Maniolas

Jewel Mische (MNS photo) It started with a simple message. On an online website, former actress Jewel Mische read the testimony of a Michigan-born American named Alister Kurzer about the beauty of keeping one’s virginity until marriage. “I only signed up [for the website] just because I was curious,” admitted Mische. “And then I saw his testimony. It moved me, I messaged him, and that started everything.” For Mische, she could not have asked for a better husband. She said that Kurzer, who had no idea she was a celebrity, is her dream man and more. Mische praised the American for being brave enough to admit that he was a virgin and that she fell in love with him because of his stern faith in God. “He was very bold in saying, ‘I want to stay pure for my future wife. And if you don’t appreciate that then you’re not my future wife.’ …I could just feel the conviction in every word that he said,” Mische said. Asked about how he managed to keep his “purity” before marriage, Kurzer said that one only needs to stay true to the boundaries and guidelines one has set for his or her own life. “As a guy, you really want to set a path you want to walk on and not step off to the left or to the right. And I really thought about my future wife and I really wanted to make her happy,” he said. Mische and Kurzer married back Read More …

John Lloyd Cruz (MNS Photo) Actor John Lloyd Cruz admitted that it is not easy for him to do a love scene. Cruz stars in the upcoming romantic movie “Just the 3 of Us” with Jennylyn Mercado. “Hindi kasi nare-realize ng tao kung gaano kahirap ‘yung gumawa ng [love scene]… Kasi kapag tapos nang gawin at na-edit na, ang nakikita niyo is ‘yung finished na. Pero sa totoo lang po, isa ‘yan sa pinaka-challenging na gawin. Kasi you are talking about intimacy with another person—minsan stranger pa nga,” he explained. When asked if he finds love scenes more challenging than dramatic scenes, Cruz replied: “Well, magkaiba naman po. Iba kasi ‘yung, let’s say, confrontational scene. Kung ikukumpara mo sa love scene ay magkaiba sila, at ‘yung dini-demand nila from you ay magkalayo. But sometimes, nakakatulong kung you really know the character very well at kung gaano ka-willing ‘yung partner mo.” “Given all that, minsan nangangatog pa rin ako dahil, hindi ba, you have to be intimate with the other person?” he added. Cruz went on to reveal that he still feels awkward shooting intimate scenes with his long-time on-screen partner, Bea Alonzo. “Kahit kami ni Bea, kahit ilang taon na kaming gumawa ng pelikula, mayroon pa ring [ilang sa isa’t isa]. Kasi bukod sa gusto mong ma-achieve [’yung gusto ng direktor], you want to be able to protect your leading lady, hindi ba? Siyempre kung mahirap sa ‘yo, sobrang hirap lalo noon sa kanya kasi babae siya. Feeling ko, kailangan Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during United Nationalist Alliance proclamation rally in Mandaluyong on Tuesday. The 90-day campaign period for the May 2016 election officially started Tuesday, with candidates organizing their respective campaign sorties around the country.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday vowed to form an independent commission that will look into the alleged summary killings and human rights abuses in Davao City and the possible involvement in them of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. “Kapag ako ang naging pangulo, bilang manananggol, nasisiguro ko na maparusahan ang Davao Death Squad, kasama na si Mister Duterte na ilang beses nang umamin na siya ang Davao Death Squad,” he said in a press statement, referring to the alleged vigilante group in Davao City being linked to Duterte. “Panahon na para panagutin sa Diyos at sa batas na umiiral sa Pilipinas ang DDS, kasama si Duterte,” he added. Duterte, who has ruled Davao City for over 20 years, has emerged as a top contender in the presidential race based on latest surveys. He has denied links with the Davao Death Squad, although he had admitted to killing criminals. Binay said since he respects the law, he will give Duterte and the alleged Davao Death Squad chance to defend themselves. “Bibigyan natin si Mister Duterte at ang kanyang death squad ng pagkakataong magpaliwanag sa batas, na hindi nila ibinigay sa kanilang biktima.” He said the commission will be composed of former Supreme Court justices, human rights groups, National Press Read More …

By Abner Galino Sun Moon Lake (photo courtesy of Tanya Loves Taiwan Facebook page) A campaign to attract North American tourists, dubbed as “Best of Taste Taiwan,” was recently launched in Los Angeles by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. The campaign, which emphasizes Taiwan’s “heart of Asia” geographical location, strives to convince people why the country is a “perfect destination for both long-haul and stopover visits.” At the center of the information drive is a 30-minute video showing the 10 must-do things for tourists while in Taiwan. The said video, which was premiered at the AMC Theater at Westfield Mall in Century City, highlighted the many interesting places and things that tourists can visit and experience which include world-renowned cuisine hubs, local delicacies and produce, bargain and shopping centers, ancient and modern architecture, natural scenery, arts and culture and hospitable people. Hsing Tian Kong (XingtianTemple) is one of the most visited traditional temples in Northern Taiwan, devoted to Guan Yu, the patron god of businessmen. Many believers feel that this is an efficacious temple, and it is frequently thronged with people praying for help and divine guidance. (photo courtesy of Tanya Loves Taiwan https://plus.google.com) The 30-minute travel show special was hosted by Mike Seigel, an acclaimed television presenter, and was produced by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. A 30-second sneak peek version of the travel video are going to be shown on select theaters for two weeks from its premiere night. And on Saturday, April 23 (12:20 pm PST) the travel show Read More …