Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the meeting on Yolanda rehabilitation updates at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (May 16, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA, October 30, 2014 (AFP) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino approved Thursday a 160-billion-peso ($3.6 billion) plan to rebuild areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan one year after the disaster, his spokesman said. The plan includes reconstruction timetables demanded by Aquino who last week criticised the pace of rebuilding, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. Haiyan, the strongest storm ever to make landfall, packed winds of 315 kilometers (195 miles) per hour when it slammed the central Philippines in November last year, bringing tsunami-like storm surges that wiped out entire villages and left more than 7,350 people dead or missing. “The work programs, all the details have been inputted into the detailed rehabilitation plan,” Lacierda told reporters. An initial 52 billion pesos of the total rehabilitation budget had been released by the budget department, he added. Aquino earlier this month said he wanted the rehabilitation program “substantially completed” by the time his term ends in mid-2016, as tens of thousands of typhoon survivors remain without homes and vital infrastructure. One year after the deluge, the mayor of one of the worst-hit cities said housing remained a problem with only 50 families in his area moved to permanent dwellings. “Our priority is really shelter,” Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez told reporters this week. The government needs to build “transitional” homes for storm Read More …

Justice Secretary Leila De said she may order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate allegations against UNA stalwart Vice-President Jejomar Binay, members of his family, and other individuals implicated in the Binays’ alleged pocketing of public funds through rigged Makati City projects. MANILA, Oct 30 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay said he won’t back out of his debate with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. In an interview with reporters in Naga, Binay said he will stand by his word, contrary to allegations he will back out. “Ako naman ang nagsabing mag-debate, hindi naman ako aatras,” he said. The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas set the date on November 10, but Binay said he will be available after November 12. He said it’s his wife’s birthday on November 9. “Pagkatapos, alam mo ito naging karanasan ko… ‘yun bang pinupuntahan ka ng mga De Colores, pinupuntahan kami ng madaling araw sa 9. Pahinga mo 10 tapos sa 11, De Colores na naman.” He said he needs to prepare physically and mentally. Binay was mum still on his decision whether to attend the Senate proceedings. The mother Blue Ribbon committee already extended an invitation to him. (MNS)

(Southern California Edison building) ROSEMEAD, Calif., – The ghoulish decorations and costumes are a sure bet to scare up some fun this Halloween season, but much more frightening are the electrical and fire hazards associated with them. With this in mind, Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds its customers that a few simple precautions, especially with candles, decorations and costumes, can help ensure a safe Halloween. One of the best ways to start is by never using burning candles to light jack-o’-lanterns or as part of any decorations because of their severe fire risk. Use battery-operated, flameless candles instead. However, for those who insist on lighting candles, never leave them unattended or too close to combustible materials. This is crucial because Halloween decorations cause more than 1,000 home fires annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Additionally, from 2009-11, an estimated 11,300 fires were reported to fire departments across the country over a three-day period around Halloween that caused an estimated 30 deaths, 175 injuries and $96 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. “The easiest way to a safe Halloween is to make smart decisions from the start,” said Don Neal, SCE director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety. “From not using burning candles to buying costumes and decorations with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials, select with safety in mind.” The savvy decisions extend to not throwing light strands or electrical cords into trees or vegetation near power lines and utility poles. People should also carefully inspect decorations for cracked or frayed wiring that may cause serious electric Read More …

Agnes Bun Manny Pacquiao (left) poses with next foe Chris Algieri in Macau, where two will meet on November 22. HONG KONG (AFP) – Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao said he hoped to finally step in the ring with arch-rival Floyd Mayweather next year as he denied he was taking his upcoming opponent Chris Algieri lightly. Pacquiao, mobbed by his supporters during a promotional trip to Hong Kong, said “I’m crossing my fingers” that the hotly anticipated Mayweather fight could happen in 2015. “Hopefully that fight will happen by next year,” he told AFP in an interview. “I’m crossing my fingers that that fight will happen but right now my mind is already set to focus on my next fight with Algieri. I think the time to talk about that issue is after the fight.” The eyes of the boxing world have long been on a showdown between the unbeaten American and eight-division world champion Pacquiao (56-5-2), two of the greatest boxers of their generation. The two regularly exchange taunts with “Money” Mayweather recently posting pictures of Pacquiao’s losses, and the Filipino last month telling his rival to stop “blabbing” and fight him. Pacquiao, 35, said he had a “couple of years” left before retiring – seemingly ample time to secure the money-spinning fight, if the two sides’ promoters can settle their differences. “I’m not thinking yet about retirement. I will continue my boxing career, the journey will continue in my boxing career and we’ll see what happens,” he said. Read More …

Jolina Magdangal (MNS photo) It’s official: One of the most popular love teams of the ‘90s returns as Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal are back with ABS-CBN as the lead stars of a drama series. On Monday, Magdangal reported to her first shooting day for “Flordeliza,” confirming weeks of speculation that she will reunite with Agustin nearly two decades after they were launched as a tandem via “Gimik” in 1996. Agustin earlier announced in his return to ABS-CBN with the lead role in “Flordeliza,” but could not confirm if Magdangal had officially signed up as his leading lady in the project. The new series is under the direction of Wenn Deramas, who was also behind Magdangal and Agustin’s last film together as ABS-CBN stars, “Kung Ikaw Ay Isang Panaginip,” in 2002. Magdangal transferred to GMA-7 that year. Agustin followed suit in 2006. Without giving details about her role in “Flordeliza,” Magdangal said she has never done a similar character in her career. She added, in jest, that whatever limitations she had as a wholesome actress, Deramas will completely disregard in this new project. Marvin Agustin (MNS photo) “Lahat nung mga ‘di ko nagagawa dati, parang ipagagawa sa akin ni direk dito, eh!” she said. “First time ko talaga siya gagawin. Hinanda ko talaga sarili ko. Nakailang beses ako ng basa ng script!” Asked why she agreed to take up the role, Magdangal said: “Kung pare-pareho ‘yung gagawin, ano pang excitement ang mabibigay sa’yo sa showbiz, ‘di ba? Dapat iba nang Read More …