Gel Jose

Barkada-oke at Padi’s Point, Antipolo

Have you ever had the urge to take a break from your busy work schedule and just break out into song? (Well, I have. Lots of times, in fact.)

Well, at Padi’s Point, Upper Antipolo, you can do just that and more with your closest buddies (who hopefully won’t judge you) in comfort (and more importantly, in privacy), thanks to the BKDA-OKE Room at this branch.

As the name implies, this room is best enjoyed by a group of friends singing to their favorite karaoke numbers.

One of Japan’s greatest contributions to the world, in my opinion at least, karaoke has surprising health benefits. Singing for recreation makes you feel lighter and less anxious, thanks to endorphins (the “happy” hormones) released when you participate in a fun activity.

Karaoke also helps you express your emotions. Those with pent-up frustrations can belt out Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” or Disney’s “Let It Go” to get that feeling of empowerment. If you want to pay tribute to your Significant Other, go right ahead with Stephen Bishop’s Classic “It Might Be You,” or grieve over a lost love with Adelle’s “Hello.” (But whatever you do, don’t sing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” at least not in the Philippines, ok?)

Singing karaoke also gives you the opportunity to improve your breathing. You hold yourself a little straighter (improving your posture), exercise the muscles in your diaphragm and abdominals as well as utilize more of your lungs.

In between renditions of your favored ditties, why not chow down some of Padi’s Point’s signature dishes such as the onesincluded in the Videoke Package 1 (Php1,599) which were served to our group? Check them out:

Fried Shrimp Crackers and Nacho Chips and Cheese. My favorite chows for mindless eating: kropek and nachos!

Sizzling Sisig and Sizzling Tofu. Enjoy them separately, or as Chef Jocen of BoodlebearPH suggests, mix ’em together for a new take on the Pinoy classic tokwa’t baboy.

Building up the courage to bust out your tunes and moves? Work up your confidence with two of Padi’s Points Cocktail Towers that also come with the package.

So the next chance you get, grab your gang and head off to Padi’s Point for a great rockin’ time.

This Padi’s Point branch is located at L Sumulong Memorial Circle, Dalig, Upper Antipolo, Rizal, open daily from 6am to 4am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 6953207.

Other branches are located at:

Alpha D Compound, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Lower Antipolo, Rizal
Ground Floor, Century Imperial Suites, South Triangle, Quezon City
Second Floor, SKY Garden, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Coliseum Center, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, Femar Arcade Philcoa, 34 Masaya Street, Diliman, Quezon City
375 Quirino Highway corner Tandang Sora Avenue, Sangandaan, Quezon City
Robinsons Nova Market, Quirono Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City
Exterior Second Floor, Star Mall EDSA-Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong
Gil Puyat Avenue, Libertad, Pasay City
Second Floor, Empire Center EDSA Mall, Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Libertad, Pasay
463 Remedios Street, Malate, Manila
A.H. Lacson Avenue across SM San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila
Second Floor, The Grandz Commercial Center, MacArthur Highway, South Caloocan, Caloocan City
The Grills, Yellow Building Filinvest, South Station, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa
Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona, Las Pinas

Disclosure: Together with other 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.

Enjoy a sunset feast at Padi’s Point, Antipolo

“Sunsets are proof that, no matter what happens, everyday can end beautifully.”

– Kristen Butler

The original Padi’s Point along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo is known for its magnificent sunset views. It has long been considered a landmark in the area, with families, barkadas or even couples, making the trek up from all over the city to this restaurant to enjoy the chill ambiance, the homegrown food served here and, of course, the amazing scenery.

Recently, my friends from #WeLoveToEatPH visited this restaurant to sate our hunger after a rousing game at Lazer Maxx. After shedding our battle mode, we were in the mood to chill and eat our fill.

So how did we chill?

We amused ourselves by taking in the amazing view. Lit by bright sunlight, the greens and colors from nearby vegetation were made more intense against the wide vista of the metro. Lit by a softer light at the golden hour, however, the same view became gorgeous silhouettes of trees against a gorgeous sunset.

And with what did we eat our fill?

Well, Padi’s Point offers a wide array of homegrown dishes that are best enjoyed family style. These include appetizers like Cheesy Cheese Sticks (Php190) and Nacho Grande (Php399), merienda staples such as Pancit Canton (Php160) and Mexican Pizza (Php310), and classic main dishes such as Padi’s Original Sisig (Php299) , Sinigang na Baboy (Php270) and Crispy Pata (Php699).

And since we’re a big group with jumbo-sized appetites after our adventures earlier in the day, you better believe we went for jumbo-sized bundle meals such as the Barkada Supreme (Php850) – classic finger-foods such as onion rings, cheese sticks, french fries, chicken nuggets and mushroom poppers – and the Barrio Feast (Php1,150) – fried and grilled dishes that include tilapia, chicken, pork, bangus, liempo and squid.

Also taking center stage are the Tropical Threesome: Boracay Chill, Palawan Chill and Miami Chill, cocktail drinks at Php150 each that combine icy fruitiness with a slight kick of alcohol. As their names imply, these drinks are great for chilling and relaxing.

Want to have a chill sesh with the fam or your buddies? Do chase the sunset at Padi’s Point and feast on great Pinoy food. It will surely be worth the trip.

This Padi’s Point branch is located at Alpha D Compound, Sumulong Highway, Santa Cruz, Lower Antipolo, Rizal, open daily for 24 hours. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 3443028.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Century Imperial Suites, South Triangle, Quezon City

Second Floor, SKY Garden, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City

Ground Floor, Coliseum Center, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

Third Floor, Femar Arcade Philcoa, 34 Masaya Street, Diliman, Quezon City

375 Quirino Highway corner Tandang Sora Avenue, Sangandaan, Quezon City

Robinsons Nova Market, Quirono Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City

Exterior Second Floor, Star Mall EDSA-Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong

Gil Puyat Avenue, Libertad, Pasay City

Second Floor, Empire Center EDSA Mall, Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Libertad, Pasay

463 Remedios Street, Malate, Manila

A.H. Lacson Avenue across SM San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila

Second Floor, The Grandz Commercial Center, MacArthur Highway, South Caloocan, Caloocan City

The Grills, Yellow Building Filinvest, South Station, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa
Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona, Las Pinas

SKY treats subscribers to exclusive Game of Thrones events

SKY subscribers who are die-hard Game of Thrones fans were recently given one-of-a-kind experiences: an ice skating spectacle inspired by HBO’s phenomenal hit TV series and an exclusive live screening of the final season premiere in one of the trendiest establishments in Poblacion, Makati.

On April 12 and 13, they witnessed Fire or Ice: A Musical Spectacle at SM Megamall’s Skating Rink.

There, they were treated to the outstanding performances by the country’s top figure skaters Joel Minas and Sofia Guidote. Minas, who has bagged over 30 gold medals in various local and international skating competitions, masterfully brought King in the North Jon Snow to life on the ice. Guidote, on the other hand, in her role as Mother of Dragons Danaerys Targaryen, displayed the grace and athleticism that helped her bag the gold medal for the third year in a row at the Philippine National Competition. Together, they gave absolutely stunning performances.

This remarkable event was made possible by SKY’s partnership with SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc.

On April 15, selected SKY subscribers were invited to an exclusive live viewing party at the Johnnie Walker House in Poblacion. SKY partnered with Diageo, the company behind the Johnnie Walker brand, in hosting the event. Guests were treated to a sumptuous breakfast with food items that whimsically reference Game of Thrones characters and locations. Ten bottles of White Walker, Johnnie Walker’s limited edition Scotch whiskey inspired by the show’s most chillingly enigmatic of characters, were also raffled off to lucky winners.

Of course, the real highlight of the event was the live screening of the Season 8’s premiere episode in full high definition on HBO HD (SKYcable ch 168), all the better for attendees to see (and obsess over) every detail as they happen onscreen.

During both events, attendees were asked to choose their side: vote for their choice on who will sit on the Iron Throne and rule over the seven kingdoms by the series’ end.

They were also serenaded by 4G String Quartet who performed their own haunting renditions of the show’s theme songs and musical scoring.

Cosplayers from Westeros Cosplay PH also graced the events, bringing the show’s lead characters to life, and gamely posed with the show’s fans for selfies and photo opps.

With these two events, it is certainly a great time for a GOT fan to be a SKY subscriber!

Game of Thrones fans can look forward to more immersions into Westeros with the upcoming SKY Alive event at the SM Mall of Asia on April 27 and 28. Here, they can participate in games and contests, interact with their favorite Game of Thrones characters through the attending cosplayers, be entertained by more performances by 4G String Quartet, and experience what it’s like to sit on the Iron Throne!

New episodes of the eighth and final season of GAME OF THRONES will air in Asia same time as the U.S. every Monday at 9am, with a same day encore at 10pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD | 168 HD in Metro Manila).

Based on the popular book series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” by George R.R. Martin, this hit Emmy®-winning fantasy series chronicles an epic struggle for power in a vast and violent kingdom. Members of the ensemble cast for the seventh season included Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams. Season seven credits: executive producers, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger, Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Bryan Cogman, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin.

HBO GO is HBO’s online streaming service that gives subscribers a chance to watch and enjoy the world’s best movies, HBO Originals and more through the website or the mobile app. Subscription to the app also gives SKY subscribers free access to cable channels – HBO Hits, HBO Family, and HBO Signature. To register your SKY account and subscribe to HBO GO, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.

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.

Video Credits: SKYcable on Youtube

All other images are mine.

Check out my other recent posts on Game of Thrones:

Francine Rivers’ Lineage of Grace: five novellas of women-centered Biblical stories

The Bible is littered with the stories of men: pioneering patriarchs, brave warriors, noble kings, visionary prophets and more. These characters, with their virtues and flaws, have shaped Biblical history and provided anchors for the Christian faith.

But what about the women?

Most women in the Bible play supporting roles in the Bible narratives – as the wife, mother or sister of great men, the source of support or the catalyst for great acts.

In Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity by Francine Rivers, however, Biblical women took active roles in shaping their destinies. In doing so, they also helped mold the story of God and His people.

The book consists of five novellas which narrates the life and struggles of five women in the Bible.

These are:

Tamar, a woman of hope, who married into Judah’s family and was left a childless widow by two of his sons. She secures her future and place in his family through underhanded but ultimately justifiable means.

Rahab, a woman of faith, who was forced into harlotry and espionage but saw her opportunity to turn her life around when Israelite spies sought refuge in her inn in Jericho.

Ruth, a woman of love, who, though a Moabite woman, bravely accompanied her widowed mother-in-law Naomi back to Israel to forge a new life for themselves.

Bathsheba, a woman who received unlimited grace, who had to contend with the consequences of spending a night in King David’s bed, managed to secure not just her legacy but the future of the kingdom.

Mary, a woman of obedience, who, despite her youth and uncertainty, accepted the enormous task set upon her by God and thus, secured the salvation of mankind.

The stories of these women are familiar, but are told in new perspectives and with fresh insights. Despite acting with or espousing Old World values, their characters and situations are still relatable.

My favorite among the stories is that of Tamar. The biblical story is not that well-known and the two lead characters – Tamar and Judah – are not held in a good light based on the biblical narrative. However, by providing context to their thoughts and action – Tamar’s need to belong and Judah’s guilt over his betrayal of his brother Joseph – the characters are made sympathetic, redeemable and worth rooting for.

Francine Rivers, the author of Lineage of Grace, is a renowned author of Christian Fiction. Her other works include:

Redeeming Love. A retelling of the love story between the prostitute Gomer and the prophet Hosea set amidst the California Gold Rush.

Sons of Encouragement. The stories of the lesser-known men behind the celebrated heroes of the Bible who served as guides and support, and quietly helped to shape the faith.

The Mark of the Lion. A trilogy set in ancient Rome that explores the travails of Hadassah, a young Christian slave girl, and Marcus, the Roman aristocrat who falls in love with her.

For more details or to buy any of these books on Amazon.com, simply click on the titles.

Check out my other blog posts on my favorite books:

This post contains affiliate links.

SKY brings “Fire or Ice: A Musical Spectacle” at SM Megamall

Fans of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” who eagerly await the premiere of the show’s final season can quench their thirst as SKY, the country’s largest cable provider, brings a musical show set on ice dubbed as “Fire or Ice: A Musical Spectacle On Ice” at 6 PM on April 12 and 13 at the SM Skating Rink in Megamall.

Witness a “Game of Thrones”-inspired spectacle which will be divided into two, Fire and Ice, that represent Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, respectively.

Mallgoers and fans are also in for wonderful “Game of Thrones” performances. 4G Guitar Quartet sets the tone as it opens the show while ice skating exhibitions by Sofia Guidote, a member of the Philippine National Figure Skating team, and Joel Minas, a high-level figure skating coach for SM Skating, follow. The duo will play Daenerys and Jon Snow.

Cameras are a must-bring because after the program, viewers will have the chance to have a photo op with the cosplayers, Daenerys Targaryen, and the Night King.

Until April 15, SKYcable subscribers can watch all episodes of Game of Thrones Seasons 1 to 7 on demand via HBO GO for free. Simply download the app and register your SKYcable account. For more details, visit mysky.com.ph/freehbogo. Tune in to the premier of the last season of the highly talked about HBO series, this April 15.

HBO is available in all SKYcable HD plans, One SKY Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV plans, SKYdirect 250 and 450 Get the world best movies and the latest HBO Originals anytime, anywhere and on any device with HBO Go, exclusively available on SKY. For more details and updates, visit mysky.com.ph/got.

Event details provided by SKY in a recent press release.

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Sisig Society launches Sisig-flavored Lip Balm

Just when I thought that there are no more new ideas when it comes to beauty and self-care, I received a package from Sisig Society containing a sisig-flavored lip balm.

Say whuuut?!?

Yes, a sisig-flavored lip balm.

While conventional wisdom in lip products veer towards combinations of floral or fruity scents and flavors, someone at Sisig Society probably said, “Hey, why not make a lip balm flavor that people actually eat?”

And, well, here you go.

Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it, though.

The product comes in two signature flavors: Classic Pork and Spicy Chicken. Both flavors are specially formulated to meet beauty standards while satisfying sisig cravings.

Each swipe of these lip balms across your kissers contains a taste of either chicken or pork meat, caramelized onions, chicharon and Sisig Society’s very own secret sauce.

And it does a great job of moisturizing lips, too!

Here’s a wild idea: give your Significant Other a kiss while wearing this lip balm and see if the poor creature can figure out how the yummy taste of sisig came to be on your lips. Oh, and props to you if you time this prank near a mealtime so you can both go to Sisig Society to satisfy the sisig craving that’s sure to pop out.

(I see what you did there, Sisig Society…) 😉

Now, where to find a Sisig Society outlet…

East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Food Gallery, Third Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

Third Floor, Fisher Mall, Quezon Avenue, Del Monte, Quezon City

Calle Bistro, Ground Floor, Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth Avenue, Old Balara, Quezon City

Unit 12 The Fort Strip, 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Ground Floor, One World Square, McKinley Hill, Taguig

Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Marikina, Liwasang Kalayaan, Marikina Heights, Marikina City

Third Floor, Circuit Lane, Ayala Malls Circuit, Olympia, Makati

Ground Floor, Dela Rosa Carpark 2, Legaspi Village, Makati

Ground Floor, Fisher Mall, Navotas-Caloocan Junction, Longos, Malabon City

Winter is here with Johnnie Walker’s limited-edition GOT-inspired label

The Game of Thrones fever is in full swing with the last season set to premiere less than a month away.

Johnnie Walker, the world’s No. 1 whiskey, recently pulled out all the stops with its Game of Thrones-inspired Winter is Here event held at White Space Manila. Here, we die-hard GOT fans, togetger with whiskey enthusiasts, influencers and media guests were treated to an experiential journey through the different GOT-themed houses celebrating by Johnnie Walker whiskey labels.

Together with my coworkers from SKY, I was honored to take part in this exciting event as well.

Prior to entering the venue, we were treated to fingerfoods, fruits, cheeses, breads and meats, as well as sparkling pomegranate juice. This medieval-inspired dining experience was catered by Italian restaurant Cibo.

At the SKY booth, guests peered into a magic mirror to discover which denizen of Westeros is their spirit Game of Thrones character. (Apparently, mine was the Night King, brrr!)

At the stroke of eight, we were escorted inside the venue to make our way through the different houses of Johnnie Walker Whiskey labels.

House Red.

Driven by spice and fire, House Red was vibrant with heat and flame, especially the fiery scenery depicting Oldtown’s Citadel, punctuated by the exciting LED fire performances.

Here was celebrated the Johnnie Walker Red Label, the fruity, spicy and smokey blend that introduced the brand to the world. Today, it is one of the world’s best selling Scotch whiskey.

House Black.

Rising from the ashes from its test of fire was House Black. Cosplayer Alodia gracing the path through the Dark Forest of Ravens also set the mood for magic and mystery.

The iconic Johnnie Walker Black Label, with its bold and complex flavors of dark fruits, sweet vanilla and signature smokyness, was embodied by this house.

House Gold.

With the sun-kissed city of Dorne as a backdrop, House Gold was the seat of decadent luxury, where guests can touch the flavors of gold then show off their fabulousness at the glam photo booth hosted by Sam YG.

The luxuriously smooth Johnnie Walker Gold Label, with its delicate sweetness and rich flavor, was the drink given tribute to here.

House Blue.

Calling to mind the throne room in King’s Landing, guests were treated to the royal treatment by Tim Yap in House Blue where they can lord over everyone while seated on the throne.

Marked by the velvety combination of vanilla, honey, orange, hazelnut and dark chocolate, Johnnie Walker Blue Label was royally paid homage to here.

We gathered in front of the wall where warrior-dancers representing the various houses mock-battled culminating to the Breaking of the Wall.

House White.

With the fall of The Wall, we guests entered the Winter’s territory where took our drinks at the Ice Lounge and where we awaited the arrival of the Night King.

Inspired by the frosty and enigmatic inhabitants North of The Wall, the White Walker is Johnnie Walker’s limited edition variant launched late last year. It was served to guests directly from the freezer to bring out its best tastes and features along with other mixed drinks to further liven up the revelry. (And here’s a tip, when you freeze the bottle, the hidden message “Winter is here” appears in frosty lettering.)

The night’s revelries were hosted by Nico Bolzico (who gamely posed with us SKY folks), bolstered by the party music provided by Patty Tiu while scenes from the past and upcoming Game of Thrones seasons were flashed on the screen.

Winter is definitely here. And the fun has just begun.

The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones will premiere on April 15, 9am on HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD and 168 HD in Metro Manila).

Want to binge-watch the previous seasons? You’ll be happy to know that access to HBO GO is free until April 15. Here, you can watch all past episodes of HBO Original series on-demand as well as watch live telecasts of HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Hits and HBO Family wherever you are using your mobile device! HBO GO is available exclusively to SKYcable subscribers whose subscriptions include HBO. Click here for more details.

Photo Credit for group shots: Jay Redondo of SKY

Wine pairing class explores tasty combinations of wine and pizza

In vino, veritas.

In wine, there is truth.

Well, the truth is, I didn’t have much appreciation for wines. Similar to most Filipinos who reached adulthood without any exposure to wine culture, I have decided that wine just isn’t for me. What few sips I’ve had of the stuff were, for some reason, not pleasurable for me.

However, after joining a Food and Wine Pairing class organized by Wine Story Academy, I realized that maybe, similar to many things in life, I just haven’t found the right wine for me. Also, by partnering wine with one of my favorite kinds of food – pizza, supplied by Pasto Cafe and Bar – I was able to explore how the right combination of food and wine brings out the best in each other.

The class was held at the Wine Story outlet in EDSA Shangri-la Mall, an upscale retailer of fine and rare wines. Wine Story Academy’s Wine Education Manager Carla Santos guided our group through a set of five different wines to be tasted together with five different pizza flavors.

Basic Principles in Food and Wine Pairing

The conventional wisdom in food and wine pairing is to pair red wines with red meat and white wines with white meat. However, according to Carla, there are more factors to consider, not the least of which is your own preference.

To find the perfect food and wine pairing, we need to strike a balance among the following characteristics of the food served:

Weight. How heavy (or filling) does the food feel in your mouth? It is a good idea to pair a filling kind of food with a fuller-bodied kind of wine.

Intensity. How strong does are the food’s flavors? You would want to taste both the food and the wine’s flavors so take care that one does not overpower the other.

Flavor. The ingredients and method of cooking, as well as dips and sauces incorporated to the dish also contribute to the flavor of the food which needs to be considered.

In choosing the perfect wine for the dishes, one must consider the following wine profiles:

Sweetness. It is the first sensation – it may not necessarily be a sugary kind of sweetness but more of a fruity kind – as the wine hits the tip of your tongue. All but the very driest of wines will have some sensation of sweetness.

Acidity. This is what makes the wine crisp and refreshing. You will feel it as it makes your mouth water. A wine with too much acidity will be unpleasantly tart while one with too little will feel flabby or flat.

Tannin. This is the mouth-drying substance found in wine. Too much tannin will make the wine taste hard and bitter while too little will make it seem soft and innocuous as fruit juice.

The Tasting

The evening’s featured wines, curated by Wine Story Academy, include:

Tenuta Sant’Anna Goccia Pinot Grigio 2017 (Veneto, Italy; Php1,000). It smells of acacia flowers and exotic fruits. The taste is marked by a total absence of tannin, resulting to a fresh and floral flavor.

Sand Point Chardonnay 2015 (California, USA; Php1,300). Possesses an aroma with peach and pear notes. It is a soft wine with low acidity and fruity flavor.

Urban Riesling 2015 (Mosel, Germany; Php1,350). It has a clean, fresh and flinty bouquet and smells of tangerines. It is off-dry, with a crisp and semi-sweet taste.

The Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Pinotage 2018 (Stellenbosch, South Africa; Php1,050). Its aroma is one of blackberry and plums accented by hints of oak and mocha. It tastes ripe and juicy.

Cardinalices Rouge Grande Reserve 2015 (Rhone Valley, France; Php1,000). It has a fruity aroma with some spicy notes and marked by a strong and complex flavor.

Pizzas paired with the featured wines were provided by Pasto’s EDSA Shangri-la Mall branch and presented interesting flavors that we mixed and matched with the wine.

Vegetariano. This pizza is marked by the earthy smokey flavor of assorted roasted vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers and garlic. I find that the light and fresh Pinot Grigio works well with this pizza.

Napolitana. Sliced button mushrooms and savory achovies make this a strongly flavored pizza. For me, the Pinotage’s acidity stands up well to its saltiness.

Di Carne. This is an all-meat extravaganza with Italian sausage, smoked ham and pepperoni. The Cardinalices’ bold and strong flavors complement the meats in this pizza.

Gamberi Fritti. A crispy battered shrimp tops the artichoke salsa and lemon aioli in this pizza, with spicy chili flakes. The low alcohol and the refreshing acidity of the Riesling manages the heat from this spicy pizza.

Prosciutto Cotto. Caramelized onions added some sweetness to the pizza along with the earthy smoked ham, asparagus and mozzarella. The soft and fruity Chardonnay complements the pizza’s flavors.

Wine tasting tips

This food and wine pairing class is an eye-opener for me. Not only did it show me the versatility and variety of wines but it also helped grow my appreciation for how they can enrich the dining experience. For those who are planning to go to a similar wine tasting affair, here are some things to remember:

No brushing of teeth or smoking right before class. Tobacco and mint will affect your sense of taste.

Avoid wearing heavy scents such as perfume, cologne or scented hair spray. These will affect your sense of smell.

Hold the wine glass by the stem. This keeps fingerprints off the bowl (so you can see and appreciate the liquid in all its splendor) and prevents your hand from heating the wine.

Prior to tasting, take a sniff to get an initial impression of the wine’s aroma, then swirl for a bit to bring out some more of its scent. This will contribute to your fuller appreciation of the wine’s flavor.

Many thanks to Mike Lord Raymundo of the Pasto Group and Bar Craft Concepts for extending the invitation!

For more details about the wines and pizzas featured in this wine class, visit their respective social media sites:

Pasto Cafe and Bar on Facebook and Instagram

Wine Story Academy on Facebook and Instagram

To help develop the Filipino palate for wine, the Wine Story Academy offers the following classes next month:

April 6: Intro to Bordeaux (Php3,000 per person)
April 13: Wine 101 (Php2,000 per person) and Sushi and Wine Pairing (Php2,500 per person)

Say hello to a great summer with Ombu Kusina’s Flavored Ice Halo-Halo

Summers are for great times with great food, and spent with great friends.

Together with my fellow foodies, I experienced what certainly seems to be the start of a great summer.

In a recent Foodie Event hosted by Ombu Kusina, it launched its newest and coolest offerings: three new scrumptious halo-halo flavors!

The halo-halo is a favorite Pinoy dessert made of crushed ice, evaporated milk and other sweet ingredients such as nata de coco, beans and coconut strips, served layered on top of each other, but then mixed together so that each spoonful is a mixture of sweet ingredients and the crushed ice. Ombu does its own take on this classic icy treat, with three flavors, available only during the summer, at only Php160 each. These include:

Milk Tea. The milk tea craze has surely hit the country and how! Now this exotic drink which originated from Taiwan flavors the Pinoy halo-halo through the use of brewed Earl Grey black tea.

Mango. Fresh ripe mango are pureed, mixed with milk then frozen to create mango-flavored crushed ice, served with the usual halo-halo ingredients and toppped with succulent mango cubes.

Tres Leches. As the name implies, the crushed ice is flavored with three kinds of milk and topped with creamy leche flan. This is my favorite among the new halo-halo variants.

Ombu’s Chef Griffin Oraiz explained that what sets Ombu’s halo-halo treats apart from similar offerings from other restaurants is the use of flavored ice: the flavors are infused into the ice, resulting to a more intense taste and creamier mouthfeel.

Ombu also showcased some its signature dishes which are well-suited for the summer, such as:

Suzi Wong Sandwich (Php270). A three-layered sandwich made of ham, cheese and pickles between four slices of butter-toasted crusted bread and served with house-made deep-fried purple camote chips.

Tinapa Croquettes (Php240). Tinapa (smoked milkfish) is combined with a creamy bechamel sauce and sauteed onions, then coated with breadcrumbs, deep-fried to a crisp golden brown and served with a house-blend special garlic mayo dip.

Three-Cheese Pizza (Php420). Mozzarella and cheddar cheeses are combined with the local kesong puti, a home-grown cheese made of carabao’s milk, on top of a crisp oven-baked pizza crust.

Tokwa’t Baboy (Php260). Tokwa (tofu) are cut into cubes, fried and served with hearty pork chunks in a house-blended spicy soy vinegar sauce. This is actually a great complement and a traditional companion to the next dish which is the…

Arroz Caldo (Php130). The traditional Pinoy version of rice porridge with chicken pieces, it is highlighted by the use of cured, soft-boiled “ramen-style” eggs that adds a different dimension of flavor to the Pinoy merienda staple.

These dishes and the seasonal halo-halo flavors all adhere to Ombu Kusina’s modern take on Filipino cuisine: infusing classic Pinoy dishes with new and exciting cooking styles and influences. These help to make Pinoy cuisine fresher and more relevant to a growing number of foodies, who are looking for their next food adventure.

And if that isn’t reason enough for you to hie on over to Ombu for a taste of its innovative and flavorful dishes, how about this: use my code – VIPBeingJellybeans – when you dine in and get 10% off your food bill!

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Say hello to a gastronomically fantastic summer with @ombu_resto’s refreshing halo-halo blends (milk tea, tres leches and mango) and their new merienda menu. Plus!!! Use my code VIPBeingJellybeans when you dine in until May 11 and get 10% off your food bill! Thanks for this summer treat, Ombu! . . . . . #foodieph #foodph #pinoyfoodie #yummyph #foodiegram #foodgasm #whattoeatph #saansaph #welovetoeatph #foodbloggerph #manilaeatup #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Mar 16, 2019 at 6:39am PDT

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Ombu Kusina is located at the Ground Floor, Sequioa Hotel, Mother Ignacia corner Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 6.30am to 10.30am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 441179.

Read my review of a previous visit to Ombu Kusina here.

Charles & Keith partners with local brand Woven to benefit local women weavers

Did you know that international fashion brand CHARLES & KEITH recently released a capsule collection of Pinoy-made hand-woven products? Through its collaboration with Woven, a Philippine-based social enterprise, it produced a special capsule collection inspired by the theme “Empowering Women of Tomorrow.” This collection consists of four unique products – a tote bag, a circle top handle bag, a clutch and a pouch – all made of banig, dried grass and dyed palm leaves that are handwoven by skilled artisans based in Basey, Samar. For every product sold from the collection, 20% of the net sales would be donated to the weavers of Woven.

This partnership is part of a movement to provide women with vital skills to better their lives and give them a voice in their communities. Through this partnership, CHARLES & KEITH is continuing its efforts to achieve the vision of a world that is free from gender discrimination, inequality and violence. Woven, on the other hand, will be able to continue providing skills and leadership training to the women in the hopes of inspiring the next generation of young women to continue the craft.

Trish Lim, co-founder and CEO of Woven, sees the partnership as a way for local women to be able to carry on the tradition of weaving in their communities.

“It’s wonderful to see women use their talents, skills and knowledge to create opportunities for other women and make their lives better.” she shares.

The partnership also enables Woven’s weavers to feel empowered from having a sustainable source of livelihood that allows them provide three meals a day and education for their children.

The CHARLES & KEITH capsule collection for International Women’s Day 2019 has been available on CHARLESKEITH.COM—excluding the UK, EU and Japan markets since March 7.

About CHARLES & KEITH
Fashion entrepreneurs, Charles & Keith Wong founded CHARLES & KEITH in 1996 upon identifying the potential of footwear designs catered for eastern women. CHARLES & KEITH is the go-to fashion destination for stylish urbanites, recognized for its desirable fashion and curated collections of relevant designs. With women as the central focus, the brand has developed a full-fledged line of footwear, bags, eyewear, accessories and costume jewelry. Pushing forward four brand values: Experimental, Desirable, Curated and Modernity, the brand aims to celebrate women and inspire fashion and beauty every day. CHARLES & KEITH extends beyond brick-and-mortar with online shopping CHARLESKEITH.COM, making the brand available through the United States of America, Asia Pacific and Europe.

About WOVEN
As a social enterprise that aims to uplift the lives of artisans in the Philippines, Woven strives to work directly with crafts communities to create products that bring value to their work, their lives, and cultural traditions. It started in the town of Basey, Samar after it was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. While doing research and area development plans there, the founders came upon the banig weavers who created beautiful mats made from tikog and buri. With the help of various NGOs, the enterprise organized the artisans into community craft associations, maneuvered an increase in the industry price of banigs, and raised individual incomes by more than double. Ultimately, Woven aims to craft better opportunities for empowered craftsmen and women, for their families, and for the next weaving generations. www.wovenph.com.

Details and images provided by Woven in a recent press release.