Biyernes, Setyembre 23, 2016

OVER RICE NYC Halal Inspired Place is Now Open For You!


What beauty it is to see how your food is being prepared in front of you!  You see the caring that they put on each order and the way how they imagined you to visually like your food.  Such is the way of this new food place in the busy point of Quezon City. You can watch them slice, cook and fix your plate every time you dine here.  Welcome to the flagship in its branded line of food – Over Rice.


Located just a few steps away from the gasoline station at the corner of Aurora Blvd. and Katipunan and right before you reach SM Blue, you will see this small but food wonder place called Over Rice.  Managed by a trio of wonderful looking guys, this food concept was inspired by the Halal street carts of New York City.  Meet the trio, Sonny Angelo O. Valencia, Emil G. Javier II and Mark Lester D.L. Lodriga as they tell you their hopes and dreams through the dishes that they serve.

Simply put, what you will have here is a different kind of comfort food.  It is not the type that you have at home (like what mama cooks) or the one you can easily grab at a convenience store (ice cream), but something that will have your fill and satisfy your cravings without you making lose time and opportunity.  Yes, you can dine here or simply have it to go.  It is your beef and chicken meat cooked on top of a flat grill and served to you either with rice or wrapped inside pita bread – with vegetables of course.  Everything here is made by them from the type of meat sausage to the bread and then the sauce, as in everything!  And you can just wrangle yourself to oblivion as to how they made that white sauce that is not of yogurt.

They have 3 main things that you can order:

                Halal over Fries
                Halal over Rice (beef, chicken or mix)
                Gyro (regular and large – I call the large one a whopping club of a meal!)



The Over Fries dish is best with friends unless you are really hungry.  Trust me on this. Chances are you haven’t finished a regular serving of nachos on your own; so for this dish better call a friend.  Like what I mentioned it is like your friendly classic nacho dish served with a twist.  Instead of a light crunchy corn chip or sweet potato chip (as served by a food place), they make use of fries.  Golden fried crunchy potato fries covered with ground meat pieces and their special (according to them it is from the heart) white sauce.  It is good!  I am not a beer drinker but yes, I will recommend beer as the perfect drink paired with this dish.


Their Over Rice creation is nicely presented with the vegetables on one side, so set in an orderly manner while the rice is arranged nicely before topping off with the protein of your choice and that loving white sauce.  You might say it is heavy but honestly, it is quite light but filling.  You may want that Mother’s Cream and Pwet Goess Boom Boom (their white sauce and hot sauce - I love how they name things!) nearer.  They give your plate an additional kick in your face attitude, in a friendly manner of course.

Now the gyro.  I am so full that I cannot describe it anymore! Just kidding!


Yes you can compare it to a shawarma but the difference is how the meat was cooked.  Look the same but taste differently.  This one is one belly filling dish.  It is lighter compared to a burrito but the flavor is real and clear.  You will ask for 2nd’s if you only took the regular and you can blame the hot sauce for that.

Limited offerings you may say but this is just the first phase of the company.  Soon there would be more stores and more offerings for you to try out and enjoy.  For now, simply go at their present location and enjoy!  They also have a loyalty card that gives you freebie.

See how food is prepared for you!






Biyernes, Setyembre 16, 2016

Cubanos Fil-Cuban Cantina: Good Inspiration + More Flavors = A Clear Future


Inspired by the movie “Chef”, this dining place tries to deliver you Cuban inspired food that is made for Filipino palate.  Please note the word “inspired” as stated previously, for you would understand later as to why I say so.

Served to us to try and enjoy were the following:
Good Morning Cuba
Lemon Pepper Wing
BBQ d Elote
Classic Cubano Sandwich
Cubano Filipino Sandwich
Peri-peri Inasal
Fidel Cuban Ribs

Plenty?  With 4 of us sharing, this was just a walk in the park.  Alone, then it would be near coma. Hehehehe

The Good Morning Cuba is a dish that consist of shredded longanisa, 2 sunny side-up egg, salsa and some pita bread.  It was a wonderful dish for it somehow reminds you of our own sisig.  What makes this dish a wonder is the salsa and when you add a dash of chimichanga.  It was a good start. Period.





I love lemon! And the Lemon Pepper Wings were good!  If you don’t like lemon then use the dip to control the lemony taste.

And this is the point where it went on a slide.


Their BBQ D Elote is simply sweetness from the corn and the butter brushed onto it.  It is like finding a needle in a haystack for that herb rub or even for that barbecue taste.  If you have a sweet tooth then this dish is a good starter for you.  This is sweetcorn made sweeter and buttery.



The Classic Cubano Sandwich was an inspired creation based on the movie “Chef” and the Cubano Filipino Sandwich is simply a twist of the classic making it pinoy.  Those are sandwiches and we all love sandwiches.  I like it but I feel that there is something missing especially with the Classic Cubano.  A different cheese flavor perhaps?  The Cubano Filipino Sandwich has lechon slices and pulled lechon meat, so it is a double dose of lechon goodness.  What bothers me is the state of the skin of the lechon, it was part crunchy-part tough.  And that sweetness in every bite. (Be thankful for the water being served)


The Peri-peri Inasal is a good dish in terms of flavor and smoky goodness.  A little consistency on the cooking and it would have been a perfect dish every time it is served.  Let us be conscious on it for this is the hardest part of the chicken whenever cooked.


The Fidel Cuban Ribs is a sweet rib that slides off the bone.  The meat has its natural sweetness, add the glaze then the final brush before serving and what you have is sweet + sweet + sweet in every bite.  I have nothing against sweet food but this is edging on near too much sweetness level after having sweetness in every bite from the elote.



The place looks good and is comfy.  They provide bag hooks under each table for those with hand bags, making it spacious per table.  The design is pleasing and calm to the eyes.  They even have an outside sitting for those who smokes (Thank You!).  You can clearly see the source of inspiration from the design of the place.  This has future, but they need to adjust their flavors.  The sweetness will get you, if not now then later.

This is located at the City Golf Compound, Brgy Ugong in Pasig City.

LAGABLAB, All Set to Open on September 23, 2016!



Artist Playground’s Season Two proudly presents LAGABLAB written by Dan Hollanda, a play inspired by a short story penned by British writer W. Somerset Maugham entitled “The Unconquered.”

LAGABLAB is set to open on Sept. 23 at The Little Room Upstairs, 1701 Landsdale Tower, Mother Ignacia Ave. corner Timog, QC and will run until October 30 – Fridays at 7 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm and 7 pm.

Directed by Paul Jake Paule, the play is set in Bulacan during the Japanese occupation. The story revolves around the desolation of a Filipino family who was forced by the cruel realities of war to make difficult choices of either painfully surrendering their dignity in exchange of security or bravely fighting for their name and worthiness to a detrimental end.

The talented Artist Playground Players and guest actors in the play are as follows: CHAYONG - Mariella Munji Laurel,JhaekaMadronio, Ira Ruzz, Farlin Flores, and JacelleEscanan; HIROHITO - AnjoResurreccion and Manu Gallardo San Pedro; UNYO - Coco Mark and Christian James Tiongson; CARDING - Aaron Dioquino, Sheneill Solis and John Racho; PILANG - SheryllVillamorCeasico and LodieAtis; ANDONG - Greg Abelardo De Leon and Gilbert Bacolod; MAKAPILI -Joseph Navarro; SUNDALO - Sheniell Solis and MiguellArnaldo.

SYNOPSIS:
The main character of the story is a strong-willed woman named Chayong who is betrothed to a guerilla named Unyo. On the night of Unyo’s departure to join the fight against the Japanese, Chayong was raped by Hirohito, a Japanese Officer and her brother Carding was emasculated for defending her. The unspeakable act bore Chayong a child. Hirohito upon learning this was filled with remorse and tried to rectify his transgression by providing for Chayong’s family and offering marriage. But the news of Unyo and Carding’s death from the hands of the Japanese invaders ignited a great fire in Chayong’s heart, a fire that rages for justice, a fire the blazes for vengeance, a fire that will burn through her soul to commit an unspeakable act herself.

The artistic team of LAGABLAB is led by Roeder Camanag - Artistic Director; Paul Jake Paule – Director; Dan Hollanda – Playwright; Jeffrey Camanag - Production Consultant; Coleen Lanit - Lights Designer;    Glenn MacalongCaspe – Production Designer; Ira Ruzz – Costume Designer; Princess April Tuason – Dramaturg.

The production team are as follows:Kimberly Claire Somoza – Production Manager;Toots Tolentino – Publicist;Rowena Jarito - Stage Manager; Emil Tiangco - Assistant Stage Manager; Glenn MacalongCaspe -  Spinner;Coleen Lanit - Lights Boardman;Dan Sheneill Solis - Props Head; Sharmaine Sarmiento and Noela Marie Dela Cruz - Stage Hands.


For tickets and inquiries, visit Artist Playground's Facebook Page  or contact 0926 932 3179.

The Cast:

Mariella Munji-Laurel - Chayong

Ira Ruzz- Chayong

Jhaeka Madronio- Chayong

Jacelle Escanan - Chayong

Farlin Flores- Chayong

Anjo Resurreccion- Hirohito

Manu Gallardo San Pedro- Hirohito

Coco Mark- Unyo

 Christian James Tiongson- Unyo

 Aaron Dioquino- Carding

Dan Sheneill Solis- Carding

John Racho- Carding

Lodie Atis- Pilang

 Sheryll Villamor Ceasico- Pilang

Gilbert Bacolod as Andong

Huwebes, Setyembre 15, 2016

NAXIONAL Delivers Real South American Flavors in the Philippine Food Scene!

Located at the Uptown Mall in BGC is a dining place worth the time and money because of the authenticity of flavors that they bring.  This is one themed diner that remained true to its flavor roots thus making the food experience true and real.

Naxional South American Diner offers a mix of the best food there is in South America; from an All Day Breakfast selection to delicious starters (Pasabocas) to entrees (Platos Principales) and Postres (desserts), they have something for you to enjoy and love.  They make use of not only the freshest ingredients but also the real deal when it comes to South American flavor.  That is what themed restaurants should be!



Of all the starters served to me that day, the Patacones truly took the number 1 spot for me.  That texture and flavor blend truly made it feel South American for me.  That cilantro flavor mixing with the right amount of guacamole and the sweet meat, then you have that softness of the meat in contrast to the plantains, it was simply divine!  It was also an ingenious way of using plantain instead of hard bread.  This is one dish that shows the lifestyle of S.A. people.

The  Elote and Ceviche Naxional are two dishes (pasabocas/starters) that are worthy of your distinct palate.  The Ceviche Naxional is your light fish stew to put it directly but what makes this worth your time is the sweet fish countered with that pickled peppers and lime mixture.  It is a good starter because of its light but distinct flavor, making you ready for other rich dishes that Naxional has to offer.

Ceviche Naxional

Elote
Their version of Elote is truly worthy of your time.  It is grilled corn with chili butter, herbs and cheese crumble.  On your first bite, what you will taste is the richness of the butter, sweetness of the corn, herb placed and a fleeting flavor that will make you take another bite and another and another.  The flavor mentioned slowly develops and then you will realize that it is the chili placed in it.  It is not hot but it makes its presence felt as you enjoy that corn goodness. 

Rabo Encendido
Their Rabo Encendido or oxtail dish is similar in flavor to a local dish that we have here.  It is delicious and simply meat overload because of the pork hocks and chorizo added. 








The Picanha or the Brazilian style Churrasco Steak is a puzzle for me.  Not because of the process of how it was cooked but due to the type of salt sprinkled on top of it when served to you.  That salt gives the dish added push in the flavor department.  The meat is juicy and seasoned right but that salt simply gives it additional goodness that makes you wonder what magic it has.  As of this day, I am still wondering what that salt is.  They won’t tell me! (huhuhuhu)

Picanha


Ending the experience is the queen of all desserts, the Tres Leches.


Tres Leches

It is a sponge cake soaked in milk with the right fruit blends and tops to set a proper counter to that milky goodness.  It is so good that you will have a devil whispering to your ear to eat it all and not share it at all.  That mango coulis doesn’t help at all in keeping this dish all for your own.  This is a good for one ONLY.  Trust me.

Naxional South American Diner is located at the 2nd level right after Valkyrie at the Uptown Mall in BGC.  This is one place where the food is true and delicious!

Ballet Philippines Bagong Sayaw, Flying High At The CCP



For a limited engagement only, Ballet Philippines now serve its 2nd offering for this season entitled, “Bagong Sayaw”.  Should you wish to translate the title, it is New Dance or in this case new ideas coming from six (6) budding choreographers under the Ballet Philippines wing.

Featured are John Ababon (And There I Was), Danilo Dayo Jr. (Malamanyika), Bonifacio Guerrero Jr (Templum Velum), Gia Gequinto (Caged Cycle), Al Bernard Garcia (Tau-luwa) and Erl Emmanuel Sorilla (Langit/Lupa).  Except for Al Bernard Garcia, who was invited to share his piece for this event, majority of the featured choreographers are under BP.  All the pieces featured have its strong point and story.  From something truly heart wrenching to something with humor, from something theoretic to something we see in reality, from something  of the past to something in the present; all presented pieces are relatable and true to heart.

Of all the featured pieces, there were two pieces that truly caught my attention because of some element (s) that is there in the piece.  Caged Cycle by Gia Gequinto has that humor that is not easily captured in dance.  When you get to see this pax de deux, it is like watching an old silent film in color!  It is like watching Charlie Chaplin in color and up close!  The story and dance is clear that the humor in the piece is also clearly transposed to the audience.   The height difference between the two male dancers helped in making the dance/story more vibrant and alive.  You will not laugh out loud but you will smile!  A nice first half ender.

Caged Cycle by Gia Gequinto

Tau-luwa by Al Bernard Garcia


The other piece that got my attention is the creation of Al Bernard Garcia Tau-luwa.  His local elements coming from the South truly got my attention because it showed promise; a promise that the local dance shall not disappear in time.  According to him it is about the life of people: courting and creation of new life and the balancing factor of life itself.  For me, I saw it as a relationship with the human and the divine.  When the divine mates with human, a call for balance comes to play thus the giving up of immortality for new mortal life to live.

In terms of storyline full of queries, Templum Velum takes the hat.  The transition was clear, the story arc as a whole is filled with scattered why’s.  Why the red markings to those who has found piece?  Why women in red and not a mix of sexes? I saw the peace but then what?  It was a beautiful dance piece but peppered with answered questions.

 Ballet Philippines and Ballet Philippines 2 have truly made a beautiful showcase with this offering - new ideas, new blood, new dreams, but same old root – dance and being Filipino.  Bagong Sayaw is a piece truly fit to fly, as the season’s theme say – WINGS!


Congratulations Ballet Philippines!

BAGONG SAYAW: Brings New Ideas of Dance on Stage



Translated as “new dance”, this production celebrates just that – the emergence of fresh ideas expressed in various choreographic forms. The choreographers featured in this production are Al Bernard Garcia, Erl Sorilla, Gia Gequinto, Bonifacio Guerrero Jr., Danilo Dayo Jr., and John Ababon.

“’Bagong Sayaw’ is a venue for us to give our young dancers and choreographers the necessary challenges and for them to be able to grow as artists,” says Ballet Philippines artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. “They say that experience is the best teacher, but more than that, we also think it’s important to let their voices be heard.”

Taking the stage for this production are the dancers of Ballet Philippines II, BP’s junior performing company. It is composed of the most outstanding apprentices and scholars of the company and the Ballet Philippines Dance School. Through various performance opportunities, the dancers not only develop their talents in performance and choreography, but they ultimately help fulfill BP’s commitment to the development of the youth and of dance in the country.

“Bagong Sayaw” will be staged at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater) from September 10 & 17 at 6:00PM and September 11 & 18 at 3:00PM. Tickets are priced at Php 600, with discounts for students, senior citizens, and government employees.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Twitter: @balletph
Instagram: @balletphilippines
YouTube: balletph

To join in the Ballet Philippines conversation, use our official hashtags: #balletph, #bagongsayaw

Featuring the six (6) new souls of Philippine dance.

AL BERNARD VELARDE GARCIA

BONNIE GUERRERO JR.

DANILO DAYO JR.

ERL SORILLA

GIA GEGUINTO

JOHN ABABON