A Repost From GMA News.TV

Arroyo will no longer witness Aquino's oath taking ceremony

GMANews.TV - Friday, June 18

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Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will no longer witness the oath taking ceremony of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III, a Palace official said Friday. “After the traditional limousine ride with President-elect Aquino, President Arroyo will leave Quirino Grandstand to give way for her successor. After all, it is his day," Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Chief Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn said at a press briefing in Malacañang.

Bautista-Horn also disclosed that the Aquino sisters were “hands on" in the preparations for the inauguration.

Ballsy, Pinky, and Kris Aquino attended the meeting of the incoming and outgoing administrations’ transition teams to personally look into the preparations being undertaken at the Quirino Grandstand, she said. “They want the inauguration to be simple. That’s what I have observed from their suggestions," she added. The three sisters offered the space they will occupy during the oath-taking ceremony for VIPs who will attend the celebrations, Bautista-Horn also said.

"I found it very humbling for them to say they won't attend if there's lack of space – it's really a nice gesture on their part," she said.

Aside from government officials, the PMS chief confirmed that foreign dignitaries and heads of states have already expressed their intention to attend the momentous event.

Bautista-Horn said Malacañang has begun coordinating with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding this matter to ensure the dignitaries are accommodated and secured accordingly.

However, she declined to identify the dignitaries. “It's best if Mr. Aquino's camp provides such information instead since it drew up the list of guests invited to his inauguration," she said.

Bautista-Horn said Malacañang already furnished Mr. Aquino's camp a guide on number of people who can be accommodated without crowding in possible venues for the activities on inauguration day.

"We want that group to have an idea about the comfortable numbers," she said.

She noted Malacañang estimates its Centennial Hall can accommodate 750 people comfortably. — LBG, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

Reposted From GMA News.TV

A Repost From GMA News.TV

TV reporter trapped in Taal volcano crater, rescued after 5 hours

GMANews.TV - Friday, June 18

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A television reporter reporting on the condition of Taal Volcano suddenly became the center of attention when he was trapped in its crater.

A radio report quoted Lt. Commander Troy Cornelio, chief of the Philippine Coast Guard-Batangas, as identifying the TV reporter as Joshua Garcia of the Global News Network (GNN).

Cornelio said Garcia and his crew sought his office’s permission at about 10 a.m. to trek through communities in the vicinity of the volcano to check up on Barangay Tabla and interview its residents.

The Coast Guard official granted the TV crew's request. The Coast guard chief, however, was unaware that Garcia was planning to go further into the volcano.

Authorities said Garcia later descended into the volcano's crater, but could not climb back up due to the crater's steepness.

Alerted, Coast Guard officials rushed to the crater and carried out a rescue operation.

Five hours later, an exhausted Garcia emerged from the crater with only minor scratches.

Territorial jurisdiction of the island volcano is shared by the towns of Talisay and San Nicolas, both in Batangas province.

The GNN is a Philippines-based news and information channel operated by Global Destiny Cable.—Mark D. Merueñas/JV, GMANews.TV

Reposted From GMA News.TV

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Ara, Cristine Reyes conned by US promoter?

ABS-CBN - Wednesday, June 16

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Ara, Cristine Reyes conned by US promoter?

Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

MANILA, Philippines - Showbiz sisters Ara Mina and Cristine Reyes are fuming mad after failing to receive payment for a series of concerts in the United States.

On her Twitter page, Cristine said that producers of their US show "Sisters Act" did not pay them despite doing 4 shows in Los Angeles, Nevada and Chicago. She said she and her sister did not continue with another scheduled performance in Las Vegas after the producer failed to pay them.

"Nobody should ever feel embarrassed if they've been victimized by a con artist. Why? Because after all the hard work... we are not paid. I want to cry!" she said in her June 7 tweet.

Reyes named their producer as a certain Ms. Alegria Natividad.

"Yes, we have a contract but hindi yon nasunod kasi masyado kaming mabait kaya nag-perform pa rin kami kahit walang bayad...It's not fair, ms. alegria natividad didn't [give] our money, so in Vegas kapag wala pa rin di na kami magpe-perform," she said.

On her Twitter page, Reyes thanked fellow Filipinos who took them out for a treat and even paid their hotel bills.

"No pay no show.. di pa kami bayad ni Alegria Natividad sa ibang shows namin dito sa States. How nice di ba? No food rin. Kanya-kanya kami. Good thing may mababait na Pinoy nag-treat sa amin, mabuhay kayo!" Reyes said.

But, in a text message sent to Showbiz News Ngayon, Ara cleared the name of the show's producer stressing that it was their promoter, a certain Guia, who failed to pay them.

"Just want to clear also na bayad lahat ng producers sa promoter namin na si Guia. Si Guia ang di nakabayad sa amin," Ara said.

Ara said all of their shows in the US were successful. She is set to fly back in Manila this Friday.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Ara, Cristine Reyes conned by US promoter?

ABS-CBN - Wednesday, June 16

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Ara, Cristine Reyes conned by US promoter?

Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

MANILA, Philippines - Showbiz sisters Ara Mina and Cristine Reyes are fuming mad after failing to receive payment for a series of concerts in the United States.

On her Twitter page, Cristine said that producers of their US show "Sisters Act" did not pay them despite doing 4 shows in Los Angeles, Nevada and Chicago. She said she and her sister did not continue with another scheduled performance in Las Vegas after the producer failed to pay them.

"Nobody should ever feel embarrassed if they've been victimized by a con artist. Why? Because after all the hard work... we are not paid. I want to cry!" she said in her June 7 tweet.

Reyes named their producer as a certain Ms. Alegria Natividad.

"Yes, we have a contract but hindi yon nasunod kasi masyado kaming mabait kaya nag-perform pa rin kami kahit walang bayad...It's not fair, ms. alegria natividad didn't [give] our money, so in Vegas kapag wala pa rin di na kami magpe-perform," she said.

On her Twitter page, Reyes thanked fellow Filipinos who took them out for a treat and even paid their hotel bills.

"No pay no show.. di pa kami bayad ni Alegria Natividad sa ibang shows namin dito sa States. How nice di ba? No food rin. Kanya-kanya kami. Good thing may mababait na Pinoy nag-treat sa amin, mabuhay kayo!" Reyes said.

But, in a text message sent to Showbiz News Ngayon, Ara cleared the name of the show's producer stressing that it was their promoter, a certain Guia, who failed to pay them.

"Just want to clear also na bayad lahat ng producers sa promoter namin na si Guia. Si Guia ang di nakabayad sa amin," Ara said.

Ara said all of their shows in the US were successful. She is set to fly back in Manila this Friday.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

A Repost From Patricia Bermudez-Hizon Of Yahooo! Southeast Asia

Smart Gilas – Moving Forward

By Patricia Bermudez-Hizon – June 14th, 2010

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The Score by Patricia Bermudez-Hizon
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

The Champions Cup in Doha did not bear the results they set to achieve. “We were way better than the outcome. They gave us a hard time,” shared Coach Rajko Toroman. He explains that they were up against some of the best players of Lebanon, then Iran had two NBA players, and they were not in shape.

Having an injured JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter and JR Cawaling made it even more difficult. Then Chris Lutz was just thrown into the team days before the trip. The team had no other choice but to use Mark Barrocca who was not a natural point guard.

“We did not play bad, but we just didn’t play at the level that we did when we were in Dubai last time for the invitational tournament,” shared Toroman. “We didn’t have the same energy and enthusiasm. We also played against our strongest competition ever; stronger than in Jakarta and in Dubai.”

Team Captain Chris Tiu said that reaching the semi-finals was the goal. But that assessment was made back when the team had a complete line-up. With a dramatically altered roster, Gilas was surprised that they even made it to the quarterfinals.

Tiu offered that all the travels may have taken its toll on the team. They had tournaments in Australia last March, followed by another in Serbia and the US the month after. Fatigue snuck up on them and injuries shortened their rotation. Chris admitted he was playing 35 to 36 minutes, every single day. The way their schedule was, they had their break on the first day and played every game day from there, unlike others who were able to rest midway. “We played 4 straight games and three more in the quarterfinals so it was really tiring”. Apart from Tiu, Barocca and Mac Baracael also logged in the most number of minutes and had little time to recover.

“We have to adjust and get used to (the schedule). It’s a learning experience for us despite the 7^th place finish” shared the team captain. Coach Rajko though believes they still made a good impression out there.

Apart from addressing the injuries, the most immediate concern they must tackle is their naturalization candidate. Milan Vucicevic came with the team from Serbia and has been lauded for his attitude. “He was a big help. He was out with injury before coming to the Philippines but he committed to play with us and showed a lot of dedication. He really tried to get in shape. At the start, he was struggling but every game, you could see all the improvements. He’s 6’10 and thick so he helped with rebounding and defense, he also had good post moves and is smart”, shared Tiu. He adds that Milan has a one of a kind attitude. On and off the court, he’s a great leader, always encouraging and staying positive.

Unfortunately Milan was given the pink slip. Coach Rajko said he played good and is a team player but he just played his role. They need someone to push and anchor the team.

In comes Marcus Douthit, 30 years old, 6’11”. He was drafted by the Lakers, played in the D-league and also played in Russia against some of the best in the land. Douhit carried an average of 15 points and 10 rebounds in a high level of competition, against some of the best Euro players.

Let’s see if he’s the one. Tiu relays that the best kind of import would be one with the size and the ability to bang inside of Jamal Sampson, the athleticism and energy of CJ Giles, and the positive outlook and the discipline of Milan Vucicevic. That would be the perfect candidate for naturalization. Then again, anyone with a package like that would be in the NBA.

Photos courtesy of FIBA ASIA

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A 10 year sports casting veteran, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon is the first and only female basketball anchor in the Philippines covering the PBA and the PBL. She’s worked the sidelines as a courtside reporter since 2002, but her trade has also brought her to cover the Olympic Games, Asian Games and South East Asian Games doing commentary for swimming, diving, beach and indoor volleyball, gymnastics, equestrian, judo, wushu, karate, taekwondo, cycling and other disciplines. She shares her thoughts, insights, experience and other privileged information as an insider, a fan, and a wanna-be athlete and adventure seeker with Yahoo! Philippines. You can e-mail her at patricia_thescore@yahoo.com

Reposted From Patricia Bermudez-Hizon of Yahoo! Southeast Asua