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.

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!

Can I have you interested in Cod Fish Aioli?

Or maybe meaty Cote de Boeuf?

Perhaps the mouthwatering Duck confit cassoulet?

 

 Or the Lamb chops with roasted eggplant =)

How about the savory Onion Pissaladierie?

 

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

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

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

Go all out with this Sauteed Porcini Mushrooms with truffle.

 

Or do the Savory buckwheat crepe all throughout the day!

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

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

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

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! :)

GMA's Newest Morning Series: With A Smile!

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!

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Corporate Giveaways 2013!

When I was younger, I always keep those sweet love letters I get from my girlfriend and put it in a box. I cherished it more than anything because it was her hand writing, and ultimately it was very personal. I also loved it because she took time to write and put effort to at least impress me with words. That's one thing I guess that has touched me the most; because it's something that represents her. To me, no matter what the brand was of the paper... it didn't really matter because it had her name on it. Now imagine that same value applying for all your clients. A business can only further his dreams with the right material, and the right marketing strategy... starting with the basics; of at least making them feel you personally are in touch with them.

This morning, a few personal note cards arrived in my mail. Now I know this could have cost me an arm and a leg but since it was sourced directly from the manufacturer/distributor, you kinda get less of a hassle on middlemen. This would mean your materials and giveaways wouldn't cost you much because you take away the red tape and costs in between. I'm sure corporations would agree with me in saying that you can market your brand and products through your own employees, guests and their families. Corporate giveaways are integral parts of this strategy and in hindsight, we all have received on or more things from them too right? If you are a startup company, this would be the perfect occasion!

Tomorrow, July 3 until July 5, 2013... the 26th Annual Corporate Giveaways 2013 will commence at the grand SMX Convention Center. It starts from 10AM to 7PM and admission is free. If you want to get the best deals and suppliers for your corporate giveaways, this is the place to be. This is the country's longest running buyer's show for business gifts, premiums, promotional ideas and merchandise incentives. They are after all doing you a favor of putting them all in one place right?

This is a project of WORLDEXCO and their event partners 88DB.com, CTC, SIDANN and their media partner BusinessWorld.

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Corporate Giveaways Buyers' Show