VIDEO: PNoy Agrees to Abolish Pork Barrel

VIDEO: PNoy Agrees to Abolish Pork Barrel

Source: Remate.ph

President Benigno Aquino III preempted the nationwide “Million People March" protest rally scheduled on Monday (August 26, 2013) against the graft-tainted pork barrel funds and yielded to public pressure and announced today, Friday, August 23, 2013,  that he now agrees to scrap the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), a 360-degree turnaround from his statement last Monday that pork barrel has its good uses and must not be abolished.

In his speech, Pnoy directed the Department of Justice and other agencies under the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council to investigate, prosecute and jail those who pocketed public funds and to seize their ill-gotten wealth.

Ben Affleck is the next Batman aka Bruce Wayne

Ben Affleck is the next Batman aka Bruce Wayne

Warner Bros Pictures announced Thursday, Aug 22 (Friday, Aug 23 in Manila) that Ben Affleck will replace Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne in the upcoming untitled Batman-Superman feature for Warner Bros set to open worldwide on July 17, 2015.
Affleck will star alongside Henry Cavill, who will reprise his role as Superman/Clark Kent, in the still-unnamed sequel to 2013's "Man of Steel."

"Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled project—bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their universe, which he established in 'Man of Steel,'" 

"We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some. His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character," Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production for Warner Brothers, was quoted as saying.

Snyder also expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Kroll added, “We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman. He is a tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this already much-anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.”
The new Super Hero film is being scripted by David S. Goyer from a story he co-created with Zack Snyder. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan and Wesley Coller serving as executive producers. Production is expected to begin in 2014.

The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment. 

#BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck,  Ben Affleck as Batman

Is Ben Affleck the Right Choice for Batman?

DAIANA MENEZES: Uno Cover Girl September 2013

DAIANA MENEZES: Uno Cover Girl September 2013

Controversial Brazilian Model, actress,TV host Daiana Menezes posed naked on the September 2013 cover of UNO Magazine.

Menezes wears nothing but a black necktie to cover her left breast in the cover image shot by fashion photographer Xander Angeles. The cover line reads: “Brazilipina Bares Her Soul. Daiana Menezes in her sexiest pictorial ever!”

The person using Arianna Tiangco Twitter Account is a Poser!

The person using Arianna Tiangco Twitter Account is a Poser!

Yesterday, a certain Arianna Tiangco got the ire of the public amidst tropical storm Maring by tweeting nasty comments about the Philippines and its people.

In defense of the Filipino people and the Philippines, netizens tweeted back nasty things to the Twitter account of Arianna Tiangco, who turned out to be a poser. The true owner of the picture is Marnelle (xmarneyy) who happens to be a Filipina living in Dublin, Ireland. Her pictures appear to have been stolen by someone and is being used as a profile picture for the Twitter account of a certain Arianna Tiangco.

All this time, Pinoy netizens have been worrying about and cussing Arianna Tiangco who turned out to be just a fictional character. 

Let us all move on. Let us all help and pray for the Philippines. Stay safe and dry. God bless us all.

XIN TIAN DI MANILA: New Heaven on Earth Dimsum Buffet

XIN TIAN DI MANILA: New Heaven on Earth Dimsum Buffet 

Xin Tian Di Manila is Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel's resident Chinese restaurant and it offers unlimited dimsum buffet. Located at the 4th level of Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel.

It prides itself to being able to cater to the most discriminating and fastidious Asian palates in all of us. Oh, please don't get me wrong. Its dimsum buffet is not only confined to dimsum alone, it also has basic staples like everybody's favorite Yang Chow Fried Rice, wanton beef noodle soup, congee and a lot more. Well, correct me if I am wrong, I think the only missing parts are the fruits and salads.

Passing by the hallway of Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel, we saw this wall advertisement labeled Tempting Tuesdays. 

This surely made me want to try its unlimited dimsum.  It got me and my brother really curious. Well, if I remember it right, the first time I encountered the word Xin Tian Di was when I was in Shanghai, China, where I proceeded to Xintiandi after visiting The Bund. In Shanghai, Xintiandi is a trendy car-free district, lined with bars, restaurants and world-class shops and boutiques, housed in renovated traditional Shanghai-style lane houses (shikumen) featuring a unique blend of European and Chinese design.

Xin Tian Di (Chinese: 新天地; pinyin: Xīntiāndì) literally means "New Heaven and Earth".

As I walk through the restaurant's front door, I got this feeling of nostalgia. It makes me think about my food adventures in China. The place is really nice and fancy as one would expect from a hotel’s restaurant. 

The staff are very courteous and accommodating. Plus, they're always smiling. That's truly a service with a smile.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will be ushered in to your table.

We walked past the restaurant's wine selections on the right side.

Here, guests could choose their favorite magazines and Chinese newspapers. They can read while waiting for their order.

The decors and figurines are really nice. 

The round tables have ample space between them. You won't feel crowded at all. 

The booths have high backs and almost feel private.

For our food photos and review please click here!

My Birthday celebration. Please click here.

2013 Miss World-Philippines Winner: Megan Lynne Young

2013 Miss World-Philippines Winner: Megan Lynne Young

Candidate #20, Actress Megan Young, 23, from Olongapo City, was named the 2013 Miss World-Philippines during the pageant coronation night on Sunday, August 18, 2013.

Congratulations Megan Young Miss World Philippines ‪#‎MWP2013‬ ‪#‎MeganMW2013‬ ‪#‎MissWorldPH2013‬

Megan Young will represent the country in the upcoming Ms. World 2013 pageant to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 28, 2013.

The heavy favorite, 23-year-old actress-turned-beauty queen, who bested 24 other contestants for the coveted title, also won special awards during the pageant such as:

1.  Best in Fashion Runway: Megan Young

2.  Miss Sports by FILA: Megan Young
3.  Miss Olay: Megan Young
4.  Miss Reducin: Megan Young
5.  Miss Laguna: Megan Young
6.  Miss Bold and Glamorous by Revlon: Megan Young
7.  Miss Bench Body: Megan Young
8.  Miss Figlia: Megan Young

Other Special and Sponsored Award Winners are:

1.  Best in Talent: Samantha Mae Bernardo
2.  Best in Gown: Bianca Paz
3.  Best in Swimwear: Janicel Lubina
4.  Miss Friendship: Zahra Bianca Saldua

5.  Miss Novu Hair: Patricia Ejercitado
6.  Miss Redux Fat: Bianca Paz
7.  Miss Pantene: Zahra Saldua
8.  Miss Photogenic: Janicel Lubina

1st princess-        Janicel Lubina
2nd princess-       Zahra Bianca Saldua
3rd princess -       Paula Bianca Paz 
4th princess -       Omarie Linn Osuna

Megan Young shared that she’s aiming to take the crown at the international Ms. World pageant.

“I wanna prove to them that well, of course, my goal there is to win it,” she said.

Since the franchise’s separation of the Ms. World-Philippines title from the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., Megan is the third holder which handles the Philippine representation to the Ms. Universe pageant.

The actress will follow the footsteps of 2011 Ms. World first runner-up Gwendoline Ruais and 2012 Ms. World top 15 contender Queenierich Rehman. 

DAVAO CITY: INDAK-INDAK SA KADALANAN (STREET DANCING) 2013

DAVAO CITY: INDAK-INDAK SA KADALANAN (STREET DANCING) 2013

Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (Street Dancing), one of the most awaited highlights of the week long Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, pushes through as scheduled this August 17, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Indak-indak, a mardi gras-like event, is a street dance competition participated in by representatives from different schools, communities, and organization in their colorful tribal costumes and props. 

It's a competition of choreographed and theatrical dance in the tribal beat of drums and/ or other musical instruments performed in the major streets of Davao City.

It will have two (2) integrated components that will start simultaneously at 8 a.m.:

1. street dancing showcase - participants will perform street dance pieces continuously in a forward-moving manner; and

2. showdown performance - participants will perform in an on-the-round manner with a minimum of 5 minutes and maximum of 8 minutes.

There are two categories in this competition. One is the open category (or that with “out-of-town” contingents); and the other is Davao City-based category.

Participants in this competition must be at least 7 years old.  The minimum number of participants is 30 and maximum is 100 dancers. The minimum number of musicians is 20 and maximum of 50.

Source: FB page of City Government of Davao

The 24 contingents in this year's competition will perform their respective street dances starting from San Pedro St., to C.M Recto Avenue, left to Roxas Avenue, then left to C. Bangoy St., to Crooked Road, to San Pedro St.

The showdown performance will be held at the Rizal Park along San Pedro St.

Pamulak Kadayawan

"Pamulak" highlights on August 18 8am-12nn respectively.

- August 18, 2013 – Pamulak sa Dalan - Thousands of colorful flowers are formed into different shapes that the creator prefers. Aside from the fresh flowers, they include also fresh fruits. This is the most-watched even in the annual festival. 

Pamulak Kadayawan (Floral Float Parade)

Perhaps the most colorful event not only in Mindanao but in the entire Philippines -- this exhibit of vividly designed floats is always the extreme highlight of the festival. The colorful spectacle will hit the road on August 18 starting at the Roxas Ave. en-route to San Pedro St.
As Dabawenyos celebrate Kadayawan for the bountiful harvest season, this vibrant exhibition simply couldn't be excluded from the lineup of events as it shows the rich vegetation of the Davao Region.

The floats will be decorated with various ornamental plants and flowers while fruits and vegetables are also used to add color to the different floats.

Three categories are entered in this floral float competition including the big float, small float and the non-motorized or two-wheel float categories. The floats will be judged based on their symbolism, design and creative use of materials.

Hiyas ng Kadayawan: The Grand Quest for the Festival Gem

This event is a beauty pageant like no other as it features the most gorgeous and brilliant ladies who will banner their respective tribes.

It will be a battle of beauty, brains, and talents as the 10 contestants will be judged based on their knowledge of their own tribe, personal character and their performance in the cultural skill showcase.

The cultural skill showcase already kicked off last August 15 while the Grand Coronation Night is set to get underway at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center on August 17.

Other Highlights

The Sayaw Mindanaw Finals will fire off at the SM City Annex on August 16. This event is somehow like the Indak-Indak but will be held indoors.

The Hulagway sa Kadaywan Photo Contest is ongoing while the Tunog Mindanaw, that was highlighted by the performance of original compositions by musicians across Mindanano, recently concluded at the Taboan Matina Town Square last August 11.

Various sporting events will also be held in different venues in the city with the Mayor Inday Sara Z. Duterte 27th Kadayawan Sports Festival.

There are also huge discounts for authentic Mindanaoan merchandise at the Lumadnong Gama and Dayaw Market at People's Park together with the Kadayawan sa Pasalubong Center at the Pasalubong Center along Palma Gil St.

Known as the Festival of festivals because of its vibrant sounds and colors, Kadayawan's Indak Indak sa Kadalanan attracts many people in the city and all over the nation, especially photographers.