the LONGEST CHEESY CHRISTMAS is here!

After breaking the record for the most number of cheesy dishes last year, Kraft Eden Cheese also stepped into the milestone of making the Philippines, the longest celebration of Christmas in the entire world! This is in line with the Sarap ng Pasko Campaign in which places around the archipelago are encouraged to support their own dish entries to win and help their community with the prize at stake. Remember that I campaigned for Bacarra's Cheesy Bagnet Pizza.

The celebration started last September at exactly 100 days before Christmas. And on December 16, at the start of the Simbang Gabi, 9 towns are awarded with fundings from Kraft Eden Cheese. Last December 24 which marks the ninth day of the Simbang Gabi, Mandaluyong City is granted the last winner for this year. A delicious Trio Cheese Delight lighted up the people's morning as they served it in the Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG) set -- a first time in the UKG tradition in bringing out the anchors and reach to the people of Mandaluyong.

Kraft's Category Manager, Alex Tacderas and Senior Brand Manager, Anna Roxas-Sapitan are most thankful for the outcome of the event. They were really amazed how the communities gathered and had very Christmas-y spirit in this campaign. And for the next year, they are again cooking a bigger attempt of Christmas celebration with participation by the whole nation. They are also thankful to the press for imparting the communications to all people and making this greatly possible.

Also, one fortunate family is awarded with one house by the Habitat for Humanity. A great Christmas gift from the partner of UKG and Kraft in extending their corporate social-responsibility.

I hope that the Filipinos do this all year round not just for the sake of joining a contest. But as one nation, we are able to provide for our community. Kraft served as a medium of igniting the Christmas spirit in all of us. I mean, that we are able to get up in any circumstance that may come upon us. We should be thankful that institutions like Kraft are reminding us that we can do it.

And with all of that, Merry Christmas to all.