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MH370 jet crash announcement draws criticism By Julia Zappei
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25, 2014 (AFP) – Malaysia drew criticism at home and abroad on Tuesday for announcing that a missing passenger jet with 239 people aboard had been lost at sea, even before any wreckage was found. The country’s flag carrier also received ire for informing some relatives of the plane’s loss by text message, although it insisted this had been a “last resort”. A sombre Prime Minister Najib
Razak said Monday that Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished more than two weeks ago, had “ended in the southern Indian Ocean”. He cited fresh analysis of satellite tracking data and said the information was being shared “out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families”. Malaysian authorities have come in for repeated criticism for perceived secretiveness and conSee MH370 RELATIVES, page 13
Malaysia Airlines tells families it will keep searching for jet
March 24, 2014 – Able Seaman Januario Callos keeps watch on the starboard bridge-wing of HMAS Success during the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The supply ship will use visual lookouts and is equipped with radar and communications equipment to support a coordinated search with other assets within the area. With a displacement of 18 thousand tonnes and carrying a crew of 218, HMAS Success is one of the RAN’s largest vessels, capable of providing a valuable surface search, investigation and recovery capability to support the ADF air operations. Photo: LSIS James Whittle aboard HMAS Success/Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – Malaysia Airlines on Monday told relatives of the 239 people on board a missing passenger jet that “we have to assume” the plane went down in the southern Indian Ocean, but vowed the search for the jet would continue. “Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean,” the airline said in a statement to the families, citing
new analysis of satellite data. “On behalf of all of us at Malaysia Airlines and all Malaysians, our prayers go out to all the loved ones (of those on board) at this enormously painful time,” the statement continued. “We know there are no words that we or anyone else can say which can ease your pain. We will continue to provide assistance and support to you.” The airline vowed in its stateSee MALAYSIA, page 13
Most senior NPA rebel leaders held captured MANILA, March 22, 2014 (AFP) – The Philippines’ highest-ranking communist guerrilla leader was arrested Saturday in a “victory” for national peace and security, the armed forces chief said. Communist Party of the Philippines chairman Benito Tiamzon and his wife, the party’s secretary general Wilma Tiamzon, were arrested in a joint police and military operation, military chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista
said in a statement. “The arrest... is another victory for the combined efforts between the (military, police) and other stakeholders in pursuit of peace and security,” he added, urging their followers to lay down their arms and end the 45-year-old insurgency. The Maoist rebellion has claimed 30,000 lives according to government estimates. Though the communist party’s armed wing, the New People’s
Army, is down to about 4,000 guerrillas from more than 26,000 in the late 1980s, the rebels continue to pose a threat according to the government. The rebels frequently ambush or raid small military and police units, as well as extorting money from rural businesses, military officials say. In April last year President Benigno Aquino’s government announced that the peace talks See NPA REBELS, page 13
21, including 14 foreigners, rescued off southern Negros Occidental
PAF wants more sophisticated fighter planes, but will make do with FA-50 MANILA, Mar 22 (Mabuhay) – After the Philippines sealed deals to purchase FA-50 fighter-trainers and eight Bell 412 helicopters to boost its defense capability, a Philippine Air Force official on Saturday said they would have wanted more sophisticated fighters. However, PAF spokesman Col.
Miguel Okol said they will make do with the 12 brand-new FA-50 from South Korea and eight helicopters from Canada. But he stressed PAF still needs Multi-Role Fighters or “real fighters” for the country’s defense. Okol said a Multi-Role Fighter has swing-role capabilities, “it can See FA-50, page 13
Tulfo files libel suit vs PDI MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo filed Monday a P12 million libel suit against the Philippine Daily Inquirer for publishing a story linking him to alleged media payoffs in 2009. In his complaint affidavit, Tulfo filed a case against PDI editor-inchief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, managing editor Jose Ma. Nolasco, news editor Artemio Engracia and news reporter Nancy Carvajal. Tulfo’s libel complaint stemmed from the alleged libelous and malicious article in PDI dated March 19, 2014, headlined “Payoffs to media bared.” The report quoted former National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) officials Rhodora Mendoza and Vic Cacal as saying that TV5 news anchor Erwin Tulfo and Radio DzBB broadcaster Melo del Prado received payoffs in the form of “advertising expenses” from the government agency in 2009. Mendoza and Cacal said Tulfo received a check for P245,535 on March 10, 2009 drawn from a NABCOR account at United Coconut Planters’ Bank (UCPB), Tektite Branch PSE Center, Ortigas, Pasig City. See TULFO LIBEL, page 13
MANILA, Mar 22 (Mabuhay) – The Philippine Coast Guard said on Saturday it had rescued 21 persons, 14 of them foreigners, after an outrigger of their boat was damaged off Sojoton Point in Cauayan, Negros Occidental while sailing to Oslob, Cebu Friday night. PCG Western Visayas commander Commodore Athelo Ybanez said the foreigners included French, Swiss, German and Spanish nationals. He said the captain of the boat, which had come from Antique, See RESCUED, page 13
President Benigno S. Aquino III is being apprised by PhilHealth president and chief executive officer and former peace negotiator Alexander Padilla during the launching of Alaga Ka para sa Maayos na Buhay (ALAGA KA) program at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Monday (March 24, 2014).
Gov’t defends arrest of NPA ‘power couple’ MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday said the Tiamzon couple cannot use the joint agreement on safety and immunity (JASIG) as their defense because it has no effect on their standing warrants of arrest. Under JASIG, which was signed by the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s ArmyNational Democratic Front (CPPNPA-NDF) back in 1995, people participating in the peace talks are immune from arrests.
Benito Tiamzon is the chairman of the CPP-NPA while his wife, Wilma, is the secretary general. They were nabbed by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Barangay Zaragosa, Aluginsan in Carcar, Cebu last Saturday. THE NDF has asserted that the Tiamzon couple is covered by JASIG but the government panel insists otherwise. Rachel Pastores, lawyer of the Tiamzon couple, said those listed See POWER COUPLE, page 13
OFWs vulnerable to nuclear terrorism, Binay warns ahead of world nuke summit
MANILA, Mar 22 (Mabuhay) – It does matter that the Philippines does not have nuclear weapons nor operate nuclear power plants; millions of Filipinos - particularly those working abroad are vulnerable to any act of nuclear terrorism. This was the warning of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Saturday, just before leaving for the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands. The Vice President is representing President Benigno S. Aquino III in the biennial summit. He is also the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns. “With over 10 million of our kababayans living and working overseas, any act of nuclear terSee OFWS, page 13
Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay pays tribute to seven marines killed last year in a clash with Abu Sayyaf militants in Jolo, southern Philippines, during the wake at the Philippine Marines headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig city, east of Manila, Philippines last May 27. At least seven Filipino marines and an equal number of Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in a clash in a new U.S.-backed offensive aimed at rescuing six foreign and Filipino hostages and stopping the al-Qaida-linked gunmen from staging more kidnappings in the country’s south, a military commander said Sunday. (MNS photo)
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Commuters to SC: Parañaque terminal makes things worse MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – For some commuters from southern Luzon traveling on roads going to and from Manila, pictures simply paint a thousand words. In a motion and reply submitted to the Supreme Court, a group of bus commuters led by Angeles Bayot has included 23 photographs showing that the government’s newly introduced Southwest Interim Transport Terminal (SITT) did not meet international standards and would only make things harder for travelers. “These photos clearly show that the questioned bus terminal is far from the ‘international standards’ of a public terminal,”said the petitioners, who even sent one of their lawyer, Antonio Carlos Bayot, to personally inspect the terminal in Parañaque City earlier this month. One of the photos showed the terminal being surrounded by makeshift structures, such as carinderias and other stalls, which could “serve as hotspots for bystanders, and even drug users/ pushers.” Another one showed garbage, rubble and debris scattered around the terminal, exposing passengers to pollution and health hazards. “Surroundings of the SITT appear to be more like dumpsites
rather than a ‘world class’ terminal for commuters. Considering Uniwide Coastal Mall’s dilapidated facilities and condition, it is very questionable why respondents agreed to lease these premises,” the petitioners said, adding that an asphalt plant can also be found near the terminal. Other photos showed that island bays for waiting passengers are “squeezed” between buses with a space of only around “two to three feet.” “Amidst the long queue of buses, bystanders are totally oblivious of the hazards/accidents waiting to happen... (of the) danger they are in because of the very small distance between them and the moving buses,” they said. The terminal also has a low ceiling and is “very dark, small, and filled with smoke/fumes from the diesel emission of buses. “Literally, the smoke inside the SITT is so bad that one cannot stay for 5 minutes without getting dizzy or immediately developing cough,” the petitioners said, even suggesting that the Department of Health should study the pollution levels inside the terminal. “Surely, this kind of a facility is very harmful for the health of those sick, disabled, pregnant women, infants, children, and senior citizens,” the petitioners said.
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The view of M/S Europa 2 (left) from a distance, while foreign tourists (right photo) embark Tuesday (March 18) the luxury ocean cruise ship at the port of Tagbilaran City. The province of Bohol continues to be one of the favorite tourist destinations despite the destruction brought about by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last year. (MNS photo)
MARINA capable of doing task of single-maritime agency MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is more than capable of taking over as the country’s single-maritime agency provided that it be given additional manpower, equipment and funding. MARINA administrator Maximo Mejia Jr said this after the legislation, approved by the House of Representatives and Senate and signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III as Republic Act 10635 last March 13,
tasked MARINA to take over the manning, certification and training functions. These functions were formerly undertaken by the Professional Regulation Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Maritime Training Center, Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and Department of Health. He added that MARINA is capable of doing all these functions but stressed that it would take 12 months to transfer all these functions to
the maritime agency. Mejia said that the 12-month period would allow the agency ample time to formulate the budget, equipment and personnel request to the Department of Budget and Management, a task Transportation Secretary Emilio Joseph Abaya said that he would assist them. Once these are approved, the MARINA chief said that they could easily undertake all the functions earlier performed by the five agencies. (MNS)
PHL lowers alert level for Thailand from 2 to 1 MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – The Philippine government has lowered the alert level in Bangkok and surrounding areas in Thailand from 2 to 1, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday. Under Alert Level 1, Filipinos in Bangkok and the concerned areas, namely Nonthaburi Province, Lad Lum Kaew District of Pathumthani Province, and
Bang Phli District of Samutprakan Province, are advised to take necessary precautions. “There is no ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers under Alert Level 1,” the DFA said. Manila raised Alert Level 2 over Thailand in January following the enforcement of a 60-day state of emergency by the Thai government to quell weeks-long
protests aimed at pressuring elected Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down in favor of an unelected council. The Thai government lifted the state of emergency on March 19. There were an estimated 16,000 Filipinos in Thailand based on the 2012 data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. (MNS)
Singapore steps up airport security after MH370 incident SINGAPORE, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – Singapore has stepped up security checks at Changi Airport as a “precautionary measure” after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went missing earlier this month, the city-state’s police said Monday. Soon after the plane carrying 239 people vanished on March 8, authorities revealed that two passengers had boarded it using stolen passports in a major breach of airport security that triggered fears of a terror link. Malaysia believes the flight was deliberately diverted
by someone on board. But the absence of firm evidence of the plane’s fate has fuelled intense speculation and a wealth of conspiracy theories, including a hijacking. Changi is an “international gateway” where nearly 7,000 flights land or depart weekly and 147,000 passengers pass through daily, the Singapore police said in a statement. “Arising from the MH370 incident, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have raised the security alert at Changi Airport as a precautionary measure,” the statement said. The statement did not give details of the additional steps taken. Security measures at the airport are “in accordance with international best practices and the security standards prescribed by
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” it said. “The Police and ICA are monitoring the security threat situation closely,” the statement said. “We appreciate the understanding and patience from travelers as we conduct the various security checks to ensure safe and secure travel.” Flight MH370 disappeared from civilian radar 16 days ago, nearly an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. Chinese passengers comprised two-thirds of the 239 people aboard the Boeing 777 aircraft. A massive international search is currently under way in the southern Indian Ocean after satellite data indicated the plane may have ended up there, with evidence mounting of debris in the area that may be connected to the mystery.
Too soon to launch undersea search for MH370: French investigators PARIS, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – French investigators said Monday it was too soon to consider launching undersea searches for the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines jet that officials said went down in the Indian Ocean. France’s BEA accident investigation service, which had sent three investigators to Kuala Lumpur, said the “vast area (involved) does not, at present, make it feasible to conduct undersea searches.” “An undersea phase to localize the aeroplane from flight MH370 could be launched only if the operations under way today enable a more limited search area to be defined than the current search areas,” the BEA said in a statement.
It said its investigators, who had returned from Kuala Lumpur at the weekend, had discussed possible techniques for undersea searches with Malaysian authorities. In particular they discussed “their experience... acquired during the search between 2009 and 2011 for the wreckage of Rio-Paris flight AF447,” it said. It took 23 months for BEA investigators to find the wreckage of the Air France flight after it went down in the Atlantic in 2009. Malaysia on Monday said the MH370, which went missing more than two weeks ago, crashed in the Indian Ocean, but shed no light on the mystery of why it veered from its intended course.
Consumer group cries foul over delay in water rate cut MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – Consumer Water For All Refund Movement (WARM) is criticizing government for failing to implement the water rate reduction that the state-owned Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved in 2013. WARM president Rodolfo Javellana said the rate cut should’ve been implemented since no there was no temporary restraining order from the courts. “Wala namang pumipigil sa MWSS na ilabas ang kanilang resolusyon, at malaman ng buong bayan ang resulta. Ang problema ay itinago mismo ng MWSS ‘yung resulta na kanilang pinirmahan,” he said. MWSS are holding arbitration proceedings with Maynilad and Manila Water, but Javellana said no information is being released to the public. Javellana said the secrecy has raised suspicions that there are government officials who are opposing the rate cut. “Kung totoo na ang gobyerno natin ay nasa Tuwid na Daan, ito ay dapat ipagmalaki ng gobyerno at sabihing, ‘Ipinagtanggol namin kayong mga water consumers, mayroon tayong rate reduction.’ Ito’y political victory sa ating mga water consumers. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi ito nilalabas,” said Javellana.
“Sa tingin namin ay mayroong pumipigil sa loob ng Palasyo sa usapan na ito,” he added. The MWSS board earlier approved a 29.47 percent downward adjustment on Manila Water’s 2012 average basic water charge of P24.57 per cubic meter, which would be implemented in five equal tranches of -5.894 percent per year. Manila Water proposed a basic rate increase of P5.83 per cubic meter. The board also approved a negative adjustment of 4.82 percent on Maynilad’s 2012 average basic water charge of P30.28 per cubic meter, which would be implemented in five equal tranches of -0.964 per charging year. Maynilad requested for an P8.58 per cubic meter rate hike for 2013 to 2018. The existing water rates remain in effect until the arbitration proceedings reach a final decision on the tariff determination. (MNS)
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Peace prospects dim after arrest of NPA rebel couple
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OPINION
Aquino: Resumption of peace talks depends on ‘willingness’ of CPP-NPA
MANILA, March 23, 2014 (AFP) – Prospects of reviving peace talks with Philippine communist insurgents have faded following the arrest of a married couple who are senior rebel leaders, officials and analysts said Sunday. The armed forces have hailed the arrest on SatMANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – President Benig“So what are they saying? For them, it’s business urday of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) no Aquino III said the resumption of peace talks de- as usual, I guess,” he said. chairman Benito Tiamzon and his wife, the party’s pends on the willingness of the Communist Party of Benito is included on the “Big Five” fugitive list secretary general Wilma Tiamzon, as a victory. the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Dem- alongside fellow NPA leader Jorge Madlos. His Military chief General Emmanuel Bautista said ocratic Front to cooperate with the government. arrest follows the arrest of Delfin Lee, who was “They [CPP-NPA]...walked out [of] the peace nabbed in connection with a multibillion-peso esBenito Tiamzon heads both the party and its armed talks, if you remember correctly. It really depends tafa case. wing, the New People’s Army (NPA). their willingness to go back to the bargaining Last Wednesday, Aquino hinted another bigHe “directs the armed struggle all over the coun- on table,” Aquino told reporters during an interview. name fugitive would be arrested soon, but did not try, directs the (use of landmines), the killings, He issued the statement after authorities ar- elaborate. and the violence perpetrated by the NPA”, Bau- rested over the weekend CPP chair Benito Tiamzon On Monday, the President confirmed he was pertista said. and his wife, the party’s secretary general Wilma taining to Benito. “It [The arrest] wasn’t a surprise because I did He told reporters the arrests would leave the Tiamzon. th Earlier, the CPP during its 45 founding annimention it,” he said. 45-year-old rebel movement with a leadership vacversary said it will no longer engage in formal talks “I believe does deliver a serious blow [to the uum, adding he hoped more guerrillas would re- with the Philippine government, citing the “proven NPA]. And ititshows you also the competency of our alise the futility of their struggle. unwillingness of the Aquino regime to negotiate a security forces,” he added. But the detentions also prompted harsh accusa- just peace.” Aquino, meanwhile, said they still have to deal tions from both sides over the stalled peace proBut citing media reports, Aquino said the Tiam- with the “root causes” of the insurgency problem. zons were in possession of hand grenades and pis“That’s why we are focused on empowering our cess. tols, something he said “normally does not occupy people especially in trying to move them out of povThe Tiamzons were held in a raid in the central the belongings of a peace negotiator.” erty in the various interventions that we have been island of Cebu on three warrants for multiple murAs for possible retaliation, the President said doing from education, to health, to livelihood, to der and attempted murder, Bautista said. it would not make a difference since “the attacks housing, to disaster preparedness and so on and so He said five other people arrested with the couple [from them] have not ceased.” forth,” he said. (MNS) were also believed to be insurgents since they were found in possession of firearms and explosives. Luis Jalandoni, chairman of the insurgents’ negotiating panel, condemned the “illegal arrest”, saying both Tiamzons were covered by immunity guarantees. Jalandoni, in a statement on the insurgents’ MANILA, Mar 22 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang said bill being pushed in the House of Representatives website, called the arrests a “flagrant violation” of Saturday that President Benigno S. Aquino III re- but has yet to reach the plenary for debates. an immunity deal signed in 1995 when the latest mains firm in his stance that he is not for CharShe said that Malacañang would first have to ter change despite some lawmakers’ proposals to wait for the outcome of the bill. peace talks began. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacieda had It “most seriously prejudices the peace negotia- amend the 1987 Constitution. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte previously mentioned that President Aquino’s tions”, he added. the issue in an interview on state-run dzRB stance on Cha-cha is very well known among his alPresident Benigno Aquino had hoped to reach a raised Radyo ng Bayan following Senator Miriam Defen- lies. peace agreement with the communists by the end sor Santiago’s call for making a new provision in The President does not want to “interfere” in of his term in 2016, but in April 2013 the govern- the Constitution, particularly in banning political the process as he is preoccupied with governance, dynasties. among other things, he said. ment declared that talks had collapsed. The senator also wanted to include in the proviHe also noted that the Philippine economy is doGovernment negotiators denied the arrests viosion the requirement that a candidate who would ing well even without Cha-cha. lated the immunity deal, and said Wilma Tiamzon want to run for national office should have a college “If you look at the situation right now, our econwould not have been covered in any case since she degree. omy has grown better even without amending the had jumped bail in 1989. “Senator Santiago has always been very frank Charter,” Lacierda said. about parts of the Constitution that on her opinion Despite such reasons, President Aquino has exPossible retaliation The government panel said in a statement the need to be amended. However, at present, it’s really pressed his willingness to discuss the proposed a priority of the administration,” Valte said. Charter change with the leaders of the House of rebels’ position was “ridiculous” as it meant they notValte noted that there is an anti-political dynasty Representatives, he added. (MNS) could stage attacks and then claim immunity when arrested. “It is even more outrageous considering that the Hong Kong fails to protect human trafficking victims: report peace negotiations have not moved for over a year HONG KONG, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – Hong was reportedly left unable to walk following eight Kong is failing to protect victims of human traf- months of abuse. The employer was also charged now,” the panel added. Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said ficking for forced labour, a report said Monday, with abusing two previous Indonesian maids. for new legislation to prevent “modern-day Sulistyaningsih had been admitted to an Indoany further talks should be “time bound” and not calling slavery” in a city which relies heavily on migrant nesian hospital in critical condition after returning open-ended as in previous negotiations. workers. home. Despite the collapse of the talks in 2013, the The report comes at a time of growing anger The incident triggered anger from thousands of Aquino government revealed that in January, it over the abuse of foreign domestic helpers in the domestic helpers who took to the streets of Hong had been working with the Norwegian govern- southern Chinese city, and a day before the trial Kong to demand justice. The problem of forced labor is only deepening as ment, which had brokered previous negotiations, of a Hong Kong employer accused of torturing her Indonesian maid is set to resume. Hong Kong widens its search for cheap sources of to reopen the stalled talks. “Current legislation merely prohibits human labor, according to the report. Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine trafficking ‘for the purpose of prostitution’, but not “The main reason for trafficking is simple: Hong Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Re- for the purpose of forced labour or other forms of Kong has a high demand for cheap labor and there search, said the arrests would damage prospects trafficking,” said the joint report by Justice Centre is a proximate abundance of supply from neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific region,” it said. for further talks since the rebels could demand the Hong Kong and Liberty Asia. New legislation expanding the defi nition of trafIn February, Hong Kong received its first official release of the Tiamzons as a precondition. ficking would help in tackling forced labour abuse group of maids from Myanmar, as the city tries to He said guerrillas might also mount retaliatory by perpetrators including placement agencies, loan plug a shortage of domestic helpers. attacks. companies and employers, it said. Around 200 are expected to arrive in the city The NPA’s ranks have shrunk to about 4,000 “Recent allegations of domestic helper abuse over the next three months, but activists have exguerrillas from more than 26,000 in the late 1980s. in Hong Kong bear many of the characteristics of pressed fears that Myanmar women are one of the But the rebels frequently ambush or raid small forced labour,” said report co-author Victoria Wis- groups most vulnerable to abuse due to their limOtero, adding that a comprehensive anti- ited skills in English and Cantonese. military and police units and also extort money niewski trafficking law could help protect the city’s maids. In September, a Hong Kong couple were jailed from rural businesses, military officials say. Hong Kong is home to nearly 300,000 domestic for savagely beating their Indonesian domestic On March 10 the guerrillas staged one of their helpers, mainly from Indonesia and the Philip- helper, including burning her with an iron and hitmost daring attacks in years, raiding a police sta- pines, and criticism from rights groups over their ting her with a bicycle chain. Amnesty International in November condemned tion and then ambushing a pursuing military con- treatment is growing. In January, 44-year-old housewife Law Wanthe “slavery-like” conditions faced by thousands of voy, leaving 10 soldiers and police dead.
Charter change still not President Aquino’s priority, Palace maintains
tung was charged with assault relating to her treatment of her maid Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, who
Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong and accused authorities of “inexcusable” inaction.
Haiyan, other weather extremes ‘consistent’ with man-made climate change: UN BY JONATHAN FOWLER
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GENEVA, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – The Philippines’ devastating Typhoon Haiyan and drought in Australia are among recent weather extremes consistent with man-made climate change, the UN’s weather agency said Monday. “Many of the extreme events of 2013 were consistent with what we would expect as a result of human-induced climate change,” Michel Jarraud, secretary general of the World Meterological Organization (WMO), said as he released his agency’s annual climate report. “We saw heavier precipitation, more intense heat, and more damage from storm surges and coastal flooding as a result of sea level rise – as Typhoon Haiyan so tragically demonstrated in the Philippines,” he added. While individual extremes cannot be pinned on man-made climate change alone, due to a complex web of factors, Jarraud said they are part of a clear trend. He pointed to data from Australia showing that record heat there last year would have been “virtually impossible” without human emissions of heattrapping greenhouse gases. Other 2013 weather events flagged by the agency included extreme cold in Europe and the United States, floods in India, Nepal, northern China, Russia, central Europe, Sudan and Somalia, snow in the Middle East, and droughts in southern China, Bra-
zil, southern Africa and the western United States. ‘No standstill’ in global warming Extreme cold in no way undermines the idea of global warming, Jarraud said, noting that climate change by definition skews weather patterns. “When some people say global warming has stopped, what is now a record cold year is actually warmer than any year before 1998,” he said. Phenomena such as volcanic eruptions or the El Nino and La Nina weather patterns in the Pacific have always influenced temperatures and sparked disasters, but human activity is an accelerator, Jarraud explained. “There is no standstill in global warming,” he said. “Levels of these greenhouse gases are at record levels, meaning that our atmosphere and oceans will continue to warm for centuries to come. The laws of physics are non-negotiable,” he added. The report said 2013 tied with 2007 as the sixth warmest on record. The average global land and ocean surface temperature for the year was 14.5 degrees Celsius (58.1 degrees Fahrenheit) – 0.5 C (0.9 F) above the 19611990 average and 0.03 C (0.05 F) higher than the average for 2001-2010, which was already the warmest decade on record. Thirteen of the 14 warmest years on record occurred in the 21st century, and each of the last three decades has been warmer than the last.
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UTREACH Leyte Dance Theater on stage April 19 in OC The Leyte Dance Theater, the pride of Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines, will be performing on April 19, 2014 at 7 p.m. in Fullerton, Orange County at the Plummer Auditorium. This is just one of the series of performances on their US Tour 2014. Watch the “Yolanda/Haiyan” survivors as they rise from dev-
astation, dancing and singing to your heart’s delight showing the world that the Filipino People are strong and can overcome any obstacles. LDT has traveled to the USA six times since 1997 and performed for Filipino-American audiences with overwhelming response. Other major performances are as
follows: Philippine representative to the Chingay Festival in Singapore; International Folk Festival in Turkey; International Folk Festival in Indonesia; and International Folk Dance Competition in Sabah, Malaysia where it was adjudged as Grand Champion and winning the Best in Choreography, Best in Music, and Best Male
Dancer. In 2013, LDT was among the 40 or more performers around the world that performed during the Grand Prix event in Bahrain. LDT is also a regular performer in the yearly International Dance Xchange event sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Dance Committee. Today, aside from its regular performance and travels, the LDT continues with its dance productions and free training for talented dancer. These programs of training, production and per-
formance make LDT a venue for dance development, artistic expressions and national pride. As recognition LDT’s efforts, the Sangyaw Foundation, Inc., cited the group for its meritorious achievement in the field of Arts and Entertainment on June 2013. Also, the ALIW Awards Foundation, Inc., recently awarded LDT a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in the field of Performing Arts during the 26th Annual Aliw Awards ceremony at the Manila Hotel last October 8, 2013.
Eight killed, 108 unaccounted for in huge Washington landslide
Get involved! Become a mission partner, benefactor or donor for poverty alleviation foundation LONG BEACH – Mast Sisters, Missionary Volunteers of the Poverty Alleviation Foundation held their regular meeting at the Mission House of the Mast Sisters in Long Beach, CA. They also prepared fundraising materials for distribution to different parishes. These fundraising materials are for the Poverty Alleviation Foundation Fund Campaign, asking for financial support to sustain their care and shelter for orphans in the Philippines. The foundation’s doors are open to all who are interested in becoming a mission partner, a benefactor, or a donor. For more sit their website at www. povertyalleviationfoundation.com.
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LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – More than 100 people are still unaccounted for after a devastating landslide in the northwestern US state of Washington, while eight people are so far confirmed dead, officials said Monday. The number reported missing or unaccounted for rose dramatically from 18 to 108 after the massive landslide slammed “like a freight train” into a mountainside in Snohomish County. “We’re still in rescue mode here, but the situation is very grim,” said Snohomish County fire district chief Travis Hots. “We’re holding out hope that we’ll find people that are still alive, but we haven’t found anyone alive since Saturday.” Emergency management chief John Pennington stressed that 108 is the number of reported missing or unaccounted for, not necessarily actually missing after the disaster on Saturday. But he said there were a total of 49 dwellings of various types in the area hit by the devastating landslide, and that there were likely to have been more people at home on a Saturday than during the week. “To date there are 108 reports of names of individuals who are either unaccounted for or missing,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that there are 108 injuries, or 108 fatalities, it’s 108 reports,” he told reporters. “It was Saturday, and it was probably a higher number than you would see during a weekday,” he said. Voices heard, then silence The wall of mud, rocks and trees smashed into the rural town
of Oso, northeast of Seattle, destroying houses and part of a highway. The field of rubble is about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) across and some four to six meters (1320 feet) deep in areas, The Seattle Times reported. Rescuers reported hearing voices calling for help on Saturday, but Hots said they “didn’t see or hear any signs of life” on Sunday. Among the missing was a fourmonth-old baby and her grandmother, local media reported. Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, who declared a state of emergency for the area, told reporters there is “a full-scale, 100-percent, aggressive rescue effort” going on, adding that helicopters, hovercrafts and rescue personnel had rushed to the scene. The muddy area was so unstable that some rescue workers “went in and got caught literally up to their armpits” and had to be pulled out themselves, Inslee said. People injured in the landslide include a six-month old infant and an 81 year-old man, both hospitalized in critical condition at a Seattle hospital, local media said. “It sounded like a freight train,” landslide witness Dan Young told Komo4News. “In just 35 to 45 seconds it was over.” Young’s home survived but is flooded. “It’s much worse than everyone’s been saying,” a firefighter who did not want to be named told The Seattle Times. “The slide is about a mile wide. Entire neighborhoods are just gone. When the slide hit the (Stillaguamish) river, it was like a tsunami.”
More than 30 hurt as Chicago commuter train derails CHICAGO, March 24, 2014 (AFP) – More than 30 people were injured early Monday in Chicago when a commuter train derailed and barreled up an escalator at a station at one of the busiest airports in the United States. Some of the people injured in the incident at the O’Hare International Airport station were taken to hospital while others were treated at the scene, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Transit Authority told AFP. None of the injuries were life-threatening. “The train did not decelerate and went past where it should have stopped,” said the spokeswoman, Lambrini Lukidis. The Blue Line train crashed just before 3 a.m. – a relatively quiet time at the airport. The transit authority said the train had roughly 50 people on board. The CTA and the National Transportation Safety Board were to investigate the incident. “It’s too early for us to be able to speculate what happened here,” Lukidis said.
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Filipino stars Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela to co-headline at Pala Casino May 31 PALA, CA, March 24, 2014 – Asia’s “Nightingale” Lani Misalucha and Filipino recording artist Jed Madela will bring a night of Filipino star power to the Events Center at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31, when they co-headline the“Perfect Combination” concert at Pala Casino Spa & Resort. Misalucha, a world renowned, award-winning recording artist wows audiences with her threeoctave vocal range and sings everything from rock and roll to operatic arias. She also possesses a comedic flair and can perform dead-on impressions of wellknown divas. She became the first Asian to headline a 15-month successful run performing with
Hawaii’s premier show band Society of Seven (SOS) in the main showroom at the world-famous Jubilee Theater at Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Madela dubbed “The Voice,” for his uniquely wide vocal range, is a Filipino recording artist and co-host of the popular Filipino TV variety show, ASAP, where he also performs. He was the first Filipino to become the world grand champion of Hollywood’s World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA), which recently elevated him to Hall of Fame status. Lani Misalucha and Jed Madela 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31; Events Center; Pala Casino Spa Lani Misalucha
Consulate attends fundraising concert of REO Brothers of Tacloban 7 March 2014, Los Angeles, CA - Philippine Consulate General Officials attended the fundraising concert to benefit the victims of Typhoon Haiyan organized by the Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown in collaboration with APO GLA and UP APO Foundation on 15 March 2014 at Incarnation Community Center Gym, Glendale, California. The concert features the REO Brothers, Raymart, RJ, Ralph and Reno, who were Taclobanons and survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. Acting Head of Post, Deputy Consul General Imelda M. Panolong gave the opening remarks during the concert. Dep. Con. Gen. Panolong highlighted the resiliency of the Filipino people amidst tragedies and calamities as embodied by the REO brothers. With their guitars, a few cookies and a business card of an acquaintance in hand, they started their musical journey in the road to recovery not only for themselves but also for their fellow Taclobanons. This journey has brought them all the way to the United States with performances at the Madison Square Garden in New York and now in Los Angeles. The Mayor of Glendale, Hon. Dave Weaver, and Atty. Alma Luna from the Office of Sen. Leland Yee also graced the occasion and presented certificates of commendation to the REO brothers, Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown,
APO GLA and UP APO Foundation. The event Chairperson, Mr. Ben Aranda, and Rotary Club President Leo Pandac told the public that this benefit concert and their fundraising activities are in line with Rotary International’s 2013-2014 theme of “Engage Rotary, Change Life.” They even recently held a successful martial arts benefit event raising $1,500 to build homes in Bantayan Island with the help of The Peace Project of Ms. Lisa Schultz. APO GLA and UP APO Foundation also found this recent collaboration with the Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown as a success and hopefully a start of future collaborations. The REO Brothers had an amazing standing room concert covering songs from the Beatles, Beach Boys, Chicago, and many more. The REO Brothers even sang some Original Pilipino Music of the VST and Company bringing the crowd to their feet dancing. They had numerous standing ovations and requests for encore. Their manager, Mr. Tom Banguis Jr., mentioned that the REO Brothers are truly a testament as to how Filipinos rise above challenges with courage, resiliency and determination.
LAUSD celebrates the arts Student inspires first district-wide arts fest LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) held a two-week festival celebrating the arts that began March 1 through Saturday, March 15, 2014. In honor of Arts Education Month, the District showcased student art across multiple disciplines during the Arts Fest, including music, dance, film, theatre and visual arts in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of arts education as well as raise funds to support arts programs at both the individual school site and district-wide. The Arts Fest celebration kicked off with school-site performances, leading to a grand finale event. On Saturday, March 15, in partnership with LA County’s Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles, the District hosted a culminating festival, “LAUSD Arts Fest in the Park,” where more than 2,000 students had performed. The “LAUSD Arts Fest in the Park” was held in front of City Hall beginning at 10 a.m. It featured live stages with student performances; an artist market; a “screening room” featuring student short films; a creativity zone; a mass performance to Pete Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn”; an opportunity drawing for student art; vendor booths, celebrity appearances, food trucks and giveaways. The idea for the Arts Fest came from Hamilton High School freshman, Jordyn Sacino, who asked the question – “why not use art to save art?” Last year, LAUSD challenged its students
in the “My Bright Idea” Challenge to come up with programs they would like to see in the District that promotes positivity. Jordyn’s suggestion towered above the rest. The event was to showcase the talent of students in “such an amazing public forum” said Michelle King, Senior Deputy Superintendent, School Operations. “This festival gave us the opportunity to proudly celebrate the accomplishments of our students with our parents, employees, business partners and the community while providing a platform to show what a positive role arts plays in the lives of young people.” Studies have shown that arts education has a significant and direct impact on student achievement. It has been shown to improve test scores in all subjects and improve graduation rates, particularly for low performing students, allowing them to develop higher self-esteem and selfconfidence.
“Because art has such a broad and powerful impact on our society, we must continue to raise awareness of its importance and influence in our schools and beyond,” said Dr. Steven McCarthy, K-12 Arts Coordinator. LAUSD was joined by its partner ‘I’M IN’ in hosting the event. The “I’M IN” campaign is an allinclusive program designed to raise awareness about LAUSD’s wellness initiatives to fight childhood obesity, as well as to encourage student attendance and dropout prevention.
& Resort; Tickets, $79, $69, $59, $49; Tickets on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, March 28, with no service charge, at the Pala Box Office, or 1-877-946-7252. Tickets also are available at www.startickets. com, or 1-800-585-3737. Pala is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/ Riverside, take I-15 to Highway 76 east five miles; from Los Angeles County and Orange County, take I-5 south to Highway 76 east, then travel 23 miles. Pala is 15 miles north of Escondido, 12 miles south of Temecula. Address: 11154 Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059; Telephone: 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-9467252); Web site: http://www. palacasino.com Other shows coming to Pala: Creedence Clearwater Revisited, 8 p.m., Friday, March 28, Events Center. Tickets, $50, $45, $35, $25, at www.startickets. com SOLD OUT Hill Country Reunion Concert, 8 p.m., Friday, March 28, Infinity. FREE Show. General Admission Seating. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen; Bonfire, a tribute to AC/ DC, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 5, Events Center. Tickets, all general admission, $12 in advance, $14 at door Pala Gala Cuoi Vietnamese
Jed Madela
Concert, 8 p.m., Saturday, April 12, Infinity. Admission is FREE. Tickets will be distributed to guests at 6 p.m., April 12, in the Pala Hotel lobby. The Temptations, The Four Tops, 8 p.m., Friday, April 18, Events Center, Tickets, $65, $55, $45, $30 at www.startickets. com SOLD OUT Theresa Caputo, Psychic Medium, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, Events Center. Tickets, start at $49.75 and are subject to change without notice, at www.startickets.com SOLD OUT Gabriel Iglesias, 8 p.m., Friday, May 2, Events Center. Tickets, $65, $55, $45, $35 at www. startickets.com Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Touring Pro Division, 7 p.m., Saturday, May 17; 2 p.m., Sunday, May 18, Pala Rodeo Grounds. Tickets, Reserved: $48 and $28 for children 12 and under; General Admission, $28, Saturday, May 17; $20 Sunday, May 18, at www. startickets.com Chippendales, 7 p.m., Saturday, June 7, Infinity. Tickets, $32, $22, at www.startickets.com Dru Hill, Silk, Shai, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 19, Events Center. Tickets, $65, $55, $45, $30, at www.startickets.com Michael McDonald and Toto, 6 p.m., Sunday, August 10, Events Center. Tickets, $90, $80, $70,
$55, at www.startickets.com About Pala Casino Spa & Resort Pala Casino Spa & Resort includes a Las Vegas-style casino with 2,000 slot machines, 13 poker tables and 87 table games; a 507room hotel; a 10,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon that features 14 treatment rooms; a stateof-the-art fitness center; swimming pool with 12 private poolside cabanas, and dual-temperature outdoor Jacuzzi. Pala also offers 10 restaurants and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Pala Casino Spa & Resort is an AAA Four-Diamond Award winner for 11 consecutive years. Its state-of-the-art Pala Spa was named the number one spa on the West Coast and one of the top 100 spas in the United States for 2013 by Spas of America. Previously, Pala Spa was named the 2009 Best Casino Spa by Spas of America, the 2009 Best Casino Spa by the Southern California Gaming Guide and in 2012 received a spaAward and was selected by Spas of America as one of the top 100 spas in the United States. In 2011, Pala Casino Spa & Resort was voted Best Casino in San Diego by the public in the 10News. com annual A-List poll sponsored by KGTV-TV 10 News in San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.palacasino.com.
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KITCHENOMICS Photo courtesy of Getty Images
FAMILY FEATURES
W
ith fresh inspiration from the season’s juiciest, most delicious fruits, you can create jams, jellies and other spreads with ease right from your own kitchen. For many, the thought of turning their favorite fruits into sweet and scrumptious jams and jellies may sound like countless hours in a hot, stuffy kitchen. But creating your own, homemade fruit spreads can be quite simple with the right ingredients and tips. “Any cook can create delightful jams and jellies, regardless of their canning abilities,” said Shirley Camp, M.S., registered dietitian, licensed dietitian nutritionist and retired University of Illinois Extension master canner and educator. “There are so many great products, such as Mrs. Wages No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin, which allow you to whip up homemade spreads, without cooking, saving time without a messy kitchen.”
Fresh, flavorful canning recipes
Four canning tips for great jams and jellies For the best results for your canning creations, follow these four simple tips for canning success:
1. Pick ’em right. When picking berries, keep in mind these fruits have high water content and are very fragile. So, use smaller containers when picking them so the berries do not get crushed under their own weight.
2. Rinse, don’t soak. Due to their fragile nature, the berries should be lightly “rinsed” to remove surface dirt. Do not allow them to sit in water for very long because they tend to take on more water and will become mushy.
3. Firm and ripe When selecting berries for jellied products, ripe berries are best, but not overripe ones. Choose those that have good flavor and are still firm to the touch. For strawberries, look for the smaller, juicier berries instead of larger types that are available today.
4. Mix flavors. While many people prefer their jams to be one flavor, mixing two or more different types of berries together produces great jams with good flavor. Try a mix consisting of blackberry and red raspberry, or strawberry with red raspberry. Another great combination includes pureed berries and peaches mixed together to make jam. Red raspberry peach jam is always a huge hit.
For canning or preservation questions, call the Mrs. Wages Customer Care Center at 1-800-647-8170, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. CST. For additional canning recipes and how-to information, visit www.mrswages.com
Whether you need a sweet topping for a slice of breakfast toast or a dollop for thumbprint cookies, these simple jam and jelly recipes are sure to please everyone in your family. From the ease of Fast Fruity Freezer Jam to the cool blast of Mint Jelly, these recipes all feature Mrs. Wages fruit pectin, which provides the perfect consistency to enhance all your favorite fruit flavors.
Best Blue Ribbon Basil Jelly Yield: 6 half pints 4 cups water 2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves,
finely chopped 1 package Mrs. Wages Fruit Pectin Home Jell 3 drops green food coloring, optional 5 cups sugar In large saucepan, bring water and basil to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain and discard basil. Return 3 2/3 cups liquid to pan. Stir in pectin and food coloring, if desired. Return to rolling boil over high heat. Stir in sugar. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of jam. Ladle mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Remove air bubble. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Twist lid bands so not loose but not too tight. Process for 15 minutes in boiling water bath canner.
Best of Show Apricot-Pineapple Jam Yield: 8 pints 5 1/2 cups prepared fruit (about 2 1/2 pounds apricots and 1 1/2 pounds pineapple) 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1 package Mrs. Wages Fruit Pectin Home Jell 1/2 teaspoon butter 8 cups granulated sugar Pit unpeeled apricots, then finely chop or grind. Measure exactly 3 cups apricots into 8-quart saucepan. Cut, peel, core and finely chop pineapple. Measure exactly 2 1/2 cups pineapple into saucepan with apricots. Mix well. Add lemon juice. Add pectin and butter and stir over high heat until reaches rolling boil. Add sugar and stir thoroughly until reaches rolling boil. Continue cooking for four minutes, stirring constantly to avoid scalding. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of jam. Ladle mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with twopiece lids. Twist lid bands so not loose but not too tight. Process for 10 minutes in boiling water bath canner.
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Why Kaye Abad broke up with Guji Lorenzana MANILA, Mar 24 (Mabuhay) – While she refused to give details about her breakup with Guji Lorenzana, her boyfriend of three years, Kaye Abad admitted that “some things just don’t work.” “Gano’n lang talaga, e. Trial and error. Nagkataon lang siguro na error na naman ngayon,” Abad told reporters, when asked about the reason for the breakup. “Gano’n lang talaga... May mga hindi lang talaga nag-wo-work.” Abad, who earlier admitted initiating the breakup, said she is still hurting, “kasi napamahal sa ‘yo ‘yung tao, nasanay ka na kasama mo siya na ganoon katagal.” “Pero kailangan ko isipin ‘yung brighter side o ‘yung mas importanteng side na para sa aming dalawa rin naman ‘yon, na para sa future din namin,” she added.
Afraid to love again? The former couple first got acquainted in 2009 when they co-starred in the afternoon series “Bud Brothers” and “Somewhere In My Heart.” At the time, Abad said Lorenzana was already forthcoming about his feelings for her. Asked why they never confirmed being a couple, Abad recalled how she and Lorenzana gradually grew into the relationship, noting that they never had the talk of becoming officially together. “I told him na hindi pa ako ready, dahil galing ako sa seven-year relationship ko with Chito [Miranda],” Abad said, referring to Parokya ni Edgar frontman. “Naging masugid siya, naghintay siya, ta’s sabi ko, ‘Hindi pa ako handa.’ Tapos sabi ko, ‘Nasa sa iyo iyan kung gusto mo gumive up o kung
gusto mo maghintay.’” “Naghintay siya hanggang sa naging gradual nalang, e, na parang after a year... Parang gano’n narin naman. Wala kaming anniversary. Ganoon kagradual ‘yung nangyari, na parang understood nalang na, ‘O, siguro nga tayo na,’” she narrated. While he was open in media interviews about his hopes of settling down with Abad, Lorenzana, according to the actress, did not propose to her during their relationship. “Hindi pa rin naman ako handa,” she said. “Hindi ko pa nararamdaman na kailangan ko na mag-settle down.” Asked if she is afraid to fall in love again, the actress answered, “Actually, hindi. Mabilis ako ma-fall, e. Lalo na pag ‘yung weakness nandoon sa taong ‘yon. Pero ngayon, medyo natatakot. Ngayon ko nararamdaman ‘yung takot na siguro, hindi na muna.” (MNS)
Kaye Abad
Sarah flattered that Matteo finds her new look ‘hot’
MANILA, Mar 22 (Mabuhay) – Sarah Geronimo is flattered that Matteo Guidicelli finds her new look “hot and sexy.” Geronimo said she is grateful that the “Galema” actor, who is her rumored boyfriend, appreciates her new style. “Napanood ko ‘yung interview [ni Matteo]. Siyempre thank you naman. Okay naman po,” she briefly said. The singer unveiled her short hairdo two weeks ago during the launch of a shampoo brand’s ad campaign amid speculation that she cut her hair following a disagreement with her parents. The 25-yearold singer has reportedly been wearing hair extensions in recent weeks, during live performances and at Sarah Geronimo
film shooting, to hide the drastic change. Asked how she feels now that she’s sporting a short hair, Geronimo said: “Siyempre feeling fresh tayo and in dahil masarap yung feeling na short hair ka and new look.” With the summer season fast approaching, will Geronimo find time to go on a getaway?
mentor mo. Mags-start na din po ‘yung season two ng ‘The Voice,’” she added. Aside from the hit talent show, Geronimo said she will also be busy in the coming months as she continues to shoot her up-
coming movie. “Currently po nagshu-shoot kami ng movie, the one with Coco Martin. Directed by Jerry Sineneng ito and under Viva Films and Star Cinema,” she said.(MNS)
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Dawn enjoys working with new leading man After her successful reunion with Richard Gomez on “Walang Hanggan,” actress Dawn Zulueta is now being paired with actor Albert Martinez in ABS-CBN’s newest fantasy series “Dyesebel.” In a recent interview, Zulueta noted that it’s only her second time to work with Martinez after she did a cameo appearance years ago. “We spend a lot of time together kasi nag-taping kami, naka-lock in pa nga kami sa Batangas. Ang masasabi ko lang talaga, he is so dedicated to his work. I admire him because he is one of the few actors we have in our generation that takes his craft seriously,” Zulueta said. Aside from being professional, Zulueta said she admires Martinez’ intelligence when it comes to developing his role. “Talagang hindi nagrereklamo. Ang hirap ng trabaho tapos ang galing galing. Tapos ang dami niyang ideas, actually ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya. And it made working with him in as far as our characters were developing, it made easier for me. Kapag ang kasama mong artista ay intelihente, he is interested in developing his character, masarap ‘yon kasi may katapunan ka at ‘yung chemistry siguro doon lumalabas,” she said. Aside from working with new a leading man, Zulueta said she’s also thrilled to work with young stars including Anne Curtis, who plays the title character. “I’m always excited to work with new blood. Ah, tinagal ko na sa industriya ay marami ka ng makakatrabaho. I always look forward working with veterans but I also look forward working with the young ones and these young ones they are also talented. To be
“Baka wala kasi dirediretso na yung ‘The Voice’ namin,” she said. “Bukas mags-start na kami ng ‘The Voice Kids.’ Ito yata ang pinakamahirap kasi mga bata ang kakausapin mo and ime-
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Dawn Zulueta
part of this wonderful production at Dreamscape pa ang naghahandle siyempre talagang exciting for me. At ang ganda ng role na ibinigay sa akin, ‘yung role ng nanay ni Dyesebel,” Zulueta said. The pilot episode of “Dyesebel,” which aired on Monday night, focused on the love story between the parents of the lead character – Tino ( Martinez), a prince of the merfolk, and Lucia (Zulueta), a young woman from a fishing village. (MNS)
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MOTORING Formula E: Electric cars ‘loud enough’ for fans pion Sebastian Vettel was critical of Formula E, saying “it’s not the future” partly because of its expected lack of noise. “I think people come here to feel Formula One and there is not much to feel when a car goes by and you don’t even hear anything but the wind,” Vettel said at the Indian Grand Prix. But Agag said Formula E could be a “game-changer” for motorsports and the car industry when it flags off in Beijing in September, the first of 10 stops around the world. “The event we think is going to be an eye-opener,” he said. “We want it to be a game-changer for the electric car sector because really the wider public don’t have the opportunity to see these cars in action.” He admitted the launch was a “bit early” in some respects with electric car technology still in its infancy. Cars will race at speeds of about 230 kilometers (142 miles) per hour, slower than F1, and drivers will initially have to switch vehicles twice per race because of the difficulty of changing batteries. “Remember mobile phones when they were like, one kilo? We are there,” Agag said. “We took the decision to jump, basically. We per month feel like pioneers in a Lease for for 27 months** sense,” he added. “We took the decision to go before technology was ready now. Of course, we could have waited 10 years for the perfect solution but An unlimited-mileage warranty then probably somefor 1 year that can be extended body else would have for up to 2 additional years on For up to 72 Months already done it.” Certified Pre-Owned models. On Select Certified Pre-Owned Models*** Unlimited Mileage Warranty ‘War’ on pollution The long-term, $100 million initiative is backed by motorsports’ governing body FIA, and Formula One’s Williams, McLaren and Renault collaborated on the inaugural Formula E car. This year, drivers including Bruno Senna and Jaime Alguersuari will be competing in identical vehicles with the field thrown open to manufacturers in fol* * * lowing seasons. Now Now Now Racing will get unCPO, Premium 1 Package, Navigation, Heated CPO, AMG® Sport Package USA, Premium CPO, Appearance Package, Blind Spot derway around Beijing’s Front Seats, Low APR 518443/L8613 1 Pkg., Nav., Moonroof 420187/L8553 Assist, Leather, Navigation 792783/P8599 “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium and then move on to other high-profile One Of The Largest Pre-Owned And Certified Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned Selections To Choose From. sites including London, Los Angeles, Miami, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro 2013 Mercedes-Benz 2013 Mercedes-Benz 2013 Mercedes-Benz and Monaco. C250 C250 C250 Underlining rising CPO, Sport Package, Sport Sedan CPO, Sport Package, CPO, Sport Package, KEYLESS-GO®, concerns about polluPackage, Moonroof, Low APR Moonroof, Low APR Moonroof, Low APR tion worldwide, this week Paris ordered half of all cars off the roads after the French capi865680/SL132184 267087/SL131225 269203/SL131391 tal was shrouded in a murky haze. 2012 Mercedes-Benz 2012 Mercedes-Benz 2011 Mercedes-Benz And it is no coincidence that the cleanGLK350 GLK350 ML350 energy racing series CPO, Navigation, Low APR, Moonroof, CPO, Low APR, Panoramic Roof, CPO, Premium 1 Package, will start in notoriously SIRIUSXM Alloy Wheels Navigation, Heated Seats smoggy China, which also this week declared “war” on the filthy air 844095/L8581 934798/L8584 692623/L8590 choking its cities. “It’s a game of changing perceptions (about 2011 Mercedes-Benz 2011 Mercedes-Benz 2012 Mercedes-Benz electric engines),” Agag ML350 Sprinter 2500 Passenger E350 said. “The broader goal CPO, Lighting Package, Memory 12 Passenger, M2PV170 High Capacity CPO, AMG® Sport Package USA, is to finish with comPackage, Navigation, Moonroof Heating & AC, Premium Package Premium 1 Package, Rear-View Camera bustion (engines) everywhere. “That’s a goal that will take maybe 725511/L8579 570859/P8612 555718/L8585 a few years or many years, but we have to start somewhere.”
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SINGAPORE, March 21, 2014 (AFP) – The man behind the new Formula E racing series has insisted fans will love the electric cars’ “futuristic” sound after the introduction of quieter engines sparked a row in Formula One. CEO Alejandro Agag refused to compare the battery-powered engines’ sound to F1, but he said they reminded him of the Podracers seen in Star Wars film, “The Phantom Menace”. As Formula E prepares to debut this year, F1’s new hybrid engines have been criticized by fans, organizers and top boss Bernie Ecclestone as being simply too quiet for motor-racing. But Agag told AFP that people would be
pleasantly surprised by the sound of the Formula E cars – and that video will be released online next week to prove it. “We think the sound of Formula E is going to be a big surprise for everyone. The sounds that comes out is completely futuristic, new, different,” he said in a telephone interview. “Next week we will put video online of the car with the sound and I think this will be quite a shock, the sound that these Formula E cars are making... it’s actually quite loud.” He added: “It sounds more like a jet, a fighter jet. Or like the Podracer in Star Wars. So that’s the kind of feel we want to give to the fans, much more futuristic. It doesn’t sound at all like a combustion
engine.” ‘Vacuum cleaner’ Motorsports enthusiasts are traditionally fans of roaring engines and the row over the new “vacuum cleaner” power units in Formula One has gone right to the top level. Organisers of last week’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix said the engines may be a breach of contract, while Ecclestone pledged to try to make them sound “more like racing cars”. Such perceptions loom as a potential problem for Formula E, a showcase for the potential of electric cars which has highlevel backing and now needs to build its fanbase. Last October, four-time F1 world cham-
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From Route 66 to the Silk Road: Five mythical motorcycle trips (Relaxnews) – For motorcycle fans, there is nothing like the combination of breathtaking landscapes and mile upon mile of open road. Some of the world’s most iconic routes offer just that. Here is a selection of roads that are heaven on earth for bikers. Route 66 More than a road, this legendary highway is a key part of American identity. At 4,000km long, Route 66 spans nearly the entire length of the US from east to west, from Illinois to California. “The Mother Road,” as it is known colloquially, crosses through three time zones and eight states. Packs of Harley Davidsons are frequently seen roaring down this desert highway. Riders can take in countless symbols of Americana, from the stunning desert landscapes of Arizona to the Cadillac Ranch in Texas. Trans-Himalayan Road Open only four months out of the year, this route takes riders through mountain-top landscapes in India, Tibet and Nepal. Experienced motorcyclists can even ride up to the highest motor-able road in the world, at 5,600 meters. Glaciers, flowing rivers and Buddhist monasteries are among the sights along the way. Silk Road Once the primary link between East and West,
Bentley feels the need for speed while Rolls-Royce is in no rush
(Relaxnews) – Competing luxury carmakers are taking very different approaches to developing their forthcoming SUV models. How do you make a luxury SUV stand out from the crowd? According to Bentley, the answer is to make it incredibly fast. When its new off-roader rolls off the production line in 2016, it could well be capable of hitting 200mph (320km/h). At least, according to reports, that’s the challenge the company’s engineering department has been set. Making a sportscar that fast is difficult enough, but to achieve those levels of performance, safely, in a vehicle that could stand nearly 2 meters high and need massive ground clearance (to avoid rocks and potholes) would be some feat indeed. And, it would no doubt have potential buyers forming a neat and orderly line outside dealerships. But while Bentley is focusing on the ‘S’ for Sport, Rolls-Royce is getting obsessive about the ‘U’ for Utility. The BMW-owned luxury brand first admitted that it was loosely considering the idea of a rugged limousine in January, but unlike its closest direct competitor, it is in no rush to even develop a working concept. Speaking to Autocar, Jolyon Nash, Rolls-Royce’s global sales and marketing chief, said, “Sports and utility are not two words you normally associate with Rolls-Royce. The challenge we have given to our designers is a concept that fits Rolls-Royce.” And, if the designs don’t meet the brief then “We won’t be entering the segment,” Nash is quoted as saying. The premium SUV market is growing quickly and until recently Range Rover and the AMG reworked Mercedes G-Wagon pretty much had the segment to themselves.
the Silk Road is one of the oldest trade routes that still exist today. Though the road originally spanned from China to Turkey, many riders choose to follow adjacent routes further west into France or Italy. Among several other remarkable attractions, riders will come across the ancient city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with its Islamic architecture dating from the 15th century. Travelers should be warned, however, that the route crosses through a number of politically unstable regions, including Syria. Great Ocean Road Located on Australia’s southwest coast, in the state of Victoria, this coastal road of over 240km provides an unparalleled view over the Indian Ocean and its turquoise waters. The Great Ocean Road begins in Torquay to the west, near the popular surfing
destination Melbourne, and ends in Allansford. Among the nearby attractions are the Kenett River reserve, where koalas can be observed in their natural habitat, and the Port Campbell National Park, famous for its “Twelve Apostles,” immense rock formations emerging from the ocean (today there are seven). Eagle Road Officially named Norwegian County Road 63, this winding route passes through the village of Geiranger, known for its fjord, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thrill-seeking bikers will enjoy the road’s 12 hairpin turns. An observatory located 625 meters above a glacier allows visitors to observe some of the country’s most exceptional landscapes. The Seven Sisters Waterfall alone is worth the trip.
More than a highway, Route 66 has become a symbol of adventure and Americana. ©donvictorio/shutterstock.com
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Toyota’s i-Road hits the streets
(Relaxnews) – The company is set to start consumer trials of its latest futuristic two-seater electric car. Expect huge queues of willing participants to start forming on the streets of Tokyo on Monday as testing gets underway, but those hoping for a test drive will be disappointed. Toyota is limiting the initial trial to 20 participants and 10 vehicles. Until June anyway. The i-Road is by no means the only ultra-compact futuristic electric car in development, but what makes it so much fun is that it has three, rather than four wheels, and combines the best elements of a car with the best features of a motorbike. Like a bike, it’s small and very maneuverable – four of them can fit into a standard car-parking space – and it even tilts into cor-
ners. Yet it has doors, windows and a roof and is as stable and as comfortable as a car. Capable of hitting a top speed of 28-37mph (45-60km/h) and of travelling 31 miles (50 km) on a single charge, the i-Road is so small – less than a meter wide and less than 2.5 meters in length – it should never get held up in traffic and, as early reviewers have noted, it drives like nothing else currently on the road and is charming and compelling in equal measure. Toyota hopes that the consumer testing of the i-Road will provide valuable feedback regarding ease of use. Also, satisfaction and suitability in urban environments will be known, and, as well as ‘typical’ consumers, has selected ‘trend’ and industry experts as initial testers in the trial.
The Toyota i-Road: The three-wheeled electric vehicle is a cross between a motorbike and a car and could be the future of individual urban mobility. ©Toyota
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Toyota to pay US $1.2 billion over defect cover-up WASHINGTON, March 19, 2014 (AFP) – Toyota Motor Corp. will pay $1.2 billion to settle US criminal charges that it lied to safety regulators and the public as it tried to cover-up deadly accelerator defects. The Japanese auto giant eventually recalled 12 million vehicles worldwide in 2009 and 2010 at a cost of $2.4 billion as the scandal over sudden, unintended acceleration spread and tarnished its once-stellar reputation. Dozens of deaths were blamed on the defects which caused vehicles to speed out of control and fail to respond to the brake. “Toyota’s conduct is shameful,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in announcing the settlement Wednesday. “Rather than promptly disclosing and correcting safety issues about which they were aware, Toyota made misleading public statements to consumers and gave inaccurate facts to members of Congress,” Holder said. “In other words, Toyota confronted a public safety emergency as if it were a simple public relations problem.” In reaching the settlement, Toyota admitted that it lied when it insisted in 2009 that it had addressed the “root cause” of the problem by fixing floor mats that could trap the accelerator. As part of the coverup, Toyota scrapped plans to fix the “sticky pedal” defect in the United States and instructed employees and its parts supplier not to put anything about the design changes in writing. Lying to public, regulators Toyota eventually revealed the sticky pedal problems and recalled millions of affected vehicles. But it continued to try to cover its tracks by lying to the public, safety regulators and even a US congressional hearing about when the problem was discovered, the settlement agreement said. Perhaps most disturbing for the families of those who died is the fact that Toyota knew about the floor mat problems as early as 2007 but did not think it was serious enough to fix until affected models received a “full redesign”—something that happens only every three to five years.
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Chanel emphasizes ‘reflections’ in summer makeup collection (Relaxnews) – After presenting a music-themed collection for spring, the French fashion and beauty brand is emphasizing light and reflections in its Summer 2014 makeup line, titled “Reflets D’Été” (“Reflections of Summer”). Combining subtle pastels and stunning bright shades, the new collection provides plenty of shimmery effects around the eyes. Chanel has introduced three new shades of its Illusion D’Ombre eyeshadow: Mirage, (bronze), Utopia (lavender), and New Moon (copper). All intensely luminous, these long-lasting eyeshadows can serve as the basis for daytime and evening looks alike. In the latest Chanel fashion shows, models’ eyes were highlighted by intense shimmery liner. So it’s no surprise that the brand has introduced a metallic amber hue (Ambre Doré) for its Stylo Yeux Waterproof eyeliner this season. The Inimitable Waterproof mascara, meanwhile, is available in two flashy colors for summer: Violet Touch and Orange Touch, both flecked with gold. Natural lips Alongside these vibrant eye makeup shades, the collection has presented more subdued lip colors. The Chanel Makeup Creation
The Chanel Reflets D’Été Summer 2014 collection will be available from June. ©Solve Sundsbo pour Chanel
Studio has introduced five new shades of its Lèvres Scintillantes lip gloss, all sheer and without shimmer for a natural look. The new colors range from light pink and coral to more daring shades of orange, fuchsia and purple/pink. The lip glosses can be matched to the new Le Vernis nail polishes, offered in similar shades.
Chanel has introduced “Eastern Light,” an opaque white polish that can be worn on its own or combined with other shades for a dramatic effect. The new collection also features polishes in fuchsia, hot orange and lilac. The Reflets D’Été collection will be available at cosmetics counters from June at prices ranging from $27 and $36.
The next trend in hotel wellness programs (Relaxnews) – After running and fitness programs, in-room gym set-ups and customizable beds comes another trend in hotel wellness concepts: meditation. In response to growing demand, major hotel chains have been tweaking their menus and The collaboration will see guests offered a similar program on the hotel website Westin.com, with videos and audio files specifically designed for business or leisure guests, pre and post-stay. To launch the program, Westin hotels around the world have also been holding 5 km runs, mini spa appointments, group yoga sessions and opened up juice bars. The six-pronged well being program includes aspects like “Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well and Play Well.” In addition to meditation and nutritious meal options, the campaign also focuses on physical fitness by lending New Balance running gear to guests. The latest development out of Westin follows on the heels of the Even hotel launch, a con-
services to help health-conscious travelers – notably globetrotting business travelers – maintain their healthy diets and regimens while on the road. But the Westin Hotels & Resorts has taken the concept of well-being one step further by introducing another dimension
Meditation services is poised to become the next hotel trend. ©iofoto/shutterstock. com
cept out of the InterContinental Hotels Group. The entire brand was developed with health and fitness as the guiding principles and include features like in-room gym zones, nutrient-packed meals and snacks and all-natural eucalyptus linens. Headspacecan also be found at http:// www.getsomeheadspace.com/.
Scientists testing nasal filter to reduce allergies (Relaxnews) – Could a new device you wear inside the nose alleviate allergies? A small study reports that a tiny “nasal filter” about the size of a contact lens that works by filtering pollen and other allergens significantly reduced daily nose-related allergies. The device’s brand name is Rhinix; it is not yet commercially available. “We found clinically relevant reductions in daily nasal symptoms with Rhinix compared to placebo, especially in sneezing, itching and runny nose symptoms,” said Peter Kenney, the study’s lead author and a medical and doctoral student at Aarhus University in Denmark. He’s also the Rhinix company’s founder and CFO and has filed an application for device approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. The filter consists of a flexible frame inserted into both nostrils. The frame features a filtering membrane for each nostril, with a small plastic band visible at the bottom of the nostrils. A study on the filter’s effectiveness involved 24 people with allergies to grass pollen. Participants were exposed to grass pollen for a total of 210 minutes. “Depending on the filter’s density, it blocks specific particles in the air – including pollen from grass, which is one of the most frequent causes of hay fever,” Kenney said. The study found wearing the device reduced total daily nasal symptoms by 21 percent compared to a placebo. Daily itching decreased by 36 percent, and daily sneezing by 45 percent. Throat irritation decreased by 75 percent. The study found no airflow difference between those wearing the filter and those wearing the placebo, which indicates wearing the device doesn’t cause people to breathe through their mouths. Kenney notes the device is disposable and shouldn’t be worn for more than one day. “Some people will probably use them for an entire day whereas others might just use them when they are in an exposed environment [such as a park],” he said. Kenney also remarked that only one participant had concerns about appearance when wearing the device. Dr. Mark Glaum, vice chair of the rhinitis, rhinosinusitis and ocular allergy committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, said the nasal filter could work for those who don’t have eye-related allergic reactions. “For certain individuals who want to try allergen avoidance rather than medications, this might be a more practical solution than wearing a mask. It’s less obvious and more cosmetically appealing than a mask,” he said.
to its new Westin Well Being Movement campaign: mindfulness and meditation. For the global launch, the hotel chain has partnered with the makers of Headspace, a mobile app that provides short, guided meditation sessions and exercises.
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Oh most beautiful Àower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you. Grateful Thanks. -TIM
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PRAYERS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and conÂżrm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how difÂżcult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks -ADDY
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MH370 RELATIVES From page 1
tradictory information since the plane fell off air traffic control screens on March 8 on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Najib’s announcement drew further criticism. Scores of Chinese relatives marched on Malaysia’s embassy in Beijing on Tuesday, shouting slogans including “The Malaysian government are murderers”. And China’s government demanded authorities in Kuala Lumpur hand over the new satellite data. Malaysia Airlines insisted that it was doing best to handle relatives with care and dignity, and had tried to spread Najib’s message with tact before the prime minister spoke. “Wherever humanly possible, we did so in person with the families or by telephone, using SMS only as an additional means of ensuring fully that the nearly 1,000 family members heard the news from us and not from the media,” said airline chief executive officer
Ahmad Jauhari Yahya. The carrier added that it had deployed more than 700 “dedicated caregivers” to support the nextof-kin, who have been given hotel accommodation as well as initial financial assistance of $5,000 per passenger with more on the way. “Our sole motivation last night... was that the families heard the tragic news before the world did,” Ahmad Jauhari said at a news conference, which featured pointed questioning from Chinese journalists. “There are no words which can ease that pain.” ‘Damned’ either way Bridget Welsh, an expert on Malaysian politics at the Singapore Management University, said the authorities’ intentions were good but the means of breaking the news could have been improved. “The use of SMS messages even for additional communication could have been rethought. I imagine every time a person looks at their phone they will be reminded of their loss,” she told AFP.
MALAYSIA ment that the ongoing search for the plane and an intensive investigation into its fate “will continue, as we seek answers to the questions which remain”. The statement echoed the words of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who – also citing satellite data – told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur late Monday: “It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.” MH370 vanished without warning on March 8 while flying over the South China Sea en
route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 227 passengers and 12 crew on board. Malaysia believes the plane was deliberately diverted by someone on board. But the absence of firm evidence has fuelled intense speculation and conspiracy theories, and tormented the families of the missing for 16 days. The search swung deep into the Indian Ocean last week after initial satellite images depicted large floating objects there, and further sightings of possible debris in the area energized the massive, multinational operation.
RESCUED From page 1
sent a distress call to the PCG station in Guimaras. All the foreigners were transferred to the PCG’s MCS 3006 and ferried to Iloilo City, where they arrived around 6:40 a.m. Saturday. “‘Yung mga Pinoy na crew ng nabalawa na bangka ay guma-
wa ng paraan para madala nila mismo ang kanilang bangka sa pampang at nakaraos naman at nakarating sa Nueva Valencia sa may Guimaras Island (The Filipino crew of the damaged boat found a way to reach Nueva Valencia on Guimaras Island),” Ybanez said. (MNS)
13
NPA REBELS From page 1
being brokered by Norway had collapsed, dampening hopes of a political settlement before the president’s six-year term ends in mid-2016. Manila has since asked Oslo to help the Philippine government convince the rebels to return to the negotiating table. Bautista did not say how the
arrests of the two top communist leaders would impact on the prospects for renewed peace talks. “They were arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for their crimes against humanity that include murder, multiple murders, and (attempted) murder,” he added. Bautista said the couple were
arrested on the central island of Cebu, but gave no other details. The Aquino government is scheduled to sign a peace treaty on March 27 with the largely Catholic country’s largest Muslim guerrilla group, ending the country’s other long-running rebellion that had claimed 150,000 lives in the south.
swing air-to-air, air-to-surface, air-to-maritime,” and with its attack capabilities, enemies who will try to infiltrate the country will be “mangled up.” He also noted that while President Benigno Aquino III, who is also the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander-in-Chief, is aware of what is needed, the acquisition of brand-new FA-50 fighters “is already a good start [in] good direction.” “Kung anong ibbiigay sa atin
ngayon, we make do what is given,” he said, noting that FA-50 fighters can “carry missiles, intercept aircrafts, deliver bombs, perform maritime strikes....” Defense vs China? Okol was quick to deny that the planned acquisition of fighter jets and helicopters is solely due to the “creeping expansion” of China in the West Philippine Sea. “[The purchases are] for homeland defense against all external threats. It’s just a start of our ca-
pability upgrade,” he said. Asked when will the country’s defense attain “minimum capability,” he said it will be by 2023. “Dahan-dahan nating ia-attain ito,” he added. On Friday, Fernando Manalo, undersecretary of defense for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, said the Philippines would acquire 12 brand-new FA50 fighter-trainers and eight Bell 412 helicopters under a government-to-government deal.
TULFO LIBEL
OFWS
On the other hand, Del Prado, Carmelo del Prado Magdurulang in real life, received three checks totaling P245,535 on April 27, May 14, and July 6 in 2009, also drawn from the same UCPB account. The checks were part of documents submitted by Mendoza and Cacal to the Office of the Ombudsman. Cacal said apart from the vouchers justifying the processing of the payment, no other documents were provided to justify the expenses. Tulfo said the article placed him in a bad light for being one of the alleged beneficiaries on the diversion of congressional allocations engaged in ghost projects of bogus foundations. He said what he received was legitimate payment for advertising slots when he was still a radio commentator of RMN radio. Lawyer Nelson Borja added that those payments were subject to taxes signed by Mendoza. Tulfo said that he is willing to face any Senate inquiry or justice department investigation. (MNS)
rorism in any part of the world will inevitably victimize scores of Filipinos,” Binay said. “The Philippines does not possess nuclear material that may be turned into a nuclear weapon by terrorists or other non-State actors, nor does it operate nuclear power plants. Yet the relevance of nuclear security to the Philippines cannot be underestimated.” North America and the Middle East have the highest concentrations of OFW populations. Fili-
FA-50 From page 1
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pino workers are represented in every continent, and the Philippines is also the highest provider of manpower for the global maritime industry. The Nuclear Security Summit will gather around 53 heads of state, including United States President Barack Obama, who initiated the holding of a summit on nuclear security in 2009. The first Nuclear Security Summit was held in Washington, DC, in 2010. (MNS)
POWER COUPLE From page 1
in the JASIG list use aliases as a form of security. “There is the id to prove that he is the person bearing that alias. The use of an alias is not an issue. This is unfortunate. We are hoping that this coming May, there will be talks and I hope that it will still push through,” the lawyer said. Malacañang, however, said that while Benito used an alias, the NDF failed to prove his identity thus voiding the agreement. His wife, meanwhile, jumped
bail in December 1989 before the JASIG came into effect, making her ineligible for protection. “The issue on whether or not they are JASIG-covered would not have an effect on the validity of their arrests. These are outstanding warrants of arrest. Their immunity under JASIG...would not apply under the circumstances because it presupposes that there is an ongoing peace negotiation but we don’t see that,” she said.
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THE US ASIAN POST
ATHLETICS Pacquiao more motivated after Bradley’s taunts LAS VEGAS, March 25, 2014 (AFP) – Manny Pacquiao is taking extra motivation from taunts by unbeaten Tim Bradley that the Filipino boxing icon has lost the hunger and killer instinct he once displayed with great passion. “The more he says that, the more he inspires me to show the hunger and killer instinct he’s talking about,” Pacquiao said Tuesday. “It’s good for me but not for him I think.” Pacquiao, 55-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, will fight Bradley, 31-0 with 12 knockouts, for the American’s World Boxing Organization welterweight title in Las Vegas on April 12. The fight will be a rematch of a controversial Bradley victory by split decision in June of 2012 in which all three judges scored the fight 115-113, two of them for Bradley in what was seen as a robbery from Pacquaio. “You don’t get mad. It’s part of life,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquaio’s trainer. “Revenge is great. That’s what we have a chance to do here. If everything goes right we will knock this guy out.” Bradley has noted how Pacquiao has not stopped a foe since Miguel Cotto in 2009 and has not won a fight inside 12 rounds since dropping Ricky Hatton nearly five years ago, helping rekindle the fires inside the 35-year-old Asian southpaw. “I’m not angry or disappointed at what he told me. I’m happy he told me that,” Pacquiao said. “It inspired me to train harder and focus on the fight. It will benefit me. “I have not lost the hunger. Sometimes we knock the guy out
and sometimes not.” Pacquiao said he sees no more need for a knockout than usual even after the controversial loss to Bradley in their first meeting. “We’re not focusing on the knockout,” Pacquiao said. “The focus is on being more aggressive, throwing more punches. If that outcome comes, it’s fine. I just want to prove that I can have the killer instinct.” ‘we’ll be able to stop him’ Roach says Pacquiao relaxed late in the prior fight after dominating early rounds, he thought, on the judges’ scorecards. This time, there will be no coasting as the 12-round fight goes on. “It was so easy for him in the early rounds,” Roach said. “In the later rounds he wasn’t throwing combinations. He was throwing single punches because he had done so well in the earlier rounds. “We need to be a little more aggressive in this fight. I think if we fight at an aggressive pace in this fight I think we will be able to stop him somewhere along the way. Whatever Bradley brings to the table we’ll be ready.” But, Roach cautions, that does not mean seeking a knockout to appease taunts by Bradley and forget strategy and planning. “We don’t go into fights looking for knockouts. If they come they come,” Roach said. “We’re planning to beat him every round. If you try to knock the guy out you will be waiting all night.” Pacquiao said he does not feel angry at the judges from the first fight. “No one is perfect in this world. Sometimes they make mistakes,” said Pacquiao. “I wasn’t bothered after that fight when I went
Manny Pacquiao Obliges: Manny Pacquiao autographs mementos of his fans who patiently waited for him at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles where he trains for his April 12 rubber match with Timothy Bradley “to take his title back”.
home. The reaction of the people was not negative. It was positive. They thought I won the fight. “I’m not thinking about the judges. What I want to do is focus on the ring about the strategy and techniques that we work on in the gym.” Pacquiao also said that his US and Filipino tax issues and political life would not be distractions. “There’s nothing I have to worry about,” said Pacquiao of tax cases against him. “I didn’t hide
anything. I’m not worried about that.” As for his role as a lawmaker in the Philippines, Pacquiao said, “Politics is really about the nation, the small people. You cannot compare politics to boxing.” Earlier, after a workout, Roach said that Pacquiao was “just brilliant in his sparring a week earlier. His footwork was effortless, his hand speed was blazing and his power is as good as it’s ever been.”
Roach said, “We are training for big game in this fight. Manny knows he is going to have to hunt Bradley down and close the show this time. The first fight with Bradley was so easy for Manny that after six rounds he just took it easy on him. Not this time. Our Mantra is ‘Close the show. No mercy.’ You don’t have don’t have to be a groundhog to know that Bradley’s days as welterweight champ are numbered. It’s Last Call for Bradley on April 12.”
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