CATEGORIES

TD Romina leaves PAR; heads to Vietnam

Tropical Depression Romina has moved away from the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as it approaches Vietnam, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Santa Claus_PH sends Christmas cheer from Mayon Volcano

Santa Claus once again spread Christmas cheer in parts of the Philippines by replying to letters sent by both the young and the old.

Dec. 26 not a holiday - Palace

The Presidential Communications Office yesterday reminded the public that Dec. 26 is not a holiday.

PhilHealth to reduce premiums, expand coverage

Although deprived of subsidy under the 2025 approved budget program, the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has assured lawmakers that it would still be able to reduce premium contribution and expand its coverage next year for overall better health care benefits for members.

Palace: No talk of reenacted budget

Reenacting this year's budget is out of the question for President Marcos and his officials, Malacañang said yesterday, as the administration continues to scrutinize the P6.352-trillion spending bill for 2025 that it hopes will become a law by yearend.

Gas, diesel prices up this Christmas week

Motorists should brace for a fuel price increase of as much as P1.45 per liter today, just before Christmas.

Crowded Senate race seen next year - OCTA

A new poll conducted by the OCTA Research group confirmed a crowded race for the Senate next year, with at least 18 aspirants within statistical margin of winning.

Phl Army to acquire US Typhon missile system

The Philippine military plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system to protect the country's maritime interests, some of which overlap with regional power China.

Hospitals on alert for holiday heart syndrome

Hospitals across the country are on alert for a possible increase in \"holiday heart syndrome\" illnesses associated with binge eating and alcohol consumption during holidays or long vacations.

Booklets for meds no longer required for seniors - DOH

Senior citizens are no longer required to present the purchase booklet to avail themselves of 20-percent discount when buying medicine, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said yesterday.

ART'S HEROES AND ZEROES

2024's defining moments in art and history.

FAMILY TAPESTRIES

In my senior year of college, I was assigned to read, for a memory studies class, the memoir Subversive Lives, a generational portrait of the Marcos dictatorship years written by the Quimpo siblings.

The family Christmas tradition in Baguio

Two weeks ago, our family went on our annual Christmas trip to Baguio from Dec. 12 to 15.

Ateneo Art Gallery presents PKL Prize winners and unveils return exhibition of the Ateneo Art Awards 2024

The Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) announced this year's winning writers for the Ateneo Art Awards 2024 Purita Kalaw-Ledesma (PKL) Prizes in Art Criticism during the Awarding Ceremony held Nov. 24.

MMFF PRODUCERS HOPEFUL FOR AUDIENCE SUPPORT

EVERY YEAR, THE METRO Manila Film Festival (MMFF) provides one of the biggest platforms for Filipino films to take the spotlight. However, not all films are created equal in the eyes of cinemas and audiences.

Take it from Kim Chiu: Celebrate the small wins

Kim Chiu is known to her legion of fans and in the local tinseltown as the \"Pinoy Big Brother: Teen\" housemate and big winner, The Chinita Princess, and the Kapamilya performer and actress.

Nomura: BSP likely to deliver three rate cuts in early 2025

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) likely implement a series of 25-basis-point (bps) rate cuts during its first three meetings in 2025, Nomura Global Markets Research said.

ACMobility takes over EV charger locator

The automotive unit of the Ayala Group has acquired a startup that promotes the shift to electric vehicles by pointing drivers to the nearest charging station wherever in the Philippines.

Holiday exodus

The Christmas and New Year holiday exodus out of the city began over the weekend and will likely last until the first week of January.

ADB OKs $500-M loan for employment recovery

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500-million loan to the Philippines to support employment recovery through skills training and prepare the workforce for changing industry needs.

Pets, poultry to fuel rise in corn imports

The growing demand for pet food and sustained poultry expansion would drive the country's corn import in the current market year to rise by seven percent year-on-year to over 1.6 million metric tons (MT).

ACEN allots P70 B for capex in 2025

Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is allocating P70 billion in capital expenditure (capex) next year to fuel its growth and further strengthen its renewable energy portfolio.

BEHIND THE LIGHTS

A Christmas tribute to AboitizPower's unsung heroes working the holidays

Poor business model

The Metro Manila condo oversupply, now equivalent to 34 months, is not surprising.

Fed spoils Christmas party

The merrymaking and the parties on Wall Street turned somber last week as investors digested the Federal Reserve's hawkish surprise.

Mang Inasal grilling up for aggressive expansion

Mang Inasal, Jollibee Group's casual dining brand, is cooking up an aggressive expansion plan that will see its store network in the country nearly double by the end of the decade.

Muted trading seen this week

Muted trading in the local stock market is expected in this shortened trading week as investors may continue to digest the rate cut projections of both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Federal Reserve.

Foreign debt hits record $139.64 B

The country's external debt hit an all-time high of $139.64 billion in end-September due to higher borrowings of the national government and the private sector, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

WONDROUS WIN IN SURAKARTA

Shrugging off three deflating draws, the Philippines delivered the victory that counted the most in the final push for the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals.

Vehicle sales rev up by 8.5% in Nov

Vehicle sales in the Philippines accelerated by 8.5 percent in November compared to the same month last year, driven by strong demand for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.