2009 tourism trends
By Ed Biado
The global crisis that shook 2008 to the core (and continues to do so) has impact in industries across the board. One of the most affected fields is tourism as it?s an elected excess and not a necessity. A recently released research by the Tourism Journalists Association shows that people will be more cautious in spending for leisure travels and will engage in more meaningful, rather than extravagant, vacations. Here are the forecasted kinds of trips that will be all the rage this year:

The greener side of living

Jolina and Bebong?s 8-year romance goes pfffft!!

Dutch designers help Filipino exporters
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and the Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines have teamed up for a program that will help encourage Filipino exporters to elevate their design and manufacturing standards to make them more globally competitive.

Board Exam Results
Dentist Licensure Examination Results (December 2008)

Atienza revokes Subic license to cut down trees
THE Environment Department yesterday took over control of Subic following protests over its officials? plan to cut down 300 mature trees and their alleged violation of environment laws.

David Brodett with son Anthony

Brodetts: Detained kin a druggie
By Roy Pelovello
THE cousin of one of the affluent suspects in the ?Alabang Boys? case testified yesterday that Richard Brodett not only used drugs but had also sold them when he was a teenager.

IBP: Brodett counsel faces disbarment

Madrigal to file yet another appeal

Honda predicts 10% sales spike

Experts to probe Ebola outbreak

Early bond sale draws $1b
The Philippines started selling dollar bonds in Asia?s first public sale of high-yield foreign-currency debt this year, giving the government funds to respond to the worst economic slump in eight years.

Gross forex reserves hit record high of $37.06b
By Eileen A. Mencias
The gross international reserves of the Bangko Sentral hit an all-time high of $37.059 billion at the end of December.

Meralco cuts electricity rate by P0.079 per kWh
By Alena Mae S. Flores
Consumers will pay less for their electric consumption this month as Manila Electric Co. announced a reduction in its generation charge of P0.079 per kilowatt-hour.

AB Holdings wants to buy MetroPac?s Landco shares
By Jenniffer B. Austria
AB Holdings Inc. has expressed interest to acquire the 51 percent stake of partner Metro Pacific Investments Corp. in Landco Pacific Corp.

Higher spending key to 4.7% growth in ?09
By Roderick T. dela Cruz
The government?s P300-billion economic resiliency plan will enable the economy to grow by as much as 4.7 percent in 2009, despite the global economic downturn, according to the head of the National Economic and Development Authority.

Manna finally coming to BF Homes residents
After over 16 years of being deprived of the most basic service, the 10,000 or so households of BF Homes Para?aque can finally enjoy the amenities of urban living, hopefully beginning this year.

Corrections: Credit Jalosjos? good conduct for early release
By Romie A. Evangelista
The Bureau of Corrections has endorsed to the Justice Department the request of convict Romeo Jalosjos to reconsider his status after serving his sentence owing to good conduct credits.

LRT allows barefoot devotees
Known for strict security that bars entry to alcohol-smelling passengers, the Light Rail Transit Authority will allow barefoot devotees, expecting ridership to hit around half a million in Friday?s celebration of the Black Nazarene feast.

Fire hits Malaca?ang once more