A very cheesy Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - With Christmas only six days away (can you believe it?), it’s easy get caught up with holiday preparations. Your family might drag you to the mall this weekend to get some last-minute gift shopping done. Your friends might call a meeting to finalize the Christmas party plans for the barkada. Your thesis group mates might call for a celebratory karaoke night, maybe even a contest of who can sing Santa Tell Me best.

As much as we like presents and well-planned Christmas parties, the holiday season isn’t just about exchanging carefully wrapped presents and all the lechon you can eat in a lifetime. Sometimes, all it takes to make the holidays meaningful is some good pizza and a few stories to share, as cheesy as that may sound (pun intended.)

So why don’t you share the love, pass around a plate of the best pasta you will ever have, and reminisce over the best moments of your 2014? Take a step back and recall all your many mini victories (like that time you aced your test, found the perfect filter to go with your #foodstagram etc.). After all, experiences sure last longer than presents.

For an afternoon of laughs and carbo-loading, we knew we could rely on Cibo, everyone’s favorite Italian restaurant chain. After all, it’s the Italian this generation grew up on. Seventeen years after revolutionizing the local dining scene with its readily available, always delicious Italian dishes, food scene queen Margarita Fores’s baby shows no signs of slowing down.

This week at Young STAR, we created our dream Christmas party guest list. From calligraphers to sought-after Instagrammers, our guest list is nothing short of cool and creative. We asked our guests what their favorite Cibo dish is and promptly served it at the party. And so with memorable stories about childhood and a lunch spread as Pinterest-worthy as this, it seems like being a Scrooge is not an option this holiday season.

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Drop by these Cibo branches to get your dose of holiday comfort food: Glorietta 4, Makati City; Greenbelt 5, Makati City; Shangri-La Plaza, Pasig City; Alabang Town Center; Power Plant Mall, Makati; Promenade Greenhills, San Juan City; Gateway Mall, Quezon City; Eastwood Mall, Quezon City; and Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City. Follow them on Instagram: @ciboph. Check out their website for more information: http://cibo.ph. —Maine Manalansan

Jelito de Leon, 22, photographer, on Linguine ‘La Foresta@jelitodeleon

“I have loved Linguine ‘La Foresta ever since I first ate it. It’s always the first thing I order when I go to Cibo. It’s not just yummy, but it also looks pretty, which makes it very photogenic.”

?Vica Hernandez, 24, singer-songwriter, on Spinaci Zola@vicabunny

“I love Cibo’s spinach and gorgonzola dip because it’s perfect for sharing. The first time I tried the dish was during an informal job interview. I remember feeling so stressed out after it but I was grateful that my interviewer let me have the rest of the dish once she left. It was my comfort food after a stressful day.”

AJ Pangilinan, 23, founder of Sunday Paper Co., on Penne All’ Amado @sundaypaperco

“I had it first in 2007 with my then newly met college buds. Since then it has become some sort of a “treat” for us all throughout college. Fast forward to today: I still do lunch with that same group of friends but instead of talking about finals and other college plights, we mostly talk about our businesses and how we can collaborate together. I still order the same dish. I’m quite happy to say that no one can do braised beef pasta better than Cibo.”

Ecks Abitona, 21, former visual merchandiser, on Pizza Funghi Trifolati @ecksabitona

“Nothing really beats the intense heat and smoky flavor from the first bite of this pizza. From the dough to the sauce to the mushrooms and of course, the mozzarella cheese, this will definitely brighten your day. While all the freshness envelops your satisfied stomach, you realize that what this oven-baked sensation brought you is comfort.”

Diego Manzano, 22, bassist of Imelda, on Tagliata Melanzane Alla Griglia @OFFICIALimelda

“I can’t remember when I first had this dish, but I was a bit skeptical about the flavors because there’s eggplant in it and I usually abhor eggplant. I took my first bite and my mouth was filled with contrasting flavors and textures that actually surprisingly complemented each other. Weird, huh? This is my favorite Cibo dish and you should try it too!”

Miguel Santiago, 21, founder of Barista Box, on Spaghettini ‘il Classico @thebaristabox

“The Spaghettini ‘il Classico because it reminds me of the weekends spent in Shang with my parents as a kid. They loved to order all sorts of things, so the simplicity of the pasta easily complemented anything they ordered.”

Mikka Wee, 25, managing editor and writer of Pepper.ph, on Panino agnello stufato @mikkawee

“I first tried it after NSTP in college. We were at Shang and I was craving lamb so my friend suggested that we eat at Cibo. She told me to order it. I love how it’s served in a hefty portion. I may be a bit biased because I love Cibo’s chips and dip. I still look for it most of the time and it has become one of my favorite comfort food meals.”

Alexis Ventura, 26, calligrapher, on Spaghettini Al Tris di Formaggio @inkscribbler

“I like their Spaghettini Al Tris di Formaggio because it’s yummy in an uncomplicated way. When I’m in a meeting and I have to order for a group, I order that. I don’t have to worry if they will like it or not.”