MALIGAYANG PASKO!

Jesus is the reason for the Season.

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT!

Philippine parols at the Museum of the Filipino People (former Finance Building), Agrifina Circle, Manila

Sa lahat po ng tumangkilik sa SUPERPASYAL, maraming salamat po! Nawa'y hindi kayo magsawa sa pagbisita dito.

Warm greetings for the holiday season from Manila to all our readers from around the world. Maligayang pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

MANILA's CHRISTMAS PEAKS!

These are located in Ortigas Center, City of Mandaluyong. A very spectacular sight!

Coming up next: The giant Christmas tree of Araneta Center!

MANILA's CHRISTMAS PEAKS!

The ceiling's the limit! Obviously, the only thing that stopped SM Mall of Asia from making a much taller tree was the ceiling. Otherwise, given the propensity of this mall to make everything in larger-than-usual sizes, God knows how tall that tree could have been. Anyway, this tree is here for a purpose - a fund-raising for children.

Coming up next: Ortigas Center's twin peaks!

IT'S CHRISTMAS IN ILUSTRADO

Had the chance to visit Ilustrado again, but this time for lunch. This is one of the popular venues for laid-back lunches or dinners in the Walled City as well as a nice venue for gatherings like weddings. The main dining area is spacious and comfortable. The service is prompt (it may take some time for orders to arrive though) and friendly. It looks like the place needs a little update on the service side. I can't seem to put my finger on what's lacking. Definitely, the piped-in music needs to be changed (American Christmas songs in an old world Filipino setting? It could be quite unsettling). Otherwise, everything was a-ok. The food was great, too.

This print depicting Manila can be seen on the foot of the grand staircase which leads to the ballroom upstairs.

This is the coffee shop and pasteleria. Cafe Ilustrado owns Pasteleria Ilustrado which you see in SM Mall of Asia. I miss their really, really yummy puto bumbong. They used to cook it right here. They don't have it this year though. Tsk. This place is very nice. They have a good selection of cakes (though not as extensive as the others) and the old Manila posters on the walls add charm.

The door that leads to the main dining room.

Panna cotta duet. Strawberry and mango. Not particularly amazing.

Crepe de Intramuros. A mixture of fruits of the season plus vanilla ice cream on some kind of liquer sauce.

ILUSTRADO
Dining Excellence in the Walled City

744 Calle Real del Palacio (now General Luna St.)
Intramuros, 1002 Manila
The Philippines

Tel. Nos. (02)527.3674 to 75.

YOU KNOW IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS WHEN...

...Badjao children start attacking jeeps with their drums, dances, and crumpled dirty envelopes with "MAAWAPOKAYO sa mga Badjaos" scrawled in front.

MALIGAYANG PASKO PO SA INYONG LAHAT!

Malate Church, Manila

Merry Christmas to my readers in the Philippines and from the world over!!! I pray for peace, happiness and wisdom for all of you. Maligayang Pasko! Mayap a pasku pu keko ngan!