Jodi Sta. Maria talks about eating clean, exercising, and how she struggled with post-pregnancy weight gain.
Sep 122014
Sep 122014
Learn the Ivana Chubbuck Acting with Star Magic Workshop
Sep 112014
Yeng is set to tie the knot in February 2015 in a garden-wedding ceremony.
Sep 112014
A mall chain and a theme park are offering discounts to government employees in mid-September as part of the 114th Philippine Civil Service anniversary. The Civil Service Commission said government employees who have official government IDs may avail of discounts at SM department stores and the Manila Ocean Park. In a post on its website, the CSC said the Manila Ocean Park offers two discount tour packages. On the other hand, SM will hold six days of back-to-back special sales for government workers in SM Department Stores nationwide from Sept. 15 to 17. SM will also offer discounts for government workers in its Supermarket and Hypermarket stores Sept. 19 to 21. But government workers who want to avail of this should show their government IDs and SM Advantage or Prestige Card, or BDO Rewards Card. Earlier, the Light Rail Transit Authority said government workers may avail of free rides on the Light and Metro Rail Transit systems on September 19. The LRTA said free rides for government employees on Sept. 19 will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. LRT-1 links Roosevelt in Quezon City to Baclaran while LRT-2 links Recto in Manila to Santolan. MRT-3 links North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City via Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. The CSC, in Memorandum Circular 06, had set several activities to mark the anniversary of the Philippine civil service. These include: – display of anniversary banner in all government offices– R.A.C.E. to Serve fun run at SM Read More …
Sep 112014
Civil society groups on Thursday urged President Benigno Aquino III to use the upcoming high-level United Nations meeting on climate change as a stage to show the devastating effects of the phenomenon. Aquino should also use the event as an opportunity to compel developed countries to proactively address their responsibilities and commitments, Gerry Arances, national coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, told GMA News Online. He called on the President to discuss energy transformation, climate change impacts, and climate finance during the meet in New York on Sept.23. “[The Philippines being] a very vulnerable country sa climate change impacts, dapat manguna siya sa energy transformation and the only way to go about it is to change track,” Arances said, citing the country’s reliance on coal. Based on the Energy department’s annual report last year, more than a third or 38.76 percent of total power generated in the country came from coal-fired power plants. Arances explained that, globally, the power sector posted the highest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions due to the burning of fossil fuel. “Ang panawagan namin kay PNoy, bago ka pumunta riyan sana naman magsalita ka on climate crisis domestically… [at] bitbitin niya ang panawagan sa world leaders,” he said. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the volume of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere reached record-levels last year. “We know without any doubt that our climate is changing and our weather is becoming more extreme due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels,” Read More …
Sep 112014
MANILA, Philippines – Nickel miner Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC) is moving forward with its plan to enter the local bourse via the backdoor route through dormant listed firm Southeast Asia Cement Holdings Inc. (Seacem). In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Seacem said its board of directors has approved the change of its corporate name to Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. as well as the increase in its authorized capital stock to P12.555 billion from P2.555 billion. Seacem is also set to issue 10.463 billion common shares out of the increased capital stock to PGMC stockholders in exchange “for the sale and transfer of 99 percent of the outstanding shares of PGMC.” A backdoor listing offers a cheaper and faster way to achieve listing status. This occurs when a listed firm is acquired by an unlisted firm and the merger will result in a change in business. Stockholders of 8990 Housing Development Corp.in June last year signed a deal to acquire Seacem for P2.57 billion. Seacem stockholders Calumboyan Holdings Inc., Lafarge Philippines Holdings Philippines Inc. and Seacem Silos Inc. sold 89.87 percent of Seacem to IHoldings Inc., Januarius Resources Realty Corp. and Kwantlen Development Corp. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Seacem divested P11.35 billion worth of shares in listed cement maker Lafarge, leaving Seacem with no assets and ready for a backdoor listing transaction. For its part, PGMC has been operating a nickel mine in Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao Del Norte for the past six years. Read More …
Sep 112014
MANILA, Philippines – The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has recalculated the possible increase in the universal charge if it is forced to settle up to P62 billion in damages from a class suit filed by the former drivers and mechanics of National Power Corp. (Napocor), the state-owned power company. From a previous estimate of a 51 centavo per kilowatt-hour increase in the universal charge, PSALM is now looking at increasing the universal charge by 23 centavos per kwh for recovery period of 11 years and 22 centavos per kwh for a 12- year recovery. However, PSALM president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. stressed there is still no decision yet on whether or not the agency would indeed pass on to consumers the P62 billion in damages sought by the former employees of Napocor through an increase in the universal charge. The universal charge is a separate line in consumers’ electricity bills. It is being charged to all electricity consumers. PSALM is the government corporation tasked to privatize state-owned power assets. “If there is indeed any amount due, the Supreme Court mentioned the universal charge but we will coordinate with other agencies,” Ledesma said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Napocor lost a class suit filed by former members of its Drivers and Mechanics Association (DAMA) who were terminated in 2003 and is being asked to pay P62 billion in damages, according to a Supreme Court resolution dated June 30, 2014. The petitioners comprised about 8,018 Read More …
Sep 112014
The Department of Justice’s decision to order the filing of tax evasion charges against Jeane Napoles is not a maneuver to increase pressure on her mother, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said Thursday. “[The DOJ’s decision] is not a pressure tactic since Jeane has been asked by the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) in the past to justify how she’s able to own a lot of properties here and abroad,” the lawmaker, who is a member of the administration Nationalist People’s Coalition, said. For Gatchalian, there is no basis to link the DOJ’s decision to run after Jeane for tax evasion to the prosecution of the cases against her mother since they are implicated in two different crimes. “Jeane is being investigated for tax evasion while her mother is detained for serious illegal detention, aside from facing plunder charges,” he said. In an eight-page resolution, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela said there’s probable cause to indict Jeane for her failure to pay more than P17 million in taxes despite her ownership of several pieces of property in the US and the Philippines. Among the properties registered under her name are a condominium unit in Los Angeles, California worth P54.73 million, and her share in a farm lot in Bayambang, Pangasinan worth P1.49 million. Jeane’s total tax liability has ballooned to P32 million, inclusive of interest, for 2011 and 2012. ‘Squeeze move’ Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz, however, sees the DOJ’s Read More …
Sep 112014
Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin (MNS photo) Luis Manzano drew laughs in a joint interview with his girlfriend, Angel Locsin, when he said, in jest, that it’s up to the “Darna” actress to propose marriage. The couple was interviewed after participating in Batangas’ Alay-Lakad charity event, which was organized by Manzano’s mother and the province’s governor, screen veteran Vilma Santos. “Baka masyado mo naman dibdibin ‘yan, ah!” Locsin told Manzano, when he quipped that he has been waiting for the actress’ wedding proposal. Alluding to a controversial wedding mixup in Balesin Island Club, Manzano joked that they had been planning to hold their wedding there. The two, however, did not give a serious answer on their plans to wed. Locsin went along with Manzano’s jokes that she had agreed to shoulder the expenses of the special day, in exchange for the “gift” of his good looks. Reacting to her son’s statement, Santos said, in jest: “Mga kaibigan, masanay na po kayo sa anak ko. Ganyan lang po ‘yan, pero maniwala kayo sa akin, napakabait niyan!” “Mayabang lang po ‘yan. Mawala na ang yaman, huwag lang ang yabang!” In the interview, Santos also referred to Locsin as a “good first lady,” amid speculation that Manzano is planning to pursue public office in Batangas. The TV host, however, clarified that he has yet to make a decision and will likely come up with one in a month’s time.(MNS)
Sep 112014
2015 Nissan Altima: The 2015 Nissan Altima is not only Nissan’s best-selling vehicle but also one of the top-selling cars in the United States – thanks to its distinctive exterior and interior design, rewarding driving experience and innovative, driver-focused technology. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A consumer favorite and Nissan’s top-selling model in the U.S., the Nissan Altima continues to impress with its premium exterior and interior design and functionality. This week, the 2014 Altima was named one of the “10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000” by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. The Altima finished sixth on the list, with KBB.com editors specifically citing its “notably comfortable” NASA-inspired “Zero Gravity” front seats as a selling-point. To create the “10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000” list, KBB.com editors selected cars offering comfort-oriented features that “debuted upmarket just a few years ago.” Each of the 10 vehicles start below $30,000 according to Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price (FPP), a tool designed to show shoppers what others are paying for a specific new car. The 2014 Altima’s current FPP is $21,223 USD, among the top three most affordable on the list. “In addition to its advanced ‘Zero Gravity’ front seats, the 2014 Altima features soft-touch armrests as well as noise absorption materials to help reduce cabin noise and improve the overall experience inside the vehicle,“ said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations. “Coupled with its innovative, stylish design and wide range of available technology features, the Altima is the perfect home-away-from-home. Read More …