PROCUREMENT processes in the Philippines still need further improvement even as agencies have significantly reformed bidding processes, Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad and European Ambassador Guy Ledoux said yesterday at a forum.
Feb 172015
Feb 172015
BUDGET SECRETARY Florencio B. Abad yesterday said he has signed the budget call to government departments for next year’s spending plan, initiating the process of putting together the 2016 national budget.
Feb 172015
Anthony Cheng, HCCL president; Toshio Kuwahara, HCPI president and General Manager; parents and son of the winner, Leigh Anne Nagata, winner of the Honda Brio and Dr. Michael Tan, HCCL Executive Vice President MANILA, Philippines – Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) turned over a new Honda Brio to Leigh Anne Nagata whose name was picked out from a thousand entries to Honda’s Drive the Holiday Spirit raffle promo last December 2014, held at Honda Cars Calamba (HCCL). Nagata, a mother of two and a business owner in Laguna, decided to purchase a Jazz 1.5 VX CVT at Honda Cars Calamba last year. Few weeks after her newly bought Jazz was delivered to her, she picked up a call from her Sales Consultant who gave her the news about her winning a brand new car. “My husband and I were at a business retreat when she called me and told me that I won a brand new Brio! I thought she called up the wrong person so I asked my husband to call her again to verify. And yes, it was true!” said Nagata. The All New Brio will be used as Nagata’s daily car for errands and bringing her son to school. “The Brio seems like a perfect car for my activities. It looks very easy to drive too, like the Jazz, which will now be my husband’s car”, she added. HCPI’s president and General Manager, Toshio Kuwahara, who personally gave the keys to Nagata shares, “It is a wonderful Read More …
Feb 172015
Helena Benitez and former PWU student and Jewish refugee Margot Cassel Pins reunite after more than seven decades. Seven-year-old Margot Cassel Pins came to the Philippines with her parents and 1,300 Jewish refugees who were given safe passage by President Manuel Quezon in 1940. He was one of very few heads of state who not only was courageous enough to go against the tide of anti-Semitism, but also did the right thing by offering “open door” visas to Jews being persecuted in Europe in the years leading up to World War II. In fact, most of the world turned a blind eye to the atrocities that were being committed in Europe, when being a Jew meant losing one’s home, business, and even one’s life as hundreds of thousands were carted off to concentration camps. Margot and her cousin Lotte entered the Philippine Women’s University as grade 3 and grade 7 students respectively, because it was known as the first progressive and non-traditional school in the country. The pair was received with open arms by their classmates; not once were they bullied or insulted for being Jewish. They learned English, Philippine history, folk songs and native dances together with their classmates. Margot vividly remembers that it was her 27-year-old teacher and grade school principal, Naty Osorio, together with the other PWU teachers, who not only made her feel welcome but also treated her lovingly. Bahay Kubo was the first song she learned and it introduced her to the local vegetables. Her first hero was our very own Jose Rizal. Furthermore, the educator made Read More …
Feb 172015
In their first pictorial together (only for The STAR) two years ago, Vin Abrenica (left) and his Kuya Aljur demonstrate how they support each other (you know, he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother) — STAR/ Ver Paulino When Vin Abrenica showed up for the recent presscon for the Valentine offering of TV5’s Wattpad Presents, he proudly announced to a huddle of movie writers that he was wearing the briefs of his Kuya Aljur. “We share everything,” said Vin, “idol ko si kuya, eh. We are of the same size, so share-share kami sa shirts, shoes and pants…except toothbrush, hahaha! We are really that close.” But not close enough to share confidences about their love lives — “Unless we ask each other about it,” explained Vin who at 24, is a year younger than Aljur. Told that Aljur was reported to have reconciled with Kylie Padilla, Vin was surprised (or was he pretending to be?). “Nagulat ako d’un, a,” he said. “Is it true? I haven’t asked him about that.” But if ever Aljur would ask him, Vin would readily open up about Sophie Albert (who, along with Vin, topped the Kapatid Network’s Artista Academy talent search). Unlike most young stars who lie about their love life, Vin and Sophie don’t hide the fact that they have been going steady for almost three years now. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Asked if he’s faithful (considering the many girls sending him “feelers”), Vin admitted, “Oo naman. I’m a Read More …
Feb 172015
EIGHT months since taking the role of Gigi Van Tranh in West End revival of “Miss Saigon,” Filipina singer Rachelle Ann Go bagged an acting award for the musical hit. Rachelle was handed the Best Supporting Actress in a Musical trophy at the recently concluded WhatsOnStage Awards 2015. The 28-year-old shared it was a dream come true to be recognized for her performance in the theater stage. A photo posted by Rachelle Ann Go (@gorachelleann) on Feb 16, 2015 at 7:39am PST A photo posted by Rachelle Ann Go (@gorachelleann) on Feb 16, 2015 at 7:56am PST “Thank you Lord for this blessing… To everyone who watched Miss Saigon and voted, thank you for appreciating our talent. We sing for you every night and will not get tired of performing.” she wrote on Instagram. Rachelle also thanked her family, friends and fans for the constant support since she went to London in March of last year. “The whole @MissSaigonUK cast is rejoicing! To my family who is always there to love and support everything I do, I love you so much and miss you all! Thank you again Whats On Stage Awards for this!” she said. “Miss Saigon” bagged eight other awards, including Best Actor and Actress in Musical for Jon Jon Briones and Eva Noblezada, respectively, Best Direction and Best Musical Revival. Here’s the complete list of winners at the 2015 WhatsOnStage Awards: Best Actor in a Play: David Tennant, “Richard II”Best Actress in a Play: Billie Piper, “Great Read More …
Feb 172015
JM De Guzman (MNS Photo) JM De Guzman denied that he is in a relationship with actress Meg Imperial. The issue stemmed from a photo of them together which went viral online last December. The photo depicts the De Guzman and Imperial in what seems to be a private party, fueling speculations that they are now together because of the caption which read, “Love couple.” De Guzman emphasized that he and Imperial are not a couple. “Hindi po. Siguro hindi pa po dumadapo sa akin. Hindi pa po ako ready sa relasyon. Mas may mga una akong kailangang gawin,” he said. Meg Imperial (MNS Photo) De Guzman, however, clarified that he is already over Jessy Mendiola, his former girlfriend. In a separate interview, Imperial admitted that she and De Guzman were in a party together last December but explained that it was not a date. “Yun yung wedding ng friend ko na parang malayong kamag-anak yata nila,” she said. Asked if their friendship is leading to something romantic, Imperial said: “Hindi ko masasabi kung papunta kami doon pero for now, we are friends and we are still getting to know each other as friends.” (MNS)
Feb 172015
President Benigno S. Aquino III honors the fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Troopers during the Necrological Service at the NCRPO Multi-Purpose Center of Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City on Friday (January 30). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Relatives of the 44 Special Action Force troopers who died in a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25 may soon get additional assistance by way of funeral benefits from the Department of Labor and Employment. The assistance from the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) is ready for release this week, the DOLE said as it cited a report from Employees’ Compensation Commission Executive Director Stella Banawis. “ECC Regional Extension Units staff were already instructed to coordinate with the families of the SAF 44 and the GSIS branch in their areas. They will inform the families once the checks are available for them to claim,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said, quoting a report from Banawis. Baldoz added the Government Service Insurance System had processed the funeral benefits of the 44 and the concerned GSIS branches have been advised to release these. For now, the ECC and GSIS are working on processing the death benefits for the 44. Under the ECP, an employee from the public or private sector who died in a work-related accident or illness will be granted a funeral benefit of P20,000. His or her beneficiaries will also get a death benefit in the form of monthly pensions. Last week, the ECC Board ordered the urgent release of Read More …
Feb 172015
Members of a religious group rally outside the Senate while the inquiry on the Mamasapano clash is ongoing on Monday. The group called for the scrapping of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in light of the clash that claimed the lives of 44 SAF policemen in the hands of Muslim rebels. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has already identified the source of the six-minute viral video that showed a wounded member of the Special Action Force (SAF) being shot at close range. “NBI has already identified where it came from and who uploaded the video,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters Monday. They showed a man, who was later identified by relatives as police officer Joseph Sagonoy, one of the 44 SAF men killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in camouflage uniform sprawled on a cornfield being shot twice at close range. The SAF commandos were on a mission to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir aka Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Abdulbasit Usman. The video also showed the group, most of whom were armed, taking magazines and other ammunition from several other fallen men, again, in camouflage uniform. Gunfire is repeatedly heard in the background while at least two of the perpetrators shouted, “Allah hu akbar!” However, de Lima refused to identify the source adding that the NBI is still working to further authenticate the video. “…Because this will be used as evidence. This will not be admissible unless authenticated,” de Lima explained. “We should Read More …
Feb 172015
President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the whole truth surrounding the botched Mamasapano incident would only be known if President Benigno Aquino III revealed what he knew about “Operation Exodus” and his role in the operation. During the weekly Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel, Marcos said Aquino was key because he knew everything about the operation which killed 44 elite policemen, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, and five civilians last month. “Siguro ang pinakamadaling solusyon diyan ay sabihin na lang ng Pangulo kung ano talaga ang kanyang parte dito. Saan siya sa planning? Saan siya sa implementation? Ano ang mga order niya nung nagka-encounter na dahil siya lang naman ang nakakaalam ng lahat,” Marcos said. (The easiest way [to find out the truth] is for the President to reveal his role [in the incident]. What was his role during the planning? What was his role during the implementation? What were his orders during the encounter because he knows everything?) The senator maintained that Aquino was privy to the operation and could have readily accessed all information from the police and the military. “May access siya sa impormasyon ng police, may access siya sa impormasyon ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at alam niya kung ano ang ginawa niya noong siya ay nasa Read More …