Get Ready for "Bountiful Blooms": The 1st Philippine International Flower Festival

If you are fond of flowers, flower arrangements, science and the art, you're about to get a happy pill this coming September as the 1st Philippine International Flower Festival entitled "BOUNTIFUL BLOOMS" happens at the SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City.

Convenor Jerry Sibal says "This is the first International Flower Festival. On September 19-22, our homeland will be the place to hold PHILIFF where floral designers, landscaping, trade show, exhibit for ikebana, the art of Bonsai, and Orchids. This will also be the venue for a Fashion Show together with international artists. Last year, I told them about the Flower Festival, and we now have people from the government and the private sector to help me make it happen. This Bloombee here is simple, but we are making a full bloomed one in September, so you better be back soon. In Atok Benguet, we have a huge cut flower industry and putting them into the 40 Billion dollar global export market will surely boost the industry. Aside from these, we are also trying to promote local farm tourism, and grow flowers like Tulips, those from New York locally through hydroponics. We have 350 flower farms all over the country. We also need to educate through forums, you'll be surprised how fast this would grow."

There will also be Floral Art Installations, the whole second Floor of One Ayala will be having over 80 booths, 4 huge displays in the center and the floral fashion show installation.

Table pieces will also be showcased as part of the design for entertaining and this will be historical. This is Sibal's way of giving back, to the industry and country. He will also be displaying a few well loved PH bred Waling Waling at the exhibit, dedicated to the orchid lovers and collectors.

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They need Bloombee sponsors to help them support more farmers, their CSR efforts will include the Bloombee Park which will host the fashion show, international participants, so you can experience what they do outside the country. Workshops and seminars will be posted soon. Make sure you follow the Philippine International Flower Festival social channels and official website to know more about how you can participate. There's no competition, the community will benefit from it.

Head on to philiff.com for tickets and updates about the event. If you want to participate or become a sponsor, they have it at the official website. This is supported by Ayala, and from the looks of it... it's blooming!

ARANETA CITY Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Happening Today!

Tonight is going to be special as Araneta Center is making our Christmas even better with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies. It's at the Times Square Food Park, still iconic, and they're at their 40th year of doing this. This year, their theme is "Believe in the Magic of Christmas".

Christmas brings magic to our lives, despite the pandemic, they want us to feel like we used to, but in a safe way of course!

The Giant Christmas Tree Lighting event will be today at 5:30PM, and they can accomodate a few people because they have to follow protocols. Appearing in the event is the one and only Piolo Pascual, AC Bonifacio, TNT singers, and Binibining Pilipinas queens. There will also be simultaneous Mall Christmas Tree lighting at Gateway Mall, Ali Mall and Farmers Plaza on November 13, 4PM and it will be livestreamed on the Araneta Center FB page. They will have mall weekend activities, more surprises every Saturday including a Fireworks Display starting November 27. The best spot is at the Times Square Food Park. You can also dine al fresco style including a farmers market weekend and gift wrapping stations in malls. There will be city wide activities, eat a lot and see the new dining options they prepared. Just follow Araneta City Tiktok account and the Araneta City Twitter account that will be doing a TV giveaway too. There will also be a Virtual Chorale Competition and food court promos starting November 15 in partnership with Coca-Cola. This year, they will also be doing a Christmas Promo wherein 1000 peso receipts can get you join in a raffle too.

Also joining in the festivities are Pizza Hut because they have a new Maple Bacon Stuffed Crust Pizza and MyBox promos so you can buy it for pizza party needs. They also have app promos which you can avail. DQ also has Blizzard Kitkat Fest, plus Christmas Royal treats that is available just for this last quarter. They also have ice cream cakers and tins which you can get for your celebrations. Taco Bell also has Christpy Chicken Gordita and Holiday Bundles so you can have samples of Taco Bell favorites in lesser price. GrabFood promos are also available for all brands because they love you that much.

NOVOTEL will also have Christmas offering, but you have to follow their channels to know more about it.

The cinemas at Gateway Cinemaplex is also open starting this week, it's time to watch movies and do it safely. They need submit to temperature checks, do QC Pass, and they allow to remove face shields while one seat apart on sanitized and disinfected seats. There are more events happening at Araneta City, so go and enjoy the food, fun and entertainment during the holidays here in Quezon City!

I'm quite near, so I'm going!