Oink, oink! It's year of the Yin Fire Pig!

Kung hei fat choi!

The Chinese all over the world will be once again celebrating their colorful New Year festivity, hoping that the year of the pig will bring them endless harmony, more luck--and money.

Chinese months are ushered in by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. Traditionally, New Year festivities begin on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. As for how an animal like the pig came into play, legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality traits.

Those born in the Year of the Pig are believed to have excellent manners, make and keep friends, work very hard, and appreciate luxury. They are very loving and make loyal partners. Sounds like someone you want to paint the town red with, right? If your friend or partner is a pig person, or if you’re simply feeling festive and want to be in solidarity with our Tsinoy countrymen and women, check-out some places where celebrations abound this Chinese New Year.

Source: http://www.clickthecity.com/metro/?p=1511

Crazy for chocolates this Valentine's?

It's exactly seven days before Valentine's Day. In this month of heart, the god of love will be sending forth his battalion of cherubs and once again, the town will be painted in red. Don't you wish to be hit by a cupid's arrow? Oh, love is in the air. However, I will not speak of love in all its splendor.

Let's go straight to business. I mean, chocolate cake business.

My friend's sister and her amigas come out with a simple business venture this Valentine's season. We know that aside from the demand for roses, chocolates is the next all-time favorite gift. But they won't be reselling chocolate bars; instead, they will home-bake chocolate cakes, only with a twist. For only P135, you get to choose from seven varieties: rocky road, vanilla brownies, mocha brownies, german choco, choco mint, orange creme and mini choco cupcake. It comes in square shape (12"x12") which you can have it sliced into 12 pieces (except for the cupcake). You can also request for customization.

But here's the catch: A postman will deliver the cake straight to the recepient for FREE! Isn't that sweeeeet? It's perfect for busy people who want to surprise their loved ones despite time constraints come Valentine's day.

But if your budget is limited, you may place an order for a three-piece chocolate rose which only costs P75 . This awesome edible gift can be your simple way of saying 'I love you' without worrying about spending some pennies. Compared to real roses (and with proper storage), the chocolate may last for a couple of months--including the memories.

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Wishing everyone a wonderful Valentine's season.

Snowfall in the Philippines?

Forgive my illusion that winter is coming to the Philippines. Or that Christmas breeze is a month delayed. But with frosty weather that we nowadays experience soon after the sun would bid good night (in irony of the torrid daytime condition), who will not think that snowfall is far from impossible?

Yeah. I know it's impossible.

You know, only in "ber" months that the country's weather would normally go cold. But it's February and summer is supposedly greeting us. Not unless you live in the City of Pines (Baguio City) or Tagaytay, then cool climate is an all-year round grace. And besides, we have only two seasons. We expect nothing more than rain or shine.

Is this a reverse of cycle in the state of atmosphere? Or a phenomenon of sudden and inevitable weather change? One news informed that this is caused by the melting of ice in Siberia. Another hearsay told North pole snow thaws. To whether they are true or not, I could not be certain. However, it is said that this chilling effect will last only until March.

Oh, by the way, I gotta slip on my thick-layered coat before darkness fall. It'll be an open refrigerator out there!