What’s In Store for You
in the Year of the Wooden Horse

IMG_1024-copyIT’S almost Chinese New Year, which, according to the lunar calendar, falls on January 31 this year. It’s the day when the auspicious Year of the Wooden Horse starts. But is it a year to look forward to, or will it turn out to be a continuation of the not-so-favorable 2013? What’s in store for you in the Year of the Wooden Horse? Nobody knows exactly for sure, because only God knows what His plans are for you, but during the Yee Sang Lunch held at Makati Shangri-La Manila’s Shang Palace last week, attendees got a general idea of what’s in store for them in the Year of the Wooden Horse with the Luck in 2014 booklet distributed by hotel officials to everyone. It’s written by Maggie Chan, who has been practicing feng shui and Chinese astrology for the past 20 years.

If you want to have an idea of what the Year of the Wooden Horse has in store for you, these general forecasts made by Chan may be able to guide you along.

IMG_1025RAT
(1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 200Smilie: 8)

Career: Not a great career year for you. Try to stay clear of disagreements and arguments, and keep a low profile this year. There will be a lot of traveling, and relocation for a new job obligation or even a new job is possible. You might suffer from great stress from work. But crisis coexists with opportunity, so if you work hard, you will get succeed.

Money: Your pocket of gold will be pretty fair, although you have to struggle a bit for it. Don’t be greedy with money or your income will drop. It is best to have a good scheme for daily income and expenses. Study plans carefully before making an investment.

Love: Relationships will not get any better this year. Males, though, will have a better chance to meet relationship opportunities compared to females. Calm down when there are any conflicts with your partner.

Health: The year will require a lot of energy from you, so conserve your energy and relax whenever possible. Pay close attention to intestines and stomach problems, and be careful when engaging in sports or driving.

IMG_1030OX
(1913,1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)

Career: You’ll have a lot of opportunities, which will also bring on some pressure. But there’ll be some people who will help you through that struggle. Basically you will have a better career year than last year. Take note that there will be much competition at work this year.

Money: Money flow will be quite fair. Just make sure you have a job with a stable income. Don’t get into any short-term investments. Go for investments in real estate or house improvements.

Love: It will be a great year for you to meet new people and develop new relationships, but no long-term relationships are going to happen. Married people should be careful about extra-marital affairs.

Health: Be more concerned with your health. Traveling will not always be a safe journey. Focus on the road when driving, and take a break once in a while to relax. Watch your digestive system.

IMG_1032TIGER
(1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)

Career: It will be a great year for you to improve on your working ability and responsibility and to express your creativity. A sign of extra income appears, but may mean promotion at work, but your workload will increase.

Money: Stick to your job for a steady income, although financial investments may increase. Make proper use of your money to avoid having too many expenses.

Love: Love relationships will be good this year. Make sure that you pay good attention to your partner. You are advised to get married on an auspicious day this year.

Health: You’ll be bursting with energy. You may become more outgoing and do a lot of traveling. Apart from minor illnesses such as colds, avoid drunk driving to avoid serious accidents. Pay attention to your cardiovascular and digestive systems.

IMG_1033RABBIT
(1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)

Career: You will be able to handle the challenges of your career. You will have good relationships with people around you, but no job promotions yet. A salary increase may be in the picture.

Money: Your money luck is looking up this year. You’ll make money, but if you’re lazy, it’s not going to happen. There’s a sign of money loss relating to friends, so be careful.

Love: Love relationships will be great. If you’re trying to find love, start going out. If you’re already in a relationship, it’s time to go deeper into it. There is a chance of engagement or marriage. 2014 is also a good year to welcome a newborn baby if you’re already married.

Health: Get a lot of rest and energy. Keep an eye on your cardiovascular and urinary systems.

IMG_1036DRAGON
(1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)

Career: You are expected to welcome good opportunities, including the chance to be promoted. You should be competitive to turn those opportunities to your favor. Do not be impulsive.

Money: You will enjoy good financial fortune in the second half of the year, although there will be much competition in the first half. It is suggested to be thrifty and make wise use of the capital on hand.

Love: Your fortune in love life is fine. Singles should welcome matchmakers. Those in relationships may decide to get married this year. Married people should avoid extra-marital affairs.

Health: Your physical condition will generally be good, except for some unexpected discomforts due to working too hard. Do regular exercise in your spare time.

IMG_1039SNAKE
(1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)

Career: It’s going to be a great career year for you. A job promotion or salary raise is possible. Seize all good chances in the beginning of the year to make a solid foundation for the latter part of the year. For those intending to start a business, prepare early.

Money: Your wisdom is the key in earning more money this year. You might start a new project or make an investment, but males will have better luck in making investments than females. Consider having one or two part-time jobs owning a business.

Love: Great luck in love life will happen. Singles may meet several pursuers, but it is always wise to seek the advice of seniors and friends.

Health: Your health won’t be as great as the other aspects of your fortune this year, but it won’t be a big problem, either. Get enough rest, have a good diet, exercise and hygiene. Outdoor sports like jogging will benefit your health. Females should keep a healthy diet and the intake of cold food or snacks should be lessened.

IMG_1042HORSE
(1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)

Career: There is a sign of power and leadership this year, but there is also a sign of competition. Build good relationships to improve your career because you tend to sometimes fall short of self-confidence and to have a not-so-harmonious relationship with colleagues. Keep a low profile.

Money: You will be dealing with a lot of money this year. Do not loan money to people because loans may lead to arguments later on. Investing money on uncertain businesses is also not a good idea. Your financial fortune will be generally unstable.

Love: Your love relationships will be fine. The development of a relationship may be kind of slow. Singles may meet several people, but none will turn out to be Mr. or Miss Right.

Health: You’ll have a stronger body and mind compared to the previous year, but your mood will not keep up, and this will have an impact on your health. Avoid dangerous sports activities. Be extra careful to avoid unexpected injuries caused by knives and other sharp objects. Pay attention to your cardiovascular and urinary systems.

IMG_1044SHEEP
(1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)

Career: All your hard work in 2013 will pay off this year. A job promotion is possible if you keep doing great at work. Although there will be competition, you will get through it all the time. If there are targets in mind, 2014 is a good year to achieve them all. Every amount of investment will be smooth.

Money: You will find the right people to help you manage your money. Invest on something long-term. Your main money source will be your job, but extra income will come from projects related to your job.

Love: It’s a good year for females to find an ideal partner. For those already in a relationship, it’s time to develop a deeper connection with your loved one. Married people will have a sweet and smooth married life.

Health: No big issues concerning your health will arise this year, just minor illnesses. If you eat properly and get enough sleep and rest, you should be able to recover quickly from such minor illnesses. Drinking in social gatherings should be protect your intestines, stomach and urinary system.

IMG_1048MONKEY
(1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)

Career: Your career year will be just as stressful as it was in 2013. You’re going to have a really busy schedule, with more projects and a lot of travels. The opportunities for promotion, though, will come this year, so seize all opportunities.

Money: There will be opportunities for money in 2014, but you have to figure out how to translate them to money on your hands. There won’t be easy money. Handle large amounts of money very carefully in case of loss, traps or even lawsuits.

Love: Your love life will be fair. There will be a few bumps on the road once in a while. It’s difficult to find the ideal partner in life in your present environment. Those in relationships will find it a bit challenging to balance career and love this year.

Health: You need to get a lot of rest and sleep. Drive safely and try to avoid engaging in dangerous sports activities. There is an unlucky sign regarding family members. Shake off your loneliness tendencies; otherwise, you might suffer from insomnia or anxiety.

IMG_1060ROOSTER
(1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)

Career: You’re going to have a lot of job opportunities but also a ton of pressure from it. You’ll find help from a female. It is important to build good relationships with people you work with. Employees among you will find a chance to show your true talent and worth and possibly get a higher salary as a result.

Money: The opportunities to make money will be there, but you have to make an effort to make those opportunities work in your favor. Generally, no financial problem will bother you this year, but remember not to be too greedy.

Love: You’ll have very good luck with relationships. Marriage is possible this year. Make sure, though, that you stick to one partner.

Health: You will have slight illnesses during the year. Just monitor your health and get a lot of rest. Seniors should pay attention to their respiratory system. Try to live in an environment with cleaner air and less pollution.

IMG_1053DOG
(1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)

Career: Career opportunities will open for you. There’s a sign of power and leadership, but you’ll have strong competition. Keep a low profile and be humble and modest when the competition/enemy is around. Chances are you just might get that promotion at last.

Money: Your money flow will be stable but not overflowing. There won’t be easy money for you. Generally, as long as you make a wise investment, you will gain profits.

Love: Great fortune in relationships will happen to you. For singles, this will be a good year to find your ideal companion. Those in a relationship will enjoy good fortune in the coming years if you get married this year.

Health: Get enough sleep and rest to regain strength over minor health problems. Avoid dangerous activities. Watch your diet to prevent problems with your digestive and urinary systems, although there’s no sign that there will be any serious health problem. You tend to easily get inflamed or constipated, so eat less meat.

IMG_1057PIG
(1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)

Career: You’ll have a busy schedule this year, so you’ll need a lot of energy and brainpower. The year will bring you a lot of career opportunities, so this means there will be more money for you. Work hard to earn your reward.

Money: Your money will come from your knowledge. You’ll have good money luck. There is a chance for money loss, though, if you try investing in anything risky or if you work with greedy people. Spend your money wisely.

Love: It’s a good year for singles to find a relationship. Lower your standards and give someone you like a chance even if she’s not such a stunning beauty/hunk. Those already in a relationship and are already married will have a fine relationship.

Health: You’ll be spending a lot of energy at work this year, so this could lead to a lot of stress. When you feel stressed out, just stop to take a break. In general, you will be fine in 2014, but some latent diseases also require your close attention.

 

So, there you go, the predictions and forecasts of feng shui expert and Chinese astrologer Maggie Chan for the Year of the Wooden Horse. Remember, though, that these are just predictions and forecasts. It is still God who knows His exact plans for us.

Posted in Hobbies, Lifestyle Tagged , , , , ,

Celebrating the Year of the Wooden Horse
at Makati Shangri-La Hotel’s Shang Palace

Braised Baby Abalone Dried Oyster with Black Mushroom and Garden Green in Japanese Beancurd Skin

Braised Baby Abalone Dried Oyster with Black Mushroom and Garden Green in Japanese Beancurd Skin

IN a country like the Philippines, where a large Chinese community thrives, Chinese New Year is always a major occasion and cause for celebration. And according to the lunar calendar, which the Chinese follow right alongside the Western calendar, Chinese New Year falls on January 31, 2014, and this year happens to be the Year of the Wooden Horse, which is generally believed to be a good year for everyone.

Aside from having a festive Dragon and Lion Dance to shoo away evil spirits and attract good vibes and good fortune in the new year, one important Chinese tradition that is now practiced in the Philippines is the Prosperity Toss. It’s actually a Prosperity Meal that starts with the tossing of the Yee Sang Salad (also referred to as Yu Sheng Salad) and is followed by lauriat courses of dishes believed to bring good luck in the coming year.

A Yee Sang Salad is a raw fish salad whose historical roots can be traced to Old China but is more likely a recent tradition started by the Singaporean and Malaysian Chinese. Families and/or friends gather around a platter of Yee Sang Salad, where salmon strips, shredded vegetables, peanuts, condiments and sauces are neatly arranged side by side.

To do the Prosperity Toss, all ingredients are combined on the platter, and everyone, armed with chopsticks, mixes up the ingredients and tosses them high up in the air while shouting “Huat Chay!” or “Lo Hei!” The higher up you toss the ingredients, the better, even if you make a big mess at the table.

Yee Sang Salad

Yee Sang Salad

Executive Chinese Chef Richard Thong and director for communications Lesley Tan preparing the Yee Sang Salad for the Prosperity Toss at one table...

Executive Chinese Chef Richard Thong and director for communications Lesley Tan preparing the Yee Sang Salad for the Prosperity Toss at one table…

Singaporean Ambassador Hirubalan V P, Makati Shangri-La GM Alain Borgers, Mrs. Mano Totamby and restaurant manager Agnes Chua leading the Prosperity Toss at the other table

Singaporean Ambassador Hirubalan V P, Makati Shangri-La GM Alain Borgers, Mrs. Mano Totamby and restaurant manager Agnes Chua leading the Prosperity Toss at the other table

Everyone had a small portion of the Yee Sang Salad for good luck

Everyone had a small portion of the Yee Sang Salad for good luck

After all the merry tossing, everyone partakes of the Yee Sang Salad, which was just what happened last Tuesday (January 21, 2014), when Makati Shangri-La Manila’s top officials, led by the Shangri-La Group’s area manager and Makati Shangri-La general manager Alain Borgers, hosted a Yee Sang Lunch at the hotel’s highly acclaimed Shang Palace.

Two tables were set up for the Prosperity Toss, one led by Executive Chinese Chef Richard Thong and the other led by Borgers and restaurant manager Agnes Chua, with Singaporean Ambassador Hirubalan V P and his wife Mano Totamby as special guests. Everyone gathered around the tables and did the Prosperity Toss, after which the restaurant staff served small portions of the Yee Sang Salad to everyone.

What followed was a delightful 8-course lauriat lunch prepared by the Shang Palace kitchen staff.

Suckling Pig Combination Platter

Suckling Pig Combination Platter

The Prosperity Meal began with a Suckling Pig Combination Platter teeming with different cold cuts, roasts, jelly fish and egg. My favorite, as always, was the jelly fish.

Dried Scallops, Shredded Chicken and Bamboo Pith with Crab Meat Soup

Dried Scallops, Shredded Chicken and Bamboo Pith with Crab Meat Soup

Next came the Dried Scallops, Shredded Chicken and Bamboo Pith with Crab Meat Soup served in individual soup bowls. It was served at just the right temperature, and everyone at our table agreed that it was so typical of Shang Palace – delicious and flavorful, and generous with its ingredients and portions. Soup has, after all, been one of the strengths of Shang Palace.

Stir-fried Scallops with XO Sauce

Stir-fried Scallops with XO Sauce

Then the dishes came one by one. There was Stir-fried Scallops with XO Sauce. The huge, luscious and fresh scallops were stir-friend with broccoli flowers, flavored with a light XO Sauce that made it refreshing to the palate.

Braised Baby Abalone Dried Oyster with Black Mushroom and Garden Green in Japanese Beancurd Skin

Braised Baby Abalone Dried Oyster with Black Mushroom and Garden Green in Japanese Beancurd Skin

Following it was Braised Baby Abalone Dried Oyster with Black Mushroom and Garden Green in Japanese Beancurd Skin. This is a typical Chinese gourmet dish that is usually served during special occasions such as Chinese New Year.

Steamed Lapu-Lapu, Hong Kong Style, in Light Soya Sauce

Steamed Lapu-Lapu, Hong Kong Style, in Light Soya Sauce

Next up was Steamed Lapu-Lapu, Hong Kong Style, in Light Soya Sauce. Now, this is the dish that I always look forward to in Chinese lauriats, whether it be Chinese New Year or no occasion at all. It’s a great dish to serve for Chinese New Year because fish is believed to bring abundance throughout the year.

Duck!

Duck!

In place of the Deep Fried Crispy Chicken, which was on the original menu, was a Duck dish that’s also believed to bring good luck and fortune.

Wok-fried Glutinous Rice with Winter Meat in Lotus Leaf

Wok-fried Glutinous Rice with Winter Meat in Lotus Leaf

The Wok-fried Glutinous Rice with Winter Meat in Lotus Leaf that followed was incredibly flavorful and delicious. It was actually a cross between Kiampung (Chinese paella) and Machang (savory sticky rice dish wrapped in lotus leaves into a pyramid shape and steamed). This one was also made with sticky rice wrapped into a huge lotus leaf pouch and got a lot of its flavor from the Chinese sausage that it was cooked with.

Crispy Fried Nian Gao

Crispy Fried Nian Gao

Chilled Pumpkin Cream with White Fungus

Chilled Pumpkin Cream with White Fungus

Dessert came in the form of Crispy Fried Nian Gao (translation into layman’s term: tikoy) and Chilled Pumpkin Cream with White Fungus (white, flower-shaped seaweeds boiled to tenderness).

Set menus such as this, which feature multiple courses of traditional Cantonese delicacies, are available at the Shang Palace for dinner on January 30, 2014 (from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m.) and for lunch (from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (from 6:00 to 10:30 p.m.) on January 31.

Tikoys in three variants – Traditional, Yam and Coconut – will also be available at the Chinese New Year booth at the hotel lobby until February 4. So with Red Bean Tart, Pineapple Tart and Radish Cake.

For guests who choose to stay at the hotel for the Chinese New Year celebration, Makati Shangri-La offers special room rates starting at Php6,888 per night for two adults and two children aged 6 and below. The package includes buffet breakfast at Circles Event Café and a voucher for a 2-piece Prosperity Fish Tikoy.

Other dining delights related to Chinese New Year have been put together at the hotel’s other dining outlets, such as Inagiku, Circles and even the Isabela Ballroom.

 

(Makati Shangri-La Manila is located at Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, call 813-8888.)

Posted in Restos Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

3-Fish Paella

fol-IMG_0833 copyIT’S paella time again! I made a new paella variation using the shortcut cooking method that I learned from a recent cooking class at The Cookery in Bonifacio Global City sponsored by Knorr. The shortcut is the use of Knorr Menudo Mix for the sauce of the paella. After making Paella Valenciana, Seafood Paella and Chicken Tinola Paella, I decided this time to make a 3-Fish Paella. I made it for lunch last Saturday, January 18, 2014, and enjoyed it with my husband Raff and my sister-in-law Lanie Zulueta-Marquez, who visited us in the house last Saturday. I fished out three kinds of fish from the freezer – cream dory, boneless bangus back fillet and salmon tail – thawed the fish, washed them and cubed them.

The result is the paella that you see in the photograph. It’s teeming with fish, the way I like it, but if you want less of the fish to balance with your rice, you may go ahead and lessen the amount.

1 pc. cream dory fillet
1-2 pcs. boneless bangus back fillet
1 pc. tail segment salmon
2 tbsps. olive oil
2 tbsps. minced garlic
1/2 pc. onion, peeled and chopped
2 pcs. tomatoes, deseeded and sliced into thin wedges
1 small can sliced button mushrooms
1-1/4 cups Japanese rice
1 pouch Knorr Menudo Mix
2-3/4 cups water
salt or chicken powder to taste

1. Thaw out frozen fish, wash, pat-dry and cut into cubes. Pan-fry, remove and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in 24cm. paellera or nonstick frying pan. Sauté garlic and onion, add tomatoes, then the button mushrooms.
3. Add Japanese rice, and stir to make sure all grains are coated with oil.
4. Dissolve menudo mix in water, then pour 2 cups into the pan. Mix. Let boil.
5. Lower heat to medium-low. Cover paellera or pan with aluminum foil. Let paella cook until rice is almost al dente and the liquid is almost gone, about 30 minutes. Gradually add remaining menudo mix dissolved in water. Season with a little salt or chicken powder to taste. Arrange the fish on top. Cover with aluminum foil again and cook until done.

Serves 3 to 4.

Posted in Fish/Seafood, Recipes Tagged , ,

Spiral Presents 18 Treasures-Themed Menu
for the Chinese New Year Celebration

The Yee Sang prosperity salad

The Yee Sang prosperity salad

ACCORDING to the lunar calendar, which the Chinese follow, 2014 is the Year of the Horse, and Sofitel Philippine Plaza welcomes the Chinese New Year with a special 18 treasures-themed menu, which diners can enjoy at Spiral starting today (January 20, 2014) until February 2, 2014.

Chinese New Year this year falls on January 31, but the celebration lasts a week to attract fortune and abundance for the Year of the Horse – with a gastronomic celebration featuring auspicious dishes from the different regions of China. This grand celebration includes Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese and Peking-style regional cuisines.

Why an 18 treasures-themed menu for the Chinese New Year? Well, in Chinese numerology and phonetics, the number 18 is associated with prosperity. Thus, Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s kitchen team, led by Executive Chef Eric Costille and Executive Chinese Chef Mok Chee Wah, has come up with 18 types of steamed and fried Hong Kong dim sum items, 18 different main courses, including Mongolian Barbecue with fresh meats and seafood and 18 kinds of sauces, Lobster Laksa with 18 kinds of condiments, the Yee Sang Salad with 18 kinds of condiments, and 18 desserts.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila's Spiral is one of the most popular buffet restaurants in the metro

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila’s Spiral is one of the most popular buffet restaurants in the metro

Making hand-pulled noodles at the Chinese noodle station...

Making hand-pulled noodles at the Chinese noodle station…

Laksa Noodles made fresh at the Chinese noodle station of Spiral

Laksa Noodles made fresh at the Chinese noodle station of Spiral

Fried Siomai in pouch

Fried Siomai in pouch

When it comes to dim sums, aside from the all-time favorites Pork Siomai, Hakao (shrimp siomai) and Spinach Dumpling, Spiral also has such gourmet treats as Foie Gras Siomai.

Spiral Signature Chili Crab

Spiral Signature Chili Crab

Steamed Snapper Fillet and Homemade Tofu

Steamed Snapper Fillet and Homemade Tofu

Steamed King Prawns with Fresh and Fried Garlic

Steamed King Prawns with Fresh and Fried Garlic

Slow-cooked Baby Abalone in Supreme Oyster Sauce

Slow-cooked Baby Abalone in Supreme Oyster Sauce

Steamed Crab Claw and Glass Noodles with Egg White Sauce

Steamed Crab Claw and Glass Noodles with Egg White Sauce

Braised Dried Oysters and Sea Moss in Dried Scallop Sauce

Braised Dried Oysters and Sea Moss in Dried Scallop Sauce

Braised Sea Cucumber with Minced Chicken Szechuan Style

Braised Sea Cucumber with Minced Chicken Szechuan Style

Braised Pork Knuckle with Iceberg Lettuce in Oyster Sauce

Braised Pork Knuckle with Iceberg Lettuce in Oyster Sauce

Wok Fried Pork Chop Cantonese Style

Wok Fried Pork Chop Cantonese Style

Shanghai Style Fried Spicy Chicken

Shanghai Style Fried Spicy Chicken

For the main courses, the selections are mostly celebration dishes with lots of seafood, including Spiral Signature Chili Crab, Steamed Snapper Fillet and Homemade Tofu, Steamed King Prawns with Fresh and Fried Garlic, Slow-cooked Baby Abalone in Supreme Oyster Sauce, Steamed Crab Claw and Glass Noodles with Egg White Sauce, Braised Dried Oysters and Sea Moss in Dried Scallop Sauce, and Braised Sea Cucumber with Minced Chicken Szechuan Style. There are also meat choices, such as Braised Pork Knuckle with Iceberg Lettuce in Oyster Sauce, Wok Fried Pork Chop Cantonese Style and Shanghai Style Fried Spicy Chicken.

As for the Yee Sang Salad, it’s like the symbolic dish that’s always served during the Chinese New Year celebration. The lauriat table is set up with a large platter of shredded vegetables, strips of raw fish (usually salmon) and a variety of sauces and condiments arranged side by side on the platter. A Teochew-style raw fish salad that’s also called Yu Sheng Salad, it’s a prosperity salad served at the start of the Chinese New Year lauriat meal. People gather around the table armed with pairs of chopsticks and, at the signal of the host, everyone tosses the ingredients high up in the air while shouting “Lo Hei!” The higher the ingredients get up in the air, the more prosperous the coming year is supposed to become. So, the tossing of the Yee Sang Salad is one rare occasion when it’s alright to make a big mess. Afterwards, everyone shares the salad, and only after everyone gets to eat his portion of the salad are the other lauriat dishes served.

Sofitel's officials leading the Yee Sang Salad prosperity toss

Sofitel’s officials leading the Yee Sang Salad prosperity toss

The Yee Sang Salad symbolizes abundance, prosperity and vigor in the coming year. And since the Chinese celebration dishes are made part of the Spiral buffet spread for the Chinese New Year celebration this year, the Yee Sang Salad is also presented in the buffet. The condiments can be found in different bowls in a special corner of the buffet area at the Chinese station, and diners can assemble their own Yee Sang Salad. It’s quite a deviation from the usual plated Yee Sang Salad usually served at the table.

Chinese tikoy in beautiful fish shapes

Chinese tikoy in beautiful fish shapes

The Chinese New Year celebration at Sofitel also features a Dinner cum Shanghai Nights Collection fashion show showcasing a 15-piece Shanghai-inspired fashion collection by renowned designer Albert Andrada on January 29, 2014, with diners getting a chance to win prizes from Jewelmer and Hiehl’s. Also lined up are a Dragon Dance on January 30 to bring good tidings, as well as live painting sessions of Chinese artist and calligrapher Alexis Ventura on January 29 and 30 and February 2. Special lunches and dinners have been scheduled on January 29 (at Php1,980++ for adults and Php1,100++ for children aged 4 to 11, for lunch; and Php2,750++ for adults and Php1,358++ for children, for dinner) January 30 to February 1 (at Php2,288++ for adults and Php1,308++ for children aged 4 to 11, for lunch; and Php 2,750++ for adults and Php1,358++ for children, for dinner), and Sunday brunch on February 2 (Php3,250++ for adults and Php1,500 for children aged 4 to 11).

Chinese New Year festivities have also been thought up for Sofitel’s Sunset Bar – with a poolside barbecue and Chinese dishes, including hot dim sum and free-flowing beer, soda and iced tea on January 30 and 31, whose highlights include a Dragon and Lion Dance performance at 7:30 p.m. on January 30 and a beautiful fireworks display and Chinese cultural dance at 10:00 p.m. on January 31.
Highlight of the Chinese New Year celebration takes place on January 31, with an eye-dotting ceremony in the hotel lobby starting at 11:00 a.m. and a Dragon and Lion Dance all over the hotel.
It’s going to be one grand celebration at Sofitel Philippine Plaza to welcome the Year of the Horse.

 

(Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila is located at the CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. For inquiries and reservations, the numbers are 832-6988 and 551-5555.)

Posted in Restos Tagged , , , , ,

Dutch Brand of Premium Home Products
Opens First Philippine Store in BGC

Hip and chic pedal waste bins that come in attractive colors and don't bang down on you

Hip and chic pedal waste bins that come in attractive colors and don’t bang down on you

WE Filipinos are already familiar with the Dutch brand Brabantia, because its premium home products have been available in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) stores in the country for the past six years. They were available, but they were more difficult to source. Inspired by the following that it had in the Philippines, Brabantia, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium home products, decided to put up a full-fledged store in the country, and this first Philippine store finally opened its doors to the public last night (January 16, 2014).

Located on the third floor of the furniture concept store Dimensione in Bonifacio High Street, the Brabantia store carries innovative yet stylish products that are designed for living. First on the list are several kinds, designs and sizes of waste management products, specifically garbage cans or waste bins. These are what Brabantia is best known for, since it makes really good waste bins. Its iconic waste management products put an end to clanging and banging lids, as it has a soft closing system that is as quiet as a whisper. Finally, pedal bins that don’t go banging down on you!

Brabantia's first Philippine store can is located on the third floor of Dimensione in Bonifacio Global City

Brabantia’s first Philippine store can is located on the third floor of Dimensione in Bonifacio Global City

Brabantia's waste bins come in funky designs and colors

Brabantia’s waste bins come in funky designs and colors

Model holding up a small version of Brabantia's classic pedal bin

Model holding up a small version of Brabantia’s classic waste bin

Side by side waste bins

Side by side waste bins

Brabantia's iconic ironing board is presented by a model during the formal store opening hosted by Issa Litton with guest of honor Danny den Hartog, Brabantia's sales manager for Asia Pacific

Brabantia’s iconic ironing board is presented by a model during the formal store opening hosted by Issa Litton with guest of honor Danny den Hartog, Brabantia’s sales manager for Asia Pacific

Funky laundry container that folds up into a bag...

Funky laundry container that folds up into a bag…

For neat freaks, Brabantia introduces a new FlatBack design for its waste management products that allows them to sit flush against a wall. It also has waste bins with fingerprint-proof coating so there are no irritating fingerprints to wipe and clean time and again.

Also available at the Brabantia store are laundry essentials, anchored by its iconic ironing boards, for which the brand is also widely known for. These ironing boards are so hip and chic they look like surf boards but function like a well-oiled ironing machine. It also offers stylish laundry containers that neatly fold up into a bag, complemented by practical indoor and outdoor drying solutions, including WallFix and rotary dryers, pull-out drying lines and drying racks.

Founded in 1919 in the small town of Aalst in The Netherlands, Branbantia started out as a company that manufactured milk cans, jugs and sieves. It was in the 1950s when it started manufacturing two of its iconic products – the pedal bins, and laundry and ironing boards. Then, in 1980, it expanded its business outside The Netherlands and forayed into the European market. Today, Brabantia is present in 90 countries around the world.

Models present a press-down toothpick holder and a mixing bowl and whisk

Models present a press-down toothpick holder and a mixing bowl and whisk

Assorted tableware by Brabantia

Assorted tableware by Brabantia

Line of practical kitchen tools

Line of practical kitchen tools

Herb, spice and condiment containers

Herb, spice and condiment containers

Brabantia combines practical use and modern sophistication in its products

Brabantia combines practical use and modern sophistication in its products

Mini tableside gadgets

Mini tableside gadgets

More tableware...

More tableware…

A high-end brand that keeps its designs practical yet exuding modern sophistication, Brabantia creates products that make daily domestic chores easier to accomplish and make life more pleasurable especially for homemakers. Aside from waste management solutions and laundry essentials, it now also offers kitchen tools and storage solutions, tableware, flatware, and even weighing scales and bathroom accessories.

“We want to bring the Brabantia experience of enriching the quality of life and living to every home. By opening our very first store in the Philippines, we can learn directly from out customers how they feel about our brand and assortment. The Brabantia store offers a wide product selection for the true Brabantia fan. There are very few companies in this industry that provide the breadth and depth of assortment that we do,” says Danny den Hartog, Brabantia area sales manager for Asia Pacific, who did the honors of cutting the ceremonial ribbon during the formal store opening along with Suyen Corporation president Virgilio Lim and Garden Barn Inc. president Nelson Guevarra.

Incidentally, Suyen Corporation is the owning company of Dimensione, and Garden Barn Inc. is the distributor of Brabantia in the Philippines.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon, from left: Nelson Guevarra, president, Garden Barn Inc.; Virgilio Lim, president, Suyen Corporation; and Danny den Hartog, sales manager for Asia Pacific, Brabantia

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon, from left: Nelson Guevarra, president, Garden Barn Inc.; Virgilio Lim, president, Suyen Corporation; and Danny den Hartog, sales manager for Asia Pacific, Brabantia

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