Century -Old Valentine’s Day Postcard

Happy Valentine’s Day to all,

Sharing this circa 1905 Valentine’s Day postcard which we were able to buy few years ago in a popular online site. This was on SALE for just a couple of bucks with handwritten note at the back. The featured drawing was two cupids ( mailman ) calling each other with the use of another state of the art form of communication- telephone.

Valentine’s Day Postcard

Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated all over the world. Postcards and greeting cards were popular an inexpensive medium to communicated and the first Valentine’s day greeting cards were issued in the late 18th century.

Valentine’s cards which soon became immensely popular. It is estimated that by the mid 1820s, some 200,000 Valentines were circulated in London. While postcards soon were issued in Great Britain and the United States of America.

Hallmarks soon printed thousands if not hundreds of thousands of greeting cards by early 20th century. The personalized postcards are highly desired by collectors since they are not produced in mass quantity.

2021 Valentine’s Day stamp from Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST)

While stamps which celebrates the occasion were issued by several postal authorities and Philippine Postal Corporation also issues Valentine’s Day stamp. The 2021 Philippine Valentine’s Day stamp was issued few days ago in virtual launching held at the Manila Central Post Office main building on February 10, 2021.

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New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebration

We arrived early to visit some relatives and friends living in Chinatown,Manila. The new normal Chinese New Year celebration is very much subdue with very little fireworks display, dragon and lion dance is limited only to IATF approve guidelines.

This marks the arrival of 4719 year of the metal ox, since the Chinese lunar calendar was invented.

New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebrations

Unlike the previous Chinese New Year celebration, 2021 celebration is more of close knit with fewer people ever ventured in Chinatown’s Manila and Chinatown in Quezon City.

fewer people came and joined the celebration

People had to wear face mask, face shield, one must observe minimum health protocols, guidelines set by the local government and IATF. This was is stark contrast prior to the coronavirus 2019 lock down in middle of March 2020. Before the pandemic, Business was brisk with hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life would visit Manila and Quezon City Chinatown to celebrate, buy their favorite nian gao, ti ke or tikoy and even dine-in their favorite restaurants.

New Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian restaurant Ongpin street corner Salazar street

The annual parade and other activities were canceled by the Manila City government via executive order no. 4 series of 2021 stating that no dragon dance, street party, stage show, parade or any other similar activity will be held for the celebration of Chinese New Year from February 11 to 12, 2020.

charm store along Ongpin street

We were not able to visit some sites like Buddhist temples and Chinatown Museum located at Lucky Chinatown Mall . There were also fewer ambulant vendors and peddlers along Ongpin street.

Heritage advocates like Mr. Allan Martinez, Ms. Mabelle Tenorio visited the Masuki Noodles along Benavidez St, Binondo and some parts of Manila’s Chinatown later part of the day and enjoyed the noodles.

Masuki mami

We decided to leave to leave the place at around past 11:00 am after shopping and visited Banawe, Quezon City.

Note and special “Thanks” To Mr. Allan Pardilla Martinez for some of the photos posted in this site.

Kung Hei Fat Choi, Gong Xi Fa Chai , Kiong Hee Huat Chay !!!!!

Memorable Valentine’s Day Sweets and Chinese New Year Treats at The Manila Hotel

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2021 and Valentine’s Day 2021 with your favorite sweets, pastries and dishes at the grand old dame of Philippine hotels. Do not forget to treat your special someone to something special from The Manila Hotel.

Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year 2021

Chocolate gifts have long been a staple of Valentine’s Days for decades, so what better way to show your love than with handcrafted chocolates. Two new items from The Manila Hotel Deli will surely make your Valentine’s night all the sweeter. Surprise your loved one with either the Valentine Praline Bouquet or the Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet.

For only Php980 nett, the Valentine Praline Bouquet is exactly that—a round bouquet of hazelnut gianduja-based pralines, with highlights of rolled pistachio nuts. Timeless and popular, round bouquets are popular in weddings, but this artisanal chocolate bouquet is one that will surely add a sweet touch to Valentine’s Day.

And just in time for the day of hearts, the Valentine-inspired Raspberry Delight heart-shaped cake combines three ingredients that make the perfect combo: Chocolate Mousse brings sweetness and mellowness; raspberries an acidity note; and pistachio biscuit just the right crunch. For only, Php1,300 nett, this indulgent dessert is just what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard. One-day pre-order is recommended.

Chinese New Year 2021

The Manila Hotel also sells ( Red Bean Round )Tikoy for just Php 888 and handmade nian gao – (Almond Round ) or locally known as tikoy/ tike for just Php 888

These sweet surprise variants can be pre-ordered from The Manila Hotel’s Delicatessen, or by calling 85270011 or 09989501912.

Virtual Countdown 2021 at The Manila Hotel with Ms. Lea Salonga and Kuh Ledesma among others

The Manila Hotel which is iconic and historical will be hosting a virtual countdown for a cause with special performances led by Ms. Lea Salonga,Ms. Kuh Ledesma, world-renown soprano Ms. Rachelle Gerodias, Korean baritone Byeong-In Park, Mr. Richard Reynoso, University of the Philippine chorus and others to join The Manila Hotel in a virtual countdown for 2021.

Ms. Lea Salonga

Virtual Countdown at Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel is known for their iconic countdown and having a chance to see the beautiful Manila bay during new year.

For every P3,500 in a single-receipt transaction from The Manila Hotel, including take out, dining (Cafe Ilang-Ilang, Lobby Lounge, Roma Salon, Cowrie Grill, and the Delicatessen), FIT room bookings, Prestige card membership, and promo purchase, guests will receive one (1) raffle ticket and an invitation to the Zoom party. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Manila Bulletin’s Bag of Hope, which aims to help displaced workers due to the pandemic.

Mechanics on How to Join

Minor prizes shall be drawn before 12:00 midnight while Major prizes shall be drawn after the countdown to 2021. To claim prizes, customers shall present their raffle ticket along with their take out or dine-in receipt.

This promo is open to all F&B takeout and dine-in transactions covering the period from December 16 to 31, 2020. Cut off period shall be at 6 p.m. on December 31, 2020.

Customers who have claimed raffle tickets shall likewise get an invitation to The Manila Hotel’s New Year’s Countdown to 2021 Zoom code. The customer shall be entitled to a bundle of party favors, which includes two (2) pieces of horns and a confetti popper. Dine-in guests shall have their party favors along with the raffle tickets/s while for takeout orders, party favors shall be sent together with their food/beverage orders and a raffle ticket.

Customers must be present during the Hotel’s New Year’s Countdown to 2021 via Zoom to win. Raffle draw will be done during intervals of the NY Countdown to 2021 program on December 31, from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. of January 1, 2021.

The raffle will be drawn and the winning ticket number shall be flashed on-screen live. The winner of a particular draw must show his/her raffle ticket on the screen to be tagged as the winner. The name of the winner must correspond with the name given and the control number of the raffle stub. To give chances to others, the winning number will be removed from the digital number generator for subsequent raffles to ensure there are no repeat winners.

Prizes may be claimed within 60 days from January 2, 2021. Unclaimed prizes after 60 days will be nullified. The winner will be allowed to send a representative to claim the prize with a written letter and a copy of the winner’s valid Government-issued ID.

Prizes

The top prize is an overnight stay in the world-famous MacArthur Suite where heads of state, royal guests, and famous personalities have stayed–a grand prize worth P500,000! There are other exciting prizes in store for the lucky ones.

Other major prizes are overnight accommodation to a Junior Suite (worth P60,000.00 nett) and overnight room accommodation to a Sunrise/Sunset Suite (P42,000.00 nett).

Minor prizes include VIP Prestige Card Membership (worth P9,000.00 nett), Two (2) Superior Deluxe Room (P22,000.00 nett), Two (2) Medium size Christmas Hamper (P4,600.00 nett), Three (3) Café Ilang-Ilang dinner for two (2) at P3,370.00 nett per person and Three (3) Café Ilang-Ilang lunch for two (2) at P2,725.00 nett per person, and Four (4) High tea at P880.00 nett.

To join the raffle, customer/guest must make a minimum purchase of P3,500.00 (net of discounts) per single receipt from any of our participating outlets: M Takeout, Café Ilang-Ilang, Lobby Lounge, or Deli. It shall entitle a customer to one (1) raffle ticket.

Do not forget to call them at 8527-0011 or 0998-9501912.

Cleanup Week Manila and Other Projects of JCI Manila

Cleanup Week Manila 2020 which aims to beautify the city we love through sustainability projects.

It was a way of connecting has always been to find a common ground to all the residents who wanted a cleaner and healthier city.

This is in partnership with City of Manila, Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and JCI Manila.

Schedule of JCI Manila Cleanup Week

October 19- Limitless Clean-Up Tondo

October 20- Air Wash

October 21- Litter Boom Collector

October 22- Manila Tropical Sakura Project

October 23- Project Renew

Background

JCI Manila, formerly known as the Manila Jaycees, is Asia’s first and premier leadership development organization.

It has produced the nation’s most distinguished leaders in both business and government. That is why JCI Manila is fondly referred to as the “University of Leaders”.

For 67 years, thousands of young men have joined the ranks and left to be great leaders. Young men such as Mr. Washington SyCip, Mr. Henry Sy, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, Secretary Albert Del Rosario have all been a part of JCI Manila. These great men, during their time in the JCI Manila, have imparted their knowledge and principles, forming the organization it is today.

The University of Leaders, through it’s deep history and tradition, molds young men to be great leaders.

Last Sept 5, JCI Manila installed a vertical wall garden called “Pader ng Buhay” equipped with 1,692 silverwall and fern plants, a self-timing irrigation system and solar-powered lighting fixtures.

The Cleanup drive schedule is from October 19 to 23, 2020

I covered some events in which JCI Quezon City chapter was actively involved like the recent Parada ng Lechon Festival in 2019 in LaLoma, Legit Pinoy Fair at Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato and during the 80th foundation anniversary of Quezon City.

How Can the General Public Help ?

One can help the organization by purchasing their products and by volunteerism.

Donate Php200 and get a Kobe! Black washable face mask
Donate Php750 and get a Kobe! white graphic tee
Donate Php850 and get a Kobe! black graphic tee
Donate Php1,200 and get a Kobe! gray hoodie

Contact Person @:
Project Co-Chair Cholo Legisma
Contact Information: 09276975333
virgilio.legisma@kingsofthecourt.ph

One can also contact Mr. Kyle de Leon
Cel: 0917-779-4006