Pokwang’s modern house has eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
Jun 302015
Jun 302015
Claudine Barretto (MNS Photo) After six years, Claudine Barretto has finally returned to ABS-CBN. The 35-year-old actress was formally introduced as one of the lead stars of Star Cinema’s “Etiquette for Mistresses,” along with Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado and Cheena. The movie based on the Julie Yap Daza book will not only mark Barretto’s Kapamilya comeback, but also her return to acting after a three-year hiatus. “Ako, sobrang happy,” she told reporters. “Ang tagal kong nawala… Siyempre ‘yung nerbiyos, sobra-sobra sa akin talaga. Nanginginig pa ako kanina.” Recent years saw Barretto involved in an airport scuffle, a legal feud with estranged husband Raymart Santiago, and a publicized spat with her siblings Gretchen and Marjorie. For the former Star Magic artist, “Etiquette for Mistresses” is a chance to get her career on track again after being sidelined by controversies. Despite apprehensions about her comeback, Barretto finds comfort in the company of Aquino and the film’s director Chito Rono, both of whom she collaborated with on the 2006 horror blockbuster “Sukob.” “First love ko ang acting. To be back now with this big, big project – and aside from this, may iba pang malalaking projects – knowing that is overwhelming and I am overjoyed. “I’m really thankful, lalo na sa lahat ng mga tao na nag-pray na makabalik ako, lahat ng mga Claudinians,” she said. (MNS)
Jun 302015
Kevin Czinger next to the DM Blade. ©Divergent Microfactories / Mel Lindstrom (Relaxnews) – American start-up Divergent Microfactories has unveiled Blade, a surprising 700hp supercar whose chassis was entirely printed in 3D before being assembled by hand. Divergent Microfactories is dedicated to revolutionizing car manufacturing and its harmful health and environmental impacts on the planet, and has created a manufacturing platform that radically reduces the materials, energy, and costs of manufacturing. The company’s CEO, Kevin Czinger, wants to apply this strategy to the automobile industry, starting with Blade, one of the greenest and most powerful cars in the world. The Blade supercar’s technology centers on Divergent Microfactories’ proprietary solution called a Node: a 3D-printed aluminum joint that connects pieces of carbon fiber tubing to make up the car’s chassis. This cuts down on the 3D printing required to build the chassis, and, in addition to dramatically reducing materials and energy use, the weight of the chassis is then up to 90% lighter than traditional cars, resulting in better fuel economy and less wear on roads. On top of all that, the chassis ends up being much stronger and durable. Thanks to its aluminum and carbon fiber blend, Blade weighs only 1,400 pounds, helping the 700hp bi-fuel engine, which can use either compressed natural gas or gasoline, to propel the car from 0-60mph in a scarcely believable 2.2 seconds. Divergent Microfactories would like to “print” 10,000 of these chassis per year, and is looking for partners to further develop the project. Read More …
Jun 302015
Newly crowned Miss World Megan Young of the Philippines, smiles after winning the Miss World contest, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. (MNS photo) “Kinilig ako, siyempre. It’s a big project,” reveals Kapuso actress Megan Young when asked about her reaction upon learning that she’s going to breathe new life to the well-loved character of Mari Mar. Despite feeling nervous, the Kapuso actress doesn’t let the nerves get to her and instead feels excited as she prepares for the role, “Acting wise, nagwo-workshop na kami nila Tom [Rodriguez] and Lauren [Young]. May dance and diving lessons din parasiyempremasmagawanatinng tama. Excited lang talaga ako, sine-set aside ko na lang ang kaba.” Megan also admitted that she can relate to the character of Mari Mar. In an interview, Megan recalls her experience before she was hailed as Miss World 2013, “Si Mari Mar kasi she’s like any other Pinay who strive for the best.” “Isa siyang hardworker, gagawin niya ang lahat para makuha ang mga pangarap niya. Ganoon din ako, kahit sinabi ng iba dati na baka matalo ako sa pageant… I put that aside kasi ito ang gusto ko. Manalo, matalo at least nagawako. Si Mari Mar ganoon din na kahit mag-fail siya, in the end she’ll make sure na ‘yung failure na ‘yun ay magiging encouragement sa kanya to strive for the better,” Megan says. Under the helm of Dominic Zapata, Mari Mar is set to thrill the viewers this August on GMA. It will air worldwide on GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. Read More …
Jun 302015
Senator Francis Escudero and Heart Evangelista (MNS Photo) Senator Francis Escudero says he and wife actress Heart Evangelista, Love Marie Ongpauco in real life, plan to have a baby next year. Escudero and Heart already announced plans to renew their vows next year so his wife can have a picture with her parents, who ditched her wedding this year over personal differences with the senator. The parents and Escudero have since reconciled. “’Di naman 2nd wedding, salu-salo, a renewal [of vows] para may picture kasama ang kanyang magulang. ‘Yun lang ang gusto ni Heart, pareho ang petsa ng renewal [at wedding].” Escudero and Heart were married in Balesin Island, Quezon last February 15, 2015. Escudero adds he and the parents of Heart are now very much okay. (MNS)
Jun 302015
The Senate Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator Bongbong Marcos, together with the Committees on Peace Unification and Reconcillation; and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, will contiunue its inquiry on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Also present during the BBL hearing is Senator Chiz Escudero. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Just three months before the filing of certificates of candidacies in October, the Nacionalista Party has yet to decide whether to field its own standard-bearer in the 2016 elections, a party stalwart said on Monday. Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., one of three NP members who are reportedly eyeing higher positions in 2016, said the party was still observing the latest developments in the political arena. “When it comes to a national elections, it’s very important to know what the parties are doing because you can’t run a successful national campaign without a party. I’m watching within my party because what we’re going to do will be based on a party decision,” Marcos said in a news forum. “The party’s consensus will at least give me an idea of what I should do and can do so I’ll leave [the decision on whether or not to run] for later. It’s too important a decision to rush,” he added. Asked whether he will run for President, Marcos said, “I’m following the old dictum of an old man and say that I’ll keep my options open.” Senator Cynthia Villar, wife of NP president and former senator Manny Villar, earlier mentioned Marcos Read More …
Jun 302015
President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with his Cabinet Secretaries at the President’s Hall of Malacanang Monday (October 13) concerning the status of the MRT 3 maintenance. The President is concerned about negative reports he has been receiving regarding Metro Rail operations. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay and his camp are doing a virtual tag-team on the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. After Binay criticized the sorry state of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) as proof of the administration’s “inefficiency and insensitivity,” his spokesperson accused the Aquino government of planning to use deals to maintain the mass transit system in funding the campaign of the President’s party in 2016. “The Liberal Party has tried almost every means to raise funds for the upcoming elections and sourcing funds from an MRT deal would not be an exception,” said lawyer Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesperson for political affairs on Monday. Quicho cited the awarding of the maintenance contracts to a newly set up firm identified with the ruling party. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) recently awarded contracts to four maintenance providers to cover rail tracks and permanent ways, buildings and facilities, communications systems and the automated fare collection system. The contracts will take effect July 5 this year until a longer-term maintenance provider is assigned. Quicho slammed Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya “ineffective leadership” for allegedly failing to solve the worsening problems in the overburdened train system. “The safety and convenience of the riding public is Read More …
Jun 302015
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) – Gerardo “Gerry” Limlingan and Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy are still in the Philippines based on the latest report submitted by the Bureau of Immigrations (BI) to the Department of Justice (DOJ). In an ambush interview, DOJ Secretary Leila M. De lima said that after the disclosure of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that the two are already out of the Philippines, she immediately ordered the scrutiny of the database of the immigration and it appeared that Limlingan’s last travel was in October 2003 and he returned back to the country. On the other hand, the latest record of travel of Baloloy was in September 2014 and she immediately returned back to the country. However, the DOJ Secretary did not discount the possibility that the two alleged “trusted” persons of Vice President Jejomar Binay may have passed through the “backdoor”. Hence, De Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to gather additional evidence to verify the revelation made by Trillanes. (MNS)
Jun 302015
INFRASTRUCTURE spending in April rose by more than two-fifths on the back of higher disbursements from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but the total for the first four months was still below year-earlier levels, data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed.
Jun 302015
CANADA wants talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines to cover as much ground as possible before the change of government in Manila.