Christmas past, present and futureAfter many years of preparing and celebrating Christmas “behind schedule.” I decided to put up the Christmas tree on the first week of December. The choice was to use the original-fake 10-ft Christmas tree we always used, or the “White Christmas tree” we bought when we forgot to take the “original” out of storage in our place in Lipa City. Well, this year, we once again forgot the original so the white one will serve “for just one more year.” I honestly think we also love the “mall bought” white Christmas tree but are just too embarrassed to admit it. Using several cans of spray paint, glitter and Christmas ornaments plus “snow in a can,” we actually had such a unique Christmas tree that I remember it to this day. Even the photos as well as the slides evoked memories, reminding me of familiar places, even scenes from my past life.

In their post , the group, comprised of board-certified dermatologists, listed their reviews of the top five skincare trends of 2025, including polydeoxyribonucleotide, azelaic acid, lymphatic face massage, red light masks, and Korean beauty products. This skincare brand helps you achieve that by restoring its natural barrierPolydeoxyribonucleotidePDRN garnered attention from skincare enthusiasts due to its apparent skin repair benefits. Lymphatic face massageAnother trendy skincare hack making rounds is lymphatic face massage. Vista said that lymphatic face massages are normally part of facial procedures when going to the spa. However, he noted that you have "many other options to consider instead of doing lymphatic face massage."

Remulla's claim comes after investigations into Co's still unfinished house revealed plans for an unusually large basement. Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co was allegedly in the process of building a five-story basement in his home in Forbes Park that was supposed to be used for storing large amounts of money, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. "Ang Forbes Park ay may floor to area ratio but the floor to area ratio only covers the vertical. Remulla said that they had gotten wind of the basement after reviewing Co’s applications with the Forbes Park village association and the Makati City government. The construction of Co's house is currently delayed due to the former lawmaker's recent controversies regarding the flood control scandal.

Cone rules out Gilas pool expansionMANILA, Philippines — As much as he wanted to after being impressed by a bevy of standouts in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Gilas Pilipinas “A” team head coach Tim Cone is not keen on expanding its training pool anytime soon. But for Cone, there’s a reason why he keeps his core small and intact given the tight schedule of the PBA and overseas leagues for FIBA tournaments. For Cone, having a big pool is only applicable with long preparation time like Gilas under coach Chot Reyes did in the 2023 FIBA World Cup hosting after being together for more than three months. And for Cone, that might be the pool for good as Gilas braces for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next February at home against Australia and New Zealand in Group A. SBP managed to form a still competitive and contender Gilas “B” team for SEAG.

BSP to launch new P10 coin for ASEAN 2026MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that it will officially launch a commemorative P10 ASEAN coin, as the country will assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. In a statement on Tuesday, December 23, the BSP said the new commemorative coin will be released nationwide starting January 2026. According to the BSP, the coin’s obverse side will retain the design of the currently circulating P10 coin from the “New Generation Currency coin series,” which features Apolinario Mabini. The reverse side of the coin will show the ASEAN 2026 logo, the BSP logo and a QR code. When scanned, the QR code will direct users to the BSP website, which links to the country’s ASEAN 2026 hosting page.

Marcos to spend holidays reviewing bicam-approved 2026 budgetPresident Bongbong Marcos delivers a speech during the signing of the 2025 natinoal budget at Malacañang on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — With only eight days left before the new year, will President Bongbong Marcos have enough time to scrutinize the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 national budget once it's ratified? In 2024, the 2025 national budget was ratified within hours since the bicam report was signed by the committee. With the public closely watching, the administration risks facing a court challenge if another budget marred by pork-like allocations and questionable insertions is passed. At the same time, if Marcos does not act on the budget before year-end, the government will have to operate under a reenacted budget until a new one is enacted.

Benguet top cop in charge of Cabral death probe goes on medical leavePhoto taken during the retrieval operation for the body of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina CabralBENGUET, Philippines — The Benguet police director in charge of the investigation into the mysterious death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral has taken a medical leave. Col. Ledon Monte took over as officer-in- charge (OIC) of the Benguet Police Provincial Office starting Dec. 22, 2025. Suerte’s supposed relief was reversed after he succeeded in convincing Cabral’s family to allow an autopsy of the late DPWH official. Meanwhile, Tuba police chief Major Peter Camsol was relieved on December 19, allegedly for lapses in the probe. Benguet police information officer Major Edwin Sergio said the change in leadership from Suerte to Monte is temporary, and the length of Suerte’s medical leave has not yet been announced.

Christmas in the Senate: Curlee Discaya, former DPWH engineers denied furloughMANILA, Philippines — The Senate has denied holiday furlough for contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and three former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers implicated in the flood control scandal. Sen. Ping Lacson, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said temporarily releasing them on Christmas may only provide an opportunity for them to escape accountability and expected arrests. Senate President Tito Sotto took his recommendation, effectively denying the leave requests of Discaya, as well as Bulacan district and assistant district engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza. The former DPWH engineers admitted to preparing and delivering the commissions themselves. So far, only Sarah Discaya, wife of Curlee, has been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation.

State auditors found that AICS beneficiaries received duplicate payments under the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and that agency personnel drew funds interchangeably from the two programs' budgets. In Eastern Visayas, this was evident after the field office was found to have disbursed P1.44 billion to AICS beneficiaries and P773.6 million to AKAP beneficiaries for similar purposes. COA COA identifies how much was spent under each program for the same assistance in Region XIII in 2024. In terms of assistance, AICS provides cash aid for medical, burial, food, transportation and education needs. Thus, AKAP simply replaces the existing AICS program," COA said.

25 Badjaus in Sulu learn livelihood skills, basic financial managementThe 25 Badjaus who participated in the livelihood skills training of the Bangsamoro social welfare ministry are to put up within the month their individual carrageen farms. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Experts from the social services ministry of the Bangsamoro region trained 25 Badjau mendicants from across Tapul town in Sulu on basic livelihood and management skills for two days, as part of the preparation for their introduction into mainstream society. Hadji Abdusakur Tan Sr., but agencies of the Bangsamoro regional government continued operating in all of the municipalities in the province. MSSD information officers in their regional office in Cotabato City said the livelihood training for Badjaus in Tapul shall be replicated in other provinces and in the three cities in the autonomous region. BARMM's chief minister, Abdulrauf Macacua, said their agriculture and fisheries ministry will help the 25 Badjaus put up their offshore carrageenan farms.

PNP: Cabral tested positive for anti-depressantsThen Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral attends the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee motu proprio hearing on flood control, Sept. 8, 2025. Trigger warning: suicide, mental health issuesMANILA, Philippines — The body of the late public works and highways undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral has tested positive for anti-depressant medication, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said. In a toxicology report released to the media on Tuesday, December 23, the PNP said that Cabral tested positive for citalopram, which it said is an anti-depressant drug. “Partial qualitative examination conducted on specimens B and C gave POSITIVE results to the test for the presence of Citalopram, an antidepressant drug.”According to the PNP, test tubes labeled “urine” and “vitreus” gave positive results containing citalopram. This was amid the investigation into the flood control projects, where she was accused of managing budget allocations for flood control projects, including insertions favoring lawmakers.

NIA caps 2025 with excellent governance rating, flagship dam projects, AI-driven irrigation revolutionMANILA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is marking three years under the leadership of administrator Eddie Guillen with key gains in irrigation development, food security support, modern, data-driven and climate-resilient systems and infrastructures, and institutional governance reforms since his appointment in December 2022. “The Excellent rating is the direct result of our 3 Rights Philosophy: Right Project, Right Price and Right Quality. The 2025 Right Campaign has effectively minimized delays and ensured that projects are turned over to Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) in good operational condition. In November 2025, NIA fully operationalized the NIA Command Center, a high-tech hub that utilizes AI-driven weather forecasting through the Tomorrow.io platform. Editor’s Note: This press release from National Irrigation Administration is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.

LTFRB vows crackdown vs falsified documentsMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a warning to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators against the use of falsified documents. In a statement on Tuesday, December 22, the LTFRB warned drivers and operators against using fake Provisional Authority (PA) and Certificate of Public Conveyance (CPCs) amid reports of their proliferation, especially in the provinces. The LTFRB said that it has begun coordinating with law enforcement agencies to conduct random document checks on PUVs. The LTFRB cited one case for the use of falsified documents, where a transport company’s Provisional Authority (PA) was exploited by unauthorized vehicle owners for illegal operations. “We are now meeting with various stakeholders, including transport groups to intensify the reporting of those using fake PAs and CPCs,” Mendoza said.

Around 3,000 OFWs face cases abroad; 24 on death rowGabriela urged President Rodrigo Duterte to save OFW Jennifer Dalquez, who is currently on death row for killing the employer who attempted to rape her. The department is assisting thousands of OFWs' cases, which range from labor disputes to serious criminal charges, Cacdac said. “We're handling around 3,000 'Aksyon Fund' cases,” Cacdac said, referring to the DMW's emergency fund for supporting OFWs in crises. Most of the death row cases were transferred to the DMW from the DFA when the agency was created in 2021. Cacdac said two death row cases in Saudi Arabia were recently commuted, saving the Filipino workers involved from death row.

WASHINGTON, United States — A Kenyan member of the Al-Shabaab militant group who received pilot training in the Philippines was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for conspiring to mount a 9/11-style attack in the United States. Abdullah was arrested in the Philippines in July 2019 and extradited to the United States. According to the indictment, Abdullah attended flight school in the Philippines between 2017 and 2019 and eventually obtained his pilot's license. While undergoing flight training, he allegedly conducted research into methods to hijack a commercial airliner and sought information on how to obtain a US visa. The Somalia-based Al-Shabaab was designated a "terrorist" movement by the United States in 2008.