Pokwang reveals baby’s name

 Entertainment
Nov 182017
 
Pokwang reveals baby’s name

Pokwang and Lee O’Brian (MNS photo) Comedienne Pokwang has revealed the name of her first child with her partner, American actor Lee O’Brian. In an Instagram post, Pokwang said that their baby girl’s name is Malia Francine. Netizens were quick to notice that the name of Pokwang’s baby is similar to the name of the lead character of the ABS-CBN primetime series “La Luna Sangre.” Malia, played by Kathryn Bernardo, possesses special skills for being the daughter of a werewolf (Angel Locsin) and a vampire (John Lloyd Cruz). “Winner ang name! Itinakda!” one commented, referring to the name of Pokwang’s baby. “Kung anak mo si Malia, edi ikaw si Lia!” another fan added, tagging the Instagram account of Locsin. “Idol na idol mo siguro ang ‘La Luna Sangre,’ mamang,” a netizen wrote. It was last June when Pokwang, 44, confirmed that she is pregnant. O’Brian shared that Pokwang is expected to give birth in February next year. Pokwang first confirmed her relationship with O’Brian in January 2015. The two met while working on the TFC movie “Edsa Woolworth.” The actress already has a daughter with a former partner who is based in Japan. (MNS)

PHL-US ties ‘vibrant’ under Duterte, Trump — Palace official

 Entertainment
Nov 182017
 
PHL-US ties ‘vibrant’ under Duterte, Trump — Palace official

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with US President Donald Trump during the gala dinner hosted by the Philippines for the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on November 12, 2017. (MNS photo) MANILA, Nov 14 (Mabuhay) — The relationship between the Philippines and the United States, two longtime allies, is “vibrant” under their current respective leaderships, said a Palace official on Tuesday. The over-40-minute-long bilateral meeting between Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Donald Trump was a “good indication” of a positive relationship between the two countries, said Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan. “We feel that the relationship between the Philippines and the US is vibrant under Duterte and President Trump,” he said. “The bilat[eral meeting] yesterday lasted for more than 40 minutes which is a good indication of a good relationship between the two countries.” Duterte and Trump held a much-anticipated bilateral meeting on Monday, where Trump affirmed having a “great relationship” with his Philippine counterpart, who has had a less-than-warm rapport with former US President Barack Obama. Duterte had called Obama a “son of a bitch” after the White House said the latter would “not pull punches” in discussing the Philippine human rights situation. This vulgar remark, though not Duterte’s first—he had called the Pope a “son of a whore,” for one—prompted Obama to cancel what would have been their first meeting. Prior to the Duterte-Trump talk, US lawmakers urged their Read More …

US congressman slams Trump for ‘cozying up’ to ‘dictator’ Duterte

 Entertainment
Nov 182017
 
US congressman slams Trump for ‘cozying up’ to ‘dictator’ Duterte

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his partner Honeylet welcome US President Donald Trump prior to the start of the gala dinner hosted by the Philippines for the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on November 12, 2017. (MNS photo) MANILA, Nov 14 (Mabuhay) — An American congressman on Tuesday slammed US President Donald Trump for “cozying up” to “dictator” President Rodrigo Duterte. Massachusetts Second District Representative Jim McGovern was reacting to a tweet by an American journalist saying that Trump allowed Duterte to “shut down US reporters’ questions about human rights.” Last week, Duterte threatened to ban McGovern and another US lawmaker, Republican Representative Randy, from coming to Manila after they criticized Trump for inviting the Philippine leader to visit the US. Speaking to members of the media, Duterte evaded a reporter’s question on whether he and his American counterpart would discuss human rights in their one-on-one, only saying “maybe a press conference will follow.” He also jokingly called the media “spies” as the media pool covering the start of his bilateral meeting with Trump were being ushered out of the room. Bilateral meetings are usually held behind closed doors. In his statement, Trump had boasted of a “great relationship” with the Philippine President. The two leaders first met in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam. Malacañang and the White House had contradicting statements on whether the two leaders discussed human Read More …

Duterte, Trump say human rights and dignity of human life ‘essential’

 Entertainment
Nov 182017
 
Duterte, Trump say human rights and dignity of human life ‘essential’

PH-US BILATERAL TALKS. President Rodrigo Duterte holds bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on November 13, 2017.(MNS photo) MANILA, Nov 14 (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump, in their first bilateral meeting in Manila, declared that human rights and dignity of human life are “essential” amid massive criticisms on the Philippine leader’s bloody anti-narcotics crackdown that killed thousands of drug suspects. At the same time, the two sides acknowledged that illegal drug use “is a problem afflicting both countries” as Trump committed to help the Philippines address the global menace. “The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups,” said a joint statement released on Tuesday, a day after Duterte and Trump met at the sidelines of an ongoing regional summit hosted by the Philippines. Duterte and Trump, according to their statement, agreed “to share best practices in the areas of prevention, enforcement, including capacity-building and transparency in investigations and rehabilitation” Trump, criticized at home for not giving priority on the human rights issues in the Philippines, has been strongly urged to confront the Philippine leader on his brutal drug war – a policy censured by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Angered by Obama’s criticisms, Duterte lashed out on the US and even threatened Read More …

Duterte lauds ASEAN, international partners for Marawi aid

 Entertainment
Nov 182017
 
Duterte lauds ASEAN, international partners for Marawi aid

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his partner Honeylet pose for a photo with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners prior to the start of the gala dinner hosted by the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on November 12, 2017. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO MANILA, Nov 13 (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed gratitude to ASEAN member states and other international partners for their assistance in the recently-concluded campaign against the Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City. “Less than a month ago, Philippine government forces liberated the city of Marawi from terrorist groups who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Resolute, we are now in the process of helping people back on their feet to reclaim their lives,” the Chief Executive said. He thanked these nations in his speech during the opening ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. “We thank our international partners for providing assistance in dealing with the situation in Marawi City,” Duterte said. “Our ASEAN brothers provided support by sending relief items for the benefit of the internally displaced persons while others provided valuable assistance and bolstered our military campaign,” he stressed. Fighting broke out in the city after government troops tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and his cohorts last May 23. It officially ended on Oct. 23 after military units have neutralized Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of the co-founders of the Read More …

Pinoy Expats Urged To Bring Home A Friend, Win Awesome Prizes

 News
Nov 172017
 
Pinoy Expats Urged To Bring Home A Friend, Win Awesome Prizes

Image via Google The best ambassadors for a country is its citizens, so why not incentivize expats to “bring a tourist home” to their country? This is the rationale behind the “Bring Home a Friend” Program by the Department of Tourism (DOT), which was recently relaunched last month to help bolster tourism in the country. The program will give away lavish prizes to individuals who are able to invite their friends overseas to the Philippines. The DOT has spared no expense in the raffle prizes for the program: a condominium unit, a Toyota Vios and a 200K shopping spree are up for grabs for qualified entries. Registering for the program is easy: Filipino sponsors need only register their details at www.bringhomeafriend.online and fill out the invitation form to be sent to their friend. Their friend heading to the Philippines meanwhile will only need to upload proof of their trip to the website, like a boarding pass, for example. The number of entries in the raffle depends on the point of origin of the friend: Asian travelers net sponsors a single entry, while visitors from Australia and Oceania get two entries. Visitors from Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas get three entries. First launched in 1994, the program, which was spearheaded by then Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, was aimed at encouraging Filipinos to invite their foreign friends to visit the country. “The success of this program lies in our ability to empower people and give them the opportunity to Read More …

Manila Subway Closer To Reality As Japan, PH Sign Notes

 News
Nov 172017
 
Manila Subway Closer To Reality As Japan, PH Sign Notes

The initial phase of the Japan-funded Mega Manila Subway Project (MMSP) now has an initial investment requirement of P355.6 billion (roughly $7 billion)Photo via Philstar Manila’s long awaited subway is one step closer to reality. The Philippines and Japan have exchanged notes on the gigantic infrastructure project on the sidelines of the two countries’ bilateral meeting late Monday, witnessed by both President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The exchange of notes are a prelude to the signing of the loan agreement in January, which will see the Japanese government loan 104.53 billion yen (Php 46 billion) for the first phase of the Manila Subway project. The project, expected to move around 500,000 passengers by day come 2027, will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) in Taguig City, with a possible extension to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Aside from the subway project, the exchange of notes also covered the 9.4-billion yen (Php 4 billion) loan for the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway in Plaridel, Bulacan to Manila, as well as a 2.5 billion yen (Php 1 billion) grant to rebuild war-torn Marawi City. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said these 3 projects were part of Tokyo’s financial support to the Philippines worth 1 trillion yen over the next 5 years. The post Manila Subway Closer To Reality As Japan, PH Sign Notes appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.

7 Indicators Your Business Is Ready for Expansion

 News
Nov 162017
 
7 Indicators Your Business Is Ready for Expansion

Armando Bartolome There’s no way to go but up, if you are an entrepreneur. You may meet challenges in a business, but if you’ve got the right attitude, skills and people, you can overcome them. But once your business has become established, what is your next move? Expansion, of course. Taking your business to the next level is not any different from launching it. Every stage of growth needs a bit of faith and guts. But how do you know you’re ready for expansion? Here are a few indicators to help you determine if you are ready to take that leap: 1. You have built a strong team for your company. A business is not run by a single person. Though you may want to do everything for your business, you only can do so much. This is why you needed to look for the right people to help you. A strong team will let you take the next step. 2. You have a strong base of customers. When more people patronize your products or services, you may need to expand to keep up with the demand. 3. People are asking you to open a branch in their location. You must be doing something right if people who live far from your store still patronize your business. When customers ask you to open a branch near their place, you should seriously consider it. 4. You have a steady cash flow. When daily sales surpass your expectations and you’ve already paid Read More …

PHI wins 6 golds, 2nd overall in Muay Thai tourney in Korea

 News
Nov 162017
 

The Philippine team of Muay Thai fighters finished second place overall after winning 6 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the 1st World Youth Martial Arts Masterships (WYMA Masterships) in Jincheon, South Korea. The medal haul placed the country as leader among South East Asian nations at the WYMA tournament, ahead of Thailand which placed 6th overall (3-1-2), Malaysia at 8th place (2-3-0), Vietnam in 9th place (2-2-3) and Singapore (0-1-1). Host country South Korea topped the medal tally with 58 gold, 45 silver, and 39 bronze medals. The Pinoy Muay Thai medal finishers competed among 600 athletes from 30 countries in 4 days of competitions early November. The Philippine Muay Thai medalists at the WYMA Masterships: Gold – Ghen-Yhan Berdon (Muay | Boys – 48kg) Gold – Bryan Siglos (Muay | Boys – 63.5kg) Gold – Mariah Co (Muay | Girls – 48kg) Gold – Islay Erika Bomogao (Muay | Girls – 45kg) Gold – Rudzma Abubakar (Muay | Girls – 45kg) Gold – Liane Benito (Muay | Girls – 48kg) Silver – Kristian Narca (Muay | Boys – -48kgs) Bronze – Rosemarie Recto (Muay | Girls-51kgs) Bronze – Felex Dave Cantores (Muay | Boys – 60kgs) The post PHI wins 6 golds, 2nd overall in Muay Thai tourney in Korea appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.

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