Five Things That Can Help You "Exercise" Your Brain

 

It’s quite obvious that we are living on hard times or even stressful times. Most people say that the holidays don’t feel Chrismas-sy anymore and it’s totally understandable.  Several obvious reasons is that we are still living in a pandemic and people we know or people close to us have relatives who passed away this year because of the deadly COVID-19 Delta variant. A lot of people are still unemployed , but the good news is that the tourism and transportation industries are slowly getting back on track . Restaurants are slowly opening up, but I still prefer take-outs or home deliveries because the COVID scare is still there. 

Noche Buena and Media Noche Pics

 Noche Buena and Media Noche celebrations can be overwhelming and sometimes you can't decide what to make or what food to buy for such occasions. Here are some pictures that might help you what to prepare: 

Noche Buena pictures 

The following Noche Buena or Christmas eve dinner pictures were taken by my sister, Mari, and you can see more pics from her blog at http://movingcouchpotato.blogspot.com/2012/01/media-noche-2011-2012.html. I just wanted to make sure to give credit to the rightful owner of these pictures. 

Noche Buena 2012. Picture taken by Mari. 
Mari's blog:  http://movingcouchpotato.blogspot.com/2012/01/media-noche-2011-2012.html

The ham used here is Purefoods Fiesta Ham and our mom decorated it with fruits and veggies, and also added more honey/pineapple sauce on the ham. There's also lechon manok, Korean chicken,  some pizza, potato pasta from Kaya, salad, fruit salad, and some cookies. The apple pie was given to us by a family friend. 

Noche Buena pic by Mari 
Mari's blog http://movingcouchpotato.blogspot.com/2012/01/media-noche-2011-2012.html

Media Noche pic

Media Noche. Pic taken by Mari. 

Media Noche or New Year's Eve dinner is when we go all-out which means any food is welcome. Yes, even chicken. We don't believe in the saying "isang kahig, isang tuka" if you serve chicken because chicken is still food, a blessing. So we had potato pasta again from Kaya, pandesal, homecooked shrimps and Korean beef stew, Caldereta, Chicken Curry, scrap ham from Excellente, Krispy Kreme donuts, D'Marks pizza, Pizza Hut,  homemade ref cake, salad, some fruit tarts (in the middle) from Cafe France, and some assorted bread from Bread Talk. 

These pictures were taken 10 years ago long before the pandemic. Even if you have a simple Noche Buena, there's absolutely no problem about it. The most important thing is you have your family with you and you know the true meaning of holiday season. 

A Quick Trip to Santis Delicatessen in Molito Alabang

December 23 when we went to Santis Deli in Molito, Alabang to pick up our reserved Christmas hams.  Santis has been our go-to place for our Christmas hams every year. Their honey hams are just delicious and they also come in different sizes. We also need to make reservations in advance for the hams days before Christmas to guarantee our purchase. It's also expected to have long lines in front of their store every holiday season because aside from honey hams, they also sell cheeses, meat, chocolates, gift baskets, and more. 

Christmas Cakes Below 500 Pesos

 If you're wondering where you could find affordable Christmas cakes or any other cakes for any occasion for that matter, we always go to one bakery shop and its name is Fortune Bakeshop! 

I was able to stop by our nearest Fortune Bakery shop while doing some errands and I took some random pictures in their BF Homes Paranaque branch. Here are some pictures I took: 

Fortune cakes! Believe it or not, their cakes range from P195 and above! Quite affordable for any occasion, right? 

Mer-Nels Participates in a Series of Gift Giving with Tag Media Group

 

Asia Leaders Awards once again gave recognition to Mer-Nels at the recently concluded awarding ceremony held at the Embassy of Singapore in the Philippines as the SME Company of the Year for Food & Beverage. The event was attended by CEO’s and familiar Business personalities from various industries in the Philippines. 

Christmas Feast Ideas That You'll Definitely Love

 

There are two traditional feasts that Filipino families often look forward to during Christmas time: the Christmas Eve Noche Buena and the one that follows on the 25th itself, which is often held as part of a festive family reunion. Either way, expect those in charge of preparing the dishes to pull out all the stops to serve the most delectable food on the table for everyone to enjoy. 

The Goodwill Market Delivers Perfect Presents This Season of Giving

 Gift-giving is made simpler with the goodies that have been bundled up for easy delivery by The Goodwill Market. Choose from a wide array of wholesome treats that have been packed into perfect presents to fit any lifestyle. Delivery is also hassle-free as your orders can be delivered directly to friends and family, to help you stay safe at home as you shop for the holidays.

UPDATED! Eyes On Manila's Christmas Giveaway 2021!

 

You're here! That means you want to join my giveaway! As a way to say thank you for the blessings I have received this year despite the pandemic, I want to give back what I can. I'd also like to thank PICK•A•ROO for making this giveaway possible. 

Brilliant Skin Glenda Victorio at Asia Leaders Awards

 

Makati Tourism Foundation Inc Tan Yu III, Brilliant Skin Glenda Victorio and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber Dr. Elton See Tan

November 11, 2021 at the Embassy of Singapore in Manila.  Familiar names in the business world from different industries gathered together to celebrate victory as Asia Leaders Awards acknowledge their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Philippines and to the Filipino people as well. 

Filipino Bloggers Network holds 10th Annual Thanksgiving Party

 It was a decade ago when the Filipino Bloggers Network (FBN), one of the most active Philippine-Based community of bloggers and influencers in the country, held its first-ever Thanksgiving Party in a hotel in Quezon City. 

Cleanfuel Celebrates Yuletide Season with Paskong Panalo e-Raffle Promo

 

Cleanfuel is celebrating the Christmas season with its Paskong Panalo ng Cleanfuel e-Raffle Promo starting November 17, 2021. 

Support Local, Buy in Pili Lokal!

Don't know what to buy for your loved ones this Christmas? 

How about buying something authentic, unique, and something Filipino-made this year? Most importantly, you'll also be supporting our local businesses if you buy from them! There's only one website for all that and that's PiliLokal.com.

HSMA GPSTV “Go Safe, Go Travel: Walk and Talk With Us” Season 2

Kevin Lapena

As travel gradually opens up for tourists, the travel industry is gearing up and has been preparing for the arrival of guests for the past year.  See first hand, the work and smiles behind your favorite Philippine destinations with Kevin Lapeña in his journey and rediscovery of the Pearl of the Orient on Hotel Sales and Marketing Association’s -  Go Philippines Soar High TV (GPSTV) Season 2: Walk and Talk with Us.

Airspeed Group’s Founder Wins at APEC Best Award 2021

 

Airspeed Founder and Chairwoman Rosemarie Rafael continues to take end-to-end logistics to world-class levels. This comes after Rafael, who also spearheads Airspeed’s digital arm–the Amazing Philippines Digital Economy Corporation (APDEC), was awarded at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) BEST Award 2021 for the category Best in Business Sustainability in Tackling the Pandemic. In an online ceremony convened  in Moscow, Russia,APEC cited APDEC as the paramount example of a female business driving Asia-Pacific economic and social recovery by assisting MSMEs, particularly women-led entities, navigate the new normal. Since 2016, APEC has given out the Business Efficiency and Success Target (BEST) Award which recognizes the most efficient projects of female entrepreneurship from different sectors, including digital economy, traditional entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, as well as management approach and solutions. 

Turnover of Books of Kiwanis Club of Makati to Kiwanis Club of Lake City of San Pablo, Laguna

 

In less fortunate communities where books are scarce and libraries barely exist, book donation is very important. Internet is not always accessible for some to serve as reference on their studies, having books on their side remain to be the most convenient means. 

HFO Holiday Bagsak Presyo Sale on Dec 1-31

Spend this year’s holidays with us as we treat you with Amazing offers and Great deals with our HFO Holiday BagsakPresyo Sale! Get great discounts, 0% installment offers and freebies from December 1 to 31.

Asia Leaders Awards 2021 Man of the Year for Public Service and Sports: Congressman Mikee Romero

 It came as no surprise when Congressman Mikee Romero was declared Man of the Year for Public Service and Sports in the recently held Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) at the Embassy of Singapore in the Philippines last November 11, 2021.

1PacMan Partylist, Congressman Mikee Romero and wife, Air Asia Chairman Sheila Romero

Fresh from receiving a citation from the American Association of the Philippines as an Outstanding athlete, Entrepreneur, and Public Servant, Asia Leaders Awards re-affirm the honor.