$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.
—
Manila News Today: Sept. 4, 2009
Presidential Race to the Altar?
Senator Manuel Roxas II has sacrificed his presidential bid for 2010 to give way to fellow Liberal Party member, Senator Benigno “Noy Noy” Aquino III, who is currently away in Zamboanga to seek spiritual guidance. He will be back on Monday but will probably reveal his decision on whether or not to run for president after September 9, the 40th mourning day of his mother, former President Cory Aquino.
During his speech at Club Filipino, the same venue where President Cory Aquino took her oath as the first woman president, he urged people to pray with him to assess people’s readiness to accompany him in this fight.
Meanwhile, Noy Noy’s sister, celebrity host Kris Aquino said in her show, Showbix News Ngayon, that she is giving 100 percent support to her brother in case he decides to run a presidential campaign. She further declared on Wednesday night that she requested Noy Noy to remain single for the meantime since he already has enough big decisions on his plate as it is.
People tend to speculate that Kris might have reservations about the current girlfriend of Noy Noy, Shalani Soledad, a councilor of Valenzuela’s 2nd district.
Kris retracts her statement Thursday evening on SNN and apologized for meddling in her brother’s love life. She again promised not to talk about Noy Noy’s affairs of the heart.
(Photo Source: http://www.liberalparty.ph)