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I was initially surprised to know that SM Hypermarket was opening at the FTI area in Taguig which is predominantly surrounded by huge factories and warehouses.

Continue reading →

C2 Sarap Ng Christmas Winners

C2 Christmas Tree Entry

The National College of Business and Arts Fairview‘s Hotel and Restaurant Management Society emerged victorious among the top 10 finalists in last night’s C2 Cool and Clean “Sarap Ng Christmas” Tree-Making Contest awarding ceremony at Market-Market in Taguig City.

C2 Cool and Clean, the country’s pioneering and leading ready-to-drink green tea beverage launched the C2 Sarap Ng Christmas Tree-Making Contest with the aim of bringing relevant and memorable Christmas experience to the youth and young-at-heart.

The top 10 finalist C2 Christmas Trees with an average height of 13 feet are currently on display near the main entrance of the Market Market mall in Taguig.

At Market!Market!, Taguig City

Some of the Top 10 Finalists

“C2 Sarap Ng Christmas” Christmas Tree Making Contest

C2 “Sarap Ng Christmas” Tree-Making Contest Winners

NCBA Fairview, the grand prize winner, received the Php 75,000 cash prize on stage with teary-eyed student representatives who expressed gratitude to the judges for appreciating their craft. Moreover, a Php 30,000 endowment went to the school. A key highlight to their entry was the presentation of a complete table set-up as to be expected from HRM students.

The winning group, composed of 24 students, used 1,211 bottles to decorate their 12-ft Christmas tree .

The National College of Business and Arts Fairview Hotel and Restaurant Management Society bags the top prize

NCBA’s Winning Christmas Tree (foreground) complete with dinner setup

The 2nd prize went to 1st runner-up winner – Philippine Women’s University Student Choir Group – for their brightly-lit rendition of the Christmas Tree with a dominant “C2” at the center. They received Php 50,000 in cash prize and an endowment of Php25,000 for the school. 12 students from the PWU group used 1,200 C2 bottles to build the 12-ft Christmas tree.

Philippine Women’s University Student Choir Group got the 2nd Prize

PWU’s brightly-lit C2 Christmas Tree

The 2nd runner-up winning the 3rd prize of Php 25,000 went to Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Supreme Student Council (Finalist #3) for their tall entry hhighlighted by a “C2 Star” at the top. The school also received an endowment of Php 15,000. The 12-ft tree used-up  a total of 2000 C2 bottles assembled by about 100 students.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Supreme Student Council got the third prize

PLM’s proud C2 Christmas Tree at night

Criteria

The finalists were narrowed down to the top 10 in the duration of the search where different schools from Metro Manila were invited to build thematic Christmas trees using hundreds of C2 bottles in less than a month.

The C2 Christms Tress from University of the Philippines Artist’s Circle Sorority

The entries were judged based on the following criteria:

• C2 Sarap ng Christmas Theme: 40%
• Creative Execution: 30%
• Technical Execution: 30%

Ms. Viveca Singson, Corporate Communications Manager of JG Summit,  Ms. Cat Velayo, Account Director of PC&V,  Mr. Mark Acosta, Manager of URC Corporate Marketing Services Group, and Ms.Carla Chaves, Marketing Manager of URC Beverages – Tea Category, were among the judges of the said competition.

One of the crowd’s favorite – the creative entry from the University of the Philippines UP Artist Cricle Sorority – unfortunately was not able to get a place in the top 3 probably due to missing the first criteria where the judges were looking for a traditional Christmas tree. Nonetheless, it won the hearts from most of the crowd who got themselves some “selfies” with the attractive pinkish-red tree.

Top 10 Finalists: C2 “Sarap Ng Christmas” Tree-Making Contest

1. Philippine Women’s University University Student Choir
2. University of the East College of Engineering and Recognized Organizations
3. Jose Rizal University Central Student Council
4. University of Makati College of Allied Health Studies
5. University of the Philippines Artist’s Circle Sorority
6. United Architects of the Philippines Graduate Auxiliary
7. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Supreme Student Council
8. NCBA Cubao Future Educators Club
9. NCBA Fairview Junior Philippines Institute of Accountants
10. NCBA Fairview Hotel and Restaurant Management Society

The other Top 10 Finalist Christmas Trees

Over all, C2 Cool and Green gave away over Php 200,000 worth of prizes. The other finalists also received Christmas gift packs as consolation prizes.

“C2 has always been at the forefront of supporting the youth and encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Through the C2 Christmas Tree Making Contest, we hope to showcase the artistic talent of these young students ..this Holiday Season” says Mr. Edwin Totanes, VP and General Manager for URC Beverage Division.

The winners of the C2 Sarap Ng Christmas Tree-Making Contest

C2 Colors of Christmas

Celebrate Christmas with C2

With the success of C2 Sarap Ng Christmas Tree-Making Contest this 2013, we are sure to anticipate its 2014 run next year. Keep yourselves updated at C2 Cool and Clean Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/C2CoolandClean.

As the year 2013 closes and we anticipate the upcoming new year of 2014, let us celebrate a healthier and more delicious new year with C2’s latest flavors – C2 Red Tea and C2 Iced Tea – which best fits the holiday season to make us exclaim with more vigor: “Sarap ng Christmas!“

Starbucks Partners Christmas Cup Design Contest 2012

Starbucks Red Cups

It is customary for Starbucks Philippines to unveil new food items, beverages, and of course, the Starbucks Planner every Christmas season. But last year was extra special with the Starbucks Partners Christmas Cup Design Contest which was part of the Christmas Kick-Off Party held at Bonifacio High Street.

Moreover, NomNom Club was offered the opportunity to be one of the three judges in that competition.

Here is a photo blog from the Starbucks Partners Christmas Cup Design Contest 2012:

Starbucks Partners “Baristas” Design the Cups

The venue was outdoor fronting Starbucks Bonifacio High Street

It was held in conjunction with the Starbucks Cheers Party Launch

Starbucks Philippines Team in full support of the Christmas-themed event

My Favorite Starbucks Christmas Cup Design

More amazing entries from Starbucks Philippines Partner “Baristas”

The Top 3 Starbucks Partners Christmas Cup Design Contest 2012 Winners took home cashprizes and Starbucks merchanidise including Starbucks Planners and GCs

Furthermore, the contest had an open category for interested participants from the public called “Turn it Red” where they should turn a white Starbucks cup into red by drawing on it using red pens (no other materials are allowed on the cup). Three winners were chosen and announced at the Starbucks Philippines Facebook Page. The winners got Starbucks Planners, Starbucks mousepads, Starbucks keychains, Starbucks Stainless Steel cups, Starbucks Gift Certificates and more!

Starbucks Red Cup Design Contest open to the public

“Turn It Red”!

The “Turn It Red” winners were subsequently announced in the Starbucks Philippines Facebook page

Top entries from the Starbucks Christmas Cup Design Contest 2012

Albeit ‘very’ belatedly, congratulations to the winners!

The seasonal Starbucks Red Cup has been symbolic for the iconic franchised coffee brand every Christmas season and creative activities such as these reinforces its tradition.

I hope they bring back the Starbucks Partners Christmas Cup Design Contest in 2014 and open it to customer-participants as well. 🙂

SM Supermarket BF Paranaque

No less than top celebrity Kris Aquino led the opening of SM Supermarket BF Parañaque as it opened at the new SM City BF at Dr. A Santos Road cor. President Ave., Sucat Parañaque, south of Metro Manila a week ago. Continue reading →

Have you seen the latest Jollibee TVC? Obviously themed for the Christmas season tapping on theme of the Filipino OFW, the TVC was entitled “Noel“.

The Gift of “Noel“

With the Taxi Cab Driver

It starts with an OFW father who just came back to the Philippines and is eager to see his family whom he missed for two Christmases. On his way home via a taxi cab, the elderly driver happens to miss his own son who is similarly an OFW. Instantly a connection was made. The OFW father surprised their children by meeting up with his wife in a Jollibee branch and at the same time serve as a welcome-back home celebration. Knowing the driver’s predicament, the OFW father invited the taxi cab driver over to join their celebration with the encouraging words “Tara ‘tang, kami ngayon ang pamilya mo.“

Merry “Noel”

On first impressions, this is something to be expected from Jollibee, a Filipino food brand. They know that the Filipino viewers will relate to the TV ad since they are avid dramatic family-themed teleserye (tv series) viewers. They love watching tear-jerker movies and stories which ends with a “happily ever-after” conclusion.

“Tara ‘tang, kami ngayon ang pamilya mo.”

But to be honest, I was watching the video with tears being held in my eyes. I didn’t exactly have an ideal family set up decades ago so I know how much a complete family can mean for those who are lacking. In addition, Christmas, which starts as early as September in the Philippines, is the most important holiday season in this native country. Moreover, the OFW theme is considered among the most divine and noble. It is a family-oriented sacrifice too much to bear, but nonetheless necessary due to circumstance. This is the reason you would find a large number of OFWs coming back home for Christmas – it shows how they value their family.

“Dito ang sarap ng Pasko”

Indeed, Christmas is merrier in the Philippines specially with the whole family.

I can relate to the Jollibee Christmas TVC “Noel” as it touches Filipino hearts with an OFW theme. How about you, what is your Jollibee Christmas story?

Wendy’s S&R Shaw

Do you know the old Cherry Foodarama along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong? It’s now an S&R Shopping Center! And the better news for foodies is that a new Wendy’s Hamburger branch is near its entrance facing the Shaw Boulevard road – it’s the Wendy’s S&R Shaw branch.

Since it’s a new branch of Wendy’s, loyal customers could expect the new look of Wendy’s stores in the Philippines incorporating the new simpler and straightforward logo as you might have seen in it’s new branches since early this year.

Wendy’s S&R Shaw Boulevard

Wendy’s Interiors

Counters

New Wendy’s Red Cups! (Not Just for Christmas!)

New Wendy’s Food Packaging

Did you love Wendy’s traditional yellow cups with it’s old red logo in the middle? Would you happen to still have some of ’em? Hold on to it as it will soon be a collector’s item!

Its cups and cartons have joined the bandwagon of getting a new look – welcome the very red Wendy’s packaging!

It’s sooo red you won’t miss it. 😛 The change is patterned after it’s international master franchise to be implemented in all its branches as well. And mind you. it’s not just for the Christmas season.

Wendy’s Hamburger Packaging! 

So for the Wendy’s aficionados from the middle earth middle of Metro Manila – a.k.a. Mandaluyong – you have the new Wendy’s S&R Shaw along Shaw Boulevard to satisfy your Wendy’s Hamburger cravings!

Personalized Toblerone for Christmas

Celebrity Ramon Bautista

Surely, anyone would love to receive a gift, however simple it is as it’s usually the thought that counts. Nonetheless, don’t you feel more special when the gift you received is customized with your name? This is Toblerone‘s idea on how to make gift-giving in the Philippines more sweet and special. Continue reading →

There are four numbers to remember from this ‘Awesome Secret Foodies Tour‘ – they are 8, 20, 3, & 1000. The numerals represent 8 restaurants, a 20-course degustation, 3 Hours, and 1000 pesos.

Foodies Anton Diaz, RJ Ledesma, wifey Marjorie Uy & NomNom!

The Tuscany Food Tour at McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio presents a 20-course degustation spread among 8 restaurants that intends to continually fill your tummies for 3 hours. All these for a measly P1,000 from you pocket. Moreover, 2 of the metro’s iconic foodies – RJ Ledesma and Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet – will join the group of 30 to make the experience more engaging.

Participating Restaurants in the Food Tour:

• Sauceria
• Planet Grapes
• L.E.S. Bagels
• Main Street
• Sophie’s Mom
• B&T Mexican Kitchen
• Marciano’s
• Trattoria Poggio Antico

Not to keep you wanting for too long, let’s take a peek on what the 8 restos  have to offer:

Planet Grapes

Wine pairing at Planet Grapes plus choice of one red wine and one white wine:

Planet Grapes

Wines include Folie a Deux Merlot 2010, Joel Gott Riesling 2011, and Kunde Family Chardonnay 2011, among others

RJ Ledesma joins Our Awesome Planet in hosting the Tuscany Food Tour

Trattoria Poggio Antico

4-in-1: Prosciutto con Melon (ham and melon on pizza crust), Crespella del Poggio Antico (crepe stuffed with ham and cheese, and mushrooms in truffle oil), Pomodoro e Mozzarella Crostini and assorted pizzetas, and Oyster Sur Pate di Fegato (oyster on liver pate)

This Foodie Tour come in a Group of 30

….or simply your small group of friends

B&T Mexican Chicken

B&T Mexican Kitchen

Chipotle Chicken Pizza, Mango Glazed Habanero Chicken, Taquitos Espesyal with Barbacoa, & Nachos with Assorted Dips [+ Awesome “Rice” drink on the left]

Chicken Mole

L.E.S. Bagels

L.E.S. Bagels with assorted Cream Cheese Filling (NomNom Tip: :I love the one with black sesame seeds)

Marciano’s

West Side Four Season Pizza; (not in photo: Woody Allen Linguine)

Dow Jones – US T-bone with prawns, potato wedges, sausages, and roasted vegetables

Sauceria

Feta Cilantro Tomato Cocas – Spanish style pizza

Artisanal All-Beef Burger with tuyo blue cheese spread in a Furikaki bun

Tuna Tataki – Zaru Soba with homemade wasabi sour cream dip

Main Street

Poutine – thick-cut fries served with beef gravy and cheese curds (best with San Miguel Beer)

Wagyu Burger – Kitayama beef in sesame buns served with tomato relish, cheddar cheese and their very own house sauce

BEST DESSERT in this tour: Organic Maple and Candied Bacon Artisan Ice Cream (using vanilla maple base)

Sophie’s Mom

The place is dainty and cute fit for the little princess. However,  I’m not sure if the Red Velvet shown below will be offered because the tour menu only indicated Oreo Cheesecake Cookies and Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes (fyi). Any which way, you could always order it independently. 🙂

Red Velvet Cupcake (display only)

The “An Awesome Secret Foodies Tour” is presented by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls for you to discover Tuscany’s best kept secrets starting today (November 30) and for the next three more Saturdays (December 7, 14 and 21) from 2pm to 5pm.

The experience will enable you to taste a little bit of everything and get a feel of the place before splurging out on an entire meal. Only a limited set of 30 tickets will be available per date tour so hurry up and get your tickets at designated booths near the Tuscany Grand Villas Gate from 11:00am to 6:00pm (between Ukkokei Ramen Ron and Marciano’s).

An Awesome Secret Foodies Tour @ Tuscany

For more information, you may call 709-0888, 709-9888 or 0917-838-0111.

Food Tour Tip: Eat slowly and enjoy the company as much as you would the food. Each participant will be given a tour kit including the tour ticket, tour pin, degustation menu and the McKinley Hill Gourmet Guide.

NomNom Top Picks are:

• Main Strreet’s Organic Maple and Candied Bacon Artisan Ice Cream
• Sauceria’s Tuna Tataki
• Sauceria’s Feta Cilantro Tomato Cocas
• Marciano’s West Side Four Season Pizza
• L.E.S. Bagels with black sesame seed (I forgot the name; it was long 🙂
• B&T Mexican Kitchen’s “Rice” drink
• Planet Grapes’ Torrontes wine.

Join this mouthwatering degustation at Tuscany in McKinley Hill with your friends and family and I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as we did during the media tour. This Tuscany Food Tour is a secret no more, but remains awesome for the next 4 Saturdays.