Us asian post august 7, 2013

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Vol. 2. No. 47

LOS ANGELES

A Balita Media Publication

Wednesday - Tuesday, August 7-13, 2013

Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death: daughter

Biotechnologists on Sunday said they had developed a rice plant in the Philippines with deeper roots that can sustain high yields in droughts. Its big characteristic is roots that are deep and grow straight downwards, delving into parched soil for water, as opposed to root systems that are shallow and grow out sideways in typical waterrich paddy fields. Photo: Karina Laigo/Central Luzon

TAIPEI, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – The Philippines will send a special envoy to Taiwan to apologize for the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman, his daughter said Monday, signaling a potential breakthrough in a major row.

The remarks sparked hopes that the conciliatory move, if realized, could ease the strained relationship between Taipei and Manila following the shooting of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng on May 9 in disputed waters.

“The Filipino side has agreed

to apologize to us in a public manner,” Hung Tzu-ching, the fisherman’s daughter, told reporters in Pingtung city, adding that the agreement was made with lawyers authorized by the Filipino government.

“They have agreed to send a special envoy (over the matter)... we insist the representative must represent the Filipino government. They will let us know in advance who will be appointed. If we feel the designated representative is OK, then the time will be de-

Breakthrough for drought-resistant rice developed in PHL PARIS, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – Japanese biotechnologists on Sunday said they had developed a rice plant with deeper roots that can sustain high yields in droughts that wipe out conventional rice crops.

It is the third breakthrough in new cereal strains in less than two years, boosting the quest to feed the world’s spiraling population at a time of worsening climate change.

Writing in the journal Nature Genetics, a team led by Yusaku Uga of the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences in Tsukuba describe how they found a

remarkable gene in a rice plant cultivated in the dry uplands of the Philippines.

This rice strain, also called cultivar, is called Kinandang Patong.

Its big characteristic is roots that are deep and grow straight downwards, delving into parched soil for water, as opposed to root systems that are shallow and grow out sideways in typical water-rich paddy fields.

The gene for this, called Deep Rooting – dubbed DRO1 – was spliced into a cultivar called IR64, a paddy rice plant that is grown around Asia.

See RICE DEVELOPED, page 6

cided,” she said.

Officials at Manila’s Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the Philippines de facto embassy in Taiwan, were not immediately available for comment.

A presidential spokeswoman in Manila said she had no immediate confirmation of the move.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao said the dispute was being processed through diplomatic channels and the results would be released See APOLOGIZE, page 6

Affiliate to fly Philippine Airlines domestic passengers

Philippine Airlines said it will farm out passengers on its domestic routes to a low-cost affiliate PAL Express as domestic services are dominated by PAL’s low-cost rivals led

by Cebu Pacific and several other smaller players.

MANILA, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – Philippine Airlines plans to expand its international services while farming out passengers on its domestic routes to a lowcost affiliate, airline officials said Monday.

“This is being done to allow the flag carrier to service more routes and ensure seamless connectivity between stops while awaiting delivery of PAL’s new Airbus aircraft,” the airline said in a statement issued by PAL president Ramon Ang’s office.

Domestic services are dominated by PAL’s low-cost rivals led by See PAL, page 6

PHL acquiring French vessel for West PHL Sea

MANILA, Aug 3 (Mabuhay) – The Philippines said Saturday it is purchasing a surplus French Navy vessel to boost its forces in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) where it has an ongoing territorial dispute with China.

The 26-year-old “La Tapageuse” vessel is likely to be the first of several French ships that will be acquired by the Philippine coastguard as it contends with increasingly assertive Chinese

Manny Pacquiao said Friday that he can fight for another three years despite two successive losses, brushing aside calls for him to retire and focus on his political career.

He said his Mexican arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez just got lucky when they fought in December last year. Story on page 5

LOS ANGELES (August 5, 2013) – Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani Province of the Philippines, and former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., will host the final press conference of their unprec-

edented seven-stop, 23,722-mile international media tour announcing their eagerly-anticipated welterweight collision, This Thursday! August 8, in the Crystal Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel (9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, Calif. 90120). Luncheon will served at Noon PT, with the press conference beginning See PACQUIAO, page 6

See BRP ALCARAZ, page 6

See CARDINAL TAGLE, page 6

See FRENCH VESSEL, page 6

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, Philippine Navy’s newest warship, after a successful test firing of its main weapons system in Charleston, South Carolina. More than a year after it was acquired from the US Coast Guard.

Cardinal Tagle asks people to be wary of bogus accounts in social media sites MANILA, August 5 (Mabuhay) – The head of the Archdiocese of Manila has reminded the public to be wary of bogus accounts in the social media sites to avoid being victimized by unscrupulous individuals or groups.

“There are people who immediately give donations upon seeing that the request was made under my name. I urge you to confirm first the validity of those solicitations by calling the appropriate

“This French vessel is multifunctional and it would be a major contribution to our fleet, particularly in our search and rescue operations,” coastguard chief Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Philippines is also “finalizing” with the French government the purchase of four brand-new 24-meter and one 82-meter multi-

BRP Ramon Alcaraz meets sister ship in Bolinao, Pangasinan MANILA, Aug. 3 (Mabuhay) – After two months in the high seas, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the second Hamilton-class cutter in Philippine service, was met off Bolinao, Pangasinan by its sister ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and an estimated 30 civilian craft Saturday.

This took place around 3 p.m., according to Philippine Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic.

After the “meeting point” ceremonies which lasted for almost

Pacquiao, Rios in Los Angeles to promote Macau fight

forces.

The 54.8-meter (180-foot) patrol ship will cost six million Euros ($7.97 million) and is due to arrive in the country by April next year, a coastguard statement said.

The ship, which is armed with two cannon and two machineguns, was inspected before acquisition and is good for 20 more years of service, the coastguard said.

China lauds naval power after first Japan circuit

Admitting that he has been a victim of a fake Facebook account, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle reminded the public to be wary of bogus accounts in the social media sites to avoid being victimized by unscrupulous individuals or groups.

BEIJING, August 2, 2013 (AFP) – China’s state media lauded the country’s maritime power Friday after navy vessels completed their first circuit around Japan.

Beijing has been looking to expand its bluewater reach, launching its first aircraft carrier last year, and the circumnavigation of Japan sends a symbolic signal with Beijing and Tokyo at loggerheads over disputed islands in the East China Sea. China has “crossed all the strongest parts” of the islands that

stretch from Japan’s northern tip to the Philippines in the south and separate it from the Pacific Ocean, said Du Wenlong, a senior researcher at a People’s Liberation Army academy, according to the state-run China Daily.

China’s navy is “capable of sending and supporting its warships to navigate and fight in channels far from the continent”, the newspaper quoted Du as saying.

As well as the row with Tokyo, Beijing also claims almost the See CHINA LAUDS, page 6

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Palace defends performance-based bonuses of BI workers

Miss Philippines USA delegates made it to the finish line of the Historic Filipinotown 5k run held on August 4. 2013 Left to right: Jasmine Sabio, Janelle Olafson, Mane Booc, Jasmine Reyes and Abigail Bustos. www.missphilusa.com. Photo: Marc Pijuan

Palace not seeking control of Judiciary Dev’t Fund MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) – Malacaùang is not seeking to control the fund of the judiciary department, a co-equal branch of government, a Palace official said Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda clarified at a media briefing that the Palace respects the fiscal autonomy of the judiciary and emphasized that the Supreme Court has the sole control of the judiciary’s budget. “We’re not trying to assert control. This is under the control of the Supreme Court and is pursuant to their fiscal autonomy,� he said.

Several lawmakers said they would study the Palace-proposed special provisions to see if there

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Marcos or the Presidential Decree 1949 establishing a judiciary development fund and other purposes,� Lacierda said. “This provision is also found in the expenditure program for fiscal year 2014 or the proposed 2014 budget. This is not something new. This is found in the Presidential Decree 1949... that created the judiciary development fund,� he added.

Under PD 1949, “at least 80 percent of the fund shall be used for cost of living allowances and not more than 20 percent of the said fund shall be used for office equipment and facilities of the courts located wherever the legal fees are collected.�

He added PD 1949 has not been amended or repealed by Congress which makes it valid. “This law is valid so we apply what the law states,� he said. (MNS)

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was legal basis for stripping the High Court of its control over the P7 billion Judiciary Development Fund.

They assailed the alleged plan requiring the SC to submit quarterly reports to the President on the status and use of the JDF and other funds.

Lacierda said the special provision is not a new provision but a “word for word� adoption of Presidential Decree 1949 [establishing a Judiciary Development Fund] enacted by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1984. “This special provision for the judiciary fund... this is not a new provision. This is a law which was enacted during the time of [former President] Mr. [Ferdinand]

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Court set to serve arrest warrant vs Dimaporo

MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan is set to serve the warrant of arrest for incumbent Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo over his alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Dimaporo’s papers are being processed at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City where he has been confined.

The Sandiganbayan has sent a security team of 5 security personnel to the hospital.

Dimaporo’s camp has filed a motion to place the congressman under hospital arrest since he is undergoing treatment for acute myocardial infarction. Medical records were attached to his motion submitted to the court.

The Sandiganbayan earlier issued a warrant for the arrest of Dimaporo who is facing charges of graft and malversation of public funds for his alleged involvement in ghost projects worth P5 million.

Associate Justice Roland Jurado, chairman of the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division, also directed law enforcement agencies to take custody of former provincial agriculturist Isabelo Luna and private individuals Felizardo Dragon, Evangeline Ontiveros, Rosalinda Bisenio, and Elmer Sayre.

For the graft charge which accuses the respondents of causing undue injury to the government, Dimaporo and his co-accused may post P30,000 bail each.

But for the malversation case, the Sandiganbayan approved the recommendation of the Office of the Ombudsman that bail be denied.

Dimaporo, Luna, and the other respondents allegedly conspired for the release of government money for the purchase of 10,000 bags of Saka organic fertilizer under the Department of Agriculture’s program for farm inputs and farm implements.

Dimaporo and his co-accused allegedly falsified two undated inspection reports, two undated acceptance reports, two physical and financial status reports and a distribution list of farmer-beneficiaries by making it appear that a total of 10,000 bags of Saka organic fertilizer were delivered by LFI to the lawmaker’s office and distributed to farmers in the second district of Lanao del Norte. (MNS)

MANILA, Aug 3 (Mabuhay) – Despite the tongue-lashing from President Benigno Aquino during his State of the Nation Address last month, not all employees of the Bureau of Immigration are undeserving of a performancebased bonus.

On this note, MalacaĂąang on Saturday defended the government’s decision to grant BI workers some P9.476 million in bonuses. “[Kahit] may naging hindi maganda ang performance sa agency, may individuals na nakameet ng target. That’s the reason why may nakatanggap ng performance-based bonus sa kanila.

Siyempre ang may kaso hindi na makakuha ng PBB,� deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. “Hindi lahat sa BI ay hindi deserving sa pagtanggap ng incentive,� she added.

In his SONA last July 22, Aquino slammed the BI for allowing personalities such as Joel and Mario Reyes, principal suspects in the murder of broadcaster Gerry Ortega, to leave the country.

He also twitted the agency for allowing the escape of Korean Park Sungjun, a wanted person in South Korea.

But on Friday, the BI said its rank-and-file workers will soon be getting a total of P9.476 million in

performance-based bonuses, after the Department of Budget and Management approved it.

In a news release, BI OIC Siegfred Mison even said the agency had been rated last year as the second best of the agencies attached to the Department of Justice. “A worker who was rated ‘outstanding’ will receive the maximum bonus of P25,000 while those who were graded ‘very satisfactory’ and ‘good’ get P13,500 and P7,000, respectively,� the BI said in a news release.

But it also reiterated that unlike the equal incentive pay in the past, the bonus may now “increase or decrease depending on their work performance.�

Mison cited the “reforms� instituted by his predecessor Ricardo David Jr. to improve the bureau’s services.

He said the DBM rated the BI as the second best performing agency under the DOJ, for surpassing all of its operational targets in 2012. “The bureau received high marks in the areas of enforcement, alien registration and travel control and passenger documentation,� the BI said.

Valte said the performancebased bonus involves an assessment. “Ina-assess as an individual government worker and a member of particular unit.� (MNS)

Poll lawyer files motion written in Filipino for Buwan ng Wika MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) -To celebrate Buwan ng Wika this August, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Monday filed a pollrelated motion with the Supreme Court written purely in Filipino. “Ang paggamit ng sariling wika ay bilang pagpupugay at pagkilala sa ating sariling wika ngayong ating ipinagdiriwang ang Buwan ng Wika,�

Macalintal said in explaining the use of Filipino in his motion.

Asked if his motion was a first of its kind, Macalintal said: “Sa pagkakaalam ko ito lang ang una na fully written in Tagalog.�

Asked the same question, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said former SC Associate Justice Flerida Ruth Pineda-Romero, who served as a magistrate from 1991 to 1999, had once written a decision purely in Filipino.

In a separate statement, this time written in English, Macalintal said by filing a motion written fully in Filipino, “I hope that I could be an instrument to promote and encourage the use of our own language as a medium of communication not only in the various courts in our country but in all government institutions and agencies.�

He also noted that President Benigno Aquino III’s speeches are mostly in Filipino. “If I can do it before the court and if President Aquino, himself, always addresses the public in Filipino, then there is no reason why the use of our Filipino language cannot be fully propagated,� Macalintal said.

Buwan ng Wika runs from August 1 to August 30 under the

theme “Wika Natin ay Daang Matuwid.�

In his five-page motion, Macalintal asked the high court to resolve a May 2012 petition seeking to nullify a Commission on Elections ruling disqualifying Von Rommel Yalong as barangay chairman of N. Amoranto village in Quezon City.

Yalong had a five-vote lead over his closest rival in the 2010 local polls, but he eventually lost his lead after the Comelec invalidated 50 ballots.

Macalintal insisted the case should already be decided upon so it would not be rendered “moot and academic� once new barangay elections take place on October 28. “Kung hindi kaagad malulutas ang kasong ito ay baka lipasan na lamang ito ng panahon at mawalang saysay ang mahahalagang isyo (issues) o kadahilanan kung bakit isinampa namin ang petisyong ito,� the motion read.

Lawyers and judges do not commonly use Filipino inside the court room because legal terms are in English or Latin. Law schools also do not offer subjects that discuss legal terms in Filipino.

In 2009, then-Chief Justice Reynato Puno ordered the use of Filipino in selected courts, like in Bulacan, based on a proposal of retired Court of Appeals Justice Jose de la Rama, the head of the SC committee on linguistics commission at the time.

In his proposal, De la Pena said prosecutors and judges may converse in Filipino when they examine or cross-examine witnesses.

(MNS)

Dutch protester tauning crying cop at SONA rally arrested at NAIA MANILA, Aug 6 (Mabuhay) – A Dutch activist who was caught in photos taunting a crying policeman during a protest against President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address last July 22 was arrested early Tuesday.

Immigration agents arrested Thomas van Beersum, 30, just as he was about to take a flight abroad.

Beersum was arrested at 8:45 a.m. just as he was to take a China Southern Airlines flight out of the Philippines. He was reportedly on the way to Xiamen, China.

His alleged offenses included being an undesirable alien and overstaying, since he did not apply for an extension of his stay after his 21-day visa.

Beersum had been photographed taunting a crying PO1 Joselito Sevilla at the SONA rally’s dispersal line.

The photo and his publicized

open letter to the policeman drew angry reactions from the public.

Bureau of Immigration officerin-charge Siegfred Mison said Beersum will be deported as soon as the Dutch national gets a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation. “We will book him on the first available outbound flight once we have secured the clearance from the NBI,� said Mison in a statement.

Mison added the NBI found no legal impediment to the issuance of the said clearance required for van Beersum’s deportation.

He also said the BI implements deportation orders after clearances are secured from the courts, police and NBI to ensure that there is no pending criminal case against the alien to be expelled.

Mison said Beersum was stopped pursuant to a summary deportation order issued August 1 by the BI board of commissioners.

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8.5 million Filipino families food-poor: SWS MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) – An estimated 8.5 million Filipino families claim they are “food-poor,” a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed.

The June survey, the result of which was first published by BusinessWorld, said fewer families regard themselves as “mahirap” or poor.

The poll said 49% of the respondents or some 10.4 million households said they were poor. This figure is lower than last quarter’s 52% (10.6 million households).

However, more households considered themselves “food-poor.” The survey said 40% (some 8.5 million families) said they experienced food poverty, up slightly from the 39% (7.9 million households) posted in the previous quarter.

The SWS noted that the 49% self-rated poverty and 40% self-rated food poverty figures were lower than the 2012 averages of 52% and 41%, respectively.

Self-rated poverty fell the most in Visayas, from 65% in March to 57% in June. It was also down in Mindanao, from 53% in March to 47% in June. It fell by two points in both Metro Manila and Balance Luzon, to 40% and 48%, respectively.

More hungry families in Luzon In terms of self-rated food poverty, Balance Luzon posted the highest increase (from 36% in March to 42% in June).

Self-rated food-poverty in Metro Manila dropped by just one point to 27% in June. It fell by four points to 39% in Mindanao and dropped by two to 44% in the Visayas.

The SWS survey, conducted from June 28-30 via face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide, has an error margin of ±3% for national and ±6% for area percentages.

Median threshold The SWS said the median threshold - the monthly budget families need in order not to consider themselves poor in general – “has been sluggish” despite inflation.

The respondents were asked how much they would need monthly in order not consider themselves poor. The SWS said the median threshold fell from P15,000 to P12,000 in Metro Manila; P10,000 to P8,000 in Visayas.

Mothers breastfeed their newborns in the Dr. Jose Fabella memorial hospital in Manila August 5, 2013. August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month in the Philippines. Researchers and doctors often tout lower risks for ear and gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases among those who were breastfed. It can also lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers. (MNS photo)

Palace to protesters vs LRT/MRT fare hike: Wait for consultation

Binay eyes review of Salary Standardization Law

MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) – A Malacañang spokesperon on Monday told those protesting against the proposed LRT/MRT fare hike that the public consultation, and not the streets, is the proper venue to express their concerns.

“Bago ho sila mag-rally, magkakaroon po ng public consultation ang DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] and MRT management tungkol po rito,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing.

But as to when the consultation will be, Lacierda said: “We will let you know when that consultation will happen and that will be an avenue for you to raise your concerns.”

The Palace official issued the statement after members of labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno and Riles Laan sa Sambayanan (RILES) gathered in front of the MRT station in Quezon City to oppose the planned fare hike.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, Aquino hinted of a possible increase in the fare for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT).

He said the cost for each LRT ride is P40, only P15 of which is shouldered by the commuter and P25 by the government.

MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) – To of their families,” he said. stem the exodus of highly-skilled govBinay was reacting to news ernment workers, Vice President Jejothat another senior weather foremar Binay called on Congress to finally caster has left the country for betreview the Salary Standardization ter opportunities abroad. Senior Law. forecaster Ricky Fabregas is go“I call on Congress to pursue reviing to Congo for a higher paying sions in the Salary Standardization job.

Law. We need to make sure that we can The resignation of aerobridge offer our government workers, espeoperators at the Ninoy Aquino cially those performing highly techniInternational Airport has also cal work, a compensation package that dominated headlines. sustains their families and recognizes “Aside from ensuring safety their skills and competencies,” Binay VP Jejomar Binay and efficiency, our government said. workers perform public services “It is simply not right that the country is de- necessary to implement the national government’s prived of the technical knowledge and expertise of development policy and address concerns of the Filipinos who would otherwise be more than will- business sector,” said Binay. ing to serve the country, but are forced to look for He said a review of their benefits is needed to greener pastures just to meet the most basic needs stop the “brain drain”. (MNS)

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As Congress bolts, a US government shutdown looms

By Michael MATHES

WASHINGTON, August 3, 2013 (AFP) – In the US Senate’s final session this week before a long summer recess, Republican Marco Rubio said simply: “I object.”

With those two words, he prevented lawmakers from finalizing a federal budget – the 18th time Republicans have done so this year – and sent the United States careening toward a possible government shutdown in a few months.

Congress is tasked with hammering out a spending plan before the new fiscal year begins October 1, but the intractable relationship between President Barack Obama’s Democrats and rival Republicans has put that and several other major pieces of legislation in jeopardy.

Eight Republican senators met with Obama in the White House Thursday over how to reduce the deficit while ending automatic spending cuts that have forced military drawdowns and government furloughs.

The group is discussing possible changes to entitlement programs like Social Security or Medicare, and addressing options for ending the mandated spending cuts known as sequestration as they search for agreement on a grand bargain.

Senators who attended the meeting did not speak of any breakthrough, however.

Instead, Senate Republicans blocked a transportation and housing funding measure, and the House of Representatives withdrew its version of the same bill when some Republicans balked at the harsh cuts.

To keep the US government working without a broad budget accord, the House and Senate would need to pass a stopgap “continuing resolution,” or CR, by the end of next month – but there will be just nine legislative days to do so after Congress reconvenes on September 9.

The budget is not the only challenge lawmakers will face in the new session.

Immigration reform, an Obama priority that passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support in June, has stalled in the House. A massive farm bill has hit snags too. Battles are raging over whether to end sequestration.

Perhaps most worrisome of all, US borrowing will reach its $16.7 trillion cap in November and many Republicans are itching to extract concessions from the White House – including defunding the national health care law—before agreeing to raise the debt ceiling.

“If they think nine days is enough to resolve all the differences... they’re very wrong,” exasperated House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Friday as members fled Washington for their home districts, many apparently unruffled by the threat of a government shutdown.

“An aimless, chaotic, make-matters-worse Congress can not get its act together.”

A key sticking point is that House Republicans are keen to set annual spending at $967 billion, while Senate Democrats want $1.058 trillion.

House Speaker John Boehner insisted Congress would have “ample time” to thrash out a CR and avert a shutdown, and he stressed that he had the votes to set spending limits at sequester levels.

“Looking forward, Washington must confront some serious choices that we’re going to deal with this fall,” Boehner said.

“President Obama and his party in the House and Senate are in denial about Washington’s spending problem.”

Republicans are in turmoil too, with House Appropriations Committee chairman Hal Rogers issuing a blistering rebuke to his party’s leadership.

“The House has declined to proceed on the implementation of the very budget it adopted just three months ago,” Rogers wrote, referring to a plan put together by Paul Ryan, last year’s failed Republican vice presidential nominee.

“Thus, I believe that the House has made its choice: sequestration - and its unrealistic and ill-conceived discretionary cuts - must be brought to an end.”

The White House shares that goal, hoping to restore domestic and military spending to the levels laid out in a 2011 compromise.

Republicans have said they would only agree to that if the savings are shifted to entitlements like Medicare, the public health insurance program for seniors, and to other mandatory spending programs.

As lawmakers hustled down the Capitol steps to head home Friday, some members stood outside arguing the need to hold the line in the face of a looming crisis, if it meant ultimately improving the economy.

“If I can stop this great country from unravelling, then I want to be an obstructionist,” said Republican Mike Kelly.

“If I’m going to be held accountable for holding this government accountable, amen.”

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Republicans to TV networks: Don’t ‘promote’ Clinton WASHINGTON, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – The Republican Party on Monday threatened to block presidential primary debate partnerships with two US networks if they don’t pull their planned documentaries on Hillary Clinton.

NBC Entertainment is planning a miniseries and CNN is working on a documentary about the Democratic former secretary of state as she mulls a potential run for the White House in 2016.

“As an American company, you have every right to air programming of your choice,” Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Reince Priebus wrote in letters to CNN president Jeff Zucker and NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt.

“But as American citizens, certainly you recognize why many are astounded at your actions, which appear to be a major network’s thinly veiled attempt at putting a thumb on the scales of the 2016 presidential election.”

Clinton, a former first lady and US senator whose turn as America’s top diplomat earned her widespread praise, is seen as the clear Democratic frontrunner for president.

She has made no announcement of her political plans.

But the RNC letters – more than three years ahead of the 2016 election – shine a light on the party’s nervousness about a run by Clinton, who narrowly lost the Democratic

nomination to Barack Obama in 2008.

“Your credibility as a supposedly unbiased news network will most certainly be jeopardized by the decision to show political favoritism and produce an extended commercial for secretary Clinton’s nascent campaign,” Priebus told Zucker.

In a separate statement, Priebus blasted the networks, saying “their actions to promote Secretary Clinton are disturbing and disappointing.

“I hope Americans will question the credibility of these networks and that NBC and CNN will reconsider their partisan actions and cancel these political ads masked as unbiased entertainment.

Should CNN and NBC not agree to pull the productions before the RNC holds its summer meeting beginning August 14, Priebus told the networks he will seek a binding RNC vote “stating that the committee will neither partner with you in 2016 primary debates nor sanction primary debates which you sponsor.”

NBC Entertainment announced in July it was producing “Hillary,” a four-part miniseries starring Diane Lane, while CNN’s film division said it has commissioned a featurelength documentary by Academy Award-winning director Charles Ferguson, expected to air in 2014.

Hiroshima marks anniversary of US atomic bombing

BY TORU YAMANAKA

HIROSHIMA, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – Tens of thousands were due to gather at a peace memorial park in Hiroshima on Tuesday to mark the 68th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the Japanese city.

Ageing survivors, relatives, government officials and foreign delegates were to observe a moment of silence at 8:15 am (2315 GMT Monday), the time of the detonation which turned the city into a nuclear inferno.

An American B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945, in one of the final chapters of World War II. It killed an estimated 140,000 by December that year. Three days later, the port city of Nagasaki was also bombed.

The Allied powers have long argued that the twin attacks brought a quick end to the war by speeding up Japan’s surrender, preventing millions more casualties from a land invasion planned for later in the year.

Japanese officials later Tuesday will be unveiling Tokyo’s biggest-ever naval ship in peacetime, as the government moves to beef up Japan’s self-defense forces, jangling nerves in neighboring China and South Korea.

Tokyo insisted the timing of an annual peace ceremony and the helicopter carrier was coincidental.

Among the attendees in Hiroshima last year was Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of former US president Harry Truman, who authorized the bombings.

He was the first Truman relative to attend the annual anniversary in Japan.

Many atomic bomb survivors, known as “hibakusha”, oppose both military and civil use of nuclear power, pointing to the tens of thousands who were killed instantly in the Hiroshima blast and the many more who later died from radiation sickness and cancers linked to the attack.

Anti-nuclear sentiment flared in Japan after an earthquake-sparked tsunami left some 19,000 dead or missing and knocked out cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant two years ago.

Meltdowns at the crippled site spread radiation over a large area and forced thousands to leave their homes in the worst atomic disaster in a generation.

The administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is among the expected attendees at Tuesday’s memorial event, has advocated restarting Japan’s switched-off nuclear reactors if their safety can be assured.

Abe’s conservative Liberal Democratic Party has also said it wants to upgrade Japan’s self-defense forces into a full-fledged military, which would mean overhauling a pacifist constitution imposed on the country by the US and its allies after WWII. Later Tuesday, the forces’ naval arm was due to hold a ceremony marking the launch of a 248-metre (810-foot) helicopter carrier which can accommodate nine aircraft.

Officials said the ceremony was scheduled for the same day as the Hiroshima anniversary due to favourable ocean tides and an auspicious date.

Washington Post: The US capital’s powerful paper

BY NAOMI SECK

WASHINGTON, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – The Washington Post has a storied history as the house newspaper of the US political elite, and its journalists reported some of the 20th century’s biggest scoops, including the Watergate scandal.

More recently, the paper was one of two international news organizations approached by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden when he wanted to leak details of a vast US surveillance programs.

But, like many papers, the Post has struggled to adapt to the evolving media landscape as more readers find their news online and has faced sharply declining revenues.

Nevertheless, many were astounded by Monday’s announcement that the newspaper arms of the company, owned and run by the Meyer-Graham family since 1933, are to be sold to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

“This is a day that my family and I never expected to come,” publisher and Post CEO Katharine Weymouth wrote in a letter to readers.

Her uncle Don Graham, head of the overall Washington Post company, wrote in a separate letter that the clan had been “proud to know since we were very little that we were part of the family that owned The Washington Post.”

The paper is perhaps best known for the investigative series in the early 1970s written by thenunknowns Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about a break-in at the Democratic National Convention headquarters.

The building was the Watergate Hotel, which bequeathed its name to the resulting scandal which forced the resignation of president Richard Nixon, among other top figures.

Woodward and Bernstein both won Pulitzers for their reporting, based largely on tips from anonymous sources, which showed that officials at the highest levels in the FBI, the Justice Department, the CIA and the White House were involved in the break-in and attempts to cover it up.

This journalistic coup came under the watch of legendary publisher Katharine Graham, who led the company for three decades starting in 1963.

Graham, daughter of Eugene Meyer, who bought the Washington Post in 1933 at a bankruptcy auction, took over after her husband committed suicide – at a time when women rarely held top business posts.

She garnered massive respect for her stewardship of the newspaper. Among other successes, she took the company public in 1971 and, by the time she stepped down, the stock had increased by more than 30 times its original price.

The paper’s investigative reporting has continued to leave a mark, including a recent investigation of the Walter Reed military hospital that prompted a review of the treatment of wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The paper has won 47 Pulitzer prizes, including six in 2008 alone.

But its reputation took a blow in 2009, when it became known that Weymouth and executive editor Marcus Brauchli were planning to sell off-therecord access to their reporters as well as officials, analysts, and executives, at high priced “salons” at Weymouth’s house.

The idea to raise money for the paper prompted accusations of hypocrisy and the company quickly apologized and shuttered the plan.

The incident did nevertheless underline the Post’s ongoing financial difficulties – the newspaper posted an operating loss of $53.7 million last year – which in turn set the stage for Bezos’ surprise takeover.

Japan’s fake food is real deal for tourists

BY KYOKO HASEGAWA

TOKYO, August 5, 2013 (AFP) – Alberto Pellegrini doesn’t speak or read Japanese, a deficit that threatened to leave the Italian tourist starving in a nation famous for its gastronomic delights.

Fortunately for the hungry honeymooner, restaurants across this food-obsessed nation – where English menus range from sparse to non-existent – often display their wares in the form of intricately-made plastic replicas.

The sight of a giant hotdog slathered in condiments doesn’t faze the average Japanese restaurant goer, and these fake food parades are often so similar to the real thing that

they almost dare potential customers to take a bite.

A sudsy-looking beer, perfectly glazed sushi and indestructible deep-fried pork cutlets, known as tonkatsu, are a common sight on the streets of neon-lit Tokyo and even the smallest towns.

“It can really help,” Pellegrini said as he and his new wife combed lunch venues in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza shopping district.

“I point at the food and I just say ‘I want this, I want that’. It is easier because choosing from a list (in Japanese) is impossible.”

But that sumptuous-looking futomaki has less-than-tasty See JAPAN’S FAKE, page 5

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, August 7-13, 2013

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UTREACH Pacquiao says he can fight up to three more years SINGAPORE, August 2, 2013 (AFP) – Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said Friday that he can fight for another three years despite two successive losses, brushing aside calls for him to retire and focus on his political career.

He told journalists at a promotional event in Singapore, for his November 24 bout in Macau with American Brandon Rios, that his Mexican arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez just got lucky when they fought in December last year.

“It’s part of boxing, sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, and I think he just got the lucky chance, the lucky shot in that fight,” said Pacquiao, who crumpled to the canvas after a crushing right from Marquez in the sixth round.

Asked how much longer he sees himself in the ring, the 34-year-old, now serving a second term as a Philippine congressman, vowed that “as long as I can still fight, I am going to fight”.

“In my mind, I can still fight two to three years from now,” said Pacquiao, the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions.

A storm of controversy erupted in the Philippines last week after Pacquiao told AFP he had considered running for president in the future, although a

spokesman later said he had no immediate plans to further his political career and that he “knows very well” he cannot contest an election until he is aged 40.

Pacquiao’s seven-year, 15-bout winning streak came to an end in June 2012 with a controversial split decision loss to Timothy Bradley, followed six months later by the sensational defeat to Marquez in their fourth meeting.

He promised a good show when he meets Rios, who is seven years his junior, in Macau as part of the sport’s efforts to generate interest across Asia outside the boxing-mad Philippines.

“He’s a tough opponent,” Pacquiao said. “We can create a lot of action in the ring.”

Promoter Bob Arum, who joined the two fighters in Singapore, called Asia the “emerging frontier” for the sport, saying boxing needs to create a major presence in the region.

Rios, a former World Boxing Association lightweight champion, also promised an exciting bout.

“I don’t think it’s going the distance,” said the Californian, who lost a close decision to Mike Alvarado in March for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim junior welterweight title.

Pacquiao vs Ríos – Beijing Presser: Manny Pacquiao and Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios press conference in Beijing. Both fighters were in town to announce their upcoming mega fight as part of their world-wide media tour which will also include stops in Shanghai, Singapore, New York and finally ending up in Los Angeles. Pacquiao vs Rios will battle at The Venetian Macao Resort in Macau,China and will be televised live in the US, Saturday, Nov. 23, 9pm ET/6pm PT on HBO Pay-Per-View. Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank

Longtime fugitive gets 11 years for massive fraud and identity theft scheme linked to foreclosure scam

Emcee Maria Sheets, Public Works Dept., 4th from right, with newly-inducted officers of the Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees, from left: Norlito Medrano, Graphics & Design; Rea Lazo, Asst. Treasurer; Liza Navarro-Adea, Corresponding Secretary; Terry Carter, Asst. PRO; Veronica Salumbides, Auditor; Criselda Dollano, PRO; Joan Alexandria Tagle, Recording Secretary; Lilia Liclican, 3rd VP; Amelia Marucut, 2nd VP; Linda Granados, President; Susana Reyes, EEO Liaison; Mildred Jacla, Treasurer; Alex Banares, 1st VP; and George Adea, Photography. First Asian and Filipino American City Clerk June Lagmay installed the new officers on July 26, at the LAPD headquarters building on 1st Street.

Man charged with murder over deadly Venice Beach crash LOS ANGELES, August 4, 2013 (AFP) – A 38-year-old man was charged with murder on Sunday after allegedly slamming his car into tourists on California’s famous Venice Beach boardwalk, killing an Italian woman on her honeymoon and injuring 11 others, police said.

Nathan Campbell was charged with murder early Sunday and held on $1 million bail after the horrific incident at the popular Los Angeles tourist haunt.

Witnesses of the crash, which occurred at around 6:00 pm local time (0100 GMT) on Saturday, said the driver of the highpowered Dodge Avenger appeared to deliberately aim at pedestrians.

Italian woman Alice Gruppioni, 32, died following the crash, coroner’s investigator Kristy McCracken said. An autopsy was pending.

Another victim remained in critical condition, two were listed as serious while eight other victims were being treated for lessserious injuries, Los Angeles Police Department officer Andy Nieman said.

The driver of the car allegedly fled the scene immediately after the crash.

The suspect later turned himself in for questioning at Santa Monica police station where he was formally arrested, Nieman said.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as security camera footage of the incident emerged on Sunday.

“A car plowed through the boardwalk,” Daniel Regidor, 50,

JAPAN’S FAKE From page 4

origins.

“The original craftsman was working for doctors and making models for pathological studies, such as skin diseases and human organs, before he was asked to make food samples for a restaurant,” says Yasunobu Nose, a senior editor at the leading Nikkei business daily who authored a book about food models.

That turn of events in the early 1920s set off a food revolution in Japan where the idea spread rapidly as eating out soared in popularity and rural people flocked to the cities. Unused to what city restaurants had to offer, the models gave country dwellers and locals alike a quick visual rundown of the chef’s specialties before stepping inside an eatery.

Nearly a century later, “Japanese have developed a sense of getting information from three-dimensional signs”, Nose said, adding that plastic food also has a limited presence in neighboring China and South Korea.

“You’re calculating lots of things – what kind of side dishes are there, how big is the meal, and is it economical?” he said.

“But for foreign tourists who don’t have this literacy, food samples are just something that closely resemble real dishes.”

The modern-day alchemy involves making a plastic mold of the reallife food and then adorning it with just the right colors to tantalize the taste buds of passing customers. Iwasaki Co., a leading plastic food maker, has an army of craftspeople who hand paint the molds, which sell for as much as $100 each, although restaurants can lease a fake hamburger set for about $6 a month.

told the Los Angeles Times.

“People screaming, running. I was half a mile from the scene, but you could see just this mass of people trying to get out of the way...Just a lot of people screaming...It was horrible.

“I saw somebody flying up in the air.

When I came upon the scene, there were a bunch of people on the ground, bloodied.”

Venice Beach boardwalk is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles, and is packed daily with visitors browsing shops and stalls. It is also home to “Muscle Beach”, an outdoor gym set beside the Pacific Ocean popular with bodybuilders.

LOS ANGELES – A fraud artist who was a fugitive from justice for over a decade was sentenced this morning to 11 years in federal prison for running a nearly 15-year foreclosure-rescue scam that fraudulently delayed foreclosure sales for more than 800 distressed homeowners.

Glen Alan Ward, 48, a former Los Angeles resident who fled to Waterloo, Canada, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer.

In addition to his prison term, Ward was ordered to pay $59,961 in restitution and to forfeit approximately $100,000 in cash and property previously seized by law enforcement authorities.

Ward pleaded guilty in April to three separate sets of charges stemming from his 15-year fraud scheme. In 2000, Ward failed to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles after agreeing to plead guilty and fled to Canada. In 2002, while he was a fugitive, Ward was indicted on multiple counts of bankruptcy fraud in San Francisco. One year ago, in the third case, Ward was indicted on mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and additional bankruptcy fraud counts in Los Angeles.

While in Canada, Ward recruited Frederic Alan Gladle, who was indicted by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles on bankruptcy fraud and identity theft charges in 2011. Gladle was sentenced last year to 61 months in federal prison (see: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/May/12-crm-576.html). On April 5, 2012, Ward was arrested in Canada by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Waterloo Regional Police Service. On Dec. 21, 2012, Ward was extradited to the United States to answer all three sets of charges.

Ward’s capture was the result of innovative investigative work, as well as close coordination between United States and Canadian authorities. After fleeing the United States in 2000, Ward continued his scheme while in Canada. To avoid being detected while accessing websites he needed for his scheme, Ward used a laptop computer in wireless hotspots away from his home. He also arranged for clients’ monthly payments to be deposited in the bank account of a person in Texas, which he could access with an ATM card.

Upon receiving confirmation that client funds had been deposited, Ward would withdraw the funds at one of many Waterloo-area ATMs. Federal agents in the United States were able to identify Ward’s most-frequented wireless locations and his most-frequented ATMs. Using near-real-time information, these agents repeatedly passed along information on Ward’s current or expected whereabouts to Waterloo and RCMP authorities in Canada.

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APOLOGIZE From page 1

when “the timing becomes mature”.

Hung Shih-cheng was fired upon by a Filipino coastguard vessel while fishing in waters of an economic zone claimed both

by Taiwan and the Philippines.

He died on board his ship which was also carrying his son and two other sailors at the time.

The killing caused outrage and protests in Taiwan, with President Ma Yingjeou describing it as “cold-blooded murder” as Taipei responded with sanctions and navy drills.

Ma also insisted Manila offer a for-

Wednesday - Tuesday, August 7-13, 2013

LOS ANGELES mal apology and compensation, apprehend those to blame and launch talks on the fishing industry.

A Filipino envoy had previously flown to Taipei to deliver an apology but it was rejected because Taiwanese authorities insisted he was not authorized by the Filipino government to do so.

The Philippine coastguard initially claimed that the fishing boat intruded into its waters, and that its personnel were forced to open fire when it tried to ram their vessel. However Philippine investigators have since recommended filing criminal charges against the coastguard members who fired on the boat.

PACQUIAO From page 1

at 12:30 p.m PT. This will be Pacquiao’s last media opportunity in the U.S. until after his fight with Rios. Pacman’s entire training camp will be held in the Philippines.

The Pacquiao-Rios media tour began last week in Asia and included stops in Macau, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore. This week’s U.S. phase of the tour has a full-day of interviews at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., and press conferences in New York and Los Angeles on its itiner-

THE US ASIAN POST

ary. Joining Pacquiao and Rios at the press conference will be their respective trainers Freddie Roach and Robert Garcia, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and Edward Tracy, President and CEO of Sands China Ltd. Promoted by Top Rank and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Rios will take place Saturday, November 23 at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

FRENCH VESSEL From page 1

purpose vessels, Isorena said.

These new ships would arrive in the first quarter of 2015, the statement added, without specifying their cost.

Isorena also said the PCG was already set to acquire 10 multi-role patrol boats under an aid program with Japan. The announcement came as a second-hand US Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Philippine Navy sailed into the country’s waters, where it will also help in patrolling the West Philippine Sea. Last Friday, the country’s new warship Hamilton-class cutter BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrived in the Philippines. The 378-foot-long warship was

originally commissioned in 1968 but t was retired and turned over to the Philippines in May 2012. The country spent some $15.15 million to refurbish the warship. Likewise, the Philippine navy revealed that three new Augusta 109 helicopters are coming in December to aide the maritime surveillance in the country. In 2011, the Philippines acquired its first warship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, named after the country’s war hero.

Tensions have risen in recent years over China’s increasingly-forceful claims to almost all of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), even up to the coast of its neighbors like the Philippines.

BRP ALCARAZ From page 1

an hour, BRP Ramon Alcaraz will proceed to Subic Bay, Zambales escorted by the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar. The country’s newest frigate is expected to dock in Subic Bay late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

“BRP Ramon Alcaraz will anchor for CIQ

or customs, immigration, and quarantine until Monday or two days,” Fabic stressed.

After the CIQ processing, the ship will then moor at the Alava Wharf for the welcome ceremony to be led by President Benigno S. Aquino III Aug. 6.

CARDINAL TAGLE From page 1

office,” Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news website.

The Catholic prelate made the call, after admitting that he was also a victim of fake account on Facebook.

“I just discovered that a lot of Facebook accounts bearing my name have been cre-

ated by people I do not know. Some of those accounts are even being used to solicit money from people,” he said.

Tagle added, “You should not believe everything that you see in the social media.”

He called on the people to use social media sites to help contribute to progress and not to take advantage of unsuspecting people.

CHINA LAUDS From page 1

whole of the South China Sea, leading to disputes with several littoral states.

Du’s remarks came days after five Chinese military ships circled the Japanese archipelago for the first time, the China Daily said.

Five Chinese ships returned to port on July 28 after passing through the Soya Strait, which divides northern Japan and

Russia, before travelling down Japan’s east coast and traversing the Miyako strait off Okinawa, the newspaper added.

Japan’s defense ministry has said that patrol aircraft spotted five Chinese vessels sailing through a sea lane between Okinawa and the Miyako islands to the southwest, although they did not enter Japanese waters.

RICE DEVELOPED From page 1

The team then put the new plant through its paces, planting it and standard IR64 in upland fields in three kinds of conditions – no drought, moderate drought and severe drought.

Moderate drought reduced yield from IR64 to just 42 percent of no-drought conditions. Severe drought destroyed it totally.

But IR64 with the DRO1 gene was almost unaffected by moderate drought. In severe drought, yield fell – but not catastrophically – by around 30 percent.

“Based on our results, this variety can

be adapted to upland (agriculture) without irrigation,” Uga said in an email exchange with AFP. “We are also evaluating the DRO1 performance under rain-fed lowland with the International Rice Research Institute,” he said.

“If we can get positive results in farmer’s fields, we hope to release the variety for Asian countries. We are also going to introduce the DRO1 into leading varieties in Latin America with CIAT,” the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, he said.

PAL

From page 1

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Cebu Pacific and several other smaller players.

The PAL statement did not give the total number of domestic flights involved in the expanded code sharing plan with PAL Express, its low-cost affiliate.

However a senior Ang aide told AFP that following the announcement, “both are on full domestic code share agreement”.

A code share allows an airline to sell tickets to destinations that it does not fly to directly, but is served by an affiliated carrier.

Under the arrangement, PAL will continue to sell its own tickets both for domestic as well as international routes, a spokeswoman for the airline said.

PAL and PAL Express collectively serve 32 Philippine destinations, while PAL also flies to Asia, the United States and Australia. PAL earlier announced it would roll out throughout the year 12 new destinations in Australia, China, Malaysia and the Middle East. After its removal last month from a European Union aviation safety blacklist, PAL is also planning to roll out direct flights to Paris, London, Rome and Amsterdam later this year.

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Major automakers plan major global debuts at LA Auto Show (Relaxnews) – BMW, Mini, MercedesBenz, VW, Chevrolet and Honda have all confirmed new vehicle launches at November’s west coast US automotive showcase.

It may be more than four months away but the LA Auto Show is already shaping up as one of the most important events in the automotive calendar.

As well as a special expo focused on connected and autonomous car technology, a number of long-awaited new cars will be making their first public appearances at the event, which runs November 22 -December 1.

Porsche will be taking the wraps off its baby SUV, the Macan. It will be car fans’ first chance to see the re-designed Mini, and there are even whispers that Honda’s big news will be the finished road-going version of the NSX supercar, a vehicle that has been in either the prototype or development stage for the best part of 10 years.

In all, 50 new car launches are expected at the autoshow and BMW has confirmed that “seven-to-eight” vehicles from its stable will be making their first US appearance and that they will be accompanied by another as-yet unnamed car that will be making its global debut. Although no further details are forthcom-

Honda Acura NSX Concept: There are rumors that Honda could reveal a production version of the long-awaited NSX.

ing – why spoil the surprise? – new cars from Chevrolet, VW and Subaru will also be making their debuts in LA. “As the first major North American show of the season, Los Ange-

les sets the tone for 2014, and we expect that automakers will pull out all the stops to excite new-car buyers.

In virtually every category, from the greenest electric vehicle to high-

horsepower performance models, the technological advancements we are seeing today eclipse all previous automotive eras,” said Terri Toennies, the LA Auto Show’s General Manager.

US auto sales accelerate to best July since 2006 (CHICAGO, Illinois-AFP) – US auto sales continued to accelerate, posting the best July performance since 2006 Thursday as consumers flocked to dealerships to replace ageing vehicles with new models at low interest rates.

“Solid industry sales in July point to a stable market indicating a recovering economy,” said Bill Fay, group vice president at Toyota. “Consumer confidence also maintained elevated levels as evidenced by strong retail sales.”

Total industry sales rose 14 percent from results in July 2012, according to Autodata.

The sales came in at an adjusted, annualized rate of 15.7 million units, down slightly from the 16 million posted in June but up sharply from the 14.1 million set a year ago.

It’s a stunning recovery from a deep and painful downturn which pushed General Motors and Chrysler into bankruptcy as the sales pace fell as low as 9.1 million in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

“The industry continues to be driven by strong demand for full-size pickups and small (crossovers), although small cars have cropped up as another segment to watch due to the impact of rising summer gas prices,” said Alec Gutierrez, an auto analyst with Kelley Blue Book.

“With the economy continuing its slow and steady recovery and low lease opportunities, rock bottom interest rates, and cash rebates all readily available, all signs point to continued solid

growth through the second half of the year.”

Toyota’s sales rose 17 percent to 193,394 vehicles in July,the Japanese automaker said.

GM’s sales jumped 16 percent in July to 234,071 vehicles.

“For GM, July was the most wellbalanced month of the year from a retail sales standpoint: trucks were hot, but so were small cars and family vehicles,” GM sales chief Kurt McNeil said.

“Our experience shows that the difference between good sales and great sales in a slow-growth economy is how many new products you have to offer, and we are starting to hit our sweet spot.”

Chrysler posted its 40th consecutive month of gains as sales rose 11 percent to 140,102 vehicles, its best July performance in seven years.

“We continue to see strong retail sales, particularly with our pickup trucks and SUVs,” Chrysler sales chief Reid Bigland said.

Ford’s sales rose 11 percent to 193,715

Chrysler saw increased sales in July, notably due to its line of pickups and SUVs. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda

vehicles for its best July since 2006.

“Our small cars and hybrids continue to attract new customers to Ford and away from our competitors, thanks to the vehicles’ combination of styling,

technology, fuel economy and performance,” Ford sales chief Ken Czubay said.

Honda’s sales jumped 21 percent to 126,289 units while Nissan’s sales grew 11 percent to 109,041.

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Mercedes-Benz experimenting with Google Glass (Relaxnews) – Mercedes-Benz’s North American R&D chief claims the ultimate goal is to use Google’s head-worn computer to create a seamless GPS system.

Despite the fact that Gary C. Howell, a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, is currently trying to pass a bill that would make them illegal while driving, Mercedes-Benz’s US research and development arm is hard at work developing in-car applications for Google Glass.

In an interview with Business Journal this week, Johann Jungwirth, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, says that the company’s ultimate goal is to create a “seamless” door-to-door transition between pedestrian directions and in-car GPS. The idea being that the information displayed via the headset auto-

matically switches from in-car navigation to on-foot directions the moment the driver kills the engine and alights from his or her luxury German sedan.

The contextual awareness of Google Glass would mean that a destination would only have to be entered once to cover the journey, no matter how many different forms of transport were required to arrive at a destination.

As a device, Google Glass is still also very much in its own R&D phase.

Only a handful of the headsets are ‘in the wild’ and they mostly belong to developers who are busy getting to grips with what the wearable computer can do and how they can best exploit its features via specially created apps. Google is yet to confirm when a consumerready Google Glass will hit the shops other than to say some time in late 2014.

Les Google Glass seront commercialisées en 2014.

Detroit workers fear effects of city’s bankruptcy

By Joe Szczesny

reduce future costs.

Emergency manager DETROIT, August 4, 2013 (AFP) – Thousands of Kevyn Orr was in court pensioners already struggling to get by are afraid they Friday urging a federal will be pushed into poverty if the city of Detroit is able judge to find the city elito slash their benefits in a bankruptcy court. gible for bankruptcy in the Retired fire chief Jerry Franklin Smith spent 39 years second such hearing since battling blazes in a city filled with abandoned buildings the birthplace of the US and too many arsonists. auto industry became the He’s worried that if a bankruptcy judge allows the city largest US city to go bust to wipe out its obligations to his pension fund he’ll need on July 19. to somehow find a job at the age of 78.

Orr has estimated that “I’ve only done physical things all my life. But I really about nine billion dollars can’t do them anymore,” Smith told AFP. “It makes you of the city’s $18.5 billion in nervous.” debt is owed to the pension The City of Detroit used to be an envy of the world because of the auto industry, but it is now bankrupt.

Police and firefighters don’t qualify for the federallyfunds and retiree health run Social Security pension plan, which has an averevery aspect of our constitution, thereby he would be care benefits of the city’s age payout of $1,268 a month. So their city-run plan is violating said oath should he fail to protect our pen10,000 workers and 20,000 retirees. the only thing keeping them out of food banks or even Unions and the pension administrators dispute his cal- sions,” said Mark Diaz, president of the Detroit Police homeless shelters. culations and have filed suit to block any significant cuts, Officers Association.

Luckily it is better-funded than a separate plan run for “Though there is a great deal of uncertainty about the noting that pension benefits are protected by Michigan’s Detroit’s other municipal workers. But it is still owed direction these proceedings will go, know this; there is constitution. millions and the city is hoping to slash all pension and “Governor (Rick) Snyder has taken an oath to protect no end to the lengths we will go in order to protect the retiree health care benefits in order to wipe out debt and heroes who protect the City of Detroit.”

The legal fight could drag on for months or even years, leaving city workers and retirees who’d planned their lives around those previously fixed payments in limbo.

Carol Conner, 63, has already seen her modest monthwww.vwdowntownLA.com ly stipend shrink after the city imposed higher fees for Para maiba ka naman... retiree health care benefits.

“How am I supposed to get by?” said Conner, who lives on Detroit’s crime-ridden east side on a monthly pension comes that currently comes to less than 1,600 dollars.

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Detroit has seen its population shrink by more than “MAY PRE-OWNED SPECIALS DIN KAMI!” half – from 1.8 million in 1950 to 685,000 today – as crime, flight to the suburbs and the hollowing out of the auto industry ate away at its foundations.

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Seven new group fitness classes coming to a gym near you (Relaxnews) – If you’re bored with step classes and spinning, the IDEA World Fitness Convention in Los Angeles will display dozens of new group fitness classes, all hoping to gain traction in gyms around the globe. Here are a few highlights.

YogaLean: The YogaFit franchise is offering a YogaLean session to help instructors adapt the technique to larger bodies.

The program focuses on losing weight as a transformational process that involves the mind, body, and spirit, while relying on yoga practices such as breathing, meditation, and mindfulness to shed kilos.

Tabata Bootcamp: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the hottest fitness trends of the moment, and this small group class focuses on an eight-weight bootcamp of Tabata HIIT exercises, meaning you work at maximum

them for kids, with a focus on fun and motivation. Also, the Group Rip Power course for adults ramps up the energy, focusing on pulsing music and power moves for “an absolutely killer workout.”

MMA Fitness Boot Camp: Mixed martial arts brings agility, strength, and endurance to your workouts, and this class combines “the chaos of combat in the cage” to a group training environment.

Indo-Row: The rowing machine, often considered retro and dull, is making a comeback in the most surprising fashion: the group fitness class. Indo-Row lets you work in teams to work every muscle effort for 20 seconds, then rest for 10 sec- in your body – not just the upper body – which gets your heart pumping but onds, then repeat.

TRX for Kids: Another major fitness without risks to your joints. What’s more, trend, TRX suspension training takes its a 50-minute class can burn as much as hardcore functional workouts and adapts 1,200 calories, about twice as many as

spinning.

PaddleFitness: Still building momentum this year are indoor classes that simulate surfing or paddleboarding workouts.

This session at IDEA World employs the Ocean Yoga board to provide functional movements and balance training without ever getting wet.

Parkour: While the training ground for parkour, also known as free running, is typically urban cityscapes, the latest trend is indoor parkour, where participants can leap, dive, and backflip with the safety of foam pits and padded mats, no matter what the weather is outside.

IDEA World will host a few sessions on parkour, including a primer class that includes movement training, as well as a session focusing on parkour “functional training,” which teaches balance moves, jumps, and climbs.

Three ways to stay sane during your commute (Relaxnews) – How to make your trek to and from work less loathsome? Here are a few tips to staying sane.

Research has found that long commutes can lead to a host of negative health outcomes, such as high stress, poor sleep, being overweight, and even a shorter life, Huffington Post reports. A 2011 study found that couples in which one partner commutes for at least 45 minutes each day have a 40 percent

higher chance of divorce. So how to curb that commuter stress? Here are a few pointers.

1. Be mindful - “The simple answer is to just relax,” New York City-based meditation teacher (and Emmy Award-winning composer) David Nichtern told fitness blog Well+Good NYC. “Relax your attitude and energy and don’t fight how things are.” Part of being mindful is unplugging from your phone and gadgets, which can raise stress levels, and taking some tech-free time to meditate and reflect, Huffington Post writes.

2. Put your commute back in your control - Dr. Frank Ghinassi, associate professor of psychiatry at

the University of Pittsburgh, told Huffington Post that you can reduce anxiety by reminding yourself that the length of your trip is the product of your own decisions about where you live and work, and what options you take for traveling back and forth.

Think about other options, such as telecommuting a few days a week, riding a bike to work, or carpooling with a friend.

3. Enjoy the “Mozart effect” - Tuning into classical music could help you stay relaxed and focused, as least according to a Populus survey of 2,000 drivers that found those who listen to rock are more inclined to experience road rage.

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KITCHENOMICS From orchard to table, apples bring flavor for the perfect picnic FAMILY FEATURES

here’s nothing like the perfect picnic or barbecue to slow down and reconnect with friends and family. This season, gather together guests and surprise them with a rustic backyard picnic, starring delicious new recipes that bring out the flavor of apples — a versatile and healthy yearround fruit.

Filled with healthy antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals, apples add a flavorful twist to classic picnic fare. For a refreshing treat that both kids and adults will love, try the Strawberry Banana Smoothie Popsicle, made with Tree Top Apple Juice. Or grill some Spiced Pork and Apple Burgers with Maple Dijon, made with Tree Top Apple Sauce for a lean and juicy burger.

For more recipes and inspiration, visit www.treetop.com.

T

Designing a Backyard Party Is Easy Set the scene with the right décor and a little bit of creativity — and let nature take care of the rest.

Find vintage plates and serving pieces at a local flea market.

Serve beverages in Mason jars, which can also be used as flower vases.

Cover a rustic table with gingham tablecloth.

Fill large wicker baskets with apples to use as centerpieces.

If hosting in the evening, line the table with tea lights and lanterns.

Apple Tortellini Salad Servings: 6 to 8 Dressing: 3 tablespoons Tree Top Frozen Concentrate Apple Juice, thawed 3 tablespoons light corn syrup 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons garlic salt Ground pepper to taste Salad: 9 ounces cheese-filled tortellini 2 cups sliced apples (approximately 2 medium apples) 2 cups shredded salad greens 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery 1/2 cup sliced scallions 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional) To prepare dressing, combine apple juice concentrate, corn syrup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic salt and pepper.

Cover dressing and refrigerate.

To prepare salad, cook tortellini, drain and cool by rinsing pasta under cold water. Shake gently to drain thoroughly. In a large bowl, combine tortellini, apples, salad greens, strawberries, celery and scallions. Toss salad gently with chilled dressing. Serve chilled. If desired, sprinkle with pine nuts.

Spiced Pork and Apple Burger with Maple Dijon Servings: 6 3 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard 2 pounds ground pork 1/2 cup Tree Top Natural Apple Sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 6 hamburger buns Baby Spinach leaves Stir maple syrup and mustard together in a small bowl. Set aside. Spray a large non-stick grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and place over medium to medium high heat.

Mix pork, apple sauce, salt, chili powder, dry mustard, pepper and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl. Form mixture into 6 patties. Place patties in pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turn and cook additional 4 to 5 minutes or until done.

To serve, spread bun bottoms with maple mustard mixture.

Top each with a patty, spinach leaf and bun top. If desired, toast buns and top with cheddar cheese, grilled onions, pickles, tomatoes or other favorite toppings. Serve with crispy sweet potato fries and steamed beans for an easy but special meal.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Ice Pops 1 cup Tree Top Apple Juice 1 pint strawberries, hulled, sliced and frozen 1 banana, sliced and frozen 1 apple, peeled, cored, sliced and frozen 6 ounces vanilla yogurt 1 teaspoon vanilla Put all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into ice pop forms or paper cups. Place ice pop sticks in center and freeze, inverted, for 3 hours or until solid. Keep frozen until ready to serve.

Baked Apple Pie Layer Bars Servings: 16 2 1/2 cups sifted flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup shortening 1 egg Milk 2/3 cup crushed corn flakes 1/2 cup Tree Top or Seneca Apple Sauce 5 cups sliced, peeled apples 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Glaze: 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice Sift together flour, sugar and salt. Cut shortening in with pastry blender or two knives. Put egg yolk into measuring cup and add milk to make 2/3 cup. Add to shortening mixture. Mix just enough until dough shapes into a ball. Roll out half the dough into 15 x 11-inch rectangle. Transfer to baking sheet. Cover with corn flakes. Mix apple sauce together with apple slices, and add mixture on top of corn flakes. Mix sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apple mixture. Roll out other half of dough for top crust. Place over apples. Pinch edges together. Beat egg white until stiff and spread on top crust. Bake in hot 400°F oven for 40 minutes. Cut into 16 squares.

Combine confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice to make glaze. While hot, drizzle glaze over top.

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INMENT

Chito Miranda to press charges for leaked video The camp of Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda is now considering filing raps against those who leaked and posted photos and a video of him and his girlfriend, actress Neri Naig, in an intimate moment.

According to Rommel Cajayon of Backbeat Management, which handles the career of Miranda, they are now consulting lawyers to identify the social networking sites that shared the sex video.

Cajayon said Miranda is decided about pressing charges against the unnamed suspects.

After issuing an apology to his family and that of his girlfriend, Miranda’s sister Yna Dalisay expressed support to his brother and the actress.

“The family is 100% behind Chito and Neri. I personally think there was absolutely nothing wrong with what they did and for me, there is nothing to be ashamed of or apologized for.

Ang may mali ‘yung nagnakaw ng video at ang mga patuloy na nagkalat. Alam nila it was meant to be private,” Dalisay said.

Talent manager Manny Valera,

who handles the career of Naig, also shared the same sentiment.

“Shame on those who continue to share the video on their social networking sites. Let us not judge them. They are people in love. But it’s clear that Neri Naig’s rights were abused and violated. She did not approve or consented to the uploading of a private video,” Valera said.

On Sunday, Miranda showed that everything is okay after he posted a photo of him and Naig on Instagram with caption: “Di nyo kami matitinag.” (MNS)

Chito Miranda and Neri Naig

Gretchen: I’m not part of Barrettos anymore Actress Gretchen Barretto was apparently irritated after she was asked to comment on the legal battles of her younger sister, Claudine.

Claudine recently filed for a temporary protection order against her estranged husband Raymart Santiago, with her legal counsel claiming that she was “abused.”

Speaking to reporters after the awarding ceremonies of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival on Sunday, Barretto reiterated that she does not intend to get involved in Claudine’s problems.

She also reminded the reporters that her mother Inday already disowned her in favor of Claudine.

“Itinakwil na po ako. So in other words, wala na

kayong karapatan tanungin ako tungkol sa Barretto family dahil I’m not part of that family anymore. Right now, my family is Tony (her husband) and Dominique (her daughter), Marjorie and Jayjay (her siblings) and the rest of my siblings. Mahirap naman ipilit ang sarili ko sa mga ayaw sa akin,” she said.

Barretto also appealed that she and Marjorie be spared from issues that don’t concern them.

“Tahimik na rin po ang buhay ko. Kung nano-notice niyo naman po, puro career na lang at pamilya ko or anak ko ang pinagtutuunan ko ng pansin. Huwag na natin isali ako at si Marjorie sa mga gulong hindi naman na kami dapat kasali pa,” she said.

Barretto said she would rather focus on taking care

of her “real” family. “I think I learned the big lesson na lumayo na lang para walang gulo. Di ba kapag walang sinasabi, wala ng problema? Mahirap ang mga gulo-gulo, masaya na ang buhay natin,” she said.

When asked what she is praying for amid all the controversies, Barretto said: “Ang pinagdaanan ko hindi madali. ‘Yung pang-iinsulto sa pagkatao ko, sa kredibilidad ko, napakasakit. Alam niyo iyon, hindi ko na kailangan sabihin iyon.”

“Bakit ba kailangan paulit-ulit tinatanong ang hindi dapat itanong? What for, para masaya kayo at bahala na ako? That’s not right. Pati prayers ko pakikialaman niyo? Bakit? Artista ako, that’s all I can give you,” she added. (MNS)

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Heart denies secret marriage to Chiz Actress Heart Evangelista denied rumors that she and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero have tied the knot at a popular restaurant in Tagaytay.

This comes after the 28-yearold actress posted a photo on Instagram showing a woman whose face is hidden by what looks like a wedding veil signing a document.

The caption of the photo read: “I will never forget today.”

However, the actress said that she was not the woman in the picture.

“Pumunta lang ako doon [sa restaurant nung may-ari] and it was a nice day, relaxing. I’ll announce [if I’ll get married na] but it’s not anytime soon,” she said.

The actress explained that she is not yet ready to settle down soon because she she is still en-

joying her independence.

“Ayaw ko pa. I mean it’s there, the idea is nice and wonderful.

But I still need a lot of time to do the things that I want to do.

You cannot turn back time. I have yet to discover things and go on adventures pa now that I am independent,” she said.

Escudero first admitted that he and Evangelista are a couple In October last year.

Following Escudero’s admission, their relationship was tested after the actress’ parents went on record last March, saying they do not approve of their daughter’s new romance.

Evangelista, however, happily shared that she and her father have recently patched things up.

“Yes, my dad and I are okay.

As much as I want to share what Heart Evangelista happened or what it is now, I what happened months ago and said. Evangelista thinks it would want to do a total opposite of not so much talk about it,” she feel more sincere if she just keeps

Cristine Reyes denies dating married man Sexy actress Cristine Reyes denied that she’s dating a married man.

“Hay! Hindi ah. Sino ang nag-imbento noon? Wala akong date, wala nga akong dini-date. Wala akong time para mag-date,” Reyes told members of entertainment media in a recent interview.

Reports that Reyes is dating a married man surfaced after a photo of her and a man circulated online.

In the interview, Reyes also denied that she’s dating a gym instructor. “Kasi ‘yung instructor ko ay pamilyadong tao, si Peter Ross,” she stressed.

Currently, Reyes is busy shooting the movie “Trophy Wife” with Heart Evangelista, John Estrada and Derek. Ramsay.

Cristine Reyes

Actor Jericho Rosales and his girlfriend, TV host Kim Jones

Jericho Rosales proposes to girlfriend TV host Kim Jones Actor Jericho Rosales asked his girlfriend, TV host Kim Jones, to marry him.

In his personal Instagram account, Rosales posted a picture of Jones showing off her engagement ring as he thanked his soon-to-be wife for saying yes.

“Ok here’s the real one. I love you, Miss Jones. You are the love of my life. Thank you for saying YES (to forever) to me. Happy birthday! God is amazing! Yeeeeeehaaa! We are engaged!!!!” he said.

Jones, for her part, also thanked Rosales for making her the “happiest lady in the world.”

Rosales shared how he proposed to Jones.

“I just had that feeling in my heart na I have to propose sa Church. It cannot be like kaming dalawang lang. I felt like I had to propose in front of people na hindi konektado sa akin. [The Church] allowed it,” he said.

“I went up onstage, the pastor called me.

He was talking about how much God loves us. And then pag-akyat ko, I opened up with ‘Why me? Why does God love me after everything that I have done in life? He has an unconditional love for us.’ And then the next question was why me pa rin but take out the letter H and add another M: W-YM-M-Y, which means will you marry me,” Rosales added.

After his proposal, Rosales shared that he and Jones were both crying.

Rosales said they are planning to have a beach wedding but they don’t have a specific date for the occasion yet.

In his previous interviews, Rosales admitted that he and Jones have already been talking about settling down.

It was in February 2012 when Rosales first introduced Jones as his girlfriend to the public. Jones, a Filipino-British model who grew up in Australia, is the host of the lifestyle show “Etcetera.” (MNS)

quiet about this reconciliation.

(MNS)

Vilma elated with good reception of ‘Ekstra’ Veteran actress Vilma Santos could not hide her happiness after her first independent film, “Ekstra,” earned a long round of applause from the audience following its premiere screening at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Santos said the immediate viewers’ reception made all her hard work worth it.

“Doon ko na-realize na lahat ng pagod, lahat ng kaba, nawala lahat. The mere fact na ginawa mo lang iyon para sa a little contribuVilma Santos tion sa art at mapatunayan ko na hindi lahat, kapag sinabing artista, kailangan bayaran, hindi eh. Palagay ko ‘yung reception kanina, iyon na ang pinakabayad namin,” she said.

Santos said she is hoping that people will watch her movie, which tells the story of a person who makes a living from playing bit roles.

“Sana panoorin niyo. This is something different. First time na talagang extra po ako. Modesty aside, talagang bida naman ako the whole time. Pero this time, extra talaga. Maramdaman niyo naman ang buhay ng isang extra, dahil ang isang pelikula hindi mabubuo ng walang extra,” she said.

After doing “Ekstra,” Santos said she would not think twice of doing another independent film again in the future.

“I hope so, I hope I can find time. I even hope I can produce one. It’s just that I need to find time kasi the priority is Batangas. This is my last term. But I’m looking forward if everything will be smooth in Batangas, maybe I can do another one or produce another one,” she said.

Among those who attended the premiere screening of her movie were Senator Ralph Recto, sons Ryan Christian Recto and Luis Manzano, and actress Jennylyn Mercado. (MNS)

Luis Manzano has message for gossipmongers Television host Luis Manzano is getting tired of clarifying rumors concerning his relationship with actress Jennylyn Mercado.

In the past months, the couple has been plagued with rumors claiming that they have either separated, or they have already tied the knot.

Manzano gave some “advice” to those who keep on spreading gossip about them.

“Nakakagulat nga, may hiwalay na kami, may pinagdadaanan, may live in, may kasal. Sabi ko lahat ng gumagawa ng issue mag-usap-usap para iisa lang.

Kinasal daw [kami ni Jennylyn] sa Dubai, sa Batangas. Magusap-usap naman para isa lang ang sasagutin namin,” he said.

Manzano maintains he and Mercado have never been happier, but they are keeping their relationship out of the public eye.

“We may be artists, we may live in the public eye, pero hindi

kami natatakot magtira para sa sarili namin. Kumbaga, alam ng mga tao ang storya namin, pero we still have that fine line na para sa amin lang. We may be showbiz, but hindi talaga kami showbiz,” he said.

Mercado was with Manzano and his entire family during the premiere screening of “Ekstra,” the first independent film of Manzano’s mom, Vilma Santos.

Asked whether they are open to working together, Manzano said: “In terms of network, medyo mahirap, kahit na nakatsamba kami sa mga guesting nung mga birthday namin. We wouldn’t want to work together kasi showbiz na nga kami, ihahain pa namin talaga ang relationship namin sa industriya, hindi na.”

Manzano and Mercado have been together for over a year now. (MNS)

8

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