BLUE with Bianca Festejo Hub

I have been resting my hair for more or less a year now and it wasn’t easy. I always am fond of color but I had to tone it down as my Dad passed, felt it was a sacrifice of sorts and I pretty much have had my hair abused for several years because I know it would only take a few years before I’d have a bald spot somewhere. I’ve been sad about that but I felt if I stopped and didn’t personalize what my hair looks like, I’d be just like anybody else. I would hate it if that happens.

This boy right here is about going against the grain, to be different, one that would stick like a sore thumb in an ocean full of people who want boring, I am not against it, but it’s just not me. I have trusted my hair with a lot of salons and they pretty much made it awesome because of the nice treatments, fancy hair colors and just about anything on a color wheel, I’ve already tried. I visited this posh salon called Bianca Festejo Hub in Greenhills the other week because I wanted something different, a change was definitely called for so I asked their senior stylist JR if I could do something crazy, I’d want to make my hair BLUE. He immediately warned me about bleaching (a good point) but I have bleached my hair tons of times and I knew what I was getting myself into. I have sometimes experienced pain in the scalp in other salons so this was expected. They escorted me to the salon area upstairs and I saw this on the mezzanine.

It’s very chic, very minimalist and feels like the same aesthetics as those in Korea. They’ve got a powerhouse of people who know hair and color so I sat down in one of these comfy seats and began the process. I have already shampooed my hair prior to going here so a little prep work on my hand saved me a lot of time. They started bleaching my hair and I was expecting this is gonna hurt, buy they must have been using premium products that I didn’t feel anything at all. It was just cold actually, because the thing they used had mint on it. It was a refreshing start. My hair turned yellow after a few minutes, then they put in purple shampoo as well to lighten it even further. They stylist knew how to only bleach the top part and later my roots so as not to get my scalp hurt in the process. He knew what he was doing.

Say hi to Senior Stylist RJ when you're there!

Bleach, not the anime, they covered my ears so it won't get colored too

Waited to make my hair lighter, then rinsed off their hair wash station

I was surprised to see @Earthlingorgeous there. We had burgers afterwards.

Almost done with the Blue shade, they also styled my hair plus a haircut.

Then after a rinse (thanks to the kind lady who did it for me), we went back to the chair and got the blue hair dye in. It didn’t smell at all and I just sat there for a little under 2 hours and I was done. See how much I’ve changed?

Your Super Saiyan God in the flesh! Haha

I love my BLUE hair. Thanks Bianca Festejo Hub!

I got my desired color (brighter and better results actually), without any pain and I’ve been getting the hair attention I have always wanted now. If you’r adventurous or just want something seriously good for your hair, go and say hi to the people at Bianca Festejo Hub in Greenhills Promenade’s Ground Floor. They’ve got the best people to pamper you, from hair or skin.

Go visit their website BiancaFestejo.com and social media channels @biancafestejohub on IG, plus their branches at Greenhills Promenade, Petron Square 2nd Floor, Congressional Avenue East and at Starmall Las Pinas 2nd Floor. You deserve the best, treat yourself to good hair.

You do.

Progress in the Historic City of San Juan

I saw a funny, candid and very accommodating Mayor Guia Gomez this morning at the San Juan City Hall. It is one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines and it has lots of rich history, 200+ years worth of it. It is the birthplace of the Philippine Revolution in 1896. This is why they put so much value in the importance of the past and how it has made the City of San Juan a first class city that it is today. I felt her warmth receiving us in her grand space at the city hall.

Mayor Guia signing the coffee table book of San Juan

From slums, to cleaning it up and the new park in front of the Pinaglabanan Shrine

Hand made, hand woven outfits of these dolls, made by San Juan locals

Like a mother, she showed us around her office and took small talk; and made us learn a few things about where the San Juan City Hall stands now. The place was previously inhabited by illegal settlers and served as a dump/incinerator facility. But during JV Ejercito’s time, they got them relocated and made them owners of their own land and built them homes. They spruced up the place, took time to rebuild the grounds and now it stands as a gorgeous backdrop for the Pinaglabanan Shrine, inevitably showcasing the history and rich culture of the city. She also has published a coffee table book which contains historical facts and figures without room for personalities from the local government.

The new San Juan City Hall

Murals at the city hall's center hall depicting its rich history and the beginnings of KKK

Council hall where all local government laws are passed

CEDOC monitors the city center and major thoroughfares around San Juan

At the city hall, we visited the Central Emergency Disaster Operations Center (CEDOC) which monitors all major landmarks, thoroughfares in the city. It makes them fast, responsive, to any crime or emergency situation and can dispatch people within minutes if the need arises. This is important so they could address the safety of people. The previous municipal hall though was vacated and renovated. It is now part of the San Juan Medical Hospital so they could accommodate more patients under their care.

New park with the Pinaglabanan Shrine

Museo El Deposito de Aguas where all water for Manila once was sourced

Fire Hydrant during Spanish period with a lion head spout

They are currently excavating and repairing the water systems, pipelines so they can tell the story of how San Juan was founded. It is also the place where the revolution of 1898 started.

The Katipunan Museum where you can learn about the life of Andres Bonifacio and the KKK organization.

You will get to know the roles of Emilio Jacinto, Andres Bonifacio and various heroes in the Filipino - Spanish uprising.

In 1907, San Juan was just a poblacion, life was simple, buildings mostly comprise of housing for aged priests/friars, convents, churches like Sanctuario De San Jose and San Juan Bautista. We walked at the city grounds and looked at the Pinaglabanan Shrine. Parts of it are still being constructed and neighboring landmarks are building carparks so they were a little busy. We walked a bit further to the Museo de Katipunan and Museo El Deposito (former water deposit during Spanish colonial rule), the need for potable clean water was important and this was where it all started. It was seized by early revolutionists who took control in 1898. The reservoir was cleaned and made into a museum, El Deposito de Aguas. This is why there are fountains in Manila (particularly the one in front of Sta Cruz Church in Manila). They also have a VR facility detailing the Battle of San Juan del Monte where you and your kids could learn more from. It is also FREE to the public so go and visit it when you’re in the area.

We proceeded to the Museo ng Katipunan (right beside it) which is under the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Pinaglabanan was the first place where Katipunan fought Spaniards in 1896, they lost as they were generally laborers, farmers and fisherfolk - but when they came back 1898, it ignited the Philippine revolution. KKK means Kataastaasan Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, inside the museum they showed us the history of the organization and the persona of Andres Bonifacio, his family and how he lead the revolution. They also have artifacts, old weapons, paintings and memorabilia. We left and got ourselves a tour of San Juan National High School, Science High School, College centers and other educational institutions, all built during the time of former Joseph Estrada and continued during JV Ejercito. They also have a new Justice Hall beside the city police and fire station, plus the FilOil Flying V Center wherein all major UAAP, Volleyball and Basketball matches happen.

Santuario del Sto. Cristo Church

Interior of the Santuario del Sto. Cristo Church

We also visited the Santuario del Sto. Cristo Church which was put up by Dominican priests. It was where I learned St John the Baptist (who is still their patron saint) was originally housed here. Manila Cathedral had to put a relic of Sto. Cristo here in the past and so they put the St. John the Baptist at the separate Pinaglabanan Church which is a few kilometers away. People have passed on stories of miracles, so for the faithful, I suggest you make this a part of your San Juan experience.

Saw Edu Manzano who is running for Congress in San Juan, he obliged for photos. I think he had a presscon in the same restaurant we were in. There's tons of food in Green hills!

Last, we got ourselves immersed at the shopping mecca of Metro Manila, the Greenhills Shopping Center which is owned and operated by Ortigas and Co. Merchants and shoppers from across the country consider this the best place to get deals and regard it as a technological center for mobile phones and gadgets. There is a saying that “if people can’t fix it, bring it to Greenhills and they would”. Sure enough, I’ve spent quite a fortune buying clothes, shoes, bags and mobile phones here myself. I live nearby and this has been a center for commerce in the city, every tourist should visit the place and see why even locals would want to shop here!

It was so nice to see the city of San Juan in a different light. The Ejercitos (Sen JV and Mayor Guia) have done remarkable improvement and tons of infrastructure to service the people of San Juan and nearby cities. It was just a chance to see how they have cared for their constituents over the years... and still does until today. If I’m going to choose someone, I’d do it for their merits and I’ve seen they’ve done a lot of that in their city.

Honestly, it makes me wanna live there. 

Chef Laudicos x Kitchen Mafia at Guevarras

I've been following their careers as restaurateurs, chefs, in and out of TV. Husband and wife Chef Roland and Chef Jac are no strangers in Philippine kitchens, and they've been doing a good job doing what they do best, showcase our cuisine in their restaurants and to the rest of the world. I have also been able to see them on Asian Food Channel a couple of times, plus form friendships with chefs from other ASEAN countries. Remember AFC's Amazing Food Challenge: Fun in the Philippines? That's where the Laudicos met Malaysian Celebrity Chef Sherson Lian. Well he was in the country last December together with his Kitchen Mafia business partner Chef Johnny Fua. They figured they're already here so what better way to give back their time learning Filipino cuisine from the Laudicos by working with them again this 2018, to introduce a whole line of dishes in hopes of getting them be a part of the menu featured in Chef Laudico's very own restaurant GUEVARRAS.

Filipino Breads with Adobo Pate, Dried Mango Chutney, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Sinamak

Chef Sherson finds a lot of similarities between ours and Malaysian cuisine. The produce may be a little different but the functions are the same. The goal is, to get what they usually cook in their home turf but use Filipino ingredients. He finds this a most exciting opportunity. Chef Johnny on the other hand thinks this is a good way to learn, to learn ideas from other chefs and be in someone else's kitchen so they can cook with Filipino ingredients and still find balance in its flavors.

Tanigue and Kerabu

This is Tanigue and Kerabu made of flour breaded Spanish Mackerel with Green Mango Kerabu in Coconut vinegar and crushed roasted cashews. Golden fried stuff with crunchy and tangy green mangoes and carrots, it's a play on textures and temperatures. They usually use calamansi in Malaysia buy used Vinegar this time as souring agent. Delish!

Kuah Lodeh

This is their Kuah Lodeh, a light coconut and turmeric based soup with Suahe as protein and slivers of Kamias fruit, crispy bean curd skin, Alamang Sambal and Pako. This had a light refreshing taste even with the intense spices used in the dish. They also air dried bagoong Alamang for the Sambal which you can use to mix in the soup if you want a more spicy kick. 

Beef Rendang

The main course was phenomenal. This is their Beef Rendang made of slow roasted Angus beef in Rendang sauce with an enveloped black rice with Gata and Pechay. This made me full in minutes. They used intense pungent flavors on the almost fall off the bone beef chunk. You can try to resist the black rice, but you will also fail. Give in and nourish yourself with this Malaysian staple.

Cendol Leche Flan Cake

Chef Jac whipped up her version of the popular Malaysian Cendol. Pandan sponge layers, rice flour jelly, Cendol mixed in coconut Pana cotta and layers of Leche Flan and Pandan cake. It was the perfect way to end the meal. 

This is now officially part of GUEVARRAS menu until February 3 so for those who would want to check out these masterpieces from the chefs, go run to Chef Laudico Guevarra's at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne Streets, Addition Hills San Juan City. Their buffet rates only cost PHP 599 per person on weekdays, PHP 699 on weekends and holidays. The experience seeing two chefs from different countries appreciate our produce and cooking it in their style made me want to experience more of these fusions, I can't wait to be there again soon!

Take the trip, I'll be there to celebrate my Sister's birthday a few days from now. Food is good, prepared from scratch, no msg too.

KUMAGCOW
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