Announcement: Winner of 2 Upper Box Tickets to Lee Min Ho Live in Manila -World Tour Concert!

Friday, July 05, 2013


Congratulations to our winner of the 2 Upper Box tickets to Lee Min Ho Live in Manila - World Tour Concert on July 6th 2013. Out of about 842 valid entries, we have to pick only one winner.

She is no other than Ms. Hazel Ortega aka @HFritziely on Twitter. She followed me as you can see.


She's been verified to also follow Global brand Bench on Twitter :)





Congratulations Hazel! You now have 2 upper box tickets for Lee Min Ho's concert at the MOA Arena. I'll send you details through DM how to claim  your prize!

I'm so happy a fan won this giveaway. Thank you so much to Bench and to everyone who participated. I would have wanted to give each one of you tickets but we only have 2. I'll try to post photos from the presscon later so stay tuned for that!

 


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Experience Tour De France in Spiral Manila!

Tour de France has been one of the most awaited events in the cycling world. I've got my picks too but most of them are Scandinavian teams. It's a dark year right now as most of you know because most of the sponsors pulled out because of the controversies against doping, thanks to Mr. Armstrong. I don't want no drama and all I want to enjoy is just the event, the sport, the people involved in it. But of course, none of our athletes are qualified... but I'm optimistic that pretty soon they will. Wouldn't that be nice to see?

Well, here's the thing... we don't really need to go to France and their small villages just to experience all of these festivities in Tour de France. We can stay right here in the comforts of our own city. We just need to know where to celebrate the same way these French men and women do.

French Chefs Cecile and Eric

There's a place called Spiral at the posh Sofitel Manila that's got everyone attention when it comes to five star luxury food. Their buffet boasts of 21 ateliers that's going to blow you away. It's an adventure on its own and I haven't seen anything like it in other resort hotels. It's something definitely worth trying when in Manila. Now here are some things that are specially created just for the Tour de France season by seasoned Chef's of Spiral. This means you get to enjoy these awesome dishes the whole month of July!

Cod fish aioli

Can I have you interested in Cod Fish Aioli?

Cote de boeuf

Or maybe meaty Cote de Boeuf?

Duck confit cassoulet

Perhaps the mouthwatering Duck confit cassoulet?

 Lamb chops with roasted eggplant

 Or the Lamb chops with roasted eggplant =)

Onion Pissaladierie

How about the savory Onion Pissaladierie?

 Pan-fried scallop with leek Mussel Mariniere

Or this yummy Pan-fried scallop with leek Mussel Mariniere!

Potato Reblochon Cheese Gratin

You can also indulge in comfort food like the Potato Reblochon Cheese Gratin :)

Quiche Lorraine

And also say good bye to diet with this Quiche Lorraine.

Sauteed Porcini with truffle

Go all out with this Sauteed Porcini Mushrooms with truffle.

 Savory buckwheat crepe

Or do the Savory buckwheat crepe all throughout the day!

Steamed scallops black bean sauce

Go healthy and surf with the Steamed scallops in black bean sauce.

Tropezienne

Then end your meal in this sweet Tropezienne; go back to the first dish and start all over again!

This whole circuit doesn't really need you to go jump on the plane and travel all the way to France just to experience this first hand. Go to Sofitel Manila, park your bikes, spend time with friends and family by eating lunch anytime this July to experience Tour de France, Spiral's style. Reveal the juiciest secrets in this place and see what you have been missing all these years. This is the time you reward yourself and take a break from all that business. You should be happy. Just give Spiral a visit and experience nice little quaint French towns and regions like Nice, Perigord, Brittany and Savoy all time this July at Spiral, the best buffet in Manila. Take that gastronomic trip and be a champion in your own right.

You may reserve a table and ask for more by calling (632) 832-6988 and (632) 551-5555 ext. 6988. You can also email fbreservations@sofitelmanila.com. Like them on Facebook by searching Spiral Manila or visit their official website at www.spiralmanila.com.



Spiral Manila



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Win Lee Min Ho Live in Manila - World Tour Tickets Courtesy of Bench!

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

I'll make this easy for you guys, all you have to do is tweet this for a chance to win a pair of upper box tickets to Lee Min Ho Live in Concert Manila - World Tour! 

Example:

Follow @kumagcow and RT this to win a pair of Upper Box tickets as @benchtm presents #LeeMinHoLiveinManila http://t.co/OXSb0ey5bf


Winner will be chosen morning of July 5 and must be willing to pickup prize at a specific time and arranged venue in the afternoon. Now is the time to see oppa in the flesh! Hurry ask your friends to join too! :)

Thanks to the good people from BENCH you'll get to see him, and fall in love all over again! :) 

Giveaway starts now! Fighting! :)


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GMA's Newest Morning Series: With A Smile!

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

A few days ago, I got my camera along for a trip and had to interview a few stars from GMA's morning program called "With A Smile". It's my first time to see these guys in the flesh; and it was refreshing to see them in a relaxed mood. It was drizzling that afternoon but we sat down and just talked casually, just the way I liked it.


This pretty girl's name is Shelly Hipolito. She's quite bubbly but a little reserved at that time prolly because it's the first time to have a pocket blog con. She got relaxed after a few questions. Her role in this series is pretty much pegged like a bubbly fashionista... reminiscent of Jolina Magdangal in the early years. She's been out for a long time and she's so thankful that GMA finally gave her this project. Mind you she and her other co stars had to literally audition for this and it wasn't really easy. She fits the character and one that might take your interest is her suitors. She's also got three of them so it'll be a riot! I find her really nice and she's pretty much taking her time to hone her acting skills. Maybe soon she'll have more. Stars from the channel did their stints at this age and she shouldn't be different. I wish her great things in the future, hopefully a big star like her seniors!


This guy is Bryan Benedict. He's quite well built and I've seen some of his photos prior to this event. He obviously grew his hair, got a little taller and probably has grown out their Protege days (which Shelly and Bryan actually started). He told us he was a little nervous at first but since he did small things here and there with other shows, it was a little easy to adapt this time. The only difference might be is their lines. This time he's got a lot to say while portraying a character in the garage that Christian Bautista owns. You should watch the series in GMA's morning block, I'm sure you'll spot him and his big guns on this lot. He's a good chap I must say and he's eager to do more projects with other artists. He takes this in as a blessing and is very thankful GMA trusted them even if they are new to the business. He's one of the good guys, I find him very humble and I'm sure he'll be in the ranks of the guys GMA has on their stable.


I've seen this lady on other GMA programs and some series in the past. She of course is Andrea Torres. I don't know if we're related (Torres on Mom's side) but that could be her screen name. Anyway haha... she's really pretty in person. You know, those kind that light up a room when they come in? She's like that. She's portraying the role of Isay, a simple barrio girl with dreams of alleviating her family from their poor economic situation. She's got a huge passion for cooking and she'll strut her ware, playing eye candy to 2 guys on this program. Mind you they are not just any guy. If you were a fan of the previous team up between her and model, actor, all around nice guy Mikael Daez... then this will surely be a thousand times KILIG.


All smiles head this way for Mikael Daez. I've shot him a couple of times during Philippine Fashion Week, mostly for Penshoppe's shows. I was so glad to have at least introduce my self and he does apparently remember some of my tweets. :) He plays a happy go lucky - womanizing - no care at all guy called Dean. His whole life turns around when he gets to fall in love with Andrea's character. They were so kulit, so playful while on the interview... I could mistake them for a real couple. Andrea tells us that this guy is really the closest, and so does he. Now why in the world are they not together? Do you think it could eventually happen on this series? 


Watch as Mikael Daez, Christian Bautista and Andrea Torres give you the right amount of love, the right amount of comedy as they treat you every weekday morning with their new stint.. WITH A SMILE which shows on GMA. :)

Thanks guys, had fun really listening to your stories. Congratulations and I wish you all the best on your new show!

Like them on Facebook


With A Smile GMA7

GMA Artist Center



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