Noche Buena price watch: 'Premium' may rise, cheaper brands steady

MANILA — The retail price of some premium Christmas food items like ham will likely increase, as higher manufacturing costs offset lower pork prices due to the African swine fever outbreak, the trade department said.

Manufacturing costs rose 30 to 60 percent, which could push the prices of premium fare for Noche Buena by 2 to 9 percent. Some traders also imported meat requirements for Christmas hams, said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

Prices of cheaper products did not move, Lopez told DZMM.

"Takot din silang maipasa ang presyo kasi walang bibili e saka baka lumipat sa ibang brands," he added.

(They're also afraid to increase prices because consumers might not buy or patronize other brands.)

The DTI is inspecting markets daily to ensure that chicken prices do not exceed P180 per kilo as consumers switch to poultry from pork.

African swine fever does not affect humans despite causing hemorrhagic fever in pigs that almost always ends in death. An outbreak of the virus in parts of Rizal and Bulacan provinces has prompted authorities to cull around 7,000 hogs.

Pork accounts for 60 percent of meat consumption in the Philippines, the world's 8th biggest pork producer by volume, with its swine industry estimated at P260 billion, the Department of Agriculture earlier said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Holiday gift ideas: This quezo de bola spread is perfect for Noche Buena

MANILA – What started as a family recipe is now available to anyone who loves cheese.

Nanay Luisa’s Quezo de Bola spread is delicious in its simplicity, and has become a staple on the Noche Buena table.

It is loaded with pure edam cheese and seasoned with a well-balanced mix of pickle relish, pimiento, and mayonnaise, resulting in a creamy sweet-savory spread.

Nanay Luisa’s Quezo de Bola spread can last up to three months in the refrigerator, and is available in 80 grams (P150), 200 grams (P280), 400 grams (P540), and 850 grams (P1,100).

It can be ordered online via the brand’s Facebook, Instagram, and e-mail accounts, or bought at selected Metro Manila branches of All-Day Panaderia and Connie’s Kitchen, and at Mindanao Butchers and Co. in Davao City.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

2 days to Christmas: 'Lucky' dishes for Noche Buena

MANILA – A feng shui expert suggests that you serve these dishes on Noche Buena to attract more luck this Christmas.

During his YouTube live stream for ABS-CBN News, Hanz Cua said there are certain dishes that symbolize good luck in feng shui.

He noted that noodle dishes such as spaghetti and pancit signify long life, while pork and chicken enhance abundance.

Anything made of sticky rice such as suman represents solidarity, while fruits symbolize good health.



Although not all Filipinos believe in feng shui, many of them prefer to be on the safe side by adhering to its principles, buying trinkets and other “lucky” items for themselves and their homes.

Others, meanwhile, opt to respect the ancient Chinese system the same way that believers do not criticize their Catholic faith.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LA Filipinos find new hope in annual parol lighting

LOS ANGELES - It's beginning to look a lot like a Pinoy Christmas in Los Angeles, as the Filipino community lit up Historic Filipinotown with parols.

Throughout the holidays, Temple Street, which runs through historic Filipinotown will fill the night sky with the Philippine lanterns.

"Filipinos have to light up with parols this time. It gives a way a strong connection to the homeland," Bernardo Bernardo, an entertainer and community leader, said.

After a year in where the community had to deal with the pork barrel case and typhoon "Yolanda", the lights are a welcomed sight.

"We are all hurting and crying inside but as Filipinos... We are strong," said Cecile Ramos, Historic Filipinotown Inc President. "This parol lighting will lift up their spirits and for them to know that (after) every darkness there is a silver lining. And just keep on our faith and trust everything will be ok."

The lighting comes as new developments take place in the on going pork probe. The Philippine justice department announced 10 more lawmakers will be charged in the pork barrel scam..

For the community who has been closely following the scam, it's a small holiday wish come true.

"It's good to know that they're getting their act together and charging more people. It will be unequal justice of only some were charged and some were not," said Roman Mosqueda of the US Pinoys for Good Governance.

With the holiday season comes the season of giving.

Ramos added that the community will continue raising funds to help the typhoon victims celebrate Christmas with a traditional noche buena.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Healthy eating for Christmas? Drop it

MANILA, Philippines -- Singer-actress Rachel Alejandro has been getting calls requesting catering services for a "healthy" Noche Buena, but the performer-turned-culinary entrepreneur would rather encourage voracious eating even at the disadvantage of her business.




"May mga clients na nagpapa-cater pa ng Noche Buena, gusto pa nila healthy. We advise against it. Kainin niyo na kung anong kailangan kainan, Pasko naman eh," Alejandro said during a sit-down interview with reporters on Thursday.

"There's a time and a place for healthy eating. We also don't believe in being on a diet forever and ever and ever. Dapat din naman, enjoy-in mo 'yung things na gusto mong kainan," she added.

The Sexy Chef, co-owned by Alejandro, her sister Barni and their mother Myrna Demauro, is a culinary business that offers catering and delivery of healthy meals that are tailored to clients' specific diet programs.

"Healthy eating is really a challenge for everyone who's busy," Alejandro said. "Karamihan naman kasi ng clients namin are busy professionals who don't want the hassle of having to shop, prepare and weigh [food]."

"So we like to provide the  convenient solution for people who don't have time to prepare their healthy meals," she added.

Among the famous personalities who are known to be clients of The Sexy Chef are singer Martin Nievera, Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez, and actress-host Ruffa Gutierrez.

Roots, trends

Like these local celebrities, Alejandro's sister Barni had to address her unhealthy weight gain at one point. At that time, when Barni was in college, the sisters' efforts to manage her weight eventually paved the way for The Sexy Chef.

According to Alejandro, Barni had resorted to eating "junk food, instant meals and canned goods" as part of her college lifestyle. Heeding the advice of a doctor -- prompted by Barni's weight gain -- Alejandro bought cookbooks for her sister, who then somehow found "cooking healthy food as her forte."

Now, The Sexy Chef has over 10 diet programs offered to their clients. The variety of selections, according to the singer-actress, is a way of tailor-fitting meals to the needs and preferences of their customers.

Anything too "alien" to a client's taste, Alejandro noted, may only discourage his start to a lifestyle of healthy eating.

"Right now, nandoon na kami sa point na pag merong usong diet program, basta may demand, we try to interpret it... Sumasakay kami [sa] bagong technology, kung ano 'yung know-how pagdating sa diets," Alejandro said of their expanding business.

As an example, she related, "Noong araw kung ang kalaban natin ay kanin at [carbohydrates], this time around ang kalaban natin ay preservatives at wheat. Ngayon it's no wheat, no bread, no preservatives, everything's all natural."

On the horizon for The Sexy Chef, according to Alejandro, is a lifestyle show that goes in-depth on healthy cooking.

For her part, the singer-actress is not slowing down when it comes to her showbiz career. In addition to releasing a new album, Alejandro is set to star in the re-run of Atlantis Productions' staging of the "Rock of Ages" in July 2013. She will also appear in the upcoming ABS-CBN series "May Isang Pangarap" in a guest role.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Healthy Christmas tips on 'Pinoy MD'

Healthy Christmas Tips on Pinoy MD this Saturday

Having a healthy merry Christmas is as easy as pie with the help of broadcaster Connie Sison and her team of medical experts—internist Dr. Oyie Balburias, dermatologist Dr. Jean Marquez, cancer surgeon Dr. Dave Ampil II and OB-Gynaecologist Dr. Raul “Dr. Q” Quillamor in this Saturday’s episode of Pinoy MD in GMA-7.

Discover healthy Noche Buena recipes that are sure to keep the calories and cholesterol at bay. Learn how to cook Minestrone, Christmas pasta and honey lemon fruit salad to help stave off the guilt of indulging in food this Noche Buena.

Fruits are also a perennial staple during the holidays. Eating apples and pears in particular, is said to lower the chances of stroke in a person, according to a 10-year study from the American Heart Association. Discover all the health benefits of fruits that earned it the right to be the star of the dinner table this holiday season.

Also this Saturday, learn the truth behind the impression that cooler weather triggers frequent trips to the bathroom in one of the show’s segments, Doc, Totoo Ba?

All these and a lot more in this Saturday’s episode of Pinoy MD (December 17, 2011) 8 a.m., on GMA-7

source:gmanetwork.com