August 2014 – Page 25

Zsa Zsa’s BF opens up about future plans

Aug 162014

Zsa Zsa Padilla and Conrad Onglao (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– While he and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla have yet to talk about settling down, renowned architect Conrad Onglao revealed that it has been his dream to re-marry and to hold a grand wedding in Florence, Italy. Onglao said: “I find that city very romantic. There’s that hotel in Fiesole Farea, there’s a hotel there called Villa San Michele. It’s an old hotel with the altar designed by Michelangelo… For me, the whole Tuscan area is very romantic, it’s just a fantasy, this dream wedding of mine, whether it will happen or not.” Onglao said he never lost faith in marriage despite his failed relationship with his first wife, interior designer Ivy Almario. “Of course [I still believe in marriage]. Unfortunately, my first marriage didn’t last, but it doesn’t mean I no longer believe in marriage and it doesn’t mean I’m less of a father,” he said. “I know I’m going to get married someday, ever since when I divorced before pa, ang tagal na rin.” Onglao and Almario have two sons. They were divorced in the United States and obtained a legal separation and church annulment here in the Philippines. Padilla, on the other hand, was in a long-time relationship with Philippine Comedy King Dolphy, who died two years ago. Asked if he thinks Padilla believes in marriage as well, he said: “Yes, she believes in marriage. She really believes in long-term relationships. I recall Sharon (Cuneta) told me Read More …

Critics say Aquino has ‘unmasked’ true motives as allies back second term

Entertainment

Aug 162014

Critics say Aquino has ‘unmasked’ true motives as allies back second term

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the “History and her Story” – A Special Commemorative Photo Exhibit on the 5th Death Anniversary of former President Corazon C. Aquino at the Glorietta Activity Center in Palm Drive, Makati City on Monday (August 04, 2014). The exhibit gives its readers a rare glimpse into Mrs. Aquino’s life – from her school years at the St. Scholastica’s College, to her marriage to the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., to the People Power revolution that changed her life, and in the process, Philippine history. It also revisits Mrs. Aquino’s years as the first female President of the Philippines from 1987 to 1992. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III’s hint that he may be open to seeking a second term has stirred a hornet’s nest in the House of Representatives, with allies backing the notion and critics saying he had “unmasked” his true intentions. The suggestions for Aquino to seek a second term come as the House is about to start plenary debates on a resolution authored by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution. Several bills are also pending at the House committee on constitutional amendments seeking the creation of a constitutional convention to introduce amendments to the Constitution. “As I said before, the President cannot just let the process of transformation and progress be wasted as the remnants of the traditional, corrupt leaders are salivating on the prospect of returning to their old ways,” Caloocan Read More …

US to Fil-Ams: ‘We hear you on TPS’

Entertainment

Aug 162014

Exchange of Views. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. opens discussions on the Philippine request to be placed under Temporary Protected Status during a dialogue between leaders of the Filipino-American Community and officials of the Department of Homeland Security at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.(Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato) WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today assured leaders of the Filipino-American Community in the United States that their clamor for the Philippines to be placed under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is being heard and that their views will be taken into consideration when it makes its final decision. In a dialogue at the Philippine Embassy that was arranged by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin told Filipino-American Community leaders the DHS is still in the process of evaluating Manila’s request to place the Philippines under TPS in the wake of the massive devastation wreaked by Typhoon Haiyan last year. Exchange of Views. Officials of the Department of Homeland Security led by Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin exchange views with leaders of the Filipino-American Community during a dialogue on the request of the Philippines to be placed under Temporary Protected Status at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato) “This is a matter that is under consideration by Secretary Jeh Johnson. There are no specific deadlines but this Read More …

Mayor Binay to Trillanes: Apologize if proven wrong

Entertainment

Aug 162014

Mayor Binay to Trillanes: Apologize if proven wrong

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay seen here with a guest at Noypitz Bar & Grill in Glendale, California in 2011 during a fundraising concert organized by members of Filipino-American media for typhoon Sendong victims. Photo: Benny Uy MANILA (Mabuhay) — Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and a Senator Aquilino Pimentel III-led committee should apologize if allegations about an overpriced office and parking building in the city are not true. In a statement, Binay said: “When the facts all come out and when the allegations are proven false, we ask nothing in return but a public apology from the senator who authored the probe and from the committee for allowing itself to be used as a venue for character assassination and political demolition.” He said he and his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, “totally welcome” the investigation initiated by Trillanes. Nonetheless, he asked Trillanes to treat decently the probe. “Based on his statements, he has made up his mind and he intends to use the Senate hearing as a platform to malign the name of the Vice President,” he said. He noted Trillanes even promised to present witnesses against his father. “May we remind the senator that this is not a trial. It is supposed to be a hearing in aid of legislation,” he said. Binay added the hearings are already unnecessary since there is already an official audit report. “The allegations have already been discredited as baseless by an intensive review made by Commission on Read More …

OFWs in Nigeria ‘more concerned’ on job stability than Ebola

News

Aug 162014

OFWs in Nigeria ‘more concerned’ on job stability than Ebola

In this Aug. 6, 2014 file photo, a Nigerian port health official uses a thermometer on a worker at the arrivals hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. As the Ebola outbreak in West Africa grows, airlines around the globe are closely monitoring the situation but have yet to make any drastic changes. AP MANILA, Philippines—The recent inclusion of Nigeria among the West African nations battling the deadly Ebola virus alarmed the 7,000 Filipino workers deployed in various states in Nigeria, which has just recovered from the deployment ban five years ago. Filipino workers are mostly engineers in oil industries and multi-national construction firms; teachers, accountants and those who are married to Nigerian nationals. Lito Nucum, a senior accountant to Dantata and Sawoe, the largest construction firm in Abuja, the federal capital, expressed his concern on the latest development on the Ebola virus that swept the West African nation during the previous weeks. He said it may cause false alarm especially to the Philippine Government. Nucum is a well-respected member and officer of the Filipino community in Abuja. “To talk about possible evacuation or think about repatriation is going too far and it can cause false alarm. The Ebola outbreak to date caused the death of about 1,000 Sierra Leone, Liberians and Guineans, plus two in Lagos, Nigeria,” he said. Aside from job security, Nucum said that Lagos State is far from Abuja. Lagos is the most populous city in Africa with 20 million people. In the Philippines, Read More …

Prosecutors oppose subpoenas on whistleblowers’ wealth records

Entertainment

Aug 162014

Prosecutors oppose subpoenas on whistleblowers’ wealth records

Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, June 30, for his arraignment over the plunder charges filed against him and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the alleged P10-B pork barrel scam. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — State prosecutors in the plunder and graft cases of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday opposed the request of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles to subpoena bank, travel and real estate documents of whistleblowers in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam case. In a seven page opposition penned by Deputy Special Prosecutor John Turalba, the prosecutors said the Request for the Issuance of Subpoena the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind filed wasn’t justified. “A reading of the requests for subpoena for the [Bureau of Immigration], the [Land Registration Authority], and the [Land Transportation Office] readily shows that no reason or justification therefor was advanced,” the prosecution panel said. “Truth be told, the request is unnecessary and the subject matter therefor irrelevant, considering that Benhur Luy, Arthur Luy, Abegail Umali, Gertrudes Luy, Marina Sula and Merlina Suñas are not the accused in the case,” it added. Napoles, who is accused of masterminding the scam that saw billions of pesos in public funds diverted to bogus foundations she controlled, is also charged with serious illegal detention by whistleblower and her former trusted aide Benhur Luy. Napoles is facing three counts of plunder and multiple counts of graft for allegedly masterminding the massive fraud. In their August 11 request for Subpoena, Napoles’ lawyers asked Read More …

Filipino peacekeepers: Should they stay or go?

News

Aug 162014

Filipino peacekeepers: Should they stay or go?

Philippine Daily Inquirer 8:46 am | Sunday, August 17th, 2014 Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Saturday said President Benigno Aquino III had yet to decide whether or not to pull out the Filipino peacekeeping forces from the Golan Heights and Liberia, even as the Department of National Defense (DND) had recommended it. Liberia is among the West African countries stricken by the deadly Ebola virus, while the Golan Heights is the volatile buffer zone between Israel and Syria. The civil war in Syria continues to rage, while to the south Israel is currently involved in a battle of deadly missile barrages with Palestine in Gaza. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over government run-dzRB radio that Mr. Aquino wanted to be appraised of the protection and safeguards available to the more than 400 Filipino troops deployed to these two places under the UN flag. “My impression is the President has not made a decision yet. He still wants to know the available safeguards,” Valte said. There are 115 Filipino soldiers in Liberia and 332 in the Golan Heights. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the DND recommendation considered the health and security risks faced by the Filipino troops. Earlier, Mr. Aquino decided that the Filipino peacekeepers in Syria would stay put after two groups of Filipino soldiers were kidnapped weeks apart by Syrian rebels last year, Valte said. Nikko Dizon RELATED STORIES Pullout of PH peacekeepers urged DND mulls pullout of PH peacekeepers Read More …

OFW’s death in Malaysia ‘suspicious’; Owwa unaware

News

Aug 162014

OFW’s death in Malaysia ‘suspicious’; Owwa unaware

ABUYOG, Leyte, Philippines—Almost two years ago, single mother Remedios Rias Bacoto left this town for a two-year work contract in Malaysia, pursuing a dream of a better life for herself and her only child. Last week, the 35-year-old domestic worker came home in a coffin, her death shrouded in mystery and suspicions of foul play. “She was bludgeoned to death. Who killed her and why?” asked Jeanie Bacoto, 34, the slain woman’s younger sister. “Our family was looking forward to her coming home. Instead we are preparing for her funeral.” Claiming foul play and an official cover-up, Bacoto’s family is demanding answers from both Malaysian and Philippine authorities on Bacoto’s death. According to the official autopsy report issued on Aug. 1 by Dr. Siew Sheue Feng of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Bacoto died of a “head injury due to blunt force trauma.” The findings were confirmed by a second autopsy conducted by medicolegal examiner Dr. John C. Ilao when Bacoto’s body arrived here on Aug. 7. Grisly remains “Her head was smashed to a pulp. They said she was killed defending the house in a robbery. But Malaysian police had no evidence of forced entry into the house,” said the younger Bacoto, who saw her sister’s remains during the autopsy. Bacoto quoted Harry Chan, a nephew of her sister’s employer in Kuala Lumpur (KL), as saying that “Remy died securing the house.” Chan told them the tragic news over the phone on Aug. 1. It was all the information Chan Read More …

EU gives P1.8B for PH health services

News

Aug 162014

By Department of Health, DoH, European Union, Health Services |Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:53 am | Sunday, August 17th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines—The European Union has extended a grant of 30-million euros, or around P1.8 billion, to the Philippines to help the government push for initiatives that would improve the health sector, according to the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH said that under the agreement, 20.5-million euros, or roughly P1.2 billion, would go directly to the National Treasury while the rest of the grant would be used to fund various technical assistance and capacity-building programs to boost its health delivery systems. “The DOH has continually aspired to strengthen national and local health systems by rationalizing and improving the quality of health services and ensuring better access to these services by Filipinos, especially the poor and the disadvantaged,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in a statement. “The partnership of the Philippines and the EU provides the much needed boost to further the health sector reforms towards the achievement of universal health care for Filipinos,” added Ona. The latest agreement brings to three the number of EU-funded programs supporting the Philippine Health Sector Reform Agenda, which was launched in 2005 to speed up the implementation of critical health interventions. Under the Aquino administration, the government launched the Aquino Health Agenda highlighting the Universal Health Care Strategy, which aims to provide health insurance coverage to all Filipinos and improve their access to quality hospital and health care facilities. The new deal between the Philippines Read More …

Up and away: Dream a wish come true for ailing teener

General

Aug 162014

Up and away: Dream a wish come true for ailing teener

NO TURBULENCE For a 45-minute “flight” from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Jake Adonis Sebial sits at the cockpit of an Airbus flight simulator with veteran AirAsia pilot Lee Seong Thiang. PHOTO COURTESY OF AIRASIA The “Big C” must be the most serious disturbance in Cebuano teenager Jake Adonis Sebial’s turbulent life. The same disease, however, paved the way for the fulfillment of his dream of becoming a pilot, even for just 45 minutes of his revitalized life. Last Wednesday afternoon, Jake experienced how it feels to fly a plane, through no less than a state-of-the-art Airbus A320 flight simulator at Asian Aviation Center of Excellence in Sepang, Malaysia, thanks to the generosity of AirAsia—the largest Asian low-cost carrier—as well as the help of nonprofit Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines. Jake has always dreamed of occupying the pilot’s seat, his aunt Rubi told reporters. At one point, she related, the 18-year-old thought the dream would no longer materialize. In August last year, Jake was hospitalized after showing symptoms of dengue fever. A month later, however, he was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), a cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. According to medical experts, AML progresses quickly and can lead to death within weeks or months if not immediately treated. But the disease did not stop Jake nor his family in Danao City from fighting for the young man’s life. That was not the first time Jake hung on for dear life. At the age of 7, he was electrocuted and lost Read More …

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