by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 15, 2020 | Food & Beverage
Food has always been a big part of every celebration. As Filipinos are known for having the grandest Christmas celebration in the world, there will surely be tables filled with unique and festive dishes to match the season’s merriments. Now, to help you get into the Holiday spirit, Solane, the leading LPG brand in the country, shares how to put appetizing and creative twists on some classic Filipino Christmas dishes to level up your Noche Buena.
Glazed Christmas Ham.
A Christmas ham certainly completes a Noche Buena table. But instead of just taking it out of the box and putting it on a plate, make it more flavorful and enjoyable. First, place your ham on a roasting pan lined with foil then score it vertically. In a saucepan over low heat, make your glaze by melting a stick of unsalted butter then mixing in one cup of brown sugar, half a cup of orange juice, half a cup of honey, and two tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Once the sugar has dissolved and the glaze has thickened, pour half of it over your scored ham. Put the ham in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes per pound. Make sure to baste the ham with your remaining glaze halfway through.
Crispy Lechon Roll.
lechon belly roll photo credit to knorr.com/ph
Lechon is another Holiday favorite among Filipinos. First, get a slab of pork belly and lay it flat on a surface. Rub it with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Next, arrange a pile of lemongrass, scallions, garlic, and red onions on top of the pork belly, and then roll it until it forms a spiral shape. Use kitchen twine to tie the meat and brush the outside with annatto oil. Place it on a roasting pan with a rack, then put it in a preheated oven at 350°F for two hours or until the meat is tender and the skin is crispy.
Extra Meaty Spaghetti.
meaty longganisa spaghetti photo credit to knorr.com/ph
No matter what the occasion, Filipino-style spaghetti will always be present! So take it to the next level by adding a surprise ingredient – longganisa! In a pan, start by sautéing minced garlic and onions before adding the ground beef. You can also add finely diced carrots to up the health factor. Once the beef has turned brown, mix in your longganisa and hotdogs. Then, add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the Filipino-style spaghetti sauce of your choice then let it simmer. Now, pour it over your cooked pasta noodles, grate some cheese, and enjoy!
Decadent Queso de Bola Cheesecake.
After a hearty meal, your guests will surely crave dessert. So why not make another Christmas staple with a fun twist — queso de bola cheesecake? In a bowl, start by mixing one cup of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and a quarter cup of melted butter. Once combined, press it down to the bottom of a springform pan then chill. For the cheesecake filling, mix three packs of softened cream cheese and sugar before adding your special ingredient – a cup and a half of finely grated queso de bola. Next, beat in three eggs then pour over the chilled graham crust. Simply bake it for around 40 minutes or until the filling has set. You may also serve it with mangoes or blueberries for added sweetness.
If you want to prepare all those dishes and more, Solane can help you have a stress-free experience in the kitchen with its quality and safe LPG that you can now order online. For more information, visit www.solane.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 27, 2019 | Awards and Competitions
Last week our blogger group challenged us to make a video that is two minutes long about Novuhair and its partnership with Mercury Drug. It took me up to the last day (November 26th) to do this because, well, life, hahaha.
As those of you who know me can attest, I am not fond of being in front of the camera so taking a video of myself was not something I was looking forward to doing. So I thought long and hard and I actually considered just making a video either using Premiere or Animate. But when I thought about how much work I would have to put into it I was daunted. I just really have a lot on my plate now, I didn’t have the time it would take to spare to make a really awesome video.
So I went with awesome with free tools instead. Yes, I used Powtoons. 🙂 Our students can attest to how engaging and fun Powtoons is to use. And this is what I came up with.
What do you think? Was I able to pull it off? Joining this contest I have nothing to lose. 🙂 And even though it took me all day to make it, I still had fun. 🙂 Please like the video on my Facebook Page. Thank you!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 19, 2019 | Events
Calling all music lovers! Filinvest City will be holding a one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration and some of the biggest OPM artists in the Philippines will be part of the festivities.
Starting November 15 until December 31, Filinvest City will be having its annual holiday celebration. With “Light Up the Wonder at Filinvest City” as its title, the Water Garden at Festival Mall is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. But aside from the decorations, lights, and displays, several OPM acts will be treating FilinvestCityzens and visitors to a musical experience that will create wonderful yuletide memories.
To set the mood of the Christmas festivities, all Saturday shows will be opened by techno DJ Wicked Adobo at 6PM. Following his performance are some of the best artists in the country:
November 16 – Holmes and Silent Sanctuary
Silent Sanctuary
November 23 – Basically Saturday Night and Orange & Lemons
Orange and Lemons
November 30 – Paolo Mallari and Leanne and Naara
Leanne and Naara
December 07 – Paolo Sandejas and Hale
Hale
December 14 – Jensen Gomez and Unique
Unique
December 21 – Quorista and I Belong to the Zoo
I Belong to the Zoo
December 28 – The Cosmic Misfits and This Band
This Band
Aside from the entertainment, families, and friends can enjoy life-sized Christmas installations, including a magnificent 42-foot tree, all set in a magical Christmas Village. On Sundays, Santa will be there to brighten up and bring cheer to every little boy and girl, listen to their Christmas wishes and pose for those merry family photos – all of these you can experience for free!
Outside of the mall, the garden city truly makes for a perfect Christmas destination. With every detail planned and designed to provide residents, workers, and visitors a stress-free holiday with a wide array of shopping, dining and entertainment options. With easy accessibility, less traffic, cheerful, positive vibe and the soothing, cool southern breeze, celebrating the yuletide season at Filinvest City will leave you with time and energy for what truly matters – creating wonderful Christmas memories to cherish with your loved ones.
For more details about “Light Up the Wonder at Filinvest City” visit www.facebook.com/FilinvestCityOFFICIAL
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 11, 2019 | Entertainment
Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, kickstarts the festive season with star studded performances by Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza and Jose Mari Chan on the Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas TV Special aired on GMA and Shopee Live.
During the TV Show, Shopee brand ambassador Jose Mari Chan amazed viewers with an exclusive live performance of the newest Shopee Christmas jingle. Shoppers can look forward to the official launch of the Christmas jingle on all online channels on November 12. The newest Shopee Christmas jingle is a fun rendition of Jose Mari Chan’s highly popular original “A Wish on Christmas Night”, and was specially composed to welcome Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale.
Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing, Shopee Philippines, said, “We’re very happy to once again work with the Father of Philippine Christmas Music, Jose Mari Chan, for our new Christmas jingle. Last year, our Christmas jingle with Jose Mari Chan received great success, garnering over 19 million views online. This year, we are bringing him back with a new jingle to bring more fun and joy for our shoppers as we usher in the year-end celebration. Together with Jose Mari Chan, we look forward to celebrating the festive season and invite everyone to lookout for our upcoming Christmas sales.”
Jose Mari Chan, said, “I am excited to be working with Shopee again to bring joy and laughter to Filipinos during this festive season. Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations in the Philippines and I am thrilied to be given an opportunity to work with Shopee to release a new jingle. I always have an enjoyable time with Shopee and hope my fans will look forward to what we have in store throughout the holiday season.”
Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale with discounts up to 95% off
On November 11, Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale will offer consumers unbeatable deals including all-day sitewide free shipping with PO minimum spend. There will be up to 95% off from leading brands including Pampers, Silverworks, Bosch, Unilever, Maybelline, Olay, Pantene, Globe, Anker, Safeguard, Watsons, Huawei, and more.
Viewers of Shopee Live can also tune in to a 12-hour livestream session with non-stop prizes including vouchers and iPhone 11 giveaways.
Catch these crazy deals during Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale on November 11
Silverworks:
Users can score up to 80% off on all Silverworks products including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Maybelline:
Users can enjoy up to 60% off Maybelline best-sellers such as Maybelline Sensational Liquid Lipstick, Superstay Full Coverage Foundation, and Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara.
Unilever:
Users can get up to 50% off popular products such as Dove Intense Repair Shampoo, Ponds Cleansing Balm and Surf Detergent Powder at Unilever Official Store.
Huawei:
Users can anticipate exciting discounts and special bundles on Huawei products such as Huawei Band 4, Huawei Mate 30 Pro, and more at Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale.
Bosch:
Users can look forward to up to 55% off on Bosch power tools and accessories such as cordless drills, hammers, and more.
P&G:
Users can watch out for discounts of up to 50% on favorite P&G brands like Pampers, Olay, and Safeguard.
Find out more about Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale at https://shopee.ph/11-11.
Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.
About Shopee
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support.
Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.
Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.
Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Southeast Asia. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 8, 2019 | Lifestyle
Just a few more days till the holidays and our favorite local fragrance brands Zen Zest and Scent Station are back with their best-selling holiday giftsets!
It has been a long-standing tradition, that Filipinos share love and joy among friends and families during the holiday season. As soon as the -ber months come rolling in, lists are created stating the perfect gift for each person.
However, last-minute gift needs are something that cannot be avoided. Don’t worry, Zen Zest and Scent Station got you covered.
Over the years, both brands have provided quality and affordable gift sets which loved ones will surely be excited to receive. This year, nine different gifts sets are being released that consumers can choose from!
Sugar Rush in Box
Zen Zest’s cute and refreshing line of body spritz perfect of teens and teens at heart! You can purchase them at Php60.00 each.
Its affordability will even allow you to purchase the whole line to give a truly sweet sugar candy rush to your loved ones!
2 in 1 Christmas Inspired Body Spray for Women
These Christmas Edition body sprays for women comes in 60ml bottles (Winter Apple & Sparkling Snowflake) that’ll surely make your loved ones feel the spirit of the holidays! It also comes in cute pink window box and retails at Php99.00 each set.
If our 60ml body spray bottles are not enough, here’s one in a 75ml cute and classy bottle packaging. Also comes in 2 Christmas inspired scents, Snow Angel & Christmas Fairy and is still affordable at Php150.00 per set.
2 in 1 Zen Zest Body Spray for Men
Packed in a 2 in 1 box is our own collection of men’s body spray. Perfect for men who are always on the go. Retails at Php99.00 per set too!
Body Wash with Loofa Set
A moisturizing and fresh smelling body wash that comes with a loofa and retail at Php99.00 per set!
Aromatherapy Roll-Ons in a box
Still haven’t found the perfect gift for the #TitasofManila? Zen Zest’s got you covered with their best-selling Aromatherapy Roll On in a classy box packaging. You can still choose from any of their best-selling scents: Energize, Uplift & Sleep. Each box is sold at Php150.00
Tea Tree Body Care Set
A cult favorite! Our best-selling Tea Tree duo in a box so cute, it doesn’t need wrapping! This best part? You can get this cute set for only Php199.00
Eau de Cologne (EDC) in a box
Take your friends back in memory lane when you give them one of Zen Zest’s best-selling EDC’s! This line has truly been the go-to fragrance of every college student! A perfect blend of freshness and light scent that would suit almost anyone and everyone! Grab one at Php120.00 each.
Scent Station 2-in-1 C-Series
The series has always been a crowd favorite because of the wide selection of scents and its sleek and compact packaging that fits in perfectly with your every bag. Grab a 2 in 1 giftset for only Php100.00!
BONUS: Scent Station Limited Edition for Him & for Her Eau de Toilettes in a box
Scent Station will be selling these sleek and perfect for travel 20ml EDT’s in an awesome blue and pink box packaging. Perfect for gift giving and also very affordable at Php75.00 each.
Start off the Christmas shopping game right! Head to the nearest Zen Zest and Scent Station store and find the perfect scent!
For a list of the branches near you, you can check out these links: Zen Zest Branches / Scent Station Branches. For more info, you can also follow them on their socials:
Facebook: Zen Zest and Scent Station
Instagram: @ilovezenzest / @ilovescentstation
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support.
Zen Zest’s cute and refreshing line of body spritz perfect of teens and teens at heart! You can purchase them at Php60.00 each.
Packed in a 2 in 1 box is our own collection of men’s body spray. Perfect for men who are always on the go. Retails at Php99.00 per set too!
The series has always been a crowd favorite because of the wide selection of scents and its sleek and compact packaging that fits in perfectly with your every bag. Grab a 2 in 1 giftset for only Php100.00!
Scent Station will be selling these sleek and perfect for travel 20ml EDT’s in an awesome blue and pink box packaging. Perfect for gift giving and also very affordable at Php75.00 each.
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