Feb 262015
 
Why Kyla left GMA 7

Kyla (MNS photo) Kyla believes that she has maximized her opportunities with her former home network of 15 years, GMA 7. This was the reason, the R&B singer said, behind her decision to leave and explore her options. Kyla explained that she recently signed up with Cornerstone Talent Management Center, which is planning to revamp her career. Referring to her 15th anniversary in showbiz, Kyla said, “Ngayon pong year na ‘to, maraming blessings and surprises na nangyari.” Kyla did not answer directly when asked if she is now officially a Kapamilya, more than a week after she bid farewell to GMA 7. “In my 15 years as an artist and as a performer, feeling ko po na-maximize ko ‘yung pagiging an artist doon sa kabila,” she said. “Ngayon, I’m just really, really happy.” “Now that I am open for anything, I am happy and excited na makakatrabaho ko ‘yung mga artists that I look up to and they’re all here on ABS-CBN. Hopefully, sana, in ‘ASAP,’” she added, referring to the Sunday concert variety show. The “Hanggang Ngayon” hitmaker went on to clarify that she parted from GMA 7 on good terms, not only with her fellow artists, but with executives of the network as well. “Naging nice po ‘yung exit,” she said. “Actually, very happy po ako kasi everyone there, colleagues ko, co-artists, big bossings, they’re all happy and supportive sa desisyon po na nagawa ko.” (MNS)

Feb 262015
 
2 Fil-Ams team up in bid for Cerritos City Council

Mayor Mark Pulido and Frank Aurelio Yokoyama CERRITOS – Being longtime friends and sharing fresh ideas for the city where they were both raised, it was inevitable that Mayor Mark Pulido and Frank Aurelio Yokoyama would team up in their campaign for two of three seats in the Cerritos City Council being contested in the March 3 elections. Pulido is seeking a second four-year term while Yokoyama is hoping to get elected for his first four-year term in the City Council. Nine candidates, including an incumbent (Pulido) and two former council members (Jim Edwards and Grace Hu), are contesting the three council slots. Incumbents Bruce Barrows and Joseph Cho are vacating their seats because council members are limited to two consecutive terms. The “homegrown team” of Pulido and Yokoyama shares goals of improving public safety and reducing crime, improving streets and parks, and balanced budgets and fiscal accountability for the city of Cerritos. Both 46, Pulido and Yokoyama were raised in Cerritos and are now raising their respective family in the city they call their hometown. Pulido, who is district director in the office of Congressman Alan Lowenthal, takes pride in being the first Filipino-American to serve as mayor of Cerritos.  During his one-year term as mayor, Pulido led efforts that resulted in a 35-percent drop in residential burglaries; fought to repair streets, sidewalks and trim more than 15,000 trees; and balanced the budget while preserving programs and services. Pulido was elected to the Cerritos City Council in March 2011. Read More …

Feb 262015
 
Ng: Scientific breakthroughs

THIS week, I would like to cover some exciting technology developments that would potentially impact us. Science and technology have progressed fast. Last week, Time showed that a baby may live up to 142 years, while Businessweek was more audacious. It showed a woman who may live to be 173. As science progresses, we are able to lead longer (and hopefully, more productive) lives. A person in the Philippines expects to reach an average of 70 (in some countries, it is nearer 80), which is 20 years more than the norm about 70 years ago. More than a third of Japan’s population is now over 60, while in the United States, there are more people over 60 than there are people under 15. This does not hold true in the Philippines. We are one of few countries with a very young population, which is why many economnists are saying our economy will surely grow – it’s called the demographic advantage. The search for the fountain of youth has spanned thousands of years, from the first Chinese emperor who was looking for the elixir, to the famed European expeditions around the world looking for it all over the Americas. It might actually be in our generation that the stuff of science fiction comes true. A few years ago, GlaxoSmithLine reportedly paid $720 million to buy Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which believed they found a compound they called resveratrol. In 2008, sales reached more than $100 million a year. But things did not work Read More …

Feb 262015
 
Hollande to Aquino: We need your voice

MANILA, Philippines – French President Francois Hollande on Thursday said they are banking on leaders like President Benigno Aquino III to speak up and lead the fight against climate change. “We need a voice like yours, President Aquino. The voice I heard on the occasion of international summits in the UN (United Nations),” Hollande said during his state visit to the Philippines. “We need other voices,” he said, explaining that Philippines and other nations vulnerable to climate change should lead the international community as countries like France strive to do their part. Aquino and Hollande, the first French president to visit the country, led the launch of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change. The joint statement of the campaign, which was read by Oscar award winning actress Marion Cotillard and Senator Loren Legarda, called on the international community to “conclude a universal, and ambitious climate deal.” It aims to engage the world “on the urgency of addressing climate change seriously, efficiently, and equitably. It notes the varying strengths of nations in combatting climate change. In addition to “climate solidarity and justice,” the document also called for “financial and technological solidarity” with developed and developing countries assisting poor nations in transitioning to “resilient territories and low-carbon economies.” The campaign is in line with France’s preparations to host the UN Convention on Climate Change in December and Hollande’s promise to achieve a comprehensive climate deal that will effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. Commitment For his part, Aquino said the Read More …

Feb 262015
 
Philippines, France sign agreements on tourism, infrastructure

popular Piolo Pascual dishes out sarcasm in getting back at Instagram basher Albay gov fumes at actor Xian Lim for rejecting promo shirt, book Carnival topple Tropang Texters Two years on: forgotten pope sees out days in the shadows Duterte ‘eyes’ presidency in 2016 to save PH from ‘disaster’ French President Francois Hollande arrives in Manila Redemption at the Oscars NBA: Mavs suspend Rondo after exchange with coach Carlisle videos PBA: Ginebra’s LA Tenorio comfortable on the floor with Emman Monfort PBA: Agustin credits good defense, big men performance for win over Purefoods PBA: Warner’s maturity big thing for Globalport, says coach Gonzales Crime watchdog wants advisory body composed of bishops, inter-religious leaders Former Tarlac Governor calls Aquino to resign President Benigno Aquino III and French President Francois Hollande. Photo from Official Gazette PH Twitter account MANILA, Philippines – The governments of the Philippines and France on Thursday signed several agreements pertaining to tourism and trade. President Benigno Aquino III and French President Francois Hollande witnessed the signing of the documents by their respective Cabinet members. Among the agreements signed were: Agreement on Tourism Cooperation Declaration of Intention on Philippine-France Cooperation in the Area of Higher Education and Research Business and Operation Agreement of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Letter of Award for the Manila Light Rail Transit Extension Project Hollande is the first French president to visit the Philippines since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1947. He is in the country primarily to promote the campaign against Read More …

Feb 262015
 
US still supports peace process between PH gov’t, MILF, says envoy

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The United States reiterated its continued support to the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) amid the public outrage generated by the deaths of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Kurt Hoyer, Press Attaché of the US Embassy in Manila, said “(t)he United States fully supports the ongoing peace and reconciliation process.” The clash has put the Bangsamoro Basic Law in peril and the entire peace process hanging in the balance with various sectors calling for its scrapping. Hoyer said despite the tragedy, the government and the MILF should continue to find ways to achieve peace. “We encourage all parties to continue their efforts to ensure a future of peace, prosperity, and stability in the southern Philippines,” Hoyer added. On January 30, the US Embassy also said in a statement that the SAF 44 “fought with bravery and demonstrated their commitment to ensuring peace and order in their country.” It also reiterated “support for the Philippine government’s efforts to combat international terrorism while promoting a just and lasting peaceful solution to the conflict in Mindanao.” Earlier on January 27, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder wrote to inform Interior Secretary Mar Roxas that “Canada continues to encourage efforts to achieve peace and we remain committed to supporting the Bangsamoro peace process.” “We support the diligent efforts of all sides to bring about an era of opportunities for the people of Mindanao,” Reeder said. As this developed, civil society Read More …

Feb 262015
 
French president meets with Aquino

popular Piolo Pascual dishes out sarcasm in getting back at Instagram basher Albay gov fumes at actor Xian Lim for rejecting promo shirt, book Carnival topple Tropang Texters Two years on: forgotten pope sees out days in the shadows Duterte ‘eyes’ presidency in 2016 to save PH from ‘disaster’ French President Francois Hollande arrives in Manila Redemption at the Oscars NBA: Mavs suspend Rondo after exchange with coach Carlisle videos PBA: Ginebra’s LA Tenorio comfortable on the floor with Emman Monfort PBA: Agustin credits good defense, big men performance for win over Purefoods PBA: Warner’s maturity big thing for Globalport, says coach Gonzales Crime watchdog wants advisory body composed of bishops, inter-religious leaders Former Tarlac Governor calls Aquino to resign French President Francois Hollande with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the welcome ceremony at Malacanang on Feb. 26, 2015. Photo by Kristine Angeli Sabillo/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines – French President Francois Hollande arrived in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon to meet with President Benigno Aquino III and to promote the global campaign against climate change. Hollande and his entourage were at the Palace for the welcome ceremony and the launch of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change. After the welcome ceremony at the Palace grounds, Hollande was asked to sign the official guestbook of Malacañang. Hollande and Aquino will meet for 30 minutes before holding an expanded bilateral meeting. At around 6 p.m., they are expected to sign several bilateral agreements, which will be announced during a joint press Read More …

Feb 262015
 
Wescom chief: We will fight for Pag-asa island ‘until our last breath’

Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez and the soldiers stationed in Pag-asa island (Thitu) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). PAG-ASA ISLAND, Philippines — Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, who visited the far-flung community in Pag-asa (Thitu), on Wednesday said that the Philippines will continue to fight for the island, one of the many disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “Your stay here will sustain our effective presence na atin ito. Teritoryo ito ng Pilipinas at pangangalagaan ko. That makes your duty here patriotic again being your commander of Western Command, with due respect to the Coast Guard, hindi natin papabayaan mawala itong territory ng Pilipinas. Come hell or high water, it will remain as such. We will fight ‘til our last breath,” he said in his talk to men. (Your stay here will sustain our effective presence. This is Philippine territory and I will protect this. That makes your duty here patriotic again being your commander of Western Command, with due respect to the Coast Guard, we will not let this territory slip Philippine sovereignty. Come hell or high water, it will remain as such. We will fight ‘til our last breath.) Lopez and other Wescom officials, some members of the local provincial government of Palawan, visited Pag-asa on Wednesday to celebrate the 1986 Edsa Revolution and the Wescom anniversary. During the visit, a cultural presentation was held, a Mass, a flag-raising ceremony, and gift-giving to residents and soldiers. Children Read More …

Feb 262015
 
Daniel Matsunaga to Heart and Chiz: All the best

Daniel Matsunaga is happy about the recent wedding of his ex-girlfriend Heart Evangelista to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Philstar.com/ Joyce Jimenez MANILA, Philippines – Daniel Matsunaga congratulated his ex-girlfriend Heart Evangelista who recently tied the knot with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.” Daniel and Heart were together for almost two years until they mutually decided to end their relationship. “Kilala ko siya and I know everything she passed through in her life and masaya siya ngayon,” Daniel said about Heart, in an interview on Wednesday. “So I’m very happy po, I’m very happy for Chiz also, I met Chiz already. I really wish them all the best.” Daniel is single for three years now, and although he’s ready to enter a new relationship “siguro ngayon focus muna ako sa trabaho ko,” he said. He also clarified reports that romantically links him and his “Two Wives” co-star Erich Gonzales. The Kapamilya model-actor said they’re close friends, which started when they guested for the Palawan episode of “Kris TV.” “Tsaka siyempre respeto ko [rin] sa boyfriend niya,” he adds, referring to Erich’ non-showbiz boyfriend. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Their show is down to its last three weeks, where the viewers will finally know what will happen to the lives of Janine, Yvonne, Victor, Albert, and Kenjie. It airs Monday to Friday, after “Forevermore.”

Feb 252015
 
Petron fuels, lubes: The perfect match for your ride

AS THE only and biggest Filipino refiner, Petron has a deep understanding of the unique driving conditions on Philippine roads, and Petron takes pride in formulating products that will deliver optimum efficiency for Filipino motorists. For the growing two-wheel market, Petron has the right fuels and engine oils that are the perfect match to bring out the best in your ride. Engine oils are essential to ensure efficient engine operation. They have two primary functions: to minimize friction and to prevent wear on the moving parts of engines. In addition, engine oils also act as a coolant, protect metal parts from corrosion, and prevent formation of engine deposits. Petron Sprint 4T Motorcycle Oils are designed to meet the unique performance requirements of four-stroke motorcycles. Unlike passenger cars, motorcycle engines require lower oil volume, have higher power output, and operate at higher engine speeds. With these special considerations in mind, Petron Sprint 4T is formulated with Thermal Control System (TCS) to enhance the oil’s thermal and oxidation stability, which are critical for motorcycle engines due to their unique operational requirements. All Petron Sprint 4T oils are offered in different viscosity grades and quality levels to cater to different operating conditions, and have been uniquely formulated to be among the best in the market. Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4: Meets European Quality Standards is a revolutionary fuel formulated to unleash the full potential of high-performance engines. As the only Euro-4 compliant fuel with 100-octane rating, it delivers powerful performance while meeting stringent Read More …