A great man who never thought himself too great for small acts. This was how mentees and friends in business and technology circles remembered Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, a Filipino American electrical engineer and Silicon Valley veteran. His landmark chip designs helped revolutionize the personal computer (PC) industry and earned him the tag “the Bill Gates […]... Keep on reading: Tributes to Dado Banatao pour in: ‘Benchmark for Filipino excellence’

• Inquirer
• 17 saat, 9 dakika

[Q&A with Jonathan Ravelas, veteran economist and senior adviser at Reyes, Tacandong & Co.] As 2026 dawns, investors are weighing optimism against caution. Global markets are recalibrating after a volatile 2025, while holiday tables are being set with equal care. We sat down with Jonathan Ravelas, economic adviser and market watcher, to talk about what’s […]... Keep on reading: Sunday Roast: Markets & Merriment

• Inquirer
• 17 saat, 11 dakika

"LORD, TINUPAD MO PO ANG PANGARAP KO, NAMING LAHAT NA MAGING ARTISTA ?” WATCH: Krystel Go, a person with down syndrome and the lead star of "I'mPerfect" turns emotional as she receives the Best Actress award for #MMFF51. MMFF/Facebook

• NewsWatch Plus
• 17 saat, 51 dakika

“QUEER PEOPLE CAN BE BEST ACTORS" WATCH: Queer icon and comedy superstar Vice Ganda honors the LGBTQIA+ community in his speech as he bagged his first Best Actor award at the annual Metro Manila Film Festival for the comedy-drama "Call Me Mother." Vice portrayed the role of a

• NewsWatch Plus
• 17 saat, 59 dakika

It’s a blue Christmas for Radisson Blu Cebu. But, unlike the sad “Blue Christmas” in Elvis “The King” Presley’s hugely popular holiday song of the same title, the vibes in the Cebu premier business hotel are celebratory and festive, befitting the year’s most joyous season. The 9.8-meter (32-foot) blue and silver Christmas tree, centerpiece of the Radisson Blu lobby, is not only a traditional symbol of the holidays but is like a championship blue ribbon marking an important milestone. It is the 15th year of the hotel, a partnership between the Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) and SM Hotels and Conventions […]... Keep on reading: Radisson Blu: Cebu hotel marks 15th anniversary

• Inquirer
• 18 saat, 1 dakika

People with down syndrome and queer icon Vice Ganda made history at the 51st edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) after taking home the top prizes in the annual Christmas cinematic event.

• NewsWatch Plus
• 18 saat, 12 dakika

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast on Saturday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, the second major tremor to hit the island within days. Taiwan’s weather agency, which put the magnitude at 7.0, said the quake hit at 23:05 pm (11:05 p.m. Manila time) at a depth of 73 kilometers in the sea off Yilan county, southwest of Taipei. The Yilan County Fire Bureau told Agence France-Presse there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Local media said the quake caused buildings in the capital Taipei to sway and was felt across Taiwan. Taiwan […]... Keep on reading: 6.6-magnitude earthquake hits off Taiwan: USGS

• Inquirer
• 18 saat, 14 dakika

Traveling to a new destination with a new camera to test carries the inherent expectation of framing moments to immortalize the experience.

• GMA Network
• 18 saat, 16 dakika

MAGNITUDE 7.0 QUAKE HITS TAIWAN WATCH: Footage from a Filipino migrant shelter in New Taipei City as a 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes off Taiwan’s northeastern coast. The tremor was felt across northern Taiwan, including Taipei, with no immediate reports of major damage yet.

• NewsWatch Plus
• 19 saat, 9 dakika

Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, December 28, 2025. Today’s episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer—your Trusted Building Partner. READ: House leadership urged: Guarantee full disclosure of budget allocation THE leadership of the House of Representatives is being pressed to guarantee full disclosure of budget allocations ahead of the Dec. 29 vote on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The House leaders must release detailed information on how funds are allocated to each congressional district and party-list before lawmakers cast their votes on the national budget, Rep. Tobias Tiangco said on Saturday. Without any disclosure, Tiangco said, the lawmakers have no way of verifying whether certain districts or party-list groups received disproportionate budget increases. READ: Fewer fireworks injuries, road crashes during Christmas period THERE were fewer fireworks-related injuries and road crashes just before and after Christmas Day this year, compared with the same period in 2024, the Department of Health (DoH) reported. The DoH said Saturday that between December 21 and 26, it logged 57 fireworks-related injury cases, 49 percent lower year-on-year. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of cases at 25, mostly involving males aged 10 to 14 and commonly caused by 5-Star, kwitis, boga, and triangulo. Children and adolescents remained the most vulnerable group for fireworks injuries, despite repeated public warnings against the use of illegal and improvised firecrackers. Road crashes totaled 263 cases, down by 7 percent from 2024. READ: DPWH fast-tracks EDSA rehabilitation roadwork THE ongoing rehabilitation and repair on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) are in full swing, aimed at completing the job ahead of schedule, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Saturday that rehabilitation and maintenance  works are being done 24/7 with augmented equipment and personnel to fast-track the ongoing concrete reblocking and asphalt overlay in preparation for the expected influx of vehicles after the long holiday break. According to Dizon, the DPWH is also in close coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for traffic management. The MMDA and DOTr, Dizon said, deployed additional traffic enforcers to ensure the safety and security of motorists and commuters while the rehabilitation is ongoing. READ: Student’s website tracks public works projects A 16-YEAR-OLD Filipino student in California has created a website that tracks and documents public infrastructure projects and uses artificial intelligence to evaluate construction quality. Gian Alingog, a Computer Science major at the University of California-Sta. Barbara, told The Manila Times in an exclusive interview that envisions his website, the Ovovtec, or One Village, One Volunteer: Trained, Educated, and Community-Centered, Concerned Citizen Confronting Corruption in Construction, to empower more people in monitoring government construction projects in their own communities. Alingog has been a computer programmer since he was 11, was a silver medalist in the National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI) competition in 2025, and a computer science awardee from the Ateneo High School in 2023. He said he discussed with his father, Glovax founder Giovanni Alingog, the country’s flood control projects scandal. BUSINESS: Villar files bill to boost Philippine corn industry, ensure affordable food and feeds SEN. Camille A. Villar has filed Senate Bill (SB) 1591 seeking to strengthen the Philippine corn industry, citing its critical role in national food security, rural employment, and the affordability of staple food and animal feeds. Introduced on Dec. 10, 2025, the proposed measure aims to develop the corn sector, enhance the availability and affordability of quality feeds and staple food, and establish a Corn Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to support farmers and industry stakeholders. In her explanatory note, Villar anchored the bill on Section 1, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to pursue equitable economic growth, promote industrialization grounded in sound agricultural development, and protect Filipino enterprises from unfair foreign competition. SPORTS: Dinette, future of PH wrestling show up in SEAG FILIPINO Gabriel Thomas Dinette delivered a massive dominance in the just-concluded 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Chonburi, Thailand together with eight other medalists that could shape up a great future of Philippine wrestling in years to come in global competitions. Dinette beat Vietnamese Van Truong Vu Tran in the gold medal round after a walkover due to injury to take home the 86-kilogram crown of men’s Freestyle at the Pacifc Hall inside the Pacific Park Si Racha in Si Racha, Chonburi province. Dinette’s wins, which came right in the final day of competition, highlighted by his great technical superiority in all matches, including against Thai Chiranuwat Chamnanjan and Singapore’s Weng Luen Gary Chow with the same 4-0 score. READ: Opinion and editorial Marlen Ronquillo is today’s front page columnist, claiming that US President Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy is a consequential document that is being ignored. Today’s editorial asks where are the big fish in the flood control scandal and why have they not been caught. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times. For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 11 dakika

THE leadership of the House of Representatives is being pressed to guarantee full disclosure of budget allocations ahead of the Dec. 29 vote on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The House leaders must release detailed information on how funds are alloted to each congressional district and party-list before lawmakers cast their votes on the national budget, Rep. Tobias Tiangco said on Saturday. “This must be posted on Congress website, especially the per district and per party-list DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) allocations for the proposed 2026 GAA before the December 29 vote is made,” Tiangco told The Manila Times through Viber. “Full disclosure is non-negotiable,” the Navotas City congressman stressed. Saying he has been calling for the release of the information since Oct. 13, Tiangco stressed that with the end of bicameral deliberations, “all the more there is no reason to withhold the results.” Without any disclosure, Tiangco said, the lawmakers have no way of verifying whether certain districts or party-list groups received disproportionate budget increases. He also cited the lack of transparency in party-list allocations during the previous budget cycle, noting that there was no clear way to determine how much funding each group received. Aside from the breakdown of allocations per district and party-list, Tiangco said the specific programs and projects where these funds will ultimately be channeled must also be posted on Congress’ website. “Full public disclosure before the vote is essential to ensure accountability, informed decision-making, and public trust in Congress’ handling of the national budget,” he said.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 12 dakika

THE leadership of the Social Security System (SSS) announced on Saturday that it has set various programs up for implementation in 2026 primarily aimed at benefiting its millions of members nationwide. “We look forward to 2026 where we continue implementing existing programs while developing new ones and strengthening member servicing as well as expanding footprint of SSS nationwide and abroad,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro said. By September next year, de Claro said, the agency will carry out the second to the last tranche of the Pension Reform Program for another round of pension increase. “Also available for 2026 is the Emergency Loan Program up to Dec. 9, 2026 or until the calamity declaration is lifted,” he said. Following the approval of its guidelines, the micro loan program will also be implemented early in 2026. “With guidance from Finance Secretary Frederick Go, SSS is looking to implement this micro loan program through partner institutions very soon as a safer and affordable option to borrow cash for short-term needs with 15- to 90-day tenor and interest rate of 8 percent per annum or 0.67percent per month,” he said. De Claro added that the agency will open Foreign Representative Offices in Madrid, San Francisco, and Macau, and establish 10 new local branches, next year. The pension fund will hire about 1,800 personnel to boost manpower resources in the frontlines. “This recruitment effort aims to address gaps in service delivery and handling of requests for assistance and various complaints,” de Claro said. Other programs being explored by SSS in 2026 include potential partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program, special programs for gig economy workers, and contribution subsidy program for 2,000 Overseas Filipino Workers through P28.8-M commitment from Double Dragon Corporation.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 13 dakika

It’s a blue Christmas for Radisson Blu Cebu. But, unlike the sad “Blue Christmas” in Elvis “The King” Presley’s hugely popular holiday song of the same title, the vibes in the Cebu premier business hotel are celebratory and festive, befitting the year’s most joyous season. The 9.8-meter (32-foot) blue and silver Christmas tree, centerpiece of […]... Keep on reading: Radisson Blu: Cebu hotel marks 15th anniversary

• Inquirer
• 19 saat, 13 dakika

(UPDATE) THERE were fewer fireworks-related injuries and road crashes just before and after Christmas Day this year, compared with the same period in 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. The DOH said Saturday that between December 21 and 26, it logged 57 fireworks-related injury cases, 49 percent lower year-on-year. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of cases at 25, mostly involving males aged 10 to 14 and commonly caused by 5-Star, kwitis, boga, and triangulo. Children and adolescents remained the most vulnerable group for fireworks injuries, despite repeated public warnings against the use of illegal and improvised firecrackers. Road crashes totaled 263 cases, down by 7 percent from 2024. Regions 2, 5, and 4-A had the highest number of incidents, largely affecting males aged 20 to 24, and with motorcycles accounting for 73 percent of all cases. The DOH said the high proportion of motorcycle-related crashes continued to reflect risky driving behavior among young riders during peak holiday travel. It added that 85 percent of those involved in road crashes were not using safety accessories, such as helmets or protective gear, while 12 percent were intoxicated at the time of the incident. Aside from injuries and crashes, the DOH also recorded 127 cases of noncommunicable diseases during the monitoring period. Data showed 81 cases of acute stroke, or brain attack, and 30 cases of acute coronary syndrome (heart attack), with both conditions more common among male patients. There were also 16 cases of bronchial asthma, which were more frequently recorded among female patients during the same period. Mental health concerns also remained significant, with 451 calls received by the National Center for Mental Health Hotline 1553 during the Christmas period. The department said the volume of calls peaked on December 23, with young adults aged 18 to 30 years accounting for most callers and females forming the majority. The most common reasons cited by callers were anxiety or depressive symptoms, followed by love or relationship problems and family-related concerns, the DoH said.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 14 dakika

A 16-YEAR-OLD Filipino student in California has created a website that tracks and documents public infrastructure projects and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate construction quality. Gian Alingog, a Computer Science major at the University of California-Sta. Barbara, told The Manila Times in an exclusive interview that envisions his website, the Ovovtec, or One Village, One Volunteer: Trained, Educated, and Community-Centered, Concerned Citizen Confronting Corruption in Construction, to empower more people in monitoring government construction projects in their own communities. Alingog has been a computer programmer since he was 11, was a silver medalist in the National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI) competition in 2025, and a computer science awardee from the Ateneo High School in 2023. He said he discussed with his father, Glovax founder Giovanni Alingog, the country’s flood control projects scandal. “I thought to myself that as a computer science student, I was thinking of something to contribute to solve this problem, so I thought, why don’t I just make a platform which can help give information without government control,” Alingog said. “We can collaborate with other Filipinos, they can serve the country [through my application] and that is what I want to see, that we are involved in this,” he said. “Volunteer experts” post pictures and videos of projects on Ovovtec.org, and determine if the projects are “up to standard,” “substandard” or a “ghost” project. Members of the Ovovtec community can either “like or dislike” or make a comment on the analysis made by the volunteer experts. “It is in the hands of the people to ensure that public funds and projects are done right, and these projects are being seen by all, so what we do at Ovovtech is a youth-led citizen-focused organization by the people for the people whose main focus is to document these public construction projects,” Alingog said. In the long run, these posts will be fed through an artificial intelligence large language model that would automatically evaluate construction quality, with the goal of making AI determine if the construction project meets standards or show red flags. “Our vision for the future is to make the process easy to analyze whether this project is okay, and integrate it with artificial intelligence. Our plan is to recruit many people so we can have more data,” he said. Alingog is open to collaborating with Philippine government agencies to help fight corruption, and hopes to expand the program to other Third World countries who are confronted with the same problem.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 15 dakika

“CALL Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and child actor Lucas Andalio, emerged as the clear box-office leader on the opening day of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), based on revenue estimates from multiple cinema industry sources, including producers and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). As in previous years, the MMFF has not come up with the official box-office figures. But sources monitoring the competition showed a decisive early lead for the Jun Robles Lana-directed film. According to Pep.ph, producers, and MMDA-linked sources, “Call Me Mother” earned about P49 million on its first day. The film continued its strong run the following day, adding an estimated P29 million. A wide gap separated the top-grossing film from the rest of the field. Coming in second, “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” reportedly earned about P20 million on opening day. On third was “UnMarry,” starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo. While trailing the top two, the film posted solid attendance, with reports of sold-out evening screenings across several theaters. Fourth on the list was “Bar Boys: After School.” Moviegoers noted group audiences gravitating toward the film, while 901 Studios announced an increase in the number of cinemas screening the Carlo Aquino–led entry, which also stars Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, Will Ashley and Odette Khan. In fifth place was the romantic drama “Love You So Bad,” starring Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera and Dustin Yu. “I’m Perfect,” featuring Earl Amaba and Krystel Go, both actors with Down Syndrome, is sixth. “Manila’s Finest,” starring Piolo Pascual and Enrique Gil, placed seventh, while “Rekonek,” with a cast that includes Gerald Anderson, members of the Legaspi family, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes and Gloria Diaz, ranked eighth. Altogether, the eight entries earned an estimated P98 million on opening day, with roughly half garnered by “Call Me Mother.” Vice Ganda thanked moviegoers in a social media post late Christmas night. “Thank you so, so much, Madlang People!!!! We just finished going around the cinemas. Every time I get back into the car, there’s always a moment when I just pause and space out. The love you’ve shown me is incredible. I truly feel it. I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much!” the comedian wrote. As of this writing, the filmfest’s jury had not announced the winners. The panel is headed by Doy del Mundo, a highly respected screenwriter, director and author whose body of work includes the documentaries "People Media" (1978) and "Lupa" (1982). The 51st MMFF Gabi ng Parangal was held Dec. 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Ahead of the festival, organizers held the MMFF Golf Tournament, where one participant won a brand-new car from Geely Philippines. Proceeds from the festival support key industry beneficiaries, including the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 16 dakika