At a time when we are mostly apart, the bonds among family members and loved ones are more important than ever. And we can show them we care with thoughtful gifts when our presence just can’t be assured.
The coming Mooncake Festival in September 21 marks the end of the autumn harvest and it is traditionally a time to give thanks to the gods. As we adapt certain aspects of the Chinese culture, it has become symbolic and synonymous to expressing gratitude—something we can and should all do despite the challenges that have beset us since last year. Along with gratitude, the upcoming celebration also focuses on prayers and togetherness.
The Manila Hotel helps you plan for gifts for your loved ones to show them how much they mean to you. The special, hand-crafted mooncakes make the perfect gifts this season, and you can get them at a discounted rate when you order from now until August 20, 2021. The Early Bird promo gives buyers 30% off for purchases of Solo Boxes (PhP288 nett) or Boxes of Four (PhP1,188 nett) with no minimum order. They come in beautiful boxes that can be straight-away given out as gifts.
The hand-crafted mooncakes by the hotel’s premiere Chinese chef come in four flavors: the classic Single Yolk Ted Bean Paste, and Single Yolk Pure White Lotus Seed Paste; and the special flavors Taro Paste, and Red Dates Paste. The mooncakes can then be picked up after the promo period, when the hotel is back in operations.
For more information or to pre-order, call 85270011 or 0998-9501912. The promo cannot be availed of in conjunction with other promos and government-mandated discounts like Senior Citizen and PWD discounts, among others.
Photos and details provided by The Manila Hotel in a recent press release.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to cook like your favorite chefs? Participants had the opportunity to learn how to cook like the pro’s themselves during the Cooking with La Germania: Masterclass Series, a five-part installment of virtual cooking classes held in partnership with celebrities and chefs from renown restaurants all over Metro Manila.
In the webinar series, expert instructors guided viewers through the step-by-step process of how to cook their signature dishes, disclosing their tips and tricks along the way. Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with the chefs, who assisted them throughout the process.
Among the impressive lineup were award-winning restaurateur Chef Margarita Forés, celebrity chef Rolando Laudico of Chef Guevarra’s and OK Cafe, and Chef Lee Jose from the Standard Hospitality Group which manages Yabu and Ippudo. In case you missed out on the unforgettable series, worry not! La Germania is here today to share some of the recipes behind your favorite restaurants’ signature dishes, and advice from our top chefs.
Not your typical pancake
There’s more to Japanese cuisine than ramen and sushi. Chef Lee Jose, Executive Chef of popular Japanese restaurant chains Yabu and Ippudo, demonstrated how to make the savory version of Japanese pancake, Okonomiyaki. Not only is it an easy and filling recipe, but it’s sure to wow your friends and family! It’s best if you shop at a Japanese grocery store before you try this recipe, as a lot of ingredients won’t be found in your usual supermarket.
Ingredients:
Okonomiyaki Batter
¾ cups of water
1 tsp Honodashi powder
1 cup all purpose flour
⅛ tsp iodized salt
¼ tsp sugar
½ tsp baking powder
4 large eggs
4 cups of cabbage
½ cup of tenkasu (tempura flakes)
1 tbsp Benishoga (pickled ginger)
Regular sliced bacon
4 tbsp spring onions
4 tbsp canola oil
Okonomiyaki Sauce
1 ½ tbsp white sugar
⅛ tsp salt
3 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tbsp Oyster sauce
Assembly
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 cup Okonomiyaki batter
3 slices regular sliced bacon
2 tbsp Onomiyaki sauce
1 tsp Aonori powder
2 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
Bonito flakes
1 tsp Spring onions
Procedure:
Prepare the Okonomiyaki batter by chopping the cabbage into 1/2″ chunks. Do not use the hard core. In a mixing bowl, add water and hondashi powder and whisk to dissolve the hondashi powder. Add the rest of the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar and baking powder). Whisk until the batter is smooth, then add the eggs and whisk until fully incorporated in the batter. Add the chopped Cabbage, Tempura flakes, Pickled Ginger and Spring onions. You can also add whatever fillings you desire (mushrooms, ham, pre cooked seafood, etc.) Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until every ingredient is coated. Cover and keep chilled until ready to cook. This recipe yields 4 portions.
For the Okonomiyaki sauce, put all ingredients in a bowl and mix until all the sugar has dissolved. Keep in an airtight container and set aside. Keep chilled.
Heat up a non-stick pan and add 1 tbsp of oil on medium heat. When the pan is hot, scoop 1 cup of batter and add to the middle of the pan. Using your rubber spatula, gently level out the batter, then cover and let the batter cook a bit for 2 minutes.
Remove the cover and lay down 3 slices of bacon on top of the pancake. Cover and cook for 1 minute more, then gently flip the pancake and turn the heat to low. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes, then test for doneness by sticking a knife or chopsticks in the middle of the pancake to test if it’s fully cooked. If the stick or knife comes out clean, it’s cooked.
Spread 1-2 tbsp of okonomiyaki sauce on top of the pancake and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the aonori (seaweed powder) and drizzle the Japanese mayonnaise. Top the pancake with bonito flakes & spring onions. Serve right away.
Elevate your breakfast favorites
You may be an expert in making meatballs, but have you tried Longanisa meatballs? Chef Rolando Laudico of Chef Laudico Guevarra’s and OK Cafe taught the audience his secret to making his elevated version of Filipino breakfast classic Longsilog, better known as “Long-Ri-Long”, which is Longanisa meatball on creamy garlic salted egg risotto, poached eggs and oven dried tomatoes.
Ingredients:
Longanisa Meatballs
500g longanisa ground meat
Half cup small white onion, diced
2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped
2 tbsps fresh Italian parsley
Half cup grated parmesan cheese
1 whole egg, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
Half cup milk
4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
Creamy garlic salted egg risotto
1 cup risotto rice (arborio or any short grain rice)
2 tbsps butter
1 head of garlic, minced
1L chicken stock
1 cup of cream
2 salter eggs, chopped fine
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Oven dried tomatoes
6 whole tomatoes, halved
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle
Poached eggs
4 eggs
Sea salt
4 cups of water
Procedure:
To make the longganisa meat balls, begin by mixing bread crumbs and milk together in a cup and let milk absorb for 5 minutes. In a big bowl, take out fresh longganisa meat from the casing (discard casing) and mix all other ingredients together. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. Form into meatballs and fry using a non-stick pan with 4 tablespoons of olive oil until brown. Place in a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 175C for 10-15 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked.
To make the risotto, heat butter in a saucepan on medium high heat and add minced garlic. Saute for 2 minutes or until garlic is golden in color, then add risotto rice or sticky rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock 1 cup at a time and gently stir until liquid has been totally absorbed. Repeat the process until the rice is cooked. Rice should be a bit al dente. Add more stock if needed depending on the type of rice used. Finally, add cream and finely chopped salted egg then cook for another 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs like Italian parsley.
For the tomatoes, slice them in half then season with sea salt and pepper. Bake in a 175C oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until tomatoes have dried a bit.
For the poached eggs, add water in a small cup then add a pinch or two of sea salt. Break the whole egg and add to the cup being careful not to break the yolks. Place the cup in a microwave for 45 seconds to a minute depending on the power of the microwave. Spoon out poached egg on a paper towel to absorb excess liquid. Repeat the process to the other 4 eggs.
For assembly, on a platter or plate, spread salted egg garlic risotto then top with longanisa meatballs, oven dried tomatoes, poached eggs and garnish with fresh herbs.
Satisfying your Italian craving
While the recipe behind Cibo’s famous Penne al Telefono will remain a secret (revealed exclusively to the attendees of the Masterclass series), here are some of Chef Margarita Forés biggest do’s and don’ts when it comes to cooking the perfect pasta.
For one, the quality of your ingredients and the way they were manufactured makes a world of a difference when it comes to the richness and flavor of your meal! This is why you need to choose your ingredients carefully, and understand the science behind how they were made and how they react to other ingredients. For instance, Cibo recommends using pasta from the brand “De Cecco”, which uses a bronze pasta shaper that creates more porous noodles, allowing sauces to cling to the pasta better.
For Margarita’s biggest don’ts, do not check for doneness by throwing your pasta against a wall and expecting it to stick. This means that your pasta is overcooked! Furthermore, do not run your freshly cooked pasta under cold water, as this removes all the flavor. Remember that pasta water is your best friend, and is a vital ingredient to the flavor of your pasta.
When preparing these mouthwatering dishes, it’s important to choose the best ingredients and to use good quality kitchen equipment like La Germania. Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare restaurant-worthy dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and unleash your kitchen genius.
La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. For more information on La Germania and its products, you may follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the trusted kitchen and appliance brand.
ABOUT LA GERMANIA
Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and the next. To know more about La Germania and its products, visit www.lagermaniaph.com. The trusted kitchen partner of Filipinos also has its official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Photos of the chefs and dishes provided by La Germania in a recent press release.
While we do spend most of our leisure time, safe and cozy, inside our home, it is the community just outside its doors that make it the ideal abode.
When we take our family on a sojourn beyond the walls of our house and explore our immediate vicinity, we are able to take part in the local scene. Our interactions with our neighbors and local merchants during our time out of doors help shape our total experience in our particular locale.
This newest project of mass housing community developer Lumina Homes is located in a 46-hectare property in Barangay Quilib in Rosario, Batangas.
Lumina Rosario House Models
In this location, would-be homeowners on the lookout for a house and lot for sale in Batangas, can find their dream home among the Lumina Homes’ well-designed and constructed house models, regardless of their stage in life.
The Anna Rowhouse, for instance, is a bungalow type dwelling with a 24 square meter floor area and a 36 square meter minimum lot area, perfect for those who want a starter home. Already built with living and dining areas, kitchen, toilet and bath, as well as a provision for one bedroom and service area, it is ideal for those who want something low-maintenance for their first abode.
On the other hand, home buyers with small families would gravitate towards the Adriana Townhouse. A two-storey home with a 44 square meter floor area and a 36 square meter minimum lot area, it is built with living and dining areas, kitchen, toilet and bath, provision for two bedrooms, service area and a garage.
Lastly, home buyers with larger families would find either the Angeli Duplex or the Angeli Single Firewall well-suited to their needs. Both feature a floor area of 53 square meters and a minimum lot area of 63 square meters, and are built with living and dining areas, kitchen, toilet and bath, 3 bedrooms with partitions, family area and garage. The difference between the two models is that the duplex is one of two adjacent units while the single firewall is detached from other units by a space of approximately 3 meters. These house models definitely provide families with more room to grow!
These housing options are made even more accessible to would-be home buyers thanks to various financing options, such as:
Pag-Ibig Financing which has an interest rate of just 6.5% over a payment period ranging from 5 to 30 years
Bank Financing which has faster loan processing payable between 5 to 20 years
Deferred Financing which involves straight payment of total contract price over 24 month at 0% interest
Spot Cash Total Contract Price which involves full payment of total contract price within 30 days after reservation applying a 6% discount.
The Amenities.
Aside from a wonderful structure that they can furnish according to their taste and mold into a home for their family, Lumina homeowners also get to enjoy a sprawling outdoor area where they can hold fun activities together with their neighbors and establish their own community.
Kids can have fun playtime with their friends at the parks and playgroundarea while the more sports-minded residents can make full use of the covered basketball court for sports and fitness activities.
Public events and private functions may also be held at the shared commercial area to help foster a community spirit.
The friendly guards at the guard house help to ensure the safety and security of the community while the shuttle service enables residents to easily venture out and enjoy more of what the locale has to offer by way of culture and entertainment.
The Local Flavors.
Rosario, Batangas is the home of the Sinukmani Festival, a feast held every year on the 9th day of June since 2005. It celebrates the local delicacy Sinukmani, more widely known as Biko, which is made with the area’s top local produce: rice, coconut and sugar cane.
Other must-try gustatory delights in the area include the Goto Batangas which is a soup made with tripe, intestines, liver, and beef shank in a broth flavored with onions, ginger, and annato powder and served with steamed rice, as well as the Lomi Batangas, a Chinese-inspired noodle soup made even heartier by the Batanguenos with the addition of pork meat, tripe, crispy skin and other sundry ingredients.
Places to Visit and Enjoy.
Residing in Lumina Rosario makes the region’s breathtaking tourist attractions all the more accessible to those with a little bit of wanderlust.
Villa Crisanta Garden Resort, for instance, is a perfect destination to escape the metro’s hustle and bustle with its verdant gardens and leisure spa facilities.
An hour’s ride away from Lumina Rosario would get the traveller to popular beach destination Laiya in San Juan, Batangas.
Those seeking serenity can enjoy the sun, sand and sea of beachfront resort Playa Laiya while those seeking thrills can enjoy the adrenaline-pumping activities at Laiya Adventure Park such as a 630-meter zipline, wall climbing, rapelling, freefall, aerial walk and downhill tubing.
Indeed, there’s no shortage of things to enjoy out-of-doors if you reside at Lumina Rosario. And the best part is that after all your outdoor fun, you can always come home to your vibrant community and your comfortable Lumina Homes abode.
So inquire now for a Lumina Rosario house and lot for sale in Batangas by calling +63 919 0812972 or +63 917 8342349 or by visiting the sales office at Lumina Lipa Site in Brgy. Tibig, Lipa City, Batangas and be on your way towards becoming a #CertifiedKabarangayLumina.
Other #LuminaHomes projects in the province are located in Lipa, Bauan, Tanauan and Sto. Tomas.
What was your idea of a fun snacktime when you were growing up?
It can be winding down at home after an afternoon of playing with our friends, where a refreshing drink and a light repast had been lovingly laid out by our moms.
It can also be the highly anticipated recess where we munch on our baons in between classes.
Or, it might be the late-night munchies with a glass of warm milk that we shared with our parents right before bedtime.
These memorable snacking moments stayed in our memories into adulthood, and we looked forward to the days when we can witness our kiddos enjoying similar moments.
The kids nowadays may be feeling down as they’re stuck at home because of the lockdown. How about cheering them up by sharing a bite or two of these tasty home-style baked treats from Lemon Square?
For thirty-five years, Lemon Square has been a part of every Filipino household, serving up real goodness through affordable and nutritious snack cakes. Its products are also much-loved by nanays throughout the country for their affordability, accessibility and nutritional value.
They can even be used to make more elaborate desserts, saving moms precious time and effort in coming up with unique and show-stopping confections.
Lemon Square continues to expand its product line to provide all family members their own favorite treat:
Lemon Square Signature Cupcakes. An assortment of cupcake flavors (including cream caramel, ube and pandan) to tickle the tastebuds!
Lemon Square Lava Cake. Aside from its Chocolate variant, this moist cake bar with a yummy cream filling also comes in Creamy Bavarian and Quezo con Ube flavors.
Lemon Square Whatta Tops. There’s a lotta enjoy with Whatta Tops, from Vanilla, Milky Cheese, Mango Graham to Cookies ‘n Cream flavors to add to your faves.
Lemon Square Inipit. A light snack made of a filling sandwiched (or “inipit”) between two pieces of chiffon cakes which come in Custard, Pastillas, Pandan, Queso, Chocolate and Lemon flavors.
Lemon Square Fun Square. Who knew being square could be so much fun! Well, if you’re a fun-sized Brownie or a Butterscotch piece that can be eaten alone or paired with ice cream or syrup, then you are definitely a Fun Square!
With all these snack cake variants, the kiddos can enjoy fun and tasty treats after schoolwork or playtime!
So while the kiddos may not be able to roam out of doors, do bring them fun and unforgettable snacktimes at home with the real goodness of Lemon Square.
Check out my Lazada picks to stock up on these snackable goodies and more.
With the onset of the rainy season, now is not the time to let up on our Vitamin C intake.
Fortunately, we can get this precious nutrient from many easily accessible sources.
How about lemonade? Being made with lemons, it is good source of Vitamin C. It’s also a wonderful drink to refresh and hydrate our bodies as well as give our immune system a boost.
Its most basic incarnation composed of lemon juice, water and sweetener has been a mainstay in many home and restaurant meals.
However, this seemingly rudimentary beverage actually offers a lot of new and exciting possibilities.
And where better to check out fresh takes on this drink than at Jack’s Lemonade?
Kiosks of this lemonade chain can be spotted in many malls across the metro where, through the creative use of add-ons (such as plum salt, honey, yogurt, basil seeds, coconut jelly, poppers and pudding) and freshly-squeezed lemon juice, they are able to produce drinks according to a family of flavor profiles:
For Jack: the basic lemonades and the Jack’s Specials
For Dad John: the tea lemonades
For Mom Jenny: the herb lemonades
For Sister Julia: the fruit lemonades
For Baby James: the candy lemonades
Being a sweet tooth, it is hardly surprising that I gravitated towards the candy lemonades during my previous visits to these stores prior to the pandemic. These include:
Strawberry Mint with fresh mint leaves and strawberry puree.
Lemon Square with crushed graham crackers.
Strawberry Cheesecake with poppers and yogurt.
You may be wondering: With the metro switching into ECQ once again, will access to these yummy and healthy drinks be limited?
Nope!
I’m happy to share that Jack’s Lemonade delivers so we can enjoy its drinks with our fam right in the safety and comfort of home.
These are delivered with the add-ons packed separately so that you can easily assemble your drinks and enjoy them freshly made!
I was able to enjoy some recently. Check them out:
Strawberry Lemonade with yogurt and basil seeds.
1-liter Lemon Cheesecake with plum salt. Great for sharing!
So load up on Vitamin C and enjoy a delish and refreshing drink while you’re at it!
To have your Jack’s Lemonade delivered where you are in the metro, call +63 917 1587439. You may also course your orders through GrabFood or FoodPanda.
Check out my previous posts about Jack’s Lemonade:
Despite the increasing frequency of rain showers in the metro, the times when the sunshine peeks through the clouds are the instances when we need something sweet and refreshing to quench our thirst, right?
Have you ever tried Thai milk tea? Unlike the more prevalent boba milk teas, Thai milk teas have actually been around a lot longer, have a myriad of health benefits and are also available in wondrous variety.
Local chain Jelly G, which has been operating since 2000, specializes in Thai milk tea, making its signature drinks from strongly brewed black tea spiced with anise and tamarind seeds and sweetened with condensed milk.
Together with fillers such as grass jelly, cassava pearls, yogurt, basil seeds, coconut jelly, egg pudding, cream cheese and poppers, the resulting drinks showcase the distinct exotic taste of Thai milk tea as well as introduce new ways to enjoy this traditional Southeast Asian drink that will appeal to Pinoy taste buds.
Over the years, Jelly G’s presence in malls have made this Thai delicacy more easily to Filipinos, and now, with heightened restrictions on dining out due to the pandemic, it can now be delivered to your home for you to enjoy with your family.
Really, now would be a great time to expand the family’s flavor horizons and say “Sa wa dee ka!” to new drink experiences by trying out some of Jelly G’s unique drinks such as:
Blueberry Milk with Coco Jelly and Cream Cheese. A sweet and tangy fruity drink with slivers of chewy coco jelly and topped with cream cheese.
Black Forest with Poppers. A rich chocolatey drink with tiny globes of fruity poppers.
Red Velvet Thai Milk Tea with Grass Jelly and Cream Cheese. A creamy dessert-like take on Thai milk tea made more nutritious with addition of grass jelly and richer with the addition of cream cheese.
Want to expand your Thai food adventure even more? Pair your Thai milk tea with traditional Thai dishes, also available from Jelly G.
Place your orders now by messaging +63 925 7816237 on Viber or via GrabFood or FoodPanda.
To know its latest promos and offers, follow Jelly G on Facebook or Instagram.
Whether you’re working from home with no energy to cook your meals or at the office with no time for lunch out, never fear. Your nanay is here to the rescue!
That would be Crazy Mama’s Kitchen, a new food-based enterprise born from the thousands of fiestas and celebrations, catering request, and paluto from friends and family. From the small kitchen of her home where she refined Filipino recipes into her Classics, to a soon-to-open physical store in Robinsons Bridgetowne in Quezon City, Crazy Mama has been gearing up to feed hungry customers who are searching for a break from the usual boring packed lunches, fastfood takeout and pwede-na-yan dinners.
The Kitchen recently opened its doors for soft launch, ready to serve employees nearby offices, as well as busy households of neighboring villages with extraordinary takes on what used to be lutong-bahay staples.
‘Di Basta Menudo (Php130). Small pork cubes sauteed with cut-up carrots and potatoes in a rich tomato sauce with a few surprises thrown in such as raisins and hotdog slices. Served with rice.
Killer Caldereta (Php170). Tender cubes of marinated beef slow-braised with rough-chopped vegetables, slices of chorizo and some peppers for a bit of a spicy kick! Served with rice.
Eh-Spaghetti (Php80). Pasta purists would argue whether spaghetti is a Filipino dish. Well this one sure is! All our favorite stuff from birthday-party spaghetti is here: the al-dente noodles, the sweet and savory meat sauce, and, of course, the hotdog slices and lots of grated cheese!
Planning a gathering that needs food? Crazy Mama can easily cater to various party sizes from small group lunches and family take-outs to large events like townhalls, meetings and private parties. Crazy Mama’s Kitchen offers party trays and bulk orders which are served in individual and reusable containers to ensure food hygiene and safety.
The best part is that party planners or even busy moms no longer need a three-day lead time to have their events or family gatherings catered. They can just throw fuss-free get-togethers and serve great food any time, any day.
To order your meals from Crazy Mama’s Kitchen, visit its website.
Its dishes will also soon be available in food delivery services like GrabFood and Food Panda.
You can also drop by its physical store and take advantage of its Buy 5+1 offers.
Want to showcase your Tiktok creativity and win cool prizes from nanay? From July 21st to August 21st, join the Tiktok ni Nanay Challenge where Filipino Moms can showcase their talent or sense of humor.
To get updated on Crazy Mama’s latest pakulo and offers, follow Crazy Mama’s Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature article.
The six-part crime thriller is a Philippines HBO Asia Original premiering first on HBO GO
WarnerMedia is giving Filipinos another reason to celebrate as it announced today the premiere of ON THE JOB (#OTJonHBOGO), a new HBO Asia Original series continuing the saga of Erik Matti’s 2013 film carrying the same name.
The engrossing six-part hour-long crime thriller series will premiere globally and exclusively on HBO GO in September. Inspired by true events, select episodes from the series will play in Competition at the prestigious 78th Venice Film Festival as On The Job: The Missing 8 in September. It is the only film from Asia out of the 21 international films in Competition at this year’s Venezia 78.
The series centres around crime syndicates that temporarily release contracted prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power, except that the crime syndicates are run by politicians. The series also puts a spotlight on the real-world predicament concerning fake news and how easily truth can be manufactured and disseminated to the public in today’s age of information.
Conceived and directed by Erik Matti, the series in English and Filipino is filmed in the Philippines and stars Joel Torre, John Arcilla, Piolo Pascual, Dennis Trillo, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, Dante Rivero, Christopher De Leon and Lotlot De Leon.
While the first two episodes of the series were shown as a film as part of the Director’s Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where it received a standing ovation, the episodes on HBO GO are remastered and include never-before-seen and exclusive content.
Produced by Reality MM Studios and Globe Studios, ON THE JOB is written by Michiko Yamamoto and Erik Matti and executive produced by Ronald “Dondon” Monteverde, Erik Matti, Joe Caliro and Quark Henares.
Watch Erik Matti’s other HBO Asia Original production, FOOD LORE: ISLAND OF DREAMS on HBO GO. Fans of crime dramas will enjoy other HBO Asia Originals on HBO GO such as TRINITY OF SHADOWS, THE HEAD, THE WORLD BETWEEN US and MISS SHERLOCK. Erik Matti is also directing an episode of the HBO Asia Original series Folklore Season 2 which will premiere later this year.
HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.
SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada
With all the time we have been spending at home lately, we have probably noted some areas for improvement already.
To give us a feeling of control over our environment, many of us are likely to have been tempted to makeover some of the rooms we frequent in the house.
As luck would have it, doing so by ourselves may not be too hard, especially with the guidance of interior designer Sophia Calima.
Having completed her Interior Design degree from the renowned Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, Italy, Manila-born Sophia set about finding synergy between modern, western and eastern sensibilities. After honing her talents with stints with with Susan Fredman Design Group Chicago, Droulers Architecture Milan, Lor Calma and Partners Manila, The I.D. Dept Singapore, and Kenneth Cobonpue Cebu, she gained design chops that earned her the moniker “Home Designers That Should be on Your Radar” from Mega Publishing.
She recently launched a book series which is comprised of handy digital guidebooks targeting homeowners who want to make their design goals a reality.
These e-books showcase tips on measuring spaces properly, layout planning for good flow, choosing pleasing color schemes and putting all elements together to transform existing home spaces towards their real purpose such as:
Making the Living Room an inviting place to gather together with loved ones and share meaningful moments
Arranging the Bedroom as a place of respite where people can rest and recharge
And for those who have shifted to working from home, setting up the Home Office to be a place for focus and creativity.
Sophia also offers eDesign, an affordable alternative to end-to-end design services wherein consultations, custom design, tips and shopping lists are all provided online with no need for the interior design team to step into the house. This service is ideal for DIYers or clients on a budget as well as those who want to limit physical access to their household spaces in accordance to quarantine restrictions.
Being stuck at home has afforded us the great opportunity to make it the place we truly want to spend time in. Let’s take advantage of this chance and the excellent resources available to accomplish our home design goals.
Disclosure: Complimentary copies of the e-books were provided to facilitate this feature story.
HBO’s three-part documentary, Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union, debuts same time as the U.S. over three consecutive days from Wednesday, August 4 exclusively on HBO GO. The documentary chronicles the personal and political journey of President Barack Obama, as the United States grapples with its racial history. Weaving together conversations with colleagues, friends and critics, and interspersed with his own speeches and news interviews, the series begins with Obama’s childhood and takes us through his perspective as the son of a white mother from Kansas and an African father, his spiritual formation by a generation of Black leaders, and his hopes for a more inclusive America.
Through the story of one man irrevocably bound to the history of a country, Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union reflects on the country’s past and present national identity.
Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union is directed by Emmy® winner Peter Kunhardt (HBO’s “True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight For Equality,” “John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls”, “King in the Wilderness”). With the clarity of hindsight and perspective of the last four years, Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union forms a cohesive picture of America under its first Black president. Obama’s presidency was unique in America’s history, but what was a historic step forward for the country also exposed the ever-present need to address deeply entrenched challenges around race, racial justice and our history.
The series provides context, insight and critique from a wide range of participants including: author Jelani Cobb; Representative John Lewis; political consultant David Axelrod; Rev. Alvin Love; author Michael Eric Dyson; journalist Laura Washington; Rev. Jeremiah Wright; journalist Michele Norris; New Yorker editor David Remnick; Rev. Al Sharpton; professor Cornel West; politician Jesse Jackson; author Ta-Nehisi Coates; NAACP’s Sherrilyn Ifill; political advisor Valerie Jarrett; professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.; actor Keegan-Michael Key; former government official Shirley Sherrod; journalist David Maraniss; professor Ken Mack; speechwriter Jon Favreau; advisor Broderick Johnson; and Representative Bobby Rush.
Part One of Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union looks back over Obama’s upbringing by a single mother from Kansas and white grandparents, his early schooling in Hawaii and his education at Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Through archival interviews, Obama reflects on the impact of having an estranged African father, growing up bi-racial and his evolving relationship with the African American community in Chicago, where he worked with Black churches as a community organizer.
Part Two takes us from Obama’s presidential bid to his election to the White House in November 2008, exploring the obstacles and successes along the campaign trail. With constant pressure to define his identity along racial lines and frustrated by what he saw as a distraction from other important issues, Obama delivers his “race speech” of March 2008, a determined defense of the U.S. Constitution and a plea to look beyond America’s “racial stalemate” in order to advance prosperity and unity.
Part Three takes us to the White House years and the formidable hurdles that Obama faced trying to pass legislation in a bitterly divided Congress. He ultimately succeeded in passing the Affordable Care Act but the chasm across the aisle in Washington grew ever wider. As the nation faced a period of heightened awareness around police brutality towards African Americans and the fervent partisan battle over gun control, his critics accused him and the administration of not doing enough to lead a conversation about race, and the president moves forward with policies that focus on racial justice and empowerment.
Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union encapsulates the man and the president, illuminating his vision for the nation shaped from his own experiences and identity. Through today’s lens, the documentary reflects on the Obama administration with new understanding about the personal obstacles he faced and the challenging pursuit for equality in America.
HBO Documentary Films’ presents a Kunhardt Films Production, Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union, directed by Peter Kunhardt; produced by George Kunhardt, Teddy Kunhardt, Matthew O. Henderson; edited and produced by Maya Mumma, ACE; executive producers, Peter Kunhardt; Andi Bernstein and Mona Sutphen; Jelani Cobb and Jacqueline Glover. For HBO: senior producer, Sara Rodriguez; executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller.
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Jellybeans in the City 