Gel Jose

Re-experiencing authentic Korean dining at Ye Dang, Ugong

Way back in the mid 2000s, before the Korean BBQ craze gained the prominence it enjoys today, there have already been several restaurants that offer authentic Korean dishes in the Ortigas area.

One of these restaurants is Ye Dang. Located along Meralco Avenue, it has been the destination of Korean food lovers as well as local Korean residents for the past fourteen years.

Recently, Ye Dang has come under new management which led to the restaurant’s revamped interiors and a revitalized menu.

In contrast to the the plethora of Korean eateries offering all-you-can-eat meats that patrons themselves cook on table-top grills, Ye Dang opted to offer premium meats that are ordered ala carte which the servers expertly grill for the diners.

Together with my fellow foodies, I visited this Korean resto to #ExperienceYeDang once again.

Appetizers.

No visit to a Korean eatery is complete without banchan, and Ye Dang has them a-plenty. Unlimited, in fact.

Yes, you can have your side dishes refilled as many times as you want. So if you have a predilection for kimchi, steamed, fried or stir-fried vegetables, or peanuts and marble potatoes flavored with soy sauce, go ahead and eat your fill.

Main Dishes.

Over the years, Ye Dang has perfected its dishes, serving up freshly cooked viands that have that authentic Korean flavor.

Soondubu Chigae (Php330). Spicy soft tofu-based soup served in a hotpot.

Dolsot Bibimbap (Php330). Freshly cooked rice topped with namul (various sauteed and seasoned vegetables), gochujang (chili pepper paste), deonjang (fermented soybean paste), sliced beef and egg and served in a hotpot. When all mixed together and allowed to form some toasted portions at the bottom of the pot, it goes so well with many Korean dishes.

Pajeon (Php380). This savory Korean-style pancake is made with a batter of eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, scallions. Ground beef or seafood is added for variety.

Jap Chae (Php380). Korean stir-fried noodle dish made with dangmyeon (glass noodles made from sweet potato starch), assorted sauteed vegetables, meat and mushroom and season with soy sauce and seseme oil.

Tteokbokki (Php380). A spicy dish made with small garae-tteok (cylindrical rice cakes), eomuk (fish cakes), boiled eggs and scallions and seasoned with spicy gochujang.

Godungeo (Php500). A new addition to the menu, this dish is made with a whole mackerel, sliced in half, salted and grilled for a smoky flavor.

Grilled Meats.

The stars of the show in Ye Dang are its premium meats which are served and grilled at your table by the staff.

Usamgyeopsal (Php430). 180g of thin-cut beef belly.

Donsamgyupsal (Php380). 180g of thin-cut pork belly.

Dak Galbi (Php330). 200g of chicken barbecue.

Going back to Ye Dang and re-experiencing these familiar flavors in a revamped setting sure is heartening for a Korean food lover like me.

I’m very glad to see one of my old favorite haunts revitalized and ready to serve the ever-growing number of Korean food fans.

Thanks to Dong Woo Shin and the staff of Ye Dang for the wonderful meal and the warm welcome!

Ye Dang is located in the Gold Park Complex, 88 Meralco Avenue, Barang Ugong, Pasig City, open daily from 11am to 2.15pm and 5.30pm to 10.15pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86319086.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. The food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

dōTERRA® Opens Corporate Office and Celebrates Grand Opening in The Philippines

dōTERRA®, the world leader in essential oils, is celebrating its global expansion with the grand opening of a new corporate office and locally registered product in the Philippines. The office provides a convenient location where thousands of local Wellness Advocates, together with a growing customer base, can come to learn about and purchase dōTERRA’s pure, potent, and sustainable essential oils.

“This is a great day for dōTERRA and the growing number of dōTERRA Wellness Advocates and customers whose demand for our products were critical in our expansion into the Philippines,” said Greg Cook, Founding Executive. “We are excited about the potential of our Southeast Asia business, and the opportunity to share our pure essential oils with more consumers and increase awareness of our sustainable sourcing with another global community. Our presence in the Philippines further solidifies our position as the largest essential oil company in the world.”

“Opening an office and building a support team in the Philippines is a small, yet significant way for us to support our Filipino Wellness Advocates and customers, and demonstrate our commitment to building a successful business in the region,” said Johnathan Kunz, dōTERRA Vice President of Asia Pacific Markets. “Serving the thousands of loyal dōTERRA customers just got easier, and we appreciate everyone that has had a hand in making this office possible.”

dōTERRA previously announced that Micheal Carson will serve as General Manager for the Philippines. Carson is an experienced industry leader who also helped open China for dōTERRA in 2014.

About dōTERRA®

dōTERRA® is an integrative health and wellness company and the world leader in the Global Aromatherapy and Essential Oils market. dōTERRA sources, tests, manufactures and distributes CPTG® essential oils and essential oil products to over eight million dōTERRA Wellness Advocates and customers. Through industry leading responsible sourcing practices, dōTERRA maintains the highest levels of quality, purity and sustainability in partnership with local growers around the world through Cō-Impact Sourcing. The dōTERRA Healing Hands™ offers resources and tools to global sourcing communities and charitable organizations for self-reliance, healthcare, education, sanitation, and the fight against human trafficking. Through the life-enhancing benefits of essential oils, dōTERRA is changing the world one drop, one person, one community at a time.

To learn more, visit its website.

Jack Daniel’s lights Holiday Barrel Tree in the Philippines for the third time

Jack Daniel’s celebrates the Holidays by sharing the special Lynchburg tradition of putting JD Holiday Barrel Tree on key locations in cities and towns all over the globe.

The world’s number one whiskey brings Yuletide cheers in the Philippines with a tree lighting event happening on November 13, 2019 at C1 Park, 5th Avenue, High Street Central Square, Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Sticking to the long-standing tradition of spreading festive warmth to family and friends across multiple generations, Jack Daniel’s has repurposed its own whiskey barrel to create a symbolic structure that champions the top whiskey brand’s sole message of “it’s not what’s under the tree that matters. It’s who’s around it.”

It’s the third time that the award-winning distillery is putting up the iconic Holiday Barrel Tree in the Philippines. The highly anticipated global tradition debuted in 2014 in two Metro Manila venues: Fuente Circle in Eastwood City and at The Fort Plaza in Bonifacio Global City. The tree lighting celebration found a new home in C1 Park in 2019, coinciding with the launch of its first ever pop-up bar in the Philippines, the Jack Daniel’s Bar No. 7.

This year, Jack Daniel’s is building a newly designed Holiday tree made from repurposed and deconstructed whiskey barrel. The distinctly classic design is tailored specifically for C1 Park, showcasing a formidable but effortlessly beautiful Christmas structure with detailed craftsmanship.

This special Holiday run also gives guests a festive experience via Jack Daniel’s Bar No. 7, the Jack Daniel’s pop-up bar, which features special JD Holiday cocktails including the JD Holiday Highball.

Jack Daniel’s is also set to give a taste of the Holiday spirit in the Northern region as it mounts another Holiday Barrel Tree at Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay in Baguio City on November 29, Friday until January 5, 2020.

JD Holiday Promo

Swing by and experience a JD yakitori feast like no other starting November 16, 2019 and for the entire month of December at the Jack Daniel’s Bar No. 7 in Bonifacio Global City.

For a limited time, you can try Nanbantei of Tokyo’s yakitori sampler with the special JD sauce, paired perfectly with four (4) or two (2) Jack Daniel’s Holiday Highball drinks in an irresistible value deal for both solo and group orders.

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Brown Forman Corporation is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Gold No. 27, and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

For 18+ y.o. Gather merrily. Drink Responsibly.

Event information and images provided in a recent press release.

ASUL: Reviving the Blue in Pasig River Through Music

To make Pasig River blue again, waters clear enough to reflect the blue skies above it—this is the vision that led NCCA, PRRC, and PETA to come together and create Taga-Alog 2019, a campaign that aims to voice awareness on environmental issues through the use of the arts. Taga-Alog, literally shakers, is inspired by the old Tagalog term for “people from the ford.” With this, the campaign wants to build a community of River Warriors—ambassadors who share the campaign’s values of environmental awareness and responsibility for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

After a series of efforts and activities throughout the year, Taga-Alog concludes with ASUL: The Taga-Alog 2019 Grand Concert held on November 9, 2019 at Rizal High School, Pasig City. Together with 4000 passionate people who gathered to support the event, the culminating concert hosted by Pepe Herrera and Yesh Burce celebrated the fruits of its cause through a night of music and commitment.

ASUL: The Taga-Alog 2019 Grand Concert was made possible through the support of the local government of Pasig City. “Hindi lang ito tungkol sa kasiyahan, kung hindi sa pag-raise ng awareness sa Ilog Pasig,” Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said in his opening remarks.

Advocating through the arts

Among the main highlights of the event was the awarding of the winning entries from the various capacity-building activities for different artistic channels that Taga-Alog and its stakeholders had hosted.

Wisik Short Film Making Workshop awarded the first place to “Kung Hindi Ikaw” by Royce Divine Oficial, Jessie Stephen Guevara, and Misty Shane Eneria for Public Service Announcement Category. Coming in on second place was “Hatol” by Kristel Joyce Micael and Marjorie Marciano, and on third place was “Eco Basura” by Jhon Rheymel Lunes, Queenie Valdoz, Sandra Aguzar, Joseph Aquino, and Shiela Marie Salas.

“Himlayan” by Godwin Emmanuel and Benj L. Solania tops the competition’s Creative Category. “Obra” by Mary Franz D.R. Salazar, Emman Olasiman, Janaya Danielle Parungao, Ervin Miranda, and Sofia Chantal Perez won 2nd place while Geoffrey Jules N. Solidum and Christine Jane B. Almira’s “Tinig Ni Pasig” placed third.

Gian Lorenz M. Violago’s “Pinta” won the Audience Choice Award.

TampisAwit PhilPop Song Writing Competition 1st placer Suzanne Q. Samson showcased her musical masterpiece “Ilog Pasig Laban” live on stage with a powerful performance that was arranged by veteran songwriter Jungee Marcelo.

“Bangon, Ilog” written by Gaerard Allen de Leon and Rica Jane U. Francisco and “Kayang Kaya” by Randy Quisora Pusing won 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

The piece “Patuloy” by Paul Arcega was hailed Maynilad Audience Choice Winner.

For the literary arts, Khamille Anne Linsag of Davao City bagged the first place for Lagaslas Children Story Writing Workshop Competition with her story “Budi.”

The winners received special Ipo trophies from Maynilad.

United with Music

True to the campaign’s advocacy of utilizing arts as platform of promoting environmental awareness, everyone’s commitment and oneness was strengthened as different performers light up the night with their melodies.

Taga-Alog ambassadors Noel Cabangon, Aicelle Santos, and Ben&Ben shared their talents through songs that went right through the hearts of the listeners. Other performers who supported the cause, including Gloc-9, KE, Talahib People’s Band, Pasig City Band, and singers and dancers from PETA, also made the musical moment special.

Everyone is a River Warrior

Everyone stood up and raised their right hand as Taga-Alog’s Project Director Mr. Raul Alfonso lead the oath taking of the River Warriors. Within the commitment setting is the enumeration of Taga-Alog’s signature campaign—the 6Rs of caring for the environment: refuse, reuse, reduce, recycle, respect the environment, and rehabilitation through the arts.

Ambassadors Noel Cabangon and Aicelle Santos also shared some ways everyone can do to help on the Pasig River’s rehabilitation. One of which is minimizing the consumption of single-use plastics by bringing one’s own utensils and tumblers especially when going out. The ambassadors also encouraged everyone to speak up and step forward if they witness activities that can harm the environment.

“Dapat lahat tayo, maging ambassador. Lahat tayo magpamulat sa bawat isa at magtulung-tulong para sa rehabilitasyon ng Pasig River at kapaligiran natin sa kabuuan,” Taga-Alog’s ambassadress Aicelle Santos said.

Taga-Alog believes that the Pasig River is very alive, and with the 6Rs, it will someday be that same old beautiful river across the metro where children can swim and fish can live in.

“May ningning na, mayroon nang sigla, may mga parte na na malinis, at tuluy-tuloy naman ang rehabilitasyon. Bilang isang ambassador, nais ko pong ipamahagi sa mga tao na mayroon po talagang pag-asa ang Ilog Pasig,” Noel Cabangon assures everyone.

With timeless platforms such as the arts, Taga-Alog’s advocacy not only breathes life to the revival of the Pasig River, but also inspires many Filipinos to stand as one in conserving the beauty of our natural resources.

For more information, visit the Taga-alog official Facebook page or email nccatagaalog@gmail.com.

Event details and images provided in a recent press release.

Japanese-influenced Latin flavors at Nanka Japanese Steakhouse, Paligsahan

Did you know that Japanese culture has a profound influence in South America? Currently, Brazil has the largest population of Japanese immigrants while Peru has the second largest. This mixing of people and backgrounds surely produce wondrous variety in culture and society, especially in the food.

That came into play when my foodie friends and I recently visited Nanka Japanese Steakhouse. Located at the nook of Mother Ignacia and Chino Roces Avenues in Quezon City, the place has an elegant yet homey vibe, a welcome respite from my workday’s stresses. It is a perfect place for intimate date nights, chill barkada get-togethers or quiet family dinners.

Nanka’s executive chef Michael Santos takes pride in the work his team (which includes executive sous chef Rogel Rogel Pagtalunan, executive pastry chef Joel Gonzales and chef de cuisine Kenneth Afable) does in accentuating the natural flavors of food, made with the finest locally and internationally sourced ingredients. These include Black Onyx Angus and WagyuX steaks and tuna flown in from GenSan twice a week.

“I like clean flavors,” shares Chef Mike. “I like to emphasize the protein. I was taught to give respect to the animal being served and I feel the best way to do that is to not lose its soul – its flavor.”

My foodie friends and I were able to sample an excellent selection of Chef Mike’s recommendations from Nanka’s recently re-launched menu, which included:

Oysters Hollandaise (Php365 for 6 pieces). Large oysters from Aklan covered in a rich sauce made with egg, butter and lemon, then broiled until the top is starting to brown.

Deep-fried Oysters (Php375 for 8 pieces). Oyster meat lightly dredged and battered, then deep-fried to a golden brown.

Grilled Ahi Tuna (Php355). Yellowfin tuna, also known by its Hawaiian moniker ahi, is well-suited for raw sashimi dishes and for grilling. In this dish, it is served seared rare to bring out its natural flavor while adding some smokiness from the grilling and further enhanced by a dash of togarashi powder.

Grilled Togarashi Shrimp (Php495 for 9 pieces). Fresh shrimp perfectly grilled and spiced with sichimi togarashi, a Japanese powder flavoring made with seven ingredients which include red chili pepper,
orange peel, sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, ginger and seaweed.

Garlic Crabs (market price). Two giant crabs cooked in butter and garlic. Digging into this was one of the highlights of the meal.

Prawn Garlic Noodles (Php375). Plump and fresh prawns sauteed in garlic and tossed together with al dente noodles.

Black Onyx T-bone (Php520 per 100grams) and Black Onyx Tomahawk (Php495 per 100grams). Black Onyx is a well-known Australian brand of Black Angus beef noted for its ruch flavor, juicy tenderness and fine marbling. True to his philosophy of letting the meat’s natural flavors shine through, Chef Mike and his team seared the steaks in a cast iton grill then finished cooking them to a medium doneness in the oven. These were served with togarashi salt, wasabi sea salt, housemade demiglasse, chipotle miso and chimichurri so that diners can season or add sauce to taste.

Japanese Green Tea Mousse (Php215). A delectable dessert made with layers of matcha sponge, matcha pudding and matcha whipped cream icing.

Chocolate Ganache Mountee (Php245). A play of different ways to enjoy chocolate and matcha; a matcha bowl on top of a chocolate bowl with ganache in between, all on a bed of red velvet crumbs.

With these dishes, it is plain to see the sheer mastery and craftsmanship of Chef Mike and his team. Each dish, made of the choicest ingredients, beautifully presented and carefully crafted to enhance its natural flavors, show that the fusion of flavors between Japanese and Latin cuisines are well worth exploring.

Many thanks to Chef Mike and the staff of Nanka for the warm welcome and the wonderful meal!

Nanka is located at 1810 Mother Ignacia corner Chino Roces Avenue, Paligsahan, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 85179677, +63 977 6218472, or +63 917 6734917.

Jim Beam Is Back On High Gear!

Jim Beam is set to conquer Eastwood City with new flavors for the ultimate highball on tap and its iconic Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar!

The iconic Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar will return on November 12-16 at Eastwood Central Plaza offering an even fresher experience served through the signature highball draft machines from Japan.

Building up from its first introduction earlier this year, the second iteration of the Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar will feature all-new highballs that were inspired by local flavors and designed specifically for the Filipino palate:

Yuzu and Lemongrass Highball. Tangy yuzu paired with the complexity of shiso makes merry match perfect for all palates.

Calamansi and Pandan Highball. Calamansi and pandan leaves come together in a highball that’s extremely refreshing, delightfully tart, and very local.

Pineapple and Basil Highball. This sweet tropical tipple is the closest thing to laying on the beach under swaying palm trees.

Mango Spice Highball. A burst of bright tropical mango mixed with hints of spice, this highball’s mix of bitter and sweet will brighten up the night.

You’ll also see the return of familiar flavors that were available during last year’s pop-up bar in BGC like the Lychee and of course, the Signature Classic Highball.

JIM BEAM HIGHBALL ON HIGH GEAR

The Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar at Eastwood City will also feature even more live musical performances by some of the country’s iconic OPM artists such as Ebe Dancel, The Juans, Clara Benin, Better Days and The Vowels they Orbit.

In between listening to these sweet tunes and drinking the freshest highballs, you can also enjoy new games with your friends like the Highball Pong or the Jim Beam Highball Claw Machine! The sought after Make Your Jim Beam Highball booth will be there to give you more reason to enjoy the signature highball. With each purchase of a Highball, you’ll be granted a free chip to play these games and a chance to win some awesome Jim Beam Highball merch and other prizes!

“We’re so excited to bring back the Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up bar to the lively city that is Manila! Our new flavors are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more,” said Rayern Goh, Senior Brand Manager at Jim Beam. “Jim Beam Highball is an excellent drink that’s perfectly well-balanced, refreshing, and pairs superbly with so many dishes. We can’t wait to share this with you!”

See you at the Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar at Eastwood Central Plaza from Tuesday to Saturday, November 12-16! The bar will be open from 6pm to 12mn.

ABOUT JIM BEAM

Founded in 1795, Jim Beam is the world’s No. 1 bourbon and has been operated by one family for seven generations. 220 years of experience goes into every bottle, along with corn, rye, malted barley, water, time, pride, and of course, true passion! Jim Beam White is the cornerstone of the Jim Beam bourbon portfolio, and it derives its rich, satisfying flavour from a treasured family recipe where every drop is aged in charred oak barrels. It boasts an oaky vanilla aroma with a medium-bodied flavour with hints of vanilla and caramel.

Jim Beam is best served in a Jim Beam Highball, a tall cocktail of Jim Beam Bourbon over ice, topped with soda, and finished with a squeeze of citrus! This concoction is the ultimate drink for our tropical climate – it is without equal as a noon-time tipple, an after-work refresher or a weekend party-starter!

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY INC.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamsuntory.com and http://www.drinksmart.com.

Issued for and on behalf of Beam Suntory Asia Pte Ltd.

Check out Jim Beam Highball on Facebook and Instagram for updates!

Take advantage of Blims’ Holiday Sale to upgrade your home furniture in time for the holidays

After the holidays come the new year which brings opportunities for a fresh start.

Why not start fresh at home by updating and upgrading your furniture at home?

Are the kids outgrowing their beds? Do you need new cabinets to house your accumulating stuff? How about a new set of table and chairs for the dining room?

Take your pick from BLIMS’ latest and most elegant furniture collections. Take advantage of its Holiday Sale and enjoy up to 50% off on selected items from November 8 to December 31 as well as its 6 months installment at 0% interest and Buy Now, Pay in 2020 on selected major credit cards.

At BLIMS, you can find a complete variety of furniture, which are categorized as:

Living Space – take your pick from an wide collection of sofas and dining sets.
Sleepshop – BLIMS is equipped with a wide array of bed frames and mattresses that will give you quiet serenity and peaceful slumber,
Recliners & Loungers – indulge yourself and bring home a seat you can just sink into.
Office World – find the items that allow you to take charge.

Check out BLIMS’ website, Facebook Page or visit any of its 19 showrooms nationwide to see which pieces are perfect for your home.

Kids rule on SKYcable

Kids of all ages won’t run out of fun shows to catch with the vast variety of kids channels on SKYcable. From cartoons, to fun learning activities and top-notch animated series, kids will surely find something to love.

Catch Cartoon Network HD’s (CH 178, Metro Manila; CH 731, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and GenSan) old and new cartoon series and movies from Ben10, Powerpuff Girls, and The Amazing World of Gumball to new shows like “Steven Universe,” the first animated series created by a woman, every Thursday.

Boomerang channel (CH 42, Metro Manila; CH 112, Cebu, Davao and Baguio), meanwhile, offers Tom and Jerry Show, Mr. Bean: The Animated Series and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It’s a safe entertainment space where parents and kids can watch shows together. Catch Be Cool Scooby Doo and the gang ‘s zany misadventures everyday.

On Nickelodeon (CH 45, Metro Manila; CH 105, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and GenSan) catch the most-watched, top-rated shows, from the ever funny SpongeBob SquarePants to JoJo’s Follow Your D.R.E.A.M. and Henry Danger bring non-stop enjoyment the old and young. On weekdays, kids can follow Ryder, together with five other rescue dogs as they work as one to help their community, in Nickelodeon’s “Paw Patrol.”

The world’s top wildlife filmmakers and renowned early childhood experts come together to bring ZooMoo’s (CH 120, Metro Manila) shows designed for learning for young kids. Here, viewers have a choice between shows that anchored on the themes “explore time, create time, play time, puzzle time and quiet time.” Each Tuesday noon, viewers can join the Teddies, Dom, Meeks, Tizzy and Sparky in Teddyworld where they play games, solve puzzles, and sing songs.

Disney Channel (CH 47 SD | CH 250 HD, Metro Manila; CH 101 SD | CH 732 HD Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and GenSan) brings with it nothing less than Disney’s fun-filled line up of quality shows. This month, Disney Channel airs Frozen Specials bringing back the most loved “Frozen” characters in time before the Christmas season starts . These include “Frozen Fever” on Nov. 10, “Frozen” on Nov. 17, and The Story of Frozen on Nov. 24.

SKYcable subscribers may choose to add Baby TV, ZooMoo, Miao Mi, Da Vinci Kids, and Boomerang on their cable TV line-up for only P20/month and Cartoon Network HD, Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon for P50/month by signing up at mysky.com.ph/addchannels. Existing subscribers of selected SKYcable plans may already enjoy Disney Channel’s exciting programs as part of their channel lineup.

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now for as low as P299/month! For more details, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and video provided 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.

HBO Asia Original INVISIBLE STORIES To Premiere 5 January 2020

HBO Asia’s newest Asia Original, INVISIBLE STORIES shines light into dark corners and tells untold stories from the heartlands in a fictional neighbourhood housing estate in multi-cultural Singapore. Filmed entirely on location in Singapore, the six-episode half-hour drama series premieres 5 January at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO.

Each episode follows one resident as he or she navigates through everyday life and its challenges. These stories include the ups and downs of a mother and her autistic son; a taxi driver by day and a spiritual medium by night; and a banker who is a father and husband who harbours a secret that comes to life late at night.

INVISIBLE STORIES also showcases Singapore’s inclusive multi-cultural identity with a regional cast from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. Golden Horse Award winner Yeo Yann Yann (‘Wet Season’ and ‘ILO ILO’) and Taiwanese newcomer Devin Pan appear in the first episode. Veteran Singapore actor Wang Yu Qing (‘Hello From The Other Side’ and ‘Reach For The Skies’) plays the taxi driver in the second episode.

Other cast members include Thai actress and model Suchada Muller (‘Insect In The Backyard’ and ‘The Last Executioner’), Malaysian actor and director Gavin Yap (‘The Bridge’ and ‘Lion Mums 3’), Bangladeshi actor Sudip Biswas (‘Sutopar Thikana’ and ‘Café 999’), Indonesian actress Sekar Sari (‘SITI’). Cast from Singapore include Regina Lim (‘Not So Long Time Ago’, ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’), Aden Tan (‘Lion Mums’ and ‘Ah Boys To Men 3’) and Sunny Pang (‘Code Of Law’ and ‘Fly By Night’) as well as Singapore based actress Rosalind Pho (HBO Asia Original ‘Sent’, ‘Tanglin’).

Tunes from Singaporean singer-songwriter Leslie Low accompany the screenplay, and Leslie guest stars as a busker as well. Leslie was the former frontman of popular indie band Humpback Oak and previously fronted one of Singapore’s greatest musical efforts, The Observatory. Melancholic and reflective in nature, his songs are usually inspired by the personal, subjective, and introverted mindset of living in Singapore.

WORLD PREMIERE AT LEADING FILM FESTIVALS

The first episode, INVISIBLE STORIES: LIAN, will make its world premiere at the 2019 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival on 16 November, while the first two episodes, INVISIBLE STORIES: LIAN and INVISIBLE STORIES: CHUAN, have been selected by the Singapore International Film Festival to be presented on 28 November.

EPISODE SYNOPSIS

Episode 1 – INVISIBLE STORIES: LIAN
Premieres: Sunday, 5 January at 10pm
Lian is the story of a burnt out and financially-drained single mother struggling to cope with her 19-year-old son with autism, who displays aggressive behaviours during meltdowns following the sudden death of his grandmother, who was his main caregiver.
Cast: Yeo Yann Yann, Devin Pan

Episode 2 – INVISIBLE STORIES: CHUAN
Premieres: Sunday, 12 January at 10pm
Chuan is a taxi driver by day and “tangki” (spiritual medium) by night. He finds his sanity in peril when a malicious ghost begins to haunt him, pushing him down a path of self-destruction in search of the truth.
Cast: Wang Yu Qing, Aden Tan

Episode 3 – INVISIBLE STORIES: JUNE
Premieres: Sunday, 19 January at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
A tale of friendship between three sex workers operating a brothel out of a flat.
Cast: Suchada Muller, Sunny Pang

Episode 4 – INVISIBLE STORIES: KEAGAN
Premieres: Sunday, 26 January at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
A successful banker with a secret alter ego rebels against the life he leads and embarks on a journey of self-discovery that puts everything he has built at risk – his job, his family, his whole life.
Cast: Gavin Yap, Rosalind Pho

Episode 5 – INVISIBLE STORIES: SAYEED
Premieres: Sunday, 2 February at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
A bittersweet love story between a foreign construction worker and a foreign domestic worker that challenges the conventional notions of migrant workers.
Cast: Sudip Biswas, Sekar Sari

Episode 6 – INVISIBLE STORIES: NEXTBLKGRL
Premieres: Sunday, 9 February at 10pm on HBO GO and HBO
An aspiring teenage influencer from a broken family seeks to change her life by diving into the spurious world of social media, only to find her own reality falling apart at the seams.
Cast: Regina Lim

INVISIBLE STORIES is created by Singaporean Ler Jiyuan with a team of local writers and produced by Singapore-based production house Birdmandog. The series is produced as part of a two-year partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore. Through a series of workshops and collaborations with local companies and talent on HBO Asia Original productions, the partnership aims to develop the content production capabilities of Singapore’s media industry.

HBO Asia started producing Original productions in 2012 and has produced a range of Asian Original productions including series, movies and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced and aired 19 Asian Original productions with more in the pipeline.

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. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

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

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Affordable taste of Singapore at Hainanese Delights, Robinsons Galleria

A few years ago, back when I was at the early stage of my career, the company I worked for held offices at the basement of Robinsons Galleria Mall in Ortigas Center.

There are many advantages to having one’s office inside a mall, not the least of which is the sheer variety of dining options for me and my officemates come lunchtime; the only limit, apparently, is our budget.

Fortunately, the mall then has a lot to offer when it comes to pocket-friendly eats. One of them is Hainanese Delights.

Aside from its affordable offers, this resto is also memorable for introducing me to Hainanese Chicken Rice.

This dish, though rooted in China’s Wenchang Chicken, has been well and truly adopted by Singapore such that it is considered the country’s national dish. The dish is traditionally prepared by poaching a whole chicken at sub-boiling temperatures, with some of the resulting stock combined with ginger, garlic and other aromatics used to cook the accompanying rice, producing a yellowish, flavorful and oily rice. It is usually served with three dipping sauces: a spicy red chili sauce, a dark soy sauce, and freshly ground ginger.

At just a little over Php100 with unli rice, Hainanese Delights’ Hainanese Chicken Rice was a tasty, filling and affordable lunch treat for me and my officemates back then.

Fast-forward to today: Hainanese Delights’ Robinsons Galleria branch has moved from its previous spot to a more spacious location in the mall’s foodie mecca, Eat Street. Aside from more tables and chairs to cater to its still-growing clientele, the place has more stylish interiors and even a window to the kitchen where guests can take peek into how their favorite dishes are prepared.

Recently, my foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and I visited this reataurant for a taste of old faves and new flavors, which included:

Rice Dishes

Hainanese Delights (Php169). The resto’s best-selling white chicken dish

Hainan Fried Chicken (Php169). Prepared similar to the white chicken but fried to have that flavorful and crispy skin.

Chicken Heaven (Php169). The resto’s version of Barbecue Chicken.

Hot Chick (Php169). Barbecue Chicken made spicy.

Pork Passionate (Php169). Breaded porkchop fried to a crispy golden brown.

Hainan Fish Fillet (Php169). Steamed fillets of cream dory topped with minced garlic.

All rice dishes come with unlimited Hainan rice.

Php99 Meals.

Fish and Eggplant. Rice meal that comes with free soup.

Char Beehoon. Served with Mantao bread.

Entrees.

Surf and Turf Bits (Php169). Steamed shrimp and pork dumplings.

Noodles.

Singapore Staple (Php169). Hearty noodle dish served with broth on the side and Hainanese White Chicken.

Drinks.

Coffee with Mantao Bread (Php45). Add Php20 for unli coffee refill.

Houseblend Drinks (Php65 each). Comes in Peach Tea and Ginger Lemon Tea flavors.

Milo Godzilla (Php90). A chocolatey dessert drink.

It was a fun and filling experience to rediscover one of old favorite haunts in Robinsons Galleria. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Thanks to the management and staff of Hainanese Delights for the feast and to Harvard of Always Hungry PH for extending the invitation.

This Hainanese Delights branch is located at Food Court, Level 1 Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, open from Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Adriatico Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
Ground Floor, Robinsons Otis, Mercedes Guazon Street, Paco, Manila
Lower Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Lower Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong City
Lower Ground Floor, Walter Mart North EDSA, Project 7, Quezon City

Check out my reviews of other restaurants offering Singaporean dishes: