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Manila News Today: August 10, 2009

August 10, 2009 by Janey

$20,000 Gone in New York Minute

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her entourage allegedly dined at Le Cirque in Manhattan, a prestigious French restaurant in New York City during her recent US trip, New York Post online’s “Page Six” wrote,

“Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life… Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”

Theoretical Breakdown of the Bill

Image Source: Spot.ph

Renato Reyes, secretary general of the militant group, Bayan, said that it is inappropriate for a Third World country president to wine and dine in such lavish manner given that the rest of the country is in the midst of a crisis. He asserts that the NY dinner certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouth, at least for the rest of the Filipino people. The $20,000 is equivalent to almost 1 million pesos, an amount that can probably supply one township a year’s supply of rice or nourishment.

PGMA’s camp claims that the report was exaggerated and that no taxpayer’s money was used.

Flash Your Age at HEAT

This is the celebration that won’t break your bank or catch the ire of Bayan group.

Birthday celebrants can enjoy great discounts at HEAT during their special day. Enjoy a dining discount equivalent to your birthday age during HEAT’s “Flash Your Age” promotion. It’s valid only on the exact date of the celebrant’s birthdate and will run from August 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009. A total of eight persons will be entitled to the dining discount. The celebrant must present a valid ID (i.e. Driver’s License, Passport, SSS ID only) with the birth date clearly shown to avail of the discount. This promo is not valid on public holidays and in conjunction with other promotions and privileges including Club Edsa, credit card discounts, rewards redemption vouchers, complimentary dining vouchers and special promotions. Prior reservations are required.

Image Source: Shangrila website

HEAT is also throwing in a complimentary birthday cake to the occasion. Share this privilege with family and friends. After all, what is a birthday without them? Flash It! Flaunt It! Age is no longer meant to be kept a secret at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila.

Vilma Santos Plays Cory in FilmBio, MMK Features Cory’s Bodyguard

Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, the Star for all Seasons, is being eyed to portray the role of former President Cory Aquino. Vilma is running for reelection and is not allowed to have a movie shown or appear on TV longer than the permitted time setforth by the COMELEC. The launch of the movie would probably start after the elections next year if Vilma were tapped to play the role.

Image Source: Abante.com

Maalala Mo Kaya, hosted by ABS-CBN’s President, Charo Santos-Concio, will do an episode on one of the two bodyguards of Tita Cory. The bodyguard, who delivered a touching eulogy during the necrological services at the Manila Cathedral, will have his story in the long running drama anthology.

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Clinton Bridges Between North Korea and US

August 6, 2009 by Janey

Former United States President Bill Clinton was instrumental in freeing two U.S. journalists who were detained for almost 5 months in North Korea. His recent visit to Pyongyang helped in the successful release of reporters Euna Lee, 36, a South Korean born US citizen and Laura Ling, 32, a California native.

The journalists were arrested near the North Korean-Chinese border in March while on a reporting trip for Current TV, a media outfit founded by former Vice President Al Gore. Kim Jong II pardoned the women who were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for entering the country illegally and supposedly engaging in “hostile acts”.

Clinton was reported to have apologized on behalf of the women and their grief-stricken families and relayed President Barack Obama’s gratitude.

Image Source: Associated Press

However, Secretary Clinton said at a news conference today in Nairobi that no apology was made to North Korea in connection with her husband’s mission to gain the reporters’ release.

2 weeks ago, North Korea insulted Hillary Clinton by calling her a “funny lady.”

Tensions have been increasing between North Korea and the U.S. due to illicit nuclear-arms program of North Korea. The heightened friction between the two was created by North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests. Kim Jong II also seems to be belligerent in continuing negotiation talks.

Will the visit contribute to a deepening relationship between North Korea and the United States? Will this event open renewed discussions to abandon nuclear weapons program or is it only delaying the foreseeable conflict between the two countries?

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