December 29, 2025

Ring in the New Year with Irresistible feasts at City of Dreams Manila’s signature restaurants

To usher in the New Year, City of Dreams Manila whets up the appetite for festive dining at its signature restaurants Crystal Dragon, Haliya, Nobu Manila, and The Café with special menus inspired by the spirit of the season. The Café and CenterPlay take New Year’s Eve events a notch higher as bands hype up the beat to a midnight countdown.

Crystal Dragon Festive Family Menu

The integrated resort’s signature restaurant for Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties continues to offer its seven-course Festive Season Family Set until January 1, 2026 for lunch and dinner at P36,000++. The menu, which is good for four to six persons, blends refinement, tradition, and seasonal signatures and consists of a combination platter of Wok-fried Green Lobster with XO sauce and Stuffed Tiger Prawn with spinach and crabmeat egg white sauce; and Double-boiled Abalone, Fish Maw, Dry Scallop and Stuffed Morel Mushrooms with chrysanthemum tofu in consommé.

Completing the Festive menu are the Steamed Live Sea Grouper in sour broth with fresh enoki mushroom; Shanghainese-style Braised Duck in caramelized five spice soy sauce; Sea Scallops Tossed with Celery Heart in pepper truffle sauce; Wok-fried Fragrant Rice with wild mushrooms and smoked honey-glazed pork belly; and Steamed Taro-shaped Lava Custard Bun.

Crystal Dragon is open from 12 noon to 11 pm daily.


Haliya’s Bagong Taon Menu

City of Dreams Manila’s restaurant for reimagined Filipino cuisine, Haliya thoughtfully curates a “Bagong Taon” a la carte menu available for dinner on December 31 and January 1, 2026.

For appetizer, Haliya entices with Pulpo Tocino with char-grilled cauliflower, pumpkin puree, roasted bell pepper, pickled kamias, mesclun, and microgreens. The restaurant’s creative take on Sopas is also offered, which deliciously combines sous vide chicken breast, sweet potato gnocchi, celery, carrots, and asparagus. The Beef Mechado is the menu’s pièce de resistance consisting of slow-roasted Angus beef tenderloin, potato truffle puree, chorizo salsa, and grilled eggplant. The menu’s dessert, Coconut Foam, a medley of crème caramel, persimmon, sugar palm fruit, mango, berries, kiwi, and coconut cream spuma (foam) is sweet welcome to the new year ahead.

Haliya’s New Year menu is available from 5 pm to 11 pm on both dates.


Nobu Manila Omakase and Sunday Brunch

A refined dinner awaits guests at the Manila outpost of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s globally renowned restaurant, which puts into spotlight a five-course New Year Omakase menu available on December 31 and January 1,2026  at P6,653.57 net per person. The dinner menu commences with a chef’s choice of zensai, followed by a refreshing first course of a mouthwatering Octopus Sashimi with lemon, ginger and aji amarillo. It continues with a chef’s choice of assorted Nobu-style Nigiri and Wagyu Inaniwa Noodles with Japanese negi (leeks). Further exciting the palate are the next courses of Grilled Lobster with nashi pear, dry miso, crispy yuba (tofu skin) and chives, and Grilled Wagyu with truffle amazu ponzu, crispy onion, and truffle. The tasting menu ends with Watermelon Pavlova with meringue, fresh berries and watermelon sorbet.

The Café Buffet

Hyatt Regency Manila’s interactive show kitchen is making the New Year’s celebration exceptional with its December 31 lunch and dinner buffets, with the latter offering two seatings at 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. A live band and a DJ rev up the mood at dinner leading to a special countdown at midnight.

The Café buffets tempt diners with Roasted Salmon Tuscana-style, Osso Bucco, and mouthwatering variety of premium meats at the churrasco counter, and alive teppanyaki station.


The carving station features an Herb-crusted Striploin for lunch, and Slow-roasted Angus Prime for dinner. In addition, freshly cut sashimi from a whole tuna plus a whole salmon at dinner are certain crowd pleasers, together with the irresistible seafood selection consisting of prawns, Chilean mussels, Manila clams, blue swimmer crabs, slipper lobsters, curacha, served alongside an assortment of sushi, maki, and nigiri. Not-to-missed are the signature dishes of various cuisines: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Filipino, among others. An array of cold cuts and cheeses, a variety of holiday-themed cakes and confections, an indulgent chocolate fountain, and local dessert favorites elevate the New Year’s Eve indulgence.

Lunch is at P3,150, while the dinners are at P4,288 (first seating) and P4,988 (second seating). The package is inclusive of free-flowing house red and white wines, draft beer, soda, iced tea, juices, coffee, and tea.

CenterPlay’s New Year Countdown

Besides The Café, City of Dreams’ New Year countdown party is focused around CenterPlay, the entertainment bar destination, featuring adrenaline-pumping beats that start at 6 pm, climaxing at 11:30 pm as the clock ticks close to midnight from live, high-energy band performances of Part 3, Zyncxation, Eye Candies, and DJ Merlzie. CenterPlay makes available various countdown packages based on seat preferences, which all include party favors and a special media noche platter consisting of kinilaw na tanigue (Spanish mackerel ceviche), camaron rebosado (deep-fried battered shrimp), crispy lechon belly, and vegetable atchara. The countdown package rates start at P2,500 net for single-seats, inclusive of a glass of Heartcraft sparkling wine and P1,000 net consumable food and drinks from the bar’s  regular menu; P10,000 net for a VIP table for four persons, inclusive of one bottle of Heartcraft sparkling wine and P4,000 net consumables; and P20,000 for a VIP table of eight persons inclusive of two bottles of Heartcraft sparkling wine and P8,000 net consumables.

For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, visit https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/en/whats-on . Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.

MMFF 2025 awards night highlights - "I'mPerfect" win Best Picture

The MMFF 2025 awards night saw "I'mPerfect" win Best Picture, with Vice Ganda taking Best Actor for Call Me Mother, and Krystel Go winning Best Actress for I'mPerfect

     Photo : MMFF FB

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) held the Gabi ng Parangal 2025 (Awards Night) on Saturday, December 27, at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City, recognizing the year’s outstanding films, artists, and technical achievements. With the theme “A New Era for Philippine Cinema,” this year’s festival features eight official entries, reflecting a diverse mix of genres, narratives, and performances from some of the country’s biggest and emerging stars.


Here's the MMFF’s most significant highlights:

Major Awards Winners

Best Picture 1st: I'mPerfect

2nd: Unmarry

3rd: Manila's Finest and Call Me Mother

Best Actress in a Leading Role 
Krystel Go – I'mPerfect

Best Actor in a Leading Role 
Vice Ganda – Call Me Mother

Best Director 
Jeffrey Jeturian – Unmarry

Best Actress in a Supporting Role 
Odette Khan – Bar Boys: After School

Best Actor in a Supporting Role 
Tom Rodriguez – Unmarry

Best Child Performer 
Lucas Andalio – Call Me Mother

Best Screenplay 
Chris Martinez and Therese Cayaba – Unmarry

Best Editing 
Benjo Ferrer – Unmarry

Best Cinematography 
Raymond Red – Manila's Finest

Best Production Design 
Digo Ricio – Manila's Finest

Best Visual Effects Santelmo Inc. – 
Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins

Best Sound 
Roy Santos – Manila's Finest

Best Musical Score 
Frederik Sandoval and Emerzon Texon – Manila's Finest

Best Original Theme Song 
"Sandalan" by Vehnee Saturno – Manila's Finest

Special AwardsWinners

Gat Puno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award  
 Manila's Finest

FPJ Memorial Award 
Bar Boys: After School

Best Float Award 
Manila's Finest and Unmarry

Gender Sensitivity 
Award Call Me Mother

Special Jury Prize (Best Ensemble)
I'mPerfect

Breakthrough Performance Award 
Zack Sibug – Unmarry

MMFF Hall of Fame Award -
 Best Actress Judy Ann Santos

MMFF Hall of Fame Award 

Best Production Award 
Ericson Navarro

Male Star of the Night
Will Ashley and Dustin Yu

Female Star of the Night
Bianca de Vera



I’mPerfect took home the Best Picture honor, with Unmarry and Manila’s Finest / Call Me Mother following closely in the top placements.

Vice Ganda made headlines by winning Best Actor for Call Me Mother — a landmark achievement for the comedian in the MMFF awards scene, with critics and audiences alike praising the performance and the film’s emotional depth.

Manila’s Finest emerged as the most decorated film of the night, sweeping multiple technical awards including Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Musical Score, Best Original Theme Song, and the Gat Puno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award, highlighting its artistic and cultural impact.

The ceremony also paid a heartfelt tribute to National Artist and Philippine cinema legend Nora Aunor, who passed away earlier in 2025, honoring her enduring legacy in the industry.

Other highlights included Best Actress for Krystel Go (I’mPerfect), special recognitions such as the Gender Sensitivity Award for Call Me Mother, and ensemble honors, reflecting the diversity and strength of Filipino filmmaking showcased at MMFF 2025.

The ceremony was hosted by KaladKaren, Enchong Dee, Maoui David, and Michael Sager. The program featured special performances by The Voice USA champion Sofronio Vasquez, teen sensations Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji, and powerhouse vocalist Jona.


The MMFF 2025 nationwide screening runs from December 25 until January 2026.

December 28, 2025

Christmas moments, shot clearly on vivo V60 and V60 Lite

This Christmas season, heartfelt moments turned into stories worth keeping through the vivo V60 and V60 Lite.

From cozy Christmas tree photos to candid outdoor celebrations at night, the vivo V60 and V60 Lite showcased how powerful camera technology can preserve the warmth, joy, and emotion of the holidays.


Shot entirely on the vivo V60 and V60 Lite, these photos highlight how smartphones deliver clarity even in festive indoor and low-light settings. Christmas trees, nighttime celebrations, and spontaneous moments were captured with balanced exposure, sharp details, and natural colors.

Designed to bring flagship-level photography into everyday storytelling, the vivo V60 and V60 Lite allow users to stay present during celebrations while trusting their smartphone to capture every moment effortlessly- backed by the 6500mAh BlueVolt battery that powers through long holiday nights and Noche Buena snaps.

vivo V60: When a simple gift becomes the moment

There’s something quietly special about holding a gift before it’s opened. The soft glow of a Christmas tree, the subtle sparkle of decorations, and the anticipation in the air make the moment feel intimate and alive.

With the vivo V60, every detail of that quiet joy is preserved naturally. Its ZEISS-tuned 50MP OIS main camera, 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, and Aura Light capture expressions, lighting, and textures without losing the warmth of the scene.


V60 lite: Christmas night, captured outdoors

Christmas celebrations don’t always stay indoors. The vivo V60 Lite is built to capture moments that happen after dark, handling glowing Christmas trees, street portraits, and everyday details with clarity and balance.

One set of photos was taken by Nash, a content creator and photographer, who spent Christmas evenings documenting the season around the city. From holiday displays to candid street portraits and quiet moments over a drink, his images reflect the authenticity of Christmas.


"The portrait mode on the vivo V60 Lite is amazing, especially with the AI Aura Light. We were celebrating Christmas outdoors, mostly taking night shots, and it captured everything beautifully," he said.

Equipped with its 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor and AI enhancements, the V60 Lite delivers sharp, vibrant night shots that preserve natural colors and details, making it a reliable companion for spontaneous Christmas moments.

Beyond specifications, the vivo V60 and V60 Lite are built for ease and speed, allowing users to capture moments effortlessly as celebrations unfold. With this camera performance and smart AI enhancements, smartphones ensure that no Christmas memory is missed.

Starting at Php 14,999 for the vivo V60 Lite and Php 28,999 for the vivo V60, the devices are available at vivo concept stores, kiosks, and online via the vivo e-store, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Get yours now until January 10, 2026 to get a chance to win a brand new Jaecoo J7SHS SUV.

As the season of celebrations continues, vivo invites users to keep capturing meaningful moments with the V60 and V60 Lite beyond the holidays.

A Look Back on How HONOR X9 Series Became the No. 1 Mid-range Smartphone in PH

It has now become a tradition for HONOR to launch its biggest hit X9 series every January


Leading global AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines has dominated the mid-range smartphone market with its iconic and biggest hit smartphone market with its iconic and biggest hit HONOR X9 series. Started with HONOR X9a 5G in 2023, HONOR has been dropping hits after hit, literally. At this point, the new year's campaign of the viral phone series has already become a tradition.

“When we launched HONOR X9a 5G, we literally had zero expectations. What we had was hope and confidence in our capabilities, and then it exceeded all expectations. We did not let the success get into our heads; we just thought it was beginner’s luck. So, we leveled up with HONOR X9b 5G, and again it became a massive hit. Then HONOR X9c 5G came and it was our biggest feat yet, outdoing everything we’ve done in 2023 and 2024,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

The HONOR X9 series has been synonymous with its exceptional durability, raising the bar year after year. What began with 5-foot drop tests evolved into a 50-foot intense drop test-- and this year, HONOR X9c pushed to the extreme, dropped from a helicopter hundreds of feet above ground, further proving its unmatched toughness.

“One can only think about how we can even top the past three generations of HONOR X9 series. We must admit, it has become a challenge at this point, but with the technology and talent we have at HONOR, it is indeed a good challenge. I’m very excited for everyone to witness what we have been planning for the past few months,” Cheng continued.

That unforgettable moment—when 264 brave participants dropped their HONOR X9c 5G simultaneously—earned HONOR a coveted spot in the Guiness World Records for “The Most People Performing a Mobile Phone Drop Test Simultaneously.” This historic feat positioned HONOR Philippines as a benchmark in delivering credible, impactful messaging, reinforcing HONOR’s place as the standard for innovation, durability, and trust with the Filipino consumers.

The question remains, is HONOR ready to follow the success of the past HONOR X9 series? Stay tuned.

For more information and exciting announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

In the meantime, check out HONOR’s wide array of mobile phones, tablets, and laptops at any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores nationwide (https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/) or online via Shopee (https://bit.ly/HONORPHShopee), Lazada (https://bit.ly/HONORPHLaz) and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/HONORTikTokShop).

Android and iOS sharing made easy with vivo X300 Series


The most wonderful time of the year also happens to be the most share-heavy. From Christmas dinners to New Year countdowns, smartphones fill up fast with photos, videos, and memories waiting to be passed around. Yet for many users, especially those switching between Android and iOS, sharing files across devices still feels like an unnecessary holiday hurdle.

That familiar pause after someone says, “Can you send me that photo?” is exactly what the vivo X300 Series is here to erase.

With the arrival of OriginOS 6, the vivo X300 Series introduces One-Tap Transfer, a smart cross-device collaboration feature that makes file sharing between Android and iPhone refreshingly simple. No cables, no cloud detours, and no multiple uploads and downloads. Just a quick tap, and the moment moves with you.

One tap, two phones, and zero hassle

One-Tap Transfer works through NFC technology, allowing photos and files to move directly between vivo X300 Series and an iPhone. To begin, iPhone users only need to download vivo’s EasyShare app, available for iPhone 12 and newer models running iOS 17 or later.


Scenario 1: vivo One-Tap Transfer to iPhone

• Long-press to select photos or files on your vivo phone

• Gently tap the NFC area of the vivo device with the iPhone

• Choose to receive the files on the iPhone

Scenario 2: iPhone One-Tap Transfer to vivo

Method 1:

• Open Photos on iPhone

• Select a photo, tap “Share,” then choose EasyShare

• Tap the NFC areas of both devices to transfer

• Note: Live Photos sent via this method will be converted to non-Live Photos

Method 2 (recommended for Live Photos):

• Open the EasyShare app on iPhone

• Tap “Send Files” and select the files

• Gently tap the NFC areas of the iPhone and vivo device

• Files are transferred directly with Live Photos preserved

Why it's a game-changer this holiday season


The vivo X300 Series breaks down the long-standing wall between Android and iOS ecosystems. For iPhone users, it means receiving full-quality photos without relying on messaging apps or cloud links. For Android users, it delivers a faster, more intuitive way to share without compatibility concerns.

Together, One-Tap Transfer turns spontaneous sharing into a seamless, in-the-moment experience, perfect for holidays when memories are made and shared in real time.

Because during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the last thing anyone needs is a file transfer delay.

Share more, stress less

Experience effortless sharing with the vivo X300 Series, now available starting at Php 67,999 at vivo concept stores nationwide and online via the vivo e-store and Shopee.

This season, let your memories travel as easily as the moments themselves, only with vivo X300 Series.

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