Abbey M.

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – Wish Date wraps up its 2025 Love Tales tour with a memorable night of music and romance at the Calasiao Sports Complex on December 28.

The event features back-to-back performances from OPM Hitmaker Rey Valera and OPM Balladeer Renz Verano, with KDR Music House artist Hakki. 

Pangasinan Wishers are gathering at the venue to witness and celebrate OPM and learn valuable stories as Wish Date is continuing its mission to spread joy across the Philippines.

Wish Date Love Tales is combining entertainment with meaningful stories and is creating memorable experiences for audiences. 

The Calasiao event is marking another milestone in the program's efforts to bring people together through music and shared moments of celebration.

Wishers are enjoying a day filled with performances, heartfelt stories, and community bonds. 

The event is showcasing the power of music to unite people and celebrate the universal language of love.

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will work within the budget approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.

The DPWH's initially approved budget from the House of Representatives stood at 624 billion pesos. However, only P529.6 billion passed through the Bicameral Conference Committee (Bicam), P94.8 billionlower than the original amount.

According to Secretary Vince Dizon, what matters most to them and the President is that the budget will be clean and properly utilized for the agency's projects.

Despite the budget cut for 2026, the Secretary insisted they will ensure the implementation of lined-up projects.

"That is the commitment of the Marcos administration—that for the coming 2026, even if the budget was reduced by 40%, that budget will all go to our countrymen, for the right projects that will reach them. We will make do with what the Senate and the House has approved. We will do it, we will use properly the budget entrusted to us by Congress," Secretary Dizon stated.

[Yun ang commitment ng administrasyon ni Pang Marcos, na itong parating na 2026, kahit na bumaba yan ng 40% yan budget na yan mapupunta lahat sa mga kababayan natin, para sa mga tamang project na mapupunta sa kanila. We will make do what the senate and the house  has approved. Gagawin natin yan, gagamitin natin ng tama ang budget na ipinagkaloob  sa atin ng kongreso.]

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will open several positions to hire new employees starting January 2026.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced this yesterday, December 18.

According to Secretary Dizon, the agency will conduct massive recruitment drives at various universities across the country, targeting fresh engineering and accounting graduates.

The Secretary acknowledged the challenge of restoring the agency's image following controversies surrounding flood control projects. He called on young professionals to trust that they are key to changing the flawed systems of the past.

"We will implement many reforms and make many changes, but the most important resource of any organization is its people. The transformation of DPWH officials will truly determine whether DPWH will just return to its old ways or genuinely change for good," Secretary Dizon stated.

[Marami tayong gagawing reporma marami gagwin pagbabago pero ang pinaka importanteng resource ng kahit anong organisasyon ay yung mga tao at yung pagbabago sa mga opisyal ng DPWH yan talaga ang magdidikta kung ang DPWH ba ay babalik nalang sa dati o talagang magbabago na ng tuloy-tuluyan.]

The recruitment campaign aims to bring fresh talent and perspectives into the agency as part of its broader reform efforts.

The Benguet Police confirmed the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral after she was found unconscious beside the Bued River along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on the evening of December 18, 2025.

According to the police investigation, the victim traveled with her driver to La Union at around 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 18, 2025. Upon reaching a section of Kennon Road at Camp 5, Barangay Camp 4, Cabral reportedly asked her driver to leave her at the location.

The driver left and proceeded to a nearby gasoline station. When he returned at around 5:00 PM, Cabral was nowhere to be found.

The driver searched the surrounding area and Baguio City but failed to locate the former official.

At around 7:00 PM, after the incident was reported, authorities conducted a search operation and found the former official unconscious along the side of the Bued River, approximately 20 to 30 meters away from the highway.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

A-list Filipino actor Piolo Pascual made his much-anticipated comeback to the Wish Bus, where he serenaded fans with a heartfelt rendition of "Sandalan," the official soundtrack of his upcoming movie "Manila's Finest."

The performance marks Pascual's return to the iconic mobile performance stage, where he has previously delivered memorable performances of "Iiyak sa Ulan" and "Baka Sakaling Sandali."

A soundtrack worth the wait

"Sandalan" serves as the emotional anchor for "Manila's Finest," Pascual's upcoming film project. 

The actor brought his signature vocal warmth to the Wish Bus stage and gave fans an exclusive preview of the movie's soundtrack.

Not his first rodeo

Piolo has established a strong connection with Wish Bus audiences through multiple appearances, and he continues to demonstrate his ability to move listeners through music. 

His latest performance of "Sandalan" adds another layer to his catalog, blending his acting career with his musical artistry as he promotes his upcoming film.

The latest performance continues this tradition, with "Sandalan" adding another dimension to his growing collection of Wish Bus appearances.

Fans can catch the full performance on Wish 107.5's official YouTube channel as they await the release of "Manila's Finest."