Kapuso Actor Benjamin Alves Lights-Up Christmas Tree at the Tutuban Center Mall

Tutuban Center, Manila – Philippines

Kapuso actor – Mr. Benjamin Alves together with Tutuban Center Mall management lights-up Christmas tree to mark the start of the Yuletide season .

Mr. Benjamin Alves together with Papa Dan

Papa Dan is the program emcee and  91.7 Barangay LS RADIO host . He introduced Mr. Benjamin Alves to the crowd which are present at the event.

Gat Andres Bonifacio monument

” Tutuban Center is well known by locals and tourists alike as shopping mecca, It is also a great historical significance of Andres Bonifacio ” says Ms. Sylvia Tecson ( VP for Leasing and Marketing of Tutuban Properties )

Traditional wreath laying activity was initiated by National Historical Commission of the Philippines , Office of the President , Manila Cityhall and the Tutuban Center Mall management .

35 feet tall Christmas tree was decorated with blue and red parols and pepsi gift boxes

Program

There was a sing and dance contest, parol making contest , Christmas store display contest . The Christmas lantern contest was participated by different schools in Manila . There were 28 entries in which the top 3 winners all came from Tondo High School . Aside from the bragging rights, each of the top 10 finalists were given some cash and token prizes .

 Choral Singing Contest Winners

3rd Place – Universidad de Manila

Universidad de Manila is a city college with over 10,000 students enrollment  . It used to be called City College of Manila . The choral group garnered a score of 83.6% and Php 10,000 cash plus trophy

2nd Place- Polytechnic University of the Philippines ( College of Education )

The choral group got a total score of 84.4% and bagged home Php 20,000 cash plus trophy

First Place- Pamantasan  Lunsod ng Maynila

PLM choir got 94.2% score and was the runaway winner . The group won Php 30,000 cash and trophy

Christmas Store Display Winners

 Otto Shoes – FIRST Place

The grand prize winner of the Christmas Store display was Oto Shoes . The store also bagged Php 30,000 cash and a certificate from Tutuban Center Mall . The third place winner is National Bookstore and second place winner is Chikatz Salon

Night Market

Aside from the usual 10am to 8pm store hours. There is an ongoing night market from 7PM to 12mn  where hundreds of stall owners are selling different kinds of cheap products from toys, keychains, t-shirts, mugs , fruits and many more.

cheap toys

This store offers a lot of cheap toys which is just priced at Php 10 each .

Christmas Wonderland

The Christmas Wonderland opened its doors to the public last November 8  and will run until January 7, 2015.  There are about a dozen rides from carousel, kiddie kalesa, roaller coaster, caterpilar, vikings , bumper cars , ferris wheel among others.

OPERATING HOURS:
4PM-12MN DAILY
DECEMBER 25 & JANUARY 1 – 10AM-12MN

Note: There is a minimal entrance fee and you can buy tickets at SM tickets.com to avoid the long lines

Website: https://www.smtickets.com/event/details?event_id=2827

I would like to ” Thank” Mr. Richard Mamuyac , Ms. Sara, Mr. Jerome Samson and AMPR Publicity and Communications, Inc. for the invitation extended.

Advertisement

Tutuban Center hold their 3-day SALE until November 30

The Tutuban Center BONIDay sale, happening on November 28, 29, 30, promises a wide range of items for Filipino families at affordable prices, just in time for the holiday shopping rush.

“Tutuban Center is not just one of the most famous shopping destinations in the Philippines; it is also located at the birthplace of gat Andres Bonifacio,” remarked Sylvia Tecson, VP for Leasing and Marketing of Tutuban Properties, Inc. “This is something that we have long been proud of, so once again, we want to pay tribute to Gat Bonifacio through this special event.”

Aside from the sale, shoppers are also entitled to join a special raffle promo. With a single-receipt minimum purchase worth P500 from any store within Tutuban Center, shoppers are entitled to join more than once and simply need to present their official receipt at the designated booth at the Bonifacio Plaza, which is open from 9:00am to 7:00pm.

Raffle prizes at stake include Robinsons gift certificates, IMARFLEX microwave oven, DOWELL washing machine, and a TOSHIBA LED TV.

Mechanics

“This is also our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our loyal patrons for their continued support. This is our early Christmas gift to them,” Tecson added.

Pope Francis Stamp Design Contest Winners awarded by Philippine Postal Corporation

Muralla Room , Bayview Hotel, Intramuros, Manila -Philippines

L-R Mr. Mark Leo Maac , Mr. Don Bryan Micheal Bunag , Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz, Mr. Enrique Tagle , Mr. Dave Arjay Tan and Mr. Salvador Bañares Jr.

The Philippine Postal Corporation offers an exciting line-up scheduled to be released on 2015 for worldwide stamp collectors, memorabilia hunters and omnibous collectors .

For 2014 , some of the popular stamp issuance are Iglesia ni Cristo  100th anniversary , Pope John Paul canonization stamps , President Corazon Aquino paintings on scented papers and Miss World 2013 Megan Young stamps.

stamp design contest winners and their immediate family members

Mr. Don Bryan Micheal Bunag explaining his artwork design to a reporter of TV channel 5

Don Bryan Micheal Bunag hails from the old capital town of Bulakan, Bulacan  province . He is studying at the Bulacan State University . His art work  depicts Cardinal Tagle bowing down and Pope Francis . It appears that the Pope is listening to the problems and consoling manner.

Mr. Salvador Bañares Jr. received cash prize from Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz

The highlight of the 2015 Philippine stamp calendar issuance are the several new technologies that PHLPOST will be using starting with the issuance of Pope Francis Visit stamps to be printed in 3D Embossing and Hot Foil Stamping Coinage Stamps. For people who are not familiar with these stamp issuance , They are already several issuance in other Asian countries like in Thailand or Malaysia .

Mr. Dave Arjay Tan is from Valenzuela City

Mr. Mack Leo Maac from Meycauayan , Bulacan also from Bulacan State University

Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz and Mr. Enrique Tagle unveils a new  stamp bulletin / magazine called SELYO

Selyo magazine will be a quarterly publication of PHLPOST which can be useful for stamp collectors,  memorabilia collectors and students.  This magazine is a reminiscence of Philippine Philatelic Journal published in the mid-1960’s to the early 1980’s . It keeps stamp collectors updated with the recent issues, stories about stamps and collectors .

Phlpost also made a public unveiling ceremony of the 2014 Philippine Christmas stamps . The stamps are already available at the main post office starting last November 10, 2014 . I already bought several sheets of the Christmas 2014 stamps and  send some to my swap-mates from all over the world .

Note: I would like to ” Thank” Ms. Marla Buhain Espiritu , Mr. Enrique Tagle and Mr. Marc Laurente for the invitation extended .

Here are some of the stamps issuance slated for 2015:

January

National Artist for Theater ( Centennial- January 3, 2015)

Valentines 2015- Forever in Love ( January 14, 2015)-* Valentines stamps are normally issued a month before the actual celebration – This is to give letter and stamp collectors enough time to mail the stamps

Pope Francis Visit to the Philippines ( January 15, 2015)

Philippine Iran Diplomatic Relations -50th anniversary ( January 22, 2015)

Philippines-Israel -Joint Commemorative Issue ( January 27, 2015 )

February

University of the Philippines – 100 Years of College of Dentistry ( February 2015)

Liceo de Cagayan University -60th anniversary diamond jubilee

Salud Tesoro ( Birth Centenary ) -February 6,2015

Philippine Economic Zone Authority 20th anniversary ( Metallic Printing )

Lamberto Abellana – National Artists for Theater and Film (Birth Centenary) -February 12, 2015)

PhilHealth 20th anniversary -February 14, 2015

March

Philippine Topical Stamp-Issue ” Philippine Popular Fruits”

First Quarter -Topical Issue-Insects featuring Tutubi ( Dragonflies) March 23,2015

April

450th Anniversary of the finding of the image of Santo Nino de Cebu

April 28,2015 -Commemorative Issue ( Tactile Velvet Finish )

May

National Heritage Month

Philippine Hibiscus ( Gumamela) Celebrities and Famous Personalities named after Hibiscus hybrids bred by plant breeders from University of the Philippines, Los Banos- Laguna

Emilio ” ABE” Aguilar – ( Birth Centenary)- May 22, 2015

June

Ateneo de Naga University -75th anniversary ( June 4, 2015 )

Second Quarter  Topical Issue -Sarangola /  Philippine Kites   ( June 24, 2015)

August

President Corazon Aquino Paintings ( Series 2) August 1, 2015

* Due to the overwhelming public response , Phlpost will be issuing a second series will be printed ( These will be from a different set of paintings )

ASEAN Community 2015 -August 8, 2015

September

N.V.M Gonzales – National Artist for Literature ( Birth Centenary)- September 8, 2015

Philippines-Poland ( 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations) -September 22, 2015

THIRD QUARTER- Topical Issue

Featuring- Jellyfishes ( September 22, 2015 ) Special Issue –Thermochromic Ink Printing

*There is a color change when the paper is expose to different temperature

San Miguel Corporation 125th anniversary -September 28, 2015

October

Manuel Conde National Artist for Cinema ( Birth Centenary ) October 15, 2015

November  and December

National Stamp Collecting Month ( November 2015)

Peel-Off Sticker Stamp -featuring stamp collecting process ( November 10, 2015 )* This is a worldwide trend that stamps are like stickers which can be easily peeled-off.

FOURTH Quarter Topical Stamp Issue- Philippine Wildlife -( November  11, 2015 )

Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2015

November 2015 -Special Issuance

* Note- Stamp collectors from the APEC member countries will be looking forward to this special stamp issuance to commemorate the Philippines Second -time hosting of the APEC – The last one was held in 1996 Subic Bay during the incumbency of then President Fidel V. Ramos

Pasko 2015 -Christmas 2015-Bridges Foundation Artwork -November 2015  ( Special Issue)

2016 Year of the Monkey -December 1, 2015 ( Special Issue)

Other Upcoming Issuance for 2015

* San Pablo City -75th Anniversary

* Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo -150th anniversary

* Romblon State University -100years

* 2015 Visit Philippines Stamp -in cooperation with the Department of Tourism

Philippine Festival Mask on Stamps Launching in Angono, Rizal

SM ANGONO, Rizal province-Philippines

Philippine Postal Corporation in partnership with SM Angono, Angono government officials, Mr. Nemesio ” NEMI” Miranda , the Angono artists circle and local PNP officials .  Special guests also includes Mr. Theo Arnold of JAV Talent Unlimited Foundation and  Ms. Elizabeth Victoria of Bravo Filipino magazine were also present.

The event was hosted by Ms. Carina Jardin – She is also an artist and collects postcards and stamps .  The public were personally “welcomed ” by Mr. Benny Granados -Assistant Administration Manager of SM Angono and special guest of honor was   Honorable Gerardo V. Calderon ( Mayor of Angono )  and  program host of Lakbayin ang Magandang Pilipinas every Saturday from 8:00am to 9:00am at PTV channel 4 (  government station ) .

Assistant Post Master General for Marketing – Mr. Luis Carlos of Philippine Postal Corporation represented Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz during the stamp unveiling ceremony

Featured in the Philippine Festival Masks are the Moriones Festival in Marinduque; Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal; Tacloban’s Pintados Festival and Bacolod ‘s Masskara Festival

The Moriones stamps, designed by PhlPost in-house layout artist Mr. Jose Antonio Jayme, feature a mask of a biblical Roman soldier as interpreted by local folks.

ceremonial signing of autographs on the first day covers

A ceremonial autograph signing was held and a framed stamps and first day cover set were given to the special guests of honor.

 higante face was featured on the festival mask

The body of the traditional higante (giant) made of bamboo, colorful clothes and a face made of paper mache is depicted in the Higantes stamps designed by Mr. Nemesio Miranda. The Pintados stamps were designed by well-known photographer Mr. Donald Tapan.

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Ms. Coline Grande and Mr. BJ ” Tolits ” Forbes

We met Mr. BJ ” Tolits’ Forbes at the stamp launching , His career started  in 2005  when he joined a contest  of a popular noontime show EAT Bulaga’s ( That’s My Boy) and his big break came from TIDE . He hails from the nearby town of Morong and is also a self-respected artist .

Masskara festival souvenir stamp

PhlPost printed about 5,000 copies of the special limited edition of the colorful Masskara souvenir sheet stamps designed by Mr. Antonio Carranza Jr. It will be sold at P100 each. The masskara stamp had special glitter and had special embossing as special feature.

About 120,000 copies of the three other festival stamps were printed and will be sold at P10 each. According to APMG for marketing Mr. Luis Carlos , These festival masks on stamp issuance will be available at the Angono Post Office and other major post offices nationwide.

Technical Description of the Stamps

10p x 3, Se-tenant Strips of 3, MS12;  100p Souvenir Sheet

Shopping and Cheap Bargains at Tutuban Center

Shopping and Bargain is on everyone’s list when you hear of Tutuban and Divisoria in Manila. It is where you can buy the cheapest and unique shopping in this side of Metro Manila.

As early as September , the shopping and entertainment destination right in the heart of the City of Manila is offering the widest variety, quality holiday items and yet affordable.

If you are planning to design your home with festive decors, check out the wonderful Yuletide garlands, colorful lights and all types of Christmas tree trimmings available at Tutuban Center. From the simplest Christmas balls to the biggest parol, you are sure to find the best holiday ornaments that you need.

Christmas gift shopping for family, friends and colleagues is fun and easy with Tutuban Center’s complete offerings – from jewelry, designer shirts, fashion finds, fragrances, shoes, novelty items, even electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras or tablets.

Just walk through the hundreds of stores inside and around Tutuban Center with wide array of merchandise and you can surely find what you need in one of the country’s most visited shopping center. Whether buying by piece or in bulk, there’s no need to worry because this much-admired retail destination is your perfect Christmas shopping solution.

Apart from the budget-friendly items, you’ll be amazed with the festive holiday mood as Tutuban Center unveiled its holiday display to help keep your mind off the stressful Christmas rush and for the enjoyment of the shoppers.

There’s also the “Christmas Wonderland sa Tutuban” where the young—or even the young at heart—can go to and enjoy with its amazing rides and other well-loved attractions.

If you suddenly grow hungry, explore delicious food fare at the Tutuban Center Food Bazaar. Meantime, for those who want to avoid the shopping frenzy at daytime, the Tutuban Center Night Market offers a comfortable shopping experience even after the regular shopping hours.

Lastly, if you want to take first crack at shopping and avoid the mad rush both in time and traffic, you may check-in at Orion Hotel, Tutuban Center’s swanky yet right-in-your-budget accommodations located right inside the center. This allows you to shop fresh and fabulous in the morning.

All of these and more in Tutuban Center, located along C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila. Operating hours are from 9 am to 12 midnight, from Monday to Sunday.

Here is my article link on the lighting ceremony held last year: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/andres-bonifacio-day-celebrations-and-big-discount-sale-at-the-tutuban-center/

For more updates about their activities , please try to visit their website: Tutuban.com.ph : http://www.tutuban.com.ph/