Kidnapped in Sabah, freed in Sulu

 General
Dec 212013
 
Kidnapped in Sabah, freed in Sulu

TAIPEI—A Taiwanese tourist who was kidnapped more than a month ago at a Malaysian island resort returned to Taiwan on Saturday after she was rescued in Sulu on Friday. Television footage showed Evelyn Chang, 58, dressed in a loose T-shirt and wearing sunglasses, walking to a minibus parked at an airport near Taipei after she arrived in the early afternoon, waving briefly to the media and giving a thumbs-up sign. Local media said she was expected to go to a hospital in Taipei for medical checkups later in the day. Chang was found by Philippine Marines in Sitio Kanja Amil in Liban village in Talipao, a town on the remote island of Jolo where al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants are known to operate, after they were tipped off by local residents, said Sulu provincial commander Col. Jose Cenabre. She was taken to a local military hospital for a medical checkup on Friday. “I think I just want to say I deeply appreciate the Philippine military for giving me such big help and assistance to rescue me. Thank you very much,” Chang said in a prerecorded message aired by several Taiwanese news channels on Saturday. Chang and her husband Hsu Li-min were on a holiday on Pom Pom Island in Sabah state, which is near the Sulu island group, when gunmen attacked on Nov. 15, kidnapping her and killing her husband, according to Taiwanese officials and media. Cenabre said Chang broke down in tears as she recounted her ordeal. She told Read More …

‘Yolanda’ survivors match donor dollars with resilience

 News
Dec 212013
 
‘Yolanda’ survivors match donor dollars with resilience

Lt. Cmdr. Mike DeVito, left, Commander, Task Force 70, helicopter operations officer, embarked aboard the US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington, helps a member of the Filipino Air Force carry a box of relief supplies in support of relief efforts in the aftermath of the Supertyphoon Yolanda, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Guinan. Foreign aid for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors in Samar and Leyte as well as similarly devastated provinces now totals P10.6 billion, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Sunday. AP Photo/US Navy, PO 3rd Class Paolo Bayas Survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” are matching with initiative and diligence every donor dollar given to them. Helping the Philippines pays back big time as survivors themselves drive the response and early recovery efforts on the ground, putting their lives back together little by little every day, said Luiza Carvalho, the UN resident humanitarian coordinator in the country. Carvalho said such level of engagement on the ground should inspire the world to continue supporting typhoon-ravaged villages as the Philippines, the United Nations and other partners ease the transition from emergency relief to the long-term recovery and rehabilitation phase. Indeed, throughout the effort, one invaluable resource has emerged: the typhoon-hit residents themselves who are battling great odds to survive instead of remaining tragic victims. “In the Philippines, it’s a worthwhile investment because of this resilience aspect and the role they (survivors) play. It’s a resource that really pays,” Carvalho told the Inquirer in an interview. “It really pushes the response very Read More …

The phone that’s built to survive

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
The phone that’s built to survive

The NAUTIZ X1 Ultra-Rugged SmartphoneThe phone meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards for withstanding humidity, vibration, drops and extreme temperatures.©Handheld (Relaxnews) – The Nautiz X1 is a handset designed for even the clumsiest and most accident-prone of users; it puts survival above specifications to make sure it’s always working. If only the tourist who this week walked off a pier in Australia while checking her Facebook page had been using a Nautiz X1, rather than a normal smartphone, she would have been able to continue posting during the fall and after hitting the water. And she could have called the coast guard with the handset too. Built by Handheld Group, the company claims its latest ruggedized handset, launched Thursday, is the toughest smartphone in the world. Waterproof, dustproof, shock-resistant and able to continue working in extreme temperatures — all of which makes it the perfect device for adventurers, outdoor athletes, extreme sports fanatics or just the incredibly clumsy. “People are increasingly using their smartphones all the time, everywhere, and they’re expecting mobility and connectivity anytime, anywhere, and in all environments and weather conditions,” says Product Manager Johan Hed of the phone’s creation. Yet despite its toughness, the Nautiz X1weighs only 180g (6.3 ounces) and is slim enough to slip into a pocket. It also offers a decent 4-inch display that’s still legible no matter how glaring the sun becomes. Other serious built-in kit includes a professional u-blox GPS and a built-in compass. However in terms of other more typical smartphone features, those more accustomed Read More …

Village Buildah is launching a car raffle fundraising

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 

A Mercedes Benz 2014 C250 car will be raffled off with proceeds supporting The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gawad Kalinga and Typhoon Haiyan victims (December 13, 2013 – Los Angeles) – Village Buildah, a non-profit 501(c) (3) foundation, is launching their car raffle fundraising on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 6pm at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys. With the purpose of giving hope and shelter to indigents and a mission to pay it forward to help the poor by pooling their resources, Village Buildah supports with Gawad Kalinga in building villages with values formation. Through Western USA, a community of 30 families, living under a bridge for more than 30 years in Barangay Guihing Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur in Mindanao was chosen to be the recipient of the first out reach of 24 homes. This fundraising will complete 6 more homes. “This is a perfect time to be true to ourselves and appreciate all there is to our life. The blessings we have received, we want to pass it on and give back to the community. Village Buildah Foundation will take every opportunity to help and this will be our social responsibility.”, said Gene Gatmaitan, founding member and chairperson of Village Buildah. Credited with the heart to help and an oath of stewardship for mankind, the founding members, all of which are alumni from San Sebastian College, Central Luzon State University, University of the East, UP Los Banos, San Beda College and Silliman University, Read More …

Meat-Free Favorites – Compassionate Casserole

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
Meat-Free Favorites – Compassionate Casserole

By Elena Johnson In honor of Christmas next week, I created a special meat-free casserole that lets all the flavors of the holiday season shine without the cruelty. This hearty dish of meatless chicken, mushrooms, gravy, and stuffing can be assembled the night before and then popped in the oven as your guests arrive. It also travels well in case you need to bring a meat-free dish to share at a friend’s holiday table. Happy holidays! Compassionate Casserole 6 – 8 servings Filling 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 12 oz. pkg. Beyond Meat Chicken-Free Strips 3 cups button mushrooms, quartered ¼ cup flour 2 cups vegan chicken or vegetable stock, such as Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh sage, minced 2 tsp. dried thyme ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper Stuffing ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. vegan margarine, such as Earth Balance Buttery Spread – divided 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 2 stalks celery, finely chopped ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. fresh sage, minced 2 tsp. dried thyme ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg Dash ground cloves ¼ tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 10 oz. pkg. stuffing mix, such as Arrowhead Mills Organic Savory Herb Stuffing, or 5 cups dry bread cubes ¼ cup dried cranberries, minced 1 ½ – 2 cups vegan chicken or vegetable stock, such as Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base First make the filling. Sauté onion and garlic in Read More …

Erich opens all-day breakfast restaurant

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
Erich opens all-day breakfast restaurant

Erich Gonzales (MNS Photo) Actress Erich Gonzales, who played a pastry chef in the movie “Suddenly It’s Magic,” has joined a growing list of celebrities who have opened their own restaurant. Gonzales announced that her restaurant, The Breakfast Club, opened just recently on Quezon Avenue, near the Santo Domingo Church. “Breakfast all day, mayroong comfort food, desserts. We have a little bit of everything,” Gonzales said about the restaurant’s concept. She also admitted that her partner in the restaurant is her non-showbiz boyfriend. “Just the two of us,” the “Juan dela Cruz” star said. Despite their joint investment, Gonzales stressed in a previous interview that she is not yet ready to settle down. “Alam niya rin naman na marami pa akong gustong gawin sa buhay ko,” Gonzales said at the time. Just in the recent months, several celebrities have opened their restaurants. Inspired by her son’s fondness of milkshakes, actress Jodi Sta. Maria has put up a chain of milkshake bars, Happy Barn Milkshake Factory, in addition to her Mardi Gras-inspired restaurant Rue Bourbon in Eastwood in Libis. Meanwhile, her “Be Careful with My Heart” leading man Richard Yap opened a Chinese restaurant called Wangfu in Quezon City. Fellow Kapamilya talent actor Sam Milby also put up his own restaurant, Prost Braumeister at the BonifacioGlobalCity, together with his friends. (MNS)

Napoles also got P407-M DOTC funds: lawyer

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
Napoles also got P407-M DOTC funds: lawyer

Janet Lim Napoles arrives at the Senate for the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged P10 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, which reportedly involves her group and several legislators. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Aside from dipping into lawmakers’ pork barrel funds, alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles also got her hands on funds given to government agencies including a P407 million allocation for computers under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Levito Baligod, lawyer of the whistle-blowers in the alleged P10 billion pork barrel scam, said the whistle-blowers are developing a new set of charges based on information that government funds not part of lawmakers’ priority development assistance funds (PDAF) were also coursed through fake non-government organizations (NGOs) set up by Napoles. He said P407 million in DOTC funds intended for the purchase of computers were coursed through Jo-Chris Trading, a company owned by Napoles. “Ayon sa kanila, walang delivery (ng computers) at walang bidding at lahat yun na-award sa kumpanya ni Gng. Napoles. That is one of the cases we are developing,” he said. He said students could have increased their knowledge on computers if the project was implemented properly. Whistle-blowers earlier said Napoles approached officials and offered a 50% cut of any pork barrel-funded project coursed through her foundations. Napoles is currently incarcerated on a serious illegal detention charge filed by key whistle-blower Benhur Luy. Baligod noted the wide reach of Napoles in government, saying that many lawmakers and even local government Read More …

LTFRB: Don Mariano has no labor compliance certificate

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
LTFRB: Don Mariano has no labor compliance certificate

Pedestrians walk beside an overturned bus lying along a busy street at Bicutan after the bus fell off an elevated expressway and crashed into a van below in Taguig city, south of Manila December 16, 2013. At least 21 people were killed during the incident, according to the police. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Don Mariano Transit Corp., the company which owns the bus that fell off the Skyway on Monday and left 18 dead, was allowed to operate this year despite not having a labor standards compliance certificate (LSCC). Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Winston Ginez confirmed that no LSCC was issued to the bus company. “For 2013, I was informed it (LSCC) was not issued. That can be a ground for revocation or cancellation of franchise,” Ginez said. A report by state-run Philippine News Agency quoted Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz as saying that the owners of Don Mariano Transit admitted to having an expired LSCC, a prerequisite for an LTFRB franchise and a requirement for bus companies employing drivers and conductors working for a minimum of 8 hours and a maximum of 12 hours with overtime pay daily. “Don Mariano Transit Corporation is covered by DOLE Order 118-A. It was last inspected on July 3, 2012, and issued a Labor Standards Compliance Certificate by the DOLE on July 17, 2012. It has an expired LSCC and has not renewed its application,” Baldoz told PNA. A driver of Don Mariano earlier admitted he works for 19 Read More …

Kerry invites PHL to join Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

 Entertainment
Dec 202013
 
Kerry invites PHL to join Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

President Benigno S. Aquino III and United States Secretary of State John Kerry, lead the ceremonial toasts during the Dinner at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 17, 2013). The visit to the Philippines is his first visit as Secretary of State. During his visit, the topics that are expected to be discussed are the broadening of economic and security cooperation of the Philippines and U.S. as well as strengthening of people-to-people ties. Humanitarian assistance and disaster response and cooperation on regional issues are also expected to be part of the agenda. In addition, Secretary Kerry will visit Tacloban City to meet people affected by Typhoon Yolanda as well as those involved in the relief effort. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacanang Photo Bureau) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – US Secretary of the State John Kerry invited the Philippines to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement adding he expects a Filipino delegation in Washington early next year. The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement would be able to raise standards of doing business, open up new opportunities, and convert 40 percent of the global GDP into one economic group for improved global trade, Kerry said in a message to the American and local businessmen in Manila Tuesday. He also said the TPP could create millions of jobs in the Asia-Pacific region. Kerry said the TPP will set standards for consumers and workers. “We will welcome a Philippine delegation to Washington at the end of January to start a technical consultation Read More …

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