The Christmas season is a time for togetherness, joy, and most of all, good food. This year, let Cravings bring warmth and flavor to your holiday gatherings with their thoughtfully curated Christmas 2024 packages. From Noche Buena sets to sweet treats perfect for gifts, Cravings can help you make the season more magical.
A Feast to Remember
Imagine gathering your family around the table, sharing stories and laughter, as you savor a spread filled with festive favorites. Cravings’ Noche Buena Set, now available at a special discounted price of ₱5,950 (originally ₱6,950), serves 6 to 8 people. It includes Classic Caesar Salad, Callos ala Madrileña, Prawns Thermidor, the flavorful Paella-Stuffed Chicken, and the Chocolate Caramel Cake in a Tin Can. Every dish is created in Cravings’ kitchen with love and flavor that makes Christmas dinner unforgettable.
Food Packages for Every Celebration
Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a year end office party, Cravings offers Medium (serves 3–4) and Large (serves 6–8) food packages to suit your needs.
These packages feature a variety of festive mains—Cravings Classics—including the tender Roast Beef with Mushroom Sauce, American Baked Spareribs, and Baked Salmon with Mustard Cream and Garlic Pasta. Other favorites include Chicken Cordon Bleu, Parmesan-Crusted Fish Fillet, and Prawns Thermidor.
For a more traditional touch, the Roast Stuffed Chicken with Chorizo and Raisins or the Three-Cheese Baked Salmon are ideal choices. Each dish is a celebration of tradition, flavor, and the love that Cravings puts into their dishes.
Classic Lasagna and More
Now a favorite especially among the young ones, Cravings’ Classic Beef Lasagna is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or as a giveaway. Available in Small, Medium, and Large pans, this dish is a must-have for any gathering and promises to satisfy everyone at the table.
Delights from the Bakeshop
Known for their decadent cakes, Cravings has a lineup of sweet treats that will add a touch of magic to the holidays. Choose from a variety of whole cakes, including the luscious Chocolate Caramel, the Devil’s Food Cake, Cherry Walnut Cheesecake, and the classic Carrot Walnut Cake.
For something extra special, Cravings offers Christmas-Themed Devil’s Food Cake, Christmas-Themed Chocolate Caramel Cake, Polvoron Cake, and Strawberry Shortcake (available with a 48-hour advanced order).
For gifting, Cravings offers buttery and flavorful Butter Cookies made with premium Lurpak Butter. There’s also the gooey Walnut Brownies and Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies. If you’re in the mood for something unique, try the nutty and flaky Pili and Cashew Nut Baklava, available in various sizes.
Unique Giveaways from Annie’s Kitchen
Spread the joy with thoughtful giveaways from Annie’s Kitchen, offering treats such as the Kaffir Cashew available in 250g and 500g, the healthy Root Crop Chips, and the tangy Tomato Mango Salsa. These treats are perfect for sharing the spirit of the season with friends and family.
Make Cravings part of your holiday tradition. Whether it’s for your Noche Buena, office parties, or gifts for loved ones, their menu is designed to delight—and impress your guests.
For inquiries and orders, contact 09065114772 / 09204137864. Follow Cravings on FB (@cravings.philippines) and IG (@cravingsphils), Cravings Signatures IG (@cravings.signatures), or visit the website cravingskitchenph.com.
NESTEA turned up the holiday spirit last December 8 with the NESTEA Bottomless Karaokathon, a 12-hour livestream extravaganza that blended music, fun, and festive traditions into a bottomless celebration of joy. From 12 noon until 12 midnight, over 14 million Filipinos nationwide tuned in to a showcase of karaoke performances, exciting variety shows, and bottomless games with bottomless prizes!
The 12-hour spectacle featured multiple montages of karaoke performances by the NESTEA community, serving as the main highlight of the livestream. Delighting with a long list of songs ranging from Christmas classics to local fan favorites, all submissions showcased not only the universal Filipino pastime of karaoke, but also the bottomless handaan and holiday fare all are sure to enjoy kapag kasama ang NESTEA!Beyond playing all the entries from the NESTEA Bottomless Karaokathon, the livestream culminated in a celebration of the grand winners, calling themselves NESTEArrific, and consisting of Via Balinquit, Elen Cris Manangan, and Jimcel Belmonte whose performance of captivated the hurados of singing duo and grand champions of Tawag ng Tanghalan JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano. Upon receiving the title, they shared: “We didn’t look at it as a competition, but rather as a means to gather together and simply enjoy with family and friends doing what we love most. We really gave our best and were really happy to be given the chance to participate.”
The winners got to take home the grand prize, a generous P150,000 worth of grocery allowance for 2025. This prize ensures a year filled with bottomless handaans, gatherings, heartwarming meals, and cherished moments shared with loved ones—all made more special with NESTEA!
Together with the showcase of the Karaokathon, the livestream also featured exciting variety shows and games that accompanied the bottomless fun. With creators who joined the show and served up laughter, and viewers taking home exciting prizes from the livestream’s numerous interactive games, the livestream delivered the Christmas spirit in the way NESTEA knows best: with bottomless saya!
Enjoying Bottomless Festivities with NESTEA
The livestream kicked off with Bottomless Saya from 12 NN to 1 PM, where creators Dorinil, Fhukerat, Queen Dura, and KENKOY brought the festive energy of a lunchtime variety show through lively games, gimmicks, and a vibrant Noche Buena-inspired setup. Following this, Meryendaserye celebrated the charm of merienda telenovelas with skits by Charuth and Toniyuh, centered on holiday gatherings and the joy of sharing NESTEA.
Chef Miguel of Juan Big Bite also showcased festive recipes like Pancit Sisig and Chocolate Banana Turon, paired perfectly with NESTEA.
Lastly, Bottomless Balita wrapped up the livestream’s segments and brought more of the bottomless laughter with satirical news reports about Filipinos’ Christmas handaan, delivered by content creators KaladKaren, Lottie Bie, and Anjo Periterra. The livestream drew to a close in true NESTEA style with musical performances from OPM artists Arthur Miguel and Syd Hartha, uniting viewers in festive music and joy.
The NESTEA Christmas Karaokathon proved to be a showcase of bottomless entertainment, celebrating the holiday spirit with games, laughter, and heartfelt moments and uniting people through refreshing flavors and joyful connections. This Christmas season and beyond, NESTEA promises to continue serving up bottomless fun and unforgettable handaan moments.
For more highlights from the livestream, visit NESTEA on Facebook and TikTok.
Long known as a cherished “holiday home” for discerning travellers, The Peninsula Manila once again welcomes guests with a sumptuous calendar of delicious experiences this Christmas 2024.
This holiday season, the hotel’s culinary team unveils delectable festive menus for hotel guests to savor with family, friends, and loved ones at its restaurants. Please visit the official hotel website at peninsula.com/manila/special-offers for more details.
Share in the Season of Giving with the Peninsula Festive Afternoon Tea
Since its founding, The Peninsula Manila has extended support to underserved community members through outreach programs and charitable donations – and we make special efforts to give during the holidays. This year, guests can join in contributing to the welfare of children with the Peninsula Festive Afternoon Tea that will feature delicate finger sandwiches, mouthwatering pastries and cakes paired with homemade scones, and your choice of tea or Champagne.
For each Festive Afternoon Tea set sold at The Lobby, The Peninsula Manila will donate a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.
Magical Moments at The Lobby
Lavishly decorated in grand Peninsula style with a spectacular 45-feet-tall Christmas Tree as its centerpiece, The Lobby always provides an unforgettable festive backdrop for guests to indulge in afternoon teas, hearty lunches and dinners, and so much more amidst the welcoming atmosphere of a glittering Christmas wonderland.
Festive Elegance in Old Manila
Ever since opening its doors in 1976, patrons have flocked to Old Manila in anticipation of its exquisite food served in tables laid with crisp linen, stunning silverware, and sparkling crystal.
Holiday Buffets in Escolta
What better location to enjoy the wonders of the Christmas than in The Peninsula Manila’s Escolta restaurant with its décor reminiscent of genteel 19th century Manila. During the holidays, this restaurant is the perfect place for families and friends to enjoy the fabulous fare on offer at its lavish lunch and dinner buffets.
Festive Asian in Spices
In the tropical sanctuary of Spices, immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with the array of exotic flavors that will bring an extra dash of warmth and joy to the festive season.
Holiday Tipples at The Bar
The perfect location for a little holiday catching-up over a tipple or two, The Bar is perfect for fun-filled holiday gatherings with friends.
Open Daily Time: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Fabulous Fun in Salon de Ning
Live it up this holiday season at The Peninsula Manila’s inimitable Salon de Ning where fun-filled evenings of delicious cocktails, delicious pica-pica, and Instagrammable backdrops await festive revelers.
Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is expanding its subscribers’ binge-watching options by bringing Max — the brand-new streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery—right at the fingertips of subscribers.
As a special treat, subscribers of Smart Postpaid Plans 999 and above can enjoy a three-month subscription to the Max Mobile plan included in their Postpaid plan. With Max, fans will be able to enjoy blockbusters, groundbreaking series, iconic hits, real-life stories and family favorites from HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. and Discovery.
“In line with our focus on enriching our subscribers’ lifestyles with the best mobile experiences, we are happy to collaborate with Max as its Philippine telco partner so more Filipinos can stream what they want when they want it, powered by Smart 5G,” said Kristine A. Go, Senior Vice President for Smart Consumer Wireless Business.
How to redeem your Max subscription with Smart
Smart Postpaid customers subscribing to Smart Postpaid Plans 999 and up can enjoy a three-month subscription to the Max Mobile plan included with their Postpaid plan (worth a total of P447).
To redeem their three-month subscription to the Max Mobile plan, eligible Smart Postpaid subscribers will receive an official message from Smart Postpaid, guiding them to create or log into their Max account and input a voucher code via Max.com/redeem. A final confirmation screen will be shown with information on their account and plan with a prompt that they can start streaming.
Smart subscribers may stream Max on their mobile device – whether a smartphone or tablet – while on the go. They also have the option to save up to 15 downloads with Standard HD video resolution.
The Max mobile app is available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
Welcome to Max
With Max on their smartphones, subscribers can enjoy iconic brands including HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network and Max Originals, Hollywood blockbusters, as well as can’t-miss real-life programming from Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, ID, HGTV and more.
Home of HBO Originals, Dune: Prophecy premiered on November 19, starring Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May and Mark Strong. From the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
Max is the entertainment destination for audiences in the region, featuring culture defining programming including Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Friends, The Last of Us, The Penguin and The White Lotus.
Max Original adult animation Creature Commandos, the first series out of the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran has also recently premiered on Max on December 5.
Reality competition, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking featuring fantastical edible creations, hosted by James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) is also available on Max. Fans of Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, Investigation Discovery and HGTV’s real-life programming can look forward to streaming Deadliest Catch, Gold Rush, Naked and Afraid, 90 Day Fiancé, Dr. Pimple Popper and Property Brothers.
Featuring the best of Hollywood movies from some of the biggest studios including Warner Bros., Paramount and NBCUniversal, subscribers can enjoy the complete Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings movie collections, as well as Oppenheimer, Fast X, The Fall Guy, Despicable Me 4, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Expend4bles, IF, Trolls Band Together, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and many more blockbusters.
With Max’s extensive kids offering, families will be able to stream Batwheels, LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising, Grizzy and the Lemmings: World Tour as well as everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur in Barney’s World.
Learn more about the Max subscription that is included with Smart Postpaid by visiting smart.com/Max.
To sign up for a Smart Postpaid Plan that suits your lifestyle, visit smart.com.ph/Postpaid or head to the nearest Smart Store.
Looking for the perfect techie gift this holiday season? Lenovo has prepared an exciting selection of AI-powered devices that cater to gamers, professionals, and creatives alike. These devices are packed with the latest, most innovative features designed to make everyday life smarter and more efficient. Here’s a quick rundown of Lenovo’s top holiday picks:
1. Lenovo Legion Go: Portable Gaming Redefined
For gamers on the move, the Lenovo Legion Go offers top-tier performance in a portable design. Featuring the AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme processor and 8.8-inch WQXGA touchscreen display, it delivers seamless gameplay with stunning visuals. With detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand, this device ensures ultimate flexibility for gaming anytime, anywhere.
2. Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9: The Ultimate Gaming Powerhouse
Hardcore gamers will love the Legion 7i Gen 9, equipped with an Intel® Core™ i9 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 GPU. Its 16-inch 3.2K IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers buttery-smooth visuals for an unparalleled gaming experience. Equipped with Legion ColdFront Hyper cooling system, it ensure your device is cool while keeping your killstreaks hot.
The LOQ 15IAX9 is the perfect entry-level gaming laptop, delivering great value without compromising performance. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i7 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 graphics, it offers smooth gameplay and responsive performance in a sleek Luna Grey design.
4. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Sleek and Powerful
Professionals, creatives, and multitaskers will appreciate the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition with its Intel® Core™ Ultra processor and 15.3-inch 2.8K OLED display. This laptop combines elegance with toughness with a MIL-STD 810H standard durability. It’s the ideal gift for those who want style, performance, and durability.
5. Lenovo Yoga Pro 7 Gen 9: Built for Creators
For creative professionals, the Yoga Pro 7 Gen 9 will bring your ideas to life with its 14.5-inch 2.8K OLED display and powerful AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 processor. It’s the perfect device for productivity and high-performance tasks.
6. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 Gen 9: Lightweight and Versatile
The IdeaPad Slim 5 Gen 9 is designed for portability, featuring a Snapdragon® X Plus processor and a 14-inch OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy. Its compact design and long battery life make it an excellent companion for students and professionals on the go.
Whether you’re shopping for a gamer, a professional, or someone who just loves the latest tech, Lenovo’s AI-powered lineup has something for everyone. Visit Lenovo Exclusive Stores, authorized resellers, or the Lenovo Flagship Store online to shop now and make this holiday season smarter and more meaningful for your friends, family, and loved ones.
Stressed about holiday shopping? Don’t sweat it! This Merry GCash guide is your one-stop shop for amazing deals, discounts, and the chance to win big!
Level Up Your Holiday Feasts for Less!
What’s a Filipino Christmas without a table overflowing with delicious food? GCash helps you celebrate with loved ones without breaking the bank. This year’s Merry GCash celebration is the biggest one yet. Whether you’re paying online at your go-to brands or scanning to pay in-store, GCash has tons of incredible deals and offers for you to enjoy and make every experience more rewarding.
From food and dining promos perfect for reunions, essentials for a festive Noche Buena at home, and even brand new gadgets for gifting your family or yourself – there are so many deals to guarantee Lahat ay Merry this year. Now, there’s no reason to put off your shopping any longer! Score amazing deals on your favorite treats:
Discover food deals for all your fun reunions
What truly makes the holidays special is when you all sit around the table together and enjoy good food – with all your favorite people. GCash makes sure you have plenty of options for your upcoming gatherings.
Domino’s: Up to 50% off select family pizzas.
Angel’s Pizza: Up to 30% off medium pizzas.
Seattle’s Best Coffee: Buy 2 Take 2 treats.
Planning a Noche Buena feast? Here’s how GCash helps you save:
SM Markets: Free delivery with a minimum purchase of PHP 2,000.
Boozy: PHP 300 discount on orders over PHP 3,000 for all your drink needs.
With GCash, you can easily celebrate your holiday parties and with these offers, every celebration is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
2. Find the Perfect Presents for Everyone (Without Breaking the Bank!)
Forget the stress of expensive shopping! Gift-giving doesn’t have to break the bank this year. Check out these exclusive GCash discounts while you shop for the perfect presents—from shoes for the family to stylish new wardrobe additions. Treat your family to stylish finds and gadgets with exclusive GCash discounts:
Clothes: Get 20% off at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy with the promo code GCASH20 (online purchases only).
Shoes: Get 10% off at Sperry, Keds, and Merrell, up to 20% off at Nike, or PHP 200 off at Payless (minimum purchase PHP 2,000).
Bags: Enjoy PHP 650 off for a minimum spend of PHP 6,500 at Charles & Keith.
3. Treat Yourself This Season!
The holidays are also a time for self-care! Splurge on some new tech or appliances with these GCash offers:
Abenson: Get PHP 500 off with a minimum purchase of PHP 15,000.
Huawei WatchPay on Lazada: Up to 12% off when you pay with GCash.
Power Mac Center: Up to PHP 21,000 discount on select devices.
4. Plan Your Dream Holiday Getaway
Planning a holiday trip? GCash helps you save on travel essentials and activities:
Klook: Up to 10% off on hotels and activities.
Complex Lifestyle Store: PHP 500 off when you pay with GCash (minimum spend PHP 5,000).
Share the Holiday Spirit with GBayanihan
The magic of the holidays is in sharing joy, and GCash is here to help you make a difference for those who need it most.
Through GBayanihan, you can turn your holiday cheer into meaningful support for others by donating to various organizations like ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc., Save The Children, UNICEF Philippines, and Ayala Foundation Inc. with just a few steps.
Simply tap the Merry G home banner and scroll down to find the Donate button, which will take you to the GBayanihan dashboard. With GBayanihan, your generosity can brighten lives and make the holidays truly merry for everyone!
Keep Using Your GCash to Win Entries to the Merry Mystery Gift Promo
Every GCash transaction you make also brings a little extra excitement with the Merry Mystery Gift promo, with rewards up for grabs until January 3, 2025. By simply shopping in-store and online, paying bills, buying load, or borrowing through GCredit or GGives, you can be one of 10 million winners.
You can win exclusive merchant vouchers from partners like Alipay+, foodpanda, or SHEIN, and GCash credits worth PHP 100 to PHP 1,000 or even the weekly prize of PHP 10,000!
Countless prizes await this Merry GCash season, so make GCash your go-to partner for all your holiday experiences this year. Download the GCash app today and follow @gcashofficial for the latest updates on the Merry GCash celebration!
About GCash
GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash’s mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only $5 billion in the Philippines.
GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
One of today’s most dynamic singer-songwriters and producers, NIKI, has announced an additional date for her Buzz World Tour in Asia, produced by Live Nation.
Following the swift sell-out of 20,000 tickets for her first two shows at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines, a third date has been added in response to overwhelming demand. The newly announced show will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on 1st March 2025.
Tickets for the new date will go on sale starting 12th December 2024, with an exclusive artist pre-sale from 10am to 12pm local time, followed by general on-sale at 12pm local time.
2025 Asia Tour Dates:
Feb 9 – Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 5 & 7 Feb 11 & 12 – Manila, SM Mall of Asia Arena Feb 14 & 16 – Jakarta, Beach City International Stadium Feb 18 – Singapore, Singapore Indoor Stadium Feb 20 – Taipei, Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) Feb 22 – Bangkok, IMPACT, Exhibition Hall 5 Feb 25 & 26 – Kuala Lumpur, Mega Star Arena Mar 1 – Manila, Smart Arenata Coliseum
Ticketing details for all shows in Asia are available at nikizefanya.com.
NIKI’s third studio album, Buzz, released on August 9 via 88rising, captures the feeling of being on the precipice of discovery across thirteen introspective tracks. It includes fan-favorites such as the summer anthem “Tsunami”, the astrologically-inspired “Blue Moon”, the playful lead single “Too Much of a Good Thing”, the bittersweet title track “Buzz”, and the emotionally raw “Did You Like Her In The Morning?”.
In Buzz, NIKI’s songwriting remains as intimate as ever, inspired by lane-paving female artists like Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon and Liz Phair, of whom influenced her confessional, honest lyrics and guitar-driven sound.To capture the album’s exploratory spirit, she tapped producers Tyler Chester (Madison Cunningham, Sara Bareilles) and Ethan Gruska (Fiona Apple, Phoebe Bridgers) as collaborators, who helped bring a new depth to her creative and personal sea change.
For NIKI, things have been happening progressively since she was a high schooler in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she penned lovesick poems in English class and performed acoustic guitar covers of American pop songs on YouTube. With a six-string in hand, and her family and classmates cheering her on from the audience, Nicole Zefanya then staked her claim to global stardom as NIKI.
With over three billion streams worldwide, sold out shows on multiple continents, massive sets at festivals across the globe, front row seats at Paris Fashion Week, four songs on a Marvel film’s soundtrack, and some of the most phenomenal, confessional songs being released in 2024, NIKI has established an impressive career before turning 25.
A magical “Christmas of Dreams” transforms City of Dreams Manila into golden yuletide wonderland, unwrapping a predominantly Filipino festive décor and alluring holiday offerings.
ATTRACTIONS
A Tribute to Sustainability and Filipino Culture
Setting the mood for joyful gatherings, the resort’s holiday installations pay homage to the Filipino Christmas tradition of displaying parol (lantern). Purposefully crafted from locally sourced materials including anahaw, malunggay, and paco, the golden, handmade parols that light up The Shops at the Boulevard infuse sustainability and celebrate a festive Filipino Christmas. Elsewhere at the lobbies of Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel and Hyatt Regency Manila, dazzling Christmas trees provide IG-worthy settings to capture the holiday cheer.
DINING
Crystal Dragon’s Festive Season Menu
City of Dreams Manila’s signature restaurant for Cantonese cuisine and regional Chinese specialties highlights a five-course set menu available for lunch and dinner from December 16 to January 1, 2025. Perfect for holiday indulgence, Crystal Dragon’s set menu consists of: Deep-fried Fluffy Abalone with marinated seaweed and micro herbs; Rich Lobster Bisque with poached Hokkaido scallop and crab meat; Wok-fried Wagyu Beef with Chinese yam in black bean sauce, crispy dough stick and king mushroom; Creamy Braised Green Lobster with shimeji mushroom, and crispy dragon beard vermicelli; and Baked Alaska Flambé. The menu is offered for P6,000++ per person for a minimum order for two persons.
Nobu Manila’s Christmas Omakase and Holiday Sunday Brunch
Elaborate Christmas dinners reflecting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s new-style Japanese cuisine beckon at Nobu Manila, with a five-course dinner tasting menu on December 24 and 25. At P6,653.57 net per person, the menu commences with a complimentary chef’s choice of appetizer followed by a sampler of Nobu Sashimi (tuna with liver aioli and caviar, shrimp and surf clam salad with yogurt wasabi dressing, and salmon with amazu jelly). A seasonal selection of assorted sushi and Chawanmushi with rock shrimp and truffle come after. The Lobster with Truffle Yuzu dressing, mixed mushrooms and crispy garlic chips; and Braised Wagyu Short Ribs with wasabi mashed potato, cranberry sake-mirin reduction, are the tasting menu’s pièce de resistance preceding the delightful Chestnut Brûlée with chocolate sorbet and tonka bean foam.
Nobu Manila also fêtes guests with an early Christmas “Nobu Experience” at its Holiday Sunday Brunch on December 22 for P4,388 net per person. Unlimited helpings of popular Nobu-style dishes laid out on the buffet combined with an a la carte menu include the Nobu Signature Sashimi Trio of Tuna Matsuhisa, Yellowtail Jalapeño and Salmon Karashi Su Miso; Black Cod Butter Lettuce, Uni Palabok; and an array of premium chef’s selection of sushi cups, nigiri, and maki rolls unique to Nobu, to name a few. The featured Carving of the Day – the Roasted Whole US Prime Ribeye and Crispy Pata (pork leg) — complemented by a whole tuna sashimi and selection of seafood including oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, and green mussels; different choices of kushiyaki (skewers) prepared a la minute; and a dessert station that includes a chocolate fountain, take diners to a one-of-a-kind celebratory dining experience.
Haliya’s Paskong Pinoy Salu-Salo
Haliya invites diners for a Filipino noche buena that evokes the flavors of the season on December 24 for dinner and on December 25 also for lunch. The signature modern Filipino restaurant of City of Dreams Manila offers customized Filipino Christmas menu with a la carte choices comprised of: Yuletide Ensalada, a medley of fried herb goat cheese, caramelized figs, mesclun greens, radicchio, prosciutto, cranberry dressing, Biscocho and cherry tomatoes; Suam na Lamang Dagat, a rich and comforting concoction of prawns, clams, mussel, lapu-lapu, kasubha, corn, capsicum and microgreens; Pork Chop with baby carrots, brussels sprouts, crispy bacon, broccolini, celeriac crème, jamonado pork jus, pineapple and pickled green apple; and Kastanyas Broas comprised of chestnut cheesecake, broas (ladyfingers), caramelized saba banana, apricot gel, vanilla mousse Chantilly and mixed berries.
The Café’s Festive Menu
Hyatt Regency Manila’s interactive show-kitchen restaurant brings the season’s flavors through a curated Christmas buffet spread of local and international cuisine available for lunch and dinner on December 24 and 25. Lunch service highlights include Slow-Roasted Wagyu Whole Beef Leg that comes with a choice of sauces: red wine, peppercorn or mushroom on the carving station; Masala-rubbed Roasted Trevally, which comes with condiment choices including garlic sauce, spicy yogurt and mint sauce at the Indian corner; Thai-style Whole Fried Chicken and Crispy Pata at the fry counter; and assorted skewers of meat and vegetables from the grill section. Not to be missed for the dinner spread are the Roasted Peking Duck and Tuna and Salmon Sashimi. Completing the lunch and dinner spread are a hefty selection of Italian, Japanese, and Korean favorites, dim sum, roasting and noodle choices at the Asian section; seafood options; various cold cuts, cheeses, and salads at the cold section; and assorted pastries and desserts.
The lunch and dinner buffet are priced at P3,799 net and inclusive of free-flowing juices, coffee, tea, local draft beer, red and white house wines. Children ages six to 12 are entitled to a 50% discount.
Café Society’s Yuletide Confections
Christmas wafts in the air at Café Society, with various holiday-themed confections transforming the cafe into a whimsical Christmas wonderland. Playful chocolate sculptures, gingerbread houses alongside a spread of confections and pastries are offered until the end of December.
Colorful Gingerbread Houses (starts at P1,500 net each), Christmas Chocolate House (P2,500 net), Santa Bear in milk and white chocolate in varying sizes (starts at P500 net), and other Christmas staples like Panettone (Italian Christmas bread); Stollen (cake-like bread with its origin in Germany), fruit mince pies, and yule log cakes complete Café Society’s fancy holiday spread. Not to be missed are the holiday cakes priced at P2,000 net such as Christmas Tree Cake, (moist chocolate sponge cake with chocolate mint mousse, and buttercream); Snowman Cake (vanilla chiffon sponge with white chocolate mousse and raspberry compote filling); and Reindeer Cake (moist chocolate sponge with dark chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream).
HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES
Christmas Carols
The spirit of the season fills the air as various choirs serenade guests every weekend from 3 pm to 3:45 pm with timeless carols. Lux Christi Vocal Ensemble performs on December 21, and 24 at Nüwa Manila lobby, and Hyatt Regency Manila lobby, respectively. Not to be missed are performances of Hail Mary Queen Children’s Choir on December 14 at Hyatt Regency Manila lobby; Mandaluyong Children’s Choir on December 15 at The Shops at the Boulevard; and Kammerchor Manila on December 22 at the Hyatt Regency lobby and 25 at Nüwa Manila lobby.
DreamPlay’s Holiday Parade and The Shops at the Boulevard’s Christmas Bazaar
Adding fun and excitement for families, DreamPlay holds an all-star holiday parade of well-loved characters from DreamWorks Animations at 5 pm every Saturday and Sunday of December, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day at The Shops at the Boulevard. Characters from the films Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, Madagascar, and Trolls will be on parade to delight the kids and kids at heart.
A Christmas bazaar at The Shops at the Boulevard comprised of well-curated kiosks amps up the holiday shopping until January 2, 2025. Participating brands are Lacoste, Kultura, Boss, Bally, Furla, Coach, Beyond the Box, Lukfook Jewellery, Pandora, Alfredulla, @Tokyo, Ray-Ban, Eye Society, Samsung, Bose, Manila Diamond Studio, Dyson, Delsey, World Traveller, Lojel, Hedgren, Herschel, Travelon, Hydroflask, SMEG, Pacsports, Estee Lauder, Jo Malone, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Mac, Origins, Nike, Adidas, Mikasa, Spalding, Skechers, Wilson, Yonex, Panasonic, Carrier, Make Room, and Pottery Barn.
For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com. 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.
Lazada is ringing in the holidays with its 12.12 All-Out Pasko Sale! From December 9 (8PM) to 14, indulge in up to 90% off on top local and international brands, claim up to Php 2,000 Lazada vouchers, and enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend—all exclusively on the Lazada app.
Go all out on your holiday gatherings by adding to cart seasonal grocery items, Noche Buena essentials and gift bundles from LazMart. If you’re doing some last-minute gift shopping, now’s the time to finally check out those LazBeauty and LazLook items sitting in your cart. Plus, shop worry-free, thanks to Lazada’s extended 30-day free returns and faster refunds for those change-of-mind purchases.
Unlock more savings by joining the 12.12 Bato-Bato Pick Showdown! Are you Team David Licauco or Team Kai Montinola? From December 6-8, choose your side and take on Queen Anne Curtis herself for a chance to win Php 2,000 Lazada vouchers. Just follow Lazada on social media, select your team and move, and comment with #LazadaAllOutPaskoSale. For even more rewards, join the LazzieChatHunt by typing “LazzieChatHunt” into Message+ daily for the chance to win LazRewards worth up to Php 1,212.
Visit https://lzd.co/AllOutPaskoSale and shop Lazada’s 12.12 All-Out Pasko Sale from December 9 (8PM) to 14. Add to cart now!
McKinley Hill’s iconic Grand Christmas Parade will once again light up the streets, bringing back the joy and wonder of the holiday season in one of Metro Manila’s most anticipated celebrations this December 14. The beloved event made its grand return last year after a short hiatus, and it promises to deliver an even grander spectacle this time around.
The Grand Christmas Parade is the only one of its kind in the metro, and has become the signature celebration for the McKinley Hill community, uniting families and visitors for a magical experience at the most romantic mall in the country.
McKinley Hill’s Grand Christmas Parade draws inspiration from the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, epitomizing the grandeur of holiday parades worldwide. Guests can expect a captivating display of holiday cheer, featuring 15 larger-than-life floats, towering 25-foot character balloons, and a dazzling array of over 1,000 street performers who brought the festive spirit to life. Last year, it drew thousands of attendees, all eager to witness the magic unfold in McKinley Hill in its grand return.
The festive spectacle was met with widespread excitement as families, friends, and holiday enthusiasts from all over the metro gathered to take part in this unparalleled celebration. This year, visitors can once again experience the familiar grandeur of floats, balloons, performances, and holiday spectacles, now reimagined with the distinct warmth and charm of Filipino Christmas traditions. This celebration puts a spotlight on the joyful and inclusive nature of the holiday season in the Philippines, re-establishing the parade’s position as Metro Manila’s premier Christmas celebration.
Prepare for a season of wonder, joy, and the timeless spirit of the holidays at the one and only Grand Christmas Parade at McKinley Hill.
