Charles Tongol, Jenny Alvarez, Joyce Ching, Lyndt Johnson and Ken Chan Celebrates Birthday with Kids!

It's a great morning to celebrate the birthdays of Kapuso artists Charles Tongol,  Jenny Alvarez, Joyce Ching, Lyndt Johnson and Ken Chan. We went to Brgy. UP Campus in Diliman, Quezon City to be with kids from different Barangays and share their blessings for the malnourished and less fortunate. As you know, not all families in this barangay are well off, of which some are just temporarily living in shanties and have low bracket incomes. They're giving a few things for the kids so they have something to at least get their minds off depression and hunger which I think happens when in dire straights. Then again, I've seen some happy faces when we were there.

This was also where our friends from Coca Cola Philippines/Far East Limited, Coca Cola Foundation signed a MOA with GMA Network, Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko and the local barangay for Coke's Nurisha Project which aims to provide malnourished kids from communities like these the needed nutrition. It's a feeding program which is part of the efforts of Coca Cola after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines which I wrote about in previous articles. 

Ken Chan came up the stage and gave the kids a few words about achieving their dreams by working hard and striving big. He also advised them to stay in school and study very hard so they can achieve their goals. Jenny Alvarez on the other hand told the kids to eat healthy and never waste their time in school because it's very hard to get a job later on if they don't do their best. Lyndt Johnson thanked them and promised that they'll have lots of fun with them during games. The kids got excited with that. Joyce Ching looked so pretty! She told the kids to pray hard if they want something, and never lose hope when the thing they wish for isn't given to them yet. The value of patience and virtue is something she would like to empart. She also invited everyone to watch their new show called "Healing Heart" which she'll also be with Ken Chan. It'll probably replace "Ang Lihim ni Anassandra" or be placed pre-rime in the evening - it had a very good run this last quarter btw.

The kids had so much fun because the artists also joined them for fun and games. They also gave them prizes too later on in the program. Ken and Joyce also sang with them to the delight of the crowd inside and outside the venue. Joyce had fun dancing with the kids, she was ecstatic while Ken Chan's album was playing in the background. They had sleep I guess haha!

The lovely Joyce Ching

While having lunch, we sat down and talked to the lovely Joyce Ching. The last time we met was during Kristoffer Martin's birthday. Her character in the new soap "Healing Hearts" is all about an orphan - and how she would be able to weather the thought of having to forgive her own mother. It's how she would be able to do it with the thought of having her own flesh and blood - shockingly kill her Dad. I thought it was going to be something medical related since they had shows of that kind before, but it was none of that. It was just how healing occurs inside, and show it during pre-primetime. She's very happy about the fact that she was given the chance to be in a lead role and mentions this is a little of, a romantic comedy. The series will include stars like Mickey Ferriols, Angelika Dela Cruz, Kristoffer Martin, Crystal Reyes, Maureen Larrazabal and Ken Chan. Her on screen romance will be with Kristoffer Martin and so I asked her about their current state. She says "We're just friends..", no matter how cliche that sounded, she confirmed that they are not an off screen pair. They were really sweet during Kristoffers birthday, but she says they are really friends and Kristoffer was just normally "sweet/malambing", and that's really how he just is. Kristoffer gave him a really good gift during her birthday. He went with Joyce the whole day and acted as her personal assistant. He also gave Joyce a bouquet of flowers, a Sophia I doll, mug, puzzle and a standee. She went on and said the gifts didn't really mean anything, it was just that their trust with each other just came back. She also said that they have healed each other and moved on. As for the program, she's excited than pressured in Healing Heart because she said she wouldn't be able to control that. She wants to know what people would thing and gives high regards with the people she worked with in Healing Heart. They are helping her a lot. This she says also is for the KrisJoy fans who have been waiting for them to get paired again because it's been a long time since they've been together in a project. She knows you guys are excited about that too, and hopes whatever time slot they are going to land in, you would still support them no matter what. Originally this was going to be in the afternoon prime and they are still thinking to replace either Kim Sam Soon or other programs in that same bracket. She says thanks to everyone who have been supporting them all these years and can't wait to show you the work they put in in this project! Are you excited too Team KrisJoy? :)




Good looking crooner Ken Chan were all smiles when we talked to him. The charming guy is very happy he got to spend time with kids. He plays the childhood friend of Kristoffer Martin in Healing Hearts among a lot of things that are planned for him. His character will be taking several changes and you will see that once the series starts real soon on the Kapuso channel. He's not a fixed one but he doesn't know yet where the persona will be heading. He was informed that they have big plans for it and he doesn't have a love interest yet. We went on and talk about Kuya Germs since he is also one of the brightest stars in "Walang Tulugan", an evening show that's been running for years now. He says he visited him in the hospital and says the patriarch of teen stars in the Philippines' health is improving, he also got control back with the right side of his body which kept everyone worried. He's planning to visit him again at home and is optimistic the old Kuya Germs will be back. He says his "Tatay" will be back but he needs to rest a lot, perhaps travel abroad because German Moreno is pretty much a workaholic. Gift of Love definitely poured in "Walang Tulugan" too because the stars of "That's Entertainment" began coming in to pinch hit for him and didn't even want to get paid for it. They want him to get some needed rest, though they know how hands on and workaholic he is. Ken by the way celebrated with his family, a simple one, then went to church. They also got to celebrate Ken's birthday via prods in Walang Tulugan and this one where he got to interact with kids who are malnourished from different barangays in Quezon City. It was fulfilling, a charity event with the other GMA Artist Center stars was really a thing he wanted to do... and he promised to do this every year. He also thanks everyone who is continuing to support him and his album. He also thanks Polyeast Records and everyone who made it possible. It's his wish to make Kuya Germs be back in good health, and have more shows, more projects soon. I can't wait to see his star shine further, he's such a great guy... I can't wait to see someone so genuine make it in this industry, more so because he truly deserves it.

Jenny Alvarez, Lyndt Johnson looked so young, beautiful and very promising. I'm sure there will be more things planned for these ladies. They'll probably become GMA's leading ladies soon, with hard work and dedication there wouldn't be anything impossible with their careers.  

Ultimately, the kids had fun and went home full because packed lunch were also served courtesy of our friends from GMA Artist Center, Unisilver Time, Active White, Fernando's Bakeshop and MSE. Thank you guys for having us and happy birthday again to Ken, Charles (who wasn't there because of an emergency), Jenny, Lyndt and Joyce! 

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Take a Second Look at Racks

Racks Timog Avenue Branch (photo from Racks literature taken by my phone)

It's been a while since I visited Racks. The last time was with an event we had with a convenience store, and even then the food was awesome. A few days ago, we got word that they opened one of their newest branches over at Timog Avenue in Quezon City. I was thinking of the "all white" interior they had the last time... but it looks Racks has got a new look. Too bad I didn't get the chance to shoot the facade because I was rushing to another event, but I'm so glad we stayed for what seems to be the star of their new restaurant. Oh yes, they've got some of the best American country dishes. After all, RACKS stand for Real American Country Kitchen Style. I bet a lot of you didn't know that... but here's the thing, you'll have to agree with me if I say RACKS has got the Best Ribs in Town!

Onion Brick

This is their Onion Brick. I've seen these in US food shows, but I've never seen one in the Philippines, so for me this is a first. The verdict? Very good. The thing still tastes like onion, and the batter isn't that overwhelming. It's not like you're eating breading on each bite since the batter is nice and thin. They put just enough to keep it crispy. The brick is more like a basket because they probably had it on a fryer just like in the US. Would I order this if I go back there? Definitely.

Salad with Blackened Chicken Strips

The second one's pretty good too. This is Racks Salad with Blackened Chicken Strips. The fresh Caesar Salad is done quite remarkably although I have reservations with the chicken strips. The one that was served to us was coated with cajun spice (a thing that I use in the kitchen quite often because my family has a ton sent from Canada) but I felt that time it was slightly, no overly burnt. I suggested to have it lightly fried until brown because honestly, the burnt taste was overwhelming. Searing is okay but burning is another thing. It was kinda off, still, the salad was good. 

US Ribeye Steak

The presence of a US Ribeye Steak in Racks just made me wonder. How can a piece of meat this good be in Racks? Well my questions got answered. It's fate. However, the meat that was served to us that afternoon was already a bit cold which was probably because they prepared it ahead of time. I must say, you should only have this steak as soon as they take it out of the grill... and into your plate. Having it cold made me realize the necessity of prime meat to be eaten at the right time. It was still tender though, and the seasoned butter on top was delicious. I would order this on a date, or a regular manly meal because for the price, it's still worth it. If you see the price of this grade of steak in other establishments, you'll compare their rates quite fair. I would order this on a good day.

Racks Signature Baby Back Ribs

Piece de resistance? Of course it's the Baby Back Ribs! Racks has truly perfected the art of making this since they opened. They've impressed me of course and I think they're going to be the bar to measure the authenticity or goodness of ribs. It's really that good. They make it the ol American Country way so if you've dreamed of having the best ribs, sweet and savory, plus the thing just falls off the bones.. tender... mouthwatering meat when you see it on your plate. Just hold that thought, and take a good look at these bottles that will take you to heaven!

Racks Original Barbecue Sauce Regular and Extra Hot!

They make a mean barbecue sauce (available in Regular and Extra Hot!) to go with those ribs. I even thought they were holding back with the spicy version, but I'm glad I ate a ton of ribs with that smothered over it... it literally made me cry.. I was so glad, it was like the perfect way to have my taste of Baby Back Ribs. You should never let this experience pass and take your family, your friends and everybody else to a Racks branch near you. The Timog Avenue branch between Scout Tuazon and Scout Tobias was quite lovely though, I suggest you go there to experience the best ribs in town bar none! 

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A Filipino Dinner: Chicken Binakol

I've been trying to find something to cook for dinner and I'm rearing to have something very Filipino. I don't like the common ones and miss something in particular. When I was in Negros Oriental in the hacienda of my Uncle, a dish which I haven't been able to taste before was served to us. They called it Chicken Binakol. They cooked it around noon and it only took a few minutes to prepare. Here's the recipe.

1 Whole Chicken cut into 3 pieces per section

2 pcs. Young coconut, separate water and save largely chopped coconut meat for later

1/2 liter Chicken Broth or 1 Chicken Bullion cube dissolved in boiling water

3 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 green papaya (small), cut into wedges

1 bunch Chili leaves

2 stalks lemon grass, cut into two and bruised

1 medium onion and 2 cloves garlic chopped

1 thumbsized ginger root chopped

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

They sauteed the usual onions, garlic, ginger in a clay pot. They put in the chicken to cook it a little then poured in the Young Coconut Water and Chicken Broth and let it simmer until it boiled over. Then they put in the lemon grass, boiled it further, then the green Papaya. When it was already tender, they put in the cleaned Chili leaves and simmer or another two minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Make sure you serve this with hot white rice and Fish Sauce with bruised Thai Bird Chili on the side. It's so good you'll feel like you're back in Negros again. Oh it was so good, I loved the broth so much I had a cup of it solely for my own consumption! Now I wonder, what if I cook this with state of the art appliances from Samsung? Hmmm...

The Chicken Binakol was placed on the top left of this photo, right below the sweet mangoes. I loved it.

It was placed right beside the crispy skinned lechon. It was time with family, and time with them was really priceless! (circa 2011 in San Carlos City, Negros Oriental)

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Barbie Forteza and Francis Magundayao Stars in "#Ewankosau Saranghaeyo": Now Showing!

Do you still remember the first time you fell in love? Who was it? Do you know how he/she ended up now? Don't you miss the feeling? Well, this film by Director Roman Perez Jr. might actually make you feel that same way again in this film about young love, a light romantic comedy film called #EwanKoSau Saranghaeyo. Their goal is to give you a little hope about love again. To see how fresh, how hopeful and how happy you can be when you are in that state. It stars a ton of today's young artists from different TV stations, and that alone may have already been an achievement because suffice to say, it would have been near impossible for this to happen.

You'll hear lines, actually a ton of them. You'll sit on the theater and realize that each one might actually apply to your own life... or it might have already been decades for you to realize that falling in love was much like fate. If you had that time of hurt, for sure, you'll also have that time where you cherish the feelings the most. The film also stars Barbie Forteza, who also is part of the successful show Half Sisters on GMA. She's paired with Kapamilya young actor Francis Magundayao, who's parents also partly produced this independent film. Aside from them, they are joined with Jon Lucas and Elisse Joson who's also from different managements. They are known as Kai, Baste, Mandy and River, all of whom came from different upbringings, and ultimately spun together by their feelings, and taste of first love.

During the press conference, they told us how much fun they had in making the film. I was there during their story conference and it involved a few far flung locations, but they were able to accomplish it in a very short time. Their schedules also did fit the filming so they were excited to see how the public would react in this light film. I must say, I was a little off on Twitter because Barbie Forteza wasn't in the press conference that afternoon, but really, I totally understand how busy she is. Jun Lalin who was promoting this was a little upset though, because I can see how he wanted to help them but felt she should have been there. They are also joined by Martin Del Rosario, Alwyn Uytingco, John Matthew Uy, Michelle Vito, Jayvhot Galang, Joshua Rafael Davis and a lot more. They are also introducing Isabel Tuazon in this film.

I saw the full trailer and I must say, the plot isn't corny, actually, I was very impressed. They do have chemistry. Here's the trailer!

It's already out this week and if you haven't watched it yet, I need a date haha. Joke! Let's all watch it!

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Ewankosau Saranghaeyo

Atty. Mel Sta. Maria, Arnel Ignacio and Gelli De Belen for TV5's "Solved na Solved"

It started this Monday, January 19 and will be shown all weekdays at 11:30AM, Solved na Solved will be your partner before lunch as Arnel Ignacio, Atty. Mel Sta. Maria and Gelli De Belen try to solve your problems from A to Z in a legal, practical way. It's a touch of courtroom drama, comedy show, and a little Jerry Springer show thrown in the mix. Gelli has been known to have made waves moderating in previous shows, Arnel also got us laughing for years and Atty. Mel Sta. Maria has given us no nonsense practical advise when it comes to taking people off the hook. It's either they follow his advice, or he shows how they'd get in trouble. It's all new this January and they're taking the the town by storm. No small problems, no small conflicts, no big ones too. They're all going to show you no frozen wastelands but more of how to keep sanity in this megalomania of a place we call Manila. 

Will you agree with them or not? Will you side with the people or follow the advise of their experts? Who knows, you might end up in their show too! Make sure you watch Solved na Solved on TV5!  

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TV5 Features Basketball Wives on "Happy Wife, Happy Life!"

The hosts of Happy Wife, Happy Life!

I think this show's title came from the CEO of TV5 himself. He chuckled a little when he heard it announced on the event that evening. Whoever so not agrees on this statement, will perish of course not have a happy home. Four ladies, who's life has been intertwined by one common denominator, their husbands. Yes, their partners are all professional basketball players. Their successful relationships and families won't survive without the resourcefulness and dedication of these women, who are ultimately just like you at home. They're going to show you the ropes on how to survive, how to make your time useful while you're there. Give you practical home ideas, especially for first time Moms who's probably going through the same phase as they are. When you see the show, they hope you get to connect, because as much as they would like to be different, they are ultimately the same as you.

RR Enriquez and Jeck Maierhoffer

When we talked to Jeck and Rr, they said that they are so blessed that the project was given to them after Amazing Race. They didn't expect it so they were very thankful. They almost didn't accept it because they thought it was going to be a reality show again. We know how that went in Amazing Race where they had a huge fight. They now see that it's different, they see how nice it is. Being with Danica and LJ was also special because they're all Christians. It's clear that it fits Rr because she's single but someday she wants to be like them, married and all. It was the first time when they had to fight during Amazing Race and that wasn't something RR wanted. They realized they couldn't control anything, it was something more of a lesson and she accepts that they're both a work in progress. 

LJ Moreno Alapag

Danica Sotto Pingris

They don't want to have that in a show of course. It's also the way they edited it in the show, and how people would perceive it. Rr also thinned a bit, she said she had to lose weight because she has a skin care clinic on the side. The stress and all during Amazing Race actually made it worse she says because sometimes they didn't eat just to get ahead of the others. Actually, their friends know that they are going to butt heads even if they were still not in the race. They expected it but says still, it was fun. The show for them will be segmented. Danica will cook, LJ will give advise on first time moms, Jeck will give business or entrepreneurial advise while Rr will concentrate on beauty. That's what they should watch out in this morning show slated 10:30AM everyday. It's like a magazine show on TV and in the pilot episodes, you'll see our families and have a grand time seeing our lives even before the actual show.  

Now that they're all together, you'll see how they will all gel together in this show, their lives on and off the court.

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Dr. Hayden Kho, Dr. Edinell Calvario for "Healing Galing" on TV5

Have you heard of "Healing Galing"? It's that famous eastern medical show heard on radio by no other than Dr. Edinell Calvario. It's now going to be on TV and she's going to be joined by the good looking Dr. Hayden Kho. He says "We are going to talk about Eastern and Western Medicine. We'll be having discussions on natural alternative medicine mine would be classic western. There's only one show of this kind in the other channel but we're going to have case studies and we'll talk about it, like two ways of assessing problems. I'll talk to doctors, treatments and she'll present alternative medicine. It'll be closer to The Doctors which is a show in the US. It's already a successful radio show and I'm co hosting on TV. I think they think it's easier for a doctor to talk to another doctor. Sometimes it's not easy to interpret things, jargons, and I'm going to be giving you layman's terms. If we have conflicts, there will always be middle ground. 

That includes cancer therapies, and we'll show their options. We'll see on what will fit with both cases and we'll invite doctors on the show. There are tons of specialists, we're not going to have the monopoly here. We're going to have opinions from doctors themselves and the patients. We're going to be a balance of both worlds. It's going to start this January 19, thirty minutes, there might be some personal and emotional things in between, we'll still talk about that. As much as possible we're going to try to be generic, but we can't help if there are sponsors. I think if anything, it will fortify my knowledge. 

I was in a limbo for several years and I'll be refreshed here, people will seem me again as a doctor. I hope I can get to be a contribution to the show as this is a blessing for me. The very fact that we invite them to the show, we're humbling ourselves to experts. We honor the limits of our knowledge. We adore experienced doctors and we're going to translate the jargons so people would better understand it." He adds "I had hesitations accepting the show in the beginning because I didn't want to go back to show business, although I wasn't specific about that. I asked how long the show would last and they told me all about it. It was feasible to do with the other things that I want to do. I'm glad to say my fragrances are going to be nationally distributed via Ever Bilena and that's my entrepreneurial side, other investments are there. I want to also go back to anti aging medicine and take the boards  again. Evangelism is of course my priority." and he hopes you get to watch the show on TV5!   

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Jasmine Curtis, Tom Taus Hosts Biggest Dance Show "Move It!"

Jasmine Curtis and DJ Tommy Taus hosts MoveIt

One of TV5's prized artist Jasmine Curtis and showbiz returnee Tom Taus now known as DJ Tommy Taus will be the hosts of MoveIt, a one of a kind dance show where dance Champions from different places in the Philippines will converge in a contest designed to find out the best of the best dance groups this country has ever produced. This will now become the go to program that will get those talented dancers a venue to show what they can do for the love of Dance, camaraderie, of course some money too. If they can't fund themselves to go to international competitions, this would probably be something that can do it for them and change their lives. I've seen the actual competitors that already joined the preliminaries and all I can say is, they're absolutely, freakingly doing dangerous stunts and moves that I've never seen yet in competitions. It's also a variety, some of which would give Voguing a place in Philippine dance scene a run for their money. Yes, they've got everything in one show and Jasmine and Tom might give you some moves themselves to open the show. Fun? I guess! Watch it on Sunday, January 25 too!

Oh and the Australian Hi5 will also be dubbed in Filipino if I'm not mistaken, all will be seen on TV5 and I think there are talks to have a local version of it too. Who knows, it might get big as the famous one right? Kids would love that. It will show weekdays from January 20 at 8:30 AM.

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