First Philippines Handloom Weaving Festival a successThe event was part of the 2025 National Science, Technology and Innovation Week (NSTW) and organized by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST–PTRI), in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Norte Tourism, Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Ilocos and the Local Government of Taguig. MANILA, Philippines — The first-ever Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival (PHWF) gathered more than 120 weavers from over 40 weaving communities and textile enthusiasts to foster a learning and cultural space where weaving communities, researchers, designers and experts converge to expand their knowledge and push the boundaries of traditional handloom weaving industry. The festival ran from Nov. 19 to 22, 2025, at the Robinsons Ilocos, Ilocos Norte, featuring a series of events designed to advance knowledge-sharing and strengthen weaving communities nationwide. The event was held in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Norte Tourism, Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Ilocos and the local Government of Taguig. Techno Demo Weaving Workshop – hands-on demonstrations of weaving techniques and textile technologies.

Criminal tax probes to continue despite audit suspension – BIRIn line with the agency’s legal obligation, the BIR said the investigations would continue because they involve potential tax fraud, which the agency is legally mandated to pursue without delay. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) clarified that its suspension of memoranda orders and issuance of letters of authority does not cover investigations involving criminal tax fraud, which will continue if supported by intelligence or risk indicators. “The suspension does not apply to criminal tax investigations,” the tax agency said. Furthermore, the suspension does not apply to taxpayers seeking refunds, as claims or applications for tax refunds are exempt and will continue to be processed by the relevant authorities. The tax agency may continue verifying withholding and related taxes on real property sales, as these checks ensure proper tax imposition and are among the exceptions allowed to proceed even during the suspension period.

How surveillance technology and the 'Reddit Detective Agency' helped search for a killerThis image provided by Providence Police Dept. shows surveillance images of Claudio Neves Valente, a suspect in the mass shooting at Brown University. (Providence Police Dept.

A woman who said she was making a video to be posted on TikTok, poses in a booth that swirls a mobile phone around 360 degrees in Times Square in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Congratulations are in order for Gisele Bündchen and Jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente! Though the model initially denied the rumors, a source told People in February 2024 that their bond has since evolved into a romance. Another source noted that Valente “was a huge comfort" for Bündchen, who was going through a divorce. By October 2024, news broke that Bündchen was expecting her first child with Valente. They officially welcomed their baby boy early this year, joining Bündchen’s two children with Brady: 15-year-old Benjamin Rein and 12-year-old Vivian Lake.

The Pag-IBIG Fund is extending its Acquired Assets Super Sale until Dec. 31. Launched earlier this year, the sale applies to properties published for auction or direct purchase from Aug. 25 to Dec. 31, 2025. Both Pag-IBIG Fund members and non-members can bid on the sale. Bidding is done online through the Pag-IBIG Fund website’s public auction. Discounts are available for properties listed for first and second public auctions, negotiated sales, and direct purchase.

Google warns staff with US visas against international travel due to embassy delaysA Google logo is seen at a company research facility in Mountain View, California, U.S., May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Filipino laboratory scientist recognized for work in blood bankingROMBLON, Philippines — A Filipino expert in laboratory medicine has continued to draw recognition locally and abroad for work in Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, a field vital to patient safety and modern healthcare systems. Mark Angel Dela Cruz Magracia holds professional credentials, including MPHc, RMT and MLS (ASCPi) SBBiCM, reflecting advanced academic training and international certification in laboratory medicine and blood banking. The ASCP is among the largest global organizations in laboratory medicine, convening specialists in pathology, transfusion medicine, diagnostics and clinical laboratory science. Magracia currently serves as System Blood Bank and Transfusion Services Technical Specialist and Team Lead of the Legacy Health Central Blood Bank in the Pacific Northwest, United States. Across healthcare institutions in the Philippines, the United States and the global laboratory medicine community, Magracia’s work continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to transfusion safety, professional education and evidence-based laboratory practice.

The seal of the US Department of State is seen on the lectern during an end-of-year press conference in the State Department Press Briefing Room in Washington, DC on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Sultan Kudarat residents surrender 36 firearms, grenades to ArmyThe firearms and explosives surrendered by residents of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, are now in the joint custody of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion and 603rd Infantry Brigade. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Villagers in upland agricultural enclaves in Bagumbayan town in Sultan Kudarat surrendered 38 firearms and 10 fragmentation grenades to an Army unit on Friday, December 19, in support of a regional military disarmament campaign. Cagara said the firearms and explosives were turned over by owners to the 7th IB through the joint intercession of its commanding officer, Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Tristan Rey Vallescas, Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, municipal and barangay officials in Bagumbayan. “We appreciate the gesture of the owners of the firearms and grenades.

Search warrant served on hotel where Cabral allegedly checked in before deathBAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A search warrant was issued mid-afternoon Saturday, December 20, after authorities were initially denied access to CCTV footage and other documents related to former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Ma. They had allegedly checked in midday Thursday, December 18, several hours before Cabral was found dead along a 20-30 meter ravine along Kennon in Tuba, Benguet. It also emphasized that the law prohibits the disclosure of personal information without proper legal authority. Though Ion Hotel also stated that it is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities and will provide any information that may be lawfully required through proper legal channels. At around 4 p.m., a search warrant by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Michael Francisco was obtained, allowing police investigators and National Bureau of Investigation-Cordillera agents to sift through the hotel records and other documents that may lead probers to some answers in the controversial death of Cabral.

SAN FERNANDO, Philippines — In the Christmas-mad Philippines, thousands cheer as hand-crafted lanterns towering six meters (20 feet) high light up the night sky in San Fernando, northwest of the country's capital. 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 synchronised by 15 kilometers (9.2 miles) of electric cables and symbolise 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.

Police: Autopsy confirms Cabral’s identityOfficial portrait of Catalina Cabral when she was undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Cordillera police confirmed the identity of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Ma. Catalina Cabral following the results of an autopsy conducted Saturday. The confirmation through autopsy provided greater clarity to the case, allowing authorities to move forward with a more thorough investigation. Sources said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has lifted its relief order against Benguet police director Col. Lambert Suerte after he successfully negotiated with Cabral’s family to allow the autopsy, which they had earlier refused.

Family seeks compassion, privacy after Cabral’s deathMANILA, Philippines — The family of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral appealed for compassion and restraint following her sudden death, urging the public to respect their need for privacy as they grieve. It also dismissed claims that Cabral and her family faked her death as “reckless and baseless.”In the same statement, the family reiterated Cabral’s “consistent and unequivocal” denial of any involvement in alleged anomalous flood control projects. The family also slammed allegations made by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, describing his testimony as uncorroborated and self-serving. She denied facilitating kickback schemes but was included among officials recommended for possible administrative charges over a P95-million flood control project in Bocaue, Bulacan. Cabral’s death has raised concerns among officials, with Rep. Perci Cendaña asking whether she would become the “fall guy” in the broader flood control scandal.

Online illegal recruitment modus rises in DMW’s 4th full yearMAKATI CITY, Philippines — The Illegal recruitment of prospective and current overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rose using Facebook and TikTok pages, dwarfing the Department of Migrant Workers’ efforts to curb all sorts of IR activities. Illegal recruitment activities, especially when affecting at least three workers, are outlawed by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (or Republic Act 8042, amended into RA 10022). DMW, created through Republic Act 11649, runs current-day anti-illegal recruitment activities that were the task of the now-defunct Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) from 1982 to 2021. Illegal recruitment activities, Bracero added, affect “not just the vulnerable sector (such as less-skilled workers) but also skilled workers and professionals.”Director Atty. Geraldine Marquez of DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) said that the Philippines’ anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking efforts are well in-place and respond to the realities of cyber-induced recruitment.