PRIME - The Pinnacle of Excellence: The Yule Edition by Francis Perez

PRIME D EC E MBE R 201 5

THE PINNACLE OF EXCELLENCE

THE YULE EDITION FEATURING CLARENCE SANCHEZ

What’s Inside? Christmas Recipes

Christmas Celebrations in the US & the Philippines

Fun Things to Do During Christmas

Great Places to Spend Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas Tales with Clarence, Juno, and Mikko

Great Christmas Clothes, Décor, and Where to Buy Them

Did You Know? (Facts and Trivia About Christmas)

Letter from the Editor migo lacsamana

Greetings and a warm welcome to the Yuletide edition of Prime Magazine! Prime is the number one magazine for all ages looking to gear up to the latest trends, or to cook their way into impressing their parents using recipes made by yours truly. The Christmas holidays have been a tradition to everyone. This is a special season for both kids and adults. Inside this magazine, you will find recipes fit for the celebrations of the holidays, the latest fashion trends to go with the season, and the perfect gift ideas for your friends and family. Our magazine aids the readers to avoid situations wherein you’d get the “What are those?” from your peers. A few members of Prime Magazine have already experienced that, and we as victims don’t want you to fall into that category. People tend to buy the wrong gifts during the Christmas holidays, but with Prime, you’ll never go wrong as we have the finest writers in the Metro. Another thing that most of the people have a hard time with is cooking the right food for the right occasion—with Prime, you’ll have the right menu for celebrating Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day! Prime Magazine would like to thank you for choosing us as your go-to magazine! Prime Magazine wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you on the next issue of Prime Magazine!

Cooking 101: C H R I S T M A S

E D I T I O N

BY NAPIER A. & MIGIE S.

The best way to celebrate Christmas Eve is to enjoy honey glazed ham with your loved ones. This yearly celebration is a memorable event to be cherished for life.

Easy-to-make Glazed Ham (HONEY GLAZED HAM WITH MUSTARD AND ROSEMARY)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup real maple syrup 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons of coarse-grained mustard 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary 10 tablespoons of corn syrup 1/2 slab of butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. Score ham and stud with the whole cloves. Place ham in foil-lined pan. 3. In the top half of a double boiler, heat the corn syrup, maple syrup, mustard, honey, and butter. Keep glaze warm while baking ham. 4. Brush glaze over ham, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Lasagna Ingredients:

1 pound sweet Italian sausage 3/4 pound lean ground beef 1/2 cup minced onion 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste 2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 12 lasagna noodles 16 ounces ricotta cheese 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 10 tablespoons of corn syrup 1/2 slab of butter

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, the remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella and sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover with foil. To prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

christmas

IN THE US & PH

Christmas Celebrations

in the US & the Philippines by Clarence S. & Juno L. in the US

Christmas in the US is truly a wonderful and joyful time of the year. Snow falls and countless snowmen outside people’s houses seemingly guard them in times like these. Streets are paved with ice and powdered snow. Trees which were covered with warm green leaves are now covered completely in cold white snow. Christmas is usually the time when families go on vacation, such as a trip to a lake or maybe even a cruise on a ship, but some families use this time to get off work and just stay home to spend time with their families. Christmas Eve is usually a time for people to be huddled up near their fire place and Christmas trees, drinking eggnog and eating freshly baked gingerbread men. Kitchens all over the country are completely covered in the scent of gingerbread men, and aisles upon aisles of grocery stores have been stripped clean of Christmas ham. People say their prayers or graces and then choose the lucky family member to slice the ham. Dinner tables are filled with mouth-watering ham, roast beef, meatloaf, and the occasional turkey. Children’s Christmas stockings are hung above the fire place, awaiting gifts and candies from Santa Claus. Husbands and wives enjoy a glass of wine or sparkling Champagne, keeping warm by the fire place or under their warm fuzzy blankets. The traditional glass of milk and plate of cookies have been set near the fire place for the Jolly Red Man to eat after he drops off the presents. Christmas in the US is truly a glorious and wonderful time to take part in, which is filled with traditions and beliefs. in the Philippines Christmas in the Philippines is one of the best Christmas celebrations in the world—you’ll definitely have the experience of a lifetime. To kick-start the Christmas season, Filipinos decorate their houses with different kinds of colorful parols or lanterns, display the holy belen, and set up colorful lighting. Christmas in the Philippines will also help you to become closer to Jesus Christ. The Simbang Gabi, wherein you attend mass every night starting December 16 until Christmas Eve, December 24, is a preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. After the last mass on the 24th, Filipinos have this tradition called Noche Buena, where families and their relatives have a feast with different kinds of food such as ham, queso de bola, fruit salad, etc. On the day of Christmas itself and the birthday of Jesus Christ, December 25, Filipinos again celebrate and have fun. With these activities, Christmas in the Philippines is definitely worth celebrating.

FUN THINGS TO DO DURING

CHRISTMAS by Mikko D. & Migie S.

“‘Tis the season to be jolly!” In other words, we should seize whatever time we have of the Christmas season! Night time’s pretty cold, most outlet stores are 70% off, and of course the bright lights illuminate the cities. So let’s get to it. What are the fun activities you could do with your family? With your friends? And maybe just with yourself? Christmas is always a joyous season to be a part of. Most of the time you are with your family during the most awaited Christmas break every year. That’s why going to Ayala’s light show in Makati is a must for all families looking for a place to spend a lovely weekend with each other. The first thought that might come to mind is that it might be exhausting! Where to park? Where to eat nearby? All these questions come to mind when you think of an outdoor light show. Worry no more! Parking is just down under the light show, with the affordable price of 30 pesos for a parking spot. Got nowhere to eat? The lightshow itself is in

a park where there are 8 restaurants you can eat in! Taiwanese, Japanese, and Filipino food can all be found there! It gets better from here. Baguio City’s temperature drops to an exciting 12 degrees every Christmas season! You don’t have to stay in Manila and go to a Mall with AC only to return back home and experience the heat outside again. In Baguio, you can shop all you want in an SM branch with no air conditioning because the air outside is even colder than the AC you experience in most Manila malls! The Christmas Village near Baguio Country Club offers an experience of snowfall, a show of the story of the Nativity, and to cap it all off, Christmas carols begin at 7:00 in the evening to make everyone’s smiles even bigger as the night ends. Charity events like the Museo Pambata Toy Drive in Roxas Boulevard go on until December 14! You can spend time giving your old toys to needy children and have the chance to find yourself and the message you can pick up from this generous event. It’s the season of giving! Going to this charity event will truly exemplify the meaning of Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year should not be taken for granted! Go out there and have some fun with your family and friends! Seize the opportunity to spend the season of giving the right way, and of course, the fun way!

Great Places in the Philippines to Spend

CHRISTMAS by Mikko D. & Napier A.

Christmas is always a season to make the most of. Not only is it the season of giving, but also for travelling. Tourists around the world take time to spend their holiday season visiting other countries and exploring the different cultures the world has to offer. However, since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas season, spending money can be a heck of a job. Buying gifts and decorating the house are just some of the work to be done this Christmas. Most people resort to saving money, and touring around the world could lead to a lot of spent money. Fortunately, there are some beautiful places you and your family can visit just here in the Philippines!

A lot of people living in the tropics spend so much money to go to a country where they can experience a cold refreshing environment. If you’re the kind of person who likes to save money and wants to experience cold weather, then Baguio is the place to be! Baguio is a quintessential favorite here in the Philippines. Dubbed the Philippines’ winter wonderland, the city sees temperatures drop to as low as 8 degrees Celsius during the month of December, and while there’s no actual snow, it’s the closest you can get to experience a chilly Christmas right here in the Philippines. Pampanga has been hosting the Giant Lantern Festival for more than 80 years. Held on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, this competition features huge colorful lanterns fitted with thousands of light bulbs that dance to the team’s music of choice. From their sheer beauty and size to the interplay of colors and kaleidoscopic patterns, the showdown will leave you in awe! The competition is assembled by local artisans, and the lanterns are displayed in different venues across Pampanga until January, so don’t miss it! If you’re planning to spend your Christmas in the beach, it’s actually not a bad idea! For those with a cheap budget looking for a fantastic time, you have to go to Boracay! Boracay is as big of a hit during the holiday season as it is in summer. Part of the reason is that religious Christmas traditions live on in the

island. You can attend Simbang Gabi, where nine days of mass are available, and then indulge in delicious rice cakes like bibingka and puto after. For dinner on Christmas Eve, resorts and restaurants offer special festive menus and set up candlelit tables on the beach, while bars and clubs host special Christmas-themed parties. So head over there with your family and enjoy the sand and water while celebrating Christmas! The last on the list is not quite what you would expect. It’s an underrated tourist spot that a lot of people could enjoy. Dumaguete City, a small and quiet city, has a lot in store for those looking for a fascinating getaway. For one, it’s a great site for watching all kinds of dolphins and whales. Kids will get a kick out of it and might even enjoy a game of “spot the difference”! You can also take them on boat rides to the lovely Apo and Sumilon islands, which happen to be excellent diving spots. On land, one of the most popular attractions is the Christmas House, a place to buy souvenirs and cookies, with attractions of giant gingerbread cookies. The city offers a lot of hiking spots as well. Seize the Christmas season and travel! Travelling around the world this Christmas season might also be a good idea, but exploring the Philippines and finding the different cultures that make Pinoys proud is a better idea to be a part of! So make the most out of your Christmas break to make this Christmas the best Christmas season you’ll ever have!

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Christmas Tales with Clarence, Juno, and Mikko

Clarence, what’s your best Christmas experience? Christmas with my family every year is really an event to anticipate because there hasn’t been a single Christmas in my 16 years of existence that was ever bad. My best Christmas experience was probably back in 2014 when all our relatives from the States went home to the Philippines to spend it with us. My uncle, his wife, and their kids came home from New Jersey, 10 years since they left the Philippines. He is the brother of my dad who always sends gifts from the US to us. I saw my 11 year old cousin—my uncle’s daughter—again after 8 years. My other two uncles and two aunts also went home with their kids, a total of 13 family members coming home. This was the first time the whole Sanchez family was all in one place celebrating Christmas, because usually it was just me, my parents, my grandparents, the families of my three aunts, their husbands, and my baby cousins. We all sat down together the night before Christmas to have our first ever complete family dinner and prayed together. While we were all eating, everyone was talking with one another telling stories and reminiscing about lost time. My uncle was talking to my dad and his other siblings (my aunts). He was telling them about his job as a doctor in the US—how it was going and such. My older great-uncles and great-aunts were all talking with my grandparents; I was with my little cousins and even my older cousins who came home from the US. We talked about their lives, what they’ve been up to, and how college was going for all of them. After dinner, we all gathered around the Christmas tree to open all our gifts. Gift after gift everyone was laughing and smiling, but even after they were all given and opened, I can safely say that the best gift anybody received that night was the gift of us all being together and complete. And that’s the story of my best Christmas so far. Juno, what’s your best Christmas experience? Christmas is one of the most awaited and wonderful seasons of the year. Growing up, I have spent Christmas with my family every year and for the record, it had been very memorable and fun. There was never a dull moment with them. During the start of the Christmas season, I help my family with putting up decorations inside and outside of the

house, like the colorful parols, the belen, different kinds of Santa Claus figures, the Christmas tree, and the Advent wreath. A week before Christmas, my family and I go to the mall and shop for new clothes, find gifts for our relatives and friends, and buy lots of chocolate and candies. Before Christmas Eve, we prepare our Noche Buena, a Filipino tradition in which family, aunts and uncles, godfathers and godmothers, and grandparents bond together and eat great food, such as ham and queso de bola. But before the Noche Buena, we celebrate mass in our parish to give thanks to the Lord and ask for guidance. During the most awaited day, December 25, in which we open our gifts, we also celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas is a really unforgettable experience, especially when we celebrate together. (continued on page 14)

(continued from page 13) Mikko, what’s your best Christmas experience? Christmas has always been a special season for me. It’s the month of December and what else could you ask for? It’s cold and windy. Most malls are on sale. Houses around the neighborhood are decorated with spectacular lights and lanterns. To add up to why I love December so much, it’s a special month for me! My birthday’s on the 18th of December, and then the week after, it’s Christmas! Indeed, it’s a truly exciting month to enjoy. In addition to this, let me tell you how my Christmas goes every year, and expand the idea on why Christmas is awesome for me. Usually, the Christmas vibes begin on the 14th of December when the Simbang Gabi masses are about to begin. My family and I spend a night or two going to the church to celebrate the Simbang Gabi masses. As we skip to the 24th, Christmas Eve, a day I’ve been looking forward to, breakfast at the house is unusually, yet deliciously, prepared. Not your ordinary eggs and bacon. Last year, my breakfast during Christmas Eve was served with soft eggs benedict, crunchy bacon, sweet longganisa, and freshly cooked rice, with a glass of imported orange juice. You have to start the morning right especially if it’s Christmas Eve! During the afternoon, I spend the day with my mom to have some last minute shopping for food and gifts. We usually get home at around 6 in the evening, just in time to get ready for the 10:00 Christmas Eve mass hosted by Christ the King Church, my favorite mass of the year, simply because you can just feel the

PRIME 14

energy and the happiness surrounding the Church. The happiness and joy is just flat-out contagious, and you can’t help yourself but to feel happy as well. As we head home for Noche Buena, our relatives arrive with gifts and food. As we wait for midnight, we loosen up with a glass of wine, a slice of bread, and ham. Gift opening begins right away, just as the clock strikes 12. To end the night, we have a family photo and everyone leaves. It’s quite sad when everyone leaves and the fun’s over, but the day after, we head down to Alabang to spend Christmas day with my mom’s side of the family! As soon as you get in, you can really feel the Christmas spirit! Christmas music and decorations surround the house. Lunch is just as fantastic as my Christmas Eve breakfast. My cousins and I line up for some authentic Filipino food and eat together in the garden while we watch our other relatives sing and perform in front of everybody. Gift giving starts right after we eat, and we play the “secret Santa” exchange gift game. As everyone receives their gifts, we just end the day talking and conversing to catch up with one another. When it was time to go home, we said our goodbyes and headed back. It’s always sad for me when Christmas day ends. However, there’s always New Year to look forward to. Fortunately, December is arriving and I can’t wait for everything to happen all over again. All those laughs, joy, and happiness is what I truly look forward to, and I hope you can spend a memorable Christmas with your family as well. Happy Holidays!

CONTENT EDITORS

MIGUEL LACSAMANA & MARK DE LOS ANGELES

IDEALIST

NICHOLAS CONCHA

LAYOUT EDITORS

FRANCIS PEREZ & KEVIN ABELLAR

WRITERS CLARENCE SANCHEZ JUNO LIM MIKKO DE LA PAZ MIGIE SALAZAR NAPIER AGONCILLO ADVISER MR. OLIVER BASILIO

Great Christmas Clothes & Decors AND WHERE TO BUY THEM

by Juno L. & Napier A. Clothes! Shopping! Sale! These are the three words that you would probably hear when you are inside a mall during the holidays. Here are some tips on buying, window shopping, and what to wear this Christmas season. First and foremost, you need to have a budget when shopping. If you want to save and just look plain I suggest you buy in stores such as Bench, Penshoppe, Surplus, & Uniqlo. But if you really want to look classy and fab, I suggest buying in Zara, H&M, Ralph Lauren, & Bershka. When window shopping, go to the malls which have almost all the clothing brands, such as SM Megamall, Shangri-La, Power Plant Mall, & Glorietta.

What should you wear this Christmas season? Polo shirts from Ralph Lauren and pants from Uniqlo are good choices. For the shoes, just head to a Traffic store and pick a pair of some good quality leather shoes. You’ll look very decent in front of your relatives. Remember, you are what you wear! Also keep in mind to be you! Be confident and wear anything that you desire! Just always remember to be yourself and be confident this Christmas season! What’s a better way to develop our Christmas spirits than by putting up Christmas decorations that help us feel the love with our relatives and friends? Christmas Tree. All families put up Christmas trees because it’s a basic necessity for having a memorable Christmas. The best way to symbolize gift-giving in one’s home is the Christmas tree; each and every member of the family gets a designated present for being a part of their relatives’ lives forever. Christmas trees could be reused anytime! Great Christmas ornaments include shiny Christmas balls, glittery snowflakes, and a gold star on top of the Christmas tree. These decorations bring out the beauty of a Christmas tree. (continued on page 16)

(continued from page 15) Christmas stockings. Hang Christmas stockings near a staircase and wait for them to be filled up with wonderful goodies, presents, and exciting toys! Similar to the Christmas tree, Christmas stockings are placed near a fireplace or on the staircase. This is a decoration to look forward to since it’s not only a decorative accent to your theme, but also a surprising treat to both children and adults. Christmas stockings come in all colors and sizes— choose the most suitable stockings for you! Christmas Wreath. To further express our faith of Christianity. A circular formation of twigs and grass with fruits, ribbons, and Christmas balls are appealing to the eyes. This is usually hung on the door. When you have guests coming to your house, the Christmas wreath could be quite the mood-setter of what to expect for your home gatherings! Snow Globes. These small decorative pieces are treats to the eyes of everyone. Imagine Christmas-themed snow globes with Santa Claus inside of them where glitter goes all around the snow globe. It makes you want to experience a cool winter breeze! Jesus in a Manger. As the center attraction of Christmas Eve, small figurines of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus can be the “cherry on the top” of all your Christmas decorations. As the birth of Jesus Christ comes, the manger represents the presence of Jesus in all homes. All of these can be bought in home decoration stores nationwide.

Did You Know?

1 0 FAC T S A N D T R I V I A S A B O U T C H R I S T M A S

by Clarence S. & Migie S.

I. US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world’s presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second. II. The word “Noel” is derived from the French expression “les bonnes nouvelles” or “the good news”. III. The world’s tallest Christmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950. IV. The largest Christmas cracker - 45.72m long and 3.04m in diameter was made in Australia in 1991. V. Santa has different names around the world - Kriss Kringle in Germany, Le Befana in Italy, Pere Noel in France and Deushka Moroz (Grandfather Frost) in Russia. VI. The word Christmas comes from the Old English “Cristes maesse” meaning “Christ’s Mass”. VII. Kissing under the mistletoe is thought to spring from Frigga, the Norse goddess of love, who was associated with the plant. VIII. Rudoplh The Red-nosed Reindeer was invented for a US firm’s Christmas promotion in 1938. IX. GOLD-wrapped Chocolate Coins commemorate St. Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor. X. Hanging Stockings out comes from the Dutch custom of leaving shoes packed with food for St. Nicholas’s donkeys. He would leave small gifts in return.