The ASEAN-India Music Festival is making a much-anticipated return this year, spotlighting the vibrant musical traditions of its participating nations.

This year’s event, set for November 29 to December 1, 2024, will take place at the historic Purana Qila in New Delhi, India. The festival aims to foster greater appreciation for India’s cultural ties with ASEAN countries, bringing audiences closer to their shared heritage.

Described as an “incredible showcase of unity through music and culture,” the 2024 edition marks a decade of the Act East Policy. It reflects key decisions from the 21st ASEAN-India Summit, emphasizing India’s deepening partnership with ASEAN, particularly in cultural collaboration.

ASEAN-India Music Festival will feature performances by bands from ASEAN countries and top Indian music sensations such as Shaan, Jasleen Royal, Sukriti Prakriti, and Raghu Dixit.

The event is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Seher, India's premier cultural organization known for producing large-scale events in India and abroad, particularly in the fields of music, dance, visual arts, theater, and cinema.

Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director of Seher, shares that this year’s ASEAN-India Music Festival promises to live up to the expectations of the global audience while upholding its top-notch programming with a carefully selected lineup of performers.

He explains, “The third edition of the ASEAN India Music Festival is a celebration of a decade of India's 'Act East Policy.' The festival brings together diverse musical traditions and promotes a deeper cultural bond between India and ASEAN. With new initiatives like international performances and educational collaborations, we aim to take the cultural exchange to a new level. The new addition to this 3rd edition of ASEAN-India Music Festival is a one-day music extravaganza in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the ASEAN-member states."

Following the main event in New Delhi, the festival will continue its journey to Bangkok, Thailand, further enhancing the cultural connections between India and ASEAN. Details about the bands performing from Southeast Asia will be announced soon.

Along with senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Heads of Missions from all 10 ASEAN Member States, Mr. S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Govt. of India, will also grace the event as the chief guest.

After its well-received inaugural edition in 2017 and successful follow-up in 2022, AIMF has continued its mission of promoting a sustained cultural exchange and interaction between ASEAN and India while championing its unique adoption of traditional and modern music influences. Some of the previous headliners in the past from Southeast Asian nations include Linying of Singapore, The Ransom Collective of the Philippines, and Makaohang from Thailand.

For more information about the ASEAN India Music Festival, visit the official website.

In the realm of festive feasts, few dishes hold the iconic status that Christmas ham does. As families gather around the table to celebrate the holiday season, the succulent aroma of ham often takes center stage. But how did this delectable tradition begin, earning its place as a Christmas culinary staple?

The roots of Christmas ham trace back centuries, with its origins deeply intertwined with cultural practices and seasonal festivities. One prevailing theory suggests that the tradition of serving ham during Christmas can be linked to ancient pagan celebrations. In many cultures, pigs were slaughtered during the winter months, and the meat was cured and preserved to ensure a stable food supply throughout the colder season.

As Christianity spread across Europe, the practice of feasting on ham during the winter months continued, blending seamlessly with the Christmas festivities. The timing of these winter pig slaughters coincided with the Christmas season, giving rise to the association between ham and the holiday. The salt-curing process not only preserved the meat but also imparted a distinctive flavor that became synonymous with Christmas indulgence.

The specific term "Christmas ham" began to gain popularity as the dish became a focal point of holiday celebrations. In medieval England, for example, the tradition of serving a boar's head as a centerpiece during Christmas feasts was well-established. Over time, this evolved into the more familiar ham we know today, as the boar's head was gradually replaced by the easier-to-obtain and equally delicious ham.

Fast forward to the New World, and Christmas ham continued to evolve. In the United States, the Southern tradition of serving ham during the holidays became deeply ingrained, with many families adopting the practice during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The influence of Southern cuisine on Christmas ham spread throughout the country, solidifying its place as a beloved holiday dish.

 

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas of Iloilo City was over the moon with the return of the Dinagyang Festival to the city's streets, describing it as a "complete success." With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors flocking to the festival's various activities, the Mayor said everyone wanted a strong comeback and it was a triumph, showing that Dinagyang and their Sto. Niño are beyond politics.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas. Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.

(From left to right) House Speaker Martin Romualdez, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas during the Dinagyang Dance Competition at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand

The special guests were seen enjoying the Ilomination night at SM City Iloilo with Mayor Jerry Treñas,  SM’s SVP for Operations Bien Mateo, Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong, Youtube celebrity Small Laude,veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, former senator Franklin Drilon, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, philanthropist and influencer Tessa Prieto, eventologist Tim Yap, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran and Chef Tibong Jardeleza,Jr.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, introduces its newest brand ambassador, Kim Chiu, alongside the launch of the 10.10 Brands Festival, its biggest brands sale of the year. The famous actress, dubbed the Princess of Philippine Movies and TV, will feature in Shopee’s new TV commercial and many exciting in-app activities.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee Philippines is happy to welcome one of the country's top entertainers into the Shopee family, Kim Chiu. Kim's bubbly, charming personality and love for online shopping both resonate with millions of Filipinos who find joy and excitement on Shopee. This 10.10 Brands Festival, we hope to bring the best brand deals and so much more with our valued and trusted brand partners.”

Users can look forward to these from Shopee brand ambassador Kim Chiu:

• ●Kim Chiu’s new Shopee TV commercial: Kim Chiu gives the viral “Proof of Delivery” trend her own spin. Fans can look out for the TV commercial on local TV networks and on Shopee’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts. 
• ●Kim Chiu for Shopee Prizes: Users can find Kim Chiu on in-app games such as Spin & Win and Guess It Right, which they can play to win rewards such as coins and vouchers. 
• ●Mini-games and contests with Kim Chiu: This October, users can join the #10BrandFaves contest featuring Kim Chiu for a chance to win 1,000 Shopee coins.

One of my way to distress is to visit art galleries and by way of looking at different arts created by different great artist put at peace. Something that makes me relaxed. It is my serenity.

It seems that my usual place to visit will have an addition, though its only once a year. Yes, Ortigas & Company through one of its mall, Estancia, presents their 10-day Ortigas Art Festival. Their way of asserting their commitment to bring arts and culture closer to the people.

As it opens and celebrates the second year, Ortigas Art Festival establish Estancia as the art hub of Ortigas and they made this year's exhibit a place to visit and see arts at its finest. This year's approach brought individual artists to the spotlight, showcasing their creative individuality and placing them a the forefront of the art scene.
Hmmm... I hope I can also showcase my artworks. Maybe their next year.

It was the idea of Renato Habulan, renowned social realist painter, to tap the various groups of artists from all over the country and give them a venue to exhibit their works. Ortigas Malls was receptive to the idea of promoting grassroots participation in the art scene. No gallery representation - just artists working together, no admission charge for the viewers - walk through the art for free.

Presenting the artists.

Among the featured artists is master engraver Benjie Torrado Cabrera, the only engraver in the country specializing in this laborious, centuries-old medium. His works, which are complex in detail, are inspired by his interest in cosmology, with geometric shapes and spheres that signify the universe.

Another one to look out for is Darwin "Japat" Guevarra, a self-taught artist inspired by the works of masters and his peers, showcases works that reflect his concepts of life and social realism, expressed through his mastery of the paintbrush, sculpting, photography, and experimenting with scrap and molded materials.

Also in the spotlight is photographer Bern Wong, with her camera that has captured the most moving meditative with breathtaking landscapes she has seen encountered in her travels. her works express the minimal, abstract, and even the surreal aspects of places she visits.

Don't forget to check out also the works of Richard Buxani, architect who has since harnessed his talent to create sculptures made out of metal. Inspired by Ronald Castrillo, Richard discovered a natural fondness for bending , crafting , cutting, welding and molding materials, which are showcased in the exhibit.

Artists and groups who also joined the art festival are AgawXena, Agos Kulay Maynila, Banta Artists Initiative, Hibon, Biskeg, The Guild, Group Artists of Taytay, Pinoy Printmakers Association, Hilaga, and Westgrove Fine Arts.

To create a more interactive and immersive art experience, the organizer of the exhibit lined up various activities for visitors that is all for free. On February 23, master engraver Benjamin Cabrera shows his prowess in print-making. On February 24 and March 2, artist Peter Sutcliffe will be holding tutorials on watercolors. On March 3, Renato Habulan introduces guests to Print Alla Prima with the Master. Throughout the festival, the public is also encouraged to participate through the "Comment Areas" where they can share their thoughts and opinions to let the artists know how their works are perceived.

The rapidly-evolving festival has already grabbed the attention of various artists from across the globe, including some from New York, Los Angeles, and Singapore who want to become part of this movement - a sign that bigger and better things will come about in the coming years for Ortigas Art Festival.

"Ortigas & Company is delighted to see that support for contemporary Philippine art has been growing. As part of our commitment to the arts, we are holding the second run of this art festival in the hope that this will increase appreciation for the creative individuality of artists. By holding this in Estancia, we are also making art accessible to Filipinos, especially for our mall patrons and the Capitol Commons community," as per expressed by Arch. Renee Bacani, VP of Ortigas & Company.

For more updates and information about Ortigas Art Festival, connect through their Instagram and Facebook page and use the hashtag #OrtigasArtFestival.

For all Cherry Mobile user's today marks the first day of Cherry Mobile Festival 2016, dubbed as, “777 Swerte, Panalo sa Cherry Mobile”. Now on its 7th year, Cherry Mobile Festival 2016 is set to bring big discounts, more fun, excitement and surprises to every Filipino.

For the past 7 years, Cherry Mobile Festival has always been a tradition every year for its consumers. This is the brand’s unique way in returning its gratitude to its partners and consumers through special discounts, exciting activities, freebies and new handsets priced affordably.

Some of the highlights of Cherry Mobile Festival 2016 are:

Throughout the entire Philippines this is one of the famous festival during Lenten Season, the Mariones Festival. It is a festival where people wear Morion or centurion costumes and enacts the time that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified in the cross and how Longinus came to be a Christian.

Many tourists and Filipinos come to this island of Marinduque, the heart of the Philippines, just to experience watching the “Moriones” walk and dance on the street while parading. The highlight of the festivity is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the life of Longinus, who was re-born by faith and became witness of Jesus Christ. This re-enactment of the event shows that it is the sign of confirming our faith back to God. With this highlight made the festivity marvelous, an eyecatching experience.

Most people definitely despise mathematics. Its complexity makes it hard and definitely unlovable but if you take it seriously and enjoy solving the problems it’s just like doing the house chores, most particularly the laundry. If you’re wondering why, well here’s the equation – dirty clothes all over water and detergent plus fabric softener is equals to a very nice, fragrant and clean clothes. Simple isn't it! For Kwento Ni Toto that’s the simplest equation that can come up with inside the house but what about if it is done in big venue or big celebration like the Higantes Festival? Well, Ariel, one of the known brands in the market when it comes to stain removing, did the biggest test.

SPIT or the Silly People's Improv Theater and the PETA Theater Center proudly present the Manila Improv Festival 2013 as they celebrate their 11th year anniversary which will run from June 25 – 30, 2013.

Kwento Ni Toto's correspondent Justin was able to attend a press conference of the said event and was able to know the details about SPIT's 11th year anniversary. So, for this year there theme is entitled “Follow Your Feet”, an improvisational theater concept which also ties in with the art form's return to PETA – the group that first introduced the improvisational theater to the country in the early 70s. As SPIT takes more ground on a new decade of laughter and innovation, the group decided to take bolder step in sharing the art of improv to bigger audiences through the festival and its partnership with PETA Theater Center.

As the artistic director of the festival and founder of SPIT, Gabe Mercado, shares the vision of the festival “SPIT was founded back in June 2002, because I saw the need for a new kind of comedy – one that differed from the usual stand-up comedy routines that we are used to seeing on TV and comedy bars. Improv appealed to me because of its grounding on truth, the magic of spontaneity, and the fun that on-the-spot creation brings about. We hope events like these help build the improv community of the country and the region.”

Calling all kids and kids-at-heart!  Get ready for the gatherings of your favorite cartoon characters as they invade SM City Fairview this coming weekend, April 12, 2013.  Be there with the kids and let enjoy and have fun!

Event covered by Angelyn Demo

It was a Thursday Morning and thank God it wasn't raining. The day was just right for the event and for travel but as usual traffic has always been there that caused me to be late on the designated meeting place! Then were off to the festival.

It was the celebration of Las Piñas' 7th Water Lily Festival. A celebration that has become more popular every year because of the livelihood products produced out of Water Hyacinth led by the Managing Director of the the Villar Foundation, Cynthia Villar.


We arrived early but it seems that the celebration started much earlier. The festivity commenced already and people are in tune with the celebration. People were pretty eager to watch the pageant perhaps because of their bet candidates and of course most of them are really lovely. Many people were present during the festivity and the only thing that is not pleasant was the weather. Though it was not raining it made a not so good condition because it made us look tired and haggard because of that hot weather. Perhaps the heat also flared up because of the number of guests and participants present.

I did try to ask people around to know what they think of the celebration and one of the person I've interviewed was a “kagawad” (councilor) of the barangay. She said that they were lucky that projects like these were conceptualized and helped the communities a lot. After the interview she even introduced me to their barangay captain.


The Water Lily Festival was conceptualized in order to promote the water hyacinth-based livelihood products made by the residents of Las Piñas living along the river. Before these water lilies or water hyacints were treated as aquatic pests that clog the river but now are useful raw materials. Products made from these water lilies are baskets, trays, slippers and other functional and ornamental items.




The festival highlighted for this year the Miss Las Piñas Water Lily which was a pre-pageant that was held on Tuesday (July 17) and last Thursday (July 19) the winner was crowned as this year's Miss Las Piñas Water Lily. Since the water lily is the highlighted ingredient of this festival, gowns made of this material were created by known designers like Noli Hans and as well the barangay residents themeselves. Other highlights of the 7th Water Lily Festival are the fluvial parade, street dancing, musical performances from Manunugtog Kawayan and other local bands, water lily weaving demonstrations and of course, a display exhibit of various handicrafts made out of water lilies.


According to Mrs. Villar “We can do it if we want to”, she also explained that there are lots of improvements needed for next year's festival like the cheering squads should train hard and they were also planning to conceptualize a river cruise in Las Piñas. Mrs. Villar also mentioned that “cleaning a river is really a challenge and the Las Piñas was praised for cleaning the river.” It is indeed one of the good efforts that the Villar Foundation have done to Las Piñas and to its communities.

This festivity is really good in promoting local tourism and locally made products. Other places should also strive to do the same for the future generation. Just what Mrs. Villar said “we can do it if we want to”.

Do you want to visit this festivity next year? If you're planning to, just visit the Villar Foundation website to see the details of their programs and activities.

Music lovers if you didn't get a chance to watch the Philippine Popular Music Festival and wasn't able to know who won this encouraging songwriting competition, well some of our friends from there was able enough to provide us the list of songs, singers, and songwriters who made it in this prestigious competition.   So here it is, just read more and memorize the names and songs.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival (or PhilPOP) has been crowned! Last Saturday, July 14, 2012, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, the grand prize honor went to former Akafellas member Karl Vincent Villuga and his song “Bawat Hakbang”. The composition was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista. Villuga said that the song was about overcoming personal crisis.

First runner-up position went to Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion. Toto Sarioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel.

None other our country’s prominent songwriter, musician and academic Mr. Ryan Cayabyab is the Executive Director of the competition. The first Philippine Popular Music Festival is a songwriting competition which “aims to celebrate the talent of Filipino songwriting and to glorify the contributions of songwriters and composers to the Filipino music industry.” The event is the brainchild of chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and organizing committee chairman Ricky Vargas’ desire to help revive the Philippine music industry.

All of the winning songs plus the rest of the 11 top notch entries were compiled into one must-have album “Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012”. Mr. Cayabyab remarked, ““The CD is wonderful.  Ang gaganda ng mga kanta! I have never heard anything so uniformly, highly musical in performance.  The arrangements themselves are excellent.  I believe there will be several hits that will be spawned by this collection.  I am thrilled by the fact that these new Pinoy songs are fresh, new sounds with new lyrical concepts, or even if they are not new concepts, the approach is definitely new and the performances of the interpreters are indeed gems!  Hindi pa man contest proper, panalo na tayong lahat.  This is a major collection and I am very proud to be a part of the Philippine Popular Music Festival.”

1. “3 AM” (Music & lyrics by Keiko Necessario, Interpreted by Marie Digby)
2. “Bawat Hakbang” (Music & lyrics by Karl Villuga, Interpreted by Mark Bautista, Karl Villuga & The Akafellas)
3. “Big Time” (Music & lyrics by Trina Belamide, Interpreted by Baihana)
4. “Brown” (Music & lyrics by James Leyte, Interpreted by Brownman Revival and James Leyte)
5. “Dulo Ng Dila” (Music & lyrics by Noah Zuñiga, Interpreted by Jay R and Deejay Poblete)
6. “Himig Ng Panahon” (Music & lyrics by Thyro Alfaro, Interpreted by Duncan Ramos, Luke Mijares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi)
7. “Kesa” (Music & lyrics by Edwin Marollano, Interpreted by Daniel Gorospe)
8. “Kontrabida” (Music & lyrics by Soc Villanueva, Interpreted by Sam Concepcion)
9. “Minsa’y Isang Bansa” (Music & lyrics by Gary Granada, Interpreted by Gary Granada)
10. “Negastar” (Music & lyrics by Mike Villegas, Interpreted by Cathy Go)
11. “Piso” (Music & lyrics by Krist Melecio, Interpreted by Joey Ayala)
12. “Slowdancing” (Music & lyrics by Kennard Faraon, Interpreted by Nyoy Volante)
13. “Takusa” (Music & lyrics by Byron Ricamara, Interpreted by Rocksteddy)
14. “Tayo Tayo Lang” (Music & lyrics by Toto Sorioso, Interpreted by Ebe Dancel)

PhilPOP content can also be downloaded direct to your mobile. Just text PhilPOP to 3456 for Smart and Talk ‘N’ Text PhilPOP to 2346 for Sun. Standard rates apply. To download content online, visit MyMusicStore.com.ph or iTunes.

“Philippine Popular Music Festival 2012” album in stores nationwide, distributed by Ivory Music and Video.

PhilPOP is presented by Maynilad and Smart and it is co-presented by Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila and TV5. It is sponsored by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, PICC and Sun Cellular as well as by the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, Philex and media partners Inquirer, Ivory Music & Video, Philippine Star, Radio High and Radio Republic.

Excited with the upcoming PhilPop Music Festival? Well, if you are, these people are much more excited than you are. Here are what they say about this upcoming PhilPop Music Festival.



“The Philippine Popular Music Festival should offer what we all have been missing – a worthy venue to showcase the best and the brightest in OPM,” - Ely Buendia, songwriter/ musician


“Sobrang nakaka-excite ‘tong Philippine Popular Music Festival! More than a performer, a musician or anything else, I consider myself as a songwriter, and this makes it exciting for me…an event which will showcase the talent of my fellow Filipino songwriters. I honestly believe that this is what the music industry needs now: more original material. We have a deep bench of talented singers and musicians and we have to have a bigger pool of fresh new original songs to give them something new to sing. Revivals are okay but we need to come up with new songs to add to our piggy bank of classic Pinoy pop songs…and this Philippine Popular Music Festival will surely help our local music scene. Mabuhay ang original Pinoy music!,” - Chito Miranda, songwriter/performing and recording artist, Parokya ni Edgar

“It’s more fun in the Philippines! The 1st Philippine Popular Music Festival is an awaited competition that will draw the creativity of Filipino composers, old and new. This competition is a welcome endeavor to propel original Pilipino music to be known and recognized globally,” - Noel Cabangon, songwriter


“I'm so happy that a prestigious songwriting competition such as the Philippine Popular Music Festival is being launched! We in the OPM are supporting this show 100%! Mabuhay ang musikang Pilipino!,” - Ogie Alcasid, songwriter/multi-media artist/president of OPM

“Finally a song writing festival where both young and old songwriters can share their creation. This will truly inspire everyone and give a new, fresh and dynamic meaning to OPM,” - Louie Ocampo, songwriter/producer/music director

“I'm glad we're bringing back the SONG FESTIVAL. We need to encourage the young songwriters to write original music to express our own sentiments, tell our own story and re-awaken our natural gift for MELODY,” - Jose Mari Chan, songwriter/businessman

“A free people must sing and dance to its own songs. Let our soul be expressed through its original musical expressions. Mabuhay ang Philippine Popular Music Festival!,” - Jim Paredes, songwriter/artist/teacher

So music lovers better watch out for the Philippine Popular Music Festival!  Coming very soon!

I forgot when was the last time that there was a music festival showcasing the imaginative notes and flowery words of a songwriter.  I may not be a good songwriter but I definitely write quite a bit, it just need more practice and more learning.  Perhaps I do that before the deadline of the submission.

Anyway, so much with reminiscing.  If you know what I am writing about, well, good because the competition for songwriter will be starting very soon.  Amateur and professional Filipino composer will have a chance to prove that Original Pilipino Music are still alive and kicking all it needs is venue like this, the Philippine Popular Music Festival.

To know more about the Philippine Popular Music Festival or PhilPop read the details of the press release below...


There are competitions for aspiring singers, dancers, actors, models, bands, chefs, even children wanting to be chefs but what about for songwriters?

With a local music scene widely dominated by imported music, the Filipino songwriter has become a stranger in his own land.


With this in mind, prominent names from various industries have come together to spearhead the creation of the Philippine Popular Music Festival.

PhilPOP is a songwriting competition open to all amateur and professional Filipino composers. By March 1, 2012, interested composers can start submitting their entries online at PhilPOP.com.ph. The deadline of submission is on May 10, 2012. Song entries must be in MP3 format and can be in any popular music genre or a fusion of known genres, in any form or structure. Each entry must not exceed four minutes. Contestants can submit a maximum of two songs, either as a sole composer or as a collaborator. Song lyrics may be in Filipino, English, any Filipino dialect or a combination thereof.


There will be three levels of screenings and during the semi-finals, the judges will choose the top 14 finalists. The final performance and competition night will be held on July 14, 2012 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The grand prize winner will receive P1 million in cash and a trophy. The second and third runners up will each receive a trophy and P500,000 and P250,000 in cash respectively. All non-winning finalists will receive P50,000. A People’s Choice award will also be given to the entry with the most number of online and text votes. The winner will receive P200,000 and a trophy.


The competition hopes to provide a channel through which Filipino songwriters can create new songs and discover new expressions or genres in popular music. The organizers of PhilPOP also hope to start spark renewed enthusiasm and pride in Filipino music by starting a brand new collection of freshly produced Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

“Filipinos, in general, are musically gifted,” music maestro and PhilPOP executive director Ryan Cayabyab said. “We are well-known the world over simply because of our immense talent. But we are not just a country of talented singers, dancers and actors. With PhilPOP, I also want to shine the spotlight on our world-class composers and songwriters,” he added. The renowned musician also noted that this songwriting event is not a “revival” of another popular songwriting competition in the past decade.


Maynilad president and chief executive Ricky Vargas, who is also the event’s organizing committee chairman, further noted the significance of PhilPOP. “It’s high time we celebrate the artistry of the Filipino songwriter. What better way to do that than by giving them an avenue to showcase home grown talent and shine on a stage of their own.”

Meanwhile, business icon and PhilPOP chairman, Manny Pangilinan, also shared his motivation for lending support to the competition. “There are two reasons why I'm back in the Philippines after living in Hong Kong for so many years. I miss our religion and our music. You hear God’s voice in music,” he said.

The Philippine Popular Music Festival is jointly presented by Maynilad, Meralco, PLDT, Smart Communications, Sun Cellular, PICC, TV5, DDB Philippines and official press launch food provider, Via Mare.

As part of the celebration of the Chinese New Year, SM City North EDSA is showcasing the different Chinese Street Foods at their Sky Garden area.  Making every customers, passersby, and guests crave for those yummy and delicious foods.

The Chinese Street Food Festival has started last January 17 and it will end on 23.   So, if you're planning to have some food tripping this long weekend better get your friends or families and run to SM City North EDSA Sky Garden for that yummy and tasting experience.

To better get you more enthusiastic in getting there here's a sample of what you could expect at the Chinese Street Food Festival.  Below are some of the pics from the Chicken Deli stall participated in the said festival.  Aside from there are lots of other food stalls that offers tasty Chinese street foods.  Well, our correspondent Jefferson was lucky enough to experience that crave quenching and tummy filling event.


Chicken Deli is one of their stop over.  Chicken Deli provides a variety of chicken dishes for their consumers.  One of their best selling is the Chicken Inasal which was really known in Bacolod and was really a hit for the masses.  They also offers chicken barbeques and also they have this Special Batchoy.

Image courtesy of Aylin

Govby's Food Stall... not really familiar with this food stall but they are offering different tummy fillers.  Some of their hunger quenching foods are the Hong Kong Noodles which I think are fried noodles, mini siopaos, and some shabu-shabu.

Image courtesy of Aylin

Image courtesy of Aylin

My Red Basket offers a delightful list of pork and shrimp siomai, beef siomai and also marcon and siopao.  Some of the typical Chinese food that can be seen around in Chinese streets.

Image courtesy of Aylin

Siomai House is also one of those known siomai seller in the country and believe me their siomai is a hit.

Photo courtesy of Aylin

Photo courtesy of Azrael.

Better head on now to SM City North EDSA!