Experience Romance , Indulgence, and Luxery at City of Dreams Manila this Love Month

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City of Dreams Manila celebrates the season of love and passion with romantic offerings that include epicurean experiences at signature restaurants The Tasting Room, Crystal Dragon, and Nobu Manila; sweet treats from Chocol8 and Café Society; Valentine’s weekend acoustic nights at The Garage; a dreamy staycation package at Nobu Hotel; and revitalizing spa treatments at Nobu Spa and Nuwa Spa. 

The Tasting Room

Bringing in a Michelin-star dining experience of contemporary French cuisine infused with Asian influences, The Tasting Room is a fitting choice for a memorable Valentine’s indulgence. 

Available from February 13 to 15, The Tasting Room’s five-course Valentine’s dinner menu at Php 6, 600++ per person begins with Lentils Hummus with Hazelnut Oil, Grey Shrimp, Tiger Prawns and served with Socca; and Crackers served with Eggplant, Apple, and Mint; followed by Grilled Foie Gras Terrine with Artichoke and Port Wine; Cod served with Pineapple, Coriander And Sesame Seed; Smoked Grim Beef Tenderloin with Coffee, Salsify and Hazelnut; and concluded with an indulgent dessert of Chocolate Ginger Tart with Exotic Fruits and Pomegranate.

The set menu comes with an option for wine pairing at Php 3,100++ which consists of Pascal Jolivet, Pouilly Fume, Sauvignon Blanc 2016; Babich, Gewurztraminer 2012; Louis Jadot, Pouilly Fuisse, Chardonnay 2015; Penfolds Bin 389 2011; and Jurancon, Clos Lapeyre 2013 respectively.

For added enchantment, The Tasting Room’s Valentine’s dinner comes with a complimentary welcome glass of Henriot Brut Champagne, a door gift of Mexican hot chocolate cube and lemon cake, and a long-stemmed red rose for each lady.

Crystal Dragon 

Crystal Dragon, known for its award-winning Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties, is featuring a Romantic Dinner Set Menu for a dining experience that captures the heart and palate from February 13 to 15.

The five-course Valentine’s set menu at Php 3, 880++ per person consists of a Romantic Heart-shaped Stuffed Breaded Prawns Cake on Mixed Salad with Swan Dumpling filled with Black Pepper Duck Meat; Braised Sea Treasures and Scallop Dumpling served with Black Truffle in Lobster Bisque; Braised Pork Ribs with Red Wine Vinegar and Wolfberry Reduction; Wok-fried Egg Noodles with Seafood, Sliced Abalone and Vegetable Sauce; Earl Grey Vanuari Milk Chocolate Crème Cake with Rose Water Strawberry Gel. Complimentary Jasmine Tea is served for the set menu.

Nobu Manila

Ideal for a standout Valentine’s dinner that explores Japanese-Peruvian flavors, Nobu presents a five-course Valentine’s Weekend Omakase with Sake Cocktail Pairing from February 14 to 16 at Php 10,000 nett for two persons or Php 5,000 nett for one (optional).

The Valentine’s Nobu Omakase dinner starts with Zensai, a Chef’s selection of appetizers paired with Sake Rosé composed of TK 40, rose petal syrup, lemon, mint, ginger ale, and Kumomo; followed by Nobu Sashimi Platter which consists of Ceviche, Big-eye Tuna with Chocolate Balsamic Sauce and Oyster with Maui Onion Salsa; seasonal selection of Nobu Sushi which includes Toro, Nobu Tamagoyaki, Lapu Lapu, and Salmon. The dinner is punctuated with a serving of Spiced 40, a medley of spiced syrup with notes of anise, vanilla and cinnamon; Don Papa Rum; cherry syrup; lemon; and egg white. Brick Oven Roasted Slipper Lobster Tail with Lobster Miso Cappucino and Sweet Corn Kakiage, and Sous Vide Australian Tenderloin with Nobu Bonito and Uni Egg Sauce, Crab, and Umami Vegetables precede dessert consisting of Strawberry Adzuki Bean Entremet with Kinako Cookie and Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream.

Chocol8 and Café Society

Impressive Valentine’s gifts for love ones is not complete without indulgent chocolate treats, hampers and other sweet delights from Chocol8 and Café Society.

From February 1 to 15, Chocol8 showcases signature and handmade Chocol8 brown bear chocolate and pink bear chocolate at Php 2,300 nett each; and Chocol8 dragées box at Php 1,250 nett among others. Guests can also express their affection for those close to their hearts with different kinds of Valentine’s hampers that include an assortment of chocolates that come with other treats to choose from: a snuggly teddy bear or a bottle of Martini Rose starting at Php 2, 000nett.

Similarly, Café Society captivates those with a sweet tooth, through its Valentine’s treats from February 11 to 15 that include Valentine Cookies (Php 340nett); St. Valentine’s Cake (Php 420nett); Valentine Heart Danish Set (Php 240); and Chocolate Lemon Heart Cake (Php 1,600nett) among other sweet choices. These delectable creations can be paired with a selection of floral arrangements: a single stemmed rose at Php 500nett; a bouquet of roses starting at Php 1,500nett; a spring bouquet at Php 2,000nett; or a grand flower arrangement in a basket at Php 2, 300nett. Café Society also features Valentine’s gift sets with different selection of cakes and other sweet treats paired with either a snuggly bear or a bottle of wine, starting at Php 1,050nett.

The Garage

For singles, couples, families and friends, The Garage, an entertainment and dining destination with a VR Zone and food park is a place to come together for a Valentine’s celebration with music and free-flowing drinks. The Garage will feature a “Valentine’s Serenade” - acoustic nights that go hand in hand with packages for singles or couples from February 13 to 15, 7 PM to 9 PM

Thor Dulay, dubbed “Master of Soul,” entertains the crowd with ballads on February 13; guitarist and singer-songwriter Pido will make Valentine’s Day sweeter with his music and on February 15, Paolo Santos, who is behind hits like “Moonlight Over Paris” will bring in the Valentine’s vibe with his heart-melting performance.

The Single’s Package is at Php 1,400 nett per person and includes free flowing house red wine, white wine, and sparkling wine; San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Light draught beer; chilled juices at The Bar; sodas; and signature iced tea. The Couple’s Package at Php 3, 499 nett, , includes the same free-flowing selection of drinks for two persons with the addition of one Ecuadorian Rose, one Teddy Bear plush toy, and a 150 gram chocolate tile from Chocol8.

Staycation at Nobu

For celebrating important occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Nobu Hotel provides a blissful escapade with its Dream Celebration package starting at Php 14,088 nett. The package includes a complimentary breakfast for two at Nobu Restaurant and Php 5,000 worth of dining credits at any of City of Dreams Manila’s operated restaurants such as Nobu Manila, Crystal Dragon, The Tasting Room, Red Ginger, Jing Ting, and Café Society, and more.

The package also provides guests with a special turndown amenity; 25% discount on food and beverage items on at any of City of Dreams Manila’s operated restaurants; 20% discount on Dreamplay and K-Golf; 10% discount on VR Zone at The Garage and Dreamshop at DreamPlay; complimentary local calls; and complimentary shuttle service to and from SM Mall of Asia.

Nobu Spa

A contemporary Japanese oasis with signature massages, Nobu Spa highlights the Romantic Indulgence package for two at Php 8,999 for the whole month of February. The package includes a choice of either an indulgent Chocolate Body Scrub or a soothing Express Facial Scrub; and is followed by the Yin Yang Couple’s Harmony Massage which uses harmonious energy movement based on the principle of Qi, set to enhance relationship energies of couples.

To make the spa journey more memorable, a complimentary long-stemmed rose, a box of chocolates, and a bottle of red wine are given to each couple.

Nuwa Spa

Romance and luxury goes hand in hand at Forbes Four Star Awardee Nuwa Spa. For the love month, couples can avail of Nuwa Spa’s Pure Love Radiance which includes a pampering Chocolate Body Scrub followed by the Yin Yang Couple’s Harmony Massage. For Php 9,999 nett, the package provides a complimentary long-stemmed rose and a box of chocolates. For added indulgence, guests can opt for the Php 11,999 package, which includes an additional bottle of red wine.

For inquiries and reservations, call 800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Best Valentine gifts for your coworkers

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Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s the one day when you can show friendly affection for everybody you have formed good relationships with: friends, family, and even coworkers. 

This upcoming Valentine’s day, bring some heartfelt feels to the office and show your appreciation for the people you spend most of your weekdays with by giving them small presents to show you care. 

Stumped on what to bring to work on the day of hearts? 

Here are a few easy-to-accomplish suggestions that are guaranteed to make your recipients feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

1.  Put out some pizza. This works for a smaller team, or even bigger teams if your budget can afford it. While it could potentially be a splurge, it’s also a particularly nice treat for your teammates. Bonus team bonding experience points if you could all gather around the pantry and just hang out, too!

2. Ease the day’s stress by having a ball. Every day has a little stress mixed in with the tasks, and a little squeezeable cutie by your side makes everything a little better. So why don’t you provide your work mates with a little relief and pass around a basket of stress balls on Valentine’s for those who might really need them? Even when your day isn’t completely crazy, these soft, cute balls will remind people that there’s a reason to smile. 
If you can’t find stress balls to your liking, there are many little puzzle games that provide helpful distraction from the day’s worries. There are also cute mouse pads that double as wrist rests and ease the stress of working on a keyboard for extended periods of time. 

3.  Perk them up with their favorite drink. Start Valentine’s day right and offer to go on a morning coffee run for the team. To make sure you get each person what they want, take orders the night before. Not only does this gift start everybody’s day off on a high note, but if you write each person a nice note to go with their coffee, it can boost more than just their caffeine levels. Take it a step further and provide filling, sweet treats that pair with their brews. To avoid breaking the bank, avail of budget-friendly treats. Super Delights Brownie Bites, for example, are great for this purpose. They’re fudgy, chewy, and individually wrapped, so you can pass around a heaping bowl of these fun treats and everyone can just help themselves.

4.  Stock up on stationery supplies. Another thing nobody can get enough of at the office is stationery supplies. And while every office might provide standard pens and paper, where’s the fun in that, right? A quick visit to a school supply or an art supply store easily yields a wide selection of affordable sticky notes, page markers, pencils, magnets, and even paper clips that range from stylish to cute to quirky and even sassy. Tie up a few with a simple ribbon and leave a heartfelt note, and there’s a good chance your recipients will smile a little every time they use them. 

5.  Say it with brownies. Who doesn’t love to sneak a little snack in the middle of the day? Show your coworkers you support their snacking habit by slipping several pieces of Super Delights Brownie Bites in a cute bag and leaving them on the desks of chosen co-workers. Delicious and affordable, these treats come in easy-to-bring-around packs that hold a single fudgy serving at the peak of freshness until they’re ready to be enjoyed. A prime example of responsible snacking, a pack of these can easily last a colleague with a sweet tooth an entire week. 

It only takes a bit of time and effort, but these little gifts will make your office environment sweeter for those who share it with you. On the one day when people are either taken or single, take the time to remind those around you that we’re all in the same boat after all. 

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER AT CENTURY PARK HOTEL : Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Your Home Away From Home

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The most romantic day of the year is drawing near, love is in the air indeed! If you are looking for a quiet and classy place to have dinner, Century Park Hotel (CPH), one of the finest hotels in Manila, is definitely the go-to place this Valentine’s Day.

On February 13, 14 and 15, 2019, “An Affair to Remember” brings you the finest cuisine for only P2,300 net per person. This package comes with three glasses of wine. 

For those who prefer dinner only, the price comes at P1,800 net per person. The same rate applies to kids.

Carefully prepared by CPH’s Executive Chef Raymond Chua, the Valentine’s Special includes Soup of the Day to be then followed by Mixed Green Salad with choice of three dressings. For the main course, choose from Pan-roasted US Beef Tenderloin Steak marinated with the finest herbs and topped off with marble potatoes, house made salsa verde and char-grilled vegetables or Mixed Seafood Picatta, a concoction of angel hair pasta, sauteed leafy vegetables and scallion cream sauce. To cleanse off the palate, a Trio of Lemon dessert will truly cap off this sumptuous dinner composed of Lemon Meringue Tart, Cheesy Lemon Cake and Lemon Gelee.

“Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, it is really for families as this occasion is a celebration of love in all forms. We look forward to having you spend this memorable night at Century Park Hotel,” said Anthony Tan, CPH’s General Manager.

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience.

To know more about Century Park Hotel, visit www.centurypark.com or contactinformation@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 528-8888.

The Future of Smartphones: What we know so far about Vivo’s 2019 opening salvo

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In 2018, Vivo cemented its position as the innovator of the smartphone industry—always introducing breakthrough technology. From the Vivo X21, the first to feature an in-display fingerprint scanner, to the NEX series that boasts of additional impressive features such as a huge screen-to-body ratio, to name one.

The consistently remarkable releases just gets everyone all the more excited for what Vivo will pull out its sleeves next. An unofficial image circulating the web, of what might be the speculated V15 or the latest in the NEX series, shows that it might bring in a groundbreaking pop-up front camera.

The image suggests that this model that will truly highlight what it’s like to have a notch-less display has been in the works since early 2018. Meaning, the innovative OEM brand has been brainstorming how to create the smartphone with a full-screen display for a while now. And that this development might be the game-changer in the smartphone industry that we’ll get to see in the near future, if not soon enough.

Aside from the intriguing front elevating camera, rumors are that it will also jump into the triple-lens trend. Based on the image study, could we be looking also into a waterproof smartphone? While nothing’s certain at this point, what’s certain is that Vivo is keeping up the ante, and is definitely releasing something exciting this February.

Send GCash Ang Pao and Get a Chance to Win up to P88,888.88 this Chinese New Year!

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With the 2019 Chinese New Year just a few days away, it has been a tradition to share blessings through the "Ang Pao" - a red paper envelope containing a monetary amount as good fortune for the incoming year. And together with the Ang Pao, the number 8: a number that has long been associated with luck in Chinese culture, mainly for the fact that it sounds similar to a Chinese word that means "wealth”. So to start the year right, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, GCash, is holding a special CNY promo for its customers!

GCash users that will send digital Ang Paos worth a P1.00 minimum to at least two other users from February 1 - 14, 2019 will get a chance to win P88,888.88! Other rewards go from P1.88 up to P8,888.88.

To send an Ang Pao via GCash, a customer should just log-in to his GCash App, select Send Money, and select Send Ang Pao. Once there, a customer must select at least two recipients of a minimum of P1.00, enter a CNY greeting, and select one of the plenty Ang Pao designs. Even GCat is there.

“With GCash’s new Ang Pao feature, we enable the digitalization of the traditional red envelope for faster and more convenient distribution to our customers. Now, they can send digital red envelopes to anyone in the Philippines within seconds,” said Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt. Mynt is the operating company of GCash.

Also known as the Spring Festival in China, the Chinese New Year is a major date celebrated in communities around the world, with the 5th of February marking the Year of the Earth Pig. GCash’s special CNY offers follow the customs during the festival, where it’s traditional to share good luck through red paper envelopes which contain money.

Update to the latest version of the GCash App or download from the App Store or from Google Play to experience the time-limited Ang Pao promo. 

For more details, visit www.gcash.com/ang-pao-promo. Gong Xi Fa Cai! 

Getting a GCash account is easy. Just download the GCash App for free from the App Store or from Google Play and sign up for an account. Alternatively, you can look for @gcashofficial on Messenger and sign up.

To fund their GCash account, a user can visit over 16,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide, like 7-Eleven, SM Business Centers, Robinsons Business Centers, Puregold branches, and Villarica Pawnshop branches, and tell the cashier to cash-in to their GCash account. Cashing-in to a GCash account is free.

*Ang Pao redeemable only once per day