It was reported few days ago that the Terminator star and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be coming to visit Philippines, along with a group of Filipino-American experts on urban planning. Reported last Thursday, January 28, that Schwarzenegger and company ”will be spending days” in Manila to share with their counterparts their practices and strategies in addressing damages brought by catastrophes.
But recently, the ABS-CBN News reported that Schwarzenegger cancels his trip to Manila due to some pressing matters that need his attention in California. Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marcial Paynor said Schwarzenegger’s trip was canceled due to pressing concerns in California. The announcement was made by former San Francisco Mayor Willy Brown during a San Francisco-Manila sister city committee event Thursday.
Executive director of the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), Butch Meily, announced earlier that the Hollywood superstar turned politician is is set to arrive in Manila on February 7 to help with reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in areas destroyed by storms Ondoy and Pepeng last year.
Archive for January, 2010
Arnold Schwarzenegger Cancels Trip to Manila
by admin, on Fri, Jan 29 2010 | No Comments
Christian Bautista and other Pinoy Artist conquers Malaysia
by admin, on Thu, Jan 28 2010 | No Comments
Ikons Muzikon, one of the newest recording labels based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia goes out to picked foreign recording artist to work with their local talents. For its launching, Ikons Muzikon handpicked a Pinoy romantic balladeer Christian Bautista to record the song “Anugerah Cinta,” with Malaysian singer Noryn Azis. “Anugerah Cinta” is the Malaysian version of ‚ÄúNgiti,‚Äù originally performed by Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 second runner-up Ronnie Liang, composed by Rod Katindoy.
“Christian has the advantage of being chosen for the recording project, given his profile and success in Asia,” says Richard Voon, managing director for Muzikon. “That is why why we selected him to record with Noryn, who is also a very established recording artist in Malaysia.”
Before Ikons Muzikon, Christian had already gained popularity in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. His signature monster-hit single “The Way You Look Me” also hit the no. 1 spot in popular radio stations in Singapore. Christian performed with the biggest names in the Indonesian music scene‚Äîthe famous 40-piece Magenta Orchestra, the young musical genius Andi Rianto, and the country‚Äôs two female divas, Krisdayanti and Titi DJ.
“Promotion is key to making this a success, that’s why we laid out an extensive trimedia campagin for Christian,” said Voon.
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Air Force Plane Crash Claimed 9 Lives in Cotabato
by admin, on Thu, Jan 28 2010 | No Comments
A Nomad plane of the Philippine Air Force crashed yesterday, January 28 (Philippine Time), into a residential area in Cotabato City shortly after take-off before noon of Thursday. Going down with the Air Force plane are the eight Air Force personnel, including a two-star general and a young female pilot. One civilian also died in the plane crash site.
There are least three houses were burned at the crash site after the plane burst into flames upon hitting the ground. Plus, a housewife and a responding firefighter were reported injured.
The Air Force fatalities were identified as Maj. Gen. Mario “Butch” Lacson, commanding general of the PAF’s 3rd Wing based in Zamboanga City, Maj. Prisco Tacoboy, Pilot Captain Gaylord Ordonio, Co-pilot 1st Lt. Angelica Valdez, the female pilot, Aide-de-camp 2nd Lt. Alexander Ian Lipae, Sgt. Maria Rose Lamera, Sgt. Ian Mejia, and Crew chief Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Gozon.
The civilian Angelina Mondrano also died on the spot after she was pinned against the concrete wall of one of the houses that collapsed when it bummed by the plane.
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Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan Approves the Massacre
by admin, on Wed, Jan 27 2010 | No Comments
A government witness testifies last Wednesday that the massacre that happened last November that killed 57 people was approved by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan. The witness, Mohamad Sangki, said he was informed by a confidant of Ampatuan clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. that the Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan had also approved the plan to massacre supporters of the Mangudadatus.
Mohamad Sangki said that he was informed as early as November 19 that the Ampatuans were planning to stop the filing of certificate of candidacy of Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, a political rival.
The witness said that he was approached by Datu Bahnarin Ampatuan, mayor of the town Mamasapano, to organize a police auxiliary force to block the convoy of Mangudadatu’s wife, Bai Genalin.
Sangki’s testimony substantiates the previous testimony of the Ampatuan vice-mayor, who had implicated members of the Ampatuan clan to the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province last November 23.
Meanwhile, Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu Mangudadatu is expected to testify later Wednesday on his last conversation with his wife, Bai Genalin, on the day of the massacre. Mangudadatu had said that before his wife was killed, she was able to tell him through a mobile phone call that Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan Jr. was leading the massacre of civilians in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town.
During Wednesday’s hearing, a liaison officer of Smart Communications presented a copy of Mangudadatu’s billing statement, proving that Genalin was able to call her husband on the day of the massacre.
Clottey to Train in Florida
by admin, on Wed, Jan 27 2010 | No Comments
Joshua Clottey travels to Fort Lauderdale, Florida this weekend to prepare for his March 13 showdown against the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Clottey actually began training almost two weeks ago as soon as he arrived from a two-month vacation in his native country, Ghana, in his gym in Bronx, New York but the Ghanian boxer wants to intensify his training in preparation for Pacquiao vs. Clottey fight.
The decision to camp out in Fort Lauderdale, which is just 23 miles north of Miami, is for Clottey to escape the wintry weather in New York since Florida weather is pleasant with temperature hovering between 25-15 degrees Celsius this time of year.
Clottey had said in an interview that he might be just a fill-in fighter but he will going to give Manny Pacquiao a hell of a fight. “This is going to be a hell of a fight,” Clottey said.
Clottey said last week during the two-city promotional tour in Dallas and New York that he weighs around 160 lbs and that he doesn’t see any problem making the contracted welterweight limit of 147 lbs.
Clottey is the underdog on this fight. The odds are 3-1 in favor to the Filipino champ. But who knows, history has a long list of underdogs who toppled big dogs down.
Meanwhile, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said he expects to announce a sellout soon owing to the strong demand for tickets for the March 13 bout at Cowboys Stadium. If can’t get hold of the ticket to watch the fight live, you can watch Pacquiao vs. Clottey online.
