2014-04-06 ~ Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Ellen Adarna Covers Esquire Philippines April 2014 Issue

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Esquire magazine reveals an ingenious cover for its April 2014 issue with Ellen Adarna seductively gracing it in a very provocative yet somehow blasphemous way.

In the absence of a cross, she may get away with it but how she lay on the floor and the position of her hands and feet do not mistakenly portray the image of Jesus Christ in a cross.

Creative it may seem with the major article topics covering most of her sexual assets like Manuel L. Quezon III's power, the love of Ely Buendia, and the pain of Lav Diaz.

Alternately, with the other cover reveals Lourd De Veyra's God, the sex of Ellen Adarna, and death by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo.

There has never been any magazine cover yet that has struck my attention enough to read what's inside those glossy pages. I am betting I will be seeing more than just the oozing sexiness of Ellen Adarna.

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Maja Salvador is looking well in a two-piece swimsuit revealing her sensational firm and hot body ready to officially face summer with style and wellness.

The magazine shares articles on how to bag that dream trip without breaking the bank, how to keep your holiday hot, how to travel like a pro, how to keep your abs flab free, and the hottest reasons to hit the beach among many other worth reading topics.

The magazine also reveals JC De Vera as the alternate cover of Men's Health magazine where JC shows off his awesome muscles.

The alternate cover shows the other articles namely, Free sandbag workout, the best new shoes for men, readers sharing their secrets to success, shares ways on how to fortify your heart to add 50 years to your life, how to put your sex drive into overdrive, how to become a roastmaster and brew that perfect cup, and ways to save the Earth.

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I stopped organizing food reviews, but I keep myself open and available when there's an invitation. Sadly, I try to make it my last priority because my wife will continue to scold me whenever she sees my double china and growing belly (lol). But what was I supposed to do when I got an invitation to travel to Zamboanga for a four day visit, and then surprised to learn that our hosts will be treating us to different restaurants everyday to help promote Zamboanga as a promising tourist destination inspite of the recent conflict between MILF elements and government forces. It was followed by an exorbitant dining adventure at the three fine-dining restaurants of the Dusit Thani Manila hotel accompanied by our overnight family staycation treat the hotel gave me in exchange of blogging about them. Now that really bloated me like a blimp, but I so loved it!

Who wouldn't want to drop his dietary plans when you see before you several plates of delectable cuisines all waiting for you to dig in and explore its taste? So that was it!...I knew it wouldn't last. Life is just too short to restrict myself from eating seemingly fattening foods. It doesn't really hurt if I keep eating moderately. At least I try my best to remain guilt-free and in control. There are times I am tempted to over-eat but that's only if I eat alone. It's not everyday I indulge on one of life's finest moments especially when the dining experience is at restaurant that I've never been to.

Take for example my visit to the Grillery Restaurant and Bar located at the Greenhills Town Center along Granada street just a few blocks away past the Greenhills Shopping Center along Ortigas Avenue. By the way, don't get confused between the two places as the former is a newer spot farther away form the latter. At this restaurant, you'll find me reunited with what I love doing - teasingly going through a gastronomic adventure once again.

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Earthday Jam returns once again for another star-studded evening on April 25, 2014 filled with many of the young and veteran performers from the music industry collaborating in an effort to give tribute to the celebration of international Earthday.

The celebration will be held at the same venue where it happened last year - at the 9th Avenue corner 34th of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) starting at 7 pm. The event promises to be a merry music marathon that is still free for public viewing. I am sure it will again be flooded with individuals of all ages who will share the night with us in recognizing Earthday through the Earthday Jam 2014 celebration.

I was there covering the event last year and I have to say it was an impressive line-up of bands and singers, coupled with a few talks from NGOs and advocacy groups, and a spectacular presentation of talent and showmanship. I wanted to take photos and videos of all performances but they were simply numerous that my camera drained its battery just more than half-way the performances. Trust when I say that you'll have

At the press conference held at Gerry's Grill at Greenbelt 3, members of the media were presented with what to expect at the Earhday Jam for the year. From all the artists already identified, there will be a few more surprises to make up for an evening of non-stop music tripping and Earth-loving advocacy.

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Your friendly neighborhood pambansang blogger was invited to the launch of the Oppo Find 7, the flagship phone of the Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corporation Ltd, an international mobile phone brand committed to designing beautiful technology products with an open attitude. The company seeks to fuse technology and affection in all their products and has been restless in the pursuit of innovation, quality standards and delivering an element of positive surprise.

The Oppo Find 7 is a level above the rest of the smartphone models that are currently available in the Philippines. They introduced features I have never seen before on any of the brands that have proliferated in the country. Truly there's a lot of innovations done on their phone.

Unknown to some, the brand is very popular in China and has been a talk in the international tech forums where they discuss about the China brand phone. Though the only concern of most during the question and answer portion is the pricing. The Oppo Find 7a retails at Php 22, 9990 - almost Php 23k already save Php 10. Meanwhile the Oppo Find 7 retails for Php 25,990 - almost Php 26k.

At the media launch held at the Sofitel hotel in Manila, Oppo awes the crowd with the fascinating stage production with the number 7 represented in both small and large sizes, the dynamic stage presence of all speakers, and the stunning light display including the Oppo logos that seemingly danced on the walls of the grand ballroom of the hotel. It was a night of glamor and elegance as they introduce a very innovative product to the audience.

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In the unique tradition of street art, gritty visuals transform spaces into artistic landmarks and markers of community engagement. It is a language defined by contact, dialogue and exchange. At the heart of which lies human relationships- the inspiration for street artists such as Blic.His art depicts personal and social experiences- a creative response, expanding and collapsing, to the yearning of public spaces and specific sites. Blic brings to life “sub-cities”, familiar and storied public spaces with his street art icon, a hand or a pair of hands, which hints at a language of its own.

Pildera is an obscure enclave in Pasay City. It is no exception to the precarious and dire conditions found in a “megapolis”. It is a stark reminder of neglect, disparity, contradiction and the drama of social change. In Pildera, the economic and social divides are evident not only in the make-up of community dwellings but also amidst the interaction of people living in specific spaces.

Blic painted this wide mural on a wall behind a church and near a basket- ball court by a derelict Padefo. The Padefo, a day-care center turned urban ghetto inhabited by informal settlers, is the focal point of the mural. Beyond the frustrations of urban angst, the mural wistfully illustrates the possibility of rising out of destitution.

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My first taste of real Korean culinary was no other but from Chef's Noodle Korean Restaurant. Before I was a blogger, the only food I knew was Filipino dishes. Well, yes.. I may have eaten some foreign dishes in the past, but it's my first time to eat something authentic from a Korean Restaurant.

I was there when they introduced their very first endorsers like Down to Mars and Grace Lee. I was also present when they renewed Grace Lee's endorsement contract. Now I also recently attended their formal launch of a new Chef's Noodle brand endorser - Sam Concepcion, the teen actor, singer and dancer well-loved by the youth because of his flexibility as a performer.

Beauty queen Shamcey Supsup and her husband Lloyd Lee is also among the other special endorsers of the Korean restaurant, but Sam Concepcion is here to project an image of youthfulness and freshness that is the basic characteristics of Chef's Noodle. The restaurant is fast becoming a diner's haven for those that love everything about Korea.

I could still remember my first take-out of their dishes from their Greenhills branch. The staff were very courteous and helped me with my choices from the menu. What was great was the affordability because I remember going home with two paper bag full of dishes for only a few bucks. Back home, my family and I enjoyed the feast, and they had no complaints of the food.

Pretty Little Liars Philippines' Stars Cover Sense & Style Magazine April 2014 Issue

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Sense and Style magazine presents the stars of the Philippine version of Pretty Little Liars namely Danielle Lee, Sophie Albert and Chanel Morales on their April 2014 issue.

All three pretty little ladies are TV5 princesses from the Kapatid network of Manny Pangilinan. The three ladies exude an aura of sophistication and elegance wearing those exquisite printed dresses, and long beautiful hair that are simply highlighted as the teenage stars' crowning glory.

Their faces could also launch a thousand ships if we were back in the old days, now they can launch a thousand boys' dream of heavenly paradise, or become viral on social media shared mostly by the love-struck boys.

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The end of high school years is usually marked by two things; graduation and prom. Graduation is where the fourth years receive their diplomas which certify that they have completed their high school education. But before that is an event where the seniors can get to socialize with the juniors before leaving their beloved alma mater. That event is the junior-senior promenade (“prom” for short), and this year Pasig City Science High School’s prom got brighter and brighter as the earth lurched away from the sun.

This year, the student body of PCSHS has decided to make the Great Gatsby the theme for their junior-senior prom. So with that theme comes one word-vintage. Dresses and coats were all flaunting a touch of nostalgia. Some even sported the clothes straight from The Great Gatsby itself. The venue was decorated with black, gold, and anything that sparkles, with bouquets of flowers to balance the overall atmosphere.

We were serenaded by selected students while dinner time was ongoing. There were lots of performers from both the juniors and the seniors. Some sang for their special someone. Some sang to entertain. Some even played guitars while performing!

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Ashley Rivera, otherwise know as Petra Mahalimuyak, is the cover model for FHM Philippines magazine April 2014 issue.

Wearing only a bikini panty and with hands holding two water guns covering her perky well-rounded breasts, Ashley teases all who catches a glimpse of the magazine to find out more about this beauty inside the pages of the magazine.

The magazine has articles on what women actually like, how grilling makes a man and that girls love a man who can burn meat, reminding that better living starts with getting your back straight, and a sexual debate between sex gurus Abby Poblador and Jahziel Manabat to determine which is better: Pop In or Pop Out?

Now available on news stands and book stores nationwide.

Maybank and Wendy's Partner to Treat You With Awesome Burger Combos

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I can still remember the days when we often visit Wendy's burger joints after work week. My colleagues and I would always attack the salad bar as one of our favorite meals aside from their burger with bacon and melted cheese. We would often compete with each other making the tallest salad just using the plate provided. There is something really challenging in making their salad look like a tower especially when you see others able to make it look like a skyscraper.

OMG! How are they able to do it? They were very ingenious in using the cucumbers and other veggies to create a humungous bulk of salad on their plate. I am at awe seeing many other people aside from our group trying their best to emulate the same achievement like it was a career on its own. Yeah! We frequent the salad not just because it taste really good because of those several choices of salad dressing, but also because we were challenged to find out how tall we can go.

Everyone is only allowed a one-time visit to the salad bar but how can others able to eat so many, or better yet how can they make their salad defy gravity? I would often be in a state between admiration and feeling weird. This is probably why Wendy's no longer has a salad bar. Lol! They still serve salads, but gone are the salad bars.

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Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph “Jun” Abaya hails the European Union’s (EU) decision to lift its ban on Cebu Pacific Air, citing the carrier’s efforts in satisfying the European Commission’s safety standard requirements, as well as the effective governance of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) top officials.

In a message he delivered during the announcement of the lifting, Abaya gave the following remarks:

“One of our missions at the DOTC and CAAP under President Aquino’s leadership has been to revive the country’s aviation sector and to elevate it to world-class standards. Today’s announcement of the EU’s decision to lift its ban on Cebu Pacific Air brings us that much closer to establishing the Philippine civil aviation sector’s resurgence as one of the hallmarks of the Aquino administration.

“We are grateful to the EU for opening its skies to more flights from the Philippines. This will afford your constituents better access to excellent tourist destinations across our islands, and will give our citizens convenient and affordable means of travelling to your countries as well.

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Below are both statements of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Malacanang (from the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Undersecretary Abigail Valte) on the upgrade to Category 1 Status of the Philippines by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Earlier on I posted the official press release of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) at a separate blog post.

We are glad to hear about this great news that will surely uplift the recognition of the Philippine aviation industry towards strengthening tourism promotion efforts of the country.

Many will feel more confident flying to the Philippines now that we are on FAA Category 1 status.

Flying is relatively the safest means of transportation with very little, and almost insignificant compared to the accidents happening on the roads and even the seas, but with the recent disappearance of the Malaysian airplane, there seems to be an impending concern for some to become more aware of classifications such as these to ensure their safety.

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We did some Wine Tasting 101 a few days earlier during one of the events I attended for another brand and that is where I realized the many factors that make up a great wine, and how the delicate and lengthy process takes place. From there I found out that wine is simply a symbol of elegance because it takes a real wine lover to be able to tell which wine is of superb quality. You need to do a lot of reading, and a lot of tasting, to master the art.

Now here's the chance for all wine enthusiasts to indulge on great wines. Get ready as Buddha-Bar Manila finally brings the Ultimate Wine Experience! Unlimited wine every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 8-11PM for only Php 1500. Enjoy unlimited serving of top of the line wine, making conversations with friends a feel good one!

What are you waiting for, dress up and troop over at Buddha-Bar Manila for an Ultimate Wine Experience.

For inquiries and table reservation, please contact (+63 2) 856-6859, (+63 2) 856-6719, or email at info@buddhabarmanila.com

Category 1 Status Cements Landmark Era in Philippine Aviation Sector

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After seven (7) years, the United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally upgraded the country’s civil aviation status from Category 2 to Category 1, enabling Philippine air carriers to open new direct flights to the US.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph “Jun” Abaya lauds this significant development in the country’s aviation industry and notes that it would further strengthen ties with the US.

“This upgrade cements a landmark era in the Philippine aviation sector. From one major achievement to another in a span of less than 2 years, the country has made great strides in enhancing its aviation industry to one that is at par with the best in the world,” said Abaya.

“We congratulate the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for a job well done in ensuring the lifting of the ICAO’s significant safety concerns, the lifting of the European ban on local airlines, and now, the FAA upgrade to Category 1. Truly, your accomplishments prove that good governance and competent leadership will be the legacy of President Aquino’s Daang Matuwid,” Abaya stated.

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At the first conference held for the One FC: Rise of Heroes fights, I remember undefeated American-born Malaysian Gianni Subba saying that Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Eugene Toquero "should worry about his face rather than his hair." But Eugene boasts of a lot of experience and skills to beat, even knock out, Gianni Subba on May 2 in the star-studded ONE Fighting Championship card at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

“My experience and skills will make the difference. There will be a knockout and it will be him going down,” Toquero, whose MMA record is four wins and one loss, said.

He guarantees that the fans will enjoy his fight with Subba. “The fans will enjoy our fight. Subba may be good but I’m better because of my experience and skills.”

“I have more fights in my career than Subba. I’m a veteran when it comes to competition. Mas maraming baon ako,” he added.

He is truly oozing with confidence even during the open workout held last week at the Ultimate Fitness Gym located at Metrowalk in Ortigas, Pasig. His hair was still looking fine even after several hours of sweating inside the gym. There is no doubt in his mind that he will be able to put down Gianni even before his hair turns messy.

Anne Curtis Smith Covers Cosmopolitan Philippines Magazine April 2014 Issue

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Anne Curtis Smith has this OMG abs worth the envy of many. The newest Dyesebel star flaunts her awesome body on the cover of Cosmopolitan Philippines magazine April 2014 issue wearing a flowery two red, green and white-colored two-piece swimsuit.

Anne shares how she owned up to her mistakes and reveals the secret to her staying power.

The popular brand endorser, TV host, recording artist, and concert blockbuster princess has remained very popular among the madlang people even after several issues seemingly showing her arrogance when drunk at parties.

Other articles included in the magazine are equally hot, hot, hot topics like fantasy sex sharing hot moves to spice it up in bed, how to speak up and stand out at work, some travel tipid tips, and why murder could happen to you.

Now available in news stands and bookstores nationwide.

Philippine International Friendship Balloon Festival 2014: It's More Than Just Hot Air

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This year's hot air balloons took flight in Brgy. Prado Siongco in Lubao, Pampanga. Unlike last year when the festival was celebrated in Angeles city, Pampanga's hot air balloon festival, now organized by Pilipinas International Balloon Festival, Inc. (PIBF) in cooperation with the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTO) and with support from Provincial Government of Pampanga, was held last April 10 to 13, 2014.

Department of Tourism Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico did say that even though the festival was held more than 30 kilometers away from its original location, more people populated the area since the festival ground was fairly passable and accessible for both private and public vehicles. The new site was just along the Gapan-Olongapo Road going to Dinalupihan. The festival attracted more than 100,000 visitors.

Around 30 hot-air balloon teams from the US, Europe and Southeast Asia have been invited to participate in the four-day event entitled Philippine International Friendship Balloon Festival 2014 with the theme “It’s More than Just Hot Air.”

Marian Rivera Covers Women's Health Magazine April 2014 Issue

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"Yun and pinakamasarap sa buhay: Totoo ka sa sarili mo" as the always beautiful Marian Rivera graces the cover model of Women's Health magazine April 2014 issue. True enough, she is an epitome of true beauty who's personality follows dearly.

Marian never fails to impress while looking all fresh and ready for summer wearing a pair of denim shorts and yellow hanging top that highlights her cleavage and amazing belly button and waist.

What I wouldn't do to spend a day, or better yet, an overnight with her.

The magazine teaches us how to have a lean body and a sexy belly revealing your abs, how to have more and better sex, shares a lot of confidence-boosting tips, enumerates some great ideas to boost feel-good hormones, lower stress, and be happier, how to jump-start a fitness routine, look great this season and live your best life. It also shares the magazine writer's take on the season's diet trends.

Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant of Zamboanga: Fingerlicking Great Spicy Fried Tiger Prawns

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Situated along the expanse of San Jose lies another famous restaurant in Zamboanga that goes by the name of Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant where, as its name implies, you can buy your favorite seafood and ingredients and have them cooked any way you want them. My favorite, obviously as seen from above, was the large prawns cooked in spicy chili, butter and garlic. Well, I don't really know the exact ingredients they used but rest assured that it was the best dish among the other delectable dishes served to us.

This is one of the famous restaurants where the residents and local government officials take their VIPs visitors and special guests for meals that won't disappoint and will make a good image of Zamboanga. You can't go wrong choosing this place for meetings, gatherings and special occasions when you want to impress whoever it is you're dining with.

The prices are quite reasonable considering the large servings and the superb taste of every meal. I would love to do more of lunch meetings at this place because I may be wanting to eat more than the usual. Seafood has always been a priority dish for me if given the opportunity to dine generously, but I do have to watch out for my health as this is a real threat to my waistline and blood pressure. Lol!

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It's now undoubtedly summer time in the Philippines even though it somewhat rained a few days ago. You can feel the extreme heat everywhere you go. The air-conditioning in public buses cannot cope with how hot it is right now that you'll sweat it out profusely if you commute in the middle of the day.

I would often bring a spare shirt everytime, and would take a bath before and after the daily trips. If only I could shower while commuting, I would do it just to get rid of this sticky sweaty feeling. I would do everything in exchange for the opportunity to dip in a pool, or better yet, I would trade my soul for a swim in the southern seas - specifically the pink sand coralline beaches of the Great Santa Cruz Island of Zamboanga.

The color of the sand comes from the pulverized red organ pipe coral from eons of surf erosion mixed with the white sand. There is a smaller island nearby called Little Santa Cruz Island but it's a guarded military installation. Illegal coral reef mining has wiped out most of the Great Santa Cruz Island's vast and beautiful coral reef population but the coral reef at the Little Santa Cruz Island is still healthy, and could become a possible source for restoration of the big island.

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I've done a lot of readings online several days before going to Zamboanga to check out what to expect and look for to satisfy my cravings for native delicacies of the city. It isn't everyday that you get the opportunity to visit the place so it's best to make the most of it rather than contend myself with what the hotel has to serve.

One that caught my attention was the Satti - an exotic Hala-certified local culinaria signifying the unique ties between Christians and Muslims in Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is a mix of cubed rice and grilled beef or chicken (meat or liver) barbecue poured with a generous amount of sweet and spicy thick sauce. The meat were like literally swimming because the sauce were so plenty.

The dish is a hit among tourists because the taste of this piquant soup is something to perk up one's day especially when eaten early in the morning.

Best for breakfast, the Satti is a regional delicacy popular in Zamboanga but may not translate well for the people from Manila. We are used to sweet and salty in the mornings along with our favorite 3-in-1 instant or brewed coffee, but at Andy's Satti, they recommend sodas or softrinks as a thirst quencher, and spice reliever just in case you are not used to the spiciness.

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The spanner crab or more popularly known in Zamboanga city as the Curacha is like a gigantic brilliant-red orange cockroach with pincers and fringed with hair at its sides. The name curacha is so close to the chavacano word cucuracha which literally means cockroach, thus the name.

It may be a weird looking monster-like crustacean but many are longing to dine on these Indo-Australian crabs once they are cooked, minimally either steamed or boiled, because it is best experienced in its natural exotic flavor, so as to preserve its original taste.

You should add sauce toppings made with a combination of gata (coconut milk), ginger, chili and other aromatics to enhance the flavor. But the well-loved special sauce from the Alavar Seafood Restaurant seems to be the most highly recommended in the city.

Contrary to what others are saying, these sea creatures can also be found in other waters aside from just Zamboanga. It just so happens that Zamboanga was the one that made it popular as the iconic must-try native delicacy when you go visit Asia's Latin City.

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You'll know everyone liked it when we can't stop talking about it. The ultimate proof is when everyone votes to order it on the last day before going back to Manila. This delectable dessert from Palmeras Restaurant of Zamboanga was simply a blockbuster hit for all of us that we persuaded our host to treat us out again with the yummy treat while we ate at another restaurant.

The Knickerbocker from Palmeras Restaurant is not really that complicated to make because its simply similar to our native halo-halo but instead of beans, sweet potatoes, and other traditional halo-halo ingredients with ice, they used an assortment of fruits instead, plus a few jellos then generously trickled with cream and topped off with a scoop of strawberry ice cream.

There was melon, banana, ripe mango, watermelon,.... and one of our companions even said he tasted avocado somewhere in the mix.

The Palmeras Restaurant serves a lot of delightful dishes but it was their dessert that became the talk of the afternoon, and until the next grueling days when we felt hot under the scorching heat. "How I wish I was eating a knickerbocker right now" I would say to myself. Maybe because it had an extraordinary name unlike any other but what is a name if it didn't taste great as well.

In fairness to the other dishes from the restaurant, I will also share them with you as they also brought out a huge appetite from our group.

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Kapuso actor-comedian Jan Manual may have not won when he joined the teenage reality show Starstruck, but as many would say, there's always a next time and a host of other opportunities. This served true for Jan after landing the lead role in an episode of CBN Asia's Holy Week Special Tanikala: My Sister, My Lover.

Exciting things are about to happen in the coming months for CBN Asia especially with Holy Week is just a few weeks away. On Maundy Thursday until Black Saturday, CBN Asia brings back its telemovie Tanikala, where a great line up of stories on pain, tears, hope and moving on, and of how God worked in the lives of the four people featured will be shown.

On Maundy Thursday at 5:30 p.m. on GMA 7, Jan Manual and Sheena Halili star in My Sister, My Lover, where Jan plays the role of gay Art Duyan.

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Club de Damas Latinas (Latin American Women´s Club) in the Philippines, founded 47 years ago, is a duly registered non-stock non-profit organization that has focused in supporting children who do not have access to education, health services, or a safe environment.

Sophisticated, civic minded, passionate and empowered ladies of the club are joining their forces to organize its 48th Latin Charity Ball. Their Annual Latin Charity Ball, one of the most prestigious fundraising events in the country and recently been recognized as one of the Top 20 Events of the Year in the Philippines by Philippine Tatler, is their major fundraising event. Their goal is to provide a night full of fun and entertainment while at the same time procuring hope and support to the poorest communities of the country that is our home.

This year, their well known event is named, "Fire Up Your Heart” as it represents the energy of the Latin culture and their inherent passion to help and make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. It is also a continuing call to action for others to get involved and help. The fun filled evening event will be held on May 10th 2014 at Fairmont Makati Hotel, 7:00 p.m.

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The Alaska Milk Corporation’s (AMC) has been a trusted ally in providing everyday affordable nutrition to Filipino families.

I still remember the time during my childhood when they used to call me Alaska boy because I looked a lot like the image of the boy printed in every can of Alaska milk. I had curly wavy hair and had white complexion that I got from my mother side. But unfortunately when I grew older, I got to look more like my father. Anyway, the other reason they call me Alaska boy was because I would always prefer to eat milk with rice instead of any other viand. I would pour condensed milk on top of rice and eat it as is.

Obviously, Alaska has been my favorite because its the only brand that my mother buys from the supermarket even though there are several milk brands out there. Until now, Alaska remains a favorite choice.

This unwavering commitment is now made even stronger as Alaska Milk Corporation partners with Royal FrieslandCampina, the Dutch dairy company that has been supplying mothers all over the world with high quality dairy nutrition for over 130 years now. Mothers can now benefit more from the combined power and expertise of the two companies. The partnership will offer essential nutrients from milk at any stage of the people’s lives.

Berta Rojas of Paraguay: Guitarist Exraordinaire Performs Live in Manila and Cebu

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Berta Rojas, a star in the international guitar community and a tourism ambassador of her native Paraguay being the most popular musician of the country, will hold concerts in Manila (on May 15, 2014 at 8 pm in the Meralco Theater) and Cebu (on May 17, 2014 at 8 pm in the Marcelo Fernan Hall in Lahug). Ms. Rojas, described by the Washington Post as "Guitarist extraordinaire," will play a mainly classical repertoire with a taste of jazz and salsa.

At a press conference held at the Richmonde Hotel last April 7, 2014, members of the media got to interview Ms. Rojas via Skype video call straight from Paraguay. The time difference between Paraguay and the Philippines is around 12 hours so that would mean she had to remain awake late in the evening at around midnight so he could talk to us at the press conference. The presscon started at around 12 noon that day so you can do your own computation.

Present at the presscon were the front acts for the concert in Manila namely Ramoncito Carpio, the country's most internationally awarded classic guitarist and Triple Fret, a trio that plays classical and more accessible pieces, composed of Marga Abejo, Jenny de Vera, and Iqui Vinculado.

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Heart Evangelista looks oh so sultry in a swimsuit gracing the cover of the Swimwear Special of Metro Magazine April 2014 issue.

The issue talks about how to be sexy in Gucci, shares tips and tricks on how to get a sexy summer body, several beauty products, reaffirms that the Filipinas is beyond beautiful. and introduces new swimsuit styles for every shape, size and budget.

They say real sexiness is when you know when not to reveal everything yet still look sexually appealing to the eyes of men, and even women. Heart manages to please even though she partly covers her body to only reveal slightly a portion of her upper assets.

It's really beginning to look a lot like ...summer!

PETA Announces Line Up for its 47th Theater Season

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I grew very fond of watching theater plays ever since I got invited to my very first theater event by a publicist that wanted us to blog about it to help in the promotion. It was a very endearing night as I never realized it would mean staring at the stage for quite a long time admiring how the performers speak out their lines with passion. What was more remarkable was when I started to laugh at the hilarious scenes. It was strikingly surprising for me because there has never been a show that made me laugh that much. I am totally bored of Filipino movies, but I feel more than alive watching theater plays.

This is why I am always in the look-out for opportunities to cover theater performances. It may take several hours of seating, but the entire length seemed only seconds because you simply won't feel any boredom watching live performances. If I could only throw away the TV and setup a theater in my living room and make theater actors perform daily plays for me, then that would be worth subscribing to. Local TV channels sucks, cable TV channels dominates, but theater RULES!

This is why I was excited to hear about the 47th theater season announcement of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). When they recently announced it line-up for its 47th theater season at a press launch held at the PETA Theater Center located in New Manila last April 5, 2014, I knew it would be another great year.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We just came from a very long Grand Civic and Military parade that was participated by local government agencies, college students and teachers, and of course the military, and immediately after was a night concert graced by local talents from the Mindanao areas singing in their local dialects at the Paseo Del Mar right beside the enchanting musically gyrating water fountain

Ricky Manzano, a cousin of the popular actor and TV host Edu Manzano, (or should I say the uncle of Luis Manzano since Luis is more prominent now in showbiz than his dad) bought the Country Chicken restaurant, one of the city’s oldest restaurants, from its previous owners (The Fernandez family) and continued to serve its most popular dishes maintaining the well-loved recipes and introducing new ones to tickle more of the palate of its patrons. It is located right beside Oliva, his fine dining restaurant that is also a popular eating destination.

They have two branches, one at Pasonanca park and another one that's smaller at Paseo Del Mar. We visited the one at the Pasonanca park to have dinner, and to try out their popular homemade ice cream.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Will you be the Philippines’ first-ever Red Bull Thre3style champion?

After the success of last year’s Red Bull Thre3style Showcase, the organizers are holding more events in 2014 - but this time they are looking for the Philippines’ best DJ to represent the Philippines at the World Finals in Baku, Azerbaijan.

We are giving a shoutout to the world-class Filipino DJs of the Philippines to apply in this prestigious competition:

In order to apply for the competition, DJs need to register on the .com website: http://www.redbullthre3style.com/enter
For updates, the Facebook event page has been activated: https://www.facebook.com/events/228775040656251/

What are you waiting for, guys? I know that there are a lot of great DJs out there with superb skills comparable with world-class foreign DJs so you better flaunt your skills and become recognized worldwide.

This is your opportunity to shine out among the rest by giving out your best!

LINE Global Community Has Grown 400M Strong

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As LINE enthralls more Filipinos with its colorful combination of features and services, the mobile messaging app’s global community continues to post unprecedented growth as it recently surpassed 400 million users.

Since its launch in 2011, LINE has grown into a global communications app that lets users communicate through voice and video calls, as well as stickers and text messages.

“One of our goals for 2014 was to reach over 500 million users and today we’ve been able reach the milestone of 400 million,” says Akira Morikawa, CEO of LINE Corporation. “I’d like to thank all our users and supporters for their help so far.”

Behind growing user bases in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, the amount of LINE’s daily new users has reached a record-breaking pace of 1.7 million per day—indicating rapid worldwide growth.

Alongside the rising number of users, the amount of communication made through LINE has also skyrocketed. Since the start of 2014, records have been set for the daily usage of chat messages (10 billion/day), sticker messages (1.8 billion/day), and phone calls (over 12 million/day).

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We would like to share to our readers that Wazzup Pilipinas was recently featured in one of the leading newspapers of the country, the Philippine Star, just yesterday April 7, 2014, Monday.

The feature was also posted on their online portal in digital form via the following link:

http://www.philstar.com/networks/2014/04/07/1309566/wazzup-named-top-phl-community-blog-site

We are grateful to have been recognized by award-giving bodies even though we've only been around for less than a year. This just proves that a lot of things can happen in just a short span of time given the right opportunities.

Wazzup Pilipinas aims to become the preferred online media partner of everything that's happening in the Philippines because our advocacy is to promote the country as a promising economic tiger that has outgrown its third-world country image. After all, we are the home of the best boxers, the most number of beauty queens, and the best beaches in the world.

Below is the full page copy from the newspaper containing the article:

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Kaspersky Lab, a leading secure content and threat management solutions developer, knows that mobile malware is the hottest topic among cybercriminals and the number of malicious mobile apps is rapidly growing.

The reason for that is obvious – there are multiple ways to earn money on infecting your smartphone – ranging from direct theft to rather geeky stuff like bitcoin mining.

Take a look at the infographic above to figure out, what assets on mobile require a dedicated protection solution.

Kape Zambo Restaurant at Paseo Del Mar of Zamboanga

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Vamos a Comer na Kape Zambo! Enjoy the excellent food that may actually make you grab some more for seconds and thirds. It was sort of my first full meal for the day, except for the light breakfast at LM Metro Hotel and the snacks served at the Cinematheque Zamboanga launch, so it was very special for me.

The restaurant is located at Paseo Del Mar so you'll get a magnificent view of the sea while dining on your favorite meals. Peak hours happen during night time but the restaurant is already open during the day. They serve very affordable meals that's just right on the budget as can be seen from their menu.

Kape Zambo is ideal if you also want to "boodle" with your friends for a satisfactory meal that cost only Php 338 for the whole bilao made up of several viands. Need more rice? A scoop is only Php 15 for plain and Php 20 for garlic. The desserts we ordered were all less than Php 50. The fruit shakes like buko, mango and corn are only Php 68 per glass.

The most expensive dish in their menu was the Crispy Pata which sells between Php 320 to Php 400, the probable reason for which is that it's a huge serving for sharing with your barkada, friends, colleagues or relatives,....or whoever out there that you want to create an impression. I never got to try it but considering the size of the other dishes served to us, you'll definitely want somebody else to be with you because you won't be able to finish your meals.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

One Fighting Championship (ONE FC), Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, has confirmed it will return to Singapore on May 30, 2014 with a blockbuster event titled ONE FC: HONOR & GLORY.

Undefeated welterweight and collegiate wrestling legend, Ben Askren, makes his highly anticipated ONE FC debut against Bakhtiyar Abbasov, who is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak. Veteran Caros Fodor takes on top prospect Willy Ni, while Jake Butler returns to action against New Zealand’s Pane Haraki.

Tickets for ONE FC: HONOR & GLORY in Singapore are on sale now at Sports Hub Tix (http://www.sportshub.com.sg/sportshubtix/events). Ticket categories begin with the full Red Carpet and cageside experience for VIPs at S$348 followed by Arena S$148, Terrace S$68 and Balcony S$38. Prices exclude ticketing fee. Pre-sale packages are available from now till 27 April.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship Victor Cui stated, “After months of anticipation, ONE FC will return to Singapore with another explosive night of world-class mixed martial arts action. Fans around the world have been eagerly awaiting the ONE FC debut of top welterweight, Ben Askren. He faces the toughest test of his career when he goes up against another top welterweight, Bakhtiyar Abbasov. ONE FC is redefining the mixed martial arts landscape and close to 12,000 fans will pack out the arena to witness history at ONE FC: HONOR & GLORY!”

LM Metro Hotel of Zamboanga City: Alternative Accommodation at Asia's Latin City

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I got a short tour of another hotel during my stay at Zamboanga City to attend the many celebrations happening that week which included the 9th Philippine Bird Festival, the Dia De Zamboanga activities, and the launch of the Cinematheque Zamboanga, among other festivities scheduled by the Department of Tourism Region 9 and the local government units.

The LM Metro Hotel, located at Don Toribio street corner Falcatan street of barangay Tetuan, was one of the newest hotel there that was supposed to open last year but also one of the businesses that got affected by the sudden outbreak of the Zamboanga siege. It was far from ground zero, but the siege simply was bad news for many to operate their businesses while a war was going on between the rebels and government forces.

The hotel boasts of amenities sufficient enough for a great stay since it already has your basic needs. The improvements on existing facilities and the construction of additional ones are ongoing. They have great plans for the hotel to be able to satisfactory comply with above average standards, if not exceed expectations.

It has a coffee shop near the hotel lobby called 3rd Cup Cafe (I am just not sure if its called 3rd Cup Cafe because they are also into Third wave coffee), a Casa LM Restaurant just infront within the compounds of the hotel, and a Sky Gym where fitness and health buffs already hang out to workout.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Is fashion art? Could fashion be considered as a form of art?

Well, for me, I believe fashion sense comes from appreciating art. The blending of colors, shapes and sizes to harmonize well as a clothing or outfit that you can also wear comfortably is one of the truest art form.

For an art lover like me, this will be an interesting read. I am curious on what they have to say, and how they will defend their statements.

Preview magazine gets graphic this month of April 2014 with an awesome cover featuring the sexy Sam Pinto and their foldable fashion editorial.

Grab a copy of our April issue to see more artwork from amazing local artist via this download link: https://summitnewsstand.com.ph/preview-magazine

9th Philippine Bird Festival in Zamboanga: Students Participate in Festival Competitions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Zamboanga is also known for its variety of birds found in the forest and mangroves of Asia's Latin City. Just like the many languages spoken in the city, there seems to be a lot of species of birds that made Zamboanga their home.

This was why the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, an organization of bird lovers, enthusiasts, and conservationists, agreed of the invitation to collaborate with the Department of Tourism (DOT), along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), of the region, to hold the 9th Philippine Bird Festival in Zamboanga.

They have chosen the city as the venue of the festival with the theme “Pajaros: Bula Sin Miedo, Sin Lingasa” which means “Birds: Fly Without Fear, Without Worries.” The Philippine Bird Festival aims to help improve awareness of threatened habitats and species in Mindanao, aside from attracting tourists to visit the city Zamboanga, and nearby areas.

There was also a city festival celebration where students coming from different schools paraded with their colorful bird costumes and joined a dance competition. I was there during the parade and when the awarding concluded at the Paseo Del Mar, the city's primary events venue where lots of activities are being held.

Wazzup Pilipinas!
Celebrate the artist.
The artist who inspires.
The artist who uplifts.
The artist who empowers.

Celebrate all those who have selflessly given the world part of themselves through their art.

It's hard to believe that there was a time not too long ago when art-related courses were considered a fall-back for those unable to cope with a more "serious" line of studies.

Thankfully, life always seems to find a way of putting things into the right perspective.

iACADEMY, the leading DESIGN, COMPUTING and BUSINESS School in the Philippines understands the importance of art and acknowledges YOUNG ARTISTS from Marist school of Marikina City, St. Mary's Academy Sta. Ana, Angels in Heaven Cabuyao Laguna, Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Divine Light Academy Bacoor, MCA Montessori Taguig, Holy Family School Quezon City and Caritas Don Bosco Laguna for their contributions to the world.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Do not be misled by my good looks.

This was the warning given by undefeated Malaysian mixed martial arts contender Gianni Subba to Filipino Eugene Toquero.

Subba will bring to the cage a competitiveness and tenacity that made him undefeated so far in his last three professional fights under the ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) banner.

“The competitiveness of the sport really got me into MMA. Also watching my fellow Malaysian peers compete in great organizations like ONE FC made me really want to challenge myself,” Subba said.

Subba will be facing Toquero, a tough and more experienced Filipino fighter who has also a string of victories before falling last December in the ONE FC event at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I was able to visit Thailand, particularly Bangkok, for a 5 day training program sponsored by the United Nations several years ago. The training was for 5 days at a hotel and the only opportunity to get out and see the sights was only during the night after the whole-day training. This is why I decided to stay for a couple more days to get the chance to see the sights during the day.

For the entire 5 days I was there I made it a point to only eat the Thai cuisines to experience authentic Thai cooking right in the heart of Thailand itself. It was a fabulous week of gastronomic exploration as I even tried the street foods recommended by our Thai friends.

I've been to a few Thai restaurants in the Philippines already after that Bangkok trip and each opportunity brings back memories of Thailand. I take delight visiting anything and everything Thai so you can imagine what I felt when I found out I will be dining again at a Thai restaurant soon. More great news is I would be able to bring along my family with me. Now that made me want to jump for joy really high I could feel like almost touching the clouds.

True enough, our dining experience at the Benjarong Royal Thai Cuisine Restaurant made me reminisce my Bangkok days once more. Ahhhh ...happy days are here again, and I got to spend it with my family. I may not have been able to bring them along with me to Thailand, but that night I brought a piece of Thailand to them.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Travel and tourism professionals in South India voted the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) as the “Best National Tourism Organization” for 2013.

“South India Travel Awards will create an all-India platform to recognize those behind the success of the travel and tourism industry and to recognize their achievements,” Amit Bhasin, Convener of the India Travel Awards, said

The DOT was awarded for its branding campaign and roadshows in South India, particularly in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Last year, the Philippines organized three roadshows and one location meeting with filmmakers in the region alone to promote various destinations and facilitate business-to-business deals among its private sector partners.

Amit Bhasin added that the South India Travel Awards, supported by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, is the first of the four regional recognition events (the other three are in the North, East, and West) leading to the nationwide India Travel Awards scheduled later in the year.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We spent a family bonding opportunity at the Dusit Thani Manila hotel after my father was invited to try out a staycation at the said hotel. It was perfect timing to celebrate my sister’s high school graduation which was happening in just a few days from now. After a great dinner at the Benjarong Thai Royal Cuisine restaurant and an overnight at a magnificent hotel room, we woke up eager to try out the buffet breakfast at the Basix Restaurant of the hotel.

Basix Restaurant had quite a selection of food since it seems to contain the popular type of breakfast choices: American, Filipino, Continental and a few more to satisfy your appetite. Our breakfast here was the best we’ve experienced so far, because everything was so delicious, like an adventure for our taste buds.

Witnessing the surroundings, everything was portrayed conveniently so you wouldn’t look like a lost kid searching for your parents. We got our plates, and raided each station to our hearts content. We chose food to make the perfect breakfast; I chose cereal, waffles and pancakes, bread, noodles, rice with franks, corned beef, chicken curry, bacon and finally yogurt (carbs on carbs on carbs on carbs on carbs on carbs...hehehe….just joking).

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To continue with our Dusit Thani Manila Hotel family staycation story, I left you wondering what it was like inside our hotel room. Well now I bring you inside to get a few glimpses of how it looked like.

Since it was a family staycation, the room should be big enough for all five of us (two adults and three kids aged 15, 14 and 10). Lucky enough, we were given a hotel suite at the 12th floor.

Basically, there were two partitions. One partition is where you can find two beds along with some tables and a flat screen TV monitor where you can watch cable TV, and the other the living room containing a sofa set plus an extra bed for the fifth member of our family. The living room also had a flat screen TV monitor with cable TV connection. Its like living at home except that there was no kitchen and dining area.

However, who needs a kitchen in a hotel when it already has four specialty restaurants that can serve the best meals possible. But we'll be sure to visit the hotel gym as too much eating will surely increase our waist size soon.

Hirugohan O Taberu at UMU Japanese Restaurant

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Last March 29 and 30 marked another significant day of our lives as a family. We spent our family bonding in Dusit Thani Manila hotel, located at Ayala Center, the central business district of Makati City here in the Philippines. It was also sort of a celebration of my high school graduation since I will be soon graduating in just a few days.

We checked in at around 1:30 in the afternoon of March 29th for an overnight stay that my father calls a family staycation. Our stay in the said hotel was worth reminiscing because we got to spend time at a luxurious hotel room filled with amenities fitting for VIPs, had dinner at the Benjarong Royal Thai Cuisine Restaurant, enjoyed a buffet breakfast the following morning at the Basix Restaurant, and had our lunch at the Umu Japanese Restaurant of the hotel.

I volunteered to write about our dining experience at the Umu Japanese Restaurant because I really enjoyed the dishes there, and since I love Japanese culture particularly the anime, I am more than willing to write about it. So here goes the story about our fabulous Japanese feast.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The eight national winners of the 2014 Philippine Art Awards (PAA) have been honored during the awarding ceremony and formal opening of exhibition at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati City.

Bayen Elero, Corporate Affairs Director PMFTC, Inc., said in her message, "As we strengthen our community projects all over the country, we truly take pleasure collaborating with the sectors promoting Philippine culture and the arts."

Dave Gomez, Communications Manager of PMFTC, Inc., thanked the partners of Philippine Art Awards. without whose support, the PAA would have not done its tasked for almost 20 years. He said "through the years, PAA, has maintained its preeminent status particularly due to the consistent support of our national as well as regional partners all over the country, and generally, by the eagerly growing participation of the Filipino visual artists nationwide."

Aside from cash prizes, each of the eight winners received a trophy designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva and a trip to the forthcoming Basel Art Fair in Hong Kong this May. The winners were to keep their winning entries as well.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Does it feel like the hottest summer ever?

Pick up the latest issue of UNO Magazine with Irina Ansell on the cover and you're guaranteed to feel even hotter.

Irina epitomizes scorching hot and is the perfect girl to bring anyone out of hibernation. This Polish-born seductress has Jewish, Italian and Russian blood running thru her veins and her sun-kissed complexion coupled with her sultry gaze will get your blood running to all the right places.

Find out what keeps UNO Magazine's summer siren focused (hint, she's actually quite talented behind the lens as she is in front of it), discover some of her deepest darkest desires and even be surprised that this girl can take you to court (and even provide the background information to boot).

She is such an accomplished woman, she even gave the photos for this issue--shooting them in the exotic sands of Mexico and Hawaii. She makes crocheted pieces of swimwear look very sexy indeed and images of her bending her tiny waist over a hard white rock make you go...

Well, you get the picture. Think feathers, here, there and everywhere plus itsy bitsy bikinis. Have we whet your appetite enough?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Your favorite night food market leveled up a few floors higher in Makati because you can now find Cucina Andare at the roofdeck of The Link building located just right across The Landmark department store and Makati Shangri-La hotel.

The Anton Diaz and RJ Ledesma line of night food market continues to dominate the industry every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights as it offers very affordable meals available for an average of Php 100 for every meal. true enough, all sorts of viands can be bought at surprisingly very low prices just like at their other night food markets that can be found at other locations.

Where else can you find delectable meals as low as that within the Makati commercial business district? This is definitely your best choice to go and hang-out with your colleagues after working hours, or with your friends and family after a weekend of gimmick or bonding.