Thursday, December 30, 2010

Giant Lantern Festival


Ligligang Parol or the Giant Lantern Festival is an annual event held during Christmas season at San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines. These lanterns, measuring 20 feet in height, were designed and created by nine competing barangays (villages). Made from fiberglass, colored cellophanes or papers and 3000 - 5000 light bulbs, they were run with the use of rotors (barrels). The criteria for judging were creativity, synchronized lights and sound, and uniqueness making the winning lantern stand out. This year's winners were Sta. Lucia (1st place), Dolores (2nd place), and San Nicolas (3rd place).

With this celebrated occasion, the province of Pampanga became famous in lantern-making and therefore named as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. 

Another famous in Pampanga is its mouth-watering delicacies. One can bring home the best "pasalubong" from the following specialty shops:

Susie's Cuisine
Tibuk-Tibuk - made from carabao's mik
Cassava Cake
Moche
Pancit Luglug (Pansit Palabok)
Puto
Moist Chocolate Cake


Nataniel's
Frozen Buko Pandan
Puto Pao
Siomai

With an event worth watching and food worth savoring, one will definitely be back for more!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Pho 24

Time:              21:24:00

   
Flavour:  Vietnamese
Location: Ayala Triangle, Makati Ave., Makati



 




Food Ordered:

Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls


Pho Beef Noodle Soup




 Pork and Noodle Salad



Vietnamese Coffee - Iced
       (usually sweetened with condensed milk since Vietnam coffee has strong flavor)



Dining experience:

-    Taste:  3
-    Service:  4
-    Ambiance & Cleanliness:  4



*scale of 1 to 5 (5 - highest)



 Cám ơn!



Thursday, December 23, 2010

12 Days of Christmas (feat. Tutti Frutti yogurt dessert)

Date:       December 23, 2010
Time:       20:31:00


Christmas is the time of being kind and generous and of gift-giving. These are the season’s theme at SM Mall Pampanga as they derived their decors from the song...
12 Days of Christmas

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...













A contest was also launched for the best group picture with these decors as backdrop.

After shopping, it’s best to have something refreshing for snack. Yogurt deserts are popular nowadays as it claims to be a healthy alternative than ice cream. 




We tried Tutti Frutti yogurt dessert as it is something different. It is self service and you got to choose and put all the yogurt flavours and toppings (fruits, chocolates, cereals, nuts...) you want.




The catch is you gotta pay P20 for every oz.




Quite exciting because after all those glutton instinct you’ll feel nervous on how much it will cost you and...”Walla”... never mind just enjoy the scrumptious dessert.





Friday, December 17, 2010

The Masquerade Ball

Time:       20:00:00


Fanciful, mysterious and enchanting...the theme for this year’s yuletide party... the Masquerade Ball. Held in Europa Dance Bar at Pasong Tamo, Makati, the party goers arrived in their best evening gowns, parading with elaborately decorated masks, mingling around all in festive mood.



Phantom of the Opera, the Jabawokees and Lady Gaga (inspired), and the 17th century ballroom dance are among the mask’s performances presented. Prizes were raffled. The star couple of the night was chosen followed by the awarding ceremony and these were the main highlights of the evening.



The Banquet...




The night ended with everyone dancing till dawn in an amazingly magical event to remember.



Saturday, December 4, 2010

Nanbantei of Tokyo

Time:              20:06:00

  

Flavour:  Japanese
Location: 3rd Level, Greenbelt 3, Makati



Food Ordered:

Maguro Sashimi (Tuna)



Grilled Chicken Combo
       -   Salmon Soup
       -  Chicken Teryaki topped in Japanese Rice
-   Coleslaw
-   Mixed Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura
-   Asparagus on Stick



Sake Yaki
-    Salmon skewers



Dining Experience:

-    Taste: 4
     (a lot of grilled and cooked choices for Japanese food lovers; 
       not necessarily raw food lovers)
-    Service: 3
-    Ambiance & Cleanliness: 4


 *scale of 1 to 5 (5 -highest)


Arigato!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Yuletide Season 2010

Time:       11:16:00


Christmas season they say is celebrated the longest here in the Philippines. As early as the start of the –ber (September) months, Christmas carols are already being played in the airwaves. Countdown begins. Bazaars are set out while shoppers rush in. Gifts are wrapped. Houses are decorated. Christmas lights sparkle uplifting every ones mood.

At Rustan’s mall, every yuletide season the creative team meticulously decorates their windowpanes for every ones delight. This year the concept centers on the "Great Holiday Expectations".









Likewise, mall hours are extended allowing shoppers more time to complete their Christmas shopping lists.




At this time of the year at Starbucks Coffee, seasonal items are available once again.



Praline Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, Peppermint Mocha
Cute Gingerbread Cookies
Starbucks Planner








 A season of merriment, kindness and giving.
                                 Truly is...
“...the most wonderful time of the year”