Aboitiz Foods didn’t close the year with grandstanding. Instead, the regional agribusiness player wrapped it up with steady, on-the-ground action—rolling out community initiatives across the Philippines and China that underscored a quieter point: sustainably feeding Asia’s growth also means investing in the people behind the food.

EastWest Bank cardholders are now turning to contactless payments through Google Pay, which has recently become available in the Philippines for compatible Android and Wear OS devices. EastWest is among the first local banks to support the service, allowing customers to add their Visa or Mastercard credit cards to Google Wallet and pay with a simple tap of their phone.

There are beaches you visit, and then there are beaches you cancel plans for. Boracay’s White Beach is firmly the latter—and now it has the crown to prove it.

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) reminded the public to observe electrical safety as New Year celebrations draw near, warning that careless use of fireworks and overloaded electrical connections could lead to accidents and power interruptions.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has warned the public to be alert against scams involving fake airline ticket sellers and unauthorized agents posing as airline partners.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said at least 10 additional rental housing projects are set to be launched in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing rental housing as a core modality under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, according to the agency’s yearend report.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged Filipinos to celebrate Christmas and the New Year in an environmentally responsible way by reducing waste and practicing simple, eco-friendly habits.

Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, the Filipino visionary whose intellect and determination left an indelible mark on Silicon Valley, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, at the age of 79, on the campus of his alma mater, Stanford University, surrounded by family and friends.

Medicine has long warned us about smoking, drinking, and standing up too fast. Now add another hazard to the list: really good jokes.