8 killed as fire engulfs plane on NAIA runway

MANILA - Eight were killed as flames engulfed a plane taking off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday, authorities confirmed.

The plane, which was on a medical evacuation mission to Haneda, Japan, was carrying 2 passengers and 6 crew members, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said in a statement.

The accident happened around 8 p.m. as the plane, identified as a West Wind 24 aircraft, was taking off at the end of Runway 24, MIAA said. 

MIAA's Fire and Rescue team were immediately dispatched to the site to douse the flames with chemical foam.

"Unfortunately, no passenger survived the accident," MIAA said. 

Authorities have temporarily closed the runway as investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board of the Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philippines determine the cause of the incident, the agency added.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Chris Brown finally allowed to leave PH

MANILA - Stranded Grammy-winning star Chris Brown was finally allowed to leave the Philippines on Friday after securing the necessary documents, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

The 26-year-old American had been stuck in the country for two days after an Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)-affiliated company filed a fraud complaint seeking a million-dollar-plus refund after he skipped a New Year concert last year.

According to Bureau of Immigration Spokesperson Elaine Tan, Brown was granted an emigration clearance certificate, and he boarded his private jet around 6 p.m.

As of writing, his chartered plane had yet to leave a private hangar inside the General Aviation Area near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Caesars Palace wants to help redesign NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - US casino giant Caesars Palace wants to build a $1.5-billion integrated entertainment center on a 30-hectare idle government property next to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

And because of the project's proximity to NAIA, Caesars is offering to help redesign the country's main gateway.

In a statement, Caesars president for international development Steven Tight said the company is bringing in foreign experts to advise on the redesign of the NAIA and on a light railway transit to connect NAIA terminals 1 and 2.

With Caesars expecting to bring in as many as 3.5 million visitors to its proposed casino-resort, Tight said the foreign experts have also proposed ways to increase the number of flights on NAIA's existing runways.

He said this can be achieved by building a new control tower at NAIA with technologically advanced equipment that can guide aircraft 150 miles away, instead of the present 50 miles to allow more take-offs and landings.

Tight said the experts also proposed additional high-speed exits for aircraft to immediately clear the runway after landing to give way to the next aircraft that will either land or take off.

Caesars Palace said its proposed casino-resort would initially create 20,000 jobs and make the Philippines a major tourist destination.

Tight also made a pitch for Caesars' entry into the Philippines. He cited the example of Macau, which became a gaming hub with the entry of global brands in 2004. Now Macau has more than 40 casinos, with revenues six times as much as Las Vegas.

"Macau blossomed into a behemoth because it allowed all the major global players to operate there. Each operator spent huge sums to market Macau. It will be the same with the Philippines, which actually has more to offer and should be a better destination," the Caesars official said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bianca Gonzalez engaged to basketball player

MANILA - TV host Bianca Gonzalez is now engaged to her boyfriend, star cager JC Intal.

Actress Cheska Kramer posted photos and a video of Intal proposing to Gonzalez at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.




Gonzalez was surprised as airline officials welcomed her at the check-in counter with red roses and a banner that read: "Bianca, please say yes."

Intal then knelt on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, who was moved to tears.

On Twitter, Gonzalez couldn't hide her happiness and thanked everyone who expressed their best wishes.

"My twitter mentions EXPLODED!!!!! I had to get wifi on the plane kundi mababaliw ako mag isa!!!! Hahaha!!!! Aaah thank you everyone!!!!!," Gonzalez tweeted.

According to a report on ANC, Gonzalez and Intal were on their way to a vacation.

It was 2011 when Gonzalez admitted that she and Intal are officially a couple.

Last year, Gonzalez revealed that she and Intal have been teen talking about settling down.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Zambo town mayor, 3 others shot dead at NAIA 3

The mayor of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and three others were shot dead at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 Friday morning.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said Mayor Ukol Talumpa and several others were shot at by an unidentified assailant at the loading bay area of NAIA 3 at 11:15 a.m., causing panic among the people at the terminal.

Talumpa, his wife Lea, and two others, 25-year-old Salipuddin Talumpa and 18-month-old Phil Thomas Lirasan, were declared dead on arrival at the Vilamor Air Base Hospital.

The mayor sustained a gunshot wound to his head and another one to his body, while his wife sustained 4 gunshot wounds to her body.

Salipuddin, the mayor's nephew, sustained three gunshot wounds to his body and one to his head. Phil Thomas, on the other hand, was shot in the head.

Those wounded were Mayor Talumpa's niece, Romaida Talumpa; Ronda Lantagan, 26; Phil Thomas' mother Mary Anne Lirasan, 28; Amalia Dela Cruz Lirasan, 58; and Dianne Philip Uy, 3.

The five wounded were initially brought to Villamor Air Base Hospital before being transferred to East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

Uy will need to undergo an operation after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.

Honrado said Talumpa and his relatives arrived at the airport at around 10 a.m. The group came from Zamboanga City via Cebu Pacific flight 5J 852.

He said witnesses are now coordinating with investigators. He also appealed to others who witnessed the shooting to come forward, as he admitted that no closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera was installed to cover the site where the ambush incident occurred.

Aiza Talumpa, the mayor's sister, told dzMM that the local chief executive was supposed to spend Christmas in Manila.

Asked whether she knows someone who holds a grudge against her brother, Aiza said, "Hindi ko po alam. Wala po akong alam. Bago lang po siya nahalal na mayor. Nitong nakaraang eleksyon lang pero dati pa siya vice mayor."

Suspects wore police uniforms, says witness

One of the witnesses, a rent-a-car dispatcher who declined to be named, told radio dzMM that he saw the gunman in police uniform and riding a motorcycle driven by a cohort who was waiting in front of Loading Bay 9.

"Nung tumigil dito ang motor, sa tapat ko mismo, pagkatapos ng putukan lahat ng pasahero nagtakbuhan sa loob. Iyung gunman naka-uniporme ng pulis, nakajacket. Sumakay sa motor at bigla biglang humarurot. Sayang nga lang at hindi nahulog," the witness said.

"Akala namin siya iyung humahabol sa namaril, yun pala siya yung namaril."

In a separate ANC interview, the witness said the motorcycle that the suspects used had no registration plate. He added he also failed to recognize the faces of the suspects as the motorcycle driver wore a helmet while the gunman wore a cap.

The witness said several airport policemen tried to run after the suspects to no avail.

Honrado, meanwhile, said a cellphone video captured the ambush incident and investigators are set to examine it.

Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte, director of Southern Police District (SPD), said police checkpoints have been established within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the airport.

"Magko-coordinate kami ng Aviation Security as to how the investigation will go. [There is] information na may riding-in-tandem in police uniform. Iyun ang information na aming na receive. Iyun ang aming ibinigay sa aming mga stations," he said.

Honrado said there were no means to prevent firearms from reaching the loading bay as this is considered a public space and a non-restricted area.

Nonetheless, Honrado said the MIAA is now coordinating with the police in order to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.

Previous attempts

Today's shooting, apparently, was not the first attempt on Talumpa's life.

Last September 19, 2012, a police officer escorting Talumpa, then vice-mayor of Labangan, was injured after an unidentified suspect hurled a grenade at the official's vehicle.

Authorities said the grenade exploded near Talumpa's vehicle while it was parked outside a recruitment agency in San Pedro St., Pagadian City.

Talumpa was inside the vehicle with his wife and another relative when the explosion occurred.

PO1 Mohamad Mangumpara, who was still outside of the vehicle, was the only one hurt in the blast.

Talumpa also escaped a slay try in Ermita, Manila in 2010.

The remains of the mayor, his wife Lea and nephew Salipuddin are set to be brought to a relative's house in Las Piñas City before being flown to their hometown in Zamboanga del Sur. – reports from Dexter Ganibe, Noel Alamar and Robert Mano, dzMM

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho arrives in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Korean superstar Lee Min Ho arrived in Manila on Thursday afternoon.

Lee Min Ho landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 past noon today for a commitment with local clothing line Bench.

Dubbed a “GlobalBenchSetter,” Lee Min Ho is set to meet his Filipino fans on November 16 in a "Fun Meet" organized by Bench at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Lee Min Ho, who will be staying in the country for four days, was tapped to become a Bench endorser after rising to fame for his role as Gu Jun Pyo in the hit Korean series "Boys Over Flowers." The show was first aired in the Philippines by ABS-CBN in 2009.

This was followed by the local airing of another Lee Min Ho-starrer, "Perfect Match," in 2010, and "City Hunter" in early 2012.

Lee Min Ho’s latest Korean series “Faith” is also set to air on ABS-CBN.

Aside from Lee Min Ho, two other Korean stars Si Won and Dong Hae, of the group Super Junior, also visited the country. The two are also among the roster of Bench's international endorsers.

Other foreign endorsers of the local clothing line are Filipina-Mexican-American singer Jessica Sanchez, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, Hollywood actor Liam Hemsworth, Disney-grown singer Joe Jonas, and American TV stars Lucy Hale and Michael Trevino.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

EVA Air flight makes emergency landing at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines -- An EVA Air flight made an emergency landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday after reporting smoke in its cabin, News 5 reported.

The report said all the passengers on the flight are safe.

source: interaksyon.com

Raymart Santiago, Mon Tulfo in fist fight

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Raymart Santiago and journalist Mon Tulfo got into a fist fight Sunday afternoon at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

In an interview with dzMM, Tulfo said he just arrived from Davao onboard a Cebu Pacific flight when he saw a familiar face at the arrival area reprimanding a flight attendant.

“Nasa arrival area na ako, palabas na ako ng arrival area tapos may napansin akong magandang babae. Namumukhaan ko, maganda siya eh. Hindi ko naman siya nakilala. Pinagalitan ang ground stewardess ng Cebu Pacific,” he said.

Tulfo said he later on recognized that it was Santiago’s wife, actress Claudine Barretto, who was scolding the airport staff.

“Nag-sympathize ako sa kanya dahil sabi ko, tingnan mo nga naman itong Cebu Pacific bakit naman ganooon. Marami na kasing insidente itong Cebu Pacific naging inefficient sa cargo ng mga pasahero. Kaya sabi ko buti nga,” he said.

Tulfo said he then decided to take a photo of Barretto through his camera when he heard that Barretto was already cursing the stewardess.

“Noong nakita ko na minumura na niya ang pobreng babae na mangiyak-ngiyak, ipatatanggal daw niya sa trabaho, kinunan ko ng litrato ng cellphone. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na ‘Cool ka lang, iyan namang babae, wala namang kasalanang personal sa iyo bakit mo naman minumura,’” he said.

Tulfo, however, said he was caught off guard after Santiago approached him and was forcefully trying to grab his cellphone.

“Noong nilagay ko ang cellphone ko sa vest ko... nakita nung si Raymart Santiago. Pilit niyang kinukuha ang cellphone ko. Sabi niya, ‘Bakit ka kumukuha?’ Magpapakilala sana ako kaya lang nung pilit na niyang kinukuha ang cellphone ko, tinulak ko siya sabi ko wala kang karapatan na kunin ang cellphone ko. Doon nag-umpisa ang kaguluhan,” he said.

Tulfo said several people approached him and a punch landed on his face that’s why he decided to fight back.

“Habang sinasangga ko ang mga suntok nila dahil marami sila, minumura pa ako. Ako na ang binalingan ni Claudine Barretto ng galit niya. Minumura mura na ako. Tinamaan ako eh. Noong tinamaan ako sa may mata, nagdilim na ang paningin ko,” he said.

Tulfo said it took a while before airport authorities responded to stop the brawl.

Airport authorities are currently conducting an investigation over the incident.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Honest NAIA worker returns foreign currency

MANILA, Philippines -- An honest janitress at the customs area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport received praises after handing over to authorities a wallet containing different foreign currency she found Thursday.

Although the bills, whose combined value ran to around P500,000, were already demonetized, airport officials said they are considered collectors’ items.

Mary Jennifer Doroga, 32, a resident of Baltao, Paranaque City said she found the black wallet around 1:40 p.m. as she was sweeping the floor at the NAIA Terminal 1.

She immediately handed over her find to customs duty collector Ric Dizon who, in turn, handed it to Intelligence and Investigation Division of the NAIA police.

source: interaksyon.com

More immigration booths to ease passenger queuing at NAIA 1

MANILA, Philippines - Passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 are being promised seamless immigration processing once the area is expanded to hold additional officers’ booths in two weeks.

The arrival immigration area will have two more sets of booths that will house four immigration officers, to augment the existing 10 sets. Once this is done, a total of 24 immigration officers will be manning the arrival area, to ease congestion at peak hours.

Dante Basanta, NAIA terminal 1 manager, said airport management has been focusing on structural works, and basic amenities and comforts of people in renovating the 30-year old terminal.

According to him, immigration at the departure area will also be expanded within the month with the planned removal of banks located at the entrance of the immigration departure area. This will free up more space for departing passengers at the airline check-in counter and the immigration departure areas.

NAIA 1 is being refurbished to keep up with the demand; it has already exceeded its load capacity of 10 million passengers yearly.

Most of the 28 foreign airlines at Terminal 1 have expressed their intention to stay put. They are reluctant to transfer to the Terminal 3 until all legal and associated problems are properly addressed.

Currently, only Cebu Pacific, AirphilExpress, and All Nippon Airways use Terminal 3 as their hub, while Cathay Pacific and Emirates earlier signified their intention to transfer.

“The Terminal 1 upgrade covers not only repairs and installation of new toilet facilities, water supply and carpeting, but also improvements of aesthetics to be on a par with other airports in Asia,” Basanta said.

He said Terminal 1’s arrival area has been completely refurbished, with its walls and ceiling sporting a new look of a metal finish.

The government set aside P1 billion for NAIA 1. The improvement includes structural work, aesthetic/interior designs and the construction of a rapid exit taxiway (RET) that will relieve runway congestion and cut delays of aircraft queuing for take-off and touchdown for incoming flights.

MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado had asked the public to be patient since the renovation of Terminal 1 is going on, despite the continued operation of the airport.

source: interaksyon.com

Free Wi-Fi Access For Passengers

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers using the four airport terminals in Manila can now enjoy free wireless-fidelity (WIFI) connectivity following the official launch of Globe Telecom’s free Internet service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Tuesday.

The free WIFI enables both departing and arriving passengers in all airport terminals including the domestic airport, to work online, check emails or travel itineraries, and surf the net while at the airport.

The service was launched during simple ceremonies held at the arrival lobby with Globe Telecom officials headed by International and Business Markets Head Gil Genio and International Business Group Head Rizza Maniego-Eala and NAIA Assistant General Manager for Emergency and Security Services Maj. Gen. Vicente Guerzon in attendance.

According to Genio, the free WiFi service will be enjoyed by both arriving and departing passengers at the NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, as well as the Manila Domestic Airport.

Relocation

The government may relocate some international flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 to Terminal 3, once the latter is fully operational to prevent decongestion.

Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said that they are planning to relocate 1.5 to 2 million users of NAIA Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 as soon as the remaining 48 percent of unutilized area of Terminal 3 is fixed and ready for use.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) is currently in discussion with Japanese contractor Takenaka Corporation for the construction of 23 systems that are lacking in NAIA Terminal 3 to make it fully operational. (Kris Bayos)

Terminal Fee

Short of saying that there will be no terminal fee increase in the near future, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said Tuesday that any increase in airport fees will be triggered only by specific needs or objectives and added that it will have to undergo the normal process of getting the board approval and public hearings.

source: mb.com.ph

2NE1 arrives in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Popular Korean group 2NE1 is back in the Philippines.

The girl group arrived in the Philippines before noon today. The purpose of their visit to the country is not known yet though some say it’s for vacation since it’s winter in Korea.

Early this morning, 2NE1 member Park Bom tweeted that they are now headed to the Philippines.

“We are now going to the Philippines,” she posted on Twitter along with a photo of fellow 2NE1 member Sandara Park.

Upon learning of the news, Filipino fans waited at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 to get a glimpse of the Korean pop group.

2NE1 arrived in the country at 11:27 AM via a Korean Air flight from Incheon International Airport.

Recently, Newsweek magazine featured 2NE1 as part of the emerging popularity of Korean hip-hop acts.

“While ‘K-pop’ has gained popularity as the catch-all term for a host of glossy boy and girl bands, 2NE1—with its signature tune, ‘Ugly’—represents K-hop, a budding movement that backs up its slick pop sheen with true R&B talent,” the magazine said in the article “Korean Hip-Hop: K-Hop Goes Global.”

It said K-hop is getting popular.

“Now K-hop is getting in on the act: Internet exposure helped boy band Big Bang win the World Wide Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards last June, and MTV Iggy just crowned 2NE1 the Best New Band in the World,” the article said.

It added, “The ultimate validation for K-hop would be lifting Asian music out of its tacky stereotype and bringing it to the same level as Latin and European music on the global music scene. The early signs are promising: will.i.am has already begun working on tracks for 2NE1.”

On March 31, 2NE1 and Big Bang will perform at Springroove in Chiba, Japan. Also performing in the popular event are LMFAO and DJ David Guetta.

source: mb.com.ph

Charice Pempengco arrives at her father's wake in Laguna

Charice Pempengco arrived at the wake of her father, Ricky, in San Pedro, Laguna early Wednesday morning– straight from her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport late Tuesday.

Charice is joined by her mother and brother at the wake. Her father died on Monday of stab wounds allegedly inflicted by the suspect, Angel Capili, Jr. who is now the subject of a manhunt and has a P100,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

The international singing sensation had to cancel her participation in a concert in Singapore with famed composer and pianist David Foster.

While in grief, Charice also deals with wranglings and animosity between her family and the relatives of her father.

The estranged family ties came into public view as Charice expressed through Twitter her disappointment and sentiments vis-à-vis her father’s siblings. — ELR, GMA News

source: gmanews.tv