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News in the Philippines

Stay in the loop with your go-to source of blogs in the Philippines! Know the latest happenings and trending news in Manila and across the country.

Metro’s Mall Hours for the Holiday Season
December 21, 2015

Metro’s Mall Hours for the Holiday Season

Haven’t bought presents yet? No worries, for several malls will extend its mall hours to accommodate last minute shoppers like you! Here is the list of the malls in the metro which will be there for your shopping needs: Alabang Town Center Link: www.myayalamalls.com December 19-23: Saturday-Wednesday, 10am-12 midnight December 24: Thursday, 10am- 8 pm December 25: Friday, 10am- 9pm December 26-30: Saturday-Sunday, 10 am-10pm/Monday-Wednesday, 11am-9pm December 31: Thursday 10am-6pm January 1: Friday, 12nn-10pm January 2 onwards: Regular Mall Hours – Saturday 10am-10pm/Sunday 10am-9pm/Monday-Friday 11am-9pm Greenbelt 1 December 10-22: 10am-9 pm December 23: 10am-12am December 24: 10am-8pm December 25-30: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-8pm/Friday-Saturday, 10am-9pm December 31: 10am-6pm January 1 onwards: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-8pm/Friday […]
A Very Truly Filipino Holiday Shopping
December 21, 2015

A Very Truly Filipino Holiday Shopping

Manila Pavilion Hotel Christmas and New Year’s Eve feasts with Tradition and Entertainment. Manila Pavilion Hotel is offering hotel guests a Truly Filipino accommodation, a touch of Italian Shopping package and a magical entertainment exclusive evening at Boulvar Music Bar and Seasons Lifestyle Restaurant. Each year, Manila Pavilion Hotel whips a special course menu and decorations are displayed which every family will certainly enjoy for portraits. The Christmas Shopping package starts from Php 1,705 composed of Italian goodies prepared by Chef Giovanni Sias’ and a Truly Filipino room accommodation package for only Php 4,200 inclusive of value added tax, based on two people sharing, and is only available for guests […]
Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Wins Miss Universe 2015
December 22, 2015

Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Wins Miss Universe 2015

The entire nation celebrates today as Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach wins the Miss Universe 2015 pageant on Sunday, December 20, in Las Vegas. The title was initially awarded to first-runner up Miss Colombia, but the decision was taken back after host Steve Harvey admitted that he made a “mistake” in the announcement. Second-runner was Miss USA. The Philippines last won the title in 1973 with Margarita Moran and 1969 with Gloria Diaz. Photo courtesy of Miss Universe
Future Park
December 28, 2015

Future Park

Get ready for an exciting future as Future Park opens in Manila! Future Park, the first pop-up digital interactive playground, is now in Manila located at the Century City Mall. For two months, starting from December 1, 2015-January 31, 2016, kids and even kids at heart can go to this interactive exhibit which will let you in to the world of futuristic and innovative technology that all people will surely love to see. Infused with creativity, this playground is composed of five galleries which will provide games and installations for you to play with. GO 3D. Move your body as you play in this gallery of active gaming. Photo grabbed […]
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory opens in UP Town Ceenter
December 20, 2015

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory opens in UP Town Ceenter

Hands up, Sweet-tooth! The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory recently opened their first branch in Manila, at the UP Town Center last December 17, 2015. DESSERTS, YOU SAY? Check out their famous dipped apples. Photo by Hans Fausto, grabbed from Spot.ph The confectionery manufacturer which first produced varieties of chocolates, candies, and other sweets in Colorado has now established its franchise here in Manila. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is considered experts when it comes to producing food for sweet-toothed people. Their signature caramel-coated apples make them a hit, especially when these are topped with chocolates, nuts, and other specialty toppings to make it more flavorful. The apples they use are Granny […]
PhilHealth Now Available for Foreign Retirees
December 18, 2015

PhilHealth Now Available for Foreign Retirees

The Philippine Health Insurance, Inc. (Philhealth) and the Philippine Retirement Association (PRA) jointly announced that foreign retirees and former Filipino citizens staying in the Philippines can now be covered by Philhealth under its Informal Economy Program. The two agencies’ leaders Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander A. Padilla and PRA General Manager and CEO Valentino L. Cabansag formally signed the Memorandum of Agreement sealing the partnership recently at the PRA office in Makati.   <<Photo: PRA and Philhealth shaking hands: Alexander A. Padilla of Philhealth and Valentino L. Cabansag of PRA shake hands to formally seal the deal on the Philhealth coverage for PRA retirees in the Philippines>> […]
Greenfield Weekend Market
December 28, 2015

Greenfield Weekend Market

Can’t decide where to spend your Saturday afternoons and nights? Come to the Greenfield Weekend Market where you can while away your time on good food, cool music and some fun shopping. Yummy grub, cutesy trinkets, souvenir crafts, vintage pieces, paintings, and more are showcased every Saturday at this weekend market located in Greenfield District Central Park at Shaw Boulevard. Find all sorts of things you want whether you’re an art enthusiast, a musician, a pet lover, a plant lover, or a simply a total foodie! SATURDAY WELL SPENT. Lay on the ground or sit on the benches as you listen to local bands perform live. CHEAP THRILLS. Stalls dot […]
PRA Standing Strong at 30 years
December 29, 2015

PRA Standing Strong at 30 years

The Philippines is a country replete with natural resources, caring and hospitable people and a growing economy. This is the reason why it’s an attractive retirement haven for foreign retirees. And for three decades, the Philippine Retirement Agency (PRA) remains at the forefront of providing support and attractive retirement options to the elderly from around the world who choose to call the Philippines their second home. Founded in July 1985, the PRA is a government-owned and controlled organization with a mandate to attract foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens to invest, reside and retire in the Philippines. The PRA is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and […]
Venice Piazza Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City
June 27, 2018

Venice Piazza Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City

Experience a romantic canal cruise a la Venice in the metro!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Premieres in Manila
December 28, 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Premieres in Manila

Yes, the force has come! The much-awaited space opera is finally back — Star Wars premieres today, December 17, 2015 in the Philippines. The seventh franchise of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens is expected to draw hordes to local cinemas beginning today. This well-loved series’ last franchise “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” was seen a decade ago in 2005. Now, after 10 years of waiting, fans can again unleash their inner Jedi knights and reunite with their well-loved characters from this celebrated series. Relive your Star Wars memories and watch it in over a hundred theaters nationwide!
Christmas Bazaars Happening in the Metro
December 29, 2015

Christmas Bazaars Happening in the Metro

It’s time to wind up your Christmas shopping! Not done with your Christmas shopping yet? Grab your shopping bag and head over to these Christmas bazaars around the metro. Find that perfect present for your loved ones as each bazaar offers various shopping finds, from fashion to food items at very reasonable prices. Check out these places and enjoy shopping!   1)  Simbang Gabi Christmas Bazaar by the Ateneo Management Association Night shopping + evening mass. Come to the Simbang Gabi Christmas Bazaar organized by the Ateneo Management Association. When: December 15-24, 2015, night bazaar starts at 6pm, mass starts at 8pm Address: Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave., Loyola […]
New World Makati Hotel Welcomes the Festive Season
December 17, 2015

New World Makati Hotel Welcomes the Festive Season

New World Makati Hotel invites all to discover the magic of Christmas through a series of timeless tales and festive fare. Home for the Holidays. Create lasting memories in the comfort of newly refreshed rooms and suites from 10 December 2015 to 10 January 2016.  The Christmas Holiday Room packages start at PHP5,500 per night in a Superior room with complimentary breakfast for two, Internet access, dining vouchers and goodies.  Guests and non-local residents may opt for a Deluxe room for PHP6,500, a Residence Club room for PHP8,000 and a One Bedroom Suite for PHP9,000.  The first 50 guests to book will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next room […]
Krispy Kreme’s Crafty Christmas
December 28, 2015

Krispy Kreme’s Crafty Christmas

A melange of festive colours loaded with creativity and generosity came alive at Krispy Kreme’s flagship store in BGC High Street on December 12 at its Crafty Christmas event. The activity allowed Krispy Kreme customers to unleash their artistic side on Krispy Kreme’s Tin Can for a good cause. The participants were mainly families with kids who were so eager to embellish and personalize their purchased tin cans made available at the counter. The excitement didn’t end there as popular artist Kerby Rosanes doodled his own giant Kripsy Kreme tin can… live! And at the end of the day, the best decorated tin can was awarded with a year’s supply […]
Metro Manila Film Festival: A Showcase of Local Entertainment
December 22, 2015

Metro Manila Film Festival: A Showcase of Local Entertainment

It’s that time of the year when Filipino movies dominate the cinemas and foreign films have to give way to locally-produced films. The annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) happens every Christmas day until the first week of January. And although you might miss your Hollywood movie watching time, it is a good opportunity to get to know the local entertainment industry through movies that give you a glimpse of the local culture. Now on its 41st year, the MMFF advocates the patronage of Filipino films by showcasing only local movies during a two-week period. This year’s festival will run from December 25, 2015 to January 7, 2016. Here are […]
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa Cited as ‘Best Resort Hotel for Business Events’
December 17, 2015

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa Cited as ‘Best Resort Hotel for Business Events’

Cebu, Philippines, December 8, 2015 – In the recently released CEI Readers’ Choice Awards 2015, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu was named ‘Best Resort Hotel for Business Events’—a remarkable culmination to a year that had seen a series of high-profile events at the resort, including the historic ministerial meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference and the annual Asian Carriers’ Conference, among many others. The awarding body, CEI Asia, is an independent source of information for corporate events within the region. For the past 15 years, its annual industry survey has been a reputable list that showcases the best in MICE destinations as chosen by its readers. Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort […]
Get to Know the Country’s Presidential Candidates
December 15, 2015

Get to Know the Country’s Presidential Candidates

Get to Know the Country’s Presidential Candidates The race is on for the country’s next leader. Curious about the men and women vying to be the country’s chief executive? As you may already know by now, election in the Philippines is not complete without controversies and drama. And since most of the info we have about them come from their own political ads or media reports, it’s good to know some basic important things about them on neutral ground. Let’s get to know some of them in this quick review of their background and career highlights. JEJOMAR BINAY Name: Jejomar “Jojo” Binay Current position: Vice President of the Philippines Career […]
AlDub: The TV Phenomenon That’s Been Sweeping the Nation
December 15, 2015

AlDub: The TV Phenomenon That’s Been Sweeping the Nation

You see and hear them around through numerous billboards, TV commercials, radio commentaries, forum topics, and social media. This “AlDub” thing that is all the rage these days conquering all kinds of media may have made you feel curious and we can’t blame you. No one wants to feel left behind especially when something has become too big to ignore and almost everyone around you is talking about it. So what exactly is AlDub, and what makes it such a huge hit in the Philippines? Topping social media trends since July 2015, AlDub is now considered one of the most popular loveteams in the history of Philippine entertainment. AlDub is […]
Ride Your Way to Prizes: Cash Cab is Coming to Manila!
December 29, 2015

Ride Your Way to Prizes: Cash Cab is Coming to Manila!

Want to get rich while stuck in traffic? The popular American game show Cash Cab is coming to Manila premiering on December 22, 2015 at 8:50 pm on AXN. Hosted by Ryan Agoncillo, the show will have its encore telecast on December 24, 9:15 pm. To play the game, Cash Cab Philippines will be using a regular taxi cab for disguise. It will traverse along Metro Manila, in search of unwary passengers, with the driver (host) asking them a series of trivia questions. Every correct answer guarantees P1000 as the game gets more difficult. Strike is the term used for every wrong answer, and three strikes will mean that the […]
Enderun Colleges lights up its first eco-friendly and sustainable Christmas tree
December 28, 2015

Enderun Colleges lights up its first eco-friendly and sustainable Christmas tree

Enderun Colleges kicked off the holiday season with its first Christmas tree lighting ceremony called At First Light. The 22-foot structure features an eco-friendly Christmas tree made from bamboo and abundantly adorned with upcycled ornaments, LED lights and Liter of Light. The College collaborated with different groups to create its eco-friendly and sustainable Christmas tree. The ornaments were handcrafted by two communities – the newspaper ornaments were made by the talented women of Pook Galatia in Paranaque City, supported by Kabisig ng Kalahi Foundation; while the décor made from soda caps were assembled by the Gawad Kalinga Community of Sitio Pajo in Barangay Baesa in Quezon City. Enderun also partnered […]
Japan’s apples and pears are now available in Metro Manila
December 10, 2015

Japan’s apples and pears are now available in Metro Manila

Rustan’s marketplace in Metro Manila started the retailing of apples and pears from Yamagata Prefecture, Japan from December 5th, and will continue until January 2016. Shoppers can see and buy the Japanese apple varieties of “Sinano-Gold” and “Sinano-Sweet” and the popular pear variety “La-France” at the Rustan’s Marketplace outlets. A Japanese apple variety “Fuji” is also sold from the start of January. Japanese apple variety “Sinano-Sweet” French pear variety “La-France” Marketplace of Rustan’s Cental Square BGC Japanese apple variety “Sinano-Gold” Apples and pears are the only fruits, which are permitted for exports from Japan to the Philippines, in accordance with the agreement on plant quarantine between the two countries. Why […]