by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 2, 2024 | Food & Beverage
The Manila Hotel is set to usher in the Year of the Dragon with a series of festive offerings and celebrations, adding a touch of opulence to the festivities, enhanced by the grandeur of the hotel’s iconic Grand Lobby adorned with rich Chinese New Year decors.
Dragon and Lion Dance Spectacle
On February 10, guests are invited to witness a lively dance performance with a dragon, lion, funny monk, and God of Fortune, a centuries-old tradition symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The Grand Lobby will transform into a vibrant canvas as the performers captivate onlookers, setting the stage for a year filled with positive energy and success.
Tikoy Early Bird Offer
For those looking to indulge in traditional Chinese New Year delicacies, The Manila Hotel presents its early bird offer on nian gao or tikoy.
- From January 20 to 31, guests can enjoy a 30% discount on orders of 5 boxes or more.
- From February 1 to 11, guests can avail 10% discount on purchases of 5 to 9 boxes, 15% discount on purchases of 10 to 19 boxes, and 20% discount on purchases of 20 boxes and more.
Regularly priced at ₱1,288 per box, these delectable treats can also be purchased at the Delicatessen from February 1 to 11.
Chinese New Year Set Menu at Red Jade
A culinary delight awaits guests with the exclusive set menu at Red Jade, available for lunch and dinner from February 9 to 11.
Priced at ₱3,800++ per person with a minimum of 4 persons, the menu boasts traditional flavors symbolizing good luck and prosperity, featuring an array of dishes that include Suckling Pig Combination, Seafood Sharksfin Soup, Stir-Fried Scallop with XO Sauce, Braised Pata Tim with Chinese Bun, Roast Goose Hong Kong Style, Braised Dried Oyster and Seamoss with Lechon Macau, Pan-Fried Lapu Lapu with Thai Sweet Chili and Mango Sauce, Cha Misua, Sweetened Papaya with Red Dates and White Fungus, and Pan-Fried Tikoy.
M Takeout’s Chinese New Year Hotbox
Crafted to enhance the joy of home celebrations, the Chinese New Year Hotbox from M Takeout features a delightful combination of succulent Pork Knuckles paired with freshly steamed buns.
The hotbox is designed for convenience and is prepared as a ready-to-heat takeaway, ensuring that guests can savor the exquisite flavors of The Manila Hotel’s signature dishes in the comfort of their homes. Priced at ₱3,688 nett, M Takeout’s Chinese New Year Hotbox is available from February 1 to 15, 2024.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year at The Manila Hotel, where tradition meets luxury. For inquiries and reservations, call +632 8527-0011 or +632 5301-5500, email in**@************el.com, or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is located beside kilometer zero (0), where the City of Manila begins. It is within walking distance from the Philippines’ known landmarks: Rizal Park, Intramuros and National Museums. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele.
Since 1912, The Manila Hotel has continuously provided the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms, including three (3) ballrooms. Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and the Manila Hotel Health Club.
The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery that offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through the objective point of view of different artists.
It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang, which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 28, 2024 | Events
In partnership with The Manila Hotel, the Children’s First One Thousand Days Coalition (CFDC) will present a dinner concert to raise funds for the nutrition efforts of non-government organizations helping the government address malnutrition of Filipino infants during the crucial period from conception to their second birthday.
The pre-Valentine concert called “The Greatest Love of All” will be held on Feb. 9, 2024, at 6 pm, at the Tent City of The Manila Hotel. The main performers are former Press Secretary Atty. Mike Toledo, former Executive Secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea, and The Manila Hotel President and former Senator Joey Lina.
The Manila Hotel President and former Senator Joey Lina, former Executive Secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea, and Press Secretary Atty. Mike Toledo.
Beverly Salviejo
Bobby Alvarez
Other performers include Beverly Salviejo, Nina Campos, Jenny Sugay, Rachelle Rule, Rachel Verns, Pam Esquivel, Bobby Alvarez, Egay Rubiano, Jeffrey Panado, Egay Banaag, and the Adeodatus Children’s Choir (Baseco) with Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. Rodel Colmenar leads the music direction, with George Sison-Tagle and Paul Dizon supervising the overall direction of the concert.
Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
CFDC member organizations include Rotary International, Lions Club International, Kiwanis International, Junior Chamber International, The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Philippine Eagles, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Rizal, Save the Children Philippines, World Vision Philippines, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, Crusade Against Violence, and many more.
In tandem with the government, the CFDC was formed to confront a serious problem troubling the Philippines: malnutrition during a child’s First One Thousand Days of Life – a very critical period when the impact of poor nutrition can be profound, long-lasting, even irreversible.
Thus, The Greatest Love of All is not merely an entertainment spectacle but a collaborative initiative to generate funds for the nutrition program of NGOs in the barangays. The CFDC welcomes everyone to participate in this meaningful cause, helping make the nutrition efforts a success and contributing to the goal of fostering “smarter, stronger, taller” Filipinos.
For more information on tickets and sponsorships, please contact John Gacutan at 09620668526 or +632 85270011 extension 1006.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 23, 2024 | Book Reviews
I read Alpha’s Regret My Luna Has A Son by Jessica Hall in 2022 on Goodnovel, and I don’t even remember when exactly anymore, and I LOVED it … a lot! Compared to her other stories, this one is fairly “innocent”. Translation: it isn’t as steamy. That aside, I thoroughly enjoyed it as the story is quite compelling.
I’ve recently started listening to books on audible and discovered that this book is there. Gasp! I just HAD to get it. I am so glad that I did … worth every penny. The voice actors were really good and did a pretty good job of bringing the story to life. My only regret is that book two (aka the second part of the story) has no recording yet.
If you’ve read this story on a reading app, then you know it is actually one long story, so cutting off where it did can be frustrating. That being said, the story is worth making that double purchase on Amazon. After all, it still comes out cheaper than reading apps.
Both books are available on Amazon.
Alpha’s Regret My Luna Has a Son in a Nutshell
Everly is the daughter of the Alpha or her pack and his successor. She was only seventeen when she met and inadvertently ended up in bed with Valen, who was the Alpha of a rival pack. They were drunk at a time, which should really not be an excuse in this day and age, but there you have it. When Everly wakes up in the morning, she realizes what happened, and she attempts a French exit but is met at the door by the Beta. After quick pleasantries, she still manages to leave alone, and the Beta was not able to get her name either.
Weeks pass and Everly realizes that she is pregnant and there can only be one person who could be the father so she tries to reach out to Valen to let him now but was rebuffed and he denied being with her. When her father discovers she is pregnant he disowns her and labels her a rogue whore when she would not agree to an abortion.
She leaves the pack and lives the life of a rogue from that point forward and eventually gives birth to a son.
Everly realizes early on that Valen is her fated mate but he did not know until several years later which lead to her suffering from his infidelity for years. This is the point in the story where the courtship of Valen and Everly begins. With everything that she has gone through I was glad that she does not succumb to easily to his charms. If she did, I would be very disappointed. She didn’t deny the mate bond, but she was better at resisting it.
My Thoughts
To say that I think this story is a masterpiece is putting it mildly. I have lost count of how many times I have read this story. Jessica Hall has me on an emotional roller coaster and I don’t want to get off it. In my head I see this story as something akin to a TV series … not a movie as that would be too short. So many things happen to Everly and Valen in this story that it would be an injustice to chop off as much as they do for movie adaptations.
If it isn’t obvious yet, I highly recommend that you add Alpha’s Regret My Luna Has A Son by Jessica Hall to your bookshelf, stat! Don’t just put it in the TBR (to be read) pile. Put it straight to the MUST-READ pile and enjoy!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 16, 2024 | Food & Beverage
As we enter the New Year, a good cup of coffee that can make you feel festive and optimistic for your new life chapter is definitely something to be savored. This is what awaits coffee lovers as Seattle’s Best Coffee introduces the newest Ube Deluxe Collection featuring four ube-filled beverages that everyone can enjoy!
Seattle’s Best Coffee Hot Ube Coco
Ube and coffee lovers alike can enjoy their favorites with a special twist from the newest collection – first off with the new Hot Ube Coco. This drink is a combination of ube jam, milk, and coconut water that’ll make you feel warm & delighted in every sip.
Seattle’s Best Coffee Iced Ube Coco
Up for something refreshing? There’s also the new Iced Ube Coco, which is an over-ice drink made with ube jam, milk, coconut water, and ice to help you feel cool and energized as you start your new day.
Seattle’s Best Coffee Ube Affogato
Next up is the Ube Affogato—a treat like no other, combining the rich-flavored coffee & enticingly delicious ice cream. This one-of-a-kind drink lets you taste the best of both worlds! This decadent flavor is a luscious coffee-based drink with a blend of ube ice cream, milk, and espresso topped with whipped cream.
Seattle’s Best Coffee Ube Cream Cheese Milkshake
And if you’re looking for a next-level indulgence, there’s the new Ube Cream Cheese Milkshake to excite your usual go-to beverage. You can enjoy this ice cream-based beverage made with ube ice cream & milk topped with cream cheese foam garnished with grated cheese. It’s a true ice-blended masterpiece!
Give in to your ube cravings and welcome a brightened New Year with this elevated twist! Get your caffeine fix and grab #SBCUbeDeluxe variants, which are all available in Seattle’s Best Coffee branches nationwide and available to order for dine-in, take-out, pick-up, and delivery through Grabfood, Foodpanda & FB Messenger.
For more information on Seattle Best Coffee’s latest offerings and updates, follow their social media pages on Facebook (@seattlesbestcoffeephilippines) and Instagram (@seattlesbestph).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 13, 2024 | Advocacy
The Children’s First One Thousand Days Coalition (CFDC) will launch today, January 13, 2024, its operations manual and training program on how it will help in the government’s war against malnutrition. There is a law, RA 11148 entitled “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Magnanay Act”, that seeks to address malnutrition during children’s first one thousand days of life.
The coalition includes among others, the Rotary International, Lions Clubs International, Kiwanis International, Junior Chamber International, The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Philippine Eagles, Knights of the Columbus, Knights of Rizal, Save the Children Philippines, World Vision Philippines, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, and Crusade Against Violence. A thousand leaders from these various non-governmental organizations will be attending the event.
The coalition considers the operations manual and training program as a key development as it clearly illustrates how the NGOs and government can collaborate in stomping out malnutrition during the children’s one thousand days of life, a huge problem that causes poor school performance, low intelligence quotient, stunting, sicknesses, and low work productivity. The manual functions as a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the NGO’s adoption of barangays aimed at addressing malnutrition, extending its scope to a national level with a vision for fostering a healthier future for Filipino children.
To demonstrate their support for the operations and training program, department secretaries Dr. Teodoro “Ted” J. Herbosa, DOH; Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr., DILG, will grace the event. Atty. Baldr H. Bringas, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will represent DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian. Additionally, NGO Head Representatives, spearheaded by Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, a Board Member of World Vision Philippines, will lead in reciting the NGOs’ Declaration of Commitment.
The event will also feature the following speakers: Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, Executive Director of National Nutrition Council; Dr. Maria Isabel “Marcie” M. Atienza, MHPED, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center, College of Medicine – WHQM; Dr. Amado R. Parawan, Health And Nutrition Advisor of Save The Children Philippines; Former Senator Joey Lina, National Project Chairman of Children’s First One Thousand Days Coalition; Br. Erlito “Lito” R. Pardo of Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals – Las Pinas Chapter; Mr. Roberto A. Alvarez, President of RCMC Foundation; Atty. Salvador “Bingbong” Campo Medialdea, Former Executive Secretary; Engr. Ronaldo A. Aguila, Chief Technology Officer of ONELGC, Inc.; Mr. Cris Giovanni C. Chiong, President, Rotary Club Of Makati Central; Mr. Alberto D. Lina, Chairman of ONELEGC, Inc.; Mr. Ronald Delos Santos, National President of the Fraternal Order Of Eagles-Philippine Eagles, and Mr. Danilo “Danny” Sanchez, Past Council Chairman of MD301 Philippines and State Council Of Lions Governor.
Atty. Mike T. Toledo, former Press Secretary, shall serve as the moderator.
“With our battle cry for a ‘brighter, stronger, taller’ Filipino children, let us unite to uplift the vulnerable and intensify nutrition efforts for a new generation of Filipinos,” says Atty. Joey Lina.
The milestone event promises to be a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among key stakeholders committed to ensuring the well-being of children during their critical first 1,000 days of life.
Crafted to enhance the joy of home celebrations, the Chinese New Year Hotbox from M Takeout features a delightful combination of succulent Pork Knuckles paired with freshly steamed buns.
I’ve recently started listening to books on audible and discovered that this book is there. Gasp! I just HAD to get it. I am so glad that I did … worth every penny. The voice actors were really good and did a pretty good job of bringing the story to life. My only regret is that book two (aka the second part of the story) has no recording yet.
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