WATCH LIST: PH Showing Slated February 19

Alessandra de Rossi stars the movie WATCH LIST, a very powerful international film that has gained the nod of several international film festivals and won he hearts of cinema fans worldwide. It’s directed by Hollywood based American-Indian film maker Ben Rekhi which he also co-wrote with Rona Lean Sales. It’s a story about a woman recovering from drug use. Her husband got killed and stands now as breadwinner and protector of her kids which Rekhi dubs as “A very human story as it talks about how a mother would go the lengths to protect her children.” Together with Alessandra, she stars here with Jake Macapagal, Art Acuña, Lou Veloso, Jess Mendoza, Angeli Abayani, Micko Laurente and Timothy Mabalot. 

It’s a little disturbing to see how it talks about matters close to home. The drug campaign by the government, politics, poverty, the who enchilada of things that are so taboo to talk about in the country. All of which may or may not be fiction. 

Working also with Ben is Executive Producer Anjay Nagpal who is also co-executive producer of the film Joker. Aside from that, he also has international cinematographer Daniella Nowitz and world class production designer Ericson Navarro. The film has already participated in Deauville American Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Bahamas International Film Festival and won Most Disturbing Fiction Film Award at Tournai Ramdam Festival in Belgium. 

Ben says “I’m excited to be here, to finally be able to see the release of it in the country. I spoke to Alessandra and she apologized she couldn’t come. I came across a photo of a woman who held her husband dead. I called the journalist and she told me stories she was covering and I couldn’t believe and understand it. I came to Manila and there were a lot of emotional things, I have never felt this before, I felt there was a higher presence that was compelling me to do this. I realized more and more to make this film. Yes there were challenges, but the community was welcoming to tell me about it. Wether the film was in English, Tagalog or Hindi, they were all good in English so it was east to communicate. The cast and crew were very supportive, sometimes the universe conspires this to happen and I have worked with talent in the US and I think Alex can win an Oscar one day. They are crazy talented. Early on I partnered with Reality Entertainment and Erik Matti suggested to me these actors including Art Acuna.  I have done films in India, shooting outside the US meant it just got a lot of talent elsewhere. Shooting in the neighborhoods itself like the violent places was an intense labor of love. Truth was the guiding principle, living in these circumstances made me a foreigner have to do tremendous amount of research. We shot this over 16 days and a lot of post production. A year at most. Originally I wanna pick someone older for a role, but I found the most talented people and it will break hearts to see talents like these (Micko). The Oscars and Parasite film makes it possible do hybrid style movies to open doors of conversations, everything is possible. I was here for 6 months and haven’t explored the country except Caloocan City’s 2nd Avenue. This is my fifth film, but I’m most proud of. Not knowing what people would want, but regardless hope this connects to an emotional level.”

Micko Laurente says “Finally, I am so excited to see the film in the Philippines. I just heard now that he watched my previous movie. It was very memorable for me (Bambanti) and I miss Alessandra a lot, when I learned there was an audition about it, I was happy just to see she was the Mom playing the role. Thank you for making me a part of it. In all the films I made, he’s one great guy. He picks the angles, the shots, he knows how to attack it before we do it on set. He’s not like a local director who screams at his actors. He’s very cool, even if he’s running out of sunlight, he was very calm about it. I have worked with Alessandra in two other films, when we did this she was funny, but when the work comes, she’s on cue to work with me and do it fast and efficient. I don’t usually do bad things so we get along quite well.”

This will show on theaters starting February 19, and is released by Reality Entertainment.

Spend Date Night at MEATSUMO Premium

It's almost Valentine's Day and what better way to treat your man or woman but to a sumptuous feast at MEATSUMO Premium. This is part of the Meatsumo group but elevated quite a bit so they serve some "premium" side dishes and meat. For now, they are in the works to include a lot of things on the menu. They are currently offering this for Php 549 which means you can have all their current 11 pork and beef varieties plus around 20 side dishes for that price. Honestly, that amount is cheap for a Yakiniku place, and what I like about this joint is that it's a little bit tucked away in Panay Avenue (Roces-Pantranco area) so it's a little intimate rather than those jam packed joints in Morato (not that I'm dissing but those lines are OA). 

The place is pretty big, it can sit around 30-40 people. Some bunk chairs and stools on the table could really accommodate groups and families, but I've seen pairs in this joint too. Yakiniku means grilled meat, which pretty much sums what is served in this place. They have simple marinated meats, but if you dig a different kind they have sauces which you can dip after you got your beef grilled.

They use this contraption to cook the meat, make sure you point the tube near the flame so you won't be smelling like barbecued pork after spending hours here. Their Banchan (side dishes) impressed me with their variety.

I specifically would suggest you get more room for the Kimchi, Tempura, Sweet-Spicy Fried Anchovies, Steamed Egg (which you should season), and the super good Temaki which they make fresh when you order. Like usual Samgyupsal places they have lettuce so you don't forget your veggies when dining here. Several celebrities have already enjoyed the food in MeatSUMO Premium, I could tell you but I was swore to secrecy (check their FB and IG). 

To end the meal they also serve Cheese/Vanilla Ice Cream. You get everything for the Php 549 bill, for me it's totally worth every penny.

Meats include Pork Galbi, Pork Yakiniku, Spicy Pork Yakiniku, Pork Gochujang and Plain Pork. They also have Beef Yakiniku, Peppered Beef, Beef Gochujang, Beef Bulgogi (which is my personal favorite), Spicy Beef Yakiniku and Plain Beef.

Saw good looking singer and Viva artist Jem Cubil across the table. We joked about how it felt it was his birthday that evening LOL!

So if you're around the QC area and want a fabulous feast for your man or woman, consider MeatSUMO Premium for the lovely meats and side dishes they offer. They are located at 23 Panay Avenue in Quezon City. You can find them on Google Maps so just search MeatSUMO Premium. It's at the same building as Mandarin Sky Wok and sits at the back of it (Ground Floor). Oh before I forget, they also have unlimited Iced Tea (so you really have nothing to lose, this is a great deal!).

Please, do yourself and your loved one a favor by trying MeatSUMO Premium for Lunch/Dinner. Follow them on FB and IG @meatsumopanay because they've got shots that would make your mouth water. Don't say I didn't warn you! 

 

Good Desserts at Meet Fresh Podium

If you're in the Ortigas-Mandaluyong area and looking for unique desserts, you might wanna try this joint called Meet Fresh. It's at the 5th Floor of the Podium mall at the back of Megamall. Honestly, I was expecting it much to be like Ice Kacang which the Tsino-Malaysians enjoy but this is more of a Taiwanese treat which they brought in for Filipinos to enjoy.

The place can seat around 30, all separate chairs in front with an Express counter on the side. They had tons of guests, but serving time was ample on regular days. I visited it again a few days ago and quality didn't go down after opening the joint a few months ago.

I ordered the Cold Tofu Pudding, Milk Tea with Pudding, Mung Bean Cakes and Peanut Mochi Combo. Everything was so good especially the Peanut Mochi which I had to order more of. The Cold Tofu Pudding comes a close second because it reminds me of cold soy milk/ chilled Taho which I often drink or consume since I was a kid. The mixture of beans and mochi on some of the items on their menu felt ingenious! You're bound to say "Why didn't I think of that?!" a couple of times. Even though we don't have a similar version of these in the Philippines, our halo-halo seems a bit close sans the fruits. 

They've got milk teas and other flavored drinks but for me, it's better to stick with the best sellers because it's a little pricey, but definitely good for sharing. Ask them if you need extra bowls because they can do that on a whim.

MEET FRESH is at the 5th Floor of the PODIUM Mall in Ortigas Center. They are open mall hours, and is self service.

Every Brilliant Thing and Lungs for Sandbox Fest 2020

Two shows will delight you this March as Sandbox Fest 2020 happens this March 7-29 at the MayBank Performing Arts Theater as they feature Every Brilliant Thing and Lungs of which are shows written by Written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe. EBT had around 23 sold out shows last year and several nods from award giving bodies. Teresa Herrera and Kakki Teodoro star on this show. It is also Directed by Jenny Jamora. Lungs on the other hand talks about the ins and outs of relationships. The show is Directed by Andrei Pamintuan and stars actor Jake Cuenca and Sab Jose.

Toff De Venecia says “There are so many shows happening on Arts Month, thank you also for braving the traffic. We’re here for two of our shows and Sandbox Fest 2020.”

Ms. Anna Santamaria adds “10525, 25 productions this year and this is our celebration for this season. We are proud to bring Duncan Mc Millan’s Lungs and Every Brilliant Thing. The topics are very relevant today as it is about climate change and mental health. We have discount passes, this will be at March 28 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater and will only be available until February 21. See you at the theater!”

Jake says “Lungs was a whole experience, it took me a lot of time to get into his head. It’s acting in its purest form. I have been in relationships, it’s milestones, reading this is different now that I have someone with me. I was afraid about the script, you strive with perfection and I am so excited to go back.”

Sab Jose says “Relationships are hard and non of the struggles will happen if you fight for it. Don’t be afraid to love. After marriage I experienced how it is to live with someone, to quarrel, to love and how it takes hard work. This rerun will have more depth, it is a struggle. You choose the person every single day and I had a wider understanding about this.”

Teresa shares “After 23 sold out shows, I look forward to doing it after a year of hiatus. It’s such a beautiful material and you’re going to come in with a new perspective because globally we’ve been all through so much and we want to show it to much people. After a year, I got a kid. It is like living the material, I feel like it’s in our bones. It was personal, a topic to be discussed and it is normal to not be brilliant, but the dynamics of the show is interactive. When you do it, they’re not actors, that’s where the magic happens. You see the humanity, you see how to be kind. 

You’ll be seeing something new as it is going to be in Maybank Theater and the Zobel de Ayala Hall in BGC. They are sharing the stage, smaller as you will be going to the journey with them. Discount rates available for the two shows happening on the sane day.

You can purchase tickets at Ticketworld. Head on to ticketworld.com.ph or call 88919999.