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Friday, January 10, 2025
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Vic Sotto files 19 counts of cyber libel vs director Darryl Yap

By Iza Iglesias and Francis Earl Cueto

HEADLINES: BARMM at highest risk of poll violence | January 10, 2025

HEADLINES: BARMM at highest risk of poll violence | January 10, 2025

Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia and other officials of the Comelec, Department of Information and Communications Technology and Project Management iOne Pablo Yambot face the media and election observers during the data center 3 Audit, presentation and briefing held in Makati City on January 6, 2025. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

BARMM at highest risk of poll violence

By Franco Jose C. Baroña and Francisco Tuyay

comelec-20240717_Alquinto-09_004294

1,239 election hotspots identified

By Francisco Tuyay

RELIGIOUS FERVOR Thousands of Catholic devotees walk along the statue of the Black Nazarene (C) as it leaves the Quirino Grandstand in Manila following a mass during the annual religious procession on Jan. 9, 2025. PHOTO BY TED ALJIBE / AFP

Black Nazarene procession rolls as crowds swarm Manila's streets

By Agence France-Presse

BARMM at highest risk of poll violence

1,239 election hotspots identified

Black Nazarene procession rolls as crowds swarm Manila's streets

viber_image_2025-01-09_22-33-01-957

PCSO Lotto Results | January 9, 2025

Recently unearthed artifacts by the mission of Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage on display at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut's Funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Nile's West Bank, in Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. AP PHOTO

Egypt unveils ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts in Luxor

An elderly man selects vegetables at a supermarket in Beijing on January 9, 2025. AFP PHOTO

What you need to know about HMPV

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales. AFP PHOTO

Princess of Wales turns 43 with tribute from husband Prince William

4 - INFECTIOUS FAITH

WATCH: Devotees inspire priest to take part in Nazarene festivities

3 - RELIGIOUS TRADITION (1)

WATCH: Catholics attend mass at Quiapo Church for Feast of Black Nazarene

Kai Sotto PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

Cone 'heartbroken' with Sotto's ACL injury

From left: Carlo Biado, Rubilen Amit and Johann Chua PHOTO FROM AMIT’S FB PAGE

Amit, Biado lead PSA Major Awardees

FIVB Executive Vice President and AVC and AVC president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and Japan Minister and Consul General Takahiro Hanada with Alas Pilipinas members Thea Gagate, Dawn Catindig, Vince Lorenzo and EJ Casaña. PNVF PHOTO

Philippines, Japan strengthen volleyball partnership

NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan PBA PHOTO

NorthPort is here to win games — Tan

British singer and songwriter Rod Stewart performs during the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2022 as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. AFP PHOTO

Raspy-voiced hit machine Rod Stewart turns 80

Ma. Isabel Ongpin

Ambient Voices

'Green Bones,' the movie

By Ma. Isabel Ongpin

Stephen CuUnjieng

The Empiricist

Lessons from Thai tourism

By Stephen CuUnjieng

Rigoberto D. Tiglao

Marcos' removal of Sara from NSC: Petty egotism, treasonous and illegal

By Rigoberto D. Tiglao

Francisco S. Tatad

First Things First

A revolutionary challenge

By Francisco S. Tatad

Today's Front Page

HOLLYWOOD'S HELL

EDSA rehabilitation long overdue, but problems lie ahead

Premarital sexual relations between single adults are not immoral

By Persida Acosta

Vantage Point

A desperate fight to save Philippine democracy

By Van Ybiernas

Like a Circle

Gambling. Devil's masterpiece. Mental disorder

By Carl E. Balita

Life Plucks

For 2025, I wish that...

New Year shenanigans!

By Alvin Santos

Quad Coast Guard Exercise 2025: Strengthening regional maritime security cooperation

By Rahul Mishra

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. Photo from BSP

BUSINESS

'Too soon to declare victory'

By Niña Myka Pauline Arceo

NOT ENOUGH Akil Mitchell (25) leads Meralco with 24 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists against TNT on Jan. 7, 2025. The Bolts, however, bowed to the Tropang Giga, 99-101, in a tightly fought game. PBA PHOTO

SPORTS

Meralco, Magnolia eye bounce back win

SET FOR DESTRUCTION Workers prepare to destroy over 50 tons of confiscated fake medicines during a campaign to mark World Consumer Rights Day in China’s capital Beijing on March 15, 2012. AP FILE PHOTO

WORLD

Online pharmacies pose risks – report

By Associated Press

'Green Bones' succeeds with tight storytelling

By Karen Kunawicz

LIFESTYLE

Six emerging fashion innovators to watch in 2025

Sea of devotees floods Ayala bridge and Palanca in Quiapo Manila for a glimpse or touch of the image of the Black Nazarene during the Traslacion on Jan. 9, 2025. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

January 9, 2025

A sea of devotees surround the image of the Black Nazarene during the annual procession that started at the crack of dawn on January 9, 2025. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

SEA OF DEVOTEES

January 9, 2025

Firefighters respond to a 2nd alarm fire that razes a residential area in Tambakan, Barangay San Miguel in Pasig City on Jan. 9, 2025. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

January 9, 2025

Church caretaker Boy Reyes, 70, prepares the 50-year-old refurbished image of the Black Nazarene, which will be paraded through the streets of Mandaluyong City during its feast on Jan. 9, 2025, at the Aglipay Church, Iglesia Filipina Independiente in Mandaluyong City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

NAZARENE CARETAKER

January 9, 2025

Police and security officers man the X-ray machines at the only entrance for devotees going to the Quiapo Church on Jan. 8, 2025. The Philippine National Police have tightened the security around the Quiapo Church as it expects more devotees to flock area a day before the Feast of the Black Nazarene. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

January 8, 2025

NAZARENE WAVE
Sea of devotees floods Ayala bridge and Palanca in Quiapo Manila for a glimpse or touch of the image of the Black Nazarene during the Traslacion on Jan. 9, 2025. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Nation

Nazarene devotees swarm into Manila hoping for a miracle

(UPDATE) HUNDREDS of thousands of Catholic pilgrims swarmed the streets of Manila in search of a miracle on Thursday, straining to reach a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ in an annual display of religious fervor. The procession to Quiapo Church, which started before dawn after an open-air Mass, was expected to swell to more than 2 million participants, church officials said. Barefoot men and women in maroon shirts — the color of the robe that covers the black, wooden Jesus the Nazarene statue — scrambled to grab the rope used to draw the life-sized religious icon, believing it would

By Agence France-Presse, Franco Jose C. Baroña, Red Mendoza, Aric John Sy Cua and Javier Joe Ismael - January 10, 2025

400 foreigners arrested in raid on scam center

Hollywood ablaze as fires rage around Los Angeles

Marikina's Teodoro still on the ballot

AKAP guidelines being finalized

Go urges PhilHealth to expand benefits

A quarter of freshwater species face extinction – study

Anti-graft court's top justice named

Marcos to have virtual meeting with Biden, Japan PM

READY, AIM Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño takes aim at the target as he tests his shooting skills at the newly opened modern firing range at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Jan. 7, 2025. PHOTO BY MAHATMA RANDY DATU

P25M firing range opens at Subic Freeport

Iloilo City police get new equipment

The 2nd Howitzer Platoon, Bravo Company of the 3rd Field Artillery Battery is in Eastern Visayas to help bolster the existing firepower of the Philippine Army in its bid to totally eradicate the communist insurgency in Region 8. PHOTO COURTESY OF 8TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF PHILIPPINE ARMY

10ID soldiers test negative for drug use

Leader of group behind Capiz robbery named

Meta halt to US fact-checking worries Australia

By Agence France-Presse

COLD SEASON Pedestrians walk past high drifts of snow along a street in the city of Aomori, northern Japan, on Jan. 9, 2025. JIJI PRESS PHOTO VIA AFP

Japan hit by biggest flu outbreak in 25 years

MADDENING MONK? Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara speaks to the media at the Rukmale Sri Dharma Vijayaloka Maha Viharaya temple in the Pannipitiya suburb, outside Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, on May 23, 2019. EPA FILE PHOTO

Sri Lanka Jails Firebrand Buddhist Monk for Insulting Islam

NAVY EXERCISE Two Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats are seen during a simulated attack drill off the city of Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Jan. 9, 2025. AP PHOTO

Taiwan drill shows off sea defenses vs Chinese attack

This color infrared satellite image taken and released by Maxar Technologies on January 8, 2025 shows homes and buildings burning on East Altadena Drive during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. - At least five people have been killed in rampaging wildfires around Los Angeles, officials said on January 8, with firefighters overwhelmed by the speed and ferocity of multiple blazes. (Photo by Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/ SATELLITE IMAGE ©2025 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - THE WATERMARK MAY NOT BE REMOVED/CROPPED

Extreme weather, suburban sprawl fuel LA's wildfires

CAREFUL, CAREFUL Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a press statement at the Chancellery in the capital Berlin on Jan. 8, 2025. AFP PHOTO

European leaders warn Trump over Greenland

COUNTING THE DAYS United States President Joe Biden pauses during a photo opportunity with Medal of Valor recipients in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2025. AP FILE PHOTO

Biden: I could have defeated Trump

The seal of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) Board of Governors is seen on the Fed building in Washington, D.C., in this May 3, 2023 photo. PHOTO BY SAUL LOEB/AFP

Top Business

Trump policies raise worries for Fed execs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The reality of President-elect Donald Trump's election victory on a platform of aggressive tariffs and deportation of some immigrants landed hard at the Federal Reserve's (Fed) meeting last month, with US central bank officials raising new inflation concerns and staff suggesting the incoming administration's plans may slow economic growth and raise unemployment. Amid an otherwise sanguine outlook of continually slowing inflation, participants at the Dec. 17-18 meeting "noted that recent higher-than-expected readings on inflation, and the effects of

By Reuters - January 10, 2025

PH trade shortfall narrows in November

PSEi rebounds; peso down anew

US policy worries hit Asian currencies, stocks

Laguna hydro plant auction set for April

Standard fees eyed for digital transactions

Philippine agriculture in crisis (1)

BOI approves ICTSI's Visayas port upgrade

The quantum leap needed for a more sustainable world

Chinabank to raise P100B for expansion

Megawide, Maplecrest bag BRT contract

Foreign Business

China's consumer prices stall in 2024

Foreign Business

Indonesia raises $3.4B in bond sale

Kheith Rhynne Cruz PHOTO FROM HER FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

Sports

Cruz bags 2 table tennis bronzes in California

RISING table tennis star Kheith Rhynne Cruz bagged two bronze medals in the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Con-tender 2025 in San Francisco, California. The world's No. 33 ranked player placed third in the under-19 singles and the under-19 doubles division with Bosman Botha. Cruz made quick work of Nathalie Chan of Canada in the quarterfinals of the singles division, 11-8, 11-9 and 11-7. However, she fell short in the semis against Tashiya Piyadasa of United States in five sets, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 11-13 and 5-11. "Every setback is a setup for a comeback, and falling short only

By Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan - January 10, 2025

Golf club members withdraw case vs BCDA

Cavs win 11th in a row to end 15-game Thunder streak

Tottenham beats Liverpool in English Cup semis

Garrett to miss 2025 season after elbow surgery

NHL postpones game due to LA wildfires

Fights we want to see in 2025

Amit, Biado lead PSA Major Awardees

Philippines, Japan strengthen volleyball partnership

MAGNIFICENT SEVENMAGNIFICENT SEVEN Teresa Pilapil and her team of seven achieve remarkable growth when they opened Lyceum’s Cavite campus. Starting in 2008 with 1,526 enrollees, the Cavite campus now has over 9,000 students. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOSCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Boardroom Watch

Field of realized dreams

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Stock indices as of January 9, 2025

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Stock indices as of January 8, 2025

Leaders of Megaworld Hotels and resorts (from left) Avinash Menon, Cluster General Manager, Arturo Boncato, Jr., Group General Manager, MHR; Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director, Sonny Alvaro, Cluster General Manager and Cluster General Manager for NCR+ Mario Justo, Jr.

A Year of Wins for PH's Largest Hotel Group

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the inauguration of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector from Caloocan to España on March 27, 2023. PHOTO FROM PCO

Marcos admin cracks the knotty traffic problem

SM City Clark Lights up the sky with its annual fireworks festival. PHOTOS FROM SM GROUP

The Sky Line Fireworks Festival shines bright at SM City Clark

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino ‘Jerry’ Acuzar, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia ‘Toni’ Yulo-Loyzaga, Manila Metropolitan Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, welcome the arrival of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. with first lady Liza Marcos, followed by scale model viewing, during the ceremonial opening of Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (Pasig River Urban Development showcase area) along Riverside Drive of the Central Post Office in Manila on Jan. 17, 2024. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

DHSUD pushes disaster resiliency

ACCESSIBLE SERVICES Philippine Red Cross Quezon City Chapter Governor Ernesto Isla, SM Foundation Inc. Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs Connie Angeles, SM Investments Corp. Assistant Vice President for Livelihood and Outreach Cristie Angeles lead other PRC officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. PHOTO FROM PRC

Tmt Newswire

SM Foundation, PRC QC Chapter join hands to establish laboratory

THE year 2024 was another unforgettable year for the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Quezon City (QC) Chapter. In April, its new building was inaugurated and last December, the PRC QC Chapter inaugurated its blood center clin-ical laboratory. The blood center clinical laboratory was established through the partnership of PRC QC Chapter and SM Founda-tion. The clinical laboratory is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the PRC QC Chapter Blood Center. One of the key procedures offered at the blood center is platelet apheresis, a process that involves collecting platelet

Okada Manila welcomes year of the snake with fortune, feasts, fun

GCash, Ria to provide seamless remittance services globally

Join WeKenRun at the Home Credit Takbo #ParaSaLife

Cherry Cordless Vacuum, Blower: A must-have after the holidays

Introducing: Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria

Sun Life to bring clients to more destinations this 2025

Harley-Davidson reveals select 2025 motorcycles

Pi Sigma Delta marks 50 years of principled sisterhood

The International Series adds PH with BingoPlus to its growing global footprint

Bridging communities as a trusted 'Familyhan'

Mr.DIY recognized in the Creador Impact ESG Awards 2024

BCDA gains control of Camp John Hay

English, Science and Mathematics teachers undergo training to improve learning outcomes, and in turn for students through an eight-week learning sessions program from Jan. 16 to March 10, 2025. DEPED PHOTO

Campus Press

DepEd to train English, science, math teachers

By The Manila Times

Mariano Marcos State University is the only Philippine higher education institution to receive special recognition at the Sustainable Energy Awards 2024 from the Department of Energy for its contributions to sustainable energy development during the awarding ceremony at the Makati Diamond Residences on Dec. 12, 2024. MMSU PHOTO

MMSU only HEI recognized at Sustainable Energy Awards 2024

The Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, in collaboration with the Central Luzon State University, spearheads the Introductory Training on Agri-Robotics at Tarlac Agricultural University's Farmer's Training Center to inspire students and faculty to leverage technology in advancing agriculture in the Philippines from Dec. 2 to 4, 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Searca, CLSU introduce agri-robotics to TAU

German Agricultural Scientist Enno Bahrs (center) recently presented this research project at Searca Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. At his left is Searca Director Glenn Gregorio. SEARCA PHOTO

Agribusiness

Project explores alternative cropping

By Leander C. Domingo

John Deere launches autonomous models

The Rocket 2.0 platform of Full Nature Farms is powered by the proprietary Adams 3.0 controller, proven reliable through numerous successful deployments. It ensures seamless performance, giving farmers precise control. FULL NATURE FARMS PHOTO

Full Nature Farms unveils new irrigation platform

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Investigative thriller 'Unmasked' preems Jan. 15

'The White Lotus' season 3 debuts Feb. 17

Fans eagerly await 'The Last of Us' season two

First Lady Liza Marcos attends 'Green Bones' special screening

'Wicked' tops SAG Awards nominations as many big names are snubbed

Martin and Pops — the magic continues in 'Always & Forever'

Ryan Cayabyab Awards to honor Celeste Legaspi, Odette Quesada

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100 years of Pitoy Moreno

Penshoppe group names Alice Liu as CEO, Bernie Liu as executive chairman

A most classy New Year

Have a blockbuster New Year!

Mocha Mousse on fashion, beauty, interior and design

A night of diplomacy at the 49th annual Consular Ball

10 mental health tips for the holiday season

Le Charmé Suites - Subic hosts a Venetian Masquerade Ball. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The Sunday Times Magazine

Unmask the rebirth: NYE Masquerade Ball at Le Charmé Suites – Subic

January 8, 2025

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PH modernism and contemporary arts trailblazers

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Eating and drinking toward wellness in 2025

Dipolog Boulevard is a scenic coastal promenade that stretches over 1.6 kilometers. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBIBO VIA UNIQUECORNPR

Dipolog City — an underrated travel destination

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Globe joins global call for action on World Food Day for action on World Food Day

The Manila Times CSI

UNDP Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PHOTO COURTESY OF UNDP PHILIPPINES

Expats & Diplomats

UNDP, Australia, NEDA lead 11th Monitoring and Evaluation Forum

Stock Watch

Stock indices as of January 9, 2025

Fast Times

Dodge unveils limited-run Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI

Maritime

IMO chief: Seafarer's safety priority in 2025

By Yashika F. Torib - January 8, 2025

WAVE PROTECTION The wave return feature redirects water back into the bay, providing protection from high waves. PHOTO FROM SM

Build & Design

SM Mall of Asia Complex: A benchmark in resilience and innovation

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (center) with leaders of partner organizations during the launch. PHOTOS FROM DENR

Green Industries

P100M to save the PH's six most endangered species

By Cora Llamas - January 4, 2025

English, Science and Mathematics teachers undergo training to improve learning outcomes, and in turn for students through an eight-week learning sessions program from Jan. 16 to March 10, 2025. DEPED PHOTO

Campus Press

DepEd to train English, science, math teachers

By The Manila Times - January 9, 2025

MAGNIFICENT SEVENMAGNIFICENT SEVEN Teresa Pilapil and her team of seven achieve remarkable growth when they opened Lyceum’s Cavite campus. Starting in 2008 with 1,526 enrollees, the Cavite campus now has over 9,000 students. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOSCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Boardroom Watch

Field of realized dreams

By T. Aviles - January 10, 2025

German Agricultural Scientist Enno Bahrs (center) recently presented this research project at Searca Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. At his left is Searca Director Glenn Gregorio. SEARCA PHOTO

Agribusiness

Project explores alternative cropping

By Leander C. Domingo - January 9, 2025