Cowrie Grill, the distinguished steakhouse that once graced the historic walls of The Manila Hotel and now finds its home at Promenade Greenhills, is celebrating a decade of culinary excellence. With a rich history that traces the journey of steak to the Philippines, Cowrie Grill has become a symbol of fine dining, attracting discerning connoisseurs for the past ten years.

Ever wondered when the tantalizing umami flavor conquered Filipino taste buds? The roots of this savory sensation trace back to the early 1950s, marking the advent of Ajinomoto in the Philippines. In 1958, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. forged a partnership, giving birth to Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation—a name now synonymous with culinary excellence.

Ajinomoto, the esteemed Japanese seasoning company famed for its umami-rich monosodium glutamate (MSG), made its way to the Philippines through strategic business collaboration. This marked the beginning of a flavorful legacy, elevating traditional Filipino dishes to new heights. The partnership addressed the surging demand for MSG, a vital ingredient in Asian cuisine, fostering a culinary relationship that has endured the test of time.

Treating yourself doesn’t have to be expensive! Get up to Php 6,000 off on select devices including HONOR 70 5G, HONOR X6, HONOR X7, HONOR X8, and HONOR X9 this Payday Sale from November 28 to December 2, 2023 via Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

“I am encouraging everyone to treat yourselves once in a while especially after almost a year of hardwork! Excited for people to enjoy these exclusive discounts now that the Holidays is fast-approaching,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

Feel the Holiday breeze on your payday with HONOR 70 5G. Recognized for delivering exceptional photographic quality, this smartphone has been acknowledged as the best buy for 2022-2023. From its original price of Php 26,990, you can avail HONOR 70 at Php 20,990 with FREE Honor Gift Set worth Php 2,499.

For a limited stock, HONOR X8 is up for dibs with Php 6,500 off from its original price of Php 12,990 down to Php 6,490 that comes with a FREE Earbuds Pro upon purchase.

HONOR fans may also enjoy a Php 4,500 discount from standard retail price of Php 14,990 down to Php 10,490 with FREE Earbuds Pro for every purchase of HONOR X9.

I really forgot when and where did I heard this story, but this story will surely give a good laugh, but in reality this will make us realize that all of us, not only the women, are not easy to satisfy or insatiable. We always long for something better (negatively) that most of the time leads to greed. 

My take on this story is that God has a master plan for all of us and all we need is align with what and where God leads us, then everything will follow. In simplest term “contentment”, be contented on what we have and be thankful that is given to us.

So, since I don't know who the author of this story is, we give credits to whom it is due. 

Here’s the story and it is entitled “The Husband Store!”

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is however, a catch …. You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

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.

 

The Star Pop record label has officially unveiled a new boy band in the P-pop scene called 1621BC. They released their first single, "Laruan," last November 23rd.

The boy band 1621BC includes Pan, Win, Migz, DJ, JM, and JC. The name "1621" signifies the angel number linked to the idea that desires and goals are starting to come true. Meanwhile, "BC" stands for Beyond Complete, indicating the group's commitment to always strive for perfection.

“Being a new boy band in the P-pop scene, we only have one goal and that is to introduce our songs and music that will make everyone cry, smile, celebrate, dance and sing like it used to be before,” the group said.

 

Universal Robina Corp.'s (URC) products continue to be popular choices for Filipinos, securing a notable position among consumers' preferred FMCG brands.

In the recent Kantar Brand Footprint study for 2022, Great Taste coffee claimed the fourth spot among the most chosen beverage brands in the Philippines and ranked ninth in the broader category of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

This achievement follows Great Taste coffee's fourth-place position in 2021, with a noteworthy improvement in its FMCG ranking from 15th in the previous year. The consistent favorability highlights URC's success in meeting and maintaining consumer preferences.

The study by influential consulting firm Kantar Group, uses a metric called a “consumer reach point” (CRP), which measures a brand’s strength based on how many shoppers are buying the brand and how often.

Great Taste chalked up 424 million CRPs in 2023 from 283 million in 2022. It was purchased by 75.8 percent of all shoppers and chosen 20 times a year.

The brand also continues to expand its line-up, recently adding the new GT Supreme.

Two other URC products made it to the list of the Philippines’ top 20 food brands.

Piattos was 7th, with 183 million CRPs, the third year in a row that it made it to the list. Nissin, a new entrant, landed in 19th, with 74 million CRPs.

 

Seeking an ideal gift this holiday season? HONOR has you covered! Avail yourself of discounts up to Php 1,000 on chosen HONOR devices and receive a complimentary Gift Box valued at Php 2,499. This offer is valid from now until December 31, 2023, at all HONOR Experience and Partner Stores, as well as online through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Don't miss out!

“We are once again treating HONOR fans with our Amazing Holideals promo until the end of December. You don’t need to look further because we got exciting freebies that comes with every purchase of HONOR gadget,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

Timeless Holiday Gifts with HONOR

The Holiday Season is always a time when families and friends gather to reconnect, share milestones, and make up for the time they’ve spent apart throughout the entire year. With this, the best year-end gift HONOR has to offer is HONOR X8A, also referred to as the DSLR smartphone to commemorate gatherings and holiday celebrations. It boasts an ultra-clear 100MP lens backed up by 8GB + 128GB storage, ensuring the quality of photos made affordable at an exclusive discounted price of Php 9,990, inclusive of a FREE HONOR Gift Box valued at Php 2,499.

During holidays, it can also trigger some vacation blues especially for overseas workers or loved ones who don’t have the privilege to be with their families. Hence, for an exclusive Php 500 discount plus FREE HONOR Gift Box, HONOR X5 Plus offers a solution by bridging the distance with its powerful 5200mAh battery life equivalent to 35 hours of calls and 17.8 hours of online video playback. For only Php 5,940, distance means so little with HONOR X5 Plus.

Excellence gave way to a night filled with heightened emotions and gripping drama. What started as a showcase of powerful performances evolved into a poignant scene, as contestants and judges alike found themselves overwhelmed by the depth of their emotions. It wasn't merely a display of dramatic flair; instead, it unfolded as an emotional roller coaster ride, impacting not only the contestants but also the judges who doubled as mentors.