Saturday, February 26, 2011

A Repost From Sun.Star




7 bodies of Filipinos retrieved

CEBU CITY -- Bodies of seven Filipinos were reportedly retrieved from the rubble of the Canterbury Television (CTV) building in Christchurch, New Zealand, but were not identified.

An aunt of one of the six Cebuanos trapped in the same building said she received this information at 5:22 p.m. Thursday.

Dr. Ethel Uy, aunt of Rhea Mae Sumalpong, said a representative of the family was not allowed to see the bodies.

Three days after the earthquake, Mario Ruel Sumalpong has yet to hear from the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand about his daughter, 25-year-old Rhea Mae, who was among the Filipinos trapped inside the collapsed CTV.

Addressing Cebu reporters through a video conference from Australia Thursday, Sumalpong burst into tears as he expressed his “diminishing hopes” for his daughter to be alive.

Sumalpong, a hotel worker, lives in Australia with his wife Marlene, a nurse, and another daughter, who is studying nursing there. They used to live in Tuyan, Naga.

Uy said her niece was scheduled to take the nursing board exam in New Zealand on March 13, and planned to work in Australia later this year.

Rhea Mae went to New Zealand last October 29 and worked as a caregiver at a hospital.

In an interview in her clinic in Naga City Thursday, Uy said she was disappointed with the way the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is handling the situation.

At 5:22 p.m. Thursday, Uy received a report that the bodies of seven Filipinos were retrieved from the CTV building, but these were not identified.

She said Ariel Amado Caballero, who lives with Rhea Mae and whom they authorized to represent them, was not allowed to see the bodies.

Uy said she went to the DFA Cebu office last Wednesday and wrote a narrative report appealing to the agency to change its earlier statement that no Filipino was harmed during the earthquake.

“We in the family got mad. It’s because of the statements from the DFA and in the news that there were no Filipino casualties or fatalities. We were hurt because how could we ask our Philippine government for any help if they had made that declaration?” she said.

Sumalpong said they wanted to go to Christchurch to check on Rhea Mae’s condition but were advised against it because the place remains unsafe.

“Once we receive news, good or bad, we will go there,” he said.

He said the last time he talked with Rhea Mae was Saturday night and his wife last talked to their daughter Monday night.

Uy said Rhea Mae texted her mother 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, saying she and others were trapped. After that, their calls went directly to her voice mail.

Rhea Mae, whom Sumalpong described as a good daughter, graduated from Southwestern University in 2007.

Another Filipina whose condition remains unknown is Emmabelle Anoba, who had worked with Rhea Mae at the South General Hospital in Tuyan, Naga.

Emmabelle, like Rhea Mae and four other Cebuanos, was in the CTV building attending English review classes for the nursing licensure exam when the earthquake happened.

Her last text to her relatives in Cebu came at 1 a.m. Tuesday after the earthquake.

Also trapped in the CTV were John Christopher Chua from Lapu-Lapu City, Ezra May Medalle, Cecil Redoble and Jewel Francisco.

Emmabelle left Cebu for New Zealand only last February 19. She called up her mother Annabella the next day to say that she had arrived safe.

Annabella Anoba runs a vegetable stall at the Minglanilla Public Market. She begged off from being interviewed and assigned her sister, Jerusalem Clemeña, to answer questions from reporters.

Clemeña, holding a rosary, said the family is worried because the rescue work has been stopped and they have not heard about Emmabelle yet.

They had expected the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand to give them an update of the condition of those trapped in the CTV but had received none.

Clemeña said Rhea Mae and Emmabelle’s groupmates in New Zealand, Robelyn and Ruby Dacares, also received text messages from Anoba’s group asking for help while buried underneath.

“Tabangi kami Rob, kay nia mi ilawom. Makaginhawa pa man hinuon mi” was Rhea Mae’s text to Robelyn.

They could still be alive, Clemeña said.

Clemeña said the Anoba family plans to see their congressman, Representative Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, first district), to ask for help.

Emmabelle’s three sisters are nurses and she has a brother who is a civil engineer. Her father Emmanuel works at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Emmabelle took up nursing at the University of Cebu and graduated in 2005. (RSB/OCP/Sun.Star Cebu)

Reposted From Sun.Star

Friday, February 25, 2011

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)


Shalani Soledad says relationship with Willie Revillame is only limited to being "co-hosts"

Shalani Soledad says relationship with Willie Revillame is only limited to being "co-hosts"
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Almost four months nang co-host sa TV5 variety program na Willing Willie si Valenzuela City councilor Shalani Soledad. Nagsimula siya sa show noong November 8, 2010.

Enjoy naman daw si Shalani sa hosting job niya.

"Of course, I really enjoy. Saka mababait lahat yung mga kasama ko sa show," sabi ni Shalani nang makausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) noong Miyerkules, February 23, sa dressing room niya sa Willing Willie.

Pero pinangarap ba niyang maging isang TV host?

"No! Not in my wildest dreams. Wala talaga," sagot niya.

"The offer came from Willie. It was through Robert, common friend namin ni Willie. And, of course, kay Nay Cristy [Fermin]."

NEW WORLD. Kumusta ang pagkakaiba ng mundo niya noon na ay isa lang siyang konsehala, pero ngyon ay isa na rin siyang TV host?

"In terms of time management siguro. Kasi dati, 24 hours, talagang focus mo Valenzuela, yung legislative work mo. Ngayon, nagka-cut off ka because you have to be at the studio an hour before. You have to be here the whole duration of the program. So, in terms of time management.

"Plus yung office ko...sisingilin ko na nga si Willie, e!" tawa ni Shalani.

"Kasi lahat yata ng communication letters ko, para kay Willie, e. Either request na manood ng Willing Willie, or mga sulat para kay Willie asking for financial support, asking for medical help, mga ganoon. Parang extension ng Willing Willie office yung opisina ko."

Posible kayang pasukin na rin niya ang pag-aartista since napapanood na rin naman siya sa telebisyon?

"Naku, as of the moment, talagang ang focus is on Willing Willie. Wala namang nag-o-offer, so talagang sa Willing Willie muna ako," sagot ng magandang konsehala.

What if may dumating na offer sa kanya, tatanggapin ba niya?

Natawa muna si Shalani bago sumagot ng: "Naku, Willing Willie muna tayo!"

PALIPAD-HANGIN. Kapag nagkakasama sa isang segment ng Willing Willie sina Willie at Shalani ay laging nagpapalipad-hangin ang una sa huli. Parang nagpaparamdan si Willie na type niya si Shalani.

Ano ang reaksiyon niya rito?

"Naku, si Willie, I think he's ano...usual charming self. Ganyan naman yata si Willie," pagkikibit-balikat ni Shalani.

Once and for all, ano ba talaga ang real score sa kanila ni Willie?

"Co-host ni Willie, ayan!" natatawa niyang sagot.

May mga nanliligaw ba sa kanya ngayon?

"Actually, hinahanap ko. Wala naman!" tawa niya ulit.

Pero aniya, "May mga nag-i-invite naman."

May mga politician ba?

"Oo, meron. Meron naman. Pero hindi naman marami," sagot ng dating kasintahan ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino.

E, artista?

"Ahh...wala yatang artista," sabi niya.

Masasabi ba niya na ready na siyang magmahal ulit pagkatapos nilang mag-break ni PNoy?

"Hindi mo naman masasabi 'yan. Siguro if it happens, it happens. You just pray na when it does, you can also commit hundred percent to the person," sagot ni Shalani.

Kung sakaling muling makikipagrelasyon at lalagay na sa tahimik, tuloy pa rin si Shalani sa pagtatrabaho. Hindi raw siya yung tipong babaeng pang-bahay lang.

"Siyempre kasi may gusto ka rin, di ba? Gusto mo rin maging productive ka. Gusto mo rin na may ginagawa ka. And as long as gusto mo yung ginagawa mo, masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, siyempre you want to continue doing what you love," saad niya.

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

A Repost From Kelvin Chan For Associated Press



Philippine rep gets 18 months jail for drugs in HK

HONG KONG – A Philippine congressman was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in a Hong Kong prison after he pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking and avoided a maximum life penalty by convincing a judge the drugs were for his personal use.

Rep. Ronald Singson was caught with 0.24 ounces (6.67 grams) of cocaine in July while transiting through Hong Kong's airport en route to a poker tournament in the gambling enclave of Macau.

District Court Judge Joseph Yau gave Singson credit for pleading guilty to the charge of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The judge also took into account Singson's "positive good character," his personal background and the prospect of his expulsion from the Philippine Congress.

Under Hong Kong law, bringing drugs into the territory can be defined as trafficking, regardless of the purpose. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of 5 million Hong Kong dollars ($640,000).

Prosecutors had challenged Singson's claim that the drugs were intended for his own consumption but Yau had sided with Singson, saying he did not think the Philippine politician needed to sell drugs given his wealth from various business interests. He added that Singson did not have any friends in Hong Kong or Macau he was likely to share the drugs with.

In handing down his sentence, Yau noted that Singson came from a prominent family, was well educated, had a 2-year-old daughter and a movie star girlfriend, Philippine actress Lovi Poe.

"He has virtually anything that any man would dream to have," Yau said, adding, however, that Singson "indulged in the abuse of a dangerous drug" and should have sought medical help for his addiction.

"It's sad to see a man of the defendant's background fall from grace," Yau said.

Singson is the son of Luis "Chavit" Singson, a provincial governor in the Philippines whose testimony in the corruption trial of his former friend, ex-President Joseph Estrada, helped convict the ousted leader in 2007 and secure a life prison term. Estrada was later pardoned.

"I'm very remorseful for what I've done and as you can see I'm paying the price for it," he said shortly before sentencing.

His father said later he expected the sentence but did not know if there would be an appeal.

Singson, 42, previously testified he had used cocaine at various times since 2004 and amphetamines in his 20s. He said he went on a cocaine-and-gambling binge after attending an Usher concert in Manila and arguing with his girlfriend.

Singson's light sentence was in sharp contrast with the death sentences that China had handed down on three Filipinos convicted of being drug mules.

Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay traveled to Beijing last week and persuaded China to postpone the executions originally scheduled for this week. They would have been the first Filipinos to be put to death in China for drug trafficking.

The three, who unlike Singson come from humble backgrounds, were arrested separately in 2008 carrying packages each containing more than eight and 13 pounds (four and six kilograms) of heroin. They were convicted and sentenced in 2009.

Reposted From Kelvin Chan of Associated Press

---

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A Repost From GMA News.TV



Bongbong: Marcos would have turned PHL into ‘another Singapore’

Just before the 24th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power uprising, the son and namesake of the late strongman ousted by that revolt on Tuesday said that the country would now be as successful as Singapore had former President Ferdinand Marcos not been removed from power.

"Napakarami ang kanyang nagawa, napakarami ang kanyang tinulong, at napakalaki ng progreso ng ating bansa noong panahon na iyon... [kung hindi siya napatalsik] siguro Singapore na tayo ngayon," Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. told reporters on Tuesday.

(He has done so much, he has helped a lot, and our nation greatly progressed during those times. If he wasn't ousted, maybe we would be like Singapore now.)

The younger Marcos likewise maintained that his family was unfairly judged "by those who have a political interest and who provide the propaganda" against them.

"Sa taumbayan, maliwanag na maliwanag na lumilitaw ang katotohanan tungkol sa administrasyon ng aking ama," he said. (In the eyes of the public, the truth about my father's administration has very clearly emerged.)

In a separate chance interview with reporters, the senator described February 25 as "the day we were taken away" from the country. “We did not leave the country. We were taken away, and not allowed to return," he emphasized, adding that there’s “a very distinct and important difference."

“[O]ur tendency is not to look back. Our instinct is to look forward and see what else we can do to be of service to the people. Perhaps the celebration of [the 1986 EDSA uprising] reminds us of how much needs to be done, how much we have to work to bring that progress that we all want for our country," Marcos explained.

He refused to comment, however, on whether he thinks anything actually changed since the EDSA revolt. "Lahat ng aking sasabihin, sasabihin biased yan dahil nasa kabilang panig sila," he said. (Whatever I say, they'll say it's biased because they are on the opposite side.)

The younger Marcos explained that the "best way" to determine the situation of the country is to go through "objective tests" that would prove or disprove the supposed improvement in the Filipino people's lives.

"What is the improvement in our security, what is the improvement in security, in peace in order, and in our standing in the international community of nations? I think that should be the basis when we try to judge how far we have come since 1986," he said.

The lawmaker noted, however, that the public should look forward and just treat what happened during his father's time as a "touching point" in the country's history.

"Let us use it as a basis to see what we can do and look to the future and not rest on laurels that we are celebrating every time we have the EDSA celebration," he said.

Gringo: ‘No one said it would be easy’

Senator Gregorio Honasan, for his part, refused from categorically agreeing or disagreeing with Marcos' statement.

He noted, however, that he respects Marcos' "inputs and insights" because he is a senator of the republic but that they are bound to have different opinions regarding the issue.

"No one said it would be easy... nobody said we would agree on perceptions of what the 1986 people power bloodless revolution meant," he said.

But Honasan said that no one can deny the influence the EDSA revolution had on other countries. "Makita mo lang yung nangyayari sa Indonesia, sa Egypt, nangyayari sa Libya (Look at what's happening in Indonesia, Egypt, Libya)," he said.

Despite this, the lawmaker admitted that the country must move on from the past. "We should build on the painful, the good and bad lessons of the past and then allow our people to move forward," he said.

Honasan, along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, played a key role in the ouster of former President Marcos. He likewise launched at least two failed coup attempts against the Corazon Aquino administration in 1987 and 1989.

Enrile could not be contacted for comment as of posting time.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, however, said that Marcos' comment was "being done in hindsight" and the Philippines could not be compared to Singapore.

"Singapore is an authoritarian system just like ours... but the thing is that the aspect of corruption is notably absent. [In our case] until now we have not settled the issue of corruption during the [Marcos] dictatorship, so we cannot draw a parallel. I don’t think they are congruent to each other," she told reporters in a separate interview on Tuesday.

Marcos burial still ‘under study’

Marcos declared martial law in September 1972, invoking the need to quell rebellion and “save the Republic" as well as to “reform society."

Ruling by decree as commander in chief of the Armed Forces, he curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties, closed down Congress and independent media firms, and ordered the arrest of militant activists and opposition leaders, including Ninoy who was among his staunchest critics.

Three years after he was ousted, Marcos died in exile in Hawaii at age 72, due to complications from kidney ailments often associated with lupus erythematosus.

At first, Marcos’ body was refused entry to the Philippines, so his wife Imelda kept him in a refrigerated mausoleum in Oahu.

In 1993, the Philippine government allowed Marcos’ remains to return to his homeland, but blocked his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Up to now, his body remains in a refrigerated crypt in the Marcos family mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte province.

On Feb. 16, in reaction to the recent burial of former Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes at the Libingan, the younger Marcos reiterated the long-standing family request to have Marcos’ remains finally interred at the Libingan. (See: Marcos should be buried in heroes' cemetery too, says Bongbong) http://www.gmanews.tv/story/213224/marcos-should-be-buried-in-heroes39-cemetery-too-says-bongbong

Sen. Marcos, said he has to give "credit" to President Benigno Aquino III for not dismissing outright their proposal to finally have his father buried in the heroes' cemetery.

"I have to say that we are grateful that this question is being studied seriously whereas previous administrations have just outright dismissed the question," he said.—JV, GMA News

Reposted From GMA News.TV

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Repost From Chuck Smith For Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Joey de Leon: 'Hindi na namin pinapansin yung mga katapat'

By Chuck Smith, For Yahoo! Southeast Asia Monday February 21, 2011 10:48 pm PST

“Eat Bulaga” saw the premiere of a new rival program earlier this month in the form of ABS-CBN's “Happy, Yipee, Yehey!” This is after the Kapamilya network moved “Showtime” back to its original morning time slot and after they cancelled “Pilipinas Win na Win” in December last year.

So what does Joey de Leon, one of the co-hosts of the longest running noontime variety show, think of their latest rival program?

“Sanay na kami. Hindi na namin pinapansin yung mga katapat... With the advent of the remote control, lahat naman may space e,” he told members of the press when asked about his opinion of “Happy, Yipee, Yehey” during the launch TV5's Tanghali Go-G-Go Sunday afternoon block on Monday, February 21.

Joey added, “Hindi na namin pinapansin yung mga katapat dahil alam namin na forever may magkakatapat sa TV e. Saka hindi naman iba sa amin yun, kaibigan din namin yung mga yun. Galing din sa amin yung iba dun.”

As for Willie Revillame's “endorsement” of “Eat Bulaga” after his on-air tirade against “Happy, Yipee, Yehey!” host John Estrada late last month, Joey said, “Napanood ko yun e. Ayos lang. Ayos. E di salamat. E hindi, magkasama naman kami sa Singko e. Alangan namang siraan nya ako.”

Joey added that “any form of support is welcome.”

“Wala naman kaming ano nun (Willie) e, wala naman kaming gulo nun,” he said.

So how does it feel that Willie, who once hosted a rival noontime show on ABS-CBN, is now part of TV5?

“Ako ang nauna dito e, so sila ang kumapatid sa akin,” he said. “Mas nauna pa ako dito kaysa sa ibang shows ko sa channel. Ako yata una rito sa channel 5 e. Two owners ago.”

Will he agree to appear as a guest on Willie's program on TV5?

“Depende sa oras e. Ang sikip ng oras ko. Mas marami akong masikip na oras kaysa sa kanya. Oo, bakit hindi,” Joey said. However, he ended his answer with, “depende, depende pa. Masyado pang maaga,” he said.

Joey is part of TV5's new Sunday afternoon block as host of the game show “Pinoy Samurai,” which will premiere this February 27.

Reposted From Chuck Smith For Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From Chuck Smith For Yahoo! Southeast Asui

Joey de Leon: 'Hindi na namin pinapansin yung mga katapat'

By Chuck Smith, For Yahoo! Southeast Asia Monday February 21, 2011 10:48 pm PST

“Eat Bulaga” saw the premiere of a new rival program earlier this month in the form of ABS-CBN's “Happy, Yipee, Yehey!” This is after the Kapamilya network moved “Showtime” back to its original morning time slot and after they cancelled “Pilipinas Win na Win” in December last year.

So what does Joey de Leon, one of the co-hosts of the longest running noontime variety show, think of their latest rival program?

“Sanay na kami. Hindi na namin pinapansin yung mga katapat... With the advent of the remote control, lahat naman may space e,” he told members of the press when asked about his opinion of “Happy, Yipee, Yehey” during the launch TV5's Tanghali Go-G-Go Sunday afternoon block on Monday, February 21.

Joey added, “Hindi na namin pinapansin yung mga katapat dahil alam namin na forever may magkakatapat sa TV e. Saka hindi naman iba sa amin yun, kaibigan din namin yung mga yun. Galing din sa amin yung iba dun.”

As for Willie Revillame's “endorsement” of “Eat Bulaga” after his on-air tirade against “Happy, Yipee, Yehey!” host John Estrada late last month, Joey said, “Napanood ko yun e. Ayos lang. Ayos. E di salamat. E hindi, magkasama naman kami sa Singko e. Alangan namang siraan nya ako.”

Joey added that “any form of support is welcome.”

“Wala naman kaming ano nun (Willie) e, wala naman kaming gulo nun,” he said.

So how does it feel that Willie, who once hosted a rival noontime show on ABS-CBN, is now part of TV5?

“Ako ang nauna dito e, so sila ang kumapatid sa akin,” he said. “Mas nauna pa ako dito kaysa sa ibang shows ko sa channel. Ako yata una rito sa channel 5 e. Two owners ago.”

Will he agree to appear as a guest on Willie's program on TV5?

“Depende sa oras e. Ang sikip ng oras ko. Mas marami akong masikip na oras kaysa sa kanya. Oo, bakit hindi,” Joey said. However, he ended his answer with, “depende, depende pa. Masyado pang maaga,” he said.

Joey is part of TV5's new Sunday afternoon block as host of the game show “Pinoy Samurai,” which will premiere this February 27.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)



Mikee Cojuangco makes a comeback in fantaserye, Magic Palayok

Mikee Cojuangco makes a comeback in fantaserye, Magic Palayok
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Balik showbiz si Mikee Cojuangco, ayon sa report kahapon, Sabado, February 19, ng Startalk TX.

Sa pamamagitan ng upcoming new fantasy series ng GMA 7, ang Magic Palayok ay mapapanood na muli si Mikee.

Sa interview sa kanya ng Startalk TX, tinanong si Mikee kung bakit sa Magic Palayok siya nag-desisyon na mag-comeback at harapin muli ang pagiging isang artista.

"Ah, oo. Bakit ba? Matagal na kasing hindi, e. Matagal ko nang hindi nagagawa ito. Yung last, Majika," unang pahayag ng actress/equestrienne.

Matagal na nga raw na hindi siya nakakaarte sa harap ng kamera.

"Nagkaroon na nga ako ng isa pang anak since then, na two years old na, kaya siguro time na, di ba?

Mabuti naman at pinayagan siya ng kanyang mister na si Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. na muling mag-artista via Magic Palayok na pinagbibidahan rin ng balik-tambalan at real-life sweethearts na sina Carla Abellana at Geoff Eigenmann.

"Maganda naman yung role, e. Tsaka alam naman niya na maaalagaan din ako."

Ano ang pakiramdam ni Mikee na aarte siya ulit sa harap ng kamera bilang isang Kapuso?

"Excited ako na kinakabahan."

Buo ang tiwala ni Mikee sa direktor ng fantaserye na si Direk Joel Lamangan.

"Siyempre si Direk Joel Lamangan nandiyan, kaya yung buong tiwala ko nasa kanya. Sinabi ko nga sa kanila na sila na ang bahala sa akin," huling pahayag pa ni Mikee sa taped interview sa kanya ng Startalk TX.

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

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