Search Results for: color

What makes the Christmas celebration even more fun and exciting? In addition to presents, of course, the food and drinks that are included in Noche Buena. Imagine coming home from midnight mass and on the table are sumptuous foods like lechon, ham, pancit, bibingka, quezo de bola, and many others. What’s so special about Noche Buena aside from being an important event on December 24? Read on to know more about the different facts about celebrating Noche Buena in the country. 

An influence of Spain that we have adopted

Noche Buena literally means “good night” but is also the Spanish term for Christmas Eve. Why Spain? Just look at the common dishes prepared, such as  lechon, jamonado, embotido, morcon, queso de bola, and many others. 

Fasting before feasting

During the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, the friars required the people to fast before Christmas Day. As a result, Filipinos, as well as the Spanish people, were really hungry after attending the Christmas mass. The midnight meal they had then was literally a feast on a spread of delectable dishes. 

Noche Buena in other countries

In Spain, Noche Buena is a common tradition wherein the menu consists of a fish dish, soup, and roast pork. As a dessert, Turron is prepared to provide a sweet conclusion. The main star of the Noche Buena is the whole pig roasted in a box over hor coals. This is called Caja china in Cuba. For the Peruvians, turkey is the main meal, and for the Venezuelans the main dish are pernil, panettone, and Ponche Crema. 

The real truth about Filipinos and fruitcake

Originally, fruitcake was introduced to the Filipinos by the Americans. This cake was also given to friends and loved ones as a gift and served every Christmas during Noche Buena. On the contrary, Huffington Post considered fruitcakes as the most hated cake in the existence of baking. The main reason for this is that fruitcakes are aged. In wines, this is a good idea and makes wines taste best, but not for cakes. 

The paella

Another Spanish cuisine that is passed to the Filipinos. Rice is a staple food to Filipinos as bread is to the West. Since Christmas is a special occasion, rice is served in an extraordinary way. The color and flavor of paella are mostly because of tomato and paprika. 

 

Happy holidays!

Looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones may be quite challenging. You may not have seen each other for some time and may not be aware of the things they love these days. Personalized greeting cards are probably the safest to give. Not only that you will be able to send your message, but they can also be personalized to fit your taste. 

A timeless gift with personalized greeting cards

Greeting cards are a wonderful way to show your feelings and send personal messages to your family and friends. Whatever the occasion is celebrated, personal greeting cards never go out of style. Whether you choose birthday cards with inspirational messages or Christmas cards with fun quotes, the value of greeting cards lasts a long time. 

If you are having a hard time looking for the perfect gift, personalized greeting cards can reinforce your love, support, or provide messages that are difficult to say personally.

Perfect for many occasions

The good thing about personalized greeting cards is that they can be customized to fit a wide range of occasions. In 365 days in a year, there are many reasons to send a card to your loved ones. Examples are birthdays, graduation, wedding anniversary, Christmas, Valentine’s day, and other celebrations. 

Personalized design and messages

If you go to card shops or bookstores, you will see prepared greeting cards that are tailored for every occasion. All you have to do is buy them, write your personal messages, and send them to their respective recipients. This is also true with greeting cards that can be purchased online. What makes it interesting these days is that greeting cards can be tailored according to your preference. You can choose the font, color, image, and layout that matches your messages.

Sending letters these days may be obsolete but greeting cards can still give the excitement that many people are looking for. Personalized greeting cards are the best gift to give to your loved ones whom you haven’t seen in a long time. Take time to compose your messages and you can even look for a service that offers personalized messages.

Message from the heart

Greeting cards are the perfect way to express exactly how you feel. There are greeting cards that use not just words but also designs that can communicate your feelings. You can also use your photos as well as those of your loved ones to personalize the greeting cards. Add humor with funny quotes or messages or even images from your favorite cartoons or shows. What matters most is the message that you want to say even though you cannot say it personally. 

Final thoughts

Greeting cards have been used for many years. They have made people around the world smile. In fact, sending greeting cards is one of the most common gifts sent to loved ones. Whether you are sending it on their birthdays, anniversaries, or Christmas, greeting cards can deliver the message or greeting that cannot be felt even if you use email or e-greeting cards.

Over the years, you have taken photos of many events and occasions with your family and friends. After having them printed, they are kept in albums to be viewed later on. However, this should not be the case as the photos can be displayed on your walls to create appealing wall art. As such, your photos need not be kept in storage. Making personalized wall art can instantly represent who and what you are. With these, you can say that your home is truly yours. 

Creating personalized wall art

There is something special about creating and finishing personalized wall art. You will get the chance to display all the items and keepsakes that you love. However, the challenging part is finding ways to blend them with the existing interior design style. You also need to consider several elements, such as the general room atmosphere, other art pieces, and color schemes. Add a little creativity and imagination so that your decorating project will be a success. 

One of the interesting ways to personalize wall art is through the display of photos of your adventures with family and friends. These photos will not only display your escapades but will likewise serve as a memory lane. There are many ways to display your photos and they can even be used to create personalized posters. These days, posters may be customized for you to be able to design them according to your needs and taste. That’s one of the wonders of digital technology. 

DIY wall art ideas for your home

Many homeowners may be wondering how they can improve their home interior without spending that much. That answer is pretty simple. You can reuse, recycle, or upcycle materials that you have used in your previous projects. If you are willing to spend a minimal amount, you can also check different shops and look for valuable items that would fit your budget. Here are some creative inspirations that you can use to make your home look amazing:

1. Family photos – a gallery of photos in your home that features memorable moments with your family and friends can instantly create a nostalgic atmosphere. 
2. Children’s books – take pages from your favorite children’s books and frame them along with customized mats to dress up the frame. 
3. Polaroid pictures – the display of these photos is one of the easiest ways to create wall art. Tape of tack personal photos or postcards of about the same size to a blank wall and wrap around a corner to make an artistic touch.
4. Song lyrics – words and quotes are definitely amazing inspirations in creating personalized wall art. 
5. Plants and flowers – arrange a collection of framed flowers to create a gallery appearance. All you need to do is to press botanical flowers before framing them. You may also opt to add their scientific names at the bottom for a more impressive look.
6. Window frame – display salvaged window frames to create a great architectural display. Add a personal touch with photos and make the wall art more personalized. 

Known for having 7100 islands in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is one of the favorite destinations of tourists, both local and foreign. The country has several attractions that will connect you to nature. It is a paradise for all beach lovers, mountain climbers, and adventure seekers. Read on to know more about the different places in the Philippines where you can get in touch with nature and feel rejuvenated again.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Located in Palawan, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is known for its remarkable biodiversity, abundant marine life, and magnificent dive sites. It covers hectares of productive marine life and contains three atolls and a large area of the deep sea. Tubbataha Reefs has been recognized as one of the world’s leading diving destinations. It is home to 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals, 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins and whales, birds, Hawksbill, and green sea turtles. In 1993, UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site. Being an isolated area, it will take around a 10 to 12 hours journey to reach it. A sacrifice worth taking to enjoy the wonder of nature.

El Nido Palawan

Another leading municipality in the province of Palawan, El Nido is one of the favorite travel destinations in the country. It is a managed resource-protected area and popular for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, limestone cliffs, and rich biodiversity. Many travel buffs have placed El Nido to the 20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World due to its extraordinary natural splendor and ecosystem. 

Malay Eco Tour in Aklan

A perfect place for bonding and get-together with family and friends. The travel destination is known for the Pangihan cave with its eight magnificent chambers. Locals highly recommend visiting Nabaoy, a river with native huts where you can order native dishes and delicacies at affordable prices. Of course, more than feasting, you can refresh yourself by swimming and rafting in its calm and clear water.

Siargao

Siargao was originally a haven for surfers. These days, it is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. The island is within the jurisdiction of the province of Surigao del Norte and is composed of different municipalities. In 2018 and 2019, Siargao was awarded for being the best island in the world. Tourists will never be bored on the island as there are tons of activities that can be done. These include basking on white-sand beaches, surfing, cave explorations, swinging on palm tree rope, island hopping, and many others. In addition to these, the island is rich in green colors as it is covered with coconut palm trees. A perfect tropical view for those of you who are looking for a vacation paradise. 

Mayon volcano

The Mayon volcano is popularly known for its “perfect cone” and is still one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Located in the province of Albay, it has a height of 2,463 meters and is considered to be the centerpiece of the province. The volcano is one of the favorite sites for climbing, though it is important to note that it is dangerous to do this activity even if it is at its dormant stage. In addition to climbing, you can do other activities such as hiking, camping, bird watching, and photography. It is recommended to visit the volcano between March and May and not during the rainy season.