Maniolas

Co-owner arrested; Hundreds of pirated ABS-CBN TFC movies, teleserye DVDs seized (Clockwise from top left) LASD Deputy Chris Figueroa and Sgt. Janice Munson of LASD COPS explain how to spot pirated DVDs; LASD and private investigators raided F.L.B. Video Pinoy on Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, CA and seized thousands of pirated DVDs; Hundreds of illegally produced ABS-CBN content were confiscated; TFC Balitang America reporter Steve Angeles talks with investigator Kris Buckner; among the seized items were a disc burner and a burner tower that were reproducing ABS-CBN Star Cinema movies; fake DVDs from ABS-CBN lined up the shelves of F.L.B. Video Pinoy. (Photos by NMFernandez/ABS-CBN TFC) LONG BEACH, CA – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and private industry investigators stormed recently into a Filipino store at the Santa Fe Center on Santa Fe Avenue in Long Beach, California after an investigation found out that the owners were selling and renting out pirated DVDs. A total of 4,500 pirated DVDs with a value of over US$90,000 were confiscated by LASD from F.L.B. Video Pinoy, together with a computer, external hard drives, a disc burner and a burner tower, among others, to duplicate DVDs illegally for rent or for sale at US$10 apiece.  A fifth of the seized DVDs were films and TV shows from ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and TFC. The said center on Santa Fe Avenue is a hub for Filipinos living in the City of Long Beach as it has an oriental supermarket, cargo and money remittance Read More …

Gretchen Ho and Robi Domingo (MNS photo) Former collegiate volleyball player turned TV host Gretchen Ho credits her boyfriend Robi Domingo for constantly helping her improve herself, saying that she’s lucky to have him in her life. Ho revealed that she first had doubts when she decided to pursue a career in hosting, noting that landing a corporate job could have been more “stable.” “I never expected myself to be in this track so sometimes I do have doubts kung tama ba na I’m supposed to be here or maybe I should just go corporate,” she said. Ho then explained how the current “Pinoy Big Brother” host helped erased most of those doubts by giving her tips on how to better her on-screen persona. “He [Domingo] always encourages me and tells me, ‘kaya mo ‘yan, you’re improving already. He watches my performances on TV and during events and he gives me advice dahil matagal na siya sa industry. So he tells me to not do this or do that, ganun. Very supportive naman siya,” she said. Ho also enjoys having a partner committed to a healthy lifestyle, as it helps bring out the competitive spirit in her, which was evident during her days as a player for the Lady Eagles. “Mas gusto ko na drained na drained ako after workout. Pero hindi ko naman siya matatapatan kasi lalake siya eh. Siguro when it comes to inspiration, we keep each other in check, ‘pag nagwo-workout ako nacha-challenge siya na mag-workout din. Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Inauguration of San Carlos Solar Energy, Inc. (SACASOL) Phase I at the San Carlos Ecozone in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Thursday (May 15, 2014). The SACASOL project is a greenfield, stand alone solar farm that would supply daytime base load power to the local grid throughout the entire year. It is expected to have a total gross capacity of 22 MW to be developed in two phases: Phase 1 with 13 MW and Phase 2 with 9 MW. The solar farm will provide supplemental electricity to an area of short supply and increasing demand for power. Its goal is to harness sustainable power from our planet’s largest source of energy, the sun. The Project is committed to maintaining the environmental integrity of the surrounding area. Also in photo are ThomasLloyd Group chairman T.U. Michael Sieg, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday accused China of violating the “Declaration of Conduct” it signed in 2002, after it allegedly began reclaiming land on a disputed reef in the South China Sea. Manila last week publicly accused Beijing of large-scale reclamation activity at Johnson South Reef, which is also claimed by the Philippines. Filipino officials fear this could lead to China building its first airstrip in the disputed region. “In my view… what they are doing now, this is all seemingly in violation of what Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Resorts World Manila (RWM) offers “Healthy Pasta” for May.  Enjoy a plate of spinach salmon lasagna for only P320 or Penne Alla Luna with fried eggplant, pomodoro sauce, and ricotta cheese resting on a bed of al dente penne pasta for only P350. At Bar 360, for only P220 there is the Mexican-inspired “Wrap Up” featuring mini-burritos stuffed with healthy portions of savory beef, white onion, kidney beans, cheese and rice, subtly flavored with aromatic cilantro. Each dish comes with a serving of fresh salsa and different dips. For information, call 908-8833 or visit www.rwmanila.com. * * * Honey citrus crispy catch at BonChon BonChon offers Honey Citrus Crispy Catch with seafood treats. The Crispy Shrimp, Crispy Fish and Crispy Squid come with choices for sauces: soy garlic, spicy, or honey citrus, all served over steaming rice. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: The Calamari is squid rings that are seasoned and coated, served with spicy mayo. Lighter fare that can serve as snacks on the go are Fish & Chips, three pieces of crispy fish sauced with soy garlic, spicy, or honey citrus, served with fries; and Fish Taco, a Korean-Mexican soft taco filled with a Crispy Fish strip, kimchi coleslaw, cabbage, and tomatoes. BonChon’s Ko-Yo Korean yogurt comes with a graham piecrust layer in the center and your topping choice of Mango Sansrival, Blueberry Torte and Banoffee Piefruit preserves. The Ko-Yo Floats, soda topped with Ko-Yo, come in cola, orange, root beer Read More …