HKTB Launches Hong Kong Gourmet Month to Keep the Wine & Dine Buzz Going

 

Hot on the heels of the annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) launched Hong Kong Gourmet Month, an extension of the iconic food and beverage event, as a way to keep the top-tier gastronomy experience in full swing. The campaign features five themed dining experiences, ranging from star-rated dining, neighbourhood delicacies and distinctive drinks to authentic local late-night bites. In addition, participants in the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival can enjoy more than 250 additional exclusive privileges across the city with the Gourmet Month Privilege Card distributed at the venue.

Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of HKTB, said, “The ‘Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival’ has drawn to a successful close, attracting visitors from around the world as well as locals, and fully showcasing Hong Kong’s appeal as an international culinary capital. The ‘Hong Kong Gourmet Month’ now takes the benefits of the Festival further, extending them across the city. We hope the campaign will give locals and visitors alike even more reasons to explore our neighbourhoods and its vibrant food and beverage scene.”

Fine Dining is now Five Dining experiences you can’t miss this Hong Kong Gourmet Month

Hong Kong Gourmet Month challenges the foodie in everyone to try all five themed dining experiences, including award-winning wine-pairing experiences, renowned Michelin dishes at a discount, late-night bites, top-notch cocktail and bar experiences, and mixology workshops in the very heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife scene.

Theme 1: Hong Kong Wine-Pairing Award-Winning Restaurants Gala

Star chefs and sommeliers join forces to create 15 wine-pairing menus available

only during Gourmet Month.

The “Hong Kong Wine-Pairing Award-Winning Restaurants Gala: When Top Sommeliers

Meet Legendary Chefs” brings together around 15 of Hong Kong’s top restaurants,

including Michelin three-star Tang Court; Michelin two-star Arbo ; and Michelin one-star

Tosca di Angelo and Andō.

Drawing on the ingredients, cooking methods and flavours of each dish, as well as

the characteristics of each wine, their renowned chefs and sommeliers have

specially curated 15 wine-pairing menus available exclusively during “Hong Kong

Gourmet Month”. 

Theme 2: Taste More Hong Kong (Michelin dishes at up to 30% off)

From Michelin three-star restaurants to harbour-view venues, more than 200 restaurants

are offering limited-time lunch and dinner menus, with up to 30% off selected menus. 

The line-up includes Michelin three-star Forum Restaurant; two-star

Ying Jee Club and Bo Innovation; and one-star Hansik Goo, Man Wah,

Shang Palace, Epure, and Racines Dining options span traditional Cantonese

cuisine, innovative Chinese dishes, international flavours, local neighbourhood

specialities and harbour-view dining experiences.

Theme 3: Hong Kong Late-Night Dining Guide

More than 100 restaurants and bars lead the way to the diverse flavours of Hong Kong,

the city that never sleeps.

The “Hong Kong Late-Night Dining Guide” brings together nearly 80 F&B brands and

more than 100 outlets across districts including Central and Sheung Wan, Wan Chai,

Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mongkok, Sham Shui Po and Kowloon City, offering

exclusive deals after 9 pm. Dining options range from dai pai dong(open-air food stalls), hotpot restaurants, izakayas, burgen joints an dessert shops to hotel restaurants, harbour-view bars and fine dining.

Theme 4: Cocktail Fest Month

“Cocktail Fest Month” handpicked 30 distinctive bars across the city and recommends six

themed bar routes, covering hidden speakeasies, local Hong Kong flavours, classic bars

in Central, trendy rising mixology stars, luxury hotel and renowned bars, and tipsy pairings

of food and drinks. During the event, participants simply pay HK$399 to choose one themed

route and three participating bars, then redeem a signature drink at each bar as they embark

on a themed bar-hopping journey.

Theme 5: Sip and Savour in LKF

More than 20 restaurants and bars in Lan Kwai Fong will present “Sip and Savour in LKF”,

a limited-edition night-time experience. Alongside special Gourmet Month food and drinks

offers, there will be mixology workshops, retro-themed nights and DJ performances,

offering more options for after-dinner gatherings and nights out while showcasing Lan Kwai

Fong’s lively and diverse nightlife.

Beyond the Holiday Rush: Finding Joy and Peace in Mindful Financial Choices

 

The end of the year brings with it not just the spirit of Christmas but also the need to be getting ourselves ready for a few parties, the buying of gifts, the buying of decorations, and all that other stuff. It's quite natural to feel some financial pressure at this time of year as there's so much you've got to do. It doesn't mean, however, that you should be neglecting the control you have over your own personal finances at this particularly difficult time. You don't have to make your life stressful, and you should certainly be striving to get rid of the stress and have a really enjoyable holiday period. Staying on top of your money during the holidays doesn't mean you have to take the fun out of it. It's really about creating the space to enjoy the holidays without the burden of stress dragging into the new year. The holiday period kicks off with a proper assessment of how much you're going to spend on it. In other words, you need to be able to work out your budget for the period and know how much you can spend on each activity without then having the worry of not having any money left in the future. In that respect, you don't have to view the budgeting process as some sort of restriction on what you want to buy. It's actually a very useful tool which will help to prevent you from being stressed in the future. One of the best ways to make this period happy for everyone is to focus on sentiment rather than on the cost of the gifts. The people we are close to will never care about how much the gift costs; they will simply care about how much you've thought about them. "It's the thought (that you can remember them) that counts more than the actual present". The best way to achieve this is to try and arrange a gift exchange to create the festive atmosphere. There are, of course, many ways of getting presents without spending a fortune, e.g. making them yourself or having a dinner at home. You will need to have a list of the people you're going to be buying presents for and what you actually want to buy. For a long time, opening my bank app was like walking into a haunted house. I'd do it with my eyes half-shut, bracing myself and hoping that the figure that appeared wasn’t any lower than I'd been dreading. Living from paycheck to paycheck wasn’t just a financial reality; it was a very real emotional burden, and it was a constant source of stress. The whole thing changed when I realised that budgeting wasn’t some draconian system designed to strip all the fun out of life. It was simply a way of giving my hard-earned money a direction so that I could finally get a bit of peace. It was a real struggle to get my head around my finances, and I had to be absolutely honest with myself as to where the money was going. I discovered that my daily coffee, all of my unused subscriptions, and all that takeout food that I didn't actually need was the real drain on my financial security. Having a realistic budget didn't mean that you had to go completely cold turkey and cut everything out of your life; it just meant that you had to be aware of what actually brought you value. The first thing I set about doing was to build my emergency fund as I simply needed to have some money in the bank to feel safe and secure. Of course, no financial journey is ever completely smooth, and life has a habit of throwing you a curveball when you're not looking. There was a period a few years ago when we were in a very tight spot, and it was absolutely necessary to take out a temporary loan to get us over the gap. It initially felt like a massive let-down. The key thing was to look at that loan not as a failure but as a commitment that you were going to honour. Simply incorporating the repayments into your household budget every month was a massive learning curve in terms of accountability and it really did instil the habit of living within your means. During the holidays it's important to keep an eye on your day-to-day spend so that you can keep your overall plan on track. Regularly checking your bank accounts will help you to avoid any nasty surprises and will allow you to adjust your spend as necessary. The real spirit of the holidays is in the good times you have with your family and friends and it's the little, more affordable moments that really count. Giving yourself the gift of financial boundaries today is the best way to set yourself up for a good start to the next year. Today, managing my own money is less of a nightmare and more of an act of self-care. Budgeting and saving money haven't just improved my bank balance; it's given me financial freedom, confidence and peace of mind about the future. Money will come and go, but if you've got a plan then you're in control of your own life.

Big Bad Wolf 2026 Opens in Park Triangle Mall, BGC with Signed Collectibles, International Bestsellers and Book Deals

 

The renowned book sale, Big Bad Wolf began with a childhood encounter that grew into a million book mission. Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin with the simplest encounters. For Ms. Jacqueline Ng, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Big Bad Wolf Books, it all started with a fellow student, a book, and a childhood moment that would eventually inspire a mission to make reading more accessible to people around the world.

Jacquelyn Ng, Co-founder of Big Bad Wolf

During a recent conversation, Ms. Ng shared the story behind the beginnings of Big Bad Wolf, recalling how, as a young student, her access to books was largely limited to the usual textbooks required in school. Like many children, she had little opportunity to explore books simply for the pleasure of reading. That changed one day during a school lunch break when she noticed a fellow student who seemed more interested in reading a book than eating her lunch.

Curious, Ng approached the girl and asked why she was not eating during their break. Instead of giving her the answer she expected, the student encouraged her to try reading, too, and handed her the book she had been enjoying. That seemingly ordinary gesture opened an entirely new world for Ng. For the first time, she discovered the joy of leisurely reading and the wonderful experience of getting lost in a story beyond the pages of her school textbooks.

Ribbon Cutting (L-R) Enrique B. Manuel, Jr., FBDC COO; Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua, Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines; Charmaine Palermo, Big Bad Wolf Books Local Partner

The encounter left a lasting impression on her. From that moment, she made a promise to herself: when she grew up, she would find a way to help young people gain better access to books, giving them the opportunity to discover the same joy and possibilities that reading had introduced into her life. What began as a personal childhood experience eventually grew into a much bigger vision, one that would bring millions of books closer to readers through Big Bad Wolf.

Listening to Ms. Ng recount her story made me appreciate how a simple act of sharing a book can make such a difference. It also reminded me why reading remains one of the most valuable habits we can develop, especially among children and the younger generation. Books have a unique way of taking us to places we have never visited, introducing us to people and cultures we might otherwise never encounter, and allowing us to experience different perspectives without ever leaving our seats. Through reading, we learn more about the world around us, gain knowledge, stimulate our imagination, develop critical thinking, and continuously expand our vocabulary. More importantly, books encourage curiosity and remind us that there is always something new to discover, no matter how much we already know.

That very same mission of making books accessible continues to come alive through Big Bad Wolf, which recently brought its much-awaited book sale back to the Philippines. I was delighted to be invited to its 2026 opening at the fifth level of Park Triangle Mall, where book lovers, families, students, and curious readers can explore an impressive collection of one million books from 40 different publishers around the globe.

"It reminds me that sometimes, all it takes is one book to spark a lifelong love of reading. That is what Big Bad Wolf Books has always been about: making books more affordable and accessible, regardless of age, background, or budget,” said Jacqueline Ng, Co-Founder of Big Bad Wolf Books.

Running from November 5 to 18, 2026, the book sale welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 AM until 12 midnight. Walking into the venue, one is immediately greeted by an extensive selection of titles across different genres and interests. Whether you enjoy fiction, romance, mystery, fantasy, biographies, cookbooks, children's stories, educational materials, or books that inspire personal growth, there is plenty to browse and discover. It is an opportunity to find something that suits every reader, from the little ones just beginning their reading journey to adults who have always loved collecting books.

What makes the experience even more exciting are the incredible bargains. The lowest book price I came across was only Php 60, while some titles offered discounts of up to 95 percent. With prices this affordable, there is little reason to walk away empty-handed. You can finally purchase the titles on your reading wish list, discover authors you have never read before, pick up books for your children, or even stock up on gifts for family and friends. With one million books available, the possibilities are almost endless.

Returning to Metro Manila with its campaign message, "There’s a Book For Every Kind of You," Big Bad Wolf Books brings together contemporary fiction, children's literature, educational titles, and collectible editions in one location, making it easier for Filipino readers to discover books for their personal libraries or their Christmas gift lists. 

According to organizers, approximately 75% of the selection consists of new titles.

His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino

“Having welcomed Big Bad Wolf Books to the Philippines on previous occasions, I am pleased to see this Malaysian initiative return with its commitment to making reading more accessible. The friendship between Malaysia and the Philippines grows through meaningful connections between our people, including the stories and ideas we share. I hope this sale encourages more people to discover a book that sparks their curiosity, supports their learning, or inspires them to see new possibilities,” said His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.

Harry Potter aficionados or Potterheads can look for selected signed copies of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. These form part of the wider Harry Potter selection, with featured copies subject to availability.

A signed copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is among the collectible releases from Goldsboro Books available at the sale.

Beyond the discounts and the sheer number of titles, what makes Big Bad Wolf special is the purpose behind it. It is not simply about selling books at affordable prices; it is about encouraging a reading culture and giving more people the opportunity to experience the transformative power of reading. Every book purchased could be the beginning of someone's next great adventure, a child's newfound love for stories, a student's discovery of a fascinating subject, or an adult's renewed appreciation for learning. Ms. Jacqueline Ng's childhood story is a beautiful reminder that we never really know how far a simple act of kindness can go. One student sharing one book during a lunch break helped plant the seed for a mission that would eventually reach readers across the globe. Perhaps, somewhere inside the Big Bad Wolf sale, another child will pick up a book that will change the way they see the world, just as that one book changed Ms. Ng's.

So, whether you are a lifelong bookworm, an occasional reader, a parent looking for wonderful stories for your children, or someone hoping to develop a reading habit, make time to visit Big Bad Wolf at the fifth level of Park Triangle Mall from November 5 to 18, 2026, between 10:00 AM and 12 midnight. Take advantage of the fantastic discounts, explore the million books from 40 international publishers, and bring home a few titles—or perhaps a whole stack!

Big Bad Wolf Mascot and Purple Plum Fairy

After all, the best thing about buying a book is that you are not merely taking home a collection of printed pages. You are bringing home new ideas, knowledge, adventures, and possibilities. And who knows? The next book you pick up might just take you somewhere you have never imagined.

Come and visit Big Bad Wolf at the 5th level of Park Triangle Mall, BGC, Taguig from November 5 to 18, 2026 from 10AM until 12 Midnight. 

Are you getting the 'Asian Flush' or rash after drinking?

 

MakatiMed underlines the difference between alcohol allergy and alcohol intolerance. The former is related to the immune system, involving our bodies reacting to ingredients in alcoholic drinks like barley and grapes. While properly metabolizing alcohol, which may lead to long-term effects like heart disease, liver problems, and cancer in the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. 

 

Does a sip of wine make you blush, or a bottle of beer give you a rash? If so, you might want to put the glass down to check whether you have an alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance—two completely different conditions that are usually confused.

According to the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed), knowing the distinction can help you better recognize symptoms and make informed decisions to avoid complications in the long run.

“Many people interchange alcohol allergy and alcohol intolerance, but these actually involve different processes in the body,” explains Maria Socorro L. Agcaoili-De Jesus, MD, FPCP, FPSAAI, FPSRI, an Internal Medicine Specialist with a Subspecialty on Child and Adult Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and Reproductive Immunology. “An alcohol allergy is related to the immune system, while alcohol intolerance is the body’s inability to properly metabolize alcohol.”

Spotting the difference between the two may be difficult, as a true alcohol allergy is rare. A person with the condition has an immune system that mistakenly identifies alcohol as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction. More commonly, bodies react to the presence of wheat, barley, rye, hops, yeast, grapes, preservatives, or sulfites in an alcoholic beverage.

Symptoms to look for include itchy skin rashes; itchy mouth, eyes, or nose; swelling of the face or throat; coughing; and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can trigger anaphylaxis, wherein the immune system overreacts to an allergen that causes one’s blood pressure to drop and airways to narrow—a life- threatening emergency that requires immediate attention.

“Even a small amount of alcohol can induce symptoms in a person with alcohol allergy,” says Dr. Agcaoili- De Jesus. “Allergic reactions have the tendency to escalate quickly; therefore, it is important to seek immediate professional assistance, especially when breathing is affected or swelling is present.”

In contrast, alcohol intolerance is an inherited metabolic disorder wherein the body lacks the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) that is needed to break down alcohol.

The most known symptom of alcohol intolerance is the “Asian flush.” Immediately after drinking, the person’s face, neck, and chest become red and warm. In addition, people experience nausea, headaches, vomiting, low blood pressure, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing.

It is called Asian flush since alcohol intolerance is common among people of East Asian descent, including the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. Nevertheless, it can be present in people of any race or ethnicity.

While alcohol intolerance is often misunderstood as merely turning red from drinking, MakatiMed warns that it may cause long-term effects.

“The flushing reaction indicates that acetaldehyde is building up in the body. Research suggests that continued alcohol consumption by those with alcohol intolerance increases the risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and liver,” Dr. Agcaoili-De Jesus points out. To add, studies also linked alcohol intolerance with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, liver problems, and even late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

To properly determine the root cause of those alcohol-induced symptoms, MakatiMed suggests seeking consult for evaluation.

“The most important thing is not to self-diagnose,” reminds Dr. Agcaoili-De Jesus. “If you notice symptoms consistently every time you drink alcohol, it is best to seek medical attention to identify the cause and receive proper care.”

Persons with diagnosed severe alcohol allergies may be advised to carry an epinephrine auto-injector for emergency use. However, for those with alcohol intolerance, “there is no treatment that corrects the underlying enzyme deficiency.”

“Antihistamines or antacids cannot eliminate the health risks of alcohol intolerance. The safest way to avoid symptoms and long-term effects is to avoid consuming alcohol as much as possible,” Dr. Agcaoili- De Jesus advises. “Avoiding alcohol won’t only prevent alcohol allergy or intolerance, but it’s also a healthy habit that can help prevent alcohol-related health issues like liver and heart disease.”

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter

Transcendent myths and romance in PPO Concert III: Bolero

 

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) continues its magical 42nd concert season, Modulatio, with CONCERT III: BOLERO on November 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City.

Under the baton of internationally acclaimed Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the PPO will enchant audiences with a lush repertoire featuring French composer Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l’après- midi d’un faune, French composer Maurice Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso and Bolero, and French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3, op. 61, B minor.

In this third installment of the concert series, Filipino violinist Kaycee Galano performs with the PPO, showcasing her musicality and dexterity as well as the incomparable uniqueness of Filipino artistry.

Varied inspirations in a heartfelt repertoire

For its Concert III, PPO begins the musical evening with Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un

faune. Inspired by Stéphane Mallarmé’s poem “The Afternoon of a Faun,” Debussy begins with the dreamy tune of a flute to narrate the story of the mythological half-human, half-goat creature enchanted by nymphs and naiads. The composition eases into almost improvisatory passages that refuse to settle in any key or tonal center. Debussy’s avant-garde decision later inspired his fellow composers to experiment beyond the traditional tones.

Following Debussy, Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso beautifully evokes mystery and romance. Derived from the lyric poetry of the Middle Ages that parting lovers sing, also known as “dawn songs,” this orchestral showpiece celebrates the next romantic meeting, built up with a typical Iberian rhythm. It remains one of Ravel’s career highlights with its colorful virtuosic solo interjections.

Ravel’s Spanish-flavored ballet score Boléro serves as the centerpiece of PPO Concert III. Russian dancer and actress Ida Rubinstein had encouraged the composer to create an orchestral transcription of Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz’ Iberia in 1928. However, the rights were granted to the Spanish conductor Enrique Arbós. Already enamored by the idea of composing an original from a harmonic and instrumental theme, Ravel set out to holiday in Saint-Jean-de- Luz, and Boléro was born.

A one-movement orchestral piece with snare drum rhythm designed around repeating Spanish

melodies, Ravel’s Boléro sports a gigantic crescendo and a surprise modulation that hammers into its spectators’ brains. Despite only having two repeating tunes, the composition is among Ravel’s most celebrated works from the experimental decade of the 1920s.

Capping the third concert of the season is Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3, op. 61, B minor.

This composition was inspired by Saint-Saëns’ lifelong bond with Spanish violinist Pablo

Sarasate, much like his first two violin concertos.

In 1859, a 15-year-old Sarasate casually requested a violin concerto from Saint-Saëns. This

encounter sparked an artistic relationship between the two, motivating the latter to blend his

adoration for the violinist’s technique into the composition’s exotic harmonies.

Together with the PPO, the dramatic bravura theme and staccato rhythm of Saint-Saëns’ Violin

Concerto No. 3, op. 61, B minor will be reimagined by Filipino violinist Kaycee Galano. Established as one of the leading young violinists of her generation, Galano has performed concertos with orchestras in Europe, China, North America, and the Philippines.

Guided by Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura in 2018, Galano once shared the stage with the PPO at 17 years old and interpreted Hector Berlioz’s Le Corsaire Overture and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 4, Op. 36, F minor. Still carrying her signature wonder and style, she returns for PPO Concert III: Bolero this November.

In 2021, Galano won first prize at the Mary Lane Memorial Violin Competition, and participated

in the 2021 Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition and the 2022 International

Violin Competition of Indianapolis. Before making her Carnegie Hall debut in October 2019,

she participated in the 1st International Viktor Tretyakov Violin Competition in 2018.

Myths, daydreams, and little romance in PPO Concert III: Bolero

Boasting a luxurious repertoire that showcases varied narratives about mythological creatures, romance, and real-life bonds, PPO Concert III: Bolero promises an unforgettable evening. The nation’s premier orchestra, together with its featured soloist Galano and principal conductor Maestro Nowak, continues to display the musical prowess it has rightfully earned after 42 concert seasons.

Following the success of the second concert of the 42nd series, PPO Concert III: Bolero is a clear testament to music’s transcendent ability to bring stories, emotions, and reflections from the past into the future.

Witness the artistry of PPO Concert III: Bolero live by purchasing tickets at TicketWorld. For

exclusive deals and discounts, be a PPO subscriber by contacting salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or calling the CCP Box Office at +63 931-033-0880. Be the first in line for PPO’s 42nd concert season at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. To get the latest updates on CCP and PPO events and performances, check the official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube social media accounts.