Jul 262014
 
DOTC: 2 flights canceled due to bad weather

At least two domestic flights were canceled due to bad weather, the Department of Transportation and Communications said Saturday afternoon. The DOTC, in a post on its Twitter account, said the two flights belonged to budget carrier Cebu Pacific. It said canceled flights included: 5J-529: Manila to Busuanga5J-530: Busuanga to Manila PAGASA had noted the southwest monsoon is affecting western Luzon and may bring occasional rain. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

Jul 252014
 
Heart: I’m ready to go to the next level

Heart Evangelista and Senator Chiz Escudero (MNS Photo) Actress Heart Evangelista said she is ready to settle down with her boyfriend, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Evangelista said she and Escudero have been talking about getting engaged, hinting that it may happen this year. “No, I’m not engaged yet, but it’s just a matter of when. We talk about it, in short. Like kunwari when we were going to Paris [I said], ‘So are you going to propose to me in Paris? Kasi I have to get my nails fixed para Instagram-friendly siya.’ Pero sabi niya, ‘Babe, not this month.’ [Sabi ko] ‘So this year?’ [Sabi niya] ‘Yes, this year, but not this month.’ So okay na ako,” she said. Evangelista and Escudero enjoyed their short break in Paris last month. According to Evangelista, who is turning 30 next year, 2015 would be a great time to settle down. “Perfect siya. Even when it comes to my life and my experiences I’ve had enough. I’m so happy that I finally met the guy I love… I’ve learned so much already and now I’m ready to go to the next level,” she said. “Kasi it’s not a joke to be with someone for life. That’s it, ‘yung forever,” she added. Getting along with dad, mother-in-law Meanwhile, Evangelista said that she is getting along well with Escudero’s mother. “We are okay, we are very good. She’s very nice to me and she’s very supportive. When I had an exhibit, she’s very nice and Read More …

Jul 252014
 
PHL World of Champions of Performing Arts pay courtesy call on Consul General Herrera-Lim

(2nd frm L) WCOPA Director Gerardo Mercado, (4th frm L-R) Consul General LeoHerrera-Lim and Mr. Jed Madela. Los Angeles  – World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) Philippines’ National Director Gerardo Mercado accompanied by Mr. Jed Madela paid a courtesy call on Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim on 16 July 2014. Jed Madela is the first Filipino to win the “Grand Champion Performer of the World” title in 2005. Jed was a featured guest performer at the 17th annual WCOPA and received an Achievement Award inducting him into the “Performing Arts Hall of Fame” during the 18th WCOPA finals on 19 July 2014.  He is a recording artist of the Universal Records and to date has had six double platinum albums with most becoming classics.  He has become a superstar Filipino recording artist and songwriter, and is known as “The Singer’s Singer.”  His sold-out tours and concerts around the world are legendary.  He is a co-host and performer on “ASAP” and a member of ABS-CBN’s “Star Magic,” two top rated weekly television programs.  For two consecutive years (2011 and 2012), he was named “Male Recording Artist of the Year.” The Philippines had a total of 45 Filipino acts for the competition with talents ranging from vocalist, models, dancers, actors, and instrumentalists.  The Philippines took the world’s center stage with grand slam wins taking the top two (2) awards at the 18th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in downtown Los Angeles.  The Xtreme dancers composed of Raymark Alminasa (22yrs old) and Eddie Melody (23 yrs old) from Coronadal won the “2014 Senior Grand Champion Performer Read More …

Jul 252014
 
Plan your vacation: PNoy declares 18 holidays in 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, troops the line upon arrival at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 9, 2014) for the 72nd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). This year’s theme is: “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago.”(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III has declared 18 holidays next year, including eight long weekends. Through Proclamation No. 831, signed last Thursday, Aquino declared the following days as regular holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, Thursday) Maundy Thursday (April 2) Good Friday (April 3) Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9, Thursday) Labor Day (May 1, Friday) Independence Day (June 12, Friday) National Heroes Day (Aug. 31, last Monday of August) Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30, Monday) Christmas Day (Dec. 25, Friday) Rizal Day (Dec. 30, Wednesday) Meanwhile, the following days have been declared as special non-working days: Chinese New Year (Feb. 19,. Thursday) Black Saturday (April 4) Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug. 21, Friday) All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1, Sunday) Additional special (non-working) days (Jan.2, Friday, and Dec. 24, Thursday) Last Day of the Year (Dec. 31, Thursday) February 25 next year, a Wednesday, has been declared a special holiday for all schools to commemorate the EDSA Revolution anniversary. This list of holidays does not include Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha, the dates of which will still be determined by the National Commission on Read More …

Jul 252014
 
Bill seeks to lower compulsory retirement of teachers to 60 years

Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan (right) of the Commission on Higher Education discusses during a news conference Wednesday at the CHED Office in Quezon City the Students’ Grants-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation, a most exciting part of the government’s student assistance program as it directly benefits students of the poorest families. The SGP-PA, with an allocation of P500M, is administered by CHED for State Universities and Colleges in support of the reform agenda for public higher education. Also in photo is Social Welfare Secretary Corazon J. Soliman. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker has filed a measure lowering the compulsory retirement age of public school teachers to 60 years. Under House Bill 4501 authored by Rep. Silvestre H. Bello III (Party List 1-BAP), the retirees shall be entitled to the benefits provided that the retiree has already rendered 15 years of service and at least 55 years of age at the time of retirement for optional retirement. The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 8291, otherwise known as the Revised Government Service Insurance Act of 1997, that sets the mandatory and optional retirement age for government employees except those for the military and the police service. Bello said there are about 14,000 newly licensed teachers every year but could not get a teaching job because the posts are still being held by senior teachers. He said these new educators get stuck in unemployment, or go for odd jobs, which provide neither full employment nor career satisfaction. “The few lucky ones Read More …

Jul 252014
 
Number of evacuation centers serving typhoon ‘Glenda’ victims down to 108–DSWD

pile sand bags along the sea wall of Roxas Boulevard as Typhoon Rammasun hit Metro Manila on July 16, 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Wednesday the total number of evacuation centers still serving Typhoon Glenda victims was down to 108. In its DSWD twitter account, DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman said that the 108 evacuation centers that are still open are currently housing more than 5,000 families. According to Soliman, the houses of the remaining evacuees were damaged by the strong winds of ‘Glenda’. She added that the family evacuees are continuously provided with hot meals. DSWD has provided the affected LGUs some 62,522 food packs and other food items to affected families as augmentation to Local Government Units (LGUs) who are the first responders. It likewise distributed non-food items such as mattresses, blankets and tarpaulins, among others. Repacking of food packs in DSWD Field Offices and National Relief Operation Center still continues. More than 800,000 families were affected in areas hit by ‘Glenda’ when it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and made landfalls last week (July 16). A total of 3,075 evacuation centers were opened to temporarily house the victims. Most of the evacuees who heeded the call for pre-emptive evacuation returned home after their towns had been declared safe by authorities. The Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams of DSWD continue to coordinate with the affected LGUs on the extent of damage and for the provision of Read More …