Jun 302016
 
Mat Relox

Mat Relox

Mat Relox, a Mangyan artist, known for his impassioned portrayal of the bucolic Mangyan life and culture, will hold his fourth one-man art exhibit 7 p.m., July 2, at the La Habra Art Gallery, 215 N. Orange St., La Habra, Calif. The exhibit runs through August 2.

Guest artists at the ribbon cutting and opening reception are Ed Gumamit and Anton Magsarili Reyes, along with honored guests Dr. Felix Puno Lapuz, Dr. Wendy Freed, Thelma Calabio, La Habra City Councilmember Lorna Schaefer, and members of the La Habra Chamber of Commerce. Featured guests are Luz Balbin Spanks and Mon Concepcion.

http://www.lahabraartgallery.org/

http://www.lahabraartgallery.org/

Mat is a multi-awarded global FilAm artist who has held local and international shows. He calls Southern California his home.The founding member of the Pilipino American Artist Guild, Los Angeles, Calif., received the top global artist award from Tony Vizmonte of the Celebrity Chronicle and the outstanding professional in the field of visual arts award from the California Examiner at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m. Visit the gallery at  www.lahabraartgallery.org

Jun 302016
 
Change must start with us and in us – Duterte

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata President Rodrio Duterte, accompanied by his children (from left) Sebastian, Victoria, Davao Mayor Sara, and Davao Vice Mayor Paolo. (Malacanang photo) MANILA, June 30 (PNA) – His slogan during the last presidential campaign was “Change is coming” and most of the Filipino people are now waiting for it for the good of the country. In his inaugural speech in Malacanang as the 16th President of the Philippines on Thursday, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte noted that “change must start with us and in us.” He emphasized that the ride will be rough, but he encouraged everyone to join him in the journey towards a brighter future. Duterte vowed to listen to the murmuring of the people, feel their pulse and supply their needs. The new President said his administration will also focus on fighting three major problems in the country—corruption, criminality and rampant sale of illegal drugs. He added, “Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem.” His administration advocates transparency. One of his first orders to Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies is to refrain from changing and bending the rules of government contracts already approved. President Rodrigo Duterte Meanwhile, Duterte cited that he will serve everyone and not only one, but also pointed out, “I have no friends to serve, no enemies to harm.” “Malasakit, tunay na pagbabago” (concern, real change) – these are two of Duterte’s promises to the Filipinos. “I am ready to start my work for Read More …

Jun 302016
 
Duterte, Robredo sworn in as President, VP in separate inaugurations

By Benjamin Nathaniel T. Bondoc and Jelly F. Musico New Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo (center) takes her oath as the country’s second highest elected official in the presence of Rolando Coner (2nd from left), chairman of Barangay Punta Tarawal in Camarines Sur and Regine Celeste San Miguel (1st from left), chairman of Barangay Mariana in Quezon City at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila on Thursday (June 30, 2016). She is joined by her three daughters Jillian Therese (4th from left), Janine Patricia (5th from left) and Jessica Marie (6th from left). (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.) MANILA, June 30 (PNA) — The former mayor of the southern city of Davao, Rodrigo Roa Duterte formally took his oath on Thursday noon as the Philippines’ 16th chief executive. Duterte replaced outgoing Pres. Benigno Aquino III who arrived around 10:25 a.m. in Malacañang. The two met for over 30 minutes at the President’s Hall Sala before Aquino was given departure honors at the Palace Grounds. After the final military honors highlighted by 21-gun salute was given for Aquino, the incoming and outgoing leaders of the country talked again very briefly before Duterte escorted his predecessor to the vehicle that brought Aquino to his residence at Times Street in Quezon City. After the singing of national anthem and a joint prayer, veteran singer Freddie Aguilar sang Duterte’s campaign jingle “Duterte para sa Tunay ng Pagbabago” to the tune of Aguilar’s famous song “Ipaglaban Mo.” Then incumbent Read More …

Jun 302016
 
Lacson expects criminality, drugs to be minimized in first 100 days of Duterte admin

Presidential Adviser on Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Panfilo M. Lacson answers questions from the media in an interview after he delivered his address at a forum in Makati City last January 23. The former senator had refused to accept his pork barrel funds from the start. He said in a privilege speech that the funds had corrupted legislators. Now, even the members of the media are being named as those who received “payolas.” (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Criminality, particularly drug-related offenses, may be on the way to being greatly minimized in the first 100 days of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Senator-elect Panfilo M. Lacson said. Lacson cited significant strides made by law enforcers particularly against the illegal drug trade, with suspected drug users and pushers turning themselves in to police weeks before Duterte formally assumes his post on June 30. “Even before President-elect Duterte formally assumes the presidency, we have seen how suspected drug users and pushers turned themselves in to police in past weeks out of fear. Never in the history of criminality in the Philippines have we seen drug users, pushers and the like surrender in this manner,” said Lacson, who served as chief of the Philippine National Police from 1999-2001. “I hope the incoming administration can maintain this momentum and catch more pushers starting July 1. While it is impossible to eradicate crime, it is quite doable to greatly minimize it,” he added. Lacson said he is hopeful Duterte will fulfill his campaign promise of a strong Read More …

Jun 302016
 
‘Brexit’ no impact on PHL inbound tourism: DOT

By Azer N. Parrocha President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Princess Anne of Great Britain during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 17). Her visit is in connection with her charity and various humanitarian works. Also in photo are British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Anwar Ahmad and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Mateo Montano. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – A tourism official on Tuesday said that the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European or ‘Brexit’ will have no impact on Philippine inbound tourism. Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Rolando ‘Alan’ Cañizal said that while it might not affect inbound tourism, it might make it more difficult for Filipinos to travel to both UK and other European regions. “We do not see any impact on inbound tourism to the Philippines but more for Filipinos going there as visa requirements may become stricter,” Cañizal said in a text message. The DOT official, however, said that it is too early to tell. “It is too early to assess its (Brexit) impact as the implementation will still need to undergo certain processes within the EU,” Cañizal noted. Data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showed that in 2015, Europe is the region with the most tourist arrivals at 609-million constituting for 51 percent of total arrivals. Asia and the Pacific acquired 278-million tourist arrivals (23 percent), Read More …

Jun 292016
 
No chance Duterte will be impeached, Belmonte says

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) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Tuesday shot down talk that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte could be ousted via impeachment under the 17th Congress. Belmonte, a leader of Liberal Party, said he did not see any reason for such an attempt to succeed. He said he was unaware where reports of Duterte’s possible impeachment were coming from. “The chances of that is zero and nobody will even think of it,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the formal turnover of a bronze Jose Rizal sculpture and an original copy of the 1935 Constitution. As a lawmaker who witnessed firsthand the progress of impeachment proceedings against former President Joseph Estrada in 2000, the late Chief Justice Renato Corona in December 2011 and the attempt against former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez earlier that year, Belmonte said he did not see any reason for Duterte to worry about having a similar fate. “Definitely I don’t see any reason whatsoever for the President to fear this, or to even include it in his thinking,” he said. As to talk that LP could be planning to impeach Duterte so Vice President-elect Leni Read More …

Jun 292016
 
Military grateful to Aquino for jump-starting AFP Modernization Program

By Priam F. Nepomuceno President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Testimonial Parade and Review at the Grandstand of the AFP General Headquarters (GHQ), Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (June 27). (MNS photo) MANILA (PNA) – For jump-starting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, outgoing President Benigno S. Aquino III has the gratitude of the entire military. This was disclosed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in an interview Sunday. “We are very thankful for our Commander-in-Chief for understanding the (modernization needs of the) AFP and doing his best to see to it that the (minimum deterrent) requirements are acquired,” he added in Filipino. During the Aquino administration, significant progress has been made in the implementation of the AFP Capability Upgrade and Modernization Program where PHP60.14 billion has been released from July 10, 2010 to April this year, for all three Major Services, which includes the Army, Navy and Air Force. President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Philippine Legion of Honor with a degree of Officer on RAdm. Raul Ubando in a ceremony during the Armed Forces of the Philippines Testimonial Parade and Review at the Grandstand of the AFP General Headquarters, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (June 27). (MNS photo) Some of the equipment acquired in this period include the two Hamilton-class cutters, six multi-purpose assault craft, 113 armored personnel carriers, three brand-new C-295 medium lift aircraft, two C-130 heavy Read More …