A COMPETITION REVOLVING around the nativity scene or belen is helping boost the economy and tourism of the province of Tarlac, the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Inc. said.“Belenismo sa Tarlac has boosted Tarlac’s tourism and economy, establishing the province as a renowned tourist destination,” the foundation

BW FILE PHOTOTHE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to require the registration of cryptocurrency asset service providers to boost investor protection.Under draft rules issued on Dec. 20, applicants must be a SEC-registered stock corporation, have at least four staff members living in the Philippines and

FREEPIKPhilippine politics will, over the next few weeks, gradually transition from the political battle between the administration and Vice-President Sara Duterte to the May 2025 midterm elections — which is also a mini-proxy war between the two sides for senate seats, but it is less

ACTION, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, musical, romance, and thriller are just some of the many genres offered at this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), it runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2025.The film festival celebrates

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTOTHE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will issue new zoning rules for areas affected by outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) by January.“Our direction is that we will change our coding system. Previously it was color codes,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu

ACEN CORP. is earmarking about  P70 billion for its capital expenditure (capex) budget next year.“In 2025, we expect to spend roughly P70 billion,” ACEN President and Chief Executive Officer Eric T. Francia told reporters last week.Ayala Corp.’s listed energy unit set a capex budget of

BW FILE PHOTOThe proposed 2025 budget is drawing flak. Healthcare advocates are particularly riled, claiming that the budget is illegally siphoning money away from the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, established under Republic Act No. 11223 and funneled to dole-out programs that promote patronage politics.

JBL PARTYBOX 320JBL’S year-end gathering, the Unleash & Grand Thanksgiving Party on Dec. 10 at the EDSA Shangri-la, also served as JBL’s last product launch this year.Larry Secreto, country manager for Harman Philippines said in a mix of English and Filipino, “There are people asking

BW FILE PHOTOTHE PESO could slide to the P59-per-dollar level anew this week amid signals of fewer rate cuts from both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the US Federal Reserve.The peso closed at P58.81 versus the dollar on Friday, strengthening by 19 centavos

REUTERSTHE Philippine food services industry is projected to grow 12% next year as store networks and foot traffic expand, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).“Reaching pre-pandemic levels in 2025, FAS Manila sees continued food service sales growth at 12%

WIKIMEDIA.ORGFAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY, Inc. (FEU) has renewed its partnership with Lopez-led First Gen Corp. for the direct supply of electricity for its campuses.In a statement on Sunday, the listed university said First Gen would supply 600 kilowatts (kW) of electricity to the FEU Alabang campus

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS“Let’s sing Merry Christmas, and a happy holiday…” Almost playfully, many Filipinos sing to pop composer/singer Jose Mari Chan’s song “Christmas in Our Hearts” as early as September (the start of the months ending in “-ber”), in cheerful anticipation of Christmas Day, Dec. 25