Maniolas

Members of labor groups light candles on Friday as they hold a sympathy protest in Valenzuela City, in front of the gates of Kentex footwear factory. They urged the government to take legal action against the company’s owners and local officials for the death of 72 workers in the fire that razed the factory. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The lawyer of Kentex Manufacturing Inc. said the company “suffered a total business loss.” Despite this, he said the owners’ families and friends have pooled their resources together for the initial compensation of survivors and kin of the victims in the massive fire last week, said Kentex lawyer Renato Paraiso. In a press conference, Paraiso said the company “suffered a total business loss. They have no funds to compensate the employees, but the family and their friends pooled money for the immediate relief of employees.” Each kin and employee, whether regular or agency-employed, was given P8,000 back pay and P5,000 assistance over the weekend. He said he has yet to look into other company assets. As it is now, he said it’s hard to communicate with family members of the owners because they were also victims of the fire. One owner is in the hospital for third-degree burns, while another is also confined after experiencing stress and trauma. He said the company is insured, but he has yet to see the document to be sure. “We’re just balancing our resources and our expected obligations. If we have excess, we would give Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during the 36th National Conference of Employers at Marriott hotel in Pasay City on Friday. Binay told the business community his family only has five bank accounts, denying the Anti Money Laundering Council report that he owns about 242 bank accounts. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Amid the corruption allegations against him, Vice President Jejomar Binay is still keen on seeking the highest elective post come 2016. “Yung ikinakalat nila na yung panlalait sa akin, kung anu-anong kasinungalingan ang itinatapon sa amin, hindi ito magiging dahilan para ako ay umatras,” Binay told reporters after his speech at the National Conference of Employers Friday. “Tuloy po ang laban, inumpisahan niya, tatapusin ko,” he added. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said he believes that Binay would surely back out from the presidential race because of the various accusations he is now facing.(MNS)

New York – She rose to fame as “Grasya,” the round girl bearing the winning numbers for “Rambulaga,” the successful numbers game segment of “Eat Bulaga,” Philippines’ longest-running noontime variety show. The name was given to her by one of the show’s mainstays, Joey de Leon, who said that by bringing in the winning numbers, she was essentially bringing in a lot of graces from heaven. But after about seven years of making people’s dreams come true, “Grasya,” Samantha Lopez in real life, decided to pursue her own dreams. “I got burnt out. There was nowhere for me to go. There was no room for improvement. At the time, there were very few offers for TV, films, soap operas,” Samantha said of her move from Manila to New York. “My friends didn’t even know I was leaving. I went out to the club that night and told everyone I was leaving that same night. A lot of them ended up in a convoy to take me to the airport.” After about 14 years of finding her way out of the limelight she got used to in the Philippines, this dancer/model/actor is now a successful realtor in the concrete jungle. And true to character of bringing graces, she shares her tips for graceful living in the Big Apple. “Be yourself because if not, it’s easy to get lost in New York. You have to have that self-identity before you come here. That will be your strongest foundation.” Samantha Lopez Samantha explained Read More …

Kiana Valenciano says retiring is the farthest thing from her dad Gary V’s mind at present.