Month: December 2025
Welcoming The New Year: Faith Behind Our Traditions
Filipino New Year traditions may look playful—noise, fruits, coins, jumping at midnight—but beneath them is a deep, biblical longing: the desire for blessing, protection, and a future shaped by hope rather than fear. The Bible tells us that such longing is not superstition—it is human. “He has set eternity in the human heart.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
EXPLAINER: Why Marcos Jr. Isn’t Worried About His Falling Ratings
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval ratings dipped toward the end of 2024, but Malacañang says he remains unfazed. Why? Because the Palace believes the decline is tied to his decision to investigate anomalous flood control projects—a move officials insist is necessary, even if unpopular. Here’s what you need to know: What the survey says According
Bottled Water Drinkers Ingest Up To 90,000 More Microplastics Yearly — Study
People who rely on bottled water consume more than 90,000 additional microplastic particles a year compared with those who drink tap water, according to a new review of scientific studies that warns of potentially serious health risks. The review, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, found that the average person ingests 39,000 to 52,000
Why More American Pastors Are Using AI — And Why It’s Raising Questions
American pastors are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to support their ministry work, according to a 2025 survey by AI company Exponential. But as AI use grows inside churches, so do concerns about where assistance ends — and outsourcing begins. How widespread is AI use in churches? The 2025 State of AI in the
EXPLAINER: What Really Happened To Ipil’s ₱30-Million Unused Medical Equipment?
Some quarters raised the question over ₱30 million worth of idle medical equipment in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. But records and statements from local officials suggest the issue is rooted less in local procurement decisions — and more of an issue of top-down government approach that has plagued governance in the Philippines for so long. What
OPINION: When Land Is Given Away, So Is The Future
Vice Mayor Amy Olegario’s words during the Sangguniang Bayan deliberation were striking not because they were dramatic, but because they were restrained. “But since you are in the majority, I would like to manifest my opposition to the move to grant the request of the provincial government.” It was a quiet dissent — and precisely
Will Earth Really Shift to 25-Hour Days? What Science Actually Says
Claims that Earth will soon shift from 24-hour days to 25-hour days have gone viral online. But what does science actually say? Recent articles circulating on social media suggest that Earth is on the brink of abandoning the familiar 24-hour day, sparking confusion and alarm. The claim, while rooted in real science, leaves out crucial
EXPLAINER: Ipil Donates Land To The Province And Why It Matters
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — The Sangguniang Bayan of Ipil has approved the motion to donate a 15-hectare parcel of municipally owned land near the provincial capitol to the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial government. It has triggered questions about development priorities and the town’s bid for cityhood. What is the issue? The local government of Ipil approved
EXPLAINER: Why Agusan Marsh Matters To Mindanao – And Why It’s Under Threat
MANILA, Philippines – Often described as Mindanao’s natural sponge, the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the Philippines’ largest and most important wetlands. But despite its protected status, the marsh faces growing pressure from development, land conversion, and climate change. Here’s what to know about Agusan Marsh, why it matters, and what’s at stake
Tawi-Tawi emerging as BARMM’s ‘new investment frontier’
COTABATO CITY — Business leaders and regional officials are increasingly pointing to Tawi-Tawi as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) “new investment frontier,” citing sustained peace, political stability, and its strategic proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia. Tawi-Tawi, an island province composed of 11 municipalities, lies at the southernmost edge of the Philippines and
FACT CHECK: No, China Did Not Grant Asylum To Rodrigo Duterte
Social media posts and a widely shared SMNI News Channel graphic claim that China has granted asylum to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte amid developments related to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Rating: FALSE Why this is false There is no evidence that China granted asylum to Rodrigo Duterte. In fact, both Chinese and Philippine
Is The West Breaking Apart? Europe Questions Alliance With The US
For nearly 80 years, the alliance between the United States and Europe served as the backbone of the global order. Forged after World War II, it rested on shared commitments to democracy, freedom, and collective security—deterring major wars, defeating communism, and anchoring decades of economic growth. In 2025, that foundation is visibly cracking. European leaders
