February 2013 – Page 17

Bonta to chair Assembly Committee On Gun Violence in East Bay

Feb 132013

California Assemblymember Rob Bonta during oath-taking ceremonies last month. Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) is proud to announce his appointment to the new Assembly Select Committee on Gun Violence in the East Bay. Bonta will have the opportunity to convene hearings involving key stakeholders from the East Bay to examine the root causes of, and identify effective strategies to reduce, gun violence in cities such as Oakland. Bonta made the following statement after learning of the appointment: “Allow me to first thank Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez for appointing me as Chair of the Select Committee on Gun Violence in the East Bay. As Chair of this critical committee, my primary goal is to help make the entire East Bay, especially Oakland, a safer place to live and raise our families. Last year’s 131 homicides in Oakland set a new high since 2006, and in light of the nine deaths that have already occurred this year, Oakland is on track for a similarly violent 2013. This level of violence in our community must end.” Bonta further explained that his immediate next step will be to collaborate with Speaker Pérez to appoint the full membership of the Select Committee. Simultaneously, Chair Bonta is formulating the Select Committee’s agenda for its first hearing, to be scheduled soon. “Stemming gun violence in the East Bay will take the entire community’s time and resources. I welcome input from every individual that cares about improving the quality of life for all of us. Read More …

A chick at last for 'Pag-asa,' first Philippine eagle bred in captivity

News

Feb 132013

A chick at last for 'Pag-asa,' first Philippine eagle bred in captivity

Twenty-one years ago, the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City made history when it successfully bred and hatched “Pag-asa” (Tagalog word for hope), the first Philippine eagle born in captivity. Pag-asa’s birth was the fruit of long and often tedious work to save the Philippine eagle, listed by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as one of the country’s threatened birds due to loss of habitat. Last week, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) recorded another historic moment with the birth of Pag-asa’s first offspring, representing the second generation of the endangered species bred at the center. A still-unnamed eaglet rests at the Philippine Eagle Center days after hatching. Philippine Eagle Foundation The chick, hatched on February 9, 2013, weighed 158 grams. Its hatching process was assisted by Anna Mae Sumaya, the PEF’s curator for conservation breeding. PEF executive director Dennis Salvador said the center waited four days to announce the hatching of the eaglet because they wanted to make sure the chick would survive. “The chick hatched from a breech position so I had to help it to avoid damaging the vital veins that could potentially cause its death,” said Sumaya. Normally, chicks crack through the upper part of the egg, the broad end, where the air space is located. But in this case, the chick started to crack the shell on its side, prompting Sumaya to assist in the hatching process. The chick completely hatched at 1:55 am, about 48 hours after it began Read More …

Palace assures government funds won’t be used for Team Pnoy campaign

Entertainment

Feb 132013

Palace assures government funds won’t be used for Team Pnoy campaign

President Benigno Aquino (C) raises the hands of his Liberal Party Senatorial candidates during a proclamation rally in Manila February 12, 2013. The 90-day campaign period for the May 2013 midterm elections began on Tuesday. Pictured are (L-R): Antonio Trillanes, Chiz Escudero, Cynthia Villar, Jamby Madrigal, Koko Pimentel, President Aquino, Grace Poe, Bam Aquino, Alan Peter Cayetano, Loren Legarda and Risa Hontiveros. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) — MALACANANG on Wednesday assured that no single centavo from government funds will be spent for the campaign operations of Team PNoy. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said while President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier pledged to actively campaign for Team Pnoy’s senatorial candidates, he will not be using government money and resources noting that his decision to join the campaign trail “involve governance.” “The presence of the President will involve governance in all things that he does,” Lacierda said at a press briefing in Malacanang. “Those are events of the President. You cover them regardless of whatever the President does…that’s part of the President’s work as a president and, in furtherance of his agenda, this is part of those measures that the President would like to do. And part of this pushing forth the agenda of the President is to campaign for the people he wants elected,” he added. The Palace official also defended the presence of several Cabinet secretaries in political sorties saying that they are allowed to campaign and support political candidates. “Let’s take it two-fold: legally, there is no Read More …

Canada Announces New Program for Professionals to Open May 2013

Entertainment

Feb 132013

Canada Announces New Program for Professionals to Open May 2013

(screenshot www.moyal.com) By Atty. Henry Moyal As mentioned in previous articles of Immigration Newsweek, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has announced changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program to take effect on May 4th, 2013. While the official launch of the program and its laws are not yet official, there are key elements that have been proposed. In order to qualify for a Canada Immigrant Visa, professional applicants must: * Have at least one year of continuous full-time work experience in the past 10 years * Pass a minimum threshold of language ability in English or French * Attain at least 67 points based on Canada`s immigration selection factors. To accumulate the required 67 points the following summarizes the selection factors: Education: Secondary and post secondary completion is an important part of demonstrating one can be economically established in Canada. As such, up to 25 points are awarded for education. Language Skills: Applicants who have been educated in the English language and who have a strong command of English will advantage as the points for English have been increased. Now a maximum of 24 points are allotted for English (in the past max was only 16). Therefore, nationals of the Philippines (who in general have high proficiency in English) will be able to score a large amount of points under this factor. Work Experience: Applicants who have a long history of working will be able to obtain more points for work experience. In the past, any work after four Read More …

Diplomats Offer Special PH Tour Package

News

Feb 132013

By Rene Ciria-Cruz INQUIRER.net US Bureau 9:47 am | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 LOS ANGELES—Philippine diplomats and tourism officials are offering a modestly priced tour package that includes an audience with President Benigno “Noynoy” III at the presidential palace. The 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour of the Philippines is set for July 9–15, 2013. For just $1,933 per person on double occupancy, the package features “a grand welcome and reception,” visits to onsite bazaars and mini-trade fairs, introductions to business and investment opportunities and a photo-op with President Aquino at the Malacanang Palace. Since it was first launched in 2005, the Ambassadors, Consuls General andTourism Directors Tour to the Philippines has attracted thousands of participants from various cities in the United States. Also included in the basic tour package are the following: • Round-trip ticket from U.S. departure points to Manila via Philippine Airlines (departing on July 7, 2013) • 3 nights stay at the EDSA Shangri-la hotel in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City • Daily buffet breakfast and two lunches; dinners with cultural show and entertainment • Historic wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park • Intramuros Tour (Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and Bahay Tsinoy) • Pasarap (Spa treatments), Paganda (Beauty Salon) and Pasaya (Studio Tour and Audience to Variety Shows) • Out of Town Day Tour to Tagaytay with lunch and fun activities For those who want to experience more of the sights and other adventures in the Philippines, optional extension tours are also available Read More …

Cesar Montano admits marital problems

Entertainment

Feb 132013

Cesar Montano and Sunshine Dizon (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Veteran actor Cesar Montano revealed he and his wife Sunshine Cruz are currently trying to fix things in their marriage following a recent controversy involving an alleged third party in their relationship. Speaking at the press conference of his upcoming movie “The Turning Cradle: The Untold Story of Alfredo Lim” on Tuesday, Montano said they are encountering marital problems which, he said, is common among couples. “May problema to be quite honest. Hindi totoong walang problema. Pero lahat naman talaga ng marriage imperfect, like tao. Only God is perfect, isa lang ang perfect sa mundo. Lahat naman nagkakaroon ng problema,” he said. Montano, however, vowed to do everything in his power to save his marriage. “Okay naman. Ngayon nasa proseso tayo ng pag-aayos talaga. Inaayos natin iyan. I love my family and I will not do anything to destroy my family. I want my children to grow up with us,” he said. Montano said it has not been easy for him to work and worry about this problem at the same time. “Well, to be quite honest, naapektuhan ako pero talagang pinili ko to get fixated dito sa pelikula. Pero hindi ko kaya dayain ang sarili ko na makialam pa sa ibang bagay na alam kong hindi makakatulong,” he said. Despite this, Montano said he tried not to entertain intrigues while doing the film so as not to affect his work. “Fixated ako sa pelikula kaya mapapansin niyo Read More …

Malaysia in Borneo standoff with armed intruders

News

Feb 132013

Malaysia in Borneo standoff with armed intruders

Associated Press 9:31 am | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian police say an armed group believed to be from the southern Philippines has intruded into Malaysian territory on Borneo island. National police chief Ismail Omar says security forces have surrounded the intruders in the remote coastal district of Lahad Datu in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state and ordered them to surrender their weapons. Ismail’s statement late Wednesday did not disclose the number of suspects or how they were armed. Sabah is less than an hour by speedboat from the southern Philippines, which has long been wracked by a Muslim separatist insurgency. Ismail said the group landed in Sabah on Tuesday following “troubles in the southern Philippines.” Other police representatives in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah said they could not elaborate beyond the statement.

Lolong buried in Agusan Sur; bones to be exhumed for museum

News

Feb 132013

Lolong buried in Agusan Sur; bones to be exhumed for museum

Less than a week after it died, Lolong which held the world record as the largest saltwater crocodile – was buried at an eco park in Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur province Wednesday. But local residents plan to exhume Lolong’s bones and reassemble as part of their plan to set up a memorial for the crocodile, radio dzBB reported early Thursday. Lolong’s skin will be stuffed and displayed in the “Lolong Museum” in the area. Presently, local government officials are looking for a top-notch taxidermist who can create a life-size replica. A replica made out of resin is also being planned, according to a separate report on “Saksi.” On Wednesday, workers wrapped Lolong’s body in a fish net and placed the body in a one-meter-deep grave. Many residents were sad at Lolong’s death last Sunday, since their Lolong-related businesses had to shut down for now. They voiced hopes that once the Lolong Museum is set up, their businesses – ranging from souvenir shops to habal-habal rides – can be revived as well. Other businesses included bakeries that made bread in Lolong’s image. — LBG, GMA News

UAE healthcare firm to fund surgeries of 50 Filipino kids with heart defects

News

Feb 132013

UAE healthcare firm to fund surgeries of 50 Filipino kids with heart defects

By Philip Tubeza Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:07 am | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Thankful for the contribution of overseas Filipino workers in the growth of their business, a major healthcare company from the United Arab Emirates launched on Wednesday a P5-million campaign in Manila to save Filipino children with congenital heart defects (CHD) by funding their surgeries and treatment. DM Healthcare LLC, through its charity foundation, launched the Save the Little Hearts Program, which aims to help 50 Filipino children with CHD have their surgery here or in India for free. Annually, 20,000 children with CHD are born in the Philippines and one of out four of these patients die because they do not get medical treatment. “Why come here in Manila? We want to give back to the people who helped us and to the country where they came from,” Padma Shri Dr. Azad Moopen, the founder of DM Healthcare, said during the launch at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. “This country and its people are very close to our hearts. Twenty percent of our staff is composed of Filipinos and they have given us excellent service for the past five years,” he said. “As an employer of choice to thousands of Filipino staff at DM Healthcare, we wanted to give back to the community that is integral to our growth, success and quality,” Moopen added. Moopen said the campaign would help children with CHD from the poorest families and those who have been in dire need of Read More …

Phl confident of passing ICAO audit next week

Economy

Feb 132013

Phl confident of passing ICAO audit next week

MANILA, Philippines – The Aquino administration is confident that the Philippines would pass the audit to be conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) scheduled on Monday. Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya told participants of the Philippine Economic Briefing titled “Good Governance is Good Economics: Achieving Investment Grade” that the Philippine government has addressed all the safety concerns raised by ICAO. “We are confident that it (safety concern) has been addressed. Of course there is a certain area whether it has been fully closed or is the auditing merely just checking if we are going in the right direction though not fully accomplished,” Abaya stressed. He pointed that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is prepared for the audit to be conducted by ICAO on Feb. 18. “We are continuously preparing for our audit by ICAO on February 18. Monday is a big day for us, we will be audited for the Category 1, Category 2 efforts,” Abaya said during the open forum. In 2008, the safety rating of the Philippines was downgraded by the US Federal Aviation Administration upon the recommendation of the ICAO to Category 2 from Category 1. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Category 2 indicates that the FAA had assessed that the Philippines’ civil aviation authority had failed to comply with ICAO safety standards for the oversight of air carrier operations. While in Category 2, Philippine air carriers are permitted to continue current operations to the US under heightened FAA Read More …

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