One Fine Wine Pairing Evening with Beringer

Sunday, December 11, 2016



I was a little hesitant going to this occasion because first, it was very far from where I live and second I was actually afraid of getting drunk. With all those worries, I knew better, so I went to Makati to check out Beringer Wines. Honestly, I've heard of them but never had been able to actually get to taste a bottle or two. Their reserve is located at Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Paso Robles. Fueled with passion spanning 140 years to make wines that want to rival that of other wine producing countries of Europe, they built their empire around it and now have a variety of products in their cellars. During this event, they even paired it with some of the Philippines' best dishes. They also did it with the usual steak, and even dessert!

This is the classic Zinfandel which is one of their rich, full bodied reds. It's perfect to have for those more intense savory meats. It has notes of vanilla, and pretty intense spices.

What else to pair it with but with some really good Longganiza from Lucban, Vigan and Alaminos. The intense garlic, the savory burnt bits on the Philippine sausages was a good match with this strong red.


This Beringer Pinot Noir on the other hand had some fruity notes. Probably been mixed with raspberries or something like it, with the usual spices of course.

ITALY ON A PLATE Using Contadina Pasta and Sauces



It was a fine afternoon and we got invited to a fun shopping blitz over at Robinsons Selections in McKinley Hill. Our friends from Contadina challenged us to a shopping spree and a cooking challenge and I think I've been able to step on the plate and whipped up ITALY ON A PLATE. My original idea was to do something with pesto but when I got there, I got overwhelmed with the tons of ingredients I could choose. SO instead of doing just one dish, I decided to do 3 to signify the colors of the Italian flag!

You see, I love three types of pasta that I usually cook for celebrations. So why not put them together and make it pretty right? It was super easy to prepare too because I used Contadina pasta. I just cooked it according to the package directions, and it stayed al dente even if I cooked it a little over 8 minutes. The sauces were also all bottled so I didn't have to put in that much spices because it was already good as is. So basically, no more chopping, no more hours spent in simmering tomato sauce because it's already in a bottle. You just have to cook the other things like chicken, tuna, beef, and bacon. I also added butter, olives and capers to give it a more authentic look. I did the video too so check this out!




So you see, it's not hard to cook. I even have one it without slaving away two days in the kitchen because sauces come in a bottle, and the pasta is easy to cook. Plus, it tastes great! That's what easy looks like, that's what CONTADINA gives guys too. Premium pasta goodness like what your Mom used to make!


COW

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The 65th Miss Universe Competition Kickoff Event

Saturday, December 10, 2016




Posh, simple but elegant. That's what I would describe the 65th Miss Universe Grand Kickoff Event held at the S Mason Mall at the MOA Complex in Pasay City. 




This event was hosted by the LCS Group (of Luis Chavit Singson) and Solar Entertainment Corporation (of Wilson Tieng) and featured 11 candidates who were flown in just to spend 5 days of fun in the Philippines and witness this event where Miss Universe Organization President Paula Mary Shugart will also start off festivities. As you know, the Philippines is known for fiestas and the longest Christmas celebration so these candidates will have a taste of that and MORE!




As of now we saw Miss USA Deshauna Barber, Miss China Li Zhenying, Miss Japan Sari Nakazawa, Miss Australia Caris Emily Tiivel, Miss New Zealand Tania Pauline Dawson (who I think is half Filipino), Miss Korea Jenny Kim, Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane, Miss Malaysia Kiran Jassal, Miss Vietnam Dang Thi Le Hang, Miss Indonesia Kezia Roslin Warouw and Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun. They will tour the Philippines  with Maxine Medina and you'll see their adventures during the pageant soon. A ceremonial walk was also done by reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.




Watch out for the actual pageant slated on January 30 8am Philippine Time. Again this is hosted by the LCS Group, Okada Manila, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Philippine Airlines, Pay it Forward and the Department of Tourism. The ceremonies was hosted by former Miss Universe 3rd Runner Up Shamcey Supsup and good looking Kapuso Actor Benjamin Alves! So who's your pick?


KUMAGCOW
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The MMFF Family Film Called "Kabisera"

Friday, December 09, 2016



There's a system to the "dining table" that's quite unique in the Philippine setting. It's called the "Kabisera" which is a chair set at the center of the table usually given to the head of the family. It's like the King's throne to put it bluntly, but really an unspoken rule of respect given to them. At the halls of Salu (a restaurant at Scout Torillo in Quezon City), RJ Agustin welcomed us and promised we'll like what their film "Kabisera", this is Firestarters Productions official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016. He adds "This film is very timely, it's full of social relevance and good family values. We tell a story that inspires movie goers and when they go out of the theater they'll have something to take home. Who am I in the family? Do I have a strong character? Am I the breadwinner and do I have the right to be there?! We made a point to get the best ones so it would balance out since we had Nora Aunor in it. The Filipino audience now has different taste, you will see a different set, quality is a standard and taste is subjective and there is a high demand for high quality films." 



Director Real Florido says "I told myself, lMaybe this time, we could make the cut". Our last shooting day was two days prior to submission and this is really important for the industry to promote films that tell authentic real stories. Everyone in the production feels we did our best and what the Jury saw this year just gave us hope that there's more to this movie. Don't say we don't have a big star because we have the one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor and 9 former awardees. The importance of family, giving value to what our conscience says and continue to ask questions. It started with a concept of a family drama based on real life. It's a personal approach, talks about tragedies of families. We already have Nora Aunor in the cast and it just happened later on that we had awardee actors as well. I learned a lot too from Direk Boy who also is part of this film. It was a collaborative work and we need to make sure we get to do our jobs as actor and Director properly, I've never met them and this was a great experience. We're already preparing for international festivals and screenings so I see more in the horizon where this film will earn. We're excited like the other entries, we hope we all do well." 

Now's your chance to prove if the jurors of MMFF this year did the right thing in choosing these 8 films. They are all pushing for a PG rating and they want you to know that this deserves your attention, it's about a family and happened during 2007. The case is not even done yet but they can't divulge who it is. It's classic, it's powerful, worthy of your time and money for a strongly statemented (if there is such a word) film.


KUMAGCOW
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