Grace Poe leaps forward in SWS ‘presidentiable’ survey

 Entertainment
Apr 172015
 
Grace Poe leaps forward in SWS ‘presidentiable’ survey

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday presents a copy of the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) report and discusses the findings of the Senate committee on public order that she heads. Poe affirmed most of the BOI’s findings and stressed President Aquino’s responsibility on the incident. (MNS photo) MANILA, Apr 16 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe is one of the strong contenders for the presidency if elections were held today as the latest survey by pollster Social Weather Stations showed she has narrowed the gap between her and first-placer Vice President Jejomar Binay. The SWS survey conducted March 20 to 23 showed second-placer Poe enjoying a big increase from her previous 21 percent rating in December to 31 percent in March. Binay remained on top with 36 percent, a one-percent drop from the 37 percent in December. Binay had suffered huge drops in his satisfaction ratings since he was linked to corruption charges. His camp has denied the allegations, saying these were politically motivated. On the other hand, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was third place in the survey, also surging ahead to 15 percent in March from 5 percent in December. Poe and Duterte have yet to announce their plans to run for president in 2016. The survey had asked respondents to name up to three people who they thought should succeed President Benigno Aquino III. Results of the survey were posted Thursday on SWS’ media partner BusinessWorld. Duterte tied with Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, whose score Read More …

Kris, son Bimby in road mishap

 Entertainment
Apr 172015
 
Kris, son Bimby in road mishap

Kris Aquino and her son, actor Bimby Aquino-Yap, Jr. (MNS photo) TV host Kris Aquino and her son, actor Bimby Aquino-Yap, Jr., figured in a minor road accident on the way to a shoot on Tuesday. On Instagram, Aquino narrated the incident that happened along EDSA. “Unfortunately on our way to our shoot, on EDSA 2 armored cars abruptly changed lanes swerving to lanes to the right, the vehicle in front of us made a sudden stop,” the 44-year-old actress said. “Our brakes were good and we were all wearing seatbelts but we were bumped by the car immediately behind us.” She added: “I wanted to be a professional and finish our commitment, but Bimb and I are really feeling dizzy from the impact and I want to make sure we’re both okay.” In another post two hours later, Aquino shared that she and Bimby visited their emergency doctors at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig. Detailing results of their checkup – Aquino said she had muscle spasms in her neck and right shoulder – the “Feng Shui” star reported that they were cleared to go home for bed rest.(MNS)

Vote-by-mail important dates 2015 general municipal election

 Entertainment
Apr 172015
 
Vote-by-mail important dates 2015 general municipal election

Election Sites LOS ANGELES — City Clerk Holly L. Wolcott would like to remind voters of important dates pertaining to the Vote-By-Mail (VBM) process for the 2015 General Municipal Election to be held on May 19, 2015. California State law gives all registered voters the option to vote by mail regardless of whether or not they anticipate being “absent” on Election Day.  A voter who is not currently a permanent VBM voter must submit an application in order to receive a VBM ballot for each election. First and Last Day to Apply for a VBM Ballot Those who intend to vote by mail in the 2015 General Municipal Election may submit an application for a VBM ballot beginning Monday, April 20, 2015.  All applications must be received by the Election Division no later than Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 5 p.m.  Applications can be mailed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division, 555 Ramirez St., Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or faxed to (213) 978-0611 or (213) 978-0612.  If you are a permanent VBM voter, you do not need to complete an application; you will receive a VBM ballot automatically. Applications for a VBM ballot can be found on the back cover of the Official Sample Ballot, which is mailed to all eligible, registered voters.  Applications are also available on the City Clerk’s election website in English and the following languages: Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese. In-Person Voting in City Clerk Offices Voters may also receive a VBM ballot Read More …

Consulate meets with community, business leaders to access opportunities in LA

 Entertainment
Apr 172015
 
Consulate meets with community, business leaders to access opportunities in LA

(from left) PNB Global Filipino Banking Group Head Benjie Oliva, Pilipino Workers Center Executive Director Aqui Soriano-Versoza, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees President Linda Granados, Pinoy Town Hall Global Marketing Head Malou Villacisneros, PNB President and CEO Ricky Villacisneros. Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Filipino community and business leaders paid a courtesy call to Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim on 10 April 2015. The Filipino community and business organization leaders informed Consul General Herrera-Lim about recent organization program partnerships and events.  They also announced that registration is now open for a FREE SEMINAR on How to Apply for Jobs in the City of Los Angeles in tandem with How to Land a Contract in the City of Los Angeles presented by the Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE) and Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), organized by Pinoy Town Hall (PTH). This event, sponsored by Philippine National Bank Remittance Center Inc. (PNBRCI) will be held on Saturday, 25 April 2015, at the PWC Community Room 153 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026. A complimentary Filipino lunch will be available to all attendees who will be registering online. Event Details are shown below: Date: Saturday, 25 April 2015 Time: Sign-In 9:00am, Seminar 9:30am Location: PWC Community Room, 153 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 Cost: FREE Registration: :WWW.PINOYTOWNHALL.COM/REGISTERNOW or call (855) 746-6984 Ext. 801. Contact: Cynthia

Glendale Wins Resource Efficiency Award from the California Municipal Utilities Association

 General
Apr 172015
 
Glendale Wins Resource Efficiency Award from the California Municipal Utilities Association

Utility wins “Large Utility Water Program” category for its WaterSmart Program Glendale, CA  –  Glendale Water and Power (GWP) has won the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) Resource Efficiency Award in the Large Utility Water Program category for its water-use efficiency program in partnership with WaterSmart Software. WaterSmart’s technology marries behavioral science and data science to help water utilities engage customers, improve operational efficiency, and save money. Every year, the CMUA Resource Efficiency Awards honor California’s publicly owned utilities that are on the forefront of innovative water programs. Given the chronic drought the state finds itself in, these awards have never been more important. A leading utility in the effort to improve water-use efficiency, Glendale Water and Power has saved more than 23 million gallons of water in just a 4-month period through the WaterSmart Program. “Glendale has a consistent track record of innovation. We are always looking for proven and verifiable technologies to better engage our customers,” said Steve Zurn, General Manager of GWP.  “As we enter a fourth consecutive year of drought we must help reduce consumption and secure water supplies for the long-term needs of our customers. The WaterSmart program has been a tremendous asset in helping us achieve that objective.” The Glendale WaterSmart Program delivers Home Water Reports (HWRs) to residential customers that include individualized recommendations to reduce their water use.  The reduction in household water consumption in turn helps the utility reduce future capital expenditures. “Glendale Water and Power deserves to be recognized for their leadership in Read More …

China building runway in disputed South China Sea—source

 News
Apr 172015
 
China building runway in disputed South China Sea—source

THE reclamation activities of China in Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, an area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), has progressed in a few months, latest satellite images showed. BEIJING—China is rapidly building an airstrip on an artificial island in disputed South China Sea waters, recent satellite pictures show, potentially ramping up tensions with several Southeast Asian neighbors. Fiery Cross was little more than a reef when China began land reclamation works to turn it into an island in late 2014. Now satellite images taken last week by DigitalGlobe and shown on the website of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) show the runway — estimated at 3,110 meters in total — more than one-third complete, it says. When in operation, it says, it will be able to “accommodate almost any type of aircraft that China would want to land”. “Before this construction China lacked the refueling and resupply capabilities to reach the southern part of the South China Sea,” it added. “While they have not yet been built, Fiery Cross should be big enough to accommodate hangar facilities for Chinese aircraft.” Pictures taken less than four weeks earlier showed two sections of 468 meters and 200 meters were under construction, CSIS said, demonstrating the speed of the works. On Wednesday, defense journal IHS Jane’s reported that pictures taken by Airbus Defense and Space on March 23 showed a section more than 500 meters long and 50 meters wide. China claims Read More …

Balita.com 2015-04-16 18:51:33

 Entertainment
Apr 162015
 
Balita.com 2015-04-16 18:51:33

She grew her $200 investment into $10,000 in less than a year; and grew her fashion company without any fashion background nor connection. “I have been debunking myths about the fashion business since I started. And I’m proud of that,” said Marj Carlet Edmonds, owner of Carlet Edmonds, a scarves and swimsuit cover up manufacturing company. Not having any fashion background, Edmonds set out to learn everything she can in the 6 months that she spent researching online, dedicating 3 hours each night, from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. in front of the computer. The Filipina immigrant who grew up in Hawaii said she knew she had three things going for her – heart, drive and tenacity. “I couldn’t let anyone tell me ‘no.’ I’ve always liked fashion and I knew I couldn’t just give it up just because I did not go to school for it. I had to know what I was getting myself into,” said the woman behind the fastest growing brand in Central Valley, CA. “I would read up on everything, from bloggers, to fashion people, to big designers, to sewers, anything and everything. Time is money, money is time. I had time. I didn’t have money but I used my time to research.” It is through this research that Edmonds was able to make her first connection in the fashion industry. “I have been debunking myths about the fashion business since I started. And I’m proud of that,” said Marj Carlet Edmonds, owner of Carlet Read More …

Bill Gates, wife call it a visit

 General
Apr 162015
 
Bill Gates, wife call it a visit

Microsoft Corp Chairman Bill Gates. AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, left for the United States aboard a private jet at 1:47 p.m. Thursday, ending a 12-day vacation at the exclusive Amanpulo resort in Palawan. Gates and his family arrived on April 4 in Puerto Princesa City and were brought to the resort where they spent most of their time. The American philanthropist was only seen when he visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna, on April 8. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supports the research and development of IRRI’s Golden Rice, a genetically manipulated variety that contains beta carotene. At noon on Thursday, a blue helicopter landed near two identical Bombardier jets which were parked on the tarmac between Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 2 and 3. Several pieces of luggage were unloaded from the helicopter which, after about half an hour, flew off. At 1:30 p.m., the helicopter returned with the Gates couple aboard. Bill had on a blue shirt over light colored slacks while Melinda was in a white shirt and red shorts. The couple, with no security escorts, got off the chopper and walked straight to a jet. Shortly after, the Bombardier started toward the runway. Gates’ two children left the country on Tuesday on a commercial flight back to the United States.–Jeannette I. Andrade Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Read More …

COA recommended opening Makati Friendship Suites to public

 News
Apr 162015
 
COA recommended opening Makati Friendship Suites to public

An ordinance signed by Makati Mayor Junjun Binay in 2013 authorized the city government to open the allegedly overpriced Makati Friendship Suites to the public to generate more income for the city.  City Ordinance No. 2013-A-018 said that it was the Commission on Audit that recommended the opening of the hotel to the public.  “The Commission on Audit, through Audit Observation Memorandum No. 2011-039, has recommended the opening of Makati Friendship Suites to the public for a fee to generate income for the city government,” said City Ordinance No. 2013-A-018.  According to the ordinance, the hotel will have an introductory rate of P2,100 per room per day. It also stated that although it is open to the public, it should reserve 15 rooms for the use of the city’s guests.  Before opening it to the public, the Makati Friendship Suites was only meant for use by the city’s official guests and to paying transient visitors when Vice President Jejomar Binay was mayor. Overpriced In the recent Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearings, lawyer Rene Bondal testified that the hotel was overpriced by P195 million.  In 2007, the city also set aside P120 million for the rehabilitation of the Makati Friendship Suites, but the contractor, ITP Construction, said at the Senate hearing on Jan. 22 that the hotel revamp cost P242 million. “Na-implement po ito in three phases. Phase One is about P119 million. Phase Two is about P90 million. And then the third is about P33 million,” said ITP Construction president Read More …

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