Maniolas

Los Angeles will have the privilege of hosting  the American leg tour of the multi-awarded Philippine Madrigal Singers on December 11. The talented group had recently added another laurel in their caps by winning the  Citta D’Arezzo Grand Prize in Italy which earned them the ticket to compete in next year’s much coveted European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (EGP). Also known as U.P. Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Philippine Madrigal Singers bested 10 other choirs for the grand prize of the 64th Polyphonic International Competition Guido d’Arezzo. The non-professional choirs came from France, Slovenia, Iceland, Italy, Sweden, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. D’Arezzo Grand Prize Winner: The Philippine Madrigal Singers which just won the Citta D’Arezzo Grand Prize in Italy by besting 10 others in the tough competition earned the group the ticket in next year’s European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (EGP). The group is scheduled to do a concert sponsored by the nonprofit JIR Foundation in December. Fondly called “The Madz”, the Philippine Madrigal Singers also took home the following awards – 1st Prize in Compulsory Program, 1st Prize in Musica Sacra, 1st Prize in Monographic, 2nd Prize in Secular Music and Special Listening Committee Awards in Folk Song, Pop, and Renaissance Performances. The choir known for its supreme artistry has produced hundreds of alumni choristers since its founding in 1963. Los Angeles-based JIR Foundation which had successfully sponsored concerts in the past will have its hands full preparing for the Philippine Madrigals December gig as a fundraiser in Read More …

A SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) officer mans the passenger departure entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 2 on Sunday. Travelers are advised to arrive early for their respective flights as security at airport terminals were tightened after the blast that hit a night market in Davao City on Friday evening. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 5 (Mabuhay) — The state of lawless violence declared by President Rodrigo Duterte could be raised before the Supreme Court if only to allay the fears of the people, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Monday. Escudero explained that unlike martial law, the President can declare a state of lawless violence even without the approval of Congress. “Ang epekto lamang naman nito (state of lawless violence) ay pwede nyang gamitin ang Armed Forces of the Philippines para i-suppress ito. Sa totoo lang ginagamit na naman nya sa Sulu laban sa Abu Sayaff at sa mahabang panahon, ginagamit na yan ng mga nauna na ring presidente. Armed Forces mismo ang nagpapatupad na ng peace and order operations ng ating bansa at hindi ang Philippine National Police. That’s all that it means,” he told reporters. Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) hold a candle lighting rally in front of the Quiapo Church in Manila on Saturday, as they call for justice for the victims of the night market blast in Davao late Friday evening. The blast claimed 14 lives and injured 67 people.(MNS photo) (The effect of state of lawles violence means he could use Read More …

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Chair Vitaliano Aquirre II shakes hands with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary and IACAT Co-Chair Judy Taguiwalo after the signing of the Statement of Collective Commitment Against Human Trafficking during the observance of the 2016 World Day Against Human on Friday (July 29, 2016) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. Looking on is Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente (left). The World Day Against Human Trafficking was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003 and adopted by the member states through a resolution declaring that it is necessary to raise awareness on the issue of trafficking and promote the rights of victims. (MNS photo) Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre II said Friday they have deposit slips to bolster claims that millions of pesos went into the bank account of Ronnie Dayan, who President Rodrigo Duterte accused of collecting money for Sen. Leila de Lima from convicted drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison. “Meron akong mga hawak na ilang dokumento pa. May ilang deposit slips sa bangko ng milyun-milyon. Kaya di ko ‘yan pinapalabas dahil kami ay nagbi-build up pa lang ng kaso,” Aguirre said. “Ayaw ko po munang i-discuss ‘yan hangga’t hindi ko pa na veri-verify ‘yan sapagkat ang pagka-release po niyan ay hindi po authorized. Hindi ko malaman kung paano nakakuha ang media but definitely it did not come from me. Wala po akong sinasabi tungkol diyan,” he Read More …

Sunshine Dizon (MNS photo) Sunshine Dizon has refused to let the legal battle between her and Timothy Tan affect the relationship that she and her children have with her husband’s parents. Speaking to reporters, Dizon explained the recent photo which she posted on Instagram of her and her two children with Tan’s father. “I never had a problem with the family of Tim, especially my father-in-law. Hindi na lang napag-uusapan [’yung gulo] pero ayaw ko ring umabot sa point na maapektuhan ‘yung relasyon ko sa father-in-law ko, or ng mga anak ko sa father-in-law ko because he is a very decent and good man. He is truly like my second father,” she said. Dizon said she feels her father-in-law’s concern when it comes to their marital woes but stressed that he actually does not meddle with it. “We just avoid talking about it. Sabi nga ng father-in-law ko, he is praying and hoping na maaayos pero hindi para diktahan niya ako kung anong dapat kong gawin because may sarili akong decision and hindi rin para mangunsinti sila dahil may maling nagawa,” she said. Nonetheless, Dizon said she understands where her father-in-law is coming from when he expressed that he is hoping she and Tan could still fix their marriage. Is there any effort on Tan’s part to mend their relationship? “I don’t want to elaborate. Actually kasi may gag order. I’m not sure if I’m privy to say this in public pero sa mga anak niya, maayos naman siya sa Read More …