PH Headline News Online

PHNO-TL: HACIENDA LUISITA & THE FARMERS: FROM SPANISH ERA TO P.NOY'S 100th DAY

HACIENDA LUISITA & THE FARMERS: FROM SPANISH ERA TO P.NOY'S 100th DAY

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (GMANEWS TV) ON THIS PHNO TL PAGE: TODAY'S NEWS REPORT; EARLIER NEWS REPORT; COMPILATION REPORT ON HACIENDA LUISITA AND THE FARMERS.

Farmers stage 10-day protest on land reform By Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) Updated September 30, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (19)

[PHOTO AT LEFT - Members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas burn photos of President Aquino at a rally in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City during a 10-day countdown of the leader's 100th day in office. They demanded fundamental agrarian reforms. BOY SANTOS]

MANILA, Philippines - Militant farmer groups yesterday started a 10-day series of protest rallies against President Aquino for not addressing issues on land reform.

The farmer groups started the string of protest programs by burning pictures of President Aquino in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) yesterday morning. The succession of protest actions will culminate in a program near Mr. Aquino's family home on Times Street in Quezon City and on Mendiola bridge in Manila on Oct. 8, the President's 100th day in office.

"We tried to reach him, send him our demands, plead for fundamental reforms, but we were violently dispersed at Mendiola, and he mentioned nothing about land reform in his speeches, totally ignored us farmers and continued killing and arresting us," said Axel Pinpin, secretary-general of Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK).

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) spokesman Antonio Flores said Mr. Aquino has no plans of serving the interest of farmers.

"Poor Filipinos are not his bosses, but the rich and powerful landlords. From this day onwards, we would be burning pictures of Aquino as symbol of our protest against his anti-peasant and anti-people policies," Flores said.

During President Aquino's inauguration last June 30, the groups held a rally in front of the DAR office to call for the distribution of parcels of lands in Hacienda Yulo and Hacienda Looc in Southern Tagalog and Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

KASAMA-TK said they have been displaced because their farmlands have been subjected to massive land use conversions.

The group is also calling for the distribution of Hacienda Roxas and Hacienda Puyat in Nasugbu, Batangas, Hacienda Agoncillo in Laurel town, Hacienda Zobel and lands in Barangay Hukay both in Calatagan, Batangas. Flores also denounced the continued implementation of Republic Act 9700 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer) which "displaced countless peasants off their farms and preserved the control of landlords over vast lands."

The groups said Mr. Aquino is intent on keeping family control over Hacienda Luisita.

Luisita farmers take 'final stand' for land distributionSOPHIA REGINA DEDACE, GMANews.TV 09/22/2010 | 04:18 PM

'Order land distribution and revoke the stock distribution option (SDO) that makes farmers poorer.'

This was the "final message" sent to the Supreme Court by a splinter group of farmers in Hacienda Luisita, a sprawling sugar estate in Tarlac owned by the family of President Benigno Aquino III.

In a 49-page memorandum filed on Wednesday, a faction of the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid ng Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA) said the high court should uphold the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council's (PARC) December 2005 resolution ordering the revocation of the May 1989 SDO agreement.

Under the SDO scheme, farmers get shares of stocks, whose number is based on the number of days they till land.

"The SDO in Hacienda Luisita Inc. did not improve, but had further thrust the farm workers deep into the quagmire of poverty. Several years after [the SDO's] implementation, the farm workers remain in state of destitution and misery. There is no more reason therefore, for the continued operation of the said scheme," the petitioners said.

"The land should now be distributed to the farm workers. In the first place, this sprawling agricultural estate rightfully, legally, morally and historically belongs to them," the group said.

Memorandum

AMBALA lawyer Jobert Pahilga said the court should immediately take action because the Cojuangcos have no intent of giving up the 6,453-hectare land.

"This is our final stand. In our memorandum, we said the Supreme Court should affirm the decision of the PARC," he said.

Last August 24, the court heard oral arguments for the case and ordered the parties to file their respective memoranda within a 30-day period that will lapse on Thursday. That same day, the court also decided to create a panel to mediate between the estate's corporate owners and its farmers.

Pahilga said the memorandum they filed was related to the case proper and not to the ongoing mediation proceedings, which his group already walked out from early this week.

Luisita land dispute

In May 1989, HLI and Tarlac Development Corp. (TADECO) forged a Stock Distribution Option agreement with more than 6,200 farmer beneficiaries.

In 2005, the PARC ordered land distribution and the revocation of the SDO agreement because it supposedly did not fulfill CARP's thrust of social justice and improved lives for farmers.

In 2006, the HLI asked the SC to stop the PARC from canceling the SDO scheme and ordering land distribution.

The court then granted the corporation's plea by issuing a temporary restraining order preventing PARC from enforcing the resolution against the SDO scheme.

On August 6 this year, the HLI management and factions of farmers group forged a compromise deal where the farmers were given the option to remain under the SDO scheme or get a portion of the land.

More than 7,000 of the 10,00 farmer beneficiaries voted to remain under the SDO scheme.

In AMBALA's memorandum on Wednesday, it said that the court should lift the TRO it issued in 2006.

It also asked the court to refund the farm workers of 33 percent of the proceeds of the sale of 500-hectares to Luisita Industrical Park Co. or Lipco. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

HACIENDA LUISITA HISTORY COMPILATION REPORT:

Spanish Period: Hacienda Luisita was once owned by the "Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas," also known as "Tabacalera", founded in November 1881 by Don Antonio López y López, a Spaniard from Santander, in Cantabria, Spain.

Lopez acquired the estate in 1882, a year before his death, and named it "Hacienda Luisita" after his wife, Luisa Bru y Lassús. Lopez was considered a financial genius and the "most influential Spanish businessman of his generation." He counted the King of Spain as a personal friend. Luisita was just one of his haciendas. Lopez also owned estates in other parts of the country: Hacienda Antonio (named after his eldest son), Hacienda San Fernando, and Hacienda Isabel (named after his eldest daughter). Tabacalera's incorporators included the Sociedad General de Crédito Inmobiliario Español, Banque de Paris (now Paribas), and Bank of the Netherlands (now ABN-AMRO). Luisita was a sugar and tobacco plantation.

American Period: During the American Occupation (1898 to 1946), the Tabacalera experienced prosperous times because of the legendary sweet tooth of the Americans.

As Cuba could not supply all of the sugar requirements of the United States, they turned to the Philippines. At one point, Hacienda Luisita supplied almost 20% of all sugar in the US. Japanese Regime During the Japanese occupation, Hacienda Luisita continued to operate, like all haciendas and tabacaleras in the Philippines, because the Japanese wanted to ensure that commodities such as sugar and rice were available to Filipinos. Pepe Cojuangco Period 1957 Problems with Huk rebels led the Spanish owners of Tabacalera to sell Hacienda Luisita and the sugar mill Central Azucarera de Tarlac.

Then-Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay reportedly blocked the sale of the plantation to the wealthy Lópezes of Iloilo, fearing that they might become too powerful as they already owned Meralco, Negros Navigation, Manila Chronicle, ABS-CBN, and various haciendas in Western Visayas. Instead, Magsaysay and Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. discussed the possibility of Jose Cojuangco Sr., Aquino's father-in-law, acquiring Hacienda Luisita and Central Azucarera de Tarlac from their Spanish owners.

Magsaysay was a "ninong" (principal sponsor) at the wedding of Ninoy and Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, parents of the incumbent President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III. August 1957 The Philippine government facilitated the Cojuangcos' takeover of Hacienda Luisita and Central Azucarera de Tarlac by:

(1) Providing Central Bank (CB) support to help the Cojuangcos obtain a dollar loan from the Manufacturer's Trust Company (MTC) in New York for the purchase of the sugar mill (Central Azucarera de Tarlac). The CB had to deposit part of the country's dollar reserves with MTC for MTC to release Cojuangco's loan. The CB's intervention was done under the condition that Cojuangco would also acquire Hacienda Luisita, not just the sugar mill, "with a view to distributing the hacienda to small farmers."

(2) Granting the Cojuangcos a peso loan through the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to purchase the hacienda.

November 25, 1957 The GSIS approved the loan made by the Cojuangcos amounting to P5.9 million, on the condition that Hacienda Luisita would be "subdivided among the tenants who shall pay the cost thereof under reasonable terms and conditions."

However, four months later, Jose Cojuangco Sr. asked the GSIS to change the phrase to "...shall be sold at cost to tenants, should there be any." (itals by ed.) This phrase would be cited later on as justification not to distribute the hacienda's land.

April 8, 1958 Jose Cojuangco, Sr.'s company, the Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO), became the new owner of Hacienda Luisita and Central Azucarera de Tarlac. Ninoy Aquino, President Cory's husband and President Noynoy's father, was appointed the hacienda's first administrator.

The Ferdinand Marcos presidency In 1965 Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was elected president.

1967 The 10-year window given by the Philippine government for the Cojuangcos to distribute the land elapsed with no land distribution taking place. During this time, farmers began to organize into groups to push for land distribution.

The Cojuangcos, however, insisted that there were no tenants on the hacienda, hence no need to distribute land.

The government sent three letters to the Cojuangcos between the 1960s to the 1970s to follow up the issue of land distribution.

September 21, 1972 Marcos declared Martial Law. His most vocal critic, Ninoy Aquino, was among the first to be arrested.

May 7, 1980 The Marcos government filed a case before the Manila Regional Trial Court (MRTC) to prod the Cojuangco-owned TADECO into surrendering Hacienda Luisita to the Ministry of Agrarian Reform so that the land could be distributed to the farmers at cost. The case was filed as Ninoy Aquino and his family were leaving for exile in the US.

January 10, 1981 The Cojuangcos responded to the government complaint by arguing that the land could not be distributed because the hacienda did not have tenants. They also argued that sugar lands were not covered by existing agrarian reform legislation. Anti-Marcos groups claimed that the government's case was an act of harassment against Ninoy Aquino's family.

August 21, 1983 After living in exile for three years in Boston, Massachusetts, Ninoy Aquino returned to Manila. He was assassinated on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.

December 2, 1985 The MRTC ordered TADECO to surrender Hacienda Luisita to the Ministry of Agrarian Reform. The Cojuangcos decried this as an act of harassment because Cory was set to run against Marcos in the February 1986 snap elections. The family later elevated the matter to the Court of Appeals.

December 3, 1985 On December 3, 1985, Cory Aquino officially filed her certificate of candidacy for President. Land reform was among the pillars of her campaign. She promised to give "land to the tiller" and to subject Hacienda Luisita to land reform.

February 1986 The February 7 snap election was marred by allegations of widespread fraud against Marcos. The anti-Marcos sentiments led to the "People Power Revolution," a series of nonviolent and prayerful mass street demonstrations that toppled the dictatorship and installed Cory Aquino to the presidency.

Cory Aquino presidency January 22, 1987 Eleven months into the Cory Aquino presidency, thousands of frustrated farmers marched to Malacañang demanding land reform and the distribution of land at no cost to beneficiaries. In a violent dispersal, 13 protesters were killed in what has gone down in history as the "Mendiola Massacre."

July 22, 1987 Cory issues Presidential Proclamation 131 and Executive Order No. 229 outlining her agrarian reform program, which covers sugar and coconut lands. The outline also includes a provision for the Stock Distribution Option (SDO), a mode of complying with the land reform law that did not require actual transfer of the land to the tiller.

March 17, 1988 The government under Cory Aquino withdrew its case against the Cojuangcos. Cory's appointee, Solicitor General Frank Chavez, filed a motion for the Court of Appeals to dismiss the civil case the Marcos government filed and won at the Manila Regional Trial Court against the Cojuangcos. The Department of Agrarian Reform and the GSIS, then headed by Aquino appointees Philip Juico and Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte, respectively, did not object to the motion to dismiss the case.

The Central Bank also did not object to dismissal of case as it assumed that Luisita would be distributed anyway through the upcoming Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

May 18, 1988 The Court of Appeals dismissed the case filed by the Marcos government against the Cojuangco-owned TADECO. The government itself, under Cory, moved to withdraw the case that compelled TADECO to distribute land.

June 10, 1988 President Aquino signed into law Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. A clause in the agrarian reform program included SDO, which allows landowners to give farmers shares of stock in a corporation instead of land.

August 23, 1988 Tarlac Development Co. (TADECO) established Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) to implement the distribution of stocks to farmers in the hacienda.

1989 The Cojuangcos justified Luisita's SDO by saying it was impractical to divide the hacienda's 4,915.75 hectares of land among 6,296 farm workers because this would give farmers less than one hectare of land each (or 0.78 hectares of land per person).

May 9, 1989 Luisita's farm workers were asked to choose between stocks or land in a referendum. The SDO won 92.9% of the vote. A second referendum and information campaign were held five months later and the SDO won again, getting 96.75% of the vote.

Father Joaquin Bernas, a 1987 Constitutional Commission member, said Luisita's SDO is inconsistent with the Constitution. "The [SDO] is a loophole because it does not support the Constitution's desire that the right of farmers to become owners of the land they till should be promoted by government," Bernas said in his June 27, 1989 column in the Manila Chronicle.

May 11,1989 When the CARP was implemented in Hacienda Luisita in 1989, the farm workers' ownership of the plantation was pegged at 33 percent, while the Cojuangcos retained 67 percent.

Luisita's SDO agreement spelled out a 30-year schedule for transferring the stocks to the farm workers:

"At the end of each fiscal year, for a period of 30 years, the SECOND PARTY (HLI) shall arrange with the FIRST PARTY (TADECO) the acquisition and distribution to the THIRD PARTY (farm workers) on the basis of number of days worked and at no cost to them of one-thirtieth (1/30) of 118,391,976.85 shares of the capital stock of the SECOND PARTY (HLI) that are presently owned and held by the FIRST PARTY (TADECO), until such time as the entire block of 118,391,976.85 shares shall have been completely acquired and distributed to the THIRD PARTY (farm workers)."

November 21, 1989 Then-Agrarian Reform Secretary Miriam Defensor-Santiago approved the SDO agreement of Luisita. However, Santiago's tenure at the DAR only lasted two months. In 2005, Santiago, already a senator, said Cory allegedly removed her from the DAR because of a comment she made to the media—that Cory should inhibit herself from being the chairperson of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC), which approves SDO agreements.

Fidel Ramos presidency September 1, 1995 The Sangguniang Bayan of Tarlac (Provincial Board of Tarlac) passed a resolution that reclassified 3,290 out of Luisita's 4,915 hectares from agricultural to commercial, industrial, and residential land. The governor of Tarlac province at that time was Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco, wife of Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr., brother of Cory Aquino.

August 14, 1996 The Department of Agrarian Reform approved for conversion 500 hectares of the Luisita land.

Gloria Arroyo presidency 2003 By this time, the farm workers' daily wage flattened at P194.50 and work days were down to one per week. The hacienda workers then filed a petition with the DAR to have the SDO agreement revoked.

October 14, 2003 Workers from the HLI supervisory group petitioned the DAR to revoke the SDO, saying they were not receiving the dividends and other benefits earlier promised to them. Two months later, a petition to revoke the SDO bearing more than 5,300 signatures was filed by union officers at the DAR to revoke the SDO and stop land conversion in Luisita.

July 2004 The union tried to negotiate a wage increase to P225 per day. Workers also asked that the work days be increased to 2-3 days per week, instead of just once a week. The management disagreed, claiming that the company was losing money.

October 1, 2004 Luisita management retrenched 327 farm workers, including union officers.

November 6, 2004 Almost all 5,000 members of the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) and 700 members of Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) staged a protest against the mass retrenchment.

November 16, 2004 Violence erupted between the protesters, the police and military forces. At least seven people were killed and 121 were injured, 32 from gunshot wounds. This incident eventually became known as the "Luisita massacre."

The original petition the farm workers submitted lay dormant at the DAR since it was filed in December 2003, but began to move after the November 2004 massacre.

December 2004 A month after the Luisita massacre, picket lines were established around the hacienda. Soon after, eight people who supported the farmers' cause or had evidence supporting their case were murdered one by one.

The killings began on December 8, 2004 with the death of Marcelino Beltran, a retired army officer turned peasant leader. Beltran was assassinated in his house just before he was to testify about bullet trajectories at the Senate and Congress on December 13 and 14, 2004.

November 25, 2004 to February 22, 2005 The DAR's Task Force Luisita conducted an investigation and focus group discussions among the farm workers.

July 2005 The Arroyo-Aquino alliance broke up on the same month Task Force Luisita submitted the findings and recommendations from its investigation, which became the government's basis for revoking Luisita's Stock Distribution Option (SDO) and ordering the distribution of the hacienda's land to the farmers a few months later.

August 2005 A special legal team was formed by the DAR to review the report submitted by Task Force Luisita.

September 22, 2005 Task Force Luisita recommended the revocation of the stock distribution agreement forged in May 1989, saying the SDO failed to fulfill the objectives of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law about promoting social justice and improving the lives of the farmers.

December 22, 2005 PARC issued Resolution No. 2005-32-01, ordering the revocation of Luisita's SDO agreement and the distribution of the hacienda's land to farmer beneficiaries.

February 1, 2006 HLI asked the Supreme Court to prevent the PARC from enforcing the resolution.

June 2006 The Supreme Court granted HLI's petition and issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the PARC from canceling the SDO agreement.

June 2007 Negotiations between the HLI management and some farmers began after representatives of AMBALA and the Supervisory group wrote to DAR that they are amenable to an out-of-court settlement.

Noynoy Aquino presidency February 9, 2010 In Tarlac, then-Senator Noynoy Aquino said at the kick-off of his presidential campaign that Hacienda Luisita's land would be distributed to farm workers by 2014.

June 30, 2010 Benigno Aquino III took his oath as the 15th Philippine president.

August 6, 2010 HLI and factions of farmers' groups signed a compromise agreement giving the farmers the chance to remain as HLI stockholders, or receive their share of Hacienda Luisita land. Many voted to retain their stocks and receive cash from HLI, only to complain later that they got minuscule amounts.

August 11, 2010 HLI asked the Supreme Court to approve the compromise deal.

August 16, 2010 A faction of the farmers' groups asked the SC to junk the compromise deal because it was signed even before the high court could rule on the validity of the stock distribution option (SDO), one of the two choices offered by HLI to the farmers in the agreement (the other choice was land distribution). The rival faction also questioned the authority of the signatories in the agreement to represent the plantation's farmer-beneficiaries.

August 18, 2010 For the first time since the land dispute was brought to its doors four years earlier, the SC heard oral arguments on the Hacienda Luisita case. Compiled by Andreo Calonzo, Sophie Dedace, Veronica Pulumbarit, Yasmin Arquiza, and Howie Severino, GMANews.TV

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-SI: MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 9 (IE9) OFF LIMITS TO WINDOWS XP USERS

MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 9 (IE9) OFF LIMITS TO WINDOWS XP USERS

PHNO in TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (Computerworld) By Gregg Keizer, posted on September 16, 2010 01:45 PM -
[NOTE from PHNO webmaster: Many of us are now getting on our Windows screen the announcement of the arrival of the *beta* version of Internet Explorer 9 upgrade. Many of us, especially those who have Vista and Windows 7 are already using the latest IE8. To prepare us for the IE9 upgrade, author Gregg Keiser has done his beta testing and analysis and here is his report from Computerworld.com. Windows XP users may ignore this report but are welcome to share the important information:

Two-thirds of the world's Windows machines still run XP, which can't run IE9.

Microsoft may have a tough time building significant market share for its new Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) browser because eligible users are in the minority.

Several analysts agreed that Microsoft has its work cut out for it, at least in the short term, because IE9 won't run on Windows XP, the aged-but-still-dominant operating system.

Microsoft omitted the still-popular XP from the supported OS list because, among other things, IE 9 speeds up page rendering and composition by tapping the graphics processor in newer PCs. Windows XP lacks support for the Direct2D API, which IE9 uses to accelerate content rendering.

The decision means that only a subset of machines will be able to run IE9, either in its preview or final form, until those systems and Windows XP are replaced by new hardware and Windows 7.

"That's an issue in terms of growth, at least for the next 12 to 18 months as more companies and consumers migrate to Windows 7," said Al Hilwa, an analyst with IDC. For that reason and others, Hilwa said not to expect a "tidal wave change in browser share. Microsoft's battle is not to lose much more share."

Worldwide, Windows XP PCs outnumber all other Windows-equipped machines by two to one, according to the most recent statistics from Web metrics company Net Applications.

In August, Windows XP powered 66.7% of the globe's Windows systems that went online in the month, while the three-year-old Vista accounted for 15.3% and 2009's Windows 7 for 17.4%.

Older versions of Windows, including Windows 2000, Windows 98 and Windows Millennium, made up the small remainder.

Even in the U.S., where Windows XP has a smaller slice of the Windows pie, the aging operating system remains in the majority. But its margin is much narrower. Here, Windows XP ran on 52.1% of all Windows PCs used to browse the Web last month, while Vista accounted for 27% and Windows 7 for 20.8%.

Windows' total share in the U.S. is significantly lower than its global share -- 83.5% for the U.S., 91.3% worldwide -- in part because Apple's Mac OS X is more popular in the United States than in most other countries. Net Applications, for example, pegged Mac OS X with a global share of 5% in August, but a U.S. share of 11.2%.

Other experts agreed with Hilwa that leaving out Windows XP is a problem for Microsoft's IE9 plans.

"This is a major shortcoming of the IE9 strategy," said Ray Valdes of Gartner in an interview Wednesday after the launch of the browser's beta. "And it's an opportunity for competitors to continue to chip away from IE's share."

Al Gillen, a colleague of Hilwa's at IDC seconded that. "The short term potential for IE9 is limited," Gillen said, noting that the new browser's numbers should pick up when Microsoft eventually offers it to Vista and Windows 7 users via Windows Update.

Microsoft has not set a final release for IE9, and Wednesday again declined to put a firm date on the final. Speculation has centered on an April 2011 release, which would coincide with MIX, the company's annual Web conference that's scheduled to run April 12-14, 2011, in Las Vegas.

Browser rivals have used IE9's no-XP policy as marketing ammunition. New versions from Mozilla and Google, for example, are to land later this year with limited hardware acceleration under XP.

"Firefox accelerates for Windows XP users too, something Microsoft says they can't do," said Asa Dotzler, Mozilla's lead technology evangelist, last week. "If Mozilla can accelerate browsing for the hundreds of millions of PC users on Microsoft's Windows XP, why can't Microsoft?"

Chrome will also feature partial hardware acceleration for Windows XP with version 7, which should be in users' hands in two months or less.

IE8, which debuted in March 2009 and currently has a 31.4% share, will be the most modern Microsoft browser available to Windows XP users through the operating system's support cut-off in April 2014.

Net Applications measures operating system usage share by mining data acquired from the 160 million unique visitors who browse the 40,000 Web sites it monitors for clients.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed . His e-mail address is gkeizer@ix.netcom.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-HT&OPINION:

TRIBUNE: ALL PALACE BACON HYPE

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (TRIBUNE) Today marks the 93rd day of Noynoy Aquino in the presidential office. He has only seven days left, or a week, to his first 100 days, which time Filipinos traditionally get to size him up by way of performance, actions and policy directions.

Noynoy has wasted those precious days to make his mark as President of the Republic, media honeymoon or no. It was a time for him and his administrators to prove that they could hit the ground running, showing their capability in handling the affairs of state.

To this day, there is hardly any achievement Noynoy and his administration can latch on to, in proving that competence and ability to run government and this country. There is not even any policy direction that has been given out by his administration which appears to be lost at sea, and not knowing where to steer the ship toward safe ground.

Today he brags that his claimed P25 million trip to the United States netted $2.4 billion in foreign investments plus some $435 million in millennium aid, and opened up some 45,000 jobs over three to five years, along with the claim that he has successfully projected that the Philippines is now open for business under his presidency.

Every Philippine president who comes home from a trip abroad always claims to have secured so much in foreign investments and that the country is open for business.

In truth, these are mere "commitments" to invest from US companies that in the end, do not invest that much, if they invest at all.

The claimed investment of the $1-billion power plant project which American Energy Solutions (AES) Corp., an American company, is undertaking was also a commitment of AES to invest in the country as early as 2007, under then President Gloria Arroyo. It had earlier won the bidding for the 660-megawatt Masinloc plant for $900 million. This didn't push through then, but the Noynoy propagandists are now giving him full credit for having bagged this $1-billion AES project, claiming that now the AES investment by way of its project in the country will push through, after AES was assured by Noynoy that its concerns would be addressed.

That's a cock and bull story the propagandists are handing out. Why would a big company that is said to have plans of pouring $1 billion, over a three-year period and one, moreover that also committed to invest in the country three years ago but didn't, suddenly do so, merely on assurances made by Noynoy during his meeting with American businessmen? Their confidence in him? That's hogwash. He hasn't even proved his leadership at all.

Noynoy and his administration haven't shown, in 93 days that they can hack the job and with his flip-flopping ways. Why should an assurance from Noynoy make US big business plunk tens of millions, if not billions, in investment dollars in the country?

The same goes for the Coca-Cola's $1 billion investment, which amount was also promised Gloria Arroyo, but there went the Palace propagandists, claiming that this $1 billion investment of Coca-Cola was "different" from the $1 billion investment announced last year by Gloria.

It's the same commitment and amount to invest in the country, as announced by then Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in August last year.

Is Malacañang saying that Coke is going to pour in another $1 billion for the next five years, as AES would? And all because they trust Noynoy Aquino due to his genes?

They didn't plunk those billions during his mother's time and there was more hope placed on her after the Edsa revolt.

And Noynoy, with only one week to go on his 100 days, hasn't shown anything to inspire confidence in him as a leader, especially after committing blunder after blunder.

Dumb, Filipinos aren't. Neither are American big businessmen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-HT&OPINION: ABS-CBN: ANALYSTS WEIGH ON AQUINO'S FIRST U.S. TRIP

ABS-CBN: ANALYSTS WEIGH ON AQUINO'S FIRST U.S. TRIP

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (ABS-CBN) By Caroline J. Howard, - President Benigno Aquino III brought home good news as he returned to the country from the US early Tuesday morning, his first overseas trip as the Philippines' chief executive.

The President announced he expects between 40,000 to 200,000 jobs from around US$2.4 billion in new investment opportunities.

Weighing in on the President's trip, two former government officials rated it a success.

Speaking on ANC's "The Rundown" on Monday night, former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo gave Aquino a grade of 8 out of 10. As an academic, he teased, he always liked to leave the impression there is room for improvement.

"A presidential visit should be measured in terms of what its objectives were, and whether those were accomplished and what was tangibly brought back," de Ocampo said, noting that these included getting financial commitments, such as a grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), giving the international business community a sense of the Aquino administration's game plan for drawing investment, and engaging the overseas Filipino community in dialogue.

"The fact that there's US$434 million [from MCC], and that that's not a dream, is important. Looking at the list of companies he met with, there are fairly firm ones there," de Ocampo said, citing planned expansions by companies like J.P. Morgan and Hewlett-Packard in the Philippines, and the jobs such opportunities would create.

"We have to wait for their own report to know the degree of probability these plans would actually happen," he added.

Maceda: Package much less than GMA

In a phone interview on ANC's "The World Tonight" on Monday, former Ambassador to the U.S. Ernesto Maceda said President Aquino did relatively well.

"While the amount [of investments/aid] is much less than what former President Gloria Arroyo used to bring home, he did rather well," he said.

Aside from bringing more foreign investments into the country, De Ocampo and Maceda said the President managed to meet the objectives of his first overseas trip, which included appearing on the world stage, giving the international community a measure of a man that can be trusted, and showing his sincerity with meeting the country's reform agenda.

Measure of the man

"He did quite well in projecting that he's the new leader of the country and has a sincere reform agenda, even if it remains to be seen whether they're accomplished or not. But he has dispelled some of the talk that he lacks competence. His meeting with the business sector and other leaders shows he is knowledgeable in other sectors of governance," Maceda, who served as US ambassador during the Estrada administration, said.

De Ocampo also noted the President's confidence in his economic team, and also in is own grasp of the issues, not once having publicly checked with his Cabinet members during his discussions in his overseas trip.

"He's quite comfortable in his own ski. That will provide the impression he can provide the kind of leadership by example to the rest of his Cabinet; that will be important in giving the signal that the Philippines is indeed back in business under new management, the kind that will allow us to once again take advantage of all the positive aspects of the Philippines," de Ocampo added.

De Ocampo noted this trustworthiness is evident in government's handling of the post-Manila hostage crisis situation. "The government has been forthright. They have shown the picture of an investigative process that was not trying to sweep anything under the rug. That would be reassuring for the business community."

But Maceda believed the President could have still pushed for special assistance for immigration, and better police and military equipment on the sidelines of his visit.

'RP open for business'

De Ocampo, however, said President Aquino was also able to send a signal to the international business community that the Philippines is open for business.

De Ocampo expressed optimism in the government's plan to build public-private partnerships, adding that specific targets looked realistic, as well as steps to reduce the time it takes to start a business.

Given the gains from the President's first overseas trip, Ocampo said the Aquino government will have to prove it has the political will to meet its plans: a 7% to 8% economic growth target, improving revenue efficiency and the government's fiscal position, and making the business environment more attractive by reducing bureaucractic red tape and corruption through computerization.

"The potential pitfalls will be whether this is all words, and whether we can really 'walk the talk.' Many Filipinos have to adjust at looking at a President who's not flamboyant, who's not interested in photo ops but would rather quietly grind and get the thing done," he said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-HT&OPINION: JOE'S BLOGSPOT: ALL TALK AND NOTHING ELSE

JOE'S BLOGSPOT: ALL TALK AND NOTHING ELSE

TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (PHNO) Each time I watch the TV series Mad Men, it reminds me of how the inner circle of advisers to President Benigno Aquino III crudely attempts to market their main man. First, they portrayed him as a crusader against corruption during the election campaign running on the empty mantra of "no corruption, no poverty." And now, they catapulted him on the United Nations podium as the spokesperson for People Power, as if it were a brand patented by the Aquino family.

Speaking before the 65th UN General Assembly in New York, President Noynoy Aquino enjoined the world to embrace a global version of Filipino People Power in the battle against poverty. As if his mother President Cory Aquino's ascension to the presidency through the EDSA Revolution was the great equalizer—the total package that could wipe out poverty.

So much for branding.

It's about time for President Aquino to accept the cruel reality that there are now more poor people in the Philippines than at any other time in its history. Not even his late mother could do anything with the magic of People Power in arresting the rising tide of poverty in the country.

On what moral, political, economic or other grounds then did President Noynoy Aquino invoke that People Power, the one that Filipinos were once proud of and installed his mother to power, could be the vital instrument in achieving "equality and equitable progress in the world?"

Talk is cheap, but not when your government has just received a cheque for US$434 million (P19 billion) as financial assistance from the United States.

The aid was part of an assistance compact under the auspices of the US-run Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who chairs the MCC, said the grant was to be used to build roads and carry out projects aimed at reducing poverty and fighting corruption.

Quite an irony to mention infrastructure and corruption in the same breadth, because our experience in the Philippines would tell us that building roads is a rich minefield for corruption in government.

President Noynoy Aquino was in New York to attend the UN summit on Millennium Development Goals (MDG), an initiative launched by the UN in 2000.

Representatives from all over the world, including heads of states, met to reaffirm their commitment to pursue the MDGs which are targeted for fulfillment by 2015. Here was an auspicious stage for President Aquino to shine by defining his government's agenda to combat corruption under his mantra of "no corruption, no poverty." Instead, he blew his chance to be relevant and decided to sell Filipino People Power as a great solution to the world's social ills.

Does this tell us that he was just running on an empty slogan during the election campaign?

Transparency International (TI), the Berlin-based anti-graft group, has documented cases of corruption and breakdowns in governance as major reasons why many countries are struggling to reach the Millennium Development goals. This was the same group that named former Philippine presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in the top ten list of most corrupt heads of state in the world.

If President Aquino and his inner sanctum had only found time to read the TI report before proceeding to the UN summit, they could have better appreciated that their campaign slogan of "no corruption, no poverty" would have resonated much more than selling People Power. Transparency International cited hard facts and figures to support its call for governments, donors, and non-governmental organizations to adopt anti-corruption measures in their action plans to reach the Millennium Development goals by 2015.

TI analyzed data from 42 countries where there was a higher incidence of graft and corruption.

For example, TI found out that where more bribes are paid, there is a lower literacy rate among 15- to-24-year-olds—one of the indicators used in tracking progress on the education MDG. It also found out that a rise in reported bribery is linked with higher maternal deaths in 64 countries, regardless of their country's wealth or investment in health.

According to Transparency International, "corruption is like a regressive tax on needy households that sabotages attempts to eradicate poverty as part of meeting the MDGs." This is so because poor families suffer more than richer households from demands for small bribes.

TI cited surveys in India where poor people have paid more than $200 million each year to access 11 supposedly-free services, including the police, hospitals, schools and employment benefits.

That sounds and looks like what's happening in the Philippines.

All President Aquino has to do is to simply gather empirical evidence of the correlation between corruption and poverty, instead of merely mouthing worthless slogans. On the world's biggest stage, he could have chosen to speak about corruption and how it hampers progress and the attainment of equality. But no, it was safer and better for the sound bites to talk about People Power instead.

When President Aquino returns home from his trip, he had better show to the Filipino people what anti-poverty program his government has, especially since after receiving an infusion of $434 million from the US government to wage his battle against corruption and to reduce poverty.

And should he continue to talk about making use of People Power, he must include the toiling masses, the labourers and farmers in the countryside, not only the influential rich and powerful business sectors of "Imperial Manila," in mustering the people's support for any government program to alleviate their conditions.

Otherwise, all the rhetoric about corruption and poverty disintegrates into pure talk and nothing else.

Posted by Joe Rivera at 10:38 p.m.LETTER FROM TORONTO Blog Tuesday, September 28, 2010 0 comments Labels: graft and corruption, People Power, poverty, President Benigno Aquino III, Transparency International (TI), UN General Assembly, UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-BE: CEBU PACIFIC TOPS RP CARRIERS IN PASSENGER VOLUME

CEBU PACIFIC TOPS RP CARRIERS IN PASSENGER VOLUME

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (STAR) By Mary Ann LL. Reyes - Low-fare airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) ranked first among Philippine carriers in carrying the most number of passengers for its combined domestic and international operations in the first half of the year.

Based on the Civil Aviation Board's official report covering the six-month period, CEB flew 5.09 million passengers for combined domestic and international traffic, or 214,416 passengers more than Philippine Airlines (PAL). PAL carried 4.88 million passengers; Air Philippines Express flew 667,686; Zest Air, formerly known as Asian Spirit had 623,529 passengers; and Seair flew 132,638.

CEB, the airline brand of the Gokongwei-owned JG Summit Holdings, successfully maintained its position as the country's largest carrier. It strongly dominated the domestic air travel market in the first half of the year with a market share of 48.7 percent, and carried 1.2 million passengers more than its closest competitor Philippine Airlines.

The company attributed its remarkable 26-percent international passenger base growth to its robust positions in Asian destinations such as Osaka, Seoul (Incheon), Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macau.

"Our continued expansion in Asia and in the Philippines coupled with our trademark low fares has stimulated travel and tourism. It also enabled affordable and accessible business travel opportunities for many small and medium enterprises. This is proof of our commitment to nation-building in making the Philippines a vibrant investment and tourism destination," CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

She added that they expect to further boost combined domestic and international traffic in the last quarter of the year as CEB takes delivery of three brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft. These aircraft will be used to mount additional flights to Kota Kinabalu, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Seoul (Incheon).

The airline currently offers the most number of flights, routes and destinations from the Philippines to the ASEAN region.

CEB operates the youngest aircraft fleet in the country with 10 Airbus A319, 11 Airbus A320 and eight ATR 72-500 aircraft and will take delivery of three brand-new A320 aircraft in the last quarter of 2010. It operates the most extensive network in the country with 33 domestic and 16 international destinations.

Broadband connectivity seen as economic growth driver By Mary Ann LL. Reyes (The Philippine Star) Updated September 29, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (2) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - Amidst all the hoopla of social media and video downloads as the primary drivers of Internet usage, a strong link has been established between broadband connectivity and penetration to economic growth and progress.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) secretary general Dr. Hamadoun Touré, during the recent meeting by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, pointed to broadband as "the next tipping point, the next truly transformational technology."

"It can generate jobs, drive growth and productivity, and underpin long-term economic competitiveness. It is also the most powerful tool we have at our disposal in our race to meet the Millennium Development Goals, which are now just five years away," he said.

The ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and service

Recent ITU research suggests a strong link between broadband penetration and economic growth. "In the 21st century, affordable, ubiquitous broadband networks will be as critical to social and economic prosperity as networks like transport, water and power. Broadband will serve as tomorrow's fountain of innovation. It represents the ripening of the digital revolution, the fruits of which have yet to be invented or even imagined," it said.

A World Bank- International Finance Corp. (IFC) report also stated that for every 10 percentage-point increase in high-speed Internet connections there is an increase in economic growth of 1.3 percentage points in its online resource called Information and Communications for Development 2009, which examines how broadband is driving economic growth in developing countries.

True to its commitment to elevate the Filipino Internet experience and contribute to the country's upward path to economic progress, SkyBroadband has launched 112 mbps, the fastest ultra high-speed plan available for residential customers. The service greatly surpasses SkyBroadband's high-speed connections of six mbps and 12 mbps currently being offered to consumers.

With this introduction, SkyBroadband brings the Philippines to the next level — moving closer to first-world countries such as Japan.

In a survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) among 30 countries regarding the fastest advertised broadband speeds offered commercially, technologically-advanced Japan ranked the highest in the study, having an advertised average of 205 mbps overall.

Ray Montinola, Sky's Marketing head explains: "With our 112 mbps service, Sky is positioned to deliver the fastest residential broadband speeds in the country. While the roll-out is in its initial stages, the ultra high-speed broadband offering is a testament that Sky is at the forefront of pushing greater broadband speeds that can improve access to productivity, entertainment and information sources and applications on the Internet."

Montinola added that SkyBroadband is not just about speed. "We are also about the Internet experience with exclusive content that aims to entertain, educate and deliver relevant information to subscribers."

"In the coming months, SkyBroadband will offer richer and more compelling content, leveraging on the content being offered through SkyCable and our sister company ABS-CBN, that will take full advantage of the high-speed broadband Internet that SkyBroadband delivers," he said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-SP: FREDDIE ROACH: MANNY CHANGED MY LIFE

FREDDIE ROACH: MANNY CHANGED MY LIFE

[PHOTO AT LEFT - Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao runs with his Jack Russell terrier dog 'Pacman' at Burnham Park in Baguio City on Wednesday morning. Artemio Dumlao]

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (STAR) By Joaquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing trainer Freddie Roach's biggest paycheck as a fighter was $13,000 which he earned in losing a decision to Hector (Macho) Camacho in 1985. When he worked Oscar de la Hoya's corner for his 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roach was paid $750,000. And since Manny Pacquiao's ascendancy, Roach has raked in at least $1 million a bout with the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

"Manny changed my life," said Roach in an interview a few days before leaving Manila last Sunday to set up Pacquiao's training camp in Baguio. "I never imagined, nearly 10 years ago when Manny walked into the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, we would be where we are today."

Roach, 50, receives an average of 20 calls a day from fighters asking to work with the Boxing Writers Association of America's four-time Trainer of the Year (2003, 2006, 2008, 2009) and about 50 media interview requests a week. He has a pending offer to appear in a TV series where a cameraman and broadcaster track his movements from morning to night – and the fee is $25,000 a week.

To rationalize his busy schedule, Roach relies on his secretary Marie Spivey and agent Nick Khan. Spivey holds office at the Wild Card Gym.

Roach said he was recently interviewed for a big story in the October issue of Playboy Magazine. The feature is entitled "The Unstoppable Roach" and details his life history from childhood. In the article, Roach said his mother Barbara ran a "tough household" and related an incident where "she broke up one of our fights with an aluminum baseball bat, hitting my brother over the head with it twice."

Roach's mother is in the record books as the first American female boxing judge and was assigned to the Marvelous Marvin Hagler-Vito Antuofermo WBC and WBA unified middleweight title bout in Boston in 1981.

Roach said he has invited his mother and a friend to visit the Philippines while he's in the country.

"My mother's never been to this part of the world," said Roach. "I'm waiting for her to confirm. If she comes, she'll probably stay a few days in Manila to rest up then go to Baguio. What will she do in Baguio? I don't know, maybe, read a book."

Roach recently moved his mother out of the Las Vegas home he bought for her. She now lives beside Roach in the duplex which he owns in Los Angeles. Roach also bought a house for his brother Pepper in the Valley. Roach's mother lived in Las Vegas where another brother Joey managed a successful telemarketing company with over 100 employees. When Joey died of a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 47 last year, Roach decided to relocate his mother.

Roach said he doesn't see himself getting married even as he is rumored to often go out on dates with very attractive women. "My mother doesn't think I should get married," he chuckles. "Besides, 90 percent of marriages in the US end up in divorce."

Roach, who has worked with at least 25 world champions, said his top five fighters at the moment are Pacquiao, WBA superlightweight champion Amir Khan of England, WBA welterweight titlist Vyacheslav Senchenko of Ukraine, Mexican lightmiddleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and unbeaten Armenian lightmiddleweight Vanes Martirosyan.

"Amir's the next boxing superstar," said Roach. "He listens very well, like Manny. He's a good student. He's got heart, speed, power and brains. Vanes is being lined up to fight Miguel Cotto. I would never take a fight which I think my fighter couldn't win. So yes, I think Vanes will beat Cotto. And my best young prospect is lightwelterweight Jose Benavides of Phoenix. He's 5-11. His record is 8-0, with 8 KOs."

But of all the fighters he's worked with, nobody comes close to the man who changed his life. "Manny is special," said Roach. "His work ethic hasn't changed all these years. No one works harder in the gym. It's unbelievable how dedicated he is to the sport. Sometimes, I try to hold him back. I don't want him burning out. But that's Manny. It's good for him to enjoy some down time because he works so hard."

Roach was a pro boxer from 1978 to 1986, retiring with a record of 40-13, including 15 KOs. Trained by the legendary Eddie Futch, he gained a reputation as a never-say-die warrior who went toe-to-toe against world champions Bobby Chacon, Greg Haugen and Camacho. Roach had no inkling he would later become a hero in the Philippines when he posted his last win ever in the ring over a Filipino – Arnel Arrozal in Lynwood, Washington, in August 1986.

Rachman to follow in Manny's footsteps? SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star) Updated September 30, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (1) View comments

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Former IBF mininumweight champion Muhammad Rachman (photo at left) has no intention of becoming the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter like Manny Pacquiao but he hopes to follow in the Filipino icon's footsteps as a legislator in government.

Rachman, 38, came back from a 16-month ring layoff to lose to Iloilo's star-on-the-rise Denver Cuello via a ninth round technical knockout at a jampacked Mindanao State University gym here Saturday night.

Like a proud warrior, Rachman refused to fall. He waited for Cuello to tire out and hoped his second wind would carry him through in the late rounds. But Cuello never wilted. And the second wind never came. Still, Rachman was on his feet when referee Bruce McTavish stepped in to halt the carnage. In another round or two, Rachman would've gone down for sure but McTavish didn't want to risk unnecessary injury. While he suffered his first defeat by stoppage after 75 fights, Rachman has never been counted out off his feet.

Rachman reigned as IBF titlist in 2004-07, losing the crown to Romblon's Florante Condes by split decision in Jakarta. He has beaten Filipinos Noel Tunacao, Ernesto Rubillar and Bert Batawang, among others, in compiling a record of 62-9-5, with 31 KOs, since turning pro in 1993 – when Cuello was only six years old.

Rachman couldn't get on track against Cuello who was just too quick and too sharp. He was repeatedly beaten to the punch. A southpaw, Cuello landed a right straight on Rachman's jaw and sent him back on his heels in the fifth round. Rachman tripped as he retreated, prompting a mandatory eight-count. The Indonesian was more embarrassed than hurt and quickly got up.

Rachman went to Cuello's dressing room after the fight to congratulate the winner. He raised Cuello's arm and said the Filipino would be the next WBC champion if Thailand's Oleydong Sithsamerchai stakes his crown against him. Rachman lost to Oleydong on points in his previous fight.

Cuello's manager Aljoe Jaro said he will attend the WBC convention in Cancun late next month to press for a ruling on Oleydong's next defense. Jaro's close friend Naris Singwangcha has offered to promote an Oleydong-Cuello WBC title fight in Bangkok but the Thai fighter is holding out.

Rachman said he will fight once more in Jakarta then retire to become a boxing promoter. He will continue his law studies at Putra Bangsa University and try his luck again in the next senatorial elections. Rachman lost in his first attempt as a senatorial candidate.

"Pacquiao lost in his first try to become congressman then won in his second attempt," said Rachman, quoted by Jaro. "I lost in my first try but like Pacquiao, I will win in my second attempt."

* * *

The second youngest of six children, Cuello is the family breadwinner. He lost his mother Irene, who died of a stroke in 2007, under painful circumstances. Cuello's mother seemed in good health when he left Iloilo to defend his Philippine 105-pound title against Rollen del Castillo in Binangonan. While training for Del Castillo, his mother passed away.

"It was two days before my fight and I couldn't leave to go home," said Cuello. "I kept crying. I promised to bring back the belt for her." Cuello retained the title on a third round technical draw. He made it in time for his mother's burial.

Cuello, who pocketed P100,000 for the Rachman bout, said he will pay for the tuition of his two brothers Denmark, 25, and Dizon, 21, and send them back to school. The two brothers left school because they had no money for tuition.

"Denver's idol is Onyok Velasco," said Cuello's 56-year-old father Demetrio, a printing press operator at West Visayas University, in Pilipino. "When Onyok got the silver medal in the Olympics, Denver was 10 years old. He always wanted to be like Onyok. When he was 13, Denver started to train seriously. He's a good son, very helpful, obedient and respectful."

* * *

McTavish, 69, is a New Zealand native who's seeking Philippine citizenship by naturalization after living in the country for 43 years. He's married to Carmen Tayag with two daughters Jean and Michelle and two grandchildren. The McTavish family lives in Angeles City.

McTavish's naturalization was filed by Rep. Tarzan Lazatin three years ago but after Congress approved it, the bill was stalled during the Senate recess. It has since been re-filed by Lazatin. McTavish's case was brought up last week but he wasn't informed to be present.

"My wish is to be introduced in the WBC convention in Cancun next month as a Filipino, not a New Zealander," said McTavish, a two-time Rotary past president whose pet project is feeding nearly 100 streetchildren in Angeles City every day. McTavish will conduct a seminar on officiating in Cancun. GAB boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz will also attend the convention as a member of the WBC medical commission.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-SB: SEXY TALK WITH PIA GUANIO

SEXY TALK WITH PIA GUANIO

[PHOTO AT LEFT - 'Yes, Obagi does enhance a woman's sex appeal,' says Pia (inset: with her beloved Vic Sotto)]

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - Does a clear complexion enhance a woman's sex appeal?

"Definitely," said Pia Guanio, thanks to House of Obagi which she has been endorsing for three months now. "You have to look good not only for yourself and because as a celebrity you have to, but also for your man. Otherwise," she added jokingly, "he might stop looking at you and start looking at someone else."

Pia revealed that she has been using the whole Obagi line and she likes it.

"I've tried other brands but they were not compatible with my skin. I don't just take people's word for it. I have to try the product and use it only after I see that it's effective on me. I have freckles and they've always been my problem. I've been applying all kinds of ointments and I even underwent a laser procedure but they didn't work. After almost only three months of using Obagi, I noticed that my skin feels softer and smoother."

Aside from Obagi, what else constitutes her beauty regimen?

"Sleep is very important. I should be getting eight hours of sleep per night but I can't because of my schedule. Luckily, I can catch up during the weekend.

Pia is on TV all days of the week --- Monday thru Saturday on Eat, Bulaga!, Monday thru Friday on 24 Oras and Sundays on Showbiz Central.

She wakes up at 7 a.m., works out at the gym until 9 o'clock, gets ready for Bulaga!, leaves home (at Ortigas Center) at 10:30 and gets to Broadway Centrum at 11. Mid-afternoon after Bulaga!, she's back at the gym for more workout, attends Bible study before she rushes to the GMA Studio on Timog Avenue for 24 Oras. She arrives home at 8:30 and is usually asleep at 10:30. Nightlife is zero.

What about her diet?

"Can I manage to take three square meals a day? I try to eat more than that. I never starve myself. Sometimes, if I am busy and I can afford to have only one big meal at a time, I really gorge on food. Luckily, I was born with good genes and I don't easily gain weight. Mabilis ang metabolism ko."

Her love life doesn't suffer because she and boyfriend Vic Sotto are together every day.

"But being professional," explained Pia, "we draw the line between the professional and the personal so that our work doesn't get affected," adding that whatever little kinks there were in their relationship have been ironed out. "Time has a way of sorting things out. Prayer also helps in the healing."

Told that Vic's son Oyo and his girlfriend Kristine Hermosa are beating them in the altar race, Pia said, "No qualms about that. I'm happy for them." Oyo and Kristine have announced that they are getting married early next year probably in Canada. "Well," said Pia, "if you're not ready for marriage, why force it, why rush things?"

On TV, the "sexiest" that Pia could go is wear shorts. "Or else," she joked, "baka ma-memo-han ako. We have to look respectable naman, di ba?"

Which brings us to a little "sexy talk" with Pia.

What is sexy to her?

"Well, for me, sexy is in the attitude. It's sexy when you are confident in your own skin. It doesn't have anything to do with your shape or your physical appearance."

What makes her feel sexy?

"It may be waking up in the morning after a good night's sleep, or when you're in a really good mood. I feel that way most days because I start my day with prayer and then I read The Bible. I exercise regularly and I eat well. Put together, that's what makes me feel sexy."

What part of her body does she consider sexiest?

"As I said, I'm lucky to have good genes, from both my parents. So I never have to worry about getting out of shape."

And what part of Vic's body does she find sexiest?

"His sense of humor. Does it count?"

Sexiest song?

"My favorite song changes from week to week. This week, it's Teenage Dream by Katy Perry."

Sexiest musical instrument?

"Definitely the guitar."

Sexiest billboard?

"Lovi Poe's new billboard ('Love + Sex' for The Belo Medical Clinic)."

Sexiest perfume?

"I like the scent of vanilla and chocolate, so I prefer a cologne that smells like them. But my taste changes every now and then."

Sexiest movie that she has seen?

"Going the Distance. I love Drew Barrymore movies or those of Kate Hudson."

Sexiest food?

"May ganoon ba? Yes, oysters. Aphrodisiac daw, right?"

Sexiest time of day?

"Sunrise and sunset. I love watching the sun rise and the sun set."

Sexiest part of the house?

"My living room. That's where all the action happens. That's where I watch TV, where I play videoke, where I do most everything."

Okay now, who wakes up earlier, she or Vic?

"It depends. When he has a 'call,' he wakes up no matter how early it is."

Does the one who gets up earlier wake up the other?

"No," she protested. "We don't sleep together!"

By phone, I told her. You know, like a wake-up call.

"When I wake up earlier, which is every day, he's the first person I call."

And what's the first thing that they say to each other?

"Hello! Hahahahaha!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-SB: BRAZILIAN HUNK: HEART CAN'T HIDE HER KILIG

BRAZILIAN HUNK: HEART CAN'T HIDE HER KILIG

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (MALAYA) By Mario Bautista (Heart is obviously very much smitten by the "Brapanese" hunk.)

HEART Evangelista admits that Daniel Matsunaga is now her boyfriend after "Langit sa Piling Mo." "He cooks Brazilian food for me. He's super sweet. Napakabait niya. Sobrang simple, wala kahit anong yabang sa katawan. He works so hard. He's God-fearing. He loves his family. He respects my family, who accepts him. He's very different from my past relationships," declares Heart who's obviously very much smitten by the "Brapanese" hunk.

When she returned from her US vacation, Daniel was waiting for her at the airport with flowers at 4 a.m. They communicated by phone, Skype and Facebook. Raymond Gutierrez of "Showbiz Central" asked each of them: Heart, do you love Daniel? "The feeling is mutual."

Daniel, is Heart your girlfriend?

"Yes. I'll do my best to make her happy. I'll be by her side."

Their term of endearment for each other is Angelito and Angelita. We won't be surprised if Daniel would be included in Heart's new TV series, "Dwarfina." This will replace "Endless Love" that ends in three weeks. Heart plays a dwarf, reminiscent of an early '90s Sheryl Cruz movie with Seiko Films, "Dwendina."

***

Does Carl Guevarra have anything to do with the GMA decision not to allow Jennica Garcia's boyfriend Alwyn Uytingco to visit her on the set of their two shows, "Bantatay" and "Jejemon"?

"Ay, wala akong kinalaman doon," he says. "Para namang may power ako to do that."

But how does he feel about it?

"I respect GMA's decision and I think naiintindihan naman 'yun ni Jennica. Kasi I can feel may following na rin ang love team naming dalawa. Even my own mom says okay ang chemistry namin on screen."

If Jen had no beau, would he fall for her? "It's possible. Maganda naman siya. Kaya lang, taken na nga siya. I can see they're happy. Also, people say mas mabuting love team na lang kami so our work won't be affected."

It's said he can't woo a girl now since he has a relationship with a rich gay who bought his condo unit. "Kung may gay benefactor ako, hindi na ko magpapakahirap magtrabaho ng ganito. Puro pasarap na lang ako at di ganitong napupuyat sa overnight tapings. 'Yung condo ko, pinaghihirapan kong hulugan. I got it after I decided na maging independent from my parents."

***

Melai Cantiveros has two regular shows on ABS-CBN, "Inday Bote" and "Kokey@ Ako," both on primetime, and she's also in the movie "I Do" with Erich Gonzales. The grapevine says she has become a swellhead and now has an attitude problem. "'Di naman totoo yan," she says. "Up to now, 'di pa nga ganap na nag-sink in sa'kin na kilala na ko. Kasi kelan lang, nasa kanto lang ako sa'min, hindi kilala. Pero tanggap ko ng artista na ko kasi eto, ini-interview nyo na ko. Enjoy ako, maraming trabaho, but ako pa rin ang dating Melai. Tingnan nyo nga ulo ko, lumaki na ba? 'Di naman. Pareho pa rin. 'Pag lumaki, kayo nang unang magsabi sa'kin."

But she admits her busy sked has affected her relationship with Jason Francisco. "Kasi siempre, walang time. Pero ang mahalaga, nagmamahalan kami. Basta kailangan, positive lagi. Sabi nila, 'di kami sweet sa isa't isa. Totoo naman 'yun, 'di kami sweet-sweetan sa harap ng mga tao, pero kami pa rin at nagte-text naman kami lagi. Buti nga, magkasama kami ngayon sa 'Kokey' kaya lagi kami nagkikita sa taping."

Does she see their relationship ending at the altar?

"Naku, nagsisimula pa lang kami. Trabaho na muna. Wag na lang kami madaliin. Bahala na si Lord kung saan kami makakarating."

***

Solenn Heusaff says that she never expected her exposure in "Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition" to make her famous overnight. She now gets lots of tweets and searches on the internet about her. People also now recognize her in public. "I really didn't expect it to be this big kasi I was just quiet in the challenges, but it's a new experience for me and I'm learning," she says.

Considering she comes from a rich family in Forbes Park, she registers as someone so simple and unassuming in the show compared to other castaways who are so "maarte." "I'm not a complainer and I should thank my parents because they brought me up well. When our group lang won suka, soy sauce, onion, tomatoes and cooking oil, I was so happy na. I don't usually eat carbs but in the island, I ate a lot of rice everyday and still I lost 5 kilos."

So is she now open to acting?

"I am, but ako na nagsasabi, I'm a bad actress because my Tagalog is sobrang pangit. Sa TV commercials nga that I did, I have no speaking lines at all. But now, I'm learning to speak it better with the help of a Tagalog coach."

What about her rumored romance with Richard Gutierrez.

"There's none. We're just friends talaga from way back. But we did get closer in the island and after that, we also bonded well kasi we go to the gym together. Now, people are saying we're bagay to each other and some people are even insinuating I caused his breakup with his girlfriend (Jewel Mische) which is not true at all. It's definitely not my fault."

There's talk she'd be included in Richard's return as Captain Barbell and in his Valentine movie. "Okay lang. But it's all just talk. Wala pang sinasabi ang GMA. What I'm doing now is preparing to cut my first album as a singer."

Is there a possibility that love will develop between her and Richard later?

"I don't know. I don't want to pre-empt the future."

Did Georgina Wilson, Chard's ex who's also her good friend, really warn her not to fall for him?

"No, she didn't tell me anything. She's very much in love right now (with Borgy Manotoc) and I don't think she'd meddle with others now."

***

Bea Binene is only 12 while Barbie Forteza is already 13 but in "Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts" that airs Sundays after "Party Pilipinas," Bea plays Barbie's elder sister since she's taller at 5 ft. tall while Barbie is only 4'10."

"At least, sisters na kami ngayon," says Bea. "When we first worked together in 'First Time,' contravida lang ako sa kanya as the leader ng mean girls in our school. This time, we play long lost sisters dahil when our parents separated, napunta siya sa dad namin at ako, sa mom namin."

She and Barbie are projected as rivals, what can she say about this? "Basta friendly rivalry, okay lang po."

A wushu expert off cam, she's glad the character she plays in "Tween Hearts" is also into martial arts. "Kaya nakaka-relate ako sa kanya. This time, may ka-love team din ako, si Jake Vargas, na siya ring kapareha ko in 'Ilumina' on primetime."

***

Jesi Corcuera is the very pretty member of "Starstruck IV" who now admits she's a lesbian. She now returns playing the role of Frankie, the kind and sympathetic neighbor of Raymart Santiago's family in "Bantatay" who discovers that Camille Prats is maltreating the three kids he left behind: Krystal Reyes, Renz Valerio and Sweet Ramos. "Na-miss ko rin ang showbiz at ang pag-arte kaya when GMA called me to be part of 'Bantatay,' I quickly accepted the offer," she says. "I have a nice role kasi ako ang tatawag ng pulis para ipaarest so Camille Prats dahil sa kalupitan niya sa mga bata, pero bigla siyang magkukunwaring mabait na sa kanila while Raymart naman will find a way to communicate with his kids through their dog Bantay."

She used to have a ka-love team right after "Starstruck," Kiko Junio. W, whatever happened to him?

"Wala rin akong balita. We were paired in some shows pero hindi nagkaroon ng follow up so we lost touch."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-SB: IZA SHEDS 'MANANG' IMAGE

IZA SHEDS 'MANANG' IMAGE

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (MALAYA) ETHEL RAMOS ('She has agreed to wear a two-piece bathing suit for her role in the series, "Beauty Queen."')

ELDER brother John, according to Camille Prats, is still hurting from his unexpected break-up with Shaina Magdayao.

Shaina, as we all know, is the current squeeze of actor John Lloyd Cruz.

"He did love Shaina very much," says Camille. "And we in the family all liked her."

Asked what could have been the reason for the break-up, Camille said she has no idea.

Camille, now married with one child, is doing a series, "Bantatay," on GMA 7.

Like John, Camille started her career in showbiz as a child star on ABS-CBN.

***

Has talk show host Bianca Gonzales broken up again with her non-showbiz boyfriend?

It looks like they have. She has been insinuating it in her show with Boy Abunda, "Showbiz News Ngayon" (SNN).

Meanwhile, Bianca's ex, director Lino Cayetano, is currently being linked to Malaysian actress Carmen So.

Carmen, after her appearance as Christian Bautista's leading lady in the ABS-CBN weekly series, "Your Song Presents … Beautiful Girl," will leave for Malaysia to do a movie with a German producer.

"But I will soon return," Carmen promised.

***

Mariel Rodriguez revealed she was asleep when husband Robin Padilla slipped a diamond engagement ring – reportedly costing P1.2M – on her finger.

Then, he followed it up with an invitation that she join him in India for the Ramadan (Robin is a practicing Muslim).

When she did, a few days later after Robin's departure, the unexpected wedding of the year happened. Robin and Mariel exchanged vows in India's Taj Mahal.

"I've never been this happy," Mariel told her talent manager Boy Abunda, who is also a host of "Showbiz News Ngayon." "Sometimes, I even tell myself that I might have done something good to deserve this happiness."

Mariel denies the report that her grandparents, who raised her and an elder sister, never met Robin prior to the nuptials.

"They immediately liked him the first time they met," she said. "I informed them of my engagement to Robin. Yes, including my sister."

Mariel said they have no plans to immediately start a family. They plan to continue working.

ABS-CBN, which just inked a contract with Robin, is planning a show for the two, the actor reported.

***

Iza Calzado, at 28, is ready to shed her old-fashioned image.

She has agreed to wear a two-piece bathing suit for her role in the series, "Beauty Queen."

Iza recalled that when she was younger, her late mom wanted her to become a beauty titlist.

"But until I was 18 years old, I was chubby. I could consume half a gallon of ice cream," Iza related, "to the consternation of my mom. Not to say my Dad (choreographer Lito Calzado).

"I don't know what happened, but I just suddenly started losing weight after my mom died."

Do you know that Iza got her break as a movie star in the Star Cinema movie, "Milan"? She played the wife of Piolo Pascual who leaves the Philippines to work in Italy without her husband's permission.

He follows her to Italy, only to discover that she has remarried.

"Milan," directed by Olive Lamasan, was filmed in Italy. It also starred Claudine Barretto.

***

For her newly refurbished house in Acropolis, Quezon City, Iza spent quite a sum. She hired an interior decorator to help her achieve the look she wanted.

And is she satisfied with it.

"Oo naman," she told friends, sounding proud.

The house used to be owned by comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto. Rufa Mae said she is eager to see how Iza has changed the look of her old house.

Rufa Mae now stays with her lola in their old residence in Cubao.

She had the house renovated, too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PHNO-NC: PALACE: NO APOLOGY NEEDED FROM U.S. FOR INVERTED RP FLAG

PALACE: NO APOLOGY NEEDED FROM U.S. FOR INVERTED RP FLAG

[PHOTO AT LEFT - A presidential photo taken at the ASEAN-US leaders' meeting in New York shows the Philippine flag inverted, with the red field atop the blue. The photo was still online at the Official Gazette website as of 7 p.m. Sunday.]

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 (GMANEWS TV) Malacañang will not demand an apology from the United States government because an inverted Philippine flag was displayed during a recent meeting of US and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in New York.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Philippine government is satisfied with the US Embassy's explanation that the error in the display of the Philippine flag was an "honest mistake."

The Philippine flag should always be displayed in such a way that the blue field is above the red field. The red field only goes above the blue field — similar to how the Philippine flag was displayed at the ASEAN assembly — when the country is in a state of war.

"We are satisfied that they recognized it was an honest mistake. What is important is that our relations continue to be friendly. I know that it was not an intentional faux pas on their part," Lacierda said in a press briefing.

Lacierda said Malacañang believes that the incorrect display of the flag was "not an intentional insult" to the Philippines.

A presidential photo taken at the ASEAN-US leaders' meeting in New York shows the Philippine flag inverted, with the red field atop the blue. The photo was still online at the Official Gazette website as of 7 p.m. Sunday.

Lacierda said Philippine protocol officers noticed that the flag was inverted and informed the protocol officers of the US State Department.

However, the error was not corrected because security was "very tight" at the meeting of US President Barack Obama and heads of the ASEAN countries, including President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office informed the US Embassy in the Philippines of the incident. The embassy then promptly issued its statement explaining that the display of the inverted flag was an "honest mistake" although it did not explicitly apologize for the incident.

"This was an honest mistake. The US treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated this past week during President Aquino's trip to the US, with the signing of the MCC Compact, the US-ASEAN meeting, and the meeting of our two Presidents that followed it," US Embassy in Manila spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said in a short statement.

At the Philippine military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta said they believed the display of an inverted Philippine flag was an "honest mistake."

"We believe it is an honest mistake and apparently, the organizers themselves immediately came out with the sorry and excuses (statement)," Mabanta told reporters.

Mabanta said the incident will not strain relations between the Philippines and the US, particularly the assistance and training being given to Philippine troops in addressing terrorist threats in southern Philippines. "[The United States] remains a strong ally," he said.

Aquino arrived in the US on Tuesday morning last week for the US-ASEAN meeting, signing of the $434-million Millennium Challenge Corporation grant to the Philippines, the United Nations general assembly, and various business conferences, among others.

Lacierda said instead of dwelling on the incorrect display of the Philippine flag, the government prefers to focus on the "good news" Aquino will bring when he returns to Manila early on Tuesday, which includes the $2.7 billion in investment pledges from US firms. –VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV

US: Inverted Philippine flag was `honest mistake' AP – Sun Sep 26, 4:06 pm ET

[PHOTO AT LEFT - UPSIDE DOWN. President Benigno Aquino III and US President Barack Obama in a press conference at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Saturday. - Jay Morales / Malacañang Photo Bureau]

MANILA, Philippines – The U.S. government said Sunday it made an "honest mistake" when it displayed an inverted Philippine flag — which wrongfully signified that the Southeast Asian nation was in a state of war — in a meeting hosted by President Barack Obama.

The Philippine flag was displayed upside down behind President Benigno Aquino III when leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met Obama in New York on Friday.

"This was an honest mistake," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said in a statement, adding, "the U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines."

The American embassy will find out how the "unfortunate" incident happened, she said.

Philippine foreign affairs department spokesman Ed Malaya said the government understood that it was "an honest error" that "should not detract from the true significance of the summit, which showed the unprecedented cooperation between the ASEAN and the U.S."

It was not immediately clear who pointed out the mistake. A photograph of Aquino sitting beside Obama with the inverted flag behind them was displayed on a government website Sunday but its caption did not point out the error.

During the summit, Obama discussed ways of bolstering economic ties between the U.S. and Southeast Asia as well as Asian regional concerns such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea and Nov. 7 elections in military-ruled Myanmar.

Palace creates crisis war room By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated September 30, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has created the Presidential Situation Room (PSR), a command center that will give the chief executive intelligence support during emergencies or crisis situations.

Through Administrative Order 2, Mr. Aquino allocated an initial amount of P5.5 million to form and equip the office. The PSR will be run by an executive director who will report directly to National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad.

The initial budget for the PSR would come from the budget of the Office of the President. The National Security Council Secretariat was also directed to include in its annual appropriations succeeding budgetary support for the PSR.

Malacañang said that as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Mr. Aquino should have immediate access to information on events affecting national security so he could respond immediately.

The PSR would be responsible for monitoring events that threaten national security, as well as diplomatic and political ties. It would likewise be the primary monitoring and communications center in Malacañang on classified information.

It would also provide current intelligence support to the President, the Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser and the Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff.

The PSR will likewise coordinate the collection, verification, and evaluation of highly sensitive information affecting national security.

Other agencies tasked to provide support to the PSR are the intelligence units of the AFP and the Philippine National Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and representatives from Mr. Aquino's Communications Group, who will help in manning the PSR.

The President had been criticized for being out of reach during the Aug. 23 hostage-taking incident that claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

PH Headline News Online

PHNO-TL: HACIENDA LUISITA & THE FARMERS: FROM SPANISH ERA TO P.NOY'S 100th DAY

PHNO-SI: MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 9 (IE9) OFF LIMITS TO WINDOWS XP USERS

PHNO-HT&OPINION:

PHNO-HT&OPINION: ABS-CBN: ANALYSTS WEIGH ON AQUINO'S FIRST U.S. TRIP

PHNO-HT&OPINION: JOE'S BLOGSPOT: ALL TALK AND NOTHING ELSE

PHNO-BE: CEBU PACIFIC TOPS RP CARRIERS IN PASSENGER VOLUME

PHNO-SP: FREDDIE ROACH: MANNY CHANGED MY LIFE

PHNO-SB: SEXY TALK WITH PIA GUANIO

PHNO-SB: BRAZILIAN HUNK: HEART CAN'T HIDE HER KILIG

PHNO-SB: IZA SHEDS 'MANANG' IMAGE

PHNO-NC: PALACE: NO APOLOGY NEEDED FROM U.S. FOR INVERTED RP FLAG

Sponsored Ads

Links

Subscribe via email

Looking For Jobs?

Archive

Traffic Tools