Maniolas

This author was recently mesmerized by various types of intricately-crafted handbags made of recycled newspapers. The brainchild of Lourdes Trinidad-Ocampo, the handbags carry the name “D’yario” and each handbag is intricately handwoven, handmade and distributed through the Bags4Life Livelihood Initiative Program, a non-profit organization helping incarcerated women develop their creative skills, to enable them to get rehabilitated and go back to the workforce once they leave the facility. Lulu Ocampo’s ‘D’yario’ bag Sheltered all her life (her dad, Anselmo Trinidad of Iba, Zambales was the former President of the Manila Stock Exchange and her deceased husband, Ed Ocampo, was a three-time Olympian who has coached the teams of: Toyota, Shell and Pepsi), Lulu had to learn to stand on her own and by sheer luck, after her husband Ed passed away, she went to ‘Sapang Palay’ where they both used to do apostolic work and while there, she noticed a choir guitarist “rolling strips of newspaper making boats and other things.” So, she approached him and requested him to make her a handbag out of the recycled newspapers. Thus, after a week, her Bags4Life Livelihood Initiative Program was born. As a “bag lady,” Lulu’s tenacious pursuit of excellence, quality control,and product development has brought her immense recognition by name-brand stores such as Tesoro’s who now carry her products. Now almost 14 years into the business, Lulu has trained thousands of disadvantaged students making her bags ranging from the Smokey Mountain youth to the women inmates at the National Center for Read More …

Subru 2016 WRX C herry Hill, N.J. – Subaru of America , Inc. has announced the 2016 Series. HyperBlue limited edition available exclusively on BRZ and WRX STI models. As a follow up to the 2015 Series.Blue BRZ, the 2016 Series. HyperBlue cars feature exterior paint in Subaru’s exclusive Hyper Blue with matching interior trim. Production will be limited to 700 WRX STI and 500 BRZ cars for the United States. Vehicles will go on sale this Fall. HyperBlue WRX STI is powered by the legendary 305-horse-power 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER engine, the WRX STI helped to pioneer the sport compact segment with a rally-bred drivetrain and Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Standard handling technologies include Active Torque Vectoring, Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control and a Brembo Performance Brake System with Super Sport ABS. HyperBlue trim brings exclusive blue stitching to the standard Alcantara seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, manual transmission shifter boot, console as well as carpeted floor mats with the traditional Cherry Red STI logo. HyperBlue WRX STI wears 18-inch BBS Black Alloy wheels and black badging with black painted exterior mirrors. SUBARU STARLINK 7.0” Multimedia Navigation System comes standard on this trim with 9 Harman/Kar-don® speakers and 440-watt amplifier.  The WRX STI is equipped exclu-sively with a specially reinforced 6-speed manual transmission. A flat-bottom, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel integrates switches for audio and Bluetooth. The STI Design electrolumi-nescent gauge panel integrates a 3.5-in.  central LCD screen that displays various functions such as windshield washer fluid and the Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III with Liberal Party (LP) standard bearers Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo are greeted by supporters outside the Manila Cathedral as they walk to Commission on Election building to file their Certificate of Candidacy, Thursday, (October 15). Tomorrow, Friday, (October 16) is the deadline of filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — In the 2016 elections, Filipinos will most likely be looking for a leader who will listen to them, based on the 4th Philippine Trust Index released Thursday. The nationwide survey conducted from July to August 2015 among 1,620 respondents showed that willingness to listen to people’s feedback and opinions on important issues in the country is the most valued quality a government leader must have. The public also thinks that a government leader must have strong political will, show genuine concern for people’s welfare, and stay true to his or her campaign promises, the poll results showed. EON assistant vice president for business development and strategic planning Malyn Molina, who presented the survey, said that only two out of ten Filipinos agree that government leaders today possess these top important qualities. She said the public does not give much value to government leaders’ participation in social activities of sectors and communities such as anniversary celebrations, sports tournaments, and fiestas. Molina added it was the first time PTI included the Filipino peoples’ perceptions of an engaging leader in both the public and private sectors to understand the leadership qualities most Read More …

A young girl pours out a bucket of thick mud on Tuesday as she helps clean her home which was inundated by floodwaters brought by Typhoon Lando in Cabanatuan City. The government estimates the damage caused by the super typhoon has surpassed P5 billion, with full report yet to be completed. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Australian government on Thursday pledged P33 million in emergency aid to communities and families affected by Typhoon Lando in the Philippines. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop announced the aid on Thursday. “Australia, as a close friend of the Philippines, is saddened by the loss of life and damage to homes and property in the wake of this tragedy,” Bishop said. “I commend the government of the Philippines for its leadership and preparedness measures, and for quickly mobilizing its domestic resources to support affected communities and provide timely assistance,” she said. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said his government would continue to support the typhoon relief efforts as required. “As a good friend and neighbor, the Philippines can expect that Australia will continue to support its close friend and partner during this time,” Tweddell said. The embassy said with the United Nations Population Fund, World Food Program, and the Philippine Red Cross, Australia would release prepositioned in-country stores to affected communities. These stores will offer dignity kits, family kits, rice supplies and high-energy biscuits. The dignity kits contain malong cloths, bath towels, slippers, combs, nail clippers, maternity napkins, underwear, bath soap, Read More …

Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton when his mug shot was taken by Philippine National Police personnel. Pemberton is accused of murdering transgender Jennifer Laude in Olongapo, Philippines. MANILA (Mabuhay) – A lawyer of the Laude family believes an international criminal complaint may be filed against US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton if he is acquitted here in the Philippines for the killing of transgender Jennifer Laude. Virgie Suarez, the legal counsel of the Laude family, said filing a new case against Pemberton before an international body could happen if he is acquitted by the local court hearing his murder case. “Of course, we are also thinking about that. I cannot discuss it yet here but yes, there is still a way how to run after Pemberton. That would mean an international case, complaint,” Suarez said. Suarez said the Olongapo Regional Trial Court branch hearing the Laude murder case has until December 14 year to meet the one-year prescriptive period set forth in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “We will be informed if the court will be able to resolve it earlier than December 14. As of now, there is no indication yet,” she said. Suarez said the prosecution can no longer appeal should the court acquit Pemberton. “If he is considered not guilty, he can be immediately deported,” Suarez said. “Only a guilty verdict can be appealed. An acquittal is unappealable. If he is acquitted, the deportation proceedings can proceed.” DEPORTATION Meanwhile, Suarez said the Laude family welcomes Read More …