Apr 132016
 
Duterte camp expecting intensified attacks as May 9 polls near

Supporters of PDP-Laban presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from Marikina City are ready for the Duterte-Cayetano tandem motorcade from the Marikina Freedom Park to Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College in Marikina City on Tuesday (April 12, 2016). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) MANILA, Apr 13 (Mabuhay) – The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said they are expecting more black propaganda and personal attacks as the campaign period heads to the final stretch. “We have been seeing old issues being resurrected with more intensity. The vilification campaign against Mayor Duterte will reach new heights now that he has taken the lead in voter preference,” Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s national campaign manager and outgoing Maribojoc, Bohol mayor said on Wednesday. “Having overtaken them in surveys, they now find themselves trailing and they want to pull us down by throwing everything imaginable at the Davao City mayor—all of them not flattering,” he said. The statement came after Vice President Jejomar Binay posted a video urging Filipinos not to vote for Duterte. Evasco said he is confident that Duterte will be able to handle all the attacks, pointing out that truth is on their side. “We are not presumptuous, but we have been expecting this. Whether we are at the bottom, middle or top, people who are threatened by a Duterte victory will employ all means to destroy his image and reputation. That is the name of the election game in Philippine politics, unfortunately,” he added. Evasco then Read More …

Apr 132016
 
Mar Roxas calls Duterte’s campaign promises ‘ampaw’

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas receives a warm welcome from his supporters upon arrival at Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on Monday (April 4, 2016) as part of his campaign sorties in Mindanao. (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez) MANILA, Apr 13 (Mabuhay) – Administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Wednesday lashed out anew at survey frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, calling his campaign promises “ampaw” or empty. Roxas again questioned Duterte’s vow to eliminate crime in three to six months if he wins the presidency in May. “Huwag mo kaming lokohin, Duterte. Huwag mo kaming linlangin. Puros ampaw ang sinasabi mo. Matapang ka lang sa salita,” he said. “Hindi mo nga nagawa sa sarili mong lungsod, ipapangako mo sa buong sambayanang Pilipino na magagawa mo ito sa loob ng tatlo hanggang anim na buwan? Ampaw ka,” the Liberal Party (LP) candidate added. Duterte claimed the solo lead in the latest Pulse Asia presidential preference survey, overtaking Senator Grace Poe with a five-percentage lead. Vice President Jejomar Binay and Roxas were statistically tied in third place with 20 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, meanwhile, was chosen by two percent of the respondents in the said survey. “Vilification campaign” In a statement, the camp of Duterte said they are expecting more black propaganda and personal attacks against him as the campaign period heads to its final stretch. “We have been seeing old issues being resurrected with more intensity,” said Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s national campaign manager. “The Read More …

Apr 132016
 
Napoles, Masbate Gov. Lanete granted bail

Janet Lim Napoles (center), the alleged pork barrel scam queen, is escorted out of the court room after being found guilty on her kidnapping and serious illegal detention case of scam whistleblower Benhur Luy at the Makati Regional Trial Court on Tuesday. Napoles was sentenced to permanent imprisonment. (MNS photo) MANILA, Apr 13 (Mabuhay) – The Fourth Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has allowed businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete to post bail for their plunder case in connection with their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. “Wherefore, considering that there is a finding that the evidence of guilt of accused Lanete and accused Napoles is not strong for the reasons cited above, the respective applications for bail of accused Lanete and Napoles are hereby granted,” the dispositive portion of the ruling read. The full copy of the ruling promulgated by the Fourth on April 12, has yet to be released to the media as of posting time. The court set the bail for each accused at P500,000. Lanete and Napoles are facing plunder and graft cases before the Fourth Division for the alleged misuse of the former’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel during her term as a Masbate representative. Graft is a bailable offense while plunder is non-bailable if the prosecution would be able to prove that the evidence of guilt against an accused is strong. Based on the information of the case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in February Read More …

Apr 132016
 
Arci Muñoz would love to play Darna

Arci Muñoz (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Arci Muñoz, fresh from the success of “Always Be My Maybe,” revealed that, if given the opportunity, she would happily take on the role of the iconic Filipina superhero Darna for a planned Star Cinema film. “It’s actually a big task. Pero if I will be given a chance, of course. Who am I to say no? It’s like the biggest role that if ever na matatanggap at gagawin ko, sino ba naman ako para humindi?” she said. The 28-year-old actress added: “If ever they are going to offer it and it’s really a big challenge for me kasi mahirap ‘yun, hindi siya basta basta, pero oo naman, of course.” Among those who have portrayed Darna, a comic book character created by Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo, were Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, and Marian Rivera. Locsin was supposed to reprise her role for the 2016 film, but had to back out after discovering that she had developed a disc bulge in her spine. She is currently undergoing medical treatment for the injury. Several actresses have since been named as possible replacement for Locsin, including Muñoz, Nadine Lustre, “Dolce Amore” star Liza Soberano, and Jessy Mendiola.(MNS)

Apr 132016
 
Dominic Ochoa gets first title role in ‘My Super D’

Dominic Ochoa (MNS Photo) After playing supporting roles in numerous teleseryes, Dominic Ochoa finally gets his first title role in ABS-CBN’s upcoming fantasy series “My Super D.” On Monday night, ABS-CBN released the second trailer of “My Super D,” showing Ochoa as the titular superhero Dreamscape also released the official poster of the upcoming series showing Ochoa as Super D, along with child actor Marco Masa and Bianca Manalo. Directed by Frasco Mortiz and Lino Cayetano, the series also stars Atoy Co, Ryan Rems, Myrtle Sarrosa, Jef Gaitan, Louie Domingo, Marina Benipayo, Bong Regala, Jason Francisco, Marvin Agustin, Noni Buencamino and Ronaldo Valdez. “My Super D” will begin airing on Monday, April 18. (MNS)

Apr 132016
 
Pacquiao ‘50-50’ but vows to retire

by Rob Woollard WBC 2015 Asia Pacific Promoter of the Year Brico Santig of Highlands Promotion said Manny Pacquiao (above photo) has just showed that he can still catch up with his opponents and also has that knockout power. “However, he might have no more time to fight if he gets elected as Senator. He will be very busy already.” Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank Las Vegas, United States | AFP |   – Manny Pacquiao admitted he was “50-50” about retirement after bidding farewell to boxing Saturday with a vintage performance to defeat long-time rival Tim Bradley. The 37-year-old had promised to deliver an explosive display and did not disappoint 14,665 fans who had crammed into the MGM Grand Garden Arena to catch what may have been the final curtain call of an icon. Pacquiao, the only man to capture world titles in eight different weight divisions, produced flashes of brilliance and knocked down Bradley twice on his way to a unanimous decision in the welterweight duel. It was the sort of performance his admirers believe could persuade him to prolong a career that has earned him more than $500 million over 21 years. A smiling Pacquiao later appeared before reporters and admitted that while he was conflicted about quitting the ring, his decision – for now – was to spend more time with his family before concentrating on his political career in the Philippines. Asked if he might best serve his homeland by continuing to fight, Pacquiao said he had promised his Read More …

Apr 132016
 
Manila’s ABV, The Curator in Asia’s 50 Best Bar’s

The inaugural list of Asia’s 50 Best Bar lists Manila’s ABV and The Curator in the top 14 and 16 spots. Alcohol by Volume (ABV), at 14th spot, was cited by the list as a burger joint in Makati City that is “actually the gateway to a 1920s throwback” with its “Prohibition-style speakeasy with a copper bar top in brick and wood space.” The list also noted ABV’s classic and signature drinks, with the “largest absinthe collection in town” consisting of “more than 30 bottles, from classic French-style absinthe pours to an absinthe fountain.” The Curator Coffee & Cocktail is recognized for its team in Manila “that really, really knows its cocktails.” The Curator team is credited for viewing both coffee and cocktails as art, science and craft. The Makati third wave multi-roaster café by day and bar by night, prepares drinks “carefully created with proper technique, churning out some of the most profound flavor profiles in the country to date.” Asian Academy members consisting of elite high level bartenders, bar consultants, brand ambassadors, and journalists who consistently travel throughout the region, voted for the Asian spinoff of the World’s Best Bar. The two Philippine bars ranked in the top 50 best bars from a shortlist of 215 best bars in the Asian region produced by Drinks International.   Related posts: Manila one of the world’s best cities for coffee Manila main feature in Condé Nast Traveller magazine Manila one of the most youthful cities in the world Two PHL cities named ‘Selfie’ Read More …

Apr 132016
 
Why Am I So Shy?

Chinkee Tan Do you know of anyone who is “naturally” shy? Or are you, yourself, “naturally” shy? My question for you is this: What are you so shy about? What do you find so embarrassing about your life? What is it about yourself that you find so shameful? Are you embarrassed to recite in class because you might give the wrong answer? Are you ashamed to court a woman because you think that a woman of her status would never entertain an average, so-so guy like you? Are you embarrassed to offer that product you are selling because you’re afraid that people will reject you? Are you embarrassed to ask for directions because you don’t want to people to think that you’re stupid? Are you ashamed to share your ideas in a group, afraid that people will find no value in them? If you find yourself being shy about a lot of things, you need to understand that being shy is a very big hindrance to one’s success. The good thing is, you can overcome it. How? Discover the cause First of all, you need to discover and understand the root cause of your shyness. We need to dig deep and get to the very roots of the issue. Imagine that your shyness is a tree – only when you take the tree by its roots will you able to completely get rid of it; simply taking out its leaves will not do. To dig deep and get to the Read More …