to the people. “If we are to speculate, say something that is not validated, it may cause panic to our people,” Año said. Despite Duterte’s claims, Año said that members of the rebel group Abu Sayyaf, who pledged support to ISIS, are still in the country. Año said that the group, which also calls itself as Kalifa Islamiyaah, is conducting the training in the borders of Lanao and Maguindanao. He, however, said that the 10th ID would still verify Duterte’s claims and look into the appropriate action that would be implemented. “I don’t know his basis, but we will check it,” Año said. “We will take a careful look on what his basis is.” Año added that he would have his Division’s Intelligence officers check into the claim. Read More …

Citing threats to his life, retired Major General Jovito Palparan said Sunday he will file a motion to be transferred from Bulacan Provincial Jail to a military detention facility. In a report aired on “Balitanghali”, Palparan said he will also file a petition before the Supreme Court to change of venue of his trial for kidnapping and serious illegal detention from the Bulacan Regional Trial Court to the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City. The former military official is implicated in the disappearance of of college students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006. Palparan said his trial deserves to be held at the Sandiganbayan by virtue of his rank when the incident that became the basis for the case against him took place. “The crime that was committed happened during my time as commander of the Army 7th Infantry Division.The rank calls for a Sandiganbayan hearing,” he said. Narzal Mallares, a lawyer for Palparan, said last week that the retired general would ask the Malolos Regional Trial Court to allow him to be detained instead at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, where other high-profile detainees are being held. According to Mallares, Palparan’s life is in danger because of the reported presence of detained New People’s Army rebels at the provincial jail, where he is currently detained. Aside from being implicated in the disappearance of Cadapan and Empeño, Palparan was also tagged in several cases of political killings. He earned the nickname “Butcher” from communist rebels and militant groups for Read More …