The number remains short of the 2019 recorded levels prior to the pandemic, but the Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed optimism for 2026 as the country anticipates an increase in the Chinese market with the recently resumed e-Visa for China.

Data showed that China ranked sixth in tourist arrivals with 262,144, behind South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada – a performance, the DOT said, was “largely influenced by visa disruptions, security perceptions, and limited air connectivity.”

Tourism Attaché to China Ireneo Reyes said the reintroduction of the Philippine e-Visa in November marks a critical step toward restoring confidence and easing travel for Chinese tourists, with stronger gains expected in early 2026.

“The e-Visa resumption is a critical step forward and a clear signal that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to welcome our Chinese friends,” he said.

“While the timing meant that its full benefits could not be felt within the peak booking periods of 2025, we expect a more visible impact beginning the first quarter of 2026.”

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco earlier attributed to the suspension of e-Visa and weak Korean won the decrease in Chinese and Korean arrivals –the country’s top markets prior to the pandemic.

The DOT added that recovery was “constrained by reduced flight capacity, with China-Philippines routes operating at only about 45 percent of pre-pandemic levels,” but engagements with airlines and aviation stakeholders are ongoing “to gradually restore routes and seat capacity.”

“The Department is working closely with aviation and tourism stakeholders to gradually rebuild connectivity and confidence,” it said.

“With China being one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets, improving air connectivity presents a major opportunity.”

Despite budget constraints and market-specific challenges, the agency said Philippine tourism remains resilient, generating PHP3.86 trillion in receipts in 2024 and supporting 6.75 million of tourism-related job for Filipinos.

“The DOT remains optimistic that improved access, safety measures, and connectivity will drive a stronger rebound of the Chinese market and help lift overall arrival figures moving forward,” it said.PNA

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has vowed to advance more support and better livelihood for Filipino farmers and fishers in 2026 in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directives to ensure food security, affordability, and accessibility.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said additional mechanisms are in place and will be implemented starting next year.

“I just like to greet everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” he said in a year-end interview, expressing optimism for the sector in the year ahead.

“Asahan ho ninyo na (You can expect that) next year should be a bit better for everybody now na mas naka-set up na kami rito sa (that we are all set at) DA to address all the possible situations and scenarios.”

Tiu Laurel said the chief executive seeks to ensure a decent income for the sector, thus, included in the initial plans to help boost farmers’ income next year are close monitoring and coordination with rice importers to prevent oversupply of imported rice, which poses risks to the farm-gate prices of local palay (unhusked rice).

Other efforts are continuous palay buying of the National Food Authority (NFA) from local farmers for the national rice buffer stock and to support the massive and accelerated PHP20 per kilogram rice sale under the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na next year, operationalization of DA’s command center, expansion of Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP), and the construction or launching of farm-to-market roads (FMRs), food hubs, cold storage, rice processing facilities, and deep water ports, among others.

“Ang tanging hangad ng ating pangulo at ng DA ay maayos ang ating kabuhayan at kumita kayo ng maayos (Our president and the DA just want to ensure a stable livelihood and for you to earn decently),” Tiu Laurel said.PNA

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In BBM VLOG 275: Christmas 2025, the President wished Filipinos a peaceful and happy holiday with their families and loved ones.

Marcos Jr. cautioned against overeating during Christmas gatherings, noting reports of increased heart attack cases during the season.

He also urged motorists to drive carefully amid the holiday rush.

The Chief Executive further advised the public to avoid fireworks during New Year celebrations and instead use safer alternatives like toy trumpets, citing the Department of Health’s annual record of hundreds of fireworks-related injuries nationwide.IMT

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Inflation, or the rate of increase in the prices of basic goods and services, in Iloilo City accelerated to 2.3 percent last month from 1.9 percent in October.

The city’s latest inflation remained higher than both the Western Visayas regional rate and the national rate of 1.0 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.

The PSA attributed the uptrend to faster year-on-year increases in key commodity groups.

The largest contributor to the acceleration was Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, which rose from 0.9 percent to 1.7 percent, accounting for the majority share (52.2%) of the overall inflation trend.

Other commodity groups that contributed to the rise in inflation were: Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, which increased from 1.4 percent to 2.0 percent (28.5% share to trend); Transport, which jumped from 1.0 percent to 2.1 percent (17.6% share to trend); Clothing and Footwear, which rose slightly from 1.2 percent to 1.4 percent (1.5% share to trend); and Recreation, Sport and Culture, which increased from 3.5 percent to 3.7 percent (0.3% share to trend).

In the province, inflation also quickened to 1.5 percent in November from 1.4 percent in October.

The slight uptrend was mainly influenced by faster year-on-year increases in several commodity and service groups, the PSA said.

Restaurants and Accommodation Services remained the largest contributor to the inflation trend, accounting for 45.3 percent of the overall uptrend. The group’s inflation rate accelerated to 16.5 percent  from 12.7 percent.

Transport was the second major contributor, with a 25.9 percent share in the inflation trend. Its inflation rate rose to 3.5 percent from 2.7 percent.

Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages followed, contributing 14.4 percent to the inflation trend. Its inflation rate slightly improved to -1.1 percent, compared with -1.2 percent. IMT

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The President joked about the questions he received, then reminded Filipinos to appreciate the thought behind gifts, saying presents may be passed on to others who could benefit more.

On holiday food, Marcos Jr. quipped that Christmas is a time to enjoy, advising hosts to prepare plenty of food so guests can even take some home.

He also joked about comments on weight gain from relatives and shared playful responses, drawing laughter from viewers.

“Madaling sagutin ‘yan. ‘Uy, tumaba ka!’ ‘Oo nga eh. Ikaw din,” according to him.

Joined by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, Marcos Jr. also answered questions on inaanak obligations, suggesting digital cash gifts, and shared his go-to potluck dish—spaghetti—before wishing Filipinos a happy and peaceful Christmas with family and friends.IMT

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Studies have long shown that having access to a weapon increases a person’s likelihood of acting on aggressive impulses. The psychology is simple: the presence of a gun doesn’t just make someone capable of violence — it often makes them feel entitled to exercise it. In traffic, where tempers run high and egos are fragile, that entitlement becomes explosive.

Of course, not every act of road rage involves a gun. A steering wheel-lock, a tire iron, or even a baseball bat can be weaponized in the heat of the moment. Many of these are carried “just in case” or under the pretext of sports or utility. But anger does not care about intent. When rage takes over, tools become weapons — and every car becomes a potential crime scene.

To understand where we went wrong, we need to talk about our current gun laws. In the Philippines, a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) allows a civilian to legally own a gun — but only within the confines of their home. To carry it outside, a separate document is required: the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR). That’s the law. And no, your car is not legally an extension of your home, as some would like to believe.

This distinction is not trivial. It is the legal firewall between a responsible gun owner and a potential vigilante on wheels. And yet, we still see incidents where firearms are drawn — or worse, discharged — in traffic disputes. The time has come to re-examine whether PTCFORs still serve the public good or if they have become a liability in our current environment.

Instead of another Technical Working Group (TWG), which tends to meet quietly and submit recommendations that rarely make headlines, I propose something stronger and more visible: a Cabinet Cluster for Civilian Safety and Conflict Prevention.

This new Cabinet Cluster should bring together the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Just like the existing Security, Justice and Peace Cluster, this new formation would focus specifically on interpersonal conflict and preventive safety, both in public and private spaces.

The MMDA and UP National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) should serve as research and operational arms of the cluster. The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), along with leading behavioral scientists, should be tapped as advisers to address the psychological dimensions of rage and aggression.

Here are the key issues this Cabinet Cluster must address:

1. PTCFOR Policy Review
Should civilians still be allowed to carry firearms in public spaces, including vehicles? If so, under what conditions? The cluster should push for a thorough policy audit and, if necessary, propose new legislation to amend or limit PTCFOR privileges.

2. Behavioral Assessment for Drivers and Gun Owners
Mandatory anger management programs for traffic offenders and stricter psychological evaluations for both gun permit applicants and public utility drivers must be considered. This isn’t about punishment — it’s about prevention.

3. Public Education and Awareness
We need a massive information campaign to educate the public about existing laws. Many citizens genuinely don’t know the legal boundaries of gun ownership and transport. Education is the first line of defense.

4. Digital Reporting and Monitoring
The DICT can develop mobile apps that allow real-time reporting of road rage and firearm incidents, directly feeding into a national safety database. We already have CCTV and dash cams — now we need coordination.

5. Insurance and Licensing Reform
Make road rage a factor in insurance premiums and license renewal. If people knew that a temper tantrum behind the wheel could cost them more than a fine, they might think twice before acting out.

Let’s be clear: I am not calling for a gun ban. Responsible citizens deserve the right to defend their homes. But the privilege to carry that responsibility into the streets must be weighed against the right of the public to move safely without fear of being shot over a fender bender.

This is not an abstract issue. This is a daily risk faced by ordinary Filipinos every time they get on the road. We cannot legislate away anger. But we can — and must — create systems that prevent it from turning deadly.

Our laws on guns and our attitudes about driving are overdue for a collision of their own. Let’s make sure it’s the productive kind — not the tragic one.

Let us build a society where anger doesn’t travel with a loaded weapon. Let’s steer our policies — and our drivers — toward a safer future.

The post Guns, cars, and anger: time for new Cabinet cluster first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Let us be honest from the start. A country of more than 115 million people should not feel comfortable finishing sixth out of eleven, especially when we once aimed higher. Pretending that nothing is wrong doesn’t benefit anyone who practices every day or works to make the sports program better. Missing our goals is a warning flag, and ignoring it simply makes things harder for our athletes and coaches.

Expectations matter. Standards matter. When officials frame middling finishes as unqualified success, the risk is not optimism but complacency. We all know this well: praising effort without addressing gaps does not help a struggling student improve. The same applies to national sports. Accountability is not ingratitude; it is care with a spine.

And yet, to stop at ranking is to miss what actually unfolded on the tracks, courts, mats, pools, boards, and fields across Bangkok and Chonburi. This was not a delegation chasing easy golds or padding the tally through niche host-favored events. In many ways, this was a delegation that announced arrival rather than dominance. We did not win the most medals, but we won some of the most disruptive ones—victories that cracked long-standing regional monopolies and challenged assumptions about where Pinoys are “supposed” to excel. That distinction matters more than it seems, especially for a developing sports system trying to mature rather than merely inflate.

Consider the moments that cut through the noise. Women’s football finally delivered a historic SEA Games gold, not as a fluke, but as the continuation of a steady climb that began long before the World Cup spotlight arrived. It was not just a win; it was a rewriting of limits placed on Filipinas in a sport long dominated by neighbors with deeper leagues and stronger pipelines. Women’s beach volleyball did something similar, breaking through a ceiling reinforced for years by Thailand and Indonesia. These were not just medals won; they were doors forced open, the kind that stay open for those who follow.

Basketball, our most scrutinized sporting faith, offered its own complicated lesson. Gilas Pilipinas defended the men’s gold under conditions that tested preparation, eligibility, and composure, while Gilas Women reclaimed their crown with the calm authority of a program that has learned to grow quietly and deliberately. The wins were not pretty. They were not overwhelming. They were disciplined, strategic, and earned under pressure. For many of us, the parallel is obvious. Progress rarely happens under perfect conditions; it comes from clarity, flexibility, and steady adjustment when the rules change midstream.

That patience was visible in individual wins that felt bigger than the medal itself. Alex Eala ending a 26-year drought in women’s singles was not just a personal triumph, but a statement of arrival for Philippine tennis. EJ Obiena’s fourth straight pole vault gold, possibly his last at this level, carried the quiet weight of sustained excellence rather than novelty. Kayla Sanchez’s haul—three golds and five silvers—came against Southeast Asia’s traditional swimming powers, not around them. These athletes did not merely show up; they stood ground where we have historically struggled to stand at all.

What made this SEA Games different was not just who won, but how wide the circle of winning became. Rookies like Hussein Loraña in the 800 meters and Justin Kobe Macario in taekwondo freestyle poomsae did not look overwhelmed by the stage. Triathlon delivered a sweep of relay events through a mix of men and women, signaling depth rather than dependence on singular stars. Even in less televised disciplines—modern pentathlon, muay thai, skateboarding, practical shooting—the Philippines claimed golds that usually go unnoticed until someone asks why they were never supported earlier. These wins did not come from excess funding or home advantage. They came from athletes who learned to compete without guarantees.

This is where the conversation must mature. The SEA Games have always been uneven terrain, shaped heavily by host preferences and shifting event lists. That reality is well documented and widely acknowledged in regional sports literature. It explains inconsistency, but it should not excuse stagnation. What this edition revealed is not that the Philippines is declining across the board, but that our success is increasingly concentrated in programs that have embraced long-term development, athlete welfare, and international exposure. Where those elements exist, medals follow. Where they do not, potential stalls.

For Filipino teachers, especially those coaching school teams on borrowed courts and improvised fields, this feels painfully familiar. Talent is rarely the problem. Continuity is. Systems that depend on bursts of attention rather than sustained care produce occasional brilliance, then long silences. The SEA Games results underline this truth without sermonizing. They show what happens when preparation is patient, when athletes are trusted to grow, and when success is defined not only by podium count but by progress against stronger opposition.

So yes, sixth place should bother us. It should trigger hard questions about funding distribution, grassroots reach, coaching pathways, and the uneasy relationship between politics and sports administration. But it should not erase what these athletes accomplished. The danger lies in swinging between blind celebration and habitual self-flagellation, both of which absolve us from doing the harder work of building something that lasts. Sustainable sports development is not glamorous. It looks like boring meetings, long timelines, and investments that will not trend online. But it is the only way medals stop being surprises and start becoming expectations.

In the end, the 50 golds from Thailand feel “sweet” not because they hide the shortcomings, but because they reveal what is possible when our athletes are allowed to compete on terms that reward preparation over privilege. They remind us that success worth keeping is often quieter, harder earned, and less convenient to summarize in rankings. If the lesson of this SEA Games is taken seriously, then sixth place will not be remembered as a fall, but as a checkpoint—a moment when the country chose to look clearly at itself, grateful for what was achieved, unsatisfied with what remains undone, and finally willing to support Philippine sport beyond popularity, beyond slogans, and beyond the comfort of familiar victories

Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.

The post When placing sixth matters first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

From all indications, she appeared to have committed suicide.

Was there a foul play? No one saw what happened, thus I prefer to believe based on my long years as a community journalist where I also covered many cases involving murder and suicide, that Cabral, who was embroiled in the titanic flood control project scandal, ended her own life.

Those who heavily tilt their belief on the bizarre angle of murder (or her death was a case of homicide and made to appear as suicide) without a shred of evidence may continue to sustain that theory until confronted and proven wrong by solid facts.

In any crime, it is favorable to pursue multiple angles to ensure the quick and proper resolution of the case.
 
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On the other hand, there’s strong reason to believe Cabral decided to kill herself, or she was capable of ending her own life.

First, she faced doomsday as one of the alleged chief architects of the biggest ever graft and corruption scandal in the Philippines, and there’s no escape other than a collision course against a brick wall of damning pieces of evidence—both testimonial and circumstantial.

Second, she must’ve ran out of options and detested the thought of going to jail once formal charges have been filed against her and her cohorts with no bail recommended like what happened to Sarah Discaya, et al.

The thought of suddenly falling to the doghouse from the bed of roses in one fell swoop must be excruciating.

Third, if she’s guilt-stricken, Cabral’s conscience must’ve bothered her so much that her rationality was greatly compromised—after nights of struggling and thinking flexibly to see an end to emotional and mental pain and a life worth living.

Anybody—or if I were in her position, I would have done the same thing—only if I knew I was guilty as hell.

In Keeper of the Lost Cities, Shannon Messenger remarked, “I would rather be punished for making the right decision than live with the guilt of making the wrong one for the rest of my life.”
 
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Let’s not underestimate the power of guilt to destroy. Let’s not ignore the pain of dealing with a heavily burdened conscience.

Our conscience plays an indispensable role in giving an awareness of our moral duties and facilitating moral reflection.

It is our inner moral compass, guiding us to discern right from wrong, motivating us to act ethically, and fostering self-awareness, integrity, and inner peace, preventing guilt and promoting authentic living by aligning actions with our deepest values, even when it’s difficult.

That’s why there is always a need to reduce, not increase, the burden on those who struggle with thoughts of suicide. Breaking down stigma is a key to opening conversations, getting help and emerging from those struggles.

It may help if we commit to viewing people in emotional crisis similarly to those with a physical injury–with care, compassion and a plan for recovery.
 
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BODY SHAPE COUNTS. In a study of over 400 undergraduates, researchers at Florida Atlantic University found strong correlations among the students’ levels of sexual satisfaction, self-consciousness-about their bodies, and satisfaction with their bodies. Muscular guys were the most sexually satisfied; body weight was key for women.

BUT SHE’S NOT IMPRESSED. Tough guys don’t wow women. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows that women find a man more appealing if he walks away from a jerk instead of responding aggressively.

NEW HPV THREAT. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, has long been linked to cervical cancer in women. New research in the journal Head & Neck reveals that in the United States, HPV may also be the most common cause of cancer of the tonsil and base of the tongue. The cancer is starting to appear more in younger men and in nonsmokers; the shift may be associated with high-risk behaviors.

TWILIGHT INSIGHT AND OUR YOUNGSTERS. Why are teens fascinated by these fanged creatures? “Vampires are alluring. They’re neither completely human nor dead; they don’t belong in either world. Teenagers identify with them because they often feel like outsiders, too, as they transition from childhood into adulthood,” says Dr. Kathy Ramsland, author of The Science of Vampires.

Alex P. Vidal, who is now based New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed

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In the latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor, Filipinos were asked to imagine themselves as Santa this Christmas and name which of the 24 sitting senators they would place on their “naughty” or “nice” list. Respondents were asked to identify as many names as they could.

‘Nice’ list of senators

When asked who among the senators they would place on their “nice” list, Sen. Raffy Tulfo emerged on top, with nearly half of Filipinos saying they would put him on their ‘nice’ list (47%). He was followed by Sen. Bong Go (37%) and Sen. Robin Padilla (33%).

The other senators who were also in the ‘nice’ list include Sen. Erwin Tulfo (27%), Sen. Tito Sotto (23%), Sen. Rodante Marcoleta (21%), Sen. Bam Aquino (20%), Sen. Bato dela Rosa (18%), Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (17%), and Sen. Risa Hontiveros (16%), all within the Top 10.

At the bottom of the “nice” list was Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, with only 5% of respondents citing him as “nice”.

‘Nice’ list by factional partisanship

Sen. Raffy Tulfo tops the “nice” list among Marcos supporters, with 56% citing him. He is followed by Sen. Sotto (40%), Sen. Go (36%), Sen. Erwin Tulfo (32%), and Sen. Lacson (27%).

Sen. Raffy Tulfo only ranked third among the ‘nice’ list of Duterte supporters (43%), following Sen. Go (60%) and Sen. Padilla (55%) who ranked first and second, respectively. Sen. Dela Rosa (36%) and Sen. Marcoleta (34%) were also identified in the list.

Meanwhile, Opposition supporters placed Sen. Aquino and Sen. Pangilinan highest on their “nice” list, with both receiving 42%. They are followed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo (41%), Sen. Hontiveros (37%), and Sen. Erwin Tulfo (28%).

Sen. Raffy Tulfo also emerged in the ‘nice’ list of independents (50%), followed by Sen. Erwin Tulfo (28%), Sen. Go (26%), Sen. Padilla (24%), and Sen. Aquino (23%).

‘Naughty’ list of senators

Respondents were also asked who among the senators they would place on their “naughty” list. Sen. Estrada topped the list, with 35% of Filipinos citing him as ‘naughty’. He is followed by Sen. Marcos (27%), Sen. Dela Rosa (25%), Sen. Sotto (25%), and Sen. Lacson (19%).

Other senators who were also cited in the “naughty” list include Sen. Hontiveros (18%), Sen. Escudero (18%), Sen. Villanueva (17%), Sen. Padilla (15%), and Sen. Go (15%).

At the bottom of the naughty list was Sen. Pia Cayetano, with only 6% saying they regard her as
“naughty”.

‘Naughty’ list by factional partisanship

Sen. Estrada tops the “naughty” list for Marcos supporters (42%) while other senators tagged as “naughty” by Marcos backers include Sen. Dela Rosa (33%), Sen. Imee Marcos (32%), Sen. Escudero (31%), and Sen. Padilla (31%).

Independents also identified Sen. Estrada on top of their ‘naughty’ list (35%), including Sen. Dela Rosa (32%), Sen. Marcos (25%), Sen. Sotto (20%), and Sen. Go (20%).

Sen. Estrada is second on the “naughty” list for Duterte supporters, trailing Sen. Sotto, who tops the list at 41%. Other ‘naughty’ senators among Duterte supporters include Sen. Lacson (29%), Sen. Hontiveros (27%), and Sen. Marcos (21%).

Meanwhile, Sen. Marcos emerged on the ‘naughty’ list of Opposition supporters (41%), followed by Sen. Estrada (39%), Sen. Dela Rosa (35%), Sen. Villanueva (26%), and Sen. Marcoleta (25%).

The nationwide survey, conducted from Nov. 21-28, was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,412 Filipinos residing in the Philippines, at a ±3% margin of error and 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±4% for the rest of Luzon, ±6% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.

The post Tulfo, Go lead ‘nice list’ of senators; Estrada, Marcos top ‘naughty list’ — survey first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

According to Tulfo, educating Filipinos with accurate, evidence-based information will strengthen national unity and empower citizens to defend the country’s maritime rights.

“We cannot be idle while our fellowmen guarding the WPS, especially our fisherfolk, continue to be hurt. We have to be informed about our rights and the policies that must be complied with. What’s ours is ours,” he said.

SBN 1625 directs the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, in coordination with agencies such as National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the National Security Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs to develop standardized learning materials, train teachers, and provide accessible digital and community-based resources.

It also calls for a nationwide information campaign and research to boost public awareness of Philippine maritime rights, marine ecosystem protection, and informed discourse on WPS issues.IMT

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