Holiday: Starting Christmas Early at TriNoma

The holiday season in the Philippines begins the moment people come back from their All Saints' Day vacation. You'll see Christmas trees go up in your friends' living rooms almost instantly. Houses become adorned with decorations. Blinking Christmas lights fill up city streets.

Last November 9, Allie and I (and Ate Jenny, our temp yaya for the day) went to TriNoma to witness the launch of their Merry Musical Lights show.  We got treated to yummy food hosted by Fish and Co. I was so relieved because we came directly from my paper flowers workshop (FUN by the way) and we were so hungry.

The people patiently waited for the show to start.

UP Concert Chorus opened the show with a lively and awesome performance filled with happy Christmas songs like Kumukutikutitap and Carol of the Bells.

Nikki Gil graced the stage after, and sang some Disney hits. Ate Jenny loved her. Honestly, I had to ask Ate Jenny who she was and was she famous because I'm clueless when it comes to Philippine showbiz. I wouldn't recognize most showbiz personalities if they were put in front of me, except probably those who are from my generation and older.

Then it was time for the lights show. A countdown was set, and there it was. Blinking lights, festive music, laser lights filled the garden atmosphere. The lights were synchronized with the music, so you can just imagine the magic. Allie was mesmerized. Heehee. Confetti popped at the end. Allie got some to take home with us. Ang kalat ng car. Haha!

TriNoma's Merry Musical Lights Show runs each night every 7pm, 8pm and 9pm until the 5th of January 2014. Come visit! Also try to eat al fresco at the garden restaurants during these times. I bet your dining experience will be wonderful.

TriNoma is located at EDSA corner North Avenue, Quezon City.
Contact information: 901-3000

Follow TriNoma at:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TriNoma.AyalaMalls
Twitter - @trinomatweets
Instagram - @ilovetrinoma

Gift Wrapping Ideas

I love wrapping gifts. So naturally, this holiday season really excites me. I have yet to finalize my theme for this year, but I have a pretty good idea on what it will be.

I attended a gift wrapping workshop hosted by the folks at Unilab, and it was such an inspiration. I was bummed that it was just a presentation. I wanted to get my hands durrrty! Hmmm maybe I ought to have a gift wrapping workshop down at CRAFTED, don't you think? Haha, I digress. Moving on...

A gift wrap enthusiast should always have a basketful of holiday odds and ends -- ornaments, leaves, ribbons, pips, etcetera. Inspiration can be anywhere from the pine cones you pick up in Baguio or your backyard to old ornaments you have no use for.

gift wrap idea no. 1 
kraft paper + artificial holly + twine

gift wrap idea no. 2

plain white paper + thick ribbon + old christmas tree decor + pine cone

gift wrap idea no. 3
cartolina + sheer ribbon + berries + leaves

gift wrap idea no. 4
kraft paper spray painted with copper + wide metallic ribbon

Blogopolis 2013 and Yolanda (Haiyan)

Last weekend, the most horrible storm went through parts of the Philippines. Pictures of the devastation just breaks my heart. I don't know anyone personally who was greatly affected, but I know of people who has/had loved ones living in the hit areas, and some of them have lost loved ones and their possessions. It reminded me of hurricane Katrina.

My newsfeed has been filled with gut-wrenching stories about what happened. Other posts are on how you can go help and what's currently happening. Although many have already given and pledged support for the country, there is still a long way to go. The destruction Yolanda/Haiyan made took one mighty day. But rebuilding what it destroyed will take years.

This coming weekend (November 16), the blogging world here in the Philippines is going to have a blogging conference hosted by Nuffnang at Hotel Intercontinental. Ticket sales will be donated to the victims of the typhoon.

If you're interested, here is what it's all about:

Blogopolis 2013: #INTOTHEWILD (Weaving Information for Leaders of the Digital World) This year, we are taking you to the Information Jungle. With the surge of social media, and other online platforms, we want to help you make sense of the digital world. Key speakers will be discussing social media know-how and digital marketing and advertising trends. Blogopolis 2013 is a day-long event starting with plenary sessions in the afternoon, and a post-conference party at night where key influencers in the industry will be awarded. This event is open to everyone - bloggers, social media influencers, students, digital marketing officers, and advertisers, and anyone who is interested in the world of digital, particularly social media.

Last year,  I wasn't able to go because it was held on my MIL's birthday. We had a long yummy lunch at Makati Shang, and I saw folks walking around with their badges, and I was a bit jealous that they were attending. I promised myself I was going this year. But I already committed myself to an event on November 16 months before. Sigh. I hope next year, makasama na ako talaga.

If you want to join and get tickets, go here.

Toddler: Playgrounds

I wish there were more playgrounds in Metro Manila.

This concrete jungle is in dire need of child-friendly playgrounds. Okay, I say child-friendly because I see playgrounds here that don't have rubber mats. They're on concrete. I even saw one at Global City that wasn't well-maintained. Tapos, there was a grown man in tsinelas hanging out on one of the slides! Ano ba yun? What the f***? 

It is during these times when I wish we were still living in our old neighborhood where there's a great and safe playground a few minutes away. 

The nice playgrounds are in exclusive country clubs. Those in public malls are so filled with kids every single time. It was serendipitous when I brought Allie with me to an event near our place, and we passed by an empty playground. It was still early so I decided to let her play for a good 30 minutes. Oh wow, if I could bring her there everyday, I will. The joy on her face was such a sight to see. 

Maybe it's a good idea to put a nice playground at the farm! Now if only I know where to source it.