June 2014 – Page 21

Jessy Mendiola starstruck with John Lloyd Cruz

Jun 212014

Jessy Mendiola (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Actress Jessy Mendiola admitted being starstruck with box-office star John Lloyd Cruz during their first shooting day for their upcoming Star Cinema movie. Mendiola was all praises for Cruz, noting that he can be also quite intimidating when he slips into character. “Sobrang bait niya pero kapag in character siya huwag ka ng umasa na siya pa rin si John Lloyd kasi iba, siya na talaga ‘yung character sa movie. Kinabahan ako nung unang shooting day kasi grabe ang galing niy. Alam mong nandun na ‘yung emotion niya unang eksena pa lang namin, no lines pero ang galing niya,” she said. That’s why Mendiola is glad that Cruz helps her in their scenes together. “Kumbaga hindi niya pinapa-feel na kakabahan ka or ma-i-intimidate ka. Tapos dagdagan mo pa ng Direk Chito (Rono) ‘di ba? Sobrang kabado ako nung first day ko halos mamawis-mawis ‘yung kili-kili ko lagi,” she said. According to Mendiola, she is excited to resume shooting for the still-untitled movie this month after the script was revised. “Mas pinaganda nila, mas gusto nila na mas pag-aralan ‘yung script kasi very different siya from other films eh. Hindi siya totally a romantic comedy. Para siyang advocacy din kasi kakaiba siya. Thriller-romance-suspense, ganun siya,” she explained. Promising to give her all in this movie, Mendiola said she is also hoping to win an acting award someday. “Minsan lang ako mabigyan ng ganitong klaseng role so gusto ko talagang pagbutihan,” she said. Aside from Read More …

Palace: PNoy won’t fire Roxas, Purisima over crime problem

Entertainment

Jun 212014

Palace: PNoy won’t fire Roxas, Purisima over crime problem

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over a command conference Wednesday, May 8, 2013 inside the Presidential Situation Room in Malacanang. The conference focuses on the ensuring that all systems are in place for the May 13 polls. Present in the conference are DILG Sec Mar Roxas, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and heads of PNP and AFP. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III will not relieve from their posts Interior Sec. Mar Roxas and Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima over the crime problem in the country, a Palace official said Thursday. “Patuloy silang pinagkakatiwalian ng Pangulo,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said in response to the call of the Violence Against Crime and Corruption for the removal of Roxas and Purisima. VACC founding chair Dante Jimenez said the two officials failed to prevent the increase in crime in the country. Malacañang had earlier contested the VACC’s claim that criminality worsened during the Aquino administration. On Thursday, Coloma thanked the group for sending proposals to address the crime problem. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa komunikasyon ng VACC sa Pangulo at sa kanilang pagbibigay ng panukala para mabawasan at masabat ang kriminalidad,” he said. (MNS)

PHL seeks speedy UN ruling on China sea dispute

Entertainment

Jun 212014

PHL seeks speedy UN ruling on China sea dispute

In this photo taken Feb. 25, 2014 by surveillance planes and released Thursday, May 15, 2014, by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top center, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands at South China Sea, Philippines. The Philippines has protested China’s reclamation of land in the disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The white arrow was added by the source. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines said Thursday it would ask a UN tribunal to speed up its appeal to declare China’s expansive claims to the South China Sea invalid. A formal request would be filed seeking a resolution on the case within the year or early 2015, foreign department spokesman Charles Jose said. “We are consulting our legal team to present a request to the tribunal if it can hasten its process earlier, rather than later,” Jose told AFP. China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters near the shores of its neighbors, which has led to escalating territorial disputes. President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma also confirmed Thursday that the Philippines would repair an airstrip on Thitu island, one of the disputed Spratly islands occupied by Philippine troops in the South China Sea. Read More …

Saving refugees in South Sudan

News

Jun 212014

MABAN, South Sudan—I wanted to go where few doctors dared to go. So here I am at the Doro refugee camp in Maban, South Sudan. In 2011, a conflict in the Blue Nile State in Sudan sent tens of thousands of refugees fleeing to this inhospitable land near the border of South Sudan. Two years later, over 40,000 refugees still live in this tent community. This is my first assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known by its English name, Doctors Without Borders. I admit I was a bit scared when I was sent off, even if I had already worked in East Africa and South America as an HIV/AIDS doctor with volunteering organizations like VSO and UNV. I have also had my share of harrowing scrapes on board a boat that served as an ambulance servicing the Balut Islands, Davao del Sur, when I was part of the Doctors to the Barrios program of the Philippine Department of Health. But I also felt I was ready. And as always, my parents, brothers and friends supported me. Working with MSF has been a longtime dream. I have known MSF since I was a child, watching their volunteer doctors on television with admiration as they were often at the forefront of many disaster relief and rescue operations, even in my own country. I had told myself, one day I will be part of MSF. Straight after predeparture training in Denmark, my work began in the Doro camp. It is a Read More …

Convicted sex offenders are not qualified to file family petitions

News

Jun 212014

Convicted sex offenders are not qualified to file family petitions

Deportations from the United States usually arise in cases of non-US citizens committing crimes or violations of immigration law. However, in certain instances, deportation may also arise when it is discovered that the petitioning fiancé or spouse had been convicted of a sexual offense against a minor. John, a US citizen, petitioned Jenna as his fiancé in 2007. Jenna is a single parent who has a minor child from a prior relationship. The fiancé visa petition filed by John on behalf of Jenna was approved. The consular officer issued proper visas for Jenna and her minor child. Upon arrival in the United States, Jenna immediately married John in a simple civil wedding ceremony. After the marriage, an application for adjustment of status was filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) so that Jenna and her daughter could become green card holders. John and Jenna have a genuine relationship. They are a happy couple. They live together as husband and wife, and have plans to have a child of their own. While applying for the change of immigrant visas, an unexpected problem arose that shattered the couple’s family dreams. Instead of a green card, Jenna received a Notice to Appear for a deportation hearing. Unbeknownst to Jenna, John had a criminal conviction in 1979 and was sentenced to a prison term for committing a sexual offense against a minor. This offense made him incapable under the Adam Walsh Act of filing a petition on behalf of a foreign national. Read More …

A story of survival and surprise blessings

News

Jun 212014

A story of survival and surprise blessings

A cheerful Beatriz showed up for the Bantay OCW program at the Inquirer Radio studio early this month, seven years since she escaped harrowing abuse in a household in Saudi Arabia. In 2007, Beatriz’ mother went to Bantay OCW to plead for assistance to rescue her daughter, who had secretly phoned the family in the Philippines and told them she was being raped by her employer’s husband and son. They threatened to kill her if she told anyone. When Bantay OCW learned about the problem, it immediately informed the Philippine Embassy. A rescue operation was set up. Beatriz was rescued. But when embassy officials called and requested her to appear at the embassy, Beatriz was overcome with fear and denied the charges against her male employee and the son. She said nothing happened to her, even adding that her mother was only making up the story. But she pleaded with her employer to let her go home. If she was not being molested and sexually abused, there was no reason to send her home, countered her employer. If she wanted to leave, she would have to pay them back P100,000 to refund what was paid to the agency when they hired her and covered her airfare to return home. Beatriz later explained that she could not tell the truth because she feared for her life. Upon hearing that, Bantay OCW pleaded with the recruitment agency to immediately send Beatriz a plane ticket. The Philippine Embassy agreed to prepare the documents Read More …

Other priorities

Economy

Jun 212014

Recently, we heard a popular broadcast commentator chide a lawyer-spokesperson of European pressure group Greenpeace . The commentator was apparently disappointed over the absence of any Greenpeace action as alleged Chinese boats engage in the wanton destruction of marine life in disputed portions of the West Philippine sea. Where are the ships of Greenpeace, the commentator asked the lawyer-spokesperson. He was apparently referring to the famous image of a tiny boat named “Greenpeace” stopping a large sea vessel in a confrontation over environmental issues. The Greenpeace lawyer-spokesperson could only manage a giggle in response to the question. The broadcaster, in subtle dismay, could only conclude that the days when Greenpeace stood for real environmental issues against real enemies of nature are now bygones. In fairness to Greenpeace, to its Philippine operatives in particular, a confrontation with China over the rape of the sea may not be a priority. Instead, its present priority appears to be its confrontation with Filipino scientists who are doing research on the use of biotechnology in agriculture. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 If Greenpeace operatives are not confronting China in the West Philippine sea, it is because they are in a confrontation with Filipino scientists and farmers at the Supreme Court. If Greenpeace activists are not stopping the rape of precious marine life, it is because they are more interested today in stopping Filipino scientists from completing field trials for a biotech eggplant variety. The other priority is stopping Filipino farmers from Read More …

DBS sees BSP raising rates next month

Economy

Jun 212014

MANILA, Philippines – Increasing pressure on inflation may finally prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise key policy rates next month, Singapore-based DBS said. “As early as the next policy meeting, we may see a 25bps (basis point) rate hike in the key overnight borrowing rate. Clearly, the central bank is a little concerned with regards to rising inflationary pressures in the economy,” DBS said in a research note. The Monetary Board, during its policy meeting on Thursday kept key policy rates steady but hiked the Special Deposit Account rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent. Monetary authorities stressed the inflation path remains within the three to five percent target range although they hiked the forecast average for the year to 4.4 percent from 4.3 percent. Upside risks to inflation include the potential impact of El Niño on food and utility prices, as well as the pending power rate adjustments. “Indeed, we see a good chance for CPI inflation inching just above the five percent mark in 3Q14, which is the upper limit of the central bank’s three to five percent comfort zone,” DBS noted. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Inflation hit a 30-month high of 4.5 percent in May, bringing the five-month average to 4.1 percent. For next year, the central bank has forecast the rate to average 3.7 percent, up from an earlier projection of 3.4 percent but still within the two to four percent target range. “The tight monetary policy stance Read More …

Lucky buyers get chance to go to BMW World 2014 in Singapore

Economy

Jun 212014

Lucky buyers get chance to go to BMW World 2014 in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines – In celebration of BMW’s continued leadership in the premium automotive segment, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, will send-lucky BMW buyers to the BMW World 2014, the biggest single-brand motor show, to be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Happening from Aug. 1-3, the BMW World 2014 is a grand showcase of the latest and greatest models under the BMW Group – BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce and BMW Motorrad. The highly anticipated event will serve as the venue for the regional premier of the revolutionary BMW i, with the introduction of the BMW i3 all-electric urban vehicle, and the first plug-in hybrid sports car, the BMW i8. Visitors will also get a chance to be among the first to see the much awaited all-new BMW M3 and M4 which will be unveiled at the show, together with the all-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and the all-new BMW X4 Sport Activity Vehicle. For every purchase of a brand new BMW vehicle from June 1-30, 2014, buyers are entitled to raffle tickets. Ten (10) winners will be drawn and will get a chance to be part of the all-expense-paid trip to Singapore to attend the BMW World 2014. “In celebration of BMW’s continued dominance in the premium luxury segment, we would like to give our customers a chance to be part of this much-awaited event by the BMW Group,” said ACC president Maricar Parco. “Let this be Read More …

Attracting the young and talented

Economy

Jun 212014

I remember I met a young executive once while I was out on a dinner with friends some long time ago. One of our conversations led to his past employers, and my, I was so astonished to hear that many of his past employers –including the latest one- all happened to be my friends. That night, when I went home, my mind was racing. Why? This young executive was already well connected and worked with so many of my friends already. Isn’t that amazing? Now, fast forward to present day, what if the reason why he worked with so many of my friends already is because there is an acute shortage of valuable workers like him for the office place? I don’t think that there aren’t enough jobs; there aren’t enough good, talented and qualified people for companies to hire. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 People often ask me for referrals, they want someone whom I have known to be a great employee. Let’s ask ourselves? Why? They could simply ask their personnel managers to hire someone competent for them, why do they have to ask me for a referral? Couldn’t they find someone? In a world in which labor markets are fluid, there is a need for leaders who can inspire and impart purpose and through this, productivity increases. We need to attract and shape young professionals to be leaders. The number one challenge of every business organization is ‘ENGAGEMENT’. Simply put, employees are not Read More …

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