December 2013 – Page 25

Freed Jordanian thanks Filipinos, looks forward to seeing kin

News

Dec 072013

Freed Jordanian thanks Filipinos, looks forward to seeing kin

Veteran Middle Eastern TV reporter Baker Atyani looks at his X-ray record as he undergoes medical check-up following his release from one-and-a-half years of captivity in Jolo, the capital of the island province of Sulu in Southern Philippines late Wednesday Dec.4, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO/Nickee Butlangan MANILA, Philippines—Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani talked to the media on arriving in Manila on Friday but begged off from recounting the details of his 18-month abduction by Islamist militants. He is returning to Jordan today. “I’ll be focusing more on the future rather than the past,” Atyani told reporters who had waited for him at Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. “I am meeting soon my loved ones and my feelings and emotions…I can’t really explain them well. I am sure you understand that,” he said. “And I really want to thank all of you who stood by me during this crisis. You, my colleagues in media and friends, those who gave a lot of support in the social network, maraming salamat,” he said. Atyani, 45, arrived in Manila from Sulu at dusk, accompanied by a colleague from Al Arabiya News Channel; Senior Supt. Renato Guman, director of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group; and Senior Supt. Rolando Miranda, operations chief of the group. Atyani, Southeast Asia bureau chief for Al Arabiya News Channel, appeared tired but still greeted the waiting journalists with a small wave. Gumban said Atyani gave a very short message because they had all wanted the debriefing at Camp Crame to Read More …

I have yet to see documents proving I misused public funds, Biazon says

Entertainment

Dec 072013

I have yet to see documents proving I misused public funds, Biazon says

Customs Commissioner Raffy Biazon as he inspects the submarine and Ducati motorcycle worth P19 million from Korea by the operatives of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Tondo, Manila on Friday, July 26,2013.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Ruffy Biazon, who heads the Philippine government’s second-largest revenue generating body, said on Friday that he has yet to see documents proving he misused public funds when he was a lawmaker. “I have yet to see the documents pertinent to this issue, but I welcome the opportunity to clarify and answer the accusations, whether before the National Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman, or the courts,” the Bureau of Customs Commissioner said in a statement. He was prompted to issue the statement on Friday after he was included in a second batch of officials who have supposedly misused their pork barrel allocations. “I am willing and ready to face the allegations raised today pertaining to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocated to my congressional district during my term as representative of the Lone District of Muntinlupa,” the statement added. More popularly known as pork barrel, the use and disbursement of the PDAF gained widespread interest and scrutiny after businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles was found to have earned billions by launching bogus projects through fake non-government organizations. “I had always exercised prudence and fidelity in the performance of my duty as representative of Muntinlupa as well as in other responsibilities to the public, and pursued projects and programs that benefited my Read More …

Bohol tourism not quite recovered 6 weeks after deadly quake

Entertainment

Dec 072013

Bohol tourism not quite recovered 6 weeks after deadly quake

Residents walk past a destroyed church belfry in Tubigon, Bohol , a day after an earthquake hit central Philippines October 16, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The 7.2 magnitude earthquake leveled many of Bohol’s old churches, including the HolyTrinityChurch in Loay town. Reuters Six weeks after a deadly magnitude-7.2 quake jarred Central Visayas, tourism in Bohol province has yet to fully recover. And after Typhoon Yolanda swept through the province, snatching more homes and livelihoods, and causing more power outages, it seems like a case of taking one step forward and three steps back. Department of Tourism Central Visayas regional director Rowena Montecillo said there are still trip cancellations by tourists, state-run Philippine Information Agency said. PIA quoted Montecillo as saying there are “trip cancellations of tourists coming to Bohol.” She also appealed to tourists “not to cancel their trips, but only to postpone” them. Still, she said Bohol tourism is “still up.” Indeed, there are still a few tourists who decided to push through with their vacation on Panglao beach, but the current numbers are a far cry from the tourism glory of pre-earthquake days mere weeks ago. The PIA added the DOT disseminates information on which accredited tour facilities are operating after the quake. Bohol and several neighboring areas in Central Visayas were devastated by the magnitude-7.2 quake last Oct. 15. Among the affected tourist attractions were the world-renowned Chocolate Hills and several churches on the waiting list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Livelihoods have been affected Read More …

Luis, Angel asked: Getting back together?

Entertainment

Dec 072013

Luis, Angel asked: Getting back together?

Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano (MNS Photo) Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin, who both recently separated from their respective partners, prefer to keep mum on the possibility of getting back together, four years after their split. The 32-year-old TV host did not give a direct answer when asked on his ties with Locsin, explaining it may complicate matters. “It’s very, very hard to comment on that kasi siyempre may pinagdaanan rin naman si Angel at ako rin, and to comment on that, siguro it will fuel certain flames na iwasan na siguro natin dahil baka mabigyan ng hindi magandang interpretasyon,” he said. The 28-year-old actress recently separated from her boyfriend of over a year, football player Phil Younghusband. Locsin confirmed the breakup in late October. They became a couple in May 2012. Manzano also confirmed his split with actress Jennylyn Mercado late last month. They would have celebrated their second anniversary last October 18. Coincidentally, Locsin and Manzano confirmed their breakup in October of 2009, four months after their actual separation. Asked on the possibility of getting back together with Manzano, Locsin similarly put off giving a direct answer. “Baka ‘yon po ang hindi ko masagot sa ngayon. Sa ngayon po, I’m very happy doing what I love most and helping people out,” said Locsin, who at the time was taking part in the relief efforts of Philippine Red Cross for the victims of the recent typhoon. “Hindi nalang muna ako nag-iisip kasi kakagaling ko lang rin naman po ng Read More …

Palace: Up to court to decide on Christmas furlough for Gloria Arroyo

Entertainment

Dec 072013

Palace: Up to court to decide on Christmas furlough for Gloria Arroyo

Christmas decors and amenities at Marikina Riverbanks.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Thursday said it will be up to the court to decide on whether to allow former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to spend the Christmas holidays with her family. “She is under the jurisdiction of the courts and we defer to the court’s jurisdiction of the courts and we defer to the court’s judgment if and when the former President of her lawyers will make such request,” Communications Secretary Hermino Coloma said. 1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III, who served in the Arroyo Cabinet, has called on the Sandiganbayan to grant a Christmas furlough for the former Philippine leader. Arroyo, now a congresswoman representing Pampanga’s second district, is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City for a plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds during her incumbency. She was earlier allowed to post bail in connection with the electoral sabotage case pending before the Pasay Regional Trial Court. In Resolution No. 537, Bello said he is “requesting the Sandiganbayan to grant Honorable Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former President of the Philippines and incumbent representative of the second district of Pampanga a Christmas furlough for humanitarian and compassionate considerations.” Bello, who is a current member of the Makabayan bloc within the minority, said he filed the resolution in consideration of Arroyo’s health. During the Arroyo administration, Bello held various government posts, including Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Read More …

Corruption unabated under Aquino – COA

Entertainment

Dec 072013

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Grand Breakfast at the Function 2 – 4, SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday (October 02, 2013). The BCBP identified, trains and develops Christian leaders to become agents for justice and sound development in the work environment. (MNS Photo). MANILA (Mabuhay) – The chairwoman of the Commission on Audit confirmed Tuesday that corruption remains unabated under President Benigno Aquino III but not in the same scale as in the past. COA Chairwoman Grace Pulido Tan said audits of local government units in Dinalupihan and Pilar, Bataan; Antipolo, Rizal and Nueva Ecija shows that corruption continued even after President Aquino took over in 2010. She said the same pattern of corruption emerged in the local government: funds being coursed to non-government organizations with questionable existence. “Ano talaga unabated talaga yung corruption and misuse of government money maski iba na yung ating presidente,” she said. “Sa akin, there are two ways of looking at it. One, siguro nga mas dumami or hindi naman pero ngayon kasi mas masipag kami na mangalkal kaya ngayon naglalabasan lahat yan and I think that it is the latter kasi ngayon yung mga nakikita na namin ngayon marami pa rin misuse but none in the scale that we saw in the past,” she added. Tan earlier said at least 300 former and current lawmakers misused their pork barrel funds for the period of 2007-2009, based on the special audit of COA. Read More …

Central Health plan receives Senior Choice Gold Award for Excellence in 2014 Medicare plan benefits in Los Angeles & Orange Counties

Entertainment

Dec 072013

Central Health plan receives Senior Choice Gold Award for Excellence in 2014 Medicare plan benefits in Los Angeles & Orange Counties

Central Health COLUMBUS, Ohio – Central Health Plan is one of 40 Medicare plans nationally to be recognized for cost-sharing effectiveness and value in the design of their 2014 medical and Part D prescription drug benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. Central Health Plan’s Medicare plan is the only Medicare Advantage plan offered in Los Angeles and Orange counties to qualify for the 2014 Senior Choice Gold Award. The award recipients were selected from over 140 Medicare managed care plans based on cost-sharing comparisons conducted by HealthMetrix Research Inc., a national independent managed care research firm. In announcing the 2014 Senior Choice Gold Award recipients, HealthMetrix Research and MedicareNewsWatch.com president Alan Mittermaier pointed out the importance of the award for Medicare beneficiaries: “This award addresses the concerns that beneficiaries may have with both Medicare plan performance and the out-of-pocket costs incurred after they enroll. Central Health Plan has demonstrated a commitment to delivering maximum value in the design of their plan benefits, copayments, deductibles, and premiums. Coupled with achieving exemplary measurable performance, informed beneficiaries can rely on this award as an indication of overall high value and quality.” The award selections were based on the 2014 estimated cost-sharing comparisons conducted in over 100 cities during October 2013 by HealthMetrix Research Inc. The annual comparisons estimate the out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries based on health status categories (healthy/episodic/chronic) and corresponding utilization of the most common plan benefits (physician office visits, emergency or urgent care, hospital care, prevention care, prescriptions). The comparisons identify the Medicare plans with the Read More …

Mariel remains happy even without kids

Entertainment

Dec 072013

Mariel Rodriguez (MNS photo) Years since marrying Robin Padilla, TV host Mariel Rodriguez still has no plans of having a baby. She said that being happy with what she has now could be a reason having kids is far from their minds. The celebrity couple has been traveling a lot lately with stops in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Venice, Italy. “Robin is really big star. We cannot really go around here in the Philippines ‘di ba? Kasi do’n, naglalakad kami sa kalye, ang saya namin. We’re not doing anything just walking, ‘Ang ganda dito no?’ Enjoy kami,” she said. Her relationship with Robin is on its third year and she describes the relationship as her longest and one that she hopes would last forever. As for work, Mariel neither confirmed nor denied her rumored return to ABS-CBN. (MNS)

Meat-Free Favorites : Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Entertainment

Dec 072013

Meat-Free Favorites : Stuffed Mushroom Caps

By Elena Johnson As the demand for dairy-free foods continues to grow, more and more companies are introducing vegan products such as plant-based milk, ice cream, and cheese. One of my favorite new companies is Treeline Cheese, made from cashews. Their tangy soft cheese works well in recipes such as my stuffed mushroom caps. Treeline is available in many natural food stores, but if you can’t find it in your area yet, try substituting with vegan cream cheese flavored with crushed garlic, onion powder, and dried thyme. Since cream cheese has a higher moisture-content than Treeline, you may also want to increase the quantity of bread crumbs so that the resulting mixture is fairly solid. With relatively few ingredients, these mushrooms are simple to prepare but impressive when served as hors d’oeuvres at a cocktail party. Stuffed Mushroom Caps Stuffed Mushroom Caps 36 pieces 36 button mushrooms ¼ c fresh parsley, minced 6 oz. pkg. Treeline Herb-Garlic French Style Soft Cheese ½ cup dry bread crumbs 1 ¼ tsp. salt, divided 1 tsp. pepper Carefully remove stems of mushrooms, to hollow out the mushroom caps. Mince the stems and place them in a mixing bowl. Add parsley, cheese, bread crumbs, 1 tsp. salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Arrange mushroom caps on baking sheets and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ tsp. salt. Fill each mushroom with cheese mixture, pressing down into the cap and mounding some of the mixture up on top of the mushroom. Bake at 375°F for Read More …

Dawn Zulueta discusses comeback, success

Entertainment

Dec 062013

Dawn Zulueta discusses comeback, success

Dawn Zulueta (MNS Photo) SEASONED actress Dawn Zulueta said she is fortunate to have been given the opportunity to continue her passion for acting despite being in her mid 40s. The mother-of-two returned on television in 2011 when she did the remake of the original 1997 hit series “Mula Sa Puso” opposite Enrique Gil, JM De Guzman, Lauren Young, Eula Valdez and Ariel Rivera. After the show ended, she immediately signed up for “Walang Hanggan” topbilled by Julia Montes and Coco Martin. The said series was also her reunion project with perennial love team, actor Richard Gomez. “I really consider myself so lucky because at my age, you don’t really expect na hinahanap ka pa rin ng mga tao and they want you in their projects,” said Dawn. Dawn was more surprised when people were raving on her come back team-up with Richard. She said it feels like the 90s again, but this time they have younger audience cheering for them. “Mas lalo ‘yun ang nakakagulat kasi hindi naman talaga namin ini-expect yun. Nakakatuwa kasi (‘yung fans) buma-bagets sila,” said the actress. Dawn also did “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” with Rayver Cruz, Cristine Reyes, Gerald Anderson, Tonton Gutierrez and Dina Bonnevie, which ended mid November. According to Dawn, it’s difficult to maintain a successful showbiz career and a happy family life, and that’s why she’s thankful for the undying support and love of husband, Davao Del Norte Representative Anton Lagdameo. She said her husband and children will remain her Read More …

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