Us asian post november 12, 2014 by Balita Media Inc

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Church rejects Binay presidency

Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) is given a tour of the Toledo copper mine in Toledo City, Cebu on Thursday, November 6. Binay did not attend the day’s Senate probe on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. He is in Cebu to attend the Philippine Scouting Centennial Jamboree and meet with local officials to check their housing programs. Also in photo is Adrian Ramos (right), COO of Carmen Mining Corp. (MNS photo)

MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay is unfazed by a report that an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines does not want him to become president. Lawyer JV Bautista, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim secretary general, said the Binay camp continues to respect leaders of the Catholic Church especially when it comes to spiritual matters. However, he said the law must be followed when it comes to leadership succession and that the Vice President must take over if anything happens to the President. “Mataas ang paggalang natin sa ating mga taong simbahan. Sinusunod natin sila lalo na sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa ating spiritual na pangangailangan at sa ating moralidad ngunit dito po sa bagay na ito dahil ito ay patungkol sa gobyerno, kailangan po susundin natin ang sistemang umiiral sa atin, ito po ay sistemang demokrasya. Paghahari ng batas,” he said. “Si VP Binay ay pinili ng taong

bayan bilang susunod na pinakamataas na opisyal ng ating buong kapuluan. Kaya sa ilalim ng ating Saligang Batas, respetuhin natin ang desisyon ng taumbayan at ano ang tinatakda ng ating Saligang Batas. Kung ano man po ang mangyari sa ating pangulo, kung ito ay voluntary act or by act of god, wag naman po sana, ang ating pangalawang pangulo by force of the Constitution ang kailangang gumanap ng tungkulin ng Pangulo,” he added. Fr. Edu Gariguez, CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action executive secretary, earlier said he does not want President Aquino to resign because Binay would be a worse leader. “I don’t want to call for Aquino’s resignation because Binay will replace him. And that’s even worse, it’s scary,” he said in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report. Gariguez’s statement came after Binay met with CBCP leaders regarding allegations that he benefited in the alleged overpricing of the P2.2 billion Makati City Hall Building II. This is after Manila Auxiliary See CHURCH REJECTS, page 5

Fresh grads on job hunt need Quarantine still on for not pay fees for govt docs, Pinoy UN peacekeepers says solon in bill filed despite being Ebola-free MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – Fresh graduates applying for a job may no longer need to shell out money to get the requisite pre-employment documents from government if the bill filed by Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing becomes a law. Under House Bill 5088, individuals will be exempt from paying fees when applying for license, proof of identification, clearances or certificates in any government agencies for one year after graduation. However, the fees collected by the Professional Regulation

Commission (PRC) for licensure examinations will not be waived. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their diploma or certification from the academic, vocational or technical institution they graduated from to the government agencies while applying for a clearance to avail themselves of the exemption. The diploma or certification must clearly state the date of graduation or completion and the course completed or degree earned. It should also be signed by the institution’s duly

MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – Despite falling under the “no risk” category in Ebola-affected Liberia, the Philippine contingent that will be coming home this week will be kept in a 21-day quarantine period at an island off Naic in Cavite, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. The 18th Philippine Contingent to Liberal will be arriving at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Wednesday at around 5:45 p.m., AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang announced in a press

See FRESH GRADS, page 5

See QUARANTINE, page 5

BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a bilateral meeting at St. Regis Hotel here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting. At the core of Philippine-Canada relations is the human dimension - the presence of more than 682,000 Filipinos in Canada, as they now comprise the 3rd largest immigrant community there. (MNS photo)

Romualdez hijacking Aquino tells APEC CEOs: “There is no better rehab efforts – Lacson time to invest in the Philippines than now”

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the newly repaired classrooms of Guiuan East Central School in Barangay 8, Poblacion in Guiuan during the visit to the province of Eastern Samar on Friday (November 07). It was in Guiuan where super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon ever recorded, made its first landfall on November 08, 2013. (MNS photo)

MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson denied Tacloban has not received a single centavo for the rehabilitation of the city after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda. During a multi-stakeholder conference Monday morning, Lacson said Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez has been telling lies about not receiving money from the national government for the rehabilitation effort. He added the mayor also keeps on changing policies that affected the rehabilitation process. See ROMUALDEZ, page 5

BEIJING, China, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged various potential investors on Sunday to do business in the country, underscoring that “there is no better time to invest in the Philippines than now,” given its steady economic growth. In his speech at the 2014 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Summit, President Aquino relayed how his administration was able to bring about economic reforms in the Philippines over the last few years, thus making it more viable for investments. President Aquino cited the

current year, but more so in a four-year, five-year, 10-year program, so that we are in a position to be able to guide our students towards those courses that will afford them jobs as soon as they graduate,” he said. Citing an example, he said one of the government’s thrust is to give state universities incentives if they could initiate studies or programs that directly benefit the people. The government, he said, has also embarked on having dialogues with growth industries to ask them to map out specific areas where they would need skilled See MISMATCHES, page 5

See INVEST NOW, page 6

Prayers, tears in PHL one year after super typhoon

Students-labor coordination to address job mismatches BEIJING, China, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – The Philippine government continues to hold dialogues with relevant sectors to address job mismatches, President Benigno S. Aquino III told delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officers’ Summit here Sunday. The President was asked during the summit how his administration links graduates to the labor market. “I guess the short answer is: We talk to the relevant sectors and engage them in dialogue to determine specifically their needs and wants are, not just for the

steady growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the last four years, averaging at 6.3 percent, as compared to 4.3 percent from 2006 to 2009 during the previous administration. He said this development is even more impressive, considering that this growth has been attributed to increasing investments and trade, besides the remittances sent by overseas Filipino workers to their families back home. “This is an indicator of a more balanced and more resilient economy – one that can better withstand shocks and one that is con-

A boy run pasts newly-erected temporary shelters inspected by President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Cogon Relocation Site in Barangay Cogon, Guiuan during the visit to the province of Eastern Samar on Friday (November 07). More than 200 Yolanda survivors will benefit from some 133 housing units. It was in Guiuan where super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon ever recorded, made its first landfall on November 08, 2013. (MNS photo)

TACLOBAN, Nov 8 (Mabuhay) – Survivors of the strongest typhoon ever to hit land descended on mass graves Saturday to mark one year since the storm devastated the central Philippines and condemned millions to deeper poverty. Super Typhoon Haiyan claimed more than 7,350 lives as it swept in off the Pacific Ocean, with its record winds and oncein-a-generation storm surges flattening entire towns. The typhoon tore across a corridor of islands where about 14 See PRAYERS, page 6

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Enzo Pastor dad: Evidence best threshed out in court, not in prelim probe MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – The father of slain car racing champion Enzo Pastor on Monday said a trial court, and not the Department of Justice, is the best venue to prove the authenticity of the evidence so far presented by both parties in the June

12 killing. Tomas Pastor had earlier submitted a reply-affidavit to the counteraffidavit filed by self-confessed gunman PO2 Edgar Angel, in which he showed phone logs indicating Angel was in constant communication with

Enzo’s wife Dalia and businessman Domingo de Guzman III, the alleged mastermind, on the day of the killing. This, he said, showed conspiracy. De Guzman has contested the authenticity of the phone logs in his counter-affidavit. In response, Tomas – in a reply-affidavit submitted during the resumption of preliminary investigation at the DOJ on Monday – said elevating his complaint to a trial court was the best way to prove the authenticity not only of the phone logs but also of the other evidence, including a CCTV footage earlier submitted by De Guzman showing he was illegally arrested in Muntinlupa City for the killing. “These phone logs can be produced and verified in court during the trial proper. We can subpoena these phone logs in court to verify their authenticity,” said Tomas. “The truthfulness of his statements, the application of the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine in the admissibility of evidence gathered by the police against him, the authenticity of the phone logs and text messages between and among the respondents, as well

as the other purported CCTV videos in the place where he was arrested in an entrapment operation should be threshed out in a full-blown trial and not during the preliminary investigation stage of this case,” he added. In his reply-affidavit, Tomas also stressed that De Guzman had failed to deny the following accusations against him: that he had an illicit affair with Enzo’s wife Dalia, who is also a suspect in the killing; that he visited Dalia at Enzo’s house whenever Enzo was away; that he previously met with Alvin Nidua, the one initially hired by De Guzman to kill Enzo but refused the offer; that gunman Angel was his friend; that he was communicating with Dalia and Angel through calls and text messages on the day of the shooting on June 12; that he was carrying an unlicensed firearm on the day he was arrested; and that he caught in thw act handing over P50,000 tp Angel as “bonus” for killing Enzo. In his counter-affidavit, De Guzman included the CCTV foot-

age to show that he did not hand over money to Angel during the entrapment operation. In his reply-affidavit, Tomas said that while the handing of the money might have already been out of the vantage point of the CCTV, the footage still proved material points in Angel’s statement that he met with De Guzman at a “talyer” to get his “bonus.” “Actually, the CCTV video proves the guilt of respondent De Guzman, particularly the fact that he was indeed the mastermind of the murder of my son Enzo,” said Tomas. Enzo’s father also reiterated their earlier position that Angel’s extra-judicial confession should be given more weight than his eventual recantation. The DOJ had already discarded Angel’s recantation and instead ordered the filing of a murder charge against him in court. “At this point, it is sufficient that the material allegations of my complaint, as well as the extra-judicial confession of respondent Angel, are all supported by other corroborative evidence,” Tomas said. (MNS)

NBI looking into DOH vaccines mess involving Ona, Tayag MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – The National Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into the Department of Health’s purchase of more expensive vaccines in 2012 despite a recommendation to buy more cost-effective ones. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima made the remark on the heels of Health Secretary Enrique Ona’s decision to take a leave of absence. No less than President Benigno Aquino III last week said Ona took the leave to prepare his explanation as regards issues surrounding the country’s immunization program. “The NBI is conducting an investigation into the procurement by the DOH of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 10 (PCV 10) contrary to the recommendation of the National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management (NCPAM), the Formulary Executive Council (FEC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) which recommended PCV 13 which is said to be more cost-effective,” De Lima told reporters. De Lima said the 2012 procurement for the vaccines was upon the “direction” of Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag and “made possible by a certificate of exemption issued by Secretary Ona.” Ona has said that he went on leave to “extensively answer” the President’s questions on the Health Department’s immunization and other public health programs. Earlier, Aquino said he asked Ona to reassess the immunization program, prompting the latter to go on a personal leave. On what report he is preparing, Ona said that aside from the immunization program, he would also include inputs on the government’s hospital reform program. Malacañang earlier expressed confidence that Ona would be able to explain himself. Pressed in a recent news briefing if Aquino was suspecting corruption or any other anomaly with the implementation of the DOH’s immunization program, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said: “Ang Pangulo na mismo ang nagsabi na ang period ng pagkakaroon ng official leave ay inaakalang magiging sapat para maipaliwanag ang lahat ng mga isyu.” “Iyon naman ang pahayag ng Pangulo. Hinihintay niya ‘yung paliwanag dahil nais niyang magkaroon ng clarification regarding certain issues on the implementation of public health policy,” Coloma said. (MNS)

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Cayetano to Tiu: Present documents or face contempt MANILA, Nov 7 (Mabuhay) – Businessman Antonio Tiu may be cited for contempt if he continues to refuse to submit the documents related to his supposed ownership of a controversial property in Batangas despite a subpoena from lawmakers, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said Friday. “I-pu-pursue namin ang subpoena and we will hold him in contempt if hindi niya i-submit ang mga dokumento,” Cayetano told reporters in a briefing.

Tiu is being accused of being a dummy for Vice President Jejomar Binay, whom critics said is the real owner of the sprawling agri-tourism farm located in Rosario town. The property is allegedly part of Binay’s hidden wealth. In a letter sent to Senate blue ribbon subcommittee head Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III dated November 6, Tiu said the documents being subpoenaed are outside the scope of the inquiry into the reported overpriced con-

struction of the Makati City Hall Building II since they “pertain to a private business transaction between private individuals over a private property.” But Cayetano believes this is just Tiu’s “excuse.” “Kung hindi part ng scope, bakit siya nag-attend [ng hearing]?” he said. “It’s part [of the investigation] because evidence pointed to that.” “Naipit lang kasi siya, kaya ayaw na niya mag-submit,” Cayetano added.(MNS)

Drilon’s accuser using ICC to divert attention from Binay probe – Erice MANILA, Nov 7 (Mabuhay) – The accuser of Senate President Franklin Drilon on the alleged overpriced Iloilo Convention Center was using the issue to shift public attention away from the probe on corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay, Caloocan City. Rep Edgar Erice said Friday. In a press statement, Erice said Manuel Mejorada Jr. was a media consultant to a failed mayoral candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Iloilo City. The candidate, whom he did not name, also had the support of for First Gentleman Juan Miguel Arroyo. “The relationship between Mejorada and UNA is not a secret to Ilonggos. Mejorda became affiliated with that UNA candidate after falling out with the Liberal Party and its leaders, including his former boss Senate President Drilon. Their link is undeniable,” Erice said. Mejorada was a former consultant of Drilon. Reached for comment, Mejorada said he will send his statement later in the day. Erice added that Mejorada’s connection to a local UNA figure shows that the push for the ICC probe is UNA’s “squid

tactic,” and that Mejorada’s actions against Drilon, Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson, Tourism Sec. Ramon Jimenez, and other co-accused officials “are being supported and exploited upon by the opposition.” Mejorada earlier filed plunder and graft charges against Drilon and other government officials before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the Iloilo building project. “Mejorada is no journalist, and no anti-corruption crusader either. He is a paid hack, who can’t get any more obvious with his goal of creating the drama that UNA needs to muddle the investigations threatening Vice President Binay and his ambitions to become the next President,” Erice said. He also said Mejorada’s appearances in media platforms – television, print, and radio – since his emergence as the complainant against Drilon means that “someone is clearly bankrolling this man’s activities. You can’t go on media rounds, on the national level, if you have no ample financial backing.” He expressed confidence that Mejorada’s allegations

will “flounder upon scrutiny, given that they are the fabrications meant to alleviate UNA’s desperation.” “Mejorada is nothing more than a ‘jukebox journalist’ – he will sing whatever tune, say whatever lies, as long as you feed him the right price. When the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee takes a look at the documents and the facts regarding the ICC, all they will see is that Mejorada’s lies are founded on thin air, paid for by UNA,” Erice said. Binay was accused of involvement in the alleged overpriced construction of Makati City Hall building II, bid rigging, and receiving kickback for every transaction the Makati government entered into during his term as mayor. He was also accused of owning a 350-hectare land in Rosario, Batangas and a log cabin in Tagaytay Highlands which were not declared in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth. The Vice President and his camp have repeatedly denied the accusations The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to conduct its probe on the ICC on November 13. (MNS)

At a press conference last November 5, businessman Antonio ‘Tony’ Tiu became emotional when he claimed he was being blackmailed by some personalities from the government if he would not cooperate in the Senate investigation on various allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay. Tiu reiterated he is not a dummy of VP Binay as implied by the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee.(MNS photo)

CBCP: Catholic Church spent P563M for Yolanda rehab MANILA, Nov 8 (Mabuhay) -The Catholic Church may have spent some P563 million for relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts for those affected by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last year, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said. CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice, and Peace (NASSA) executive secretary Fr. Edu Gariguez said the amount involved mostly donations from 41 Caritas Internationalis memberorganizations in six continents. “One more beautiful aspect of our program is that it is not just about shelter, but we respond to integrated human development, part of that is livelihood at security, even spiritual formation, community organizing, resiliency is also community empowerment. So this is the entire package. The beauty of this is that the people get to participate, they themselves build the houses,” he told Church-run Radyo Veritas. He was referring to the Church’s integrated human development program REACH Philippines (Recovery Assistance to Vulnerable Communities Affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines). REACH Philippines aims to help 35 parishes hit hard by Yolanda, including: Archdioceses of Iloilo, Capiz, Cebu, and Palo Dioceses of Kalibo, Antique, Borongan, and Calbayog

Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa. Yolanda tore through the Visayas and parts of southern Luzon on Nov. 8 last year. It left more than 6,000 dead in its wake. Reach Philippines Gariguez said REACH Philippines not only responds to physical needs of survivors but includes six components: shelter or housing food security and livelihood WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) DRR (disaster risk reduction) community organizing ecosystem recovery. REACH Philippines covers 130 remote communities with about 141,112 beneficiaries who had previously not received much help. Gariguez also said CBCPNASSA and its partner dioceses are overseeing the construction of 3,753 permanent housing units or disaster resilient-shelters. Of these, 1,600 of which have been completed and are already livable. “Most of what the government builds are bunkhouses, the Church’s target until March is to put up more than 3,000 houses, that’s why we are right on track even budget-wise that’s why we can finish by March,” he said. By April 2015, he said NASSA is set to appeal for an additional fund of P300 million for ecosystem rehabilitation. (MNS)

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UTREACH Fil-Ams in DC join prayers for Haiyan victims WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Filipino-American Community turned out in full force at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, to join their kababayans back home in praying for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. “As we move forward together, let us continue to pray for the people affected by Haiyan, and to pay our respects to all those who passed away by learning from this tragedy and building back better, more resilient communities,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. told members of the Filipino-American Community. Almost 150 Filipino-Americans took part in the prayers at the Embassy’s Ro-

mulo Hall on Saturday evening. It was the biggest gathering of the FilipinoAmerican Community in the Embassy in recent memory. “I would like to reiterate our immense gratitude for the generosity of those who have and continue to contribute in meaningful ways to the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts,” Ambassador Cuisia said. He cited the US-Philippines Society led by its President John Maisto and Executive Director Hank Hendrickson and the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition led by Co-Chairs Dr. Abraham Rasul and Victornia Navarro for “their tireless work, self-

Haiyan Commemoration: Fr Willie Ducusin leads the Filipino-American Community in prayer during a commemorative mass at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. to remember the victims of Typhoon Yolanda which struck the Central Philippines last year. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato)

less commitment, and solidarity in supporting the communities affected by Haiyan.” “The active participation of the FilipinoAmerican Community is a model in its own right, living proof of what can be achieved through dedication, unity, and leadership,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “Your response during a time of greatest

need was overwhelming. We will remain inspired by your active engagement even if the spotlight on Haiyan is no longer as intense as it was before.” Ambassador Cuisia also thanked the US Government and the American people for their immediate response to the tragedy. He also cited the generous contributions of the Vietnamese-American and TaiwaneseAmerican Communities to the relief efforts. The Ambassador gave special mention to Lt. Gen. John Wissler, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, the Mammoth Medical Missions and Team Rubicon for being among the first to be on the ground to assist victims in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Saturday’s commemoration at the Embassy was in response to calls to participate in the National Day of Prayer in the Philippines. In addition to the Catholic mass celebrated by Fr. Willie Ducusin, prayers were also offered by Dr. Rasul for Muslims and Rev. Atty. Arnedo Valera for evangelical Christians. “As relief, rehabilitation, rebuilding, restoration not only of infrastructure but of communities, relationships and life systems continue, the need beckons us to take part in this huge and challenging task,” Father Ducusin said in his homily.

Piano virtuoso to perform at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Theater and Steinway Gallery Pasadena After a triumphant standing ovation performance at the Bing Theatre of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) last November 2013, acclaimed Filipino pianist Rudolf Golez will be performing at two venues in Los Angeles this month. The virtuoso pianist is scheduled to perform at an exclusive performance at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Theater on November 14 at 8 p.m. On November 21,2014 he is slated for a performance in an intimate setting at the Steinway Gallery in Pasadena at 6:45 p.m. The repertoire at Redondo Beach will be Chopin’s Complete Etudes Op.10 and Op.25.These etudes are seldom performed in their entirety. The program at the Steinway Gallery Pasadena will be a mixed program of difficult passages from the compositions of Beethoven,Prokofiev, Scriabin,

Chopin, Shumann and Liszt. The Meet the Artist reception will be held at The Morrison Restaurant at Atwater Village near Glendale after the performance at Steinway Gallery. Sponsored by Lui Authentic Luxury, Tesoro Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, State Farm/Patricia Aleman, JutsMusic, The Morrison Restaurant, Mosqueda Law Offices and Philippine News, the forthcoming concerts promise to be another exciting, exhilarating and memorable evenings of keyboard repertoire. The Steinway Gallery concert is presented under the aegis of The DreamAgeGroup with Errol Mendoza as Artistic Director. For enquiries and tickets please call (818)5837717for the Steinway Gallery Pasadena performance and (310)963-0237 for the Redondo Beach concert.

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QUARANTINE From page 1

conference on Monday. The contingent is made up of 108 members of the Air Force, together with 24 members of the Philippine National Police, and a member of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). “Our peacekeepers belong to the ‘No Risk’ category of Ebola infection,” Catapang said, adding that they “all passed the Ebola

ROMUALDEZ From page 1

“We keep on hearing [Romualdez] tell the media that Tacloban City has not received a single centavo… That’s a lie. We know that Tacloban City has received [among others] projects worth P6 billion,” he said. He said the local government has submitted a program of work

Screening Test” conducted by the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) last November 8. As per protocol, however, the contingent will still be brought to Caballo Island near Corregidor for a 21-day quarantine period. According to AFP spokesman Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan, the quarantine is only part of the protocol. “Precaution lang ito,” Tutaan said, adding that they wish to protect the peacekeepers from being labeled and feared because of this. “We want to [protect them] in

the sense that they will not be labeled by the public on this. [The quarantine is] really just to make sure that the protocols are undertaken. It’s an assurance to everybody,” he added. For their part, the Air Force is also focused on easing the worries of the peacekeepers’ families, since the quarantine extends the time they will be kept apart from their loved ones. “Our concern sa Air Force ngayon is more of morale and welfare of families, said Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya.

for the building of new structures or replacement for the damaged city hall, astrodome, public market, etc. The program of work stated that it will be the Department of Public Works and Highways that will finish the projects. Romualdez, however, decided that he only wanted repairs, Lacson said. “The agreement between the [Department of Interior and Lo-

cal Government] and the DPWH is that for repairs, DILG will take care of it and DILG agreed to just download the funds to the LGUs to fast track the repair of the government centers,” he said. Lacson said Romualdez later requested that the money received from the DILG be realigned and “he wanted to transfer the city hall and the public market I think to another site.”

individuals. He noted that the business processing management or outsourcing sector has about one million direct employees in the Philippines. With the country’s population of about 100 million, and a workforce of about 50 million, the President estimated that the sector would employ 1.3 million by 2016. A number of colleges and universities are offering courses tailored for particular industries to support their growth, and at the

same time maximize the potential of Filipino students, he said. He further said that the government is investing in shortand medium-term courses for the technical-vocational sector as a quick way for students to join the workforce. The Chief Executive also mentioned the government’s conditional cash transfer program that gives parents incentives in return for keeping their children in school. The government has expanded the program to include high school students since they earn 40 percent more when they finished.

ation because of the high costs of college education,” she said in the bill’s explanatory note. Among the documents commonly requested by job applicants from the government are clearances from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), identification number from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Social Security System (SSS), and community tax certificate from the local government units (LGUs). Any person found guilty of falsifying or fabricating his or her proof of graduation will

be held liable under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code. The provision on falsification provides for a penalty of P5,000 and prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, or jail time from two years, four months and one day to as long as six years. Likewise, government officials or employees will also face administrative sanction if they are found guilty of waiving fees for an applicant who fails to submit the necessary documents. The bill is pending before the House Committee on Labor and Employment.(MNS)

CHURCH REJECTS MISMATCHES From page 1

Bishop Broderick Pabillo met with seven of Binay’s accusers to find out more about the allegations. In the PDI report, Gariguez said Binay’s explanations to the CBCP on the various corruption allegations against him were “unconvincing.” He also said Binay as President would be a combination of the administration of President Joseph Estrada and former First Lady Imelda Marcos “with houses as big as a palace.”

From page 1

FRESH GRADS From page 1

authorized representative. Suansing said the waiver of these fees must not be considered as a loss of revenue for the government but as “an investment in the labor force” since obtaining clearances and documents from the government can be burdensome for a cash-strapped job applicant. “The situation is difficult for the fresh graduate and at times oppressive considering that these new graduates seek employment precisely to obtain a regular income. The family resources are often depleted by the time of gradu-

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Filipino film ‘EDSA Woolworth’ looks into blended family issues and values REDWOOD SHORES, CA, November 10, 2014 – The holiday season is here and this has been the time that major film studios roll out their biggest and brightest movies to entertain the family. The road to Thanksgiving weekend in cinema history has been filled with big screen offerings for everyone in the household: from the mega-box office performers like “Frozen” and “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” to the hilarious Robin Williams starrer, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and the quirky Jodie Fosterhelmed “Home for the Holidays”. In 2011, ABS-CBN TFC made its intrepid entry into the world of film production with “A Mother’s Story”, also released in November in time for the holidays. This seemingly unassuming, family-oriented movie about an overseas Filipina working mother in the U.S. who sacrifices much for her family in the Philippines surprised many with 18 nominations from the Filipino Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) in 2012. It was also adjudged Best Film at the 2012 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards (MAM) awarded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The FAMAS-nominated star and director of “A Mother’s Story” – versatile comedienne actress Pokwang and ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals John-D Lazatin, respectively – have teamed up anew for TFC@theMovies’ second film, which will open this Friday, on November 14, in 30 theatres in the U.S. and 11 in Canada as another Thanksgiving theatrical offering for the family. EDSA Woolworth: The story of a “different” kind of family What is EDSA Woolworth? Who is EDSA Woolworth? “EDSA Woolworth is a film that looks into a blended Filipino and American family whose members, at first glance, have everything clashing – personalities, lifestyles, life goals, name it. If you were to match a whole family, this one’s a mismatch. But the journey each member takes to look beyond what doesn’t work and focus on what does – within themselves and with others - is a story that will resonate among many families nowadays. In the end, it’s all about love and values,” said Lazatin. Lazatin continues: “EDSA Wool-

worth as a character is Pokwang. In her name alone, you can see already two cultures, two races, put together. It stands out; so do Pokwang’s character and her family in this film, in more ways and reasons than one.” Lazatin explains why he teamed up with Pokwang anew for the movie. “Pokwang is very relatable,” he said. “Whether she plays bizarre comedic roles or straight up drama, viewers identify or empathize with her characters. She brings passion and authenticity into her roles which connect easily with viewers.” With the always brilliant funny girl, Pokwang, in the title role, expect generous moments of laughtill-it-hurts hilarity in EDSA Woolworth. Expect some daring, too, especially with her character’s relationship with charming Chad Bauer, played by American actor Lee O’Brian. Their easy chemistry ignites onscreen and brings the audience into their private space, whether to swoon, laugh or cry. Excellent cast and crew The interesting family dynamics full of quirks and idiosyncrasies come into full play through the spot-on acting by the very capable cast. The film assembled the dignified Stephen Spohn as Papa Frank Woolworth, the talentedRicci Chan as Boni Woolworth, and Prince Saruhan as the angstridden twentysomething Paco Woolworth. Enriching (or complicating) their lives are popular “Adobo Nation” co-host Lee Robin Salazar as Patrick and Princess Ryan as Shayne. Lazatin tapped writer-director Noel Nuguit for EDSA Woolworth’s story and screenplay, and relied anew on “A Mother’s Story’s” FAMAS-nominated cinematographer Shayne O. Sarte and editor Mitos R. Briones. The film’s photography captured the beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area which many viewers will be able to identify. The music will linger in the viewers’ minds. Original songs sung by artists are on www. EDSAWoolworth.com home page: “Dressing Room” by Summer Breeze, “Undone” by Manny Garcia, “Dancing All Night Long” by Michelle Martinez are available on iTunes, and “Felt Like Love” by Ricci is a free download from the film website.

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million people lived in farming and fishing communities that were already among the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poorest. The rebuilding effort has been painfully slow for most survivors, with millions poorer and many dangerously exposed to the next big storm as they still live in shanty homes along coastal areas. In an outpouring of grief, tens of thousands marched to the grave sites under the hot sun on Saturday to offer flowers, light candles and say prayers. Josephine Crisostomoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three children died during the storm, including her youngest, who would have turned two years old on Sunday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I miss my children terribly, especially John Dave who would have celebrated his birthday tomorrow... I miss you, son, I love you so much,â&#x20AC;? Crisostomo, 41, said at one of the mass graves in the outskirts of badly-hit Tacloban city. Using felt-tip pens, mourners wrote names of those who died on the hundreds of white crosses planted on parched earth in symbolic gestures as the more than 2,000 people buried there had not been identified. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am looking for my brother, but his name is not on the list of those buried here,â&#x20AC;? Elena Olendan, 50, said, her eyes welling with tears, as she wandered around the grave site, about the size of six basketball courts. Olendan had not reported her 60-year-old brother, Antonio, as missing when Haiyan struck. She found a cross on the far end of the mass grave and wrote her brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name on it. The Philippines is a mainly Catholic country and many people in the typhoon zones, as well as across the nation, attended special church services. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines declared Saturday a national day of prayer, and church bells across the nation would ring at Meet our friendly sales people dito sa 6:00 pm to remem-

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sequently more attractive to investors,â&#x20AC;? President Aquino said. President Aquino also mentioned that quality of employment has been improving as well, which means that more Filipinos are earning increasingly stable incomes and are thus able to better plan for the future. On top of this, the Philippines received 20 positive credit ratings actions from agencies around the world, including investment grade statuses from three of the most renowned firms like Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Standard & Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and Fitch. Also, the World Economic Forum named the Philippines as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;most improvedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; country since 2010 in its recent competitiveness report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed, over the course of our administration we have proven â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;good governance is good economics.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We assure all of you: our efforts will not stop here. We are looking to go from strength to strength. One way we are doing this is by making investments in our greatest resource, the Filipino people, because we know that it is through empowering them that we can sustain our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s momentum,â&#x20AC;? President Aquino said. President Aquino noted the increases in the budgets of the Department of Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority by 75 and 77 percent respectively as proof of his administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to investing on the people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moving forward, we are looking to redouble our efforts in these fields. Our country will be hitting a demographic sweet spot by 2015 as majority of our population reaches working age. We want to make certain that they can continue capitalizing on the job openings that are being created,â&#x20AC;? he said. President Aquino added that the annual infrastructure allocation more than doubled over the past three years under his watch from P200.3-billion in 2011 to P404.3-billion in 2014. He said the intention is for it to reach at least five percent of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP by 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are just a few examples of our continued efforts to keep the dynamo of progress engaged in full throttle, and it is clear, there is no better time to invest in the Philippines than now. We encourage all those in attendance today to take a closer look at the Philippines or, if you had previously been intrigued by our country, to transform your interest into something more concrete,â&#x20AC;? he said. President Aquino said his government will do everything in its power to ensure that the Philippines will remain competitive for many years to come, expressing his eagerness to work with all the CEOs present, who can eventually invest in the country and become part of what he referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;great Philippine turnaround.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Perhaps, just to emphasize, we believe the wherewithal and the base for all the things that we have been trying to do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the reforms in our country â&#x20AC;&#x201C; emanates from the mandate given by our people. So our focus is also on ensuring that all of our people get the maximum opportunities for them to be able to participate in the growth of the country. The growth has to be inclusive for all,â&#x20AC;? President Aquino concluded in his speech. (MNS)

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Aquino defends typhoon rebuilding pace MANILA, November 7, 2014 (AFP) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Friday defended the pace of rebuilding in communities ravaged a year ago by Super Typhoon Haiyan, insisting that thorough reconstruction takes time. Haiyan, the strongest storm ever to make landfall, killed or left missing more than 7,350 people as it flattened mostly poor areas in large swathes of the central Philippines. Tens of thousands of survivors are still dangerously exposed to future storms, living in tents, shanty huts or other flimsy shelters, as a prolonged rebuilding phase has only just begun. In a speech at the hard-hit town of Guiuan a day ahead of Haiyan’s one-year anniversary, Aquino said he was determined to ensure the reconstruction program was carried out correctly, rather than rushing. “Curse me, criticize me but I believe I must do the right thing,” Aquino said. “I am impatient like everyone else but I have to stress that we can’t rebuild haphazardly. We have to build back better... let’s get it right the first time and the benefits should be permanent.” Aquino has come under criticism for approving the government’s 160-billionpeso ($3.6 billion) reconstruction master plan only last week. He previously defended the time taken to finalize it, saying programs from affected municipalities had to be thoroughly scrutinized. The government’s plan calls for 205,000 new homes for roughly one million people to be built in areas away from coastal danger zones, but this has only just started with a few thousand constructed so far. Important reconstruction work has taken place ahead of the formal adoption of the master plan, including rebuilding roads, bridges, hospitals and other vital infrastructure. In partnership with major international aid agencies, the government has also helped to roll out vaccination programs for millions of children and given rice seeds to desperate farmers. Aquino cited international aid agencies as saying post-Haiyan recovery efforts were moving faster compared with programmes in Indonesia’s Bandeh Aceh after it was hit by mega-tsunami waves in 2004. The president also defended his decision not to visit Tacloban, the biggest city in the typhoon-hit areas but where the mayor is a bitter political rival, for one-year anniversary commemorations. “I have a hunch my critics will say I am taking Tacloban for granted.... but I am not after brownie points,” he said, insisting recovery efforts were strong there and he did not have to visit personally.

Aquino only listens to ‘voices in his head’ – ‘Yolanda’ survivors MANILA, Nov 8 (Mabuhay) – A group of survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit President Benigno Aquino III for his alleged “incompetent” response a year after the tragedy. “It is clear that PNoy (Aquino’s monicker) only listens to voices in his head and not to us ‘Yolanda’ survivors who are supposed to be his bosses,” Dr. Efleda Bautista, chairperson of People Surge, said in a statement Saturday. “We have felt a year’s worth of the government’s vicious abandonment, corruption, deceit and repression, and have seen a year’s worth of news and studies that confirm this situation,” Bautista added. People Surge was reacting to Aquino’s statement against his critics over the government’s response to help the survivors of the massive typhoon that killed more than 6,000 people during its onslaught on Nov. 8, 2013. Aquino made a speech on Guiuan, Eastern Samar which centered on his counter message to his government’s critics. “Despite our initiatives, I have a feeling that tomorrow, someone will still claim I ignored Tacloban. I leave it to you to find out who are saying this,” Aquino said during his visit to Guiuan Friday. Aquino said he would leave it to the public if his critics were correct that he deliberately left out Tacloban, the ground zero of “Yolanda.” “Your tantrums over legitimate criticism, your claim that you have done everything you can for Yolanda survivors when the government’s total aid output is easily outstripped by a single non-government organization,” Bautista said. People Surge, alongside other “Yolanda” survivors under the Daluyong National Network of Disaster Survivors, called for the ouster of Aquino for his “continuing negligence a full year after ‘Yolanda.’” Bautista said that the still fictional P40,000 comprehensive cash assistance to the survivors indicate Aquino’s neglect. “You deserve to be ousted.” A year after the devastation of “Yolanda”, the government barely cracked the one percent mark of building the necessary housing for the survivors. Around 250,000 families are still in need of permanent homes which the massive cyclone tore down. Only 1422 households have been relocated to permanent shelters. (MNS)

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Trillanes to VP Binay: Back out of 2016 polls as well MANILA, Nov 11 (Mabuhay) – If you’re backing out of a debate, then back out of the presidential race too. This is the challenge of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to Vice President Jejomar Binay after the latter backed out of their debate that was supposed to take place later this month. Trillanes said Binay’s decision to back out of the debate after first challenging the senator only shows that the vice president lacks character and is not worthy of trust. “For the sake of the country, sana umatras na siya at itigil na ang panloloko sa taumbayan, at kung magtuloy-tuloy siya dahil alam niya na may kikitain siya sa pagka-presidente, sana makita ng mga kababayan natin ang tunay na pagkatao niya,” Trillanes told reporters. Binay first challenged Trillanes to a debate after the senator accused him of various corruption allegations including ownership of a 350-hectare estate in Rosario, Batangas. Trillanes then accepted the challenge; with both camps agreeing to a November 27 date for the event. However, Binay announced his decision to back out of the debate during his birthday celebration at the Philippine Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio today. The vice president turned 72 today. Binay said he changed his mind after the senator tried to show himself as the underdog. “Ang dahilan ko, mga kababayan, ay dahil marami na akong naririnig. Na siya ay ganito, ako ay mahusay, ako ay debater, ako ay abogado, e sobra na ang mga salitang ganyan, na kumpirmadong sina-

bi niya. E ayoko naman po yung aking pagkakakila niyo sa akin, mga kababayan, ay mapang-api, mapagsamantala. Na itong isang tao ito ay alam mo naman kawawa, tanga o whatever, so pinagsamantalahan ko so tama na yun.” For his part, Trillanes said the Binay camp had already laid out the ground for an eventual pull-out from the debate. He said he cannot believe that the vice president would blame him for the debate not pushing through. “Even if I didn’t speak at all, I will tell you they will come up with a reason not to come to the debate...They are taking us for a ride,” he said. “It is his loss. He is going to be crucified for this and he practically destroyed any credibility he has left,” he said. He also said reporters were merely stating a fact that Binay would have an advantage in the debate since the vice president is a lawyer while Trillanes is a soldier. Trillanes pointed out that Binay even made demands to the KBP including the chance to give both the opening and closing statements in the debate. Trillanes is one of the senators actively attending the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearings on allegations of corruption against Binay and his family. The Senate probe, which was initially intended to tackle the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II, has went on to discuss other corruption allegations against the Binays. The Binay camp has repeatedly snubbed the probe, saying it was not the proper forum to face the allegations. (MNS)

Harmonious relations with China serves PHL’ best interest: Aquino BEIJING, China, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – Achieving good relationship with its neighbors will serve the best interest of the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Sunday. “It’s also in the Philippines’ interest to achieve harmony with all of its neighbors. There are so many practices that each country can benefit from as we face common challenges,” the President said when asked about the Philippine-China relations during the APEC CEO Summit here in Beijing. For instance, the President said the Philippine government will be welcoming some of its peacekeepers next week from Liberia, a country affected by the Ebola virus outbreak. The spread of the virus is every country’s concern at this time, he said. With regards to the Philippine-China relations, the President said that when he meet then president Hu Jintao in August 2011, they both agreed that the territorial dispute shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of their relationships. “And we are happy to note that, for instance in trade, there is a very significant growth in trade between our countries. In so many different other aspects, even from food production, there has been a lot of cooperation already,” he said.

“In people-to-people exchanges, the provision of numerous teachers of Mandarin for our countrymen has also been coming into the country.” The Philippine companies have so far invested two and a half billion dollars in the Chinese economy, and in turn, China has infused about $600 million investments to the Philippines. In terms of tourism, the Philippines sent around 800,000 tourists to China and on the other hand around 200,000 Chinese tourists visited the Philippines. “So all of these numbers have continued to grow. And we seek to have, again, harmonious relationships with everybody so that we can concentrate on solving a lot of domestic problems that have to be addressed now,” the President said. The President also said that he believes that without stability, it’s impossible to attain prosperity. “And I think all governments, regardless of where they are, are set up primarily to improve the people’s lot or their people’s lot in life,” he added. President Aquino arrived here Sunday afternoon to join fellow leaders in the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting November 10 and 11. (MNS)

The dragon and the bear: Xi, Putin form power duo at APEC By Kelly Olsen

BEIJING, November 8, 2014 (AFP) - China’s authoritarian President Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin share similar views on issues from human rights to Mikhail Gorbachev, in an increasingly close personal relationship that mirrors their countries’ converging interests. Putin arrives in Beijing Sunday for the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and his 10th meeting with Xi since the Chinese president took office in March last year, according to the Communist mouthpiece People’s Daily. Their growing rapport comes as their nations’ trade, investment and geopolitical interests align. Moscow faces harsh Western criticism and sanctions over its seizure of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as opprobrium for its approach to dissent and homosexuality. Beijing also has tense relationships over territorial disputes with neighbours such as Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, and has recently been the target of criticism over demands for free elections in Hong Kong. “The situation is pushing the two countries towards closer ties, both are facing very heavy pressures, Russia in Ukraine and China in Hong Kong,” said Vladimir Yevseyev, director of the Moscowbased independent Public Political Studies Center. “Xi comes from a background close to the military-industrial complex, he is a man who is much closer to the structures of power enforcement than his predecessor (Hu Jintao),” Yevseyev said. “Putin understands him better, their outlooks are identical,” he added. “Xi is inclined to confrontation if necessary, which pleases Putin.” Security Council Relations between Moscow and Beijing have a chequered history. Territorial disputes between Tsarist Russia and Imperial China gave way to cooperation between the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic in the latter’s early years. That, however, subsequently collapsed in a huge split over ideological issues such as how to promote revolution, who should lead the international communist movement, whether to engage with the capitalist world, and China’s development of nuclear weapons. Eventually a tectonic shift in global geopolitics resulted when Beijing and Washington ended their mutual hostility and President Richard Nixon visited China. The USSR broke up 23 years ago and Russia and

China have since been brought together by mutual concerns, notably wariness of Washington. The two countries often vote as a pair on the UN Security Council, where both hold a veto, sometimes in opposition to Western powers on issues such as Syria. They have carried out joint military exercises on land and sea and are members of the BRICS emerging nations group, which also includes Brazil, India and South Africa. Their economic links are burgeoning, with resource-rich Russia a natural supplier to China’s growing economy. After a decade of negotiations, the countries signed a huge 30-year gas deal said to be worth $400 billion during a visit to China by Putin in May. “As Europe is going to cut its consumption of Russian gas, China offers an alternative market,” said Yevseyev. Pining for Soviet days APEC, which began with ministerial meetings on Friday before the main summit on Monday and Tuesday, accounts for more than 50 percent of global gross domestic product, 44 percent of world trade and 40 percent of the Earth’s population. Russia, with its vast territory stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific, is the organisation’s only European member. The consensus-based grouping, which focuses on trade and economic cooperation, generally tries to paper over major differences at its summits. But Xi, the scion of a Communist Party stalwart and war hero, and Putin, a former KGB agent who was stationed in East Germany when the Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago this month, are likely to take a common stand in the face of critics of Russian and Chinese policies, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. They are also united by a common lament for the collapse of the Soviet Union and contempt for the man they hold responsible: Gorbachev, the leader who implemented “perestroika” and “glasnost” reforms in what was ultimately a failed bid to revitalise the one-party system. Putin in 2005 called the breakup of the Soviet Union “the biggest geopolitical disaster” of the 20th century. “Putin and Xi Jinping seem to be able to work together pretty well in part because I think both of them in different ways say, ‘you know who really did the wrong thing 25 years ago? Gorbachev,’” said Jeffrey Wasserstrom, professor of history at the University of California, Irvine, at a talk in Beijing.

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Zoren no longer wants to work with Carmina Don’t count on a project costarring Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villaroel. While the married couple has appeared together numerous times in TV commercials, mostly with their kids Cassandra and Maverick, being co-actors in a TV series or a movie is an entirely different matter, according to Legaspi. “Mas prefer ko rin na hindi kami magkasama,” he said. “Hindi ko lang alam siya. Kasi hindi kami magkatugma sa working habits. Iba ‘yung kanya, eh, iba ‘yung akin. Kaya ‘pag nagsasama kami...(acts annoyed).” Legaspi and Villaroel, who got married in November 2012 after 12 years of being a couple, last worked together – TV commercials aside – as co-hosts of “Showbiz Inside Report” last year. “Parang old-school actor kasi ako,” Legaspi said. “’Don’t bug me dahil nag-e-emote ako dito.’ Kaya nga minsan, ‘pag merong nagpapa-picture sa set, [nadi-distract] ako.” His wife, in contrast, can easily switch on emotions required by a particular a scene, according to Legaspi. Villaroel, he added, can be chatting with a colleague one second, and crying in front of her onscreen husband the next. “Siguro dahil iba ‘yung talent niya – (imitates Villaroel chatting with a high-pitched voice) – ‘O, take na!’ – biglang nandoon! ‘Cut!’ – (imitates Villaroel again) – tapos, ‘Ready na!’ Biglang nandoon na naman,” he said, drawing laughter. With animated gestures, Legaspi continued: “Pag magkasama kami sa dressing room, ang ingay nung blower! Sabi ko, ‘Bakit

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Maegan Aguilar beaten up by live-in partner A person claiming to be the best friend of Maegan Aguilar revealed through a Facebook post that the singer was allegedly beaten by her live-in partner. Quoting rapper Maria Silorio’s Facebook post, Aguilar was physically abused by her live-in partner Ali when she tried to end their relationship on Saturday. “My Bestfriend Maegan Comet Aguilar received this nasty beating as a ‘parting gift’ from her live-in Partner when she firmly tried to end there relationship today. Ali’s an alcoholic that often reaches a violent black out state & beats up my friend & threatens her life,” Silorio said. Furthermore, Silorio said, unedited: “Hindi daw po agad2 nagpa blotter or nagsumbong c ate maegan sa brgy o pulis dahil ayaw nya pong lumabas itong parte ng buhay nya sa publiko. Pero ito pong huling insidente ay nagdulot po talaga ng kritikal na kalagayan sa kanya.” According to Silorio, Aguilar’s right arm seems to be dislocated

Maegan Aguilar

and she has a lot of bruises amd contusion at her back and hips. Aguilar has yet to issue her statement regarding the matter. Aguilar is the daughter of OPM icon Freddie Aguilar. She made headlines months back when she criticized her father’s marriage to a minor. (MNS)

Why Piolo Pascual wants to get married abroad

Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi

hindi ba maka-imbento ng blower na may silencer? Ang baril nga napaptahimik, blower ba kaya?’” “Bukod sa blower niyang maingay, maingay din ‘yung makeup artist dahil ang daming kuwento! Kaya kami laging separate. Kaya pag merong commercial, nauuna siya, nahuhuli ako, gano’n. Hindi kami magkatugma doon sa habit ng trabaho. Ewan ko!”

As hotelier Alex in “Forevermore” – his acting comeback after more than a year – Legaspi said he has carried over his “old ways” of stepping into his character’s shoes. “Ako hindi [tulad ni Carmina]. ‘Cut!’ Stay away from me, makikinig ako kung ano’ng nangyayari doon, sa sinasabi ng direktor. ‘Ah okay, gano’n pala gusto niya,’” he said.(MNS)

If ever he decides to tie the knot, actor Piolo Pascual wants to get married abroad. But that won’t be happening in the near future since Pascual vowed to remain unattached until his son Inigo turns 18 next year. Pascual admitted that he is also excited to enter into a new relationship. “I just don’t want it public. Parang for me, my life has been so public all my life, more than half of my life if. and when that happens parang magiging selfish muna ako at sasarilinin ko muna yon. Pero lalabas at lalabas makikita at makikita muna,” Pascual explained. “Siguro parang even when I get married mas gusto kong ikasal sa ibang bansa. I think

I owe it to myself,” the “Hawak Kamay” star added. For now, Pascual said he is keeping his words to his son. Asked to comment on Inigo’s statement that he won’t meddle in his father’s personal life, Pascual said: “Aba dapat. Siyempre at the end of the day I’m still his my father. It’s still my choice. Ang agreement naman namin when he’s 18 pwede na. I kinda broke his heart before because I promised him something and I didn’t do it. So after that, I said I’m keeping my word up until your 18. That’s the only time I’ll get into a relationship so I’m keeping my word. So, whoever I choose when the time comes nasa akin na ‘yon. Hindi naman siya ang makikisama.” (MNS)

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MOTORING Meet the most expensive Range Rover ever

Porsche has presented its new 911 Carrera GTS and 911 Carrera 4 GTS ahead of the LA Motor Show. ©Porsche

More power for the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS (Relaxnews) – At the LA Motor Show later this month, in addition to the Cayenne GTS, Porsche will officially present the latest version of the 911 Carrera GTS, which is slated to go on sale before the end of the year. This second-generation 911 Carrera GTS is offered in four versions (coupe or convertible, with and without all-wheel drive) and comes closer than the first to the track-going 911 GT3. With its 430hp engine, the

sports car boasts 0 to 100km/h acceleration in just 4 seconds (4.2 seconds for the convertible) and a top speed of 300km/h. The suspension has been lowered by 10mm and features Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Customers can also take advantage of the Sport Chrono Package, which includes special dynamic engine mounts and other performance-focused features. Bi-xenon headlights

and a special sports exhaust are also available. In the US, the Carrera GTS Coupe will be priced starting at $115,195, and the Carrera GTS Cabriolet (convertible) at $127,095. The all-wheel drive models are priced starting at $121,895 and $133,795 respectively. The new sports cars are due to arrive at dealerships in late November, just after premiering at the Los Angeles Motor Show. laautoshow.com

(Relaxnews) – The Holland & Hol- num case in the boot. The case sits on a sliding platform land edition of the luxury SUV will be limited to 120 examples that will be built from carbon fiber and aluminum painstakingly built by a team of crafts- and finished in walnut veneer and leather that has been designed to be men over the next three years. A collaboration between Land Rov- load-bearing. It’s the perfect place to sit for an imer’s Special Vehicle Operations division and the renowned gunsmiths, the promptu picnic during the hunt or simcar starts out life as a long wheel base ply when traveling point to point. John Edwards, managing director of Range Rover Autobiography Black, which, as SUV aficionados know, is al- Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, said, “The whole SVO team is very ready the absolute flagship model. But then the bespoke modifications proud of this car, a bespoke design, begin. From the exterior, the changes which perfectly meets the very parare subtle, the only clues being its ticular needs of Holland & Holland’s color—a unique shade of green – and customers. This shows the huge potential of SVO, which encapsulates both color-matched front grille. On the inside, it’s a different sto- off- and on-road performance as well ry. The cabin is wrapped in tan and as luxury and craftsmanship.” Only 40 Holland & Holland Range espresso leather hides and embroidered with the Holland & Holland name. The Rovers will be built a year for the next center and rear consoles are finished three years and each one comes with a in hand-matched sustainably-sourced guide price of £180,000 ($287,000 or French Walnut veneer; even the door €230,000) depending on engine choice. The car is available with a 4-liter turhandles feature hand engravings. In the rear two passengers can re- bodiesel V8, or a 5-liter supercharged cline in front of individual televisions, petrol V8. and simply press a button to activate or retract matching walnut tables. However, it’s behind the rear passengers where the biggest difference lies. Holland & Holland are makers of some of the world’s best shotguns and the owner of this car will find a pair in their own specially designed leather- Holland & Holland Range Rover: The finishing touch is a pair of trimmed alumi- Holland & Holland shotguns. ©Land Rover

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The slow decline of fast food in America (NEW YORK-AFP) – The hospitals of the Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City, Missouri no longer serve fast food in their cafeterias, after ending a contract with McDonald’s in 2012 – two years ahead of schedule. In Kentucky, Kosair Children’s Hospital signed up to serve Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets to its patients when it opened in 1986. But it has now followed in TMC’s footsteps. The reversals by hospital chains that once embraced McDonald’s reflect a waning love affair with fast food in the United States, as consumers become increasingly aware of the benefits of eating better. “Fast foods have their place, but I am not so sure their place is inside the hospital,” recalled John Bluford, the former TMC chief executive. “We thought that we needed to change the game a little bit and start creating a culture of health,” Bluford told AFP. “It was a health-concerned decision and a mission-driven decision, given our mission to improve the health of our community.” Shifting tastes Sales of McDonald’s in the United States fell 3.3 percent in the last quarter. The consumption of sodas fell last year to 1995 levels, according to the industry specialist Beverage Digest. Americans drank on the average 51 gallons (nearly 200 liters) of soda per person in 1998; last year, it was 44 gallons. The fall is more marked for light sodas, which fell six percent amid concerns sparked by studies suggesting some synthetic sweeteners were carcinogenic. “There’s a shift away from the perception of food that is mass-produced towards food that is perceived to be more homemade or artisanal or sustainably produced,” said Keith-Thomas Ayoob, associate clinical professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. “Consumers want to feel that they’re doing healthier things and eating a healthier diet.” More and more Americans are making the link between fast food and sodas, and life-long health problems like obesity and diabetes, said Sriram Madhusoodanan, an organizer of the anti-fastfood campaign “Value [the] Meal” at Corporate Accountability International. Campaigns like theirs are scoring gains against the powerful industry. In December 2011, San Francisco required fast food chains to add more low-sugar, low-salt foods

like fruit and vegetables for children. And those campaigns are also showing results. The US Centers for Disease Control said in February that there had been a 43 percent fall in obesity among two- to five-year-olds over the previous decade. Much more needs to be done, according to the organization Trust for America’s Health. More than two-thirds of adult Americans remain overweight, it says. Christopher Gindlesperger, spokesman for the American Beverage Association, downplayed the role sodas play in the health problem. Because of the greater popularity of low-sugar sodas, he said, the amount of sugar consumed from sodas has fallen 40 percent in the last 10 years. Sugar-related diseases “are very serious and very complex,” he said. “If you look at the government data, you see that calories in the American diet from sodas are just a small piece of the overall (total)... We empower our customers to make the choices that are right for them.” New options The success of the restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill symbolizes the new face of the American diet. Launched in 1993, Chipotle advertises that it uses hormone-free meat and locally-raised organic vegetables. “From the very beginning, Chipotle has used really high-quality fresh ingredients, and prepares all the foods we serve,” company spokesman Chris Arnold told AFP. “So from the beginning, we were doing something which is pretty different than what was happening in traditional American fast food.” Fast food chains are reacting to the new social and market pressure. McDonald’s has eliminated some of its controls on franchises to allow them to adapt menus to customers’ tastes. Last year, Taco Bell phased out its children’s menu. And drink companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are expanding their beverage lines with lower-sugar options. McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Pepsi did not respond to requests for comment from AFP. For Madhusoodanan, the real change will come when McDonald’s stops tempting children with toys to sell its “Happy Meals”. “They are changing, they’re coming around because the public is now demanding it. They have to change,” said Bluford.

Vacations bring more happiness than birthdays, finds survey Being on vacation topped a list of pleasures, edging out birthdays and finding money that was thought to be lost, in a recent survey conducted by strategic consulting firm Northstar on behalf of travel website Expedia.com. The firm surveyed a group of 7,855 employed adults over the age of 18, hailing from a total of 24 countries. When asked of the pleasures they would give up for a week in order to have just one extra day of vacation, 54 percent of respondents replied they would give up junk food. Forty-eight percent would give up alcohol, 24 percent would give up sex and a whopping 42 percent would give up social media. Only 20 percent said they’d give up the Internet for a week in order to gain an extra day of vacation and just nine percent said they’d give up showering. On a more serious note, 91 percent of respondents

Middle-aged men trading golf resorts for bike tours: report (Relaxnews) – In 2015, brace yourselves for increased sightings of MAMILs – Middle-AgedMen-In-Lycra – as this coveted segment of the travel population swaps out their golf clubs for bikes. Because according to a wide sweeping global trendspotting report released at the World Travel Market in London this week, bike tourism is poised to grow in popularity among middleaged men in the US, at the expense of the traditional ‘old man sport’ of golf. Published by market research group Euromonitor, ‘The World Travel Market Global Trends Report 2014’ points out that the number of golf players in the US has declined from 25 million in the 2000s to 19 million in 2013. Meanwhile, in the oneyear span between 2012 and 2013, the number of cyclists grew from 3.5 million to 3.8 million. To respond to the growing interest in cycling, destinations like Oregon have been positioning themselves as cycle-friendly cities, quadrupling its state bike routes, while more travel outfits are creating cross-country bike tours around the world.

agreed with the statement “Regular vacations are important for general health and wellbeing.” According to survey results, Europeans are given an average of 28 days of vacation, of which they take full advantage, whereas Americans are only given 15 and take 14. Asia-Pacific workers are given 19 days vacation, of which they take 14.

Signs point to a waning love affair with fast food in the United States, as consumers become increasingly aware of the benefits of eating better. ©Barabasa/Shutterstock.com

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DOT launches campaign targeting Chinese-American, US travelers Campaign promotes cooperation with airlines and travel agents LOS ANGELES, CA (November 3, 2014) – This week, the Philippine Department of Tourism’s American offices (San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York) are launching DOT’s first major campaign in the United States targeting Chinese-American and mainstream American travelers. This campaign introduces, promotes and encourages visits to the Philippines’ unique and world-famous tourist and travel destinations. A series of Product A staff member of the Natural Art Flower and Decors shop in Tayuman, Presentations for travel Manila, arranges items at the shop’s Christmas decors and toys store on Saturday November 8, 2014.(MNS photo) agents and tour operators are being held in lined up by the DOT to brand the PhilSan Francisco, Los Angeles, and New ippines as a travel destination among York in partnership with GTT Inter- Chinese-Americans and mainstream national/Majestic Vacations, one of Americans, who are seen to most benthe biggest airline consolidators in the efit from the campaign. United States. Various Asian airlines, Officers from the DOT offices in Los namely China Airlines, Southern Chi- Angeles, San Francisco and New York na Airlines, Eva Air, Cathay Pacific, agree that “The opportunity to partner and Delta Airlines are lending their with GTT International and to work support to this program. with the different airlines allow the Through this campaign, DOT aims Philippine Department of Tourism to to generate inbound tourist arrivals effectively reach out to outbound Amerfrom North America as the Philip- ican travelers who have not been fully pines focuses on becoming the ultimate introduced to the amazing and exceldestination next year with the recent lent Philippine destinations.” launching of the “Visit the Philippines In 2013, the number of tourists from Year (VPY) 2015.” the United States reached 652,626, The tourism campaign, spearheaded 15% of the total tourists arrivals of 4.68 by Ms. Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo, Di- million. rector, Market Development, features Chinese visitors, on the other hand, Philippines’ popular destinations totaled 426,352, a 69% increase growth like Manila, Palawan, Subic, Coron, from the previous year. El Nido, Bohol, Boracay, Laoag and The year 2015 is being eyed as a Davao, among others as a part of a dual banner year for the Philippine tourism, destination tour packages or an exten- with the exciting mix of events and sion tour destinations of other Asian activities lined up for the year startcities such as Taiwan, Shanghai, Hong ing with the Papal Visit in January, Kong, and Beijing. the Asia Pacific Economic CooperaThe series of product presentations tion (APEC) Ministerial Meetings and will equip Chinese tour operators and Leaders’ Summit, to the unveiling of travel agents with knowledge and in- more historic treasures, natural wonformation necessary to sell the Phil- ders, and excellent adventures. To top ippines as part and extension of their it all, the Filipinos’ inherent hospitaltour packages. ity, friendliness and optimism are what The product presentations are just make it “More Fun in the Philippines.” one of many promotional activities (MVIlagan)

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PHL Embassy launches mobile app for Radio Tambuli

Los Angeles, 04 November 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles informs the public that as part of the commemoration of first anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington D.C. has launched the “Radyo Tambuli” mobile application. Radio Tambuli is a virtual radio station seeking to deliver news about the Philippines to the Filipino-American Community in the United States. This mobile app is now available for download from both the Google Playstore and the Apple App Store. The Philippine Embassy has partnered with All Nippon Airways (ANA) for a yearlong promotional campaign that involves the holding of two (2) raffle draws in March and September 2015. Anyone who downloads the app will have the opportunity to register in the raffles with the winner in each of the two draws receiving a round-trip ticket to Manila from any point in the United States that is being served by ANA. The Consulate General of the Philippines in Los Angeles supports RadioTambuli’s goal to link the Filipino-American Community and empower them with positive knowledge about the Philippines.

Martial law victims abroad can file their claims online In the Philippine Government’s efforts to reach every victim of gross human rights violations during the Marcos regime, the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) is now accepting applications from human rights violations victims (HRVV) living and/or working abroad. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informed the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on November 4, 2014 that the DFA and HRVCB signed on November 3, 2014 a Memorandum of Agreement on the provision of assistance to legitimate applicants abroad. Claimants can start filing even without travelling back in the Philippines. Properly filled out application form, sworn statement/affidavits, and other supporting documents must be scanned in JPEG or PDF format and sent through email address, overseas@hrvclaimsboard. gov.ph, for pre-evaluation. HRVCB’s paralegals will immediately check these documents for completeness and advise claimants accordingly via email. According to HRVCB, applicants cannot file directly in any Philippine Embassy/Consulate. The application process and documentary requirements may be found at the website of the HRVCB, www.hrvclaimsboard.gov.ph. HRVCB informs applicants that sworn statements/affidavits and special powers of attorney that have not been notarized may be scanned and sent by email to HRVCB for pre-evaluation. These documents must subsequently be notarized and certified/attested as true copies of original at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate, which involves the payment of a US$25 processing fee. Claims must be filed by November 10, 2014. Currently pending in Philippine Congress is the extension for another six months of the deadline to file claims.

Time Warner Cable in SoCal adds diversity with Myx TV LOS ANGELES, Calif. (November 3, 2014) - Myx TV, the only English-language multicultural Asian American entertainment network in the United States, announced today its launch on Time Warner Cable throughout Southern California. Digital cable customers of Time Warner Cable in Los Angeles, San Diego, Desert Cities, CA and Yuma, AZ, can now tune to channel 1454 for acclaimed, buzzed-about original series that push the cultural envelope and shine a light on the quirks of pop culture and relationships. Whether it’s a docu-series examining the unexplored depths of Asian American culture like “I’m Asian American And...,” or a cutthroat reality competition series set against the backdrop of a thriving subculture like “Call to Cosplay,” or “Eat Your Words,” Myx TV delivers original programming that entertains and keeps viewers tuning in for more. “California has the largest Asian American population in the U.S. and our availability on Time Warner Cable in Southern California will increase our viewership beyond the Asian American community, to anyone interested incompelling, original entertainment with a multicultural twist,” said Miguel Santos, Myx TV general manager. For more information on Myx TV, visit www.myx.tv. To gain access on Time Warner Cable, call 1-888-TW-CABLE (1-888-892-2253) or visitwww.timewarnercable. com. Myx TV is the only English language multicultural Asian American entertainment network in the United States. Broadcast in over 15 million households, the network is available in both linear and digital platforms, offering both live and on demand content. Myx TV’s award-winning programming includes reality shows, live music performances, game shows, movies, and music videos. To find out more, visit www.myx.tv.