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A Merry Christmas to All! MOST PINOYS EXPECT TO HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS — SWS SURVEY PBBM to sign 2026 nat'l budget on Jan. 5—Recto
By Katrina Manubay MAJORITY of Filipino adults expect to have a happy Christmas this year, with 68% expressing optimism, up three points from 65% in 2024 but five points lower than the 73% recorded in both 2023 and 2022, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. In the latest survey, results showed that while the majority (68%) expects a happy Christmas, 7% expecting it to be sad, and 25% expecting it to be neither happy nor sad. Across major areas, those expecting a happy Christmas were more pronounced in Mindanao at 76%, followed by the Visayas at 73%, Balance Luzon at 64%, and Metro Manila at 64%. The SWS noted that compared to 2024, the expectation of a happy Christmas rose by 6 points from 58% in Metro Manila, 5 points from 59% in Balance Luzon, 2 points from 71% in the Visayas, and 3 points from 73% in Mindanao. The survey also revealed that good health remains the most common reason for gratitude among Filipinos as Christmas and the end of the year approach. Next page
By Charles Dantes, Ram Superable and Rio Araja VOL. XXXIX • NO. 313 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025 •
THE government will operate on a reenacted budget, at least for the first five days of 2026, as President Ferdinand Marcos J r. w i l l r e -
Leviste makes public portion of ‘Cabral list’
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Palace: Files not vetted by DPWH 'tsismis' w/out probative value By Ram Superable, Ratziel San Juan and Joel Zurbano
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ATANGAS Rep. Leandro Leviste on Wednesday made a partial disclosure of the so-called "Cabral list," but limited it to a summary of the "allocable" funds that district representatives recommended for the 2025 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, leaving out details on senators and party-list solons. A separate so-called "DPWH Leaks" reported by Bilyonaryo News Channel claimed Senator Francis Escudero had the highest budget Next page
PINOY X’MAS. A trio of carolers
dressed up in colorful costumes are among the many life-size figures that adorn the main avenues of Makati City in celebration of Christmas and the New Year. Diana Noche
Bring kindness, happiness, and good cheer to all —PBBM President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
Vice President Sara Duterte
'NO other occasion stirs a warmer and more festive spirit in all of us than the Filipino Christmas. Let us bring kindness, happiness, a n d good cheer to everyone we meet, especially to our children for whom these festivities are really for. It is my fervent hope that the deepest desires of our hearts be fulfilled, and that love and goodwill continue to guide our families and communities. Let us become a source of light and goodness to our fellow Filipinos this Christmas and in the years to come.'
'SA kagandahan ng ating loob nagmumula ang pag-asa at katatagan ng loob at pananampalataya. At ito ang gagabay a t magpapalakas sa atin bilang mga indibidwal, bilang mga pamilya, at bilang isang bansa. Hangad ko ang inyong kaligayahan kasama ang inyong mga kapamilya at mahal sa buhay.'
Rep. Martin G. Romualdez 'MGA kababayan ko, this Christmas season, we celebrate the deep faith that unites us as Filipinos – pag-asa, puso, tapang, at pagmamahal sa bawat isa. May the birth of Christ renew our hearts, strengthen our families, and remind us that even in difficult times, light always finds its way through. Maupay na pasko ha iyo na tanan.'
Speaker Bodjie Dy 'THIS Christmas, we pause as a nation to give thanks, reflect, and embrace hope anew. With every shining light and shared smile, let u s remember the true spirit of Christmas: love, caring for others, and the belief that everything becomes more meaningful when we are united. Despite the challenges, we have chosen to prevail with honesty, respect for the law, and calm action. By working together, we are gradually restoring trust and paving the way for a brighter future. This is the stance of the New Philippines—a government with clear direction and accountability to the people. May the magic of Christmas strengthen our unity and inspire our service to others.
PARTIAL LIST. One of the documents purportedly given by the late DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral to Rep. Leandro Leviste which he released during an interview with Bilyonaryo TV. Bilyonaryo TV grab
Pope Leo sad Russia rejects call for global truce POPE Leo XIV on Tuesday called for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that Russia apparently rejected the request. Here at home, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, in his Christmas message, urged Filipinos to hold on to hope and unity, saying the coming of Christ brings lasting joy and renews the call to pray and work for peace. “I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace—at least on the feast of the birth of our Savior,” Leo told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire, arguing that it would only give a military advantage to Ukraine. Next page
Pope Leo XIV
Cases of X’mas heart attacks down so far—DoH By Ram Superable
EDSA REHAB BEGINS. Traffic cones are placed with a public notice advising motorists to slow down or use alternative routes as road construction along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Pasay City begins on December 24, 2025. Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare will undergo extensive repairs as announced by the national government. Story on A3. Norman Cruz
THE Department of Health on Wednesday said cases of heart attack, stroke and asthma were 38 percent lower compared to the figures for the same period last year 2024. It said that 18 additional cases of heart attack, stroke and asthma were recorded from Dec. 21 to Dec. 24, based on monitoring from 10 pilot surveilNext page lance sites nationwide.
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NEWS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
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X'MAS TRADITION.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan presides over a Christmas Eve Mass at the Caloocan City Jail on Dec. 24, continuing his customary Christmas-season visit to persons deprived of liberty. Diocese of Kalookan
Leviste... From A1
request in the 2025 National Expenditure Program at P3 billion for 34 infrastructure projects while former senator and current Education Secretary Sonny Angara had the most number of requested projects at 105 with a total worth of P2 billion. Malacañang, however, said it will respond only to documents officially authenticated by the DPWH amid reports of the so-called "Cabral list" of the late former public works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. "The Palace will only respond to the documents authenticated by DPWH. Other than these, they will all be considered as hearsay or tsismis which have no probative value," Castro said. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has not made any public statement yet confirming or denying the supposed list which Leviste claims was given to him by Cabral. Leviste previously said he “showed” a copy of the list to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Nov. 19 and to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin
Pope... From A1
“Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” the Pope said. Referring to conflicts in general, Pope Leo said: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.” Ukraine on Tuesday pulled out troops from a town in the east of the country after fierce battles with Russian forces as relentless strikes by Moscow killed three ci-
Cases... From A1
Official data also showed that most acute coronary syndrome cases involved adults aged 60 to 69, accounting for 14 of the 25 cases logged during the reporting period. Acute stroke cases followed a similar pattern, with 15 of the 45 recorded patients also falling within
view
PBBM... From A1
the enrolled budget bill first before signing it into law on January 5, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said yesterday. Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto the national budget after its submission. If he does not act on the measure within 30 days, the bill would lapse into law. The President may also choose to do a line veto of certain items in the budget. Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian and Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said the proposed P6.793trillion national budget may be signed on January 5 to give the Executive
Remulla on Nov. 26. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, however, said the Ombudsman does not have a copy of the so-called “Cabral list” and urged those who have it to turn it over. The "summary file" of the allocable amounts of district representatives which Leviste posted on his social media page identified the said amounts as NEP restored. The Batangas solon said this totaled about P401.3 billion for the 2025 budget after an increase of roughly P30 million per district, although actual district shares vary. Beyond the allocable portion, the file also detailed funds that originated from various proponents and budget amendments made during deliberations in the House, Senate, bicameral conference committee, and even within the National Expenditure Program, he said. “To be clear, these budgets are used by the DPWH for projects and not for the proponents, and most of the funding falls outside the allocable portion of district representatives and comes from other proponents. It’s important for the public to understand the contents of the DPWH budget so the projects can be properly appreciated,” he said.
Leviste said that while the names of district lawmakers appeared in the file, this does not mean they are the proponents of the entire budget, as the majority of allocations came from other sources and decision points. He also expressed hope that the DPWH would ultimately make the complete records accessible. “I still hope they will release everything to the public, and at the very least share copies of everything shown in this image of the turnover of files from the DPWH to the Ombudsman. Even though this has not yet been done, we have already taken some steps to make information about the DPWH budget public,” the lawmaker said on his Facebook page. As for the so-called "DPWH Leaks," Bilyonaryo said Senator Imee Marcos had the second highest budget request at P2.5 billion for 28 infrastructure projects, followed by Angara. Bilyonaryo said senators in the 19th Congress who approved the 2025 national spending plan had a total budget request of P20.8 billion. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, have jointly requested P1.57 billion to fund 14 proj-
ects, while former senator Grace Poe has 11 projects valued at P1.5 billion. Senators Mark Villar, Raffy Tulfo, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. have all submitted requests of P1 billion to finance a combined total of 35 projects. Senator Risa Hontiveros had the lowest budget request in last year's NEP, amounting to P105,356, Bilyonaryo said. Leviste earlier claimed all senators had insertions in the DPWH's 2025 budget, including his mother, Senator Loren Legarda at P1 billion based on the supposed "Cabral list" he has. In the "DPWH Leaks," Bilyonaryo said the document also listed five projects each for Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Lito Lapid and Francis Tolentino; four each for Legarda, Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay; two each for JV Ejercito, Robin Padilla, Manny Pacquiao; and one project for Hontiveros. The Department of Justice earlier said the so-called "Cabral list" must first be filed as formal evidence before it can be used, along with testimonies alleging that such a list exists. "Further, the list has to be corroborated by evidence other than the list it-
vilians and cut power to thousands in freezing winter temperatures. There was no sign of an imminent breakthrough after top negotiators from both Russia and Ukraine were in Miami last weekend for separate meetings with United States officials seeking a deal to end almost four years of fighting. Pope Leo met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month. Asked if he would accept Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, Leo later said “I hope so,” but cautioned it was not possible to say when such a trip would be possible.
He also said seeking peace in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement was “unrealistic” and warned US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan risked a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance. Garcera said Christmas reminds people that hope is not merely a feeling but a responsibility that must be lived out through compassion, solidarity, and service to others, especially the poor and those affected by hardship. He emphasized that the birth of Christ is a sign that light can overcome darkness, encouraging Filipinos not to give in to fear, division,
or despair amid ongoing social, economic, and global challenges. The CBCP president also called on families, communities, and leaders to become instruments of peace by promoting understanding, forgiveness, and respect for human dignity. He encouraged the faithful to deepen their prayer life during the Christmas season and translate their faith into concrete actions that foster unity and justice. According to Garcera, true Christmas joy is found not in material celebrations but in shared love, faith, and a renewed commitment to the common good. AFP
the 60 to 69 age group. In contrast, bronchial asthma cases were most common among children, with four of the nine reported patients aged zero to nine years old. The figures, according to the DOH, reflect recurring seasonal patterns in non-communicable diseases during the Christmas and New Year holidays. In a health advisory, the agency reminded the public to avoid over-
eating, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and unmanaged stress to reduce the risk of heart attacks., For stroke prevention, they urged Filipinos to maintain normal blood pressure, stay physically active and seek immediate medical attention for sudden numbness or weakness. Asthma patients were advised to avoid triggers such as dust and smoke, keep their surroundings
clean, and always carry prescribed inhalers and medication. Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa noted that doctors have recently observed stroke cases among younger adults, including patients as young as 29 years old. He also said some patients initially present with chest pain or difficulty of breathing that later turns out to be linked to mental health concerns such as depression and
loneliness during the holidays. “That is not something to be taken lightly. It was good that depression and loneliness during the holiday season were mentioned. We are also seeing this in our cases,” said Herbosa. Meanwhile, all government hospitals nationwide have been placed under Code White Alert status to ensure readiness for Christmas and New Year emergencies.
branch sufficient time to thoroughly review the voluminous enrolled budget documents. “We acknowledge that submitting the budget to the Executive on December 29 is 2 days before the new year, and the Executive needs sufficient time to review the 4,000+ page enrolled copies of the budget. The prudent course of action is to move the signing to January 5 to ensure that every provision is thoroughly reviewed,” Gatchalian said. Gatchalian said the enrolled budget would be transmitted directly to Malacañang on Dec. 29. Lacson said such a short reenactment would be preferable to rushing the approval of the 2026 General Appropriations Act at the expense of safeguards and accountability. “This is exactly what I said earlier – better a reenacted budget in January, or even in the first quarter of 2026, than
rushing the passage of a national budget that is not responsive to the call of the times, amidst the yet unresolved investigations on the misuse and abuse of the current and previous expenditure programs, particularly involving flood control projects,” Lacson said. He said the bicameral conference committee struggled to fully reconcile differences on several contentious provisions, including proposed increases for farm-to-market roads and “ayuda” programs such as the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which he said remain vulnerable to political abuse. He also cited the Department of Public Works and Highways’ appeal to restore portions of its budget despite earlier commitments to reduce allocations due to overpriced Construction
Materials Price Data (CMPD). To address these concerns, Lacson said the Senate agreed in caucus to insert general and special provisions in the 2026 budget to serve as safeguards during implementation. These include a ban on guarantee letters and any form of “epal” in aid distribution, strict implementation of MAIFIP under the Universal Health Care program in compliance with the UHC law, and monthly oversight of infrastructure and farm-to-market road projects with grid coordinates to allow easier monitoring by the media and the public. “Certainly, the bicameral committee report is far from perfect insofar as proper utilization of public funds is concerned. Having said that, we cannot be in a perfect and ideal world when we entrust government funds to politicians of different persuasions and attitudes,” Lacson said. For his part, ACT Teachers party-
list Rep. Antonio Tinio welcomed the commitment of the House leadership to provide members with a copy of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget one day before its ratification. "We do not want a repeat of what happened before, that the copies are given at the last minute only, and then they would say that, on the basis that Congress is being turned into a rubber stamp, as it is a rubber stamp approval. During these times, the people would no longer accept reasons like the House members did not have a chance to read the changes made in the bicam," he said. Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing, committee on appropriations chairperson, assured House members the bicameral report will be distributed to members on December 28, after the bicameral committee signs the final version.
self. It cannot by itself stand as proof, so there lies the challenge. These are the stringent rules of evidence. Once the pieces of evidence are filed, we will ensure that these are all accurately scrutinized and verified," DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said. The Ombudsman on Monday issued a subpoena duces tecum directing the DPWH to immediately produce all computer and electronic devices issued to Cabral. The DPWH on Tuesday turned over files which it said were “documents and other requests for consideration in the programming of NEP (National Expenditure Program) in the last 10 years, among others,” but did not say if the socalled Cabral list was already included. Cabral served as DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership from 2014 until her resignation in September this year after being implicated in allegedly anomalous flood control projects. Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo earlier told a Senate hearing that Cabral created the so-called “allocable” system where lawmakers can make insertions in the DPWH budget.
Most... From A1
However, this feeling has declined from 51% in 2023 to 47% in 2024, and further to 45% in 2025. According to SWS, good health has consistently been the top reason for thankfulness in life during the Christmas season since 2023. As of November 2025, the highest percentage of gratitude for good health is reported in the Visayas at 55%, followed by Metro Manila, Mindanao, and Balance Luzon at 42% each. The nationwide survey was conducted from November 24 to 30, with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and older, and has a margin of error of ±3% for national percentages.
NEWS
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
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Secure your belongings, air travelers told
CLOSE WATCH.
A Philippine Navy sailor keeps watch as Navy warships escort a Chinese People’s Liberation Army– Navy frigate out of waters off Capones Island, Zambales, last week.
By Joel E. Zurbano
EDSA rehab begins on Xmas eve By Joel E. Zurbano
T
HE government is now preparing for the EDSA rehabilitation project, set to commence on Christmas Eve, using advanced technology aimed at improving both the speed and durability of the highway works. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) intends to accelerate the project timeline, shortening it to eight months to minimize disruption to motorists. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the rehabilitation will be carried out in
two phases and completed within eight months, a significant reduction from the original two-year plan. Under the revised schedule, the first four months will cover the stretch from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Orense Street
IN BRIEF PNP welcomes SC ruling in Kian delos Santos case
in Makati City, while the remaining four months will focus on the rest of EDSA. The updated plan is also expected to reduce project costs to about P6 billion, generating savings of up to P11 billion from the earlier P17 billion proposal. Initial works will begin at 12 a.m. on December 24, 2025, and run until 4 a.m. on January 5, 2026. From December 24 to 27, repair works will include concrete reblocking and asphalt overlay on selected northbound and southbound sections, mostly affecting inner lanes. The DPWH said a revised schedule
for works from December 28, 2025 to January 5, 2026 will be announced later. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes said the agency is taking advantage of lighter holiday traffic, noting that many Metro Manila residents travel during this period. Artes said the revised rehabilitation plan is designed to minimize disruption and removes the need for measures such as adding more EDSA Busway units or suspending Skyway tolls. There will be no changes to the number coding scheme during the rehabilitation period.
THE Philippine National Police– Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) has advised air travelers to closely monitor their belongings, especially during the busy holiday season when airports experience heavy passenger traffic. “With more passengers expected to travel this holiday, it’s important to act quickly if something is left behind,” the PNP-Avsegroup said in an advisory on Wednesday. The group reminded travelers that the NAIA Lost and Found Main Office, located at Terminal 1, serves as the central repository for unclaimed items from all terminals, subject to prescribed retention periods. Passengers may contact Lost and Found hotlines for assistance: Terminal 1 at 88771-109 local 2863; Terminal 2 at 88771-109 local 2879 or 2829; and Terminal 3 at 888777-888 local 8139. Travelers who lose items within airport premises are advised to immediately coordinate with the NAIA Lost and Found Section and present a valid government-issued ID. For inbound international and domestic flights, items left on aircraft are usually turned over to Central Baggage Services and kept for at least one month, depending on airline policy. For domestic flights, passengers must coordinate with their airline and present the necessary documents, including tickets, baggage claim stubs, and valid identification. The group also reminded passengers not to bring firearms or prohibited items to avoid delays and inconvenience.
CHRISTMAS COLORS. Vendor stalls and tents line the area fronting the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Parañaque City, on the eve of Christmas Day. Norman Cruz
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court ruling affirming the conviction of police officers involved in the 2017 killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos. PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the decision shows that due process and the rule of law are working, even in difficult cases. He said the ruling would guide the crafting and implementation of policies to prevent similar incidents and strengthen accountability within the police force. The High Court found Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz guilty of murder and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison. Nartatez warned erring officers that violations of duty will not go unpunished and reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to professionalism and justice. Vince Lopez
Benguet police chief Suerte placed on medical leave BENGUET Provincial Police Office director Col. Lambert Suerte has been placed on medical leave effective December 22, the Benguet police confirmed. In a statement, Suerte said he would temporarily step down to recover and asked personnel to support the incoming officer-in-charge. Suerte was earlier relieved by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) over alleged lapses in the investigation into the death of former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. The relief order was later revoked after Cabral’s family agreed to an autopsy of her remains. Col. Ledon Monte has been designated officerin-charge of the Benguet PPO while Suerte is on leave. Vince Lopez
DENR urges eco-friendly holidays to cut waste THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged Filipinos to celebrate the holidays responsibly by reducing waste through simple, eco-friendly practices. The agency reminded the public to observe the 5Rs of waste management—refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle—especially during the Christmas season. The DENR stressed that effective waste management starts at the household and community levels, with local governments playing a key role under Republic Act 9003. It also cited progress in the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, noting that more than 240 million kilos of plastic waste were diverted during the 2024 compliance period. The country has surpassed its mandated recovery target, achieving a 56.12% diversion rate, the DENR said. Rio N. Araja
Navy warships escort Chinese frigate out of Zambales By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Navy said Wednesday it deployed two warships to escort a People’s Liberation Army–Navy frigate spotted loitering off Capones Island in Zambales last week. Members of the local maritime community reported on December 17 the presence of a PLA-N Jiangkai II-class frigate with bow number 569, around 41 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island in the West Philippine Sea. The Navy dispatched BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-
DAILY CROSSING. he A wooden footbridge over the Marikina River serves as a daily crossing for residents of Barangay Bagong Silangan, providing a vital link to San Mateo, Rizal.
35) under Naval Task Force 11 of the Northern Luzon Naval Command to verify the report. Upon confirmation of the Chinese warship’s presence, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) was also deployed. Both Philippine warships issued radio challenges, noting that the foreign vessel had been loitering within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone without clarifying its intent. The Northern Luzon Naval Command said the Chinese frigate was escorted in a controlled and non-escalatory manner, with Philippine
ships maintaining a professional posture while asserting sovereign rights. The incident occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a known flashpoint in tensions between Manila and Beijing. The Navy said such actions form part of routine maritime security operations to protect national security and territorial integrity. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its “10-dash line,” a claim rejected by a 2016 international arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines.
Plea seeks restoration of PhilHealth funds By Ram Superable PETITIONERS in a landmark Supreme Court (SC) case on Wednesday urged Congress and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fully comply with a ruling ordering the return of P60 billion to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in the 2026 national budget. The group behind GR No. 274778 said the ruling directs Congress to insert a distinct line item in the General Appropriations Act restoring the funds to PhilHealth, separate from its regular allocation. They said the funds were taken from PhilHealth’s reserve fund and must be returned in full, independent of any new budgetary allocations. The petitioners warned that provisions in the House-approved budget and Senate committee report limiting or predefining the use of the P60 billion undermine the Supreme Court ruling.
OPINION
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
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EDITORIAL
A blessed Christmas to all! THIS year has probably been the most “exciting” in a generation for those of us who find politics worth watching. That may not be so to most Filipinos for whom politics is either boring or entertaining, but do not quite relate to its significance in everyday lives. Which is why that idiotic and insensitive P500 Noche Buena claim by the trade secretary struck a raw nerve. To the middle class, it was an insult. To the poorest of the poor, the so-called E-income levels, they who live day-by-day on marginal incomes, there’s hardly much to differentiate Noche Buena or the coming Media Noche, from every other day in their wretched lives. Worse was another idiotic post-prattle from the Malacanang spokesperson afterwards, which made every family wonder what planet these government functionaries inhabit. Still and all, the season of joy, accompanied by cooler nights, is always respite from all the toxicity of politics and the economy which our people suffer in this “annus horribilis.” For me and my family, Christmas Day coincides with my birthday. A son-in-law has his birthday on Christmas Eve. A granddaughter’s birthday coincides with the Feast of the Three Kings. For the longest time, I found myself content with just one gift for Christmas and my birthday, except of course from closest kin. As if such “deprivation” is not enough, I have hardly been able to celebrate with friends on the day itself, and in previous years, it’s always been a week or two earlier or even in January of the next year. I just console myself by the thought that everyone else was celebrating my birthday on the 24th or the 25th. For many years, I was the self-appointed cook for the annual Christmas Eve repast. No lechon this year in keeping with the hard times. A few years back, when times were somewhat better, a daughter pre-ordered a leg of jamon bellota which my eldest grandson carved rather well, como un cortador. Paired with juicy melons I brought from Taipei, the appetizer was ambrosial. But this year is different. The kids didn’t feel like innovating on the Christmas decors. They just recycled some of the previous year’s trimmings and kept most of it stored. Neither in my house nor in theirs did they put up the usual “parols” to be seen from the street. In Manila where I reside, our good mayor sensibly decided to do away with costly street decorations and instead sent Noche Buena packages for every household. While my kids took turns on which household was to host the Christmas Eve dinner in the past, a bratty daughter just said, “papa, ikaw na bahala kung ano gusto mong lutuin.”
So before writing this article, I prepared the broth of various meats for the cocido (pochero is the similar Filipino dish) and the accompanying eggplant sauce and tomatada. Last Dec. 23, I prepared my signature galantina the old-fashioned way my mother taught me how. And as I write this, cans of fruit are being drained of unhealthy syrup and apples are being cut to chunks for the fruit salad that my grandchildren always crave. Thanks to friends for their gifts, we did not have to prepare desserts, as a senatorfriend gave me home-made sans rival and
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Worse was another idiotic post-prattle from the Malacanang spokesperson afterwards, which made every family wonder what planet these government functionaries inhabit fruit cake, with a son-in-law bringing two different versions of leche flan. And we need not worry about Media Noche either. A young and successful businessman sent his annual gift of prime rib-eye steaks; another friend brought “Golden” pomelos from Davao; another his family heirloom recipe of garlicky Baliwag longanizas; even perfectly crispy though cholesterol laden “bagnet” from Laoag. There were food baskets from our publisher and editor and some other friends which would take us till February to consume. It’s really the family bonding that matters though. I write about food only because it is an indulgence I have always gifted myself and family, never excessively though. We have been blessed with the good fortune of not having to want in this season of joy, but knowing how many households have very little, we have been sharing in our own way with the less fortunate. Yet despite the chaotic state of the nation, and in spite of foreboding over what lies ahead in 2026, just as the economy is expected to be worse than this year’s listlessness, and politics continues to be insane, we wish our readers a blessed Christmas and happy family get-togethers. May you all have an abundance of grace in this season of joy!
Sad news LAST Sunday, the retired military and police officers commissioned into the regular force of the AFP in 1970 received the sad news of the untimely passing of Congressman Romeo Acop, one of its distinguished members. Before his passing, he was the only one as far as I know in the batch of 1970 still carrying the torch for the group. No one among those coming from the Philippine Military Academy, Direct Commissioned officers, Australian Officer Candidate School graduates, or those from the United States service academies are still in government service except him. In fact, all those who came from Foreign Service academies sadly all passed away much earlier. Only the 1970 PMA graduates and Direct Commissioned officers are still around. As the public already knows, Congressman Acop or Romy to his many friends carried the torch remarkably well especially during the House of Representatives QuadCom hearings looking into how the OVP spent its intelligence funds. His incisive questionings were so impressive that the public stayed glued to the TV sets. I did not only know him professionally being both officers in the then Philippine Constabulary and Philippine National Police but personally as well. He was a year ahead of me in high school and my senior in the Preparatory Military Training (PMT) program and it so happens that I was the one who introduced him to
his late wife Congresswoman Cion Marrero Acop, a close relative who sadly passed away a few years back. Although Romy’s passing was so sudden, coming during this Yuletide Season like a thief in the night, he leaves his three children and grandchildren a legacy of patriotic and dedicated government service that they can be very proud of. We of the so-called batch of 1970 extend our sincerest condolences. He lived his life to the fullest.
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Romy Acop’s incisive questionings were so impressive that the public stayed glued to the TV sets *** Traffic is always a big hustle in the Metro area during the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, it is also the time when I have to perform my yearly obligatory duty of picking up family members from the airport that I only see once a year. One thing I noticed this year is that traffic has become more congested much earlier than usual. One has to meticulously plan dinner or
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Filipino Christmas, a distinct cultural celebration
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N THE Philippines, where almost 92 percent of the 117 million population are Christians, Christmas signifies deep faith, family unity, and vibrant community, marked by the world’s longest festive season. This starts in September, and the season has unique traditions like dawn Masses, colorful star lanterns, and Noche Buena feasts, all centered on celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth with immense joy, generosity, and cultural blending of native, Hispanic, and Western customs. At its core, Christmas is a profound religious observance honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, central to the faith of Christian Filipinos from up north in Batanes to down south in Mindanao. A major tradition is the Simbang Gabi, a novena of predawn masses from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. culminating in Misa de Gallo or the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, a significant act of devotion. There is also the reenactment
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We see in this season a prime time for family reunions, fostering strong kinship and communal bonding of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging, known as Panunulúyan, which emphasizes the humble origins of Christ’s birth. We see in this season some cultural and familial significance, which provides – not that it happens only during the season – a prime time for family reunions, fostering strong kinship and communal bonding. There is also the gift-giving with the exchange of gifts which reinforces love and sharing,
though sometimes overshadowed by consumerism. Verily, Filipino Christmas blends Western elements – Santa, trees, carols – with unique Hispanic influences and indigenous traditions, creating a distinct cultural celebration rooted in faith, joy, and community spirit, notes this Facebook post. There is, alongside the Christmas carols, the deeper symbolism of Christmas in the Philippines, linked to the 1521 arrival of the Cross, the birth of Filipino Catholicism, blending faith with indigenous culture, symbolized by Christ Child and the lantern which signifies hope, cultural adaptation like the Belenismo, now popular in the Central Plains north of the national capital, and enduring faith despite colonial history, transforming Spanish arrival into a uniquely Filipino celebration of Christ’s birth and a national identity deeply rooted in love for the Holy Child. To all our fellow followers in the faith, a blessed Christmas.
‘We are ghosts’: Britain’s migrant night workers LONDON—“We are ghosts on the night shift,” said Leandro Cristovao from Angola, who has worked the graveyard shift at a south London market for seven years. In the last decade, Britain’s nine millionstrong nighttime workforce has become increasingly reliant on migrants like Cristovao as the number of UK-born workers doing night work shrinks. “You have a lot of night work carried out by migrant night workers in—somewhat unfairly named—low-skilled sectors,” said Julius-Cezar Macarie, a sociology professor at University College Cork. “Their work is very, very essential, because they maintain this... 24-hour society,” said Macarie, whose “Nightwork Footprint” project researches the invisibility of the shift. Amid the raging debate in the UK about the number of migrants and irregular immigrants, those not born in the UK are twice as likely to work nights as those born in the country, according to official data from 2022. In the health and care sector, over a third of night workers are migrants. As the government clamps down on overseas workers, migrants spoke to AFP about working in the shadows. The office cleaner As the sun rose on a chilly morning in central London, Roxana Panozo Alba walked against the tide of suited-up bankers whose offices she spent the night cleaning. The 46-year-old and her team—most of whom are migrants—clean toilets, kitchens, conference rooms and over 500 desks from 10 pm to 7 am. She said she gets paid the London Living Wage of £13.85 ($18.47) per hour. Alba, originally from Bolivia and a Spanish citizen through marriage, moved to the UK with her husband because “there was no
work left in Spain”. She has worked nights for eight years to be with her kids -- aged six and 15 -- in the day, and because she does not speak English, limiting her opportunities. “Working at night is not good, it damages your health,” said Alba. “You have to sleep (in the day), but you can’t. The slightest noise and you can’t get to sleep.”
The care workers Omatule Ameh, 39, is an overnight support worker for children with learning disabilities in rural southeast England. He moved there from Nigeria in 2023 on a care worker visa. During the day, Ameh looks after his own eight-year-old and 18-month-old while his wife works at the care home. Sometimes, he gets only three hours of sleep. “You find that emotionally, mentally, it’s taking a gradual toll on you,” said Ameh, who earns the minimum wage, around £12.20 an hour. Judith Munyonga, 44, from Zimbabwe works from 7 pm to 7 am four days a week, caring for patients with spinal cord injuries in Hertfordshire, north of London. The former teacher monitors her patients while they sleep, often sitting besides them in darkness.
“I’ll try to play music in one of my headphones to keep myself awake. When it’s dark, I tell you, it’s not easy,” said Munyonga. The chef Sandeep wipes grease from the counter of a 24-hour London cafe before clocking off at 7 am after a 12-hour shift. The 21-year-old Nepali has worked as a chef there for two years, first when he was a student, and now as a graduate, after he struggled to find a tech job. “It’s really hard to get a job at the moment,” said the computer science graduate, adding he had “no option” but to work nights. He moved to the UK from Nepal in 2023 because “there’s nothing back there for youngsters like us.” But if he cannot find a job that pays more than his current minimum-wage work, he will have to return to Nepal in a year when his visa expires, as the government hikes the minimum salary requirement for foreign work visas. The warehouse manager Cristovao, 36, packs wholesale produce which reaches UK restaurants, schools and hotels in the early morning hours. When he first started, he would have “nightmares” and jolt awake during the day, thinking he was late for work. “I almost became like a ghost,” he said, speaking at the sprawling night market. His boss Martin Dykes said the business, Nature’s Choice, took a hit after Brexit, adding he is “worried” about new visa restrictions as local night workers are harder to find. “But we are here,” Cristovao said defiantly. “While they are sleeping, we are here,” he said, pointing to the residential skyscrapers behind him, where the lights are switched off. AFP
shopping trips in order not to be caught in heavy traffic. My grandson and his girlfriend for instance were late for more than two hours for dinner due to traffic for a trip of less than three kilometers. Yet, the best advice that MMDA can give to the motoring public is to be more patient. Dagdagan pa raw natin ang pasensya sa kalsada. It is like the DTI telling us that P500 is enough for Noche Buena for a family of four or five. Don’t theses agencies realize that it is better simply to keep quiet and say nothing at times? This is not a good sign to come in spite
of the appointment of former PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre as General Manager of the MMDA. We do not know whether his appointment will mean better traffic next year for the NCR since the rehabilitation of EDSA has just started and will surely become a traffic battleground next year. His leadership style might explain why he was appointed to that position considering that enforcement will be an important factor to keep traffic moving. Still, it is a perplexing appointment because he is replacing someone who I understand is a retired police Lt Colonel or Colonel and he is a four-star police General. It is as if the Palace had to scratch the bot-
tom of the barrel to make the appointment but he accepted the designation nonetheless. Perhaps, he is already bored doing nothing from the time he was suddenly replaced as PNP chief that he simply wants to get back to work which is his good trait. He never showed any outward resentment when he was relieved as CPNP after just three months. He has also continued to support PBBM in spite of the way he was treated. Let us hope that he will be happy in his new job because it is actually very demanding with hardly enough time for family. But General Torre thrives in such situations. So, let’s all wish him well and all the luck in the world. Merry Christmas to one and all.
Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida
Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager
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In the last decade, Britain’s nine millionstrong nighttime workforce has become increasingly reliant on migrants
Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor Virgilio DC Galvez News Editor Miguel Gil City Editor
Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Aytch dela Cruz Online Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer
Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
WORLD
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
IN BRIEF High-speed trains to link Red Sea, Mediterranean ‘GREATEST EXTORTION.’
Venezuela’s ambassador to the UN Samuel Moncada (center, right) speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on US Military Actions against Venezuela, at United Nations headquarters on Wednesday, Manila time, in New York. At the meeting, US Ambassador Mike Waltz responded to the criticism by saying ‘the United States will do everything in its power to protect our hemisphere, our borders, and the American people.’ AFP
Russia and China criticize US U
NITED NATIONS—Russia and China on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) criticized the United States for its military and economic pressure on Venezuela, telling the UN Security Council it was “cowboy behavior” and “intimidation.”
Venezuela, which requested the emergency council meeting with the backing of Moscow and Beijing, accused Washington of “the greatest extortion known in our history.” Venezuelan ambassador Samuel Moncada told the council: “We are in the presence of a power that acts outside of international law, demanding that Venezuelans vacate our country
and hand it over.” “This is the greatest extortion known in our history,” he added. Waltz reiterated Trump’s accusations against the Venezuelan leader, saying “Nicolas Maduro is a fugitive wanted by American justice and the head of the foreign terrorist organization the ‘Cartel de los Soles.’” Experts say there is no evidence of
the existence of an organized group with a defined hierarchy that goes by that name. The US government has offered a $50 million reward for any information leading to the arrest of Maduro, a staunch ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The United States has deployed a major military force in the Caribbean and has recently intercepted oil tankers as part of a naval blockade against Venezuelan vessels it considers to be under sanctions. At Tuesday’s meeting, US Ambassador Mike Waltz responded to the criticism by saying “the United States will do everything in its power to protect our hemisphere, our borders, and the
American people.” US President Donald Trump accuses Venezuela of using oil, the South American country’s main resource, to finance “narcoterrorism, human trafficking, murders, and kidnappings.” Caracas denies any involvement in drug trafficking and maintains that Washington is seeking to overthrow its president, Nicolas Maduro, in order to seize Venezuelan oil reserves, the largest in the world. “The acts by the US side run counter to all key norms of international law,” said Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, calling the US blockade an “act of aggression.” AFP
Court blocks Trump’s NG deployment in Chicago WASHINGTON, DC—The US Supreme Court dealt a blow to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) by blocking his deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. The conservative-dominated court kept in place for now a lower court order barring the deployment of troops on the streets of the city in the midwestern state of Illinois. “At this preliminary stage, the Government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois,” the court said in an unsigned order. Three conservative justices -Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch -- dissented. The Republican president has sent National Guard troops to three Democraticled cities this year -- Los Angeles, Washington and Memphis -- but his efforts to deploy soldiers in Portland and Chicago have been tied up in the courts. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, reacting to the court ruling, said the president “activated the National Guard to protect federal law enforcement officers, and to ensure rioters did not destroy federal buildings and property.” AFP
NEW ADMINSTRATIVE CAPITAL, Egypt – Workers have started laying tracks in the desert east of Cairo for Egypt’s first high-speed train, which will link the Red Sea and the Mediterranean in the latest attempt to modernize transport in the vast country. Described by transport minister Kamel al-Wazir as a “new Suez Canal on rails”, the project is slated to be completed in 2026, and will carry passengers and cargo the 660-kilometer distance in as little as three hours. The Green Line, as it is known, is the latest of a long list of megaprojects undertaken by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s government in the past decade -- the crowning jewel of which is a still sparsely populated $58 billion New Administrative Capital east of Cairo. In 2021, Egypt signed a $4.5 billion contract with a consortium that includes German company Siemens to establish the Green Line, which will form the first of three highspeed tracks across the country. AFP
UK comedian Brand faces new rape charge LONDON—UK police said two new charges, of rape and sexual assault, had been issued on Tuesday against British comedian and actor Russell Brand. The media personality turned anti-establishment influencer already pleaded not guilty in May to five charges -- one count of rape, one of oral rape, two of sexual assault and one of indecent assault between 1999 and 2005. “These new charges are in relation to two further women and are in addition to the charges issued to Brand in April 2025 which involved four women,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. It stressed the total charges now related to six women after further police investigations. AFP
US denies visas to EU ex-commissioner WASHINGTON, DC—The US State Department said Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) it would deny visas to a former EU commissioner and four others, accusing them of seeking to “coerce” American social media platforms into censoring viewpoints they oppose. “These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states -- in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” the department said in a statement announcing the sanctions. The measure targeted Thierry Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, who often clashed with tech tycoons such as Elon Musk over their obligations to follow EU rules. AFP
TRUMP-CLASS SHIPS. US President Donald Trump announces the US Navy’s new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself -- an honor usually reserved for US leaders who have left office. Two of the Trump-class ships will be built initially but that number could grow substantially in the future, according to the president, who said they will be ‘some of the most lethal surface warfare ships’ and ‘the largest battleship in the history of our country.’ AFP
Major California storm brings heavy rain, snows, evacuations LOS ANGELES—A major winter storm rolled into California Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A “strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to Cali-
fornia through Friday,” the National Weather Service said in a statement Tuesday, warning anyone in northern, central and southern parts of the state to “exercise extreme caution.” “If you’re planning to be out on the roads during the Christmas holiday, please reconsider your plans,” National Weather Service meteorologist
World ‘ready for a woman at helm of UN’ SANTIAGO—Michelle Bachelet, a trailblazer for Latin America as its first woman to serve as defense minister and the first elected as Chilean president, now aims to become the UN’s first female secretary general, and says the world is “ready.” The 74-year-old, who served two terms as Chile’s president, was nominated for the UN’s top job in September by her country’s outgoing leftist leader Gabriel Boric. She is now seeking the backing of his elected successor, right-winger Jose Antonio Kast, who she met on Monday. After that meeting, Bachelet told AFP “the world is ready” for a woman to take over and make “a different contribution through a different kind of leadership.”
If chosen, she said she would help the United Nations “modernize and become more efficient, more effective, and more transparent.” The UN, 80 years old this year, has never had a woman at the helm and only one Latin American -- Peruvian diplomat Javier Perez de Cuellar who served as secretary general from 1982 to 1991. The post traditionally rotates between world regions, with Latin America next in line as Portuguese Antonio Guterres’s term comes to an end. After serving her first term as Chilean president from 2006 to 2010, Bachelet became the first head of the then-newly created UN Women agency. She served as Chile’s president again from 2014 to 2018, then as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. AFP
Ariel Cohen told reporters in Los Angeles Tuesday. Driven by an atmospheric river known as “the Pineapple Express,” which moves the heavy moisture from the tropical climes of Hawaii to rain on the West Coast, the storm is expected to dump rain and snow for several days.
“By the time we get to late Wednesday through Friday, many areas will likely be experiencing significant flooding, along with rockslides and mudslides, especially through the high terrain and canyon roadways.” Some Southern California communities could see up to 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) of rainfall, Cohen said. AFP
RETURNING TO NORMAL. A police
helicopter patrols over the Bondi Beach as life gradually returns to normal following seven days of mourning, a week after the Bondi Beach shooting attack, in Sydney on Monday. Police have declared the shooting a ‘terrorist incident’ and said they had found suspected ‘improvised explosive devices’ in a vehicle near the beach. The shooting took place during an annual Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach. which police said was attended by over 1,000 people. AFP
NEWS
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
MIDNIGHT MASS. Residents of Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City gather at San Isidro Labrador Parish Church for the traditional Simbang Gabi, a series of pre-dawn religious rites that culminate on Christmas Eve. Edd Castro
PCG fills vessel shortage in Port of Lucena, Quezon By Vince Lopez PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan on Wednesday ordered the deployment of two Multi-Role Response Vessels to ferry stranded passengers at the Port of Lucena in Quezon bound for San Agustin, Romblon. The PCG addressed the shortage of passenger vessels amid peak holiday travel, reflecting their commitment to responsive and peoplecentered service “that leaves no Filipino behind.” The PCG utilized BRP Suluan to ferry 75 passengers who were unable to secure commercial transport from Lucena to Romblon. Meanwhile, BRP Bagacay remains on standby at the port to accommodate additional travelers. According to PCG Southern Tagalog district chief Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, the operation was being conducted in strict adherence to maritime safety and security protocols. “This initiative underscores the PCG’s dual role as a maritime safety agency and a humanitarian force, reaffirming our commitment to compassion, unity, and service, especially during critical times, while making the Christmas season meaningful for families across island communities,” Tuvilla said.
DHSUD gives 4PH wider coverage By Rio N. Araja
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HE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has transformed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) into a people-centric and pro-poor initiative with the addition of new modalities to cover all income brackets in 2025. “The President’s directive is clear — the Expanded 4PH must reach the intended beneficiaries of government housing, that is our countrymen in the low-income bracket, those in the danger zones and the informal settler families,” Housing Secre-
tary Jose Ramon Aliling said. “That is why we have further expanded the program so that there will be a program that fits the needs and capacities of our countrymen,” he added. Under the transformative leadership of
Aliling, the Expanded 4PH now includes horizontal or subdivision-type development, rental housing, revival of enhanced community mortgage program (ECMP), incremental housing, Presidential Proclamations, temporary shelters and most recently the high-density housing. The housing program initially focused only on vertical or condominium-type development which did not gain traction due to affordability issues. Under the Expanded 4PH, Aliling tasked each of the department’s key shelter agencies to lead specific modality with the Pag-IBIG Fund launching its low three-percent interest
HAM TIME.
For some Filipino households, Noche Buena or even Christmas Day itself is not complete without the scrumptious ham made of cured pork leg such as these that sell like hotcakes in a famous store in Quiapo, Manila. Norman Cruz
Five rebels die in clash with soldiers, cops in CamSur FIVE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, three of them unit leaders, were reported killed in an encounter with government troops in Camarines Sur on Tuesday. The Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Frank Roldan said soldiers from the 83rd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police encountered the insurgents in a mountainous area of Barangay Burabod, Lagonoy town. Roldan said among the casualties were alias
Bal, head of the Regional Urban Committee of the Bicol Regional Party Committee; alias Paeng, head of Platoon 1, Komiteng Larangang Guerilla Sub-Regional Committee; and alias Ter/ Dado, head of KLG2, SRC2, along with their followers identified only as Cris and Pepe. He said the troops also recovered from the scene an M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, three anti-personnel mines, a laptop, and personal belongings. The incident followed intensified pursuit op-
erations after the discovery of four M16 rifles in Barangay Pinamihagan, Lagonoy on Dec. 20. Roldan said the communist guerillas were trying to return to areas they previously controlled to garner support, but some residents reported their presence to the authorities. 9ID commander Maj. Gen. Aldwine Almase thanked the villagers for their cooperation in maintaining peace and security. He urged the remaining members of the group to surrender. Rex Espiritu
Public warned vs. fake videos on AFP chief THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday cautioned the public against fake videos circulating on YouTube channel impersonating AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. In a statement, the AFP said the fake footage use “highly deceptive, AI-generated videos.” “These contents are unauthorized, digitally manipulated, and intended to mislead,” it said. “The AFP strongly condemns the malicious use of AI to undermine public trust, warning perpetrators and purveyors of deepfakes that the long arms of the law will soon catch up with them,” it added. The military urged the public to “stay vigilant and rely only on official AFP channels.” Rex Espiritu
rate for all socialized housing projects, 4.5 percent for economic housing and its mega sale for thousands of acquired assets. The Social Housing Finance Corp. is spearheading the ECMP, HDH and incremental housing, while the National Housing Authority is in-charge of the rental housing on top of its regular shelter programs, and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. taking the lead on secondary mortgage market. According to the DHSUD, the SHFC quickly revived 34 ECMP project sites all over the country which will benefit around 35,000 people.
IN BRIEF DND mourns passing of Rep. Romeo Acop THE Department of National Defense (DND) has conveyed its condolences to the family of Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Macusi Acop, honoring his decadeslong service to the country. In a statement issued by Defense Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, the DND recognized Acop’s extensive legislative career, noting that he consistently championed policies that strengthened national security and promoted peace and order. The defense department also highlighted Acop’s background as a retired police general and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Magiting Class of 1970, citing his enduring support for fellow veterans and his strong sense of camaraderie within the uniformed services. “The Department of National Defense extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Macusi Acop,” the statement read. Rex Espiritu
PNP bags multiple guns, fugitive in Mindoro ops PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP), acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reported that they confiscated loose firearms and ammunition for different calibers of firearms and the arrest of a fugitive from the law during an operation in Occidental Mindoro. Nartatez identified the fugitive as Ramon Expiredito Alcantara believed to be involved in multiple crimes. “This is the reason why we have been focusing on strategic operations to account for all these fugitives, particularly those in the most wanted list from municipal to national levels,” he said. “Our aggressive operations against fugitives from the law come with equal efforts to account for loose firearms as these are usually the instruments in committing crimes,” he added. Vince Lopez
BI deports Chinese mob boss wanted in China
BRIDGING THE GAP. The Philippine Coast Guard deploys two of its ships to ferry Romblon-
bound passengers stranded at the Port of Lucena in Quezon amid the holiday exodus. PCG photo
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported Chinese national Shi Chunfang, a crime ring leader wanted by authorities in China for kidnapping. Shi was shipped out on a Xiamen Air flight bound for Jinjiang, China, where Chinese law enforcers were waiting for him. The Chinese embassy in Manila formally thanked the BI for facilitating Shi’s arrest, noting that the deportation allowed Chinese authorities to promptly proceed with the criminal cases filed against him. Shi was arrested by BI operatives on Dec.14 in a residential area in Taytay, Rizal, after verification that he is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued in 2024 by the Public Security Bureau of Jinjiang City. Vito Barcelo
SPORTS
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Neymar undergoes surgery SAO PAULO, Brazil—Neymar has undergone a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos said on Monday. The 33-year-old endured a difficult season with Santos as he played through the injury to help the club avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight. Brazil’s national team doctor performed the arthroscopic surgery, having previously operated on Neymar for a foot fracture as well as the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered against Uruguay in October 2023. Neymar is expected to require a recovery period of around a month. His Santos contract expires at the end of the year but he is in talks with the club over a new deal. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has not played for Brazil in over two years but is hoping to be fit and figure in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup. Neymar is Brazil’s record goalscorer with 79 goals from 128 matches. AFP
JuneMar Fajardo, shown here bulldozing his way inside, said the Beermen should raise their play even further in the quarterfinals, where everyone starts from scratch.
Fajardo: No. 1 SMB must not be complacent vs no. 8 NLEX By Peter Atencio
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HE San Miguel Beermen must raise their level of play further in their Christmas day games in 50th PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals this Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.
JuneMar Fajardo, a nine time MVP awardee, said this after the Beeermen emerged with a nine-game winning streak at the end of the elimination round.
“Malaking bagay ito para sa amin. Pagdating kasi sa playoff, wala na iyung 9-2 record namin. Back to zero kami,” said the 6’10” Fajardo after the Beermen claimed the top seed-
ing with their 113-104 win in over the Meralco Bolts last Friday. Fajardo went on to finish with 21 points and 15 rebounds as the Beermen went on to arrange a 5:15 p.m. match with eighth-ranked NLEX Road Warriors. The Beermen need to win only once to advance to the best-of-seven semifinals. “Kailangan hindi kami kampante. Kailangang itaas namin and level namin, pagdating sa playoff,” added
Fajardo. Once the Beermen get past the Road Warriors, they will meet the winner of the other quarterfinals pairing, between Converge and Barangay Ginebra. Coach Leo Austria said the Beermen can’t afford to be complacent against the Road Warriors. “Kaya hindi ka talaga puwedeng mag-relax. Kahit sino’ng kalaban we have to prepare hard kasi nga any team is capable, kayang talunin kahit sinong team,” said Austria.
Neymar
Japanese golf star Ozaki dies at age 78 TOKYO—Japanese star Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, has died of colon cancer, his son announced Wednesday. He was 78. Ozaki won 94 times on the Japan Tour -- his first title coming in 1973 -- and won the Order of Merit a record 12 times. Nicknamed “Jumbo” because of his length off the tee, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 after being named on 50 percent of international ballots. Ozaki died “due to stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer” on Tuesday, his son, Tomoharu, said Wednesday in a statement obtained by AFP. After being diagnosed with cancer about a year ago, the golfer has been undergoing treatment at home, Tomoharu said, adding his father’s funeral will be attended by close family. Ozaki “explosively elevated the popularity of golf (in Japan) with his overwhelming driving distance and colourful personality”, the Yomiuri daily said in an obituary Wednesday. Ozaki was a member of a successful golf family, with younger brothers Naomichi (Joe) and Tateo (Jet) both among the Japan Golf Tour’s top 20 all-time money winners. In 2013, when he was 66 years old, Ozaki struck a nine-under-par 62 to to shoot his age in a domestic tour event. “Shooting my age is not something I try to do,” Ozaki said after taking the first-round lead at the Tsuruya Open. “But if you can’t shoot 6-under or 7-under par when you play good golf, you don’t belong on the tour,” he told reporters, according to Kyodo News. Yutaka Morohoshi, chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, said the golf world had lost a “great”. “He long steered the men’s professional golf world and overwhelmed others with his unparalleled strength,” he said in a statement on the organisation’s website. AFP
Reyes, TNT Tropang 5G vow to be ready for Hotshots
Magnolia playing coach LA Tenorio passes to Ian Sangalang during their elimination-round game with the TNT Tropang 5G.
WITH playing coach LA Tenorio expected to play again, TNT Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes said they will be ready for his presence on the floor, going into Game 1 of their 50th Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup quarterfinals encounter on Thursday. Tenorio, who recently retired from playing with Barangay Ginebra, made a comeback on Sunday, when he suited up for the Hotshots in their losing 83-94 encounter with the Tropang Giga in the last day of the elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum. “We’re going to have to come up super prepared with their head coach there on the floor. We’ll just have to keep our level of play and energy,” said Reyes. The Tropang 5G were able to secure a Top 4 spot and a twice-to-beat edge with their win over the Hotshots. And this gives the Tropang 5G confidence in their quest for a best-of-
seven semifinals seat. “I knew he’s going to give the team some energy when he’s out there. This should not affect us,” said Reyes after the Tropang 5G became the third seeded squad with their 8-3 win-loss slate. The Hotshots, who played with Tenorio on the floor in the first and third periods, took the sixth seeding at 6-5. Tenorio, a talented point guard during his time with Ginebra, went on to finish with four points, two rebounds, and three assists during his 13 minutes on the floor. Reyes hopes that the returning RR Pogoy will be able to hold his own again as an off-ball threat, during their encounter with the Hotshots. In their initial encounter with the Tenorio-led Hotshots, Reyes said it was the team’s ability to hang tough which pulled them through. Peter Atencio
Koepka leaves LIV Golf for family reasons LOS ANGELES—Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka has left LIV Golf for family reasons, the Saudibacked circuit announced on Tuesday. Koepka, who was one of the highest profile players to join LIV when the renegade tour launched in 2022, could now be in line for a return to the PGA Tour, according to US reports. “We have amicably and mutually agreed that Brooks Koepka will no longer compete in the LIV Golf League, following the 2025 season,” LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil said in a statement. “Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home. We appreciate the significant impact he has had on the game and wish him continued success, both on and off the course.” Koepka’s decision comes after his wife, Jena Sims, revealed in October she had suffered a miscarriage 16
weeks into pregnancy. His representatives said the 35-year-old American, who won back-to-back US Opens in 2017 and 2018, had decided to spend more time with his family. “Family has always guided Brooks’s decisions, and he feels this is the right moment to spend more time at home,” Koepka’s representatives said in a statement. “Brooks will continue to be a huge supporter of LIV Golf and wishes the league and its players continued success.” Under current rules, LIV Golf players must serve a one-year suspension before being allowed to return to the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour was non-committal Tuesday about a possible timeline for Koepka’s return to the tour. “Brooks Koepka is a highly accomplished professional, and we wish him and his family continued success,” it said in a statement to ESPN. AFP
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka has left LIV Golf for family reasons, the Saudi-backed circuit announced. Koepka, who was one of the highest profile players to join LIV when the renegade tour launched in 2022, could now be in line for a return to the PGA Tour, according to US reports.
BUSINESS
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
WHAT’S INSIDE?
SOLAR POWER. SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. (SNAPBenguet), together with the Aboitiz Foundation, turn over a solar power and connectivity system to Domolpos Community School in Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet on Dec. 17, 2025, bringing reliable electricity and digital access to a school that serves 16 students in one of the province’s more remote communities. Leading the turnover ceremony are SNAP president and chief executive Joseph Yu and Barangay Tinongdan chairman Edwin Atumpag, with Aboitiz Foundation Impact lead Jowelle Ann Cruz, Department of Education Benguet Division senior education program specialist Arvin Doman, school principal Philip Fowaya, parents and students.
Arthaland, Japan firm to build Makati tower
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DOE cancels 84 RE contracts
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Visitor arrivals in PH topped 5.6m in 2025 T By Othel V. Campos
SSS sets pension hikes in 2026
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Global rail firms eye North-South Commuter Railway
HE Philippines recorded 5.606 million international visitor arrivals as of Dec. 20, 2025, as the government looks to a recovering Chinese market to bolster overall growth and return to prepandemic performance.
With only a few days left before end-2025, the figure would likely fall short of the 5.9 million international
arrivals registered in 2024. The Department of Tourism (DOT) said the pace of recovery in China remains a primary factor in arrival figures, noting that the country is one of the most strategic source markets for Philippine tourism. Officials are working to match or exceed the 2019 record of nearly 2 million Chinese visitors, a period when China was the country’s second-largest source of tourists after South Korea. China ranked sixth as a source market with 262,144 visitors this year. It trailed South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada. The department said the slower recovery of the Chinese market was due to visa disruptions, security per-
VISITOR CENTER.
Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin leads the formal opening of Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) Visitor Center inside the Maibarara Geothermal Power Facility (MGPF) complex in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Also attending the event are officials of MGI partners PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC), ACEN and PNOCRenewables Corporation (PNOC-RC). PGEC is a joint venture between Yuchengco-led PetroEnergy Resources Corp. and Kyuden International Corp. (KIC), the overseas investment arm of Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Company Inc.
By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation said Wednesday interest from international investors in the operations and maintenance contract for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) is “very encouraging.” The high turnout at a recent pre-bid conference reflects investor confidence in the local economy and the government’s infrastructure program, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently approved the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the project as part of the “Build Better More” initiative to improve mass transport and connectivity across Luzon. Lopez said the administration’s decision to clear the project for private sector management shows trust in private firms to handle the largest railway system in the country. He said the government and private sector should collaborate to make transport infrastructure operations more effective. The 147-kilometer rail system will run from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba in Laguna. Once fully operational, the DOTr estimates the line will serve 1 million passengers daily and reduce travel time between the two points to less than 2.5 hours from the current 4 hours by land. Prospective bidders that attended the conference include Japan’s Tokyo Metro, JR East, JR West, Mitsubishi Corp. and Sumitomo Corp. French firms Transdev, RATP, Keolis and Alstom were also present, alongside Philippine companies First Balfour Inc. and San Miguel Corp.
ceptions and limited air connectivity. To address these hurdles, the government reintroduced the Philippine electronic visa (e-Visa) in November 2025. Department of Tourism China Attaché Ireneo Reyes said the move is expected to restore traveler confidence and ease entry for tourists, with stronger gains anticipated in early 2026. “The e-Visa resumption is a critical step forward and a clear signal that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to welcome our Chinese friends,” DOT China attaché Ireneo Reyes said. “While its full impact was not felt during the peak booking periods of 2025, we expect more visible gains starting in the first quarter of 2026,” said Reyes.
PEZA-approved investments reach 9-year high THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Thursday it approved P260.89 billion worth of investment projects in 2025, its highest annual performance since 2016 and surpassing its baseline growth targets. The final figure exceeded the agency’s P250 billion low-end target, even as it fell short of a P300-billion stretched goal amid global economic headwinds. PEZA director-general Tereso Panga said the results underscore sustained investor confidence in Philippine ecozones despite challenging international conditions.
Following the record-breaking year, the agency set a P300-billion investment target for 2026 to maintain recent growth momentum. Domestic investments accounted for P153.83 billion of the total approvals, while foreign investments reached P107.06 billion. The haul was led by 314 new and expansion projects, representing a 23.41-percent rise from 2024. The manufacturing sector led the approvals with 152 projects, followed by IT-BPM with 67, ecozone development with 26 and domestic market
enterprises and facilities with 25 projects each. By sector value, manufacturing topped approvals at P150.52 billion, followed by ecozone development at P76.47 billion and IT-BPM at P11.09 billion. Japanese firms emerged as the top foreign investors with P32.6 billion in approved capital. Other major contributors included Caymanian companies with P16.69 billion, South Korean companies with P11.46 billion, Singaporean firms with P11.19 billion and Chinese companies with P6.87 billion.
Othel V. Campos
DOJ indicts Align Assets for investment scheme By Jenniffer B. Austria
REGENERATIVE TOURISM. Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla joins Tanay Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco and officials from the provincial government of Rizal, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), A Brown Company Inc., University of Rizal System (URS) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) during the signing of a memorandum of agreement for Project TRANSFORM’s ‘Regenerative Tourism for Resilient Tanay’ project.
THE Department of Justice has indicted Align Assets and several of its officers for allegedly soliciting investments from the public without the required licenses following a complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC said in a statement the DOJ found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Align Assets for violations of the Securities Regulation Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. It said its investigation revealed that Align Assets presented itself as a United Kingdombased decentralized trading platform with no identifiable owner or group. The company claimed a “bot” handled
its cryptocurrency trading. However, the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department found that most online traffic related to the platform originated from the Philippines. Align Assets allegedly enticed the public to invest by promising returns of 3 percent every working day or about 150 percent in 50 working days. The scheme also offered additional earnings of 5 percent for direct referrals and 0.05 percent for indirect referrals. The DOJ resolution said the securities offered by the respondents are unregistered and unauthorized in both the Philippines and their purported base in the United Kingdom. It noted that the respondents presented no evidence regarding the legitimate existence of Align Assets and offered only bare denials against the charges.
5.6 million Visitor arrivals in 2025
5.9 million Visitor arrivals in 2024
262,144
Arrivals from China in 2025
11-month budget gap widened 7.8% to P1.26t—BTr THE national government’s budget deficit widened by 7.38 percent to P1.26 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025 from P1.18 trillion logged in the same period last year as spending growth outpaced revenue collection. The fiscal gap through November represented 80.92 percent of the revised full-year target of P1.56 trillion. The widening deficit was led by a 2.49-percent year-on-year increase in government expenditures, which reached P5.41 trillion, while total revenue collection grew at a slower pace of 1.09 percent. Government receipts amounted to P4.15 trillion from January-toNovember, accounting for 91.79 percent of the revised P4.52 trillion full-year program. Tax collections, which made up 91.55 percent of total revenue, grew 7.03 percent to P3.80 trillion. This growth helped offset a P204.6-billion contraction in non-tax sources caused by the base effect of one-off windfall receipts in 2024. Bureau of Internal Revenue collections rose 8.92 percent to P2.91 trillion, accounting for 76.49 percent of total tax receipts. Bureau of Customs collections totaled P859.5 billion, a 1.12-percent increase from the P850.0 billion raised in the equivalent period last year. Non-tax revenues fell 36.85 percent to P350.6 billion in the absence of the previous year’s one-off remittances. However, the figure has exceeded the adjusted full-year target of P306.5 billion by 14.40 percent, supported by better-than-expected income from the Bureau of the Treasury and proceeds from privatization and fees. Total expenditures hit P5.41 trillion, representing 89 percent of the revised P6.08 trillion full-year program. Primary expenditures, which exclude debt interest, stood at P4.61 trillion, up 0.80 percent from a year ago.
BUSINESS BUSINESS
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
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B 2 Filinvest Land THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
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streamlines, to dissolve dormant unit Standard stan standard stan standard stan standard stan
FILINVEST Land Inc. is closing its dormant, wholly owned subsidiary Filinvest Lifemalls Mimosa Inc. (FLMI) to streamline its corporate structure. Filinvest Land said in a stock exchange disclosure that the move would not affect ongoing developments in Clark Freeport, Pampanga. FLMI has no assets, operations or registered employees, making the closure a rational organizational step for the group, according to the company.Filinvest Land president and chief executive Tristan Las Marias said that as the group continues to strengthen its organizational structure, every entity should contribute to growth objectives. He noted that the closure allows the company to focus on subsidiaries that are actively driving value and development.FLMI has filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to shorten its corporate term. The procedural move is intended to simplify the internal structure of the company and ensure alignment with long-term strategic and operational priorities. Las Marias said the administrative step ensures resources and structures remain strategically aligned with long-term growth goals The company clarified that the closure would not impact developments within the Filinvest Mimosa+ estate, specifically the Mimosa Lifestyle Mall, also known as Filinvest Mall Mimosa. The mall is owned, developed and operated by the parent company through another subsidiary, Filinvest Clark Mimosa Inc. Construction on the project is ongoing, and the opening remains targeted for 2026. Jennifer B. Austria
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FOTO 1 MANILA WATER’S AWARD. Manila Water Company, Inc. East Zone chief operating Officer Arnold Mortera (center left) and MWC energy director King Verzola (center right) receive the 2025 DOE Sustainable Energy Award for the Private Institution category from Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin (center).
Arthaland, Mitsui Fudosan team up for Makati project
Standard standard sta standard standard sta A By Jenniffer B. Austria
RTHALAND Corp. has signed a joint venture agreement with Japan’s Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd. to develop a high-rise residential condominium in Makati City.
Under the agreement, Mitsui Fudosan local unit SEAI Metro Manila One Inc. (SEAIMMO) will acquire a
40 percent interest in Arthaland subsidiary Zileya Land Development Corp. for P304 million. Arthaland will retain the remaining 60 percent stake in Zileya Land. The deal aligns with Arthaland’s strategy of inviting strategic partners to broaden its access to capital while expanding its development portfolio. The company said the transaction allows Zileya to benefit from its deep local experience in sustainable projects and the global expertise of Mitsui Fudosan. Zileya Land, incorporated in 2015, serves as the investment ve-
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hicle for a residential project located along Arnaiz Avenue in Legaspi Village. Arthaland, owned by the Po and Gonzalez families, maintains a portfolio of office and residential properties that are 100 percent green and eco-friendly. The developer previously announced plans to launch high-end residential projects in Laguna, Makati and Quezon City. In a separate expansion move, Arthaland unit Furusato Land Corp. recently acquired 14 parcels of land along Banilad Road in Cebu City for P2.51 billion.
AITO Philippines executives attend the launching of the company’s fourth Experience Center in BGC, Taguig, showcasing the M5, M7 and M9 luxury SUVs under distributor QSJ Motors.
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AITO Philippines inaugurates BGC experiencestan center Standard
standard stan standard stan By Michael Wong Ho
AITO Philippines has opened its fourth AITO Experience Center at MJ Tower Fort in Bonifacio Global City on Dec. 10, 2025, marking a significant expansion of the luxury electric vehicle brand in the country. The new facility is operated by multi-brand distributor QSJ Motors and is designed to cater to the premium automotive market. The center showcases Aito’s current lineup of high-end SUVs, including the M5, the M7 and the flagship M9 model. The event featured several key government and industry figures. In attendance were Energy Utilization and Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino and EV Industry Management division director Andy Ulgado. They were joined by Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc. president Victor Lim and Seres Group Overseas Business Unit regional sales director June Xie. AITO Philippines marketing director Jona Chiang said the product line reflects a vision for a new generation of luxury car owners by blending power and refinement with advanced electrification. Chiang noted the brand aims to create a space where innovation exceeds expectations for local drivers. Lim highlighted the rapid growth of the Philippine electric vehicle industry following the passage of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act in 2022. He said the legislation provided a comprehensive roadmap for the sector’s organization and development. Lim described the BGC opening as a milestone for the local EV market and expressed confidence in its future potential. He encouraged AITO to continue its expansion beyond Metro Manila into the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
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Private hospital addresses PH healthcare divide —“— HEALTHCARE services in the Philippines are often viewed as a rich person’s privilege. With rising hospital expenses and increasing cost of medicines, healthcare services are out of reach of the ordinary man. The healthcare divide is more visible in the rural areas, where access to hospital services and consultations are more difficult despite the establishment of Philippine Health Insurance HEALTHCARE services in the Philippines are Corp. (PhilHealth). often viewed as creation a rich person’s privilege. With PhilHealth’s is laudable, make no rising hospital and increasing cost of mistake about expenses it. It provides health insurance medicines, healthcare are out of reach coverage and ensureservices affordable, acceptable, of the ordinary man. available and accessible health care services for healthcare is more visible in the allThe citizens of the divide Philippines. rural areas, where access hospital It serves as the means fortothe healthyservices to help and consultations are more difficult the pay for the care of the sick and fordespite those who establishment of Philippine Health Insurance can afford medical care to subsidize those who Corp. (PhilHealth). cannot. PhilHealth’s laudable, PhilHealth make no But with all creation its noble isintentions, mistake about the it. Itgap provides health services— insurance cannot close in hospital coverage and insurance ensure affordable, acceptable, not yet. The coverage one can use available and accessible health care services in private hospitals is limited because of for the all citizens Philippines. higher costof ofthe medical services. ItFortunately, serves as theone means for thehospital healthy to private in help the pay for the care of the sick and for those who Philippines is trying to address the fissure in can affordSt. medical to subsidize who services. Luke’scare Medical Center those opened its cannot. But with all its noble intentions, PhilHealth cannot close the gap in hospital services— not yet. The insurance coverage one can use in private hospitals is limited because of the
Evelyn D. Ang/Dāna Ward, a 40-bed facility dedicated to indigent patients. It was more than a symbolic gesture. It sent a bold signal—private hospitals can actively help address the nation’s healthcare divide, not just navigate public-private tension. The Dāna Ward is fully integrated into St. Luke’s hospital operations. It is not a secluded or downgraded section. Here, patients walk the Evelyn D. Ang/Dāna Ward, 40-bed facility same hallways, use the samea equipment, and dedicated indigent patients. are treatedtoby the same expert teams as privateIt waspatients. more than a symbolic gesture. It sent a paying bold signal—private actively Indigent patients hospitals receive acan boost fromhelp this address the nation’s healthcare divide, not just new facility. St. Luke’s delivers world-class navigate public-private care without creating tension. a separate system. By The Dāna Ward integrated St. receiving care on isthefully same level as into private Luke’s hospital operations. It is not a secluded patients, Dāna Ward beneficiaries are part of or downgraded section.ofHere, patients walk the one unified standard care—a commitment same the samegiven equipment, and made hallways, even moreuse meaningful the capacity are treatedmost by the same expert pressures hospitals face. teams as privatepaying This patients. kind of integration is a shot in the arm Indigent receive boost from this for the lesspatients fortunate. Manya private hospitals new facility. St. Luke’s delivers world-class are already operating at full capacity, making it care without creating a separate system. By difficult to expand access for indigent patients. receiving care on the same level as private Even with expanded no-balance billing patients, Dāna Ward beneficiaries part of (NBB) benefits under PhilHealth,arehospitals one of care—a commitment still unified strugglestandard when patient demand exceeds made even more meaningful given the capacity pressures most hospitals face. This kind of integration is a shot in the arm for the less fortunate. Many private hospitals are already operating at full capacity, making it
Indigent patients receive a boost from this new [St. Luke’s] facility.
the generosity of Mr. Philip T. Ang, and not public coffers. It could become a blueprint― private hospitals with sufficient resources might follow the lead, while smaller ones might benefit from incentives or partnerships that encourage capacity-building instead of cost-shifting. We’re at a critical curve in Philippine health policy. With the Universal Health Care (UHC) the Philip T. Ang, not Lawgenerosity already onof theMr. books, what’s oftenand missing public couldpublic become is the coffers. will to Itblend anda blueprint― private care private hospitals with sufficient resources meaningfully. might followDāna the Ward lead, provides while smaller ones St. Luke’s a real-world might benefit from incentives or partnerships example of how that integration can work, and that capacity-building instead how encourage structured support can help drive equity.of cost-shifting. Ultimately, the Dāna Ward is a reminder We’re at a healthcare critical curve in Philippine health that private need not be a fortress policy. With the Universal Health Care (UHC) of privilege. It can be a bridge. And if more Law already on thetobooks, missing hospitals choose build what’s similaroften bridges, the ispersistent the willgap to inblend care publicpublic healthand may private finally begin meaningfully. to narrow. St. Dāna provides a real-world At Luke’s the end of Ward the day, it’s all about the example of how that integration can work,inand Hippocratic Oath that doctors and those the how structured support medical profession take.can help drive equity. Ultimately, the Dāna Ward is a reminder that private healthcare need not be a or fortress E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com of privilege. It can be a bridge. And if more extrastory2000@gmail.com hospitals choose to build similar bridges, the persistent gap in public health may finally begin to narrow. At the end of the day, it’s all about the Hippocratic Oath that doctors and those in the
Private hospital addresses PH healthcare divide —“— their resources. St. Luke’s addressed it by committing a dedicated, fully equipped 40-bed ward, rather than scattering beds across different rooms. Indigent patients The unified approach not receive only sets a new a boost from [St.hospitals standard—it also showsthis hownew private can meaningfully expand access within their Luke’s] facility. facilities. The initiative may also relieve some their resources. pressure on the Department of Health (DOH) St. PhilHealth. Luke’s addressed it by groups committing a and With hospital raising dedicated, ward, claims, rather concerns fully aboutequipped unpaid 40-bed PhilHealth than rooms. evenscattering as DOHbeds saysacross it isdifferent catching up with The unified approach not only sets new reimbursements, St. Luke’s Dāna modelaoffers standard—it also shows how private hospitals a proactive path. canRather meaningfully expand access within their than waiting for guarantees or facilities. navigating reimbursement delays, it simply The capacity. initiative may also relieve some builds pressure Department Health (DOH) Is the on St.the Luke’s model of susstainable? Not and With groups raising everyPhilHealth. hospital has St. hospital Luke’s scale, reputation concerns unpaid PhilHealth claims, or financialabout backing. even as DOH says is catching with The Dāna Ward wasit made possibleup through reimbursements, St. Luke’s Dāna model offers a proactive path. Rather than waiting for guarantees or navigating reimbursement delays, it simply builds capacity.
BUSINESS
B3 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
extrastory2000@gmail.com
DOE cancels 84 renewable contracts to free up 5,372 MW By Alena Mae S. Flores
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HE Department of Energy said Wednesday it terminated 84 renewable energy contracts to free up a combined potential capacity of 5,372.21 megawatts. The agency said it is conducting an enforcement review and has identified 42 other renewable energy projects that may be subject to termination. DOE officials said the resulting vacant capacity could be developed by committed energy players to ensure the country’s energy security. Under a strict enforcement drive this year, the DOE terminated eight additional
renewable energy service contracts. The capacity from these projects had previously been factored into national energy planning assumptions.Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said renewable energy development should be fast and accountable. She said the agency would not compromise on contract discipline and that service contracts are performance commitments required to deliver reliable power for consumers. The contract cancellations are part of the agency’s enforcement of its regulatory mandate, Garin said. The DOE monitors all developers and has acted against those that failed to meet contractual obligations. Violations include noncompliance with work program requirements, failure to satisfy Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) terms of reference and non-adher-
ence to agency standards. The department’s actions follow a technical and legal evaluation of the projects’ compliance with the material terms and conditions of their service contracts, she said. The DOE said it would continue to uphold high standards for succeeding GEAP rounds and may impose further sanctions. Potential penalties include blacklisting, forfeiture of performance bonds and fines. The agency is revisiting supply-demand scenarios and undertaking further system planning to meet generation targets. Department officials said the enforcement action affirms a commitment to accountability and the integrity of the renewable energy development pipeline. They said the terminations ensure contracts are awarded to capable developers ready to deliver.
INNOVATION CHALLENGE. Winners and finalists of Smart Communications, Inc.’s first-ever Hack the Bottleneck innovation challenge showcase creative solutions to address customer pain points and improve operational efficiency.
ERC approves ACEN unit’s P2.8-b grid connection facility THE Energy Regulatory Commission has approved an application from Giga Ace 8 Inc. (GA8) to connect its 237-megawatt solar power project in Zambales to the grid through a direct connection to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ 230-kilovolt Botolan substation. The ERC authorized GA8, a unit of ACEN Corp., to construct a dedicated point-to-point limited facility to connect the solar plant to the grid at a cost of P2.835 billion. “The capacity of GA8SPP will help address the increasing energy demand and the same is consistent with the Philippine government’s call to accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources,” the ERC said. The power generated by the project, targeted for March 2026, is intended to be dispatched as a merchant plant
through the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and may eventually enter into sales arrangements with retail electricity suppliers. The new capacity will be subject to generation curtailment and dispatch prioritization until the NGCP completes the Western Luzon 500kV Backbone (Stage 2), Palauig 500kV substation and San Fabian 230kV substation projects, the ERC said. “For GA8 to commence commercial operations... it must first be connected to the grid. Thus, the development of the subject facilities is necessary to enable the said connection,” the commission said The ERC authorized GA8 to construct a facility composed of two 170-megavolt-ampere, 230/33kV take-off substations and a 22-kilometer, 230kV double circuit mounted on steel towers.
The commission found that these assets are dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities because their removal would only disconnect the GA8 plant. However, the ERC denied GA8’s application to construct a second facility involving assets inside the NGCP’s Botolan 230kV substation. The regulator ruled that those specific assets are transmission assets rather than dedicated connection assets. Because they are located within the high-voltage switchyard of an existing NGCP substation, the ERC said GA8 is not authorized to develop or own them. “NGCP should construct said facilities in accordance with the facility study it approved,” the ERC said, noting that the second facility is already included in the NGCP’s capital expenditure projects. Alena Mae S. Flores
SOLAR POWERED. Bashoy Elementary School in Kabayan, Benguet is now powered by renewable energy and satellite internet through Aboitiz Foundation’s AuroraPH.
Manila
Standard
TODAY
BUSINESS
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
SSS plans pension hikes, overseas branches for 2026 T HE Social Security System (SSS) said it closed 2025 by implementing a comprehensive pension reform program and set a course for 2026 that includes the launch of micro-loans, the hiring of 1,800 new staff and the opening of several overseas offices.
AWEN AWARDS. Carmie Pascual de Leon, a transformative Filipina leader whose work spans healthcare, wellness and community development, is recognized by the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) as one of its 2025 awardees for outstanding leadership and impact across Southeast Asia during the 11th AWEN Awards 2025 on Nov. 21, 2025 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. De Leon is the country general manager of RadLink Philippines and Executive Health Screening (EHS) lead of Fullerton Health Philippines.
DENR urges sustainable holiday celebrations THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is encouraging the public to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays responsibly by adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce waste. The agency reminded Filipinos to practice the 5Rs of waste management— refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle—to minimize the surge of trash typically generated during the festive season. It reiterated the vital role of local government units in ensuring proper waste
management under Republic Act 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The department said effective waste management begins at the household and community levels through individual actions and mindful choices. The agency reported improvements in solid waste management across the country and cited clearer accountability among stakeholders. DENR officials emphasized a commitment to working with regional offices and partners to strengthen
compliance with environmental laws. The agency also noted progress in the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, or Republic Act 11898. Compliance reports from obligated enterprises as of October 2025 showed that 120 million kilograms of rigid plastics and 124 million kilograms of flexible plastics were diverted during the 2024 period. The country has achieved a 56.12-percent recovery and diversion rate, surpassing the mandated target of 40 percent.
Social Security Commission chairman, president and chief executive Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said in a statement Wednesday the agency delivered on its promise to provide better benefits and faster services following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Finance Secretary Frederick Go. The 2025 pension reform program provided 3.8 million pensioners with annual increases scheduled every September through 2027. Retirement and disability pensioners received a 10-percent increase, while survivor pensioners saw a 5-percent hike. Loan programs also underwent significant enhancements during the year. The agency reduced interest rates for the Salary Loan Program to 8 percent for more than 600,000 borrowers and lowered Calamity Loan rates to 7 percent for 630,000 members. It also introduced a new emergency loan program with a 7-percent interest rate and a 6-month repayment moratorium for 26,000 borrowers. The agency said it expanded its reach into the informal and government sectors by registering more than 500,000 job order and contract of service workers who are not covered by the state GSIS fund. Through the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program, Double Dragon Corp. paid P18.2 million to cover the contributions of 2,000 self-employed workers in Iloilo and Roxas cities. The SSS said it plans to implement the second of three tranches of pension increases in September next year. The agency also received approval for a new micro-loan program scheduled to launch in early 2026. This will offer short-term cash options with tenors of 15 to 90 days and an interest rate of 8 percent per annum. It said to improve service delivery and handle member complaints, the fund will embark on a massive recruitment drive to fill 1,800 positions. The agency also plans to expand its physical footprint by opening 10 new local branches and establishing foreign representative offices in Madrid, San Francisco and Macau.
IN BRIEF
Dyna Drug taps First Gen for renewable power
BSP warns public on name misuse
By Alena Mae S. Flores PHARMACEUTICAL wholesaler and importer Dyna Drug Corp. has tapped First Gen Corp. to supply its warehouse facilities with geothermal energy. Under the agreement that took effect on Nov. 26, 2025, First Gen will provide at least 145 kilowatts of geothermal power to support Dyna Drug’s logistics and storage operations in Pasig City and Quezon City. The renewable energy will be sourced from the Bacon-Manito geothermal power plant in Bicol, which is operated by First Gen subsidiary Energy Development Corp. Dyna Drug president Jacinto Dy said the transition to sustainable solutions is part of a vision to minimize the company’s environmental footprint. The partnership aligns with the values of the firm, which was founded in 1915 and now serves as a primary distributor for more than 3,000 retail drugstores across the Philippines. First Gen chief customer engagement officer Carlo Vega said geothermal power is uniquely suited for the sensitive nature of pharmaceutical products because it provides a stable, 24/7 supply of renewable energy. Vega noted that First Gen is committed to supporting Dyna Drug as it continues its decarbonization efforts. First Gen is the leading producer of renewable energy in the Philippines, maintaining a combined capacity of more than 1,700 megawatts. Its portfolio includes hydro, wind, solar and geothermal facilities located throughout the country.
DOST UPSKILLING. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 2 strengthens its science communication initiatives as it conducted Science That Sees: A Workshop on Videography for SciTech Storytelling. The workshop was held from Dec. 11 to 12, 2025 at NGN Hotel focused on elevating the quality and consistency of visual outputs used in field documentation, project reporting and public information materials, citing the growing role of videography in evidence-based science communication.
Fuso, CFCI launch refrigerated van for PH cold chain By Othel V. Campos CENTRO Nippon Fruehauf Cooltech Inc. and Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp. have launched the Fuso F-resh Refrigerated Van—a cold-chain transport solution aimed at the food, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors. The vehicle is built on the Fuso Canter FE71 chassis and features refrigerated body technology from Nippon Fruehauf Japan. The partnership combines Japanese engineering standards with local manufacturing to address the increasing de-
mand for temperature-controlled transport in the Philippines. The refrigerated body utilizes extruded polystyrene for insulation and lightweight aluminum panels that are fully recyclable. These materials are designed to maintain thermal stability while supporting sustainability goals. Cooling is managed by the C-Temp refrigeration system, which uses a Japanese compressor to maintain consistent temperatures in tropical conditions. Centro Nippon Fruehauf Cooltech Inc. general manager Jun Dumlao said the F-resh Van demonstrates what a
strong partnership can deliver. Dumlao said Fuso provides a dependable base with the Canter FE71, while his company contributes world-class body craftsmanship guided by Japanese design standards. He said their goal is to safeguard every delivery by ensuring products remain fresh and secure. The units have passed Japanese Industrial Standard tests for strength and insulation. To support long-term value, the vehicle includes a two-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty and aftersales support, he said.
Isuzu PH reopens upgraded Zamboanga City dealership ISUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC) and dealer partner IZU South Motors Corp. announced the reopening of their Zamboanga City dealership following a complete renovation to meet Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS) specifications. The facility upgrade is a component of Isuzu’s “Road to 50” initiative to modernize the company’s national dealer network to better serve expanding regional markets. The 3,396-square-meter site features a 197-square-meter showroom with an IOS-compliant facade designed to display three light commercial vehicles and a commercial vehicle. “As the region continues to grow, Isuzu Philippines and IZU South Motors remain committed to supporting Zamboanga’s progress by providing reliable light commercial vehicles and
trucks,” IPC department head for dealer sales Mario Ojales said. The modernized dealership includes a customer and sales lounge intended for vehicle consultations, financing applications and service inquiries. To bolster after-sales support, the 1,200-square-meter service area now houses 7 service bays for light commercial vehicles and two bays dedicated to trucks, catering to both private owners and fleet operators. IZU South Motors general manager Patrick Lee said the upgrade reflects a commitment to improving customer service through more efficient facilities. IPC noted that the nationwide rollout of IOS-compliant dealerships ensures a standardized experience for customers across all sales and maintenance touchpoints. Othel Campos
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) asked the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities and financial products that illegally use the name of the central bank or its officials. It said in a statement perpetrators were deceiving victims by presenting falsified documents featuring the BSP logo and forged signatures of its leadership. These documents often include fake “assurance letters,” loan contracts, and certifications for deposits, withdrawals or investments, it said. The BSP said it does not authorize individuals or firms to collect fees for anti-money laundering clearance, taxes or insurance. Scammers typically create a false sense of urgency to obtain sensitive data such as bank account details and passwords. Legitimate financial regulators and law enforcement agencies do not request confidential information through unsolicited calls, emails or text messages, the BSP said. The public should be wary of loan advertisements claiming to be guaranteed by the BSP or requests for advance payments to release funds. Red flags for these schemes include poor grammar, misspelled words and the use of incorrect agency names, it said.
BSP mandates standard for retail payments
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered all retail payment systems in the country to adopt the ISO 20022 global standard to streamline domestic and crossborder transactions. The BSP Circular 1223 requires industry players to consistently implement the international standard for electronic data interchange. While participants in the country’s automated clearing houses, InstaPay and PESONet, have already adopted the standard, the BSP noted that previous implementation had been inconsistent across the industry. It said the new regulation follows specifications set by the Bank for International Settlements–Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures. The BSP said the move would support better transaction monitoring, stronger compliance checks and more effective consumer redress. The shift aligns with G20 objectives to improve the speed, transparency and affordability of remittances, it said. Under the new guidelines, businesses are expected to see improved invoice reconciliation and reduced manual processing, while financial institutions gain deeper customer insights and better interoperability across systems.
Emirates marks 35 years in PH
CLEAN ENERGY. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin (center), together with other DOE officials, confers a special citation to Land Bank of the Philippines in recognition of its support for the country’s clean energy transition, received by senior vice president Charlotte Conde (third from left) and first vice president Eden Japitana (third from right), during the Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 in Makati City on Dec. 16, 2025.
EMIRATES is celebrating 35 years of operations in the Philippines by honoring the local tradition of pasalubong through the distribution of commemorative anniversary boxes as token of appreciation. The airline launched its first Manila service in 1990 and has since transported millions of passengers between the country and its global network. The anniversary boxes are inspired by the balikbayan tradition of overseas Filipinos bringing home gifts for loved ones. Each box contains items intended to reflect the airline’s global identity and respect for Filipino culture, including locally produced Auro Chocolate made from cacao beans sourced directly from Filipino farmers.
BINONDO
C1
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
extrastory2000@gmail.com
The Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) cites the historical importance of Jones Bridge, saying it serves as a connection between Intramuros, Ermita and the world’s oldest Chinatown—Binondo.
Jones Bridge lightshow boosts Manila’s heritage By Julie Ann Lope
M
ANILA City Hall and the Filipino-Chinese business community inaugurated the Jones Bridge Light Show project during a turnover ceremony at the Pasig River observation deck on Dec. 12, 2025. The cultural landmark project is a joint effort between the city government and the Federation of the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) to revitalize the historic district. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno expressed his gratitude to the FFCCCII for its consistent support in improving the city’s public facilities and environment. Moreno noted that the first generation of Filipino-Chinese settlers near Intramuros worked as masons, plumbers and vendors, laying the groundwork for the modern Binondo district.
He said many community members are third or fourth-generation immigrants who continue the tradition of contributing to Philippine society. FFCCCII president Victor Lim said the project highlights the historical importance of the Jones Bridge, which connects Intramuros and Ermita to Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. Lim said the bridge represents the growth of a community built on resilience, diligent business practices and filial piety. He said the federation remains committed to enhancing Manila’s image as a way of giving back to the mainstream public.
Manila City Hall will be responsible for the proper maintenance of the light show facility to ensure residents and tourists can enjoy the upgraded public space. The ceremony was attended by Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, Presidential Special Envoy to China for Trade, Investments and Tourism Benny Techico and Manila Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts head Cristal Bagatsing. Other attendees included Manila Chinatown Development Committee chairman Tony Sy and various leaders from the Filipino-Chinese community. The project serves as a symbol of the long-standing partnership between the local government and the private sector in preserving Manila’s heritage.
Envoy meets Filipino-Chinese leaders to enhance bilateral relations By Michael Wong Ho CHINESE Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan held a seminar with representatives from more than 30 Filipino-Chinese associations on Dec. 18, 2025. Jing cited the important contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community in promoting the relationship between the Philippines and China. He engaged in meaningful discussions with the representatives on topics such as advancing cultural and civil exchanges between the Philippines and China, promoting local Chinese education, conducting disaster relief and charity operations, ensuring the legal rights of the local Chinese community and maintaining the healthy and orderly development of the FilipinoChinese community. The representatives from the various Filipino Chinese associations expressed their determination to unite and strengthen themselves, leveraging their advantages to act as a bridge in stabilizing and improving the relationship between the Philippines and China.
Oishi (China) Ltd.’s senior manager and a delegation of 54 representatives from Philippine Xavier School visits De Zhou City, Shandong Province on Dec. 1, 2025 to participate in the 10th anniversary celebration of the ‘Oishi-De Zhou Fifth High School Charitable Donation for Education Project.’
Oishi marks a decade of China education project By Michael Wong Ho OISHI (China) Ltd. executives and a delegation of 54 representatives from the Philippine Xavier School visited De Zhou in Shandong Province on Dec. 1 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a major charitable education initiative. The event commemorated a decade of the OishiDe Zhou Fifth High School Charitable Donation for Education Project. During the ceremony, Oishi Group awarded a total of 60,000 Chinese yuan to 30 exemplary students from De Zhou Fifth High School in recognition of their academic performance and character. Oishi China Co. Ltd. chairman Larry Chan established the scholarship project in 2017. Since its inception, the program has distributed 456,000 Chinese yuan to 223 outstanding students. While the awards were presented in yuan, the equivalent value
in Philippine currency represents about P360,000 for this year’s grant and more than P2.7 million in total historical funding. Beyond financial support, the visit served as a platform for international academic cooperation. De Zhou Fifth High School and the Philippine Xavier School signed a formal agreement to foster friendship and cooperation. The two institutions committed to organizing joint cultural and sports activities to strengthen mutual understanding between students from China and the Philippines. Company officials said the milestone underscores the dedication of Oishi Group to supporting global education and fostering international partnerships. The program aims to celebrate the accomplishments of young scholars while promoting long-term cultural exchange.
CFBCI joins summit of world Chinese entrepreneurs
A delegation from the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc. (CFBCI) participates in the 19th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China on Dec. 18, 2025.
By Michael Wong Ho A DELEGATION from the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) participated in the 19th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China on Dec. 18, 2025. The event gathered renowned business leaders, industry experts and representatives from various Chinese business organizations worldwide. The summit aimed to foster discussions on emerging trends, economic opportunities, and strategies for sustainable growth within an increasingly interconnected global economy. Participants engaged in insightful dialogues that highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in navigating the current business landscape.
Medical program for educators hits 23-year milestone By Julie Ann Lope A MEDICAL benefits program for Filipino Chinese educators has distributed P1,418,308 to 61 faculty members since its founding 23 years ago, according to the Federation of FilipinoChinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII). The Filipino Chinese School Faculty Medical Benefits program was established under the leadership of FFCCCII 24th president John Ng as a long-term measure to bolster Chinese education in the Philippines. By the end of 2025, the initiative continued to provide medical allowances to qualified faculty to address urgent healthcare needs. FFCCCII officials said Chinese language teachers are essential for maintaining the quality and continuity of education by imparting traditional culture and acting as cultural bridges.
FFCCCII conducts free medical mission in Bulacan By Julie Ann Lope
Representatives from various Filipino Chinese associations express their determination to unite and strengthen themselves in a dialogue with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), in partnership with the Danayang Pilipino Party List, conducted a free medical mission at the Calumpit Sports Complex in Calumpit, Bulacan on Dec. 7, 2025. The FFCCCII medical team, consisting of six doctors and 12 dentists, provided care to a total of 1,200 patients. Services included dental treatments for 700 individuals, with 200 patients receiving tooth extractions.
The FFCCCII, in collaboration with the Danayang Pilipino Party List, holds a free medical mission at the Calumpit Sports Complex in Calumpit, Bulacan on Dec. 7, 2025.
The team also distributed 300 pairs of reading glasses. FFCCCII vice president William Yap
Castro also donated Gibi sports shoes, produced by his company to several patients.
SHOWBIZ
C2 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
By Angelica Villanueva
T
HE MMFF returns to cinemas today with eight films, banking on two main draws: a wide range of genres and a roster of bankable
stars.
This year’s lineup spans comedy, romance, horror, crime thrillers, and socially grounded dramas, giving holiday audiences plenty of options depending on their mood.
Christmas at the cinemas MMFF rolls out diverse holiday lineup
Manila’s Finest This period crime thriller, directed by Raymond Red, transports viewers to 1969 Manila. Piolo Pascual portrays a police officer entangled in a morally complex investigation amid political unrest. He is joined by Rica Peralejo, Enrique Gil, Dylan Menor, and Ashtine Olviga, with supporting performances from Cedrick Juan, Romnick Sarmenta, Kiko Estrada, Joey Marquez, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Rico Blanco, and Soliman Cruz.
From left: Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu star in ‘Love You So Bad,’ a romantic comedy about young love, choices, and second chances
Lucas Andalio (left) and Vice Ganda star in ‘Call Me Mother,’ a comedydrama by Jun Robles Lana that explores unconventional family ties
Call Me Mother This comedy-drama, directed by Jun Robles Lana, pairs Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre in a story centered on unconventional family ties. Vice Ganda stars as Twinkle, a queer pageant coach determined to complete the adoption of his son, while Nadine plays Mara, a beauty queen and the boy’s biological mother, whose unexpected return complicates Twinkle’s plans. The supporting cast includes Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition former housemates Klarisse de Guzman, Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, and Shuvee Etrata.
‘Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins’returns to the MMFF with three standalone horror stories drawing from Filipino folklore across different eras
Angelica Panganiban (right) and Zanjoe Marudo reunite in ‘UnMarry,’ a family drama that examines marital breakdown
Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins The all-time favorite horror film returns to the festival through “Evil Origins,” the latest installment in the long-running anthology franchise. Directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños, the film presents three standalone stories drawing from Filipino folklore across different eras. The cast includes Carla Abellana, Janice de Belen, Manilyn Reynes, Richard Gutierrez, Ivana Alawi, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Fyang Smith, JM Ibarra, Loisa Andalio, Ysabel Ortega, Ashley Ortega, Kaila Estrada, Dustin Yu, and Sassa Gurl.
UnMarry In this family drama, director Jeffrey Jeturian tackles marital breakdown through a legal lens. Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo reunite in this MMFF project, leading the cast as a couple whose separation unfolds through courtroom confrontations and personal reckonings. The film also stars Eugene Domingo, Solenn Heussaff, Donna Cariaga, KaladKaren, Tom Rodriguez, and Nico Antonio.
‘Rekonek’ centers on Filipino families forced to confront unresolved issues when a global internet blackout disrupts daily life days before Christmas
Rekonek This film is the only Christmas-themed entry in this year’s festival. Directed by Jade Castro, it is set during a sudden global internet blackout 10 days before Christmas. The film follows the stories of six Filipino families forced to confront unresolved issues offline. The ensemble includes Gerald Anderson, Carmina Villarroel, Gloria Diaz, Zoren Legaspi, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes, Cassy and Mavy Legaspi, Charlie Dizon, Kelvin Miranda, Angel Guardian, and Kokoy de Santos.
From left: Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda, Rocco Nacino, and Kean Cipriano return in ‘Bar Boys: After School,’ which follows their characters’ lives beyond law school and into adulthood
Krystel Go (left) and Earl Amaba portray two adults with Down syndrome navigating love and independence in ‘I’mPerfect’
I’mPerfect This social drama, directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, focuses on a love story between two adults with Down syndrome, portrayed by Krystel Go and Earl Amaba. The film explores independence, love, and acceptance, supported by an ensemble cast that includes Sylvia Sanchez, Janice de Belen, Lorna Tolentino, Tonton Gutierrez, Joey Marquez, and Zaijian Jaranilla.
Piolo Pascual (center) headlines ‘Manila’s Finest,’ a period crime thriller set in 1969 Manila that follows a police investigation unfolding amid political unrest
Love You So Bad The romantic comedy directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar stars former PBB housemates Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu. This Y2K-themed coming-of-age drama is a story about love, choices, and second chances. Supporting roles are played by Dimples Romana, Xyriel Manabat, Vince Maristela, Ralph de Leon, and Reign Parani.
Bar Boys: After School Directed by Kip Oebanda, the film reunites Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, and Kean Cipriano to reprise their roles and now follows their stories beyond law school and into adulthood. Joining them are seasoned actress Odette Khan and additional new cast members, including Will Ashley, Glaiza de Castro, Therese Malvar, Sassa Gurl, Klarisse de Guzman, Emilio Daez, Benedix Ramos, and Bryce Eusebio. Prior to the opening of the annual festival, which is currently organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), numerous ramp-up events were held, including a parade hosted by the City of Makati. The MMFF Golf Tournament was also held, and one lucky participant took home a brand new car from Geely Philippines. All these efforts are in support of the MMFF beneficiaries, which include the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture AntiFilm Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Hong Kong bans new thriller on national security grounds AFTER four months of waiting, Hong Kong filmmaker Kiwi Chow received a message he had feared: censors had banned his latest film from local cinemas. The 46-year-old director’s career reflects the shrinking space for artistic freedom in a once-bold film industry, now constrained by tighter political controls. His new thriller, Deadline, follows an elite school shaken by warnings of an impending suicide, which Chow described as an allegory of hyper-competition under capitalism. Although filmed in Taiwan and set in what Chow called an “imaginary world,” the film was deemed by censors to be “contrary to the interests of national security,” without explanation. Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after mass pro-democracy protests, with film censorship rules tightened the following year. Chow said the changes led to widespread self-censorship, adding that no one now makes films touching Hong Kong’s real political situation. The government said it would not comment on individual cases, but acknowledged that 13 films were banned on national security
grounds between 2021 and July this year. Chow believes Deadline was rejected less for its content than for his reputation after years of challenging Beijing’s taboos, leaving him struggling to find actors, locations, and investors. “I felt so lonely,” he said of making the film. Chow rose to prominence with the 2015 dystopian film Ten Years, which gained a cult following after some cinemas refused to screen it. His segment, “Self-immolator,” questioned how much Hong Kongers were willing to sacrifice for freedom and justice, a theme he said was answered during the 2019 protests. That year, Chow documented the unrest, footage that became Revolution of Our Times, which premiered at Cannes in 2021 but was never screened locally. While the documentary did not lead to jail, Chow said it drove away backers and nearly derailed Deadline, forcing him to shoot in Taiwan. Despite the ban, Chow said he would not give up on Hong Kong, even if it means smaller budgets or altered scripts, as long as he can still make films there. AFP
Filmmaker Kiwi Chow discusses the challenges of working under tightened censorship in Hong Kong following the ban of his latest thriller, ‘Deadline,’ on national security grounds
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SHOWBIZ
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
Rox Santos
reaches top with pop Music producer and songwriter Rox Santos is recognized as a Gawad Pilipino Awards 2025 Dangal ng Bayan awardee
T
Rox Santos’ influence extends beyond chart success as he leads ABS-CBN Music’s StarPop in cultivating the next generation of Filipino pop artists
HERE are at least three reasons why Roque “Rox” Santos has become among the prime movers in Philippine pop music. One, he has the talent and experience, which is still the most important aspect in gaining mainstream recognition.
August. They recognized him for You can have all the backing his “mastery in creating theme and an influential circle of songs, heartfelt ballads, and friends, but if you don’t have the chart-topping hits.” basics—natural skill in coming As if having the support of up with infectious tunes and Yugel Losorata ABS-CBN Music for his pursuit relatable lyrics, and familiarity of pop wasn’t enough, he was with what’s marketable to your even made head of its sub-label target listeners—you’re not StarPop. going to take off high enough. According to the ABS-CBN Corporate Newsroom, as The latest proof that he has it? He’s going to be recognized head of StarPop, Rox Santos continues to shape the future at the Gawad Pilipino Awards 2025 as among the Dangal of OPM by signing and developing a new breed of artists. ng Bayan awardees for his “exceptional achievements and Three StarPop artists have been the recipients of Rox’s unwavering commitment to excellence in music.” By the good work. Belle Mariano has over 200 million Spotify time this column piece is published, he might have received streams and YouTube views in total, while Maymay the award at a location in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Entrata and Klarisse De Guzman each generated around Based on Muso.AI data, Rox—music producer and 100 million, still, that many. songwriter—has reached eye-popping milestones in his For these triumphs, Rox is excited about his upcoming career that are very difficult to match. Songs he has played projects with Maymay, Belle, 1621, DNA, Jarren Garcia, significant roles in have been streamed nearly 3.2 billion and Kai Montinola, among selected others. times across digital platforms. Something worth noting is his efforts for Bryan Chong, The views on social media are as staggering, now whose album Departure he entirely produced, and who was measured at 747 million. Well, 747 is an iconic number likewise chosen by Vice Ganda to perform the main theme from the Boeing trademark, which described such a jumbo song “Tala” for a Metro Manila Film Festival entry. Chong’s jet as the Queen of the Skies. album package features mostly self-composed, true-to-life No doubt, Rox is on top of the world as we go to the next tracks based on his personal experiences, including “Isang half of this decade. His numbers apparently put him inside Gabi Lang” and “Sugal.” the top 500 record producers worldwide. “I will remain committed to continuously discover new “These numbers reflect Rox Santos’ extensive catalog of artists and produce breakout projects—not only for the local hit songs, theme tracks, and artist projects that continue to scene, but also for the global stage,” Rox said. resonate with audiences both locally and internationally,” Numbers don’t lie. Rox Santos has been providing us one music observer noted. with the truth as we know it through music creation and The Influencers Watchlist Awards handed him the artist development. Influencer Hall of Fame for Songwriting & Hitmaking last
Touchbass
The moms of ‘Bagets’ get their moment
Carla Guevara-Laforteza (right) plays as Virgie, the mother of Andres Muhlach’s Adie
Kakai Bautista’s (left) character Delia is the mother of Migo Valid’s Tonton
Mayen Bustamante-Cadd (right) as Ditas, the mother of Ethan David’s character, Arnel
Natasha Cabrera (left) portrays the role of Delia, the mother of Migo Valid’s Tonton
Neomi Gonzales (left) as Anna, the mother of Jeff Moses’s Topee
Ring Antonio (left) as Luz, the mother of Tomas Rodriguez’s Gilbert
MORE than 40 years after the release of Bagets, one of Philippine cinema’s most iconic coming-of-age films, the story returns in a stage
adaptation that puts the spotlight on the mothers of the original barkada. Bagets The Musical follows Virgie, Anna,
Ditas, Luz, and Delia, once background characters who now confront themes of motherhood, communication, and raising
children—issues that remain relevant today. The show presents a spectrum of ’80s Filipina womanhood, including working mothers, high society wives, single parents, and hustlers. The cast includes Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Virgie (Adie’s mother), Neomi Gonzales as Anna (Topee’s mother), Mayen BustamanteCadd as Ditas (Arnel’s mother), Ring Antonio as Luz (Gilbert’s mother), and Kakai Bautista and Natasha Cabrera alternating as Delia (Tonton’s mother). Guevara-Laforteza, a multi-award-winning performer with international and local theater experience, plays the career-driven Virgie. “I have to find myself in the character so that it is genuine,” she said. She has performed in West End productions such as Miss Saigon and toured Asia for Saturday Night Fever and Disney in Concert. In the Philippines, she starred in musicals including Ang Huling El Bimbo, Rak of Aegis, and Come from Away. Gonzales, a Gawad Buhay and LEAF award winner, portrays Anna, a single mother and ambitious actress, drawing from her experience as a teacher, freelancer, and homeschool mom. Bustamante-Cadd’s Ditas grapples with tradition, image, and accepting her son’s choices, backed by over 30 years of professional theater experience. Antonio’s Luz balances financial strain and a gambling husband, while Bautista and Cabrera’s Delia shows the love and fear of failing her family. Bautista, known for Rak of Aegis and TV and film roles, and Cabrera, a UP Theater alumna and Gawad Kumintang awardee, bring emotional and vocal precision to the role. The production is staged by PETA and directed by Maribel Legarda, with playwright J-mee Katanyag and musical director Vince Lim. It is produced by Newport World Resorts in partnership with Philippine STAR and VIVA Communications and presented in cooperation with Sun Life Philippines. Bagets The Musical runs from Jan. 23 until March at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available at the Newport World Resorts Box Office, Ticketworld, and Ticket2Me, ranging from P1,000 (Bronze) to P4,000 (SVIP).
LIFE
C4 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Festive picks for holiday wellness LOCAL consumer goods brand Personal Collection has released its 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, emphasizing health, personal care, and wellbeing alongside festive gifting. The lineup features practical, everyday essentials designed to support hygiene, skincare, and selfcare for the entire family. The collection features White Dove Kids Shampoo + Conditioner, a 2-in-1 formula with EverFresh Technology that cleanses hair, removes sweat and odors from active play, and leaves hair smooth, soft, and shiny. The tear-free shampoo is enriched with vitamins to nourish both scalp and strands. Complementary items include White Dove Kids Soap and a talc-free kids powder, both hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested for gentle, daily use. For children and adults with sensitive skin, the White Dove Ultra Sensitive Wash and Lotion provides relief from dryness with a 48hour moisture lock. The products, infused with seven natural plant extracts, help keep skin soft, calm, and comfortably nourished. The guide also highlights the Check Soap and Check Deo Winter Fresh duo, offering longlasting freshness and 99.99 percent protection. Body sprays such as Aspire with BloomTech Formula, Cool-Its with FreshLock Technology, and Formen Active with Active Heat Formula are positioned to support confidence and personal hygiene for teens and adults on the go. Beauty and comfort are also part of the guide. In The Mood Daily! lipstick contains 12 nourishing oils and VibeBoost™ Technology to enhance both appearance and mood. Personal Collection Intimate Apparel emphasizes comfort and support with high-elasticity designs and durable foam, promoting confidence throughout the day. For overall vitality, the guide recommends Revitalife Maqui Berry & Mangosteen coffee, noted for its potential to support energy levels, heart and eye health, and overall balance. Home care is included as well, with sof & mmmmmm Serenity Fabric Conditioner and Tuff cleaning products designed to maintain fresh, clean, and safe living spaces for the holidays. Personal Collection said the guide reflects its mission to deliver quality products that contribute to “a great life for every Filipino family” while supporting its network of local dealers. More information on the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide and product offerings is available at personalcollection.com.ph.
Embrace guilt-free ‘bed rotting’ for post-holiday self-care
TIKTOK MADE US DO IT.
Doing absolutely nothing is now being embraced as a form of guilt-free self-care—something social media users have been openly advocating online far niente” translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing.” Dr. Lantano cautioned that bed rotting should be balanced. “Give yourself enough time to rest without compromising your responsibilities,” she said. She recommended scheduling breaks on weekends or days off and warned against using bed rotting to avoid people or obligations. Experts advise avoiding work in bed, including emails or reports, and instead enjoying shows, movies, books, or connecting with friends through calls. Short
Scrolling in bed has become a quiet way to decompress, as bed rotting reframes rest as recovery rather than wasted time
naps can help recharge energy, but long daytime sleep may disrupt nighttime rest. Even during a day of bed rotting, brief stretches or short walks every few hours help keep your body active and healthy. “Get up every two to three hours to walk and stretch. This promotes circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots,” Dr. Lantano said. She added that guilt has no place in self-care. “Think of bed rotting as a reward for all that you do for others and how much better you’ll feel once you return to your routine.”
By Nickie Wang
A
FTER a holiday marathon of gift shopping, family feasts, and church visits, many Filipinos are swapping the chaos for a new trend in self-care: “bed rotting.”
The term, popularized on TikTok, refers to spending extended periods in bed resting, scrolling social media, binge-watching shows, or simply doing nothing. It is meant as a deliberate mental health break rather than laziness, experts say. “At a time when we try to squeeze in as many activities as
we can, it’s natural to step away from the busyness to decompress, breathe, and simply do nothing,” said Anna Marie Lantano, a psychiatrist at Makati Medical Center. Other cultures have similar practices: in the Netherlands, “niksen” encourages idleness and relaxation, while in Italy, “dolce
Bed rotting is all about giving yourself permission to take a break from the world. There are no rules here except to resist the urge to catch up on work backlogs
Skincare solutions for holiday season care
Holiday wellness shifts toward comfort and everyday care, with essentials designed to support confidence and wellbeing beyond the season
EVEN amid the holiday rush of shopping, family gatherings, and year-end errands, your skin deserves consistent care. Skincare helps keep your skin healthy, radiant, and resilient, allowing it to recover from seasonal stress, dryness, and fatigue. Spending a few minutes each day on your skin ensures it stays vibrant and glowing throughout the festive season. With this in mind, Kojie.san, the Philippine brand behind the country’s best-selling lightening soap, has launched a new line of skincare products designed to care for the entire body, not just the face. The products, called Kojie.san Fresh Drops, combine the brand’s Zero Pigment Light (kojic acid) formula with active ingredients like glycolic acid, vitamin C, salicylic acid, and niacinamide to address a variety of skin concerns. The new drops are formulated to target issues ranging from dark spots, uneven tone, and dryness to irritation and texture problems. The Kojie.san + Glycolic Acid blend gently removes dead skin cells for a brighter, moisturized, and luminous look, while Kojie.san + Vitamin C helps reduce dark spots, boost brightness, and calm skin redness for a more even tone. For those dealing with acne and oily skin, Kojie.san + Salicylic Acid targets excess oil and body breakouts. Kojie.san + Niacinamide helps smooth uneven texture and tone, making it ideal for areas affected by bumps, chicken skin, and rough patches.
Consistent skincare routines help skin recover from holiday stress, dryness, and fatigue, keeping it healthy and radiant through the season
Kojie.san says the new line brings the same attention and effectiveness to every part of the skin, offering solutions for brightening, moisturizing, and treating specific concerns. The products are now available at leading drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets nationwide.