Sofitel Celebrates CNY with Albert Andrada's "Shanghai Nights"

Chinese New Year was a tad nicer when we celebrated it in Sofitel Manila. Aside from the scrumptious food served on their restaurant Spiral, Manila's best buffet, they went ahead and got it up a notch to put in a whole fashion show courtesy of world renowned royalty designer Albert Andrada. His collection called "Shanghai Nights" sashayed as onlookers were struck in awe of this 15 piece collection. Let's take a look at the scenes a few days ago!

Present during the occasion was Sofitel Manila's GM Adam Laker with Philippine Social Butterfly Tessa Prieto Valdez and ANTM World renowned designer (personal friend of Albert Andrada) Michael Cinco.

Ice sculptures, arrangements, calligraphic artists made their own Year of the Wooden Horse impressions. Everything was exquisite at Spiral.

Spiral's own Chefs created a special menu for the occasion and the Chinese host also serenaded the crowd with music in Mandarin if I'm not mistaken.

Albert Andrada opens up the show with black numbers, skirts in different lengths with gold accents here and there. He pulls this off without looking tacky, I am not surprised. This is why he's making raves in the middle east scene. The drapery, the placement of the gold would not take away the elegance he wanted to exude in these black dresses.

Homey Southern Cooking at Big D's Smokehouse

Maybe, just maybe, I might have just found your favorite hangout.

This place has been legendary to Ateneans and Katipunan based crowds. With real Southern Cooking as their stalwart, you can't just let this spot pass you by. They left Katipunan Avenue since the property was sold; and found a bright new spot in the 2nd level of POS Building. This is in Scout Madrinan corner Tomas Morato, Quezon City (right in front of IL TERRAZO).

 

This area as you may know is swarming with restaurants; and there are only a few who serve specialized menus that could battle the huge commercial ones. I already find the offerings in BIG D's quite awesome, but when I tasted their food... it's freakishly perfect for sitting down and having a pint of beer. You'll feel it's so good and comforting. It's amazingly done and cooked right. Let's check out the place shall we?!

The place can seat around 30-50 people on a regular day. They can accommodate more guests on the top floor if you wish to have events or special occasions done here. The interiors is more on an industrial - meat packing region feel (see the red bricks?). There's an area on the right that's got air conditioning but this place would probably be better visited in the evening for that al fresco dining - good for sub zero frozen beer bottle feel LOL. 

 

The kitchen is tucked away on the left side but they can always use the outdoor grill for your favorite steaks and show. The building also has an elevator so it is handicapped friendly. The nice thing about it is that the place is conducive for groups/barkadas. They also have special screenings when there are Pacquiao fights and things like that. Then we got ourselves busy with the food, here we go!

GVB Set To Showcase Guam at the 2014 PTAA Travel Tour Expo

Just a few hours away from the Philippines is GUAM - they're also set to reveal great packages this coming February 14 - 16, 2014 at the PTTA Travel and Tour Expo at the Mall of Asia SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. 

If you haven't seen the island yet, this is a great time to get in touch with the representatives from GUAM Visitors Bureau and get a taste of what its like to be in their pristine beaches, rich culture and flavorful cuisine; all of which you can do on a whim even on weekends. 

This place is also a shopping haven for tourists since they enjoy tax free privileges. There's even more discounts from November to January where the SHOP GUAM FESTIVAL happens each year. It's the biggest one in the Western Pacific and thousands of shopaholics use this as an excuse to stay longer in Guam, I couldn't blame them though :)

On April 13, they will hold the Guam International Marathon then the annual Ko Ko Road Race in October. You can also stay there for the Guam Music Festival which happens in June. These are just the recommended dates but you can always go there all the time so you can see for yourself what Guam + its Chamorro people are all about. 

Make sure you check out the official Guam Visitors Bureau booth at the PTTA Travel and Tour Expo (booth 386-389) at the 3rd Hall of the SMX Convention Center at the dates mentioned above. There will be special shows performed by Guam's very own Cultural Chamorro Dancers to give you a glimpse of what it feels like to visit GUAM!

See you there! :)

For more information about their stores:

Guam Visitors Bureau

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http://www.guamvisitorsbureau.com

Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga: Starting Over Again

I know.... we're starting over again. LOL! That's what you do when you can't think of a way to introduce this story. Well, just the thought of Madame Olivia Lamasan directing this movie spells award all over it. Do you remember Madrasta? That movie gave Sharon Cuneta her grand slam. So if this is something from the same woman who made that masterpiece, we wouldn't be surprised if Toni Gonzaga or Piolo Pascual wins something too.

Our talk was really relaxed and non formal. We didn't delve too much on the details but we talked a lot about the creative process and how Piolo, Toni and Iza's characters became who they are in the movie. When it was being made, we had a hunch that it was going to be a romcom since it's pretty much going to bank on Toni Gonzaga's love for Piolo (remember the softdrink commercial?). Direk Olive said that before they made the film, they got the cast go through a small exercise where they wrote down their interpretation of the characters in the script. Their answers were not as what Direk Olivia thought it would be because it became a little serious; and very cerebral. Direk laments Piolo was serious but found him more intelligent now. She can't believe what she's hearing or reading when she asks Piolo to explain some scenes. A mark that he really has matured, and she's happy to see that.

When Piolo also first heard about the cast, add to that the Director... he said "This is the project which he has been waiting for. This is worth the wait." He also lauds Direk Olive about their past project and says highly about her. Direk says Piolo never changed a bit because he's still the humble guy she saw when they filmed "Milan" in 2004. That was also a hit by the way, and she says... this project would be something new but you can never discount the natural chemistry between Toni and Piolo. That's generally where they are banking on and appreciate that fans are seeing the trailer's message.

 I went in and said that I already am congratulating them because if it weren't for the crowd at that venue I could have cried a bit because of the scenes. Direk asked me why but I just said my love life is not for public consumption hahah. But really, it will move you to tears. You'll see some scenes you can relate to because it reflects real life. There are more reasons to watch this but no matter how you put it, this is a great movie that's got a perfect storyline. The movie is organic and it grew on them. If it goes out on theaters nationwide, make sure you line up because as we see it... this is a hit!

I don't watch that much Filipino movies, but this one's good so I'll try going to the premier night if possible!

For more information about their movie:

Star Cinema

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http://www.starcinema.com.ph