Kris, son Bimby in road mishap

MANILA - TV host Kris Aquino and her son, actor Bimby Aquino-Yap, Jr., figured in a minor road accident on the way to a shoot on Tuesday.

On Instagram, Aquino narrated the incident that happened along EDSA.

"Unfortunately on our way to our shoot, on EDSA 2 armored cars abruptly changed lanes swerving to lanes to the right, the vehicle in front of us made a sudden stop," the 44-year-old actress said. "Our brakes were good and we were all wearing seatbelts but we were bumped by the car immediately behind us."

She added: "I wanted to be a professional and finish our commitment, but Bimb and I are really feeling dizzy from the impact and I want to make sure we're both okay."

In another post two hours later, Aquino shared that she and Bimby visited their emergency doctors at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig.




Detailing results of their checkup -- Aquino said she had muscle spasms in her neck and right shoulder -- the "Feng Shui" star reported that they were cleared to go home for bed rest.

Aquino, however, said she will miss the live episode of "Aquino & Abunda Tonight" on Tuesday. She also expressed disappointment that she and Bimby will no longer be able to surprise comedian Vice Ganda, as planned.

The comedian, Bimby's co-star in "The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin" and Aquino's close friend, was scheduled to arrive in the Philippines from the United States on Tuesday night.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Viral photo was a kidnapping: police

MANILA - Police believe a viral photo of several men pointing guns at a vehicle along EDSA's southbound lane was nothing less than an abduction.

The viral photo showed five men pointing guns at a white Toyota Fortuner just before the EDSA Ortigas flyover.

Four vehicles surrounded the Fortuner including a Toyota Land Cruiser in front, a Toyota Hi-Ace on one side and a Honda Civic in the back. A blue motorcycle with two passengers was also on the other side of the Fortuner.

Two witnesses said the incident occurred past 2 p.m. last Monday, September 1.

One witness claimed the armed men shouted at the people inside the Fortuner to get out of the vehicle.

"Narinig ko baba baba, tatlong beses at tinutukan," the witness said.

The armed men allegedly broke the window in the back of the Fortuner. The driver then got out of the vehicle and was forced inside the back of the Honda Civic.

One of the suspects then boarded the Fortuner and drove off.

The witnesses said the whole incident lasted about three to five minutes.

Senior Superintendent Job Marasigan, Eastern Police District deputy district director for operations, said the incident could not have been a legitimate police operation since there was no coordination coming from other law enforcement agencies.

He also pointed out that the driver of the Fortuner was forcibly taken and the vehicle commandeered by one of the suspects.

The witnesses said they could not recall the license plates of the vehicles.

Police said the Toyota Hi-Ace's conduction sticker had the letters "YY."

"We are asking the anti-cybercrime unit to enhance the photos," Marasigan said.

Police said another photo showed a passenger bus near the area, leading them to believe that the driver and passengers might have witnessed the crime.

Police have also asked the original uploader of the photo to coordinate with the police. The original uploader has removed the photo and deleted the Twitter account.

CCTV cameras of the Metro Manila Development Authority failed to capture the incident on video. Authorities are now checking if CCTV cameras in other parts of EDSA were able to record the vehicles before and after the incident.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PNoy: 26 years after People Power, revolution still on

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-six years after regaining democracy, Filipinos still struggle against hunger, poverty and injustice, President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino said Saturday.

Aquino said that while Filipinos were able to wrest back their freedom following a bloodless revolution against the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the fight for basic rights and better lives remains.

"Ang rebolusyon sa EDSA ang nagsilbing lunsaran...hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa tapos ang rebolusyong ito (The revolution in EDSA was the launching ground...but till now, the revolution has not ended),"Aquino said in his speech at the People Power Monument along EDSA.

While the fight against corruption, hunger, poverty and injustice goes on, Aquino said, significant victories have been won. The President enumerated the country's economic achievements under his administration, and highlighted the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program launched by the government to aid poor families.

Aquino said 2.3 million families received cash from the government in 2011, a figure that exceeded their target beneficiaries by 45,000 families.

Under the CCT program, chosen beneficiaries receive P500 monthly subsidy for food plus an additional P300 for every child that goes to school. Aquino expects to extend the reach of the CCT program to 3 million families before the year ends.

Meanwhile, Aquino said the country's economy has experienced significant gains. He reported that the Philippine Stock exchange has recorded 16 "all-time highs" under his government.

"Hindi naman siguro pagyayabang ang tawag dito, resulta po ang tawag dito (This isn't bragging but clear results)," he said.

Aquino also said that the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) attracted over P2-trillion in "record-breaking" investments from 1995 till February 2012. He added that 22 percent of PEZA's gains came when he was elected in 2010.

Aquino also relayed the independent report by the Japan External Trade Organization, which placed the country at the top of the most suitable country for investments in the manufacturing and sevices sectors.

Based from the survey, the country topped the list for having the cheapest rates in labor, rentals and land prices, while maintaining competency among its labor pool.

Aquino said that based from these achievements, a lot has changed 26 years after EDSA.

"Ang tawag dito dedikasyon, ang tawag dito malasakit, and tawag dito matuwid na daan," he said.

Aquino left shortly after delivering his speech and went with a convoy to the Luneta Park for a separate ceremony commemorating the People Power revolution. The President unveiled there the monument of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who was at the forefront of mobilizng people to gather at EDSA in 1986.

source: interaksyon.com