A limited offer for a limited timeI can almost guess that when you read today’s column title, you associated the headline with something for sale, a commercial product or some online promo. In one way the title is accurate, but the “limited offer for a limited time” is not commercial in nature. “Snow is snow” they say and want to do more shopping and sight-seeing than chilling by the hotel fireplace or the like. I even heard of instances when boyfriends or barkadas would show up and insert themselves and their plans on the family itinerary. That is what Christmas is all about – Emmanuel, God’s love, our love among us.

PAL tightens hold on long-haul market with new A350-1000Philippine Airlines marked a historic milestone as the company’s Airbus A350-1000 arrived in Manila on Dec. 20, making the flag carrier the first in Southeast Asia to operate the next-generation widebody aircraft. MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is cementing its grip in the transpacific market following the arrival of its first Airbus A350-1000, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. With airline competition tightening up, PAL is expected to retain its stronghold in the long-range market after receiving over the weekend the first of its nine A350-1000s. The A350-1000 is considered as the most efficient aircraft right now for long-haul flights, able to transport up to 382 passengers. PAL Holdings Inc. president Lucio Tan III said the arrival of the A350-1000 gives the airline the flexibility to deploy more units for its long-haul network, where it is the strongest right now.

What a wonderful yearI know, I know. 2025 does not appear to be a particularly wonderful year for many people. That is precisely why I count the handover of the chairship of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to the Philippines as one of the absolute high points of 2025. To this day, he is still referred to in regional business circles as “Mr. But we soldiered on, believing in the “Big Brother” concept where established businesses help the small ones grow.

PMA cadets shine at Ezhimala regattaBAGUIO, Philippines — Two cadets from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) made waves on the international stage after delivering an impressive performance at the 14th International Sailing Regatta 2025 recently at the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, India. PMA public affairs chief Lt. Jesse Nestor Saludo said their participation in the Indian event highlighted PMA’s growing presence in global military sports competitions. Cadet 1CL Ezekiel Navarro and Cadet 1CL Jerl Marydwyn Quejada represented PMA in the regatta, with both advancing to the Gold Fleet, the highest competitive level of the event. This was the second time PMA joined the prestigious event, making the cadets’ strong performance particularly noteworthy, Saludo said. Participation in international competitions provides cadets with valuable exposure, fostering friendships and cooperation with foreign military counterparts.

Silver BellsAs “Silver Bells” returns to the holiday playlist, the markets have taken the title literally. Like gold, silver benefits when investors look for “real assets” to protect purchasing power amid inflation concerns and geopolitical risk. And with the Fed cutting rates this year, the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold and silver has fallen. The Silver Institute reports that industrial applications now consume 60 percent of annual silver supply, compared to roughly 10 percent for gold. Silver bells, silver bellsIt’s Christmas time in the cityRing-a-ling, hear them singSoon it will be Christmas dayString of street lights, even stop lightsBlink a bright red and greenAs the shoppers rush home with their treasuresPhilequity Management is the fund manager of the leading mutual funds in the Philippines.

Lessons from ThailandYes, we are all naturally upset from the home cooking in Thailand at the Southeast Asian Games. Thailand did a lot of things wrong. In over a dozen gold medal matches in boxing and taekwondo, only Annie Albania survived by knocking out her opponent. That is why our favorite memories from Thailand are of Alex Eala and Gilas Pilipinas. Others, like the next generation of volleyball players, are ready to step into the big shoes of their elders.

BOP gap narrows in NovemberMANILA, Philippines — The country’s balance of payments (BOP) deficit narrowed in November compared to a year ago as seasonal inflows and easing import payments helped temper external pressures, even as cumulative figures remained in the red. The BOP gap marked the biggest in six months or since the $298-million shortfall recorded in May. Prior to November, the country posted BOP surpluses for three consecutive months, helping narrow the cumulative deficit from $5.76 billion as of August. Rivera added that the BOP may remain volatile in the near term but could stabilize as seasonal imports ease and global financial conditions improve. “The widening cumulative BOP deficit reflects a timing and composition story rather than a sudden loss of external strength,” Roces said.

First Lady, China envoy meet amid West Philippine Sea tensionsFirst Lady Liza Marcos poses with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, Chinese embassy diplomats and leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community at the Laperal Mansion in Manila on Dec. 17. MANILA, Philippines — China’s new envoy met with First Lady Liza Marcos, days after President Marcos emphasized the importance of boosting ties between Manila and Beijing. The First Lady hosted a luncheon for Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, Chinese embassy diplomats and leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community at the Laperal Mansion on Dec. 17. Photos of the event were posted on the Facebook accounts of the First Lady and the Chinese embassy in Manila. The luncheon was also held as fresh tensions gripped the West Philippine Sea over the Chinese coast guard’s actions against Filipino fishermen in Escoda Shoal.

Philippines to align trade policy with climate, development goalsMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has launched a new initiative to align its trade policy with its climate and development goals, stressing that climate action must be fair and development-oriented to be effective and sustainable. Speaking at the high-level roundtable on Trade, Climate and Sustainable Development in Geneva, Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla said trade, climate and development cannot be treated as separate tracks, particularly for a climate-vulnerable, middle-income country like the Philippines. He emphasized that international discussions on trade-related climate measures must respect the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities under climate law, as well as special and differential treatment in trade law, to gain broad support among developing countries. “Trade policy, if designed well, can help the Philippines manage adjustment to new climate measures abroad, strengthen our own competitiveness and support a just energy transition at home,” Teehankee said. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the University of the Philippines Law Center Institute of International Legal Studies and the Forum on Trade, Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fair weather, possible rain on Christmas Day seenMANILA, Philippines — Generally fair weather with chances of rain and thunderstorm may greet key areas in the country on Christmas Day, based on projections by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Weather in Metro Manila, Baguio City, Clark Freeport and Economic Zone, Subic Bay Olongapo, Tagaytay City, Lipa City, Legazpi City, Puerto Princesa City and the Kalayaan Island Group may become “partly cloudy to at times cloudy with rain showers and/or thunderstorms,” according to the state weather bureau’s extended weather outlook. Similar weather conditions may prevail over Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Metro Cebu and Tacloban City in the Visayas. Cagayan de Oro City, Valencia City, Metro Davao and Zamboanga City in Mindanao may experience the same conditions. Metro Manila and the rest of the country may expect generally fair weather with chances of rain showers or thunder storm due to the easterlies.

Another way to lose moneyNext week, after Christmas, my wife Beng and I are flying to a southern city – I won’t say yet exactly where – for a short break from the stresses of the season. Even before the pandemic, the country lagged regional peers in foreign arrivals – 8.2 million foreign visitors – well below Indonesia’s 16 million, Malaysia’s 26 million, Thailand’s 40 million and Singapore’s 15 million. Moreover, foreign tourists remain concentrated in a few destinations: the National Capital Region and Central Visayas (home to Cebu) account for over 60 percent of total foreign overnight stays. Then come the fees: ‘local support’ fee, environmental fee, parking fee, toilet fee, shower fee... That’s why some foreigners call it Feelippines. Now we need BBM to treat this like flood control: another way to lose a lot of money aside from thievery is not to make it when we very well could.

‘Cabral left complete list of budget insertions’MANILA, Philippines — The late Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral left behind a “complete list” of budget insertions for DPWH flood control projects, a neophyte congressman said yesterday. Batangas first district Rep. Leandro Leviste said Cabral gave him the files on the budget insertions, which he was willing to release. “The late undersecretary Cabral gave me files of DPWH insertions of the whole country, thanks to Secretary Vince (Dizon of DPWH). “(Former) undersecretary Cabral knows more than (former) undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo. The files, before the computers were discovered to be empty and in shambles, were with undersecretary Cabral.

PNP focuses on securing evidence in Cabral’s deathThe Philippine National Police Forensic Group is on site at Kennon Road in Benguet to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral's death. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has now shifted its focus to checking and securing evidence linked to the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. He said Cabral’s driver is being questioned as part of the investigation, along with other measures to determine what transpired before her death. While acknowledging the sensitivity of the case for Cabral’s family, Nartatez said securing possible evidence in her possession is necessary due to strong public interest. The NBI said the search warrant authorized agents to seize records and other items that could help shed light on Cabral’s death.

‘3 quakes, 2 typhoons killed 370 in PhilippinesRescuers pull an inflatable boat transporting residents during a forced evacuation at a village in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on November 11, 2025 as homes remained inundated due to heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Uwan. MANILA, Philippines — Three strong earthquakes and two devastating typhoons claimed the lives of around 370 people in the Philippines, mostly in Cebu, since September this year. Flash floods, landslides and damaged infrastructure injured and displaced hundreds of Filipinos and their families. Ten days later on Oct. 10, two powerful quakes hit Manay, Davao Oriental and nearby provinces, claiming eight lives. Tino had injured around 502 people and damaged 312,650 houses in Mimaropa, Negros, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Senate, House to sign bicam report on budget todayThe bicameral conference committee holds its first-ever livestreamed deliberations for the 2026 national budget on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian and his House counterpart, appropriations chair Mikaela Suansing believe Marcos won’t veto the proposed 2026 budget. The Senate and the House of Representatives contingents are to resume sessions today after previously being in a deadlock over the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways. ‘No reenacted budget for 2026’Following the bicam’s approval of the proposed 2026 national budget last week, fears of a reenacted budget for next year have been put to rest. Suansing rejected suggestions that the outcome of the bicam reflected concessions between the House and the Senate, stressing that discussions focused on producing a credible and accountable national budget.