Hello Kitty coming to Manila this Christmas

MANILA – Kids and adult fans of Hello Kitty will definitely enjoy the Christmas season more as the popular cartoon character is set to visit Manila for a two-week show at the Meralco Theater in December.

Titled “Hello Kitty Live – Fashion & Friends,” the live show promotes values on friendship, respect, kindness, hard work, talent and a passion for creativity.

Set in modern-day London, the show depicts Hello Kitty as a young girl who is full of dreams and ambition for her future. But before she can get there, she is faced with a challenge ahead.

Luckily, Hello Kitty is not alone and with the help of her twin sister Mimmy, best friend My Melody and boyfriend Dear Daniel, she will take on this amazing opportunity that can change her life forever.

Also featured in the show are troublemaker Bad Badtz-Maru and the easy going Pom Pom Purin.

There will be a total of 16 shows at the Meralco Theater from December 20 to January 1, 2017.

During its Manila run, the audience will also get a chance to have their photos taken with the cast after the show upon availing of the "meet and greet" pass on a first come, first serve basis.

Mounted by Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc. and Zen Tiger Live, tickets to the show will be available to the general public at all Ticketworld outlets.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

9 best Christmas tech gifts for Filipinos

MANILA - If you're still looking for a gift for someone you love, or just a well-deserved treat for yourself this Christmas season, then there are plenty of tech options to choose from -- and not all of them cost an arm and a leg to get.

Here's a look at some of the best, starting with Apple's notable new release this year: the iPhone 6s, which Yahoo! recently named as the "Smartphone of the Year." According to Dan Howley of Yahoo! Tech, Apple managed to take "an already winning formula and honed it even further."

Howley also noted the smartphone's new features such as Apple's new 3D Touch and a 12-megapixel camera, in addition to being faster than any of its predecessors. (Click NEXT if you're an Android fan)

Mobile users can view the desktop version of this slideshow here.

Apple's iPhone 6s

Price: Starts at P37,990 (Apple Philippines' website)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Sexy' Mr. Claus heats up Mexico's Christmas

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Some women want to sit in his lap, others are appalled by his "hipster" look. One thing's for sure, a department store's fashionable "Mr. Claus" is heating Christmas up in Mexico.

The upmarket Palacio de Hierro has caused a social media storm since its slimmed-down version of Santa Claus appeared on giant billboards across the mega-city.

Mr. Claus' long white beard is recognizable, but his high cheekbones and stylish burgundy coat are the mirror opposite of the jolly, plump Santa in the red suit.

On Twitter and Facebook, the reactions have been more "ha-ha-ha" or "no, no, no" than "ho-ho-ho."

"It's official, I have recovered my faith and Christmas spirit," tweeted @IamPinkMystery while @Daflette asked: "At which @palaciohierro will #MrClaus be so I can go sit in his lap and tell him what I want?"

Another, @BizcoBecks, commented: "It's good to see Santa outside his costume, elegant and even sexy. It's always good to innovate."

But many others think the campaign is, well, a bit naughty for Christmas.

"Your Santa scares me" or "This Santa Claus looks like a psychopath from the series 'Criminal Minds'" are some of the most negative reactions.

Others, like @compayin, don't like the look: "Are you kidding me, Santa Hipster?" Some found him way too slim, with @tramosg lamenting that "Santa isn't so skinny!!! Give him something to eat."

The campaign's creator is Nacho Borja, creative services coach at advertising firm Teran\TBWA, who said the goal was to find a character that represented Palacio de Hierro's spirit and to "reinvent" the holiday message.

"We aren't really saying that this character is Santa Claus. It's 'Mr. Claus.' It's something else," he told AFP, adding that the feedback has been mostly positive.

"That's the mystery. Mr. Claus is in reality like a sommelier of style who can guide you in your shopping," he said.

Palacio de Hierro has even created a Facebook page for Mr. Claus, where he answers messages.

One woman asked: "#DearMrClaus how do you see yourself inside my (Christmas) stocking?" But Mr. Claus didn't reply to that one.

The campaign is similar to the "Fashion Santa" of Yorkdale, a shopping center located closer to the North Pole: in Canada. Borja said the similarity is an "unfortunate coincidence."

In fact, Yorkdale uses the same model as Palacio, Paul Mason, a Canadian who has been modeling for 30 years.

Mason is taking selfies in a shopping center in Toronto as part of a campaign to donate money to the Sick Kids Foundation.

But will he hop on his sleigh (or plane) and visit his Mexican fans?

"It's a possibility, but we don't know," Borja said, joking that it's part of "the Mr. Claus mystery."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

To buy or not to buy? 7 ways to stick to your holiday budget

MANILA - This is probably one of the hardest times in the year to keep to your budget.

Around this time, salaried employees have most likely received a windfall in the form of the 13th month pay, and if you’re luckier, a Christmas bonus, profit sharing, and other cash incentives—all of which make you feel cash-rich.

Happily coinciding with what seems to be your increased spending capacity are lots of sales and bazaars, running non-stop just about everywhere you look. On top of these is the general feeling of festivity and generosity that is just so pervasive, with people lugging gaily wrapped packages and parties ongoing non-stop. All these can make you forget about your budget and spending plans, and potentially set you back in meeting your financial goals.

Since temptations lurk just about everywhere, and not just during the Christmas season, it helps to be prepared to deal with these more responsibly.

Here are seven tips to help you deal with those temptations that can get in the way of your financial well-being.

1. Know thyself.

Knowing your weaknesses and trigger points is the most important step in fighting temptation. Some of us shop when we are emotional, tired, or angry at someone. Others react to advertisements or are easily swayed by sweet-talking salespersons. Many find themselves buying things they do not need, often mindlessly. Knowing what tempts you, and what makes you break your plans, will prepare you mentally to avoid these pitfalls and keep you from putting yourself in a spot that you cannot get out of easily.

2. Set a budget.

Having a budget will help you keep spending in track. Set a specific amount (either in peso terms or as a percentage of your income) for everything—for the household, for entertainment, for Christmas. Set aside an amount that is realistic for each one, based on your actual lifestyle and spending patterns. This will let you plan out expenses. When faced with temptation, you would know exactly how giving in to temptation would affect your budget for different areas.

3. Make checklists.

Complementing your budget, spending checklists are important. These lists should contain only the essentials and planned expenditures. Bring along these lists when you go shopping to ensure that you get only what you need. For Christmas, prepare a gift list to help organize your shopping and to keep you within your spending limits.

4. Stay away from malls and retail outlets.

Out of sight, out of mind works well when you are an insatiable shopper or find it very hard to resist buying once you hit stores. Many of us tend to go to malls to meet up with people or to dine out, and end up buying stuff because the in-store advertising and shopping bug are just too hard to resist. Meet your friends elsewhere such as someone’s home or a coffee shop in the neighborhood. Dine in areas which are not located in malls or retail strips. If a trip to the mall is unavoidable, then don’t loiter around—finish your business and get out without window shopping.

5. Leave your cards at home.

If you are an impulsive shopper, staying on cash mode is an effective way to resist temptation. When you do not have your credit card and ATM card to whip out, you will be left with only the money in your wallet to spend, forcing you to stay on budget. This is not to say that you should throw away your ATM card and credit card; on the contrary, they are very helpful financial tools when used wisely. Not carrying them around when you are feeling vulnerable, though, allows you to think twice about a purchase and stops impulse purchases.

6. Remind yourself of trade-offs.

When you’re about to fall into temptation, think of what it means to you in real terms. For instance, getting this glitzy smartphone means I will not be able to come up with the condominium down payment in six months. Framing your expense within your personal plans will help you determine if it is worth giving in to this temptation, or if you’re better off walking away.

7. Go for other activities.

Spending can be therapeutic and entertaining to many of us, but it is not meant to be so. Distract yourself by putting time into other activities—an afternoon chatting with friends, bonding with siblings and relatives at a park or someone’s house, reading good books at home. Even better yet, pay a visit to or volunteer to help out in a charitable institution (orphanages, centers and schools for the marginalized)—you’ll find these very fulfilling and will even let you touch the lives of other people.

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Grow Your Money is an editorial partnership between ABS-CBNnews.com and Citi Philippines to promote financial education and provide helpful information to Filipinos on how to better manage their personal finances.

Visit www.citibank.com.ph for more information.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Christmas gift idea: UAAP watches, pendants

MANILA – Do you have a friend or a relative who is a die-hard fan of the UAAP games? Here’s a gift that he or she will surely love.

Just in time for the Christmas season, ABS-CBN and UniSilver launched a collection of pendants and timepieces showcasing the designs of seven participating schools of the UAAP.

UAAP fans can choose from the logos of the Adamson Soaring Falcons, Ateneo Blue Eagles, Far Eastern University Tamaraws, National University Bulldogs, University of the East Red Warriors, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

De La Salle University is not part of the tie-up.

“ABS-CBN is proud to showcase a timeless collection of pieces that very well represent the premiere university sports league, UAAP, which students and fans will surely love. We are happy to be in partnership with UniSilver, one of the country’s leading brands of jewelry and watches,” said Karen Coloma, head of ABS-CBN Licensing.

The UAAP watches and pendants are available at UniSilver stores and on the brand’s website. Timepieces are priced at P1,595 each, while the pendants with chain range from P840 to P1,690.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Star Wars' BB-8 toy robot releases force to the market

The force is strong in one of the most in-demand toys this Christmas season, the BB-8 Sphero robot from the latest Star Wars movie 'The Force Awakens'.

BB-8 robot first came out when Disney, which owns the Star Wars franchise, held its Force Friday Star Wars event.

Watch as Manila Bulletin Tech Editor Art Samaniego Jr. introduces the new addition to the Star Wars collection items on ANC's Future Perfect.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

4 tips to make your Christmas more meaningful

This is the season not only to be jolly but a season to give back by sharing our blessings with other, especially with the kids – even if not our own.

While it’s given that we buy presents for our family and relatives, we should also lend a hand to the less fortunate and make it part of our family tradition.

In the latest issue of Working Mom, you will find a list of charitable activities that could serve as avenues to transform one’s Christmas celebration to a merry one.

1. Give out slippers. This is one of the easiest gift-giving projects you can do – all it takes is a quick trip to Divisoria to buy an affordable footwear, place them in colorful eco-bags, and voila! You can spread Christmas spirit to less privileged kids. If you have a bigger budget to spare or friends who can sponsor the cost, you can coordinate with an orphanage and buy shoes for the kids there.

2. Put up a feeding kiosk. Street kids will surely appreciate a warm bowl of chicken sopas or a fried chicken-and-spaghetti meal. Prepare a bag of goodies, have for some fun parlor games, and make it a truly memorable Christmas for them.

3. Adopt a family for Noche Buena. St. Joseph’s Parish Church, also known as the Bamboo Organ Church, has a yearly program where families are encouraged to share their Noche Buena feast with their less fortunate neighbors. They sign up with the parish if they want to “adopt” a family. Families anywhere can also do this program by bringing meals to their selected recipients.

4. Grant a wish. Last year, children from Tacloban wrote their wish lists on star-shaped papers during the Christmas party held in the area. Donors responded by sending their gifts. You can do a similar gift-giving project without having to go to Tablocan. Simply send the gifts to your recipient-families or course it through agencies like the DSWD or ABS-CBN Foundation. Make the project more meaningful by involving family members in buying and wrapping the gifts, and writing messages of hope.

Yuletide season is not everyday – but everyday can always be a season of sharing your blessings and being a blessing to others. Grab a copy of the latest issue of Working Mom and get other Christmas ideas to add more meaning to your Christmas celebration this year!

Like WorkingMom on Facebook.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to find the perfect Christmas gift for yourself

MANILA, Philippines - It’s only a few days to go before Christmas. By now, you’re probably all done with your holiday list (and checked it twice!), thoughtfully wrapped presents and prepared them for delivery.

But don’t forget there is still one important person you might want to give a gift to — and that’s yourself.

There is nothing wrong or selfish about giving yourself a gift this Christmas season. It’s good to think of everybody else but it is also true that you can be of greater help to others if you are in good standing — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. This is why it is important to think of ways to enhance your personal well-being, not just with gifts that give you a temporary high, but with gifts that confer you with something of lasting value.

Gifts of lasting value are those that will allow you to deal with life’s challenges in a better way, and will stay with you forever. These gifts do not tarnish or fade away with time, like that nice It handbag or the latest smart phone model.

Here are a few things that can offer you long-lasting benefits. You may want to consider any of these as a Christmas gift to yourself:

Something for your health.

When the going is good, it’s easy to not give a thought about your health. However, thinking that you will be in good health forever is simply unrealistic. Go for that health check-up and address whatever concerns you may have. Whether it’s failing eyesight that might require top-of-the-line lenses or surgery, or high cholesterol that requires you to enroll in an exercise program, take a good look at how you can ensure that you stay in tiptop shape. Remember that if you are sick, you can’t be of much help to yourself and to others. Possible gifts: a health check-up, medical supplements, enrollment in exercise or wellness programs

Something to protect you.

Life is full of uncertainties, and all you can do is to prepare for some of life’s many challenges. While you can’t anticipate everything that may happen in life, you can, at least, prepare yourself financially for these eventualities. You can start small by protecting some of your financial standing, e.g. insuring your credit card against fraud or theft until you can go on to something bigger like a pension plan to fund a comfortable retirement. Possible gifts: life insurance, medical coverage, credit shield

Something that will grow with your needs.
Have you ever thought of getting yourself something that appreciates in value or that will protect you from inflation? You may want to invest in something that has the potential to increase in value over time — possibly money market placements, bonds, stocks, or even real estate, art, or jewelry. There are various investment vehicles that will meet the varied needs of different individuals, depending on your financial profile, financial goals, your needs and wants, as well as your appetite for risk. Start by scheduling a chat with a financial professional. Possible gifts: mutual funds, unit investment trust funds, stocks, bonds, real estate

Something that will lighten your load.

When was the last time you looked at the things you have and decided on a throw pile and keep pile? Free up space in your closets, book shelves, or find new homes for white elephants. You can do this by yourself, or get family and friends involved in your ‘spring-cleaning’. Not only will you de-clutter your life, you could potentially earn some cash too as one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. Possible gifts: organizers, more space for things you really want, extra cash earned

Something that will enrich your life.

There are no limits to learning, and no matter what you’ve achieved, you will always find yourself having to continually expand your capabilities or update your skills to keep up with the world. Similarly, there are other aspects of your life that you may want to develop. Give yourself an honest look to determine your needs. You may want to learn a new sport, take up photography as a hobby, see more of the world and experience various cultures through travelling, or get a membership to the country club and meet new people.

Be honest with yourself and project what you would like to be in the next five, ten, or twenty years, or finally get down to pursuing that hobby that you may have been putting off for so long. Possible gift: degree or certificate programs (online and offline), sports lessons, roundtrip airline tickets

Sooner or later, you will find out that these are the gifts that are really worth splurging on, for these are the gifts that keep on giving.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Now you can track your 'balikbayan box' online

MANILA, Philippines - Waiting for the balikbayan box your relatives sent from abroad? Now you can find out the package's status through an online tracker launched by the Bureau of Customs.

On Tuesday, the BOC launched an online tracker where recipients of balikbayan boxes can check on the status of their packages.

The online tracker can be found on the BOC Balikbayan Box Tracker microsite.

The tracker contains information on all balikbayan box shipments lodged with the Bureau, including its country of origin, Bill of Lading (BL) number, name of the foreign forwarder, name of the local forwarder/broker, date entry filed, date cleared, and current status.

To track the shipment of your balikbayan box, the recipient should know the name of the forwarder and the BL number.

"This is our way of helping our kababayans find their boxes when they encounter problems. We have received several complaints from OFW families blaming BOC for lost boxes. With this tracker, the public will not be given the run-around by people responsible for delivering their balikbayan boxes," Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla said.

While you can now track your balikbayan box, it is still likely that packages that were sent in October or November would arrive by early 2015 due to the port congestion. Cargo forwarders earlier said only balikbayan boxes sent on or before August will make it this Christmas.

Less complaints?

The Department of Trade and Industry said it expects the online tracker to lessen consumer complaints on loss, non-delivery and pilferage of balikbayan boxes.

"The tracker can serve as a venue for accredited Philippine sea freight forwarders to police their own ranks and prevent questionable acts and dealings,” said Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba.

The DTI urged Filipinos to contract services of cargo forwarders accredited by the Philippine Shippers Bureau. The list can be found in the DTI website.

The DTI also warned OFWs to be wary of cargo forwarders offering services at fees that are way below or way above current industry rates.

An estimated 5.5-million balikbayan boxes are sent to the Philippines each year, about 40 percent of which arrive in the months leading to Christmas season.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to avoid stress, anxiety during the holidays

MANILA - Amid the happy and festive atmosphere this Christmas season, many people also suffer from stress and anxiety due to their busy schedule these coming holidays.

In an interview on the radio show "Magandang Gabi Dok", psychiatrist Bernadette Arcena explained that too much stress and anxiety can lead to serious health problems.

Among the conditions that can worsen due to stress and anxiety are heart problems.

"Kapag may cardiac problems, unang-una kailangan inumin mo 'yung gamot mo. Importante 'yun ah, you have your check up with your cardio," she said.

"Second, bibigyan sila ng mga exercises or some techniques para makabawas sila ng weight, or mamaintain nila 'yung tinatawag natin na timbang. So importante yun," she added.

Aside from maintaining the proper weight and taking medicines, Arcena advised people to eat the right kind of food to keep getting the right kind of nutrients the body needs.

Symptoms
Arcena said that although stress and anxiety usually affect a person's psychological health, these can also have physical manifestations.

Symptoms of stress and anxiety include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, heavy shoulders, backache, abdominal upset, diarrhea, and muscle pain.

"A lot of these things can happen to a person na sobrang stressed," said Arcena, adding that stress not only affects the body, but also the mind.

"At times, 'yung mood mo apektado rin," the doctor added.

How to avoid stress
Arcena gave some tips to avoid stress and anxiety this coming holiday season.

First, one should know his or her priorities. Planning events, parties, and other things can help in preventing stressful situations.

It is also important to have time to relax.

"Importante 'yun ah, hindi lang tayo work nang work," Arcena said.

The doctor also suggests having micro-vacations, or even micro-breaks.

"Weekends lang, or during the day you can have micro-breaks," she added.

Arcena describes micro-breaks as five to ten minute breaks one should take every day whenever they start to feel stressed or anxious.

For those suffering from broken relationships, Arcena said it is important to learn to forgive oneself, and to surround oneself with happy people.

"Kasi may mga memories na attached with Christmas, so it is important to surround yourself with people. Go with people who can make you feel valuable, and don't be alone," she added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

10 eco-friendly tips for Christmas

MANILA – The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) is urging the public to be more considerate of the environment days before Christmas, an occasion usually characterized by lavish decorations and excessive consumption.

In a statement released on Tuesday, WWF-Philippines suggested ways on how to make this year’s holiday celebration more “eco-friendly.”

“Humanity is currently using the resources of one and half planets. This puts tremendous pressure on our planet and its biodiversity. By 2050, the global population is expected to reach nine billion, stretching our natural resources to the brink,” the statement read.

Here are WWF-Philippines’ 10 tips:

1. Use LED Christmas lights. Energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas lights are 26% more efficient than regular tungsten bulbs. They last longer, too!

2. Buy local products. It takes much more resources for imported goods to reach our doorsteps. Patronizing local products reduces carbon emissions while boosting the local economy.

3. Bring an eco-bag when gift shopping. An estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are consumed globally every year. This means over a million plastic bags are used each second. Using eco-bags reduces plastic pollution.

4. Make your own Christmas cards. About a million Christmas cards (and 200,000 trees) are wasted each December. Why not craft your own from recycled paper or fresh cardboard? A little doodling with some colored pens can bring out your inner artist.

5. Use soy candles. Yucky petroleum-based Christmas candles constantly pollute the environment when lit. Use soy or vegetable-based candles instead – they are biodegradable and smoke-free.

6. Use recycled décor. With a little tinkering and a touch of creativity, your old bottles, furniture, clothes and gizmos can be converted into cool Christmas decorations. This is not just cheaper – you’ll also ensure that each pieces is unique.

7. Give green gifts. Why not give away eco-friendly gifts rather than your usual giveaways? You’ll be remembered as both generous and earth-loving!

8. Go one degree up. When the party’s getting too cold, you can increase your air conditioner’s thermostat by one degree Celsius. This will leave you feeling comfortable while cutting down the energy bill by as much as 10%.

9. Use recycled paper to wrap gifts. Printed paper wrappers constitute one of the largest Christmas wastes. Use old magazines, newspapers or brown paper to wrap gifts. You can also use last year’s ribbons and strings.

10. Buy only what you can finish. Hosting a Christmas party? Politely ask your guests to minimize leftovers and get only what they can consume. Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted. Minimize waste and your waistline at the same time!

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com