Manila-based Muslims mark Eid'l Fitr at Quirino Grandstand

Amid forecasts of rains, the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Friday became the venue of a joyous celebration as the Muslim community marked the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan.

Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported Friday several Muslims trooped to the open space at Quirino Grandstand as early as before 6 a.m. to pray and mark Eid'l Fitr.

Thousands of other Muslims also trooped to the Golden Mosque in Manila's Quiapo district before dawn Friday to mark Eid'l Fitr, where the imam there stressed the need for peace, unity and forgiveness.

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District said the celebrations had been peaceful, with no untoward incidents recorded as of 8 a.m.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said an Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) will be affecting Mindanao while moderate to strong southwesterly windflow prevails over Northern and Central Luzon.

"Mindanao, Northern and Central Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

President Aquino, through Proclamation 26, declared September 10 a regular holiday in order to promote cultural understanding and integration. In issuing pay rules during the Eid’l Fitr, Labor department Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz quoted Aquino as saying in the proclamation that “the entire Filipino nation should have full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr."

Lone gunman shoots two hostages, police continue assault

(UPDATE 15) More shots were heard from the bus where a lone gunman was holding Hong Kong tourists hostage since Monday morning.

Radio Mindanao Network reports that a child was hit by a stray bullet as police started its assault on the hostage-taker.

The crisis was being broadcast live on national television.

Multiple gunshots were heard moments before the heavily-armed police approached the bus, parked in Manila’s historic tourist district.

Ten minutes after the police approached the bus, they still could not get inside. There were no clear signs of movement from within the bus.

Fifteen tourists from Hong Kong were believed to be on the bus when police stormed it.

An ex-policeman armed with an M-16 assault rifle took the people on board the bus hostage on Monday in a desperate bid to get his job back.

The Filipino driver of the bus jumped out of a window and escaped just before police approached, with the scenes aired live on television.

The gunman, who took control of the bus almost 10 hours ago, said he had shot two of his captives and would kill the others if police did not meet his demands.

“I shot two Chinese. I will finish them all if they do not stop,” former senior police inspector Rolando Mendoza told the Radio Mindanao Network before police moved in on the vehicle and smashed its windows.

Shots were heard from the bus but it was not immediately clear if any of the hostages had been killed or wounded during the crisis, which has been played out live on national television.

The police at the scene started its assault on the hijacked bus at around 7:20 p.m.

Radio reports said that the bus driver who escaped the bus screamed, “Patay na ang lahat ng mga tao [Hostages are dead].” Police have not confirmed if hostages were killed.

“I can see a lot of SWAT (special weapons and tactics police) coming in. I know they will kill me. They should all leave because anytime I will do the same here,” the gunman told the Radio Mindanao Network.

They were the first public comments from the gunman, former senior police inspector Rolando Mendoza, since he took a busload of mainly Hong Kong tourists hostage on Monday morning.

The disgruntled ex-policeman armed with an assault rifle hijacked a bus carrying more than 20 Hong Kong tourists including children.

The gunman boarded the bus in Manila’s historic tourist district in the morning and then released nine people throughout the day as he demanded that he get his job back and be allowed to speak to the media.

Around 5:20 p.m. (Manila time), a shot was heard from inside the hijacked bus, dzBB reports.

The Palace has ordered police to ensure the safety of foreigners who were taken hostage by a former policeman.

“We have asked the law enforcement agencies on the ground to put primary consideration to the lives and safety of the people involved, which are foreign tourists,” said Presidential Communications Operations Head, Secretary Herminio Coloma.

Coloma said the hostage taking need not alarm the international community because it is an isolated incident.

“We just need to view this in perspective as an isolated incident and does not reflect the real situation of our country today,” Coloma said.

Armed commandos were surrounding the vehicle as the hostage drama was aired live on national television, with footage showing some of the hostages peering out through the windows.

The gunman, identified as former senior police inspector Rolando Mendoza, 55, was carrying an M-16 assault rifle, but no shooting was heard and there were no reports of any injuries among the hostages.

As negotiators were brought in to try to end the standoff, Mendoza wrote threatening messages on white paper which he stuck to the glass door of the bus.

“Big deal will start after 3.00 pm (0700 GMT) today,” one of the messages said, although police did not say what they thought he meant.

When that deadline expired six hours into the crisis with no major new development, the suspect posted a new sign that read “media now” and demanded that he be able to speak with reporters on the scene.

Mendoza was honoured by police chiefs in 1986 as one of the top 10 officers in the country. But he was discharged in 2008 for his alleged involvement in drug-related crimes and extortion, according to police.

“He wants to be reinstated in the service,” Manila district police chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said.

Another message Mendoza posted on the bus read: “Big mistake for big wrong decision”, apparently in reference to his sacking.

Philippine authorities said 22 tourists from Hong Kong were originally on board the bus, along with the local driver and two other Filipinos.

Seven of the tourists, including three children and an elderly man, as well two Filipinos, were released in various stages throughout the day.

It was not immediately clear why they were released, but the police spokesman on the scene, chief inspector Erwin Margarejo, said it showed the talks were having results.

“It is a sign that the negotiations resulted in something good,” he said adding that Mendoza’s attitude was “courteous”.

Mendoza also allowed police to bring in food — fried chicken and other meals from a local fast food chain — to the hostages.

Joseph Tung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, said the tourists on the bus were aged between four and 72. They were on a three-day tour and were scheduled to return to Hong Kong late Monday.

“We have never had anything like this before — we are very much concerned,” Tung said in Hong Kong.

It was not clear whether Mendoza had released all the children on board, or whether there were still others being held hostage.

Television footage showed some of the adult hostages looking tensely out from behind the bus curtains, but showing no signs of being injured.

The bus was parked in front of a grandstand at Rizal Park, a popular tourist destination just a few blocks from police headquarters.

As the crisis dragged on, police called in Mendoza’s brother, who is also a police officer, to help in the negotiations.

Monday’s bus hijack recalled a similar hostage-taking in 2007, when a troubled civil engineer armed with a grenade took over a bus and held 30 children but freed them after a 10-hour standoff with police.

The 2007 drama took place near Manila city hall, just off Rizal Park.

Monday’s hostage-taking came hours after a South Korean man was killed in a separate attack on a vehicle by gunmen elsewhere in Manila. Police said the incidents were not related.

Paul Pierce wants to finish his career in Europe

It is kind of hard to believe that Paul Pierce(notes) will be entering his 13th NBA season this year. Other than an early 2000s adoption of a headband and a slow but sure regression of his hairline, Pierce looks like the same guy drafted 10th overall in 1998. Nonetheless, the reality is that Paul Pierce is an old guy in NBA terms, and it's likely his most recent contract — four years, $61 million — will be his last in the NBA. And there's the catch, the NBA part.

As I'm sure you know, outside of the NBA, there are several other professional basketball leagues of varying quality. It's not uncommon for former NBA players to play in these leagues, which is exactly what Pierce plans to do after his NBA days are done.

Krista Ranillo expecting first baby

Sexy actress Krista Ranillo weds her childhood sweetheart, Jefferson Niño Lim in California. (TV Grab, The Buzz)

MANILA, Philippines – Controversial sexy actress Krista Ranillo has announced that she is going to be a mom soon.

In her first television interview since tying the knot in the United States last week, Ranillo happily confirmed that she is carrying her first child. She quickly clarified that she did not get married because of the baby.

“[It’s] because we really love each other. Early stage pa ako ng pregnancy. Talagang ngayon, we are building a family together. So we’re both excited about that,” Ranillo told “The Buzz.”

Ranillo, daughter of actor Mat Ranillo III, wed Island Pacific Supermarket CEO Jefferson Niño Lim last August 8 in California. It was a small private Jewish-style ceremony held at the Hotel Maya.

Prior to the August 8 ceremony though, Ranillo disclosed in her “The Buzz” exclusive interview that they already exchanged “I dos” on July 14 in Norwalk in Connecticut.

“Kami lang po at wala pong mga witnesses ‘yon. It was very private and talagang reception namin after that sa burger place lang. Pagkatapos po noon nag-decide kami na, ‘Magpakasal naman tayo ng August 8 na parang more of a celebration lang. Imbitahan natin ang mga kaibigan natin tsaka mga kamag-anak natin,’” she said.

“’Yon po pinlano namin na very private lang. Actually, ang guest list lang namin nasa 32,33. Kaya lang ‘yon lang hindi din namin na-control, na-leak sa media…. Medyo lumaki ‘yong guest list so kinancel na lang po namin…. Pero the last minute we decided to push through with August 8,” she added.

At the height of the controversy linking her to People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao, Ranillo flew to the States to avoid the issue.

Life in the US

The sexy star admitted that she initially wanted to get into a fashion business in Los Angeles through the help of her cousin designer.

“Nag-usap kami ng pinsan ko na si David Tupaz, isa siyang designer dito sa LA and nag-usap kami na magco-collaborate kami ng younger line. Kasi ginagawa po niya mga bridal wear, mga gown para sa celebrities,” she said.

While in the US, Ranillo had crossed paths with Lim, her childhood sweetheart, again.

According to Ranillo, Lim is a businessman who graduated summa cum laude in a prestigious university in the US.

She said: “Siguro ‘yong qualities na gusto ko sa kanya is nakikita niya talaga kung ano ang kabutihan ng tao... wala kasing perfect na tao pero pag nahanap mo ang taong perfect sa’yo, ayaw mong lumipas pa ang isang araw na hindi kayo magkasama.”

Home is where the hoop is for journeyman Ariza

Trevor Ariza thought he found traction just 14 months ago. Starters on championships teams, especially 23-year-old ones, don't usually worry about job security.

Ariza is going to have a job in this league for a long time. He's just got to be questioning where.
Since that title run with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009, Ariza has added two more cities to his résumé. He signed for five years with Houston last summer, the kind of contract that normally leads to putting down some roots.
He might want to rent in New Orleans.
Ariza was one of the centerpieces in last week's four-way trade between the Hornets, Rockets, Pacers and Nets. New Orleans jettisoned a promising young point guard in the deal for an established young swingman on a team in dire need of one.
It's the first move for first-time general manager Dell Demps, who said Ariza brings a "dynamic" element to the roster. Demps noted the athletic swingman's ability to score, defend and get out on the break.
"Basically," Demps said Saturday, "check a bunch of boxes."
Peja Stojakovic, the oft-injured incumbent at small forward, doesn't own Ariza's skill set. And going into the last year of his monster contract, Stojakovic isn't part of the team's future.
The Ariza deal is as much about the future as it is this season. Pairing a dynamic wing with Chris Paul is just one step in a two-year dance with Demps and first-time coach Monty Williams leading the band.
Giving CP3 reasons to stay in New Orleans, which is Paul's stated preference despite an opt-out in 2012, depends on the Hornets' ability to win. The franchise has gone from 56 wins to 37 in two years, and the Western Conference is only getting deeper.
Ariza, alone, isn't enough. The Hornets also dealt for Marco Belinelli last week, and have infused the team with youth (Marcus Thornton, Quincy Pondexter and Craig Brackens) over the last two drafts. New Orleans also has some extra cap room, thanks to also trading away the disappointing James Posey, to work with going forward.
The move isn't without its risks. Darren Collison, dealt to Indiana, showed as a rookie last season all the makings of a frontline point guard. Collison was both an excellent insurance policy (injury) and possible replacement (trade/free agency) for Paul. Losing Collison now could haunt the Hornets for years to come.
But if Hornets can convince Paul to stay -- that's the challenge for this new and still wet-behind-the-ears regime -- moving his backup, however promising, is understandable if talent is added at positions of greater need. Ariza is at one of those positions.
"He's not a piece," Demps said. "He's a big part of what we're trying to build here."
Ariza must have thought the same in Houston after swapping franchises and starting gigs with Ron Artest last summer. Taking on the most responsibility of his six-year career, he set personal bests in every major statistical category but one. Ariza also shot a career-low 39.4 percent, and shot selection was at the top of Williams' agenda in his first phone call with Ariza.
The new coach liked what he heard from his new player about Ariza's role with the Rockets. Williams expects to Ariza, a nearly 15 point-per-game scorer last season, to be a "huge improvement" for a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.
"Having someone as versatile as Trevor, offensively and defensively, is going to be great for us," Williams said.
Ariza, naturally, is looking for some stability in a career that began as a second-round pick by New York in 2004. He was traded to Orlando the following season and to the Lakers in 2007. The move to the West Coast appeared ideal, especially since he was raised in Los Angeles and went to UCLA.
His confidence only grew during the 2009 championship march, as Ariza started every playoff game and made his presence felt at both ends of the court. Now he's taking the same confidence to the Big Easy. He sees parallels between himself and New Orleans, saying they share the characteristics of "rebuilding and growing."
He's 25, on his fifth team and has four years left on his contract. Maybe he'll stick for a while.
"I just want to be part of the team in a place I can call home for a while," Ariza said. "I've played a lot of places, but hopefully this will be a stop and I'm here for a long time."

Cristine Reyes basted Rayver Cruz

Cristine Reyes confessed that she basted Rayver Cruz, they are both artists from Kapamilya station, ABS- CBN

After repeated denials, sultry actress Cristine Reyes finally admitted that actor Rayver Cruz is basted. In an interview, Reyes said that after sometime, Cruz stopped pursuing her and they just ended up as good friends.

The actress also confessed that she and Cruz were also talking about Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo.

Cristine Reyes who'd been very controversial because of her love life is now busy with her upcoming series "Kristine."

Maybe some of the fans of Rayver Cruz were lonely because of his being denied or basted but that's the reality according to some gossip sites and blogs.

Aquino receives first paycheck

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has received his first paycheck amounting to P63,002 (roughly $1393) a month for being the country’s chief executive, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confirmed.

Government sources close to the President said Aquino’s salary suffered a huge cut because he has no dependents. His taxes amounted to at least 35 percent of his gross income which is said to be close to P100,000.

The government sources said the check, dated July 30, has been deposited to Aquino’s personal bank account.

“He might use some of his pay to buy music CDs or magazines,” one of the government sources said when asked about Aquino’s plans for his salary.

Another government source added Aquino used some of his savings to pay for renovations of the new presidential residence, Bahay Pangarap.

Aquino is currently the President who is getting a higher salary compared to his predecessors.

Last year, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 611, ordering a salary increase for government officials and personnel, subsequently boosting her salary to about P95,000 from P63,525. As mandated by this EO, Aquino would also enjoy two more salary increases.

By 2011, Aquino’s pay would reach P107,000 a month and P120,000 by 2012.

Despite the relatively small pay, the president has a lot of privileges, including allowances and access to government funds.

Shaq 'close' to deal with Celtics

Desperate for frontcourt depth and intrigued by what the self-described "Most Dominant Ever" big man has left in his 38-year-old tank, the Boston Celtics were "close" on Tuesday, according to a league source, to signing center Shaquille O'Neal for next season.
The Celtics, the source said, have told O'Neal that he has to come off the bench next season, and that O'Neal said he could accept a reserve role for the first time in his career. The three-time Finals MVP has not had many suitors this summer that had either the playing time or money to offer him, and O'Neal is running out of places that can give him a chance to compete for a championship as his career draws to a close.
Boston was leery of signing O'Neal because if he became unhappy with his role, that unhappiness could pervade the entire team, as the Celtics believe happened with O'Neal in some of his previous stops in recent seasons. O'Neal started in his one season last year with the Cavaliers, including after his return from a right thumb injury that kept him out of the final five weeks of the regular season.


Sources have indicated that Cleveland Coach Mike Brown's decision to play O'Neal ahead of forward J.J. Hickson and veteran big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas caused friction within the Cavaliers' locker room.
O'Neal averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Cavaliers, shooting a still-robust 56.6 percent from the floor, and seemed to mesh reasonably well with LeBron James. Brown, who was fired after Cleveland's second-round loss to Boston in the playoffs, mixed and matched lineups throughout the regular season, including playing O'Neal and Ilgauskas together at times. Until the loss to the Celtics, there wasn't much complaining about his use of O'Neal.
O'Neal has told associates for several weeks that he thought he could help the Celtics, who will be without starting center Kendrick Perkins for most of, if not all, of next season after tearing his MCL and PCL in Game 6 of the Finals last June against the Lakers. Perkins underwent surgery two weeks ago, and while he hopes to play next season, the Celtics aren't optimistic that he'll be able to contribute much. In the interim, veteran center Jermaine O'Neal--signed to a two-year deal earlier this summer--will start at center for Boston.
Boston is two big men down after Perkins's injury and the retirement of Rasheed Wallace, who has given the team no indication that he's re-considering his decision.
Both Boston and O'Neal are motivated to make this arrangement work. The Celtics still need big bodies to deal with the likes of Dwight Howard in the east, and the Lakers' Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum if they were to make the Finals again next year. Without Perkins on the floor, Boston was bludgeoned 53-40 on the glass, giving up 23 offensive rebounds, in the decisive Game 7 loss to Los Angeles. For his part, O'Neal still wants a chance at a fifth NBA championship, especially now that Kobe Bryant has five and is going for a Threepeat next season as the unquestioned leader of the Lakers.
Comcast SportsNet Boston first reported that the Celtics were near a deal with O'Neal.

NBA 2K11 Demo

So the folks over at IGN got a chance to play the NBA 2K11 demo this past week and delivered us some promising news. First off alot of people (including myself) where skeptical after hearing about the revamped (simplified) isomotion controls for NBA 2K11. The IGN dudes said isomotion looked really crisp and thought that 2ksports had in fact spent a lot of time revamping the isomotion controls for the better and not for the worse. The worst being far to simplified to a point where even the biggest NBA 2K11 noob could pull off a sick cross over step back jumper and drop it on you like its hot and sexy. So though isomotion may be simplified there is still a skill element to it and many moves to be used.

The biggest thing i liked was the half court offense and play calling features. There will indeed be over 1,000 plays that you will be able to run specific to any player you have out on the court. Thats like 10x more plays then we have seen in any previous year and i hope we will be able to play around with them in the NBA 2K11 demo. You will also be able to call out players to cut to the basket, user them, and fake passes that can sike out the defense.

One of the speculations why Robin Padilla and Toni Gonzaga's movie was called off is allegedly because of Robin's "rumored" relationship with Mariel Rodriguez, which is supposedly the reason for a rift between the two close friends. During the press's set visit of the pilot episode of the new noontime show Pilipinas Win Na Win, ABS-CBN.com asked Robin to shed light on the issues.

Robin confirmed that while the movie with Toni is not pushing through this year, he is optimistic that they will have a lot of chances to work together in one project. "Palagay ko ay napakaliit ng mundo ng pelikula para baka isang araw ay makagawa rin kami ng pelikula or ng programa. Gusto ko talagang makagawa ng pelikula kasama siya. Siguro napagod lang din kaming dalawa sa isang taon na [paghihintay], hindi na natapos tapos."

There were also reports stating that Robin does not want to work with Toni as the latter is in a relationship. Robin said that there was a big misinterpretation. "Hindi. Ang tawag dun misquoted. Ang sabi ko kasi ang unang storya ng pelikula namin, yung unang shoot namin simple lang na love story. Yung sumunod nang storya, medyo mabigat na, medyo may mga eksena na na matindi na mahirap gawin. Hindi lang kissing scenes yun. Yung pangalawang storya medyo ano na yun…mahirap gawin lalo na sa mayroong matagal na na karelasyon. Kasi ako alam naman ng lahat na mabilis akong ma-in love sa leading lady ko lalo na kapag ganung klaseng storya makakasagasa tayo." As a gentleman, Robin looks after the welfare of his leading ladies on the set.

But whatever change of plans there are, Robin is looking forward to a movie under Star Cinema as it is what the network has promised him. "Sa ngayon gusto kong magkaroon ng pelikula. Ayan ang pinag-usapan namin ng Channel 2, na kaya kami nandito, na kaya kami nakabalik dito dahil may pelikula. Ngayon kung ishe-shelve yung pelikula, problema yun, magiging problema namin yun. Sa kontrata namin, malinaw na pelikula."