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​Philippines Reclaims Global Rank as World’s No. 2 Banana Exporter

AI Generated Image | The Philippines Regained spot as 2nd top exporter of Banana The Philippines has officially re-established itself as the world’s second-largest banana exporter following a dominant performance in 2025. According to preliminary data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the country’s export volume surged by 26 percent year on year to reach 2.925 million metric tons. This significant rebound allowed the Philippines to overtake Colombia and distance itself from competitors like Costa Rica and Guatemala, reclaiming a global ranking it had not held since 2020. ​The recovery marks a definitive end to a four-year slump between 2021 and 2024 when the industry was hampered by severe weather patterns and persistent pest infestations. These challenges previously disrupted both farm output and int...
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How to Align Your Spending to Save More in 2026

With the arrival of 2026, many of us are looking at our bank accounts with a fresh sense of purpose. But let’s be honest: "saving more" is a vague resolution that often crumbles by Valentine's Day. The secret to lasting financial change isn’t just about willpower; it’s about alignment. When your daily spending reflects your deepest values, saving stops feeling like a sacrifice and starts feeling like a strategy. Here is your roadmap to aligning your wallet with your goals this year. 1. Audit Your "Money Story" from 2025 Before you can look forward, you have to look back. Take an hour to review your 2025 bank statements or your record spending. Don't look at just the numbers—look at the "why." The Joy Test : Identify three things you spent money on that truly brought you joy. The Habit Leak : Identify three recurring costs (subscriptions, daily convenience buys) that you didn't even notice. The 2026 Shift : "Your spending tells a story—wher...
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How to Boost Confidence in Front of Others

Confidence is often seen as a mysterious quality—some people seem to have it naturally, while others struggle to find it. The truth is, confidence isn’t a fixed trait; it’s a skill you can develop with practice, patience, and the right mindset. Whether you’re speaking in front of a crowd, meeting new people, or sharing ideas at work, confidence can transform how others perceive you and how you perceive yourself. The first step to building confidence is reshaping how you think. Nervousness is normal—it’s your body preparing you for action. Instead of labeling it as fear, reframe it as excitement. Tell yourself, “I’m ready for this,” instead of “I’m going to fail.” Positive self-talk may sound simple, but it rewires your brain to expect success. Remember, people are more interested in the value you bring than in whether you deliver perfectly. Your posture, gestures, and facial expressions often communicate more than your words. Standing tall with your shoulders back signals confidence ...
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The Importance of Delayed Gratification: Why Waiting Pays Off

I n a world where instant access and quick rewards dominate our daily lives, the ability to delay gratification has become a rare but powerful skill. Whether it’s resisting the urge to scroll through social media while working, saving money instead of splurging, or sticking to a long-term fitness plan, delayed gratification is the quiet force behind success, resilience, and personal growth. Delayed gratification is the practice of resisting an immediate reward in favor of a larger or more enduring reward later. It’s the difference between eating a cookie now versus waiting to enjoy a healthier body tomorrow. Psychologists often describe it as a cornerstone of self-control and discipline. One of the most famous studies on delayed gratification is the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment in 1970 led by psychologist Walter Mischel, a professor at Stanford University. Children were offered one marshmallow immediately or two if they could wait. Follow-up studies revealed that those who waited t...
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Buy Now, Pay Later: Helpful Tool or Hidden Trap?

Walk into any online checkout today and you’ll see it: that tempting little button offering to “Buy Now, Pay Later.” BNPL has become the darling of modern shopping, promising instant gratification without the sting of a full upfront payment. But is it really helpful—or just another way to lure us into debt? BNPL isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement. Younger shoppers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, are flocking to it because it feels more approachable than credit cards. No intimidating applications, no long waits for approval—just a quick click and you’re walking away with your purchase. Retailers love it too, since it often boosts sales by making expensive items look more affordable. Why BNPL Feels So Helpful Think of BNPL as training wheels for your budget. Instead of dropping ₱ 12,000 on a laptop in one go, you can split it into four ₱6 50 payments. That’s easier to digest, especially if you’re juggling rent, bills, and groceries. Interest-free installments : As long as you pay on ...
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The Iranian Rial's value plunged by 96% amid continued protests

Flag of Iran | The graph shows a decrease in the exchange rate of the Iranian Rial against the Philippine Peso. A significant impact of the Iranian community’s protests against their country's economy has been observed in the value of the Iranian Rial, which has seen a 96% drop against the Philippine Peso.  On December 12, 2025, the exchange rate was 1 PHP to 714 IRR (or 1 IRR to 0.0014 PHP). However, as of January 15, 2026, while protests have destabilized the country, 1 PHP has risen to 17,857 IRR (making 1 IRR worth only 0.000056 PHP). This means that 1 million Rial now costs only 56 Pesos . Some might see this as an opportunity to buy Iranian currency and hold it until the price recovers. If the Rial returns to its previous value, your 56 Pesos could potentially grow to 1,400 Pesos . Whi...
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Globe Telco and Gcash launch the next-generation verification scheme to fight Cyber fraud

In the latest news from Manila Bulletin  published on December 16, 2025, Globe Telecom Inc. and GCash are rolling out a new technology designed to secure user identities without the need for manual inputs or one-time passwords (OTPs). This advancement marks a major shift in how the country's leading digital wallet protects its millions of users from evolving cyber threats. Globe recently confirmed the completion of the first phase of its proof of concept for Silent Network Authentication (SNA). This next-generation verification scheme works by directly checking if the mobile number provided matches the active SIM card in the current data session. Because the process happens at the network level, it eliminates the need for users to wait for an SMS code and manually type it into the app. The primary goal of this technology is to eliminate the risks associated with phishing. Traditionally, fraudsters trick users into revealing their OTPs through fake messages or websites to gain unaut...
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ShopeePay Malaysia can send money to Maribank Philippines for Free

MariBank Philippines can accept money from Malaysia using Shopeepay Malaysia, as an announcement through push notification appears to all MariBank Philippines' users on the second week of December 2025. MariBank Philippines also can accept bank transfers from other countries using different remittance providers such as PayPal, Payoneer, Remitly, Wise, WorldRemit, Western Union, and Moneygram. ​Senders must choose "Direct to Bank Account," "Bank Transfer," or "Bank Deposit" as the mode of transfer and input the correct MariBank information of the receiver, including their bank account number, name of the receiver, name of the bank, and other necessary bank information. If the remittance provider ask for the bank code or SWIFT code of Maribank you can provide the following: SWIFT: LAUIPHM2 BIC: LAUIPHM2XXX BRSTN: 31182-001-8 Bank Code: 043570 How to Bank Transfer to Maribank Philippines From Shopeepay Malaysia? Shopee users from Malaysia can open their S...
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The Facts about Christmas : Unwrapping the truth behind December 25th

About the Photo| These scenes, often displayed during the Christmas season, typically include figures of Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and animals in a stable setting, serving as a visual representation of the birth of Jesus Christ. A Season of Wonder The air crackles with anticipation. Strings of light paint the night. Carols echo through our homes and hearts. This is Christmas. But amidst the tinsel and trimmings, what truly anchors this annual phenomenon? The answer, for many, lies in a simple, profound declaration: God became human. Two Lenses on a Miracle The story of Jesus' birth, or the Nativity, is primarily revealed through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each account, like looking through a slightly different pane of glass, offers a unique perspective on the same radiant event. Matthew's...
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A Bountiful Harvest: CBSUA Champions the Future of Philippine Agriculture with 140 New Professionals

Logo of CBSUA | 140 examinees from CBSUA graduates passed on November 2025 Licensure Examination for Agriculturist The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) is celebrating a significant victory, as 140 of its graduates successfully passed the rigorous November 2025 Licensure Examination for Agriculturist. ​In a year marked by the critical need for innovation in food production, these new professionals represent a vital infusion of talent and expertise into the country’s farms and research institutions. The results, released by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), confirm CBSUA's continued role as a powerhouse in agricultural education. ​The Numbers Tell the Story ​Nationwide, the examination saw 6,678 successful passers out of 9,742 examinees—a testament to the challeng...
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