Official List of 2014 Public Holidays Released by Malacañan Palace

Official List of 2014 Public Holidays Released by Malacañan Palace

Oh, la la! Great News, my friends! The Official List of 2014 Holidays was released by Malacañan Palace through Proclamation No. 655 dated September 25, 2013.

You can now plan your vacations months earlier. There are a total of 19 holidays and special (non-working) days next year. Plus there are four (4) long weekends expected next year. 

Students will jump for joy because they'll get to enjoy most regular and special holidays that will fall on a weekday.

The holidays on the official list are as follows:

A. Regular Holidays

1 January (Wednesday) – New Year’s Day

9 April (Wednesday), Araw ng Kagitingan

17 April, Maundy Thursday

18 April, Good Friday

1 May (Thursday), Labor Day

12 June (Thursday), Independence Day

30 July (Wednesday), Eid’l Fitr (tentative date only)

25 August (Monday), National Heroes Day

30 November (Sunday), Bonifacio Day

25 December (Thursday), Christmas Day

30 December (Tuesday), Rizal Day

B. Special (Non-Working) Days

31 January (Friday), Chinese New Year

19 April, Black Saturday

21 August (Thursday), Ninoy Aquino Day

05 October (Sunday), Eid’l Adha (tentative date only)

1 November (Saturday), All Saints Day

24 December (Wednesday)

26 December (Friday), additional non-working day

31 December (Wednesday), additional non-working day

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)

25 February (Tuesday), EDSA Revolution Anniversary


Note: For regular holidays, an employee will be paid in full even if the person does not report for work and will be paid double if he or she does.

For special holidays, the employee will not be paid if he or she doesn’t work but will be entitled to 130 percent of the usual pay if he or she does.

THE VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES: Grand Winner Mitoy Yonting

THE VOICE OF THE PHILIPPINES: Grand Winner Mitoy Yonting

Congratulations to the most popular contestant of ABS-CBN’s reality talent series, “The Voice of the Philippines”, Michael “Mitoy” Yonting, the first ever winner of "The Voice of The Philippines", a franchise from "The Voice of Holland".

"The Voice of the Philippines" winner can't believe that he now holds the title "The Voice of the Philippines".  

He is thankful, first to God, then to his family and his supporters.

The 43-year old frontman of the rock showband Draybers used to be a regular mainstay of Eat Bulaga . 

He used to appear in EB together with Gladys Guevarra in a portion called "Chuchay and Mitoy".
                                 

Circa 2007

@mitoyonting #VoicePHFinale #TheVoicePHFinale

Megan Young of the Philippines is the new Miss World 2013

Megan Young of the Philippines is the new Miss World 2013

Photo: Philstar.net/Inquirer.net/AP

Bali, Indonesia proved to be a lucky place for our very own Miss World Philippines Megan Lynne Young. Finally, in the pageant’s 63-year history, a Filipina won the much coveted title, besting 126 other candidates (according to my friend Jory Rivera who personally witnessed the historical event in Bali, Indonesia)! Congratulations to the first ever Pinay Miss World. We're so proud of you, Megan!

Photo: Mirror UK

Important fact: When Megan Young was crowned, the emcee asked her about how she felt. Megan spoke in Tagalog though she's very well versed with the English language! Panalo!  (Winner!) She thanked all the people especially all the Filipinos that supported her all the way to this monumental feat. She is truly a wonderful MISS WORLD.

Photo: Inquirer.net/ AP

The most coveted Blue Crown is now in the head of the newly crowned Miss World 2013 Megan Young of Philippines, center. Megan waves to the crowd, after winning the Miss World contest, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. Megan won in a year with the most number of delegates ever. Yes, dear Megan Young beat candidates in 126 countries and became the first ever Filipina to win the title.

     Photos: Jory Rivera 

Beat this!

PHILIPPINES is the FIRST COUNTRY to win ALL THE MAJOR TITLES in all Major Beauty Pageants in the whole wide world:

Miss Universe - 2 (1969, 1973)
Miss World - 1 (2013)
Miss International - 4 (1964, 1970, 1979, 2005)
Miss Earth - 1 (2008)
Miss Tourism Queen International - 1 (2006)
Miss Supranational - 1 (2013)

Thank you Megan Young for completing the list!

Megan was born in the United States and moved to the Philippines at age ten. She attended Thidrum high school in Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City. She is currently majoring in Digital Film Making at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) in Manila.

The truth is the news made me cry! I don't know why I got so emotional when I learned that Megan won the elusive title! Maybe, I just empathize with Megan. Feeling beauty queen. Aba, who would not feel proud of Megan. She represented the Philippines with so much grace (under pressure) proving to the rest of the world that the Filipinas exude beauty and talent.

Photo: AP

Miss Philippines Megan Young, right, reacts after she was called as the New Miss World.

In a sparkling finale on the Indonesian resort island of Bali Saturday, Young bested 126 other beauty queens from around the world to win the coveted title in a contest broadcast to more than 180 countries worldwide.

In the finals, Young beat five other finalists, including France and Brazil. 

Question: Why should you be Miss World?

Miss World Philippines Megan Young: I treasure a core value of humanity that guides people why they act the way they do. I will use this to show other people how they can understand each other as one,so we can help society.

Photo: Jory Rivera

She thanked the judges for choosing her and promised to “be the best Miss World ever”.

The 23-year-old Filipino actress pledged to “just be myself in everything I do, to share what I know and to educate people.”

Thank you my friend Jory Rivera for the photos.

Congratulations Megan Young (@meganbata) #MissWorld2013 #MW2013 #INDONESIA #Bali #MissWorldPhilippines #PHILIPPINES

Westlife's Shane Filan Live at Skydome Tonight

Westlife's Shane Filan Live at Skydome Tonight

Attention: #Westlife fans #ShaneFilan Live at Skydome tonight! MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) See you!

One quarter of the most successful boy band of the last decade- Westlife is here in Manila! Twelve years, ten albums and 44million sales into their career, Westlife rocks!

I got so giddy when I learned that Shane Filan is in town for Everything to Me promo! Who could forget Westlife?

               

Sentro 1771 Restaurant: Newest Food Offerings

Sentro 1771 Restaurant: Newest Food Offerings

Sinigang na Corned Beef

Sentro 1771 restaurant's newest food offerings are original Filipino dishes made possible by Executive Chef Vicky-Rose Pacheco. Before I present the new menu, let me expound first about the restaurant and its sinigang na corned beef.

Per Wikipedia, sinigang is defined as a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour and savory flavor most often associated with tamarind (sampalok). It is one of the popular viands in Philippine cuisine.

As you all know, Executive Chef Vicky-Rose Pacheco invented the famous Corned Beef Sinigang, the house specialty of Sentro 1771 since eleven (11) years ago. Sentro 1771 caught the local culinary scene by surprise with its original Modern Filipino cuisine way back in 2002. Did you know that from then on, people lined up outside Sentro 1771 to get a taste of her famous Corned Beef Sinigang?  Sentro 1771's Modern Filipino cuisine fired up the innovative spirits of chefs around the Philippines and started a new trend in contemporary Filipino restaurants.  

Sinigang na Corned Beef

Chef Vicky told us that it all started when she tried to put into good use the restaurant's excess corned beef broth. She then discovered that she could make the broth into sinigang by adding sour ingredient and putting in beef cuts with sinews, fat, and bones. The result is a hearty soup and the now known signature favorite dish at Sentro 1771, the heartwarming, flavorful and meaty Corned Beef Sinigang, which I labeled as Sinigang Almighty, ha ha ha!

Sinigang na Corned Beef

I asked Chef Vicky, "what's the secret behind the soft boneless beef shanks in the Sinigang na Corned Beef of Sentro 1771?" She explained that they cure the beef brisket in special brine solution for five (5) days and custom mix it with several other spices for that added flavor. Can you imagine that they cure 32 kilos of beef everyday to meet the demands for sinigang na Corned beef? They then throw away the mixture after the curing period of five (5) days. I was intently listening to her that I can clearly imagine how they make the corned beef. Ahhh, the beauty of making your own corned beef – you can adjust the flavors the way you want.

The pot is loaded with vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, gabi (taro corms), labanos (daikon or radish), kangkong (water spinach), and eggplant stewed in tamarind. The broth from scratch is loaded with flavor-boosting natural spices. They then served the sinigang almighty hot and steamy.

Sinigang na Corned Beef

I believe one of the factors why Sinigang na Corned Beef became so famous is the personalized approach practiced by Sentro 1771's staff. The staff always ask guests to sip the delicate soup stock prior to serving. Why? So that the sourness, saltiness, and spiciness can be adjusted according to each guest preference.

Executive Chef Vicky-Rose Pacheco

The amiable and very innovative Executive Chef Vicky Pacheco brought Filipino cuisine to the next level by presenting local dishes in a chic and elegant setting. She combined Swiss and French techniques with familiar Filipino flavors. 

Ow, by the way, here's Sentro 1771's newest menu: 

New Food Offerings:

Sentro 1771 has branches at Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City and at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City. 

Soon, another branch will rise in Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City.

EXLINKEVENTS:The Biggest Beauty, Health, and Wellness International Trade Show

EXLINKEVENTS:The Biggest Beauty, Health, and Wellness International Trade Show 

Ex-Link Events opens today the biggest beauty, health, and wellness International Trade Show in the Philippines at the second floor of SMX Convention Center. The trade show will run until September 28, 2013

The event promises to gather 200 plus exhibitors and 25% of them are international exhibitors coming from different parts of the world.

Besides the exhibition, the event also boasts a conference by leading beauty, health, and wellness association of the country.

A Dance Convention will take place on the third day of the event, which features education, entertainment and competition. Leading brands and dance experts will participate in the said event.

The event are expected to attract 10,000 Buyers.

For more information, visit www.beautyhealthwellnessexpo.com.ph , call 643.3887 or email us at info@exlinkevents.com.

PICC: 1st Academe-Industry and JPMAP Job Fair

PICC: 1st Academe-Industry and JPMAP Job Fair 

Walang trabaho? Walang problema! 

There is a job fair at PICC this Friday, September 27, 2013. Who knows? You might stumble upon your dream job there.

Calling all job seekers and graduating students!

We are inviting you to the 1st Academe-Industry and JPMAP Job Fair happening this September 27 at the PICC Banquet Halls 1, 2 and 3.

This event is free and open to everyone looking for a great career. See you there!

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: Triangle Of Travel

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: Triangle Of Travel

Early on in life, I learned that for a person to be able to travel, one must possess the triangle of travel.  These three elements in this triangle must all be present at the same time or you will not be able to travel.

What exactly am I talking about?

First, you must have the money.

Correct! This is exactly what you are thinking. How on earth could you purchase airplane, train, bus tickets if you don't have the moolah? 

Solution: These days people use credit cards so I think the problem on money is solved with today's availability of credit cards. One can travel with no moolah at present but remember you still have to pay your credit card bills on their due dates.:-) So the better solution for me is TO SAVE!

Second, you must possess the time. 

Solution: Make a wise choice. Save your vacation leave and other leave benefits so you could have a grand vacation. Choose wisely. Take advantage of long weekends or long holidays. Go AWOL or better yet resign from your job and enjoy traveling:-) joke hi hi hi! Don't take this suggestion seriously as you might get into trouble if you go on AWOL. Lol.

Third, you ought to have good health.

Solution: Sleep at least 8 hours per day. Take multivitamins. Exercise. Don't overeat. But sometimes if you have genetic defects, sleeping 8 hours a day and living a healthy lifestyle won't just make the health problem go away. This is sad but it is so true.

Goodluck on your next journey!