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Happy New Year to all!
LIGHTS ON. The "family fireworks" light up the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge three hours ahead of the main show at midnight in Sydney, Australia on New Year's Eve on December 31, 2025. AFP
A timeline of major stories in year 2025 TIMELINE of major stories of 2025. • January 13, 2025. Over 1.5 million members of the Iglesia ni Cristo gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ stance Next page
Messages to ring in the New Year PBBM: A moment for reflection, renewal VOL. XXXIX • NO. 320 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 •
SWS: More Pinoys expect better life quality in 2026
Almost 9 in 10 adults hopeful in entering new year
By Katrina Manubay
N
EARLY half (44 percent) of Filipino adults expect their quality of life to improve over the next 12 months, a November survey by the Social Weather Stations showed. At least 89 percent of adult Filipinos are also entering the New Year with hope rather than fear, SWS said. While nearly half of the survey re-
spondents expressed optimism, 38 percent said they believe their lot in life will remain the same (“No Change”), while only eight percent said they
think it will worsen (“Pessimists”). Personal optimism remained notably high across major regions, SWS said. In Mindanao, it increased by 4 points, rising from +31 in September to +35 last month. In Balance Luzon, optimism improved from very high to excellent, gaining 2 points from +38 to +40. Meanwhile, in Metro Manila, optimism declined slightly, down by 3 points from +39 to +36. In the Vi-
NEWS/ A3
NEWS/ A3
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sayas, it remained very high but fell by 4 points, dropping from +33 to +29. The survey also revealed that Net Personal Optimism remained very high in rural areas, increasing by 2 points from +34 to +36, while it moved from +36 to +37 in urban areas. Additionally, the data showed that Net Optimism tends to decline with age.
WELCOMING 2026. Well-wishers gather at the stage set up for the New Year’s countdown at the Bonifacion Global City (BGC) in Taguig City, Metro Manila. Manny Palmero
NEW Year's Eve revellers toasted the end of 2025 on Wednesday, waving goodbye to 12 months packed with Trump tariffs, a Gaza truce and vain hopes for peace in Ukraine. It was one of the warmest years on record, the stifling heat stoking wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa and deadly rains across Southeast Asia. There was a somber tinge to party preparations in Australia's harbor city Sydney, the self-proclaimed "New Year's capital of the world." Barely two weeks have passed since a father and son allegedly opened fire on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in the nation's deadliest mass shooting for almost 30 years. Next page
Slight rise in heart, asthma cases—DOH By Ram Superable THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported a rise in cases of stroke, heart attack, and asthma before the end of 2025, with five deaths recorded, consisting of three from stroke and two due to acute coronary syndrome. This developed at the number of fireworks-related injuries rose to 140 as of Dec. 30, according to the DOH. The agency said it logged a total of 288 cases of acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and bronchial asthma from Dec. 21 to 31, 2025. The figure reflects a five-percent increase compared to the 274
cases recorded during the same period last year, according to the DOH. Acute stroke, also referred to as brain attack, was identified as the leading cause of death among the reported cases. Among acute coronary syndrome cases, the highest number was recorded in the 60 to 69 age group, accounting for 28 of the 77 reported cases. Acute stroke cases were also most prevalent among patients aged 60 to 69, with 53 of the 180 cases falling under this age group. For bronchial asthma, the highest number of cases was recorded Next page
I JOIN Filipinos all over the world as we welcome the New Year 2026. The coming of another year is always a moment for reflection and renewal. It gives us the opportunity to look back on the year that has passed—its lessons, challenges, and achievements—and to look ahead with hope and purpose to the possibilities that await us. Next page
VP Sara: Time to end doubts, fears ISANG masigla at mainit na pagbati ng Bagong Taon ang ipinapaabot ko sa bawat Pilipino sa buong mundo! Sa pagsalubong natin sa 2026, iwaksi na natin ang anumang pag-aalinlangan at takot. Ngayon ang simula ng isang panibagong kabanata, isang malinis na pahina na punung-puno ng pag-asa. Next page
SP Sotto: Continue serving the public 2025 was a comeback year for me in public service after three years of life as a private citizen. It was a humbling experience coming from the minority to being elected as the Senate President in the middle of one of the largest controversies that challenged the Next page institution.
Speaker Dy: Be sources of unity, not division SA ATING mga mahal na kababayan, batid ko pong patuloy tayong naghahanap ng pananagutan. Nasa gitna tayo ng yugto ng ating kasaysayan kung kailan matindi ang pagkadismaya. Salamat po sa inyong patuloy na pasensya at pagbibigay ng pagkakataong makuha muli ang inyong tiwala. Gagawin namin po ang lahat para hindi po kayo biguin. Next page
Rep. Romualdez: A brighter future for all Filipino families
ALL READY. Volunteers of the Baseco Fire And Rescue Volunteer
Association Inc. set up a First Aid Station in Baseco, Tondo in Manila in preparation for the expected rush of firecracker injuries during the New Year festivities. Baseco Fire And Rescue Volunteer Association Inc.
Nawa'y maging taon ng pagasa, pagkakaisa, at mas maayos na kinabukasan para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Sama-sama nating harapin ang bagong taon nang may malasakit, sipag, at pananampalataya sa mas magandang bukas.