Tag: Christmas season

Celebrate Christmas by praising and honoring Lord Jesus

Celebrate Christmas by praising and honoring Lord Jesus

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Merry Christmas to all of you reading this! Wherever you are or whatever you are doing right now, I encourage you to look beyond the worldly view of the season and celebrate Christmas by praising and honoring Lord Jesus. It is Lord Jesus who is our Savior and He is truly the hope of all nations!

Over the past few years, I wrote that Christmas is truly all about Lord Jesus and we should be rejoicing with Him every Christmas. Every time the season happens during the final month of the year, a ton of distractions happen around us such as the endless stream of disorienting news, toxic social media updates, shopping promos, social engagements, rushing to appointments and more. When you are not careful, these distractions could pull you away from Lord Jesus and you would end up having a hollow Christmas. Obviously, we the faithful children of God don’t want to be separated from Him.

That being said, we all should view Christmas through Lord Jesus as God the Heavenly Father sent Him to us to save us from darkness and to fulill the plan He made for us all. It is only right for us to honor Lord Jesus eternally. Learn from the scriptures below…

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

John 3:16 (AMPC)

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (AMPC)

Therefore, the honor that belongs to the Father he will now share with his Son. So if you refuse to honor the Son, you are refusing to honor the Father who sent him.

John 5:23 (TPT)

But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect. Maintain a clean conscience, so that those who slander you for living a pure life in Christ will have to lie about you and will be ashamed because of their slander. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is in God’s plan, than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:15-17 (TPT)

Christmas is about who we are celebrating – Lord Jesus Himself – and His birth remains very significant. A lot of people who have not submitted to Him celebrate Christmas by focusing more on the seasonal elements (examples: the partying, enjoying gifts received, and others) without even acknowledging His birth and holiness. The birth of Lord Jesus should be honored with all our hearts and with unwavering faith in the Word of God. Learn from the scripture below…

And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused (married) wife, who was about to become a mother.

And while they were there, the time came for her delivery,

And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7 (AMPC)

As mentioned earlier, Jesus is the hope of all nations. God sent Him here on Earth (Israel where the Holy Land is) thousands of years ago to walk among the people, preach the good news, preach the heavenly truth and fulfill the plans that the Heavenly Father made for humanity. Learn from the scriptures below…

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NKJV)

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.”

So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.

    He is my Beloved, who pleases me.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

He will not fight or shout

    or raise his voice in public.

He will not crush the weakest reed

    or put out a flickering candle.

    Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

And his name will be the hope

    of all the world.”

Matthew 12:9-21 (NLT)

My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

1 John 5:13-15 (MSG)

For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving. We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!

Ephesians 2:8-10 (TPT)

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

John 4:13-14 (MSG)

As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

Hebrews 12:1-2 (TPT)

With the above scriptures, it is clear that Jesus deserves all of our praise whenever we celebrate Christmas. Those who are not fully aware of Him and His Word tend to idolize (which is foolish and unholy) people, objects, money, religion, the pawns of evil  and other elements that are not worthy. Being worldly is unholy and this truth should remind you all that as children of God, we have the responsibilities to worship and honor His Son Jesus. Why? Because without Lord Jesus (our Savior and hope), we cannot reach the Heavenly Father. Learn from the scriptures below…

For God is one, and there is one Mediator between God and the sons of men—the true man, Jesus, the Anointed One.

1 Timothy 2:5 (TPT)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (NLT)

As Christmas is all about Lord Jesus, we the faithful children of God also have the responsibility to look forward with Him, follow His teachings and anticipate His return from Heaven. That being said, we must always honor the Resurrection of Lord Jesus (His victory over death) as much as we honor Him on His birth. The Lord will bless and reward the faithful, and He always keeps His promises. Learn from the scripture below…

Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all).

Revelation 22:12-13 (AMPC)

From this point on, I would like to reach out to all the lost and the unsaved people reading this. You can save yourselves by submitting  to Lord Jesus willingly and realize He is the Light! Glorify only the Lord!

There is no force and no coercion here. You have time and freedom to decide to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. For those who have decided to get born again now and gain salvation, please read the instructions and follow the prayer that I learned from my first pastor.

Are you ready? Firstly, open your heart to the Lord and pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart:

Father God,

I thank You. I believe Jesus is Your Son. I believe that He died for me and redeemed me from all of my sins. He took my sins and, Father, thank You for loving me and You demonstrated Your love for me through Your Son Jesus Christ. Forgive me for all of my sins. Jesus, I open my heart to You. I welcome You to enter into my heart. I confess today that You are now my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiveness. I receive forgiveness. Thank You for Your blood that cleansed me from all of my sins. I will follow You, Jesus. Thank You for Your plan. I receive the Holy Spirit. And Holy Spirit, help me to follow the will of God in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Congratulations! You are now a child of God! You have received Holy Spirit in your heart! This is easily your greatest decision ever made and also the greatest miracle of your life. Always praise, thank and honor the Lord. No more darkness in your life caused by politics, radicalism, toxicity, rebellion, religion, unbelief, evil, idolatry, traditions and rituals! Leave behind the darkness of your life and don’t look back to it. Remember that idolatry is evil, Purgatory is a lie, penance is a deception and Satan always used religion, lies and unbelief to prevent people from being saved by the Lord.

With Lord Jesus, you are already moving forward and the best is yet to come! You also have a personal relationship with God, a relationship that is strictly off-limits to others (even to your household members or biological family members).

With your new life realized, make an effort to get yourself copy of the Holy Bible (start with New King James Version), study it and apply its lessons into your life no matter what situation you are in right now. I also recommend you to join a local Christian church that God has chosen for you (note: ask Him for a local church!) and find your place in the spiritual family (God’s family!).  Be planted when the Lord shows you the way! Worship the Lord together with them and always remember that faith, not religion, is essential in your personal relationship with God.

When you are at home, be in your room with the door shut and have fellowship with our Heavenly Father. On a personal level, practice Christian Habits in reference to what I published here and here. Remember the truth that God rewards the faithful abundantly  and continue to be people of the Word. Declare your love for Him as well!

The Holy Bible is the ultimate authority and nothing else comes close to it for it is the Word of God. Remember always that Lord Jesus did not die on the cross to start religion at all. He died to redeem us all and showed that we must be led by faith in Him, faith in the Holy Spirit and faith in God the Heavenly Father. He rose from the dead and made His earthly presence felt once more to those who believed in Him. Lord Jesus ascended to Heaven and He promised to return in the future. His return is what we must always remember and keep living with holiness under the watch of God.

We can do our part in building up God’s kingdom here on Earth by preaching His Word, blessing the Jewish people and saving the countless lost and unsaved souls around us by leading them to Lord Jesus. Living as a Christian is always about the personal relationship with the Lord, and it is certainly not about religion. Never let the idolaters, the idol makers and other sinister forces fool you into becoming unholy.

Once again, Merry Christmas to all of you and always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! 

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved and the lost souls out there.

If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Las Piñas City Government fully supports parol makers

Las Piñas City Government fully supports parol makers

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Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a group composed of makers of the parol (traditional Filipino Christmas lanterns) received full support from the City Government, according to a social media post of the local government’s Facebook page dated December 13, 2023.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt the City Government’s Facebook post. Some parts in boldface…

The Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Piñas, a group of traditional Filipino Christmas lantern makers, was warmly received by City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar in City Hall on Tuesday, December 12th. This meeting underscored Las Piñas City’s reputation as the Parol Capital of Metro Manila, celebrating the city’s deep-rooted tradition in crafting these iconic symbols of Filipino Christmas.

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar with the parol makers group at City Hall. (photo source – Las Piñas City PIO)

In a table discussion, Mayor Imelda Aguilar expressed her profound appreciation for the parol makers’ dedication to their craft and assured their group of the city government’s full support. This promise marks a crucial step in safeguarding the art of parol making and promoting its continued relevance in the city’s cultural landscape. The parol makers, in response, extended their heartfelt thanks to Mayor Aguilar, appreciating the recognition and support for their craft, which is integral to the city’s identity and festive celebrations.

This meeting between the city officials and the parol makers reaffirms Las Piñas City’s commitment to its cultural roots and its preservation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you see the parol as the most important Christmas decoration ever? How many parols does your household have now? How much money did you spend on each parol you bought? Is ever parol in your household made in Las Piñas?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Christmas tree at Las Piñas City Hall lighted

Christmas tree at Las Piñas City Hall lighted

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Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government officially lighted the Christmas tree at City Hall which was attended by several people, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. The event marked the launch of their special program titled “Love Las Piñas Christmas.”

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the Philippine News Agency. Some parts in boldface…

The festive spirit of the holiday season shone brightly in Las Piñas City as the local government, led by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar, held its much-anticipated tree lighting ceremony, and the launch of “Love Las Piñas Christmas.”

The event, held on Thursday night at the City Hall Quadrangle, marked a significant moment for the city, symbolizing not only the joy of the season but also the unity and resilience of the Las Piñas community.

City Government officials led by Mayor Imelda Aguilar (front row) and many others posed with the Christmas tree and decorations at City Hall (in the background). (photo source – Las Piñas PIO)

The ceremony was attended by several city hall officials, alongside a large gathering of residents, all eager to partake in the festive cheer.

The mayor, in her address, emphasized the importance of unity and community spirit, especially during the festive season despite the recent pandemic.

The ceremony featured a spectacle of lights and music, beginning with a chorale performance from the students of the Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas and a duet performance from Las Piñas City’s Monterozo twins that showcased local talent, adding to the evening’s entertainment and festive atmosphere.

The Christmas tree at City Hall. (photo source – Las Piñas PIO)

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Were you able to visit City Hall at night and see the Christmas tree and decorations around? Do you think Christmas in the city will be happier than last year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Giant Christmas tree at Muntinlupa City Hall lighted

Giant Christmas tree at Muntinlupa City Hall lighted

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Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the lights of the huge Christmas tree located at the quadrangle of City Hall were formally switched on by sevel local officials including the Mayor, the Congressional Representative, the Vice Mayor, members of the City Council and others, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The lighting ceremony reminded locals that the Christmas season has indeed arrived in the city. 

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

It’s officially Christmas season in Muntinlupa.

The Muntinlupa City government ushered in the Yuletide season by holding the giant Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 17 at the Muntinlupa City hall quadrangle.

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Rep. Jaime Fresnedi, Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, councilors and city officials led the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.  Biazon was joined by his wife, Trina, and their children at the ceremony.

The Mayor, Vice Mayor, Congressman and other officials present during the lighting ceremony of the giant Christmas tree at the quadrangle of City Hall. (photo source – Muntinlupa PIO)

According to the Muntinlupa Public Information Office (PIO), the giant Christmas tree is 34-foot tall plus the three-foot lantern topper for a total height of 37 feet.

The Christmas tree is adorned with 500 strings of pixel lights, 500 fairy lights, 200 globe bulbs,  50 strobe lights and 40 dozens of ornaments. 

This is what the giant Christmas tree looks like during the day.

Simula na ito ng Paskong Nakakaproud sa Muntinlupa! We dedicate this celebration bilang pasasalamat sa lahat ng biyaya na natatanggap natin at sa buhay natin sa kasalukuyan (This is the start of Paskong Nakakaproud in Muntinlupa! We dedicate this celebration as thanks for all the blessings that we receive and our lives),” said Biaozn

Visitors can watch the Christmas Lights Show at the Muntinlupa City Hall starting Monday, Nov. 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa, were you able to see the giant Christmas tree at City Hall during your last visit there? If you have seen the Christmas tree in front of City Hall lighted during the evening, does it look impressive? 

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Visit Mardi Gras Bazaar (2023) at Madison Galeries now!

Visit Mardi Gras Bazaar (2023) at Madison Galeries now!

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NOTE: Shortly after the launch of Mardi Gras Bazaar, Madison Galeries renamed it into Mardi Gras Warehouse Sale which had its last sale on December 2 and 3, 2023. The previous announced schedule of Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023, no longer matters.

It has finally happened and already a lot of people have joined in for their shopping needs or purposes. I’m talking about the latest Mardi Gras Bazaar which officially started this morning at the 3rd floor of Madison Galeries along Don Jesus Boulevard, Alabang Hills, Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, and I personally visited and bought some nice things with the Christmas season in mind.

Mardi Gras Bazaar this year is happening at the 3rd floor of Madison Galeries. If you go further in, there is a lot of space inside with all the products for sale.

Also taking place right now is the Christmas Sale of Oriental Merchants at the 4th floor of the same mall.

For the newcomers reading this, the Mardi Gras Bazaar this year will last until December 31, 2023 with a schedule of 10AM to 8:30 PM. In my personal experience, this is my 2nd time to attend the bazaar at Madison Galeries and it also marked the first time in four years since I last attended it (read my 2019 Mardi Gras Bazaar experience by clicking here).

More on the ongoing Mardi Gras Bazaar, check out the pictures I posted below and may these be a reference for you all…

A wide shot of the venue of the bazaar. There is a lot more products not seen in this image.
Looking for a new bicycle? Mardi Gras Bazaar has it!
The return of Mardi Gras Bazaar is indeed special. So many products with attractive prices around.
In the background are the counters where shoppers lineup with their selected products. Payments by cash, GCash (e-wallet) and credit cards are accepted.
In my experience, the process has been orderly.

For those of you who need directions to get to Madison Galeries for the bazaar, posted below is a screenshot from the social media post of the mall…

A useful reference for you all.

As we now live in the post-pandemic age, the newest Mardi Gras Bazaar is an important event not simply because it offers shoppers opportunities to acquire good items at discounted rates but also because it contributes to the normalization of life after the depression of COVID-19.

That being said, I encourage you my readers to take the opportunity to come to Madison Galeries and join the Mardi Gras Bazaar while there is still time. I encourage you also tell your neighbors and friends in our communities about it.

For your reference, this was at the ground floor of Madison Galeries along Don Jesus Boulevard.

For more information about Mardi Gras Bazaar (2023) and other activities at Madison Galeries, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MadisonGaleries

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village set for December 1-3, 2023

Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village set for December 1-3, 2023

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Calling all the shoppers and gift item searchers among you. The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) will once again be having the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar from December 1 to 3, 2023 at their park in the Phase 2 area. The said bazaar will take place from 9AM to 9PM each day.

This year’s Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar already publicized within Alabang Hills Village.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Once again drawing on the theme of Tchaikovsky’s world-famous Christmas ballet, “The Nutcracker”, this year’s bazaar promises to be even bigger and better!

When: December 1 to 3 (Friday to Sunday), 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Where: AHV Phase 2 Park

Come to the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar and enjoy —

•Christmas Tree & Bazaar Lighting Ceremony on December 2 at 6:00 PM

•Uncle Drosselmeyer’s Enchanted Market (the bazaar)

•The Kingdom of Sweets and Savories (the food pavilion), and

•Harlequin Theatre (the stage and performance area).

The bazaar’s fun highlights will include Bingo & Raffle in the afternoons, Dance, Food, Magic, Music, and more!

Entrance to the bazaar is free! Invite your friends and relatives and together let’s make this a fun and memorable community celebration this Christmas.

A portion of the proceeds from the bazaar will go to the beneficiary of the AHV Christmas Outreach Program.

To know more about Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar, call the AHVA landline at (02) 8850-8254.

For the newcomers reading this, there was a Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar in Alabang Hills Village that happened in December 2022. Watch the video below and observe…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, would you consider visiting the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar for your search for items to give?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Madison Galeries’ Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023

Madison Galeries’ Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023

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NOTE: Shortly after the launch of Mardi Gras Bazaar, Madison Galeries renamed it into Mardi Gras Warehouse Sale which had its last sale on December 2 and 3, 2023. The previous announced schedule of Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023, no longer matters.

Madison Galeries, the nice open-air shopping mall located along Don Jesus Boulevard in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, recently announced the return of their popular Mardi Gras Bazaar which is all set to take place from November 18 up to December 31, 2023 at the 3rd floor.

The official image and details that Madison Galeries posted through social media.

For the newcomers reading this, the Mardi Gras Bazaar is a well-known special event of Madison Galeries’ with an emphasis on shopping as well as a wide variety of products that buyers can choose from for gift-giving or for the use of their respective households. It should be noted that several products will be offered at discounted rates which should easily attract bargain hunters as well.

In 2019, I published two posts about the Mardi Gras Bazaar which you can read by clicking here and here. My post-event article has some pictures which should you give an idea of what to expect at the next edition of the Mardi Gras Bazaar.

For the 2023 edition of the Mardi Gras Bazaar at Madison Galeries, the announced schedule of November 18-December 31 is pretty extensive and it should give people a lot of time and opportunities to shop. The schedule of the bazaar for each day is 10AM to 8:30 PM.

What to expect at this year’s bazaar? Based on the official image from Madison Galeries, there will be clothing, toys, appliances, electronics, hardware and other items that can be ideal for gift-giving this Christmas season. As with the past editions of the Mardi Gras Bazaar, a discount of up to 80% will be applied on certain items for sale.

Still on Madison Galeries, it should be noted that The Madison Events Place Facebook page shared the 2023 Mardi Gras Bazaar post which suggests that the 3rd floor venue (The Madison Events Place itself) will be the place to go to. Going back to 2019, I personally attended the Mardi Gras Bazaar and the Village Food Fair 2 (click here) on separate occasions and both special events utilized The Madison Events Place as the main venue. The said venue is a really nice and spacious indoor facility that is also comfortable, secure and fully air-conditioned.

Personally, I am eager to attend this upcoming event. For those of you who have yet to visit Madison Galeries in Alabang, the mall has sufficient parking spaces (note: there are elevated indoor parking levels inside).

Watch out for Mardi Gras Bazaar at Madison Galeries on November 18 to December 31, 2023. Visit the mall along Don Jesus Boulevard in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City. The said boulevard is accessible through Alabang Hills Village (for those who have AHVA car stickers) and the West Service Road. Visit Madison Galeries’ official FB page at https://www.facebook.com/MadisonGaleries

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippines attracted 2.65 million international arrivals and over P200 billion in tourism revenues in 2022

Philippines attracted 2.65 million international arrivals and over P200 billion in tourism revenues in 2022

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With the year 2022 officially over, the Department of Tourism (DOT) officially confirmed that the Philippines attracted 2.65 million tourist arrivals (exceeding the target of 1.7 million) and over P200 billion in tourism revenues were generated for the year, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

The holidays delivered further gains for the Philippine tourism industry as it breached its 1.7-million target with 2.65 million international arrivals as of the end of 2022.

The arrivals translated to PHP208.96 billion or USD3.68 billion in tourism revenues, a whopping 2,465.75-percent increase from 2021, according to a news release on Monday.

Based on the monitoring of the Department of Tourism (DOT) from the time the country reopened its borders to all travelers in February until Dec. 31, 2022 arrivals peaked in December as more Filipinos and tourists alike opted to spend the Christmas and New Year vacations in the Philippines.

Of the total 2.65 million international arrivals last year, 628,445 were returning Filipinos while the bulk of 2.02 million tourists were from top markets United States (505,089), South Korea (428,014), Australia (137,974), Canada (121,413), the United Kingdom (101,034), Japan (99,557), Singapore (53,448), India (51,542), Malaysia (46,805) and China (39,627).

The year just ended likewise generated an estimated 5.23 million tourism-related jobs, 11,989 DOT-accredited tourism enterprises as of Dec. 29, 2022 and 25,770 tourism stakeholders who were trained.

DOT Secretary Christina Frasco was elated over the achievements of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., just six months into office.

She said the tourism sector’s growth clearly showed the hard work of the entire industry in order to recover from the unprecedented crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Moments of great difficulty are also moments of great opportunity. In the past, we have overcome a global pandemic and survived various calamities. The Philippine tourism industry has managed to exceed expectations and our tourism partners and frontliners continue to offer the best of Filipino grace and hospitality to the world,” Frasco said in a statement.

“We welcome 2023 with gratitude and excitement for Philippine tourism to bounce back stronger than ever. We shall welcome with warmth and that distinct Filipino smile visitors from all over the world as they visit our award-winning beaches, experience the richness of our culture, and enjoy our world-renowned Filipino brand of service excellence,” she added.

Frasco is hopeful that the DOT will surpass its targets anew in 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development about the Philippines tourism? If you are managing a business, did your business benefit somehow from the arrival of foreign tourists and/or Filipinos who arrived from overseas? Do you think the DOT will be able to achieve its targets for 2023?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Almost 30,000 arrived in the Philippines on Christmas Day

Almost 30,000 arrived in the Philippines on Christmas Day

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With several COVID-19 pandemic restrictions already lifted, Christmas season travel here in the Philippines really turned out heavy and this is a dramatic change compared to what happened in late-2020 and late-2021. On December 25, 2022, almost 30,000 people from overseas arrived here in the Philippines, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Over 29,000 travelers, including Filipino passengers, arrived in the country on Christmas Day to spend the holidays with their families, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday.

Dana Krizia Sandoval said the figure was much higher than in previous years when the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic was at its peak.

“The arrivals on December 25, were at 29,968 individuals…For departures, a total of 27,934 people on Christmas Day,” she said at the Laging Handa briefing.

“And this is significantly higher than the last two years. Because if you remember, the last two years the holiday seasons were a bit sad because almost no one traveled due to the travel restrictions imposed worldwide due to the pandemic. Now, we are seeing again, many countries are opening up again, including us here in the Philippines. So we can see enthusiasm and joy again in our airports,” she added.

Sandoval said they expect the number to increase for the remaining days of 2022.

“Well, our projection is all the way until New Year, our arrivals are quite high because our countrymen and their families are returning home to celebrate Christmas and New Year,” she said.

She noted that the number of departures are expected to rise in the early part of 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you think the increased number of arrivals from abroad will positively impact the nation’s tourism and economy? What particular businesses do you think will benefit the most from the high number of arrivals from overseas this Christmas season?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 6

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 6

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Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you watch the following videos below…

#1 Worship music videos of Shifting – New Life Music is an anointed music team of New Life Philippines. Through my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) series, I already reviewed their original worship songs Now I’m Alive, God of the Breakthrough, Touch From Heaven and The Coming King, and each of those songs have music videos on YouTube. There is another original worship song by New Life Music titled Shifting (composed by Nash Soliven, Camille Cuna, Daniel Grospe, Daryl Pinon, MJ Malubay) and there are these YouTube videos of it for your viewing and enlightenment.

#2 Christmas in Israel – Yes, it is true. The Christmas season is also present in Israel, the land that God designated for the Jewish people (refer to Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 35:10-12 in the Holy Bible). Posted below are recent videos about what the Christmas season in Haifa, Jerusalem and Nazareth look like, complete with exploration of varied places and scenes of people enjoying the season. No matter what your faith or culture is, Christmas is truly all about our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Rejoice with Lord Jesus every Christmas.

#3 The common links between Atari and Chuck E. Cheese

In my life, I never ever got to visit any branch of Chuck E. Cheese which is best known for serving meals to customers as well as providing in-door entertainment with arcade games, stage shows and more. As a kid, I got to play lots of video games in the comfort of our home with the Atari 2600 video game console. As a young adult, I learned that Chuck E. Cheese and Atari were historically linked with each other. If you are wondering how or why were they connected, you should watch the two videos below. Watch and pay close attention to the details.

#4 A look back at The Fly (1986)

In the history of cinema, The Fly movie franchise spawned a total of five films from 1958 to 1989. The most notable and most popular of those movies was the 1986 cinematic remake simply titled The Fly (directed by David Cronenberg and starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis). That being said, it is not surprising at all that YouTube has lots of retro movie reviews, movie trivia videos and movie reaction videos about it. Posted below are a mix of The Fly (1986) reaction videos, an explanatory retrospective video, a retro movie review and a trivia video.

#5 Videos and info about the upcoming Xbox-exclusive video game Forza Motorsport (2023)

The Xbox-exclusive simulation racing game Forza Motorsport (2023) is easily one my most anticipated video games of twenty twenty-three. I really am very eager to play the upcoming game (developed by Turn 10) on my Xbox Series X console and the last FM game I played was Forza Motorsport 6 on my Xbox One. Ever since the June 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, Team Xbox and Turn 10 only released a few videos of gameplay footage about Forza Motorsport (2023) and they have yet to release new pre-release videos or trailers about it. A lot has already been promised as to what the upcoming game will have (examples: overhauled physics, fully dynamic time of day system, track temperature changes, advanced car damage, tire and fuel management, multiple tire compounds, and real-time ray tracing). While a 2023 release has been confirmed, Team Xbox has yet to announce a final release date. Regardless, Forza Motorsport (2023) is the racing game to watch out for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP). XGP subscribers will only have to download the game on launch day and play it without paying anything extra. If you are an Xbox gamer who has not yet subscribed, I encourage you to do it.

#6 Worship music video of All

Here is another worship song from Planetshakers that you must listen to, especially when you want to reach out to our Lord…the song is titled All (part of Planetshakers’ 2020 worship songs album Glory Pt. 2). I previously reviewed and analyzed the song in my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) article back in April 2020 and I can say that All was written to lead people to Lord Jesus, God the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit by powerful faith. Posted below is the official music video of All for your viewing and your faith in Him. By the way, Planetshakers will have its faith conferences in Australia this coming January and you can learn how to join them by clicking here.

#7 Filipino stores in Israel

If you are a fellow Filipino who is already in Israel and also struggling to find Filipino-made products as well as other goods imported from Asia. You should watch the videos below. Pay close attention to the details.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco