Photo by Kristine Servando.

MANILA, Philippines - As supermarkets raise prices of "Noce Buena" (Christmas Eve dinner) items, consumers scramble to find cheaper alternatives.

According to the Philippine Association of Supermarkets (PASI), "Noche Buena" product prices have risen by as much as 7% and are expected to increase more in the next 2 weeks.

A kilo of cured ham, for example, used to cost P410 but now costs P438. Half a kilo of "queso de bola" or Dutch Cheese increased from P281 to P300.

However, PASI Secretary General Federico Ples said there are ways to scrimp without sacrificing the quality of one's Noche Buena Meal.

Consumers can even buy complete "Noche Buena" grocery items under P500.

Instead of buying a whole ham, consumers can opt to buy scrap hams or ham slices by the gram instead.

Three hundred gram packs of sliced ham cost just P90 at supermarkets, allowing customers to save over P300.

'Noche bargain'

Supermarket buyers can also compare prices of items before buying either local or imported brands.

When it comes to 700 gram balls of "queso de bola", imported ones cost P376 while local but smaller sized ones cost P172.

Cans of festive fruit cocktail, often used in salads during Noche Buena, cost cheaper when imported. Local ones cost P72.50 while imported ones cost anywhere from P59.95 to P70.40.

Consumers can also buy smart by looking for substitutes for food items. Instead of buying traditional Dutch Cheese to pair with "pan de sal" (bread roll), other processed cheeses can do the trick.

Pasteurized processed cheeses like Kraft and Laughing Cow, which contain 100% cheese, cost around P64. Pasteurized cheese food that contain 51% cheese and 49% extenders, meanwhile, cost only P36.

The same goes for mayonnaise, with Mayo substitutes that come in cheaper packets.

Also, instead of using spaghetti noodles (P94 per kilo) for a Christmas pasta dish, buyers can consider switching to cheaper "pancit bihon" or sotanghon (glass noodles).

Often, shoppers find the variations in taste of food products are barely recognizable, except perhaps for people with discriminating tastebuds.

Either way, consumers can get more for their money and still have a cheerful Christmas feast. Report by Niña Corpuz, ABS-CBN News.