Philippine News

December 20 ------ In October, California Assembly Bill 14, “Coastal resources: Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program” (AB-14) was signed into law, making California the first state in the country to strengthen a longstanding voluntary effort to reduce air pollution and risks to endangered whale populations off California’s coast by reducing speeds of large ocean-going vessels. Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, linked both to i

December 20 ------ President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr announced that qualified members of the Social Security Systems could avail emergency loan starting this December, with six months moratorium.  This as the country was placed under state of national calamity after the Philippines was hit by destructive typhoons. “Simula itong Disyembre na ito ay makakapagbigay na ang SSS ng tinatawag na emergency loan dahil habang nasa ilalim, halimbawa, ng national emergency ay magb

December 20 ------ There are no accidents — only grace in disguise. At least, that’s how Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde makes sense of how a long-gestating and profoundly meaningful film project came to her to produce during one of the most difficult times in her family’s life. “Kaya pala dumating sila sa buhay ko — may rason. (Maybe there’s a reason these children came into my life when they did),” Sylvia said, tearfully recalling how a group of young people with Down syndrome — the

HONG KONG, December 20 ------ Asian markets sank after another sell-off on Wall Street as worries over the tech sector's colossal spending on artificial intelligence continued to dog investor sentiment. Hopes for an end-of-year rally have been dealt with a blow after the Federal Reserve last week hinted that it could pause its interest rate cuts next month, while more questions are being asked about the cash pumped into AI. While the US central bank's three successive rate re

LOS ANGELES, United States, December 20 ------ Cooper Flagg scored 23 points as the Dallas Mavericks dug deep to upset the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, 116-114, in a bruising overtime battle. No. 1 draft pick Flagg excelled at both ends of the court to help the Mavs clinch a morale-boosting victory that sees them improve to 11-17 for the season. The 18-year-old Flagg finished with 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and three blocks on a night when six Mavs play

December 20 ------ One year after translating their award-winning 2025 concept into a sold-out spectacle at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ben&Ben invited fans into the luminous universe of Liwanag through “The Traveller Across Dimensions: The Concert Film.” The special full-length film, created in collaboration with LunchBox Productions, premiered on YouTube on December 14, giving audiences across the globe the opportunity to relive the concert experience in full, free of charge

December 20 ------ Hong Kong Customs is highlighting its first use of a new ROV for ship inspections and reports that last month it, for the first time, discovered a large stash of cocaine hidden in the sea chest of a containership. Speaking at a press event on December 16, the officials highlighted that the smugglers are using new techniques in an attempt to avoid detection. The unnamed containership, only described as being 333 meters (1,092 feet) in length, was targeted us

December 20 ------ Undefeated world super middleweight champion Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing hanging up his gloves three months after a career-defining victory over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. The 38-year-old from Nebraska, who dominated Mexican legend Alvarez in Las Vegas in September to claim the undisputed super middleweight crown, announced his decision in a video posted on social media. "I'm stepping away from competition, not because I'm done fightin

MANILA, December 20 ------ The growing security ties between the Philippines and Japan were highlighted in a high-level virtual meeting between ranking military leaders of the two nations last Dec. 17. In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) chief of staff, joint staff, Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defense cooperation during their dialog

SEOUL, December 20 ------ South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has said new livestreamed briefings in which he has dressed down officials might be “more entertaining than Netflix” as he seeks to boost transparency, in contrast to his more autocratic predecessor. Regular presidential policy briefings were long held behind closed doors, but Seoul has begun streaming them online as part of a push for more “direct democracy.” The move is a stark departure from the previous conse

CHONBURI, Thailand, December 19 ------ Alex Eala claimed another piece of history before her stellar 2025 ended. Eala captured her first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal after reigning in the women’s singles following a 6-2, 6-1 win over Thai foe Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the final at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi. Living up to her billing as the highest-ranked WTA player in Southeast Asia, the world No. 53 Eala became the first Filipina to win the

PATTAYA, Thailand, December 19 ------ Gilas Pilipinas secured a place in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games men's basketball final, fending off Indonesia, 71-68 at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok. The Philippines overcame a late Indonesian rally that wiped out a 16-point deficit to seal a place in the final. Still, Gilas needed a tough stand in Indonesia's final possession that wound up as a missed three to pull off the victory. The Nationals will face either Thailand or Malaysia

PATTAYA, Thailand, December 19 ------ The Philippine Blu Boys regained supremacy in Southeast Asian Games men’s softball, beating Singapore, 3-0, for the gold at the Queen Sirikit Baseball Stadium in Pathum Thani. The Blu Boys beat the same team that dislodged them from the regional throne on their own field in 2019 in Clark. Prior to that, Filipinos claimed the crown in eight of the last nine editions. Lefty hurler Jehanz Maristela Coro fanned 17 batters in a two-hit shutout

MANILA, Philippines, December 19 ------ Nonito Donaire fell short in his bid to wrest the World Boxing Association bantamweight crown from Seiya Tsutsumi losing by split decision at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 43-year-old Donaire dominated the early rounds, but the younger Tsutsumi picked up the pace and clinched the last three rounds to earn the nod of two judges, 115-113 and 117-111. The third judge sided with the “Filipino Flash,” 116-112. Donaire, a four-divi

December 19 ------ The Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) 51st Parade of Stars will take place on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Makati City, with the parade route beginning along Macapagal Boulevard and ending at Circuit Makati. The Parade of Stars marks the beginning of the film festival, which features select local films to be shown in cinemas for two weeks, beginning on Christmas Day. No foreign films will be shown in theaters on these dates. The parade traditionally features

December 19 ------ Chelsea Fernandez was a total stunner at the Miss Cosmo 2025 jury session. The Philippines’ bet walked down the runway in a light blue and silver gown with scales and waves inspired by a dragon and designed by Leo Almodal. “A vision forged in fantasy,” Chelsea said on Instagram about her look. “Sculpted in icy blue and silver, this dragon gown comes alive by Leo Almodal with hand-embroidered scales, crystal flames, and a majestic dragon crest guarding the h

December 19 ------ In the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Call Me Mother,” Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre reunite in a comedy-drama that explores a mother or a mother figure’s unconditional love. During a media huddle, the two shared how the film redefines motherhood and expressed appreciation for mothers who embrace both its pains and joys. “This movie has explained to me that motherhood is beyond gender. It’s beyond bearing a child and giving birth to a child. Mas mala

December 19 ------ T’was an early Christmas dinner with a group of close friends, which also doubled as the advance birthday celebration of Enrico Santos — a dear friend through the years, a prolific TV and movie scriptwriter, and a man with an imagination as profound as it is boundless. What made the evening even more fun and memorable was that our dinner was catered by no less than Marvin Agustin, who first rose to fame as a teen star in the hit 1996 series “Gimik,” forming

MANILA, December 19 ------ Former Department of Public Works (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral has died after allegedly falling from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, according to police. Her remains have been brought to a local funeral parlor, according to ABS-CBN News stringer Rhen De Guzman According to a report from the Benguet Provincial Police Office, the incident was reported by Cabral’s driver. According to the driver, he and Cabral were travelling along

MANILA, December 19 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reiterated its commitment to protect Filipinos and uphold the country’s maritime rights following the December 12 incident near Escoda or Sabina Shoal, where Chinese maritime forces used water cannon and conducted coercive actions against local fishermen. Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is carrying out President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.