Top Christmas foods in the Philippines

With 80% of the population are Roman Catholic, Philippines is one of the Asian countries that celebrates Christmas the most. Consequently, the country has a lot of traditional dishes for the festive season.

Puto Bumbong

Puto bumbong is an icon in the Filipino Christmas holidays and it’s a breakfast staple for people who go to church to attend the Misa de Gallo, the Catholic mass held during the early mornings before Christmas day.

The dish is a type of purple rice cake that is baked inside a bamboo tube. It is served on a pre-cut banana leaf and then topped with other ingredients like butter, thin strips of coconut, and sugar.

Lechon

Roasted whole pig is no stranger to Filipino celebrations and in Christmas, preparing this very special food makes family members excitedly look forward to Christmas every year. One whole pig can feed an entire family, but the best thing about lechon can be experienced after the holidays.

The leftover roasted pig can be re-cooked and transformed into a Filipino after-holiday favorite: lechon paksiw. Basically, it’s chopped meat that is slow-cooked in the concoction of coconut vinegar, garlic, onion, and seasoned with salt and pepper.

Paella

The dish is a reminder of the enduring Spanish influence on Filipino cuisine and festival celebrations. This very special Christmas food, however, is not that easy to make because of its long list of ingredients including fresh seafood.

Preparing paella in earlier times signifies the wealth of a family or clan because the ingredients are usually expensive. While it’s still true nowadays, anyone with the recipe and the ingredients can experience the delectable and unique flavors that paella has to offer.

Queso de Bola

Literally translates as a “ball of cheese”, keso (or queso) de bola is a staple Christmas food for Filipinos all over the country. This particular cheese variety does not have a strong flavor like its other cousins. However, just like other types of cheese, it’s creamy and salty. It also has a unique sweetness to it – and its appearance is also one-of-a-kind: it’s covered in red, edible wax.

Embutido

Embutido is a local name for the Filipino-style meatloaf that is often prepared during special occasions like town fiestas, birthdays, weddings, and most importantly, Christmas. Just like any meatloaf, it is made of ground meat, added with other ingredients like carrots, raisins, cheese, garlic, etc.

Aside from the fact that it is easy to prepare, it does not take a lot of effort to cook embutido (bake or fry). Moreover, several commercial meat vendors even offer pre-made embutido so you won’t go through the hassle of starting from scratch.

Leche Flan

Leche Flan is one of the most popular Filipino desserts and is also a top item in the list of the most delicious Christmas food in the country. It is made with ingredients that you can easily find in the kitchen: eggs, milk, and sugar.

Leche flan is like a Filipino v ersion of the European crème caramel. It is basically an egg custard with a soft caramel on top. Unlike other Filipino desserts, it is easier to make and it usually has a longer shelf-life so it can just be stored in the fridge even after the holidays.

See more: Top 5 popular Christmas dishes in Japan

Source: Internet

How to spend Christmas in Singapore

Christmas in Singapore may not be as cool as Christmas in many other Asian countries, but this year, Singapore outdoes itself, creating the merriest and brightest holiday atmosphere in all of Asia.

See the lights on Orchard road

The best place to marvel at pretty Christmas lights in Singapore is Orchard Road. Sporting a new theme every year, the most of Singapore's busiest shopping street is also its most dressed out at the holidays. The best-decorated portions of the road stretch from the forum on the West side of Orchard to Orchard gateway in the East. Make a night of it by walking the full length of the road, admiring the creative Christmas displays and dropping inside the malls to see who gets bragging rights for the biggest and best Christmas tree.

Go shopping at the Christmas markets

Tick off the items on your Christmas list at one of Singapore's pop-up Christmas markets. Here are a few of the best Christmas markets in Singapore.

Great Christmas Village: Located in front of Ngee Ann City on Orchard Road, the Great Christmas Village will be opened from 25 November to 25 December. Admission is free. Expect plenty of food vendors, Christmas concerts and stage performances, rides for kids, and several boutiques and brand name stalls offering unique Christmas gifts and treats.

Christmas in Queenstown Located at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Dundee Road, Christmas In Queenstown is open 15 to 17 December and 22 to 23 December. Admission is free. Expect one-of-a-kind handicrafts and artisan goods from local independent shops, live music, and a variety of food stalls.

Festive Market at Christmas Wonderland Located at Gardens by the Bay, the Festive Market is open 1 to 26 December. A ticket is required. Expect the closest thing to European Christmas markets that you’ll find in Singapore offering up tasty treats like fluffy Dutch pancakes and churros and chocolate, plus a wide variety of handmade crafts and gifts.

Indulge in a few Christmas-inspired treats

Walk into almost any luxury hotel cafe in Singapore this time of year and you’re sure to find a plethora of lavishly-decorated cakes and yule logs, delectable gingerbread men, and all sorts of other Christmas-inspired treats to tempt your sweet tooth. The Fullerton Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, and the Grand Hyatt are particularly well-known for offering some of the best, most extravagant Christmas delicacies.

Give ice skating in the tropics

Feeling brave this holiday season? Ice skating is one of the most popular holiday traditions in countries a little further north of the equator, and while you wouldn’t normally expect that tradition to carry over into the tropics, Singapore makes sure that if you want to make a fool of yourself on the ice, you totally can. There are two permanent ice rinks in Singapore – The Rink at JCube in East Jurong and Kallang Ice World at Kallang Leisure Center. Both rinks offer 2-hour skating sessions and the price of your ticket includes skates rental.

See more: Celebrating Christmas in Asian countries

Source: Internet

Christmas in Asia: the must-visit destinations in Singapore

Christmas vacations have become a trend now. And there are many destinations around the world that celebrate this festival with all glit-and-glam. If you are planning to visit Singapore during Christmas holidays, you will be glad to know that this country has some wonderful celebrations hosted on various venues. Check out some of the stunning places to visit where you can witness celebrations of Christmas in Singapore, at its best.

Orchard Road

Hands down, the best place to marvel at pretty Christmas lights and take selfies with reindeer in Singapore is Orchard Road. Sporting a new theme every year, Singapore’s busiest shopping street is also its most dressed out at the holidays.

The best-decorated portions of the road stretch from the forum on the west side of Orchard to Orchard Gateway in the east. Make a night of it by walking the full length of the road, admiring the creative Christmas displays, and dropping inside the malls to see who gets bragging rights for the biggest and best Christmas tree!

Christmas Village

This glitzy European-inspired Christmas Village makes its debut this year alluding to the theme of “Endless Wonders”. There are more than 25 pop-up stores with exclusive brands such as Haagen Dazs, Starbucks, SK-II, Tiffany & Co. Live bands and carollers will also stage daily gigs, boosting the festive spirit as you indulge in retail therapy and a slew of amusement rides. After feasting on delicious Yuletide treats and shopping for artisanal gifts, swing by Hitachi’s Santa House and snap a selfie or two with Santa. This is one of the best Christmas celebration in Singapore.

The Season of Joy 

Located at the Capitol Kempinski Hotel on Stamford Road, The Season of Joy is open 6-24 December 2019. Admission is free. Expect all sorts of festive fun with an 8-metre tall Christmas tree, a skating rink, photos with Santa, and 50+ booths offering up Christmas goodies, mulled wine, and holiday gifts and games. While you are out this way, pop on over to CHIJMES where you will find an Instagram Wonderland, perfect for keeping your holiday selfie game going strong.

Christmas Wonderland

Foodies, this one is dedicated to you! Savour, in partnership with Christmas Wonderland, is hosting Singapore’s premier gourmet festival that will delight even the most sophisticated of gourmands. With delectable cheese tasting and a decadent selection of specially selected hams and turkey to whet your appetite, you can certainly have a sampler of what Christmas is going to taste like. Acclaimed celebrity chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants will be present to showcase their culinary masterpieces for an elevated dining experience. Wine and dine until you are absolutely full and contented!

See more: Do not miss these beautiful islands when visiting Singapore

Source Internet

How to celebrate Christmas in Saigon

Saigon lights up at Christmas time with thousands of string lights and Christmas decorations, and the city fills with hundreds of people who are coming to celebrate this holiday. And how it is different from the Western countries?

Escape from the hustle and bustle city

Is Saigon too busy for you at Christmas time? Do you crave the beach, the sea, and nice cool glass of something that screams ‘I-am-classy-and-very-relaxed!’? Why not get away to beautiful Nha Trang for a long weekend on the soft sand of Nha Trang Beach or the poetic beaches in Vung Tau.

Some hotels in Nha Trang hold a range of special offers this December from their delicious Christmas buffet and drinks to a range of discount packages.

Embrace your inner touris

Saigon is beautiful at this time of year, bedecked with strings of lights and dazzling banners, and dotted with the occasional gaudy santa or glaring Christmas tree. It can be hard to tell which decorations are for Christmas and which are for Tet, but at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter!

Christmas Day, like Halloween and all other Western celebrations, tends to bring masses of congestion to the already-bustling Saigon, so walking is the best option. Get outside with your camera, or just your eyes, and join the city in being happy.

Sit in the sky bar and view whole city

Another way to get into Saigon’s Christmas festivities without getting lost under the feet of revellers is to sit at one of the city’s many rooftop bars and watch the ants. From the famous Chill Skybar and its incredible panoramic views to the homely rooftop at The View on Bui Vien, rooftop bars in general provide a great angle for watching people with a cool drink in hand. Check out for our piece on Saigon’s 11 best rooftop bars for a great selection this December.

Enjoy the glorious cake

As a previous French colony, Vietnam is known for its delicious French-influenced baked goods, of which the Buche de Noël is a Christmas favourite. Why not buy yourself something sweet to enjoy with family and friends while you marvel at how two such different cultures could have been brought so very close?

Get local

Finally, why not make some friends this Christmas? Park 23/9 in District 1 is known for its gaggles of students looking to practise their english with native speakers. They roam the park, pouncing on unsuspecting foreigners, and often end up making friends with their victims and taking them for a beer. If you are a native speaker, go to the park this Christmas and wait for a group of students to befriend, before wandering off to the backpacker strip for a ridiculous amount of laughter, beers and dried squid.

See more: Fun things to do in Singapore at Christmas

Source Vietnam Insider

How to prepare for Christmas

Christmas is the most awaited holiday each year, many people have preparations almost a month before. But preparation can prove to be the most confusing affair, especially if you have kids around. For this reason, it is always a smart move to prepare in advance so as to avoid the hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations.

Decorate your home, office, and yourself

As soon as Halloween is over, Christmas decorations will start to appear. The earlier you shop for decorations, the cheaper they will be. You may also use social media to find used and unique decorations as well as instructions on how to create your own. You may also decorate your food, your face, your clothes, or anything else you have permission to decorate.

Get your Christmas tree and decorate it

Christmas trees are synonymous with the season. Whether you go out and choose a real tree or get your plastic one from the basement, enjoy the annual tradition of decorating your tree with your family and friends. Themes can always be fun to let your creative juices flow.

Write a letter to Santa

Do not care how old you are. This will make you feel like a little kid again. Maybe a special someone will find it and get exactly what you want or need.

Create a gift list idea for other people

Receiving gifts on Christmas is only half the fun. The only thing better than the weeks leading up to Christmas is finding the perfect present for someone you love, whether it is a gag gift or a serious item that they have been needing for a while.

Watch a Christmas movie

There are many classic Christmas movies that you can stream online or watch on tv as many major networks will begin to show Christmas programming. You may also watch new release movies as Christmas time has some of the biggest and most anticipated movie openings of the year.

Organize a family party 

While many families may already have an annual tradition, make sure to send your invites early if this is the first year organizing a family Christmas. When creating your invite list, make sure that you are aware of any conflicts between family members or extended family to avoid any awkwardness. Depending on how many people you invite, be sure to create a menu for enough people and with plenty of recipes you can cook ahead of time.

Do a plan to travel around Asia

With ‘winter’ bringing the cool, sunny days on the beaches and powdery snow up north of the continent, there are limitless options for an unforgettable holiday.

Asia will be the ideal choice for tourists to feel the differences of Christmas between in West and East. In fact, there are many great places to travel in Asia at Christmas time such as Thailand, Cambodia, Bhutan, Hong Kong or Myanmar.

See more: Fun things to do in Singapore at Christmas

Source Internet