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Celebrating a heart-healthy, merry Christmas the Legaspi Way with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil

t’s officially holiday dining season as we meet with our family and friends one after the other to share our favorite meals and the heartiest moments. For the Legaspis, bonding with loved ones over food is always made heart-healthy and enjoyable with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil.

Zoren and Carmina, along with their twins Mavy and Cassy, keep their family Christmas traditions alive to strengthen their relationship with one another. This includes playing party games and serving lots of good food for everyone to enjoy.

“Every year is always something different,” Mavy and Cassy say. “For us, it’s honestly just about having to sit down and have dinner to catch up with our families and relatives. We don’t get to see each other that often so times like these make it extra special.”

“Since things are slowly getting back to normal, we can go back to our usual preparations, which means preparing food for more than four people,” Zoren adds, laughing.

According to Carmina, planning for holiday food preparation is key. “As early as October or November, I’m already thinking of a set menu for Christmas & New Year’s Eve just to have everything sorted out. I also enjoy making lists so that I can see visually if I’m missing something or if I need to add more items to the list.”

On the Legaspi menu this holiday season are family staples embutido and lumpiang shanghai. Carmina says they prepare these with love as these are heirloom recipes handed to her by her mother-in-law. Carmina is also looking at preparing her signature Baked Chicken Pesto, made more special with cream cheese, tomatoes and mozzarella, and Gambas al Ajillo, which she says is easy to cook and is perfect either as an appetizer or for the main course. It can be served with garlic bread or garlic rice.

While food is on everyone’s mind, the Legaspis make sure that they indulge responsibly this Christmas by taking care of their heart health. Zoren says the family tries to eat right and exercise, as they make the time to work out despite their loaded schedules.

Another measure of staying heart-healthy and happy for the Legaspis this holiday season is preparing their food with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. The leading canola oil brand, Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil serves as every Filipino kitchen’s heart-healthy companion for hearty everyday meals, including holiday delights.

For the Legaspi household, Jolly Heart Mate is a trusted cooking partner in preparing the family’s favorite dishes. “During the Holiday season, Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is a valuable kitchen staple. Even if we indulge in food, we still make sure that we eat healthy to protect our hearts, and that includes making sure we choose the ingredients in preparing the dish. Heart Mate is recommended by doctors and nutritionists, so I am assured that in a way, I am protecting my family against future heart ailments,” Carmina said.

Canola Oil is cholesterol-free, and offers the lowest amount of saturated fat or “bad fats” among all other types of cooking oils. It has higher amounts of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats – which are “good fats” that help lower bad cholesterol levels in your body. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil contains heart-health agents Omega 3 and 6 that are essential to your heart, brain, and overall body development.

This holiday season, make moments with your own family extra special as well by preparing only the best and heart-healthiest food with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil. It is available in supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide, and online on Lazada, Shopee, and AceMarket.ph.

For more information, check out Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JollyHeartMateCanolaOil.

December 20, 2022
4 ways to make the holidays more memorable with Red Ribbon’s Holiday Cakes and Pastries

The world’s first post-pandemic Christmas promises to be very special as people get to enjoy gift shopping in stores and dining in at restaurants for get-togethers with loved ones. To make this year’s holiday even more special, Red Ribbon Bakeshop launched the perfect Holiday Cakes and Pastries for this year’s much-awaited celebrations and reunions.

To make the most out of this remarkable season, here are four ways to make your holidays more memorable.

Give the gift of cake

We may not have a white Christmas in the Philippines, but Red Ribbon is giving us its limited-edition White Forest Cake!

Made with white chiffon layers and cherry-creamy filling, the cake is topped with white chocolate twirls and creamy icing, and finished off with sweet Maraschino cherries to make an elegant Christmas dessert.

Take lots of family photos

It’s been a while since we gathered everyone, so be sure to capture those candid moments!

Get dressed in your holiday best for the gatherings and have the picture-perfect centerpiece in your photos with Red Ribbon’s Black Forest Cake. Its layers of chocolate fudge cake and cherry-creamy filling, chocolate shavings, and Maraschino cherries are sure to stand out in your pictures!

Express your love in your own words

The pandemic taught us to express our feelings for loved ones who were far away. Physical distancing was hard for everybody, but it taught us the power of words, which can give joy and thanks, as well as comfort and assurance.

Red Ribbon’s Christmas-themed Chocolate Dedication Cake lets you express your love with custom icing dedication on top of layers of chocolate chiffon and chocolate icing, topped with Christmas-themed candies.

Carry out the gift of giving

Food is meant to be shared, and it becomes even more special when it’s shared outside your home. Take your family out for a new experience and share food with people in the neighborhood or visit a charitable center.

The Holiday Gift Box is the perfect treat to give away, with eight     ensaimadas to share. There’s surely something for everybody as it carries with it two pieces each of the all-new Choco-Caramel Ensaimada and the Ube Ensaimada, as well as four pieces of the classic Cheesy Ensaimada.

No matter what your plans are for Christmas, there’s always a Red Ribbon holiday treat that’s fit for the occasion! Take your pick from the White Forest cake (starts at P779), Black Forest Cake (starts at P659), Christmas-themed Chocolate Dedication Cake (starts at P670), or the Ensaimada Holiday Gift Box (P339). The Christmas-themed Chocolate Dedication Cake will be available starting December 19, 2022.

Order your favorite Red Ribbon products by visiting a store near you. You can also go to the delivery website, call the delivery hotline #87777, download the Red Ribbon app (available for Android and iOS), or order via the GrabFood and foodpanda apps.

You may also send eGift Cards via the delivery website or the Red Ribbon app.

December 20, 2022
Panda Express Adds Wok-Seared Steak and Shrimp to its Philippine Menu

New dish alert! Panda Express, the largest Asian dining concept in the world, is bringing a surf & turf limited-time offer entrée and one of its top sellers to the Philippines—the Wok-Seared Steak and Shrimp, which is savory with a little bit of spice, rich in flavors from top sirloin steak and succulent shrimp, and with textures from the fresh green beans, bell peppers, onions, and potatoes.

“Wok-Seared Steak and Shrimp is unlike any other item we offer at Panda Express®. Joining the Chinese wok with the American steakhouse experience resulted in a dish reminiscent of a classic steak dinner while still offering the bold flavors and fresh ingredients that makes it uniquely Panda,” said Chef Jimmy Wang, Head of Culinary Innovation at Panda Express.

Fans will be delighted to get a taste of the juicy steak and large succulent shrimp, wok-tossed with potatoes, seasonal hand-cut yellow and red bell peppers, yellow onions, and green beans. These fresh ingredients, finished with a savory Chinese-inspired steak sauce, are transformed in a searing wok that bring a hint of smokiness that only wok cooking over open fire can create.

“The Wok Smart American Chinese dish is an indulgent experience of a quality steakhouse dinner without the guilt. Wok-Seared Steak and Shrimp is high in protein and light on calories,” Wang added.

Chinese American Classics

Panda Express® was founded by husband-and-wife tandem, co-CEO and co-founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng in 1983. They popularized American Chinese cuisine by using authentic Chinese recipes adapted to global tastes, which successfully established the brand as the largest Asian dining concept in the US and the largest American-Chinese concept in the world.

This Holiday season, families and friends can enjoy a variety of delicious entrées with Chinese and Sichuan influences including its bestselling The Original Orange Chicken, a wok-tossed crispy chicken coated in sweet tangy sauce; and the award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, a mouth-watering entrée made with premium crispy shrimp wok-tossed in a honey sauce and topped with glazed walnuts. Celebrations will be extra special with these Panda Express favorites that are also available in family or party trays.

Operated by the Jollibee Group in the Philippines, Panda Express has thirteen stores in Metro Manila that are open for dine-in, take-out, and delivery through order.pandaexpress.com.ph, GrabFood, and foodpanda. Delivery locations include select areas in Manila, Pasay, Makati, and Quezon City.

These stores are in Don Antonio, Quezon City; SM Megamall; SM North EDSA; SM Grand Central; SM Southmall; Robinsons Place Manila; Shell SLT, SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) Southbound; Double Dragon Meridian Park; SM Mall of Asia; Molito, Alabang; Greenhills; Greenmeadows; and Betterliving, Parañaque.

To get more information on Panda Express, you may visitwww.facebook.com/PandaExpressPH/ (Facebook) and @PandaExpressPH (Instagram).

December 20, 2022
WATCH: ‘Babylon’ Drops New Naughty & Nice Trailers Featuring Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, & More

The new star-studded film Babylon has dropped two new trailers dubbed Naughty and Nice. The upcoming movie is a period comedy-drama which depicts the rise and fall of multiple characters during Hollywood’s transition from silent to sound films.

Below are the film’s classy Nice trailer, and the wild Naughty trailer:

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Tobie Maguire, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, and Jean Smart. It is scheduled for a US release on December 23, 2022, and in the Philippines on February 1, 2023.

December 20, 2022
WATCH: “Creed III” Shares IMAX Behind-The-Scenes First Look

About “Creed III”

From Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures comes “Creed III,” with Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut and returning in the role of Adonis Creed in the third installment of the hit franchise. The film also stars Tessa Thompson (“Creed” franchise, “Passing”), Jonathan Majors (“Da 5 Bloods,” “Lovecraft Country”), Wood Harris (“Creed” franchise, “Blade Runner 2049”), Florian Munteanu (“Creed II,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), newcomer Mila Kent, and Phylicia Rashad (“Creed” franchise, “Soul”).

Jordan directs from a screenplay by Keenan Coogler (“Space Jam: A New Legacy”) & Zach Baylin (“King Richard”), from a story by Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin. It is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Elizabeth Raposo, Jonathan Glickman and Sylvester Stallone. The executive producers are Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Nicolas Stern and Adam Rosenberg.

Jordan is joined behind the camera by director of photography Kramer Morgenthau (“Creed II,” “Thor: The Dark World”), production designer Jahmin Assa (“mid90s,” “Angelyne”), editor Tyler Nelson (“The Batman,” “Rememory”), costume designer Lizz Wolf (“Creed II,” “Pacific Rim: Uprising”), with a score by composer Joseph Shirley (“Jackass Forever,” “The Book of Boba Fett”).

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents A Chartoff-Winkler Production, “Creed III,” which will be distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures including the Philippines.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Creed3

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”

December 20, 2022
LOOK: Top Holiday Picks For The Shoe-A-Holic Family

Nothing beats the gift of fresh new kicks for Christmas. If you and your family are certified shoe lovers (who isn’t anyway?), here are some picks that they will truly love this holiday season.

FOR THE KIKAY SISTER

The Keds Bounce in White/Light Blue (P4395)

If your sister has a knack for all things cute and girly, she’ll love these new sneakers from Keds. A departure from their usual white canvas plimsolls, these chunky shoes are guaranteed to turn a few heads. Shop this and the rest of Keds Bounce in Keds stores nationwide and online at www.keds.com.ph.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS BROTHER

The Merrell Hydro Moc in Paloma (P3095).

If your brother is into watersports, a true-blue hypebeast or both, then the Hydro Moc is one pair he’ll truly be thankful for. These easy-on, easy-off water shoes are hardy enough for daily wear and perfect for seaside activities too. Check out the full Hydro Moc collection at www.merrell.com.ph, Merrell concept stores, and Complex Lifestyle Stores nationwide.

FOR THE STYLISH MOM

The Polo Ralph Lauren Thornton in White/Navy (P3495).

Thank Mom for all the awesome things she does by gifting her an all-rounder shoe that is versatile as it is stylish. These Thornton sneakers are perfect for her hanging out with her amigas as well as for going around doing errands. Shop Polo Ralph Lauren at Complex Lifestyle Stores nationwide and online at www.complexlifestylestore.com.

FOR THE DAPPER DAD

The Sperry A/O Sahara (now P5095 from P5995).

Spoil dad this holiday season with the gift of Sperry’s classic A/O boat shoe. Fit for the best-dressed dad, these topsiders are perfect with his favorite pair of chinos or khaki shorts. Shop the A/O and the rest of the Hello Holiday collection and more at their official webstore www.sperry.com.ph and Sperry retail stores nationwide.

FOR THE TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL HUBBY

The PONY Shooter Hi (P3295)

Give the most special man in your life with a shoe that will surely be his new favorite. PONY’s newest Shooter Hi sneaker in classic black and white is one sneaker that’s equal parts bold and sleek at the same time. Check out these and more in PONY’s first concept store at TriNoMa, their official webstore www.pony.com.ph, and department stores nationwide.

December 20, 2022
CCP Calls for 2023 Earth Day Outdoor Installation Proposals

The CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division (CCP VAMD) calls for proposals for the 2023 Earth Day Outdoor Installation, as part of the center’s Earth Day Celebration. Deadline for submission is on January 9, 2023.

Proposals should follow this year’s World Earth Day theme, which is “Invest in Our Planet,” and should highlight relevant environmental issues through public art.

Interested artists must submit their installation concept, with description of the project and the idea/s behind it. It should include the background information of the artist/curator/artist group, as well as the contact details of the proponent/s, and documentation of past works. Preliminary studies/works-in-progress and similar past works should be included in the proposal.

Proposals (should be in a single PDF file) must be sent via email: ccp.exhibitproposal@gmail.com.

Proposals will be evaluated based on quality and maturity of artistic skills, innovativeness and contemporaneity, sensitive awareness of the artist’s responsibility to the Philippine art society, consistency with the Earth Day theme, and appropriateness, feasibility and adaptability to specified venue/site.

The selected proposal will receive a grant to cover the cost for professional fees, materials, and preparations, among others. It will be presented from April to May at the CCP Front Lawn during the Earth Day Celebration.

For more information, contact the CCP VAMD at (632) 8832-1125 loc. 1504/1505 and (632) 8832-3702, email vamd@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Follow the CCP and CCP VAMD official social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok for the latest update.

December 19, 2022
WATCH: Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Releases Official Trailer

After his 2020 sci-fi film Tenet, Christopher Nolan is back with the new biopic Oppenheimer, which has just released its official trailer. The new film follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.

Watch the trailer for Oppenheimer below:

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin, Oppenheimer follows the eponymous man who was dubbed the father of the atomic bomb.

The film stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, and Rami Malek. Oppenheimer is coming to US cinemas on July 21, 2023.

December 19, 2022
Bakuchiol is the next big thing in global skincare trends

Bakuchiol, pronounced, buh·koo·chee·owl, is a plant derived extract found in the leaves and seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, nicknamed “Babchi.” The vegan ingredient has been heralded as a retinol alternative for those looking for anti-aging benefits sans the irritation.

While Bakuchiol may appear new and unfamiliar, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. (EBCI) is actually the first Filipino cosmetics company to have introduced this innovative ingredient to the Philippines as early as two years ago! EBCI is the corporation behind household names like Ever Bilena and Hello Glow.

In 2020, Hello Glow released its best-selling Hello Glow Advanced Rejuvenating Set, a dermatologist recommended anti-aging kit which incorporates Bakuchiol into its Night Cream.

EBCI’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Denice Sy-Munez shares that most skin care sets in the local market “use illegal and undisclosed dosages of hydroquinone and tretinoin. These can cause burning sensations, and intense visible peeling that could result to severe skin damage.”

Thus, her Research & Development Department collaborated and consulted with numerous formulators and dermatologists before deciding to utilize Bakuchiol for their set’s rejuvenating benefit instead.

The British Journal of Dermatology has referred to Bakuchiol as a very “promising” active ingredient for preventing and addressing signs of skin aging such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Studies from the same journal have shown that topical bakuchiol and retinol have produced the same benefits on photoageing.

According to Sy-Munez, “Research shows that Retinol formulated with Bakuchiol boosts the former’s efficacy.” And this is precisely the objective of Hello Glow when it developed the “advanced” skin set.

“The Hello Glow Advanced Rejuvenating skin set does so well, selling over 500,000 per year! We’ve sold almost 70,000 sets on Shopee alone!” exclaims Sy-Munez. “And what majority of customers, skincare experts and influencers rave most about it is our night cream!” The confidence in Bakuchiol led to the creation of the Ever Bilena Plus Bakuchiol Lifting Night Serum, finally giving the ingredient its own spotlight! “It is literally the most affordable pure Bakuchiol serum in the market,” adds Sy-Munez. Other international brands sell their Bakuchiol-infused serums at the equivalent of Php 1,800 up to Php 9,000 apiece. EB Plus’s Bakuchiol Serum is only Php 395 each and made in Korea!

In its latest makeup release, EB Plus also integrated this superstar ingredient in its EB Plus Good Skin Day Serum Infused Skin Tint! The newest easy-to-blend sheer-to-medium coverage base product contains Bakuchiol paired with Hyaluronic Acid to ensure skin is firm and amply moisturized while revealing a natural filter-finish glow.

As gentle as Bakuchiol can be though, make sure to always patch test beforehand so to avoid potential allergic reactions! Hello Glow and Ever Bilena products are available in all leading department stores, Watsons, and online at their official flagship Tiktok, Shopee, and Lazada E-commerce stores.

December 19, 2022
Start your 2023 savings journey with Maya, the all-in-one digital bank app!
Now is the best time to save your Christmas bonus and kickstart your 2023 ipon goals as Maya continues to give up to a 6% interest rate p.a. on your savings account!

Maya already offers a high-interest rate of 4.5% p.a., with earnings credited daily. It’s easy to boost this to 6% on your first P100,000 for the next 30 days!

All you need is to make your everyday payments with Maya. Simply spend an accumulated amount of PHP 250.00 when completing these transactions until February 28, 2023:
- Pay via Maya QR code, card, or mobile number
- Settle your bills via the Maya app
- Buy load via the Maya app.
By using Maya to pay for your utility bills or your groceries conveniently, you can boost your savings interest to 6% by another 30 days – so you can grow your money faster! Customers can enjoy this offer until February 28, 2023.

“We want our customers to be able to grow their savings even more just by doing everyday transactions. This is part of our mission to make money management as easy and as rewarding as possible,” said Angelo Madrid, Maya Bank President. “On top of offering one of the highest savings interest rates in the market, Maya bundles innovative features and top-notch security so that it becomes the only app you’ll need to efficiently and conveniently manage your money.”

With e-wallet, savings, credit, and crypto capabilities, Maya goes by its promise to be ‘everything and a bank’ for Filipinos. Its latest feature lets you send and receive money via a @username, making transferring funds safer, more personal, and as easy as tagging friends on social media. You can even use GIFs when sending money to friends and family, which is a first in the local fintech app industry.

If you have specific saving goals, Maya’s Personal Goals lets you compartmentalize your savings based on different purposes, be it a dream vacation, emergency funds, or business capital.

The digital banking services in the Maya app are powered by Maya Bank, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-licensed digital bank. Deposits up to PHP500,000 are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. The top-rated app also enjoys a 99.9% uptime rate – users can expect their transactions to be seamless with less downtime.

Completely free to download and register, the Maya app packs a feature-rich e-wallet, an inclusive digital bank, and everything else you need to save, spend, grow, and manage your money—right from your smartphone. To learn more, visit maya.ph and follow Maya Center on Facebook and @mayaiseverything on Instagram.
December 19, 2022