Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Tweet Scoop: Lea Salonga's Birthday Wish is for The Voice Audience to Vote Wisely
Images courtesy of Twitter: MsLeaSalonga
Insta Scoop: Dolly Anne Carvajal's Take on Sunshine Cruz-Cesar Montano Rift
Image courtesy of Instagram: dollywood922
Insta Scoop: Toni Gonzaga Signs 3 Year Contract with ABS-CBN
Image courtesy of Instagram: gonzagasissams
Image courtesy of Instagram: abscbnpr
FB Scoop: Jinky Pacquiao Reacts to Friend Bernard Cloma's Floyd Mayweather Post
Image courtesy of Instagram: Jinkee Pacquiao
Insta Scoop: Paolo Ballesteros' Make-up Transformation to Julianne Moore
.jpg)
Image courtesy of Instagram: pochoy_29
PNoy Leaves Some SAF Families Hurt
Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
"Janet," the wife of one of the slain SAP troopers, said Aquino even scolded them when they met at Camp Crame Wednesday.
Her account of the meeting, which was sent to ABS-CBN News, echoed what another SAF relative felt after Aquino talked to her.
Janet said the were made to wait for hours for the President.
"Six p.m. po nang sinabi sa amin ng protocol officer namin na hindi muna kami pwede umuwi dahil darating si Mr. President. Matagal pa po kami naghintay. Eight p.m. na siya dumating at nagsimula po niyang kausapin per table ang bawat pamilya (3 pamilya per table)," she said.
"Pasado alas 11 na po ng gabi nang mapagdesisyunan na ang 6 na pamilyang natitira ay pagsama-samahin para mas mapabilis na matapos ang paguusap. Bago kami kausapin nagsabi ang Pangulo na maghihilamos muna sya. Pagkatapos ng mahabang paghihintay nagsimula ang usapan kung saan bawat pamilya ang nagtatanong," Janet said.
This is what several families of the slain SAF troopers asked the President, and his answers, according to Janet:
Family 1: "Magtatanong lang po kami bakit tumagal ng mahigit 10 oras ang bakbakan, bakit walang reinforcement? Ilang survivor na po ang nainterview at sinabi na maghapon silang nakipaglaban para mabuhay pero walang reinforcement na dumarating."
The President reportedly admitted that he knew about the Mamasapano clash as early as 7 a.m., but directly blamed now-sacked SAF chief Getulio Napeñas for the fiasco.
"Sabi ko, padalhan ng reinforcement iyan kaya akala ko okay na. Di ko naman alam na hindi pala totoo iyun. At di ko rin alam na bandang hapon eh napapalaban na rin ang (SAF) 84th Seaborne," Aquino allegedly replied.
The President also said it's not easy sending reinforcements and compared it to going to a mall to meet a friend. "Kayo ba kapagkunwari itetext nyo friend nyo, 'Kita tayo sa MOA,' ganun lang ba kadali sa inyo na pumunta dun?"
Janet also said they couldn't accept what Aquino told another family, who asked for justice for the slain police officers.
Aquino allegedly asked the family if they wanted him to get the fingerprints of all enemy combatants in the Mamasapano clash. "Ano gusto nyo gawin ko, kunin natin ang fingerprint ng mga kalaban? Aba madami iyun, para malaman natin sino pumatay sa mga kamag-anak nyo."
The President also reportedly said he and the SAF families were "equal" because his father was also killed. "Namatay rin ang tatay ko, alam ko pakiramdam niyo kaya patas na rin tayo ngayon."
Aquino reiterated that it was Napenas' fault, according to Janet. "Ang may kasalanan diyan, 'yung nag-utos na papuntahin sila dun. Alam na delikado tinuloy pa rin at si Napenas iyun," the President allegedly said.
Janet said some families just went home and did not talk to Aquino because they were dismayed with what he said.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo, meamnwhile, denied that a confrontation took place between Aquino and the families of the slain SAF commandos.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Friday said Malacañang respects the sentiments of the SAF troopers.
"Owing to the fact that their loss is very, very fresh and that they lost their loved ones in such a manner, we would understand… [that] they look at that opportunity to be able to ask the President questions differently," Valte said.
"There are also families who have chosen not to speak of their private conversation but also did say they have no ill feelings towards the President. So at this point, we respect the differentiation of how he was received," she said.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Concocting a Fake Courting
Image courtesy of www.twitter.com
When Model Actor (MA) was starting out, people who worked with him were all praises at his attitude. Some would attest that MA would just sit a corner while waiting for his turn at events, and once instructed, he will get his guitar and sing in front of the audience. He did not complain, and just did what he was told.Thus, people loved MA then, and those who had connections worked for MA to establish his niche in the network.
The biggest break of MA came when the network paired him off with Network Discovery (ND), and their chemistry (and a lot of publicity) was so great that they were able to meet expectations set by the network. As MA and ND looked good together, her fans supported him as well. Soon, ND was smiling again and the network found another gold mine to exploit.
As time passed, praises for MA turned into criticisms. Sadly, the negative comments were not for his acting, but rather, for the way he was carrying himself. The once charming boy evolved into an arrogant man, who would express his opinions without any tact or politeness, and he did not care whom it was he was talking to. However, every time MA did a faux pas that was supported by video evidence, he was always quick to apologize and project a humbled image.
Despite being a publicity nightmare, the network stood by MA and he never ran out of projects. To his advantage, ND was always there to express support for MA. However, ND insisted that she and MA were only the best of friends. When the network tried to expand MA’s horizons, the decision resulted in failure, and thus, the network had to accept that MA’s skills had limitations.
As MA and ND are being groomed to star in a romcom project, the spin doctors of the network had to think of ways to drum up interest in their loveteam. Thus, MA was given instructions to start courting ND to develop the mindset of potential viewers. Allegedly, even the network’s media people were instructed to use their resources to generate interest in the courting.
However, with the latest development, the network’s spin doctors might need to concoct something to cover up the latest fiasco MA got himself into. As for ND, she is behaving as how a screen partner should, and has used her social media presence to express support for MA.
Public relations is at best promotion or manipulation, at worst evasion and outright deception.–Heather Brooke
Follow @FashionPulis on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS!
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Fashion PULIS. The management reserves the right to exclude comments that do not comply with the GUIDELINES in writing comments.
How Can a 2nd 'Poorest' Senator Afford a Balesin Wedding?
Image courtesy of www.rappler.com
Source: www.rappler.com
The lavish wedding of Senator Chiz Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista raises some questions about propriety
It may as well be the wedding of the year – the nuptials between showbiz princess Heart Evangelista and one-time presidential aspirant Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Theirs is a love matched in heaven, witnessed and graced by movers and shakers in politics, business, media, and showbiz.
Their union defied a Shakespearean tragedy. An earlier marriage in 1999 which produced a twin for him crumbled, and in 2012, that union was annulled. For her part, she has had her share of heartbreaks, compounded by overly protective parents.
Like her past relationships, the parents were against her latest inamorata. After all, there's a 15-16 year gap between them. She's just 30; he's turning 46 this year. Despite her age, her parents say their daughter is still immature and “thinks like a young girl.”
Escudero, they believe, is just manipulating their daughter “into going against the family.” But Heart declared her emancipation and this time, listened to well, her heart.
On February 15 this year, they exchanged “I dos” in the exclusive, private, members-only Balesin resort in Quezon province.
Star-studded
Like any ceremony befitting royalty, Evangelista and Escudero’s wedding was a marriage of politics and business, with the added glitter of showbiz. Easily, it could be the grandest matrimonial event of the year.
The principal sponsors say it all. Some of the high-profile corporate personalities were basically lifted from Forbes’ list of richest Filipinos, led by Hans Sy, scion of business tycoon Henry Sy of the SM group of companies. The A-list sponsors included Ramon Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, Fernando Zobel of Ayala Corporation, Andrew Tan of Megaworld Corporation, Lance Gokongwei of Robinson’s Corporation, Cebu Pacific and JG Summit, and Bobby Ongpin of Alphaland. Property developer Jerry Acuzar of New San Jose Builders was also part of this elite list.
From the media side, ABS-CBN head Gabby Lopez (who was represented by younger brother Ernie Lopez of ABS-CBN Publishing), Kapuso network head Felipe Gozon and GMA 7 executives Gilbert Duavit and Lilybeth Rasonable, and TV anchor Mel Tiangco also stood as principal sponsors.
From politics, the principal sponsors included General Santos City Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino, former Rizal district Representative Gilberto Duavit, Isabela Governor Faustino Dy Jr, and Mayor Esther Hamor of Sorsogon.
From the world of showbiz, Viva Entertainment chairman Vicente del Rosario, actress-director-scriptwriter Bibeth Siguion-Reyna, Susan Roces, and Jackie Lou Blanco joined in. And let’s not forget President Benigno Aquino III, who was tapped as the best man in absentia.
2nd reception
Widely covered by the media, the wedding qualifies for a fairy tale. Photos posted on Instagram and other social media outlets showed a dreamy reception ambiance, with all the hallmarks of expensive elegance.
The bride’s wedding gown was inspired by Grace Kelly, designed by Dubai-based fashion designer Ezra Santos. The groom’s suit was by renowned fashion designer Paul Cabral.
A second gown, which Evangelista wore at the Manila reception for friends and colleagues who were not on the Balesin guest list, was designed by US-based Monique Lhuillier.
Held at The Blue Leaf Filipinas in Parañaque, the second reception was attended by more than a thousand invitees, based on reports.
By any measure, the Escudero-Evangelista nuptial was anything but simple.
And this is where Escudero, the lawmaker, may have failed the standard.
Conflict of interest
Already, tapping biggies in the corporate world as principal sponsors has raised the eyebrows of some purists who think that Escudero crossed the thin ethical line between public service and private interests.
As senator, Escudero, who is a member of the powerful Blue Ribbon committee, participates in Senate hearings and probes that range from public fund misuse to bad corporate practices of companies engaged in government contracts.
For instance, in the Senate probe on the alleged hidden wealth of the Binay family, officials of Hilmarc’s Construction, which was behind several big-ticket projects in Makati, were summoned to the hearings to explain the company's side.
A more recent case was Ongpin, who was summoned to explain the alleged anomalous joint venture agreement involving a property of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
At the very least, by naming them as wedding sponsors, Escudero would have to recuse himself from participating in any probe that may involve any of his principal sponsors.
Escudero was seen at the Senate hearing on the Boy Scouts-Alphaland controversy on Wednesday, February 18, where Ongpin was among the resource persons, but he didn't participate in it.
He arrived in the afternoon – the hearing began late morning – but left quickly and did not ask any questions. The hearing was held just days after his wedding in Balesin where Ongpin was among the primary sponsors. The businessman also owns the resort.
Escudero will also have to inhibit from any Senate probe involving competitors of his wedding sponsors to insulate himself from allegations of conflict of interest. Somehow, through this, he has defanged himself as a public servant doing public service for public good.
Code of conduct
While Escudero’s public role and private decisions can be debated upon, what’s clear under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or RA 6713 is that public servants “and their families shall lead modest and simple lives appropriate to their positions and income.” They are also supposed “to not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.”
As a rule, public officials are required to maintain “a standard of living within the public official and employee’s visible means of income as correctly disclosed in his income tax returns, annual statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and other documents relating to financial and business interests and connections.”
Question is: was the wedding itself within Escudero’s “visible means of income?” Does it measure up to the modest and simple lifestyle invoked by the law?
Did the newly-wed couple observe tradition of the groom shouldering much of the expense or were they egalitarian in sharing the tab? How much of their personal money did they shell out?
While not exactly filthy rich or dirt poor by an ordinary man’s standard, Escudero is not exactly wallowing in wealth.
SALNs
In fact, only two years ago, he was considered the "poorest" senator with a total declared net worth of P4.017 million.
From 2007 to 2011, when his marriage to Christine Elizabeth Flores was not yet annulled, Escudero’s net worth ranged between P7.4 million to P9.867 million. Between those years, his cash on hand and in banks hovered between P1.2 million to P3.7 million, with the rest of his net worth in real and personal properties.
In 2012, after the couple’s split was made official, Escudero’s net worth dipped from P9.867 million to P4.017 million, displacing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who had been the perennial "poorest" senator. His cash on hand also went south with only P900,000.
The sharp decrease in his net worth can be attributed to the court-ordered transfer of the former couple’s two residential condominiums to their two children.
In his latest 2013 SALN declaration, Escudero’s net worth jumped to P8.243 million, on the strength of properties – 5 residential and one – he acquired by “succession.” (Escudero’s father, former Agriculture Secretary and Sorsogon First District Representative Salvador Escudero died in 2012). His cash on hand also rose to P3.183 million.
Still, he remains the second "poorest" senator, behind Trillanes.
No official figure has been given on how much was spent for the grand Escudero-Evangelista nuptial. Given that public officials have still until April 30 to file their 2014 SALNs, it would be interesting to find out how the lavish wedding was pulled off based on the senator's net worth.
Specifically, it will at least provide a glimpse of his liquidity status just before the wedding.
Still, any SALN adjustment resulting from his new married status will only be reflected next year, in 2016, since the cut-off period for SALN declaration is December 31.
This means Escudero’s 2015 SALN will have to wait until April 30, 2016. And in the space provided for spouse, he will now have a name to fill it.
Xian Lim Wears 'I Love SG' Shirt but Refuses to Accept 'Albay' Shirt
Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader
FB Scoop: Gov. Joey Salceda Accepts Xian Lim's Apology Despite His Twisted Reasoning
Image courtesy of Facebook: Joey Sarte Salceda
Tweet Scoop: Vice Ganda Reacts to Ungrateful Kathniel Fans
Image courtesy of Twitter: vicegandako
Note: This tweet has been deleted
Spotted: Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera in a Blue Ferrari
Images courtesy of Twitter: thirteeniall
Spotted: Bobet Vidanes and Girlfriend on a Date at the Boat Show
Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader
Insta Scoop: Sid Lucero's Selfie with Julianne Moore at the 30th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards
Image courtesy of Instagram: sidlucero
Hottest of Them All: Carlos Agassi, Jericho Rosales, Diether Ocampo, Piolo Pascual and Bernard Palanca
Image courtesy of Instagram: carlosagassi
Fairest of Them All: Jolina Magdangal, Roselle Nava and Nikki Valdez
Image courtesy of Instagram: macmerla
Who Wore It Best: Janella Salvador vs Julia Barretto vs Liza Soberano vs Kathryn Bernardo
Image courtesy of Instagram: jhongski2
Sunday, February 22, 2015
No Right to Complain?
Image courtesy of www.torahinmotion.org
Who says that loyalty always pays? For some network talents, the word has ceased to be a badge and has in fact become synonymous to being ignored and/or relegated to the recycle bin only to be pulled out if they (network top guns) care to remember them. Quite painful, right?
Such is the agony of Tormented Star TS who is reportedly pained to be kept in the recycle bin far too long. If ever she’s given projects, she whined that they were so insignificant, so few and far between. Nevertheless, TS took it all as she had full trust in her management. But too bad, talks have it that she is a victim of politics within her own network.
Reportedly, TS is helpless, having no strong support to back her up. Everything would have been bearable, perhaps, until some ‘alien’ aka New Entrant NE came to their network and imposed herself on them. How much harder would it will be for TS to take?
Now TS feels stepped on, insulted even, that she was given a project alright, but have to contend with a support role for NE who’s going to lead the cast. Hard. Indeed. Heard from the grapevine that TS wanted to reject the project to express her disgust and hurt feelings, but allegedly, her hands are tied – she just can’t, for she there are tougher considerations to think of.
To date, since she joined and won that contest, TS hasn’t appeared in any lead role worth her stature, a far cry from her other contemporaries who seem to have overtaken her by a mile. It did not help that NE is there to further rub it in. Reportedly, not all is well on the set of the project she’s doing with NE. No matter how TS and NE deny the rumors, the truth is as clear as the blue sky. In the days and weeks to come, will the real TS be brave enough to stand up for her conviction? If at all, where will it lead her?
" Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." ~ Lance Armstrong
Follow @FashionPulis on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS!
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Fashion PULIS. The management reserves the right to exclude comments that do not comply with the GUIDELINES in writing comments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
