King Sue has always been one of the stars of the Filipino Christmas

In the Philippines, there are well-loved Yuletide traditions that we’ve observed for years and are treasured by generations of families.  Having King Sue hams on the Noche Buena table  is one of them. Let’s look at some of these endearing practices that make Christmas in our country like no other.

Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo
It is believed that completing the nine-day novena masses will make Christmas wishes come true.

Caroling
Filipinos sure love to sing and during the Yule Season, this fondness for music is manifested through caroling.  Neighborhood kids sing with hand-crafted tambourines while adult carolers have ventured into more high-tech versions, with microphones, mobile speakers, and even lights as they render their well-practiced song and dance numbers.

Exchange gifts
This sharing of blessings often comes in the form of “Aguinaldo” (usually from godparents), small funny items (from office Monito-Monita), and of course, the much-awaited exchanging of gifts with the family on Christmas Eve.

Putting up of Christmas decorations
 As soon as November 1 is over, Filipinos immediately take down their Halloween decor and replace them with festive and colorful embellishments to signal the start of Yuletide. Think glittery buntings, the traditional parol made of  bamboo and Japanese paper or Capiz shells laden with Christmas lights and of course, the Christmas Tree. There is no better symbol of Christmas than the Belen, the centerpiece of one’s home decoration.  A representation of the Nativity Scene, it is present in almost all Filipino household.

Noche Buena
It literally translates to “Good Night” in Spanish but for Filipinos, Noche Buena is the ultimate feast on Christmas Eve. Here families get together at 12 midnight and share a lavish banquet prepared by the whole family.   The Yuletide table is filled with all kinds of dishes including King Sue’s Chinese Bone-in Ham and other premium meat products. Its Pear Shape, Pina Ham and Sweet Hams, bacon, sausages, cold cuts and chorizos, are also the most likely ingredients in some recipes including lasagana, paellas, pasta, tacos, sandwiches and salads. Indeed, King Sue has always been one of the stars of the Filipino Christmas. It’s a time time-honored tradition that never grows old.

Merry Christmas from King Sue!  May the Yule Season be a special and memorable one for you and your loved ones!

KING SUE suggests five bite-sized resolutions that are simple, doable, and something you might want to try

This is  the best time to start doing things that will benefit yourself for the  rest of the year. KING SUE suggests five bite-sized resolutions that are simple, doable, and something you might want to try.

1. Start a new fitness plan. What are your goals? If you wish to lose weight, you have to muster up the discipline to finish what you have started. This includes actually going to the gym (not just enrolling in one and going only when you feel like it). If you don’t have extra cash to pay for the gym fees, look for alternatives. The neighborhood zumba class is for free. Allot 30 minutes daily for walking around your area. Limit the partying and get enough sleep.

2. Eat right by eating breakfast. Breakfast energizes you for the day’s load. KING SUE has a lot of breakfast choices, from your favorite Chinese and Hawaiian hams, to bacon, salami, and bologna, and other meat products.  You may also want to dice the Chinese bone-in ham (leftovers from the Holiday season) and add these to your omelet or fried rice. 

3. Start saving up.   You’ve been dreaming  of that vacation but never have the budget for it. You’ve always tried to save for rainy days but you just couldn’t seem to make it happen Time to do it now! Set aside a certain amount from your paycheck, no matter how small. Eating out could eat up your budget. Learn to stay home and prepare your own meals. 

4. Commit to spending more time In the kitchen.  Cooking and preparing meals can be therapeutic for many people.  You could be one of them. Try spending more time in the kitchen.  Start slow until you get the hang of it.  Pretty soon, you could be whipping up dishes you never thought of doing.  Begin by prepping your own baon or lunch packs. Aside from the satisfaction you’ll get from eating a meal you painstakingly prepared, it means a lot of savings too.  

5. Organize your meals and your kitchen.  Then, move on  to more challenging tasks in the kitchen.  Have a well-thought out weekly menu and assign two days weekly—preferably Sunday and Wednesday—for marketing and cooking. Check out some leftover meats and turn them into fresh new dishes. Pork Chops from last night could be pork and rice casserole the next day. 

If you have fried chicken, add it to a soup, salad, or make a pulled chicken sandwich. Use King Sue sausages for your pasta, or King Sue hams for pizza and soup.

For more stress-free dishes, King Sue has pre-packed meats such as tocino, corned beef/chicken nuggets, chorizo bilbao, deliburger beef, and nuggets.

Check out www.kingsue.com for quick and easy recipes when you run out of ideas.

These bite-sized mini goals are simple but easy to do. Especially when many of us vow to start afresh, King Sue’s suggestion might help make 2018 your best year yet!