PHILIPPINES: Official Public Holidays For 2016

PHILIPPINES: Official Public Holidays For 2016

It's been a long while since we had a chance to go on a vacation. That's partly because of our erratic work schedules. It is a good thing that President Noynoy (PNoy), through his staff in Malacañang, has released to the public last Wednesday (August 26) Proclamation No. 1105 dated August 20, 2015. The proclamation lists all the regular holidays and special non-working days for 2016.

Next year, Filipinos can look forward to long weekends on the following dates: January 1 - 3, February 6 - 8, March 24 - 27, August 27 - 29, October 29 - November 1, and December 30, 2016 - January 2, 2017.

January 2, October 31, December 24, and December 31 have been declared as additional special non-working days in order to "strengthen family ties by providing longer New Year, All Saints' Day, and Christmas weekends and promote domestic tourism as well."

Proclamations to declare national holidays for Eid'l Fitr and Eidul Adha will follow after approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined.

Enjoy planning your vacation for next year!

CAFFE BENE: Partners with Lotus Biscoff

CAFFE BENE: Partners with Lotus Biscoff

Good news to all Caffe Bene lovers! South Korea's biggest coffee outlet Caffe Bene has partnered with the world's well-loved biscuit brand Lotus Biscoff. This is like a dream come true for all true-blue coffee and biscuit addicts like me and Kuya B! 

Caffe Bene is offering a special promotion where you get a free Lotus Biscoff with every purchase of a cup of Americano. 

Did you know that the sweet caramelized flavor of Lotus Biscoff goes very well with any cup of coffee because it enhances the coffee’s bitter taste and vice versa.

   

            

Caffe Bene bent backwards to bring to you a wonderful gelato creation that would put any gelato shop to shame. Tada! Presenting Caffe Bene Gelato with Lotus Biscoff! 

Lotus Biscoff Gelato is a mouthwatering frozen treat that has a sweet creamy taste enhanced by Lotus Biscoff bits. Oh, it also comes with a Biscoff cookie!

Geez, these pictures make me want to fly back to Manila at the soonest possible time!

The music "Perfect combination" is now playing inside my head, ha ha ha! 

Lotus Biscoff is more popularly known as Speculoos.  It is the perfect accompaniment to every cup of coffee. The unique taste of Lotus Biscoff stems from the sugar’s caramelization during the baking process. The unique recipe, which adds a hint of cinnamon and other spices, remains the same more than eight decades later since it was first baked in 1932 at a small town called Lembeke in Belgium. The founders of Lotus Bakeries, the Boone brothers, would drive around town in their trademark red truck to deliver their prized biscuits door to door. Then in the 1950's, Lotus introduced the pairing of Lotus Biscoff with a fresh cup of coffee. This soon became part of the everyday Belgian routine in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops throughout the country. Cafés throughout Europe started serving fresh coffee with biscuits, and Lotus Biscoff becomes “Europe’s Favorite Cookie with Coffee.”

We're not in Manila right now but we would love to visit a Caffe Bene branch in Manila soon and try this wonderful promo!

In South Korea, you'll find a Caffe Bene shop in almost every street corner. That is why, Filipinos who love Koreanovelas are already familiar with the elegant Caffe Bene's interiors long before it opened its doors in the country. 

Bene is actually a Latin word that means good. 

Once you enter a Caffe Bene’s branch, you'll understand why I love this coffee shop. It does not only stand out from the rest with its charming and peaceful ambiance.  

It has actually been voted as one of the top places for book lovers in Metro Manila since the place is very conducive to reading books and working on your laptops, a far cry from the maddening market-like crowds that often loiter other coffee shops.

Caffe Bene is slowly expanding its network in the Philippines. As of this writing, it now has a total of five outlets located in the following areas:

1.  Eastwood City
2.  SM BF Paranaque
3.  SM Clark
4.  Valero Makati; and 
5.  SMX Mall of Asia. 

Two more branches are set to open next year and Caffe Bene has many more collaborations and projects lined up as well, including an eat-all-you-can waffle promotion!

Caffe Bene is having an unlimited waffle and unlimited cafe americano!

The Eat-All-You-Can Waffle promo is available from August 24 to September 24, 2015 for only P350!  So hurry fellow waffle lovers, let's troop to Caffe Bene real soon!

Kudos to Caffe Bene and Lotus Biscoff!

Enjoy your ‪#‎benelovesbiscoff‬ experience

Please like Caffe Bene Ph on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/caffebeneph

DEREK RAMSAY: 100 Percent Epitome of Century Tuna

DEREK RAMSAY: 100 Percent Epitome of Century Tuna

Handsome Filipino-British model, actor, host and former VJ here in the Philippines Derek Arthur Baggao Ramsay is the perfect epitome of Century Tuna.

Authorities have individual considerations when it comes to defining the perfect physique. Most of them agree that more than visual aesthetics and physical proportions, what matters more is good health.  

"In the past, I thought that in order to attain the body of my dreams all I have to do is 100% exercise.  Well, I was wrong.  Because when I tried the 70/30 recommended ratio by experts I was amazed that I attain a firmer, leaner healthier body in no time.  Yes guys, you should  know the balance between diet and exercise , that is 30% exercise and 70% diet," Derek enthuses. 

I believe that every person I know would agree that Derek Ramsay is 100 percent lean and meaty just like Century Tuna!  Plus, it has no extenders, just 100 percent tuna.

My golly, did you know that Derek took my hand so I could feel his pandesal . . . errr . . . six-pack abs! Pandesal is the perfect partner for Century #100PercentTuna.

Derek started eating Century Tuna when he was still a college student in the United States. He confessed that his classmate Leo would bring boxes and boxes of Century Tuna all the way from the Philippines. Derek has been shaping his body for many years now to fit what he considers a lean and mean machine.

Just like Papa Derek, you could start living a fit and healthy lifestyle. Start eating Century Tuna and do 15-minute exercises that you prefer and be fit in no time.  

Some members of the media who won in the raffle. Congratulations guys!

Did you know that Derek often feast on hot and spicy Century Tuna because it is lean and meaty with no extenders?

I do appreciate the people behind Century Tuna because they listen to customer feedback. Century Tuna now comes in easy open can and 50% lite variants meaning 50% less fat and less salt with the same superb taste, oh so perfect for dieting. What are you waiting for? Buy your own stock of Century Tuna now. Malay mo maging kasing ganda ng katawan ni Derek Ramsay ang iyong body!

Happy Day!

Smile Always!