THE PHILIPPINE Statistics Authority (PSA) said it will rebase this year two key economic indicators, in a move that could provide the public a more accurate picture of the economy.
Feb 052015
Feb 052015
THE GOVERNMENT intends to issue bid documents within the month for the P24.4-billion Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (BBWSP), the government’s first water public-private partnership (PPP) project that was rolled out last year.
Feb 052015
THE PUBLIC-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said it made a presentation to a Singapore business forum to drum up interest in key local infrastructure projects.
Feb 052015
Largest Filipino event in the Middle East ushers OSN as the region’s exclusive TFC hub (Clockwise from top left): Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano sang of giving back and lending a helping hand as part of the TFC Kapamilya spirit; Crowd estimates of 16,000-18,000 trooped to Dubai Festival City to watch the show; OSN Chairman and KIPCO Vice Chairman Faisal Al Ayyar, ABS-CBN Corporation Chairman Gabby Lopez and ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez announced the exclusive partnership between ABS-CBN TFC and OSN in the region as hosts Luis Manzano, Kris Aquino and Toni Gonzaga looked on; Leftmost, Ana Blaza of UAE held her check after winning TFCKat ME; Angeline Quinto typified the world-class performances that pervaded the back-to-back shows; Rayver Cruz, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee perform one of the high octane dance numbers; Richard Yap, Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales had the crowd swooning as they serenaded with love songs. Dubai, UAE – As the 19th edition of the internationally acclaimed shoppers’ paradise known as Dubai Shopping Festival reaches its final week, ABS-CBN TFC brought powerful Filipino sights and sounds to the 32-day festivities by way of back-to-back shows of “ASAP Live in Dubai” that drew thousands to Dubai Festival City on January 24. The event also cements OSN, the largest pay-TV network in the region, as the new exclusive hub for TFC subscribers in the Middle East. The exclusive partnership highlights the efforts of both OSN and ABS-CBN TFC to provide Filipino viewers with the ultimate television experience Read More …
Feb 052015
Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina airs his sentiments on the bloody Mamasapano clash before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law on Wednesday, February 4. Espina called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to surrender the firearms taken from the 44 fallen policemen. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Do not use lack of coordination as an excuse for the killing of the 44 police commandos. This was the strong message of Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is blamed for the deaths of the elite PNP-SAF personnel in the encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25. “Ipagpalagay na hindi nag-coordinate sa kanila, mga criminal naman yung tinutugis, bakit kailangan nilang paputukan ang mga pulis natin? Bakit kailangan nilang tumulong sa BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters)…Hanggang ngayon ‘yan ang katanungan ko,” Espina said before the members of the House ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and members of the media on Wednesday. Espina appeared before the House committee to assure its members that his office will be submitting a report on the Mamasapano incident on February 9. On Monday night, committee chairman, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, gave an ultimatum to the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the local government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) until Read More …
Feb 052015
At a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, February 4, AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. shows a map where the January 25 Mamasapano clash that killed over 50 people, most of them PNP-SAF commandos, took place. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP | – The Philippine military and police defended their actions Wednesday as an angry nation demanded answers following the slaughter of 44 police commandos in a chaotic anti-terror operation. The policemen were attacked by at least two Muslim rebel groups, including one that signed a peace treaty with Manila last year, during a January 25 mission to capture or kill Zulkifli bin Hir, one of the world’s most wanted militants. Giving his first public account, military chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang said troops could not respond in time to save the police unit that raided Zulkifli’s hideout on remote and swampy farmland in the southern island of Mindanao. “We did not know the exact place where the (police) forces had to be extricated…. they were not telling us their exact location so it was difficult,” Catapang told a news conference. Catapang, disclosing a summary of a military report of the incident to be submitted to President Benigno Aquino, said troops completed the rescue of the remnants of the force nearly 18 hours later. Aquino and the military have been savagely criticized by the general public for failing to prevent the largest loss of military or police life in recent memory, with some calling for Read More …
Feb 052015
Heart Evangelista (MNS Photo) Two weeks before her altar date with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Heart Evangelista is still relaxed. Evangelista said she is enjoying every moment before tying the knot next month. “I have no idea what to expect. I’m not so much of a bridezilla. Si Chiz kasi siya ‘yung involved na involved. Nakakatawa kasi sobrang excited siya. Ako taga turo lang ako, tapos siya taga-tawad. It’s fun. Cool lang ako, relax lang ako. Ine-enjoy ko lang every moment,” she said. Evangelista said her relatives and friends from other countries are starting to arrive in the Philippines. “I’m very, very happy these days. Nakikita ‘yan sa smile. I’m getting married in two weeks so it’s exciting… My friends from the States, from Australia are all coming na. Unti-unti ko na nararamdaman na ikakasal na ako,” she said. Asked how love changed her, Evangelista said: “It was the right kind of love that changed me in a good way. Chiz has really made me into a better person. For the rest of my life, I will always be thankful that I met him. He saved me from a lot of things.” Evangelista and Escudero, who is older than her by 16 years, have set their wedding on February 15 at Balesin Island Club, a day after the actress’ birthday. They have been a couple for over two years now. (MNS)
Feb 052015
Piolo Pascual (MNS Photo) Piolo Pascual is not sure on when he will work on another television series. Pascual said he wants to take a break from doing soaps after his last series, “Hawak Kamay.” “Sabi ko kasi movie-soap-movie-soap. Mahirap magkakasunod na soap eh. Nakakapanghina,” he said. Pascual also noted that he is not like actor Coco Martin, who can keep up with doing several projects at at the same time. “Hindi ako si Coco [Martin], hindi ko na kaya na soap-soap. Saka ‘yung last na soap ko, feeling ko binigay ko na ‘yung kaluluwa ko dun sa soap eh. Hindi lang ako na-drain, ilang beses na ako ni-refill dun,” he said. Meanwhile, he told ABS-CBN News that he is also uncertain on whether or not his movie with Sarah Geronimo will still push through. “I can’t speak about that because hindi pa sila nagpi-pitch ulit. Ang assignment ko kasi was to do my backstory for the movie. Kasi with the recent developments parang hindi na tuloy ang Sarah (movie). But I cannot speak for Star Cinema. I will only find out once I meet them next week kung ano ang matutuloy,” Pascual said. But the actor stressed that he will definitely do a movie this year. Pascual clarified that he really wanted to work with Geronimo – even in another project. “I really want to work with her but I think it’s not the right project or something like that. We’ll see,” the actor said. (MNS)
Feb 052015
http://dpw.lacounty.gov/ According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recycling oil helps sustain nonrenewable resources, conserves energy, and saves money. Recycling just two gallons of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours. To assist in this effort, LA County Public Works will host a free used motor oil and oil filter recycling event on Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, at O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 722 South Atlantic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90022. People who recycle oil filters will receive one new oil filter. In addition, free used oil containers, shop towels, and funnels will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Items for drop-off should be prepared by placing oil filters in sealed plastic bags and storing used motor oil in leak-proof containers. Used oil should not be mixed with any other liquid, including water. Used motor oil and oil filters also can be recycled for free at a local certified collection center or on weekends at a County-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste collection event. A full calendar of collection events and list of collection centers can be found at www.CleanLA.com. For additional information on the County’s oil and oil filter recycling program, call Edna Gandarilla, Program Manager, at (626) 458-6536.
Feb 052015
‘Technology: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing” Debuts at AARP.org Guy Kawasaki at AARP Studios in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON, D.C., – Technology entrepreneur and writer Guy Kawasaki is teaming up with AARP for a new web series about how people who are 50-plus can embrace technology. Debuting at www.aarp.org/guykawasakivideos, “Technology: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing” takes a look at how technology can empower people of all ages and change their lives. Hosted by Gil Asakawa, AARP/Asian American Journalists Association Social Media Fellow, “Technology: It’s Not Just a Guy Thing” will focus on the art of innovation, social media, the fundamentals of graphic design, and how digital media is changing the way we consume information. New episodes will premiere every three weeks until the end of March. “AARP shares my passion for helping people master technology,” said Guy Kawasaki. “Digital tools are creative, empowering, and entertaining and help us stay productive and connected.” “People age 50 and over are hungry for information about technology that they can understand and use,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience. “Guy Kawasaki, a pioneer in the technology industry, is the perfect person to help us go in depth on topics that are relevant to everyone.” Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, an online graphic design tool. Formerly, he was an advisor to the Motorola business unit of Google and chief evangelist of Apple. He is also the author of The Read More …