Pop Culture Explosion at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Pop culture lovers of all shapes, sizes, and fandoms are definitely in for an unusual treat at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2016 (APCC Manila 2016) as it brings in even more special guests for the biggest pop culture convention in the country!

Slated on August 26 to 28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, APCC Manila confirmed another roster of talents in different pop fandoms, from music, beauty to comics, to grace this epic event.

J-Rock and anime music lovers rejoice, as renowned singer Hiroshi Kitadani is here to rock your favorite anime series’ worlds in APCC Manila 2016!

Kitadani is a singer and member of anison (anime music) supergroup JAM Project. He first entered the anime music scene when his solo debut single We Are! was used as the opening theme for runaway hit series One Piece, which led to performances for other series such as Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.

Kitadani joined JAM Project in 2002, and has been a regular performing member ever since, taking part in songs such as THE HERO!! ~ Ikareru Kobushi ni Honō o Tsukero~, the opening theme for cult favorite One Punch Man, as well as soundtracks from other action-packed titles such as Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo, Shin Mazinger Impact Z!, Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars, Transformers: Animated, and many more. 

Department of Transportation Encourages Commuters to Reload Beep Cards Outside Train Stations

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is encouraging train commuters to reload their BEEP or stored value cards in off-site reloading centers to shorten queues in ticketing stations and to reduce their commute time.

MRT-3 and LRT Lines commuters may reload their “tap-and-go” cards in 76 sites in Metro Manila, 16 of which are within walking distance (200 meters) from stations. Commuters may reload at Bayad Center and its partner outlets, Tambunting, Villarica, and SM Bills Payment centers.

Since its introduction in April 2016, the off-site ticketing system has generated over 50,000 top-up transactions.

By September, commuters will also have the option to reload in over 1,100 Metro Manila branches of 7-Eleven, Mini Stop, and Family Mart. This is on top of over 300 more Bayad Center branches that will allow top-up transactions.

The Department is also encouraging the over one million daily train commuters to shift from single journey tickets to stored value cards. As of June 2016, around 45% of passengers are still using single-journey tickets, falling in line at the ticket stations every time they ride the train.

The Beep card system, a unified ticketing system, was introduced last October 2015, allowing passengers to transfer from one train to another. The MRT-3 and LRT Lines 1 and 2 used to run on two different payment cards.

Exclusive Two-Night Omakase Dinner with Both New York and Manila Chefs of Nobu

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Nobu New York's Filipino Executive Chef, Ricky Estrellado, teams up with Nobu Manila’s Head Chef, Michael De Jesus, for a rare and exclusive two-night Omakase dinner.

The two chefs have collaborated to come up with a gastronomic feast that Nobu-fies timeless Filipino recipes with Japanese-Peruvian influences, for a special engagement on August 18 and 19.

The two-night event highlights the collaboration of two talented Filipino chefs who have both worked with the renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa for years. Chef Ricky, who has worked with Nobu for 22 years, is the Executive Chef in New York, overseeing both the Nobu New York in Tribeca and Nobu Next Door along Hudson Street. Chef Michael, a Fil-Am who grew up in the USA, started his nine-year career with Nobu in the Los Angeles restaurant then worked in Nobu Las Vegas, immediately before coming to Nobu Manila early this year.

The dinner’s indulgent eight-course menu highlights Nobu-style interpretation of Filipino classic cuisine starting with Sisig Foie Gras on a Gyoza Cone followed by Seared Tuna Kinilaw with Ceviche Gelee and Green Papaya Salad in Shiso Crepe and Lapu-Lapu with a choice of Jalapeno or Matsuhisa dressing. One of Nobu’s signature dishes, Yellowtail New Style, is reintroduced with a green mango salsa while the Spiny Lobster Tempura is served in Miso Sinigang Consomme. The evening’s entrees, Sous Vide Crispy Pata with Amazu Ponzu and Rencon Laing and Beef Short Ribs Kare-Kare Anticucho, proffer a refreshing perspective to the traditional Filipino pork and beef dishes. Before dessert, an array of sushi likewise incorporates local cooking methods and ingredients, such as Saba Tinapa Style, Local Tuna Toyomansi, Whitefish Sharsado Style, Salay Salay Paksew, and Mixed Seafood Kilawin Taco. The Nobu-Style Water Halo-Halo offers a delightfully sweet ending to the dinner’s full-on experience.