Miss Universe Opens Pop-up Store in Pasay Mall

By: Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

Posted at Jan 27 2017

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PASAY CITY — Filipinos proved once again they are a force to beat when it comes to being the biggest pageant fans in the world, or in this case the universe, as the first-ever Miss Universe merchandise store was opened at Mall of Asia on Friday.

Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, and Shawn McClain, Miss Universe vice president for business development and marketing, led the ribbon-cutting at the store that will be open until its supplies last.

Here's a look at the Miss Universe items you can buy at the pageant's flagship retail stall.

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on January 30, 2017 Monday 8 a.m. (Manila time)

For more stories click here.

Thousands Affected From Incessant Rain...

... in Comval and initial damages reported

By Fe F. Maestre

Compostela Valley Province (January 25, 2017, 1 PM)—  Municipalities especially in the District 1 area are now affected following the incessant rain inundating the province. As of January 25, 2017 (11 AM) report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), a total of 2,276 families were already affected and still in different evacuation centers.

According to PDRRMO head Raul Villocino, the number of families affected from the flood are as follows: Nabunturan with 182 families, Compostela with 530 families, Monkayo with 698 families, New Bataan with 721 families, Montevista with 103 families, Mawab with 36 families, and Maragusan with 6 families affected by the flood.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in coordination with the Municipal and Barangay DRRMOs have since conducted relief operations in various barangays. The Congressional offices of Cong. Maricar Zamora and Cong. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga also distributed food packs while hot meals were served to evacuees courtesy from the Philippine Red Cross-Comval Chapter.

Roads and bridges were also damaged. As of latest report from DPWH, Compostela, Comval  to Cateel, Davao Oriental road is now passable although in one lane as DPWH continue to conduct clearing operations in the area. The assessment team has still to come up with the cost of infrastructure damage.

Meanwhile, initial damage to agriculture already reached to PhP40,550,350.10 Million as per report from the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) with 2,623 farmers affected. These include damage to rice, corn, high value commercial crops, and fishery. 

Villocino said they are monitoring the weather and is expecting rain to continue over the weekend.

Gov. Tyron Uy, who has been active in disseminating updates especially on social media, continues to call on the Comvalenyos to remain vigilant on any eventualities.  He has already suspended classes since Monday. The governor also expressed his thanks to the support extended by the national agencies such as the Philippine Army, PNP, BFP, Phil. Red Cross and other agencies. He also thanked the DSWD thru Reg. Dir. Mercedita Jabagat for the food packs to the evacuees and to DOH Asec. and Reg. Dir. Abdullah Dumama Jr. for the medicines that will be distributed in the province.

Comval has been under the Red Warning level as of January 24, 8PM advisory from the DOST-Pagasa which means heavy rainfall that will result to serious flooding and higher chance of landslides. The eastern section of Mindanao has been affected by the tail- end of a cold front causing rains in various parts of the region. (fe f maestre, ids comval)

Independent Probe on Mamasapano Essential

Office of Senator

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 602 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

26 January 2017

Cayetano: Independent probe on Mamasapano essential

The truth will prevent a repeat of another Mamasapano

"Let the independent commission get to the truth quietly and without politics."

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stressed this as he welcomed the order of President Rodrigo’s Duterte creating an independent commission that will investigate the gruesome Mamasapano massacre that led to the deaths of 44 Special Action Force commandos. 

“Together with President Duterte, I have witnessed how the families of SAF’s Gallant 44 have suffered,” said Cayetano. “For the past two years, justice continues to elude them and they have yet to receive the full assistance that was promised to them,” he added.

“Many have pledged not to forget and vowed to do everything for justice to be served. I am one of them,” the senator said.

The senator further said he is saddened by the disappointing reaction of some of his colleagues, belittling the presidential initiative, labeling it merely as a political diversionary tactic. 

Senators Antonio Trillanes and Leila De Lima accused the administration of using the reopening of the investigation of the Mamasapano massacre as a way to divert attention from allegations of abuses. 

“It is hypocritical on the part of Senators Trillanes and De Lima to oppose the reopening of the investigation, when they pretend to be the staunchest advocates of human rights and justice,” the senator lamented. 

Cayetano noted how the two senators repeatedly accuse the administration of condoning human rights violations, but are now the first to turn a blind eye to the SAF families’ call for justice. 

In his speech before the SAF families and the President in Malacañang, Cayetano said he believes President Duterte is the right person to get justice for SAF 44 but at the same time finding the right balance in pursuit of true and lasting peace.

He called on the public to continue supporting the administration’s efforts to resolve the case.

"While I remain confident in President Duterte’s commitment to deliver on this promise, I also urge the Filipino people to support the administration’s fight for justice,” said Cayetano. 

"I continue to pray for the families of the gallant SAF44. Rest assured that change, justice, and compassion are real and within reach under the Duterte leadership,” he intoned. ###

I want to be famous!

THU, JANUARY 26, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

A career is a rapid motion. A course of action. A professional conduct in life. A progress through life. What is a careerist? One who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement his or her own aim in life.

When career doubts won’t go away? What if you’re not happy in your job? Is it possible that you’re in the wrong entirely?

My parents always (!) wanted me to become a banker. So far so good. Why not? Maybe I would have been more (or very happy) in my job. Or not?

The pressure “to be” someone starts in life early indeed. Not only my parents, also peers and teachers begun to exert influence. Yes, I even didn’t know where my inclinations lie.

Being a doctor or a lawyer? Yes, I was interested in law and medicine during that time.

“The way that people pick careers is incredibly primitive,” said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of “The Pathfinder”. So, it’s no wonder, he said, that so many people are dissatisfied with their jobs. Me too! Yes, count me in! Not mass-communication has been been my subject, but publishing house management. So far so good.

I always thought about a true calling for me. Sure, people whose careers aren’t the right fit often feel like impostors, the Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

How about you, my dear reader? Are you also placing too high your value on the external rewards of job, like money, prestige and power? Sure, these things are indeed important. Hold on! The work you do and the skills your opportunity require and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfillment. Paperwork or not…. You think, you find a better career fit? Go ahead – but don’t expect that this is your life’s career!

I waited my “better calling” experiencing many better and wonderful moments in life. I experienced also that what I did had been very much compatible to me, as what my parents thought.

I became what I am now. A professor, a businessman, yes -thank you Lord!- a columnist, radio host and an expatriate in the Philippines since 18 years now (!) enjoying life here and cherishing the incredible companionship with these incredible Filipino people.

Bangs Garcia's Prenuptial Shoot with Filipino-Brit Fiance

LOOK: Bangs Garcia's prenuptial shoot with Filipino-Brit fiancé

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Jan 21 2017 

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Nice Print Photography

The prenuptial photos of sexy actress Bangs Garcia and Filipino-British fiancé Lloydi Birchmore were released Friday, four days before their wedding. 

Opting for a more simplistic feel, Nice Print Photography decided to use a single background for the whole shoot: a vintage-looking bifold doors and faded pastel orange walls. To add to the effect, the set was surrounded with antique lamps and huge, worn-down pots. 

In the photos uploaded on Facebook, Garcia is wearing a heavily embellished, sheer-lace gown, while Birchmore is donning a navy blue ensemble he matched with a white polo and brown leather shoes. 

The pair will walk down the aisle on January 24, a first of two planned weddings — first in Boracay and then in London, where Birchmore is based. 

In a previous interview, Garcia described Birchmore as God-send. "I must have done something really good for me to be blessed with an amazing man like him," she admitted. "Madaming nagtatanong kung bakit daw ako blooming ngayon. Actually the real answer is: the root of my happiness is God and Lloydi is the fruit."

Garcia and Birchmore were engaged in January 2016. Garcia said she is fortunate to have a supportive boyfriend who understands how show business works even if he is not from the industry. 

Check out the rest of the photos from the prenup below: 

Nice Print Photography

Nice Print Photography

Six Filipinos Join Berlinale Talents 2017

German Embassy Manila

As part of the Berlin International Film Festival or Berlinale, 250 selected talents in the film industry from around the world are brought together with professionals from the industry in a series of workshops and discussions under the banner of “Berlinale Talents.”

This year, six Filipinos are joining the 15th edition of Berlinale Talents with other emerging professionals from a total of 71 countries. Exploring the theme “Courage: Against All Odds,” Berlinale Talents will hold over 100 events during a six-day program from 11-16 February 2017 in theaters of HAU Hebbel am Ufer.

The Filipino contingent includes documentarian Alyx Ayn Arumpac, actor Aaron Rivera, art director Monical Sebial, production designer Popo Diaz, film critic Richard Bolisay and producer Tonee Acejo who leads the group.

Read more: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/…/6-pinoys-berlinale-tal…

For more information on Berlinale Talents, click here: www.berlinale-talents.de
For information about Berlinale, visit: www.berlinale.de