Jul 032016
 
Bautista says he’s not resigning

By Ferdinand G. Patinio A congressional staff arranges ballot boxes containing the Certificates of Canvass and Election Returns during the Joint Session of Congress Presidential and Vice Presidential Canvass at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Friday. The canvassing of votes was completed Friday evening.(MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Juan Andres Bautista has no intention of quitting his position, shrugging off claims of all six poll commissioners of a “failure of leadership.” He noted that there are no reasons for him to resign. “I am not thinking of leaving my post at this point in time at all because I did not do anything wrong. The past election is a clear proof that the Comelec can hold an orderly, successful, and peaceful election,” Bautista said in an interview. He said he is saddened by the current squabble at the poll body since they have just finished the successful conduct of the May 9 national and local polls. “I am a bit saddened because we have just successfully conducted the elections, where it appears that the public perception towards us went up. Now, with this, it creates some doubts to our people,” Bautista added. Last week, the six commissioners claimed in a memorandum a “failure of leadership” at the Comelec. Commissioners Christian Robert Lim, Arthur Lim, Luie Guia, Rowena Guanzon, Sheriff Abas, and Al Parreno want Bautista to answer at least 15 issues. The poll body chief said he has accepted that being in Read More …

Jul 032016
 
FASO concert taps Sylvia La Torre, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle as special guests

Sylvia La Torre and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle The Philippines’ legendary veteran entertainer, Sylvia La Torre, and her granddaughter, Broadway performer and TV-film actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, will be the special guests in the August 13 concert of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO). La Torre and Perez de Tagle will perform a duet and solo numbers with FASO, the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines. The beloved icon and her talented granddaughter singing with a full orchestra will be a landmark Filipino-American musical event. FASO, under the baton of musical director and conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder, will also play “Peter & the Wolf,” Sergei Prokofiev’s well-loved children’s classic (to be narrated by Joan Almedilla), cherished movie and television tunes, including themes from “Stars Wars” and “Harry Potter” films, Broadway favorites and Filipino music gems. Titled “FASO Plays Prokofiev’s ‘Peter & the Wolf,’ ” the exciting concert for children and adults will be staged on Saturday, August 13, at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center at 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. It will be La Torre and Perez de Tagle’s first time to collaborate musically with FASO. La Torre, a national music treasure who joined a singing contest at the age of five in 1938 in Manila, is acknowledged as the first Filipino artist to enjoy a hugely successful career in all major entertainment fields in the Philippines: radio, television, record, stage and film. Now based in California, La Torre, known as the Queen of Kundiman Read More …

Jul 032016
 
Local officials, ordinary folks see better PHL with Duterte in power

By Noel Y. Punzalan and Edwin O. Fernandez Two days before incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte takes his Oath of Office on June 30, motorists along Jose Laurel St. and Ayala Blvd. near the Malacanang Complex are greeted by a giant photo of the outgoing Davao City mayor with the Seal of the Office of the President beside him on Tuesday (June 28, 2016). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan) COTABATO CITY  (PNA) – Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu said incoming President Duterte’s assumption as the country’s 16th President will usher genuine reforms both in governance and anti-corruption. “We, the provincial officials of Maguindanao, are giving our all out support to President Duterte,” Mangudadatu told a news conference after he took his oath of office in Buluan, Maguindanao. He said he is fully supporting the Duterte administration’s desire to rid the country of illegal drugs “before the country is engulfed by narco-politics.” “We set aside political affiliations because we have the same objective of serving our people,” Mangudadatu, who belonged to Liberal Party (LP), added. Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani, who was re-elected to his third and last term, said the President-elect’s assumption to office will change the country’s political landscape and the people, especially the hopeless, defenseless and oppressed, have found an ally in Duterte. Guiani, who had a brief talk with Duterte in Davao City last week, said the incoming President vowed to help the city become investors’ destination after the problems of illegal drugs and petty crimes Read More …

Jul 032016
 
Jasmine excited to play Vilma’s daughter in next movie

Jasmine Curtis-Smith (MNS Photo) Jasmine Curtis-Smith was at a loss for words when she was informed that she will be working with multi-awarded actress Vilma Santos in her next movie. Curtis-Smith said she loves working with experienced actors in the entertainment industry because she can learn from them. “Actually when we had a meeting, nagulat ako na siya ‘yung binanggit na actress. Sabi ko, ‘Are you sure about this?’ My gosh naka-work ko na si Superstar, tapos ngayon ka-work ko naman si Ate Vi na favorite ni mommy. I was beyond happy not only for myself but naisip ko, my gosh, my mom will definitely come home for this. Ako, swerte ko lang. I’m very thankful,” she said. Curtis-Smith appeared in the 2014 indie film “Dementia” with Nora Aunor. She said she might play the role of Santos’ daughter in the still-untitled project, which will be directed by Quark Henares. With her steady stream of TV and movie projects, the 22-year-old said she is just grateful that her managers continue to believe in her. “I’m happy kasi that’s always been my goal. I want to be known as an actress, not just for my name or the sister or just another talent,” she said. Curtis-Smith first became popular as the younger sister of Kapamilya star Anne Curtis. (MNS)

Jul 032016
 
Lotlot takes the stage

Lotlot de Leon (MNS Photo) Just when you think Lotlot de Leon has shown all she can as actress in various movie and TV projects in the last 30 years, she is now set on proving her mettle in theater via Virgin Labfest’s (VLF) Staged Reading of “Run, Marga, Run.” In an Instagram post, the actress shared it has always been her dream to be part of a theater production. “Galing na galing po ako sa lahat ng nagta-teatro. Bilib ako sa GALING, HUSAY, at TAPANG nilang tumuntong sa entablado at humarap sa mga manunuod na tila walang bahid ng nerbiyos o alinlangan at buong-buo ang kanilang pagkatao. ’Pag naaalala ko ’yung mga napanuod ko na theater plays at ’yung mga klase ng performances ng mga actors, iniisip ko gusto ko maging kagaya nila, gusto ko rin maging magaling na artista,” she added. Though apprehensive at first, it didn’t take much convincing for Lotlot to accept the challenge when presented to her. “Sa loob loob ko, sa pagkwestiyon sa sarili ko, ‘Kaya ko kaya? O baka hindi ko kaya,’” she said. “Nang tanungin ako kung interesado ako at nabasa ko ang istorya (napakagandang material), alam ko sa sarili ko na this is it!!! Ito na ’yung matagal ko nang pangarap magawa. May halong nerbiyos at takot. Pakiramdam ko umiikot sikmura ko sabay hilo at hingang malalim ay nagdesision ako at buong buo sa loob ko ang pagtanggap nito at pagsabi ng, ‘OO!’ Totoo na ito!!! GOD HELP ME!” Other plays Read More …

Jul 032016
 
2017 Honda Accord arrives in showrooms with new Sport Special Edition

2017 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition TORRANCE, Calif  – New Sport Special Edition adds premium features in a value package Sporty and sophisticated styling returns with popular features including Honda Sensing, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More powerful and fuel-efficient 2017 Accord Hybrid launched earlier this month The 2017 Accord Sedan and Coupe hit showrooms this Monday with a new Sport Special Edition, ready to continue Accord’s three-year streak as the most popular car in America with individual retail car buyers. Retaining many of the popular enhancements introduced last year, the 2017 Accord will be available starting June 27 at Honda dealerships nationwide with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $22,3551. The 2017 Accord Sedan and Coupe are available in a variety of trims, with 4-cylinder and V6 powertrains, 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, and a continuously variable transmission. For 2017 Honda is introducing the Accord Sport Special Edition sedan with premium features consisting of leather seats with red stitching, heated seats and “Special Edition” badge. The significantly refreshed 2017 Accord Hybrid, featuring a new version of Honda’s two-motor hybrid powertrain technology with both class-leading power and fuel economy ratings, rounds out the 2017 Accord lineup as it launched earlier this month. The Accord received significant upgrades for the 2016 model year, including dynamic new styling, a more rigid body, upgraded chassis and upsized wheels and tires on select models. The 2017 Accord carries over the expanded LED exterior lighting and premium features and technologies of the Read More …