One Saturdate at Century Tsukiji

My annual meet up with a former work colleague from my days at CMG of Australia finally pushed through after two reschedulings.  Judith and I (plus another one) would meet every October during her vacation here in the Philippines from Dubai, where she works.  And everytime, the meet-up would be at Luk Yuen for some Chinese food.

This time around, I asked Judith if she'd like some Japanese cuisine and told her to meet me for lunch at Century Park Hotel on a Saturday, where we dined at Century Tsukiji.  This is my second time to eat at the hotel's Japanese restaurant but the first time was about five years ago during a client meeting.

L-R: Judith and I

Going inside the restaurant was like a breath of fresh air, like being transported to Japan.  The minimalist interiors were perfectly decorated with accent pieces that were easy on the eyes.  I did not notice this the first time I was here for a business meeting as I was ushered hurriedly into a private dining room.  I love the central painting of the four season in the common dining area, it's bright colors giving the otherwise neutral palette of the room warmth and life.  I nice touch to the Japanese theme is the Samurai armor on display at the entrance of the dining area and the large Japanese lanterns lined up on the high ceiling.

Love the four seasons painting in the background.

Their menu has plenty of good choices from sushi to sashimi to maki sushi, donburimono to teppanyaki, grilled to fried dishes and makunouchi bento, and more. We opted for the set menu which would be easier to choose and enjoy.

I ordered the Yakiniku Teishoku or pan-fried beef in ginger sauce, served with two kinds of appetizer, sashimi or salad, steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles and fresh fruits for dessert.  The beef strips are tender, juicy and flavorful and the perfect pair to the sauteed vegetables.  Everything was delicious and filling.  The fresh fruits were a sweet ending to the meal.

Yakiniku Teishoku

Judith tried the Wakadori Teriyaki or pan-fried boneless chicken with teriyaki sauce.  Of course, the set comes with with two kinds of appetizer, sashimi or salad, steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles and fresh fruits for dessert.  Delicious meal but the serving can be good for two.  She just finished half because she easily became full and took home the rest.

Wakadori Teriyaki

Service from the staff was excellent as they were attentive to the customer's need from refilling water down to taking photos of guests.

Delicious food plus good ambiance plus excellent service will make me come back again and again.

Century Tsukiji is located inside Century Park Hotel at 599 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila, Philippines.  For reservations or inquiry, call (02) 8528-8888 or email at reservations@centurypark.com.ph.  Visit their website www.centurypark.com for more details.

Maximize Your Good Fortune in 2020 with Marites Allen’s Feng Shui Convention

Chinese New Year 2020, the Year of the Metal Rat, is fast approaching and if 2019 falls short on your expectations, here’s your chance to turn things around. The Rat is the first animal sign in the Chinese zodiac, and its arrival marks the start of a new 12-year cycle. Take advantage of the winning traits of this clever and adventurous animal to establish a stable and abundant new year.

Join us on November 24 – an auspicious day for starting important events and deemed lucky for those who expect superior value for their investments –  to learn how to maximize your luck and good fortune in the coming Year of the Metal Rat.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from the international fengshui master herself, Ms. Marites Allen, and hear first hand the following: 

·     Insights on lucky/unlucky prospects for your personal/professional life

·     Updates on energy types and directions that may work for or against you in 2020

·     General forecasts for important life areas (wealth, health, relationships, etc.)

Get these additional benefits by attending the event:

·         ·    First dibs at the latest luck enhancers and cures for the Metal Rat Year

·         ·    Convention brochure filled with useful takeaway points

·         ·    Engaging presentations, excellent food, auspicious company

·         ·    Chance to win raffle gifts and lots of other surprises

We are also excited to launch Ms. Marites Allen’s 2020 horoscope books, Feng Shui Almanac and Planner, the 2020 Feng Shui App, and the Frigga e-commerce website.

Don’t let this golden opportunity pass you by.  Secure your seats now and get your tickets at Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-marites-allen-philippine-feng-shui-convention-tickets-71031468033), call the following numbers: 0920-9509390 / 8188858/ 7360512 / 4707661 or email maritesallenevents@gmail.com or yours truly at dcalnea@gmail.com.

Did You Miss Me?

Yes, am back...back to writing in this blog.  I've been away for quite some time as my day job gave me very hectic days that left me wanting to do things that do not require my brain cells to work when I get home at night.

Please be patient, sit back and relax as I regain my momentum slowly but surely in bringing you good news and happy stories.

XOXO

French Film Festival at 20

Time to head out to the cinemas as the French Film Festival will be running from June 3 to 9, 2015 in two venues simultaneously -- at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City and at the Bonifacio High Street cinemas in Taguig.   

The 2015 French Film Festival celebrates two decades of bringing critically-acclaimed and blockbuster films to the Philippine audience, not only promoting the French culture but lending support to the local movie industry by screening classic and contemporary Philippine films. It is also worthy to note that for years, the French government, through its embassy, has assisted local filmmakers in bringing their films to France and has supported initiatives to preserve Philippine film heritage. 

To commemorate the 2oth year of the French Film Festival, two films will be screened at the red carpet opening night on June 3 at Greenbelt.   The opening French film, La Famille Bélier (The Bélier Family), tells the story of a provincial deaf-mute family that must deal with the desire of their daughter to study music in Paris.  On the same night, Taklub, Brillante Mendoza’s latest film and the only Philippine entry to the Un Certain Regard section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, will be premiering at the festival’s red carpet opening night. 

Here are the screening schedules in Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street cinemas (click to enlarge):

I had a great time watching the participating films in last year's French Film Festival that's why I am eagerly anticipating this year's run!

Tickets for each screening are priced at P100.00 to cover the operational costs of the cinema. Tickets are available at the box office or through www.sureseats.com. 

Aside from diamonds, beauty stuff are a girl's best friend that's why I got excited to be invited to this event that promises to be a whole lot of fun with activities and beauty loots.

Rustan's The Beauty Source left no stones unturned for their second season. Inspired by modern art, Rustan's foyer in Glorietta 1 was dressed in intricate origami patterns and awash in bright pops of color --white couches, a DJ's booth and various display and activity stations like L’occitane's cotton candy art booth.

Well-loved beauty brands such as Chanel, Clarins, La Prairie, Sisley, Nars, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Estee Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, Guerlain, Hermes, Murad, Perricone, Lancome, Mac, L’Occitane, and Acca Kappa, among others, each prepared creative ways to keep the guests busy while having fun.

At Chanel, guests made their own palettes using yummy chocolate balls designed to look like the brand's iconic pearl-shaped eyeshadows. Nail Polish brands, OPI and Deborah Lippmann, gave out free manicures and notepads, which they painted with their favorite shades. Free makeovers were in full force with complementary glam sessions from Benefit and Estee Lauder and quick brow fixes at Bobbi Brown. Clarin’s literally combined beauty and brains with their All Time Must Haves Memory Game. Participants were challenged to match cards with images of Clarins products, in order to take home their coveted must-haves. On the other hand, Dermalogica offered a Speed Mapping Skin Analysis plus free samples based on one’s skin type. For fragrance fans, a generous bar was set up for endless testing of sultry scents from Acca Kappa, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Rance, Montheme, Hierbas de Ibiza and Gendarme. When navigating the counters, some relaxing body pampering was also in order. Guests head over to La Mer for hand and arm indulgences using the brand’s opulent body cream.

Colored this poster using real makeup products.

But the true beauty of the event was the purpose of helping afflicted women. Everyone was encouraged to write beautiful and inspiring messages of love and hope, using lipstick, on the Signed With Love mirror freedom wall. For every note, Rustan’s donated a P300 pledge to ICanServe, a Philippine foundation of breast cancer survivors promoting early detection. 

As a treat to beauty junkies, the event also launches The Beauty Addict card, so that customers can further indulge in their favorite brands through exclusive discounts, complementary products and spa services. 

Jessica Sanchez Donates Via Charity Single

After making waves in American Idol Season 11 (2012) and winning 2nd place, Jessica Sanchez is one artist to watch out for.  Busy with her singing career in the United States of America doing shows and tours, she first released her debut single last March 21. Titled "Tonight," the song features Ne-Yo and is now enjoying heavy exposure on radio and tv channels and also charting Top 1-5 on radio stations all over the Philippines.

Last May 14, Jessica Sanchez finally released her first solo album called "Me, You & the Music" on MCA Music that's brimming with high-energy beat repertoire.  The debut album features 13 tracks, including "Tonight" featuring Ne-Yo and "No One Compares" featuring Prince Royce in Spanglish version.

Jessica Sanchez at the press conference arranged by
MCA Music to promote her debut album and the charity single

Being half Filipino, it is inevitable that Jessica Sanchez does her share to raise funds to help the typhoon Yolanda survivors in the Philippines.  As of this writing, she is here in the country to promote her new charity single "Lead Me Home" that was released in iTunes.  Proceeds from single sales will be donated to the Red Cross benefiting typhoon Yolanda survivors.  To preview and download the song, click here: http://smarturl.it/JS-LeadMeHome.

"Lead Me Home" is actually the first single from the forthcoming Original Cast Recording, "Heartbeat of Home," a new music and dance spectacular with music by Brian Byrne.  The full length album will be released under MCA Music/Universal Music Philippines in February 2014.

It is really wonderful to know that a lot of individuals and organizations (even countries) are helping out for the rehabilitation of the devastated Tacloban and nearby affected cities.  May God bless them back.  God bless Jessica!

Barbie Live: A Dream Come True

What's almost always pink and sparkling?  Well, for me that would only mean Barbie, the fashion icon doll that has been a little girl's dream toy since the 1960s.  After a successful conquering of the globe with various versions of Barbie, now comes "Barbie Live! The Musical."

This Christmas season, Barbie lovers will be treated to a musical theatrical show that will bring the famous doll characters Barbie, Ken (Barbie's love interest) and Teresa (Barbie's best friend) to life.  "Barbie Live! The Musical" is set on a Hollywood sound stage and follows Barbie with Teresa on the set of their new film as Barbie reminisces on the lessons learned from her past movies like Swan Lake, Princess & the Popstar, and Mariposa & Fairy Princess in trying to help Teresa gain back her confidence and strengthen their friendship.

A cast of 19 singers and dancers, led by Chelsea Bernier (Barbie), Kristina Miller (Teresa) and Randy Dierkes (Ken), will be donning stunning costumes for their high energy numbers that kids and adults will relate to and enjoy. 

Barbie Live! lead casts Chelsea Bernier (Barbie),
Kristina Miller (Teresa) and Randy Dierkes (Ken)

Catch Barbie Live! in Manila from December 11-15, 2013 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.  Book your tickets at smtickets.com or call 470-2222.  Get 20% discount when you use e-PLUS Tap to Pay to purchase Barbie Live! tickets.



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