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…
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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….
Simbang Gabi: a Filipino tradition of faith and discipline
A parish church illuminated for Simbang Gabi shown alongside vendor stalls offering traditional Filipino holiday fare, bibingka baked in clay pots and puto bumbóng steamed in bamboo, rituals that come…
Zsa Zsa Padilla returns Aliw lifetime honor after ceremony protocol dispute
Singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla. “Instead of feeling honored, I was left feeling small,” the veteran performer said in explaining her decision to return her Aliw Awards Lifetime Achievement honor…
Bondi attack investigation focuses on Islamic State ideology and suspects’ travel to Mindanao
An aerial view of Bondi Beach in Sydney, where Australian authorities are investigating a deadly December 14 attack classified as terrorism. Photo credit: Nick Ang / Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) …
How I Turn Holiday Leftovers into Something Delicious and Good for California
By Chef Billy Ngo, Restaurateur The holidays are all about tradition, family, and food. As a chef, I see cooking as one of the most meaningful ways to show love….
Miss Universe shifts operations from Mexico to New York following CEO’s exit
Mario Búcaro, who concluded his tenure as chief executive officer of the Miss Universe Organization following a brief appointment in late 2025. Photo attribution: Official government portrait / Ministry of Foreign Affairs…
Why the Philippines still needs an anti-dynasty law
Original copies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, including signed documents from the Constitutional Commission, displayed under glass. The charter mandates Congress to regulate political dynasties, a provision that remains unenacted nearly…
Judgment changes may precede memory loss in early Alzheimer’s, health agencies say
Health officials say impaired decision-making and poor judgment can appear before memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, underscoring the need to distinguish isolated mistakes from persistent patterns that affect daily life….
Senate blocks Democratic plan to extend ACA subsidies as rival GOP proposal also fails
The U.S. Senate chamber is seen at the Capitol in Washington, where lawmakers voted on competing proposals addressing the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies on December 11,…
Holiday Recycling Checklist: Celebrate Without the Waste
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Greener Holiday Season! Make this holiday season merry, bright, and waste-free! Follow these simple steps to reduce waste, reuse what you can, and recycle right…
Marcos reflects on early reluctance to enter politics in interview with student journalists
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo courtesy of Malacañang Palace In a podcast interview with student editors, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. describes how his entry into politics evolved over time,…