Former 'Lion King' child star Imani Smith dies at 25
Imani Dia Smith, an ex-child star on Broadway who starred in The Lion King, has died at age 25. As reported by PEOPLE, Smith sustained stab wounds in her residence in Edison, New Jersey, on Sunday, Dec. 21, and was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital before being declared dead. A GoFundMe was set up to help with funeral, legal, and administrative costs as well as trauma therapy for her family. Smith played young Nala in Disney's The Lion King on Broadway from 2011 and 2012. Her GoFundMe page stated it was "an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world."
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 07:29 UTC
Heads up: Here's the EDSA rehab schedule from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5
The Department of Public Works and Highways has released the repair schedule for the roads along EDSA from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5. In their social media accounts, the government agency shared the timetable of rehabilitation works covering various sections of the major thoroughfare. The repair works will follow a 24 hour-schedule until 5:00 a.m. on Jan. 5. For the concrete reblocking works, the schedule is as follows:Southbound (Dec. 28 to Jan. 5)EDSA corner Taft Avenue hanggang FB HarrisonNear HomeExpo Building Depot hanggang (Outer lane) hanggang P. Celle StreetAlong Ayala Underpass Exit hanggang San Lorenzo VillageNorthbound (Dec. 28 to Jan. 5)Roxas Boulevard Heritage Hotel hanggang hanggang Sgt. Other traffic mitigation proposals, like free skyway tolls, will no longer be implemented during the road works.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 07:29 UTC
PBA’s holiday treat
PBA’s holiday treatThe single-round eliminations ended last Dec. 21 with TNT preventing Magnolia from forging a three-way tie for fourth via a 94-83 win and Ginebra escaping a slide to No. Magnolia (6-5), 7. Meralco (6-5), 8. NLEX (6-5), 9. San Miguel started the conference at 0-2 and is now on a nine-game win streak.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 07:15 UTC
Daniel Curtis Lee treats homeless 'Ned’s Declassified' co-star Tylor Chase to lunch, hotel room
Actor Daniel Curtis Lee is lending a helping hand to his former Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide co-star Tylor Chase after the latter was spotted homeless in California. And, yeah, man, as a matter of fact, I just got off a call with him," Lee said in an Instagram video. He shared that Chase has a chance to speak with his dad through FaceTime and that he "seemed super receptive to conversation." "Okay, thank you so much," Chase said as Lee hugged him inside the hotel room. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daniel Curtis Lee (@daniel_curtis_lee)Aside from Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, Chase is also known for appearing in Everybody Hates Chris and Good Time Max.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 06:27 UTC
US Justice Dept says may have a million more Epstein documents
US Justice Dept says may have a million more Epstein documentsThis photo illustration taken in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2025 shows photographs, including of former US president Bill Clinton, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson and Ghislaine Maxwell, after the US Justice Department began releasing the long-awaited records from the investigation into the politically explosive case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. WASHINGTON, United States — The US Department of Justice said Wednesday that more than a million more documents potentially related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been discovered and are being reviewed for release. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed nearly unanimously by Congress last month and signed into law by President Donald Trump mandated the release of all of the Epstein files by December 19. The Justice Department failed to meet that deadline, however, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche blaming the delay on the need to painstakingly redact the identities of Epstein's victims from the files. It said the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI had "uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case."
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 03:35 UTC
Government reviewing Cocochem sale as global market rebounds
Government reviewing Cocochem sale as global market reboundsMANILA, Philippines — The government is reviewing the sale of state-owned shares in United Coconut Chemicals Inc. (Cocochem) amid the resurgence in global demand for coconut-based products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. Cocochem was established in 1981 and was once considered as the largest coconut chemicals and oleo fats factory in Southeast Asia, the DA said. However, a series of setbacks ensued in the following years that hampered the operations and growth of Cocochem, the DA explained. In 2014, Cocochem transitioned from manufacturing to a facilities-based enterprise,” the DA added. “Operating across 39 hectares, Cocochem’s revenue mix reflects this pivot: Cocochem Agro-Industrial Park Inc. contributes 53 percent of annual income, Cocochem itself 44 percent and residential operations the remaining three percent,” the agency said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 03:35 UTC
Ozaki, Japan’s greatest golfer, passes away
Ozaki, Japan’s greatest golfer, passes awayMasashi "Jumbo" Ozaki of Japan tees off the number one tee during the US Open Golf Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina on June 17, 1999. MANILA, Philippines — Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, whose 113 worldwide victories were the most of any player from Japan, died Wednesday in his home country after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour said. Ozaki often got overlooked for never winning outside Japan except for the New Zealand PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. Ozaki competed in 49 majors, his best finish coming in the 1989 US
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 03:35 UTC
EDITORIAL - Let goodness prevail
EDITORIAL - Let goodness prevailWhether the meal cost P500 or P500,000, families gathered last night for Noche Buena. Many attended the Midnight Mass on the eve of the arrival of Jesus Christ. The nation joins the rest of Christendom today in celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus. As taught in the Scriptures, the Son of God was born in a humble manger, because there was no room at any inn. In reconnecting with the faith, let’s hope that goodness will prevail, long after the holidays.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 01:55 UTC
PDIC, OGCC partnership to bolster depositor protection
PDIC, OGCC partnership to bolster depositor protectionThe two agencies formalized the collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the provision of special legal services by the OGCC to the PDIC in simple ceremonies held in Makati on Dec. 16. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has partnered with the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to strengthen depositor safeguards and reinforce public confidence in the banking system through enhanced legal support. PDIC president and CEO Roberto Tan and Government Corporate Counsel Solomon Hermosura signed the agreement. Under the agreement, the OGCC will assign a dedicated legal team to provide legal assistance and representation to the PDIC. Tan said the partnership would allow the PDIC to better address increasingly complex legal challenges.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 01:41 UTC
10 facts about revenue leakage and PhilHealth funds
10 facts about revenue leakage and PhilHealth fundsOne, the government is always in budget deficit; expenditures are always larger than revenues, with or without a crisis. Two, all sources of tax revenues were rising except excise tax: income and profits tax, sales tax and licenses, documentary stamp tax and other domestic taxes. Three, within excise tax collection, leakage happened only in tobacco tax. Within an hour, the staff returned with many brands of illicit tobacco, which Sen. Gatchalian displayed during the public hearing. Six, of the P60 billion in PhilHealth funds transferred to the national treasury in 2024, that money did not come from members’ contributions.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 00:37 UTC
Rate cut pause may boost economy – GlobalSource
Rate cut pause may boost economy – GlobalSourceIn a report, GlobalSource country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said a pause in further rate cuts might be strategic for the economy under present conditions. MANILA, Philippines — A pause in further monetary policy easing may be beneficial for the economy now as it navigates governance issues related to infrastructure projects, New York-based think tank GlobalSource Partners Inc. said. In a report, GlobalSource country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said a pause in further rate cuts might be strategic for the economy under present conditions. “In such an environment, a rate cut may not be interpreted as growth support. “A pause allows the BSP to support the economy while safeguarding credibility, preserving policy space and ensuring that monetary accommodation is not misread by markets,” Guinigundo and Mañalac said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 00:29 UTC
DBM piloting AI, blockchain amid corruption scandal
DBM piloting AI, blockchain amid corruption scandalConcerned about how to effectively manage and track public funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is piloting a blockchain system to prevent misuse and support ongoing investigations into public spending. Concerned about how to effectively manage and track public funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is piloting a blockchain system to prevent misuse and support ongoing investigations into public spending. Right now, I’m talking with blockchain experts because I want them to review our system,” she said. Del Rosario said the blockchain system aims to ensure that public funds reach their intended projects, particularly in cases involving the courts or audits. If implemented effectively, Rivera said blockchain could enhance transparency and credibility, reassuring investors that public funds are monitored in real time and leakages are being curtailed.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 00:26 UTC
The red meat resolution
I went to Morton’s for lunch, which is when BGC reveals its true character. The Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail arrived cold and firm, the shrimp properly cooked, a phrase that should be unnecessary but never is. In a city where meals are often squeezed between obligations, the refusal to rush becomes part of the pleasure. One year in, Morton’s does not feel new. For a holiday table, or for beginning the year properly fed and clear-headed, that kind of reliability is not dull.
Source:Philippine Star
December 24, 2025 23:29 UTC