What a year. As we close another year and decade, it’s nice to look back and see how awesome or kalat 2019 was. One of the best ways to recap the year is through Twitter, the micro-blogging platform that has witnessed all sorts of announcements, catfights, and special social media moments.
Twitter gathered all the data and they have presented a summary of the year that was. Were you a part of it?
I’m always impressed at how crafty my generation and the one after it is in different fields. This weekend, our former intern is hosting a Powerpoint party, where people can talk about literally anything under the sun as long as it’s done on the presentation platform. He’s just one of the many in my age group proving that millennials and Gen Z are doing more than just fine.
In terms of fashion, there are many who are flourishing in the field, whether as a designer, stylist, hair or makeup artist, or even as fashion journalists. To celebrate this glamorous industry, Globe Telecom’s lifestyle brand, 0917 Lifestyle, partnered with the country’s premier event agency, SAGA Events for StyleFestPH. The three-day fashion fest aims to help Filipino fashion design students, talents, and young content creators to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship and to promote the movement for Filipino fashion through various initiatives.
Naked Patisserie has become one of the most sought-after cake suppliers for celebrity weddings, with its offerings of sweet and savory recipes using signature combined “naked ingredients.” I was lucky enough to have been invited to chef Christian Mark Jacobs’ home, where I got to try his creations in an intimate dinner.
I loved The Baked Brie Mac n Cheese, a 4-cheese dish comprised of an explosion of pepper jack, sharp cheddar, parmesan, and baked brie. Of course, my favorites were the desserts, including the Pick-Me-Up, an unforgettable espresso cheesecake that drove me crazy when I first tried it. I also liked the Chocoholic Truffle Cake, which is generously topped with Christian’s Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.
Christian has been making those truffles since he was a teenager, and it has become a well-loved crowd favorite and a benchmark for great desserts.
Christian just launched his newest offerings, which is perfect because it’s the holiday season. Check out what the Naked Patisserie has to offer. There’s definitely something for you here:
Not only are the grazing tables Instagram-worthy with its signature rustic aesthetic, but it is peppered with Christian’s Southern roots recipes made with naked ingredients. One can choose the Build-Your-Own Naked Spread package, which allows the client to customize the spread based on budget and number of guests. Special add-ons (premium cheese, premium deli meats) and upgrades are also available, giving one the opportunity to curate a spread.
There are also the Celebrity Naked Spread packages designed for actual celebrity weddings and events. One can also opt for Luxe Celebrity Spreads, including the actual spreads used by celebrities Julia Barreto, Marian Rivera, Jinkee Pacquiao, and Vern and Verniece Enciso.
For those who want a memorable Yuletide spread, Naked Patisserie’s Southern Roots Party Trays is sure to create new memories while bringing back a taste of home. It features the Breaded Italian Pork Chops with the Naked Foodie signature breading, seasoned to perfection with creamy Southern bacon gravy as a side; Italian Sausage with Bell Pepper & Onions, which are sauteed and served with grilled bell peppers and red onions on a petite bed of creamy mashed potatoes; the irresistible Sriracha Chicken is a crispy boneless skinless breast chicken tossed in the signature Sriracha Honey Sauce and topped with red pepper flakes and spring onions; and the Tuscan Chicken is a beautifully roasted chicken coated in premium olive oil, Italian herbs and spices, and finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and zest.
Even the sides are sure to make every foodie drool: there’s The Baked Brie Mac n Cheese; the Frittata is a baked egg casserole filled with feta cheese, steamed spinach and vine-ripened tomatoes and parmesan cheese; and Buttered Corn is a premium roasted corn with butter and signature spices. Just as memorable are the Sweet and Sour Green Beans and Roasted Broccoli.
To complement the savory dishes, Naked Patisserie also offers Made-to-Order cakes with unique flavor combinations to choose from: Strawberries & Cream (winner of the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Best Desserts of 2019), Chocnut Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Calamansi Cheesecake, Toasted Coconut Cream Dulce de Leche, Pick-me-Up Espresso Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocoholic Truffle Cake, Pucker Up Lemon Cheesecake, and its Signature Red Velvet Cake.
Other goodies that Naked Patisserie is offering this holiday season are the Luxe Wine Gift Sets, and Gingerbread Houses; limited edition offerings are the White Chocolate Red Velvet Truffles, Christmas Cake, and the Holiday Snacker.
This story is in partnership with The Naked Patisserie. For your holiday celebrations, you may order online through their website www.nakedpatisserie.com or message them on Viber at 09454685141 and/or 09651396609. Stay up to date with their offerings and promos by following Naked Patisserie on Instagram.
I enjoy rewarding myself for small wins. It’s a way to say thank you for the hard work that I’ve done for a project, and at the same time, motivate myself to finish something and make sure I do a damn good job. So how do I do it? How do I celebrate success?
I’m so happy that the culinary scene in the Philippines continues to improve. There are local chefs and restaurants upping their game and offering polished takes on Filipino classics, and those that are completely reinventing the cuisine with fusions and innovations. At the same time, I’m glad that more restaurants from abroad are opening in Manila, introducing new flavors right here so we don’t have to fly out.
One of the recent imports is Monga, dubbed Taiwan’s most popular fried chicken cutlet chain. I got to try it out and I honestly, genuinely liked it.
I have to be honest. I’ve hit a fitness slump. Ever since I got back from my trip to LEGOLAND Malaysia, I’ve hit a wall when it comes to my fitness. My workouts have been getting erratic and I’ve let myself go in terms of my diet. In fact, I can feel a paunch growing in my midsection. I try so hard to get myself back on track, but the first steps are always the hardest. I need motivation, something that will encourage me to start going to the gym again and care about what I put in my mouth. I’m considering a smartwatch.
I initially had reservations when I was invited to watch Ford v. Ferrari. I’m not a fan of racing, or even cars, so I wondered if I would enjoy this movie. Sure, it had Christian Bale and Matt Damon, but would that be enough to hold my attention, since it’s a two and a half hour movie? It turns out it did more than just hold my attention. The film gripped it the entire time, never letting it go. I was safely ensconced in the theater but I felt like I was in the passenger seat. That’s how much I enjoyed it, even if I know nothing about cars.
Are Filipinos bad savers. We spend conspicuously on everything—from dining out and watching movies to incessantly shopping online—yet many attest to family and friends that they actually live from paycheck to paycheck.
The numbers and data don’t lie either. The World Bank’s 2017 Global Findex Database affirmed that 66% of Filipinos do not have a savings account. Further studies even show that one in five Filipinos still think they do not need a savings account, and of those who do want to save with a bank, 18% said they did not have the necessary documents and 10% felt it was too expensive to open an account.