Art De Noel and New Year Shindig at Sofitel Manila

Christmas at Sofitel Manila certainly is an event to experience. With their upcoming Art De Noel 2023, the management, staff and guests of the hotel will be able to help once again the Virlanie Foundation. The organization helps disadvantaged children and families in the Philippines for years now and Sofitel Manila has been a constant partner in making sure their mission stays accomplished every year. The decor in the hotel has changed quite a lot over the years, and this year, they've got a few trains on display right at the entrance and floating right beside the huge Christmas Tree displayed at the center of Spiral, one of the world's best buffet. 

This year, they want to also put importance on reuniting families. Aside from that, they're yearly New Year celebrations will be held at the Sofitel Grand Ballroom and Harbor Garden Tent, with an event called SHINDIG, showcasing dance across eras, with some of the brightest stars of the 80's, 90's, 2000's and the present. Let's just say it involves Juan Miguel Salvador (who played the 80's hits so good that evening!), DJ Tom Taus, Joshua Zamora and Jon Supan, The InnerVoices, and your boy Darren Espanto headlining the show. Tickets will be available starting November 30 so if you've got plans to celebrate New Year's eve without the fuzz, this might be your best bet. They also have an early bird rate, so go call +632-85735557 for it. 

Here's a glimpse of what will happen at Sofitel Manila, I'm telling you, it's super fun! I had the urge of dancing even with strangers during the launch a few days ago.

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As you can see, Sofitel Manila's SPIRAL, LE BAR and Cocos will also be serving food during these dates. Reserve a table through their website, social channels or their number posted above. Take a bite of the Holiday Logs, Cheese, Foie Gras, seafood, pasta on the cheese wheel, and tons of desserts. They will also have a fireworks display, Art de Noel Light Show, good rates for stay, the Sofitel Bears (to help Virlanie Foundation too!), live music entertainment while you dine the best food at SPIRAL.

We got to experience part of that last week, and I'm sure the actual dates will be even bigger. You definitely shouldn't miss this, only at Sofitel Manila!

Time to Enjoy the Shakey's Christmas Collection

It's almost Christmas and yes, even Shakey's has something up their sleeves. Take a look at Shakey's Christmas Collection, a  well curated holiday spread that you can only get from the one who serves fun, and also pizza.

First off is the Frosty Peppermint Milkshake. It's a sweet and minty beverage you would love to have with the pizzas you doused with hot sauce. They also have the Truffle Chicken Holiday Pasta, highly addictive, a mix of white sauce, chicken breast fillet and truffle oil (which you can get solo or to share), either way it's good! For your pizza, take a look at Merry Pepperoni Holiday Pizza. It's got pepperoni slices, cheddar, mozzarella, feta and parmesan cheese. They also drizzled honey and sprinkled it with fresh chopped basil, how can you not love that!

For dessert, they also offer Santa's Strawberry Cheesecake Pizza. This one has cheesecake spread, lines of strawberry syrup and luscious cherry in the center. 

Thing is, this will only be available for a limited time. Best for holiday celebrations at home, the office or just about anywhere you can carry it. Have it for dine-in, take-out or delivery,  make these part of your festivities this 2023. Only at Shakey's! 

Laughter and Pain Abound "In His Mother's Eyes" This November 29

When Ms. Flor Santos (7K Entertainment producer) held the mic during the media conference, I was a little uncomfy - and feel her pain while she lengthily talked about not getting this in the Metro Manila Film Festival. I felt the same because I've been able to see some parts of the movie, early on, the trailers give little clues at how this would have been perfect for the occasion... but I guess fate had other plans. This film called "In His Mothers Eyes" would have been a nice addition to the stellar artists lined up for the festival. Imagine a Vilma, Nora, Sharon and Maricel fight in the box office, that would have been one heck of a lineup no? So now that it didn't happen, they're going to show this film earlier on November 29. You would expect this to be a little funny at times, but the story touches a little bit close to home with the life of one of its lead stars LA Santos, and it was a story so many in the same predicament, and Filipinos needed to see on the silver screen.

Maricel Soriano and Roderick Paulate have not been together in a film for a little over 11 years. When this was pitched to them, the script certainly was one of the factors why they said YES to the project. Add to that, the genius writing of Gina Marissa Tagasa (done various TV, Movie and ABSCBN projects) and Jerry Gracio (a Palanca multi-awardee), and Director FM Reyes taking charge, we got the impression from the cast that it would have been a mistake not to be in this film. LA Santos, plays Tim, a special kid who's mom Lucy (played by Ms. Maricel) had to leave to work abroad. His Guncle Bibs (Roderick Paulate) had to take care of him in her absence, which proved quite a difficult task because of the special needed care he had to do because of his condition. Seeing several trailers, their lines were things you would have to endure and try not to cry about as it was intense in several scenes, it was heartbreaking!

Maricel says "That part in the trailer where he pushed me, it was something I learned was caused by me changing his patterns. It was essential to tell the story. I think it also helped us that we are both orphans now in real life. We talk about being siblings and we already have something to start on. We have been with Regal Films in the past, fundamentally we are connected."

Roderick says "The pain of my character is certainly deep. The questions I asked here needs to be heard by siblings, and loved ones especially if you are going through the same situation. The relationship is there, but if you don't talk about it, nothing will get explained, nor will you get answers. The mere question of arriving, he didn't even ask Lucy. I guess it stems from the way our Director does things, he's not that nice (he kids). During the makeup test, he initiated to talk to me and Maricel. He told us how he adores us, our tandem, but he wants a different way to do it this time. He knows how to twist emotions of people especially because he's worked in TV for quite a long time. We have different personalities once we go out of our tents, it's about a family and we need to take that story and love across. He has his requirements and we do it on set. I remember getting called by a Director asking about LA Santos because the trailer alone already impressed him, that he promised to watch it when it comes out in theaters." 

LA says "I respected the role, it's a ton of research, I also talked to the parents from Best Buddies Foundation whom we all had a lot of help from during filming. I also talked to Clarence who is a special kid, I went with him, listened to his stories, and I'm so amazed about the heart they give in everything they do. He's got immeasurable empathy with people. I am amazed about him being in this spectrum, it's a wide one and kids are special in different ways. I want people to see this especially Filipinos. To hopefully, have them understand their plight because it's so difficult to see what they've been going through."   

Direk FM Reyes adds "I distinctly remember when I was a little guy, they were small then, and they are still small now (he kids about Roderick and Maricel). I'm a fan of their work, I am a friend, a lot of their films when you watch them, you get nervous, but since I knew them a bit I get to forget getting starstruck."

Here's our video coverage of the event, please enjoy!

In His Mother's Eyes hits theaters this November 29th. Cast also includes Ruby Ruiz, Rochelle Pangilinan, Elyson De Dios, Ogie Diaz, Maila Gumila, Bong Gonzales (of Sparks Camp), the lovely Vivoree (go watch our interview with her on our YouTube channel @kumagcow), Nolo Lopez, Skylee Alcalde and Inah Evans. Make sure to watch this Maricel Soriano, Roderick Paulate and LA Santos starrer because it's a great time to laugh and cry, learn things in one movie. This is produced by 7K Entertainment.

Accomplish Goals Like "Pamilya Kaya" with Globe GFiber Prepaid

These days, a blue collared job won't cut it for a family. There are various things your Dad, Mom, Brother and Sister could do to make proper "diskarte" so you could get a little extra and fulfill your goals at the same time. This is where Globe at Home could help especially on keeping us connected whenever we need it. Pamilya Kaya showed us at the Market!Market! Activity Center last October 1-7 how you could take your game to the next level. With Mommy Neri Miranda, Daddy Teddy Corpuz, Brother Raymond Mabute and Sister Lottie Bie, also known as Pamilya Kaya how you can elevate your skills with the new Globe GFiber Prepaid Unlimited Internet connection that they have. 

Mommy Kaya does more than just being a home maker. With the internet connection she has, it would be quite easy to do online selling as she streams and get orders from folks online even at the comforts of her home. She set goals to sell 299 items, and get payments for it in real time. Daddy Kaya on the other hand knows how to work out a crowd. With his crafting skills, he could charm and create 299 video content to take his YouTube dreams to reality. He is quite keen on doing live streams, reaction videos and show his daily life online. Kuya Kaya on the other hand is more than ready to battle it out with the great eSports personalities and Valorant players in over 299 matches. Tall order but it is achievable. Imagine the opportunities he's bound to get once those W's come in tournaments he's participating in. Not to be out-shined, Ate Kaya took to dating apps and swiped her way to love. With over 299 matches, it'll be easy for her to find the one through a couple of coffee dates in between.

How did they fare? Go watch these individual family challenges over at Globe at Home's Facebook page so you could go and interact with them during the livestreams. In it, you can get the chance to win prizes, surprises and learn a few things along the way. If you miss an episode, you can re-watch it on the same accounts or their official YouTube channel.

 

If you see their "diskarte" and feel that it fits what you need at home, you can get it for only Php 299 and use it for 7 days. I on the other hand prefer the GFiberSURF999 which lasts a month. It doesn't have a lockin period too which proves quite a challenge for some subscribers. Now you can have the connection you need without the stress. Your family definitely could level up, learn more skills and have more connections. Best of all, it's unlimited. If you want one, go download the GlobeOne app and click on the GFiber Plan option, then fill in your details submit requirements on the GFiber Prepaid form. Just like the "Pamilya Kaya", you can do it too!