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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.

October 07, 2015

Ramen Kuroda Opens in Chinatown

Ramen Kuroda brings its Japanese-quality ramen to Chinatown with its newly opened branch in the 3rd floor of Lucky Chinatown Mall Reina Regente corner Dela Reina Streets, Binondo Manila. With its mission to make real ramen part of local everyday life, it’s newest addition to its growing roster of branches is a welcome happening for ramen lovers in the country’s capital and the Chinatown community. Ramen Kuroda’s home-made noodles, umami soup created through a multi-process method, and its effort and passion put into every bowl of its ramen are the reasons why each branch it puts up becomes a hit among the locals and expats. Check out its newest branch […]

December 28, 2015

Free Admission at the National Museum this October

Who says history is boring and not worth revisiting? Truth be told, history is a past adventure that had the most interesting characters, heroes, exploits, tales, and setting we can all appreciate or learn from. The National Museum, with its exciting showcase of the country’s eventful and vivid past and rich culture is letting us see pages of Philippine history and heritage up close. In celebration of the Museums and Galleries Month, the institution is opening its doors to everyone for a free chance to experience the Philippines’ past in tangible ways. See collections in fine arts, archaeology, ethnography, and natural history from various epochs and enjoy free admission for […]

October 06, 2015

XO46 Heritage Bistro Opens at SM Aura

To mark its fifth year, XO46 Heritage Bistro opened its fourth store at SM Aura Premier. Located on the 3rd floor, XO46 seats 86 with an intimate dining room for 10 people. The new store sports a wide glass façade showcasing a traditional Filipino – Colonial dining room harking back to early turn-of-the-century homes. Matted brick walls, gold-gilded mirrored frames and back-lit capiz shutters are among the trimmings that make the interiors unmistakably XO. On the walls are framed antique photos and prints from the couple’s (owners Andrew and Sandee Masigan) numerous trips to Spain. Armed with their passion and their 24 years in the food and restaurant business, Andrew, […]

October 06, 2015

Government Offices Close on November 17 and 20 for APEC Summit 2015

In line with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) to be held in Manila on November 18 to 19, 2015, Malacanang declares those dates as special non-working days in the National Capital Region through Proclamation no. 1072. The palace also declares work in Government offices in Metro Manila to be suspended from November 17-20. The meeting, hosted by the Philippines, will be attended by twenty one (21) world leaders. Photo from Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines – This post is related to: Holiday on November 18, 19 in NCR

December 28, 2015

Vikings Dine & Fly Promo: Dine And Win A Trip For Four to Asian Cities

Vikings, the luxury buffet chain of restaurants have been known for their sumptuous culinary spread that offers the best of the world’s cuisines. And now, Vikings is giving the foodie public something new and exciting via its first ever nationwide raffle promo that gives its diners the chance to fly to some of Asia’s vibrant destinations. Head over to any Vikings, Niu by Vikings and Four Seasons Hotpot City branches near you to participate and join the “Vikings’ Dine & Fly Raffle Promo” and get a chance to win a Trip for 4 to Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong for every Php 5,000 minimum transaction!  Check the mechanics for […]

September 25, 2015

Comic Con in Manila with The Vision, Red Arrow, and Missandei

The very first AsiaPOP Comicon (APCC) debuted in Manila on September 17-20, 2015, a rare treat for the geek and pop culture community in the Philippines. Minor hiccups aside, APCC delivered on its promise to bring international stars to our shores and create the “ultimate fan experience” as they brought in 3 celebrities from some of Hollywood’s biggest titles. Paul Bettany Headlining the four-day convention was Paul Bettany, who was the voice (J.A.R.V.I.S.) and now The Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Next set to appear in Captain America: Civil War, the British actor revealed in jest that being in Marvel movies assures him of his dinner. “It’s the first […]

December 28, 2015

Waterfront Pavilion’s Seasons Restaurant Launches New Menu

SEASONS, Waterfront Pavilion Hotel and Casino’s premier lifestyle restaurant elevates its culinary creations further with a new festive selection of international a la carte dishes designed to bring exceptional delight to the palate. Proud and inspired to present his masterpieces to the press last September 18 at Seasons was Manila Pavilion’s newly appointed Executive Chef Giovanni Sias. “Meat lovers and seafood fanatics can please their palates with a variety of feisty treats from parma ham, tuna, salmon, prawns, red snapper, beef tender or rack of lamb, and have it cooked just the way they want it,” he shares. Executive Chef Giovanni Sias Pleasing is actually an understatement as the new […]

December 29, 2015

Mizuho Celebrates 20th Anniversary in the Philippines

The year 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the Manila Branch of Mizuho Bank Ltd.—a prominent financial institution in the world. To honor this milestone, a press conference was held on September 21, 2015 in Makati Shangrila where Nobuhide Hayashi—President and CEO of Mizuho Bank, gave an inspiring speech about the success of Mizuho and the emerging potential of the Philippine market. Mr. Hayashi emphasized on Mizuho’s commitment to invest in the Asian market where they recognize that 40% of the operational profit is from overseas. Their commitment to Asia led them to invest in the Philippines which they see as having the potential to play a huge role in […]

December 28, 2015

Best Vegetarian Places to Go to in Manila

Sumptuous, healthy grub minus the meat It may not look like it, but the city offers a wide-range of vegetarian options for those who prefer their meals without the meat. Gone are the days when vegetarian food is often construed as boring, bland and tasteless. The vegetarian grub of today is now infused with flavor, creative and truly mouth-watering. Below are just some of the best and preferred options when it comes to vegetarian cuisine: 1. Corner Tree Café One of the well-loved and most-lauded vegetarian resto in the city, Corner Tree Café surprises its patron with sumptuous meals coupled in a homey ambience. Corner Tree Café serves vegetarian comfort […]

December 28, 2015

Danish Brand Cocio Expands to the Philippines for its Asian Launch

Creating chocolate milk drinks since 1951, Denmark’s oldest and staple chocolate milk brand Cocio (pronounced as ‘Co-key-oh’) brings its presence to Asia and the sweet, exciting news is that the Philippines gets to have the first taste of the European favorite before the rest of the region does. Cocio has been a hit in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, other parts of Europe, and the United States. And now, chocolate milk lovers in the Philippines will get to experience the Cocio brand of quality that is about two things – premium and natural ingredients, and first-rate processing. It brings sweet fineness in a drink that is as straightforward as […]

September 16, 2015

Sept 25 Declared a Regular Holiday as Muslims Observe Eid’l Adha

Another long weekend is coming up soon as Muslims around the world observe their annual Feast of Sacrifice on September 25, 2015, Friday. President Benigno Aquino III declared the day as a regular holiday through Proclamation 1128. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos had earlier recommended that the holiday be on September 24 but the Office of the President decided to move it a day later to effect a three-day weekend. Eid’l Adha, as the law describes, is a significant occasion in Islam faith because it is the tenth day in the month of Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca, a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried […]

September 15, 2015

The Philippines Ranked as One of the Best Countries for Expat Families

Raising a family in a foreign land can be daunting, but for expats living in the Philippines, it looks like they are just in the right place – a country that in fact fosters it. A recent survey done by an international organization ranks the Philippines, a country with a culture known to be nurturing and family-centred as one of the best countries to raise a family for expatriates. Photo grabbed from marketingmag.ca Conducted by Internations.org, a global network of expats that aims to provide a solid community for those living abroad, the Family Life Index 2015 shows the Philippines at the 14th spot among 41 countries. Countries are ranked […]

December 29, 2015

Kitsho New Menu & Eat-All-You-Can Weekend Promo

Drown yourself in the rich and elegant flavors of Japanese cuisine with Kitsho’s fourth anniversary all-you-can-eat treat for only PHP888 per person located inside Hotel Jen Manila, Pasay. Enjoy this blowout promo by Kitsho in all weekends of September. Guests will surely enjoy the buffet experience with 26 selections to choose from, and to top it off, Kitsho has also introduced 7 new items in their menu spearheaded by Chef Masahiro, the executive chef of Hotel Jen Manila. Let’s go over with some of the new dishes. First is the Japanese Eggplant with Ground Chicken Sauce which looked like a tofu at hindsight. The eggplant was drowned with chicken sauce […]

September 10, 2015

Apple Unveils its Newest – the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus

iPhone fans all over the world who have been anticipating the newest from the tech giant are now all agog to get to know and get their hands on the latest release from Apple, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. This S generation of iPhone promises to bring the iPhone experience to an entirely new level with its newest features in hardware and software. The only thing that’s changed is everything. With that tagline, Apple boldly claims how this new offering alters the ways, the feel, the form, and function of iPhone in more ways than one while retaining everything we love about the brand – its greatness. It introduces […]

December 28, 2015

Lancôme Celebrates 50 Years of Absolue

The luxury beauty house, Lancôme, celebrates 50 golden years of its Absolue line which includes a complete set of skincare products – Absolue Precious Oil, Absolue Sublime Oleo Serum, Absolue Eye Serum, Absolue Premium BX, Absolue Precious Pure Creamy Foam among others at a by-invitation-only event at the Devarana Spa at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati on August 28, 2015. It was an evening of luxurious facial pampering and make-up sessions where professional therapists and make-up artists treated the guests with exclusive beauty indulgence using Lancôme products. The event’s gold theme highlighted the luxury product line’s 50th anniversary with elegance and refinement made more engaging by the courteous attendants, the […]

September 01, 2015

L’Apertivo Italiano: Experience Italy After Work (A Review)

The Italian Chamber of Commerce’s almost-midweek party was a resounding success. As the hurly-burly of Makati continued on your should-be-typical Wednesday night, Legaspi Village’s Makati Diamond Residences hosted the most chic weekday social that stopped the world of one excited crowd for at least three hours. GUESTS start socializing the moment they arrive. (Photo from Travel Magazine) Cocktail tables and cocktail tables were filled with a very fashionable group of men and women, sipping premium Italian wine and munching on cheese and breadsticks, croquetas, mini-Margherita pizzas and vegetable tortilla. The soft music, the lively chatter and the happy laughter echoing across the room set the perfect atmosphere for the event. […]

December 28, 2015

Shiseido Launches Latest Product ‘Ultimune Eye’

They say that the eyes are the mirror of one’s soul, therefore we should take extra care of it and make sure that they are healthy. The global brand Shiseido understands this, and after years of research, they have answered our eye care prayers. Three floors of opulence greeted special guests as they walked into Shiseido’s posh Beauty Penthouse. With floors such as the Omotenashi and Hanatsubaki, they were guaranteed a day of rest and relaxation along with a beauty degustation with a menu prepared by celebrity chef Rob Pengson. All these were in line with the Japanese brand’s launching of their latest product, the Shiseido Ultimune Eye. The said […]

August 28, 2015

Plan Your 2016 Holidays as Early as Now

Dreaming of a perfect holiday activity in the near or far future should not be a wishful somewhere-over-the-rainbow kind of pursuit. It has to be intentional and proactive. No procrastinating with the “it’s still a long way off anyway” kind of thinking. Enough with  imagining the future and do something now to make that future happen, and that includes your vacations of course! – – And to be able to be ahead of the pack and thereby get the best early bird deals, the prime accommodations, the best place to go to, best time to go there, and the chance to avoid the peak season rush and escalation of prices, […]

December 29, 2015

5 Top Family Activities in the Philippines During the Rainy Season

Bitten by the travel bug during typhoon season? Fret not. With these five rainy day destinations, you and your family won’t have to settle another day for the indoors. – – 1. Dip into the hot spring pools in Laguna. Dubbed as the “resort capital” of the Philippines, Laguna houses a flurry of natural hot spring resorts fit for the cold, rainy season. Resorts in the town of Calamba – a two-hour drive south of Manila – are popular for their soothing hot spring pools, which come straight from the natural springs of Mt. Makiling. – 2. Surf in Baler. A scenic six-hour drive from Manila through winding roads and […]

December 29, 2015

CoCo Ichibanya Opens Second Branch in Rockwell

First in Kapitolyo, now in Makati! The largest Japanese chain of curry restaurant, CoCo ICHIBANYA, has recently opened its second branch at One Rockwell West Tower, Rockwell Drive, Makati City last August 21. – – Currently, CoCo ICHIBANYA, or “CoCo Ichi” to its patrons, has more than 1,400 branches in Japan alone, and is continuing to expand its business into the global market, across countries like Indonesia, Hongkong, Singapore, the United States and the Philippines. Everything you’ll find in CoCo ICHIBANYA Philippines — from the food items to the restaurant look — has been pre-approved by the international management to make sure that the quality is the same as all CoCo […]