Maniolas

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte arrives via helicopter at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Wednesday to preside over the first meeting of his incoming Cabinet outside Davao City.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Duterte administration is seriously looking at installing cable cars to solve the gridlock in Metro Manila, incoming Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said. Exploratory talks with a company that manufactured cable cars for Bolivia is ongoing, Tugade noted in an interview on national television Tuesday. However, he clarified that there is no definite plan yet – only a concept. “’Yung cable cars pinag-aaralan definitely… Ito ho, hinihiram ko ‘yung Bolivia experience kung saan mayroong mga cable car,” the incoming Cabinet official said. “Uumpishan mo muna ‘yan sa area ng Pasig, then EDSA, ito ‘yung mga gondola na may 35-passenger capacity,” he added. Tugade noted cable cars are better than constructing more roads that can further worsen traffic jams. “Kaya ko napag-isipan ‘yan, kasi pag nagdagdag tayo ng kalsada at nag-construct tayo eh lalo magkakatraffic. Kung gusto mo ng additional capacity pumunta ka sa itaas,” he said. He added that installing cable cars will not only solve the traffic problem but also involves the concept of for “scenic purposes.” For the long-term, Tugade said he will suggest using cable cars from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Makati City, with stations in between. “Pinag-aaralan po ‘yung detalye maybe, it’s not technically accurate on my part to decide, but, suffice it to say for the moment that it is Read More …

“Philippine Travel Gems” Facebook Photo Contest. LOS ANGELES, CA (Mabuhay) -– Beginning July 1 through November 30, 2016, the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles and Majestic Vacations are holding an exciting online promotional campaign: “Philippine Travel Gems” Facebook Photo Contest. These travel and tourism industry partners are teaming up with Philippine Airlines to get Facebook users and travelers to the Philippines dig into and master their photography skills for a chance to win a Round Trip Ticket to the Philippines plus two (2) nights accommodation in a 5-star hotel in the Philippines, a brand new iPad Air, or a two (2) nights accommodation in a 5-star hotel in Manila. “Philippine Travel Gems” Facebook Photo Contest is all about creating an opportunity for everyone to share their beautiful photos of their favorite travel destinations in the Philippines and promoting the country as one of the premier tour destinations in the world. There is no registration fee to enter the contest, but the participant must be able to provide proof that he or she has traveled to the Philippines at anytime from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016. Each participant may submit up to five entries of original photos that are not digitally altered or enhanced, must not bear any watermarks, signatures or other markings. Each entry should have a title and a caption of at least 3 to 5 sentences describing when and where the photo was taken and what makes the place an exceptional tourist destination. Together with this, Read More …

Coraleen Waddell (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sometime in 2010, Filipino-Irish Coraleen Waddell found herself in the Philippines wanting to start a career in show business. She has since signed up with Viva Films appearing in several films including “Diary Ng Panget” and “Talk Back And You’re Dead.” Though far from being a household name, Coraleen is happy where she is. “Nag-enjoy kasi ako na nai-enhance ko ’yung talent ko,” she said in an interview. The actress-model also acknowledged how her management team continues to help further her career. “Viva Entertainment takes good care of me. They continue to give me roles in movies and I could only be thankful. Currently, there’s discussion for more projects,” she shared. Coraleen wants to do heavy drama soon. “I have been in the bagets genre na eh. Puro kikay, young and fun. So I want to do something different, something heavy. I want to push my abilities,” she said. She is hopeful about landing one big role that could help her finally make a huge mark, noting, “I want to do something I have never done before.” She considers her being “likable” and “casual” a plus that could lead to more projects. “I really enjoy meeting different people. I also welcome different experiences,” she said. Coraleen doesn’t want to enter into a romantic relationship for now, opting to focus on work. “The management told me to stick with show business and to keep my focus so, that’s what I’m doing,” she said. If Read More …

Incoming Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol has lots of bright ideas to help turn around the moribund agriculture business in the Philippines. Piñol is in the United States this week to explore possibilities of acquiring farm machineries on long term loans to maximize rice production. During a press conference in Irvine’s University Research Park, arranged and hosted by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange, Piñol disclosed that his number one priority once he assumes his post is to make sure that food will be available and affordable for all Filipinos He also vowed to stop the rampant corruption in the Department of Agriculture to ensure that government funds intended for farm workers will not be pocketed by corrupt officials and employees in the department. Piñol told members of the Fil-Am Chamber that among other things he also intends to develop the country’s fisheries, and aquatic resources, and make the Philippines rice-sufficient and to revive the once flourishing copra and abaca industries. He said he would encourage farm workers, with ample government support and funding, to maximize farm production. The Philippines has a total agricultural land area of 13 million hectares. In spite of this vast land area, however, the country sadly and shamefully continues to import rice from other countries to meet the growing demand of its expanding population. It will be recalled that when President Benigno Aquino became president, he promised to make Philippines self-sufficient. Well, that has yet to happen. Piñol said he would look Read More …