Welcome The Year of the Wooden Horse at Sofitel Manila!

Sofitel Manila truly is an exquisite destination when you want to celebrate something special. Now more than ever, it's the best place to have your magnifique Chinese New Year Festivities with your loved ones. Add to that the special menu they prepared especially for that day and the existing Spiral buffet that has been unmatched in the Philippines. Who wouldn't feel so good seeing the spread above? Exactly my point. Let's take a peek at what they're offering shall we? :)

It's scrumptious Braised Dried Oyster and Sea Moss in Dried Scallop Sauce. The riches of the sea in one plate usually served to royalty in China can now be part of your dinner table - oh my! It's braised in a special sauce and served soft, sweet and juicy in every bite. Put this over hot white rice and we don't have to force anyone to eat it. Argh lol!

If there's fish, you don't have to meddle with its flavor too much. Just have it steamed, put in the best ingredients and you'll love how it accompanies the sweet fish meat they've prepared to greet the Year of the Wood Horse! This is Traditional Style Steamed Whole Red Snapper. Yum-O!

Plates can't be prettier than this. It's their Braised Sea Cucumber with Minced Chicken Szechuan Style. A little spicy, chewy and savory dish that would be really loved by kids. It's like an Asian meat ball. Loved every bit of it!

Sweet and garlicky, this Steamed King Prawn with Fresh and Fried Garlic just hits the spot. The shrimp just becomes so well flavored like a canvass painted with garlic that you'll love in every piece. This dish was gone in 5 minutes. LOL

Do I really need to convince you that this is good? I know. This is Spiral's Signature Chili Crab. One of Singapore's well loved dishes done by Spiral's chefs; putting their own spin on a traditional dish that's sweet, savory and spicy. How can anyone not love this!

Pretty as a pinwheel, this is Spiral's Steamed Crab Claw and Glass Noodle with Egg White Sauce. Sweet crab meat on crab claws poured with a soup made of egg whites and a few sauteed veggies, it's a festival waiting to happen. Best eaten hot, it's one of the nicest things to have on a New Year's table. Oh so lovely!

Whimsical in colors, this is Spiral's Steamed Snapper Fillet and Home Made Tofu. Light and not so oily, this is something that weight watchers would surely enjoy! Key ingredient: the crunchy asparagus!

This was only served to Emperors once, but it's now available for everyone to enjoy. This is Slow Cooked Baby Abalone in Supreme Oyster Sauce. Soft, with lovely sauce on it... you can put this on rice or just enjoy it as is.

This one is their Braised Pork Knuckle on Iceberg Lettuce and Oyster Sauce. I literally saw a line on the buffet just for this one. I think they wanted it more because of the fact that the meat falls off the bone. It's like an oriental ham and I find it really good.

As for ceremonies....

They'll be setting up some tables with Noodle/Salad Tossing activities such as this one too so if you are after the traditional stuff you see in China and elsewhere in the region, they've got you covered.

A better fortune, better year to enjoy with your loved ones and family. It's time to stick together, see how your luck and fortune double or even triple in 2014 as we usher in the Year of the Wooden Horse. For reservations, call them now at (02) 551 5555 or visit their channels below.

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The Padilla Clan Stars In "Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina, at mga Anak"

Relationships grow fonder when you get to spend time with family. The Padilla clan is a little different because this time it's not just in their homes but in this film that will surely become the talk of the town as they tackle the subject of the "Kuratong Baleleng Group" and portray them on Philippine cinema from a different perspective. See what I mean from "a little different"?

We were greeted by smiles from the Director John Villarin, RJ Padilla, Kylie Padilla (whom I've shot in Bench shows) and Mathew Padilla. Obviously, this is the second generation of Padilla's on this film and I think they did a pretty good job at it. John Villarin says he feels so honored that the family trusted him to make this film. Trust was probably an issue in the beginning and Direk Jon had to work his way into the lives of the Padillas. He spent days immersing himself in 2011 talking to the real life people that they were about to portray but figured the Padillas could attack the acting and scenes on their own. He also did a couple of days talking to the cast during workshops and throwing lines which made it a little bit easier filming.

Daniel Padilla arrived and said it was really fun doing this project because he got to spend time with his cousins which he treats more of a brother/sister in real life. I understood more of what he said in side stories from the people there because they apparently live in one house but sometimes they don't see each other that much because they have their respective things to do. You know how Daniel is busy whilst some of his cousins are working in other networks too. They feel it was tough for them because it is after all an action film. Direk Jon wanted to bring back the feel of what Robin Padilla used to do and get them in the mix. He mentions also that they did their own stunts and it wasn't easy.

They also mentioned that they originally wanted to include Bibi Gandanghari but she changed her mind the last minute because she'd had to revive Rustom Padilla to make that work. They understood her, more so the young ones. They love her just as much.

Direk also had some small stories about the action sequences in the forest (which you have to watch) because there was a time when they were all shooting guns at villains and Daniel was hit with a gun by his cousin Mathew. They laughed at it though. 

I find Kylie Padilla really gorgeous. Her smile brightens up any room and she's really articulate. She's probably the only lady that is doing action films right now in the Philippines. She also says she wants to do this seriously as she wants to really be much like Angelina Jolie. She was flattered when I told her that she is the Philippine version of the Hollywood star. She laments that she's been wanting to be in this genre since she idolizes Angelina Jolie. She's probably got no competition am I right?

Wish I had her as my leading lady when I make films. Seriously LOL!

 

Daniel says you'll probably see a different person when you see this film because it was made a long time ago. He was probably 16/17 when he made this and a little thin. He's proud of what work they put in on Sa Ngalan Ng Ama, Ina, at mga Anak because they literally had to make it with blood, sweat and tears. If you see that permanent scar on his forearm, it's because of a certain scene where he got it. You should watch out for that.

You know what I really think about these new guys? They've got a really bright future ahead of them. They're hungry and even contemplating of doing another one in the future. Working with the people you love and understanding each other is something that they've achieved in such a short while. It's the only film where you can see Robin Padilla who plays patriarch Ongkoy, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla as Mom Indah, Kylie Padilla as Anna, Bela Padilla as Damian, Mathew Padilla as Aldong, RJ Padilla as Ardut, Daniel Padilla as Nato, Gideon Padilla as Dagul, Kathryn Bernardo as Sarah, Fa Mulan as Melissa, Kiray as Hannah, Rommel Padilla, Queenie Padilla and Royette Padilla all in one film. If that isn't enough reason to watch this, I don't know what will. This is produced by RCP Productions and Star Cinema.

Go watch it.

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Asia's Next Top Model Airs on TV5!

I was able to follow how our own Filipina bet to Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 1 bet Stephanie Retuya almost got the title for this show. She was bested in the finals by Thai Jessica Amornkuldilok and we couldn't help think that we almost made it. Being a fan of the show and the original franchise in the US, I think I'd be able to grasp that the only thing that's stopping us from winning this time is just how to take that experience and see something positive about it. We were so ecstatic to know that we've got 2 models who got in the second season - winning over thousands of those who have auditioned for the show. 

Meet our bets Katarina Rodriguez and Jodilly Pendre. First impressions? Well, they're both gorgeous! I also can actually feel what sets them apart. 

If you have seen mestizas in the Philippines, that's probably one of the things she's easily identified with. Katarina Rodriguez also wants to always be serious about studies and joined the show because she always wants to "go for it' and make it a part of who she is this 2014. She was so glad to have heard she won a place, she got this checked in her bucket list. She dreams of making this an easier task to elders. She will try to go international after the show. Extremely busy now but thinks she can do it. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up on beauty ads pretty soon. Key features: Face, thick eyebrows, eyes, more athletic built. She's a real deal runner btw for La Salle! Cons: A bit short, but really her face can make up for that. I'd root for her, for sure!

She's really really edgy, statuesque and modelicious... she's Jodilly Pendre. She literally worked hard for the money as she wanted to finish college. She learned a lot in her journey. She also had a few bashers, but says it will make her famous. She's got a determined soul. She wants to go global to model and be great. She learned to manage her emotions quite better during the show. The journey changed her a lot personally. She wanted to be better and very presentable even if she adores rubber shoes, a shirt and jeans a lot on regular days. Best features: Edgy haircut, Asian eyes, great complexion and SUPER tall. Cons: Speech skills needs a little work on. I wanted her to be more refined but her confidence is tops. She's also got experience since she did stints in UST and other shows via PFW (which I cover shows so I might have shots of her from there). This might get her to win the competition.

For what its worth, we've got a HUGE chance of winning this competition. I find that they are going to be VERY HARD to beat. The other nations might have to send their reps back out of sheer humiliation (jowk!).

Congratulations Jodily and Katarina! I'm sure you'll do the country proud! Who'll win the competition? Watch Asia's Next Top Model as it airs the show on TV5 this January 16 (Thursday) and the consecutive Thursdays thereafter. Host and head judge will be Nadya Htagalung and Joey Mead-King, whilst runway coach Adam Williams and celebrity photographer Mike Rosenthal will be there to make the show extra spicy. I can't wait to see how Jody and Katarina fare in this competition. If they don't win I might have to ask the judges to go back to fashion school LOL of course that's a joke! :)

Make sure you don't miss it!

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