Razon's by Glenn: In the Business of Serving "DELIGHT!"

Filipino comfort food is always served at Razon's by Glenn. It's a company built with family - and love. Consequently, they're celebrating their 21st anniversary and are gunning to have 60 branches by years end. The chain is largely known for their Palabok, Halo Halo, Bibingmamon, Beef Tapa, Beef Kare Kare, and new innovations on the usual Filipino flare. Their menu stemmed from real Kapampangan heritage and flavors, so you don't get disappointed in what they serve.

The Beef Kare Kare is a bit sweet and can be eaten even without bagoong. The peanut sauce has home made peanut butter in it, which they made themselves. The Bibingmamon is available in 4 flavors namely Original (which I prefer), Cheesy Melt, Custard and Nutty Custard. The Beef Tapa is on the sweet, smoky, and spicy side, but quite tender. Their Fresh Lumpia is good and savory, it felt like what grandma used to make. They have a hefty serving of Pork Chop with gravy (my personal favorite served that afternoon). They also teased us with their conceptual Crispy Palabok, which I'm sure young ones and everyone would enjoy!

For those looking for something extra comforting, they've got Caldo Overload which you can ask for refills if you want more. You get the fuzzy feeling that comes with it on a rainy day.

Razon's by Glenn is third generation owned. Their grandma gave them freedom to be creative in recipes, hence the variations they made with the dishes.

Bibingmamon is quite nice, as the name says, it's a cross between the Christmasy Bibingka and the fluffy Mamon. This was quite delicate and perfect to pair with coffee.

Razon's by Glenn has always been regarded as the best spot for Halo Halo. This Special Halo Halo was quite satisfying despite it only having a few ingredients. I personally think it's the Macapuno that makes it different from the rest in the market.

We also got to talk to the owner and President Mark Anthony "Glenn" Razon. Right now, they have 36 branches operating nationwide, but aggressively plan to have 100 of these stores before 2030.

Glenn reiterated "We are not just selling products, we are providing delight!". This is the reason why people who visit their stores feel happy every time they get to taste the dishes coming out of their kitchen. It's also a family spot, so whether you're a Lola who wants their merienda fix or the cutest bunso that wants something sweet, Razon's by Glenn makes every moment special no matter what age group you belong. 

Visit their stores nationwide, or if you prefer to be part of the movement, they are looking for franchisees. Just get in touch with them via their social channels or official website razonsbyglenn.com.

Forest Lake Releases "PAGPAG" Video: A humorous take on Pinoy Superstitions

After having a few of these videos on their social channels and website, the folks at Forest Lake just recently released its 4th installment, just in time for Halloween, and they call it PAGPAG.

For those who don't know, Filipinos have this thing they do right after visiting a relative/friend/loved one from a wake, right after mourning for them in a chapel/place, they must go to a different place before they actually go home. It's a superstitious belief, that when they don't do that, spirits will actually go to their homes and become restless souls.   


Forest Lake actually uses these useful mediums to send their message across about preparing for the unexpected. According to Alfred Xerez-Burgos III their CEO and President, Filipinos desire to always have peace of mind, and telling this story would make the matter a bit light to watch and understand. This one talks about different ways to prepare, the other videos they released tackled unpredictability, bad luck and getting taller on a New Year's Eve.

This new video teaches people how to lessen stress when it come to memorial services, and the things that come with it. This also includes a serious look in what you need for yourself, or your loved ones when the time comes. To not be a burden to those you left behind, while they are already stressed from their loss. Forest Lake does Total Memorial Care services. You can do interment wherever it is possible, give free interment details, QRonicle so you can send shots and stories to family or friends, plus a Customer Portal so those who are far away could look at it online when they need to. If you want to know more, just search ForestLakeMemorialParks on Facebook, IG, and their channels.

BEA BINENE and LOUISE DELOS REYES Star in Gripping Thriller PASAHERO at the 5th SM Cinema SINE SINDAK

It's the 5th year of Sine Sindak, the horror film festival hosted by SM Cinemas. This year, they are holding it from October 30 to November 5, and from the looks of it, there's no stopping them from holding it to stimulate audiences to go back to theaters now. 

For starters, one of the entries called PASAHERO held their red carpet screening today at SM North The Block. It stars Bea Binene, Louise delos Reyes, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Katya Santos, Yumi Garcia, Andre Yllana, Dani Zee, LeAnn Johnson and Rafa Siguion Reyna.

It's been a while since I've last seen these two, and I think the last time I interviewed Bea was during a tax event a couple years back. They've gone through networks and management changes during those times and it was refreshing to see them again, not for anything, but working together. Bea told us they're very good friends and this opportunity to work together was something she was so happy about, thankful that Viva trusted them to do it 

We talked to them in the sidelines right before they walked on the red carpet, to talk about their characters and the experience of working with the Director.

The movie was more of a thriller rather than a full blown horror film. It has its moments, and you could laud the story behind each character except one. You'll learn more about how ordinary folks could end up helping other people, and remember to not turn your back on them when they need help. You'll see that be told multiple times in this movie.

Sine Sindak is an SM Cinema festival where it will be shown in their theaters exclusively. They also charge only Php 150 for this to make sure it is accessible for anyone who wants to watch in cinemas. If you opt to pay 300, you can watch all you want the other entries from the same festival. This is officially their 5th year, and I don't think they will stop anytime soon. Should you watch PASAHERO? Of course! If you're a fan of Louise and Bea, the more reason to do so.

ICE SEGUERRA Set To Do Repeat of Videoke Hits OPM Edition (Isa Pa) at the Music Museum

With the success of the previous one, it just needs repeat. Ice Seguerra will be doing his Videoke Hits OPM Edition (Isa Pa) this coming November 8th at the Music Museum in Greenhills San Juan City. This is under FIRE and ICE Live, the concert production arm of Fire and Ice Productions owned by Ice and Liza Dino Seguerra.

As you may already know, Ice has lots of hits being played on Videoke playlists all over the country, aside from that, she's planning to give life to the best hits the medium has, and this will surely be something to look forward to on that date.

Karaoke is such a huge part of Filipino culture, and with the advent of us winning competitions left and right around the world, Filipinos are being feared when holding microphones. Ice is such a force to reckon with, even if she sings soft and emotional, it just sounds so beautiful even if she sings a phone book.

Ice says "This is quite difficult to make a lineup because even at the end of the week, I couldn't choose singles because there are so much OPM songs I could choose from. Now I'm stuck with medleys so I could sing everything. It's a smorgasbord of all the things I want to sing and hear, rearranged in a different way. As much as possible we want to have different genres because it's not just one thing, but it's fun. The first part are the things I really sing in the Videoke world, my personal list. The second part is the requests of people at the venue, then third are the re arranged ones. You know I've been thinking of releasing a few that came out quite nice because my band was crazy good. That's when I saw how the ones we arranged had different flavors."

He adds "I really didn't want to work on a date near my birthday because I want to give my 10,000 percent all the time. It's just the pressure I didn't want to experience, but I'm so happy that one sold out. The energy was also different and we were three hours running. My wife gave me a motorbike, and I couldn't believe it. I even fell the first night I drove it. I even was sweating because of the outfit. I fell in front of her, but I'm training now." 

"This show will also include "Salamin Salamin" and "Gento", but I felt the dance numbers. It was tiring, and couldn't breathe after, I really have to pace myself."

He doesn't want to lost the magic of being intimate because Music Museum is closer. Through you cannot do it in the balcony, you can go around. The last time he did this, people were involved in most of the numbers. It was wild and they would participate. He says "From seniors to 7/8 year old, they were singing, they were game whoever had the mic in front of them. I want to make them feel it's okay to do it. There's something about this that is therapeutic. It's fun, and we started this in 2016, I think that is why there's magic in the show."

Here's our interview with Ice this afternoon:

Aside from that, they're planning to do a repeat of their previous project called CHOOSING which was staged last July, the difference is that it's going to be done in Quezon City at an even bigger venue. Ice says 'We're planning to do it again soon, this was done previously for pride month, but feel it brought to the next step as it's a mix of comedy, drama and stories of different people from the same community. It's going to be a great way to bridge gaps, to put more people in their shoes in hopes to give them a deeper understanding of what and how we go through things."

Again, if you feel that it's time to enjoy a concert with friends and family, tickets are now available at Ticketnet or at the Music Museum box office. Ice promises that it will be even more fun than the previous one!