Beauty, Economy, Entertainment, Film and TV, Government, Human Interest, International, Tourism

Duterte: No Hiding Of Manila’s Street Children During Miss Universe Pageant

September 1, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It happened during the administration of President NoyNoy Aquino: Manila’s street children were hidden from the eyes of visiting foreign dignitaries. During the visit of Pope Francis and the APEC Summit, homeless children and families were rounded up and sent on an all-expense-paid ‘vacation’ to resorts outside of the metropolis.

It’s not gonna happen under the Duterte administration. Change has come.

In January, 2017, when the Philippines hosts the Miss Universe Pageant, there will be no rounding up or hiding of Metro Manila’s street children.

In fact, if Duterte had his way, the children will be part of the festivities from beginning to end.

The ‘leaked’ plan was to have the street children line up the streets of Metro Manila to wave the Philippine flag as contestants from more than 80 countries arrive for the competition.

At the pageant finals, each of the beauties will be escorted by a street child during the parade of nations. The children will come as they are: some barefoot, others wearing torn t-shirts and shorts, and still others with dilapidated flipflops.

A Duterte spokesperson told The Adobo Chronicles that as host, the Philippines should show the world the real situation, without any sugar-coating or artificial staging for the cameras.

Earlier, Duterte indicated that he didn’t want Steve Harvey to host the Manila pageant (At the last pageant, Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia as the new Miss Universe instead of Miss Philippines.)

The Miss Universe Organization has not commented on the Duterte administration’s suggestions and demands.

Beauty, Government, International, Tourism

Philippine President Duterte Says ‘No’ To Steve Harvey Hosting Miss Universe Pageant in Manila

September 1, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not keen on having Steve Harvey host the next Miss Universe Beauty Pageant which will be held in Manila.

The world knows what happened last year when Harvey announced Miss Colombia as the new Miss Universe, when in fact, the actual winner was Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

While it is not up to Duterte to decide who will be hosting the international beauty contest, the president said he will need to have a conversation with the pageant organizers.

In order to appease Duterte, there is talk that a local female emcee will co-host the pageant with Harvey.

Queen of All Media Kris Aquino, sister of Duterte’s predecessor NoyNoy, took it as an opportunity for her to finally realize her long-time dream of being a Miss Universe host. She has sent feelers to Malacañang that she was available for the co-hosting job.

Government, Immigration, International, Politics

Duterte Administration To Launch ‘Balikbansa’ For U.S. Pinoys To Be Deported By Donald Trump

September 1, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Passengers Arriving at Manila’s international airport (Photo credit: philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Move over ‘Balikbayan.’ The Philippine government is about to launch a new program designed to benefit undocumented Pinoys in the U.S. who face deportation under a Donald Trump administration. It’s called ‘Balikbansa.’

Today, Trump outlined his 10-point immigration policy that, among others, rules out any amnesty for foreign nationals living in the U.S. illegally, and calling for the return of undocumented immigrants to their respective home countries.

In anticipation of a Trump victory in November’s U.S. presidential elections (many U.S. Pinoys are voting for Trump), the Duterte administration has finalized a blueprint of a new national program that would deal with the expected influx of ‘deported’ U.S. Pinoys.

The program, patterned after the existing ‘Balikbayan’ program, would provide generous perks and benefits for all Filipinos who will be deported back to the Philippines by the Trump administration.

Among the benefits are the increase in the maximum value of personal and gift items that returning Pinoys can bring back via their balikbayan boxes. The new cap will be increased to One Million Pesos, up from the existing P350,000.

In addition, returning Pinoys will be exempted from paying income taxes for the first 5 years after their return to the Philippines, assuming of course that they find employment.

Also, certified ‘deported’ U.S. Filipinos will be able to exchange their dollars for Philippine pesos at a special rate which would be 30% above the prevailing U.S. Dollar-Peso exchange rate.

“Our overseas Filipinos, documented or not, are the true heroes of our country,” Duterte said, “sacrificing everything just to provide their families with a better life. We owe it to them to return their heroism if expelled from countries like the U.S.”

Presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar told The Adobo Chronicles that the ‘Balikbansa’ program will only go into effect if Trump is elected president. ‘Otherwise, we revert back to the Balikbayan program,’ he added.