A Good Thai Experience

This July, Marriott Manila brings back Flavors of Thailand and I was invited to attend the launch cocktails and go on a gastronomic adventure to Thai's Kingdom.

Thai food galore

When I arrived, the programme already began and there was an enchanting Thai dance performance on stage. The dancers, decked in traditional Thai costumes, were mesmerizing to watch as they moved gracefully to the beat of a Ranad (Thai xylophone). After watching for a few minutes, I started to explore the various food stations to satiate my grumbling stomach.

Thai dance performances

Roaming around the food buffet of "Thai Kingdom Come," I saw that it offered a unique twist on Thai flavors and gave guests the opportunity to explore its five distinct blends of basic tastes -- sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter. Of course, the classic Thai hot and sour lemongrass and shrimp soup Tom Yang Goong was ever present to tickle the palate and appetite. I also tried Som Tam Goong, a refreshing Thai papaya salad with prawns; the deep fried fish cake from one humongous fish; and the famous mango with sticky rice dessert. Also offered were roasted duck with red curry and chicken satay. Red and white wines, Thai singa beer and Thai iced tea were served as refreshments.

Tom Yang Goong, hot and sour lemongrass and shrimp soup

Som Tam Goong, a refreshing Thai papaya salad

Spices for flavor and heat

Giant deep fried fish

Skewered fruits

Mango Sticky Rice

Thai beer

JW Marriott Thanatorn Krobsuay, the certified Thai cuisine expert, led the kitchen team for the second time to make sure guests will have a uniquely crafted food experience through his award-winning Thai cuisines. This year was an extra special recourse of Thai treat as another JW Marriott chef joined in to double up the feast: 27 year old Sutthipong Sirikanchittawon, one of the certified Thai food ambassadors of JW Marriott Bangkok’s Marriott Café.

A toast to Marriott Manila's Thai Kingdom Come

An array of prizes from sponsors were raffled off that night with one lucky guest winning a 3-days/2-nights stay in one of the Marriott properties in Bangkok. Now all I need is to book the flight. Thanks again, Marriott.

Over-all, the event evoked the sentimental feel of Thailand that let the guests delve into its time-honored dishes as a preview of what to expect in Marriott Manila's "Thai Kingdom Come" promotions at the cozy Marriott Café.

Filed under FLAVORS and EVENTS

Shell Helps Save The Day

It is daunting to watch the news on TV and learn fuel prices increase and then roll-back a few days after, only to increase once again. Even the government can't do anything to control this commodity and help the driving nation cope with everyday fuel spend.

Thank heavens for this good news from Shell: a new fuel was specially formulated to help Filipino drivers cut their driving costs! Shell FuelSave -- unleaded and diesel -- can help drivers save up to 1 liter per tank at the same price as standard-priced fuels. These fuels are a breakthrough in fuels technology and contain the most advanced Shell fuel economy formula to date. They will replace Shell Super Unleaded and Shell Diesoline Ultra, and will become Shell's most advanced fuel economy fuels in the Philippines to help drivers be more fuel efficient.

New Shell FuelSave Unleaded and Shell FuelSave Diesel, designed to improve fuel efficiency from the very first fill of the tank, have been developed over the years by Shell scientists who are dedicated to creating innovative fuels for drivers. For FuelSave Unleaded, it works to reduce energy losses by lubricating parts of the engine where oils are less effective. On the other hand, for FuelSave Diesel, it is designed to ignite and burn more effectively than regular diesel, helping to produce more efficient combustion in the engine.

Shell FuelSave Ambassadors (l-r) Ryan Agoncillo,

Mel Endozo, Roland Villareal, Vanessa Santos

with Shell Senior Scientist John Lambert

To help lead the nation in saving fuel and money, Shell tapped TV host and actor Ryan Agoncillo to be on of the Shell FuelSave Ambassadors, together with four regular drivers who used to spend a lot on fuel, but have undergone extensive fuel economy training, a written exam on fuel saving and a panel interview with Shell. HR Specialist from Baguio Vanessa Santos, Geographic Information System Specialist from Cavite Roland Patrick Villareal, entrepreneur from Quezon City Adrian Mark Kaw and franchise manager Mel Anthony Endozo proved to have the most potential to become expert fuel savers and inspire others to bring down their fuel expenses as well.

I don't drive (yet) but my brother does -- his work brings him around Metro Manila and to as far as Cavite and Laguna and on long weekends, he drives the family to Tagaytay for some R&R -- and since he started using Shell FuelSave Unleaded, his fuel bill has become more manageable.

Winners of David Archuleta Live in Manila promo!

Question:

What channel will be bringing in "David Archuleta Live in Manila"

Answer:

A. ETC

Winners of two (2) tickets to the David Archuleta Live in Manila Concert:

1. Stacy Lyn Liong

2. Michelle Coladilla

3. John Angelo Blasquino

4. Maria Kathrina Manucot

5. Napolean Quintos

6. Josephine Gregorio

7. Jagger Camungay

8. Alexis Mendoza

9. Warren Alulod

10. Marie Mangaliman

Tickets are now ready for pick up! Please look for Mr. Manny Velasquez at the BusinessWorld headoffice in 95 Balete Drive Extension, New Manila, Quezon City. Thank you!

Love, Loss and What I Wore

I remember prancing around in ruffled skirts during childhood birthday parties; feeling giddy on wearing a new dress to impress my crush; and buying a nice pair of heels for my college graduation. Just goes to show that each milestone in my life, in any woman’s life for that matter, is filled with different emotions matched with memorable fashion choices. Behind each halter top, faded pair of jeans, cocktail dress, painful set of stilettos, and designer handbag is a story to tell.

The sensational Off-Broadway show, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, written by sisters Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle) and Delia Ephron (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Hanging Up), vividly recounts a selection of comic and heartwarming stories from various women who remember key moments in their lives through the clothes they wore. The show is based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, and has featured notable actresses such as Jane Lynch (Glee), Rosie O’Donnell, Brooke Shields (Blue Lagoon, Grease), Betty White (Golden Girls), Rita Wilson, Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Jamie Lynn Siegler (The Sopranos and Entourage), Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Kathy Najimy (Sister Act movie series), Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), to name just a few.

Since its debut in 2009 at New York’s Westside Theater, Love, Loss and What I Wore has garnered praises from critics and delighted audience members who saw themselves or someone they knew in each funny and poignant tale. The show won the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience as well as the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play. It has since then been staged in Los Angeles, Toronto, Brazil, Germany, Australia, and Paris.

Now, it’s the Filipina’s turn to be charmed and moved by these tales of life and fashion as CTE Productions brings the acclaimed off-Broadway hit to Manila with some of the best female artists in the scene today.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore includes theater luminary and current Associate Artistic Director of Repertory Philippines, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, veteran theater actress, writer, and emerging director Cathy Azanza-Dy, thespian and music industry sensation Bituin Escalante, and acclaimed classical vocalist, theater performer, and executive director for Music Artes Philippines, Jay Valencia-Glorioso. The show is directed by the same tandem behind the hit show Defending The Caveman, Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore will have a one-weekend-run-only on July 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the RCBC Theater in Makati, Shows are at 8pm with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30pm.

David Archuleta Concert Tickets Promo

David Archuleta will be back in Manila for a solo concert at the Araneta Coliseum on July 18, Monday at 8PM. Fans can hear him sing his hit songs “Crush”, “Touch My Hand”, “A Little Too Not Over You”, “Something ‘bout Love” and “Elevator”.

If you missed him last 2009, this is your chance to watch him live. What better way to watch than by getting free tickets!

Lucky you, because from July 8 - 13, 2011, BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation, through HerWord.com, in partnership with Solar Entertainment Corp., will be raffling away ten (10) pairs of tickets to David Archuleta Live in Manila on July 18, 2011 at the Araneta Coliseum to ten (10) lucky new and existing HerWord subscribers!

Click here for more details and to join the promo:
http://www.herword.com/promo/main.php?id=David_Archuleta

AIDA: Love Written in the Stars

The second offering of Atlantis Productions' 2011 season is Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, a story about timeless love that will endure and continue on to the next life.

It is about Aida, a Nubian princess who was captured by Egyptian soldiers and was gifted as handmaiden by its captain, Radames, to his bethrothed Princess Amneris. The plot thickens when it was revealed that Radames' father, Minister Zoser who is the Pharaoh's adviser, has been slowly poisoning the king in order to accelerate Radames' ascend to the throne after his marriage to Amneris. What the minister did not count on was that his son fell in love with Aida, giving him reason to break the 9 long years of engagement.

Haji Alejandro as Zoser

When I watched the musical yesterday, I thought that it had a Disney feel to it. It was only last night that I found out after researching Aida that it was indeed from a book that Disney bought that they originally wanted to develop as an animated film following the successful collaboration of Elton John and Tim Rice in The Lion King.

Ima Castro (middle, in red) as Aida

Rachel Alejandro as Amneris

I was in awe of the talented cast of Aida -- Ima Castro as AIDA, the captured princess of Nubia turned handmaiden of Amneris, gave a heart-wrenching performance, hitting the high notes so well even in crying scenes; Rachel Alejandro as AMNERIS, fashionable princess of Egypt and fiancee to Radames, was fabulous for the role; Myke Salomon as RADAMES, captain of the Egyptian army, son of Zoser and fiancee to Amneris, was impressive beyond words; Hajji Alejandro as Zoser, scheming chief minister of Egypt and father of Radames, strutted the stuff that made him the "kilabot ng mga kolehiyalas" of his time; Alys Serdenia as NEHEBKA, Nubian slave who speaks to Aida as a representative for the Nubian people, brought out the fire in portraying the loyal and brave Nehebka; and Josh Santana as MEREB, Nubian servant to Radames and the first to recognize Aida as Princess of Nubia, was a nice surprise on stage as many have missed his talent when he left the entertainment industry some years ago.

Josh Santana (left) as Mereb and Myke Salomon (right) as Radames

Now on its 3rd and final week, catch Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza in Makati until July 10. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187, or Ticketworld at 891-9999. For more information, visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.

Photos from Atlantis Productions

Knowing Webber and His Works

I grew up listening to broadways songs and dreaming of watching broadway plays someday. Well, I got to see the Manila staging of some of them, most recently was Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats last year.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has written music that has transcended time. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. Who hasn't heard "The Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "You Must Love Me" from Evita, and "Memory" from Cats, among others.

Music Magician Andrew Lloyd Webber

Watching the matinee show of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on its second to the last day (the run ended yesterday, July 3) was such a treat for me. I was reintroduced to Webber and learned a lot more about him as a musician and about his other works that I haven't encountered yet like "Tell Me on a Sunday," which I loved instantly.


The show's stage design was simple yet practical and functional, with the lighted backdrop of several rectangular walls served as projection screens that showed clips and titles of various plays to highlight the songs being performed on stage plus clips of the man himself sharing personal stories of him growing up in a musical family.


The 7 performers (4 males and 3 females) all looked as good as they sounded. Their heartfelt renditions did not fail to evoke the right emotions from the captured audience. The whole repertoire was like a time machine that transported us back to broadway's golden days and gave us snipets of well-loved songs from the musicals I mentioned above, as well as from Starlight Express, Love Never Dies, Sunset Boulevard, and Requiem, plus the song "No Matter What" that was popularized by Boyzone in the 90s (I wasn't aware it was a Webber song).


The 2-hour show ended on a high with applause and standing ovation from Andrew Lloyd Webber fanatics. Too bad it was only on a limited run of 13 shows at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Vans Hello Kitty: The New Craze

What is cute and sporty, sweet and spunky? The Vans Hello Kitty shoe collection!

After the recently released (and promptly sold out that I didn't get to see any) collaboration between Sanrio and Dr. Martens, comes this limited edition Hello Kitty Vans which features Hello Kitty with some of Vans' classic designs.

I, being a Hello Kitty fan since way back, was excited to see them on display at Vans concept stores -- first when I was in Cebu last month and then in Greenbelt 3 just last week. Sad to say, they no longer have them on my size but am still hoping they would ring me up once the new stocks come in.

So in the meantime, I would like to share this to my fellow HK lovers:

Funky and colorful Authentic Lo pro for adults.

Authentic Lo pro for kids.

These Authentics are perfect for HK followers.

The Slip-On has Hello Kitty on the famous checkered Vans design.

The Vans Authentic black on pink Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty Slip On for kids with colorful print and black sole and pipings.

Hello Kitty Vans Sk8 Hi

Black Vans Hello Kitty Slip On with HK head and pink details.

The Vans Hello Kitty Collection are available at the following Vans concept stores: Marquee Mall, Pampanga; Robinsons Galleria; Robinsons Place, Ermita; Glorietta 3 and Greenbelt 3, Makati; and Ayala Cebu.

A Must Have Collectible

The big black box I found on my desk was a nice surprise for the day. When I opened it, I found 6 colorful and cute glasses in the shape of Coca-Cola in cans. The Coca-Cola can glass is a Coca-Cola can transformed into an attractive classic Coca-Cola collector’s item never seen before.

I already have 2 sets of the special colored contour glasses that was collaborated on by Coca-Cola and McDonald’s – the commemorative set for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and for the FIFA World Cup in 2010 – so I am happy to add the can glasses to my collection.

The Coca-Cola Company and McDonald’s Corporation are partnering to once again excite consumers in Asia Pacific by offering a series of colored Coca-Cola can glasses. The Coca-Cola can glass is new to consumers in the Asia Pacific region and will be only be available at McDonald’s in 13 markets – Singapore, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, The Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tahiti, Fiji and New Caledonia.

McDonald’s, which has been a partner with Coca-Cola since 1955, will offer customers for a limited time, the chance to collect these quality Coca-Cola can glasses in six colors – Pink, Green, Blue, Lime, Charcoal and Purple. McDonald’s and Coca-Cola fans will be able to collect the glasses this July through a McDonald’s meal promotion.

Here are some Coca-Cola can trivia for the geeks and plain curious folks:

- The Coca-Cola can was first used to distribute Coca-Cola to the U.S. armed forces overseas in the 1950s, and by 1959 was available to the U.S. consumer.

- In 1985 Coca-Cola was the first soft drink to be consumed in space in a special Coca-Cola can, aboard Space Shuttle Challenger.

Thanks to McDonald's.