Maniolas

Although the leadership of the Philippines’ dominant Roman Catholic church said it opposes legalizing gay marriage, they also said that the US Supreme Court decision will not go unheeded. “We shall study it with assiduousness, and revisit our concepts and presuppositions.” Manila, Philippines (AFP)  – The leadership of the Philippines’ dominant Roman Catholic church stressed its opposition to legalizing gay marriage on Sunday despite last week’s landmark decision by the US Supreme Court. The Philippine government meanwhile affirmed that under its law, marriage is still between a man and a woman and only an act of Congress can change this, unlike in the United States. “The Church continues to maintain what it has always taught. Marriage is a permanent union of man and woman,” said Archbishop Socrates Villegas, the president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. “This is the way the Church has always read Sacred Scriptures. This is the way it has lived its faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit,” Villegas said in a statement on the group’s website. “We will continue to teach the sons and daughters of the Church that marriage… is an indissoluble bond of man and woman,” he stressed. However he also said that “the US Supreme Court decision will not go unheeded. We shall study it with assiduousness, and revisit our concepts and presuppositions.” Last Friday’s US court decision has stirred interest in the socially conservative Philippines, the only country besides the Vatican that still outlaws divorce. Church pressure delayed a law Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III attends the Malacañang Prayer Gathering at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (March 09, 2015). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday tossed to Congress the matter of legalizing same-sex marriages in the Philippines, now that such unions are deemed legal in the United States. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while President Benigno Aquino III wants equal treatment for all, legalizing same-sex marriages would need Congress action. “We leave it to Congress for that discussion,” she said on state-run dzRB radio. She said that as far as Aquino is concerned, “he wants everyone treated equally.” Yet, she said some legal experts have already said a change of the laws or even the Constitution may be needed for same-sex marriage to be legalized in the Philippines.(MNS)

Gwen Zamora (MNS Photo) Seems like yesterday when Gwen Zamora was raving about boyfriend Raymund Romualdez, a politician’s son. Now, she can’t stop gushing about her three-month old relationship with Jeremy Marquez, also a politician’s son. “Everything happens for a reason. Maybe that happened (breakup with Raymund) so I can find my true love,” opined Gwen. As to how she was able to move on quickly, she explained, “We were on a break for five or six months before it became official. Hindi siya ‘yung naging masakit na breakup. Because we really thought about it. There’s no more love, nothing is growing anymore, we’re no longer growing together, what’s the point.” Today, Gwen is a picture of bliss. “I’m in a very good place career-wise, love-wise and family-wise. So all the pillars of my life are good. I feel giddy, inspired and happy,” she expressed. Is she moving-in with Jeremy any time soon? “No. We have to get married first. My mom always told me moving in together is like getting married so, parang, why would I live with a man whom I am not married with? So, marriage first before moving in,” she retorted, adding, “I think every woman wants to get married. We are groomed to get married, have children and take care of a household.” Gwen envisions herself having a baby in two years time or when she’s 26 years old. At the time, she also hopes to have established a bakeshop and coffee shop. Asked if Read More …

Minions the movie is not out yet, but these adorably-yellow creatures have already started a craze.

In collaboration with Color Manila, Brother Philippines launched their newest series of printer—the Refill Tank System series—in three major cities.