Love Songs and Love Stories for Himig Handog 2018 Announced

Had the chance to listen to the top songs for Himig Handog 2018 this afternoon. Here they are in no particular order.

"Dalawang Pagibig Niya" by Bernard S. Reforsado interpreted by Sheena Belarmino, Krystal Brimmer and MNL48. It felt young, very KPOP-ish and easy to sing along.

"Hati na Lang Tayo" sa Kanya by Joseph Santiago, interpreted by Eumee. This one is heartfelt, hurt, very emotional. Eumee also belts this out in the chorus, pretty good. The composer said the one asking attention was the legal wife.

"Kababata" is composed by John Michael "Kritiko" Edixon, interpreted by Kritiko himself ft Kyla. Again another hurtful song but more like a rap song.

Interpreted by Janine Berdin, this one is composed by Mhonver Lopez and Joanna Concepcion, it's entitled "Mas Mabuti Pa". You could see this is another slow ballad type song, using the voice of the TNT winner to their advantage. It could well be used for a teleseryes, it could pass like that. This is an old song but the composer asked another composer if she could continue writing it (they are best friends) because it is on a woman's perspective.

Composer for this one is from Dubai, he's Robert William Peña. The song is called "Para Sa Tabi" and is interpreted by BoybandPH. It's very pop, boyband-ish and the lyrics are fun. I get a little annoyed about the sound of the chorus though.

JM De Guzman interpreted this one, it's called "Sa Mga Bituin Na Lang Ibubulong". It is composed by Kyle Raphael Borbon. JM sounds like a boy who would sing a heartfelt love song for someone he adores. It's so cool to listen to, it could pass as a song for spas and massage centers, make you feel good and sleep in that little corner your boyfriend has under his arms.

"Sugarol" is composed by Jan Aldrile Sabili and is interpreted by Maris Racal. It felt like something you would listen to while you're flying over several mountain ranges while you are looking for the love of your life. It's like she's trying to find that one true love. The composer says this is about her personal experience, she says she was in the state of falling in love but she was hesitant. Maris says "When I heard this I loved the lyrics, I do this too so it is a really good opportunity to get to sing this song because a lot of people would be able to relate to it."

I think this is the first time Jona is interpreting a song (not), it's called "Tinapos Ko Na" which is composed by Sarah Jane Gandia. Again it is very emotional, thinking of a relationship if it is true or not, and being afraid to fall, but still hopeful. Quite nice because she has runs. She says "I guess the way I sing is because of the inspirations I got from my idols Regine and Jaya. The song has a line and lyric that has reminded me of relationships, a very challenging material because it's got less vocal acrobatics. I get really challenged with restrained songs."

The next one is called "Wakasan" composed by Philip Arvin Jarilla and performed by band Agsunta. This song is about hopeful love, about waiting forever and not even caring how long that takes lol. It sounds a little bit like country. Things that Garth Brooks would sing, but in a very band setting. The composer says this song is from that old Filipino comic called Wakasan, but it is an open ended song.

Sam Mangubat interprets this next one called "Wala Kang Alam" which is composed by Mel Magno and Martin John Arellano. It's a slow hurtful ballad, about lost love and setting them free. It also felt like it is full of regrets, and the other person clueless about how much you've hurt. The composer said it was his way to get back with his ex's, about men, relationships and the hurt he's felt. It's his real life experience. He doesn't move on from pain as an artist and he pulls emotions from that. He's gay but it also applies to heterosexual relationships.

Jonathan Manalo says "These songs are based on real life, stories that are relateable and put into a song. These are the next ones in radio, film or TV."

Roxy Liquigan adds "We had 5000 songs to listen to and had to cut it down several times until we reached 10. If you ask us how true this is we had one song that was sung initially by 10 year old kids, we had the interpreters chosen by us, all for those who would be on top of mind so we got teens to do it too. We focused a lot on the appropriate artists, we got what we wished for and this year you'll see an even bigger, current showcase of songs. We know these will be BIG hits!"

Who will you be choosing? Which is the best one?

KUMAGCOW
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Derrick Monasterio and Sanya Lopez Heats Up The Screen in Wild and Free

Sanya Lopez and Derrick Monasterio for Wild and Free

This one is interesting. You know Derrick Monasterio right? How about Sanya Lopez? Well, they will be in a movie produced by Regal Entertainment Inc. and it’s not going to be just another romcom or chick flick. This is going to be bold, feisty, a little over the edge because these two sexy individuals are going to give their all. This movie is called WILD and FREE.

Their trailer has been released a few weeks ago, and true enough, it’s a but controversial. This will be a more matured topic, showcasing daring scenes from two GMA artists. Sanya says “I was nervous, but I was open to things that would happen in our scenes and kept it classy still. We know that as lovers, things will be intimate, we actually got a little rough but Derrick is a gentleman, I didn’t feel violated or taken advantage of. We have worked with each other before and it was a good foundation to work professionally. I had to brush my teeth a lot because of what’s asked for. I consider the things they say online as a complement. It was challenging of course but our director was there to help us understand our roles, I even asked my friends about it and good thing we can learn about it. Direk told me to say whenever we felt uncomfortable, about touching, but Derrick was good to also ask me about scenes before we did it so it was a good take.”

There will be intense scenes, you can expect that

I have seen Derrick do teen roles, this is a step up and he says “I wouldn’t want to get slapped so we took it easy, we tried to envision and do what we had to in the scene, I tried to make her comfortable because we have limitations. This is my first love scene and it is out of this world, the secret is mouthwash. I am sure there are a lot of guys who fantasise about Sanya during her Danaya days but we are happy that we are given a chance to do this with a big production like Regal. We had workshops, we had to watch movies related to it and learn to kiss passionately. (Mother Lily interjects saying “He is a baby, we started with him very young.”) I do have to admit, I also did a lot of wild things like doing it on a stop light. It was uncomfortable but did it anyway. We had similar scenes but had to do it in a smaller vehicle.”

Here’s our video from the presscon, enjoy!

As you may have heard it took them around 6 long love scenes to make this movie, Sanya laments how she felt something from Derrick but they say there is a secret. That’s what is going to revealed in the movie. Who will be the loser in this relationship? Why are they doing this?

Watch WILD AND FREE on October 10 in cinemas nationwide! You may follow Regal Films social media channels for updates about the movie.

KUMAGCOW

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Everyday Christmas at Lydia's Lechon

It's not a complete feast in a Filipino party without Lydia's Lechon!

We all celebrate the wonderful experiences we have with family and friends on the dinner table because food keeps us together, it's a way to bond for us Filipinos. Even if we have visitors from here and abroad, when we see we're the only one eating, we ask others "Tara Kain" and always offer what little things we have on our plate, which is remarkably embedded in our culture, one which I absolutely love!

In fiestas, birthdays, or any party for that matter, we'll try and provide the best of Filipino cuisine. These are the times we think about Lechon, and know that in any celebration, it's just not enough if there's none of it on our table. 

It's like the piece de resistance, people look forward to it as the most important part of the meal, with good reason. The company knows they have to change with the times so when they came out with new items on the menu, I immediately said I'm there!

Now I'm no stranger to their restaurant because I frequently go to their branch in Timog Avenue, which moved in different places over the years (still in the same street) til they built their own place near 11th Jamboree. They also have one in Roces Avenue that I go to pickup things that I adore like their whole Lechon, their Lechon Paksiw and Dinuguan. Their research in a way produced some mean alternatives so you don't get tired of the roast pork, they did it quite good.

Kansi - Beef Shanks boiled for hours in Tamarind based broth and Lemon Grass. It reminds me of Bacolod and Iloilo.

Laing con Lechon - Your usual Laing leveled up with chunks and pieces of smoky pork Lechon and creamy coconut cream. Better if you have steaming hot white rice with it.

Minced Lettuce Wraps - Chopped Lechon and veggies wrapped on fresh lettuce and served with a dip on a side. It's like a toned down version but smoky Korean lettuce wraps.

Cheesy Beef Caldereta - It's a tomato based beef stew mixed with cheese so you get strands of them after pairing with hot white rice.

Sizzling Tofu - Fried Tofu pieces set ablaze on a hot plate. They also have creamy mayo on it, eat it while it's hot. Better that way.

Bangus Ala Pobre - Boneless deep fried Milkfish with tons of golden crunchy garlic and Thai bird chili on top. This was a hit, gone in 60 seconds.

Pritchon Wraps - Lechon twice cooked til crispy wrapped in mini pita bread with veggies and dipped in three kinds of sauces. I love this one with the Hoisin and Sriracha sauce, but you have to eat it while it's hot. The pita discs tend to dry out fast since the place is air-conditioned

Kare Kare con Lechon - Lightly sweet peanut sauce with boiled vegetables, banana heart and Lechon pieces, how can you go wrong with that? Loved how it felt with the crispy skin Lydia's Lechon is also known for, again, make sure you eat it while it's hot!

Buko Pandan - Their version is quite nice because I don't think they use coconut meat but Macapuno which is a different coconut breed, sweeter and a lot thicker. They also have Leche Flan, but I think this is better.

If you are also keen on taking home stuff or bringing pasalubong to your country of origin, you can get their Oyster Sauce, All Around Sauce and Liquid Seasoning. Pretty good stuff.

This new menu is available now in all 25 branches of Lydia's Lechon nationwide. They have plans to expand and get more franchisees next year. If you want your family to enjoy Filipino fiesta food, make an effort to go to their stores and try these new ones because it's a little fusion and won't be too hard to have when you have foreign guests or balikbayans. It doesn't have to be Christmas to enjoy all these food!

You may check out Lydia's Lechon on Facebook for more updates and promos. Their Lechon only costs around 3K++ and can feed around 12 people already, only if you don't eat too much of it though.

KUMAGCOW

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Gil Cuerva Joins Solenn Heussaff at Taste Buddies

Taste Buddies has always been heavily watched especially if you're fond of GMA News TV. I'm a fan of the show, and really had a remarkable time because once you had them on the dinner table, it's just fun and amusing to see them be in the nicest places and eat food like goddesses chilling, I envy them because they don't get fat either LOL.

Now they've got their share of hosts,equally gorgeous women, but this time I think they're experimenting a little and brought in model/actor Gil Cuerva. He is now officially Solenn's co host. We spent the whole afternoon with them on set at a restaurant in Taguig City, in one of Megaworld's Lifestyle Malls called VENICE PIAZZA. Here's our adventure on video.

Of course we won't leave the restaurant without getting to taste their food! Theirs is a mix of Latin cuisine, it shows on the spices they used which reminds me of that Peruvian place I reviewed a couple months ago. It was a familiar flavor, with some Mexican flare!

The food was good, I had memories still stuck in my head with that pizza. I will go back for that.

They had guests Sanya Lopez and cute puppy eyed Martin Del Rosario. I didn't get Sanya's photo because she left in a hurry.

Thank you so much to the good people of Taste Buddies who didn't mind we were there that afternoon.

Their show starts 8:45PM every Saturday so if you're lounging at those hours, go watch the show on GMA News TV and see if Gil makes it a tad better!

KUMAGCOW

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