December 2025

Sandro Muhlach sets world record with daring jump from Macau Tower

Sandro Muhlach claimed he set a world record after completing a 764-foot bungee jump from Macau Tower in Macau, China. Event staff supervised the high-altitude jump, documented it on video, and released footage through Muhlach’s social media channels. Macau Tower promotes its 233-meter (764-foot) platform as one of the highest commercial bungee jumps in the world. Independent record bodies have not publicly confirmed the “world record” claim, while Muhlach continues to highlight the feat as a major personal milestone and content feature.

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‘Alice Guo 2.0’ Joseph Sy targeted for passport cancellation, deportation

The Bureau of Immigration has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passport of mining executive Joseph Sy and has initiated deportation proceedings against him over alleged identity falsification. Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the bureau requested verification of Sy’s passport records, placed him on the immigration lookout list, and coordinated with law enforcement agencies to gather supporting documents and testimonies. The DFA will decide on the passport cancellation request, while the BI Board of Commissioners will hear the deportation case and evaluate evidence from both the bureau and Sy.

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US calls out China for aggressive actions vs Filipino fishermen in disputed water

The United States condemned the China Coast Guard for using water cannons and cutting anchor lines against Filipino fishermen near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, an incident that injured three crew members and damaged a Philippine fishing vessel. US officials, including State Department deputy spokesperson Thomas Pigott and Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, said the actions endangered lives, threatened livelihoods, and undermined regional stability. The Philippine Coast Guard released video of the encounter, assisted the injured fishers, and asserted the country’s sovereign rights in its claimed maritime zones amid ongoing tensions with China.

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Lacson urges Dizon to admit errors in DPWH budget cuts

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday in Manila urged Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to admit and correct alleged errors in the computation of cost reductions for 10,000 Department of Public Works and Highways projects in the proposed 2025 budget. Lacson warned that blaming the Senate for the adjustments could lead to a budget deadlock and delay passage of the national spending plan. He asked the DPWH to provide a detailed breakdown of the affected projects, clarify how the agency computed the reductions, and state where the miscalculations originated. He said accurate data from the DPWH is essential for the Senate to complete deliberations and avoid disruptions to next year’s infrastructure program.

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SEA Games: Alex Eala, Niño Alcantara reach mixed doubles semis

Filipino tennis players Alex Eala and Niño Alcantara advanced to the mixed doubles semifinals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Monday. The pair secured at least a bronze medal for the Philippines after defeating Singapore’s Daniel Abadia and Wei Choo, 6-4. Tournament officials confirmed all mixed doubles semifinalists will receive a minimum of bronze, adding to the Philippines’ tennis medal tally at the SEA Games.

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Zero-balance billing eyed for LGU hospitals

The Department of Health (DOH) announces a plan to expand its zero-balance billing program to local government unit (LGU) hospitals across the Philippines, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients. The DOH will coordinate with LGUs, align the program with PhilHealth and other health financing mechanisms, and issue detailed guidelines on eligibility, coverage and billing procedures. The agency will phase in implementation based on hospital readiness and available resources and will monitor compliance and impact through reporting and audits.

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‘No need to panic,’ officials say on PH citizenship concerns

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. urged Filipino-Americans to remain calm amid concerns over a proposed US law that seeks to end dual citizenship. In an official advisory, the embassy asked dual citizens not to renounce their Philippine citizenship based on unverified reports and confirmed that no immediate policy changes had taken effect. Embassy officials said they are coordinating with US authorities, monitoring the legislative process, and preparing to issue timely updates. The embassy also encouraged Filipino-Americans to seek information only from official Philippine and US government sources and to contact Philippine consular posts for assistance on citizenship-related concerns.

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Rick Carlisle on brink of 1,000 wins in NBA coaching career

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stands one win away from his 1,000th NBA regular-season coaching victory, a milestone he could reach as early as the team’s upcoming games. Carlisle, who has led the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Dallas Mavericks and won a championship with Dallas in 2011, will join a select group of coaches in league history to record at least 1,000 wins. NBA records, team schedules, and league tracking place increased focus on each Pacers game as Carlisle approaches this historic benchmark.

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Abraham Quintanilla, father of Tejano singer Selena, passes away

Abraham Quintanilla, father and former manager of Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, has died in Texas, according to family associates. He guided Selena’s early career, helped form the band Selena y Los Dinos, and managed her rise in Tejano music. After her death in 1995, he led efforts to preserve and promote her legacy through recordings, media projects, and public events. Details on his cause of death, age, and funeral arrangements were not immediately released.

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Taylor police probe bomb threat at H-E-B

Taylor police in Texas are investigating a reported bomb threat at an H-E-B grocery store in Taylor, where officers responded, secured the area, and searched the premises while coordinating with store management and evaluating the need for additional resources as they worked to determine the origin of the threat and identify any suspects.

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