Welcome 2012

KABOOM!!!

PLAK!!! PLAK!!!

BOOOG!!!

Very sounding that annoys who ever people can hear this?

These melodic noises can be heard on the streets especially when the year move forward as the Filipinos anticipates it in their own traditional way.

These defying sounds are produced by different firecrackers to which believe to be an extuingisher of bad spirits as the Filipino inherit this on the Chinese practice.

Filipino paputok (firecrackers) come in so many shapes and go by very interesting names — judas belt (a string of firecrackers), super lolo (“grandfather”), kwitis (from the Spanish word cohetes meaning rocket), bawang (“garlic”) and pla-pla (a triangular-shaped mini bomb).

Children love scratching the dancing firecracker watusi against concrete sidewalks and cemented surfaces, although the government has been warning against it because of chemical poisoning. New year’s spirit is really alive even to the children.

Firecrackers are not the only one who create the clamors. Even the pots and pans are clanged to scare away evil spirits. A few men shoot guns in the air if they think they can get away with it. Cars and trucks are vroomed and horns are tooted to cause as much noise as possible. Empty cans are dragged all around, whistles are blown.

most used firecrackers by Filipinos

Welcome to the noisiest time in the Philippines; the NEW YEAR’S EVE.

Lots of gimmicks were to be applied in this celebration.

There were concerts, fireworks display and parties to be conducted before the 12 ‘o’clock hits. And the exciting countdowns were to be anticipated.

For the assorted menu on the Media Noche where family will dine together, special foods are prepared, but not like the Noche Buena feast on Christmas Eve, although some families might be wealthy enough to prepare another lechon (roasted pig) after serving one on Christmas. For sure, pancit (noodles) are cooked to signify long life, as are eggs signifying new life. Traditional delicacies made from malagkit(glutinous or sticky rice) like biko are prepared — that’s so good fortune will stick around throughout the year. Fish and chicken are not served because these animals scrounge for food, and we don’t want to have to scrounge for food in the coming year.

Biko

Part of the fun in getting ready for New Year's Eve is to come up with twelve (12) round fruits, each to signify a month of the year. Ideally, there should be twelve different fruits — grapes, oranges, clementines, cantaloupe, pomelo, watermelon… It’s a tough challenge, so half the fruits likely end up being non-circular like mangoes and apples. The fruit that Filipinos most associate with the celebration of the new year and will rarely be without is imported ubas, purple grapes that are very round.

Filipinos believes on the luck as the year change. Many customs were to be practiced during the New Year ’s Eve.

Circle-shaped fruits means LUCK

Before the clock strikes midnight to herald in the New Year, all doors must be left wide open to allow good luck to enter. This includes cupboards, drawers, cabinets...windows! 

Filipinos try to dress in polka-dots because the roundness signifies prosperity. Pockets are filled with round coins, which are jangled to attract wealth. Coins are also left on top of tables and in drawers. 

At the exact moment of midnight, Filipino children jump as high as they can because they believe this will make them taller. Try it!!!

And that’s how Filipino celebrates the new year’s eve…

Kiong Hee Huat Sai everybody!

HAPPY 2012!!!!!!!!!!!

Rejoicing Noche Buena in Filipino manner

Glittering street lights are now come out in the open together with sweet voices of caroling that knock houses at night and melodic tunes of Christmas songs letting you feel the real ambiance of a yuletide season.

That is the different faces of Christmas here in the Philippines. A season which Filipinos really anticipate for the whole year because of the happiness and peace it brings.

                                            Christmas Tree with decorations

Christmas in the Philippines is the longest celebration ever in the world. It begins on September where Christmas lights are starting to set up and it will be ended on the Epiphany or the feast which 3 Kings had arrived to offer their presents to baby Jesus by January.

Catholic churches were conducting a 9-day masses or Simbang Gabi for December 16 to 24 which offers a belief that if one person completed it,  he willl be given an one wish that will be immediately granted. This was the tradition since then from the Spanish Colonization on the Philippines. This Mass celebrations were formulated to commemorate what happened just before the Birth of Christ and also for the preparation to receive him.

After the mass, there comes the mouth-watering pastries like bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake, cooked using coal burners above and under); putò bumbóng (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, buttered then sprinkled with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat) and some beverages include coffee, salabát (a ginger tisane) and tsokoláte (thick Spanish-style hot chocolate) that surely entice you to have a taste at very affordable price. Just try it.

Include in the 9-Day mass celebrations, youths now allowed to carol houses at night together with their improvised musical instruments. So just prepare your donations for them as their talent fee.

                Famous Filipino food "bibingka" mostly sell when tradition "simbang gabi" comes

At Christmas eve or the Bisperas ng Pasko (December 24), malls, markets and department stores are now crowded in the myriads of rush-hour shoppers buying presents and having their groceries for the evening’s assorted menu.

At night, just before hitting the 12 oclock’, all family members are attending the Misa De Aguinaldo at 10pm so that if they get back home Christmas day already arrived as they eat together on the Noche Buena along the ding table which includes: queso de bola (Spanish: "ball of cheese"), which is edam cheese) sealed with red wax; tsokoláte, pasta, fruit salad, pan de sall, relleno and hamón (Christmas ham). It is the time also for children to wrapp out their christmas gifts coming from their God Parents (Ninong and Ninang). And the celebration continues.

markets and food stalls are crowded every Christmas eve

                                                                    Baked Macaroni

                                                                         Grilled Porkchop
                                                           

                                                                   Shanghai Lumpia 

                                                                             Leche Flan

                                                                                      Ham

                                                                             Spaghetti

At the morning of Christmas, Filipinos typically visit members of the extended family, especially to pay respects to their elders. This custom of giving respect has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called "Pagmamáno", which is done by bringing the elder's hand to one's forehead, while saying the phrase Mano Po ("Hand, please"). The elder then blesses the person who has given their respect, and in turn gives "Aguinaldo", or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, mostly to younger children. Godparents are especially socially obligated to give presents or Aguinaldo to their godchildren.

A Christmas Lunch usually follows after the "Pagmamano". The menu is heavily dependent upon the finances of the family, with richer families preparing grand feasts, while poorer families choose to cook simple yet special dishes. Some families choose to open presents on this day after the lunch.

  Always in the tradition:"Caroler Boys"

And that’s the way Filipinos celebrate the christmas occasionally.

A very remarkable event for the whole year.

Let’s have a merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!! 

God Bless!  

Active Life goes active: Night venture at the Greenhills shopping bazaar

Have you already feel the breeze of Christmas season? If so, you are getting problematic on what you will be the presents that you will give to your good children because of high prices of goods, clothes, toys, accessories and even electronic devices. The long wait is over and finally Christmas breeze is on the air and the Green Hills Shopping Center has made its way on a shopping bizarre from the opening of November till the last day of December.Your problem now has now ended. There is a place prepared for you in the heart of the city of San Juan where you can purchase low-priced goods through wholesale and bargain shopping along the streets.

 Welcome to Greenhills Shopping Center!

             Greenhills Shopping Center, located in San Juan, is a mid-to-upscale bargain center catering to all social classes who are looking for cheap thrills with stylish branding.

             This is the quarters of valued shopping and San Juan’s hottest spot when it comes to bargains. It offers a wide variety of gift choices at bargain prices, making shopping and gift-giving a delightful and fun-filled activity. The Night Market features at least 200 stalls offering Christmas bargain items, and serves as a venue for gimmicks and relaxation as it provides a nightly band performance from 6:30 to 11 pm.  Also to watch out for is the animated Christmas display situated at the main entrance of the Greenhills Shopping Center .It is the best place to shop for anything and everything, considering the fast approaching of the holiday season.

Toys

                                                   Toys featuring wrestling superstars

                                    For 100 pesos you can buy cheap but good quality stuff toys 

                From toys, to books, to bags, to clothes , from school and office supplies , to hair accessories,  gardening  tools  and kitchen  utensils, household furnishings to appliances. Name it, they've got it. The shopping arcades are usually crowded every Christmas as young and old people troop to Greenhills not only to buy gifts and giveaways but also to witness the life size mannequin show that is the "Christmas on Display" (C.O.D.). 

What to wear: Cheap but fashionable

                                      Affordable shirts for 100 pesos with different designs

Jelly belt: cheap price but stylish

                                                              Buy 1 Take 1 Promo

                            Seller talking with customer introducing his high quality rubber shoes 

                                                  All kinds of shirt and blouse @150 Php

                For all the people out there who wants to have their gifts ready for Christmas Day and New Years Day, this is your chance to take at least a closer look on some items you can buy from the menu. From shoes, t-shirts, bags and even to foods. Green Hills Shopping Center offers you one of the best prices for your perspective.

               Greenhills on its present days is considered one of the premiere economic centers, as street shops, tiangge-style bazaars and shopping malls are all found here.

Decoration

                                         Santa Claus, house, birds for Christmas decoration 

                                                  well-designed Christmas wrappers

Despicable but elegant

                                                                    on the fashion in a low-priced

         High class shades but easy on the pocket

                  We take you to one of the most one of a kind presentation since it is Lenten Season; Green Hills make you to watch a skit of COD – former from Cubao near Fiesta Carnival which is now Shopwise. It can also be an addition to your flavor while enjoying your shopping.
             
                  Christmas season  is already approaching. So what you are waiting for.  Have a visit on Greenhills night bazaar as earlier as much to avoid some rush times together with low budget and see what your convincing power can get big discounts on your presents this Christmas. 

Affordable Food 

                                                             "ihaw-ihaw"

                                                                                                  shawarma

                                                                                       popular "bibingka"

The Environment at the bazaar

  Feel the Spirit of Christmas in the street

            So what are you waiting for, visit Green Hills Shopping Center and experience the fun and excitement together with COD and shopping bizarre in one way trip.

           Have a happy street shopping!

                    Happy Holidays!

Active Life

 

 Want to be updated on the current, freshest and latest trends to watch out for sports, movies, gadgets, fashion, jobs, etc.?

Are you knowledgeable enough about some sports superstars like David  Beckham, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Williams sisters,  Manny Pacquiao  and some famous foreign personalities?

If your answer is “definitely YES” from the question above, you are now in to the latest blog site on the cyberspace that exactly suits your interest.

Welcome to the Active Life!

Mainly,  Active Life magazine discusses issues and trends not only in the sports but for the entertainment and technology progress. It also gives you a shed of your favorite player with his/her views on life and sports. We also give you some background from your favorite players, coaches, teams, actors/actresses, gadgets and more!

For the Sportaholics out there, we bring you Active Life Magazine which gives you access on the sport you love and the things you want to know inside and outside your favorite league. Sports have been considered to be a part of our lifestyle and Active Life magazine makes it possible to keep you updated to all kinds of sports around the world.

Active Life gives you the things you need in a certain game including stat sheets and scoreboard. We will also keep you in touch in all trades and latest news feeds in the NBA and PBA.  Here in Active Life not only in basketball but also in other sports such as Volleyball, Baseball, Football, Tennis and more. Giving you all you want to know inside and outside of every league and every player.

And if you want to know more and keep yourself updated, like us on facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Active-Life/332697410077433 and follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/ActiveLifetrio  and tumblr http://activelifetrio.tumblr.com/ and brings you access to watch the daily top10 plays from NBA and some stories and latest issues on your favorite sports(players, coaches, teams, rules) and trivia  on your much loved sports, celebrities, etc.

Here in Active Life, we are proudly introducing ourselves to you as your easy ticket to your lifestyle. We, the admins, Gideon Bautista, Marvin Perez and Martin Tabudlong came from same State University and all of them are sports lover. Gideon was actually a basketballaholic as well as Martin and these guys will keep you in touch in all the leagues around the world and give you the things you want and need to know. While Marvin is also a fine player and enthusiastic, he will give you all the advance and previous news that you want to go ahead and the ones you missed.

So here in Active Life, we keep life very active and we made things keep moving forward because we’re not rocking chairs that moves and very busy but not progressing. We will satisfy and supply your daily needs to you sports fans out there. So what are you waiting for, grab a copy now and keep on logging in to our page and stay connected and updated.

SO JUST LIVE YOUR LIFE ACTIVELY!