It Feels Like Christmas at SOLAIRE North

It really is happier here at SOLAIRE Resort North as the BER months usher in the world's longest Christmas season that only happens in the Philippines. We went here from Manila and for starters, we got serenaded by the one and only Concert King Martin Nievera. This was done with several of Solaire's executives like Gregory Hawkins, Donato Almeda, Thomas Arasi, Enrique Razon Jr of Bloomberry Resorts Corp, PAGCOR's Alejandro Tengco and Vina Oca, former Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, and good looking birthday boy Congressman Arjo Atayde.

Both of their properties in the south and north will be offering holiday inspired room packages, fun experiences, entertainment like no other and food that is world class. At the Solaire Resort property, they had Lea Salonga and American Idol's Clay Aiken. In Solaire North, they also had Ballet Philippines and a whole choir to sing along Christmas songs which everyone enjoyed!

Here's what it looked like that evening!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Bueno (@kumagcow)

If you want to be part of the festivities, go follow them on their social channels or visit Solaire North, Fresh or Solaire Resort in the South. I had so much fun with them in several events and entertainment coverages, so I'd be so surprised if you don't feel the same when you're there!

ARJO ATAYDE and Partners Open New INASAL REPUBLIC MASINAG

It's a Sunday, a fun day to gather with friends and family. During these days, there's nothing more comforting than a great plate of hot white rice, with a few slivers of garlic on top, then drizzled with a whole lot of chicken oil. Then you try and stop yourself from actually enjoying a thick, juicy, smoky chicken inasal pecho, or paa anytime.

We've enjoyed it in INASAL REPUBLIC Tomas Morato and West Avenue, and this time, the folks from the EAST side of Metro Manila will have their own as Arjo Atayde, and his partners Ivan Villamar, Mark San Diego, Director Richard Somes, his cousin Gab Atayde opened their newest branch in Masinag, Antipolo.

This sits right beside SM Masinag (on it's left side) and is a stone's throw away from the Antipolo LRT2 Station if you are coming from the north. This branch is a little special because it veered away from the regular restaurant look they had from their previous branches. They've managed to have a long driveway where you can park to eat. The grill masters are on the left side busy preparing your chicken inasal and other grilled products they have on the menu. The actual restaurant is at the back, air-conditioned, with a little around 16-20 tables, very comfortable, with attentive staff all around. The interiors are adorned with artwork, tropical looking light bulbs in every sector. It certainly looks super festive, something they did on purpose because yes, they plan to have different personalities reflect on their design in future restaurants which they plan to do this year and a lot more in 2025.

 

 Here's a preview of the place and the food which we saw yesterday, let's just say, we loved the new look!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Bueno (@kumagcow)

 We then talked to the young representative from the 1st District of Quezon City and Arjo says "This comes from a family recipe that was prepped by Direk Richard Somes, the usual gathering of friends, and it was so good I had to ask him if he'd want to make a business out of it, and he agreed! We really do believe in the product, we really do believe that we can give authentic Chicken Inasal for people who dine in INASAL REPUBLIC. Hopefully by next year, we would have 15 to 20 branches. We wanted to have this different from other locations, so we curated this with an artist and do the same in future locations. The Chicken Inasal here is authentic, my taste, I traveled to Bacolod and know this is what it tastes like when I was there. I love the Chicken Inasal Paa, and Liempo, those are my favorites! We also have Inasal Flakes, made of Chicken breast meat, and a new item on the menu Chicken Inasal Dynamite where we have those Inasal Flakes in (which I tried later, and it was hot, just the way I like it!)."

He adds "We're all hands on, you can see me and my partners manage operations. Why did I enter the Inasal industry? It's not just because it's a big industry, but I really trust the product. I won't just jump on a business if we don't believe in it."

 

 

Now YOU have the chance to taste it if you are in the Marikina, Pasig and Rizal areas. I would advise you get the Chicken Inasal Pecho, the Sizzling Sisig, the Halo Halo. It's become accessible, but they kept the quality of their food good and prices very reasonable. They also have a variety of Ilonggo favorites like KBL, Kansi, Pansit Molo and more on the menu, it's time you take the trip in INASAL REPUBLIC Masinag and have your share of good comfort food, in this side of town! 

ARJO ATAYDE Reveals More Projects After ContentAsia Awards Win

 

It's been a while since I've last seen multi awarded actor and Congressman Arjo Atayde. He's been very busy, with good reason because after his wedding, he had to really pay attention to his duties as a public servant in the 1st District of Quezon City. The movies/series that he's done a few years ago is reaping fruit, and recently won him Best Male Lead for his role in Cattleya Killer at ContentAsia Awards 2024. 

We celebrated with him, his family, and a few more people from the press. They held a no holds barred interview to specifically get more updates from the busy good looking man fresh from Taipei, Taiwan where he received the it.

Arjo also addressed one of the movie projects where he was supposed to appear but ended up not being in it. His sole reason was because he wanted to be 100 percent in that project and felt it would be unfair to his co-actors if he didn't commit to the role just like them. He also doesn't choose projects and trusts his management about what he does, it is sometimes the schedule that he gets a little trouble with because he has a lot of priorities. The roles he take, is something he is thankful for because it becomes his outlet to be able to express his artistry. He's glad he is not boxed, tied to roles, in his 11 years in the business. He says "Every role I take is a learning opportunity."

People asked about Arjo and Maine on becoming parents and he told us "We are enjoying each others time because we wouldn't be able to do this in the long run. We definitely talk about it but we'll keep that as a secret. We are all excited though about having our pamangkin (with Ria and Zanjoe) and support Ria and Z, it's their story to tell, but we are SUPER SUPER excited and send much love to them!"

Here's the press conference on video, please raise the volume a bit because it was a little too noisy (along the road) but please, enjoy!

Arjo also shared a preview of MOONLIGHT, a film made by US based Isabel Sandoval. She's had great success with previous project Lingua Franca which won awards in 2019, and the Filipina film maker didn't disappoint with what we saw that evening. It's a masterpiece just waiting to be showcased in festivals and platforms. Arjo also showed us scenes from "Bagman" and "TOPAKK" which we loved. Each felt like Hollywood quality, no doubt, and he says this is just the start.

The wins in several award giving bodies would mean more exposure not just for Arjo but for the Filipino talent. Hopefully, this snowball starts an avalanche of opportunities for Filipino actors, those behind the camera and productions that are just waiting to be discovered. His work as Congressman of the 1st District of Quezon City will continue, and he vows to continue to help the communities he represent and make effective laws. He also wants the bills he principally authored (all 223 of them) be implemented well including the Eddie Garcia Law which is for the occupation and safety standards in the entertainment industry.

Thank you for the opportunity to see you again Cong. Arjo! Thank you also to Ms. Sylvia Sanchez who was also there that evening to tell us a few things about Ria and Z. (and for taking care of my Mom during Dessa's concert a few weeks ago). As Arjo said, this is just the start of good things ahead for whatever hat he wears!