The US has an iron-clad commitment to defend you – Obama to Filipinos

 News
Apr 282014
 
The US has an iron-clad commitment to defend you – Obama to Filipinos

Obama makes a toast at state dinner. US President Barack Obama offers a toast as he attends a State Dinner with President Benigno Aquino at Malacañang Palace in Manila, April 28, 2014. Obama said a new military pact signed with the Philippines on Monday granting a larger presence for US forces would bolster the Southeast Asian country’s maritime security, but was not aimed at countering China’s growing military might. REUTERS/Larry Downing After an agreement that will increase the presence of US troops in the Philippines was signed just hours before his arrival in the country, United States President Barack Obama on Monday said his country had an “iron-clad” commitment to defend the Filipino people. “You bring back that same strength and solidarity to our alliance. So let me say tonight, in behalf of the American people, we are honored and proud to call you an ally and a friend,” Obama said during a state dinner held at Rizal Hall in the Malacañang Palace, GMA News’ “24 Oras” reported. “Through our treaty alliance, the United States has an iron clad commitment to defend you, your security and your independence,” Obama said, referring to the 1951 mutual defense treaty between the two nations. On Monday morning, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City after eight rounds of talks that started in August 2013. The EDCA, which falls within the scope of the Visiting Forces Agreement Read More …

Kris: I’m not pregnant!

 Entertainment
Apr 282014
 
Kris: I’m not pregnant!

Kris Aquino (MNS Photo) MANILA, Apr 23 (Mabuhay) — “I am not pregnant! Nakakaloka!” This was Kris Aquino’s answer when asked by her doctor on Tuesday whether she is pregnant, before proceeding with intravenous medication after she fell ill while taping for her morning talk show. A laughing Aquino, who was rushed to the Makati Medical Center earlier in the day, shared the conversation with her doctor during the live telecast of “Aquino & Abunda Tonight.” “Tinanong ako! Nakakaloka ‘yung doktor!” she narrated. “Bago niya ako saksakan ng kung anu-ano, sabi niya, ‘Ma’am, I hope you don’t mind…’ Sabi ko, ‘Yes, what?’ Hilo-hilo pa ako ah. ‘I just have to know — are you pregnant?’ Sabi ko, ‘No, I’m not pregnant, doc! Nakakaloka!’” “Hindi po akong puwedeng mabuntis!” she added. “Wala po akong ginagawa para mabuntis ako! Can we just clarify that?” Aquino recently confirmed dating Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista. The two have since reportedly split up, following a statement by Aquino about a big change and hinting on a “heartache.” In January, Aquino candidly admitted that she has been celibate for a time. She has two children — 18-year-old Joshua with former boyfriend, actor Phillip Salvador, and 7-year-old Bimby with ex-husband, star cager James Yap. (MNS)

Samahang Pilipino at UCLA’s Pilipino Cultural Night May 24

 General
Apr 282014
 
Samahang Pilipino at UCLA’s Pilipino Cultural Night May 24

UCLA dance May 24, 2014 will mark UCLA’s 37th annual Samahang PIlipino Cultural Night (SPCN). With a committee of 30 individuals, a cast of over 200 participants, and an audience of up to 1,500 people, this cultural production serves as a major avenue for UCLA students to celebrate and explore the rich culture and history of the Philippines. This year’s show (titled “After Ours”) relates back to the recent tragedy in the Philippines regarding Typhoon Haiyan, and the story coincides with the idea that sometimes home isn’t necessarily about the material things you have, but the people you surround yourself with. The official show synopsis is as follows: UCLA Students Addie is an 11-year old girl with a big imagination. Collin, her older brother, is a 19-year old with a lot of responsibility. When Addie accidentally brings a Filipino folktale back to life while trying to heal her mother, Collin doesn’t believe her. In a quest to convince him, she ends up back at the Filipino Cultural Exhibit after hours finding herself face-to-face with rowdy statues, lost princesses, mischievous duwendes, and the most feared creature in Filipino folklore, the Aswang. But with the big help of a witty bird and a pretentious pineapple, Addie may figure out how to quickly put things back together before all their stories, including hers, are over. With all these loose ends, who knows what could happen… Again, this year’s show will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 6:00PM. Tickets are free and Read More …

PNoy confers highest diplomatic honor on Obama

 News
Apr 282014
 
PNoy confers highest diplomatic honor on Obama

Obama makes a toast at state dinner. US President Barack Obama offers a toast as he attends a State Dinner with President Benigno Aquino at Malacañang Palace in Manila, April 28, 2014. Obama said a new military pact signed with the Philippines on Monday granting a larger presence for US forces would bolster the Southeast Asian country’s maritime security, but was not aimed at countering China’s growing military might. REUTERS/Larry Downing President Benigno Aquino III on Monday night conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Raja — the highest Philippine diplomatic honor — to US President Barack Obama, who is in Manila for a two-day state visit. During his toast at the state dinner held in Obama’s honor, Aquino said he conferred the rank to the visiting US leader for his “leadership and policies that assisted the Philippines in times of natural disaster, for helping uphold stability and peace by means of the rule of law in Southeast Asia, and for working with us to fundamentally raise the defense capacity of our country.” Aquino said the Order of Sikatuna, the highest recognition of diplomatic merit in the Philippines since 1953, is conferred on “those who have fostered, and elevated, the bilateral partnership of our country with other nations.” The first US president to receive the distinction was Dwight Eisenhower in 1960. “Then, as now, may this conferment symbolize our nation’s esteem to the American people; and may it serve as a reminder of the mutual desire to always Read More …

PNoy says govt addressing journalist killings

 News
Apr 282014
 
PNoy says govt addressing journalist killings

Obama, Aquino hold joint press conference. US President Barack Obama answers a reporter’s question during a joint news conference with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang on Monday, April 28. Obama sat down for talks with Aquino during the last stop in his four-nation Asia tour hours after US and Philippine officials signed a new military pact granting a larger presence for American forces in the country. Reuters/Larry Downing President Benigno Aquino III on Monday defended his administration against criticisms that it is not addressing the high incidence of journalist killings in the country. During a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama during the latter’s state visit to the country, Aquino said his administration has set up an inter-agency committee to look into extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of right to life, liberty, and security of persons. He said 62 suspected cases of extrajudicial killings have been referred to the committee, but that of the number, only 10 met the criteria of what constitutes extrajudicial killing. And of the 10 cases, he said, only one happened during his administration. ‘An abundance of criticisms’ Aquino said it is not his administration’s “policy” to silence critics, even journalists. “All you have to do will be to turn on the TV, the radio or look at any newspaper to find an abundance of criticisms,” he said. But he said that even killings which happened before his term are being addressed by the current administration. He specifically Read More …

PNoy: PHL not a threat to any country

 News
Apr 282014
 
PNoy: PHL not a threat to any country

Obama in Malacañang. President Benigno Aquino III welcomes US President Barack Obama at Malacañang on Monday, April 28. Gil Nartea “At the end of the day, we are not a threat, militarily, to any country.” This was President Benigno Aquino III’s admission before US President Barack Obama, the leader of the country’s oldest treaty ally and most powerful country in the world. Aquino said that the Phlippines does not even have a single fighter aircraft in its inventory and it has a 36,000-kilometer coastline to worry about. “We do have concerns about poaching [in] our waters and preserving the environment and even protecting endangered species. So I think no country should begrudge us our rights to be able to attend to our concerns and our needs,” he said. The Philippines has sought international arbitration over China’s “nine-dash-line” claims to about 90 percent of the South China Sea, an important shipping route that is believed to be rich in energy resources. Apart from the Philippines, Beijing’s territorial claims overlap with that of Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Just hours before Obama arrived in Manila on Monday, US and Philippine officials signed an agreement that will increase the presence of US troops in the country. Aquino, however, said China “shouldn’t be concerned about this agreement.” He said they only seek to train Filipino troops, especially in disaster relief operations. “The training will not just train our people on how to operate… particular aircraft, but more importantly even help the Office of Civil Read More …

Peso improves on Monday

 Economy
Apr 282014
 
Peso improves on Monday

MANILA, Philippines – The peso strengthened by 15.5 centavos on Monday, closing at 44.49 from Friday’s 44.645. Total volume transacted at the Philippine Dealing System amounted to $629.3 million, higher than the $604.5 million posted the previous trading day. The peso opened the week at 44.61.

Peso up midday Monday

 Economy
Apr 272014
 
Peso up midday Monday

MANILA, Philippines – The peso rose against the dollar midday Monday, settling at 44.562 from Friday’s 44.645. Total volume transacted at the Philippine Dealing System amounted to $315.8 million in the morning, lower than the $410.5 million posted the same period on Friday. The peso opened the week at 44.61.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries