You know it’s Christmas (season 3)

You know it’s Christmas           

Hello December! Today marks the second day of December and you know what that means… It’s time for my “You know it’s Christmas” blogs! Hopefully I get to post more blogs this time :D. So, if you know and recommend a good place or great buys or delicious food for Christmas or related to Christmas comment away or send me an email and I will try my best to try it and blog about it J. Oh! It must be within the Philippines… specifically in Metro Manila for me to visit it since I commute J. But I do welcome suggestions! J Have a wonderful Christmas Season! Here’s to season 3 of “You know it’s Christmas”!

-DOT-

Photo was edited by writer, original candy cane photo from: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79677796.tip.html,  if you would like to use it kindly inform or at least cite the source thank you! J

You know it’s Christmas when...

A taste of Filipino Christmas

            I am truly sorry for not being able to post the past weeeeeekkkkssss (yes it was that long). J I have been teaching preschool kids these past weeks so I was tired and busy. But the long wait is now over….

            If you ask me what is a symbol of Filipino Christmas I could say the parol (star lantern) or the belen (manger), but if you ask me what food symbolizes Filipino Christmas… I would say bibingka and puto bumbong. There are no direct English translations for these yummy Filipino Christmas sweet. It might just be called rice cakes but in the Philippines there are various types of rice cakes. These two particular rice cakes are mostly available only on Christmas.

            Bibingka is made from rice flour topped with salted eggs, butter, and toasted coconut. While puto bumbong is made from a sticky type of rice called pirurutong, this makes the puto bumbong purple. It is then cooked in bamboo tubes by steam.

            A few weeks ago I was able to eat puto bumbong from Via Mare. This was after going around the mall looking for Christmas decors. Eating this made me feel that it was Christmas already because traditionally puto bumbong would be sold alongside bibngka every simbang gabi (Christmas night mass). It was freshly made when I ate it. It was topped with toasted coconut and brown sugar. Oh boy did it taste good! It was warm and sweet… such a perfect treat J.

bibingka

the purutong being placed in the bamboo tube

off to be steamed

finished product :)

            So if ever you find yourself in the Philippines during Christmas don’t forget to try puto bumbong and bibingka. J

-Dot-

Photos are personally owned by writer, if you would like to use it kindly inform or at least cite the source thank you! J

You know its Christmas (season 2)

Hello everyone!

For the next days, weeks, and month I will be blogging on my “You Know it’s Christmas…” series. It’s now on its second year! J I hope you will enjoy the next few blogs J.

I also hope you would enjoy the Christmas season no matter where you are in life. I pray that despite all the business or craziness or festiveness of the season we will never forget why we have Christmas.

Advance Merry Christmas J!

-DOT-

picture was taken from ricekrispies.com :)

You know it’s Christmas when... IT’S Christmas!!!

You know it’s Christmas when…

 

You know it’s Christmas when... IT’S Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone across the world! As the song goes… may your days be merry and bright. I also pray that we not forget the true reason for the season Jesus Christ.

Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for me… thank you for being my Savior friend and everything.

God bless everyone! May we all be grateful of what we receive this Christmas… may it be a simple letter, a hug, a kiss, a new car, new clothes…

In everything and in anything we must always be thankful.

Below is a favorite songs of mine.

Grateful by Julianne

Merry Christmas everyone!

-Dot


photo from:http://vintagemetalart.com/shop/images/christmasornaments.gif

You know it’s Christmas when... {UP celebration}

You know it’s Christmas when...

          Another sign of Christmas for me is when the University of the Philippines (Diliman) or U.P. celebrates the Christmas season with various activities.

          The first activity, or the opening ceremony of all the events for the Christmas season, is the Pagilaw [ pagilaw means “to light” in Filipino]. During the Pagilaw, lights from different college buildings are lighted to signify that it is the start of the Christmas celebration in U.P. The next activity is the Karol Fest. This activity is an amateur choir singing contest among student choruses, wherein they sing various Christmas carols. The finals of this contest will be held at the Asian Center GT Toyota Hall of Wisdom in U.P. at December 13, 2010, 4 pm. Everyone is welcome to this event. Simultaneous to this event is the Pagandahan ng Belen contest. It is about making the best manger scene or the belen out of recycled materials. The winners of this contest will be announced on the day of the most anticipated Christmas event in U.P. … the Lantern Parade!

          The Lantern Parade is the main attraction/activity that culminates the celebration of the Christmas Season. Each college and some organizations have a theme and they show their theme through lanterns, floats, and other things that light. I love watching and being part of the parade because of the beautiful lanterns and floats. This is open to everyone! [This makes it even more fun]

          Here are some reminders and tips on the Lantern Parade. The parade starts at 4 p.m. of December 17 at the Academic Oval (Acad Oval). Be sure to go early because the Acad Oval would be swelling with people at around 5 pm. As they say the early bird catches the early worm [such a cliché], if you come early you are not only guaranteed with a good view but you also get to park your car easier.  Bring your cameras, but make sure you keep it safe and near you at all times. Same goes to children because the place will be field with people it is best to hold on to children. Bring some snacks and water because the parade can go on till 8 or 9 in the evening. If you forget your snack or water do not fear! There will be food kiosk or food vendors around. After the parade… stay for some fireworks. Don’t forget to enjoy and have fun! J

-DOT-
P.S. I will be updating you guys on the happenings regarding the UP Christmas Celebration :D

reference: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/index144.html
photo source: http://www.coolwindsresidences.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lantern-parade.jpg

You know it’s Christmas when... {Krispy Kreme}

You know it’s Christmas when...

            For me, I know it’s Christmas when Krispy Kreme starts selling their holiday doughnuts.

For the past years I have not yet tasted any holiday doughnut since I would stick to the regulars. So last week, my cousin and I tried the new Krispy Kreme Holiday Doughnuts. We both choose something similar. We picked Original Iced Glazed doughnuts with Holiday Sprinkles. [shown below]

This looks like Christmas :)

Compare the Original Glazed from the Holiday Doughnut

These doughnuts were very yummy. It had the same base as the Original Glazed Doughnuts, but the thing that made this doughnut special and Chrismasy was the ice glaze and holiday sprinkles. The glaze is thicker than the original glaze which makes it a little sweeter (but not totally sweeter than the original… just a bit J). The holiday sprinkle definitely defines the doughnut from the regulars.

Along with the two types of holiday sprinkled doughnuts, the Snowman and the Present or Gift [I was not sure of what the name was (please forgive the writerJ)] doughnuts add to the Holiday doughnut series. As the name suggest, these doughnuts looks like a snowman and a gift because of the shape and design. The snowman had cute little details like a scarf, a nose, eyes, and buttons.

            So before this Holiday Season ends… make sure you at least tasted one of these Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And oh! Don’t forget to comment on your Krispy Kreme Holiday Doughnut experience. Merry Christmas!

-Dot-

Choose one :)

Dizzy for Doughnuts? :)

Photos from: http://www.krispykreme.com.ph and writer