The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has warned the public against the use of “boga” or improvised “bamboo cannon” during the Yuletide season, urging everyone to practice safer and healthier holiday celebrations. During a “Ligtas Christmas and New Year Celebration” press conference at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6 office, DOH – Western Visayas …
Monthly Archives: December 2025
TJ7 competes in Sharjah tourney
By ADRIAN STEWART CO TJ7 Basketball Development Center is set to represent the Philippines in the Sharjah International Youth Basketball Tournament Season 6, an under-16 competition featuring 14 teams from across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The international tournament, organized by JAM Sports Academy, will be held in Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It …
Victorias hails Pastrana for leading UST to UAAP title
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Victorias City government congratulated Kent Jane Pastrana following her standout performance, leading the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses to the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball championship. Pastrana, a native of Victorias City, where she capped her collegiate career with a championship title and was named finals Most Valuable …
TNT eliminates Magnolia, marches on to semis
Calvin Oftana’s hot hands powered the TNT Tropang 5G past the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 118-109, in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals encounter on Saturday, December 27, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The Tropang 5G maximized their twice-to-beat bonus in the series, getting the job done in just one game to …
SSS marks 2025 with pension reform and program upgrades; Looks forward to 2026
Quezon City, Philippines – The Social Security System (SSS) closes 2025 with implementation of the Emergency Loan Program (ELP) capping off achievements that strengthened social protection for millions of Filipinos highlighted by successful implementation of the Pension Reform Program, loan program enhancements, expanded membership coverage, and significant strides in digital transformation. SSS President and CEO …
6 PDLs freed | BJMP releases ‘qualified’ PDLs; grants second chances
By CESAR JOLITO III In a gesture underscoring the spirit of compassion and renewal this Christmas season, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the Negros Island Region facilitated the release of six qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Negros Occidental District Jail – Male Dormitory on Christmas Eve. The release …
P6.794 trillion and counting: Will the budget finally reach the barangay?
By Ignacio R. Bunye The 2026 national budget — set for ratification on December 29 — is the biggest in our history: P6.794 trillion. That’s P18.6 billion every single day, or P775 million every hour. On paper, it promises everything: classrooms, calamity response, rice subsidies, railways. But one question refuses to go away: Will this …
Gen Z rewrites politics
By Herman M. Lagon Something has been silently growing underneath for a while now, and it would rather not be ignored anymore. You can see it on the streets and on your phone, in handwritten signs and shared symbols, and in young voices that seem more tired than angry. What many people term the Gen …
We are one big family of God
By Fr. Roy Cimagala On the Feast of the Holy Family, we are reminded that we actually comprise one big family of God with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We are united, despite all the differences and conflicts we unavoidably have, due to the love God has for all of us which we should also reflect …