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Zumba: Exercise made fun and sexy

Published by Ellen on July 25, 2012

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files
Video by Mario Ignacio and Mario Espinosa

YOU will know it’s Zumba time at Fitness First Southmall every morning of Monday and Tuesday because women are in their stylish gym attires as if they are going to a party.

And, it’s not just any party. Usually it is a themed party.

Last week, it was Polynesian. Women in floral headdress were gyrating to the tune of Conga Remix. In the next Zumba class, they looked alluring in off-shoulder blouses. Earlier, their theme costume was a necktie — worn, of course, over gym outfits.

Hilda Oraya, a Zumba devotee, says the vivacious beat of Zumba shakes off one’s inhibitions. “Masaya (fun) and inspires you to dress up.”

Arroyo out on bail in electoral sabotage case

Published by Ellen on July 25, 2012

Gloria Arroyo walking out of detention — Gloria Arroyo walking out of V. Luna detention. Thanks to ABS-CBN for photo.

From ABS-CBN:

She does not have the last laugh. There’s still the PCSO plunder case. [/caption]Gloria Arroyo leaves VMMC

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has left the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) Wednesday, eight months after being placed under hospital arrest for electoral sabotage.

Not surprising at all. Click here on the column I wrote last June 3.

Gloria Arroyo may be out on bail, thanks to DOJ-Comelec

Footage taken by ABS-CBN News showed Mrs. Arroyo walking hand in hand with a young boy, presumably her grandson, outside the hospital before boarding a coaster at around 2:30 pm.

Her legal spokesman, Raul Lambino, said the former President will pass by the VMMC chapel before going home at La Vista Subdivision. He said Mrs. Arroyo will seek alternative medical treatment in Tagaytay tomorrow, Thursday.

He said the former President will return to the VMMC every day next week to continue her therapy.

The killing of Nixon Kua and Pnoy’s fantasy picture of the country’s peace and order situation

Published by Ellen on July 24, 2012

3rd Sona — Is he aware of peace and order situation outside Malacanang?

We mourn the passing of a colleague and friend, Nixon Kua, former head of the Philippine Tourism Authority, who passed away late Monday evening, two days after he was shot by what police said was a robbery incident in the posh Ayala Greenfields in Calamba, Laguna.

The incident happened in front of the house of his brother, Allyxon, who was also shot several times but survived.

Aside from his brother. Nixon was with his wife, Susan, and two children, Sue Anne and Daryl. Imagine how traumatic it must be for the wife and children.

Nixon’s wake is at Sanctorium on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

Nixon’s started his journalism career in the mid-80’s with Tempo, the tabloid sister publication of the Manila Bulletin. He was one of the pioneers of the Philippine Star after the 1986 People Power Revolution. He was assigned at the Presidential Commission and Good Government and that was where I first met him.

Columnist Nixon Kua in critical condition after robbery incident

Published by Ellen on July 22, 2012

Update: Just got this text from NFA Administrator Lito Banayo (July 23, 2012, 11:39 pm.) Our friend Nixon has gone back to the Divine Creator.

Let’s pray for Nixon Kua, former head of the Philippine Tourism Authority, is now in a criticaI condition at the Calamba Medical center after he was shot at close range Saturday night in front of his brother’s home inside the exclusive Ayala Greenfields in Calamba, Laguna.

According National Food Authority Administrator Lito Banayo, Nixon’s close friend and predecessor at PTA, doctors are giving Nixon, who is at the Intensive Care Unit a 50-50 chance of surviving.

News reports, quoting Laguna police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, said that amid a downpour, four unidentified armed men shot and seriously wounded Kua and seized from his daughter, Sue Anne, a bag containing P90,000 in cash intended for wages of people working in their house. Robbers also got Sue Anne’s IPhone.

VERA Files and this site have been hacked.

Published by Ellen on July 21, 2012

I’m asking for your patience if you are experiencing problems with this blog. Together with the VERA Files site, we have been hacked. It’s a…

Students used as human stand for electric fan

Published by Ellen on July 19, 2012

Boy holding an electric fan as Joseph Wee speaks — Wee, the master of ceremonies, said it was not he that the electric fan being held by a student was trying to make comfortable.

Julie Alipala of the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted last Sunday in her Facebook page a photo that was appalling and disturbing.

The picture was the inauguration of a three-storey, 27-classroom building of the Zamboanga City High School. The guest of honor was Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro. The host was Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Julie said officials of the Department of Education-Western Mindanao were present. So were the city councilors and barangay officials.

The picture showed the Master of Ceremonies, who was later identified as Joseph Wee, standing behind the podium. Behind him was a student holding a desk electric fan. He was made a stand of the electric fan!

Making Arroyo accountable for stealing presidency

Published by Ellen on July 17, 2012

GMA and Rosario Uriarte close partnership — GMA and Uriarte: when the going was good

At last, Gloria Arroyo is charged with plunder.

Last Monday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales filed before the Sandiganbayan plunder charges against Gloria Arroyo who is now detained at the V. Luna Medical Center and nine others for allegedly pocketing P365, 997,915 from confidential and intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in several transfers from January 2008 to June 2010.

Charged along with Arroyo were former PCSO Board of Directors chairman Sergio O. Valencia; former PCSO general manager Rosario C. Uriarte; former PCSO directors Manuel L. Morato, Jose R. Taruc V, Raymundo T. Roquero and Ma. Fatima A. S. Valdes; former PCSO budget officer Benigno B. Aguas; former Commission on Audit chairman Reynaldo A. Villar; and former COA-Intelligence Fund Unit head Nilda B. Plaras.

SC rescues Boracay from further destruction

Published by Ellen on July 15, 2012

Another good news: Government demolishes illegally constructed resort rumored to be co-owned by Manny Pacquiao.

Boracay Foundation Inc, , a corporation composed of at least 60 owners and representative of resorts, hotels, and similar institutions as well as community organizations and environmental advocates in Boracay island, hailed the decision of the Supreme Court ordering indefinite suspension of the reclamation project being pushed by the provincial government of Aklan as ‘a triumph of environmental justice.”

Lawyers Harry Roque and Joel Butuyan, counsels of BFI, said “the ruling will protect the best beach on earth and the country’s tourism crown jewel.”

Known as the Boracay Marina Project, the reclamation was supposed to reclaim 40 hectares costing P1.3 billion in the areas adjacent to the jetty ports, Barangays Caticlan and Manoc-manoc in the Municipality of Malay.

Ang kagandahan ni Maita Gomez

Published by Ellen on July 14, 2012

Nakakalungkot. Wala na si Maita Gomez.

Pumanaw si Maita habang siya ay natutulog Huwebes ng hapon, habang ang buong bansa ay namimighati sa pagkamatay ni Dolphy.

Sabi ni Anna Leah Sarabia, kaibigang matalik ni Maita, natulog si Maita pagkatapos niya kumain ng tanghalian. Ginising siya ng kanyang anak nang tumawag ang kanyang opisina. Hindi siya sumasagot at nang buksan ang kanyang kuarto, patay na siya.

Napaka-payapa ng kanyang pagpanaw.Sabi nga namin ni Human Rights Commissioner Etta Rosales nang magkita kami sa burol ni Maita,kung pwede lang sana hilingin kay Lord, ganun na rin niya kami kukunin.

Nakakatuwa nga kung isipin ang buhay ni Maita na laki sa mayamang pamilya, kolehiyala, naging model, beauty queen, na naging amazona.

Nag-aral si Maita ng medisina sa University of the Philippines. Siguro doon umigting ang kanyang pagka-mulat sa hindi makatarungan na pamamalakad ng pamahalaan at ang maaring papel na gampanan ng bawat mamamayan.

Remembering Alex Melchor on his 10th death anniversary

Published by Ellen on July 13, 2012

Tomorrow, July 14, 2012, the Alejandro Melchor Jr. Foundation in collaboration with the Far Eastern University (FEU) will sponsor a “Pathways to Leadership: Young Leaders Conference” in commemoration of the 10th Death Anniversary of Alejandro Melchor Jr., to be held from 8am to 5pm at the FEU-IAS Conference Center, at Nicanor Reyes St. (formerly Morayta St.) Manila.

Among the Conference participants are the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP); the Ayala Young Leaders (AYLC); FEU student leaders and FEU alumni young leaders; the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) senior Cadets, and the University Leaders’ Consortium with Student Council presidents from the premier universities and colleges of the country. This Conference is being held for the purpose of gathering, unifying, molding and organizing men and women, with wisdom, character, audacity and commitment, into a new breed of transformational leaders to build the nation.

A Commemorative Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Raul Martirez, DD. at 11am. This will be followed by a special luncheon with the honorable DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson as the Guest Speaker.

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