Noche Buena
On Christmas eve, family members partake of a sumptuous Filipino meal by twelve midnight, called noche buena. This usually comes after the entire family has attended a late evening mass or church service about an hour or so before midnight. The typical noche buena foods prepared on the table are: lechon, pancit, fried chicken, lumpia, rice, adobo, among others for the main course; desserts include halo-halo, rice cakes, ice cream, patries and cakes; drinks include soda, wine, beer, juice.
Noche buena is also an opportunity for family get together, opening of Christmas gifts, singing and story-telling. It is also a chance for kids to earn some money aside from toy gifts. In some homes, it is also one way to welcome the less-fortunate by inviting orphans or poor people to join in the Christmas celebration. Some carolers who raise funds for civic organizations are also welcomed and given donations (in cash or kind) into the home.
The noche buena could last until about four o'clock in the morning on Christmas day. The whole family will again attend mass or church service during the morning. When they go back home, the salu-salo (partaking of the meal) will continue. It is during Christmas day that some inaanak (godchildren) visit their ninong (godfather) and ninang (godmother). It is also the day for some families to hold grand reunions of extended family clan members (grandparents, grandchildren, cousins, uncles and aunts).
Towns Delight, The Caterer: Fast Facts
Towns Delight was established in 1974 at Tanza, Cavite by Mrs. Cecilia del Rosario-Pacumio, a Home Economics teacher.
It has been a wedding caterer for 20 years now.
Its president and general manager Mr. Andrew Pacumio is a founding director of the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines. He was the associations vice president in 2006.
The company maintains 50 regular employees and around 300 part-time employees.
The company owns The Wedding Store, a one-stop wedding shop located at the second level of SM Dasmariñas.
Towns Delight also maintains WeddingInTheSky.com, Cavites first wedding website/portal that features essential info about wedding planning, products, and services.
The company likewise owns and operates The Republic of Cavite Restaurant located at Trece Martirez, Cavite. The Republic has function halls and outdoor venues perfect for any occasion.
Other venues owned and operated by Towns Delight are the Gardenia Cecilia Pavilion located in Naic, Cavite (seating capacity of 500) and Hardin de San Antonio at Tanza, Cavite that can accommodate 250 guests. For a consultant, Towns Delight has Ma. Sunnel Pacumio, a topnotch chef at Four Seasons Hotel in Ireland. She specialized in Culinary Arts at premier schools abroad.
Also serving as a mentor of Towns Delight is Ma. Peaches Pacumio, a masters degree holder, who is about to finish Hospitality Management at a prestigious university in Canada.
Towns was the official caterer of the Bong-Lani Revilla centennial wedding held on March 25, 1998 at Imus, Cavite. It prepared special Caviteño dishes for the 2000 VIPs of the Revillas.
Towns Delight has pioneered holding culinary festivals and bridal fairs in Cavite.
It likewise spearheaded a food show dubbed The Taste of Cavite held at SM Dasmariñas two years ago.
The companys personnel regular undergo values formation training, skills and leadership training, and visit institutions like Nestle Philippines to observe best practices.
The company has undergone training with Serve Safe accreditation for food handling and management, and for health and wellness programs.
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Lasang Pinoy: Noche Buena Dinnerby adobonationTFC3,453 views
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