It was a week of thanksgiving and appreciation for all the wonderful blessings and adventures we have been through this year. On Thanksgiving Day, we enjoyed a special lunch at the Viking Range Showroom in Westgate Commercial Center in Alabang.

Viking Range celebrated its partnership with the recently held Red Charity Gala fundraising event with a cooking demo and fun lunch by international chef Karla Mendoza. At the gala, Viking Range auctioned off a 36-inch Dual Fuel Range. All proceeds went to the Philippine Red Cross and Assumption HS 1981 Foundation.

Culinary gem

For the Thanksgiving follow-up event, Chef Karla handled the Viking Range with the same aplomb she learned from working with celebrity chef Mario Batali for 12 years. Her experience started with the first Mozza of Mario Batali in Los Angeles, and later Mozza in Singapore.

We are blessed to have this culinary gem back home for good in our city. By next year, she plans to finally open her own restaurant.

Viking Range was founded in Mississippi, US, and has been a globally trusted and award-winning kitchen appliance brand for decades. Known for its professional performance for the home, its cutting-edge kitchen appliances have been the outstanding choice in creating chic, efficient and durable home kitchens. In the Philippines, the brand is distributed by Middleby Worldwide Philippines.

Coordinated with Viking Range PR Tedrick Yau, the celebration lunch was attended by Red Charity Gala co-chair Kaye Tiñga, as well as a number of foodie friends. Vic Ochoa and Jody de Ocampo, heads of Middleby Worldwide Philippines, both welcomed guests and personally extended their gratitude for the partnership with Red. The Viking Range Showroom became the venue for Chef Karla’s cooking demonstration.

Using both the induction cooktop and the gas range with griddle in the showroom’s working kitchen, Chef Karla worked her magic. Chilled inside the wine cellar were wines from Bacchus Epicerie. The delicious wines paired nicely with the scrumptious dishes. Real Food was part of the affair and provided organic food giveaways to all the guests.

The Viking Range showroom is at Unit 205, Westgate Commercial Center, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, with contact numbers 8281363 and 09956688128.

Visit VikingRange.com.ph for more details.

New Buddy’s branch

More on food, Buddy’s Pancit Lucban recently opened another branch at Venice Grand Canal McKinley Hill Mall in Taguig City. The dynamic couple Zaldy and Nova Veluz celebrated the opening with a most festive party, complete with marching band.

This year, I am also very thankful for my relatively good health and active lifestyle. In between all my multiple fitness programs, I am glad I am able to squeeze in a yoga class or two. Kundalini Yoga instructor and healer Rosan Cruz recently opened Yoga+Express Legazpi.

Together with other partners, Rosan opened the new yoga studio right in the heart of Makati CBD in Legazpi Village. The studio caters to those who lead busy lives and want to move their body, de-stress and find inner peace. The yoga classes are only 60 minutes long.

There are 31 classes to choose from, starting at 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. The yoga packages are much more affordable. Yoga+Express Legazpi has two yoga studios, spacious shower rooms, top-of-the-line manduka mats, lockers and a snack bar.

The Yoga+Express Legazpi studio is at 6/F, Jose Cojuangco Bldg., 119 Dela Rosa St. corner Castro St. Check them out, text or call 09177109642.

Christmas at Rustan’s

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can go full throttle on my Christmas merriment and holiday preparations. There is no holiday met with more joy than Christmas, especially in the Philippines, where the season officially starts months before the actual day.

This 2016 is no different, and Rustan’s gives you more reasons to get excited with its wide array of luxury gifts and goodies. Avoid the Christmas rush and shop to your heart’s content at this premier shopping destination.

Rustan’s welcomed the Yuletide season with a grand unveiling of its iconic windows along Ayala Avenue, featuring a display of majestic and fanciful Christmas decor interspersed with fashion. It was a first for Rustan’s to do a grand reveal of its windows, making its annual Christmas affair even more meaningful this 2016.

Reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil, the windows capture enchanting, whimsical scenes enhanced with festive holiday colors of red, green and blue, and matched with the sparkle of gold and silver.

The celebration was led by Tantoco family members, including CEO Zenaida Tantoco, president Donnie Tantoco, SSI Group president Anton Huang, VP for Merchandising Home Division Marilen Tantoco, member of the board Maritess Tantoco Enriquez, marketing communications head Dina Tantoco, VP for store planning and expansion Michael Huang, senior buyer for Men’s Division Paolo Lobregat and administration manager Paolo Tantoco.

Accessories maven

Helping me with my Christmas décor this year is events stylist and accessories maven Jun Jun Ablaza. We will surely have loads of fun working on my Disney Christmas theme.

Recently, Jun Jun held his annual Ablazablaze exhibit and birthday celebration at the family’s beautiful summer palace, Amelia, in Alfonso, Cavite. He collaborated with notable designers Steve de Leon and Michelle Sison, together with fashion stylist Roko Arceo, to revamp and reconstruct casual street denim into artistic ensembles that reflected his penchant for the extraordinary and whimsical, as well as his artistic explorations across the globe.

The fashion show had four segments focusing on the Asian, American, African and European continents. Jun Jun’s sheer talent and fascination for all things that can capture and stir the imagination, as well as his collected mementos from his travels all over, were all transformed into one fashionable soiree. The event was truly an escape from convention, and a journey into his world of wonders.

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