Celebrate French Wine Week At Sofitel Manila!

Today marks one of the most celebrated occasions in France. It's the season of harvest! And what better way to do it but by splurging on wine, one of the country's best produce. In Sofitel, they made this an even greater experience by honoring it with French Wine Week!

We had to graze outside first for one of the ceremonies wherein a bottle of Champagne was cut with a Saber! (or in this case a huge kitchen knife) It was a show on it's own and this fine young gentleman from Sofitel poured us a glass or two. 

Not to be outdone, patrons were able to do the same. They have to just pop it like so!

She was a little afraid but overall she did a pretty good job chopping off the bottle's head. Sofitel will be offering a wide array of these French wines in an à la carte menu. Weather you would want a Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Languedoc, Loire, Rhône, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila has got that and a lot more! If you saw their wine cellars and displays you'll remember France and the other countries and wouldn't think it actually existed. But really, it's the spot you just need to visit at the south of Manila. Then we went in Spiral, Sofitel's grandest restaurant!

There's real deal French guys in Sofitel that will also be teaching you a thing or two about pairing as they hold sessions of that as well. It starts today (September 7, 2013, Saturday) and will last till the end of September. You don't need to go far to celebrate with wine growers, pickers and villa owners, just book a reservation now on Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila's Spiral and you'll not only get to France in a jiffy. You'll have the same red, white or bubbly on your glass too!

For bookings or inquiries please go ahead and email them at fbreservations@sofitelmanila.com. Bring your friends and family. Say cheers to the weekend and celebrate French Wine Week at the place where Filipino hospitality and French luxury thrive! Stay at magnifique Sofitel Manila!

For more information about Sofitel

Visit their official website

http://www.sofitelmanila.com

Schedules are as follows: 

Sofitel Wine Week launch With Chateaux Leo Ville Poyeferre and Moulin Riche Exclusive Dinner at the La Veranda September 7th, 2013 7:00 PM

Wine appreciation classes slated in September are as follows:

September 23rd Red and white wines of Bordeaux

September 24th Wines from the old world and new world

September 25th Premium champagnes such as Dom Pérignon and Krug

September 26th Burgundy wines

Wine and Cheese Pairing at Le Bar, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM from the 23RD to the 29th of September

Wine and Spa Treatment Pairing at Le Spa on the 23rd to 30th of September, 2013

Wine Harvest Dinner at the Sunset Bar from the 27th to 29th of September, from 6:30PM to 10:00PM

Bordeaux Saints Sunday Brunch at spiral,from 23rd to  to 31st of September, 2013



Cheers!

Behind The Scenes: Patti Austin in Manila

If you haven't been able to buy tickets in Patti Austin's tour in Manila, then you are losing a lot. Make sure you do through Jo Pizzulo's and George Benson's concerts that's going to happen (CHECK DATES HERE)

(George Benson Inspiration tour on September 5, 2013, Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom in Ortigas Center Pasig on September 7, 2013 together with Joe Pizzulo)

For a taste of what's to come, here's a video cum behind the scenes earlier this evening.

Say that You Love Me

If I Believe

It was more than enough to actually make me stand in the corner and just watch. I was so starstruck! Thanks to the kind people behind the production and the team of Ms. Austin who let us hang around in the studios while on rehearsals. This is raw footage as you can see, but this is way that enough for me to say she's definitely the best!

GMA's Prince and Princess of Drama Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal Stars in Prinsesa Ng Buhay Ko!

Two of the brightest stars in GMA in one afternoon, who am I to complain about that. It was set last week and I was so happy because I've seen these guys even off cam. It was time to get to know them a little better as they set sail on their new project with the Kapuso network entitled "Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko!" which gambles on the awesome love team of the station's current Prince Aljur Abrenica and Princess Kris Bernal.

This was originally titled "Prinsesa Ng Masa" but it seemed to have gotten flack so they changed it to the new one "Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko!" which garnered a more intimate and paired feel. This evolves in a love story between an entrepreneurial woman who wanted it all for her family and a tough lad who had it all but falls in love with her - not knowing they have been together already (and grew up quite close) in an orphanage where this story started. Kris seems to have been wishing for this and she's blessed to have been trusted by GMA with this project. It's been a while since we've seen their pairing on screen and it has undoubtedly been effective. Just look at their past projects and you'll know.

It was like they haven't even parted ways, it was just like the time they were together in Coffee Prince. Aljur wasn't able to answer where their chemistry came from. It was so natural that it just became part of their system. It was just there and it was awesome that people came to appreciate it.

Although they have their respective partners, they never lost it and their fan base seemed to have continued to grow. That's one thing they've been thankful for. They (both Aljur and Kris' fans) even help out in their respective charities in the past. Remember when I went with Aljur HERE and Kris HERE? It was really touching to see them go the distance; to get out of their way and help kids and women in crisis. Kris laments, she finds it unfair for other people to suffer while she finds success. She wants to have the chance to actually do charity work everyday instead of just on her birthday; and help more people. It's a noble act in every way. 

 

Aljur on the other hand finds value in this. He's spent a whole lot of time working for his family but his Dad kept him grounded and reminded him of the responsibility to be of help for others. He appreciates it more because he gets to also be with his fans and influences them to do the same. 

 How close are they? Well Aljur gave it a go and sang a Filipino love song for us and Kris. Kris on the other hand bragged about the voice lessons she had while she was on hiatus and have seen she's really improved. Aljur giggled a bit and went on joking around about Kris' singing, then praised her in the end then teased her again. These two are so comfortable with each other and probably miss the times they've been together. It was awesome to have even realized that this late, if I was a foreigner and just saw them in this state I'd completely mistake them as boyfriend and girlfriend. Kahit asin lalanggamin. LOL!

 

Other characters in this series will be played by Renz Fernandez who got the role of Dino aka Aljur's brother in the program. LJ Reyes as Lynette who will be Aljur's girl in the series, Pauleen Luna as Megan and Jan Manual as Anjo which you'll eventually take notice of once it starts this September. They will be joined by several seasoned actors and actresses which will be seen on the series soon!

Thank you so much to GMA Artist Center and Congo Grille Tomas Morato for bringing us together that afternoon! Let's all watch Prinsesa Ng Buhay Ko  on GMA's Primetime block as the Prince and Princess of Drama rightfully takes their place in our hearts. Congratulations Kris and Aljur! You deserve all these blessings because you've been so good with people who are in need! 

I'll be seeing you soon! For me, you guys are perfect for each other! =)

For more information about Prinsesa Ng Buhay Ko

Like GMA Artist Center on Facebook!

GMA Artist Center

Another Passion: Music

I've been able to do more today in the field of music. The things I wrote years ago got revamped and was given appropriate amount of care. I rewrote most of it and had a friend arrange these masterpieces. I'm planning to give this to some of my friends who work in the industry who may or may not find some use for it. This is a result of what I've been able to do when we got out piano fixed and re calibrated. These are some of the things that I am so thankful for, plus the Piano Lessons I got when I was a kid. 

I can't remember the last time that my friends and I came together. If my hunch is right, that would have been probably around 15 years ago. I feel so old all of a sudden, but pretty thankful our piano stood the test of time. It would have been amazing if my grandma saw what I was doing with her most prized possession. She was the one who practically introduced us to music at a very young age. Later on, we got busy and ended up having her to only play a couple of songs even if she was already blind. She really inspired a lot of people in her time. She inspired all of us; but she shared something quite amazing to me. That's the eagerness to write and somehow become a semiprofessional lyricist. Now what could be better but having people know about what happens to my compositions soon! Enough of these trips down memory lane and I'll tell you about what happens to my adventures in this field soon!