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

Kris Aquino Celebrates 41st Birthday, Shares Wishes

MANILA, Philippines – As she turns 41 this Valentine’s Day, Kris Aquino shares her wishes not only for herself but also for her family.

In an interview with her best friend Boy Abunda for “The Buzz,” the TV-host actress said, "I always pray for my sisters (Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Viel Aquino-Dee) and my brother (President Noynoy Aquino). Gusto ko talaga that they all stay healthy and that palagi kaming nakaapak sa lupa. I don't want any of us to be jaded. I don't want any of us to lose optimism.”

The recently-annulled Kris is grateful for the success that she continues to enjoy.

"Ang bait-bait ni God sa akin talaga na ibinigay niya ‘yung opportunity to have the job that I love. So, I'm excited to be an actress na at sinabi ko 'yan ng ilang beses. And true na ito, ayan na talaga. May teleserye, may movie with Chito Roño...I'm so excited about that,” she enthused.

To celebrate her birthday, Kris flew to Tokyo, Japan with her sons Joshua and Bimby, as well as some of her closest friends including John “Sweet” Lapus.

Her ex-husband, star cager James Yap, related his wish for Kris in an interview with ABS-CBN News:

“I wish her to find happiness in life talaga. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung hinihintay niya 'di ba?"

Other celebrities also posted their birthday greetings for the “Kris TV” host on Twitter, Tuesday:

Anne Curtis (@annecurtissmith): Happy Birthday to the Queen of All Media! My ate that I super love@itsmekrisaquino ♥ Love you ate!!

Coney Reyes (@ConeyReyes): Happy birthday, @itsmekrisaquino ! Have a great day! God bless you more! May His love and peace reign in your heart always! =)

Ruffa Gutierrez (@iloveruffag): Happy Valentines Day and happy birthday @itsmekrisaquino! Love Love Love!! ♥♡♥

Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez (@lucytgomez): Happy birthday @itsmekrisaquino! You are one of the most wonderful persons I know. Thank you for the friendship & all the ♥ ♥ ♥!

Liz Uy (@lizzzuy): Happy happy birthday @itsmekrisaquino ♥ LOVE, laughter, and Louboutins! ♥ I love you kris!

Richard “Papa Chen” Yap (@iamrichardyap): @itsmekrisaquino Happy Birthday Kris! Hope you have a wonderful birthday, all the best. God bless!

Raymond Gutierrez (@mondgutierrez): Happy birthday @itsmekrisaquino!!! :)

source: mb.com.ph

Grace Lee Bags Four New Endorsements

MANILA, Philippines — We heard that Grace Lee’s career has been on the upswing since her association with President Noynoy. A source disclosed that aside from receiving invitations for interviews left and right, she has snatched at least three endorsement deals as of this writing – Belo, Bench, and Ever Bilena. Avon, they say is also part of the growing list of would-be endorsements. To top it all, Grace’s hosting fee reportedly jumped up from P80,000 per gig to P140,000. No wonder she has upped the ante without hesitation, by obliging to do interviews left and right, something that no other woman linked to the President has ever done before. For Grace, high profile is the name of the game. Our take: Enjoy it while it lasts. As my wannabe political analyst friend always says, “When the smoke clears in the political arena, so will the smoke shrouding the President’s lovelife.”

source: mb.com.ph

Grace Lee: PNoy courts 'like any normal guy'

MANILA, Philippines – Following President Noynoy Aquino’s admission that they are dating, TV and radio personality Grace Lee has become more open in disclosing some details about their burgeoning bond.

Despite holding the highest post in the country, PNoy’s courtship style remains “normal,” according to the Philippines-based Korean.

“I don’t know about calling everyday, I don’t wanna divulge too much details, pero yes very normal, like any normal guy,” Grace said in an interview on “24 Oras,” Feb. 2.

She has also received “a couple of chocolates and flowers” from the chief executive.

“He’s just very sweet,” Grace added.

Although she’s been part of the entertainment industry for some years now, Grace is still surprised by the outpour of attention she’s receiving. Reporters and photographers of international wire agencies, such as Agence-France Presse, were seen tailing her on Thursday, “24 Oras” stated.

It took a while for the GMA-7 showbiz reporter to speak up about PNoy because she “wanted this to be more private.”

“We’re still at the stage of getting to know each other. And I didn’t want so many people having so much to say about what’s going on between us... I don’t think I’m gonna waste my time, spending hours of my day trying to know a man if I was not interested at all,” she related.

She may have evaded the question about PNoy’s chances on winning her heart, but Grace generously attached positive adjectives to him. At one point, she said, “He is a wonderful person…”

Grace did not reveal when she and PNoy began dating. It can be recalled though that their paths first crossed June last year at the inauguration of Korea Electric Power Corp. power plant in Cebu. She hosted the said event.

The 29-year-old DJ had a closer, longer encounter with the president before Christmas through an interview they did for her radio program. According to “24 Oras,” their conversation ranged from serious topics like his visions for the country, to lighter ones such as his taste in music.

“He’s brilliant, he is the most intelligent man I’ve met in my life,” Grace enthused.

She appreciates that PNoy admitted that they are “seeing each other.”

"He’s such a gentleman. When he acknowledged it, I think that was out of respect for me because he doesn’t need this… but he did and that tells you a lot about what kind of man he is.

“He’s such an inspiring character,” Grace said in a separate interview with “TV Patrol,” adding, “To be liked by a man who leads a country is very flattering.”

While things are looking up for the two, Grace, as well as her family, are “worried… on the public attention.”

“I just didn’t think it was gonna happen this fast,” she said.

She also got concerned about their racial difference. Nevertheless, “it’s the reason why I fell in love with the Philippines in the first place, so accepting and so understanding.”

Grace merely laughed off speculations that PNoy has already proposed to her.

“We are starting so sana everyone would give us time and space to get to know each other more,” she said.

Reporter Mario Dumaual then told Grace, “love knows no age gap or age differences.”

“At least whatever we have right now will serve as an inspiration to a lot of people out there. But aside from that, I would like to believe so as well,” she said with a smile.

For PNoy’s 52nd birthday on Feb. 8, Grace said, “What can you give the President, right? It’s so difficult. But I’m brewing something up. Surprise na lang.”

“You can give your love,” Mario teased her.

Laughing, she responded, “Oo nga eh, puwede rin.”

Her manager, Arnold Vegafria, deemed that the recent turn of events marks a big change for Grace.

“But the most important dapat, guard your heart,” he pointed out on “24 Oras.”

source: mb.com.ph