Angeline Quinto proud of Erik Santos

 General
Jan 172015
 
Angeline Quinto proud of Erik Santos

Angeline Quinto (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Singer Angeline Quinto took to the image-sharing site Instagram to express how proud she is of rumored boyfriend Erik Santos. Recently, Quinto posted a picture of Santos during one of the singer’s out of the country trips. She also congratulated Santos for his 12th anniversary in show business. In the caption, Quinto said, unedited: “Hi Pogs napaka baby face mo naman sa picture na ito. Anyway, alam mo naman na sobrang proud ako sayo, simula ng magkakilala tayo sa star power tawa na tayo ng tawa at yun ang hindi nagbago sa atin hanggang ngayon,palaging masaya lang.” “Ang dami mong itinuro sa akin, Thank you kasi hindi mo ako pinapabayaan, Sana marami pa tayong songs na magawa together. Congratulations Pogs. Happy 12th year in the business. Iloveyou always,” she added. The post has since garnered 2,000 “likes” and almost a hundred comments, with many netizens saying the two make a good couple. Santos started in showbiz when he won the ABS-CBN singing competition “Star in a Million” in 2003. In 2010, Santos hosted the ABS-CBN singing competition “Star Power,” where Quinto emerged as the winner. (MNS)

Christian revisits classic love songs in Only You

 General
Jan 172015
 
Christian revisits classic love songs in Only You

MANILA, Philippines – He is one of the most acclaimed balladeers of his generation. His songs — The Way You Look at Me and Color Everywhere — have become pop classics. He is a recognized Asian Sensation with a following in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Christian Bautista (photo) has achieved a lot of things in his years in the business, but there are some that are more memorable than others, and one of them is getting the chance to perform alongside musical legends in the Valentine concert Only You: An Evening of Romantic Hits with Matt Monro Jr. and the Fabulous Sounds of… The Platters. The concert is set at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Feb. 14 and at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila, Feb. 16, both shows start at 8 p.m. Presented by GMA, the show is produced by Royal Chimes Concerts and Events, Inc. According to Christian, he welcomes any opportunity to perform with artists like The Platters because it teaches him how to appreciate old love songs. During the concert, Christian will have his own portion in which he will perform his hit songs. (Tickets to Only You: An Evening of Romantic Hits with Matt Monro Jr. and the Fabulous Sounds of…The Platters are available at Ticketworld, SM Tickets and Ticketnet.)

Faiths may share common cause in saving humanity

 Economy
Jan 172015
 
Faiths may share common cause in saving humanity

“On Heaven and Earth”Image (Division of Random House)English Translation, 2015 By Dante M. VelascoContributor BISHOP Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, has been in the world’s headlines since he was chosen Bishop of Rome and leader of Catholicism around the world. Last Friday, the Pontiff made a state visit to the President of the Philippines, and we saw first hand that it was no ordinary visit. The “radical Pope,” according to an article in the latest issue of the Reader’s Digest, was in Tacloban, Leyte, to be with the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” It is very much in character that this Pope would be with suffering people, people who have admirably shown the “triumph of the human spirit.” He was also set to meet leaders of diverse faiths in the Philippines—Protestants, Evangelicals, Muslims, Jews, et al.—and deliver a clear message that interfaith dialogue leading to unity is a possibility devoutly to be wished. Pope Francis has captured the imagination of the world and has opened possibilities of dialogue due to his openness with various faiths and religions. The English language translation of the book “On Heaven and Earth” is recently off the press, and has thus made available an interesting dialogue—or “encounter”—between the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires Bergoglio and Argentine rabbi Abraham Skorka. The first edition was published in Spanish in 2010. The conversation between the two religious leaders in Argentina in this book may be dated. And yet the more recent pronouncements of now Pope Francis have been Read More …

PH Customs chief sets 2015 goals, cites disappointments

 General
Jan 172015
 
PH Customs chief sets 2015 goals, cites disappointments

IMPROVING process efficiency is Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla’s top priority for 2015. Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla identified five priorities for the country’s second largest revenue-generating agency for 2015 even as he let on last year’s biggest disappointments. In a press conference late last month, Sevilla also reviewed the BOC’s performance in 2014, noting in particular that the agency made “major headway” in reducing smuggling in the country. He said the BOC was able to stop rice smuggling two months ago, but that “unfortunately” the practice has resumed, although not in the usual ways or places. He noted the “record amounts” of seized smuggled rice, rice auctions as well as cases filed against some customs officials involved in seizing smuggled rice. From January to November, BOC collected P739.33 million representing proceeds from auctions of seized shipments of mostly smuggled rice.Sevilla said the agency has likewise reduced significant amounts of smuggling in fuel, backed by increasing volumes of imports in crude oil, diesel and gasoline by 17%, 25%, and 10%, respectively, compared with the volume in 2013. “These are abnormally high rates of growth,” Sevilla noted, adding “there are amounts of fuel that were being smuggled in the past which are now coming in through legal channels.” Another indicator of reduced smuggling, Sevilla said, is that the undervaluation of resins, a “hot item” until recently, has stopped. “On the technical smuggling side, I think we have successfully ended the undervaluation of resins,” he pointed out. To prove this, he said Read More …

Tacloban trip included many firsts for Pope Francis – Cardinal Tagle

 News
Jan 172015
 
Tacloban trip included many firsts for Pope Francis – Cardinal Tagle

Though it was an abbreviated Leyte trip for Pope Francis, it was also full of new experiences for the 78-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said on Saturday that it was the first time the Pope experienced a tropical storm and celebrated a Mass wearing a poncho. “I have experienced occasional rain but this type? No, no, no,” Pope Francis told the Filipino cardinal. When Tagle asked the pontiff if he had celebrated Mass in a raincoat, the pope said, “No, this is the first time!” Despite the Signal No. 2 warning over Leyte due to Tropical Storm Amang, Pope Francis pushed through with the open-vehicle motorcade from Tacloban Airport to Palo—a 12-kilometer ride—leaving him exposed to the cold, rain, and wind.  Tagle said that there were suggestions the Pope travel in a closed vehicle. But, Pope Francis would not hear of it. “Ah, no no no! This is the reason why I am here. I am here to show solidarity. If people had waited and sacrificed under the heat of the sun or cold of the rain, then why should the pastor not be with them,” said the Pope according to Tagle. Meanwhile, Vatican Press Office director Father Federico Lombardi said that the Pope has been informed of the death of a 21-year-old woman, who was killed after scaffolding fell on her after the papal Mass. The pope is looking at different ways to offer help to the victim and her family, Read More …

In undelivered speech, pope thanks Yolanda rescue, relief workers

 News
Jan 172015
 
In undelivered speech, pope thanks Yolanda rescue, relief workers

During the papal Mass at Tacloban Airport on Saturday morning, Pope Francis deviated from his prepared homily and spoke in his native Spanish to speak from his heart. But in his undelivered speech, the pontiff expressed his gratitude to those who helped the areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.  “At this mass, we wish also to thank God for the good men and women who served as rescue and relief workers. We thank him for the many people around the world who generously gave of their time, money and goods,” Pope Francis wrote.  But he reminded those who helped that much work still needs to be done. “I ask government leaders, international agencies, benefactors and people of goodwill not to give up. There is much that remains to be done. Though the headlines have changed, the needs continue,” he added.  Instead of speaking these lines, Pope Francis followed his heart and talked about how Jesus and the Mother Mary are one with the people’s sufferings as they also underwent great calamities in their lives. Pope Francis was also expected to give a message to Yolanda survivors at the Palo Cathedral but his trip was cut short because of Tropical Storm Amang. Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 had been raised over Leyte when the pope visited the province.  In this prepared speech, the pope wrote, “I ask all of you, and all responsible for the good of society, to renew your commitment to social justice and the betterment Read More …

No mobile phone signals Sunday at the Luneta – security advisory

 News
Jan 172015
 
No mobile phone signals Sunday at the Luneta – security advisory

Pilgrims can expect zero mobile phone signals Sunday at the Luneta when millions of people gather for the Catholic mass Pope Francis will preside over. A security advisory of the Bureau of Immigration posted on Facebook for its security personnel indicated that there “will be no cell sites signal” at the Luneta Sunday Mass with the pope. The BI advisory was posted Saturday afternoon. Most mobile phone though are useful not just for sending and receiving calls and texts, so it is unclear why the BI security personnel where told not to bring their cellphones just because there will be no mobile signals. The official Papal Visit website has an advisory from the Department of Health which reminds pilgrims to bring with them some necessities for their security, safety and personal health. Among the necessities are flashlights, sanitary napkins, wet wipes, hand sanitizers, drinking water, raincoats, hand towels, paper bags and food that does not quickly spoil. In a televised address, President Benigno Aquino III urged pilgrims going to the papal events to exercise discipline and help authorities secure both the pope and people who come to see him. Aquino tasked Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to coordinate security measures. The Philippine National Police is attached to the DILG. Roxas said the Luneta “will be divided into grids” which will double as buffers and emergency exits. “Eto yung tinatawag na breaker para kung magkatulakan may pupuntahan ang mga tao (this is what you call breaker so that people Read More …

Pope Francis to responsible Filipinos: Do more for the poor

 News
Jan 172015
 
Pope Francis to responsible Filipinos: Do more for the poor

Pope Francis on Saturday pushed for political and economic policies that will benefit the poor in the Philippines, calling on those responsible for society to renew their commitment to making life better for the less fortunate. In his prepared speech for his meeting with survivors of Yolanda-hit areas in Leyte, Pope Francis called on “all responsible for the good of society, to renew your commitment to social justice and the betterment of the poor, both here and in the Philippines as a whole.” “Today, from this place which has known such profound suffering and human need, I ask that even more be done for the poor,” Pope Francis said in the speech that was meant to be delivered before survivors, particularly the poor, at the Palo Cathedral. The speech was left undelivered as Pope Francis had to leave at 1 p.m. four hours earlier than scheduled due to an oncoming tropical cyclone that made a return flight to Manila later in the afternoon too dangerous.  Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican Press Office, later said in a news briefing that the speech although undelivered at the venue could already be referenced by the public and the media. The speech was also posted on the Vatican website. “Above all, I ask that the poor throughout this country be treated fairly—that their dignity be respected, that political and economic policies be just and inclusive, that opportunities for employment and education be developed, and that obstacles to the delivery of social services be Read More …

Cardinal Tagle: Pope Francis gets tired but energized by Pinoys

 General
Jan 172015
 
Cardinal Tagle: Pope Francis gets tired but energized by Pinoys

Pope Francis has been attending different events, greeting thousands of people, and delivering speeches ever since he started his Asian leg in Sri Lanka earlier this week. And, yes, the 78-year-old pope gets tired, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said on Saturday evening. “At the end of every event, I would tag him, ‘How are you? Do you feel tired?’ And he is very frank and very honest and says, ‘Yes, a little,’” he said.  The cardinal also shared that he told Pope Francis that it is okay for him to sit down on his popemobile–as recommended by a doctor after spending hours standing–but whenever he sees a crowd of people, he would stand up right away.  “I told him that and he sat but when he saw a crowd, he stood up again,” Tagle said. Pope Francis is energized by the people for a reason. “He said, ‘They have been sacrificing, waiting for me, so deprive them of this opportunity?’,” the cardinal said.  Vatican Press Office director Father Federico Lombardi added that Pope Francis also expresses fatigue after a long day in The Vatican.  “We are always surpriseD that a man of his age can do what he is doing in Rome and also abroad,” he said.  Lombardi also told the press that after the pope’s activities were in Tacloban were cut short, he decided to rest upon arriving at the Apostolic Nunciature.  “He has decided not to take new initiative in the afternoon,” he said.  This is Read More …

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