Divine Lapostolle Wine

Classy, elegant, bold, crisp, sweet and flavorful... those are just some of the things that lingered in my mind after I tasted my first glass of Casa Lapostolle. We graced an intimate luncheon last Tuesday with Señor Diego Urra and the good people from Hennessy Philippines.

I am not a stranger to wine and spirits as you may probably know. On family and special occasions, it's automatic that we have one of these. Yes, we probably have a lot of choices in local winery's and supermarkets; Spanish, Californian, French, Italian or Australian; but my family insists on getting the best... we prefer Chilean Wine among others.

We're not formally trained or expert Sommeliers' by any standards but we know these things by heart. It's like second nature to me and my folks but of course... still unofficial. The gusto to this particular region meant one thing, we probably have "taste". Since we didn't know that much about country, we were somewhat given an overview on why the quality of their products stand out from those that originated from other vineyards.

Chile is surrounded by the Andes Mountains in the right and a coastal region on the left. They also have the driest desert in the world on the North and the Antarctica down South.

Most of the vineyards are situated on flatlands right below the mountains; perfect for growing these precious fruit that produce their world class wine. The four seasons; changes the harvest time every year but experts on Casa Lapostolle's vineyards see to it that they produce the best ones still. The purity of actual vines, some of which were planted 80-90 years ago plus some of the best new ones create the best flavors that we were able to taste that afternoon. Their Cuvee Alexandre Chardonnay had that acidity, sweetness, light and still kept fresh all throughout even when I started to close my eyes after that first sip. It was one of the; IF NOT THE BEST I've ever tasted and people on the same table agreed.

The Cuvee Alexandre Merlot on the other hand was strong, bolder and had that Whole taste. It was perfect for the steak strips I had in my salad, the latter was blissful for the appetizers too. It would have been perfect to pair it with a scrumptious mildly spiced Black Angus/Wagyu Beef steak cooked medium rare. It wouldn't be defeated easily because of its flavorful tones that complement that savory lunch or intimate dinner we all wish for. This would be an excellent wine for special occasions (ie dates, parties). You know this blend was worked on for generations and you can't fool the connoisseur in me when it comes to that. Plus, I can even see this used in a reduction making it sweeter for a gourmet sauce... though some might see that a waste of good wine and by all means I agree... a good drinking wine after all is best for that (see?? I picked up something from Rachel Ray/Martha Stewart/Wolfgang Puck)!

Then comes the pièce de résistance called Clos Apalta, Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle's and her team's offering! This has been regarded as the world's best in 2008 easily because of it's rich velvety flavor. A combination of the Chilean Carmenère variety (grown in small quantities in this specific region), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; this proves to be the right formula to bring out the best product their vineyards has ever produced; consequently ranks number 1 in the world. I've tasted some of the best wines the Philippine market already has but this one is mighty different. When it touches your palate you KNOW you are tasting something special. These are the ones where you automatically close your eyes and feel how rich it is. Sometimes you ask yourself; how in the world can you go wrong with a purely organic process? It's one that is done by hands... by bio dynamic procedures which only produces the best and environmentally safe wine known to man. Imagine those berries picked one by one; clusters on it's ripest form. You definitely are sure that you never sacrificed quality when you get something this special on your table.

Need I say more?!

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Lapostolle Wine

Your Time and Getting the Best Online Education

Professionals nowadays have one or more dilemma. You want to always learn something new so you can get ahead of the pact. It pays to actually have knowledge of other things you need to be able to perform better in the office but you and I know the eight or nine hour shift is pretty tiring already. If you need to study, that would only be in your own time; making it doubly hard to finish an MBA or another course. That's probably how online courses were made because the time to do these things is now made more flexible than ever. Online Degrees are much of a necessity today. It's one of the most convenient services a professional could have in this modern age.

Improving management skills is tantamount to the success of a company. That is why more and more people are definitely thinking about getting online degree programs in project management. If you stay plainly to what you were doing in the past there would be no improvement. In addition to daily tasks and leadership training to your people education is still one of the best things you can give them to make them better individuals. They would be better persons in the end. If you have the time but never had finances to do so you might want to consider getting a grant through Free Application For Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Try and get yourselves help if you want to get that best blue collared job you wish for. The time to act is now and you'll only get it if you start and help yourselves. It's the least thing you can do to achieve your dreams in the corporate world.

One Love

Sometimes you clearly underestimate people on their capability to LOVE. Sometimes you just don't get why they would go all the way for them. In my ## years of existence in this forsaken country, I think that particular question got answered when I attended the block screening for Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco's first movie called "The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles".

First off, I have to tell you the truth... I don't really watch Filipino movies. I just didn't have the time and cultural patience to wait for a good movie from local directors anymore because let's face it, after those controversial ones being made into national artists a few years back; I really simply didn't look for one as I felt that was the end of Philippine Cinema and their era. I'm a Pexer, (that's the term they call people in a public forum called pinoyexchange.com) and have been one since 2004. I like how people throw lines here and there on the most popular community in the Philippines. I stayed away a bit on my UAAP Forums (that I'm so addicted to) and got to visit Melason Pexers so I can update the people who need the things I gathered from the press conferences. Little did I know that I'll meet online friends there too. They were so nice and accommodating, they made really good remarks about how and why they love Isay and THE bf (as the closest ones call em!). I got to know some of them through a few posts, they are a very nice bunch of people and you can tell that by the way they respond to some of my questions. REALLY NICE!

This block screening came along and it was perfect for my schedules so I said that I would be glad to pay them a visit last Saturday on their ONE LOVE screening. I was looking forward to see the names behind the monickers they use in the forums and experience what it was like to watch a movie again. I got an invite by one of their officers so I gladly obliged... because they were so nice to me why shouldn't I right?! Aside from that, Melai, Jason, Bekimon, Joem Bascon and the rest of the cast were so nice to me the first time I saw them; so what better way to support them but this... and then the day came.

These two nice ladies from Melason Pexers (and organizers of the ONE LOVE Block Screening) were there to welcome me! =)


These were some of the Melason Pexers that I saw there too! =)

First off, they called this gathering the "ONE LOVE" screening because of the combined forces of their fan base (err let me correct that) FRIEND base that put together this whole event all on their own. No production help whatsoever from the channel and cinema outfit which this film was shown in.

I was just like you, I wondered WHY.

Why would you as a fan put up something THIS BIG to support Melai and Jason?!

I couldn't comprehend before WHY THEY LOVED THEM SO MUCH that they would go all this way for them. I remember one significant thing that answered that specific question... it was because of Melai and Jason too. Melai and Jason said that for them, they weren't treated like fans... they were treated by Melai and Jason as their own friends/family. Now who in the right state of mind would have a heart that wouldn't melt after hearing them say that right? That was the time I knew how MELASON loved them back. They did this for their idols and people just probably see them as their favorite stars from the outside... but they never saw that thing I saw when I was with them; which is... these good people also being treated by Melai and Jason as their own true friends and family too. That whole fan base wasn't a fan base after all, it was a group of friends/family for them... they were not treated differently. That I think made them so different from other fan-star relationships. Something so simple yet VERY REAL. I was impressed to say the least with them all.

Some famous bloggers were there also, I don't need to tell you who they are! LOL =)

I entered the cinema when there were just a few people. I said to myself, would they be able to fill this up?! Little did I know they were lined up outside; and they... literally rushed to fill those seats in the cinema in MINUTES! By the time the first scene started it was JUMPACKED! Some in my area were even seated in the stairs (NO KIDDING!) it was that FULL! When the movie started, whenever the two stars got together in a scene... you would hear SHRIEKS!!! BELTING OUT with ALL THEIR MIGHT!! AS IF THERE WAS NO TOMORROW!! and because they were just there... it was pandemonium at 4PM in the afternoon!

Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco beside her. That's Jem of PGT fame. Close friends were all there!

It was really funny and nice... it was a feel good movie that would really be nice for a family to watch and laugh their hearts out. The romantic scenes would still make you laugh. You would have some moments of "KILIG" even if you already knew what was going to happen. You won't be able to stop and you'll surely be swayed by the whole cinema experience. You would feel and know that this thing they were showing on screen was also true in REAL LIFE. I can't really tell you about the movie now because you need to probably watch it and see the reaction of the actual people watching em. You owe it to yourself how to find out WHY too.

In the first fifteen minutes... the seats in front of me were all vacant. Screams again erupted when Melai Cantiveros came in and sat in the front row. Jason Francisco followed... and even the other stars of the movie came in. Obviously I couldn't shoot in the dark. Some of their celebrity friends also were there. See that? Even they were supporting these good people. That's the magic that happens when you know you've done something good in your life... it's not a mystery now why they are loved so much from my point of view.

Bekimon, oh! he was REALLY genuinely nice. I even had a few laughs while asking photos from him. He's hilarious in the movie, watch out specifically for what he'll tell you about Ms. Gina Pareno's outfit when she comes in the photography studio... I think that will surely crack you up! :) Find out what it is by watching the movie! I don't want to spoil it for you! :)

Jose Emmanuel Cubil or Jem being interviewed outside the cinema after the movie, he gave it a thumbs up!

Jem Cubil of Pinoys Got Talent. He was really nice, and might I tell you REALLY GOODLOOKING (like me ehem!) in person... I'm sure he'll be one heck of a star, sooner than you think!

I wasn't supposed to release this photo because it was a bit blurry but you have to know that Rica and Yohan came and support co PBB housemates Melai and Jason. Right?! =)

Here's Queen Pureza and Jason while we were eating Japanese food :) Don't worry about Melai's pose on this bit because she really did that on purpose :)

Here is Melai and Jason looking outside because they were worried about the people outside too. They treat em all as friends remember?! =) This was the stolen shot not the one above it hehe =)

This is the Cinema door aka SARDINAS because it was really jumpacked! A true sign of a very successful event!

For those who thought that I was joking about the pandemonium that transcribed inside the cinema, just take a look at these people who were OUTSIDE the cinema waiting for the stars of the movie!!! See what it means when you say NA DAPAT KABAHAN SI HARRY POTTER?? LOL!

Thank you so much to Melason Pexers, Melason.com, Melason Jewels, Melason Guardians, Tropang Jason & Melai Chovers who gave me these awesome stuff! I'm so thankful for the stuff you gave me, I'll treasure this and the memories from watching their first ever film. I'm sure everyone who shouted and clamored for a PART II wouldn't be disappointed by Star Cinema!

This event was organized by people who adore Melai and Jason, but they were all treated like their equals, this is the reason why they LOVE them so much. Mystery solved. =)

Congratulations to Melason Pexers, Melason.com, Melason Jewels, Melason Guardians, Tropang Jason & Melai Chovers (if I forget some groups please forgive me, name recall isn't one of my brightest talents! LOL) for a very successful event! You are all good people and you deserve to be applauded! Again congratulations!

If you want to know how hard it was to cover this event, here's a clip when Melai and Jason got up and finished the movie. You can barely see them... only on times when a flash does its thing that you can actually see them. The audio is kinda clear so you know, sorry I couldn't show a better video :) Just imagine me shooting a camera on my right hand and filming this on my ipad on my left (you get the picture?) LOL it was this full in the cinema! But they Melai and Jason thanked everyone who came and watched it! :)

Thank you to everyone who made this possible! Now I got my faith back in Filipino films. Nothing complicated but I really feel good now! I'll read your responses in PEX :) and here!


Kapish?!

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BEKIMON

The Adventures of Pureza, Queen Of The Riles

2011 Goodyear Highway Heroes!

After the overwhelming success of the awards ceremonies last year, this is another one to honor those outstanding men and women who have exceptionally gone the extra mile to help someone who is in need. They maybe ordinary people but Goodyear identifies these heroes who made remarkable achievements in their own right. They call it aptly GOODYEAR BAYANI NG KALSADA. We were so eager to be part of this momentous occasion! True enough... we were impressed about what we saw in the videos before the actual awarding ceremonies. Here are the highlights!

Esteemed journalist and broadcaster Cito Beltran hosted the show. I adore his impeccable command of the Filipino language! He was so alive and animated in person! It was an honor to see him there!

Goodyear Philippines Managing Director Gerry Alava opens the awards ceremonies and talked about the importance of recognizing these good souls. Goodyear has always been pro active in nation building and will continue to hold these yearly with the support of private corporations and government offices.

Secretary Alberto Suansing (current chairman) has continued to support this cause. Road safety is one particular aspect in his line of work that he truly believes in. He has been with them for a couple of years now.

Serenading us and the awardees was this young lady. She sang "Follow Your Road" flawlessly and probably a note higher. Quite impressive.

It was really a tough job for the judges to choose who would actually receive the awards for the best heroes in Luzon, Vizayas, Mindanao and NCR... let alone the Grand Champion too. Everyone really deserved one and these guys from different corporations did it.

David Montenegro who hailed from Cavite rushed a man to the hospital after he found him unconscious inside a jeepney while bystanders just shrugged him off.



Herdy Bandillon from Bohol got his fellow motorist to the hospital after getting held up and stabbed multiple times. Pretty remarkable.


Mr. Esmeraldo Magandam of Davao found a girl trying desperately to rush her Aunt to the hospital. She suffered a stroke and he got her there in the nick of time.


Richard Paragas of Caloocan City cried when he came up the stage. He never knew something like this would get him recognized because he thought he just did the right thing any man would do in that situation. Imagine how he took three victims of a vehicular accident along the North Express Way to the MCU hospital in Monumento. He even came back to see if the last one was still alive by the request of the mother who was also in the accident; unfortunately the daughter was really underneath the van and passed away on the spot.


Romualdo Ariestotle, a driver from Cavite City heard gunshots fired at the back of their terminal. He saw the sedan with bullet holes and all. Everyone else ran for their lives and just left the poor unidentified Mother and child inside but he went in and got them to the hospital. He never left and took care of logistics until their relatives came to make sure they are safe.

Five individuals, five heroes. These motorists tried their best to help in different situations and sometimes endanger themselves but they didn't mind that at all. Their stories are all truly inspiring! They still wanted to help despite their personal/economic conditions. This is one trait that is truly remarkable amongst Filipinos... the inner good that is instilled with us comes out in times like these. I remember Cito Beltran mentioned; "If we recognize and emulate them all... pretty soon we shall be a whole nation of heroes!" VERY TRUE! So to the new heroes, congratulations!

Now the question is, would you do the same for your fellow Filipino?! :)

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Bayani ng Kalsada

REPUTASYON - ABS CBN Kapamilya Gold

When you lose your REPUTATION about something you did in the past, what would you do to get it back?! If your family's name is on the line would you do everything to regain it? ABSCBN brings you Primetime Quality shows even in the afternoon on a lineup they call ABSCBN Kapamilya Gold. In the forefront is this moving drama called REPUTASYON starring Christine Reyes, her real life boyfriend Rayver Cruz, Ms. Aiko Melendez, veteran actresses Ms. Jaclyn Jose and Ms. Deborah Sun; hunky actor Jayson Abalos, gorgeous guy John James Uy and a lot more.

Ms. Deborah Sun was excited to work with the cast and even if she plays the villain she's glad that a lot of her co actors actually learned from her. As Christine also said "Ms. Deborah Sun talks a lot and you'll learn how to improvise and do adlibs so the script becomes natural if you want to deliver it". She laughed and said "Ganun madaldal pala ako; hahaha!". Aiko interjected on her piece about how important reputation is and said "Now I know why my Dad fell in love with you Tita; it's because of that spunk you have". She said that reputation is not important all the time because as a testament to all her trials before, she still went back and picked up the pieces of her past and used that to become who she is now; not living under the bridge anymore or even worse jail". She was so glad she landed a role in the ABS CBN's Kapamilya Gold header REPUTASYON and for the trust they gave her.

Jill Yulo plays the role of Nina De Los Santos; younger sister to Agnes

John James Uy really needs a big break and this is good news that he's on the cast of Reputasyon. This good looking actor needs more projects obviously; and hopefully he'll get utilized in more programs under ABS CBN.

Rayver Cruz welcomed this particular team up with real girlfriend Christine Reyes. He say's "Every taping day isn't like work anymore because they don't really have to pretend. Everything's so easy for them to portray and it's so nice to work with someone you love!" as he boasts to the media.

Christine Reyes is so excited to work with Rayver Cruz and the rest of the cast. She feels really blessed that ABS CBN trusted them to start of the special line of shows in the afternoon. Kapamilya Gold will surely be a hit with viewers here and abroad! Christine Reyes plays the role of Agnes De Los Santos who dreamed only the best for her family. She was set up by a Governor (played by Ms. Aiko Melendez) who had a lot of political gain after the situation got out of hand via putting photos and false statements to the press that made life doubly miserable for Agnes De Los Santos.

Ms. Aiko Melendez was also asked about how near this role was in her real life and what she thinks about running again for office in the next coming years. She shrugs off the comparison but she said that she's waiting for a sign and if that is accomplished then she can tell if she would still go for politics. She's glad that this became her comeback piece because the story feels real, you always want to get involved with the characters and know how their roles play with each other. She was very thankful for that!

Premier Actress/Director Laurice Guillen also is in this bit and says she has yet to see how her co actors play their roles. Initial taping days haven't made them work with each other yet but she's the one that helped them through workshops; so far she knows how the team is doing acting wise.

As for me, when I saw Reputasyon this afternoon I thought it should be the one in the Primetime slot at that channel; but I remember one of the producers said that "They treat their audiences equally and doesn't think about the time slots. They are all going to give them the best programs anytime of the day!". That was one thing that stuck to my mind. The directors and writers should be really rewarded with awards for television, this isn't easy to cast people and still think about their individual stories but I saw that instilled in each one of them. They have their roles cut out on every star that they had and I'm sure this will be a hit wherever, whenever!

I hope they get to show this on TFC or other countries; this would really sell!

Watch this!

Make sure you tune in to ABS CBN channel 2 as this program starts at 2PM weekdays!

Kapish?!

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Reputasyon

Kapamilya Gold

AZKALS Spanish Striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado

There is a thought that comes to me from my window in the evening as I watch shadows deepen in the long hills of my native land. The popular sport of football has been neglected for decades and it has picked up media mileage in the past year thanks to the awesome good looking half foreign Filipinos that gave this sport a boost that it needs and a manager that knows how to manage the team as it is now. One particular member that I adore in AZKALS is Spanish Striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado. My family hailed from Valencia and he's one proof that even if you are from the suburbs of Spain (Malaga in his case) you can make it anywhere! He has been longing to play for a national team and we are lucky enough that he can play for Spain or the Philippines. The opportunity just came in right so he chose to play here and had remarkable games in the qualifiers (and gave a helluvah an awesome goal against Bangladesh remember?!).

This 26 year old young Spanish-Ilocano guy (with his roots from Ilagan, Isabela) had his adoring fans also in the event. I love how they almost faint at the sight and touch of him! It was so real! He didn't have that much Tagalog words to say but Senor Rafa Reyes took care of that. Despite a very promising career in Spain in the second and third league he still chose to play for the Philippine National team and for that we'll give him credit! I'm sure he will now be represented BEST since they chose THE BEST PR firm in the land... PR ASIA with Ms. Joyce Ramirez on the forefront. All his deals and endorsements come his International career will now go through them and the opportunities have been lined up already according to the one and only Queen B!

This is something to look forward to and I'm sure he'll definitely have a lot of things coming up this year. Given the right projects and endorsements with PRASIA, play and be sought after by everyone in the International soccer scene... he will definitely get there!

P.S. He's actually the real deal uncle of young star Coleen Garcia! She was so gorgeous in person!

This was also the time I saw the one and only Ms. Cecile Van Straten. I was starstruck! She was also with THE divasoria Ms. Grace Velasco and THE Jay Abalos. They were in one room and I couldn't help but be like that at the sight of them! *almost fainted* LOL!

Thank you for everything PRASIA and Ms. Joyce Ramirez! They were the ones that hooked me up to cover PENSHOPPE! (If you haven't seen my famous article HERE IT IS!) and this day is just so unforgettable in my books! I got to see the biggest names in Philippine blog world, the best PR Agency I know and the one and only AZKALS Striker Angel Guirado! What more can I ask for?!

For those of you that were not able to go to the press conference, let me share this video!

As you guys know in my site, I want you to experience everything as if you were there too! Hope this one counts as your favorite AZKALS moment! =)

Kapish?!

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What If?

You are reading this right now because you are free. When you came into this world you are as helpless as a fish out of the ocean. You parents take care of you, sent to the best schools that they can afford so you can finish... get a job and do the same thing for your own family too. The family is the smallest unit of a community. Everyone deserves to have one of their own and this is a right that the state protects; but let me ask you this question... what if you found out that the child you're going to have has defects and would not survive after birth? What if you found out that the thing that made them to be in that state was supposed to help the mother in depression? Wouldn't it be just right to file a birth defects lawsuit against the people who didn't tell you about the dangers of taking it? That's the dilemma hundreds of people are facing now. It is going to be a tough life now that this happened to them but they need help to be informed and be given what's due them.

If one of your family members took DEPAKOTE, LEXAPRO, PAXIL, PROZAC, TOPAMAX or ZOLOFT in the past... they must have fell victim to the ill side effects of these medicines. Please stay informed! Make sure you make them aware of the dangers of taking it because you'll never know... the next one could be your loved ones!