MONTESSORI DE SAN JUAN: 40 YEARS OF TEACHING THE TRUE MONTESSORI WAY

Is your child studying in Montessori?
How sure are you that it is a true Montessori school in principle and not just by name?
It was only recently, when I attended the foundation day of Montessori de San Juan that I learned what it was like to be a “real” Montessori school.

Developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori, this unique educational system is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development.
Among the essential elements recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS) are:
• Mixed age classrooms, with classrooms for children ages 2½ or 3 to 6 years old
• Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options
• Uninterrupted blocks of work time, ideally three hours
• A constructivist or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction
• Specialized educational materials developed by Montessori and her collaborators
• Freedom of movement within the classroom
• A trained Montessori teacher

According to Sandy Arellano, Montessori de San Juan Vice Principal, real Montessoris adhere to the teaching modules developed by their founder. The school directors or principal should also get a certification either from the US or Europe.Their teachers she said are also trained in the Montessori method and have to undergo a special in house training in order to teach in their school.

Montessori's education is driven by an aspiring aim that is to aid the child's development into a complete adult human being, comfortable with one's self and society and with his humanity as a whole. Each individual is recognized for his or her own abilities, interests, ideas, needs, and cultural identity.

While other schools continually adding classrooms to accommodate more students, Arellano said they prefer to keep their classrooms small. “We only have 15 to 20 students per class because a smaller class size is paramount to knowing each child as an individual with his own needs, characteristics, capabilities and potential. A small class lets teachers could focus more on the individual learning needs of each student rather than just follow a lesson plan and hope that they will catch up and understand.

Montessoris emphasize learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading and our students here learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities.

I was also surprised to learn that Montessori schools avoid giving out homework, believing that learning should be done in the classroom and that time spent at school is already too much.
“We, at Montessori de San Juan, are committed to exposing the students to a learning environment that will assist them in adapting and adjusting to a diverse and ever changing society. We are dedicated to teach our students that the differences in gender, physical or mental ability, culture, and background are strengths to be respected,”she emphasized.

In celebration of its 40th foundation day last January  30, 2015 the school held a Science and Math fair along with a field demo that put together different grade levels in one group to foster camaraderie and boost their confidence.

Montessori de San Juan is located at #3 Montessori Lane St. (between Araullo  and P. Guevarra Sts.)
Landline numbers 239-1102/725-6306, or visit their Facebook page Montessori de San Juan.

Jack 'n Jill Candies bring you the new tamarind-flavored gummy Champalok

Make snacking even more fun with Jack ‘n Jill Candies new tamarind-flavored gummy candy, Champalok. Get that kilig-sarap in every bite.

This candy is packed with the same sampaloc flavor you know and love, but without the seed. Packed in a 20gm snack pack, this affordable P5 (SRP) treat can be enjoyed any time of the day, making it the perfectly on-the-go snack.

Take the fun to a whole new level with a pack of Champalok. This gummy and chewy treat is available at all leading supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores nationwide.

Goldilocks capped off a six-month feeding program for Caritas kids

THE SWEET SMILES OF CARITAS KIDS

In the spirit of mercy and compassion brought about by the historic visit of Pope Francis, Goldilocks Bakeshop, in cooperation with Caritas Manila, capped off a six-month feeding program for underprivileged kids with a small celebration. The culminating activity was conducted at the gym of the St. John Bosco Parish-Tondo, which coincided with the commemoration of the saint’s 200th birth anniversary.

Under the guidance of Caritas Manila, risk areas for malnutrition were identified, taking into consideration various effects including poor academic performance and associated health concerns. Aside from providing balanced meals, Goldilocks likewise monitored the progress of the participating children via weekly check-ups. “We made a determined effort to get the kids back on track in terms of their ideal age-to-weight ratio,” shared Cherry Caluya, Marketing Director of Goldilocks. “After six months, we were so happy to learn that all the participating kids achieved their marks,” she enthused.

As a welcome treat to mark the program’s conclusion, Goldilocks distributed their signature products (mamons, ensaymadas, and muffins) to the delight of those who participated. Joining the 500 kids were a number of senior citizens, who likewise appreciated the baked goods.“Programs like these are an integral part of who we are as a brand,” Caluya noted. “We are so honored to be given opportunities to share the love and happiness that Goldilocks brings,” she concluded

HOOQ kicks off this late February in partnership with Globe

One week after its establishment, HOOQ, Asia’s video-on-demand service, announced that it will kick off in the Philippines from late February in partnership with Globe Telecom.

HOOQ, a start-up joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment, will enable customers of Globe Telecom to enjoy unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movie and television content, via any device including computers, smartphones and tablets.
Extensive Hollywood and local content

Filipinos can look forward to more than 10,000 movies and television episodes and TV shows including titles from partners Sony and Warner Bros. Customers can watch Hollywood movies such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man and Inception, while enjoying popular TV series such as Gossip Girl, Friends and Smallville.

Speaking at a panel discussion during the Philippine launch of HOOQ held at The Green Sun in Makati are [L-R] Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Vice President for Business Strategy Anuraj Shavantha Goonetilleke, HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos, Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu, Globe Telecom Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan and Sony Pictures Executive Vice President for Networks George Chung-Chi Chien. Speaking at a panel discussion during the Philippine launch of HOOQ held at The Green Sun in Makati are [L-R] Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Vice President for Business Strategy Anuraj Shavantha Goonetilleke, HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos, Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu, Globe Telecom Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan and Sony Pictures Executive Vice President for Networks George Chung-Chi Chien.

Local film and TV content will also be available through partnerships with the country’s top studios, such as GMA, Viva Communications, Regal Entertainment, and ABS-CBN. Customers can watch local high-grossing films such as Metro Manila, A Secret Affair, Shake Rattle and Roll and Ang Tanging Ina, as well as classics including Dyesebel, Bagets and Bituing Walang Ningning. Highly-rated TV shows like My Husband’s Lover, Mulawin, Tayong Dalawa and Mara Clara will also be available anytime and anywhere.

‘Across the emerging economies, people have amazing stories and love stories. However, a few billion people have no quality way of seeing the best stories from Hollywood or their local market. HOOQ will change that. HOOQ will change the way people in emerging markets consume and enjoy entertainment,’ said HOOQ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter G. Bithos. ‘The Philippines is a natural first market for us. Filipinos’ dual love of local and Hollywood content combined with their digital savviness makes the Philippines a perfect place for us to start,’ he added.

The former Globe Telecom Chief Operating Advisor, Mr Bithos also announced its first distribution partnership. ‘Our partnership with Globe Telecom, the leader in digital partnerships in the Philippines, helps us bring Philippine customers a premium video service and new form of entertainment that combines the best of Hollywood, Asian and Philippine video content across all devices,’ Mr Bithos said.

Globe Telecom’s customers first to get HOOQ at P199 per month

According to a Nielsen report in 2014, viewing online video content has become a pastime for digital consumers in the Philippines, with 85% watching at least weekly, the second highest in the region. The same report also revealed that 7 in 10 digital consumers in the country report watching TV content and movies via online sources such as video-on-demand, the second highest penetration of internet TV in the region at 71%.

‘Now more than ever, Filipinos consider connectivity as an essential part of their daily lives. Our customers, whether prepaid, postpaid, or broadband, are increasingly embracing an always-on world where they expect a wonderful experience from innovative and engaging data and content offers. Right now, we are in the best position to offer this type of service as the leader in enabling the digital lifestyle of Filipinos and the number one network for smartphones. To meet their needs, we see the video-on-demand services offered by HOOQ as a critical offering representing the future of the industry. Now that consumers have access to a variety of international and local content, entertainment will now be more personal, and with Globe, this means experiencing it with the highest quality.’ said President and CEO of Globe Telecom,Mr Ernest Cu.

Recognising the value that video-on-demand services deliver to consumers, Globe Telecom will provide its customers with the ability to download HOOQ, which will soon be available to customers on a plan-based service for Philippine Peso 199 per month for access to thousands of movies, far more affordable than buying a ticket for just one movie. It will also be offered as a bundled service with the telco’s GoSURF and Tattoo broadband services.

HOOQ enhances digital lifestyles

‘Following the launch in the Philippines, HOOQ will be rolled out across Asia soon. The rapid adoption of connected devices means more people in Asia are able to access the Internet anywhere and at any time, driving demand for compelling content that enhances their digital lives,’ said Mr Jonathan Auerbach, Singtel CEO Group Digital Life. ‘HOOQ is set to change the way people across the region consume and enjoy entertainment.’

Mr George Chien, Executive Vice President, Networks at Sony Pictures Television, said: ‘We share the excitement of offering entertainment fans across Asia access to high quality video services directly to their mobile devices. HOOQ provides a unique combination of Hollywood and local favorites while providing a high-quality viewing experience they’ve come to expect in today’s digital world.’

Mr Anuraj Goonetilleke, Vice President Corporate Business Development and Strategy at Warner Bros. Digital Distribution said: 'We’re very excited about the launch of our joint video-on-demand business across Asia, starting with the Philippines. Providing world-class content to Asia’s entertainment fans will meet a voracious appetite for new and classic videos and TV episodes on-demand.’

The service will also be accessible to all customers in the Philippines through its website – http://HOOQ.tv. Through HOOQ.tv, customers can watch videos of their choice and pay for the subscription by credit card.

Colin Firth plays a spy in "Kingsman: The Secret Service"

              Colin Firth reveals his other side as a suave secret spy in the non-stop “Kingsman: The Secret Service” directed by Matthew Vaughn (“X-Men: First Class,” “Kick-Ass”) where a super- secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

              The director warned his leading man that, should he accept the role, there were tough challenges ahead - very tough challenges indeed. “He said, ‘It’s going to hurt and you’ll hate me by the end,’” laughs Firth. “All true!”  Firth was indeed about to embark on a role unlike any other that he has tackled during his long, distinguished career, and he clearly loved it. Yes, he says with a smile, there were plenty of occasions when, after a particularly gruelling day, nursing cuts and bruises, he questioned quite why he had taken on an action role in a spy movie, but the rewards were enormous.

              In “Kingsman: The Secret Service” Firth heads an all-star cast as Harry Hart, a crack operative with secret independent intelligence organisation. Hart is a British gentleman – a suave sophisticate impeccably attired in the finest Savile Row suits – who also happens to be a formidable spy and, as Firth says, ‘a cold steel killer.”

              Firth embarked on months of intensive training to get into peak condition for the all action role. He enlisted the help of his regular trainer, Ed Chow, and the hand picked specialists, led by stunt coordinator Allen, recruited by Vaughn for the film.  “It was about six months, three hours a day,” he explains. “Three hours a day, every day with this extraordinary team of guys. I’m not an athlete, historically, at all. This was taking a man in his 50s and starting almost from scratch – not quite from scratch, because I’d done some fairly standard middle aged man’s maintenance, over the years with my trainer.

              Brad Allan, an Australian martial artist and action choreographer who worked with Vaughn on “Kick-Ass,” coordinated the fight sequences with a team that included a parkour champion and a breakdancer Bradley Allen whom they discovered on YouTube.  One of the film’s many standout action sequences is a climactic fight set inside a church, which sees Firth taking out the entire congregation.  Incredibly, the scene was done in one take.

              Much of the stunt work was a new experience for Firth, whose character moves between high-octane action and pensive stillness. When Harry does get involved in the action, he’s unstoppable – while losing none of his sophistication.  “It’s the ‘not a hair out of place’ world of fighting at first,” explains Firth. “Then there’s sheer mayhem, where there certainly are hairs out of place.”

              To prepare for the church scene, the production called upon the crack stunt team Firth describes as “the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.  They have their own sets of amazing skills. You have the Jackie Chan-like training team of Brad Allan, who’s one of the finest martial artists in the world, and then we a have a six-times world championship Thai boxer, an Olympic gold medalist gymnast, and someone from the special forces to do the gun training. I didn’t know what hit me.”

              Firth’s training regimen took three hours a day, every day, for several weeks. “I was learning to use parts of my body that I’d never used,” he says. “I didn’t even know they existed. It was painful.”

              “The stunt people training Colin were incredibly impressed,” recalls writer/co-producer  Jane Goldman. “It’s not something he’s done before and yet he was meticulous and so diligent in his training. Colin’s worked harder than anyone I’ve seen before. Not because he had to, but because he really wanted to. He nailed it, and almost none of his action work involved stand-ins.”

              “Kingsman: The Secret Service” opens February 18 nationwide from 20th Century Fox.

Be ready to be entertained this Valentine's Day with Pooh and K Brosas

Whether you're in love or have fallen out of love, it's time to celebrate the love month. Backroom artists have lined-up Valentine shows for everyone. Watch the comedic tandem of Pooh and K Brosas  stage a unique "love" concert at the Casino Filipino Pavilion on February 11.

"Sa mga loveless, gugulong kayo sa tawa. Kalimutan niyo muna bf or gf, enjoy lang pag may time," says Pooh. "Let us enjoy ourselves," adds K who is also scheduled to stage a concert in KL Central , Malaysia on February 15.

Gyrate to "Magic Mike XXL" first trailer

Warner Bros. Pictures has just unveiled the first trailer to “Magic Mike XXL” starring Channing Tatum, which may be viewed at http://youtu.be/TBqgijvELQU.



The original stars joining Tatum in the sequel are Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias. Featured in brand new roles are Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover, Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell, Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Strahan.

The new film is directed and produced by Emmy Award winner Gregory Jacobs (“Behind the Candelabra”), who served as a producer on “Magic Mike,” as well as numerous features in a long-running collaboration with Steven Soderbergh.

Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.

Opening across the Philippines on July 08, 2015, “Magic Mike XXL” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Get your bow and arrow at Oculus Archery, SandBox Alviera

Sandbox Alviera launched the Oculus Archery last February 1, Porac Mayor Condralito dela Cruz headed the ribbon cutting ceremony together with Krizia Chu-Tranquilino, General Manager of Oculus Archery and Ayala Land executives.

Oculus Archery partners with SandBox Alviera Pampanga to hone the archer in you, that one talent  you thought you never had. Channeling my inner Merida and Katniss  at Oculus Archery for 30 minutes has never been this easy. This was my first time to actually hold a bow and arrow. The coach at the Oculus patiently told me to target my aim by strong mental visualization, and practice pulling my right arm until it reach my shoulder then release  and pushing the left arm outward.  I should learn pulling and pushing with my arms. I hit my target the second try, and I know I had it in me, I will just try to practice more.

Mayor Condralito dela Cruz was trained by the Oculus crews on how to target his aim and surprisingly hit his balloon target several times.

Newbie archers as young as 7 years old, accompanied by an adult, or young at heart with senior cards, are welcome to experience Outdoor Archery at SandBox. The packages priced at P400 for a one-hour session or P250 for a 30-minute session include basic coaching, bow & arrows, quiver, chest and arm guards plus one balloon target. There are also various novelty targets available such as famous cartoon villains to make the activity more fun and interesting especially for kids.

“Our mission is to erase the notion that archery is an elite sport. Anyone can enjoy it from kids to adults as long as they have the upper body strength to pull the string and concentrate on their target,” said Krizia Chu-Tranquilino, General Manager of Oculus Archery.

The lessons conducted by expert archers are accessible and comprehensive, without removing fun in the equation. Archery helps clear the mind, and allows people to decompress when under stress. For kids, it will train their mind to focus, a very important skill at school.

The Aerial Walk, an obstacle course with horizontal and vertical elements, has also been expanded for a longer, more challenging, and exciting experience. From 17 activities, it now offers 28 activities with the addition of new tunnels, loops, beams, nets, and ziplines. Guests who will take the challenge to complete this pumped up Aerial Walk can expect a real workout.

Bikers, in the meantime, can get their hearts pumping in the 9-km Alviera-Columbia Bike Trail located adjacent to the park and within the perimeter of Alviera.  This is where guests can bring their own bikes and enjoy a ride with their families and friends while taking pleasure at the scenic views of the Porac mountain range.

Part of the initial phase of the Alviera development, SandBox has drawn almost a hundred thousand walk-in visitors for its outdoor adventure attractions since it opened in April last year. The Giant Swing, the country’s tallest at 10-meters high, provides riders an exhilarating swing through the air. Housing the Wall Climbing, Rappelling and Free Fall, there’s the 15-meter Adventure Tower, which also provides the best views within and around Alviera.

The adventure continues with the Avatar One, Asia’s first roller coaster zipline, which brings daring visitors 180-meters up and down through lines and curves. Guests can also drive the ATV and go through rough and plain terrain, rivers, mountains, and forests. Guests who are less active can enjoy the Mini Golf or play with their kids at the chidlren’s playground, SandBox also has an open field for sports, parties, and other outdoor activities. Everyone in the family can have fun in SandBox.

“SandBox has given visitors unique outdoor thrills built from the natural environment of Alviera.  We are excited to bring more fun attractions for the community as we continue with our development plans for Alviera,” said John Estacio, Alviera General Manager.


SandBox at Alviera is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  For booking guidelines, visit the Alviera webpage at www.alviera.ph and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at AlvieraPh.

“THEORY OF EVERYTHING” EXCLUSIVE AT AYALA MALLS CINEMAS FEB 25

One of the year's multi-awarded films, Universal Pictures' “The Theory of Everything,” the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting February 25.

Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Eddie Redmayne), Best Actress (Felicity Jones) and Best Adapted Screenplay, the film is an inspiring biopic of renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde.

Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking (Redmayne) received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane (Jones) fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of – time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed.

The film is based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, by Jane Hawking, and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (“Man on Wire”).

Screenwriter and producer Anthony McCarten has long been fascinated by Professor Hawking, in particular the time and effort it took for the severely physically compromised man to write his seminal book. "He has illuminated physics for the world, and there is a sense of the profound in all his work," says McCarten. "That was enhanced by Stephen's own physical situation, which only allowed him to compose his communications at the agonizing rate of one word per minute; here, in one man, was an unprecedented juxtaposition of extraordinary mental prowess and extraordinary physical incapacity.
"His mind continued to open up one frontier after another in relentless exploration, so he was contracting yet also expanding which was apt for a man whose life is devoted to studying the universe."

McCarten was moved to read Jane Hawking's memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. He discovered "a marvelous love story between two people, incredibly intense and challenged in the extreme: first by the physical decline, and then by the advent of fame in their lives. When news of his imminent death proved exaggerated, and two years became 10, then 20, their situation demanded that their love take bold and unorthodox forms if it was to survive. Theirs was a love story without precedent."

Producer Lisa Bruce remarks, "A lot of people don't even think about Stephen Hawking's domestic life, much less know that he walked and talked, and they certainly don't know that he fathered children. When you look deeper into his life, you see so much more than just the genius: you find a father, a husband, and under it all an eternal optimist.

"But, for me, the most powerful element of this story was the sense that he would never have achieved what he did without a partner like Jane."
The marriage would evolve and adapt while Stephen made significant strides in his work. Bruce notes,

McCarten asserts, "For them to have marched through that difficult terrain together and had a marriage that lasted decades was nothing less than a triumph. Stephen and Jane both show us all what human beings are capable of when they set their minds to something. But in writing the script, I had to allow for showing their moods and frustrations that were completely understandable. Our film celebrates Stephen, but it doesn't try to mythologize him; he had very strong negative emotions about the loss of his physical powers and we show that, as well as the highs and lows of the marriage. `The Theory of Everything' is as much about the physics of love as it is about the love of physics."

VALENTINE GOOD TIMES AT GUMBO!

Halibut Pesto

From February 9-15 enjoy your Valentines dinner like no other at Gumbo as it takes great pride on its seafood selections on its menu such as Cajun Blackened Salmon, Barbecued Shrimps, Cream Dory with Mango Salsa, Fish & Chips, Ultimate Seafood Feast, Halibut Pesto, etc – a great way to impress your loved one!  These seafood treat comes with a free glass of white or red wine to complete that awesome Valentines date plus a complimentary red rose for your lady!

Parmesan Crusted USDA Steak

 Gumbo restaurants are located at the 2nd level, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia; 2nd level, The Block, SM City North Edsa; 3rd level, Robinsons Place Manila Midtown; 2nd level, Atrium Bldg., SM Megamall; Gateway Mall Araneta Center; and Robinsons Magnolia.  For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 5671820 and 6353015.

Spend a prosperous Chinese New Year feast at Xin Tian Di, Crowne Plaza

My countdown to the Chinese New Year celebration began a bit early this year, as I got invited to try out the prosperity feast at Xin Tian Di at the Crowne Plaza last January 29, 2015.

It also served as a welcome lunch for the media to meet Crowne Plaza’s newest culinary expert Chef Andy Fung who surprised each one of us with his unique preparations of traditional new year’s dishes as well as some of his own creations.

Chef Andy Fung

The first dish that looked truly appetizing was the Yu Sheng Salad, which consists of raw salmon, shredded raddish,  carrots and some vegetables. It was just a shame that we had to ruin such organized placing of the ingredients because in true Chinese tradition, you have to chant and toss all the ingredients in the air to let prosperity and fortune in.

We sprinkled peanut crumbs and some sesame seeds to the salad, followed by squeezing a slice of lime. which is believed to attract more success . We then used our chopsticks to toss the salad, and were encouraged to toss it high– the higher the toss and the messier  the better as more fortune will come in, we were told.

Check out the before and after photos of the salad.

The shredded vegetables flew up in the air and it landed in our hair, arms and clothes, so I guess we are going to have a pretty awesome year.

Just look at the delicious mess we created!  The salmon combined with plum sauce and vegetables tasted just right with the shredded vegetables in.

The next dish that was served was the Double boiled chicken, ham and wanton soup. It looked simple but this healthy soup with the chewy wanton, soft chicken breast and chicken feet delighted my palate. The broth had a smokey ham after taste which I liked.

It looked like dessert, but the the Fried Golden Mango Seafood Roll, was actually the first of several main courses. The mango and seafood was enveloped in a crispy crust and the assortment of flavors and textures was a treat. I finished the roll in a few bites ending with the sliced strawberry to seal in those those delicious flavors. I liked this dish and would have ordered more if not for—

—the Sauteed Scallop with Brocolli and Fried Shredded Bread Stuffed Prawns, which quickly came next. again it was a plate of mixed textures and flavors, I ate the brocolli first, followed it with a one big bite of the juicy scallop and quickly followed it up with the crunchy breaded prawn.

The third Main course was the Steamed Cod Fish with Wild Mushroom, which was my favorite, as i love fish. The cod fish was savory and the mix of soy sauce and mushroom complemented it quite well.

The Whole Pineapple Fried Rice  was a meal in itself with the pork floss, crabmeat, shrimps and pineapple mixed in with rice giving it a sweet and a bit spicy taste.

We finished our meal with some Baked Crispy Snow Asado Pao, it has juicy pork asado fillings with the right amount of crispiness of the bun, reminded me of that famous pork bun place everyone’s been raving about.

Finally, no Chinese feast would be complete without some Special Buchi, and this time it was paired with some Ube Jelly. The buchi was soft and tender with the right amount of stickiness to it and eating it together with the ube jelly sealed off the flavor.

It was truly a feast for my eyes and tastebuds and everyone was right about Xin Tian Di! It really is one of the best restaurants to spend Chinese New Year and Chef Andy Fung will definitely make sure you enjoy one memorable meal!

Chinese New Year Xin Tian Di’s signature Tikoy (Nian Gao) is available for pre-selling on January 26 – February 8, 2015 at Xin Tian Di and Agenda of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Your favorite glutinous rice cake can be claimed on February 9 – 19, 2015.

Spend your Chinese new year at Xin Tian Di, Crowne Plaza.  Share this intimate celebration with your loved ones. The Chinese New Year Set Menu is available at Php 18,000.00++ per table of 10 persons. Call  633-7222 or email fandb.reservations@ihg.com for your reservation and inquiries.