Christmas and New Year’s Eve Celebrations at City of Dreams Manila

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The holiday season is truly the most wonderful time of the year with enthralling Christmas and New Year’s Eve dining experiences and other exciting festivities at City of Dreams Manila. 

Santa giving out Snickers chocolate bars at City of Dreams' main entrance_

Santa Meet and Greet

During all weekends of December and on Christmas day, kids and kids-at-heart can meet and greet Santa at his log cabin for a photo op and receive a holiday goodie bag with Snickers chocolate bars at the main entrance. 

The Tasting Room

Foodies and gourmands can delight in the reopening of The Tasting Room and the introduction of its new chef de cuisine Frederic Thevenet from Michelin star restaurants in Europe and United States. Chef Thevenet together with Maitre D’ Stephen Moroney will captivate guests with a Michelin-dining experience. A holiday five-course dinner degustation menu is available from December 24 to 31: appetizer of Foie Gras Terrine with sangria jelly, papaya chutney, coco bean puree, and brioche; followed by Pollock with pomelos, mango, pear / Mâche (salad green), water cress, and Emmental. The Spinach Ravioli with egg yolk, black truffle, Bordelaise, green beans salad, and Parma ham is a fitting introduction to the evening’s entrée Beef Tenderloin with kohlrabi (cabbage turnip), lentils, and bone marrow. The Chestnut Parfait infused with clementine (a variation of mandarin) brings the dinner to a spectacular conclusion.

The Christmas and New Year Tasting Menu is priced at P5,588++ per cover.

Nobu Manila-Hamachi Jalapeno, Unagi Harumaki and Hotate Ratatouille

Nobu Manila

An exclusive seven-course Omakase menu will be on offer for New Year’s Eve on December 31. Brunch fare will be available for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebration on December 24 and 31, respectively from 11:30 am to 3 pm.

Nobu Manila-Norway Salmon Sashimi Salad with Ikura and Spicy Lemon Dressing

Nobu Manila-Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Truffle Dashi Broth and Seasonal Mushrooms

At the brunch buffet to be held a day before Christmas, a carving station will include Roasted Wagyu Leg and Baked Salmon with Honey Truffle, a buffet selection ofRoasted Kabotcha with Maple Miso Butter, Scallop Okonomiyaki, and Nobu-Style Uni Palabok. Pass-around items Baked Mussels in Truffle Butter, Chicken Lollipop with Sweet Soy Anticucho, and Rock Shrimp Tempura Creamy Spicy Sauce are paired well with the season’s freshest catch of sushi and special sashimi. A Christmas-themed dessert spread will aptly conclude the hearty feast.

Nobu Manila-Toro Tartar, Ossetra Caviar, Wasabi Soy Kumamoto Oyster New York Salsa Duo

Nobu Manila-Valrhona Mint Lava Cake with Rosé Granita and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

For the December 31 brunch buffet, the Rosemary Miso Crusted Prime Rib and Baked Whole Ham Leg along with an assortment of grilled Kushiyaki skewers will be highlighted. In addition, diners can sample hot buffet items such as the restaurant’s signature Black Cod Miso, as well as Braised Shortrib Sliders, Yaki Udon, and Roasted Sweet Potato with Truffle Quinoa, among others. Soft Shell Crab with Truffle Aioli, Washu Beef, and Baked Mussels with Uni Butter will be passed around for guests to enjoy.

Likewise, the New Year’s Eve Omakase dinner lets guests relish seven of Nobu Manila’s scrumptious courses:  a “Zensai” of Senbei Chip And Quinoa Poke followed byToro Tartar, Ossetra Caviar, Wasabi Soy Kumamoto Oyster New York Salsa Duo; a Nigiri platter of Toro, Japanese Saba, Shrimp, Uni, and Japanese Hirame; a sashimi trio comprising Hamachi Jalapeno, Unagi Harumaki and Hotate Ratatouille; Norway Salmon Sashimi Salad with Ikura and Spicy Lemon Dressing; Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Truffle Dashi Broth and Seasonal Mushrooms; Wagyu Beef Croquette with Foie Gras Ganache and Smoked Cauliflower Puree; and Valrhona Mint Lava Cake with Rosé Granita and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

The December 24 and December 31 brunch buffet offers are at P3,880++ per cover. An additional P990++ includes the standard alcohol beverage line-up while P1,990++ provides the premium champagne package.

Crystal Dragon

Families and friends can celebrate Christmas at City of Dreams Manila’s premium Cantonese-style fine dining restaurant – Crystal Dragon. For the festive season, the restaurant offers a choice between a seven-course or eight-course Christmas set menu at P1,988++ and P2,388++, respectively, during lunch at 12nn to 3pm and dinner at 6pm to 11pm.

Set Menu A features dishes such as Pan Fried Fragrant Glutinous Rice served in Abalone Sauce, Steamed Cod Fish with Black Garlic Sauce and Garden Greens, and Chilled Sweetened Mango Sphere with Pan Fried Soft Skin Ube.

Set Menu B showcases Minced Turkey in Golden Cup with Seafood Platter; Braised E Fu Noodle with Chinese cabbage, Mushrooms and Lobster Tails and Creamy Custard Croquette with Kumquat Compote.

 

Red Ginger-Festive Promotion

Red Ginger

Aside from the venue’s best-sellers, a limited-time holiday a la carte selection will be available at Red Ginger from December 16 to 31. The Red Ginger Sampler of Malaysian Style “Otak Otak”, Lemon Grass Chicken Skewers, Tuna Salad Roll, and Sesame Crispy Prawn Toast offers a feast for the senses, along with the Wagyu Beef Phad Thai, Ayam Kodok (Indonesian Style Slow-Roasted Chicken).

Wave

A sumptuous barbecue buffet spread featuring grilled dishes and a variety of Eastern and Western dishes are served by the poolside during the weekly Sunday barbecue dinner at Wave restaurant. Available on all Sundays of November and December, not-to-be-missed staples are the lemongrass-stuffed lechon carving station, the grill with bratwurst, pork barbecue skewers, chicken inasal, and lemon garlic prawns, the risotto cheese wheel, cold cuts station, breads station, salads station, and delectable desserts.

 

Cafe Society Gift Items

Café Society

Ideal presents for loved ones and friends this holiday season can be found at Café Society with treats such as holiday cakes, breads, cookies and chocolates – including adorable chocolate Santa Claus confections in small or large sizes and colorful gingerbread cookie houses – on display until January 1.

A delightful array of delicacies will be available exclusively during the Christmas and New Year promotion, such as cakes and stollen perfect for festive gatherings comprising traditional minced pie, traditional stollen, traditional English fruitcake loaf, chocolate loaf signature cake, Christmas loaf banana rum pecan cake, and Dundee cake loaf.

Giant gingerbread houses together with the display of premium chocolates shaped like Santa Claus, a snowman, a reindeer, or a penguin make for both charming yuletide décor and yummy treats, complementing the holiday macaroons in boxes of 6 and 12, Christmas cookies in a variety of designs, chocolate balls, pralines, as well as nut and fruit bars in mango & cashew, and dark, milk, or chocolate variants.

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

Paul Soriano's Siargao, official entry to the MMFF 2017, with Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales and Jasmine Curtis-Smith

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3 broken hearts, 1 island brings them together

Shot in scenic Siargao, this film tells of a love story about three people who find themselves in this beautiful island, looking for love, happiness, and belongingness.

Siargao starring Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales and Jasmine Curtis-Smith. Written by Anj Pessumal and  directed by Paul Soriano under his production company, Ten17 Productions.

Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Director Paul Soriano at the celebrity red carpet premiere of SIARGAO on December 20, held at TriNoma, Quezon City.

Siargao is a  Philippine romance film to be showing on December 25, 2017 as part of the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival.

The film was set and filmed in Siargao island. Soriano described the premise of his film as a story of "finding and losing yourself, and falling in and out of love."

Fresh from a breakup caused by her fear of settling down, video blogger LAURA (Erich Gonzales) embarks on a solo trip to Siargao hoping to move on and find a new adventure. Here she meets rock singer DIEGO (Jericho Rosales) who is caught between uncertainties of the future and baggages of the past. This fateful encounter stirs up what local entrepreneur ABI (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) thought were long lost feelings for a long lost love, i.e. Diego. 

In this unlikely triangle, is there room for second chances? Or should they move on to something(one) new?

Two of the country's top surfers, Luke Landrigan and Wilmar Melindo appear in Siargao. 

Also in the film are Enchong Dee (with special participation),  YouTube personality Wil Dasovich, Mica Javier, Roxanne Barcelo, Will Devaughn, Suzette Ranillo, and Leon Miguel.

Don't miss to watch Siargao in cinemas nationwide starting this Christmas, December 25, 2017 as part of the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival.

View full trailer YouTube: http://bit.ly/SiargaoOfficialTrailer

Visit Official Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/siargaothemovie/

http://bit.ly/TakeMeToSiargao

Website    :  http://www.ten17p.com/

Twitter      :  https://twitter.com/siargaothemovie

Instagram  :  https://www.instagram.com/siargaothemovie/

Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine Sea situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait.One of the well-known surfing waves on Siargao and the Philippines, with a reputation for thick, hollow tubes is "Cloud 9". 

#SiargaoMMFF #TakeMeToSiargao #SiargaoMovie #MMFF2017

More Filipinos now streaming HD videos

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By now, everyone is aware that internet speeds vary per country for various reasons. Arguably, netizens in the Philippines have a love-hate relationship with their ISPs. While this may be so, one thing is true across nations around the world: people love to be entertained. 

With the Philippines tracking a regular speed of 5.5 Mbps on wired and 12.33 Mbps on mobile, Globe Telecom’s data traffic from major video streaming services including YouTube and Netflix accounted for 27% of total data traffic in mobile and broadband LTE at the end of September this year. 

The significant contribution of video-streaming services in mobile and broadband LTE traffic reflects the company’s aggressive deployment of infrastructure and technologies to increase network capacities and address customers’ growing bandwidth requirement amid increasing popularity of on-demand video content. 

Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Governance, Network Technical Group, emphasized that Globe is able to sufficiently provide a good quality of video experience for its customers despite current challenges in establishing telecommunication infrastructure that include cell sites. “The continuing deployment of LTE sites and fiber-optic cables for wider coverage and enhanced capacities is in anticipation that customer demand for bandwidth-intensive video materials such as those provided by Netflix and other video-streaming services will steadily increase moving forward,” Agustin said.

A YouTube video with a resolution of 1080 pixels could be streamed with an internet speed ranging between 3 Mbps and 6 Mbps (https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853702?hl=en-GB). Also, Standard Definition (SD) video content requires less bandwidth especially in small screen devices like mobile phones.

Agustin emphasized, however, that increasing customer requirement for on-demand multi-media content necessitates a continuing build of the company’s network infrastructure such as cell sites and deployment of fiber-optic cables. For many years now, Globe has had to deal with permitting difficulties in establishing right-of-way and cell sites in many villages and subdivisions as many homeowners associations are too slow in addressing the company’s right-of-way applications, effectively tying the telecommunication provider’s hand in addressing customer demand for high-speed internet service. 

To date, Globe has so far deployed more than 5,000 LTE sites nationwide, using the spectrum assets it acquired last year including frequencies on 700 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz for wider coverage and increased capacities. Majority of the company’s LTE sites were deployed in Metro Manila and other high-density areas, where many of the country’s smartphone users are located. Mobile data traffic in January to September this year surged 73% to 430 petabytes from 249 PB a year earlier as smartphone penetration increased to 70% at the end of third quarter.

Iñigo Pascual is World Vision’s newest ambassador for children

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“It is an honor to be an ambassador for World Vision and its spiritual nurture programs for children. I want to make the most of this opportunity by raising awareness so that more people will join and support the cause.” --- Iñigo Pascual

2017 is singer-actor Iñigo Pascual’s breakout year, releasing his chart-topping single Dahil Sa ‘Yo, singing the official Filipino rendition of Remember Me, the lead song from Disney-Pixar’s newest animated film “Coco,” and having a successful first solo concert under his belt. To cap off the year with another milestone, the recording artist joined international child-focused organization World Vision as its newest ambassador for children.

As a World Vision advocate, Iñigo aims to use his voice to help children know their basic rights and to promote good values among the youth. 

“Every child has the potential to make his or her dreams a reality, but this potential can only be tapped if they are given the right opportunities,” said Iñigo.

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes expressed his excitement in welcoming Iñigo to the World Vision family. 

World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes welcomes Iñigo Pascual, the World Vision’s newest ambassador for children

“Iñigo is proof that the youth can do amazing things with their talents, skills, and creativity. As a young artist himself, he can inspire Filipino children to not only reach for their dreams but also to be upstanding citizens who value their families and communities,” shared Godornes.

Now on its 60th year in the Philippines, World Vision continues its mission to provide children with better access to their most basic needs. The organization currently aims to give Noche Buena packages to 34,000 children across the country, a Christmas tradition that they have been doing since 2005. 

To give a Noche Buena gift, please visit www.worldvision.org.ph, follow www.facebook.com/wvphilippines, or call the World Vision hotline number at 372-77-77.

Epson Strengthens partnership with DepEd on Gift of Brightness project

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GoB to select less –privileged public schools that demonstrated excellence and innovation in different fields

Epson Philippines formalized the company’s commitment to equip less-privileged, deserving public schools with Epson technologies under the Gift of Brightness project. In the photo are DepEd Secretary Honorable Leonor Briones, Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, Director IV for External Partnership Services Margarita Ballesteros. Signing for Epson Philippines is Marketing Communications and PR Head Donna V. Ferro, assisted by Epson Philippines PR Specialist Mica Bayot. 

The partnership between the Department of Education (DepEd) and Epson Philippines on the digital imaging company’s Gift of Brightness program for youth and education was formalized during the Memorandum of Agreement ceremonial signing for DepEd partners held recently at the L.B. Soriano Hall, SEAMEO Innotech in Quezon City.

As a company, Epson has always supported the youth and education through various projects and advocacies, one of which is the Gift of Brightness program, started in 2013.

The Gift of Brightness program aims to equip deserving, less privileged schools in the country with Epson technologies to help the students in their studies and school projects through the donation of complete technology packages for each recipient that consist of Epson printers, projectors, scanners, label printers, document cameras and a year’s supply of inks and cartridges.

“Since we started the program, there have been 45 beneficiary-schools, 27 of which were coursed through the Department of Education for the selection process under our partnership for the past two years. We believe that by offering detailed innovation, which is at the heart of all Epson products, we can contribute to uplifting the learning experience for the students. We hope that through the Epson Gift of Brightness, we can help bring brightness and inspiration,” explains Donna V. Ferro, Head of Marketing Communications and PR, Epson Philippines. 

Secretary Briones compared the partners efforts to the help extended by the stakeholders and concluded her speech by urging private companies “to find the true meaning of Christmas among the children whom you are serving.”