Albert Martinez nervous about love scene with young Bea

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
Albert Martinez nervous about love scene with young Bea

Albert Martinez (MNS Photo) Veteran actor Albert Martinez admitted that it was not easy working with a younger leading lady, particularly when doing love scenes. In ABS-CBN’s upcoming series “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” the 53-year-old Martinez is being paired with actress Bea Alonzo, who is almost half his age at 26. “’Yung first day ko sa set, parag paano ko maha-handle ito?” he recalled. “Honestly kinabog talaga ako, ‘yung magkaroon ka ng leading lady na ganito at may age.” “To top it all, ‘yung Day 2 namin ay love scene parang bigla akong nabobo sa eksena na ‘yon. Ako ang kinabahan. Buti na lang si Bea is a very good actress. She handled it well and the scene turned out to be beautiful,” Martinez said. Aside from the age gap, Martinez added that it was also a challenge for him to do love scenes again. The last time he did such a scene was for the movie “Scorpio Nights 2” with sexy star Joyce Jimenez in 1999. “Honestly medyo kinabahan ako kasi unang una she’s Bea and siguro the last time na mayroon akong ka-love scene was Joyce Jimenez. So matagal na, hindi na ako masyadong kumportable doon. Kumbaga nilagay ko na sa baul ‘yon. While doing the scene kailangan kong kumbinsihin at i-prepare ang sarili ko,” the actor explained. Martinez also noted that his love scene with Alonzo is different from those he did in the past. “Siguro ang difference ng love scene naming dalawa, sa amin kasi Read More …

Barbie Forteza tackles same goody two-shoes role differently

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
Barbie Forteza tackles same goody two-shoes role differently

Barbie Forteza (MNS photo) “The Half Sisters” is Barbie Forteza’s new afternoon drama series, which starts airing June 9 on GMA-7. Her role as a maltreated protagonist seems the same from previous soap operas she starred in but she actually exerted even more effort to differentiate her portrayal this time. “I really studied it to give it a different approach. Kailangang ibahin ang atake para hindi maging parang redundant o paulit-ulit ‘yung role ko (I realized that I should change the manner by which I attack the role so it won’t look redundant or a rehash of past roles). I’m confident that our director Mark Reyes will also guide me,” Barbie said of playing Diana Alcantara. On “The Half Sisters,” Barbie is pitted against budding actress Thea Tolentino who plays Ashley Alcantara, the twin sister through hetero-paternal superfecundation (meaning twins born to one mother by two fathers). Ashley’s father, Alfred Alcantara, is played by Ryan Eigenmann. He is married to Rina Mercado-Alcantara, played by seasoned dramatic actress Jean Garcia. Diana’s father, on the other hand, is Benjie Valdicañas, played by Jomari Yllana. Benjie is Rina’s ex-boyfriend who will rape her immediately after her honeymoon. Based on the show teaser, Barbie will be involved in a lot of physical drama. Being senior to Thea, she is also expected to lend her guidance. She shared, “Madalas po nag-uusap kami lalo na kapag may mga confrontation scenes like mga sabunutan. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya na para isang beses lang masaktan ibigay na Read More …

Armm settles P1B unpaid GSIS remittances of teachers

 General
Jun 122014
 
Armm settles P1B unpaid GSIS remittances of teachers

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-Armm) signed today a supplement memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to finally settle the P1 billion unpaid remittances of teachers in the region. The DBM will pay state pension fund GSIS almost P1 billion in unpaid premiums, effectively adjusting the GSIS benefits of almost 26,000 teaching and non-teaching workers in Armm. DBM will pay GSIS about P900 million in cash, 30 days after the signing of the supplemental MOA, with the remaining P100 million to be paid over a period of one year. Armm Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan said the MoA supplements an earlier agreement signed in March 2004 to settle the unpaid premiums of 15,715 DepEd-Armm employees. With the payment, around 26,000 DepEd-ARMM employees can now expect higher loanable amounts and retirement benefits. “We have freed our teachers in service as well as those who already retired from the uncertainty of the full entitlement of their retirement benefit,” said ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman. Hataman said the teachers can now look forward to a more comfortable retirement package from the GSIS. “We have made clear to the teachers that this administration is fully dedicated to the promotion of their welfare with the expectation that this will increase their drive and determination to enlighten every Abdul and Fatima in every classroom in the region,” the region’s chief executive added. (PIA-10) Read More …

Thousands of professors projected to lose jobs with K-12 implementation

 News
Jun 122014
 
Thousands of professors projected to lose jobs with K-12 implementation

More than 85,000 faculty members may lose their job starting 2016 when the mandatory implementation of two more years of high school commences, the group Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities projected. “Ang sinasabi nga namin, wala talagang mag-eenroll sa first year college (in 2016), dahil yung fourth year (high school) mag-eenroll na sila sa Grade 11. Pagdating ng 2017-2018, wala ring enrollment sa first year (college) at wala ring enrollment sa second year,” said Professor Rene Tadle, internal vice president of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty Union in a forum aired on GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation” Thursday. Under the enhanced basic education program of the Department of Education (DepEd), called K to 12 or Kindergarten plus Grades 1-12, a student will be required to undergo kindergarten, six years of elementary (Grades 1-6), four years of junior high school (Grades 7-10) and two years of senior high school (Grades 11-12). The implementation of universal kindergarten began in school year 2011-2012, followed by a new curriculum for Grade 7 in school year 2012-2013. School year 2016-2017 will mark the nationwide implementation of the Grade 11 curriculum, to be followed by the Grade 12 curriculum in school year 2017-2018. Tadle said that based on their estimates, universities and colleges will lose 500,000 freshman college enrolees and more than 300,000 sophomore college enrolees come the implementation of the senior high school program in 2016. Flordeliza Abanto, a full-time professor at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila Read More …

Vice chairs to take over committees of Enrile, Estrada, Revilla – Drilon

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
Vice chairs to take over committees of Enrile, Estrada, Revilla – Drilon

Senator Jinggoy Estrada shows some documents during his privilege speech on the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) issue at the Senate on Wednesday (March 12, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Committees chaired by Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. will continue to function even after they are arrested for plunder and graft charges, Senate President Franklin Drilon assured on Wednesday. Drilon said the three senators’ respective committee vice chairmen would automatically take over the panels as he stressed that the Senate as institution is separate from its individual members. “Kung sakaling may warrant of arrest na para sa tatlong senador na inisyu, ang mga Senate committee ay hindi maaapektuhan dahil (In case warrants of arrest for the three senators are issued, the Senate committees will not be affected because) the vice chairman for those committees can take up their work,” Drilon said. In fact, Drilon noted that Estrada stood in the plenary on Tuesday delegating to a particular senator the sponsorship of his pending bills so these can be be tackled on the floor even after his arrest. “Ibig lang niyan sabihin (What it means is), the institution will function, it will definitely continue to work,” he said. On Friday, the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The Ombudsman also filed separate criminal and administrative cases for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the three senators. (MNS)

Govt prepared for rainy season, Palace assures public

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
Govt prepared for rainy season, Palace assures public

A private guard searches homes to rescue residents trapped in a massive flooding at a subdivision in Makati city, east of Manila, Philippines Tuesday Aug. 20, 2013. Some of the Philippines’ heaviest rains on record fell for a second day Tuesday, turning the capital’s roads into rivers and trapping tens of thousands of people in homes and shelters. The government suspended all work except rescues and disaster response. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that they have made the necessary preparations for the rainy season, which usually brings flooding to many parts of the country. “We have prepared for this,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing. He specifically said the Department of Public Works and Highways created a catchment along España Boulevard in Manila to ensure that floodwater will immediate subside in case of heavy rain. He said the Metro Manila Development Authority has also been making sure that the pumping stations will function properly during the rainy season while the Department of Social Welfare and Development and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council are also doing the necessary preparations. “[We’re] making sure that the flooding in the low levels will [recede] as fast as possible… We will make sure and we made sure that informal settlers will be taken out of harm’s way,” he said. Lacierda added that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has been “performing marvelously” in terms of identifying areas where a certain storm Read More …

De Lima won’t probe or sue Cam but warns vs release of ‘sex video’

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
De Lima won’t probe or sue Cam but warns vs release of ‘sex video’

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Wednesday said she has no plans to investigate or file charges against Sandra Cam over an alleged “sex video.” Nevertheless, De Lima warned Cam to stop threatening to release the supposed video if the Commission on Appointments confirms her appointment. De Lima passed muster by the CA at the committee level Wednesday morning. Her nomination will be forwarded to the plenary for confirmation. She said she and her agency are saddled with too much work to bother investigating Cam, the president of the Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines who has been trying to block De Lima’s confirmation. “Hindi ko pa inaalam (I am not looking into it), we do not want to waste the precious time and resources of NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and DOJ na imbestigahan ‘yan (to investigate that). We have better things to do. Maraming marami kaming trabaho (We have so much work to do),” De Lima said in an interview after the CA hearing at the Senate. However, De Lima warned that, should Cam make good on her threat, “she would initiate the investigation just to know who are behind her.” De Lima said she has in mind a number of people who could be behind Cam’s attack on her, but declined to name them because she has no evidence to back up her suspicions. At the same time, she assured Cam she has no plans of harming or Read More …

PHL Consulate officials join Fil-Ams in PHL Independence Day parade

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
PHL Consulate officials join Fil-Ams in PHL Independence Day parade

Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim addressing the audience at the New FACLA center that hosted a short program right after the parade in the streets of Historic FilipinoTown as shown by other photos.a Los Angeles – The Philippine Consulate General joined the Filipino community parade commemorating the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 07 June 2013 at the Historic Filipino town, Los Angeles. The New FACLA (Filipino American Community of Los Angeles) organizers theme for the parade is “Santa Cruz De Mayo”.  The Kalayaan 2014 Parade was participated in by various Fil-Am organizations ranging from civic to youth, business service and religious groups. A short program was held after the parade at the FACLA Center to close the day’s event.  In his remarks, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim urged the Filipino-American community to harness its untapped potential by actively participating in the political, economic and cultural streams of mainstream American society. Kalayaan 2014 Parade On the same day Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim attended the Philippine Independence Day Celebration held at the Veterans Park, City of Carson, on 07 June 2014.  The event was organized by the City of Carson and the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, Inc. (PIDF).  Local government officials of the City of Carson, including Mayor Jim Dear, Mayor Pro-Tempore Elito Santarina and City Council members, showed their support for the event and for the Filipino-Americans in Carson.  The Consul General extended his greetings to the attendees as they celebrate the 116th anniversary of the proclamation of Read More …

Palace exec to China: Be more friendly to PHL

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
Palace exec to China: Be more friendly to PHL

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the 115th Philippine Independence Day celebration at Liwasang Bonifacio Wednesday morning, (June 12). In his speech, the President is determined to continue, in a peaceful way, to fight for the protection of the country’s sovereignty. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Be more friendly to the Philippines. This seemed to be the message of Malacañang after China denounced Vietnam and the Philippines for getting together on a disputed island in the South China Sea to play soccer and volleyball, calling it “a clumsy farce” and demanded both countries stop causing trouble. “Instead of condemning the friendly games between the Philippines and Vietnam, China should focus on engaging the Philippines in friendly initiatives,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message Tuesday. Lacierda said the Philippines, for its part, even observed the 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day on Monday. China and the Philippines continue to be embroiled in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea.  Manila has elevated the matter to a United Nations tribunal, a move which China rejected. Despite this, Lacierda said the country will “continue to resort to the diplomatic track.” “Certainly, we do not want to escalate any tensions in the South China Sea. That is not what we are there for and, therefore, the best thing that we can do is to resort to the diplomatic mechanism,” he said during a press briefing on Monday. “People seem to underestimate the fact or the power of the diplomatic track Read More …

Christopher de Leon’s daughter to try showbiz

 Entertainment
Jun 122014
 
Christopher de Leon’s daughter to try showbiz

Mariel de Leon (MNS Photo) The daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong is planning to establish her own name in show business. Mariel, who was a finalist in Binibining Pilipinas 2013, said she is currently undergoing workshops in ABS-CBN to better equip herself in this venture. “For now, I’m going through acting workshops. Besides acting workshops, I’m also part of the Philippine Opera Company so they are very proud of me right now,” she said. While she still plans to join beauty pageants in the future, Mariel said she would like to give showbiz a try. “Actually when I was in Bb. Pilipinas last year, I knew na I really wasn’t ready because I was still 19. That’s pretty young. I just wanted to try it muna, like dip the toes in the water. Of course when I didn’t win anything, I was sad of course. Pero I realized na later on, good thing I didn’t win. Because I did, I knew I wasn’t ready so I wouldn’t bring home anything. Better to not win,” she said. “I want to try [showbiz] muna, showbiz and opera. I’m still scared to act with my dad. Baka mga supporting role muna for now. Wala pang [offer], nagwo-workshop muna ako,” she added. The 20-year-old beauty said she is fortunate because her parents got her back in whatever she wants to pursue. “They let me do whatever I want and they support me in everything so basically it’s my choice. I would Read More …

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