‘Simbang Gabi” and “Parol” endure through the ages

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
‘Simbang Gabi” and “Parol” endure through the ages

The Christmas season is the most favorite time of the year to millions of Christians around the world where traditions have evolved and refuse to yield to the trappings of the modern era. Filipinos in the U.S. could not have but feel emotional and nostalgic thinking of how different Christmas is celebrated in their home county. The signs begin to manifest when the months end in “ber” and the frenetic preparations commence.  The Philippines is said to be a country that celebrates Christmas the longest. While Christmas in the Philippines conjures up memories of time honored traditions introduced to its shores by foreign influences, the practices and symbolisms still persist and have been embellished by touches of modernity, In their adopted county the Christmas scenery is almost similar – a warm house fully decorated, Christmas tree, light  and families, and friends coming together to enjoy sumptuous meals- except for snow. Paying Homage: Pilgrims from the U.S. marvel at the slab in Golgotha, Jerusalem where claimed as the place where Jesus was given customary burial treatment. Christians worldwide will celebrate His birth on December 25 amid the tumultuous state of the world that He offered Himself to save. The Philippines’ Christmas traditions are representations of the deep and religiosity and fervor brought about by foreign influences. The observance of the tradition of the nine-day devotion called “Simbang Gabi” has endured for more than 400 years. The prelude pre-dawn celebration of the Mass where the faithful brave the coldness of the morning Read More …

Aquino’s satisfaction rating down in SWS Q4 survey

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
Aquino’s satisfaction rating down in SWS Q4 survey

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the copy of the 3rd State Conference Resolution on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) from Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Also in photo are Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, DOJ Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, and Budget Secretary Butch Abad at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace Tuesday (December 15). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III’s public satisfaction rating suffered a nine-point drop from +41 in September to +32 this month, results of the fourth quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Wednesday showed. The survey conducted from December 5 to 8 among 1,200 adults nationwide found 58 percent were satisfied, 16 percent undecided, and 26 percent dissatisfied with Aquino. Despite the nine-point decline, Aquino’s net satisfaction ratings were still considered “good.” SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of +70 and above as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; as well as -70 and below as “execrable.” President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 3rd State Conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace Tuesday (December 15). (MNS photo) In Luzon areas outside Metro Manila, Aquino’s net satisfaction rating plunged by half from +46 in September to +23 in December. His ratings also dropped by eight Read More …

Still no SC vote on Edca

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
Still no SC vote on Edca

Manila, Philippines (April 27, 2015) Philippine marines assigned to the 67th Company Marine Special Operations Group with U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 in training aboard a riverine patrol boat during Balikatan 2015. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Philippines also plans to have similar exercises with Japan, a former World War II occupier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Scott/Released) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Supreme Court (SC) deferred anew the voting on the constitutionality of the Philippines-United States Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), with deliberations expected to resume next month. The high court did not make any official announcement on the case at a press conference Wednesday morning, but sources privy to what transpired during the special en banc session said deliberations would continue early January. Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), among petitioners against the deal, held a rally outside the Supreme Court amid rains as deliberations went on, keeping watch of the results. They later dispersed upon getting word that there was no official update. The high court’s ruling has been highly anticipated as it would seal the fate of the contentious defense pact, signed as an executive agreement between Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg in April last year, just before Read More …

SC upholds ‘No Bio, No Boto’ policy

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
SC upholds ‘No Bio, No Boto’ policy

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 Supreme Court (SC) junked the petition against Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) “No Bio, No Boto” policy. SC justices voted unanimously in junking Kabataan Party-list’s petition assailing the constitutionality of the policy. With this ruling, the temporary restraining order earlier issued by the SC on the policy has been lifted. In its petition, Kabataan Party-list assailed the constitutionality of the “No Bio, No Boto” policy of the poll body, which is said to deprive more than three million registered voters without biometrics of their right to participate in the upcoming 2016 synchronized national and local elections. In its 32-page petition, Kabataan Party-list said the Comelec’s move to deactivate the registration of voters without biometrics is unconstitutional, and asked the high court to strike down certain provisions of Republic Act No. 10367 or “An Act Providing for Mandatory Biometrics Voter Registration.” Petitioners also sought the nullification of Comelec Resolution No. 9721, dated June 26, 2013, Resolution No. 9863, dated April 1, 2014, and Resolution No. 10013, all related to deactivation of voter registration records in the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections. Petitioners stressed that the said law and Comelec issuances “impose an unconstitutional, additional substantive requirement imposed on the exercise of Read More …

Illegal drugs, hundreds of sex pills seized in 8th Bilibid raid

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
Illegal drugs, hundreds of sex pills seized in 8th Bilibid raid

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (2nd right) and Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. (right) inspect the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday. The inspection is part of efforts to clear the prison of illegal activities. (MN photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) personnel seized dozens of sachets of illegal drugs and hundreds of sex enhancer capsules during another raid at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison on Wednesday morning. BuCor personnel seized at least 22 sachets of shabu from the Building 8 at Quadrant 3 of the maximum security compound. Several improvised handguns and knives were also seized in the building. Also from Building 8, the BuCor raiders seized hundreds of sex enhancer pills and capsules. Meanwhile, the authorities seized 17 more sachets of suspected shabu and two mobile phones from Building 5C, Quadrant 4 of the maximum security compound. Alegre said that according to his source, a sachet of shabu is sold at P5,000 in the jail facility. The BuCor has conducted eight raids in the NBP since November. It said that aside from more surprise inspections in the coming days, they will also impose stricter visitation rules during the Christmas season. (MNS)

Holiday recipes from top Paris chefs: French-grown quinoa, black truffle, vegetable roots and mushrooms by Alain Ducasse

 General
Dec 212015
 
Holiday recipes from top Paris chefs: French-grown quinoa, black truffle, vegetable roots and mushrooms by Alain Ducasse

French-grown quinoa, black truffle, vegetable roots and mushrooms by Alain Ducasse (photo from “Naturalité”, released on October 29, 2015 by Alain Ducasse Edition, 150 euros)©”Naturalité”, Auteurs : Alain Ducasse, Camille Labro et Romain Meder Photographe : Benjamin Schmuck (Relaxnews) – End-of-year festivities are drawing near. This week Relaxnews provides you with recipes from top chefs in Paris to add a gourmet French touch to your Christmas menu. Today, Alain Ducasse tells us how to make his French-grown quinoa, black truffle, vegetable roots and mushroom dish. This recipe is taken from the chef’s repertoire for the Plaza Athénée hotel in Paris and is featured in his book “Naturalité.” Serves 4 Root vegetables 1 20 cm stick of salsify 1 fennel bulb 4 root parsley with tops 4 mini-parsnips with tops 8 small sunchokes (a root vegetable similar to a Jerusalem artichoke) 4 small Jerusalem artichokes 5 drizzles of olive oil 25 cl of vegetable stock Salt Root vegetable glaze 100 g of root vegetable jus 10 g of butter 10 g of chopped truffle Quinoa 80 g of quinoa 10 g of white onion 20 g of butter 24 g of chopped truffle 6 cl of truffle juice 12 cl of vegetable stock Salt Roasted black quinoa 8 g of black quinoa a drizzle of olive oil 20 cl of vegetable stock 10 g of butter Seasoning Tops of the root vegetables 50 g of turnip greens 1 black garlic clove 5 g of chopped truffle 1 cl of olive oil Read More …

Focusing on nonfinancial risks

 Economy
Dec 202015
 

As the business environment for financial institutions grows increasingly more complex and challenging, more and more banks are rethinking their risk management systems to encompass a growing number of nonfinancial risks. In a recent Ernst & Young survey of major financial institutions titled “Rethinking Risk Management,” which included respondents from 29 economies, banks are realizing the need to reengineer some aspects of risk management with new approaches and tools. While the study looks at various aspects of risk, including risk culture, risk appetites, and the impact of Basel III, we will focus on the area of nonfinancial risks as a growing concern for banks, particularly for global systemically important financial institutions (G-SIFI).

Manila Water sets P30-B capex for 2016-17

 General
Dec 202015
 
Manila Water sets P30-B capex for 2016-17

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala-led Manila Water Company Inc., the water concessionaire for Metro Manila’s east zone, has allocated an estimated P30 billion capital expenditures for the next two years as it commences a “catch up year” in 2016, a ranking official said. In an interview with The STAR, Manila Water chief finance officer Luis Juan Oreta said the company has set aside P15 billion for its 2016 capex and “very likely the same amount” for 2017. Of the P15 billion, P12 billion would be set aside for the east zone and P3 billion for non east zone project. “This year, we’ve finally settled our differences with MWSS so next year is a catch up year. Previously, we had no approved plans because we were in dispute with MWSS,” Oreta said. The MWSS slashed by 29.47 percent the East Zone water concessionaire’s basic charge of P25.07 per cubic meter, a reduction of P7.25 per cubic meter for the rate rebasing period of 2013 to 2017. This prompted Manila Water to dispute the rate reduction before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 However, ICC slashed Manila Water’s basic water charge by 11. 05 percent, equivalent to a decrease of P2.77 per cubic meter. A reduction of P1.66 per cubic meter would be implemented in 2015, then P0.55 per cubic meter in 2016 and finally P0.55 per cubic meter in 2017, according to the ICC. Oreta said the dispute stalled the company’s projects thus Read More …

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