In 5 out of the 8 global surveys, the Philippines fared better. Stressing how players, stakeholders and outsiders view the country, the National Competitiveness Council said the Philippines jumped the most in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness index and Transparency International's Corruptions Perception Index, while it registered the smallest increase in the Global Information Technology index. More is to be done to improve the country's rank in the Ease of Doing Business by the International Finance Corp. and World Competitiveness Scoreboard.

Pope Benedict XVI said in his 2012 Christmas Eve mass that religion can be corrupted, leading to violence and wars, but refuted critics who claim that denying God's existence would lead to peace. "It is true that religion can become corrupted... when people think they have to take God’s cause into their own hands, making God into their private property," the pope told thousands gathered in Saint Peter's basilica.

Tropical depression Quinta was upgraded into a tropical storm as it continues to move towards eastern Visayas on Christmas Day. Weather bureau PAGASA raised public storm signal No. 2 (61-100 km/h winds expected in the next 24 hours) over the following areas: Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat, Siargao Island. The tropical storm is moving West at 19 km/h and by Wednesday morning will be in the vicinity of Coron, Palawan.

Recently appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima renewed a yearly warning against the use of illegal firecrackers to greet the New Year. He also vowed to punish vendors found selling them, as well as order his men not to fire their guns. The police and the health department are at the forefront of efforts to reduce firecracker-related injuries.

University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio has finally decided for good that he is no longer returning to the squad. He tendered his resignation letter after 7 seasons and failing to take the title from Ateneo de Manila in the UAAP Season 75 finals. He is reportedly embarking on a new adventure: coaching position at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), likely with Barako Bull.

Scribblelive covers Christmas icon Santa Claus' journey around the world in real time. In a live blog starting December 24, online followers tuned in to latest news, photos, videos, and updates as Santa hopped from one city to another. It documents what hot beverage magical Santa Claus drinks mid-route, or what reindeer chat about while waiting on rooftops.

Ailing world icon Nelson Mandela, 94, spent his 16th day and Christmas Eve in a hospital where the Nobel Laureate was recuperating from a gallstones operations and recurrent lung infection. Before his retirement in 2004, South Africa's first black president used to host a Christmas feast in his home village for impoverished children -- a highlight for many. Since retiring from public life, Christmas has been a more low-key affair, spent with family.

Cancer-stricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez could be sworn in before the Supreme Court even if his treatment keeps him out of the country beyond his January 10 inauguration date. He could be sworn in from Venezuela or from Cuba, where he is recovering from his fourth cancer operation since June 2011. His election rival, opposition leader Henrique Capriles, said the ceremony, could be delayed, putting him at odds with other opposition leaders eager to call new elections if Chavez is unable to return to the country on time. The uncertainty of the ceremony has which has sparked debates across the country.

Netizens flocked to Twitter to invite British CNN host Piers Morgan to Australia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, even the North Pole and the Philippines. "Of that, I am certain," he replied to a Filipino official's Twitter invite to come to the Philippines where "it's more fun." Morgan trended on Twitter on December 24 when he asked his followers what countries would be wiling to take him if he must leave the United States following an online online petition to have him deported from America over his support to ban assault weapons following a deadly massacre in Colorado?

The party conventions during the US elections, Felix Baumgartner’s edge-of-the-atmosphere parachute jump, and the ongoing war in Syria are 3 of the epiphanies in 2012 that mark how video sharing site YouTube may soon overtake traditional news sources. Storyful.com's Markham Nolan shared during a speech at TEDSalon London 2012 that these represent a major shift in the dynamics of news media. Every minute, 72 more hours of video are posted to YouTube and, every second, 3500 more photos go up on Facebook. "YouTube is now becoming a real-time window on world events through live streaming," he stressed.