Maniolas

Members of Bayan Muna hold a picket in front of Chinese consulate in Makati on Friday April 17 to protest against China’s reclamation activities in Panganiban Reef, part of the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea. Recent satellite pictures showed the Chinese constructing facilities in the area. (MNS Photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP |  – Almost 50 young Filipinos are camping on a remote Philippine-held island in the South China Sea in a symbolic stand against China’s claim to most of the waterway, officials said Sunday. Organisers of the group, calling itself Kalayaan Atin Ito (Kalayaan This Is Ours), said 47 of them arrived Saturday on the island of Pag-asa, also known as Thitu, in the Spratlys chain. “Kalayaan”, the Filipino word for freedom, is also the name of the township established by the Philippines in the Spratlys to assert its claim to part of the island chain. The government had opposed the landing, initiated by a former navy officer. But President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma said Sunday it understood the group’s intentions. “We recognise the patriotism of these youths that made them venture out,” he told reporters. But he also reiterated that they should seek “alternative ways” to show their support, expressing concern for their safety in travelling the 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan to the tiny island of Pag-asa. Photographs and messages from the group posted on their website showed them posing on a beach. A message on a Facebook page also urged Aquino Read More …

Max Collins (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — MAX Collins was supposed to leave for Qatar this month to do a movie but her departure was postponed. “Sa January na raw namin isu-shoot ang movie instead of this month,” she said. The movie, titled “Footprints on the Moon”, is written and directed by a Filipino filmmaker based in the Middle East, Jan Xavier Pacle. When the film was conceived early this year, they got Alden Richards as Max’s leading man. But as we all know, Alden has since soared to fame through the AlDub love team and is now neck deep in various assignments. He is replaced by a new actor named Jess Mendoza who has done supporting roles in indie films like “Brod”, “Alamat ni China Doll”, “Mauban”, “Mga Kuwentong Barbero” and “Violator”. Max plays the role of Adeline, a violinist, and she has taken up violin lessons to prepare for the role. “I got a private music teacher to train me how to play the violin. Pinanood ko rin si Meryl Streep sa ‘Music of the Heart’ where she also played a violinist. Ang galing niya. You’d really think mahusay siyang tumugtog ng violin. So sana, ma-achieve ko rin yun in ‘Footprints on the Moon’.” We’re happy for Max as she really deserves bigger and better breaks. She has done soaps like “Pahiram ng Sandali”, “Inamorata” and the historical series “Ilustrado”, but she has yet to do a material that will help boost her career and popularity. She now Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line during the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” The Philippine National Police celebrates the Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975, both forerunner organizations of the PNP. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Days before the celebration of the New Year, firecracker and gun-related incidents in the country have shot up to 44, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Saturday. PNP data showed that the incidents shot from 23 as of Christmas Day to 44. Of the 44 incidents, 27 were due to illegal possession or use of banned firecrackers, three due to illegal discharge of firearms, six were victims of stray bullet and eight were victims of fireworks-related injury. The increase was attributed to the surge in the number of people arrested due to illegal possession or use of banned firecrackers, and those who were injured due to firecrackers. The number of those who illegally discharged their firearms, meanwhile, remained the same. The three additional victims of stray bullets were identified as Danilo Apulidar Carpio, 34 who was hit in the left thigh; Ronald Zablan Paguinto, 21, who sustained a gunshot wound in the back; and Ryan Aspa, 32, who was hit on his left ankle. No Read More …