February 2019 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Starring Jeffrey Wright, HBO Films’ O.G. premieres Feb 24 exclusively on HBO GO and HBO

The HBO Films drama O.G. debuts same time as the U.S. on Sunday, February 24 at 11am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO. The film repeats on the same day at 11.30pm on HBO. Starring Jeffrey Wright (Emmy® winner for HBO’s “Angels in America,” two-time Emmy® nominee for HBO’s “Westworld”), the film is directed by Madeleine Sackler (Emmy® winner for HBO’s “Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus”) and written by Stephen Belber (Emmy® nominee for HBO’s “The Laramie Project”).

O.G. follows Louis (Wright), once the head of a prominent prison gang, in the final weeks of his 24-year sentence. His impending release is upended when he takes new arrival Beecher (Carter), who is being courted by gang leadership, under his wing. Coming to grips with the indelibility of his crime and the challenge of reentering society, Louis finds his freedom hanging in the balance as he struggles to save Beecher.

Also starring Theothus Carter and William Fichtner (“Crash”), O.G. premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, where Wright won the award for Best Actor in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film. It was filmed over a five-week period at Indiana’s maximum-security Pendleton Correctional Facility.

Groundbreaking in that it was filmed in an active prison, with several of the incarcerated men and prison staff appearing as first-time actors, O.G. takes an intimate and unflinching look at the journey of one man at the precipice of freedom.

The film is executive produced by Sharon Chang, Kareem “Biggs” Burke, Mark Steele, Nic Marshall; produced by Madeleine Sackler, Boyd Holbrook, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, Nick Gordon, Trevor Matthews, Stephen Belber and Ged Dickersin.

Director Madeleine Sackler describes the inspiration behind the film’s uniquely realistic approach, noting, “There have been so many prison films that it’s become a genre of its own. To me, when a type of story becomes a genre, it can lose its uniqueness or its specificity in the storytelling.

“My goal was to disregard the prison genre and start from scratch, starting with one character, a man preparing to leave after many years behind bars. To do that as authentically as possible, to truly understand and portray that experience, I wanted to make the film in close collaboration with people going through the experience themselves, so I started calling different departments of correction around the country. And I was very lucky when the state of Indiana called me back.

“This film wouldn’t be what it is if we hadn’t made it as a collaboration with the prison and with hundreds of men incarcerated there. And to have two films come out of the experience, one fiction and one nonfiction, is very exciting. We were able to explore many different themes.”

For Jeffrey Wright, it was a unique experience filming in an active prison, which helped him step inside his character. He explains, “It was absolutely necessary for me to wrap my head and my body around who this character was and what the story was that we were trying to tell. It’s a pretty informative place. It’s an affecting place. There’s an energy inside that place unlike no other, no other. It’s heavy, it’s kind of laden with trauma. It’s just molecularly heavy inside, and it certainly informed our understanding of the story, of the issues, and in my case, the character that I was playing.”

Director Sackler describes her introduction to Theothus Carter, saying, “His audition was incredible. We were watching hundreds of people in one week, and you can’t imagine the array of men who are incarcerated, and the talent and depth that they bring to the dialogue. There’s just no replacement for the real way that people move and interact and talk. And then Theothus came in, and he just blew me and the casting director away. And then he worked harder than anyone else.”

Wright says, “Theothus was all business, and he has a force to him. He has capabilities that we see through this film, that he had never tapped into in a way as constructive as this, perhaps in his lifetime.”

O.G. is an HBO Films and Maven Pictures Presentation in association with Brookstreet Pictures, a Great Curve Films production of a Madeleine Sackler film. The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Wolfgang Held; editor Frédéric Thoraval; production designer Michael Bricker; and costume designer Heidi Bivens. Music by Nathaniel Méchaly; casting by Richard Hicks.

After the screenplay for O.G. had been developed and Sackler was prepping to shoot the film, she began collaborating with 13 men incarcerated at the facility on a nonfiction film. In IT’S A HARD TRUTH AIN’T IT, co-directed by Sackler and those men, several of whom were also first-time actors, they study filmmaking as a vehicle to explore their memories and examine how they ended up with decades-long sentences. Animated sequences by Yoni Goodman (“Waltz with Bashir”) bring their stories to life.

Sackler says, “In a way, O.G. and IT’S A HARD TRUTH AIN’T IT are two different sides of the same coin. In O.G., Louis is preparing to leave prison after 24 years of incarceration. In IT’S A HARD TRUTH AIN’T IT, the men look deeper into the paths that got them to prison in the first place. In that sense, neither film is about being in prison, but something deeper.”

HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Series details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Fun and fresh flavors at the newly opened Yi Fang, Tomas Morato

The Pinoy’s fascination for all kinds of teas is going strong and is showing no signs of waning. Case in point: the proliferation of tea joints all over the metro and beyond.

One such joint is the newly-opened branch of Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea along Tomas Morato. The latest of this chain’s stores to set up shop in Quezon City, its opening day was marked by long lines of customers (including riders from food delivery services).

Taiwan is the birthplace of the milk tea. It was invented in Tainan and Taichung in the 1980s where it was dubbed the boba milk tea. Years later, fruit flavors are incorporated into the drinks, giving rise to fruit teas.

Yi Fang had its roots in the early 20th century Taiwan during the Japanese occupation of the country. Chen-Jen, developed cold drinks from overripe pineapples so that her husband working in the fields will have something to soothe his thirst. Chen-Jen´s nickname is Yi Fang, a name which her grandson adopted as the brand which inherited her fruit tea recipes and methods.

Yi Fang is notable for its brown sugar pearls – tapioca balls cooked and served in brown sugar syrup. These chewy and yummy pearls give the concoctions such as the Brown Sugar Pearl Tea Latte (Php120) a sweet and somewhat toasty taste.

It has also innovated on its tea mixtures through its Yakult series, drinks enriched in both nutrition and flavor with the probiotic milk beverage. The Yakult Pineapple Green Tea (Php120), for example, benefits from an added tanginess and creamy mouthfeel.

Want to skip the hassle and the long lines? Order online and just arrange for a quick pickup anytime from 11am to 11pm. You may also course your order through Honestbee or Grab Food Delivery.

Update: I recently joined my officemates in ordering a Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (Php120) via Grab Food Delivery. I loved its creamy milk tea and chewy black pearls. Sugar level at 50% is just right because the brown sugar syrup is quite sweet already.

View this post on Instagram

Joined my officemates in ordering some refreshing drinks from @yifangteaph along Tomas Morato via @grabfoodph. Mine is the #brownsugarpearlmilktea, yum! It’s starting to feel like summer! Check out my blog post about this store’s opening day at https://beingjellybeans.com/2019/02/18/fun-and-fresh-flavors-at-the-newly-opened-yi-fang-tomas-morato/ . . . . . #drinkstagram #drinkersofinstagram #drinkpic #drinksmnl #drinksome #drinkstime #drinkspecials #drinksofig #drinkporn #beverageporn #saansaph

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Feb 18, 2019 at 10:02pm PST

This Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea outlet is located at 20 Lansbergh Place Condominium, 170 Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Castor Street, Sacred Heart, Quezon City.

Other Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea outlets in the metro include:

Fourth Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City

M. Paterno Street, Fronting Mango Tree Residences, Greater San Juan, San Juan City
Third Floor, Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City
Ground Floor, Bonifacio Stopover Corporate Center, 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Ground Floor, Wumaco Building, Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue Corner Lane P, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers of #WeLoveToEatPH, I was invited to attend this resto’s grand opening wherein drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other milk tea joints:

Three reasons to get yourself a #HummusBowl at The Cafe Mediterranean

Hummus is made from cooked and mashed garbanzo beans (chickpeas) blended with tahini (a condiment made from ground hulled sesame), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is rooted in the traditional cuisine of Levant, the area that covers the large stretch of land in the eastern Mediterranean which includes modern-day Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria and surrounding states.

In line with its promise of bringing “flavors of the sun” to its diners’ tables, The Cafe Mediterranean features a seasonal menu of hummus bowls that do bring to mind pictures of rich harvests, the bright blue sea and the hot Mediterrenean sun.

If you find yourself at a #CafeMed branch, do get a #HummusBowl for yourself or your gang. Here are three reasons why.

One: These are very nutritious.

Owing to hummus’ main ingredient, chickpeas, it provides a good amount of dietary fiber, protein, B vitamin, manganese and other nutrients. This makes it a wonderful addition to any modern diet geared towards health and proper nutrition.

Two: Their toppings not just ups hummus’ nutrition game, they also significantly add to the flavor.

Hummus actually is very versatile. Aside from its use as a dip for breads or raw onion wedges, it also serves as an ingredient for soups, hot stews and sauces.

Taking advantage of this versatility, The Cafe Mediterranean offers eight varieties of hummus bowls, made with the freshest ingredients daily, to suit your craving or to add to your already flavorful meal. There are meat and no-meat options, so whatever your diet is, there is a hummus bowl for you.

Take your pick from among these tasty variants.

With cherry tomatoes cooked with garlic and extra virgin olive oil (Php275)

With roasted red bell peppers, black olives and feta cheese (Php325)

With roasted broccoli and cauliflower (Php395)

With grilled eggplant and tomato sauce (Php300)

With mushroom and caramelized onions (Php350)

With grilled chicken (Php375)

With grilled beef (Php395)

With grilled lamb (Php435)

Each of these bowls come with two pieces of warm pita bread that you can tear apart with your hands and dip into the hummus.

Three: Getting a hummus bowl (or more) contributes to the welfare of victims of armed conflict.

The Cafe Mediterranean has collaborated with UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, to generate support and donations to the Syrians displaced by the Syrian War. Customers can rest assured that all proceeds from the sales of these bowls are coursed directly through the UNHCR to help the Syrian refugees.

So head on out to the nearest branch of The Cafe Mediterranean and get a big bowl of hummus for yourself and your friends!

The Cafe Mediterranean branches in the metro are located at:

Lower Ground Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City

Basement 1, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig City
Fifth Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Third Floor, One Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Level 1, Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City
Ground Floor, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Second Floor, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I was invited to attend a food-tasting held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees including myself.

The Golden Masquerade by Zomato Gold and Okada Manila

November last year, Zomato launched its biggest dining out program in Metro Manila – Zomato Gold. By partnering only with the top-rated restaurants on Zomato, the program has truly transformed the city’s dining experience. Now, Zomato Gold in Metro Manila has more than 50,000+ subscribers and 600+ restaurants partners.

Zomato Gold’s aim is to elevate its member’s dining experience; therefore, members get a chance to be invited to exclusive events called, Zomato Gold Experiences. To celebrate Zomato Gold’s success in Metro Manila, and as a part of the monthly Zomato Gold Experiences, a “Golden Masquerade,” will be held on February 18, 2019, at Okada Manila. This event is exclusive to Zomato Gold members only. The Golden Masquerade will feature a night full of dancing, drinking, and of course a lot of eating!

Do you want to get invited to Zomato Gold Experiences too? Become a member! Not only do you get to be a part of these interesting events, but you also get to enjoy 1+1 on food and 2+2 on drinks at over 600 restaurant partners in Metro Manila anytime, any day. Welcome to the future of dining out.

Event details and image provided by ZomatoPH.

Sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

Sultry nights of Fil-Mex food and rockin’ music are comin’ at Bodega Casa Villa, Marikina

In one of the quiet roads of Marikina just off the major thoroughfare that is Gil Fernando Avenue is a burst of vibrant colors, tastes and sounds, a perfect venue for chilling out when the sultry summer nights come along.

Bodega Casa Villa is a Fil-Mex restaurant that seeks to bring the fun and spice of Mexican food to the Filipino palate. This results to a mix of contrasts: spicy dishes and refreshing drinks, a rockin’ and colorfully decorated al fresco dining and bar area outside and a homey yet well appointed setting inside, and signature Mexican dishes using Pinoy ingredients.

The Latin vibe is alive and well in this resto, from the murals and sombreros that adorn the warmly colored walls, the ornate mirrors in the washing area and restroom, to the table napkins that mark each place setting.

Together with other local foodies, I was able to try out its Fil-Mex fare, which include:

Mucho Nacho Bodega (Php230). Large piece of crrrrunchy corn nachos topped with salsa fresca, jalapeno peppers, garlic cream, queso sauce, and our very own longganisa and kesong puti!

Sinugbang Maiz “Elote” (Php120). A very fresh twist on the grilled corn-on-the-cob (“sinugba” being the Cebuano term for anything grilled), succulent grilled corn are coated with a mixture of mayo, parmesan and cheese powder, then flavored with spices, cilantro and lime.

Crispy Dinuguan Burrito (Php250). Hefty rolls of burritos stuffed with rice flavored with dinuguan (Filipino version of blood stew), pork meat and lettuce, and served with bits of chicharon (pork skin cracklings) for added crunch and flavor. These are served with salsa verde and chipotle salsa.

Taco Trio (Php295). A triad of soft-shell tacos, each with a different flavorful filling: the Pork Bagnet Sisig, the Chicken Inasal and the Beef Barbacoa. Enjoy these with salsa verde, chipotle salsa and garlic cream sauce.

Aligue Squid Pasta (Php275). Cappelini pasta tossed in a decadent aligue (crab fat) sauce along with rings of grilled squid.

Stacked Chicken Wings (Php765). A mountain of twenty-four (!!!) meaty and juicy pieces of fried chicken wings doused in three different kinds sauces: Parmesan, Quezo and Chipotle. Have a taste for adventure? Reach into a platter of these without looking at what you’re getting and take a bite. Personally, I love the Parmesan-coated wings.

Be sure to check out the bar’s signature cocktails and other drinks while you’re enjoying the food and the live acoustic music.

It sure looks like Fil-Mex foodie adventurers have a new home in Marikina!

Hankering for a chill and enjoyable night out with your friends? Take advantage of the resto’s various promos!

Php200/6 Bote. Get six bottles of San Miguel Beer products for only Php200 every Monday.

Taco Tuesday. Buy one get one on all tacos every Tuesday.

Beer-All-You-Can Wednesdays (Php350). Chug down all the brews you can muster, every Wednesday from 5pm to 10pm.

Bring Your Own Bottle Thursdays. Got your signature drink at home? Bring it here as there is no corkage fee, then enjoy it together with your fave Fil-Mex dishes and chill sounds.

Thanks to Fat Girls Day Out for extending the invitation!

Bodega Casa Villa is located at 48 Dragon Street, San Roque, Marikina, open daily from 5pm to midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 6451952

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meetup held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

A Valentine celebration of love, food and music at Chef Jessie’s Place

Having said goodbye to the Christmas holidays, many of the metro’s denizens have rolled up their sleeves and gotten back to their daily grind.

However, this recent Valentine’s Day, many braved the traffic jams and packed malls to spend time with their special someones.

As for me, I was thrice-lucky: I was able to have a special Valentine’s Day celebration with three of my loves: food, music and friends.

I was among the bloggers of #WeLoveToEatPH invited to attend a benefit dinner held at Chef Jessie’s Place in Makati.

The venue is a newly built building located at the corner of Pililla, Tanay and Obrero Streets in Barangay Olympia in Makati. The building is the culmination of world-renowned Chef Jessie Sincioco‘s dream to have her own place, hence the name. It is set to open to the public in early March.

The benefit dinner, at Php3,500 net for two people (the proceeds of which will be donated to Caritas Manila), features a sumptuous international buffet selection, personally designed and overseen by Chef Jessie, along with her brother Chef Reo Sincioco.

The event is highlighted by musical performances by Madonna Decena and Renz Fernando. Madonna is the Filipina finalist in Britain’s Got Talent and a multi-medalist in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). Renz, on the other hand, is a four-time WCOPA medalist hailing from Tawi-Tawi. Together, they serenaded the diners with love songs and ballads.

The dinner’s international buffet selection includes dishes from various cuisines such as:

An assortment of exotic appetizers. I loved the slightly spicy Fusili with Crab Sticks best of these.

Beef Cheeks Bourguignonne. Also known as Beef Burgundy, this hearty dish is highlighted by tender morsels of beef cheeks, stewed in red wine and meat stock, accompanied by root carrots and aromatics.

Chestnut Pork Barbecue. I was excited to find out that the pork used in these skewers were actually flown in from Spain because Chef Jessie wanted her pork barbecue to be so tender that the meat falls off the stick with every bite.

Grilled Assorted Seafood in Berlinoise Sauce. Succulent salmon, prawns and other seafood are bathed in a rich creamy sauce.

Penne in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Al dente penne tossed in a rich creamy tomato sauce and sprinkled with cheese.

Brown Rice Vegetable and Mushroom Risotto. A flavorful rice dish which aptly complemented the other viands.

Decadent Desserts. Sweets for the sweet which include Crepe Samurai, Chocolate Fudge Slice with Salted Caramel, various panna cotta, Hazelnut Chocolate Tranche and Chilled Strawberry Cheesecake.

Spirits from Titania Wine Cellar are also available by the bottle.

I couldn’t help but fill my plate with these tasty selections (and return for seconds and thirds, hehehe!). And it certainly seemed like I had the whole world on my plate!

This Valentine’s Day celebration at Chef Jessie’s Place was a memorable night spend with great music, great food and great friends!

I’m looking forward to coming back when it officially opens to the public.

Check out my previous blog post on Chef Jessie’s Place.

Disclosure: Together with my other food bloggers from #WeLoveToEatPH, I was invited to a Valentine’s Day benefit dinner held at Chef Jessie’s Place. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Former OFW pays tribute to family recipes at Las Pinas’ Cafe Tribu

When OFW, nurse and new mother Krishna Torres – Pagarugan returned home to the Philippines to raise her daughter, she decided to become a franchisee of Cafe Tribu, a coffee shop specializing in Philippine-grown coffee beans.

However, her coffee shop soon turned into a family affair.

Her sister and business partner Kathleen Torres-Bell turned their premises – formerly occupied by a beauty salon – into a bright and cheery haven for relaxing and conversing with friends. A colorful array of furniture and decor are mixed and matched into an eclectic yet tasteful combination: from the flowers and wire lamps hanging from the ceilings, her father’s paintings and mural taking pride of place on the walls, to the various chairs, tables and throw pillows that make one’s stay here quite comfy indeed.

The cafe’s sprawling premises can accommodate up to fifty people for a party or office function, but can also serve as a cozy venue for an informal art exhibit or crafting workshop.

A wide spectrum of diners comfortably pass their time in this space – from local businessmen taking a break from their morning walk, to students of nearby schools and colleges meeting up with friends.

Her mother, a cooking enthusiast, helped her expand the store’s menu to include classic Filipino dishes – affectionately dubbed Naty’s Specialties after her late grandmother – some of which I was able to sample, among others, when I visited this place for a much-awaited get-together with two of my closest college friends. These are dishes made-to-order at least two days prior, and are good for three to four persons, which include:

Kare Kare (Php420). To be honest, I’m still loyal to my mom’s Kare Kare in terms of flavor and mouthfeel but this does come close. The meat, slow-cooked for hours, is tender and can be easily pulled apart by my fork. Together with crisp, lightly cooked vegetables, it is submerged in a thick peanut sauce. When eaten together with rice and the cafe’s slightly spicy homemade bagoong (shrimp paste), each mouthfull is an explosion of flavor.

Laing (Php240). Bicol’s signature dish of shredded taro leaves and meat bits cooked in coconut milk – and accompanied by a hefty serving of sliced chilis – is one of my husband’s favorite dishes. I took some home for his dinner which he loved. (Ganda points for me, huh!)

Chicken Barbecue (Php350) and Liempo Barbecue. Another set of Pinoy classic dishes, these are comprised of large pieces of chicken and pork belly marinated in a sweet barbecue sauce and grilled to tender and juicy perfection.

Beef Tapa (Php130). Why, oh why, do strips of tender fried marinated beef become irresistible when accompanied by fried egg (sunny-side up, please!) and garlic fried rice?

Alas, too bad for my #dietgoals, Naty’s Specialties go so well with rice, lots and lots of it. (Our nanays and lolas seldom thought about carbs when these recipes are being developed, I guess.)

Meanwhile, to address the hunger pangs and limited budget of the students who frequent her cafe, Krishna also serves snacks that are easy on the tummy and on the students’ wallet such as:

New York Hotdog (Php115). A hefty Frankfurter rolled in oil, topped with caramelized onions, salsa, spicy mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup and bacon bits.

Club House Sandwich (Php100). This double-decked sandwich has layers of ham, tuna and veggies, served with crisp potato chips.

Want something hot to accompany those yummy snacks? You can’t go wrong with the drinks whipped up by the cafe’s Lebanon-trained barista such as the Hot Chocolate Velvet (Php90), White Chocolate Latte (Php105), Caramel Macchiato (Php105) and Oreo Latte (Php120).

How about something refreshing to cool yourself down when the hot summer days come along? Check out the cafe’s icy frappes such as the Matcha Green Tea (Php140), Strawberries and Cream (Php120) and White Mocha Frappe (Php120). But really, don’t leave the store without a taste of the cafe’s specialty, the Coffee Peanut Butter Avalanche (Php150), truly a heavenly concoction!

This day was memorable because three friends were able to come together for good conversation over good food and drinks, amidst beautiful surroundings. So make your own beautiful memories with family and friends here at Cafe Tribu!

This Cafe Tribu branch is located at 136 Gloria Diaz Street Corner CV Starr Avenue, BF Resort Village, Talon, Las Piñas City. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 3563971 or +63 995 2740204.

Disclosure: Together with my college friends, I was invited to a food tasting held at this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by my companions nor myself.

What New Fashion Styles Should We Expect in 2019?

The saying “out with the old and in with the new” is never more appropriate than during the start of the year, and if you’ve kept up with social media then you’ve probably seen hundreds of posts about clearing out closets (literally and figuratively) to make space for better things. If you’re looking to beef your wardrobe back up after a Marie Kondo-esque purge, then here’s a short list of some fashion trends for 2019 that’ll definitely be on the top of your Instagram feeds.

Classic loose shorts

While shorts have always been a good excuse to cool down and show off a bit of skin, 2019 looks like it’s going to take a more relaxed approach to the wardrobe staple. Glamour Magazine suggests wider-leg shorts with a looser fit are in this year, prioritizing the classic schoolboy look over a tighter fit. This is definitely a godsend for the hot weather, and as an added bonus they look and feel comfortable.

Pick shorts in lighter colors like khaki or light blue for a daytime look, and pair with loose-fit satin tops for maximum freshness. Don’t shy away from patterns, either; stripes are the way to go with this item.

Pleated skirts

Pleated skirts may bring to mind private Catholic schools and strict dress codes, but luckily for the skirt lovers that’s about to change. 2019 looks like the year of balancing comfort with style, with Insider claiming pleated skirts are definitely going to play a part in that.

A long pleated skirt in a rich color like mustard or burgundy is a great piece to build your outfit around, and depending on your top could be perfect for a night out or a Sunday brunch. Wear with boots for a dressier look, or sandals for that easygoing vibe.

Flared jeans

Tons of fashionistas are taking inspiration from previous decades and experimenting with their looks, and if there’s one style that’s a showstopper then it’s the flared jeans look of the 1970s. Flared jeans are making a huge comeback, and you’ll find more and more retailers offering them as part of their lineup. BNY Jeans is a denim brand from the Philippines that offers just that: light wash, high-waisted flared jeans in a flattering cut and comfortable fabric. They’ve made a name for themselves recently for releasing eye-catching flared denim jean ranges that are great for just about anyone.

Wear these jeans with a simple t-shirt and sneakers for a classic, everyday look, or go all out with a pair of killer heeled boots and a rockin’ top.

Statement sneakers

In the past year, sneakers have taken center stage, and it looks like that trend is only going to continue. Stylecaster reports that Pinterest searches for “statement sneakers” are up over 2000%, which is a clear indication that people are putting more thought into what they’re wearing on their feet. The right pair of sneakers can turn your outfit from good to unforgettable, so it might just be time to invest in a nice pair.

You can go the tried and tested route with jeans and an oversized shirt, or you can get a little creative and play with colors, patterns, and silhouettes. Don’t let these sneakers intimidate you— just have fun!

For more on fashion trends and tips, check out the What to Wear category on Jellybeans in the City!

New SKYcable kids channel ZooMoo hosts panel on animal conservation

Well, first there was IQ, and then there was EQ. Today, we have another aspect of child development that we, as parents, would do well to address: our children’s animal quotient (AQ).

From the apex predators in the wild, the little critters in the fields, and our furry friends at home, all animals have their own important place in the world.

ZooMoo, the new English language-based learning channel on SKYcable, aims to help parents in honing their preschoolers’ AQ, as well as fostering a love for animals and nature. The channel is a product of the collaboration among the world’s foremost wildlife filmmakers, early childhood educationalists and technology developers. Its entertaining and engaging animal-centered programs are designed stimulate and develop kids’ innate emotional connection to the natural world.

Recently, ZooMoo hosted a panel discussion for parents and guardians at the aptly themed Zoo Coffee. Here, the attendees were able to gain insights on the importance of teaching kids about animals and nature at an early age and how to further integrate technology into their kids’ early education.

The panel is composed of photojournalist and environmental advocate Gregg Yan, lifestyle television host and online influencer Kelly Misa-Fernandez and the marketing manager of ZooMoo’s parent network Blue Ant Media, Trippy Padilla. Together, the panelists imparted tips and information on how to foster kids into becoming good caretakers of the planet, which include:

The benefits and challenges to parents of being in the digital age

With the ubiquitous influence of technology, parents do wonder whether access to these gadgets, apps and social media is beneficial or harmful to their kids.

The answer is: As with most things, technology is neutral. It can be both good or bad, depending on how you use it.

In his line of work, Gregg Yan has seen first-hand how technology helps in animal conservation. For example, conservationists can upload photos of the lieft fin of the whale sharks they encounter on the Wild Hook system which helps them identify individual sharks as patterns of spots are unique to each shark.

Furthermore, access to animal and nature-related content through digital media has grealty helped in disseminating conservation awareness, even among kids.

“With digital technology, you don’t have to carry a fifty-pound backpack and go up mountains,” he said. “All you have to do is watch ZooMoo and you’ll be able to see the animals in their natural habitat.”

ZooMoo’s programming is comprised of 1,500 self-contained shows that combine spectacular wildlife footage with a range of puppetry, animation and narrative techniques to create a unique viewing and learning experience for a very young audience. Centered around five themes – explore, create, play, puzzle and quiet – ZooMoo’s shows are geared towards helping kids develop appreciation and compassion towards other creatures.

Through the ZooMoo App, kids and parents will have a second screen to enjoy ZooMoo’s animal-centric content. Parents can allow their kids to immerse themselves in the world of ZooMoo through interactive games, music, puzzles and other fun activities. The app’s Parent Page also provides personalized support to parents to aid in their children’s learning.

How to develop good conservation habits among young children

To Kelly Misa-Fernandez, modelling good behavior is key to raising socially and environmentally responsible kids.

“At this age, kids will immitate what they see.” she shares. “I want my son to see the real situation and I want him to be empowered to know that he can do something about it. And it’s best to lead by example.”

Recently, for example, her family has started assembling eco-bricks, environmentally friendly bricks made of recycled plastics from home waste. They stuff plastics like wrappers and cellophane tightly into sturdy containers which can later be used in construction while keeping harmful plastics away from the ocean and sea life.

Through the talks with the panelists, it is easy to see that conservation awareness is becoming a more important issue for today’s kids. Fortunately, with ZooMoo, parents and kids can get their start in becoming environmentally aware and doing their share to protect nature and animals.

ZooMoo ‘s program line up is packaged in an easy to understand format that is fun for both parents and kids. Among ZooMoo’s well-loved shows are Dinosaur Train wherein young Tyrannosaurus Rex Buddy travel across the Land of Dinosaurs with his family and friends), and ZooMoo Wild Friends which take kids on a journey to discover animals and the world around them.

SKYcable subscribers can choose to add zooMoo (channel 120 in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Lipa) to their channel line-up for only Php20 per month via SKYcable Select. For more details or to subscribe, visit mysky.com.ph or call +63 2 418 0000.

New and exotic dishes at Essential Goodness for the Pilgrims in Poblacion

Along the busy and traffic-congested road that is Makati Avenue is a haven catering to the wanderers that venture into this bustling city.

Dubbed Essential goodness, for the pilgrims, it is a rooftop restaurant and bar of premium hostel Lub D Makati. The restaurant’s dining experience is the result of the hostel’s collaboration with notable local chefs Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar of Hey Handsome and Your Local restaurants. With a menu that builds on familiar Pinoy favorites and international cuisines, the resto initially made a name for itself among Poblacion’s denizens with its All-Day brunch menu.

It also boasts of tastefully decorated interiors and an al fresco roofdeck with a breathtaking view of the Makati skyline.

Recently, along with fellow foodies, I got a sneak peek at its soon-to-be-launched menu items which were paired with drinks from the resto’s bar list. These include:

Tofu Salad. Made with marinated kino tofu tossed with spinach, cilantro, basil and lime. It is paired with Caipirinha, a Brazilian cocktail made with lime, sugar cubes and cachaca, a distilled spirit concocted from fermented sugar cane juice.

Salmon Ceviche. Raw marinated salmon served with green papaya, tomatoes, coconut cream, green and red eye chilis and cilantro. It is paired with Sauvignon Blanc.

Crab Curry. Crab meat stewed in curry, and served with cilantro and roti, flatbread originating from India made from stoneground wholemeal flour. It is paired with the exotic Sour Sup Black Tea, a drink made of guyabano juice, black tea and whisky.

Fried Chicken Poppers. Juicy fillets of breaded chicken served with spicy sambal cream cheese and edible flowers.

Vegan Curry Laksa. The Southeast Asian spicy rice noodle soup made even healthier with shitake mushrooms, zucchini, bean sprouts and banana hearts. It is paired with a refreshing glass of Essential Iced Tea made with black tea, lemongrass and calamansi.

Thai Fried Chicken. Cured chicken deep-fried to achieve a crisp and flavorful skin and tender juicy meat. It is served with pickled red bell pepper and green chili sambal on top of fragrant herbed rice.

Braised Beef. Local beef slow-cooked for four hours and served with guava sauce, green papaya salad and herbed and toasted rice. It is paired with Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the world’s best-known red wine varieties.

Earl Grey Chocolate. A thick layer of grey black tea infused chocolate smeared onto a bowl containing vanilla ice cream topped with citrusy yuzu syrup and brown butter crumbs.

Mango and Sticky Rice. Slices of sweet ripe mangoes topping a bed of coconut sticky rice with a side of caramelized peanuts.

The new dishes feature a distinct Southeast Asian taste profile, with some heat from the chilis and crisp freshness from the vegetables. One or two dishes do have a bit of a problem in balancing the flavors but this can be addressed prior to their official launch. Do watch out for these tasty offerings in the coming days.

The deliciously exotic food, chill vibe and beautiful surroundings made this food tasting a very memorable event for me and my fellow foodies. Kudos to the Essential goodness, for the pilgrims team for the masterfully prepared dishes and the lovely event.

Essential goodness, for the pilgrims is located at 13th Floor, Lub d Makati, 7820 Makati Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City, open daily from 6am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5416358 loc 2600 or +63 917 5340497.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.