Chef Bachour In Manila: Cocktail Night with World-renowned Pastry Chef Antonio Bachour

"You're the only blogger I invited" said the organizer at the Bachour in Manila cocktail night and media launch. With the exception of a writer from PhilStar who also blogs, I was the only blogger present at the very first event of the world-renowned pastry chef. They have another blog as a media partner, but they were a no-show. "I notice details like that, and appreciate your presence" the organizer said something to that effect.

Thank you also to Chef Antonio Bachour for inviting me to his most special days of stay in the Philippines. He said I should not miss September 6 because there will be a buffet. It must be a buffet of desserts, pastries, sweets and other sugary delights. I was just going to attend the big September 10 concluding event at the Greenfield District, but he convinced me to be there on September 6 too.

To the chef who would always give me the thumbs up everytime I try to take his photo, it would be a pleasure to see him in action as he works on his sweet creations.





Later that night he said "See you again on September 6!" reminding me again before he left with his wife and pastry chef, while I still stayed at a couch at Discovery Primea to upload the videos I took from the event. The traffic going home may take me awhile before I get to upload so it's better I take advantage of the speedy Internet connection of the venue.






"Thanks, and see you! Bye!" I said. Of course, I will be there! It isn't everyday that somebody famous personally invites you. It will be an honor.

Chef Antonio will be conducting daily events at the Greenfield District from September 4 to 10. Where exactly? I asked for direction and found out it will be in the building opposite Soho Central Condominum. This is at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Mayflower.

Check out more of our photos and the videos from the cocktail night at our official Facebook fan page at http://www.Facebook.com/WazzupPilipinas

#WazzupPilipinas #PambansangBlogger #BachourInManila2017

DOE, EU Push Energy Sustainability, Resiliency

E-Power Mo for Sustainability - Participants in the 3-day Joint Planning Workshop of the Department of Energy and the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme in a group pictorial at Camp Punta Fuego, Batangas.

The Philippine government is pursuing its thrust to promote energy efficiency, sustainability and total electrification.

This was the message conveyed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to the European Union (EU) and World Bank (WB) as they conducted a joint planning workshop for the Supported Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP) from August 30 to September 1, 2017 at Camp Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

“The DOE is prioritizing the delivery of quality energy service to our people, not only in the business districts but also in the rural areas”, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi explained.

The objective of the ASEP is to assist the Philippines in expanding sustainable energy generation to meet growing economic needs and provide energy access to the poor and marginalized sector in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan.

The objective was also emphasized during the Philippine-EU ASEP conference held last March 9, 2017, signaling the start of the joint undertaking between the DOE, EU and WB.

The workshop aims to reacquaint the participants with the organizational structure and implementation mechanism of ASEP and its components to improve inter-agency coordination and streamlining of the overall implementation process.

ASEP will be implemented through three components: Component 1, the “Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Pillar (ASEP-TA)”, Component 2, the “Investment Support” managed by the World Bank, and Component 3, the “Call for Proposals for Pro-Poor and Climate Resilient Innovative Energy Solutions” directly managed by the EU Delegation.

“With all the program's key players gathered in one venue, we aim to seek each other's concerns, insights and suggestions to be more synergized in our approach towards carrying out the ASEP”, Cusi said.

The DOE expects the participants to be more updated on the different implementation mechanisms and roles of ASEP players after the joint planning workshop with hopes that this will further strengthen the agency’s E-Power Mo Campaign, designed to empower consumers by providing them information and options on the intelligent utilization of energy resources.

Participants in the event included representatives from the ASEP-Technical Assistance Team, European Union Delegation to the Philippines, World Bank and DOE’s partner government agencies: National Electrification Agency (NEA), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).

Sony’s AXN to Produce New Original Series, ‘The Elements’ Starring Master Illusionist, Cosentino

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia announced today a new original series for AXN featuring Australia’s top magician, illusionist and escapologist, Cosentino. The four-part series, entitled The Elements, will captivate audiences with Cosentino’s mesmerizing street magic, large-scale illusions and death-defying escapes all themed around Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.

The filming kicks off this week in Singapore before Cosentino takes his magic on tour, filming against iconic backdrops in Taipei, Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Various popular Asian artists, including singers, actors and models will join Cosentino as he performs his spell-binding stunts, creating a raft of “how did he do that?” moments.

Cosentino has quickly become a global star within the magic industry. He is a multiple winner of the prestigious Merlin Award (magic’s version of the Academy Awards) including acknowledgement as the ‘International Magician of the Year’ and the ‘International Escape Artist of the Year’.
Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, said, “The Elements supports our vision to create a pipeline of original, locally relevant series that engages our viewers both on screen and via social platforms. As a world-renowned illusionist, Cosentino made his AXN debut as a guest star during the Asia’s Got Talent finale episode in 2015. We’re thrilled to partner with Cosentino again to usher in his magic revolution in Asia.”

Commenting on The Elements, Cosentino said, “I am thrilled to be embarking on this new partnership with AXN, who is the undisputed leader of English language broadcasting across Asia. I am very proud of what we have created with The Elements series. The concept of the shows and the magic and escapology contained within them is unlike anything else that has been seen before”. 

The Elements will premiere in early 2018 first and exclusively on AXN.
@AXNAsia / #AXNAsia / AXN-Asia.com