Sharon Cuneta at 60: Her journey from pre-teen star to cultural icon
She was barely in her teens when a novelty song made her a household name. At 60, Sharon Cuneta remains a defining figure across generations of Philippine popular culture. At…
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Riding a 4×4 on Paoay Sand Dunes, catching sunsets, escaping storms, and other highlights in our 2025 homecoming
We felt like we were part of Timothee Chalamet’s movie, “Dunes,” as we rode the 4×4 in a heart-stopping, thrilling, bumpy ride in Paoay’s Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte. It…
On Dado Banatao and the documentation of Filipino achievement
Dado Banatao, Filipino-American semiconductor engineer and Silicon Valley entrepreneur, in an image used for the Philippine commemorative stamp “My story could be your story,” honoring his contributions to science, technology, and education….
Former Miss International Melanie Marquez alleges involuntary confinement in TV interview
Melanie Marquez during her recent television interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda / GMA Network (left) and as Miss International 1979 (right). Photo credit: Fast Talk with Boy Abunda / GMA Network and Miss…
Filipino cardinals in Rome ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s first consistory
Filipino cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle, Orlando Quevedo, Jose Advincula, and Pablo Virgilio David at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome following the funeral Mass for Pope Francis on April 26, 2025. – File photo courtesy of pcfroma.org ROME — Three Philippine-based…
ICE announces historic manpower surge after nationwide recruitment drive
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer records biometric information as part of routine enforcement and processing operations conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Photo credit: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement /…
Medical concerns halt deportation of elderly Filipina detained by ICE
Rebecca Pinyerd, 70, a Filipina lawful permanent resident has lived in the United States for more than four decades. Her deportation to the Philippines was temporarily halted after airline officials determined…
Marcos signs ₱6.793-trillion national budget, the largest in Philippine history
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the 2026 General Appropriations Act into law at Malacañang Palace, as members of the Cabinet and other officials look on. – Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) The…
Philippine Airlines Named Asia-Pacific’s Most Punctual Airline for 2025
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been named Asia-Pacific’s most on-time airline for 2025, achieving an on-time arrival performance of 83.12%, the highest in the region. The ranking is based on independently…
My Visits to Manila’s Bgy. 539 and Malacanang’s “Tara sa Palasyo”
Congratulations to barangay chairman Christopher Clark C. Quito of Barangay 539 in Sampaloc, Manila for he has done lots of good deeds for his constituents. He is recognized for fostering…
Guarding the Blessing: What Our Words Cost Us
As a new year begins, many of us reflect on our finances—how to earn more, save better, and steward what God has entrusted to us. But there’s another form of…
Celebrating the Feast of Epiphany
Dear Parish Family, As we come together to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, we reflect on the profound meaning and significance of this special day in our Christian journey. Epiphany,…
Damage Control
The holidays may be behind us, but their physical effects, among others, will linger a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of us…
RTC offers free transit rides this New Year’s Eve
Riders should plan for modified holiday transit schedules and detours (Las Vegas, NV) – RTC is pleased to announce that it will once again offer free rides on all transit routes…
My first time judging a Christmas group presentation
I arrived on time for the Mass officiated by Fr. Bong Guerrero, widely known as the “Happy Priest,” one of the most dynamic preachers of the Diocese of Cubao. A…
Filipino-American technology pioneer Dado Banatao dies at 79
Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, a semiconductor engineer and entrepreneur whose behind-the-scenes innovations helped lower the cost and expand the reach of personal computers, died December 25, 2025, surrounded by family and…
Sky River Casino Kicks Off the New Year with Million-Dollar Promotion and Lunar New Year Celebrations Just Around the Corner
Elk Grove, CA – Sky River Casino kicks off 2026 with the $1,000,000 Cash Vault Challenge, an eight-week promotion running every Saturday from January 3 through February 28, offering players…
The Importance of Family
Dear friends in Christ, This Sunday, we commemorate the solemnity of the Holy Family, a sacred trio that includes Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, our Savior. I hope you all enjoyed…
Trump orders federal offices closed on Christmas Eve and Dec. 26
An archival Christmas photo shows the President and the First Lady standing in the Cross Hall of the White House, framed by holiday decorations and Christmas trees. The image was…
Irreverence at Christmas
Out of the 195 countries around the world, 160 celebrate Christmas, invariably, honoring the birth of the Prince of Peace, Santo Niño, which took place between 6 and 4 BC,…
Philippine Airlines’ A350-1000 Arrives Home, Marking Southeast Asia’s First
Philippine Airlines (PAL) marked a historic milestone as the company’s mostawaited aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000, arrived in Manila at 4:30 PM today, making the flag carrier the first in Southeast…
Celebrating the silver anniversary of Alvin and Marissa Varsovia
Marissa Varsovia and Alvin Varsovia marked their 25th wedding anniversary with a renewal of vows at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel along Broadway Avenue in New Manila, Quezon…
God’s surprising ways
Dear Parish Family, The Fourth Sunday of Advent beautifully encapsulates the essence of this sacred season: promise, hope, restoration, repentance, transformation, and joy. These powerful themes do not emerge from…
Noche Buena: the Filipino Christmas table and its traditions
A festive Noche Buena spread of traditional Filipino entrees and Christmas desserts such as bibingka, puto bumbong, and fruit salad – reflecting the Filipino tradition of gathering to mark Christmas….
PAL BEGINS CEBU-GUAM SERVICE
A ceremonial cake slicing and ribbon cutting marked the official send-off of the Cebu-Guam service. (Photos courtesy of Mactan-Cebu International Airport) CEBU City – Philippine Airlines (PAL) launched the first-ever nonstop…
Tax refunds in 2026 reflect post-pandemic rules; no $2,000 payment authorized
Here’s what taxpayers should expect from tax refunds arriving in 2026, including the status of the proposed $2,000 payment discussed by President Trump. Tax refunds issued in 2026 will reflect…
New York City moves closer to first Vegas-style casinos after regulatory hurdle cleared
A view of the New York City skyline at dusk. State regulatory actions have cleared the legal path for the city to be considered for full-scale, Vegas-style casino licenses. (Photo…
What Are Your Financial Goals for 2026? Here’s How to Stay on Track
Sponsored by JPMorganChase As we approach the end of 2025, you might already be mapping out financial goals for the new year—to save more, spend smarter, or stick to a…
Queries from readers
Do cellphone radiation shields work? Billions of people in at least 160 nations around the world will be calling and texting Christmas greetings, and cellphones will be extraordinarily busy during…
Lucio Co group to acquire Villar-owned PrimeWater in full buyout
Left to right: Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr., founder of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. (Photo from Manny Villar’s official Facebook page), and Lucio Co, founder and chair of Puregold Price Club Inc….