5 Stranger Things moments that hit close to home

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Stream the final season (or rewatch the entire saga) this holiday season only with PLDT Home Fiber Netflix Plan 1599

When you think of Stranger Things, you probably picture Demogorgons, epic 80s fashion, and Kate Bush saving the day. But every real Stranger Things fan knows that at its core, without the monsters and the mayhem, the hit series is a story about love.

From the first flicker of the Byer’s iconic Christmas lights back in 2016 to the most recent heart-stopping moments in its top-trending fifth season, the Duffer Bros’ entire masterpiece is a testament to the power of family, friendship, and sheer courage combined. Here’s a recap of the best moments that truly stick – the ones that remind us why we root for our band of everyday heroes and why they always find a way to survive.

Spoiler alert!

1. Finding the light (Season 1, Episode 3: “Holly, Jolly”)

One of the show’s first iconic moments goes all the way back to its premiere run. After days of grieving and being told she’s delusional, Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) finally connects with her missing son Will (Noah Schnapp) from the Upside Down. Using a wall covered in painted letters and tangled Christmas lights, she realizes the terrifying, beautiful truth: Will is alive.

This scene is the genesis of the show’s central theme: family ties transcend dimensions. Joyce refuses to accept the world's logic, relying purely on a mother’s intuition. Her fierce, protective love for Will turns a mundane suburban home into a supernatural Ouija board, and herself as the medium. It's this devil-may-care display of unconditional love that grounds the entire series in emotional reality.

2. Billy’s redemption (Season 3, Episode 8: “The Battle of Starcourt”)

Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) is introduced as a bully on campus and a volatile stepbrother at home. But possessed by the Mind Flayer, he finds himself face-to-face with Eleven (Millie Bonnie Bongiovi). When El reaches into his memories and reminds him of his loving mother, he breaks free of the Flayer’s control for a precious moment and sacrifices himself, taking the brunt of the monster’s attack to save El and the rest of the kids.

This unexpected act of heroism is a devastating lesson in compassion. It proves that even the most damaged person has a core of pure good that can be awakened by love – in this case, El’s empathy and his own lingering childhood memory. It’s a tragic, powerful conclusion to his character arc that reinforces that anyone, even a villain, can choose to be an everyday hero.

3. Max’s run to “Dear Billy” (Season 4, Episode 4: “Dear Billy”)

Trapped in Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) psychic prison, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is moments from death. As Vecna feasts on her grief, Max’s friends – Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Steve (Joe Keery) – race against time in the real world to play her favorite song, Kate Bush’s iconic “Running Up That Hill.” Hearing the music, a lifeline thrown by the power of friendship, she finds the strength to run, breaking Vecna’s hold and rocketing back to her body.

This scene is the ultimate affirmation of love as the driving force, on top of being a fantastic musical sequence. (It has become legendary in the real world, too, inspiring so many memes online!) Max is saved not by superpowers, but by the determined, loud, physical devotion of her friends. It showed that even when facing down ultimate trauma, you are never truly alone if you have your chosen family to pull you back.

4. Hopper’s letter to Eleven (Season 3, Episode 8: “The Battle of Starcourt”)

Following Chief Jim Hopper’s (David Harbour) presumed death in the Starcourt Mall explosion, Joyce finds the heartfelt speech he wrote for Eleven and Mike – a letter he planned to use to talk to them about navigating coming of age, setting boundaries, and growing up. The contents of the letter are read aloud in a tear-jerking voiceover.

Though he's gone, Hopper's voice echoes the difficulty of fatherhood and the universal truth of letting go. His message to El about keeping the door open three inches shows the complexity of their unique family ties and his struggle to protect her while allowing her to grow. It’s a bittersweet moment that defines their bond, only to be made sweeter when they finally reunite later in Season 4.

5. Will's new power and Mike's pep talk (Season 5, Part 1: "Sorcerer")

As the final confrontation begins in Part 1 of Season 5, Will struggles with the emotional weight of his lifelong connection to Vecna. Just before the group attempts a risky tunnel mission, Mike pulls Will aside to remind him that his power – his empathy, his ability to feel the danger – is an innate, sorcerer-like strength, not a weakness.

This pep talk, coupled with Robin's earlier advice to Will, unlocks a new ability in Will, allowing him to telepathically command Demogorgon-like entities during the subsequent battle. This scene is the ultimate payoff for Will's long journey of coming of age and the "chosen family" theme. Will had felt sidelined and traumatized, but Mike’s unconditional love and belief transformed his greatest fear – his connection to the Upside Down – into his greatest strength. It’s a powerful moment of emotional validation where friendship quite literally saves the day and turns a survivor into a champion.

Relive all of heartwrenching moments of love and friendship from Stranger Things, now on its fifth and final season. Stream Stranger Things on Netflix and enjoy more unli-entertainment only with PLDT Home Fiber Netflix, the most value-packed internet & entertainment plan with a complimentary Netflix Basic subscription. To learn more and apply for a PLDT Home Fiber Netflix Plan 1599, visit pldthome.com/fiber-netflix. 

Photo credits: Netflix

Celebrate Every Holiday Meal with El Real: Sulit sa Lasa, Sulit sa Presyo

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El Real brings you affordable, high-quality pasta dishes fit for every celebration.

The holidays are here—and for Filipino families, that means gathering around hearty, home-cooked meals made with love, especially during Noche Buena. It’s the most anticipated feast of the season, a time when families come together to share laughter, stories, and their favorite dishes. But with prices continuously rising, many moms are looking for smart ways to make their Noche Buena and other family celebrations just as delicious and meaningful—without going over budget.

This is where El Real pasta becomes the perfect kitchen companion. Designed for wais and determined moms who refuse to compromise on quality or taste, El Real offers value-for-money pasta made from high-quality wheat flour that’s expertly milled to ensure every dish turns out to be masarap, masaya, and always sulit.

Made for every type of cook and celebration, El Real’s pasta line comes in multiple formats—from classic spaghetti to flat spaghetti, elbow macaroni, party pasta, and even healthy variants—making it easy to create different dishes for any occasion. Whether you’re serving a big Noche Buena spread or a simple merienda treat, El Real gives you the flexibility to cook more for less, while keeping every meal consistently delicious.

What makes it truly sulit is that El Real pasta cooks beautifully—hindi malabsa, hindi bitin sa serving, and always firm and flavorful. Each pack promises the perfect texture that holds sauces well and brings out the best in every recipe. It’s this reliability that’s earned the trust of moms who want to stretch their grocery budgets without sacrificing the joy that comes from a comforting plate of pasta shared with family.

For Millennial moms who juggle so many responsibilities yet still want to give their loved ones the best, El Real offers reassurance: you can serve restaurant-quality meals at a price that fits the family budget. Because for these moms, making their family happy doesn’t mean spending more—it means making smarter, more thoughtful choices.

So, this holiday season—and even on ordinary days that deserve something special—let El Real be your partner in creating delicious and wallet-friendly dishes. And for even greater convenience, El Real also offers bundle packs with sauce, so you can easily prepare complete pasta dishes that are masarap, mas saya, at siguradong sulit.

El Real can be your trusted partner in creating delicious and budget-friendly dishes for your family this holiday season

Designed for wais and determined moms who refuse to compromise on quality or taste, El Real offers value-for-money pasta made from high-quality ingredients

vivo X300 Series Photo Contest winner shows power of telephoto storytelling

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Multimedia producer Bryan Aliwalas wins 1st, takes home vivo X300

vivo Philippines turned zoom into spotlight at the vivo X300 Series Launch Photo Contest, a competition that challenged guests to tell powerful stories using only the flagship’s 200MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera during the launch event.

With intention, emotion, and striking contrast at the core of his frame, multimedia producer Bryan Aliwalas emerged as the grand winner, proving that distance is not a limitation, it’s a new perspective waiting to be captured.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1125229609777120&set=a.606217685011651

The contest kicked off live on November 26 during the vivo X300 Series Launch, where Photography Masterclass speaker and judge Jan Mayo reviewed all submissions and selected the Top 3 finalists based on telephoto creativity and storytelling.

The top 3 then moved online for a 3-day public voting period on vivo's official Facebook page, where the winner was determined by the highest combined reach and engagement. It was during this stage that Bryan’s 15x zoom photo of a spotlight-lit wall artwork captured the audience’s attention and earned him the top spot.

Judge Jan Mayo, commended Bryan’s photo: “When we say telephoto, it offers a new perspective of something unknown or far away. The black area emphasizes what’s in the middle, making the vibrance and contrast truly stand out.'’

Winner’s Insight: Seeing Far, Feeling Close

Bryan said, “At first, I took photos of subjects close to me, and they turned out great. But I wanted to challenge myself, and of course the phone, so I decided to capture something far from my position. I noticed an artwork on the wall illuminated by the event lights, zoomed in to around 15x, found the right angle, and took the shot. The vivo X300 handled it perfectly and delivered a clear, detailed photo.”

“I also paid close attention to Jan Mayo’s talk and the sample photos he showed that were taken with the vivo X300 Pro. When I later noticed the artwork highlighted by a spotlight, it immediately struck me as the perfect subject,” he added.

As part of vivo’s appreciation for creative excellence, Bryan will receive the flagship smartphone, vivo X300. He was on a drive to Tagaytay City when he found out about his win from his girlfriend, making the moment even more memorable.

Engagement in Every Frame

Beyond the grand prize, vivo also honored the entry that generated high engagement on the official Facebook voting post.

Branded content editor Euden Valdez captured a subtle yet striking moment, noticing her subject across the table and using the glass in front as an unexpected frame, earning her 2nd place and a vivo V60.

“It made my day! I was super-duper surprised and grateful,” said Euden.

Experience your own win with vivo X300 Series

The vivo X300 Series Launch Photo Contest spotlighted a new frontier in smartphone photography, one where telephoto lenses bring audiences closer to stories, even from afar.

The vivo X300 Series is now available for pre-order until December 5, 2025:

• vivo X300 — Php 67,999
• vivo X300 Pro — Php 77,999
• Accessories: vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Kit (Php 12,999) and vivo PGYTECH Imaging Grip Kit (Php 7,999)

Here are great deals:

• Exclusive pre-order freebies such as vivo X Series VIP Card and limited-edition vivo Watch GT
• Device trade-in discount of up to Php 56,100 in savings via CompAsia
• Online pre-order on Shopee until December 10 with up to 12 months 0% interest via SPayLater
• Official Shopee launch on December 11, 8 PM —the chance to get the vivo X300 Pro with a free vivo     ZEISS Telephoto Extender Kit

vivo Philippines congratulates all participants and looks forward to more inspiring shots that prove every zoom tells a story.

DTI Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village 2025 : Holiday Shopping with Meaning and Purpose

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As the countdown to Christmas begins, the Department of Trade and Industry, through its Bureau of Market Development, Promotion, and OTOP (DTI-BMDPO), invites the public to enjoy holiday shopping with more heart and meaning at the 2025 DTI Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village. The festive marketplace runs from December 23 to 28 at the Megatrade Halls 1–3 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Designed as a relaxed lifestyle destination, the Christmas Village brings together over 200 Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises from across the regions, offering shoppers a refreshing alternative to crowded malls and rushed gift buying. It is a place where holiday shopping feels intentional, enjoyable, and deeply connected to Filipino creativity.

Visitors can browse through thoughtfully arranged stalls featuring artisanal food, curated gift items, fashion accessories, wellness products, home décor, and holiday essentials. Each product reflects the craftsmanship, stories, and values of Filipino entrepreneurs, many of whom are family-run or community-based enterprises. The Village encourages shoppers to pause, explore, and rediscover the simple joy of choosing gifts with care.

Gifts That Feel Personal, Not Rushed

Today’s Christmas shoppers are increasingly looking for gifts that feel thoughtful and personal. The Christmas Village responds to this shift by offering products that are not mass-produced, but carefully made by Filipino MSMEs from different parts of the country. These items are ideal for gift exchanges, family gatherings, and presents meant to be remembered long after the holidays.

DTI Asec Nylah Rizza Bautista

DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista, Supervising Head of the DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group, said the Christmas Village reflects what holiday shopping should truly be about. “Christmas is a time for connection and thoughtful giving. The Christmas Village allows shoppers to choose gifts with intention, while directly supporting Filipino MSMEs and the communities behind them,” she said.

With more than 200 MSMEs participating, shoppers can easily find options that suit different tastes and budgets. Each purchase becomes part of a larger story of support, resilience, and shared celebration.

Tatak Pinoy Finds for the Modern Filipino Home

The Christmas Village also highlights products aligned with the Tatak Pinoy strategy, which promotes Filipino-made goods that combine quality, innovation, and strong cultural identity. Many of the items on display show how local craftsmanship continues to evolve, blending heritage techniques with modern design and contemporary lifestyles.

These Tatak Pinoy finds demonstrate that Filipino creativity is dynamic and forward-looking. They show that local brands can inspire pride and confidence, making them natural choices for meaningful holiday gifting.

A Relaxed and Festive Way to Shop

Unlike the usual holiday rush, the Christmas Village offers a calmer and more enjoyable shopping experience. Festive décor, warm lighting, and well-curated sections create a space that encourages browsing, discovery, and meaningful connection. It is a setting where shopping feels like part of the celebration rather than a chore.

Families can browse together, friends can enjoy a festive stroll, and office groups can conveniently complete their gift lists in one destination. The atmosphere reflects the warmth and generosity that define a Filipino Christmas.

Capping a Year of MSME Market Support

The Christmas Village also marks the culmination of a year-long series of trade fairs and market promotion activities organized by DTI-BMDPO to support MSMEs nationwide. Throughout the year, these initiatives have helped entrepreneurs test products, refine branding, expand reach, and connect with consumers in various settings.

DTI Sec Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque 

As the final major market event of the year, the Christmas Village brings these efforts together in one celebratory space. It allows MSMEs to close the year with renewed visibility and stronger market presence, while giving consumers the opportunity to see the full range of Filipino creativity developed and strengthened over the past year.

Choosing Local as a Christmas Tradition

Every purchase at the Christmas Village helps sustain livelihoods and strengthen local economies across the regions. By choosing Filipino-made products, shoppers contribute to a more resilient MSME sector while celebrating the season in a meaningful way. 

DTI-BMDPO invites the public to visit the DTI Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village from December 23 to 28 at Megatrade Halls 1–3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, and experience holiday shopping that is joyful, purposeful, and proudly Filipino. The Christmas Village stands as an uplifting reminder that Christmas shopping can celebrate generosity, creativity, and the shared spirit of supporting local enterprise

HOLIDAY FEASTS AT CITY OF DREAMS MANILA’S SIGNATURE RESTAURANTS

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City of Dreams Manila’s signature restaurants Crystal Dragon, Haliya, Nobu Manila, and The Café are bringing the holiday cheer through special menus that evoke the season’s festive flavors.

Crystal Dragon’s Festive Season Family Set Menu are thoughtfully prepared for a memorable holiday indulgence.

Crystal Dragon

The integrated resort’s signature restaurant for Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties blends refinement, tradition, and seasonal signatures in its Festive Season Family Set Menu. Curated to celebrate togetherness, the seven-course menu, good for four to six persons consists of: a combination platter of Wok-fried Green Lobster with XO sauce and Stuffed Tiger Prawn with spinach and crabmeat egg white sauce; Double-boiled Abalone, Fish Maw, Dry Scallop and Stuffed Morel Mushrooms with chrysanthemum tofu in consommé; 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.

Available for lunch and dinner until January 1, 2026, the family set menu is available for P36,000++. Crystal Dragon is open from 12 noon to 11 pm daily.

Haliya

Haliya’s Peras and Kastanyas is an ode to the seasonal Filipino Christmas favorites.

Haliya, City of Dreams Manila’s go-to restaurant for reimagined Filipino cuisine, presents ala carte seasonal favorites that evoke the Filipino noche buena feast.

Whet the appetite with the Tuna Pistachio Ensalada (P1,200++), a medley of foie gras mousse, mesclun, prosciutto, caviar, beetroot puree, red radish, chicken skin, and kiat—kiat dressing. For a heartwarming treat, choose the Potato Kastanyas Krema (P500++), a soulful combination of cauliflower and potato and leek soup with chickpea salsa, water chestnut, toasted cashew, and malunggay truffle oil. The Morcon Embotido (P1,550++) is not-to-be missed as the savory Filipino-style meatloaf wrapped pork loin with potato puree, pickled mustard seeds, chestnut, green apple, and morel pork jus is an indulgent Christmas treat. End the meal on a sweet note with the Peras and Kastanyas (P400++), an ensemble of star anise-poached pear, chestnut sorbet, caramel sauce and pinipig crumble.

Haliya’s Christmas menu is available on December 24 from 5 pm to 11 pm, and on Christmas Day, from 12 noon to 11 pm.

Nobu Manila

Rich and savory, Nobu’s Wagyu Short Ribs with aka (red) miso sauce, croquettes, micro greens, and red onion is a symphony of flavors and textures.

Christmas arrives early at the Manila outpost of the globally renowned restaurant of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa as it offers a lavish yuletide brunch spread on December 21. Available for P4,388net per person, the festive brunch highlights the best of Nobu’s new-style Japanese cuisine including Black Cod Butter Lettuce, a sashimi trio of Yellowtail Jalapeño, Salmon Karashi Su Miso, and Sashimi Salad, Crispy Rice Tuna, and mini Chirashi complemented with local favorites prepared the Nobu way such as Nobu-style Kinilaw and Sisig Cup Sushi. Other tempting choices are the featured carvings of Roasted Lamb Leg and Crispy Pork Belly; an array of oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, and green mussels at the Chilled Seafood Bar; different choices of kushiyaki (skewers) prepared a la minute; salads, soups; and a dessert station that spotlights signature Nobu desserts.

For one-of-a-kind Christmas dinners, Nobu Manila highlights a special Christmas Omakase menu available on December 24 and 25. Available for P6,653.57 net per person, the special five-course tasting menu commences with a chef’s choice of zensai followed by the first course of Salmon Yuzu Truffle with whipped wasabi and dry miso crumble. The next course of chef’s choice of assorted Nobu-style Nigiri (hand-pressed sushi) and Harusame Clear Soup with Inaniwa noodles, leeks, and wakame (seaweed) build up the palate before the mains consisting of Chilean Sea Bass in Kaeshi Dashi with yuzu kosho, asparagus, and chives, and Wagyu Short Ribs with aka (red) miso sauce, croquettes, micro greens, and red onion. A delectable Chocolate Miso Choux a combination of miso crémeux, chocolate mousse, and vanilla cream provides a sweet conclusion to the meal.

The Café

The Café’s seafood selection is a delightful choice for the holiday’s celebratory meal

Hyatt Regency Manila’s interactive show kitchen curates a festive buffet spread for celebratory lunch (12 noon to 3 pm) and dinner (5:30 to 11 pm) on December 24 and 25. Diners can look forward to a variety of premium meats at the churrasco counter, live teppanyaki station, and the carving station, which features an Herb-crusted Striploin for lunch and Slow-roasted Angus Prime for dinner. Seafood choices are in abundance, starting with Whole Tuna for lunch and Whole Salmon for dinner, served alongside an assortment of sushi and sashimi, and other seafood selection including prawns, Chilean mussels, blue swimmer crabs, slipper lobsters, and curacha. Other buffet highlights are well-loved dishes of various cuisines: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Filipino, among others. An array of Christmas-themed cakes and confections, an indulgent chocolate fountain, and local dessert favorites complete the enticing buffet spread.

Lunch is at P3,150, while the dinners are at P4,288 on December 24 and P3,250 on December 25, which already includes free flowing house red and white wines, draft beer, soda, iced tea, juices, coffee, and tea. As additional holiday treat, The Café is giving out 20% early bird discount for guests fully settling reservations by December 20. Discounted early bird rates are at P2,520 for lunch, and P3,430.40 for Christmas eve dinner and P2,600 for Christmas Day dinner. 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