Dec 072013
 
Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano (MNS Photo)

Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano (MNS Photo)

Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin, who both recently separated from their respective partners, prefer to keep mum on the possibility of getting back together, four years after their split.

The 32-year-old TV host did not give a direct answer when asked on his ties with Locsin, explaining it may complicate matters.

It’s very, very hard to comment on that kasi siyempre may pinagdaanan rin naman si Angel at ako rin, and to comment on that, siguro it will fuel certain flames na iwasan na siguro natin dahil baka mabigyan ng hindi magandang interpretasyon,” he said.

The 28-year-old actress recently separated from her boyfriend of over a year, football player Phil Younghusband. Locsin confirmed the breakup in late October. They became a couple in May 2012.

Manzano also confirmed his split with actress Jennylyn Mercado late last month. They would have celebrated their second anniversary last October 18.

Coincidentally, Locsin and Manzano confirmed their breakup in October of 2009, four months after their actual separation.

Asked on the possibility of getting back together with Manzano, Locsin similarly put off giving a direct answer.

Baka ‘yon po ang hindi ko masagot sa ngayon. Sa ngayon po, I’m very happy doing what I love most and helping people out,” said Locsin, who at the time was taking part in the relief efforts of Philippine Red Cross for the victims of the recent typhoon.

Hindi nalang muna ako nag-iisip kasi kakagaling ko lang rin naman po ng breakup so medyo mahirap po ngayon ang sitwasyon,” she said. (MNS)

Nov 232013
 
ICRC ship arrives, to give aid to folk in Yolanda-hit Leyte, Samar

TACLOBAN CITY – More aid arrived Saturday for residents affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), this time from a vessel of the International Committee of the Red Cross bearing food and health care facilities. ICRC spokesperson Atishay Abbhi said the vessel—much of whose equipment is for residents in the Samar area—carried basic health care facilities including a surgical unit and water tank, as well as 20 tons of food. “We initially focused on immediate relief. Now our next step is health,” Abbhi said, noting the vessel is carrying teams of engineers, health experts and even forensic experts to help manage the remains of fatalities. He said the ICRC teams will be working with counterparts in the Philippine Red Cross. Abbhi said the vessel has a surgical unit heading for Samar, as well as materials for restoring water service to Basey also in Samar. “We have a team proceeding to Balangiga to help restore thw water networks,” he said. Personnel from the vessel will also Teams will also bring food items to Salcedo and Guiuan in Samar, he added. Guiuan was the area where Yolanda first made landfall last Nov. 8. Yolanda left at least 5,000 dead in its wake after ravaging parts of Visayas and Southern Luzon. — VC, GMA News

Nov 172013
 
LG donates at least $600,000 to ‘Yolanda’ victims

LG Electronics Philippines managing director Sung Woo Nam (right) presents $500,000 check to Philippine Red Cross chairman and chief executive officer Richard Gordon (left) signifying support to victims of super typhoon Yolanda. MANILA, Philippines – Global top technology innovator LG Electronics has pledged to support the distraught victims of the severe Yolanda typhoon by giving $500,000 (approximately P22 million). This cash donation was coursed through Red Cross Philippines. To address the issue of electricity shortage, LG Electronics as one of the top Solar Panel manufacturers also committed to install its Solar Power System worth $100,000 (approximately PHP 4.3 million) in major evacuation centers. Solar power generation is one of the most environment-friendly renewable sources of electricity. Upon installation, LG Solar Panels can directly convert sunlight to electricity, while the accompanying charge controller, batteries, inverter, and loads will be able to sustain it.  This activity will be done in cooperation with the Department of Energy. These environment-friendly LG Solar Panels renew and sustain electricityin the Palawan City Hall. In addition, LG employees have made their own individual contributions and raised a total of $10,000. When the overwhelming situation stabilizes, LG will undergo community rehabilitation with “LG Service Camp”, an annual CSR program dedicated to victims of calamities. Now on its third year, LG Service Camp will offer free appliance and mobile phone cleaning and repair to all affected LG customers. LG employee volunteers will also extend services to Medical Missions and free Labada Days. Donations of LG TVs and washing machines Read More …

Oct 252013
 
Australia to give P124-M aid to Visayas quake victims; P20M to Zambo victims

The Australian government will be giving up to P124 million in aid to the victims of last week’s earthquake in Central Visayas and around P20 million to the families affected by the crisis in Zamboanga City, its embassy in the Philippines said Friday. In a statement, the Australian Embassy said the financial assistance to the earthquake victims will include P44 million worth of supplies such as family survival kits containing sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and water containers through the Philippine Red Cross, rice through the World Food Programme, and health and dignity kits for women through the UN Population Fund. It said Australia will also provide P40 to provide “critical relief needs” identified in the UN Action Plan such as shelter, water and sanitation, and early recovery activities. Another P40 million, it said, will be given to replenish prepositioned supplies with partners. Aside from this, the embassy said the Australian Government-funded Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) is also working with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to assess the damage to roads and bridges “The devastation caused by the earthquake, particularly in Bohol, is enormous and staggering. With more than 200 lives lost, 380,000 people displaced, and ongoing aftershocks that aggravate people’s suffering, the extent of assistance required is also massive,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell in the statement. He added that the Australian government has had “a long-standing development partnership” with Bohol province, making the quake’s Read More …

Aug 162013
 
NDRRMC: 274 still missing from sunken ship in Cebu

Red Cross personnel attend to survivors of ships’ collision. Survivors of the collision between two ships near the Cebu International Port in waters off the towns of Talisay and Cordova are attended to be personnel of the Philippine Red Cross. GMA News – Cebu At least 274 passengers are still missing as of 7 a.m. Saturday from the collision of a passenger ship and a cargo vessel off Cebu Friday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 7 a.m. update, the NDRRMC indicated the missing are from the MV Saint Thomas Aquinas of 2GO Shipping, as the crew of the MV Suplicio Express 7 are accounted for. “As of 7 a.m. (Saturday), 24 persons are confirmed dead, 572 passengers were rescued, and 274 are missing,” it said. The NDRRMC said the 38 crewmembers of the MV Sulpicio Express 7 are “all safe and accounted for.” Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, and Department of Health taking part in the efforts. Volunteer groups are also helping in the search and rescue efforts. The NDRRMC said the injured victims were brought to various hospitals while the fatalities’ remains were brought to Pier 4 in Cebu City. Management of 2GO provided relief assistance including temporary shelter to 300 survivors at the passengers’ terminal of Pier 4. Other survivors were billeted at Subutel and Stella Marie Hotel, while other survivors in Talisay City Read More …