Saturday, April 5, 2014

Vhong Navarro makes movie comeback

Vhong Navarro still wants to make people smile, despite the psychological trauma resulting from the events that overtook him a few months back.

He said, “Ang lagi kong iniisip, kahit anong pagsubok ang dumating sa akin, ang importante ay makapagpasaya ako ng tao. Hindi ko po iniisip ngayon ang nangyari sa buhay ko, dumating ito eh, alam ko binigay ng Diyos ito. At alam ko pong malalampasan ko ito, sa tulong ng madlang people.”

Vhong now makes his film comeback via “Da Possessed,” co-produced by Star Cinema and Regal Films, marking a reunion with Bb. Joyce Bernal who directed him prior in “Mr. Suave” (2003), “D’Anothers” (2005), and “Agent X44” (2007).

Joyce, who won the Best Director award in last year’s MMFF for “10,000 Hours,” also directed the record-breaking 2011 MMFF entry “Segunda Mano,” and “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?” last year.

In “Da Possessed,” Vhong plays the role of the simpleton Ramon, who attempts to venture into landscape art, going on to fall for his sexy boss (Solenn Heussaff). Conflict starts when spirits from another world possess his body.

Joyce shared, “Vhong is very, very effective in portraying his patented zero to hero characters. This, for me, is the reason why the entire nation loves and adores him. Vhong elevates the so-called normal guy in his movies. ‘Da Possessed’ is basically a story of a regular guy who will unwittingly embark in an amazing adventure and hopefully save the day at the end of the movie.”

On his part, Vhong said, “It has always been my philosophy to always be happy and I want to spread all happiness that I can through my work not just as an actor but as a dancer and TV host as well. I am both overjoyed and overwhelmed with the solid support of ABS-CBN, Star Cinema and my fans. We worked very hard to make sure that everyone would enjoy ‘Da Possessed.’“

Vhong was very excited to work with Solenn who expressed the same about the actor-host, known to be among the most accomplished and most talented comedians of his generation. Solenn didn’t mind that she was not the original choice to play Vhong’s leading lady. She just liked the project and the chance to be working with Vhong.

The others in the cast of “Da Possessed,” which is part of Star Cinema’s ongoing 20th anniversary celebration, are John Lapus, Smokey Manaloto, Empoy, Joy Viado, Beverly Salviejo, Lito Pimentel, Aaliyah Belmoro, Matet de Leon and Joey Marquez.

“Da Possessed” opens in cinemas nationwide on April 19.



• • •

Mowelfund Marks 40th Anniversary

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada founded the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) on March 29, 1974, with the aim of providing help for marginalized film workers.

Mayor Erap was assisted by competent lawyers and experts in institutionalizing Mowelfund. Film luminaries like the late Fernando Poe Jr., Susan Roces, Dolphy, Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda, the late Atty. Espiridion Laxa and National Artist Eddie Romero, Cabinet member Guillermo de Vega and first Executive Director Rolfie Velasco, also lent him much needed support.

March had been declared Mowelfund Month by then Quezon City Mayor and now House Speaker Sonny Belmonte in 2003.

The Manila mayor was the special guest at Mowelfund’s 40th anniversary held March 29, which was highlighted by free medical, dental and optical services, a special children’s program, raffles for beneficiaries and dependents, and a recognition ceremony for Mowelfund employees and service providers.

A holy mass led the commemoration, highlighted by Fr. Larry Faraon’s pre-Nuptial blessings for Mowelfund Executive Director/President Boots Anson- Roa and fiancé Atty. King Rodrigo, who will wed on June 14 with Cardinal Chito Tagle officiating.

Mowelfund’s Board of Trustees includes Vera Perez-Maceda as the chairman, Fr. Larry Faraon, Rez Cortez, Director Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao, Composer Josefino Cenizal, Anson-Roa, Corporate Secretary and Legal Counsel Atty. Roderick Vera, and Vice President and Comptroller Julius Topacio.

• • •

Despedida Party For ‘Annaliza’ Cast

A farewell party for the cast of ABS-CBN’s “Annaliza” was tendered recently by former beauty queen-model turned actress Jean Saburit. The venue was the Corinthian Gardens Clubhouse, courtesy of Jean’s good friend, former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson. Jean had the food catered, and Zanjoe Marudo brought the drinks.

“Nakaka-miss at nakakalungkot kasi matagal din ang pagsasama namin, imagine, naka-isang taon ang ‘Annaliza’ so you can just imagine ang naging bonding namin lahat,” Jean said. “We all feel sad na nagwakas na, but mas masaya kami na till the end top rating ang ‘Annaliza.’ It was another very successful Kapamilya show, otherwise hindi nagtagal ng ganito.”

Jean was very effective in her role as a kontrabida. “Bad ako dito. Mother ako ni Patrick (Garcia) na tunay na ama ni Annaliza portrayed by Andrea Brillantes. But in the end,naging mabait naman ako. I redeemed myself,” Jean said.

Jean’s previous project with the Kapamilya Network was “Eva Fonda” in 2008.



• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 6, go to former Caloocan Mayor Boy Asistio, QC Councilor Roderick Paulate, Vicky Hechanova, Gen. Guillermo Pecache, Col. Gerry Cunanan, US-based Rosemarie de Vera, Emer Rojas, Marcuz Enrick Gajuda Belardo, Eva Hamaybay, Catherine Resumadero, Pauline Angela Domingo, Lollie Cruz, Jimmy Regala, US-based Recelyn M. Delmonte, and Justin Marc S.B. Chipeco

Lifestyle Network Schedule (April 6-12, 2014)

Sunday, April 6
  • 06:00AM - Japan Documentary
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News
  • 07:00AM - Sunday TV Mass
  • 08:00AM - Art Square Sunday [RTHK]
  • 08:30AM - Good Time Old Buddies (SAGE presents :)
  • 09:00AM - Cultural Square
  • 09:30AM - Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters
  • 10:00AM - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
  • 11:00AM - The Hanawa Sisters
  • 11:55AM - TV Easy
  • 12:05PM - City Forum [RTHK]
  • 01:00PM - 
  • 02:00PM - Downton Abbey (II) 
  • 03:00PM - Sunday Sport 
  • 03:30PM - The Little Paris Kitchen Cooking with Rachel Khoo 
  • 03:55PM - Sid the Science Kid (II) 
  • 04:20PM - Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates 
  • 04:45PM - Disney Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil 
  • 05:10PM - Star Wars The Clone Wars (IV) 
  • 05:35PM - Good Luck Charlie (III) 
  • 06:00PM - Power Tracks
  • 06:15PM - Road To Brazil
  • 06:45PM - Money Magazine 
  • 07:15PM - Hong Kong Connection (RTHK)
  • 08:00PM - The Michael J. Fox Show: "Christmas"
  • 08:25PM - Crazy World Stories
  • 08:30PM - Face Off (II): "Water World"
  • 09:30PM - FANCL 18 Mask Expert Presents: Movie of the Month: "X-Men First Class"
  • 12:20AM - Road To Brazil: Episode 9 - "Argentina"
  • 12:50AM - News Roundup and Weather Report
  • 01:10AM - Money Magazine
  • 01:40AM - America's Got Talent (VI)
  • 02:25AM - MasterChef (II) 
Monday, April 7
  • 05:30AM - Panahon.TV
  • 06:00AM - Jewelpet Twinkle
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News Weekeend
  • 07:00AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 07:50AM - Finance File
  • 07:55AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 09:00AM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 09:45AM - JSG Song Video Corner
  • 09:50AM - Happy Old Buddies
  • 10:00AM - The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain
  • 10:30AM - Plain Love
  • 11:30AM - TV Easy
  • 11:35AM - News Headlines
  • 11:40AM - The Last Steep Ascent
  • 12:40PM - TV Easy
  • 12:45PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 01:00PM - Saksi
  • 01:15PM - Financial File
  • 01:20PM - Pentaprism II
  • 01:25PM - Pleasure & Leisure
  • 02:10PM - TV Easy
  • 02:15PM - The Green Room
  • 02:40PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 02:45PM - Welcome To The House
  • 03:50PM - Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders
  • 04:15PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 04:20PM - The Amazing World of Gumball
  • 04:50PM - Putonghua News / Putonghua Financial Report / Putonghua Weather Report
  • 05:30PM - Financial Report 
  • 05:35PM - World of Football
  • 06:00PM - America's Funniest Home Videos (XXIII) 
  • 06:30PM - TV Patrol
  • 07:00PM - The Pearl Report 
  • 07:30PM - Scoop
  • 08:00PM - Great Continental Railway Journeys: "Switzerland"
  • 09:00PM - Ape Man: "The Alpha Male"
  • 10:00PM - BLANCPAIN Presents:Marketplace 
  • 10:05PM - House (VIII)
  • 11:00PM - News plus
  • 11:30PM - Bet Your Remember
  • 11:50PM - EXTRA
  • 12:00AM - Today's Finance
  • 12:10AM - Pipol
  • 01:00AM - Entertainment This Week
  • 02:00AM - Fringe (IV)
  • 03:00AM - Alcatraz
  • 04:00AM - Power Tracks
  • 04:15AM - Station Close
Tuesday, April 8
  • 05:30AM - Panahon.TV
  • 06:00AM - Jewelpet Twinkle
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News
  • 07:00AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 07:50AM - Finance File
  • 07:55AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 09:00AM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 09:45AM - JSG Song Video Corner
  • 09:50AM - Happy Old Buddies
  • 10:00AM - The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain
  • 10:30AM - Plain Love
  • 11:30AM - TV Easy
  • 11:35AM - News Headlines
  • 11:40AM - The Last Steep Ascent
  • 12:40PM - TV Easy
  • 12:45PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 01:00PM - Saksi
  • 01:15PM - Financial File
  • 01:20PM - Pentaprism II
  • 01:25PM - Pleasure & Leisure
  • 02:10PM - TV Easy
  • 02:15PM - The Green Room
  • 02:40PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 02:45PM - Welcome To The House
  • 03:50PM - Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders
  • 04:15PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 04:20PM - Eco Company (III)
  • 04:50PM - Putonghua News / Putonghua Financial Report / Putonghua Weather Report
  • 05:30PM - Financial Report 
  • 05:35PM - Football Asia
  • 06:00PM - The Works [RTHK] 
  • 06:30PM - TV Patrol
  • 07:00PM - Delia School of Canada Presents: Fierce Earth
  • 07:30PM - Scoop
  • 08:00PM - Too Cute (II)
  • 09:00PM - Pearl Spectacular: "Great Bear Stakeout"
  • 10:00PM - BLANCPAIN Presents: Marketplace 
  • 10:05PM - The Tomorrow People
  • 11:00PM - Bet Your Remember 
  • 11:30PM - News plus
  • 11:50AM - EXTRA
  • 12:00AM - Today's Finance
  • 12:10AM - The Correspondents
  • 01:10AM - Entertainment Tonight
  • 01:40AM - Fringe (IV)
  • 02:40AM - The Pearl Report
  • 03:10AM - World of Football
  • 03:40AM - Power Tracks
Wednesday, April 9
  • 05:30AM - Panahon.TV
  • 06:00AM - Jewelpet Twinkle
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News
  • 07:00AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 07:50AM - Finance File
  • 07:55AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 09:00AM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 09:45AM - JSG Song Video Corner
  • 09:50AM - Happy Old Buddies
  • 10:00AM - The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain
  • 10:30AM - The Last Steep Ascent
  • 12:35PM - TV Easy
  • 12:45PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 01:00PM - Saksi
  • 01:15PM - Financial File
  • 01:20PM - Pentaprism II
  • 01:25PM - Pleasure & Leisure
  • 02:10PM - TV Easy
  • 02:15PM - The Green Room
  • 02:40PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 02:45PM - Welcome To The House
  • 03:50PM - Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders
  • 04:15PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 04:20PM - Real Life 101
  • 04:50PM - Putonghua News / Putonghua Financial Report / Putonghua Weather Report
  • 05:30PM - Financial Report
  • 05:35PM - The Hairy Bikers' Best of British
  • 06:30PM - TV Patrol
  • 07:00PM - James Martin's Food Map of Britain
  • 07:30PM - Scoop
  • 08:00PM - Unique Hotels and Restaurants 
  • 09:00PM - Scam City
  • 10:00PM - Market Place
  • 10:05PM - Chicago Fire: "Under the Knife"
  • 11:00PM - Bet Your Remember
  • 11:30PM - News plus
  • 11:50AM - EXTRA
  • 12:00AM - Today's Finance
  • 12:10AM - 
  • 01:00AM - Entertainment Tonight
  • 01:30AM - Fringe (IV)
  • 02:30AM - 60 Minutes 
  • 03:30AM - Power Tracks
  • 03:45AM - Station Close
Thursday, April 10
  • 05:30AM - Panahon.TV
  • 06:00AM - Jewelpet Twinkle
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News
  • 07:00AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 07:50AM - Finance File
  • 07:55AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 09:00AM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 09:45AM - JSG Song Video Corner
  • 09:50AM - Happy Old Buddies
  • 10:00AM - The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain
  • 10:30AM - Plain Love
  • 12:35PM - TV Easy
  • 12:45PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 01:00PM - Saksi
  • 01:15PM - Financial File
  • 01:20PM - Pentaprism II
  • 01:25PM - Pleasure & Leisure
  • 02:10PM - TV Easy
  • 02:15PM - The Green Room
  • 02:40PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 02:45PM - Welcome To The House
  • 03:50PM - Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders
  • 04:15PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 04:20PM - The Looney Tunes Show
  • 04:50PM - Putonghua News / Putonghua Financial Report / Putonghua Weather Report
  • 05:30PM - Financial Report
  • 05:35PM - FIFA Football World
  • 06:00PM - Fishy Business[RTHK]
  • 06:30PM - TV Patrol
  • 07:00PM - The Spirit of Yachting: Fight to the Finish
  • 07:30PM - Scoop
  • 08:00PM - America's Got Talent (7): Episode 40 - LIVE Semifinals Results
  • 08:50PM - Crazy World Stories
  • 09:00PM - World's Weirdest Restaurants (II): Episode 14 - A DATE WITH LOVE
  • 09:30PM - Dolce Vita
  • 10:00PM - Market Place
  • 10:05PM - Castle (V): Episode 7 - Swan Song
  • 11:00PM - Bet Your Remember
  • 11:30PM - News plus
  • 11:50AM - EXTRA
  • 12:00AM - Today's Finance
  • 12:10AM - 
  • 01:00AM - Entertainment Tonight
  • 01:30AM - Fringe (IV)
  • 02:30AM - House (VII)
  • 03:30AM - Power Tracks
  • 03:45AM - Station Close
Friday, April 11
  • 05:30AM - Panahon.TV
  • 06:00AM - Jewelpet Twinkle
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News
  • 07:00AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 07:50AM - Finance File
  • 07:55AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 09:00AM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 09:45AM - JSG Song Video Corner
  • 09:50AM - Happy Old Buddies
  • 10:00AM - The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain
  • 10:30AM - Plain Love
  • 12:35PM - TV Easy
  • 12:45PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 01:00PM - Saksi
  • 01:15PM - Financial File
  • 01:20PM - Pentaprism II
  • 01:25PM - Pleasure & Leisure
  • 02:10PM - TV Easy
  • 02:15PM - The Green Room
  • 02:40PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 02:45PM - Welcome To The House
  • 03:50PM - Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders
  • 04:15PM - Inside the Stock Exchange
  • 04:20PM - Max Steel
  • 04:50PM - Putonghua News / Putonghua Financial Report / Putonghua Weather Report
  • 05:30PM - Financial Report
  • 05:35PM - FIFA Football World
  • 06:00PM - Fishy Business[RTHK]
  • 06:30PM - TV Patrol
  • 07:00PM - Home By Novogratz: Episode 13 - Busy Bachelors in Hoboken Get a Grown-Up Home
  • 07:30PM - Scoop
  • 08:00PM - America's Got Talent (7): Episode 40 - Finals
  • 08:50PM - Crazy World Stories
  • 09:00PM - Oriental Watch Company Presents: Friday Hall of Fame: A Separation
  • 11:45PM - Bet Your Remember
  • 12:15AM - News plus
  • 12:45AM - EXTRA
  • 12:55AM - Today's Finance
  • 01:05AM - Entertainment Tonight
  • 01:35AM - Dolce Vita
  • 02:05AM - Breaking the Magician's Code Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed
  • 03:05AM - Brazil with Michael Palin
  • 04:05AM - Station Close
Saturday, April 12
  • 05:30AM - Panahon.TV
  • 06:00AM - Jewelpet Twinkle
  • 06:30AM - NBC Nightly News
  • 07:00AM - Good Morning Hong Kong
  • 08:30AM - The Pulse [RTHK]
  • 08:55AM - Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom
  • 09:25AM - Bananas in Pyjamas
  • 09:50AM - Mandarin MOD Top 10 [PTH] 
  • 10:40AM - Marvel Wolverine 
  • 11:10AM - Dolce Vita 
  • 11:35AM - The Pearl Report 
  • 12:00PM - Transworld Sport 
  • 01:00PM - World's Weirdest (II) 
  • 02:00PM - How to Grow a Planet: Episode 1 - Life From Light
  • 03:00PM - Man vs Wild (VI)          
  • 03:50PM - Power Tracks
  • 04:00PM - Mike The Knight  
  • 04:30PM - Green Lantern The Animated Series  
  • 05:00PM - Design Squad Nation  
  • 05:30PM - Hero Squad
  • 06:00PM - Power Tracks
  • 06:15PM - 60 Minutes      
  • 07:15PM - Police Report [RTHK]
  • 07:30PM - Headliner [RTHK]
  • 08:00PM - America's Funniest Home Videos (XXIV)      
  • 08:25PM - Crazy World Stories      
  • 08:30PM - Wipeout (V)
  • 09:30PM - Weekend Blockbuster: "National Treasure Book of Secrets"
  • 12:20AM - Food Source 2
  • 12:50AM - The Weekend News
  • 01:15AM - Entertainment Tonight
  • 01:45AM - Jade Solid Gold
  • 02:50AM - TV Easy
  • 02:55AM - Late, Late Show: "Becoming Jane"

US: "We stand by our allies"



China cautioned as tensions rise between Manila and Beijing

WASHINGTON—“There should be no doubt about resolve of the United States. We stand by our allies and we stand by our commitments,” Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, the top US diplomat for East Asia, told a Senate panel that oversees policy in the region.

The United States on Thursday cautioned China that it will meet its defense commitments to allies as tensions mount between Manila and Beijing over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Russel told a congressional hearing that some Asian countries fear that Russia’s annexation of Crimea could serve as a precedent for Beijing.

In China’s most recent assertive display, its Coast Guard ships attempted to interdict a Philippine vessel resupplying a small offshore garrison on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) on the Philippine side of the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea on March 29.

The Philippines is a US treaty ally and one of several nations with conflicting territorial claims with China over small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, most of which China claims for itself.

Russel said China’s “intimidating steps” toward the Philippines appeared to reflect its “anger and discontent” over the Philippines filing a case at the United Nations arbitral tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Sunday challenging China’s claims.

“It is incumbent of all the claimants to foreswear intimidation, coercion and other nondiplomatic or extralegal means,” Russel said.

He urged China to clarify its claims in the South China Sea and reiterated US support for a diplomatic solution.

Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also have territorial claims in the 3.5-square-kilometer South China Sea, 90 percent of which China insists is part of its territory.

China says its claims in the South China Sea have a solid historic and legal basis although they extend into the 370-km exclusive economic zones of other nations.

It has rejected the Philippine attempt to seek international arbitration, saying they should hold bilateral negotiations instead.

In recent days, China has accused the Philippines of seriously damaging their relations, abusing process and violating international law by filing a case in the UN arbitral tribunal.

Peaceful settlement

The Philippines responded on Friday, reiterating that “arbitration is a peaceful, friendly and a durable settlement mechanism under international law.”

“By going to arbitration, the Philippines has signaled its fidelity to international law,” Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement released a day after the Chinese embassy in Manila issued a nearly 5,000-word statement denouncing the Philippines for proceeding with the arbitration case in the United Nations.

“To recall, we have done so (going for arbitration) primarily to seek clarification of China’s claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea,” Del Rosario said, describing China’s claim as “excessive and expansive.”

“This is in gross violation of international law,” he added.

“With the submission of the Philippine memorial (memorandum) and with the support of the Filipino people, we are defending what is legitimately and rightfully ours,” he said.

Del Rosario said, however, that he could not go into details of the arbitration case, as “the matter is sub judice,” or pending litigation in the UN tribunal.



More robust US tone

The Obama administration has struck a more robust tone in recent weeks about China’s behavior, accusing it of incremental steps to change the status quo in disputed areas, also in the East China Sea, where US ally Japan and China are at loggerheads over sovereignty of Japanese-held islands.

Later this month, US President Barack Obama will visit the Philippines on a four-nation trip to revive his administration’s foreign policy shift toward Asia that was partly conceived to counter China’s rise in a region where the United States has long been the predominant military power. Obama will also visit Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.

Russel said Russia’s annexation of Crimea has heightened concern, particularly among some Southeast Asian nations, about the possibility of China “threatening force or other forms of coercion to advance their territorial interests.”

Commitment to peace

China needs to demonstrate its commitment to peacefully resolving its territorial disputes, he said.

Russel added that China is economically interdependent with the United States and Asian neighbors, and the prospect of the kind of sanctions that have been imposed against Russian banks and government cronies should have a “chilling effect on anyone in China who might contemplate the Crimea annexation as a model.” With a report from Associated Press



Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/101672/us-we-stand-by-our-allies#ixzz2y0E4VTEm
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Editorial: Happy Birthday to Former President, now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines, is celebrating her 67th Birth Anniversary on April 5, 2014. Her Presidency (January 20, 2001-June 30, 2010) was marked by sustained socio-economic progress in the country, for which she was largely credited. She laid the foundations for the country’s sustained growth amid the 2007 Asian global recession.
Former President and now Congresswoman Arroyo was an economics professor at Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines and Chairperson of Department of Economics of Assumption College before she entered the government service in 1987 in the administration of then President Corazon C. Aquino, as Undersecretary of Department of Trade and Industry, serving concurrently as Executive Director of Garments and Textile Board. She worked to attain a robust growth for the garments industry.
She won election as Senator in 1992, and then topped the 1995 senatorial race.  In the Senate, she crafted measures on trade and commerce, the economy, protection of women, children, the vulnerable sector, and overseas Filipino workers. She filed over 400 bills and authored 55 laws of wide-ranging significance, such as liberalizing foreign investments, export development, and promoting high-value crops. After serving as Senator from 1992 to 1998, she was elected the country’s 12th Vice President, and concurrently headed the Department of Social Welfare and Development during the Estrada Administration. She was installed into the presidency on January 20, 2001, after EDSA 2 and was elected to a full six-year term in the May 10, 2004 polls. She was elected to the House of Representatives on May 10, 2010, representing the 2nd district of Pampanga.
Born in San Juan City to former President Diosdado P. Macapagal, the 9th President of the Philippines, and Dr. Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal, Congresswoman Arroyo studied at the Assumption Convent, graduating valedictorian in 1964. She went on to Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC, in the United States of America. She finished her Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Assumption Convent, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1968.  She obtained her Master’s Degree in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1978 and Doctorate in Economics from the University of the Philippines in 1985.
The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabañes, Directors, Officers and Employees, greet Former President now Congresswoman of the Second District of Pampanga Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on her 67th Birth Anniversary. We wish her the best, good health, and success in all endeavors. Happy Birthday, Congresswoman Arroyo! MABUHAY!