My Guitar Princess Starts Today on GMA

This May 7, you’ll love what GMA Network has in store for you. There’s no other love that would equate to a mother’s love. Every morning they’ll be giving you a treat in their new shown MY GUITAR PRINCESS.

Julie Anne says “I’m very very excited for you to see the story of Selena and her Mom, plus her music. I am giddy about the story because she gets to choose between Justin and Elton, thank you GMA and GMA Public Affairs for trusting me with this project. My last musical was years ago and I couldn’t even remember it, but this is lighter and I really enjoyed every bit as it exposes the story of Selena. I also get to do music, totally relate to her and how passionate I did become with each song we’ve come up with. Gil is smart, timid lazy, but so fun to work with. I can’t wait to see it on TV. My Dad really didn’t want me to be in show business because he feared how complicated my life would be, when I lost and still passed through auditions, GMA came to me and gave me a break, I finished my studies and everything fell into place. I didn’t have sleep, but it’s a matter of time management, passion and priorities. It was a relief when I graduated college, eventually they allowed me to work and love my music. Hard work and patience, that will be something to do before you achieve your dreams.”

Sheryl Cruz who plays Adele says “It’s a blessing to work with her, it’s very close to my heart and I experience this in real life. I have a kid, I am proud to see how smart they are, very similar to my daughter. With Adele, she was a soul diva so in a way she inherited our talent. She has her own love life, that will be interesting. I’ll be also with Yaya Dolly, so it’s light, a good musical, even Gil has a song number.”

Jazz Ocampo plays Katy, she says “We are fashion bloggers, a little over the top, will be a little nice later on, you will love and hate us, but you have to watch. I don’t have a specific style, I go for magazine looks, the previous trends, I am more into that.”

Gil Cuerva who plays Elton says “I am a popstar, I’ll be singing, I’m really thankful to be with great cast members. Julie is so talented, and it tells us the story of a family, I hope you love this.”

This is about creativity and pursuing your dreams, this starts on May 7. You have to note they have a long list of characters but all of them have some connection to music. Julie Anne also had to be hands on, everybody helped in forming the numbers, the songs are perfect. You’ll also see the guitar princess have her own Youtube album, perhaps some digital stores very soon. It’s their dream to actually put it online, and they can’t wait for you to hear and see them all!

The Director promises you’ll feel the environment, the limit is your imagination and of course even with the small budget they’ll have to work with (he says) you will never be shortchanged because they assure you this would be something interesting you'll stick with every day. 

Make sure you subscribe to their Youtube  channel once the singing starts, yes everything will be uploaded there too so stay tuned!

KUMAGCOW

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Derrick Monasterio Sizzles at EDSA

Staying on top of his game and his body goals is just bearing fruit. I remember talking to him a couple years ago when he was doing charity work and dead serious in working on his recording career. He still is inlove with that part of his work but working out hard these past few years has definitely made his body change, something women and those who want to be women drool for when he takes off his shirt. This time however, he achieved a milestone courtesy of my favorite brand BENCH who put up this huge billboard over EDSA, Manila's major thoroughfare.

The cuts, the chest, the abs are all there glistening - he sits comfortably on the kayak he was using just for this shoot. If you haven't seen it yet, it's one of the three layouts usually occupied by BENCH in all of their ads. I suggest you go to the JP Rizal side because you can see it better when you're there.

Here's an interview I did for him for his OH BOY! OH LOL! Concert which he will be doing with Rocco Nacino, Dave Bornea, Donita Nose and Super Tekla. You may buy tickets on Ticketnet or the venue, while supplies lasts.

This is just the beginning for Derrick!

KUMAGCOW

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My 2 Mommies This Mothers Day

I am one of the 4 Million who watched the endearing trailer of My 2 Mommies, Regal Films' offering this Mothers Day. The film outfit has always been dishing out really good films during this season and this one is a little different. The signs of the times dictate a family that doesn't just comprise of the usual Mom, Dad and son/daughter. This time, Paolo Ballesteros plays the role of Manu, a gay man who had his best friend (played by Solenn) drunk one night and didn't know he had a son with her years after. Out and proud, had a relationship, but how would everything turn out now that he's a Mother - yeah he consider himself one.

Paulo started our blogcon by greeting everyone and said “Thank you sa pagpunta ninyo, hope you help us promote My 2 Mommies!"

Eric says “This is a romantic comedy, but it stems from the story of Paulo’s sudden situation of having a kid. There are only a few people who can do Drama and Comedy, Paulo is one of them. Maricel is really missed so they will see the old Maria in this film, it’s welcoming, you’ll feel she’s back. I thought Solenn was a different person, I have never seen her act and in this project, she’s really different, very professional, she has timing and she’s not a diva... so down to earth. This boy oj the other hand is special, they had french lines and when they started I knew he was really good and this might be his first movie, but he’s really good. He was born to be an actor. I am glad to get a PG rating, I can’t wait for the people to see this movie.”

Paolo says “Eric is good, he is an artist so he knows the scenes and how the public will be moved in one scene. He moves fast, he justifies additional scenes and we finish fast. Solenn is very professional; she ain’t a diva, you could see how she wants to perfect her tagalog. She also makes an effort to do the punchlines and she is very natural, very tita. Mothers day needs stories like these and I hope even if I’m not in drag people and families would appreciate this. It’s very light, but it has heart. Manu doesn’t just relate to my situation, he’s almost like me - I am so scared about how real it has become. Mothers have always been about talking a lot, but you know it is for your own good, every time with them is precious. I may have wanted to also have more moments with my daughter but I feel her mother also needs that as well, we do what we can do and make the time we spend a better one. To have a family? Maybe we’ll just cross the bridge when we get there. We might not have done a workshop with Marcus but when we shot on the first day, he was loved like a real son. It wasn’t hard at all.” 

Marcus says “Paolo is very chill, even when he’s mad he still makes it a point to be so nice to people. I had fun doing this, I’m a kid that is mature, but only have 2 Moms and 2 Dads and I think that is happy.”

This would certainly be a good thing to watch with your family, although a bit controversial and out of the original context of a regular family, it only means that it doesn't take a genius to know that you only need to be a good person to be a good parent. Love for a son, it's insurmountable. 

Make sure you watch the film on Mothers day, mother lily says so!

KUMAGCOW

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Good Okonomiyaki at CHIBO Podium

I don't know what it is exactly that makes me so happy when I'm eating Japanese food. I feel it's such a labor intensive process. The way they prepare things that are so simple, they just make it look like a million bucks afterwards. 

CHIBO Okonomiyaki which I first experienced in Mall of Asia (a franchise from Osaka, Japan) just opened their newest branch in The Podium at Ortigas Center. The mall has been spruced up recently so these new shops are all just starting. The difference though is the Okonomiyaki which CHIBO specializes in. The quality of produce they put in on every Japanese pancake must have been carefully chosen, made fresh, hot off the grill, amazingly full of that UMAMI flavor we all love!

This is the Omusoba. As the word suggests it's like my favorite Japanese Omu Rice but instead of the run of the mill ketchup laden rice, they put in sauteed soba noodles in this one. Honestly, I've never had one before but surprisingly it was like pad thai in Japanese flavors. It was pretty good.

Their US Angus Steak Ju is my preferred bowl. They have these in executive sets - which I think was made so you don't have to worry much if you're in a hurry. You deserve a hefty serving of proteins, rice, miso soup and a hearty potato salad  enveloped in creamy japanese mayo (I think?). They do it well.

The Chibo Okonomiyaki is their best seller. I love how they painstakingly went out of their way to make this meal a masterpiece everytime they dish out an Okonomiyaki from their kitchen. I'm sure it wasn't easy to make it look this good, plus they got the cabbage to still feel crunchy, not overcooked, and the sauce just compliments all the subtle flavors this dish had. It reminds me of a more mushy Takoyaki, a bigger one at that.

They also have the Pork Ju, which is soft and full of flavor. I would prefer a more fatty one but this would be great for those who watch their weight, you won't feel guilty as it's got pretty lean strips. Everything is just an umami bomb waiting to happen.

This is their Oden Meal, which is pretty much a mix of good fish konyaku (like a fish cake), daikon (radish) in a light clear broth. It is also served with grilled salmon on the side. I was a little allergic to seafood but didn't want to fail and try it (I brought antihistamine). The broth was all on the sweet side, not too overly fishy and just right. This would be a good treat for those seafood lovers. In hindsight, I like it a lot!

The Shirayukihime and Cheese Okonomiyaki are both show stoppers. If you want to impress guests, your family or just want really good extreme flavors, you should try this out. My personal favorite is the Cheesy Okonomiyaki, it's got that salty, sweet and umami flavor ok point. It was filling and exactly what I would want in a good, flavorful, twisted Okonomiyaki. It's addicting to say the least and if you've tried the original one, you'll even love the other flavors they have on the menu.

Chibo Okonomiyaki is located at the 5th Floor of the new Podium which is accessible now via ADB and Julia Vargas in the Ortigas business district. For executive luncheons, quick bites, this would be a nice change rather than just going for fast food. 

Trust me on the Cheese Okonomiyaki. I'm going back for that this weekend.