The Philippine Star - December 25, 2024

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December 25, 2024

Phl rejects China's criticism of missile acquisition

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro rejected yesterday Chinese criticism of Manila's plan to acquire a US-built mid-range missile system, telling Beijing to stop its \"saber rattling\" and \"interference\" in internal affairs.

1 min

ERC admits absence of rules in NGCP's regulatory reset

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) admitted there is an absence of rules following its failure to approve the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP)’s fourth regulatory reset application on time.

1 min

Phl-Korea free trade deal takes effect Dec. 31

The Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is seen to significantly enhance market access for Philippine products in the Korean market, will take effect on Dec. 31.

3 mins

Marcos to sign 2025 nat'l budget on Dec. 30

The P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 is set for enactment on Dec. 30 after undergoing “rigorous” examination by President Marcos and key officials, who decided to maintain some of the cuts and insertions made at the last minute by lawmakers.

3 mins

BBM: Serve as a light that brings hope to others

President Marcos called on Filipinos to reflect on living a life filled with meaning and purpose and to serve as a light that brings hope to others as they celebrate the Christmas season.

5 mins

Most frugal, highest spenders

Sen. Mark Villar, son of property tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. who is listed among the world's top 200 billionaires, was consistently the most frugal senator in 2022 and 2023.

3 mins

DOH places health facilities under Code White Alert

The Department of Health (DOH) has placed hospitals and other health facilities under Code White Alert to ensure safe celebration during the holiday season.

1 min

Inquiries, leadership change at the Senate

The public witnessed an eventful 2024 in the Senate, including a dramatic shift in leadership, the rare appearance of former president Rodrigo Duterte as a resource person at a hearing, the explosive revelations surrounding Alice Guo, a Chinese national elected as mayor, as well as several high-profile investigations.

4 mins

Cloudy Christmas in Metro, other areas

A cloudy Christmas is set to greet most parts of the country today due to the shear line and the northwest monsoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

1 min

Seniors, PWDs got P12-B benefits through 20% discount - Salceda

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country have obtained P12 billion in benefits through the 20-percent discount on purchases of goods, especially medicines.

2 mins

ACT-CIS top party-list choice - survey

The Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support Inc. (ACT-CIS) is leading party-list groups in the voter preference survey conducted by polling firm Tangere.

1 min

Belmonte: Christmas is about family

Family and loved ones should be at the center of every Christmas celebration, according to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

1 min

DSWD's soup kitchen open during holidays

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s “Walang Gutom” Kitchen in Pasay City will remain open during the holidays.

1 min

DOJ to boost prosecution of environmental crimes

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is crafting a manual on the prosecution of environmental crimes to preserve the country's natural resources for future generations.

1 min

DOH logs 25 injuries due to fireworks

A week before the New Year’s Eve revelry, 25 injuries related to fireworks have been recorded nationwide, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.

1 min

Prioritize cleanliness, Malabon barangays told

Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval has called on the city's 21 barangays to strengthen their environmental efforts and maintain cleanliness during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

1 min

Comelec: Issues hound online voting system

Some issues have been observed in the online voting and counting system (OVCS), which is set to be pilot-tested during the May 2025 overseas voting, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday.

1 min

Pardon Mary Jane, Marcos urged

A group of international lawyers is pressing President Marcos to grant clemency to Mary Jane Veloso, the death row convict who was recently repatriated from Indonesia.

1 min

A week to plan your 'future'

Merry Christmas to all of you and please accept my most sincere thanks and gratitude for making time to read this column, as well as those of my fellow columnists and the work put together by the team behind each and every edition of The Philippine STAR.

4 mins

Christmases past

Last Saturday night, I heard Christmas carols ringing out outside my home: \"We Wish You A Merry Christmas.\"

3 mins

Peace at Christmas

Peace on Earth, good will to men - how elusive these can be, in many parts of the world.

1 min

'Sana all'

In tune with the holiday mood, we take a respite from the usual vexations to one’s spirit.

4 mins

The rise and fall of California

Merry Christmas from California! Most of us have family and friends living in the West Coast.

4 mins

Drawing 42 branches of Jesus' family tree

Of the four evangelists, Matthew was unique in tracing Jesus' lineage, Chapter 1:1-17.

2 mins

RAOKs and resolutions

Random acts of kindness. It’s become a worldwide movement (there’s actually a foundation - randomactsofkindness.org), and it works because of the participation of ordinary folks anywhere and everywhere. It’s about an unexpected gesture done to another person, often a stranger, to make his/her world brighter and make him/her feel special. These are little sparks of light in our otherwise dark world.

2 mins

OCD tells Negros LGUs: Prepare for Alert Level 4

BACOLOD CITY - As volcanic activities persist at Kanlaon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas urged local governments and disaster officials on Negros Island to prepare for a possible escalation to Alert Level 4.

1 min

Pandi mayor, 2 others released from detention

After a Caloocan City court granted a motion to quash the arrest warrant, Pandi town Mayor Enrico Roque, Councilor Jonjon Roxas and municipal driver Roel Raymundo were freed from detention on Monday.

1 min

Marcos signs 18 local laws

President Marcos has signed into law 18 measures declaring holidays, establishing marine hatcheries and hospitals and creating court branches.

1 min

7 family members die in Cotabato road accident

Seven in a family from Cagayan de Oro City died in a highway mishap in Tupi town in South Cotabato on Monday.

1 min

'Some progress' on Gaza hostage deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that \"some progress\" had been made in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months into the war.

1 min

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing columns of lava

One of the world's most active volcanoes sprang into life again on Monday, spewing columns of lava 260 feet above Hawaii, US volcanologists said.

1 min

Former US president Bill Clinton hospitalized with fever

Bill Clinton, the former US president who has faced a series of health issues over the years, was admitted to the hospital Monday in Washington after developing a fever, his office said.

1 min

Trump stirs unease with Panama, Greenland ploys

Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, revived calls to buy Greenland and joked about annexing Canada - leaving the world guessing once again whether he is serious or not.

1 min

Support grows for Blake Lively over smear campaign claim

A chorus of support is growing behind actress Blake Lively (in photo) after she filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against \"It Ends With Us\" co-star Justin Baldoni.

1 min

With a Holy Door, Pope to launch Jubilee year

Pope Francis will mark Christmas Eve on Tuesday with a special ceremony launching Jubilee 2025, a year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome.

1 min

'Killer' of US CEO pleads not guilty to 'terrorist' murder

The man accused of gunning down a health insurance executive in a brazen hit in New York that sparked fierce debate about the industry pleaded not guilty Monday to state charges including \"terrorist\" murder.

1 min

Alec Baldwin manslaughter case dropped by New Mexico prosecutor

A New Mexico criminal case against actor Alec Baldwin stemming from a fatal shooting on the set of his movie \"Rust\" in 2021 ended on Monday, with a prosecutor dropping her appeal of the case's dismissal.

1 min

Guatemalan who set woman on fire charged with murder

A man is facing murder and arson charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday.

1 min

France's Macron announces 4th gov't of the year

French President Emmanuel Macron named a new government on Monday evening, putting together a team under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, to drag the second-largest EU economy out of political crisis.

1 min

Christmas wishes

If Santa Claus is listening, here are five of 10 wishes this Christmas for Philippine sports.

1 min

Sixers buck Embiid's ejection vs Spurs

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night's 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs after drawing two technical fouls.

1 min

Gastanes, ex-PFF official, passes away

Sad news greeted the football community the day before Christmas with the loss of executive Edwin Gastanes.

1 min

Holiday, bonding trips for NCAA champions

The Mapua Cardinals were rewarded with a pair of foreign trips for their NCAA Season 100 feat.

1 min

All-Filipino crew tests Sydney waters

There have been plenty of \"firsts\" in the history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which was first held in 1945. An all-Filipino crew of 15 sailors will make it another when the annual ocean classic begins in Sydney on Thursday.

1 min

CHRISTMAS 'CLASICO' UNFOLDS

The time has come for the first \"Manila Clasico\" gig of the PBA's Season 49 hostilities.

1 min

PBA abides by GAB decision on Amores

The PBA is abiding by the Games and Amusement Board's ruling stripping NorthPort's John Amores of his playing license.

1 min

Tuloy Foundation's "Santa Football" Is Coming To Town!

Santa Claus represents generosity, joy, and the power to bring hope, but for the children of the Tuloy Foundation, their own version of Santa is Fr. Mariciano \"Rocky\" Evangelista, SDB-fondly called \"Santa Football.\"

4 mins

Soaring gas prices put brakes on jeepney drivers

What does the government really do to help jeepney drivers affected by skyrocketing gas prices? As fuel prices continue to surge, calls to abolish Republic Act 8479 or the Oil Deregulation Law have gained momentum.

3 mins

IMF: Capital restoration needed for Landbank, DBP

AFTER MAHARLIKA CONTRIBUTION

2 mins

BSP spends P5 B for initial batch of polymer bills - COA

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) spent P4.98 billion for the initial batch of polymer banknotes recently launched for circulation, a report by the Commission on Audit (COA) showed.

2 mins

SM eyes expansion of SMX Clark

The SM Group is eyeing to expand the capacity of its convention center in Pampanga between 2026 to 2028 to support the growth of Clark as a meetings, incentives and exhibitions (MICE) hub.

2 mins

Protecta Fintech launched to combat cybercrimes

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Juan Hand, Maya and Protecta Pilipinas officially launched Protecta Fintech, an initiative aimed at creating a safer fintech ecosystem in the Philippines.

1 min

Nido Petroleum invests $18.4 M for Palawan exploration

Nido Petroleum Philippines Pty. Ltd. is spending $18.4 million for its planned oil and gas production project in Service Contract (SC) 54 in offshore northwest Palawan.

1 min

RE market all set for full operation

The renewable energy market (REM) is set to begin its full commercial operation tomorrow, with close to 300 trading participants expected to register.

1 min

AdventEnergy readies P1.8 B power projects

AdventEnergy Inc., the retail electricity supply arm of Aboitiz Power Corp., is spending as much as P1.8 billion next year to further beef up its portfolio.

2 mins

Spread love this Christmas

The Christmas spirit seems to have escaped me these days.

3 mins

IMF urges BSP to tighten banking policies, preempt risks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to adopt proactive macroprudential measures to prepare and mitigate for any potential risks in the financial sector.

1 min

Wishful thinking

Except for specific material items, Christmas wishes are mostly wishful thinking, knowing that what we most want may be difficult or almost impossible to attain, but we do so anyway.

4 mins

NISSAN-HONDA MERGER PLAN OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF

AT THE CRANK

2 mins

Happiness is on the way this December for Toyota customers

Amazing deals on the Corolla Cross, Yaris Cross, and more await

2 mins

Souped-up, sportier, and sprightlier

The significantly refreshed Porsche Taycan is all these and more

4 mins

Golden MV gets stockholders' nod for corporate name change

Listed Golden MV Holdings Inc. of tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. is all set for its corporate name change after obtaining the approval of the company's stockholders.

1 min

Kimono: An evolving icon of fashion

The kimono is one of the most recognizable forms of national dress, wielding its influence in fashion, art and media.

3 mins

A merry birthday for Ching Cruz

To celebrate her birthday, lovely Ching Cruz decided to have a festive gathering for her good friends with a request that each guest bring an exchange gift so that everyone would be able to bring home a special gift.

1 min

A CHRISTMAS STRATEGY: HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS

I change my strategy on how to navigate the holidays every so often. Mainly, it's to avoid stress.

4 mins

ROLLING STONE PHILIPPINES WILL COVER STORIES BEYOND MUSIC

Last Dec. 12, Rolling Stone Philippines finally launched at Salon De Ning, The Peninsula Manila.

2 mins

Why the future looks bright for The Brut Collective

Andy Warhol, an American visual artist and prominent figure in the pop art movement, once remarked, \"Don't think about making art, just get it done.

2 mins

JULIA BARRETTO: CONTROVERSIES DON'T DEFINE WHO WE ARE

THE PRECIOUS INSIGHTS THAT Julia Barretto has gained from both successes and challenges over the years in the entertainment business, starting from her childhood, have shaped the person she is today.

2 mins

Les alle historiene fra The Philippine Star

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The Philippine STAR is the flagship title of the country's largest and most successful print media enterprise, the Philstar Media Group. Owned and published by Philstar Daily Inc., The Philippine STAR is a vaunted pillar of Philippine journalism whose integrity is anchored on the Biblical motto, “Truth Shall Prevail”. The Philippine STAR is a two-time winner of the prestigious Newspaper of the Year award given by the Rotary Club of Manila.