US Asian Post November 14, 2012

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Vol. 2. No. 11

LOS ANGELES

A Balita Media Publication

Wednesday - Tuesday, November 14-20, 2012

Senate to probe ‘dumping of toxic waste’ in Subic Bay US Navy contractor accused of dumping hazardous materials in former US base MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – A defense contractor of the US Navy is facing a possible Senate investigation after allegations that one of its vessels had dumped hazardous waste in Subic Bay, the site of a former US naval base that has been transformed into a freeport.

The move follows an ongoing probe of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) into reports that MV Glenn Guardian, a vessel of the Malaysian shipping firm Glenn Defense Marine Philippines, had released waste water that was “beyond the permissible limits” into Subic Bay. In a statement, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said she would file a resolution for a legislative inquiry on Monday that would look into allegations that the shipping firm may have violated Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act. The law prohibits “the storage, importation, or bringing into Philippine territory, including its maritime economic zones, even in transit, either by means of land, air or sea transportation or otherwise keeping in storage any amount of hazardous and nuclear wastes in any part of the Philippines.”

“Our laws are clear on environmental protection, particularly Republic Act 9275 or The Philippine Clean Water Act See DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTE, page 6

THE USS Essex is guided by Philippine tug boats as it enters port at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in this photo taken on February 20, 2008, showing the capability of the former U.S. military base in Olongapo to handle huge vessels. However, recent reports say a US Navy contracted company is allegedly “dumping” toxic wastes in Subic Bay. PHOTO: PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS (SW) MARK R. ALVAREZ /U.S. NAVY

PHL welcomes election victory of 18 Fil-Am candidates WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippine Embassy today welcomed the election of 18 Filipino-Americans, saying their successful bids for various elective positions in the United States bring pride and honor not just to their fellow FilipinoAmericans but to the entire Filipino race.

In a statement, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., congratulated the winning candidates in Monday’s national, state and

local elections led by Democrat Rep. Robert Scott who made a successful bid for an 11th term as representative of the Third District of Virginia.

“We congratulate our good friend, Congressman Bob Scott, and our other Filipino-American candidates for their election victories,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

“Their success has brought pride and See 18 FIL-AM CANDIDATES, page 6

Rob Bonta, a Fil-Am in the CA State Assembly

Filipino war veterans stand at attention and salute while attending the annual Veterans Day celebrations at the American Cemetery in Taguig City, metro Manila November 11, 2012. (MNS photo)

Biazon orders testing of Korean instant noodles

PHL Embassy pays tribute to Fil-Am veterans

MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon ordered all Bureau of Customs port officials to closely monitor the shipment of five brands of Korean instant noodles.

Biazon also ordered the Korean instant noodles, which were earlier found with a cancer-causing chemical called benzopyrene, be tested by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) before these are released.

“After getting reports from Korea that

ASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy today paid tribute to Filipino and American veterans, especially those who saw action during the Second World War, saying that without their heroism, the Filipino people will not be enjoying the freedoms they are enjoying today.

“Today, we remember the heroism of countless Filipinos and Americans who answered the call to serve and fought side by side to defend the freedoms we now enjoy,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said in a statement commemorating Veterans Day in the United States.

“We will not be where we are today if not for these brave men and women from our uniformed services,” Ambassador CuiSee FIL-AM VETERANS, page 6

High Court bans TV coverage of massacre trial MANILA, Nov 12, 2012 (AFP) – The Philippines’ Supreme Court on Monday banned television coverage of trials related to the country’s worst political massacre in which 58 people died, sparking outrage from the government and media groups.

Reversing its own landmark decision made last year – that for the first time al- MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE 3RD YEAR lowed a live broadcast COMMERATION: November 21, at 6 p.m., of any trial – the court at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) Social Hall located said showing the pro- at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA ceedings on television 90026, hosted by the National Union of of the Philippines (NUJP) and would unfairly harm Journalists the Alliance-Philippines and the Justice the defendants’ cases. for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV). The “A camera that public is cordially invited. broadcasts the proceedings live on television has no place in a criminal trial because of its prejudicial effects on the rights of accused individuals,” said the the court ruling.

Leaders of a then-politically powerful family in the violence-wracked southern Philippines, the Ampatuans, are acSee MASSACRE TRIAL, page 6

Customs Chief Ruffy Biazon

See PASSPORT 4

See KOREAN NOODLES, page 6

China to ramp up PHL, Canada ink defense procurement deal development on MANILA, Nov 10, 2012 (AFP) - Can- pute between the Philippines and China ada and the Philippines signed a deal Satur- over islands and waters in the South China disputed island day to help Manila buy military equipment Sea. BEIJING, Nov 11, 2012 (AFP) – China is to ramp up development on a disputed South China Sea island, a local government chief has said, in a move likely to stoke a growing territorial row with its neighbors.

The development of roads, See DISPUTED ISLAND, page 6

PSE: New rules on foreign ownership could hurt firms MANILA, Nov 9 (Mabuhay) – The Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday said the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new rules on foreign ownership could affect as much as 13% of the listed companies.

“This is not an issue about one company, this is a marketchanging event. One of the hallmarks of stable economies are the consistency of rules and the application of such over time [but] our country’s economic See PSE NEW RULES, page 6

ENTERT

10 countries to discover in 2013

said noodle brands were recalled by the Korea Food and Drugs Administration for containing the cancer causing substance benzopyrene, I immediately ordered all our port officials to monitor the importations of these noodle brands and to subject them to testing with the FDA prior to release,” Biazon said, in a statement.

The BOC has placed under close monitoring the following instant noodle brands made by South Korea’s Nongshim: Spicy

to defend its territory, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Filipino President Benigno Aquino said.

The Philippine defense department and state-run Canadian Commercial Corp. signed the agreement as Harper met Aquino at Malacañang Palace in Manila, the two leaders announced at a joint news conference.

The deal was inked amid a territorial dis-

“This memorandum of understanding will enable the Philippines to acquire the equipment and expertise it needs to fulfill the country’s defense and security agenda,” Harper said.

Under the deal, Filipino purchases of equipment and expertise from Canada’s $12.6 billion (US$12.6 billion) defense industry are guaranteed by the Ottawa govSee PROCUREMENT DEAL, page 6

Cayetano wants Senate to vote on RH Bill MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – Both sides of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill debate are poised for another showdown this week at the House of Representatives.

RH proponents hope to get the House leadership to force a vote on several amendments that were recently proposed in a compromise version.

One of the authors of the bill, Senator Pia Cayetano, is hoping the Senate leadership will put the controversial measure to a vote before Congress adjours in December.

Cayetano said some senators seem to be “dilly-dallying” in an effort to block the passage of the bill.

“We’ve been moving slowly, not as fast

INMENT

It’s over between Andi, Jake Ejercito See ENTERTAINMENT 1

Senator Pia Cayetano

as I would like,” she said. “We all know that with the election coming up, we only have a few days left in our working calendar, a few weeks.”

See CAYETANO ON RH BILL, page 6

KITCHENOMICS Holiday brunch, what a spread!

See KITCHENOMICS 6

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Wednesday - Tuesday, November 14-20, 2012

THE US ASIAN POST

Senate approves on final reading bill requiring voters’ biometrics registration

President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, WVP Board of Trustees chairperson Atty. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, K4 Philippines Intercessors Movement founder-president Bishop Jonel Milan, D.D., World Vision International South Asia and Pacific Region vice president Trihadi Saptaodi and World Vision International Global Field Operation partnership leader Dirk Booy, leads the Prayer for Children and Youth during the Mahal ko ang Pilipinas National Prayer Assembly coinciding with the 55th Founding Anniversary of World Vision in the Philippines (WVP) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday (November 09, 2012). (MNS photo)

Aquino cites Money Market Association to standardize and professionalize trading practices MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III said the government has taken steps to ensure that transparency and corporate responsibility are integrated in the operations of the country’s financial establishments.

“The Philippines remains vibrant and open for business; our economy now enjoys an upsurge in investor confidence, sustained by our efforts to maintain the stability we are now enjoying in our institutions,” the Chief Executive said in his message to the Money Market Association of the Philippines on the occasion of its 41st Anniversary.

The Money Market Association of the Philippines is holding its st 41 anniversary and 15th Money Market Consciousness Week.

“Your organization’s objectives to standardize and professionalize trading practices and to support our nation’s capital requirement for development are achieved through your solidarity with our communal mission,” he said.

As the government revitalizes the bureaucracy and infrastructure, President Aquino said his administration counts on the organization’s partnership in sustaining the momentum of the nation’s growth.

“May these events serve as a celebration of your milieu, and empower you to pass on your gains to the rest of the Filipino people,” he said. (MNS)

MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) –The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill requiring biometrics registration of all qualified voters.

The implementation of Senate Bill 1030 “will allow a thorough cleansing of the national voters’ registry that will reduce, if not eliminate, cheating and ensure that the result of elections are reflective of the genuine will of the people,” said Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, chairman of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, The proposed legislation, authored by Sen. Lito Lapid, requires all registered voters whose biometrics have not been captured, to appear before the election officer in their places of registration so that their photographs, fingerprints, signatures and other identifiable features

may be captured thru biometrics.

“We can ensure that the automated fingerprint identification system, the AFIS, may be utilized to read the national voters registration of double or multiple registrants,” Pimentel said during his sponsorship speech.

Under the bill, photographs, fingerprints, signature, and other identifiable features would be stored by the data-capturing machine of the automated election system that has been adopted by the Commission on Elections.

Voters who fail to submit for validation for the purposes of the 2013 national and local elections despite due notice shall be deactivated from the registration record of voters by the Election Registration Board (ERB) concerned, according to Pimentel.

Aquino cites Money Market Association to standardize and professionalize trading practices MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III said the government has taken steps to ensure that transparency and corporate responsibility are integrated in the operations of the country’s financial establishments.

“The Philippines remains vibrant and open for business; our economy now enjoys an upsurge in investor confidence, sustained by our efforts to maintain the stability we are now enjoying in our institutions,” the Chief Executive said in his message to the Money

Market Association of the Philippines on the occasion of its 41st Anniversary.

The Money Market Association of the Philippines is holding its 41st anniversary and 15th Money Market Consciousness Week.

“Your organization’s objectives to standardize and professionalize trading practices and to support our nation’s capital requirement for development are achieved through your solidarity with our communal mission,” he said.

Aquino: Gov’t, public must address malnutrition MANILA, Nov 10 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged the people, local communities and government agencies to work together in addressing malnutrition in the country particularly the nutritional needs of young children.

In his address during the 2012 National Nutrition awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Friday, the President said that while the government has achieved a lot in fighting malnutrition, there are many challenges that lie ahead.

Part of the government’s Millennium Development Goals targets is to provide the people with better nutrition and healthcare, the President said particularly focusing on underweight children under five-years old.

The government made significant gains in the past several years, he said noting that based on the report

“Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipinos” made by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, from 26.5 percent underweight children in 1992, the administration was able to reduce it to 20.2 percent in 2011.

While the chief executive congratulated local government units and national agencies, he acknowledged the need to achieve the target of 13.6 percent by 2015 and the government must work harder to reach this goal. “Marami na tayong nagawa, ngunit marami pa rin tayong kailangang pagsumikapan. Aminin po natin, malaki-laki ang atas na maabot ang target na ito,” he said.

“Kaya naman, hinihikayat ko po ang bawat isa na kung maaari doblehin pa ang kayod, at pag-igihan pa ang pagtutulungan, para sama-sama nating mapagtagumpayan ito.”

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Binay pleads Saudi king to defer death penalty on OFW MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay has appealed to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to defer the death penalty imposed on Filipino worker Joselito Lidasan Zapanta who was found guilty of murdering a Sudanese national in the Kingdom.

“I join our President, Benigno Aquino III, in seeking your intercession in the deferment of the qisas sentence imposed on a Filipino national, Joselito Lidasan Zapanta,” he said in an appeal for deferment contained in a letter to be sent by a representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to the Saudi King.

He said President Aquino has sent an earlier appeal in October to King Abdullah.

The “qisas,” which is enforced in countries following

Shari’a law, prescribes equal punishment for the offense committed against the aggrieved party.

Binay said the deferment of the death penalty would allow Zapanta’s family to raise the blood money worth 5 million Saudi riyals being asked by the heirs of his victim, Salah Imam Ibrahim.

The blood money or “diyat” equivalent to P55 million is compensation that is also a form of punishment under Islamic law.

The Philippine government has been extending legal and financial assistance to Zapanta since he was apprehended in 2009, said Binay.

He said the heirs of the Sudanese victim has stood by its decision that the sentence be meted out should Zapanta’s

UN envoy warns on human trafficking in PHL MANILA, Nov 9, 2012 (AFP) – The Philippines has failed to curb the huge problem of human trafficking in recent years, despite high-profile government efforts and the country’s removal from a US watchlist, a UN envoy said Friday.

Poor law enforcement and crushing poverty meant many men, women and children were still being trafficked, both internally and overseas, said Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons.

“The Philippines is a source country (of trafficked persons) and the problem is not declining,” Ezeilo told reporters at the end of a fiveday visit.

“Government data is there. It shows you huge numbers are affected.”

Ezeilo said people were trafficked to work as forced laborers in factories and on farms, as domestic helpers and for a range of criminal activities.

Girls, she said, were especially at risk of being trafficked, into the sex industry and for forced marriage, adding that the sexual exploitation of girls remained “extremely common, socially and culturally tolerated in the country”.

Ezeilo did not give any details as to how many people were being trafficked, or by whom, saying more details would be released in a report

next year.

In June last year the United States responded to efforts by President Benigno Aquino’s administration to combat the problem and removed the Philippines from a human trafficking watchlist.

This quashed a threat to cut off financial assistance – a measure imposed on countries found to be unresponsive in fighting trafficking.

Ezeilo praised the government for passing laws and creating various agencies to fight human trafficking, but said the rate of prosecution remained low and violators were often allowed to operate with impunity.

“Enforcement of the law and assistance to victims is not uniform... and depends on the political will of the local governments,” she said.

Ezeilo also warned that human traffickers were increasingly using “new technologies” such as social networking to lure victims and that authorities were not matching them in their prevention efforts.

On a positive note, she said a peace deal signed last month between the government and the largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, should lead to less trafficking of people from the conflict area.

Under the pact, the two sides are aiming to end the decades-long insurgency in the southern Philippines by 2016.

Comelec eyes people’s watch on campaign spend MANILA, Nov 8 (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said it is planning to tap civil society groups to monitor expenditures of political parties and candidates in the 2013 elections.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said he does not want a repeat of the case of one politician who used his excess contributions to buy a house in the United States.

“There was a report once that somebody got so much contribution and they said he brought properties with the excess contributions in the United States and that was open to the public. That is wrong.

You cannot declare that and say I used it to buy properties. He should have returned it. Ethics demanded that he return it to the donors pero hindi sinoli e,” he said.

Brillantes said he sees no problem with politicians who declare that they have excess campaign contributions. However, he said excess donations should be declared as income and should be taxed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

He also said the poll body does not have enough people to screen all contributions and expenditures done during the campaign period.

He said the task is usually relegated to the Comelec law department, which only has 12-14 lawyers.

He said one idea is to tap groups such as Namfrel and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to monitor the campaign expenses and check with documents submitted to the Comelec after the elections “Right now, this is done by our law department. We are low in

manpower in the law department.

We are looking at volunteers to review these contributions and expenditures, maybe ask civil society groups to help us para ma-monitor lahat and check if they really submitted a correct list of contributions and expenditures and go after those who do not,” he said.

The Comelec chief said candidates or parties who submit incorrect statements on their campaign contributions and expenses are liable for perjury.

“At least meron kaming charge like perjury because these are under oath. It may not be an election offense anymore but we can charge them with perjury if they submit a statement that is not correct or totally false,” he said.

He said that under the Omnibus Election Code, even donors are required to report to the Comelec their actual donations to candidates or parties.

The poll chief said one problem faced by Comelec is that losing candidates often do not submit a list of campaign contributions and expenses after the elections. He said the losing candidates are fined from P3,000 to P20,000.

He also said 2 Comelec Commissioners, Grace Padaca and Armando Velasco, are studying the campaign finance system in the United States. (MNS)

family fail to come up with the blood money.

“Gayunpaman, sa ilalim ng batas ng Saudi Arabia, sa ganitong klase ng krimen ay nangingibabaw ang desisyon ng pamilya ng biktima (In any case, under Saudi law, in these crimes, the decision of the victim’s family prevails),” he added.

“Sana po ay samahan ninyo kami ni Pangulong Aquino sa pagdarasal para sa ating kababayan. At muli po, ang aming paalala sa ating mga kababayan na igalang at sumunod sa mga batas ng bansang pinagtatrabahuhan nila (Please join me and the President in praying for our compatriot.

And again, our reminder to our fellow Filipinos to respect and obey the laws of the land where they work),” Binay said.

(MNS)

PHL envoy accused of raping Pinay maid in Kuwait to face probe in Manila MANILA, Nov 8 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday ordered the country’s envoy to Kuwait to return to Manila as allegations that he raped his Filipino maid surfaced.

Ambassador Shulan Primavera, Manila’s envoy to Kuwait since 2010, reportedly sexually assaulted his maid several times inside his home, reports said.

Primavera, a seasoned career diplomat who has been in the foreign service for four decades, has denied the charges.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has instructed Primavera to come home “for consultations,” said Foreign Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis.

“He should return to Manila as soon as he receives the instruction. It was sent to him today,” Seguis said in a phone interview.

Upon his return, Primavera will face the DFA probe as soon as Malacañang approves the department’s recommendation to authorize the investigation, Seguis said. The Board of Foreign Service Administration is the body which investigates complaints against Filipino diplomats.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the investigation will give Primavera the opportunity to clear his name and at the same time give justice to the complainant if her allegations are true.

“Once we have received the approval of the President we will undertake or conduct an investigation on the case specifically on the allegations of harassment leveled against him by this person,” Hernandez told a press briefing.

Citing the Philippine Foreign Service Act, Hernandez said any chief of mission or ambassador appointed by the President should be investigated only after the Chief Executive approves the action in writing.

Hernandez said there is no recommendation at the moment to suspend Primavera pending the investigation. “In the meantime he’s there [at the embassy].

What we need to do is to get his side about this and go from there. Anyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

“We want to find out the truth and we want him to clear himself if it’s not true. And we also would like to make sure that the whole thing is verified,” Hernandez said. (MNS)

Taruc asks SC to nullify arrest warrant MANILA, Nov 9 (Mabuhay) – Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Jose Taruc has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse the finding of probable cause against him for the crime of plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of P365 million in PCSO funds, and nullify the warrant for his arrest.

Taruc is a co-accused of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, and several others.

In a 41-page petition for certiorari and prohibition filed on Thursday, Taruc alleged that the Office of the Ombudsman committed grave abuse of discretion in “ignoring its factual findings that petitioner (Taruc) did not benefit the least from the public funds in question.”He pointed out that his other co-accused, Sergio Valencia and Rosario Uriarte, were found to have been the approving authority of the disbursement vouchers for the subject funds, and allegedly received the funds in question.

“What petitioner would like to emphasize is the fact that the respondent office (Office of the Ombudsman) had, with gross unreasonableness, included the petitioner... as

Weekend Balita announces winners of Richard Gomez and Rico Puno raffle

By Nicholas Scolari

On November 16th at 8:00 PM at the world famous Pechanga Theater will give host to three of the Philippines’ most talented and renowned performers including Richard Gomez, Rico Puno and Patricia Javier.

Pechanga Resort & Casino in conjunction with Weekend Balita and the US Asian Post recently held a raffle contest giving away a total of six tickets to three winners who answered a trivia question correctly.

Three winners have been selected as of November 12th, 2012, each of whom shall receive two free admission tickets to see the show, compliments of Pechanga Resort & Casino.

We would like to cordially congratulate the winners of the raffle contest: Andrea C. Ardevela from Corona, Marlow Buque from Oxnard and Mariecar Palma from Los Angeles, California.

For more information on this event please visit Pechanga.com or call their Box Office at 1-877-7112946.

respondent in the plunder case notwithstanding its very specific findings that the locus of culpability lies with other respondents,” the petition read.

Taruc stressed that he “never had control, custody or possession of the subject funds.” The petition also pointed out that the Ombudsman failed to present proof of criminal intent required in the crime of plunder. The petition further stressed that presidential approval, not the PCSO Board’s action, was essential in the access and utilization of the agency’s funds. “[I]t would be highly implausible to expect the PCSO Board to disapprove, lay on the table, or not to confirm the request already containing then Pres. Arroyo’s imprimatur,” the petition read.

Taruc sought the immediate issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan from enforcing the warrant for his arrest, and a writ of preliminary injunction to direct the anti-graft office and anti-graft court to cease from proceeding with the trial of the case.

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Akbayan slams US over toxic dumping; renews call for abrogation of VFA Akbayan Party today slammed the United States government for the dumping of toxic waste 20 nautical miles from Subic Bay by the tanker MT Glenn Guardian owned by Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines, Inc., a United States Navy contractor which services American ships. According to Akbayan Representative Walden Bello, “the action shows a wanton disregard for Philippine laws and lack of concern for environmental safety.”

“We have been reduced to being the trash bin of a superpower. It seems that our environmental laws and safety counts for nothing to the United States government,”according to Bello.

Bello demanded the United States government to apologize for this transgression and swiftly act on the matter. The Akbayan lawmaker said the US government must conduct cleaning operations in the area where the tanker dumped its cargo of hazardous wastes and provide reparations for any damages caused to the environment.

“The US government should take full responsibility for this act. Contracting the disposal of their wastes should not afford them a way to wash their hands of this issue.It is their hazardous waste therefore it is their responsibility,” according to Bello.

Akbayan renews call for abrogation of VFA Bello also renewed its call for the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to prevent future environmental catastrophes such as this. According to Bello, the recent dumping incident showed that the VFA stifled local law enforcement measures to address environmental harm caused by US military contractors.

“The VFA not only undermines our sovereignty but also local authorities’ powers to regulate and penalize such irresponsible actions. In effect the VFA puts such reprehensible actions made by contractors beyond the reach of local enforcement simply because they can claim to be in the service of the US Armed Forces,” according to Bello.

Bello pointed to the statements made by Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines, Inc. arguing that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) did not have proper jurisdiction over the company since their vessels were support vessels of the US Navy and not commercial vessels that could regulated by the SBMA. Subic Bay ecology under threat Meanwhile, Akbayan also expressed concern over the environmental effects of the dumping of hazardous waste in the area near Subic Bay which is known for its eco-tourism industry.

“We are very worried over the adverse effects that the hazardous waste might cause to the local environment and the people living around Subic,” according to Mark Figueras, Akbayan-Olongapo and Zambales spokesperson.

“The communities living near and around Subic Bay depend on a healthy environment for their living either through fishing or eco-tourism. So we’re really worried that this dumping of hazardous waste will take a toll on the local economy as well,” Figueras added.

Bello likewise urged the government to conduct a swift investigation of the incident and also called on the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACOM) to raise the issue with their counterparts in the US government.

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OPINION

Palace leaves Subic waste dumping mess to SBMA MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang will leave it to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to investigate the alleged dumping of hazardous wastes in Subic Bay by a United States Navy contractor.

Asked if the Palace will already step into the mess, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said, “SBMA is already conducting its own, we might only have a parallel investigation…Let’s just wait for what they’ll turn up with.”

According to Valte, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago already likewise announced plans of a legislative inquiry against Malaysian firm Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

Still, Malacañang does not agree with Santiago that the firm is covered by the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “The VFA does not apply…Glenn Defense is a third-party corporation, so it does not fall there,” Valte said.

In calling for the inquiry, Santiago said the act of pollution by dumping hazardous wastes is within the

concern of the VFA. She said it is also a breach of obligation under Philippine laws against pollution from ships.

The ecology center of the SBMA reportedly inspected the MT Glenn Guardian, a tanker owned by Glenn Defense on October 15, 2012.

Edilberto Acedilla, captain of Glenn Guardian, allegedly revealed during the spot inspection that they were carrying around 50,000 gallons of domestic waste and around 200 gallons of bilge water (a combination of water, oil, and grease), all of which were hauled from a US Navy ship.

Acedilla alleged that the water in the tanks had been treated, and that their usual practice was to dump these liquid wastes 20 nautical miles from Subic Bay. This is not the first time Glenn Marine has been accused of environmental violations, Santiago said.

In 2011, Glenn Marine was also charged for dumping liquid waste a few miles from Manila Bay, she said.

That case is still pending with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (MNS)

De Lima: SC decision on massacre trial ‘not a good move’ MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila De Lima disagrees with the ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) reversing its earlier decision that allowed the live media broadcast of the Maguindanao massacre trial.

In a 7-page notice released to the public on Monday, the high court granted accused Andal Ampatuan, Jr.’s motion for reconsideration (MR) that sought the barring of the live media broadcast. The high court, however, allowed the live-streaming of the proceedings in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, and in Maguindanao, Koronadal, South Cotabato, and General Santos City.

De Lima said the reversal was “not a good move.”

She will confer with state prosecutors handling the trial as to what legal remedies may be availed of for a reinstatement of the June 14, 2011 earlier ruling that granted the live broadcast.

“Para sa akin, hindi maganda yun, with due respect to the Supreme Court... Remember, this is the trial of the century. I personally feel that it’s not a good move, not a good development,” De Lima said.

She noted that the live broadcast of the proceedings will also be a way of ensuring that the trial remains in the consciousness of the public. (MNS)

NUJP blasts latest media murder

MANILA, Nov 8 (Mabuhay) – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemned Friday the murder of another journalist – the fifth this year – under the Aquino administration.

In a statement, NUJP condemned the killing of broadcaster Julius Cauzo, 51, of Cabanatuan City radio station dzJJ. Cauzo was shot dead by a lone gunman Thursday as he was on his way to host his program. He was the fifth th “We hope the government will immediately act on this in- member of media killed this year alone, the 14 under th cident and raise this issue with the US government. Simi- the Aquino administration and the 154 since 1986.

Police said Cauzo had regularly criticized graft and lar incidents such as this will only continue if we cannot propcorruption on his program. erly deliberate it with the US government,” Bello concluded.

In its statement, the NUJP said that whatever the On Oct. 15, SBMA Ecology Center personnel inspected MT reason for Cauzo’s murder “it is clear proof that the Glenn Guardian, then docked at the Naval Supply Depot impunity with which media killings and other human area here due to a “hazard call” from another free port locator.

A copy of the SBMA spot report showed that the tanker was rights violations are brazenly committed has continued carrying some 189,500 liters of domestic waste and about 760 to thrive because government – this administration in liters of bilge water (a combination of water, oil and grease), particular – has not, cannot, or will not act to end the all of which were hauled from Emory Land, a US Navy ship. bloodshed.”

“So much for promises of good governance and jusOn Oct. 16, a team from the Philippine Coast Guard’s marine pollution division,led by PO1 Enrico Viuda,and SBMA Ecology Center personnel boarded Glenn Guardian and another vessel, MT Glenn Enterprise, to take water samples and see BY IVAN COURONNE whether the liquid waste was safe to be dumped into the sea.

But SBMA sources said Edilberto Acedilla, captain of WASHINGTON, Nov 10, 2012 (AFP) – Despite Glenn Guardian, told the team that the liquid wastes had their funding deluge from wealthy donors, Republibeen dumped at least 37 kilometers (20 nautical miles) from cans failed to overwhelm President Barack Obama and Subic Bay without procuring a permit from the Coast Guard Democrats at the ballot box. So was throwing all that or from the SBMA. money at the 2012 election worth it?

Obama was handily re-elected, Democrats added two more seats to their majority in the Senate, and they cut into the Republican lead in the House.

There is no two ways about it: that spelled bad news for Karl Rove, president George W. Bush’s then-strategist and a party luminary who raised huge money for Republican efforts across the United States this year.

His two groups, super political action committee w w w. u s a s i a n p o s t . c o m (PAC) American Crossroads and its general interest 520 E. Wilson Ave, Suite 210 group cousin Crossroads GPS, funneled at least $176 Glendale CA 91206 million of donor money into anti-Obama advertising Tel. • 818.552.4503 Fax • 818.550.7635 and Republican candidates, who lost en masse on No5030 Paradise Road Suite A-108 vember 6.

Las Vegas, NV 89119 • 702.382.0914 (Las Vegas) 415.957.0696 (San Francisco) Some reports put the dollar figure above $300 milPublisher lion.

BMI In its historic 2010 ruling, “Citizens United vs FedMarketing Director Executive Editor Editor Alex Llorente Rhony Laigo Vice President Operations David for Casuco eral Election Commission,” the US Supreme Court Alan Michael Advertising Coordinator Automotive Advertising Manager struck down limits on corporate campaign spending, Myra Portez Liza Rafallo essentially giving companies the same basic right to Office Manager/Classified Advertising Vice President for Operations Circulation Manager Photographer political speech that individuals have.

Lyn Mendoza Alan Michael Ronnie Villo Phillip Ner By contrast, donations to the candidates and politiFor editorial: Have a story tip, letter to the editor or suggestion? Email info@usasianpost.com or cal parties themselves remained capped.

Mail your letter to: Editorial Department, USAsian Post - BMI., 520 East Wilson Ave., Glendale, CA, 91206. Submissions must include full name, mailing address, and contact numbers. All Citizens United unleashed a torrent of funds from contributions are subject to the paper’s editorial standards. For advertising: Email info@balita.com. corporations and wealthy individuals – on both sides of the political fence.

USAsian Post is a publication of Balita Media Inc., the leading source of news and information for the Filipino American community, which also publishes the Weekend The Sunlight Foundation, which advocates greater Balita. Please note that the views and opinion expressed by contributing writers and transparency in government and elections, estimated syndication partners are solely theirs and do not necessarily reflect that of the publishers. that outside groups spent a total of more than $1.3 bilAll advertising materials are subject to the paper’s editorial standards and discretion.

They do not necessarily reflect the view of the publishers. All rights reserved. Reprints of lion in independent expenditures to influence the outmaterials published in the newspaper should have the explicit permission of USAsian Post. come of the 2012 races.

tice, and respect for the people’s basic civil and political rights,” it added.

The group criticized the Aquino administration for failing to push for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act while backing restrictive legislation such as the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Data Privacy Act. Malacañang earlier condemned Cauzo’s murder in Cabanatuan Thursday morning.

“Kinokondena po natin ang nangyaring karahasan dito sa radio personality na ‘to. Ang police po ngayon may isang gunman [na] na-identify po sila. Hinahanap po nila ang gunman na ‘yun,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters on Thursday.

He added: “They’re looking at the motives of this particular killing, whether it’s personal or work-related.”

Asked if the Palace is in favor of forming special courts to handle media killings, Lacierda said this would be up to the Supreme Court and Congress to decide. (MNS)

Money flowed in for 2012 elections, but with little gain In the case of a public policy advocacy group like Crossroads GPS, spending must be reported but the donor information can be kept confidential, allowing billionaire conservatives to spend sky-high sums without being identified.

Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson acknowledged parting with no less than $54 million of his own money to try to get Romney elected.

But of the 14 races targeted by American Crossroads, just three were won by Republicans, according to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, a group that publishes election expenses. Crossroads GPS fared only slightly better; the group was seven for 24 in its races. Factors well beyond money helped explain the outcomes in multiple races, but progressive groups had feared that wealthy conservatives’ blank checks would swamp less heavily invested liberal candidates running in smaller, out-of-the-way areas.

“The candidates sometimes don’t have enough resources of their own to make themselves well known to the electorate,” Bob Biersack, senior fellow at the Center for Responsive Politics, told AFP. “People don’t know them to begin with, so you can shape people’s judgment about candidates more easily in those kind of districts” with big money invested by super PACs. Crossroads sees the glass half full. According to its communications director Jonathan Collegio, the group helped offset the fundraising juggernaut that was the Obama campaign, which spent $541 million compared to the Romney campaign’s $336 million.

“Crossroads played a critical role of balancing out those efforts, and had we not been there, it’s safe to say that the outcome would have been considerably worse,” Collegio said.

The strategist is confident about his group’s role in the future, and said he did not fear a decline in contributions from wealthy donors.

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UTREACH Western Union prepaid cards now available at 7,400 Family Dollar locations Industry-leading cards recognized for low fees, innovative features ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (BUSINESS WIRE) – Beginning this week, two industry-leading Western Union prepaid cards will be available at more than 7,400 Family Dollar locations in 45 states.

Western Union (NYSE: WU) and Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE: FDO) are now offering the award-winning Western Union Gold Card MasterCard and the Western Union Telemundo MasterCard at Family Dollar stores throughout theU.S. Western Union and Telemundo created the co-branded card to better serve Hispanic consumers, the fastest- growing consumer segment in the U.S. “Customers – both our own and those of some of the leading prepaid programs in the market – have told us they are highly satisfied with our cards,” said Mike Hafer, Senior Vice President, Global Prepaid, Western Union. “They see our cards as an easy, affordable way to manage their finances, with no monthly, transaction or overdraft fees. We’re pleased to join forces with retailers around the world like Family Dollar to introduce innovative and unique prepaid solutions.”

“Western Union’s prepaid cards align with Family Dollar’s strategy of providing customers with great value and convenience,” said Paul White, Family Dollar’s Executive

Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer. “We believe that the cards will appeal to our current customers, as well as attract new customers to our stores.” Both of the cards can be used anywhere debit MasterCard is accepted, including at ATMs and for online shopping. Cardholders can “top up” or reload their cards four ways: At more than 60,000 retail locations, including Family Dollar stores and 46,000 Western Union Agent locations throughout the U.S. Via payroll or government benefits direct deposit; Directing a Western Union Money Transfer® directly onto the card; Transferring money to the card from a bank account.

Western Union’s general-purpose reloadable (GPR) cards have won five PayBefore Awards in the last two years, including best overall GPR program (Western Union MoneyWise Prepaid MasterCard) and best consumer value (Western Union Gold Card Prepaid MasterCard) in 2012.

To learn more about Western Union’s prepaid cards, visit www.wuprepaid.com.

About Western Union The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi

Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of September 30, 2012, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 510,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments. For more information, visitwww.westernunion.com.

About Family Dollar Beginning with one store in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1959, the Company currently operates more than 7,400 stores in 45 states. Family Dollar Stores, Inc., a Fortune 300 company, is based in Matthews, North Carolina, just outside ofCharlotte and is a publicly held company with common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FDO. For more information, please visit www.familydollar. com.

APO honors ten outstanding students in greater L.A. Los Angeles – It was another awe-inspiring banquet honoring The Outstanding FilipinoAmerican Senior Students (TOFASS) from various high schools in Greater Los Angeles for 2012 held recently at the CBS Studios Center in Studio City.

The five male and five female awardees received their plaques of recognition and supplemental scholarship grants of $1,000 each from APOGLA President Emma Rubina-Galang and Board Chairman Eric Serrano. They were assisted by TOFASS Overall Chairman Bro. Tony N. Amon.

Now on its second year, TOFASS is another service project of Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Greater Los Angeles in partnership with Asian Journal, Kababayan L.A. –KSI Channel 18 and 19th Tee Golf Club. The Awards Night was hosted by Screening Committee and Media Relations Chair Bro. Dan E. Nino and Sis Daemma Mendez-Yazon. The awardees’ credentials of outstanding scholastic achievements and academic excellence during their four years in high school were cited by the two co-hosts and were also part of the slide presentation graphically crafted by Bro. Sancho Sy. Sis Emma R. Galang delivered the welcome remarks. Past APOGLA President Francis C. Mejia delivered the invocation while Bro. Eric Serrano introduced the guest speaker. Bro. Tony N. Amon did the closing remarks and in a rising crescendo towards the end of his speech boomed, “Let’s Rock & Roll” to the delight of the brods and sis

who filled the dance floor and took advantage of the open bar and had more fellowship.

This year’s 10 crème of the crop include Althea May Alquitran of Narbonne High School who is taking up Political Science at UCLA in preparation for her law school; Louie Kristina Angeles of Mayfair High School now pursuing Nursing at Cal State University-Long Beach; Neil Joachim Borja of North Hollywood Highly Gifted Magnet School now taking up Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Jocelyn Kate Castro of Mendez Learning Center now attending UCLA where she is majoring in Neuroscience; and Elisha Charnel Marquez of Eagle Rock High School now attending Stanford University majoring in Economics en route to law school; Rae Adrian Obnimaga of Los Angeles School of Global Studies now attending Cal State University-Long Beach taking up Civil Engineering; Dawn A. Rice of Mayfair High School now taking up Biochemistry at UC Davis; Justin N. Sao of Benjamin Franklin High School now pursuing Chemical Engineering at Stanford University; Albert Francis Tan of North Hollywood High School taking up Business Management at Cal State University-Northridge and Frederick Jan Velez of Los Angeles School of Global Studies now attending L.A. Valley College pursuing Respiratory.

Four of the awardees flew in that Saturday just in time for the Awards Night.

Former mayor and current Artesia Councilman Victor Manalo, Ph. D., delivered the inspirational remarks. He told the 10 TOFASS awardees that your “education is not in the degree, but it is what you do with your education. It should come from an understanding of your core values. Dedicate your education to MANILA, Nov 12 (Mabuhay) – Stable supply and aggressive marketing lifted car sales in the Philippines last month, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. said Monday.

The industry was able to capitalize on the growing economy and the increased purchasing power of Filipinos, said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.

Sales in October reached 15,081 units, up 12 percent from 13,456 a year earlier, the association said in a statement.

Month-on-month, car sales grew 17 percent from 12,857.

“We are very pleased with the outstanding performance of last month’s sales,” Gutierrez noted.

“This was a result of all manufacturers being very aggressive with their marketing efforts coupled with an influx of new model introductions the past months,” he added, Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. president, said in a statement on Monday.

“This is a very clear sign that the industry continues to be strong and is on track. I am confident that we will exceed last year’s performance despite the slow start at the beginning of the year due to supply shortages,” Gutierrez said.

Sales for the first 10 months of the year also grew 7 percent to 126,663 units from 118,762 a year ago.

In terms of market share in the 10 months to October, Toyota Motor Philippines accounted for 42 percent, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines for 22 percent, and Honda Cars Philippines for 8 percent. (MNS)

PHL car sales up 12% in October – CAMPI

improving the common good, to improving your neighborhoods and communities. Like Dr. Jose P. Rizal, an educated man who used his education to fight for Filipino self-rule and Filipino nationalism. We must use our education for the benefit of others. Councilman Manalo, also a professor at Cal State of Los Angeles in Social Work, commended the APO-TOFASS organizers when he e-mailed them with inspiring notes: “You should be proud of the work you are doing to support the best and the brightest of our community to achieve their goals! Congratulations on a wonderful event and thanks again for allowing me to be a part of it.”

The 17 original nominees who were pruned down to 10 were recommended by their school principals and counselors and were thoroughly reviewed by a five panel of judges namely: ABC School Board Member Lynda Johnson, journalist Mylah De Leon, Transportation Commissioner of Buena Park Felix B. Lopez, Immigration lawyer Mel G. Oxciano and journalist Lydia V. Solis.

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DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTE

FIL-AM VETERANS

of 2004 if indeed hazardous wastes were dumped on Subic Bay,” Senator Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said in a separate statement. RA 9275 prohibits any form of dumping of toxic waste inside Philippine territory. “The main point that we need to determine at this point is whether hazardous wastes were dumped on Philippine waters and if so, how do we proceed to clean up, hold the contractor accountable, and make sure that such an incident does not take place again in the future,” he

sia said in saluting not only Filipino and American veterans of the Second World War but also those who have served in other military actions the Philippines was also involved in such as Korea, Vietnam and Iraq.

Ambassador Cuisia also paid tribute to Filipino-Americans serving in the US military, especially those currently serving in Afghanistan, as well as members of the US Special Forces who have served in Mindanao as part of the international war against terror.

“We also express our profound gratitude to those who have served and who continue to serve in the frontlines of the war against terror for without them, our world will not be a safer place,” the Filipino envoy said.

Ambassador Cuisia, at the same time, expressed hope that the US Government will soon act on the plight of more than 24,000 Filipino veterans who were earlier disquali-

From page 1

From page 1

added.

The SBMA Ecology Center and the Coast Guard (PCG) had taken water samples from the MV Glenn Guardian last Oct. 16 to after some residents living along the bay’s shoreline reported possible hazardous waste coming from the ship.

“Per our standards, the sample was not fit for release to the environment as the organic content was beyond the permissible limits,” said Henry Habacon from the Subic Water and Sewerage Company (SWSC), which conducted the lab tests.

PROCUREMENT DEAL From page 1

ernment, according to a Canadian government statement.

“This will help us in our efforts to build our defence and security capabilities,” Aquino said, declining to elaborate. “I cannot go into specifics lest they be observed by less friendly individuals,” he added.

Faced with communist and Islamist insurgencies and an increasingly assertive China, Aquino noted that the military had just two transport aircraft, no fighter jets and just 132 mainly World War II-era ships.

“The fundamental issue is that we have a lot of outmoded equip-

ment,” he said.

The Canadian Commercial Corp. serves as a go-between between Canadian suppliers and foreign governments to transact defence and security contracts.

The Philippines has been in the market for patrol vessels to protect its waters, including areas that overlap with territory claimed by China.

Manila’s military treaty ally the United States is set this year to deliver a second refurbished Hamilton-class cutter, previously used by the US Coast Guard, to the Philippine Navy.

PSE NEW RULES From page 1

history has been peppered with policy reversals, about-faces and too many moving variables,” PSE President Hans Sicat said during SEC’s public dialogue on the new rules on foreign ownership.

“The last two years have seen an improvement in the country’s economic and governance structure.

This development (the new rules) comes at such a critical juncture that it threatens to reverse a lot of the gains we had made as a nation,” Sicat continued.

SEC on Monday released a draft memorandum circular, reflecting a Supreme Court decision in October which defines the 60% Filipino ownership requirement for public utilities must apply separately to each class of shares. The public dialogue is being done to finetune the details of the new measure before the SEC finalizes the circular.

SEC Chair Teresita Herbosa said during the dialogue that the new rules are being proposed not just because of the Supreme Court ruling but to reflect “the spirit of the constitution.” The foreign equity issue stemmed from a court

case filed by a Wilson Gamboa, a Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. shareholder who asked the High Court to nullify the government’s sale of PLDT shares to Hong Kong’s First Pacific Company Ltd. This gave birth to PLDT’s foreign equity problem after the Supreme Court in June last year ruled that Filipinos must own 60% of the firm’s common shares as opposed to measuring Filipino ownership against total outstanding capital stock which includes preferred shares with no voting powers.

PLDT Head for Regulatory and Policy Affairs Ray Espinosa said in the same dialogue the proposed rules could hurt financial markets and the economy. “At a time that we’re trying to achieve investment grade status in terms of credit ratings, i would think this application of the [Supreme Court ruling] and an expansive rule on restriction on foreign ownership to actually be a force that would counter all of the efforts of our present government to achieve higher credit ratings,” Espinosa said.

fied from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund program.

“With the elections over, we are hoping that the US Government would now be able to move the process forward,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he again thanked the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for the creation of an Interagency Working Group that would review the applications of the disqualified veterans.

Retired Maj. Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, head of the Office of Veterans Affairs at the Philippine Embassy, said the disqualification issue stemmed from the guidelines being implemented by the National Personnel Records Center, which certifies the services of Filipino veterans. Accordingly the guidelines require that the names of veteran-claimants appear in both the Roster of Troops and the Discharge List prepared by the US Army at the end of the Second World War.

From page 1

cused of orchestrating the massacre of 58 people in 2009 in an attempt to stop a local rival’s election challenge.

The Ampatuans allegedly led a group of about 100 gunmen in stopping a convoy of cars carrying relatives of the rival political candidate, their lawyers and journalists, and then shooting them dead in a remote area.

The family patriarch, Andal Ampatuan Snr, as well as his son and

namesake, who allegedly personally led the massacre, are among 75 people currently on trial over the murders. The Supreme Court’s decision upheld a petition filed by Ampatuan Jnr, who argued that live coverage made him look guilty.

President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman immediately expressed concern over the court’s ruling.

“This is the litmus test of the judiciary and it is important for us, both the public and media, to be

18 FIL-AM CANDIDATES From page 1

honor not just to their fellow Filipino-Americans here in the United States but to the entire Filipino race.”

“Slowly but surely, Filipino-Americans are making their presence felt in US politics,” said the envoy who had actively campaigned for a stronger participation of the Filipino-American Community in the elections.

“We are confident that in the next elections, we will see more Filipino-Americans make successful bids for elective positions that would allow them to not only help advance the interests of the more than 4 million Filipinos in the US but also shape American policy towards the Philippines.”

Ambassador Cuisia said Filipino-American candidates fared well in Monday’s elections with 18 of the 29 candidates wining their respective electoral races in Virginia, Hawaii and California. Except for Dr. Marisha Agana who made an unsuccessful bid for the US House of Representatives as Republican candidate for the Third District of Ohio, all the other candidates ran under the Democratic Party.

Congressman Scott, whose maternal grandfather is Filipino, is the most prominent among the Filipino-American election winners. He is the first American of Filipino descent to become a voting member of the US House of Representatives.

In California, Vice Mayor Rob Bonta of Alameda made history by becoming the first Filipino-American to be elected to the State Assembly.

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“Unfortunately, the claims of a large number of Filipino veterans were not processed because their names appear only in one list or the other but not both,” General Lorenzana said. “What we are requesting the US government is for them to consider all available sources of records and not just the two lists.”

The disqualified veterans comprise 56 percent of the 43,083 surviving veterans who filed their claims under the compensation fund, which grants a one-time lump sum of $15,000 for veterans who have become US citizens and $9,000 for those who retained their Philippine citizenship.

General Lorenzana said the US Government has so far released a total of $223.7 million to 18,698 Filipino veterans from the $265-million compensation fund that was part of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed into law in 2009.

MASSACRE TRIAL

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able to know what’s going on in the massacre trial,” spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, which has a strong interest in the case because 32 of the victims were media workers, said it would appeal.

Nevertheless, television networks had not broadcast the proceedings prior to Monday’s ruling because conditions imposed last year made it impractical.

CAYETANO ON RH BILL From page 1

“There are only a few days left, and I would hate for this measure not to get to a vote because we dillydallied,” she added.

Only Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Ralph Recto have yet to take their turns in the floor deliberations.

“I know the amendments both of them want to make,” Cayetano said of her two colleagues. “It’s just a matter of putting it out there on the floor. Either I accept it or I reject it.”

“If I do reject it, and they want to appeal that to the body, we put it to a vote. It’s as simple as that,” she said.

Enrile is opposed to the use of contraceptives, while Recto does not want to add more burden to local government units by letting them implement the provisions of the bill.

Cayetano said she was not being “unreasonable” about wanting to put the RH Bill to a vote. “I don’t require that the RH Bill is on the agenda every single day,” she said.

“But when I hear statements that RH will take a backseat, or that we have to shelf RH for this year, that really annoys me,” Cayetano said.

“I only need half an hour. Don’t give me that... wala ng time for that,” she added.

KOREAN NOODLES From page 1

Neoguri, Mild Neoguri, Neoguri Cup Noodles, Saewootang Cup Noodles and Seng Seng Udong.

“The BOC cannot actually ban the importation of these Korean noodles as it is the FDA who issues the ban,” Biazon said.

“However, we will ensure that these Korean noodle brands are not released without proper clearance from the FDA. If after subjecting them to FDA testing,

results will show that they contain the cancer causing benzopyrene substance, we will implement the ban.”

This comes days after the South Korean embassy urged the Philippine government to lift the ban on the said instant noodles, saying the Korean FDA has already issued a certification that the noodles are safe for consumption. (MNS)

DISPUTED ISLAND From page 1

water supply and drainage systems will be stepped-up in the new “capital” city of Sansha on Yongxing, one of the islands that make up the disputed Paracel chain, Luo Baoming, Communist Party secretary of southern Hainan Province told state television on Saturday.

Luo also said steps will also be taken to enforce China’s “legal rights” in the region, which includes other island chains which are the subject of competing claims by Asian countries.

Beijing enraged Vietnam and caused concern in Washington when it announced the establishment of a new city and military garrison at Sansha in July.

The island, under the control of Hainan Province, will have administrative control over a re-

gion that encompasses not only the Paracels, but Macclesfield Bank, a largely sunken atoll to the east, and the Spratly Islands to the south.

The sovereignty of each remains a matter of dispute.

“To safeguard our legal rights in the South China Sea, we are now coordinating between the relevant departments in order to set a more unified, and efficient law enforcing body,” Luo said.

Domestic media reported in August that work had begun on sewage disposal and waste collection facilities for the island’s roughly 1,000 residents.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, which is home to vital shipping lanes and substantial proven and estimated oil and gas deposits.

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Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012: The Angels have landed (Relaxnews) – New York City played host to Victoria’s Secret models on November 7 in a big budget fashion show at the 69th Regiment Armory.

The lingerie brand’s annual fashion extravaganza, held in New York City at the Lexington Armory, featured some of the world’s most beautiful women soundtracked by pop’s biggest stars.

This year’s show included Victoria’s Secret ‘Angels’ Doutzen Kroes, Adriana Lima (who only 8 weeks ago gave birth to a baby boy) and Alessandra Ambrosio among a cast of supermodel stars.

Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Rihanna provided the music at the multimillion dollar bash.

Ed Razek, chief creative officer for the brand, explained the appeal to WWD: “Our show was the number-one TV show for adults in the U.S. last year for people 18 to 49 years old, and the number-one TV show for adult women ages 18 to 34. That’s the target audience for a lot of advertisers”.

Victoria’s Secret has donated $1 million to help hurricane victims, and broadcaster CBS has also donated $1 million. The brand loaned the US national

Justin Bieber performs during the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

Karlie Kloss at the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on November 7, 2012 in New York

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show - British faces join in the action (AFP/Relaxnews) – As the countdown to famed lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret annual fashion show in New York intensifies, more details emerge about what to expect, including debut walks from Burberry stars Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn.

The Victoria’s Secret show will take place Wednesday at New York’s 69th Regiment Armory, and despite the global focus on the US elections, excitement has been building for days.

More and more exciting rumors are emerging from the set, which will see the famous Victoria’s Secret Angels like Doutzen Kroes, Behati Prinsloo and Alessandra Ambrosio parade down the runway in the brand’s famous lingerie sets, alongside superstar model guests.

There will also be a special costume designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of SwarovskiElements’ partnership with the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Conjured from Swarovski crystals and beads sewn onto nude-tone netting, it’s set to be a highlight. Brazilian model and brand spokesperson Alessandra Ambrosio will also finally get to show off the $2.5 million Floral Fantasy bra announced last month.

Todd Thomas, collection designer, described this year’s show as “magical” to WWD. “This year’s show will open with a spectacular theme that sets the tone for the entire show...there will be nostalgic romance, historical fashion and epic references to pop culture,” he added.

Karlie Kloss was last year’s prize import from the world of high

Model Jourdan Dunn presenting a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Spring/Summer 2013 ready-to-wear collection show on September 29, 2012 in Paris. Jourdan Dunn will take to the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time this year. AFP PHOTO/PIERRE VERDY

fashion, but the big news this time around is the presence of two of the style set’s biggest names in the form of Cara Delevingne andJourdan Dunn. The two British models, famed for their work with Burberry, jetted in to New York City over the weekend. Dunn announced a ‘London takeover’ on her twitter account, telling her followers: “Me and @Caradelevingne are on our way to NY!!!! Who’s ready?#LDNTAKEOVER #VSFashionShow”

The Angels spent Tuesday preparing their final walks, and the rest of the time in the gym. Fellow Victoria’s Secret dubutant Hilary Rhoda was definitely making sure she was prepared, tweeting her workout from a gym in New York City: “#VSFashionShow

training...

Doutzen Kroes and Rihanna in the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. AFP PHOTOS/TIMOTHY A. CLARY

You get out what you put in! @ Gotham Gymhttp://instagr.am/p/ RnGV2mFZZX/”

The show will feature musical

performances from Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber. The Canadian star let his 29 million followers know his excitement - “i repeat...

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. #REAL #HadToRepeatThat”.

The Victoria’s Secret show airs on CBS in the US on December 4.

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Plus-size models may boost body image, study says (Relaxnews) - The cultural obsession with slim female figures could be overturned if advertising flaunted fuller-sized models, a new British study suggests.

Researchers from Durham University in the UK enlisted 100 women to view pictures of models of various sizes. The more images of thin models the subjects saw, the more they preferred thin bodies.

However, women who habitually strongly preferred thin models were “significantly less keen” on thinner body types after they’d been shown photos of plus-sized models.

The effects also worked when showing women images of ordinary women as well as models.

“This really gives us some food for thought about the power of exposure to super-slim bodies,” says lead author Dr. Lynda Boothroyd from the university’s psychology department. “There is evidence that being constantly surrounded through the media by celebrities and models who are very thin contributes to girls and women having an unhealthy attitude to their bodies.”

‘Oversize is the hottest trend this season’ – fashion consultant Muriel Piaser (Relaxnews) – Paris-based international fashion consultant Muriel Piaser shares her take on upcoming trends and accessories with Relaxnews, this month offering tips on how to stay chic and sexy even with your winter gear on to face dropping temperatures.

Relaxnews: What will be the hottest trend of 2012?

Muriel Piaser: The fall trends allow you to create a retro vintage look with a futuristic twist: you can play with those elements to stay chic!

The hottest trend in my opinion is the oversize look, very popular this season, achieved through an XXL vintage overcoat, a loose jacquard sweater, dark or black slim cigarette cut pants, and pointy-toed shoes, all teamed with a two-tone clutch.

In terms of accessories, a capstyle hat and vintage ombré shades work well. When it comes to jewelry, choose cuffs, bracelets, multistrand necklaces, a chic sporty watch and a gold ring.

R: How can you stay elegant and feminine when temperatures drop?

MP: You can stay elegant by playing with the classic elements of your closet, presenting them in a different way: bringing out some flashy colors can shake up an otherwise classic look, wear socks with sandal styles, try dark reddish brown lipstick, a monochrome look or add jewels to your collar. You can also play with an androgynous look, braid your hair or tie it into a bun.

R: As for accessories, what will be on trend this season?

MP: Fingerless leather or halflength cashmere gloves will be in style this fall, as well as printed scarves with geometric patterns, neon-colored loose-knit styles and silk scarves with animal or ethnic prints. Also on my style radar are caps, wide-brimmed hats, oversize bags, smaller chain-strap bags, leg warmers and leggings. Go for any kind of accessories that give your look a twist!

The thinner the better? Maybe not: a new study finds that women prefer a mix of body types after they are presented with more images of plus-size figures.

Luxury makes world go round, says Karl Lagerfeld (PARIS-AFP) - Luxury is what makes the world go round, and France is still top of the game, Karl Lagerfeld said Thursday at the opening of a celebrity-studded photo show devoted to Chanel’s little black jacket.

“There is a French touch that shows immediately,” said the whitehaired German designer, who has all of Chanel’s clothes made in France – with the exception of shoes in Italy and knitwear in Britain.

“For now we are still unbeatable, but it is a battle,” Lagerfield told AFP when asked about emerging market competitors snapping at the heels of the French and European luxury sector.

“If I don’t defend French luxury then I might as well leave,” he quipped.

“Luxury is stuff that nobody needs but it has a huge advantage: people want it. And people will make much more effort for a desire than for something they more or less need,” he said.

“Luxury is elitist, but what mat-

ters is to sell, and we shouldn’t worry too much who we are selling to,” he said. “Throwing money out the window is the only way to get it coming through the door.”

“Luxury works. It keeps people in jobs.”

From Uma Thurman to Kirsten Dunst or a pregnant Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lagerfeld photographed a Who’s Who of glamour for a book published last year to fete the little black jacket created by Coco Chanel in 1954.

Turned into a travelling exhibit, the show is in Paris from November 10 to 25, to coincide with a monthlong photography festival, after Tokyo, New York, Taipei, Hong Kong, Sydney, London and Moscow, with Berlin and Seoul to come.

The London show alone drew some 160,000 visitors.

Lily Allen and Kanye West joined the likes of fashion designers Haider Ackermann, Riccardo Tisci and Alexander Wang in modeling 113 variations on the jacket – kitted out as geisha, vamp, nun or punk

rocker.

Yoko Ono, dancing in a vintage black top hat, gets her own series of six shots.

A former French Vogue editor, who teamed up with Lagerfeld for the project, poses as Gabrielle Chanel.

And US Vogue’s priestess of style Anna Wintour, snapped from the back, is instantly recognizable from her trademark bob.

One half of the house’s iconic suit, the tweed jacket, was designed

by Coco Chanel to “fit like a second skin”.

To get a perfect fit, Chanel would get her clients to cross their arms when measuring them up. A brass chain was positioned at the bottom hem, concealed by the lining, to ensure “it always hung just so,” says the house.

Lagerfeld separated it from its skirt, pairing it in the 1980s with jeans, with dresses, swimsuits, even knickers – updating the cut with slimmer sleeves and narrower shoulders.

More young men than women selling sex in Sweden: study STOCKHOLM, Nov 12, 2012 (AFP) – More than twice as many young men in Sweden sell sex as do women, a study published Monday by the Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs said.

According to the study, 2.1 percent of Swedish males aged 16 to 25 said they had prostituted themselves in 2012, compared to 0.8 percent of women.

“Behind these figures, there are about 20,000 people who need help,” said Marie Nyman, a spokeswoman for the board.

“We have a hard time understanding why guys outnumber girls,” she said.

A representative for the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education told the news agency TT that it could be speculated that young gay men “have an easier time accepting their sexuality if they do it in exchange for something, like a few beers or a recharge of their phone card.”

The study found that 21.9 percent of youths aged 16 to 25 “think it is acceptable that others have sexual relations in exchange for compensation,” adding that young men are in general more tolerant than young women.

Half of the clients of male and female prostitutes under the age of 26 were also under the age of 26, Nyman said. The study was based on responses from the 2,254 Swedes questioned in the survey.

A 2006 study published in a US medical journal specialised in sexually transmitted diseases, entitled “Estimates of the Number of Female Sex Workers in Different Regions of the World”, showed that Sweden had one of the lowest rates of female prostitution in the world, at just 0.1 percent.

Queen’s wardrobe secrets revealed in new book (LONDON-AFP) - A gust of wind in her skirts worked for Marilyn Monroe, but aides to Queen Elizabeth II take care to avoid any such incident for the monarch by sewing weights into her dresses, one of her aides revealed Monday.

“The queen undertakes a wide range of engagements, many of which take place in the open air, where a sudden breeze could cause embarrassment,” writes Angela Kelly, the queen’s personal assistant, adviser and curator, in a new book.

“If we think this is a possibility, we will very occasionally use weights, discreetly sewn into the seams of day dresses.”

The glossy hardback opens the door on the work involved in creating the 86-year-old monarch’s famously immaculate style, which saw her voted one of the world’s most glamorous women by British Vogue magazine in 2007.

It reveals the two years of preparations for the Diamond Jubilee in June, including how the queen’s white outfit worn to the river pageant was inspired by Elizabeth I and designed to stand out against the deep reds of the royal barge.

Kelly also describes how palace dressmakers were asked to make two identical versions of the crystal and lace peach cocktail dress the queen wore to the opening ceremony of the London Olym-

pic Games in July, without knowing why.

One was worn by the monarch and the other by the stunt double who jumped out of a plane alongside James Bond, in one of the highlights of the night.

“Dressing the Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe”, which features lavish photographs and design sketches, also reveals how the queen uses her clothes to make a diplomatic point.

This included wearing Irish green on her historic visit to the republic in May 2011, and having one of her outfits on a tour to Canada in 2010 embellished with beads by women from the Mi’kmaq indigenous community.

A television screen grab on July 29, 2012, shows British actor Daniel Craig (left) playing James Bond escorting Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (2nd from left) for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LOCOG

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Manny Pacquiao in training

Even with eight world titles under his belt, Manny Pacquiao shows training is tiring after all. But as the saying goes: No pain, no gain. Photos: Benny Uy

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Ten countries to discover in 2013

Kosice, Slovakia Photo: Radovan

Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo Photo: snowblurred/shutterstock.com

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(Relaxnews) – Lonely Planet recommends 10 overlooked countries to visit next year, from Sri Lanka to Ecuador. Follow the guide...

Sri Lanka With the conflict over, Sri Lanka is on the cusp of a tourism boom.

The destination is still affordable, but you can expect prices to spike in the next few years. Points of interest include a Dutch fortification from the 17th century in Galle, a city that has earned a spot in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Montenegro Nestled between sea and moutain, Montenegro has a great diversity of landscapes to offer.

Points of interest include its five national parks, including Durmitor, which boasts ski slopes, as well as Tara canyon, the deepest in Europe (1,900m).

South Korea A great destination for outdoorsy types, with plenty of opportunities for golf, fishing and trekking.

Points of interest include a bike ride that goes through the demilitarized zone and opens two Sundays every month.

Ecuador Next year, the country will inaugurate its brand new railroad network after the old one was devasted

by El Nino in the late 1990s. Rail is a great way to get around in the country, from the capital Quito to the picturesque coastal town of Guayaquil, or towards volcanoes Cotopaxi and Nariz del Diablo. Points of interest include the handycraft market of Otavalo, near Quito.

Slovakia In 2013, the city of Kosice turns into a Cultural Capital of Europe. A slew of events will take place over the year, from the city’s castles to its amphitheater. The surrounding moutains also boast affordable ski resorts with modernized infrastructure.

Points of interest in the country include capital city Bratislava and national parks Poloniny and Slovak Paradise.

Solomon Islands

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A haven for nature lovers and divers, the islands and their waters offer plenty of opportunities to go trekking, volcano climbing, kayaking and surfing. The archipelago stands out among Pacific nations for its efforts to preserve its flora and fauna. Points of interest include an impressive number of sunk ships for divers to explore.

Iceland The increasingly popular tourist destination is famous for its night life, its outdoor activities (the country boasts a number of hot springs, fjords and volcanoes) and the stunning spectacle of Northern Lights.

Things to do when include a road trip around the Ring Road to discover the island’s various landscapes.

Turkey With a slew of new low-cost flights between Europe and the South-East of Tukey, tourists can venture outside of classic tourist spots Istanbul and Antalya. Mardin and Midyad, for instance, offer sightseeing of Ottoman heritage sites. Points of interests include the neolithic site of Göbekli Tepe (12,000 old) and the Abraham path, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of the Prophet from his birth town, Harran.

Dominican Republic A hotspot at the dawn of the new millennium, the Dominican Republic is trendy again, thanks to the development of luxury hotels in the region, once considered a budget destination. Points of interest include Damajagua’s 27 falls, a great location for trekking, climbing and dipping.

Madagascar The country’s wide array of breathtaking landscapes is a great location for tight budgets, but prices could go up after next year’s presidential election. The island’s biodiversity has always been a hit with nature lovers. Things to do on location include watching lemurs or whales in their natural habitats, and discovering the canyons, cliffs and waterfalls of Isalo national park.

(These destinations are featured in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2013, $14.99)

EU looks at easing visas for Russians, Chinese ( BRUSSELSAFP) – With newly-affluent Russians and Chinese queuing up to tour the EU, Brussels on Wednesday urged European nations to facilitate travel More than one million Schengen visas were isvisas to help spur sued in 2011, twice as many as in 2008. Photo: jan b a d l y - n e e d e d kranendonk/shutterstock.com economic growth.

“It’s business,” said the commissioner for industry Antonio Tajani. “Tourism and travel facilitation have always been high on my agenda.”

Foreign travellers last year spent over 330 billion euros ($424 billion) in the European Union, the world’s top tourist destination, where the sector provides 18.8 million jobs.

Calling on the 27-nation bloc to do more to streamline common visa policy, Tajani said that he, for example, favoured granting Russians visa-free travel. The issue is expected to come up at an EU-Russia summit December 21.

But European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem cautioned against doing away with travel documents altogether. “We can facilitate obtaining visas for Russia, China and other countries but it would be more complex to abolish them.”

Visas issued for entry into the 26-nation Schengen passportfree area have risen spectacularly in recent years.

Some 460,000 Schengen visas were issued in India last year against 340,000 in 2007, while for China more than one million were issued in 2011, twice as many as in 2008.

Russia however outdid them all with 5.1 million visas issued in 2011 compared to 3.5 million in 2007.

The EU’s executive says countries need to stick to short deadlines to grant appointments and issue papers while simplifying application forms and reducing fees.

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Olympics: London stadium closed till 2015

The London Olympic Stadium. AFP PHOTO / LONDON 2012 / ANTHONY CHARLTON

Priceline to buy rival travel site Kayak for $1.8 billion

(LONDON-AFP) – London’s Olympic Stadium will remain closed until at least August 2015, the authority responsible for its future said Wednesday, adding there was no NFL bid to make it a permanent American football team base.

Dennis Hone, chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said a 2014 reopening of the venue in Stratford, east London, was “completely out,” and that the earliest date “would be August 2015”. The stadium is scheduled to stage the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe, elected chairman of the British Olympic Association on Wednesday and a vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which runs the World Athletics Championships, said he would be keeping a close eye on developments.

“I am also the client with my

position in the IAAF so we will be watching that very closely,” Coe said.

NFL has brought annual regular season matches to northwest London’s Wembley Stadium since 2007 and will stage two such games at the 90,000-capacity venue next year.

That prompted speculation that the NFL might look to make the 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium a permanent home for an American football franchise as the sport seeks to expand its appeal beyond the United States.

But Hone confirmed there were just four bids on the table to take on a 99-year lease at the Olympic Stadium, the centerpiece of the London 2012 Games, with NFL not among them.

“We have no formal bids outside of the competition or otherwise by American football to go in to the stadium,” he told the London Assembly local authority.

“We are running a competition

and we have four bidders. There are no bids outside that.”

He did not rule out the prospect that a stadium built to include an athletics track in legacy could also work with the winter sport of American football. The combination would be “a challenge definitely,” he noted.

The four bidders vying for the Olympic Stadium lease are nearby football clubs West Ham and Leyton Orient, the University College of Football Business and a firm wanting to stage a Formula One race that would go inside the stadium.

No date has been set for when a new tenant will be announced for the £486 million ($775 million, 610 million euros) stadium. A decision is not expected before December.

Hone said the amount of work needed to fine-tune the bids meant August 2015 or even August 2016 would be the most likely reopening date.

(NEW YORK-AFP) – Priceline pany.” has agreed to buy rival travel webPriceline Group, which originatsite Kayak in a stock-and-cash deal ed as a website allowing travelers worth $1.8 billion, the companies to bid or negotiate prices, is now a said Thursday. broad travel operator, with the webPriceline Group president and sites Booking.com, priceline.com, chief executive Jeffery Boyd said Agoda.com and Rentalcars.com. It Kayak “has world class technology operates in some 180 countries. and a tradition of innovation,” and that “we can be helpful with Kayak’s plans to build a global online travel brand.”

The deal comes just months after Kayak launched a long-delayed public offering that raised some $91 million.

Kayak allows people to compare hundreds of travel sites at once when Toll Free: searching for flights, hotels Fleet Sales Manager Sales & Leasing Sales & Leasing and rental cars, and gives Finance Manager travelers choices on where Other Other to book.

COROLLA LS’s COROLLA LE’s Available Available It handles over 100 million user queries each month through its global websites and mobile applications.

“Kayak has built a strong brand in online Other Other CAMRY LE’s Camry SE’s travel research and their Available Available track record of profitable growth is demonstrative of their popularity with consumers and value to advertisers,” said Boyd.

The company first anOther Other nounced its IPO in 2010, PRIUS’s FJ CRUISER’s Available Available but delayed the offer amid a weak economy and concern about Google’s purchase of flight information company ITA Software, a move that threatened to hurt other travel sites.

Other TACOMA’s Kayak Software CorpoAvailable ration was created in 2004 by travel sites Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz “to take a different approach” by allowing consumers to compare hundreds of travOther ALL IN el sites at once.

VENZA LE Available STOCK As part of the deal, Kayak’s current management team will continue to manage operations independently of Priceline.

The agreement calls for Priceline to pay $500 million in cash and $1.3 billion in equity and assumed stock options.

Kayak, which went public in July at $26 a share, will get up to $40 a share under the agreement.

“Seeing a merger from a company which has only been public a short time is not the norm. Usually, it is the newly public companies which make acquisitions,” said Jon Ogg at 24/7 Wall Street.

“Every single shareholder who bought shares and held on is now going to have a handsome profit from their investment in Kayak.”

Kayak chief executive and co-founder Steve Hafner said of the deal: “We’re excited to join the 57 5 world’s premier online 1331 N. EUCLID, ANAHEIM 91 M I L L E R T O Y O T A O C . c o m travel company. The PricAll Prices Plus Government Fees And Taxes, Any Finance Charges, $80 Dealer Document Preparation Charge and Any Emission Testing Charge and any electronic fi ling charge. Where Applicable.

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KITCHENOMICS What a spread!

FAMILY FEATURES

A

holiday celebration at home should be as much fun for the hosts as for friends and family. With a little advance planning, the goal of effortless entertaining is suddenly within reach.

First, make it brunch, typically lighter and simpler to prepare than dinner. Buffet style is another smart choice — just arrange the dishes on pretty holiday linens and invite guests to serve themselves.

Half of the work is done when you go with full-flavored imported Italian cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano and Montasio, and air-cured hams like Prosciutto di Parma and Prosciutto di San Daniele. As PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products, they belong to a special group of high-quality European foods that can be made only in specific geographical regions.

Four dishes that add up to a no-stress brunch buffet:

A frittata with the deeply savory flavors of Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. It’s equally delicious warm or at room temperature, whichever is more convenient.

Thumbprint biscuits featuring melted Montasio cheese in the indentations on top — a clever touch for biscuits made with ready-made dough.

Another brilliant two-ingredient recipe consists of eggs baked in Prosciutto di San Daniele “cups.” They are crisp, creamy and irresistible.

Festive garnishes for a salad of deep green kale leaves, tossed with orange vinaigrette, include Grana Padano shards, pears and pine nuts.

For more information on the PDO system and holiday recipes using these legendary cheeses and hams, visit www.legendsfromeurope.com.

Think About Drinks One way to keep it simple is to settle on a house drink for your brunch buffet, such as a Poinsettia Cocktail made with one part cranberry juice and one part Grand Marnier to four parts prosecco. For the nonalcoholic version, combine the juice with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.

Eggs Baked in Prosciutto di San Daniele Cups and Kale Salad with Grana Padano and Citrus Dressing

Montasio Cheese Thumbprint Biscuits Yield: 8 biscuits 1 package store bought ready-made biscuit dough 1 cup coarsely grated Montasio cheese Preheat oven to 400°F. Separate biscuits onto a parchment lined or lightly greased baking sheet.

With your thumb, press into center of each biscuit to form a small well. Fill each well with 2 tablespoons of the grated Montasio. Bake until tops are golden, about 8 minutes. Serve immediately.

Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano Frittata Yield: 4 to 6 portions 8 large eggs 1/2 cup whole milk 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 3 ounces thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma, torn into 1-inch pieces 6 scallions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup (2 ounces) coarsely grated Parmigiano Reggiano 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk with an electric beater until frothy; add pepper. Stir in the Prosciutto di Parma, scallions and cheese. Heat oil in an 8-inch oven proof skillet; add egg mixture and cook over medium heat until edges are set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place in oven and bake until firm, 15 to 20 minutes.

Montasio Cheese Thumbprint Biscuits and Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano Frittata

Eggs Baked in Prosciutto di San Daniele Cups Yield: 12 portions 12 slices Prosciutto di San Daniele 12 large eggs Preheat oven to 400°F. Fold one slice of Prosciutto di San Daniele in half crosswise to make a rectangle. Fit into a muffin cup.

Crack egg into lined cup. Repeat with remaining ham and eggs.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes to desired doneness.

Kale Salad with Grana Padano and Citrus Dressing Yield: 5 cups 1/2 pound kale 1 large Anjou or Bartlett pear, sliced 1/2 cup Grana Padano shards 1/4 cup pine nuts or sliced almonds, toasted 2 tablespoons orange juice 2 tablespoons white wine or balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Remove ribs from kale and cut into 1-inch ribbons; place in a large salad bowl. Add pear, cheese and nuts.

Whisk together orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Pour over salad and toss.

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Wednesday - Tuesday, NovemberJune 14-20, Wednesday - Tuesday, 132012 - 19, 2012

INMENT

It’s over between Andi, Jake Ejercito Actress Andi Eigenmann tearfully admit- stressed that she understands why Jose did ted that she and Jake Ejercito have broken up that. amid reports that his parents are against her “At first po siyempre nasaktan talaga for their son. ako kung bakit ginawa ‘yun ng mommy ko “Hindi po. Wala na po. Opo [break na],” kasi kung mahal niya kami ni Jake or mashe said. “Hindi po ako sigurado [kung dahil lang doon]. Siguro po, baka. Kasi dahil mahirap, I’m in showbiz, may anak na ako, baka nahihirapan siya, baka nagiging pabigat na sa kanya to be with someone like me.”

The revelation comes after Eigenmann’s mother Jaclyn Jose revealed that Ejercito’s parents, former President Joseph Estrada and former movie star Laarni Enriquez, do not seem to approve of her daughter for their son because she has a child out of wedlock.

With all the intrigues that have hounded them in the past week, she said she agreed to the interview because it is the only way that she could think of to reach out to Ejercito’s parents and apologize.

“Hindi naman po talaga ako papayag sa interview. Hiyang hiya po ta- Jake Ejercito laga ako kasi nasasama sila, they’re private hal niya ako, sana hindi na lang niya ‘yun people. Pero alam ko rin po kasi na walang ginawa kasi alam naman niyang maa-affect ibang way para makapag-sorry. I don’t na- ako doon. Pero I’m not mad at her or anyman expect acceptance. I just hope na I’d be thing kasi alam ko naman na she’s just being forgiven,” she said, adding that she was hop- a mom, she’s just looking after me,” she said. ing to talk to Ejercito’s mom personally.

For Eigenmann, it was just unfortunate Meanwhile, the actress said she was really that the people interpreted her mom’s words caught off guard when her mom talked about the wrong way.

Ejercito’s parents last week. She, however, “Naiintindihan ko naman po kung bakit

‘yun nasabi ng mommy ko, it’s just that mali lang ‘yung pagkakaintindi ng tao. They made it seem like my mom is putting Jake’s parents, Jake’s mom, in a bad light. Hindi naman po ganun ‘yun eh. Wala naman pong masama.

Andi Eigenmann

Gusto lang po nila ‘yung best for their son and if they don’t think that I’m what’s best for him, the only thing that I can do is respect it,” she said.

Eigenmann said she doesn’t know if Ejercito’s parents really disapprove of her.

“In all honesty, I never knew kung ayaw sa akin nung mom ni Jake. I just know na Jake

has always been so obedient to his parents.

With me naman, kasi may anak na po ako and I’m only 22 – same with Jake, he’s still 22 and he’s studying – so kung tingin ng mga tao na hindi po puwede, hindi muna – hindi ko po alam talaga kung hindi puwede forever or sa ngayon lang. Wala po kaming magagawa kundi sumunod po doon,” she said.

But whether Ejercito’s parents like her or not, Eigenamann said she wants to prove to them that she also deserves to be loved.

“Masakit po iyon na parang hindi ako ‘yung ideal person na ipapakilala sa mga magulang.

Hindi ko alam kung dahil may anak na ako or dahil meron lang talagang mali sa akin na hindi gusto ng parents. Ipapakita ko po sa kanila na I deserve naman po to be loved. Siguro po nasaktan ko po si Jake dati kaya ayaw lang siguro ng mom niya na maulit yun. Naiintindihan ko po iyon. Sa tignin ko naman po I still deserve a chance and hindi naman po yata ako bad person just because nagkamali ako dati,” she said.

The actress, however, said she still wants to be with Ejercito.

“Sa dreams ko, sana mangyari na sana siya talaga ‘yung para sa akin. Pero kung ayaw niya wala naman po tayong magagawa. Hindi naman po ako puwedeng mamilit,” she said. (MNS)

Andi apologizes to Jake’s parents Sarah Geronimo to hold Actress Andi Eigenmann apologized to former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada and his family after her mother, Jaclyn Jose, disclosed that that Ejercitos disapproves of the young actress for their son Jake Ejercito.

In a previous interview, Jose hinted that Ejercito’s parents perhaps don’t approve of the relationship because Eigenmann already has a child.

In her official blog site, Eigenmann said sorry to those who were put in a bad light because of her mother’s statement.

“In behalf of my mother, Id just like to apologize for certain things she might have said that might have put certain people in a bad light. I know, for a fact, that it wasn’t her intention at all. Andi Eigenmann Maybe at that point, she too was only being a mom. Just as your parents would want what’s best for you, she just wants the same for me, and this time I’m guessing she just wanted to let others know that I deserve it too. (In her opinion, that is),” she wrote.

“I’m not angry at my mother, don’t get me wrong. Besides the fact that I’m not allowing myself to, (because) I have respect for her, I also know that she couldn’t have possibly done that to throw Jake and I under the bus on purpose,” she added.

In her blog post, Eigenmann also admitted that she loves Ejercito.

“I just really hope I’d be granted an opportunity to apologize personally, to show more sincerity than this blog post. But I guess this could be a good way to start. Maybe somehow I’d be heard. Well just in case, here goes,” she wrote.

“I wouldn’t have fallen in love with such a fine young man if not for the amazing parents he has that surely raised him well. People who brought him up to be the smart, kind-hearted, humble gentleman that he is. Therefore, I know for a fact that it will be wrong for all of you to judge his parents negatively just because they only want what’s best for him. Now that I’m a mother myself, it’s easier for me to see the

picture from their angle. Both from my mom’s and his. I may not be as experienced as they are, maybe I have yet to gain even half the amount of wisdom they have, but what I’m sure of is that both our parents will do anything just as long as we, the children, will never be put to harm.

“So just as a lot of you may understand my situation and believe that I still deserve to be loved and respected amidst what I have gone through, we should all understand that his parents only want the best for their son. I can attest to the fact that they do not have closed minds at all and that there maybe two sides to this story as well. I will do the honor of throwing myself under the bus, myself, by trying to speak on behalf of them too.

“The mistake I made in the past was not the fact that I have Ellie. It goes beyond that. Obviously, Ellie wouldn’t have happened if her dad was out of the picture already. And then maybe Jake and I could’ve lived happily ever after. I trust that you guys be smart enough to figure that one out for yourselves.”

In the end, Eigenmann only appealed to give her the chance to prove that she’s worthy of Ejercito’s love and that she deserves a second chance even if she committed a mistake in the past.

“Normally, the Andi that learned from her mistakes would’ve just chosen to keep quiet and wait for things to die down. I would have chosen to leave all this up to God and trust that he’d keep Jake and I happy. But it’s harder when it’s someone else you truly care about that gets affected. I know maybe I’ll never be good enough for him in other people’s eyes. But I also know that because I do care a lot, I can prove them wrong. I’m not perfect, and I’m only human. People make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to learn from them and deserve forgiveness too. I trust that everything will be alright in God’s time,” she said. (MNS)

grand album launch Star Princess Sarah Geronimo will perform in Taguig City to mark the formal launch of her newest album.

Released under Viva Records, “Pure OPM Classics” has been available in stores nationwide since September. For its public launch, Geronimo will perform at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Bonifacio Global City on November 13, the record label announced via its official Facebook page.

“Pure OPM Classics” is the Kapamilya singer’s ninth studio album since she emerged champion in the singing competition “Star for a Night” in 2003.

The album, according to Geronimo’s official website, is a tribute to “the great OPM songs of our time.” It features “revisions” to such classics, which were popularized during the ‘70s and the ‘80s.

Opening the album is Geronimo’s take on “Handog,” originally sung by Florante.

Other songs featured in the album are “Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran” by Asin,

Sarah Geronimo

“Panalangin” by APO Hiking Society, “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan”

by George Canseco, and “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar.(MNS) oa

Lara Quigaman gives birth to baby boy Former beaut y queen Precious L ara Q uigaman has given bir th to her first child at the Asian Hospital and Medic al Center in Muntinlupa Cit y.

Q uigaman, who is marr ied to actor Marco Alc araz, gave bir th via ceasar ian section to baby Noah at exactl y 12:52 a.m. last S aturday.

Q uigaman’s son weighed 7 pounds and 14 ounces.

In her official Twitter account, Q uigaman also posted a picture of Alc araz and their son as she thanked e ver yone who prayed for her safe pregnanc y. (MNS) Lara Quigaman

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Kim Chiu friends again with Gerald Anderson Actress Kim Chiu said she is now “super friends” again with ex-boyfriend Gerald Anderson.

Chiu said she has no more ill feelings towards her fellow “Pinoy Big Brother” teen housemate.

“Nakakatuwa nga kasi after two years, fresh start. Parang nawala lahat ng kung ano mang pasakit noon. After two years, nawala na ‘yung mga hinanakit namin sa isa’t isa or kung ano man ang nangyari,” she said.

Chiu and Anderson are reuniting, at least on the big screen, for the Star Magic 20th anniversary offering “24/7 In Love,” which is set to hit theaters nationwide on November 21. The upcoming movie will be their first onscreen team-up since “Till My Heartaches End” in 2010 -- the same year they broke up.

Chiu said she enjoyed working with Anderson again.

“Basta ngayon sobrang gaan, sobrang masaya. Tawanan kami ng tawanan sa mga jokes na binabato namin sa isa’t isa,” she said.

Chiu said they can now even talk about the past.

“Kapag nagkwe-kwentuhan kami, pingkwe-

Gerald Anderson

kwentuhan namin ‘yung mga nangyari noon.

‘Yon ‘yung mga bagay na ganoon. Tawanan lang kami ng tawanan,” she said. (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST

Showing of Robin’s new film postponed The release of “Kuratong Baleleng,” the newest film of actor Robin Padilla with brother Rommel and nephew Daniel, has been postponed due to issues involving its title.

The movie was supposed to have its theatrical release on November 30.

“Nami-misinterpret kasi ng maraming tao.

Akala nila pag sinabing ‘Kuratong,’ ‘yun na ‘yung gang. Ang kuratong baleleng po ay darling bells sa Mindanao,” Padilla explained.

Despite this, the “Toda Max” star is open to changing the title.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin, ayoko sanang palitan, pero si Rommel na ang bahala. Kung ano ang desisyon ‘nya, dun ako,” he said.

Currently, Padilla is busy with his weekly show “Toda Max” with Vhong Navarro, Pokwang and Angel Locsin, which airs Saturdays

after “Maalaala Mo Kaya” on ABS-CBN. He is also working on the upcoming soap “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw” with Anne Curtis and Kris Aquino. (MNS)

Robin Padilla

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Actor James Blanco on Wednesday admitted he once committed a sin against his wife but that they were able to move on from that episode.

“Mayroon ka kasing pagkakamali na baluktot talaga at mahirap iwasan. Hindi mo pwedeng isisi sa babae yon, sarili mo yon, naging mahina ka sa ganoong bagay,” Blanco said.

Blanco, who has been married for 10 years now, didn’t disclose what this mistake was.

The actor’s wife, Tania Creighton-Castillo, said she gave her husband time to think before agreeing to a reconciliation.

“Nag-usap kami, tapos siyempre I gave him time. Naghiwalay muna kami less than a month, pero wala pa kaming anak noon,” she said.

Asked if she has truly forgiven her husband, Tania replied: “Yes, forgive and move fast. But, of course, you can never forget.” (MNS)

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MEGAN Young denied that she’s dating Kapuso funny if that happens.”

Meanwhile, Megan was also asked for updates on hunk Mikael Daez, saying she and the actor are just the reported transfer of her younger sister Lauren “good friends.”

The actress said she and Mikael belong to one big from ABS-CBN to GMA-7.

Although she doesn’t want to discuss the said friends circle and it just so happened that the two of news, the television host them have joined showconfirmed that her sister’s biz. contract with the Kapam“Mikael is just really a ilya station is finished. friend of mine. We have “I don’t want to get any one group of friends in final word until walang college. Nali-link kami benanggagaling sa kanila. cause we go out as barkaAyokong mag-assume das. Kami yung nakikita kasi baka mamaya magas public figures, so kami salita ako tapos hindi lang yung malilink,” she naman pala tama yung said. sinabi ko,” she said.

Although the issue has Megan said her sister been in showbiz grapeis an independent person vine for some time now, Mikael Daez and that she allows her the actress said that they Megan Young never talked about it. She said she doesn’t want to sister decide on her own. create any uncomfortable feelings between them.

“I want her to learn on her own as a young adult.

“It doesn’t mean anything to us naman. Basically I want her to make her own decisions. I can only do we’re friends and that’s how we want to stay to be,” so much. It’s up to her to become the adult she will she said. be when she grows older with the decision she will She added that dating Michael would be “really make,” she ended. (MNS)

Vilma to stand by Ralph in all his decisions Veteran actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos said she will always stand by the decisions of her husband Senator Ralph Recto, whether they are popular or unpopular.

Santos said her husband only wants the best for the Filipino people.

“I can asure you, maganda ang puso ng asawa ko at lahat ng bibigyan niya ng desisyon, it’s not even for him, it’s not even for us, definitely it is for the country,” she said.

Santos said she is aware that Recto will never be able to please everyone with his decisions but said she will continue to fight for him as long as she knows he is right.

“As far as I know, basta Vilma Santos nasa tama ang pamilya ko, ilalaban ko ‘yan kahit sino ka pa. Even with my husband, we’ve been together for 27 years na.

Hindi rin lahat ng magiging desisyon ng asawa ko magugustuhan ng lahat,” she said.

Just recently, Recto figured in the headlines

as he came under-fire for approving a “watereddown” version of the sin tax reform bill.

Last October 15, Recto even stepped down as chairman of the Senate ways and means committee saying he has become the “national punching bag of the week.”

Meanwhile, Santos also broke his silence on rumors hounding her son Luis Manzano.

It was reported two months ago that Manzano’s relationship with actress Jennylyn Mercado was on the rocks.

“Hindi totoo iyon.

Maraming tsismis lang diyan, sabi nga ng anak ko masyado lang magnified,” Santos stressed.

Santos said she is definitely happy for her son but she is not the type of parent who meddles with his affairs.

“I don’t meddle, hindi ako nakikialam. They’re okay.

Nasa bakasyon silang dalawa sa Dubai. They’re two matured people na,” she said. (MNS)

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Susan Roces fully supports daughter’s candidacy Veteran actress Susan Roces expressed “Gusto kong malaman nila dahil madaher all-out support for her daughter, for- las sinasabi ko sa iyo na ikinararangal ko mer Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairman Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who is running for senator next year.

“Ito ang damdamin ng isang magulang. Natatandaan ko noon kausap ko si dating pangulong Corazon Aquino. Sabi ni Tita Cory alam mo ang tagal-tagal na ni Noynoy na gustong tumakbo sa Senado pero palagi kong sinasabi na huwag muna ngayon, next time na lang, next time na lang. Pinagpaliban daw niya hanggang itong pinakahuli, sabi niya ‘Oo I’m not getting any younger, tumakbo ka na para maalalayan kita,’” Roces related.

“Noong sinabi ni Grace tungkol sa interest niya na pumasok sa pulitika, naalala ko siya at ‘yung usapan namin. Sabi ko why not sige hanggang nandito pa ako, habang malakas pa ako, habang masasamahan pa kita.

Tinanong ko lang sa kanya, kapag sumasabak ka sa isang kumpetisyon may nananlo at may natatalo, handa ka din ba kung hindi ka manalo at kung ano ang gagawin mo. Sinabi naman niya sa akin kung ano ang plano niya if she doesn’t make it. So that’s all we talked about and that was the more important thing. As a mother, para sa isang ina, kung handa ang iyong anak emotionally, Susan Roces mentally, go,” Roces continued.

The “Walang Hanggan” actress also shared na maging iyong ina. Inaangkin kong kayahow proud she is to be the mother of Poe- manan na hindi masusuklian ng kahit anong Llamanzares. halaga ng salapi o alahas o kung anumang

ari-arian ang naging relasyon natin bilang anak at ina. Tunay na maswerte tayo dahil napili natin ang isa’t isa,” she told her daughter.

An emotional Poe-Llamanzares then thanked her mother for the love and support.

“Sa lahat naman ng ninais kong makamit sa aking buhay nandiyan sya para pangaralan ako at suportahan ako. At hindi naman niya ako pinapasubok kung sa tingin niya ay katawatawa naman. I love you, mom,” she said.

According to Poe-Llamanzares, it was President Benigno Aquino III, who really convinced her to run.

“As you know, ‘yung kapatid mo very honest ‘yan,” she told Kris Aquino. “Sinasabi niya, ‘napakahirap ng takbong nasyonal, dapat gugustuhin mo talaga. Gusto mo ba talaga?’

Tatanungin niya ako. Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ako sigurado. Kayo gusto niyo ba?’ ‘Ikaw?’ So pasahan lang kami. So finally I texted him na lang, I said: ‘Mr. President if you think I’ll be an asset to your team, then it will be an honor to be considered by you but you have to let me know so I can prepare myself.’ Biglang in-announce niya sa APEC, nashock na lang ako. So ‘yun na parang duwag na lang yata ako kung hindi pa ako matuloy nito. So ‘yun na ‘yon,” Poe-Llamanzares said. (MNS)

Jolo on Jodi: She makes my heart beat ACTOR-politician Jolo Revilla has finally revealed his true feelings with rumored girlfriend, “Be Careful with my Heart” star Jodi Sta. Maria.

“Masasabi natin na si Jodi ang nagpapatibok sa puso ko,” Jolo said.

Jolo said he appreciates Jodi’s interview where the actress said that he’s very special to her. When sought for a comment, the actor said: “Siguro action speaks louder than words.

Siguro obvious naman.”

Although he’s opening up a little, Jolo is still keen to keep things away from the prying eyes of the public.

He said he’s not ready yet to reveal the real status of their relationship. “Ibalato nyo na lang muna sa amin yan, sasabihin namin sa tamang panahon,” he said. (MNS)

Jolo Revilla

Jodi Sta. Maria

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Aiza looking forward to a happy Christmas It will indeed be a merry Christmas for singer-actress Aiza Seguerra this year, not only in terms of her career but also in her personal life.

“Masayang masaya. Ang puso ko ay hitik na hitik at bonggang bongga,” Seguerra, who’s now being linked to singer Krizza Neri, said on “KrisTV” on Tuesday.

Seguerra also hinted that this will be the second Christmas she will spend with her current partner, whose name she didn’t men-

Aiza Seguerra

tion in her TV guesting.

“Ang masasabi ko lang na noong huling Pasko ay hitik na hitik na siya. (Second Christmas na ito) yes,” Seguerra said.

In a previous interview , Seguerra admitted that Neri is making her happy these days.

Without directly naming Neri, Seguerra said she hopes to spend the rest of her life with her current partner – probably in Canada, where same-sex marriage is allowed, she joked.

“Hopefully the last,” she said of her present relationship.

Seguerra is gearing up for her newest stage musical “Aladdin” with K-La Rivera and Tom Rodriguez, which opens on November 16 at the Meralco Theater.(MNS)

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