White Castle Whisky goes light' with charming Ashley Rivera for 2026 calendar

The brand's new Calendar Girl is a charismatic and comedic GMA Network artist, digital creator, and online and television personality.

White Castle Whisky proudly names Ashley Rivera, GMA Network artist, digital creator, and one of the country's most recognizable online and television personalities, as the 2026 White Castle Whisky Calendar Girl. Known for her charisma, comedic ability, and screen presence, Ashley brings out a more refreshing and comical side to the calendar tradition, in line with White Castle Light Whisky's tagline "Dapat light lang!"

The official unveiling of the White Castle Whisky 2026 Calendar will take place during a special press conference on December 19, 2025, at Rampa Drag Club, Quezon City, 3 to 6 pm.

This moment makes Ashley the newest addition to the iconic line of White Castle models such as Evangeline Pascual, Lora Tolentino, Techie Agbayani, Carmi Martin, Maria Isabel Lopez, Cristina Gonzales, Glydel Mercado, Roxanne Ginoo, Ninong Ry, Sassa Girl, Ria Atayde, Angelie "Pench" Andanar, and more.

This year's calendar aims to showcase a fusion of classic White Castle allure and contemporary Filipino pop culture, with Ashley embodying confidence, charm, and the spirit of today's empowered Filipina, while showcasing her natural wit and humor. Her selection is a testament to White Castle Whisky's brand values of encouraging individuality, authentic expression, and lighthearted enjoyment of the moments in one's life.

"I'm incredibly honored and thrilled," Ashley shares. White Castle Whisky has such an iconic place in Filipino culture. To be chosen as the 2026 calendar girl feels surreal—l've been dreaming about this after being inspired by Tita Carmi Martin, and I can't wait for everyone to see what we created."

A GMA Sparkle Artist, Ashley Rivera attracted fans as a former regular cast member of the longest-running sketch comedy and gag show Bubble Gang, and other shows on the network. Before her career in mainstream TV acting, she was famous on TikTok and YouTube for her comedic persona "Petra Mahalimuyak"

In 2024, she started her podcast titled Chicks 2 Go, where she hosts with fellow comedian and internet personality Hershey Neri as they talk, joke, and share random relatable stories.

No plunder case, no guilt: Romualdez camp rebukes claims over flood control

FORMER Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s camp rejected attempts to pin plunder and other serious crimes on him, underscoring that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) itself made clear its referral to the Ombudsman was “issued without finding or conclusion of guilt or liability.”

In a statement, Atty. Ade Fajardo, lawyer and spokesperson of Romualdez, said recent statements attributed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should not be misconstrued as proof of wrongdoing.

“We take note of the DPWH Secretary’s statement. However, it is important to clarify that a DPWH ‘recommendation’ is not a finding, much less a determination of guilt,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo categorically denied reports suggesting that the ICI had recommended the filing of plunder or other serious charges against the former Speaker.

“It is not true that the ICI has recommended to the Ombudsman that former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez be charged with plunder or other serious crimes related to the flood control or 2025 budget issue,” Fajardo said.

On the contrary, he pointed out that the ICI itself underscored the absence of any adverse conclusion against Romualdez in its referral to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“In fact, the ICI made it clear in their referral report that it was ‘issued without finding or conclusion of guilt or liability on the part of former Speaker Romualdez,’” he added.

Fajardo said Romualdez respects institutional processes and is confident that the Ombudsman will assess the matter independently and fairly.

“We respect due process and will await the Ombudsman to independently evaluate the submissions based on evidence, not press conference soundbites,” he said.

Barique: A Premium Filipino Lambanog from Quezon Province

Long before artisanal spirits and craft cocktails filled today’s bar menus, Filipinos were already sharing a homegrown drink steeped in tradition: lambanog. Distilled from coconut nectar and crafted across generations, lambanog has long been part of Filipino culture—passed around during celebrations, gatherings, and late-night conversations, serving as both a symbol of hospitality and a storyteller of our rural heritage. It is bold, shared, and unmistakably Filipino.

Today, this iconic spirit has taken a bold step.

Introducing Barique: Heritage-Crafted, Premium by Design

Barique, proudly made in Quezon Province, reimagines the lambanog for the modern Filipino celebrations. Upholding traditional distillation methods while applying today’s quality standards, Barique elevates the traditional coconut spirit into a premium, world-class liquor.

Smooth, sweet, and bold with a lingering warmth, Barique showcases what lambanog can become when craftsmanship, culture, and innovation come together.

Two variants offer distinct yet refined experiences:

Barique Gold – 45% ABV, ₱3,999 (750 mL)

Barique Silver – 40% ABV, ₱2,599 (750 mL)

A Versatile Spirit for Today’s Lifestyles

Beyond being enjoyed neat, Barique is crafted to shine in today’s cocktail culture. Its clean, refined flavor profile transforms beautifully in mixes—whether in tropical highballs, elevated island-inspired cocktails, or twists on classics like the old-fashioned or gin fizz.

Its bold yet smooth character also pairs effortlessly with food, making it ideal for Filipino dining. From grilled seafood and crispy pork dishes to rich coconut-based specialties, Barique’s warmth and sweetness enhance flavors and elevate the meal.

“Barique is more than a drink—it’s an experience of elevated Filipino heritage. Our goal is to honor lambanog’s cultural roots while introducing a refined version that allows it to be a part of more occasions and among the choice drinks of today’s more sophisticated customers,” said Maura Pasciolco, General Manager of Pacificroots Coconut Products Manufacturing.

Celebrating Filipino Craftsmanship and Innovation

Barique is an addition to the line-up of products proudly made in Quezon, produced by Pacificroots Coconut Products Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Pasciolco Agri Ventures, the same company behind the well-loved Quezon’s Best products.

As Quezon is the homeland of lambanog, Barique stands as a testament of local pride and ingenuity. It honors the drink’s cultural authenticity while elevating it through world-class distillation and sanitation standards, ensuring safety, refinement, and consistent quality at all times.

“Because it is at a more accessible price point, Barique opens the door for more Filipinos to appreciate the craftsmanship of their very own lambanog,” said Lito Pasciolco, owner of Pacificroots Coconut Products Manufacturing.

A Toast to Tradition

With every bottle, Barique invites Filipinos to celebrate both their roots and the vibrant spirit of modern Filipino life. Whether enjoyed in intimate gatherings, grand celebrations, or gifted during life’s milestones, Barique is a proud reminder that world-class spirits can be Philippine-made.

Barique is now available online at quezonsbest.com and Lazada, and soon in Shopee and in selected retail stores nationwide, such as S&R, Landers, and Marketplace.

More information about Barique is also available at barique-lambanog.shop.

Leading insurer partners with LRT-1 to provide "The Gift of Protection" to thousands of daily commuters throughout December

Malayan Insurance Co., Inc. (MICO), one of the country's leading non-life insurance providers, has partnered with LRT-1 to power a month-long holiday campaign. This initiative offers complimentary Personal Accident (PA) insurance coverage to LRT-1 commuters throughout the entire month of December. The initiative, dubbed "The Gift of Protection," aims to provide peace of mind to thousands of Filipino commuters during the busiest travel season of the year, when millions rush through Metro Manila's railways for holiday shopping, year-end gatherings, and trips to provincial bus terminals for the Christmas break.

"December is the most hectic time for Filipino commuters—carrying gifts, rushing to catch buses home, navigating crowded stations. We wanted to cut through the holiday chaos with a meaningful gesture that reminds Filipinos that protection isn't an expense—it's a gift, and one we're honored to give this Christmas season." - Eden Tesoro, Chief Operating Officer of Malayan Insurance

The campaign features a full station takeover at LRT-1's Gil Puyat Station, a key transit point for commuters heading to Makati's business districts and nearby provincial bus terminals. A fully wrapped LRT-1 train will also traverse the line throughout December, spreading the message of safety and protection across the metro.

Commuters can avail of the complimentary PA insurance coverage by simply scanning QR codes displayed throughout Gil Puyat Station and on the branded train. The seamless digital process requires only basic information—name and mobile number—and issues a digital policy certificate instantly.

"This partnership with LRT-1 allows us to meet Filipinos where they are, literally," Tesoro added. "We want to bring protection to the forefront during a time they need it most; that's what future-proofing protection means to us." The campaign reflects Malayan Insurance's broader commitment to making insurance more accessible and relevant to everyday Filipinos, shifting the perception of insurance from a burdensome expense to a caring investment in one's safety and future.

The "Gift of Protection" campaign runs through the whole of December 2025, at LRT-1 Gil Puyat Station and aboard one roaming fully wrapped train car.

New-tritious pasta recipes to start the year right

Every year, we always wish for the good health of our loved ones. One great way to do this is to try out new recipes that are more nutritious and share them with them.

You can offer nutritious meals to your family without compromising on taste. You can also shop for inexpensive ingredients at your nearby grocery. For more variety, pasta is a quick and easy ingredient to turn into a filling meal. There are endless possibilities with pasta or "pastabilities" that you can whip up daily.

Kick-off 2023 right with masarap, masustansya, and sulit dishes using a good quality ingredient like El Real Pasta. Here are some recipes that the whole family will enjoy:

Bet na bet na Pinakbet Pasta

Pinakbet is a Filipino ulam with pork and vegetables like squash, ampalaya, and tomatoes, which are all good sources of vitamins and minerals. You can change it up and make Pinakbet Pasta with El Real Healthy Pasta. The combination of crispy pork belly, hearty vegetables, and flavorful bagoong will give you a burst of flavor.

See the full Pinakbet Pasta recipe here.

Spicy and creamy Healthy Laing Pasta

Add a spicy kick to your El Real Healthy Spaghetti by adding laing and chilis to it. The taro leaves used to make laing are known to be rich in vitamins A and C. The sauce, it’s made with coconut cream to make it thicker and creamier.

See the full Healthy Laing Pasta recipe here.

Go green with Pesto and Parmesan Macaroni

For a nutritious and filling macaroni dish, you can try making Pesto and Parmesan Macaroni. Made from basil, pesto is said to be a good source of vitamins, calcium, and iron, which makes it a great pasta sauce. Give your dish more flavor with some lemon juice and sour cream in the sauce, and top off your El Real Elbow Macaroni with chili flakes and parmesan cheese.

See the full Pesto and Parmesan Macaroni recipe here.

Healthy Sardine Spaghetti for your dose of seafood

Fish like sardines are an excellent source of vitamins B-12 and D, and other nutrients. Sardines can make a great pasta dish when mixed with oil, garlic, and a little lemon juice on top of El Real Healthy Pasta.

See the full Healthy Sardine Spaghetti recipe here.

Creamy Spinach Pasta for all ages

If you want a dose of iron and vitamins, you can try adding spinach to your meals. A delicious way of incorporating this into a pasta dish is by mixing it with cream and ricotta cheese. You’ll get a nice creamy sauce with hints of spinach with every bite of El Real Healthy Spaghetti or any type of El Real pasta.

See the full Creamy Spinach Pasta recipe here.

Start the year right with sarap, sulit, at sustansya meals courtesy of El Real Pasta. You can now share nutritious pasta dishes that are also delicious with your loved ones, be it daily or on special occasions.

For more recipes, visit the www.realpastabilities.com
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