Commemorated every fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo, the religious event in celebration of the Sto. Nino has become a cultural fiesta of performances, food, and costumes that draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. This 2024, the Dinagyang events began as early as January 5, culminating in a grand four-day celebration from January 25 to 28.

The Dinagyang experience is deeply Filipino, and the grand spectacles, delicious food, and electric energy of the crowd can be described as nakakagigil – an untranslatable Filipino word meaning explosive, overwhelming emotion.

If you’re joining the fun this year, don’t forget to experience these gigil-worthy activities – and keep bangong nakakagigil hair all day – at Dinagyang 2024!

Cheer and shout at the world-renowned street dance competitions

If you’ve ever Googled Dinagyang, you definitely would have seen photos of the street dance competitions. The Dinagyang ILOmination Streetdance Competition and Floats Parade on January 26 along with the Dinagyang Tribes Competition on January 28 are must-haves on your itinerary. Known for vibrant costumes and throngs of talented dancers moving in sharp unison, the street dance competitions are an annual highlight of the entire festival. 

Join fun games and dance on the streets

Between the parades and food, Iloilo’s streets will be full of fun booths and activities to try out. Watch out for Sunsilk’s Hairkada Adventure Lounge on January 28 at Festival Walk Iloilo, where you can get fun freebies or go on a hair-venture through a ballpit search game and win Sunsilk products! Got the dancing bug from the parades? Try out Sunsilk’s KGGL dance challenge at the booth, complete with a floral background and backup dancers.

Peek into the province’s rich cultures with a ‘festival of festivals’

Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahan is another performance-based show that will give the audience a “window” into the different municipalities’ festivals. This year, nine towns will perform and serve up a diverse set of performances, showing just how rich the province’s culture is. You’re going to want to charge your cameras properly for this one!

Taste the province’s delicious, Unesco-recognized food

Ready your belly – the Dinagyang Food Festival will happen from January 25 to 28 in the Downtown Area. Just last year, Iloilo was named a Creative City for Gastronomy by Unesco, recognizing how Iloilo’s cuisine is steeped in tradition and culture. Be sure to save some room for Iloilo’s most known dishes, like the Pancit Molo, La Paz Batchoy, Kansi, Chicken Inasal and much more.

Aside from these events, there are so many more activities to discover around the city. You’ll definitely be out and about the whole weekend immersing in the sights and sounds of Dinagyang, so be prepared to stay fresh all day!

Keep your crowning glory silky smooth and with bangong nakakagigil with Sunsilk shampoos. Their line contains Activ-Infusion, their best ever blend of oils, vitamins, and proteins. Choose between the Smooth & Manageable, Strong & Long, Perfect Straight, or Damage Reconstruction variants to give your hair exactly what it needs. 

No matter the sun, sweat, or smells of the outdoors, walang makakapigil sa bangong nakakagigil ng Sunsilk! Stock up on Sunsilk for your Dinagyang trip online or in grocery stores nationwide. – Rappler.com

No compromise is needed with Jollibee’s Mix and Match Combos, kasi ang saya pumili! Here, each option combines value and deliciousness, making it truly sulit sarap!

These combos offer a variety of Jollibee’s best-tasting products, promising customers an enjoyable, filling, and wallet-friendly meal. For only P75, they can select a main and a side enjoying savings of up to P45!

“Jollibee’s Mix and Match Combos empower customers to craft their own sulit-sarap experience. This offering stands out for its superior blend of value, taste, substantial portions, convenience, affordability, and variety,” said Mari Aldecoa, assistant vice president for Jollibee Masterbrand.

The experience comes in two simple steps:

• Step 1: Choose 1 main – Yumburger, Jolly Spaghetti, 1 pc. Burger Steak, Tuna Pie
• Step 2: Choose 1 side – Peach Mango Pie, Coke Float Jolly Crispy Fries, Choco Sundae, Pineapple Juice

Experience the joy of exploring delicious and affordable combinations with every spin, just like Juancho in this hilarious “Roleta” commercial:

Jollibee’s Mix and Match Combos are available nationwide for only P75 so be sure to drop by your nearest branch and create your perfect combination via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru.

For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

We used to spend summers visiting relatives, and we had planned to fly out for Christmas right before the pandemic happened. Well, it’s been a few Christmases since, and the plans have remained just that: plans.

This holiday season is going to be another missed opportunity to travel to Visayas and Mindanao for me, but this time I’m not going to miss out on sharing some holiday cheer with my relatives there. I found out that you can send food to loved ones even when they’re far from you through Grab’s 100+ Cities Delivery. So I’ve decided to send a surprise to my Tita Bem and my cousins in Iloilo.

We were all in Manila at one point in time, but we seldom gathered as a family apart from accidental run-ins and quick dinners. Despite our lack of bonding moments though, it’s always a good time when we get to see each other.

In the past few years, the distance between us cousins grew. Tita Bem and my cousins Kara and Issa moved to Iloilo, while their sister Kendra is now based in Singapore. Their sister Inna is in Manila right now too, so I’ll make sure to visit her soon!

I’ve been wanting to let them know that our family has been thinking of them this Christmas season, so I conspired with my brilliant cousin Issa. I asked her what a great surprise would be, and we came up with a lunch order from Mestizo by Emilion, a Mexican restaurant in Iloilo that serves tacos infused with Filipino flavors like kare-kare and sisig.

And after just a few taps on my phone, my surprise Christmas care package was on its way to my Tita Bem’s house. While working in my office in Manila more than 600 kilometers away from Iloilo, I was able to send them a hearty meal and some drinks.

Ordering food and groceries across cities used to be way more difficult. You’ll probably need to make a few phone calls and coordinate with several people. But with Grab 100+ Cities Delivery, you can easily assemble and send a care package to key cities not just in the Philippines but in countries in Southeast Asia as well. Plus, since you’re ordering from nearby restaurants and shops near the person you’re gifting, you have an opportunity to support local businesses, too!

All you need to do is head to your Grab app, choose whether you’re sending food or groceries, tap “Deliver To”, key in your family or friend’s address, and then pick out what’s available to order in the Grab app.

I ended up ordering a bunch for this Christmas care package. I got twelve pieces of tacos – sisig, pollo, barbacoa, kare kare, and baja – plus some horchata, an orange and basil drink, and what they called a “Halle Berry” drink.

My cousin said they enjoyed the meal tremendously and were thankful, while I felt a little left out because now I want those tacos and horchata for myself. Oh well, I guess that just means I’ll have to fly to Iloilo sooner after all. 

But while I save up for those airfare tickets, I’ll just keep finding more cousins to send some surprise Christmas care packages through Grab 100+ Cities Delivery. 

Want to give this a go? Try it on your Grab app now! – Rappler.com

In this episode, Kitchen 143 host Michelle Aventajado of Momma ‘N Manila heads to KKANBU Chicken in Solaire Resort, Entertainment City. Watch (and drool) as she samples Korean fried chicken cooked and seasoned to perfection with KKANBU Chicken’s general manager Amy Sung.

Visit our Instagram page to get a chance to win one Solaire Passport which entitles holders to a set menu from KKANBU. Passport holders will get one of these sets:

• 1 Whole Bbasak Curry-ne Chicken + 2 Solaire Lager
• 1 Whole Bbasak Curry-ne Chicken + 2 Solaire Lager
• 1 Whole Boneless Hot Barbecue Chicken Leg Meat + 2 Solaire Lager
• 1 Whole Boneless Chicken Leg Meat with Green Onion + 2 Solaire Lager
• 1 Ho-tteok Boneless Chicken + 2 Solaire Lager

Bookmark this page to watch the latest episode of Kitchen 143, live on Wedenesday, December 20 at 6 pm. – Rappler.com

My mom’s extra special fruit salad recipe uses real, fresh fruits instead of canned. My brother and I aren’t fans of canned fruits so our fruit salad is made up of fresh cubes of melon, honeydew, watermelon, grapes, chunks of cheese, sweet condensed milk, and Nestlé All Purpose Cream.  

Thinking of this Christmas fruit salad brings me happy memories. We are procrastinators when it comes to preparing Noche Buena so we would only be shopping for ingredients in the morning of December 24th and spend the whole day busy preparing for Christmas Eve. It can be hectic but also a lot of fun because we get to do it as a family.

I got curious about my teammates’ moms’ extra special Christmas fruit salad recipes and the fond memories they have of it – so I asked them to share theirs, too.

“My mom loves using a mix of fruits mostly from fruit cocktails, but through the years we’ve experimented adding other fruits, too, like fresh oranges, honeydew, melon, raisins, and peaches. We also love extra cheddar cheese in our fruit salad. We have only ever used Nestlé All Purpose Cream. Through the years, it’s the only all purpose cream brand that we trust and have grown to love. It’s part of our childhood and adulthood at this point!

Christmas fruit salad brings back memories not just of actually eating it but preparing it too! I remember feeling so helpful and useful that I was slicing up cheese, then eventually other fruits, to contribute to our Christmas handa. And now, I’m not just helping make the fruit salad but sometimes make it by myself! Recently though, this job has been transferred to my sister. She had taken on fruit salad duty!”

 – Julian Cirineo, BrandRap producer

“My lola does! Christmas isn’t complete without a bowl of my lola’s giant fruit salad waiting in the ref (and its leftovers for days after ). She secretly sneaks in more of my buko strips during the holidays. Nestlé All Purpose Cream is definitely a staple in the kitchen even for her Christmas creamy carbonara and mango graham.

My lola is very traditional and doesn’t want us in the kitchen when she’s doing her thing. But when it comes to easy desserts like fruit salad, she’s given my cousins and I free reign to add our favorite fruits. It’s a real bonding moment for us while the house fills with our lola’s cooking.”

 – Saab Lariosa, BrandRap producer

“My mom makes fruit salad with canned fruit cocktails and big, chewy chunks of nata de coco! She also always uses  Nestlé All Purpose Cream, which is a pantry staple for us all year long. She usually takes charge of the whole process, but I do check in during the mixing process to confirm if there’s enough of all my favorite sahog in it – and if there’s enough for me to bring a jar home to my apartment! Of course, she’s always already on top of it, as mothers are.

Even though it’s a cold dessert, my mom’s fruit salad always makes me feel warm inside because it just feels like being with family. It also makes me feel a little guilty because I end up fishing out a lot of the cream-drenched nata for myself. Sorry to my sister!”

– Giselle Barrientos, BreandRap producer

“Fruit salad is our family’s special contribution to all our holiday gatherings, a tradition my grandma passed onto my mom. Her fruit salad always receives compliments for its perfect timpla – a crucial balance of cream and condensed milk that creates just the right sweetness. What makes it so special definitely lies in what cream we use (it’s no secret that we’ve been using Nestlé All Purpose Cream for decades). 

I’ve always been the designated decorator. When the fruit salad is ready, my mom always calls me to the kitchen to add cherries for the finishing touches. As a kid, this was the highlight for me as I would get pretty creative with the design. Now, I’m looking forward to learning the recipe alongside my mom, to keep the family tradition going.”

– Tricie Gonzaga, BrandRap content strategist

While every mom has a different Christmas fruit salad recipe, we can see that there’s something in common: it’s not about making fruit salad according to a classic recipe or a recipe made by some renowned chef. Their recipe is a mix of ingredients that every family member loves – made extra special by Nestlé All Purpose Cream and the unforgettable memories they make as a family.

How about you? What makes your mom’s Christmas fruit salad extra special? – Rappler.com

The milestone is part of the Petmaloop Challenge spearheaded by mobile brand TNT, the value brand of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), which called on content creators to feature highlights of their hometowns that give them ‘saya’ or joy using the widely popular micro-vlogging app TikTok.

Here’s where it got more challenging: they could only use one TNT-powered smartphone, which they should pass from one user to another in relay race fashion.

Guinness World Record

A total of 33 content creators took on the huge task, which started in Davao City last Novemer 4 and made its way through other major cities and provinces in Mindanao, the Visayas, and Luzon.

But to set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Travel Livestream, the content creators took the Petmaloop Challenge up a notch by livestreaming their journey from Bulacan to Manila without interruption.

“I can now confirm that with 26 hours, 15 minutes, and 29 seconds, TNT has a new Guinness World Record Title! Congratulations!” declared Fumika Fujibuchi, the official adjudicator at Guinness World Records, during the awarding.

The Petmaloop Challenge not only exceeded the minimum required uninterrupted livestream hours but also fulfilled various criteria set by The Guinness World Records. This includes: focusing on real-time travel experiences, emphasizing the significance of sites and cultural locations; ensuring the livestream is accessible to the entire public throughout the entire attempt; and allowing the livestream to take place at multiple venues, provided there are no gaps or interruptions.

One of Philippine’s biggest mobile brands

“This world-class endeavor is embedded in TNT’s long-time mission of bringing pride to Filipinos everywhere. As the value brand of our wireless unit, TNT plays a crucial role in helping us achieve the broader digital inclusion goals of the PLDT Group, where we aim to democratize access to mobile technology and innovations, enabling many to enjoy its benefits,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, president and CEO of Smart and its parent company, PLDT Inc.

“We share this Guinness World Record with our kababayans, but most especially to our 32 million TNT subscribers who comprise the Philippines’ Biggest Mobile Brand. This is a milestone achievement by Filipinos for Filipinos,” said Alex O. Caeg, SVP and head of consumer Wireless Business – Individual at Smart.

“When you are enabled by the country’s best mobile network, there is just no limit to what you can achieve. We invite everyone to take on the Petmaloop Challenge and spread their ‘saya’ online by creating their own content powered by TNT,” said Lloyd Manaloto, first vice president and head of Prepaid and Content at Smart.

From tourist destinations to culinary delights

The Petmaloop Challenge unfolded in 19 provinces nationwide, including Davao City; Cagayan De Oro City; Pagadian City; Dipolog City; Dumaguete City; Bacolod City; Iloilo City; Caticlan; Mindoro; Batangas; San Fernando, Pampanga; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Aparri, Cagayan; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Dinadiawan, Aurora; Bongabon, Nueva Ecija; Bustos, Bulacan; and Manila.

The participants uploaded their content on the Petmaloop Challenge (@petmaloop) TikTok account, featuring famous landmarks and tourist spots, including the People’s Park in Davao; the Initao–Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape in Misamis Oriental; the Museo ni Jose Rizal in Pagadian City; and the Museo ni Antonio and Jose Luna in Ilocos Norte.

They also took the viewers on a culinary adventure by featuring mouthwatering local dishes, such as the Chicken Inasal of Bacolod City; La Paz Batchoy of Iloilo; and Sisig of Pampanga.

Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network according to Ookla

Inasmuch as TNT’s Petmaloop Challenge is a showcase of Filipino creativity in rediscovering places and events that bring them ‘saya,’ it also demonstrates the superiority of TNT as it supports seamless streaming and uploading of content nationwide.

TNT is powered by Smart, the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Smart is the first and only Philippine wireless services provider to earn this prestigious and rare citation for three consecutive reporting periods by Ookla in Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and Q1-Q2 2023. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

PAL Holidays is the Philippine Airlines’ newest one-stop travel website for PAL flights, accommodations, transport, and activities. PAL has partnered with Expedia, a global travel deals aggregator, to make sure that travelers get the most comprehensive options and the best deals – all in one place.

Whether you’re planning to stay in the Philippines over the holidays or travel around Asia, here are some accommodations that you can book for under ₱5,000:

Coron Underwater Garden Resort 

Wake up to an ocean view every morning when you book a stay at the Coron Underwater Garden Resort. For only a little over ₱3,000 per night, you can book a floating villa for two that includes free breakfast. 

After a day of island hopping and other water activities, you can take a dip in the infinity pool or get a relaxing massage when you come home to this resort.

Ferra Resort Siargao

If you’re headed to Siargao and want to bring your furry friends along, then the pet-friendly Ferra Resort Siargao is the place for you. 

Experience living in modern bahay kubo-style rooms with a pristine white sand beach right outside your door. The lush greenery and calming ambience will surely give you and your furbaby the relaxation you deserve.

Ubud Village Hotel

Finally going on a retreat to Bali, Indonesia? Complete your Eat, Pray, Love experience by booking an accommodation that is as beautiful and exotic as Bali but without going back home broke.

You can book a deluxe room in Ubud Village Hotel for only ₱4,400+ per night. It can accommodate up to three people and already includes breakfast for two. The Ubud Monkey Forest is also just an 8-minute walk away so you can forest bathe anytime you want – that’s if you don’t mind spending it with some mischievous monkeys. 

Le Room Hotel Kaifeng

Since the lifting of visa requirements, Taiwan has become one of the Filipinos’ favorite tourist destinations. So if you, too, are revenge traveling there, we’ve got your accommodation covered. 

For only ₱4,700 per night, you can book a deluxe triple room that sleeps up to three people and includes free breakfast. It also has a reserve now, pay later option so you can secure the room without worrying about the fees just yet. It’s also fully refundable until a later date in case your plans change. 

Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11

If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel experience in the heart of Bangkok, you can do that when you book a stay at Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 – but without burning a hole in your wallet! 

A room in this 4.5 star-rated hotel starts at just P4,300+ per night. That already includes a breathtaking city view from a room that boasts of soundproofing and hypoallergenic beds. You can also enjoy the hotel’s luxurious amenities like spa treatments, aromatherapy, Thai massages, gym and pool access, and more.

Ready to fly? Check out PAL Holidays to complete your travel checklist today. – Rappler.com

Disclaimer: By clicking the link, you confirm that you have read the PAL Holidays Terms & Conditions through www.philippineairlines.com/PALHolidays, and that you understand and agree that you will be redirected to the site owned, operated and powered by Expedia for PAL Holidays.

It offers the same wizarding-worldly experience that used to be only available in London, United Kingdom. Here, you will get to walk inside some of the iconic sets from the Harry Potter films like the Hogwarts dorms, Ministry of Magic, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and more. You can also see some of the actual wardrobe, props, and behind-the-scenes sketches and materials on display.

Apart from the sets and displays, there are interactive sets where you can experience being part of the Quidditch audience or an actual Quidditch player riding a broomstick.

Tickets to The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour sell out fast so make sure to book yours via Klook months before your trip. – Rappler.com

Note: This post contains an affiliate link. We earn a small commission every time you shop through this link.

To further make the holiday season more joyful, Jollibee launched its Christmas campaign last October. With the theme of “Make it Christmas with Jollibee Joy” – it highlights how everyday moments can be occasions to celebrate the joy of the season. 

“We want to make sure our customers feel the warmth and joy of the season, be it through our delicious food or their delightful experiences whenever they go to a Jollibee store. We want to remind everyone that even the simplest of joys can make this Christmas extra meaningful and wonderful if it is shared with loved ones”, says Dorothy Dee-Ching, VP – Marketing of Jollibee.  

Brightening the Holiday season across the country 

One other proof of Pinoys love for the holidays is their penchant for bright Christmas lights and colorful decorations, all of which adds to the happy and festive atmosphere. As part of its Christmas campaign, Jollibee is making sure that its customers can have this delightful experience in their stores. 

Jollibee opened their nationwide Joyful Christmas Stores last November 9 with simultaneous events in Manila at  Jollibee BGC Triangle Drive, in Davao at Jollibee Quimpo, and in Cebu at Jollibee General Maxilom. Jollibee officials, media and other esteemed guests gathered to launch it in a unique way –through a ceremonial lighting of the stores with a giant socket and plug. This officially commenced the lighting of 10 flagship Jollibee stores across the country, with another 100 stores with their own merry light displays. 

Sharing Joy and Happiness this Christmas

For Luzon and Visayas stores, the brand partnered with another world-class brand known for spreading happiness – Coca Cola Philippines. “We are glad to partner with a brand like Jollibee that shares our values and principles. We are both dedicated to offering delightful food and beverages to all, with the same commitment to making the world better and brighter. We invite you to explore Jollibee’s festive stores, perfect for celebrating the Filipino spirit this Christmas season”, said Tony del Rosario, Coca-Cola Philippines President. 

The Jollibee BGC branch went all out with joyful carolers, lively light dance performances, and the ever-adorable mascots to create an unforgettable holiday celebration. Jollibee celebrity endorsers Anne Curtis, Maja Salvador, and Gary Valenciano also joined the festivities and enjoyed the bright lights and colorful displays of the store. 

“We launched our Joyful Christmas Stores nationwide so that customers can feel and experience the joy and spirit of the season with their families and friends. We would like to invite everyone to visit our stores to create more lasting memories and make this Christmas the best one yet with Jollibee Joy,” added Ching. 

You can drop by any of these branches to experience the magic of a Jollibee Christmas:

• Mega Manila: BGC Triangle Drive; Madrigal; North Fairview; Baras, Rizal; Katipunan; 9th Avenue
• North Luzon: Binalonan, Pangasinan
• South Luzon: Tagaytay Rotonda
• Visayas: General Maxilom DT Cebu
• Mindanao: Davao Quimpo DT

If you’re not in the vicinity of these flagship stores, don’t worry! All Jollibee branches are also adorned with festive Christmas displays, ensuring that everyone can experience Jollibee Joy this holiday season. You can also visit the Jollibee Facebook page for more details. 

For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. – Rappler.com

PRESS RELEASE

It’s all thanks to Chef Andrea Spagoni. 

Chef Spagoni’s culinary roots run deep. He started cooking at a young age and learned authentic Italian culinary practices from the most qualified mentor – his grandmother. It was in a traditional Piedmontese kitchen in Turin, Italy where he first fell in love with the cuisine.

He brought his deep-seated love for Italian food and his authentic techniques from his grandmother’s humble kitchen to the world stage. He has worked in the bustling kitchens of the hottest cities in the world – Florence, London, Hong Kong, and New York – earning him Michelin stars along the way.

Now Chef Spagoni’s current stage is the food-loving Philippines, serving authentic Italian cuisine with a touch of global flavors to Filipinos right in the heart of Parañaque City. As someone who has been to the major culinary spots in the world, one might wonder why Chef Spagoni chose the Philippines as his new home.

“As a fast-growing country, I felt the need to face a new challenge in such a new market for the F&B business, definitely rich in new opportunities and approaches,” said Chef Spagoni.

When he arrived in the Philippines in January this year, he did face a few challenges. First was sourcing authentic Italian ingredients to a country that’s thousands of miles away from Italy. Second, was the stability of the supply chain. 

But instead of seeing this as a limitation, Chef Spagoni saw this as an opportunity to innovate. He redefined traditional Italian recipes using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, creating masterpieces that are both authentic and suitable for the Filipino palate. 

“I try to remain as genuine as I can,” said Chef Spagoni. “People are generally happy to explore and discover the authenticity.”

And while being in the Philippines is a new experience for Chef Spagoni, it has also been enriching.

“There are a few differences that I found here in Manila compared to the other places I lived in or visited before,” said Chef Spagoni. “Nevertheless, I enjoyed the process of getting used to the local taste while trying to bring a more authentic Italian taste.”

So, if you’ve been craving authentic Italian food without having to travel far and wide, it’s time to visit Finestra Italian Steakhouse at Solaire Resort. Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind dining experience prepared by no other than a world-renowned Michelin Star chef.

“At Finestra, we aim to treat and cuddle our guests in order to let them [enjoy] an unforgettable experience, good food, attentive service, and an outstanding ambiance all blended into one,” said Chef Spagoni.

Visit Finestra Italian Steakhouse’s website to book your table online. – Rappler.com