General

Fire destroyed several structures in two separate incidents in southern and central Cebu over the weekend, with authorities investigating possible arson in both cases, including a blaze in Mandaue City that left at least 20 houses damaged. In Barili town, nine firecracker stalls were razed by fire shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Sitio Estaca, Barangay Minolos. The stalls were part of a cluster of temporary […]

Cebuano officials, members of uniformed services, and civic groups commemorated the 129th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, using the occasion to call for renewed action against corruption, public apathy, and the erosion of moral values. The Rizal Day rites were held on December 30 in Cebu City, where participants honored the national hero’s life and sacrifice through a wreath-laying ceremony and messages reflecting on the relevance of […]

All 18 passengers aboard a motorized banca were safely rescued after the vessel capsized in waters off Gilutungan Island in Cordova, Cebu, on Sunday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The motor banca Jhon David was traveling from Getafe, Bohol to Cebu City when it reportedly became unstable and overturned near Gilutungan Island. Authorities did not immediately disclose the cause of the incident. Personnel from the Coast Guard Sub-Station […]

The Cebu City Council has approved a new ordinance imposing stricter regulations on public attire, penalizing individuals who appear half-naked or wear indecent clothing in public spaces, with fines reaching up to P5,000 and possible imprisonment for repeat violations. The Public Decency and Attire Ordinance of the City of Cebu was passed on third and final reading on Nov. 26, following months of deliberations aimed at promoting what lawmakers described […]

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is expected to spend both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day without family visits as a result of holiday visitation restrictions imposed by the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he remains under detention in The Hague, Netherlands. According to his daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, the ICC’s visitation rules during the holiday period prevent family members from seeing detainees on major holidays, including Christmas and New […]

Renowned Filipino engineer and technology innovator Diosdado “Dado” Banatao has died at the age of 79, his family confirmed. Banatao passed away on Christmas Day due to complications from a neurological disorder while in Stanford, California, according to a statement released by his family on Friday. “We are mourning his loss, but take comfort from the time spent with him during this Christmas season, and that his fight with this […]

As Cebu prepares to welcome another year, one of its most iconic landmarks is setting the stage for a celebration that blends nostalgia, elegance, and a sweeping view of the city skyline. TOPS, long known as Cebu’s premier mountain destination, has announced its 2026 New Year Grand Countdown Dinner Gala, a special event happening on December 31, 2025, in partnership with BDO. The collaboration marks the first time TOPS and […]

Sixteen families displaced by Typhoon Tino have been relocated to permanent housing at the Bayanihan Village of Pasilong sa Paradise in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, days before Christmas, the city government said. According to the Mandaue City Public Affairs Office, the families formally transferred to their new homes on December 23, 2025, ending weeks of stay in evacuation centers in Barangays Alang-Alang and Umapad. The families lost their houses after […]

About 100 Filipinos who remain trapped in scam hubs in Cambodia are unlikely to be rescued in time to return home for Christmas, as authorities continue to face significant challenges in extracting victims from tightly guarded compounds. Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille Mayo said the rescue operations have been hampered by strict security measures imposed by operators of scam centers, many of which are located in remote or […]