OUR AWESOME PLANET

What's your favorite Patchi Chocolate?

Patchi, the Lebanese Chocolates founded by Nizar Choucair, is finally here in Manila!  Thanks to Lucy Torres who gave it as a gift to Ben Chan, who in turn fell in love with it and franchised the boutique store in the metro.

Patchi already has a cult following of chocolate lovers in Manila. It is known for having the finest chocolates with nutty fillings, and thematic chocolate favors/gifts. It is a bit on the expensive side, but it is an affordable luxury that one can indulge in to celebrate milestones or to give as gifts.

1/1/2011 New Year's Eve Parties in Manila!

12/23/12 Update: Manila's Awesome Guide to Year End Christmas Celebrations and BEST New Year's Eve Parties to Welcome 2013!

1. The Biggest New Year's Eve Concert @ Eastwood Grand New Year Countdown

Eastwood organizes the Best New Year's Eve Concert in Manila. The Official Quezon City Countdown will be in Eastwood Mall from 5pm of December 31 to the morning of January 1.

Eastwood is said to be throwing the best New Year's eve concert featuring K 24/7, Kiss Jane and Dream Carousel, True Faith, Side A, Freestyle and Journey’s frontman Arnel Pineda with The Ammo Band.  It will be hosted by Cesca Litton and KC Montero. There will be free photo booths, videoke booths and other sponsored activities.

For inquiries, call the Eastwood Mall Concierge: +632 709-9888, + 63 917-8380111.

2. New Year Fireworks @ Mall of Asia!

The annual countdown of GMA-7 will happen in Mall of Asia, hosted by Tim Yap. At 11pm, there will be a 3-minute fireworks show to start off the GMA-7 telecast and a 15-minute Grand Fireworks show at 12 midnight. The Mall of Asia Veranda restaurants are accepting reservations already.  On New Year's day itself, MOA will have the annual grand Mascot Parade around the mall.

If you are looking for fireworks, this is the place to be. Sadly, it seems like Makati and Bonifacio Global City won't have any fireworks activities. :(

Where to Make Your Kids Happy this Christmas 2010

 

 

Merry Christmas to all Our Awesome Planet Friends!

Aidan drew the Christmas artwork above and colored it on his own. :)

Sometimes we need to look at life with child-like wonder and innocence. Maybe it is true that the secret to happiness is to be mababaw ang kaligayahan, like a child.

Here are some suggestions on where to make your kids happy this Christmas 2010...

The Mercato Centrale Family!

Here is a photo essay of our Mercato Centrale favorites and the first 9 days of the market.

Hope you can join us as a partner for the weekend food and organic market, which resumes on January 8. Also, we do hope you can join us as well as we launch Midnight Mercato in January 2011. :)

Manang's Chicken (ala BonChon but better) and Chef Philippe's Ban Mhi sandwich.

Philippine Currency: The New Generation

Read First:
BSP | The New Generation Philippine Banknotes
KAAKBAY | Another look at the New Philippine Banknotes
The POC | BSP defends 'errors' on new peso bills

I'm proud of our new Philippine currency despite the criticisms, which can be easily corrected in the next print run.  It is about time that we launch the new Peso bills, which symbolize new hope and a stronger economy in 2011 and beyond.

I'm proud of it because...

2011 Awesome Calendar of the Philippines (Updated with Proclamation 84!)

Our Definitive Guide to Philippine Holidays, Philippine Festivals, Philippine Fiestas, Liturgical Events, and Awesome Events! Copyright 2011. Our Awesome Planet

NOTE: Updated with Proclamation 84: DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2011

JANUARY 2011
Best Time to Climb Mt. Pinatubo!

December 31 - January 2 | 3-Day Weekend!

1 NEW YEAR'S DAY | Saturday | Solemnity of Mary Mother of God | HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

9 FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE | Sunday | Quiapo, Manila
An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession through the streets.

15 PASUNGAY FESTIVAL 2011 | Saturday | San Joaquin, Iloilo
One of the thrilling bull fighting festival as a culminating event of the Bayluhay Festival which celebrates the arrival of the 10 datus from Malay in the 13th century. 

15-16 ATI-ATIHAN 2011 | Kalibo, Aklan
Commemorates the 13th century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto. Nino.

15-16 SINULOG 2011 | Cebu City
Cebu’s biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Sto. Niño

16 or 23 CARACOL 2011 | Makati City
This is Makati City's version of the Mardi Gras conceptualized in 1986

22-23 DINAGYANG FESTIVAL 2011 | Iloilo City
Street dancing characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing & chanting all day and night.

31 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN BOSCO 
Celebration of the feast day of the Father and Teacher of Youth who founded the Salesian Society. 

Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Winners! (3 of 3)

READ FIRST:

• Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Overall Winners! (1 of 3)
• Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Winners! (2 of 3)

This is the last batch of winners for Ultimate Taste Test 5.0. We are raising the passing bar to >3.55 from 3.30 for succeeding Ultimate Taste Test events. Congratulations!

21. Sweet Finale's Dark Chocolate Flourless Cake 3.62

If you are looking for a different cake, try Sweet Finale's Dark Chocolate Flourless Cake. I find it too sweet andrich but some people like it that way and it's flourless! Congratulations, Chef Janice!

What is the Story of Sweet Finale?
by Chef Janice

My passion for food began early growing up in a family where cooking and eating was, and still is, a
very special time to bring everyone together.

After earning a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management in St. Paul University, Quezon City. I went on to pursue my Associate in Applied Science degree at the prestigious School of Culinary Arts Kendall College in Chicago, IL(1999-2001).

Since then, I worked in the fine AMBROSIA (Euro-American Patisserie) in Barrington, IL. In which Chef Richard Rivera became my mentor for two and a half years. My yearning for education did not stop in the gastronomic world. I finished-off a Masters Degree in Business Administration majoring in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at the Brennan School of Business-Dominican University in River Forest, IL.

Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Winners! (2 of 3)

READ FIRST: Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Overall Winners! (1 of 3)

11. Hacienda Macalauan's Fresh Milk & Yoghurt  3.74
I love dairy-farm fresh milk products. My favorites are Holly's Milk, Rizal Dairy Farm and now, Hacienda Macalauan :)

The Story of Hacienda Macalauan

Our company has been providing premium quality dairy products produced without added antibiotics, growth hormones or dangerous pesticides. Hacienda Macalauan dairy products are derived from the finest breed of Australian and New Zealand cows which are provided with the best possible care and specialized diet to ensure production of high quality products with supreme nutritional value and excellent taste. We have been and supplying farm fresh dairy products to hotels and restaurants as well as bake shops and coffee shops.