Making Your Own Christmas Gifts on a Budget

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Christmas is a very special and exciting holiday. This is a time of year to get together with friends and family to talk about activities, fun times, eat great and delicious food, appetizers and delectable desserts and to exchange Christmas presents.

Christmas seems to get more expensive every year. To save money, you can start making some of your own gifts, and it is not as hard as you would think!

Everyone is always having trouble finding gifts that are different or gifts that will be remembered.  Just try to have an easy, stress-free Christmas.  Think simple gift ideas for everyone on your list. Be sure you make a list of all the people you need to buy gifts.

Christmas presents can either be store bought or they can be homemade. This choice depends on the mood and creativity of the gift giver. This mean more to people because they are something that you took the time to prepare. Homemade Christmas gifts that anyone  appreciate it and would enjoy and feel happy. These gifts express love that you could possibly give. It is from the heart.

There are homemade gifts that will be appreciated and chances are you'll save money in the preparing it. Making it now and while everyone's still shopping, you'll be enjoying Christmas happy days instead of getting tired and fighting holiday crowds.

I’m thinking to make a simple gift basket ideas. Why buy an expensive gift basket when you could make a much better one for anyone on my list. Boutique Christmas gift baskets are expensive. It is much more economical to make our own gift baskets. We are really  going to stores. We see in the groceries and supermarkets  many items to make a great Christmas gift baskets. Buy items to be put together in a gift basket, preparing for someone's favorite items or treats.

Another gift suggestion, is food, the favorite dish. If you know how to cook , think what is probably a dish that is their favorite. This is  great homemade gift that will make them very happy. It is just a fact that people love to eat.

Chocolates and cookies are great.  This is really an  easy homemade Christmas gift. If you know how to bake and make a chocolate, that’s great! If not, just buy them from the stores and make a mix of it. Put in a box or can or include it in the homemade basket gift.

Very simple and will deeply appreciate is a compact disc of music. It’s an easy to download music and favorite songs you can compile in a compact disc. Sometimes there are songs that remind you of your gift recipient. This homemade Christmas gift is something that anyone would love and treasure forever.

There are many ways to make easy , creative and economical gifts for our love ones and people we care.

Enjoy make the homemade gifts and happy holidays! 

The Best Holidays, Fujidenzo Gifts this Christmas!

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Looking for the best Christmas gift?

I’m sure you are busy doing shopping for Christmas gifts to your  family, love ones, relatives, friends, god children and even our wish for ourselves!

This Christmas, give the gift that keeps on giving through any of Fujidenzo’s home and commercial appliances. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate gift for your parents or a great prize for your company’s raffle,  Fujidenzo will surely bring its recipients a grateful smile and cheer.


Fujidenzo appliances promise ‘Quality above all,’ assuring a high level of quality control in the products’ manufacturing process. Purchase power is not an issue since Fujidenzo assures its affordability to the average Filipino family with its reasonable prices. Thus, buying your parents a new refrigerator or purchasing several twin tub washers for your company’s raffle giveaways won’t drastically break your budget. It’s a win-win situation for you, whether you’re the giver or the receiver.


Fujidenzo’s product line-up includes refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwave ovens, and cooking ranges. There are also appliances that can be used for businesses such as chest and upright freezers, chillers, bar fridges, and wine coolers.

Other products worth considering as either a gift or for your company’s giveaways are small appliances such as electric fans, food steamers, electric kettles, coffeemakers and tea brewers.

Through its balance of quality and affordability, every Fujidenzo appliance will surely be treasured and loved since it has a useful purpose in every home. They also come in a sleek and modern design that can match any kind of kitchen design.


So this holiday season, give the perfect Christmas present. Give a Fujidenzo product today.


Happy shopping !

"Villancicos Ng Paskong Pilipino" , a concert at San Agustin Church in Intramuros

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I enjoyed watching  "Villancicos Ng Paskong Pilipino" , a concert featuring Spanish and Filipino villancicos, held at the historical San Agustin Church in Intramuros  last night, 
Dec. 6.

The “villancico” is an old music form from Spain and Portugal that has come to be associated with Christmas. This hopes to create awareness about the Filipino villancico heritage and to bring back memories of Christmas celebrations in the Spanish era. Aside from the traditional songs introduced into the country by the Spanish religious orders, Filipino composers have also tried their hand in writing villancicos. Among these are those discovered in Santa Clara Choir Books that date back to 1871-1874. Many of us heard this for the first time in the concert.

Novo Concertante Manila

Performing the villancicos were the Tiples de Santo Domingo and the Santo Domingo Male Chorale known as the oldest boys’ choir in the Philippines conducted by Eugene de los Santos and the Novo Concertante Manila with Arwin Tan as conductor.

Santo Domingo Male Chorale 

Also performed were Thea Perez, soprano and Cynthia Sy, soprano; and Alejandro D. Consolacion as the organist.

Tiples De Santo Domingo members continuing their tradition and celebrating musical supremacy since 1978.

The program  showed the traditional Nacio Nacio Pastores, a Villancico from Calahorra; Villancico A Pastores de Belen by Marcelo Adonay; Pastorale by Johann Sebastian Bach featuring Alejandro Consolacion II on the organ. Villancico Pilipino, La Virgen Lava Panales, Que Tranquilla esta la noche and Silencio pastores by Rosalina Abejo featuring soprano Thea Perez; Payapang Daigdig by Felipe de Leon; the traditional Noong Araw Ng Pasko and Noche Buena; Simbang Gabi by Lucio San Pedro; Pasko Na Naman by Felipe de Leon; and Ang Pasko ay Sumapit with Consolacion on the organ.

The finale song was Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit originally by Vicente Rubi in Cebuano and later given Tagalog lyrics by Levi Celerio is one example. So is Felipe de Leon’s Pasko Na Naman.

We were surprised by the great performances and feel Christmas carols , historical and Spanish traditional. I hear and sang inside my heart, the harmony and melody  thru the church and liturgical use of Christmas carols.

A little history of Villancicos: 

The first specifically Christmas hymns that we know of appear in fourth century Rome. Latin hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, were austere statements of the theological doctrine of the Incarnation in opposition to Arianism. Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Father's love begotten) by the Spanish poet Prudentius  is still sung in some churches today.

In the ninth and tenth centuries, the Christmas "Sequence" or "Prose" was introduced in North European monasteries, developing under Bernard of Clairvaux into a sequence of rhymed stanzas. In the twelfth century the Parisian monk Adam of St. Victor began to derive music from popular songs, introducing something closer to the traditional Christmas carol.

World of Wellness (WOW) SPArty

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Join Cory Quirino as she celebrates the first year anniversary of   World of Wellness (WOW) SPArty this coming December 17, 2011 from 9:00 am  to 12:00 pm at One Esplanade, Seaside corner JW Diokno Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Wellness Talk by Cory Quirino, Mini Fashion Show, Product Launching and Lots of Surprises.

Get Free Back Massage, Free Facial, Raffle, Free Medical Advice  and Derma Consultation. 

Freebies, Free Testing & Tasting. 

RAFFLE: Trip for 2 to Boracay with Meals (3 days and 2 Nights)

Let's WOW SPArty ! Entrance is P250.00 only!

Miss Ecuador Wins Miss Earth 2011

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Miss Ecuador Olga Alva crowned as the Miss Earth 2011 at the coronation night in UP Diliman during the Coronation Show on Dec. 3. The 23-year-old beat out contestants from 84 other countries to win the competition.


Miss Ecuador, Olga Alava, was the stunning beauty  accepted her award wearing a glittering white gown with silver rhinestone embellishments.


Alava is a native of Guayaquil. She is a model and an international business graduate as well as a student of Asian culture, who studied in China for a year and speaks fluent Mandarin.

The exotic beauty presented an ecological project for safeguarding Ecuador's mangroves. She also acts as an advocate for the protection of the Yasuni biosphere reserve in her native country.

The Philippines’ representative, Athena Mae Imperial,  was hailed as Miss Water.

Caroline Medina of Venezuela was named Miss Fire while Driely Araujo of Brazil was crowned Miss Air.



Miss Ecuador impressed judges with her answer on why education must be the priority of world leaders in promoting environmentalism. 

As this year’s title-holder, it is her duty to be an ambassador for the environment.



Miss Philippines still stood out wearing a red gown. Miss Venezuela looked like a real-life Barbie doll with her pink sequined gown.
 




“I will continue working for the environment. I’m very proud to represent my country and have this crown. I’m very happy,” Miss Ecuador told members of the press after the pageant. 

Miss Ecuador is happy for the Filipinos' support and warm welcome since they arrived in the country for the pageant's activities. She added that all of the contestants are qualified for the crown. She hopes that the candidates continue their advocacy for the environment.

“I h

ope they can still help me and work with me. They’re here for a purpose. I hope they continue protecting the environment,” Miss Ecuador said.

"Celebrating Forests for People" was the slogan of this year's Miss Earth pageant, in an effort to raise awareness of the effects of climate change. Miss Ecuador also took home a cash prize of $20,000 along with other rewards.

Age-Defying Diet

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The Okinawa Diet Plan is a great and significant contribution to the science of healthy weight loss and  longevity. For our health , read this book and follow the recommendations.

The new on-line diet and lifestyle program from the authors of the bestselling books The Okinawa Program and The Okinawa Diet Plan. The Okinawa Diet brings a unique approach to healthy living, weight loss and longevity. It teaches the right carbs, the right fats and the right proteins. It will help us healthy loss of body fat rather than just body weight.

Many people think it to be the Best Age-Defying Diet in the World. 

Dr. Willcox says the Japanese Okinawa diet can help us feel better and look younger no matter what our age.

Daily Diet

7 fruits and vegetables a day

7 servings of whole grains a day

2 servings of soy products a day

They use soy flour, tofu, and soy beans in the pod are a popular snack

Fish  > Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna

Fresh water fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which reduce heart attacks

2 servings of calcium a day

6 glasses of water a day

6 cups of herb tea.

Try this ! Be healthy and let's get leaner, live longer and never feel hungry! A wonderful  aspects of our life,  we will add years to our life and life to our years. 

CHRISTMAS Special : The Meaning of the Advent Wreaths

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Most Advent wreaths use three colors – purple, pink, and white. Some nowadays may use blue in place of the purple.

Purple symbolizing repentance and fasting. It is also the color of royalty, demonstrating the anticipation and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent. Many churches have begun to use blue instead of purple, as a means of distinguishing Advent from Lent.

Pink represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and toward celebration.

White representing purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow. It is the color of the center Advent candle.

1st Candle :  Purple Candle

THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE

We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)

2nd  Candle : Purple Candle

THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION

Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome You, O God! ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘

(Luke 3:4-6)

3rd Candle :  Pink Candle

THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY

The angels sang a message of Joy! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

(Luke 2:7-15)

4th Candle :  Purple Candle

THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE

The angles announced the good news of a Savior.  God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

5th Candle :  White Candle

“CHRIST CANDLE”

The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” 

(John 1:29)

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.‘” 

(John 3:1-8)