Aljur Abrenica Back with 2 New Films and PUMA Endorsement

He worked so hard to get to where he is right now. He's not stopping anytime soon. 

We met Aljur Abrenica a couple of days ago to get to know a couple of things about what he's doing this year. First off, I watched his movie with Kris Bernal a month ago which was entitled EDSA during a premier in Megamall. I thought it was going to be a little historic but I think they used present day interpretations and metaphors, but I liked the story. I also liked the fact that it is their comeback movie (of which I thought would never happen since Aljur left the station a couple of months ago). They also looked so happy doing the project which was not intended to be commercially released but to educate students as it'll be shown in schools and universities. Aljur is proud of that film and we even got to talk to him before the premier, here's a video of our short interview:

Aljur is also glad that he's back in the grind, with a few more films this year including the one directed by Ato Bautista named EXPRESSWAY. He's going to be together with Alvin Anson in this movie and this isn't the run of the mill indie film because he had to talk, personify a real life gunman. He was a little afraid to actually talk to him but he needed to do it so he can learn the nuances, the treatment he'd want to show in this project. He's a hired gunman who is part of a syndicate and all he wanted to do was impress his boss. It wasn't too hard for him to kill people either as he was already trigger happy in the beginning. Will that pose a problem for his acceptance in the group or not? We don't know. This will also be part of the Sinag Maynila Festival showing on April 21 to 26, 2016. You should check out http://www.sinagmaynilafilmfestival.com for details about their schedules and theaters.

Aljur is also still working on another project set to be shown around September, you should watch out for that. His album though is still out in the market and he's got a single he's promoting "Mahal Pa Rin Kita" which is a cover, originally sang by Rockstar (in the 90's). He convinced us quite easily when he sang it during the latter part of our interview so please grab a copy of it on major record bars and stores nationwide. 

He's back, definitely back. Hopefully he's going to do more and perhaps a new series on GMA after doing the successful Dangwa series with Janine Gutierrez and Mark Herras. Oh by the way, Aljur just got the endorsement for international brand PUMA. He's going to be the face of PUMA in the Philippines and you should expect an advertisement anytime soon. Puma's representatives said that he embodies what they wanted in the brand as the "ultimate" personification of it. He's hunky, athletic and he does quality things in his craft. 

Congratulations Aljur! I'm sure you're going places!

For more information about their artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

Wish I May Set Visit with Bianca and Miguel

We had the chance to visit the set of GMA Afternoon Primetime's successful show "Wish I May" a few days ago in Quezon City. It's starred by the good looking and super sweet Miguel Tanfelix and the gorgeous Bianca Umali. BiGuel as most of their fans call them is one of the most successful teen pairings the network has ever done and they attribute the success to the throngs of supporters they have before and during the show.

There's going to be more exciting scenes that you should watch out for in the show. The one they did before this interview had a lot of teens gushing because even if it was a little on the sad side, they had to hold hands, look at each other after a long time of not meeting each other.. Can you picture that? Miguel had to run to another location that time and right after he got off the shoot, I positioned my self on the sidelines and started interviewing him. I also asked him a little about their BUM photo shoot and what they wanted to wear during summer. He quipped he was glad to have the grunge look back but still a bit colorful because of the season. Here's the short interview we had with him on video:

Bianca arrived a little bit later and it was sweet to actually see them together. These two have been doing this for years and seeing their dynamics just proves that they really care for each other. Miguel said that he's not doing anything this Holy Week as he's a Bible Christian, whilst Bianca said she's visiting a few relatives together with family. Here's their interview on video:

If you remember, Bianca was wearing this gorgeous purple gown during her prom night. They didn't have stylists and only relied on their own to dress up that evening. I liked the part where Miguel said he also had to do a showdown with some of Bianca's classmates but he was a little shy to do things during that event. Bianca was so happy even if they only had a few hours of preparation for that date as they had work that same day.

Wish I May is still showing on GMA's Afternoon Prime. Make sure you catch it 2:30 PM weekdays on the channel. Thank you so much to Bianca and Miguel who were so accommodating. Thank you also to the staff and crew of the show who made us feel welcomed on the set even if it was so hot that day. Thanks for keeping us cool all throughout the interview!

Thank you also to GMA Social Media for letting us tag along on the set. Can't wait to see the scenes on TV when it gets aired. I'm telling you, there will be tons of surprises on how their characters would turn out on the show.

For more information about their artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

Cyma Greek Taverna Outs New Menu on their 10th Anniversary

Chef Robby Goco the Head Chef of popular Cyma Greek Taverna

I've been a fan of CYMA ever since I've set my eyes on them in Eastwood Mall. It made me grow appreciation about a dish that I haven't even felt that I had a connection with as I grew only fond of Spanish, American and Filipino. I've been quite adventurous when I became a foodie a few years ago so when I got to dine here, I was so surprised about the real, no fuss food they served on the table. It was like going to another country, something that I welcomed a lot. So when the opportunity to celebrate with them on their 10th year came, I was like "Mama Mia!" excited!

It was my first time to also meet Chef Robby. He explained to us that this celebration was also going to be an introduction to brand new items on their menu that would update, bring forth authentic Greek food designed to delight the Filipino customers. Yeap, same organic and home grown ingredients adjusted to our palate. Some of the freshest food on the table sounds so right to me. Chef Robby defines this as "Progressive Greek".

This is part of the Krii Vegetarian Sampler Mezedes. I think it kinda signifies spring/harvest but I'd probably just connect it with what's available in Greece. The roasted peppers, the slices of watermelon, mixed with tad salty feta cheese, it's fresh and lovely. You can treat this much like antipasti which is common in the region. This plate comes with Beet Root + mashed garlic potatoes and Rice wrapped in edible leaves.

This is what they called Dakos. It's simple crusty bread topped with roasted tomatoes, feta, salty capers, oregano, onions and extra virgin olive oil. It's like the Italian brushcetta with the difference of the capers so you get salty bits when you bite into it. It wasn't heavy at all. It was fresh and pleasing, I had seconds.

This is the Mezedes Tis Oras. It's scallops, shrimp, squid, clambs, and octopus in one plate. I know it was a mouthful because women on my table didn't hold back. They went and ate almost the entire other side of this plate so I had to angle it from the other side for photos ha-ha!

Saganaki with Figs sounded something that would come from Japan, but no. This is the Fried kefalotiri with peppered fig jam and EVOO toast. It's sweet, has got tons of cheese melted and dined good on the crusty bread with it. Just spread it and you'll get that sweet-salty combo make you beg for more.

The Watercress Salad was done good. It was fresh, I didn't see any wilted pieces, plus I love the chunks of bleu cheese, sweet pears and walnuts as it was covered in a light summer herb vinaigrette.

This was actually surprising. You see those purple pieces mixed in? Those are calamari. This one's called Fried Calamari and Black Rice Salad. It's a mixture of pungent parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, walnuts in pomegranate dressing. It was sweet, salty and tangy, which people at the table loved! I thought it was a little too busy, but it actually worked.

The minute this came out of the kitchen and into our table, they mentioned it's Roasted Alaskan King Crab Legs and I was just like whoa! I am still puzzled how they even source this. I am glad though that it's available. Lemon, Garlic, Pepper and herb butter. You don't need to be complicated, just simple earthy ingredients, not to spoil what already is good meat from the sea.

Whole Saranggani Sea Bass. This simple dish of roasted fish from the region is salted, peppered, charcoal grilled, sprinkled with Greek Oregano, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, ladolemono and grilled lemons. Sweet, simple, something that's served with fish parts and doesn't even bother diners. It's something that greeks and pinoys are probably used to. Pretty healthy.

My personal favorite served the whole day was this. This is Moussaka. They roast Japanese eggplants, layer it with pork, beef, and Greek Bechamel sauce. I love the warm fuzzy feeling it gives me, like comfort food thats a tad more greasy... and you won't mind at all. Spread it on top of bread, bam!

I had to make you take a look at that in all angles. This is what they call Kreatika. It's a full meat platter, a surf and turf kind of thing, that's got lamb, pork chops, beef rib, prawns in caper butter, Greek Chimichurri, salad and freshly made pita bread. Oh how the gods and goddesses of Greece connived in making this protein loving dish for me! This just hits the spot!

CYMA Greek Taverna is bringing you more items on the menu together with the well loved items you've already had in the last 10 years. They have so far brought to the table some really good items which you'll find quite simple, cooked simple, but well thought out in terms of flavor. If you're into Greek food, or just simple heart meals, try to visit their branches in Greenbelt 2, Trinoma Mall, Eastwood Mall, Ayala Center - Cebu, Boracay, Robinsons Place - Manila, or Robinsons Magnolia. I just celebrated my Mom's birthday there a few weeks ago and the new dishes are faring out well. I've seen them in other tables. 

You get to see Greece in dining tables in Manila. You get the freshest ingredients, it also gets cooked right. CYMA just reeks of good food in the next 10 years. You should get your family to experience it soon. Opa!

For more information about their artists:

CYMA Greek Taverna

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.cymarestaurants.com/