Amid these challenging times, the Christmas season enters with hope, cheer, and the anticipation of reuniting with friends and family. Indeed, a lot of us faced obstacles along the way, but it should not stop us from celebrating and enjoying the happiest time of the year together with our loved ones.

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

4 pcs  boneless chicken breast fillet

salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup all-purpose flour, for dredging

2  Tbsp  butter

2  Tbsp  olive oil

1/3 cup  fresh lemon juice

1  cup  chicken stock/broth

1 cup  heavy cream

1/4  cup  capers, rinsed

1/3  cup  parsley 

500  grams fettuccini noodles, cooked as per package instructions 

parmesan cheese, shaved

PROCEDURE

1.  Season chicken breast halves with salt and pepper.  If chicken breasts are too thick, pound a little to ¼ inch thick.  Dredge in seasoned flour on both sides and shake off excess. 

2.  In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt butter and olive oil.  Add chicken and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side or until golden.  Remove and set aside. 

3.  Turn the heat to medium low. Add broth, lemon juice, heavy cream, and capers. Bring the sauce to a boil and return to medium low heat. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Allow the sauce to cook and bubble for about 3 minutes. 

4.  Serve the chicken over cooked pasta and spoon the sauce over both. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

PORK TENDERLOIN ROAST WITH ROMESCO SAUCE

Yield: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

250 grams  red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeds and membranes removed

350  grams tomatoes 

4  pcs large garlic cloves, peeled

½  cup  roasted almonds

1 to 2  tsp  red pepper flakes

¼ to ½ cup  extra virgin olive oil, as needed

1  Tbsp  fresh Italian parsley, chopped

1  tsp  paprika

  salt and pepper, to taste 

2  Tbsp  red wine

1 kg pork Tenderloin

salt and pepper, to taste

¼ cup olive oil

PREPARATION

Preheat the broiler and line the baking tray with foil. 

1. Place the tomatoes on the baking tray, and place under the broiler for two to four minutes, until charred on one side. Turn over and broil on the other side for another 2 to 4 minutes until charred. Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Peel and core.

2. In a food processor, put in red peppers, tomatoes, garlic cloves, and roasted almonds. 

3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the olive oil in a slow steady stream. 

4. Add 2 tablespoons of red wine, parsley, paprika, salt and pepper. Process until smooth, thick, and creamy. NOTE: If it is too thick add 1 or 2 tablespoons of red wine.  If too thin, add olive oil, pulsing a few more times.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning, by adding salt or red pepper flakes as desired. Let the sauce stand for an hour at room temperature before using.

6. Meanwhile, generously season pork tenderloin with salt and pepper.  Put in a roasting pan then line with aluminum foil.  Brush with olive oil and put in a 350℉ oven for 45 min to 1 hour.

7. To serve, slice pork tenderloin to 1/8-1/4 inches thick.  Arrange in a serving tray and pour Romesco sauce on top leaving some to serve on the side.  

A Product of the USA, Welch’s products are available in retail stores. To learn more about Welch’s Sparkling Juices and recipes, visit www.welchs.com or follow Welch's PH on FB and IG. You may also have Welch’s Sparkling Juices and other Welch’s juices delivered at your doorstep by visiting https://acefoodservice.com. Or place your order on the following online groceries: metromart.com, Lazmart, and waltermartdelivery.com.ph.

As kids attend school from home, it is important that they are able to continue learning and explore their creativity, even outside the virtual classroom. By exposing them to everything that sparks their interest, we can encourage them to bring their curiosity to life and keep them active.

In a first for McDonald’s Philippines, kids can look forward to having fun-filled afternoons with the return of the Kiddie Crew Workshop – now serving smiles and learnings online!

A well-beloved event of McDonald’s spanning over 29 years, kids and parents alike have looked forward to the McDonald’s Kiddie Crew every year, providing them with not only fun activities that impart values such as discipline and teamwork, but also precious bonding time together. 

In helping address kids’ needs as they continue to grow and explore the world around them, McDonald’s Philippines is once again bringing back the workshop in an exciting digital set-up. 

Spanning the weekends of November 20 to December 29, each McDonald’s Kiddie Crew online Workshop will be a 2-day session, each lasting 90 minutes in the afternoon.

Housed through a website, children will be guided as they go through a virtual McDonald’s store. Various points in the digital area will let children hop from one activity to another – from dancing, to singing, to playing fun games where they can learn more about the different Kiddie Crew values of discipline, hard work, teamwork, sharing & responsibility, and active play! Even better, attendees will also be accompanied by Ronald and the Gang throughout, making their online workshop experience even more exciting!

For a registration fee of only P499, customers will not only get access to the 2-day online workshop, but also a 1-day Workshop Meal (Happy Meal 1-pc. Chicken McDo with drink) and their very own Workshop Kit (Chef's Hat, Apron, Bag, and Cap) with a FREE Kiddie Crew T-Shirt and Lanyard!

“Since its launch in 1991, McDonald’s Kiddie Crew has become a well-loved and iconic summer workshop for kids all over the Philippines. With its virtual comeback, we’re happy to share this new— and first of its kind— experience where McDonald’s helps kids stay active, learn values, and build skills despite the online setup,” said Oliver Rabatan, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Channels.

Exciting games and lesson-filled activities await; experience fun and play with McDonald’s through the first-ever online Kiddie Crew Workshop!

Registration for the McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop is now ongoing online. Visit www.mcdokiddiecrew.com to sign up your kid/s for a slot, view more information on the workshop, and even to purchase more goodies for you and your kids through the Kiddie Crew Shop.

How do you enjoy your tea?  Hot, cold, with milk and sinkers, bagged or loose?  I like mine fresh, brewed, both hot and cold, and I'm now appreciating loose leaf tea.  I've recently discovered a tea brand that brings back the art of drinking tea, T2.  There's no other tea brand out there, like T2.  T2 is the newest brand launched by John Michael Hilton of Visum Ventures & Leaf Beverages PH.  I've had the pleasure to be present during the Leaf Beverages media launch at the SM Aura Premier.  

T2 SM Aura Premier Branch

John Michael Hilton of Visum Ventures & Leaf Beverages PH

Taste testing T2's selection of loose leaf teas

French Earl Grey, Melbourne Breakfast, Green Rose, and Fruitalicious

Made NEVER ENOUGH Cocktail Drink

Love its light and fruity taste with a punch in the end of each gulp.

My 18-year old joined the fun in mixing his own cocktail!

T2 humbly started in Melbourne, Australia and has taken the traditional art of tea, turned it on its head, and taken it to the world.  The brand has been around for 20 years and with over 100 stores worldwide including the Philippines.  They are here to influence the way Filipinos enjoy their cup of teas.

Today, T2 has four branches already: SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, The Podium and SM Aura Premier.  Now we could all have an elegant High Tea experience with unlimited T2 Tea selection.  Choose from Bronze, Silver, and Gold set where you could enjoy your T2 tea served with sandwiches and snacks from Shangri-La The Fort. You could add a glass of wine or cocktail and end the indulgent experience with gold leaf ice cream. This is happening only between November 19 -December 19, 2021 only.  Perfect for that much-needed me-time or long overdue catch-up with your friends.

We were served select freshly brewed loose tea leaves of T2 Teas during the launch.  We were even made to mix our own Never Enough cocktail drink, which when you taste, you'd definitely say one glass is Never Enough!  

The experience of having T2 Teas?  Think of Bridgerton high tea time with your amigas while talking about the latest and exciting news around town.  That's the feeling I get with every sip of T2 teas.  In this day and age where milk teas and different versions of iced teas have dominated the tea market especially among the millennials and GenZs, it's refreshing to see T2 reinventing the humble tea leaf.  Every sip takes you back to the traditional beginnings of tea.  

T2 Tea + Tea wares = T2 Lifestyle

I am a proud Beko appliance owner and I can attest to how my life's made easier with the Beko technology.  I'm happy that Beko Sends Love This Christmas with its biggest promo yet this year where you can win a grand appliance showcase and other exciting prizes from the European appliance brand all worth over Php1 million!

How to earn raffle entries:
Every purchase of any Beko product in a single receipt from All Home, Anson’s, Asian Home, Fair N Square, Goldtech, Greatworld, HAT, Lazada, Robinsons, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliance and Western Appliance from November 15 – December 15, 2021, entitles a customer to join the raffle promo.

Single receipt purchases of Beko products amounting to Php10,000 and up are entitled to join the raffle. For purchases worth Php10,000 – Php26,000, customers will receive one (1) raffle entry. For purchases worth Php26,001-P40,000, customers will receive two (2) raffle entries. For purchases worth P40,001 and above, customers will receive three (3) raffle entries.

What you may win!

At stake in the raffle is the Grand Prize Beko Home Appliance Showcase, which includes a Beko 22.7 cu ft inverter side by side refrigerator (Php61,990), Beko 60 cm wall-mounted hood (Php19,990), Beko 60 cm freestanding cooker with 4 vitroceramic hobs  multi-functional oven (Php51,990), Beko 10.5 kg frontload washing machine (Php42,990), Beko 8kg airvented frontload dryer and 1.5HP inverter split-type airconditioner (Php36,990).

Other prizes include 2 units of Beko 22.7 cu ft inverter side by side refrigerator GN163123P (Php61,990), 5 units of Beko 2HP inverter split-type airconditioner BSVOA 180/BSVOA 181 (Php46,990), 12 units of Beko 11.1 cu.ft inverter chest freezer CF316WPH (Php20,690), 50 units of Beko 2200W steam iron SIM3122T (Php2,990) and 30 units of Beko 1000W 10-cup thermo carafe coffee maker CFM6401I (Php2,190).

The winners will be announced after the raffle draw on December 17, 2021 at 11am via Zoom with DTI representative. A customer can only win once. Beko Pilipinas Corp. will shoulder the 20% tax for prizes over Php10,000.

But that’s not all! Because it's Christmas, Beko is also giving away 50% discount vouchers on top of the available discount products with freebies on select Beko home appliances for every purchase, so it's a win-win promo for everyone!

Every single receipt purchase entitles the customer to one (1) 50% discount voucher, which they can use on their next purchase. The discount voucher will vary depending on the first purchased product. 

Check out http://bekopromos.ph for details about this. Upon purchase, the customer should go to the website to claim the voucher.

For more information, go to http://bekopromos.ph Philippines or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph for more details.

Hurry and take home a Beko appliance today! :) 

There is no doubt that the global pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, changing our day-to-day lives. Due to current events, the digital shift that was supposed to take years happened in a blink of an eye – putting the spotlight on businesses and how they make an effort to innovate their products and services.

For Home Credit, it did not come as a surprise since their digital efforts started years ago knowing that digitalization, especially in the financial industry, is the next big thing. Their journey started from their launching in 2013, where they already proved to be a gamechanger in the financial landscape.

Coming from a predominantly unbanked market like ours, Home Credit came into the picture and started catering to Filipinos with little to no credit history and providing affordable installments for their gadget and electronic needs. This is what we now call as “buy now, pay later” and despite the term finding its fame during the pandemic, it’s actually a relatively old concept – and Home Credit has long been considered a pioneer and leader in this industry.

What's To Love About Home Credit

• My Home Credit App - Not only has it solidified its footprint as the country’s leading consumer finance with presence in over 9000+ stores nationwide, it has also rapidly grown its mobile presence in the recent years through the My Home Credit App in Google Play Store which now has more than 9 million app users, putting their total customer count to almost 8 million.  As they celebrate their 8^th year anniversary, their growing customer-base will continue to enjoy several of its offers through physical touchpoints at partner retail stores as well as explore contactless options through the My Home Credit App providing every need in just one place – loans, pay bills, buy load, contactless payments, shopping through partner stores, exciting discounts, and so much more.

• One-Minute Approval - Home Credit’s one-minute approval for loan applications is known as the fastest in the industry. Including simple requirements, interested borrowers can apply in partner retail stores all over the country. As the pandemic pushed us to convert to contactless means, Marketplace – one of the features of My Home Credit App – was introduced as the one-stop shop to browse big-ticket items, compare deals and products, and apply for loans, all within the app. Redefining the traditional way of shopping and the buy now pay later experience of Filipino consumers, they are the first consumer finance provider to offer pre-approval in the mobile app.

• Easy Payment Options and Quarta - Beyond offering easy installments, Home Credit now offers easy payments. With the introduction of its newest payment option Qwarta, Home Credit customers will be given as much as P10,000 additional spending limit within the app to increase their purchasing power. Qwarta can be used to pay bills without additional cost, shop or buy load with discounts, or purchase via QR Code.

• Telco Loads - The Home Credit app now houses telco load from all networks, over 200 billers, and can also scan QR codes at 50,000+ partner brands and merchants nationwide, allowing customers to stretch their budget on countless shopping scenarios. And even better news, by using the app at selected stores, customers can enjoy up to 50% off through its SMILE discounts program.

Home Credit’s financial literacy campaign has also evolved through the years. For the longest time, they have made it their purpose to teach the basics of budgeting and saving to ordinary Filipinos through the ‘Juan, Two, Three‘ campaign. Staying true to this mission but having in mind the effects of the pandemic, they started leveraging on digital platforms to deliver financial literacy concepts through their official website, social media and mobile app – this time with their newest program dubbed as “DigitizEd”.

“Home Credit introduced a lot of firsts to the Philippine market, and this is a testament of how well we anticipate the needs of the consumers and continue to innovate our services and offerings to meet those demands. Having evolved over the past 8 years, we want to offer a 360° service and be your go-to partner for all your financial needs” said David Minol, Home Credit PH Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  

Celebrate with Home Credit as they turn 8 this year by keeping yourself posted on the latest announcements and special promos – one of which is the much-awaited awarding of their 8 millionth customer who will receive exciting prizes sponsored by (brand partner). For more information, visit www.homecredit.ph and follow Home Credit at www.facebook.com.homecreditph.

I am a firm believer of appliances that doesn't only perform as expected but goes beyond what it's supposed to do.  The Beko SteamCure Hygiene+ Automatic Washing Machine is one tough home appliance because it doesn't only clean our clothes, but it kills bacteria and allergens and at the same time, saves us a lot of time, energy and even money!

Beko- European Appliance Brand, recently hosted a virtual event to reiterate its commitment to hygiene and sanitation and present products Filipino consumers could use during the pandemic and beyond that. I'm really glad that I am part of that launch and I got to share how helpful my new Beko SteamCure Hygiene+ is to my busy mom life!

Kills viruses, bacteria, and allergens

Having clean clothes, bed linens and towels that are free from viruses, bacteria, allergens and odor is very important these days and while doing the laundry is a laborious and time-consuming household chore, Beko’s washing machine with SteamCure Hygiene+ technology ensures better washing and cleaning performance. It releases steam so that you and your family are protected from these things that could potentially harm our health. This technology makes our clothes clean and safe to wear.

Removes Stubborn Stains

SteamCure Hygiene+ removes stains on clothing by releasing steam from the bottom of the washing machine’s drum, right before it even starts washing. This acts as a pre-treatment, which helps loosen stubborn stains, dirt and other gunk stuck in your garments.

Smooths Out Our Clothes

SteamCure Hygiene+ releases another batch of steam after the end of a wash cycle to help smooth out your clothes so there are no unsightly wrinkles and folds. This helps smoothen out any unwanted creases and folds in clothes for easy ironing.

Saves Time, Energy, and Money

Personally, the Beko washing machine cuts my washing and ironing time in half! This practically allows me to spend time to things that matter more which are my family and my work. It's also Power Inverter which means we save up on electricity while using it, hence it saves us money in the long run. It's a smart choice for busy moms like me who's looking for convenience and big savings.

Trusted by Celebrities

During the launch, celebrities like Dianne Medina, Kimpoy Feliciano and power couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez talked about how using Beko appliances such as the washing machine with SteamCure Hygiene+ technology and the Beko Heat Pump dryer are helping them in this pandemic.

“The reason why we dread washing our clothes is because admit it, washing clothes takes up so much time. So to help us out, we got the Beko washing machine,” TV personalities and celebrity couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez said. 

“What I really like about this washing machine is that it has 15 wash programs so you can wash your shirts, downwear, outdoor clothes, and a lot more,” social media content creator Kimpoy Feliciano said. 

“Beko continues to be a partner of the Filipino family in staying healthy as we provide them with the tools to clean their homes and keep and cook their good. We are proud that in the short time we have been present in the Philippine market, Filipino consumers trust us for their appliance needs because Beko’s products are efficient and affordable,” said Gurhan Gunal, Country Manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation during the online press conference.

The brand is currently available in select All Home, Anson’s, Savers, – Gidi Distribution, and Asian Home Appliance Center in Cebu, and in e-commerce partners: Lazada, Household Appliances Trading hat.com.ph.

Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph for more details.

Beko Pilipinas Corporation continues to rally behind the Filipino family in this pandemic by providing them with home appliance options that make their lives easier, healthier and safer.

Everything is now is accessible with the tip of our fingers.  Online shopping, online groceries, food deliveries, booking of deliveries, paying bills, and so much more.  In fact, even the way people work and kids go to school have changed a lot since the start of the pandemic.  This worries me as a mom because this also means, my kids spend more time online than before.  Being online, out there in the vast world wide web may result to unforeseen and unexpected situations which may pose dangers to them. 

While the internet is a wonderful place for information, entertainment, and social networking for kids and adults alike, it may also be a source of fake news, explicit content, and cyber bullying, making it a not a very safe space, even for adults. 

The web is an even more dangerous place for children in low-income countries like the Philippines where access to low-cost internet and mobile devices is widespread and parental control and adult supervision is lax due to various socio-economic factors.

In fact, the country is considered one of the world’s top hot spots for online child sexual exploitation among 10-14 year-olds. 

This is the situation that has prompted Terre de Hommes-Netherlands, an international non-governmental organization advocating and working for the prevention of child exploitation in 17 countries including the Philippines, to develop a revolutionary new digital app that’s totally safe and secure for young users including children.

Called Voice for Change, the app was co-created with victims of child sexual exploitation and those vulnerable to abuse together with children advocates. Research and development took over one year, from March 2020 to June 2021, to ensure that the platform is truly responsive to the needs of children for support and assistance as well as to carry out the advocacy against sexual exploitation.

The main difference is in the app’s strict security and privacy provisions. Sign up requires approval by the Voice for Change administration and goes through a screening process. 

Logging in requires a mobile number and a one-time password sent via SMS. To provide further protection, no personally identifiable information including photos is shared among users. 

In VFC, users can find relevant and verified information about different issues relevant to children advocacies. They can also genuinely voice opinions and engage in healthy discussions without fear of toxic perspectives and language. 

It is a truly safe space that comes with a directory of organizations and agencies that users can contact to report concerns and even actual cases of child exploitation and abuse.

Here’s a closer look at the Voice for Change features.

Share your thoughts

Got a high grade in school or achieved a personal goal? Freely share your thoughts in a private and secure way.

Engage in discussions

Start a conversation with like-minded people about concerns relevant to protection of children and similar issues. Or chime in on other topics that interest you.

Get Help

Feeling down, need guidance or just want to talk to someone? Reach out to individuals and organizations that can offer professional help.

Verified information

No one wants to read or share fake news. Get only verified information on relevant topics.

Report an Incident

Have you or someone you know experienced child abuse and similar issues? Report the incident safely.

Secure and Private

Sign up requests go through a screening process. Log in with a mobile number and a one-time password will be sent to you by SMS. No personally identifiable information is shared

The Voice for Change app may be downloaded in the Google Play store HERE while iPhone and Google Chrome users can use the web-based app instead, click HERE.

More information about Voice for Change can be viewed at www.wearevoiceforchange.org.

Time flies by so fast and my youngest is now 5!  I can't believe just how smarter, talkative, more creative, and more observant he has become!  It still feels as if I just gave birth to him last month.  Wow!  It's been 5 years since this boy made a huge impact in our family life.  I call him my game-changer.  

He made me breastfeed him exclusively until 4 years of age.  He made me resign from my almost 20 year corporate life.  He made me a teacher momma when we opted to indie homeschool him last year.   Oh my heart!  He's our family's bundle of joy indeed!

Here's how we decorated the house and achieved the theme!

No good party ends without gifts!  Of course, still Cocomelon toys for our cutie!  I bought the Cocomelon coloring and activity books from National Book Store.  JJ plushie that has a face bigger than my son was bought from Facebook Marketplace.  The original Cocomelon School Bus toy was also bought online.  All these were delivered same day COD.  How awesome is that right?

His birthday celebration ended with full tummies and happy hearts!   Life is worth celebrating even if present circumstances aren't ideal.  Let's always be grateful for each day and the blessing of being with our loved ones.

Happy 5th birthday our dearest Damien!  Thank you for making our family a little crazier and happier each day!