About the Photo| These scenes, often displayed during the Christmas season, typically include figures of Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and animals in a stable setting, serving as a visual representation of the birth of Jesus Christ. A Season of Wonder The air crackles with anticipation. Strings of light paint the night. Carols echo through our homes and hearts. This is Christmas. But amidst the tinsel and trimmings, what truly anchors this annual phenomenon? The answer, for many, lies in a simple, profound declaration: God became human. Two Lenses on a Miracle The story of Jesus' birth, or the Nativity, is primarily revealed through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each account, like looking through a slightly different pane of glass, offers a unique perspective on the same radiant event. Matthew's...

Logo of CBSUA | 140 examinees from CBSUA graduates passed on November 2025 Licensure Examination for Agriculturist The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) is celebrating a significant victory, as 140 of its graduates successfully passed the rigorous November 2025 Licensure Examination for Agriculturist. ​In a year marked by the critical need for innovation in food production, these new professionals represent a vital infusion of talent and expertise into the country’s farms and research institutions. The results, released by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), confirm CBSUA's continued role as a powerhouse in agricultural education. ​The Numbers Tell the Story ​Nationwide, the examination saw 6,678 successful passers out of 9,742 examinees—a testament to the challeng...

Photo Credit to Getty Image | Department of Agriculture will impose a P120-per-kilo maximum suggested retail price on both red and white onions The Department of Agriculture (DA) is moving to immediately rein in the soaring cost of onions, imposing a maximum Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of P120 per kilo for both red and white varieties, effective today, December 1. The decisive move comes as the Christmas season approaches, a period typically marked by rising consumer demand, but also by what officials describe as egregious price hikes that have pushed retail costs to nearly triple normal levels. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. did not mince words when addressing the issue of escalating market prices, which recent monitoring by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) ...

Logo of Department of Agriculture| DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is urging farmers, local governments, and ordinary citizens to help monitor the Farm to Market Road project of the government The Department of Agriculture (DA) is escalating its campaign against corruption and inefficiency in rural infrastructure by announcing the imminent launch of a powerful public accountability tool: the Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) Watch. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has issued an urgent call to action, urging farmers, local government units (LGUs), and ordinary citizens to take on the role of digital site inspectors. The Secretary warns that abuses in FMR construction continue to be a severe drag on national food production and the income of Filipino farmers. Transparency is the New Pa...

AI Generated Image | A customer paying in store using Google Pay In a significant stride towards a cashless economy, Google officially launched Google Wallet and Google Pay in the Philippines on Tuesday, November 18. This major development, announced in partnership with Visa and the FinTech Alliance, fundamentally upgrades the digital payment landscape for millions of Filipino Android users, moving beyond traditional QR codes to embrace the global standard of tap-and-go convenience. Key Partnerships Unlock Digital Access The rollout immediately provides support across several leading financial institutions and platforms, allowing users to consolidate their cards and accounts onto their Android phones or Wear OS devices for secure, contactless payments. ​ Initial Bank and Issuer Partners (Total ...

Photo Courtesy of Manulife Philippines | Manulife Philippines President and CEO Rahul Hora, Chief Corporate Solutions and Alternative Distribution Officer Erwin Go, and Vice President and Head of Corporate Solutions Cheryl Asinas formalize the partnership with Social Security System President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Carlo and Executive Vice President for Investments Sector Ernesto D. Francisco, Jr. A significant move to strengthen the financial resilience of Filipino families has been made with the extension of Group Credit Life Insurance coverage to surviving spouse pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS). This initiative was formally signed by Manulife Philippines and the SSS during a ceremonial contract signing held at the SSS head office in Diliman, Quezon City. In a press rele...

Logo of Gcash| Gcash Launched Virtual US Account GCash, the most successful fintech app in the Philippines, has launched a new feature that allows users to receive US dollars from anyone in the United States—companies, OFWs, clients, or donors. This new feature, called the Virtual US Account, is powered by Meridian Payments US, which issues and maintains the account under a “for benefit of” arrangement. To create a Virtual US Account, users must be fully verified, at least 18 years old, have at least one valid Philippine ID, and maintain good GCash account standing. When opening the US bank account through the GCash app, users will be required to submit a valid ID and take a selfie for verification. Since GCash does not have full control over this service, users are encouraged to carefully read the Terms of Servic...

AI generated image | New building constructed on the slope mountain and the flooded houses down the hill Cebu City authorities and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have launched a dual investigation into "The Rise at Monterrazas," a luxury residential complex, following unprecedented flooding in Barangay Guadalupe. Local residents are linking the high-end project, which involves sculpting a hillside into a "rice terraces–like" design, to the severe flooding that occurred during Typhoon Tino. They report the floodwaters reached near-rooftop levels, a phenomenon locals say is new to the area. The official probes are focusing heavily on allegations of massive deforestation at the site. The DENR Region 7 revealed a dramatic loss of tree cover: an inventory...

Screenshot of Spaylater| Spaylater Users who tried to utilize their credit can not convert offer into cash started on the last quarter of 2025 Shopee's SPayLater is a "spend now, pay later" option available across Southeast Asia. It provides convenience and affordability for Shopee users, allowing them to buy things as easily as one click, even if they have limited cash. As users are keen to utilize this credit for various purposes, they are looking for ways to convert their SPayLater Credit into cash. ​Previously, we published an article about converting SPayLater to cash through Maya Business . However, as of the last quarter of 2025, this conversion method via QR Ph in Maya Business is no longer accepted. ​Some SPayLater users who attempted to convert credit to Maya Business have experienced this i...