Her Time to Shine: GELA ATAYDE

It is her time to shine!

Gela Atayde just got back from battling at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships together with their crew "Legit Status" for the MegaCrew division. They emerged CHAMPIONS and represented the country well in the US (Phoenix, Arizona) versus 54 other groups in the prestigious tilt.

Talking to her, I felt how Gela knows herself. She isn't pressured about her status in show business being part of the Atayde family. Her Mom Ms. Sylvia Sanchez was always someone who pushed her to go after her passions, and not be persuaded to prove herself. Seeing her brother Congressman Arjo and sister Ria to have to do that during their start was a learning experience, that she didn't have to do that and just do things at her own pace. When she saw her Mom giving a message about her recent achievements, she immediately looked at her back, and we saw her cry. She was just reminded on how much her Mom and Dad supported her all these years. Her Mom never forced her into show business, but always was there to encourage her in any thing she wants to do with the words "Kaya Mo Yan Nak!".  She also said how even if her Dad wasn't much of a talker, he was on camera this time and really said things that moved her. Her new Sister in Law Maine Mendoza was also so happy about her recent achievements, and felt the love when they were featured in a video prepared for her during the press conference.

Here's a few scenes from the presser a few days ago:

She was actually okay if fitted with a title especially if it's about dance because she wants this particular art form to be something that Filipinos would love. As for love teams, she's okay to be paired up for a show but rather not a permanent one. She can do it much like what Congressman Arjo and Ria did, and if the time comes to have a very serious relationship, we got the gist that she prefers to do it in proper time... and with someone non-showbiz. 

Gela is also part of the cast of the new ABSCBN youth oriented show Senior High which stars Andrea Brillantes (doing a dual role). The show will premiere on August 28th, so make sure you check out what Gela has up her sleeves in this new series. Together with them are former child stars Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Gameboy's Elijah Canlas, Gold Squad's Kyle Echarri, singer-rocker Juan Karlos, Daniela Stranner, and her mom Ms. Sylvia Sanchez. 

This is Gela's time to shine, make sure you watch her shows because she's just starting! Congratulations Gela and the whole Legit Status crew for being hailed champs!

INASAL REPUBLIC Opens West Avenue Branch On July 15th

 

Chicken Inasal by Inasal Republic - The meat is soft, evenly cooked, has a crispy skin outside. The garlic rice can be smothered by the good Chicken Oil set on the table. I had a separate dish with Soy Sauce and Sinamak, a spiced vinegar. They have master grillers prepare this for us!

If you're a frequent local traveler, you probably have landed somewhere in Negros Occidental and visited Bacolod City. Much of its charm lies in its people, on how they talk so "malambing" (so soft even when they're mad) and party hard during festivals. I too am from this region, so I'm no stranger to food coming from this place and when I heard Cong. Arjo Atayde, Direk Richard Somes, Gabby Atayde, Ivan Villamar and Mark San Diego were putting up a Chicken Inasal brand called INASAL REPUBLIC, I packed my bags and camped out to see it in Quezon City.

The owners of Inasal Republic can't wait for you to taste their Chicken Inasal

Congressman Arjo Atayde personally served us that afternoon, he was so nice!

Although for some of them, this isn't their first venture into the food business, the partnership blossomed over the last taping day of action film TOPAKK. Arjo was already full from the food served during dinner, but after a while, Chicken Inasal was served on the table and got everyone started raving about it. Direk Richard said Arjo shouldn't leave the table without tasting it, and so he did! 

The Chicken Inasal and other food served that day came from Direk Richard's family recipes, it was passed on from generations of Bacolodnons who loved to eat and cook. Here's a short video of the event, I also included some clips of the food and celebrities that came that afternoon!

 

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Here's some of the food items that's going to be served at Inasal Republic, let me share a few that you'll surely enjoy!

Kansi Soup, comforting and fruity, not too sour which I like! (We were served half the serving because we will be having a lot of food that afternoon!)

Bangus Inasal - I liked how light and soft it was, the very savory sauce complemented it. It was nicely paired with Garlic Rice

Pusit Inasal, for those who love seafood, this would be a dream!

The desserts, Biko, Alupe (in Banana Leaf) and Maja Blanca. I love the Maja Blanca the most as it's so soft, sweet and a little salty on top because of the cheese. The Alupe was new for me, but reminds me of Pangasinan's Tupig, but was actually steamed. Go get them both!

If you're excited as I am about what's about to happen, it'll all go down on July 15th as they open up shop at 25 West Avenue in Quezon City. They also have other items on the menu like the Chicken Inasal Flakes (also in bottles) and Laing that people were loving that afternoon. You can also choose to mix them up with the Garlic Rice, it's as good as it looks in photos. I will probably have to line up that day just to get a taste of it again. Make sure you get ahead of me on July 8 and line up, see why even celebrities loved the Chicken Inasal from Inasal Republic!

There's going to be more branches of it nationwide, so make sure you follow their social channels by searching Inasal Republic on FB, IG and TikTok to get updates where they plan to put them up soon!

Congressman ARJO ATAYDE to Hold "KYUSIKLABAN Distrito Uno 2022"

Looks like Quezon City 1st District Congressman Arjo Atayde is putting his Vice Chairmanship for the Creative Industry and Performing Arts Committee for the 19th Congress into good use as he sets to hold the first ever KYUSIKLABAN Distrito Uno 2022 this coming November 19. It's a music festival aimed at promoting OPM (Original Filipino Music) and will be held at FPJ Avenue (formerly known as Roosevelt Avenue) that stretches from Pitimini Street to Del Monte Avenue in the same district.

This will be participated by youth from the city and several bands, musicians, rap artists, singers and perfomers to promote home grown music. Congressman Arjo recently filed House Bill 457 which is an act declaring Quezon City as the Film and TV Capital of the Philippines. The event will also provide entertainment to thousands of his constituents, and nearby Barangays who have all been through the hardships of the pandemic. Hosting the event is comedienne Viveika Ravanes, funny man Smokey Manaloto and recently engaged Robi Domingo. Several well known bands such as Rivermaya, Pricetagg, Nik Makino, Issa Loki, OC Records and Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano, artist Juan Karlos, the Hydro Project, DJ Carla Cray, JP Bacallan and Bugoy Drilon will also be part of the lineup, all performing for the crowd.

The event will start at 2PM and will include free vaccination and registrations for Ollie Belmonte's QCID. The music performances will start around 4PM and it's all for FREE. You can get tickets from SK Chairmans, officials of their respective Barangays so if you're up to it, go get them there!