New Gen Lead Stars on GMA's Madrasta

This would be a huge challenge for these guys, but after seeing the pilot episode yesterday, I'm quite confident they would be able to do a good job in Madrasta.

It's a new show, but casts include the new generation of prime actors from GMA's stable. They have done several shows, led some of them in fact; but the burden of having a drama piece and seriousness of it takes a lot effort wise as what I have understood with Juancho Trivino said. He will be also working with Arra San Agustin and Thea Tolentino (whom I love personally and in several shows). 

This series is about romance, adultery, and will involve their families. Check out our interview with them last week.

Make sure you watch the show as recent social media reactions have been very positive. I am confident Arra, Juancho and Thea can give you more in the coming days. 

Madrasta, only on GMA!

PayMaya Says "Don't Pay Cash, PayMaya!"

Coffee in the morning even started with PayMaya!

Is it even possible to spend a whole day without dishing out cash off your wallet? It is! PayMaya had us do that a couple days ago when they launched their new campaign, "Don't pay cash, PayMaya!" at the Eattogethet Food Hall in Capitol Commons in Pasig City.

Going there, I had to flag a Grab car and use my upgraded PayMaya Card for my transportation. Since it is postpaid and a Visa card, you can have it added as a secondary card in Grab's app. All transactions come with alerts via SMS and is listed on your transactions tab on the PayMaya App. Oh and before I forget, make sure you download the PayMaya app now because it's got tons of features which were not available previously. We obviously needed dinner so in this joint, PayMaya got us to simply use the app and pay via the QR code of each establishment.

Each of the store in Eattogether had these LCD terminals where you can choose what food you want to order and how much. After placing the order, you can either use the QR Code displayed or insert your card into this machine, get verified and voila! Just wait for your order to be completed.

My dinner comprised of these yummy hotpot ingredients which was sold by the gram. I didn't hold back and loved the cheese meatball and the saté broth it was going to be in. I put chilies on mine because I like it spicy.

After it was weighed, I just waited for the price and scanned the QR code on this counter. They prepared it and I just sat in the counter, it only took a couple minutes tops. I had a filling main course, dessert, plus tons of drinks later on the evening. 

After witnessing a crowd of over a hundred that night, I thought it was going to be hard to order but no, it was just faster with the PayMaya process and boy oh boy, it was convenient, even had cash back as rewards. This is what PayMaya envisioned as a cashless day. It's why they want you to also get acquainted with their latest campaign, to "Don't Pay Cash, PayMaya!"

I did even have my Grab Car home using the PayMaya card. It is possible to be cashless after all!

Cointreau Announces PH Representative

We've got great bartenders, I've seen how we have been able to win a few competitions outside the country and yes, they've made us proud.

A few nights ago, I felt that much enthusiasm as they held the finals for the La Maison Cointreau Philippines 2019 wherein they'll be sending the winner to Thailand for the regionals. The program was short and sweet as contestants from different parts of the country converged in Run Rabbit Run in the Poblacion Makati district. After an ardous battle a few weeks ago it was judged to have the top 5 battle it out who will be this year's La Maison Cointreau Champion. Jacques Buenviaje fro The Peak Grand Hyatt, Ian James Osilo of Mandalay Whisky and Cigars, Jay Natividad of The Spirits Library, Hi Agunat of Versus Barcade and Abigail Quilan-lan of Proof Manila had to bring their ingredients up the stage and prepare their contest worthy concoctions that has the secret ingredient put in. This time, they had to incorporate TEA.

It only took them a few minutes to whip up their best cocktails using the world's finest Cointreau French Orange Liqueur. They jazzed it up with different gins, spices, burned stuff and juggled a lot to make a drink that would best represent them.

After the mixes were all done, they got us a treat with free flowing cocktails the whole night. Might I say, the ones they prepared for us. (tried and proven recipes) were all awesome! Some of my friends were already bumping and grinding prior to the announcement of the winner. Using the Cointreau French Orange Liqueur made the drinks bright and fruity.

Honestly, I wanted one of the guys to win, because they prepared well and their flair was entertaining, but the judges preferred a solid story, a believable one explaining her inspiration on why she made the drink. They were all good but they had one clear winner.

Congratulations to Abigail Quilan-lan of Proof Manila! She bested 4 guys to get the crown. Well deserved, all of them had their best drinks on top of the table but she clearly won them over. Now she's going to have to make another designed cocktail drink for the regionals as she has to represent the country as she gets pitted against other Asian countries at the Bangkok, Thailand regional finals.

As for me, I obviously had so much fun! Got drunk and settled for tons of porridge at 1am LOL

Cheers! I've had so much fun with new friends, new people that night. I wish her the best in the next few months, she's going to do the country proud! 

Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati Starts Wedding Preps

It's official!! Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati will tie the knot, and they are now currently engaged.

They announced "We want it to be in Manila, we were considering Switzerland but we thought about the family and we figured we just had to have the wedding here."

Sarah says "He was my first serious boyfriend. Before, I focused on work, and I'm the type who does it long term. When I met him, I knew he was the one. I thought he was suplado, but he was very kind, very loving as a son, as a friend, it wasn't really nice as a first impression but I was wrong. Of course I have lots of blessings, I am most happy though because we are together. Kai and Zai will be our ringbearers but most probably will have a special participation. They will also be with us during our honeymoon."

Richard says "She is different, she is someone who made me happy. It just became so hard to have projects, lots of it before our planned wedding. I am also doing MMK, the new soap, which will come out this week. I also am in ASAP in Rome. When your relationship is being tested, you get to know more about the person, we both grew so much. As parents and individuals we cherish that. I thought she was out of my league, but after a while we had a lot of similarities. Our parents saw Geneva and had bondings with Sarah's parents. With my family, everyone will have a participation especially Ate and Mind since they have helped us a lot in the recent preparations."

The official announcement and wedding details will be done in different programs and platforms of ABSCBN. 

This is going to be big!