AIR SERVICE talks have yielded more weekly seat allocations between the Philippines and New Zealand.
Mar 072014
Mar 072014
THE CUSTOMS bureau suspended the accreditation of over 100 importers and brokers due to alleged violations of the agency’s policies and procedures in filing import documents as part of continuing reform efforts.
Mar 072014
THE POLICY-making Monetary Board is bullish on the country’s expansion, saying that the Philippines may record “above-trend growth”, but recognized that volatility in financial markets will remain a challenge in the near-term.
Mar 062014
Kim Chui and Coco Martin (MNS photo) Coco Martin is working extra hard to develop good rapport with Kim Chiu, his leading lady in the upcoming ABS-CBN series “Ikaw Lamang.” Although this is third time that Martin and Chiu will be working together after “Tayong Dalawa” in 2009 and “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” in 2010, the award-winning actor said they still have to build up a strong on-screen chemistry. “Kailangan dalawa kayong nagkakaintindihan. Ako kasi honestly sa lahat ng nakakatrabaho ko, kailangan namin ng panahon,” he said. Noting that chemistry doesn’t come easily, Martin admitted having a hard time adjusting during his scenes with Chiu. “Actually mahirap lalong lalo na sa akin. Siyempre ngayon nagsisimula pa lang kami, kailangan talaga ;yun pagtuunan ng pansin, ng panahon kasi kailangan kong trabahuhin na magkaroon kami ng chemistry ni Kim. Medyo matagal kaming hindi nagkasama,” he said. Chiu, for her part, said: “May pinagsamahan na rin kami kahit papano. Pero ‘yung mga kilig-kilig, tinatrabaho talaga namin. Marami kaming inputs sa isa’t isa. May kinunan kami nung isang araw na eksena, medyo piniga namin. Maganda naman ang kinalabasan. Team work dapat.” Given the many top-rating shows that they have done, both Chiu and Martin feel fortunate to be given another chance to star in a television series together. “Kilala si Coco bilang napakaraming best actor awards so isang karangalan sa akin na makapareho ang isang Coco Martin. Sigurado akong marami akong matututunan bilang artista lalo na sa larangan ng drama,” Chiu said. “Lalo na ngayon Read More …
Mar 062014
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago attends the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing of the P10 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam Thursday, November 7. Santiago reminded Napoles that she cannot just invoke her right against self-incrimination (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Saturday challenged her colleagues to act on her bills, particularly the “anti-epal” bill and the one seeking an end to political dynasty in the Philippines. In a statement, Santiago lamented that a number of her important bills are still languishing in the Senate, especially Senate Bill No. 54, or the Anti-Signage of Public Works Bill, and S.B. Nos. 55 and 1580 or the Anti-Political Dynasty Bills. SB 54, also called anti-epal bill, seeks to bar politicians from taking undue credits by putting their names (umi-epal or pumapapel) on signage of public works projects. “I am disappointed. Without public clamor, these bills will never see the light of day. The committees to which these bills were referred are sitting on them,” Santiago said. The Anti-Signage of Public Works Bill was referred to the Committee of Civil Service and Government Reorganization chaired by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, while the Anti-Political Dynasty Bills were referred to the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Organization, chaired by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III. Santiago has written to both senators requesting for a public hearing on her bills, which, according to her, “have been pending in the Senate for a prolonged period of time.” “It would be best for the legislative process to Read More …
Mar 062014
(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III, escorted by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, signs the Guest Book at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Perdana Putra Building in Putrajaya on Friday (February 28, 2014) during his State Visit to Malaysia. President Aquino and PM Najib are expected to discuss the upcoming signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Monday said the proposal to abolish 19 government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), some of which have been linked to the P10-billion pork barrel scam, must be studied thoroughly. “Kailangang pag-aralan ito ng GCG o Governance Commission on GOCCs na siyang may mandato na tiyakin ang mainam na pagganap sa tungkulin ng mga korporasyon ng pamahalaan,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters in a text message. He issued the statement after Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez filed House Bill 3807, which seeks to abolish 19 GOCCs and government financial institutions (GFI) for underperforming or losing money. Among these GOCCs and GFIs are: Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel; Batangas Land Co., Inc.; BCDA Management and Holdings, Inc.; Cottage Industry Technology Center; Freeport Service Corp.; GY Real Estate, Inc.; Human Settlements Development Corp.; Kamayan Realty Corp.; Marawi Resort Hotel, Inc.; Masaganang Sakahan, Inc. National Agribusiness Corp.; Natural Resources Development Corp.; NDC-Infrastructure Corp.; Northern Foods Corp.; Philippine Aerospace Development Corp.; Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp.; Read More …
Mar 062014
Photo above shows (L-R) Supervisor Zev Yarovsky, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Supervisor Knabe, Consul General De La Vega, Supervisor Gloria Molina and Supervisor Michael Antonovich. Los Angeles. – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors bid farewell to Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega with a presentation of a plaque in recognition of her dedication and leadership in strengthening ties between the Philippines and Southern California during her tenure. The plaque was presented during a Board Meeting held on 04 March 2014 at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration located in downtown Los Angeles.
Mar 062014
A model presents a creation for Saint-Laurent during the 2014/2015 Autumn/Winter ready-to-wear collection fashion show, on March 3, 2014 in Paris. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA (Relaxnews) – Here are some of the hottest beauty trends from the Paris runways. Sporty/nude Vanessa Bruno and Giambattista Valli were just two of the designers to commit to the nude makeup trend at Paris Fashion Week. Makeup artist Val Garland explained the secret behind Valli’s models’ glowing rosy cheeks: no products, just a brief facial massage before the girls hit the catwalk. 1960s There was a fun late-60s vibe to the clothes at both the Valentino and Hedi Slimane’s Saint Laurent shows. As Saint Laurent this meant Celtic pale skin, Twiggy-style cat’s eyes and heavy mascara. The Valentino look was subtler, featuring center-parted hair, soft pink lips and a line of pale blue eyeshadow. Tribal/rave At the Chanel show the hair was woven and plaited with strips of colorful and metallic fabric, then pulled into ponytails. The rest of the makeup look was pretty low-key apart from a number of models with bright neon rave eyes. Jean-Charles De Castelbajac also went for brightly colored eye shadow as a contrast to otherwise bare faces. Futuristic sci-fi Jean Paul Gaultier’s space-age girls wore blacked-in bold eyebrows, winged eyeliner (see the 60s, again) and tight alien antennae-like top-knot hairdos. Gareth Pugh sent out his models with powdery white makeup on fingers and faces, giving them a slightly outer-galactic aspect. The makeup look at Haider Ackermann crossed Marlene Read More …
Mar 062014
Jessica Alba signs as the new face of Braun. ©BusinessWire (Relaxnews) – The American actress has been named as the global Beauty Brand Ambassador for German consumer goods company Braun. As part of her new role, the Golden Globe-nominated star will appear in an integrated print, TV and online ad campaign set to appear this month. “Jessica Alba is a strong, passionate woman and an advocate for others – she is the perfect ambassador to talk about the role beauty and our products play in helping women to feel their best,” said Braun’s Alessandra Dolfini. The company sells a range of electrical beauty devices for hair and skin including hairdryers, hair straighteners, epilators and electric razors. Alba is set to appear this year in “How To Make Love Like An Englishman” opposite Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Malcolm McDowell. Well known as a fashion fan, the star regularly jets to the runway shows in Paris to support her favorite designers.
Mar 062014
Joyleen Santos Vice Consul Philippine Consulate General, Honolulu, Manny Ilagan Deputy Director of DOT, Azham Ishak Deputy Director Western USA, Latin America Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board , Annie Cuevas Director DOT, Julius D Torres Consul General Philippine Consulate General, Azilina Abidin Vice President Western USA Latin America Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Jane Stark President of Travel International Group. LOS ANGELES – Travel International Group shares center stage with Philippines and Malaysia tourism officials at the Philippine-Malaysia Fiesta Seminar on March 4, 2014 when it was chosen as the tour operator for the Philippine-Malaysia travel promo. A joint tourism presentation by Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles (PDoT-LA) and Tourism Malaysia, the seminar will be held at the Garden Lanai of the Ala Moana Hotel, located at 410 Atkinson Dr, in Honolulu, HI. Tourism officials in attendance include PDoT-LA Tourism Director Mary Anne Cuevas-Lim, PDoT-LA Deputy Director Manny Ilagan, Azilina Azni Abidin, Vice President for Western USA, Latin America Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, and Azham Ishak, Deputy Director for Wesrtern USA, Latin America Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. Philippine Consul General Julius Torres graced the event and delivered an inspiring opening remarks. The seminar is aimed at promoting the Philippines and Malaysia as dual tourism destination to tourists, visitors and would-be-travelers. Tour packages that showcase both countries’ must-see destinations and local attractions are among the highlights of the one-day only seminar. With an impressive 17 years of excellent service and experience in the travel industry, Travel International Group with 888mytravel.com, is the only Read More …