Giant lanterns light up Christmas in PampangaPhoto taken on Dec. 14 shows people at the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga. The dazzling display of lights, accompanied by religious and festive imagery and soundtracked by Filipino rap and Christmas carols, is part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. The giant lanterns, submitted for competition at the festival, use 12,000 50-watt bulbs synchronized by 15 kilometers (9.2 miles) of electric cables and symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Firefighters carrying extinguishers could be seen patrolling the area, as sparks flew from the rotors of at least three lanterns, AFP journalists at the event saw. “Almost all the lantern-makers here are related to each other or are friends with the others,” said Florante Parilla, 55, who has been designing the giant lanterns for 30 years.

No thanks to the hosts’ never-ending changes in eligibility rules in the months leading to the tournament, Black was forced to drastically alter his initial crew. “Akala nila kami lang, madali-dali lang. “Muntik pa maluto, buti na lang hilaw,” Gilas slotman Poy Erram said jokingly in his social media live post. I went four months not knowing what the eligibility rules were,” he said. So, I couldn’t really understand the eligibility rules in the tournament.

Wolves hand Thunder third loss of seasonMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for a shot against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Target Center on December 19, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. MINNEAPOLIS — The NBA Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder suffered just their third defeat of the season Friday, in a last-minute 112-107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA champion Thunder had held the lead with 40 seconds left on the clock, before an Edwards 24-foot three-point step back jump shot gave the Timberwolves the decisive advantage. We’ve won a lot of them,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.

Black-out in BangkokIt was a nightmarish experience for coach Norman Black in preparing Gilas for the SEA Games in Bangkok but when the curtains finally fell to end the journey last Friday, the gratification of victory had to be worth the headaches along the way. In 2011, Black piloted the national team to the gold medal in 5x5 basketball at the Jakarta SEA Games. When SBP looked for a capable coach to steer Gilas at the SEA Games, Black was the perfect choice. In forming his team, Black had asked for Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser from TNT, Robert Bolick from NLEX and Jason Brickman from Meralco. Black engineered a black-out of the opposition in Bangkok and the hard-earned triumph was a huge feather in his cap.

It’s her: Cabral died of injuries from fallDILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has confirmed the selfie showing former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral seated near the edge of a cliff in Benguet was taken on the cellphone of her driver. News of Cabral’s death sparked both shock and suspicion, as she was at the center of investigations on multibillion-peso anomalies in flood control projects. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has also appealed to the public to give respect to Cabral’s family. Estrada himself is accused of receiving kickbacks from his flood control projects, an allegation he has strongly denied. House probe continuesMeanwhile, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the congressional investigation on flood control anomalies will proceed despite Cabral’s death.

DOJ: Forfeiture cases vs Cabral can still be pursuedMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking into the possibility of filing civil forfeiture cases to recover in favor of the government the assets of the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. “We will continue to proceed with possible filing of civil forfeiture cases just to make sure that we are able to get hold of reserved assets which were under her name,” he noted. Meanwhile, at a separate press briefing on Friday, assistant ombudsman Mico Clavano also bared the ombudsman’s plan to still pursue the civil forfeiture of Cabral’s assets. According to Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste, Cabral wanted to become a state witness in the flood control scam probe, but was not offered such. He said Cabral had provided him on Sept. 4 pieces of documents containing the lists of proponents of flood control projects.

The Light of HopePut your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. He acknowledged his “downcast” and “disturbed” soul before encouraging readers: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (v. 5). Though he was overcome with waves of sorrow and suffering, the psalmist’s hope shone through the remembrance of God’s past faithfulness (vv. Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (v. 11). Thankfully, even these mixed emotions can be reconciled and redeemed through the promises of the true Light of Hope—Jesus.

PNB upgrades US remittance platformPNB said its US remittance affiliate, PNB Remittance Centers Inc, has introduced PNB e-Send, an enhanced digital remittance service designed to make money transfers from the United States to the Philippines faster and more secure. PNB said its US remittance affiliate, PNB Remittance Centers Inc, has introduced PNB e-Send, an enhanced digital remittance service designed to make money transfers from the United States to the Philippines faster and more secure. The new platform replaces PNB Web Remit and marks a major step in modernizing the bank’s digital channels for Filipinos abroad. “With PNB e-Send, every transfer connects you home,” said Muffet Flores-Caculitan, first senior vice president and head of PNB International Banking and Remittance Group. PNB e-Send operates across smartphones, tablets and laptops, allowing users to register, send funds and track transactions anytime and anywhere.

Government workers to receive P5,000 incentivePresident Marcos has approved the release of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) for Fiscal Year 2025, according to Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro. MANILA, Philippines — Qualified government workers will receive a P5,000 cash incentive in recognition of their dedicated service, professionalism and vital role in public service, Malacañang announced on Friday. President Marcos has approved the release of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) for Fiscal Year 2025, according to Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro. Following the official issuance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the release of the P20,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) will be paid in parts, starting this December. A P10,000 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentive will also be granted to eligible non-teaching personnel with regular, contractual and coterminous appointments.

Medical groups urge higher PhilHealth funding, phaseout of MAIFIPIn a statement, 68 health groups led by the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) called on the government to strengthen PhilHealth funding while gradually reducing reliance on MAIFIP. In a statement, 68 health groups led by the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) called on the government to strengthen PhilHealth funding while gradually reducing reliance on MAIFIP. “The government should move beyond promises of greater health benefits and ensure adequate funding to fulfill these commitments,” the groups said. The bicameral conference committee for the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (House Bill 4058) increased the proposed MAIFIP budget to P51 billion, while allocating P69.78 billion for PhilHealth insurance premiums for the poor. The current allocation of P69.78 billion leaves a significant funding gap,” it added.

Over 70,000 pass licensure exams for teachers – PRCThe Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 21,967 elementary teachers out of 43,035 examinees and 57,729 secondary teachers out of 79,493 examinees successfully passed the LEPT. MANILA, Philippines — Over 70,000 examinees passed the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) given last Sept. 21 and Nov. 30. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 21,967 elementary teachers out of 43,035 examinees and 57,729 secondary teachers out of 79,493 examinees successfully passed the LEPT. Christel Zamora de los Reyes of Cebu Normal University topped the licensure examination for elementary teachers with a score of 94.40 percent. For the licensure examination for secondary teachers, Jed Vincent Requilme Abadia of Cebu Normal University topped the exam with a score of 94.80.

Bicam restores unprogrammed funds to P243 billionLawmakers pose for a photo after bicam sessions wrap up on December 18, 2025. In the Senate-approved General Appropriations Bill, unprogrammed appropriations were reduced to P174.55 billion – P68.66 billion lower than the House-approved allocation of P243.22 billion. From the House-approved allocation of P243.2 billion, the bicam raised the UA to P243.4 – an increase of about P178.1 million. There are guidelines and rules in place to prevent the funds to be diverted to flood control,” Gatchalian said. Calls to strengthen congressional oversight have grown following repeated findings of irregularities in major infrastructure and assistance programs, particularly flood control projects and lump-sum funds.

3 weather systems bring rainsThe easterlies will become a dominant weather system in several areas, while weather in extreme northern Luzon and southern Mindanao will be affected by the northeast monsoon and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). MANILA, Philippines — Most parts of the country may expect rainy weather this week due to three weather systems, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The easterlies will become a dominant weather system in several areas, while weather in extreme northern Luzon and southern Mindanao will be affected by the northeast monsoon and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Batanes may also experience cloudy and rainy weather because of the northeast monsoon. Despite the prediction of rains, PAGASA noted it has not monitored any low-pressure area within the Philippine area of responsibility.

Photo by STR / AFP. Members of the Royal Malaysia Police display seized illegal drugs and drug-making equipment during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on December 20, 2025.

Expect lower fuel prices ahead of ChristmasOil firms are projected to roll back gasoline prices by P0.60 to P0.80 per liter, diesel by P1 to P1.20 per liter and kerosene by around P1.75 per liter, according to industry experts. MANILA, Philippines — Motorists can expect some holiday relief at the pump this week, with diesel prices set to drop by at least P1 per liter ahead of Christmas. Oil firms are projected to roll back gasoline prices by P0.60 to P0.80 per liter, diesel by P1 to P1.20 per liter and kerosene by around P1.75 per liter, according to industry experts. The estimates reflect the trading results in the Mean of Platts Singapore over the past days. Last Tuesday, gasoline prices climbed by P0.20 per liter, while diesel and kerosene went down by P0.20 per liter.