Maniolas

Aiko Melendez (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Aiko Melendez’s friends are hoping she doesn’t get brokenhearted again. She reportedly is seeing a new guy. She’s quite fond of him, and even her family likes him. His name is Mario Claudio and he is from Spain. He stays in Cebu, where he has a construction business. It was four years ago when Aiko called it quits with a politician from Bulacan. She didn’t deny to her friends that she was hurt deeply when she and the politico broke up. Aiko was first married to Jomari Yllana, who is the father of her son, Andrei, now 15 years old and studying at the Ateneo de Manila. When her marriage to Jomari was annulled, she married Martin Jickain, the father of her daughter, Marthena. Aiko is currently busy with two projects, the series, “Story of Us,” with Kim Chui and Xian Lim, and the indie movie, “Balatkayo.” (MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 kick-off ceremony at The Eye Ballroom of the Green Sun Hotel in Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City on Monday night (December 01). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Palace asked the residents of Metro Manila to go on vacation and seize the long break of students to decongest the metropolis during the country’s hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit next month. Malacanang has declared November 18 and 19, 2015 as non-working holidays in the National Capital Region due to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which is being hosted by the Philippines this year. “Let us take advantage. Medyo matagal-tagal ‘yung bakasyon ng ating mga estudyante, ng ating mga anak, para naman maging maayos ang hosting natin ng pinakamalaking meeting, ang APEC (Leaders’) Summit,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday. “Apart from our very own president, may 20 other member economy leaders pa ang darating sa bansa,” she told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan. “At sinisigurado naman natin na magiging maayos at matiwasay ang kanilang pagbisita, ‘yun nga lang po humihingi kami ng inyong kooperasyon at pag-intindi, dahil marami tayong ilalatag na security measures.” Metro Manila residents could take advantage of the long vacation to visit places outside the Metropolis. The people could opt to visit the beautiful tourist spots outside of the national capital region or they can stay at home to avoid places where there are security preparations for Read More …

Newly appointed Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista (left) and commissioner Rowena Guanzon face the media at the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday. Bautista was the chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) prior to his new assignment. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday announced the final schedule of presidential and vice presidential debates in 2016. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the debates will happen for four weeks next year from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bautista said the first presidential debate will happen on Feb. 21, 2016 in Mindanao. The second presidential debate is scheduled on March 20, 2016 in Visayas and the last presidential debate will be on Apr. 24, 2016 in Luzon. Bautista said three major television networks, including GMA Network, will draw lots and will be assigned a specific presidential debate to sponsor. The Comelec chief said they will implement a dual-moderator format for the Mindanao leg, panel discussion format for Visayas, and town hall format for the Luzon leg. “Merong lead stations na maghu-hold, pero lahat open for broadcast,” he said. Three officials have so far confirmed their intentions to run for president in 2016, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. Lito Banayo, political adviser of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, said the local official will also run for president. Bautista, meanwhile, said the vice presidential debate will be held in Metro Manila on April 10. Senators Read More …

White House event kicks off Fil-Am History Month By Nimfa U. Rueda Melissa Ramoso, deputy district director for California State Senator Ted W. Lieu and former state chair of the California Democratic Party, chats with musician Apl.de.Ap during a break at the White House event.(courtesy of Melissa Ramoso) LOS ANGELES – President Obama this week honored Filipino-Americans who “helped build and defend” the United States at the first ever celebration of Filipino-American History Month at the White House. In a message that was read before some 200 Fil-Am elected officials and community leaders attending the event in Washington DC, Obama acknowledged the contributions of thousands of Fil-Ams who fought for the US in World War II. He also recognized the Fil-Ams who led the fight for better conditions and wages for Filipino and Mexican farmworkers in Delano, California in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. The three-hour event, hosted by The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and the White House Office of Public Engagement, was streamed live. Nani Coloretti, the highest ranking Fil-Am in the Obama administration, was the keynote speaker. Fil Am History Month 2015 “You know, it’s a good indicator that you’ve arrived when you don’t only have your own month but that the White House is saying they want to celebrate it too,” said Coloretti, deputy secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Coloretti credited her Filipino grandfather, who was a labor organizer in Hawaii, for inspiring her commitment Read More …

Toyota Sienna In the kid-friendly, parents-rule world of family vans, The Toyota Sienna remains the only model available with all-wheel drive. But that’s just one of the many compelling qualities that make the Sienna a standout. For 2016, upgraded multimedia features augment the parents’ side of the equation. Toyota has made across-the-board enhancements to the Entune multimedia head units in the 2016 Sienna. The new Connected Navigation Scout GPS App Link for Entune® Audio Plus uses the customer’s smartphone to provide navigation functionality through the head unit. And iPhone® users will be pleased to know that all available head units now integrate Siri® Eyes Free mode. The new Sienna Outdoor Package introduced for 2015 returns for 2016, bundling roof rack cross bars, all-weather floor mats, mud guards and door sill protectors. Power Broker The Sienna conquers that obstacle course called the everyday with a silky-smooth 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination gives the Sienna confident power for urban trekking or highway merging while using fuel efficiently. The standard Tow Prep Package allows the Sienna to pull a 3,500-pound trailer. Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and a wide stance help deliver a solid, direct on-road feel. Aerodynamic under-body elements may seem a bit naughty to mention for a family vehicle, but they do enhance Sienna’s dynamic performance. Road Warrior When was the last time you heard “lowered, sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, side skirt body elements and smoke-look sport trim mentioned in the same sentence as “family van?” The Sienna SE Read More …