June 2019 – Jellybeans in the City

Pride Lit comes out as the first LGBTQ+ “Pop Lit” Imprint in the Philippines

As the first Filipino pop literature imprint focused on championing LGBTQ+ narratives, Pride Lit stands proud as a great source of entertainment and inspiration to readers of all kinds.

But more than teaching us the value of appreciation and acceptance, the brand has been very consistent in creating a safe space for underrepresented voices to flourish and share their stories, whether it’s about finding love in many forms and shapes or discovering one’s sexual awakening with fleeting moments of kilig.

Now celebrating its third year in the publishing industry, Pride Lit is taking a huge leap by releasing five unique titles from its roster of seasoned and respected writers and contributors. From Alex Rosas’ gender-swap romance Gay’s Anatomy to Soju’s campy fantasy Ang Asul Na Buntot Ni Aquano, the new releases represent diverse genres that speak of uniquely queer experiences and imaginative premises. Other upcoming titles that will be released this month include John Jack G. Wigley’s ensemble drama Kadenang Bahaghari, Lush Ericson’s instant pleaser Agustin and Ariston’s Version of the Universe, and Angelica Sorreda’s romantic offering Over Time.

“Each book actually talks about different emotions, experiences and were written differently,” Pride Lit Brand Manager Aiko Clarizza Buduan-Salazar points out. “The upcoming new titles will open readers’ minds on the fresh possibilities of storytelling.” True to its vision, Pride Lit steps up its game by ensuring LGBTQ+ characters and its allies could be prominent figures in pop culture narratives, and serve as inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community whose vibrant lives are worth telling, and are now everyone’s stories. “We plan to release more books and become a staple in the community,” Salazar said. “Aside from providing feel good stories and erotic stories too, we plan to become more reachable to our target market and community.”

Details and images provided by Pride Lit in a recent press release.

Thanks to Jowell of FlingerosPH.com for attending the launch event on my behalf!

Get this season’s trend highlights and fashion inspiration from Zilingo

Need a wardrobe upgrade? Zilingo has your back.

This season, leading online fashion platform Zilingo, released their latest trends selection, boasting different cuts and highlighting textures, vintage hues and an arresting foray of silhouettes.

The brand marries chic styles and street looks in this curated collection, featuring Utilitarian pieces in Khaki, Cream and Beige. Fashion fans will also be thrilled with the platorm’s take on deconstructed lace and 80s denim pieces in White, Black and Brown matched with modern Athleisure looks and snake textured sheets that accentuate style and attitude.
Zilingo will provide customers with coveted pieces suitable for all occasions. “We are ecstatic about this season’s trends that combine style and comfort, and the best part is that these fashion essentials are available at the click of a button,” says Ryza Dipatuan-Razo, Marketing Director, Zilingo Philippines.

Recognizing the continuous growth and potential of the online retail market, and the need to constantly provide its customers with new and exciting options, Zilingo aims to showcase a unique shopping experience to its customers and enable brands to expand their reach to fashion enthusiasts across the region.

“We would like our customers to have easy access to fashion, and as our way of saying thank you for all the support we’ve received, Zilingo is having a site-wide Zilingo Payday sale from now till 30 June that is sure to delight customers with up to 90% off on selected items,” Ryza added.

Fashionistas across the country can purchase the collection anytime and anywhere via Zilingo’s website and app, and have them delivered to their doorstep at no extra charge, with multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery.

Zilingo is a commerce platform that is making the fashion and beauty supply chain more efficient through technology. With over 33,000 merchants on the platform Zilingo connects businesses across the entire supply chain and empowers them with everything they need to run a business – from design, product development, fabric procurement, manufacturing, cataloguing, marketing, inventory management, distribution, billing, customer service, working capital & trend forecasting. With over two million product listings on Zilingo.com, users can effortlessly shop from a selection of indie labels, local designers, international and celebrity brands – all in one place. Founded by Ankiti Bose and Dhruv Kapoor in 2015, the company has offices in 8 cities globally with over 600 staff covering 20 different nationalities.

Zilingo is available for download for free on the App Store and Google Play across Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

For more information, please visit www.zilingo.com.

Press release and images provided by Zilingo.

Three reasons why Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar, Tomas Morato is your next favorite hangout spot

So you’ve just clocked out but are not yet in the mood to face the long commute home. What can you do and where can you hang out to while away the rush hour?

If you’re near the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area, you’re in luck. Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar located along Scout Rallos Street, as my fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH and I have recently discovered, may just be your next favorite hangout spot.

Here are the reasons why:

1) Luxurious ambiance with a vintage charm.

Stepping into Tiyo’s interiors is akin to entering a time portal to the era of Old Manila where elegance and comfort take center stage from the Escolta-themed mural, muted lighting to the white marble tabletops.

2) Pinoy artistry in food and drink preparation.

Tiyo serves a thoughtfully curated menu of local fare which takes the best representations of Philippine regional cuisine and painstakingly uses traditional ingredients and cooking methods, and yet has reinvented and served these dishes with a modern flair.

During our fun-filled foodie meetup, we were presented with viands that are familiar yet decidedly different from our usual fare, and definitely a lot more exciting to dig in to.

Manila Ensalada (Php180). Crispy and golden-brown okoy (deep-fried shrimp fritters popular in the Ilocos region) served with green mango, unripe papaya and assorted greens.

Lengua Kaldereta Nachos (Php380). The ubiquitous Mexican bar chow has been upgraded with the addition of tenderized and finely chopped ox tongue and generous dollops of kaldereta sauce and kesong puti sauce, flavored by salsa and malunggay chimichurri.

Inihaw na Liempo Sinigang (Php420). Take your inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly) and sinigang na baboy (pork in sour tamarind broth), put them together and you have this delightfully deconstructed dish. Take the pork belly and tamarind gravy together with the sour broth or separately, it doesn’t matter. Both iterations are equally good.

Corned Beef Caldereta (Php460). Here’s a new and leveled-up spin to the breakfast classic, corned beef! Combine fork-tender house-made corned beef with tomato puree, liver and grilled veggies and you’ve got yourself a filling and flavorful dish!

Dagupan Bangus Bistek (Php290). Deboned milkfish in soy calamansi sauce and garnished with red onion, suitable for those who want to eat light.

Maranao Piyanggang Manok (Php390). Chicken pieces served with sakurab – a vegetable mainstay in Maranao cuisine – along with coconut cream, lemongrass, turmeric, garlic, onion and ginger. Each bite is an explosion of flavor.

Palitaw Mochi (Php185). Instead of the usual flat kakanin (glutinous rice delicacy), these are cute dessert balls served with latik and bits of cashew crumble and coconut. Each bite is a surprise as your palitaw could be filled with either Malagos chocolate, Dulce de Leche or Ube (purple yam).

Turron ala Mode (Php195). My dad’s home province of Bataan produces one of the most iconic sweets of the region: gabi (taro) ice cream. That regional delicacy tops the turron (banana fritters) and caramel drizzle of this dream dessert.

And the craftsmanship does not stop with the food. Tiyo’s bartenders also whip up exciting craft cocktails for the thirsty but exacting diner. These concoctions are designed around local spirits, highlighting their unique flavors while demonstrating their versatility.

Pedro’s Uprising (basi, lemongrass, brandy and mint). It is named after the leader of the 1807 Basi Revolt which came about when the Spanish colonial government banned the private manufacture of this fermented sugar cane beverage. This just goes to show that you can’t keep the Pinoy spirit down!

Jai Alai (basil, white rum, brandy-infused cinnamon, tea, calamansi and honey). Named after the pastime of my own tiyo when I was growing up, this drink is sweet and heady, just like nostalgia.

Blame It on the Barako (coffee liquer, cream, coconut rum, syrup and orange wedge). If you find yourself lying awake at night, dreaming of the next time you’ll get a sip of this cocktail, you can always #BlameItOnTheBarako.

With its nine-tap craft beer system and the biggest collection of craft beer in the city, there is something from the seasoned brew connoisseur to a newbie. Opt for a Sampler Flight (Php150) of three sample glasses of different craft beers and discover your new favorite brew.

Not into alcohol? Don’t sweat it because Tiyo’s Houce Iced Tea (Php85) is drink that quenches your thirst and soothes your soul. And that straw is actually edible! It’s made of rice and tapioca so after finishing your drink, take a bite out of the straw.

3) It’s exciting promos and events.

Knowing the Pinoy penchant for spotting and pursuing a good deal, Tiyo has promos that lets its guests enjoy more for less.

Until the end of July, enjoy Buy 1 Take 1 deals on all craft cocktails.

Get 3 Gin & Tonic drinks for only Php280.

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, get all the wine you can drink for only Php799.

During Ladies Night Wednesdays, all ladies get a free craft cocktail drink of their choice.

Every Tuesday and Saturday night, groove along with live musical entertainment.

With all these elements coming together, it’s easy to see how Tiyo Craft Kitchen and Bar is #TailoredToGoodTaste. So make a stopover at Tiyo tonight. You’ll be glad you did.

Many thanks to Michelle and Mik de Guzman and Ed Salvador of Tiyo Craft Kitchen and Bar for hosting this foodie meetup.

Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar is located at Second Floor, CKB Centre, Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Mondays from 4pm to 1am, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4pm to 2am and Fridays to Saturdays from 4pm to 3 am. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 932 8642593.

Did you know you can buy two drinks and get the same two drinks for free at Tiyo Craft Kitchen & Bar through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

Disclosure: Together with my fellow foodies, I was invited to join a foodie meetup 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.

Check out my reviews of other bars and watering holes in the Metro:

Peppa Pig arrives on HBO Go on July 1

With approximately 3500 hours of blockbuster movies and HBO Original content from the U.S and Asia, including 700 episodes from all-time favourite programmes for kids and families, HBO Asia has now added Season 1 and 2 of global preschool phenomenon PEPPA PIG to its collection on the streaming service, HBO GO.

From 1 July, HBO GO subscribers will be able to stream and download all episodes from Season 1 and 2 of Peppa Pig and follow Peppa across 104 episodes as she plays games, dress up and jump in muddy puddles .

For older kids, Season 1 of popular and beloved family-friendly series WE BARE BEARS is available on HBO GO as well. Set in the San Francisco Bay area, the series follows an adoptive family of three bears doing their best to try and fit in with human society in America – no easy task for bears!

More Cartoon Network hits such as ADVENTURE TIME, BEN 10: OMNIVERSE, DEXTER’S LABORATORY, FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS and SESAME STREET, are also available anytime, anywhere, on HBO GO.

New movies for kids premiering on HBO GO include TEEN TITANS GO! TO THE MOVIES on 29 June, LEGO DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: SUPER-VILLAIN HIGH on 6 July and ALEX & ME on 9 August.

With over hundreds of hours of kid and family friendly entertainment, HBO Asia remains committed to providing fun-filled, light-hearted entertainment to viewers of all age groups.

About HBO GO

HBO GO is an internet-based service that allows subscribers unlimited access to stream and download anytime, anywhere, a wide range of Hollywood blockbusters, all-time favourite kids’ programmes as well as unedited original versions of all HBO Original content from the U.S. and Asia, at the same time as they premiere. Live TV streaming of HBO Asia’s bouquet of channels are also available. The service is accessible on all mobile devices through the HBO GO App and on computers.

In the Philippines, HBO GO is exclusively available to SKYcable subscribers. For more information, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.

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

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.

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Production begins for HBO Asia’s newest Original Invisible Stories

HBO Asia announced today that principal photography for its latest Asia Original, INVISIBLE STORIES, has begun for the six-episode half-hour drama series. INVISIBLE STORIES, a series that shines light into dark corners and tells untold stories from the heartlands and a fictional neighbourhood housing estate in multi-cultural Singapore, is scheduled to premiere later this year on HBO Asia’s on-air, online and on-demand platforms.

INVISIBLE STORIES brings to life stories of everyday people – their joy, their struggles, their sacrifice, with each episode following one neighbour as he or she navigates through everyday life and its challenges. These stories include a man who is a taxi driver by day and a spiritual medium by night; and a banker who is a father and husband but harbours a secret that comes to life late at night.

Featuring a regional cast from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, Golden Horse Award winner Yeo Yann Yann (‘ILO ILO’, ‘881’ and ‘Singapore Dreaming’) and Taiwanese newcomer Devin Pan headline the first episode which revolves around the lives of a mother and her autistic son.

“With INVISIBLE STORIES, we are pleased to be able to bring to life these, seldom told, intimate stories of people who walk amongst us but are often invisible as we go about our busy lives every day,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia. “HBO Asia is glad to once again work with talented cast and crew from Singapore and the region to bring local stories to a global stage.”

Created by Singaporean Ler Jiyuan who also wrote the series with a team of local writers, INVISIBLE STORIES is produced by Singapore-based company Birdmandog as part of HBO Asia’s partnership with the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA). The two-and-a-half-year collaboration aims to develop the drama production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry and talent, where HBO Asia will conduct training workshops and work with local talent and companies on HBO Asia Original productions.

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.

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

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

HBO remembers Gloria Vanderbilt with Encore Presentation of NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT & ANDERSON COOPER exclusively on HBO GO

HBO remembers Gloria Vanderbilt with an encore presentation of the poignant documentary NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT & ANDERSON COOPER, which is available for streaming exclusively on HBO GO. The documentary will also encore on HBO SIGNATURE on 23 and 26 June, 2.30pm and 6pm respectively.

Debuting in 2016, the feature-length film intertwines archival footage and previously unseen home videos spanning eight decades with present-day scenes to paint an intimate portrait of one of America’s most fascinating families. In a series of candid conversations, Cooper and Vanderbilt tell the story of their past and present, losses and loves, and show how, in life, patterns repeat themselves in the most unexpected ways.

NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT & ANDERSON COOPER is a Moxie Firecracker Films production; a film by Liz Garbus; directed by Liz Garbus; executive producer, Anderson Cooper. For HBO: senior producer, Nancy Abraham; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

HBO Original productions as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers in the Philippines. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.

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

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Food and nature-tripping at Burrow Cafe, Taytay

Nestled into east of Manila is a hidden haven for food and nature lovers. Called Burrow Cafe, it is located in the Antipolo Beehouse, a nature reserve set in a quiet residential subdivision away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

My daughter #ExhibitA and I decided to treat my mom out to Sunday brunch at Burrow Cafe. This mother-daughter-granddaughter outing is something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time but never found the time for until now.

So last Sunday, off we went up Ortigas Avenue Extension towards Antipolo and into Beverly Hills Subdivision where the Beehouse is situated. Upon arriving at the Beehouse gate, we went down 76 steps (good thing I didn’t wear heels!) to a lush green courtyard with another flight of stairs leading to what seemed like an underground bunker.

When we entered the cafe’s premises, however, we were treated to an abundance of light and greenery, thanks to the cafe’s large panel windows which let in a lot of natural light and give diners a relaxing view of the surrounding forest. Artfully laid out wood furniture, potted and hanging plants as well as other bric-a-bracs further accent the cafe’s nature theme while hammocks hanging from the ceiling provide some splashes of color and whimsy to the interiors. Outside, there is a balcony that overlooks a nearby mountain stream.

There, my mom, #ExhibitA and I chatted about life and gossiped about mutual acquaintances (hahaha!) while enjoying our brunch made with ingredients sourced from the Antipolo Market or grown within the cafe’s grounds.

Our meal included:

Beef Short Ribs with Corn and Green Bean Risotto (Php550).

Fish and Chips (Php420).

Key Lime Pie (Php190).

Burrow Home Brew Iced Tea (Php120) and Avocado Fruit Shake (Php180).

Though quite tasty, food items are limited and a bit pricey. Given the cafe’s lovely and restful ambiance and warm, friendly service, however, I’d say dining here is well worth the expense and effort.

After all, nothing but the best for my mom and my baby girl.

Burrow Cafe is located at the Antipolo Beehouse, 113 Beverly Hills Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Dolores, Taytay, open Wednesdays to Thursdays from 8am to 4pm and Fridays to Sundays 7am to 4pm. Although walk-ins are welcome, table reservation is highly recommended through email (burrowcafe@gmail.com) or mobile (+63 917 6229795). For more details, visit the Antipolo Beehouse website.

Notes:

Beverly Hills Subdivision charges Php20 for cara entering the area so keep some change handy.
The resto is not wheelchair-friendly.
You might also want to check out the cafe’s retail area which sells reusable straws, homemade self-care products, zero-waste household ware and paper products.

Check out my blog posts on breakfast joints around the metro:

There’s something for everyone’s craving at Pob Stacion Food Park

For quite a while now, the Poblacion area has been reinventing itself from its previous incarnation as Makati’s red-light district and re-establishing itself as its foodie-friendly haven. Here, foodies can explore various options in food and drink spanning various cuisines and concepts.

If you were to pool some of those eateries together and concentrate them into one easily accessible place, you would have the Pob Stacion Food Park. Located at B. Valdez Street, Barangay Poblacion in Makati, a ten-minute walk from A Venue or Century City Mall, the newly opened multi-storey Pob Stacion houses a variety of concept food stalls that give the park’s visitors wondrous choices for their gastronomic adventure or to soothe their food cravings.

Recently, together with my fellow foodies, I had a taste of what Pob Stacion’s food outlets have to offer. Read on and check out my top picks.

Above Sea Level (Seafood)

As the home of the Giant Butterfly Squid (Php180 with 1 Java rice | Php250 with 2 Java rice | Php350 with 3 Java rice | Php450 with 4 Java rice), they really do serve it up big-time. Lightly battered, well-seasoned and fried to a golden-brown, each enormous squid by itself is good for two people and is best enjoyed with the resto’s vinegar dipping sauce.

If you’re feeling extra hungry or adventurous, add the Seafood Festival (Php380) to your order and bite into mouthwatering crab, shrimps, mussels and corn on a bed of Java rice doused with a buttery crab fat sauce, or the Spicy Squid Sisig (Php180) for a seafood take on the Pampanga delicacy.

Rib Pop (Pinoy-Korean Fusion)

With the Korean food craze firmly entrenched in the Philippine culinary scene, it’s hardly surprising that the two cuisines would mesh together at some point. That point is here at Rib Pop where the best of the two cuisines is highlighted in its Ribpop Sampler (Php400) which consists of its signature dishes: Black Ink Chicken Wings – squid ink bettered fried chicken pieces with spicy tangy sauce, Ribpop Bowl – your choice of rice topped with beef short ribs, and an assortment of banchan – small plates of Korean appetizers.

Octoboy (Japanese)

Who would have thought that Takoyaki (Php70 for 3 pcs | Php140 for 6 pcs), balls made of batter filled with chopped octopus meat, cooked in a specially shaped griddle and served with those wriggling Bonito flakes, would be such a hit with us Pinoys? If you’re on the lookout for something quick, cheap and yummy, Octoboy’s Takoyaki is your best bet.

Tokyo Tempura (Japanese)

Did you know that tempura, the Japanese method of deep-frying battered seafood and vegetables, was influenced the Portuguese who were residing in Nagasaki in the 16th century? Today, tempura is a mainstay in practically all Japanese restaurants in the country and is even gaining some foothold in Pinoy eateries through localized versions.

Tokyo Tempura’s versions are quick, yummy, easy to enjoy when you’re having a case of the munchies, and with affordably priced options which include Imperial Tempura (Php150 for 12 pcs), Tempura Rice (Php80) and Kani Tempura (Php55 for 6 pcs).

Want some spicy kick to go with your tempura? Add the Chili Cheese Poppers (Php55 for 4 pcs) to your order and take some heat from those tempura battered cheese-filled jalapenos!

Oskar’s Soul Kitchen (American)

If you’re looking for an alternative to your usual fastfood burger, check out Oskar’s Soul Kitchen’s Cheeseburger (Php220) – a quarter pound of ground Wagyu beef patty sandwiched in an oatmeal bun together with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and the resto’s signature sauce.

Still have room for more? Add Angus Beef Hotdog (Php140), Fries Overload (Php160), or the Nachos Overload (Php150) to your order and eat to your heart’s content.

Wing’s Lab (American)

How about Wing’s Lab’s sinful take to your flavored chicken wings? Try its American Wings (Php699 with Nachos and Beef) which hits you with its Jack Daniels flavored sauce.

Want something to quench your thirst after those spicy wings? Take your pick from the resto’s refreshing and conveniently packaged Juices (Php60 – Blue Lemonade, Cucumber Lemonade and Melon with Milk). The best part is that you can easily take these handy juice packs with you all over the park and beyond.

Authentic House of Curry (Indian)

Get yourself a taste of the exotic with the Authentic House of Curry’s spicy Beef Rendang (Php240) and Lobster Scallop Balls (Php180). These dishes provide a nice South Asian flare to your food park fare.

Cha Tuk Chak (Thai Milk Tea)

While boba milk teas abound all over the metro, Thai milk teas are not as visible, which , for me, is a shame if Cha Tuk Chak’s drinks are anything to go by. From the world famous creamy and silky Cha Yen (Php110 regular | Php125 large), the sweeter, fruitier and caffeine free Nom Yen (Php120 regular | Php135 large), the sweet lemon-infused Thai Ruby (Php115 regular | Php130 large), the refreshing Thai tea with real lemon Thai Emerald (Php115 regular | Php130 large), and the gourmet dark chocolate milk tea given a Thai spin Koko Yen (Php110 regular), among others, you’ll have tasty thirst-quenching options as you navigate the food park.

Papa Diddi’s (Ice Cream)

And who can forget about dessert? Papa Diddi’s Hand-crafted Ice Cream (Php75 for 1 scoop | Php110 for 2 scoops | Php145 for 3 scoops) come in such unusual yet localized flavors that pay tribute not just to our Pinoy heritage but also to the farmer communities that supply the brand’s all-natural ingredients. From the fruity Mango Pili, the cheesy Queso Blanco with kesong puti and Cheese Closed with cheddar, the chocolatey Chocolate Lovin and Tsokolate de Cagayan, the sinfully indulgent Tres Leches and the chocolate-meets-spicy Davao Meets Bicol, your dessert gives you a cool, culinary trip across the country.

So if you’re a denizen of Poblacion, or on a night out with friends in the area, do add a stopover to Pob Stacion Food Park to your evening’s itinerary.

Many thanks to Raina of KonyoQueen.com for extending the invitation!

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

UMak student crowned Miss Makati 2019

An 18-year old student of the University of Makati (UMak), Micah Beatrice Santos from Barangay West Rembo, has been crowned Miss Makati 2019, besting 23 other candidates at the Coronation Night held Friday at the Makati Coliseum.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the newly-crowned Miss Makati 2019 impressed the judges with her striking beauty, self-confidence and intelligence, which have made her an ideal partner of the city government in promoting a “smart, sustainable and future-ready Makati”.

“Miss Makati 2019 has risen above the challenges she has faced and turned these into opportunities to grow and become a stronger and better person. I am confident that she will be able to fulfil her crucial role in accelerating Makati’s transformation as a Smart City,” Mayor Abby said.

The mayor said Miss Makati 2019 will serve as the city’s ambassador of goodwill while inspiring fellow young Makatizens to strive for excellence and take an active part in city-building, as defined by the 2019 pageant theme, “Creating the Future Now”.

Santos is also the current titleholder of Miss UMak 2019. She stated that her advocacy is to campaign against bullying, having been a victim of bullies herself, and vowed to help fellow victims overcome adversity.

Mayor Abby, accompanied by Miss Makati 2018 Karla O’Hara and Congressman Luis Campos, crowned Miss Makati 2019.

Mayor Abby also congratulated the other winners, Miss Makati Tourism 2019 Kristina Cassandra Bahaj and Miss Makatizen 2019 Venice Kayla Barrameda.

“Both Miss Makati Tourism 2019 and Miss Makatizen 2019 have shown that they are up to the task of helping us promote innovations that will empower and inspire the citizens of Makati,” she stated.

Bahaj, 22, a resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz, said that she was motivated to join the pageant by her personal experience with taking care of a family member suffering from dementia, her own grandmother. This led to her advocacy for making Makati the first “dementia-friendly city” in the country.

Barrameda, 21-year old resident of Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, who also won as Miss CEU 2016 at Centro Escolar University, is an advocate of good oral health. Her goal is to promote oral health by providing dental missions for the less privileged to give back to the city.

Miss Makati 2019 took home P200,000 cash prize, a crown, a sash, a gift pack from Home of Beauty Color (HBC), and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle.

Miss Makati Tourism 2019, on the other hand, won a cash prize of P150,000, a crown, a sash, an HBC gift pack, and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle. Miss Makatizen 2019 bagged P100,000 cash prize, a crown, a sash, an HBC gift pack, and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle.

Bahaj was also named “Miss Air Asia” while Barrameda won the titles “Miss iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle” and “Miss Balmain”. The title “Miss Congeniality” was won by Gianelle Anne Balaton, 22, of Barangay Valenzuela, “Miss Photogenic” went to Micah Beatriz Santos; and “Best in Long Gown” was Renee Rose Tirones, 23, of Barangay San Lorenzo.

Now on its 29th year, the Miss Makati 2019 coronation night was hosted by Mikael Daez and Issa Litton. The pageant was part of the month-long celebration of the 349th Founding Anniversary of Makati with the theme, “Makati 2025: Fasttracking Progress”.

The board of judges in this year’s pageant was chaired by Albert Andrada, designer; together with Sheila Romero, CEO Air Asia; Kate Pagkalinawan, CEO iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle; George Royeca, CEO/owner of Angkas; Franco Laurel, singer and actor; Ruffa Gutierrez, actress and beauty queen; Tim Yap, host and media practitioner; and designers Anthony Ramirez and Paul Cabral.

Entertainment numbers were provided by Air Dance, Nexus (Makati Dance Challenge 2018 Champions), and balladeer Michael Pangilinan.

The other 21 finalists included Charlene Marie Inonog (Kasilawan); Stephanie Isabelle Aquino (Poblacion); Sophia Michaela Leanne Aguado (Pio del Pilar); Alliaa Nicole Diputado (Tejeros); Gianelle Anne Balaton (Valenzuela); Patricia Rose Pangan (San Isidro); Bianca Gabrielle Abaya (Poblacion); Lailah Guiuan (Pembo); Kaoru Aseana Pimentel (South Cembo); Jan Karen Esguerra (Bel-Air);

Monica Acuno (West Rembo); Hannah Patricia Beatrice Kristiansen (Northside); Desiree Harriet Alyanna Gamboa (Guadalupe Viejo); Charlyn Joyce Barrientos (Southside); Ma. Anna Clarisse Villavicencio (San Antonio); Marie Gabrielle Brillantes (Poblacion); Princess Vinia Putulin (South Cembo); Renee Rose Tirones (San Lorenzo); Elliah Kate Nicolas (East Rembo); Jeanne Pauline Suplente (Guadalupe Viejo); and Erika Mae Salvador (Comembo).

The candidates were adjudged with the following criteria: Intelligence, 40 percent; beauty, 40 percent; and personality, 20 percent.

Mango Cheesy Milk at Hui Lau Shan, Greenhills

When it opened its first branches in the metro a few months ago, Hui Lau Shan made waves as the go-to place for mango-based treats.

And why wouldn’t it?

Especially for dessert lovers, Hui Lau Shan’s imaginative creations featuring the Philippines’ unofficial national fruit are just the ticket to soothe their sweet tooth.

But why would a Hong Kong brand such a be so associated with our homegrown mangoes? Well, Hui Lau Shan shot to fame in its home country with its Mango Sago which made use of mangoes from Guimaras.

Now, with four branches already established in the metro and a new one opening soon, Hui Lau Shan has introduced another yummy innovation which rides on the cheesy drinks trend.

I’ve recently sampled one of these concoctions when I accompanied my fellow foodie friend Nina to Hui Lau Shan’s newly-opened Greenhills branch.

There, amidst the happy yellow decor and the upbeat crowd enjoying or waiting for their drinks and sweet snacks, I had my first taste of the Mango with Cheesy Milk (Php140).

Served with a smile in Hui Lau Shan’s signature sippy cup, the resto’s own recipe of cream, cheese and milk add a rich and creamy dimension to the mango-based beverage. It was a tasty and refreshing treat, one of the highlight of that sweltering-hot afternoon.

With such a yummy treat and more in its arsenal of flavors, Hui Lau Shan is sure to bring a Big Smile Everyday to dessert lovers.

In my future visits, I would love to try out another drink from the cheesy milk series that features my other favorite fruit: the Avocado with Cheesy Milk.

Many thanks to Nina of TakawTikim.net for sharing her GC!

This Hui Lau Shan branch is located at Second Floor, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan.

Other branches are located at:

Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
Ground Floor, The Block, SM North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Ground Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City