Phytosterol in Canola Oil Reduces the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Love fried foods? You would want to read this!

Press Release:

Filipinos love fried foods. They love the crispy-crunchy sound these make with every bite, but they like the delightful taste of fried food—whether it’s chicken, beef, pork or fish—even better. How can else can you explain why Filipino families are big fans of fastfood chains that serve fried chicken, fried tapa, fried pork liempo, etc.?

Fry your favorite food without the fear of jeopardizing your own health 
with Golden Fiesta’s Canola Oil. It boasts of a rich phytosterol content 
that reduces your body’s cholesterol level

This trend has raised the alarm among health advocates who associate frying with the liberal use of cooking oil, which is flagged as a product that is detrimental to one’s cardiovascular health.

Fortunately, not all cooking oils are the same, and not all of them are harmful to your body—not when you use the right one.

In fact, scientific studies show that there is actually a heart-healthy nutrient found in canola oil, which lowers one’s bad cholesterol (LDL) level and minimizes one’s risk of acquiring coronary heart disease and hypertension.

Yes, you read that right—canola oil is a cooking oil that you can use for frying without jeopardizing your heart health.

But first, what is canola and what are the benefits we derive from it?

Canola is extracted from grapeseed, which is low in uric acid and glucosinolates. Thus, while canola oil is characterized by a low level of harmful saturated fatty acids, it has substantial amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are touted to have positive effects on cardiovascular health through the regulation of plasma lipids and proteins.

Eating fried dishes does not have to be an unhealthy experience 
with Golden Fiesta’s Canola Oil, a rich source of the heart-healthy nutrient phytosterol

In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration declared that “eating about 1½ tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to its unsaturated fat content.”

Research published in Nutrition Reviews further reveals five studies that compared canola-based diets with typical Western diets and found evidence that canola was able to reduce total cholesterol levels by an average of 12.2%. This cholesterol-reducing action is made by possible by canola’s phytosterol content.

Phytosterols, like sterols and stanols, are natural plant-derived compounds that are structurally related to cholesterol. Studies have shown that an intake of 2 grams per day of stanols or sterol reduce low-density lipoprotein by 10 percent.

The USDA has also acknowledged that plant sterol or stanol is generally recognized as safe by manufacturers, and has authorized them to claim that foods rich in phytosterol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease—one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, not just in the US but in the rest of the world.

Indeed, years of scientific evidence have increasingly bolstered the status of canola oil as one of the healthiest oils we can ever use. This explains why canola is the third largest vegetable oil produced after palm oil and soybean oil, and is also the second most consumed cooking oil in the United States.

Golden Fiesta Canola oil is rich in a heart-healthy nutrient called phytosterol, 
which lowers the body’s cholesterol level by 15 percent 
and reduces one’s risk of acquiring coronary heart disease

So go ahead and enjoy your favorite fried foods. Just be a smart consumer and choose the cooking oil that is best for you.

NutriAsia Golden Fiesta Canola Oil is a good source of phytosterols. Two grams of phytosterols per day may potentially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

References:

• MARTIN B. KATAN, PHD; SCOTT M. GRUNDY, MD, PHD; PETER JONES, PHD; MALCOLM LAW, FRCP; TATU MIETTINEN, MD, PHD; AND RODOLFO PAOLETTI, MD.  Efficacy and Safety of Plant Stanols and Sterols in the Management of Blood Cholesterol Levels.  Mayo Clin Proc. 2003;78:965-978
• USDA National Nutrient Data Base
• US Food and Drug Administration Federal Register of September 8, 2000 [65 FR 54686]

HOOQ Inks Exclusive Deal with Disney, Gets Rights to 3 of Marvel's Latest Series

Exciting news! HOOQ joins hands with Disney to bring Marvel's latest series Inhumans, Runaways, and Cloak and Dagger to viewers same day as the US telecast!

Press Release: 

PHILIPPINES, 18 SEPTEMBER 2017. HOOQ – the largest Video on Demand service in South-East Asia, gets exclusive SVOD rights to bring three of Marvel’s latest series – Marvel’s Inhumans, Marvel’s Runaways, and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger – on the same day as the US telecast on their platform for the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, via a newly inked deal with The Walt Disney Company South-East Asia.  

While the first chapter of Marvel’s Inhumans has been released last week worldwide in IMAX® theatres, the following episodes will then be available on HOOQ from the end of September with additional exclusive content, not seen in IMAX ® theatres.  

Next up will be Marvel’s Runaways which debuts on digital on November 21st, 2017.  Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger will be released later on in 2018.  All these will have all episodes screened same day as the US telecast. These 3 new series will join the collection of Marvel movies and series already on the HOOQ platform – the recent Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, Agent Carter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s the Avengers, Thor, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Captain America – The First Avenger.   This exclusive deal comes shortly after HOOQ announced their collaboration with Disney, earlier this year to bring their latest movies onto the platform via Transactional VOD (TVOD).   

“HOOQ is always looking for new ways and partnerships to bring exciting and quality content to our viewers.  This tie-up with Disney, which now allows our viewers to catch their favourite series Inhumans, Runaways and Cloak and Dagger on the same day as the US telecast is something we are very proud of and brings the world of Marvel’s superheroes closer to Asia. Marvel’s series’ now available on HOOQ is the first of many things to come with this tie-up and we will continue to push boundaries, to evolve and stay committed to delivering unique, compelling and edgy stories to millions of our customers in the region,” said Chief Executive Officer of HOOQ, Peter Bithos.  

“We are excited to extend our collaboration with HOOQ in bringing these iconic Marvel shows day and date with the US telecast to digital audiences across Southeast Asia.  We are pleased to offer our Marvel fans yet another platform to enjoy their favourite TV shows" said Amit Malhotra, VP and GM of Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.  

Marvel’s Inhumans is the latest series from Marvel Studios and its first chapter is shot completely in IMAX® cameras.  After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself.   

Marvel’s Runaways will be the first TV adaptation of the Marvel comic of the same name, where a group of teenagers find out not only do they have superpowers, but that their parents are supervillains.  Torn between filial piety and being heroes, they will face adversaries like never before.   

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger, also follows the characters of the Marvel comic of the same name. Heroes Tyrone Johnson and Tandy Bowen share a symbiotic relationship as a crime fighting duo since they are Light and Darkness incarnate. These series are all set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  

==

HOW TO GET HOOQ 

It’s easy to get HOOQ’d.  Customers can simply download the HOOQ app from Apple Store or Google Play, sign up or log in, to access HOOQ’s extensive library of Hollywood and local hits.  Find out more and sign up today for a 30-day free trial at www.hooq.tv.  You can also get HOOQ bundled with Globe At Home and Globe postpaid and prepaid plans.   

Gelatofix Officially Opens Its Door to a New World of Gelato

Aside from the yummy gelato, make sure to visit Gelatofix and try their pasta and risotto dishes. They're soooo lip-smacking good!

Press Release:

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Gelatofix, an Italian Artisanal gelato café, officially opens its doors in its first Philippine branch at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig.  The world-class café is renowned for its over the top gelato creations and exquisite Italian cuisine created by award-winning chefs, Gelato World Cup Champion, Master Chef Filippo Novelli and Gelatofix Master Chef David Chang. 

A Place To ‘Gelato-fix’ And Chill!

The philosophy of Gelatofix is to give everyone a place where they can ‘hang their hats’ which is an Italian way of saying, ‘take a break’. Wilson Lim, Executive Director, International Business, Singapore’s Commonwealth Capital Group exclaims: “Like a true Italian, we love our gelato and believe no day is complete without our fix of gelato.  With Gelatofix, we wanted to showcase a piece of Italian heritage with each gelato experience by our Filipino customers. Here, we use only the most natural ingredients, prepared via a process that is both masterful and artisanal.” 

Signature Creations & Award-Winning Master Chefs

Gelatofix has the most remarkable handcrafted gelato masterpieces created by the Gelato World Cup Champion, Master Chef Novelli. Lim enthused: “We are known for having the smoothest and creamiest Italian gelato and for our first class and exquisite gelato gourmets from piatti (in plates), coppe (in cups), toasts and cakes. But what we are most proud of is the ‘Gelato Sushi’ creation by Master Chef Novelli.” 

Lim also boasts of their signature toast box, also known as the ‘Magic Boxx’, created by Gelatofix Master Chef David Chang. It is a unique fusion of Asian bread toasted to perfection, cubed in sweet buttery texture, topped with Italian gelato and served with a treasure chest of renowned Gelatofix chocolate sauce. 

Extraordinary Café’ Menu

Other than gelato, Gelatofix also serves nutritious gourmet salads, rich-flavored soups, lavish mains, and to-die for beverages. For the health-conscious, there’s the Italian-inspired gourmet salads that balances off the greens with fruits and dressing, topped with a creamy scoop of Fior di Latte gelato. If you want something unique for an entrée, try the pasta selection with Portobello mushrooms, crunchy prawns, succulent squids and juicy parma ham. And for those who are looking for local flavors, Gelatofix provides an array of the best and locally curated Filipino-inspired dishes.

Growing Gelatofix in the Philippines & the World

“We will be the first in the Philippines to launch an authentic Italian dessert lifestyle café chain under Gelatofix. It will be the destination of choice for both young people and working adults who are in the prowl for mouth-watering yet guilt-less gelato and food offerings which make a serious play on both Italian and local flavors,” said Mr. Von Lacorte, Director, Gelatofix Philippines.  

He adds that another five new Gelatofix outlets will be added over the next 12 months in Metro Manila so more people will have the ‘fix’ they need, whenever and wherever they crave for it.

Internationally, the Gelatofix café chain will be available in Cambodia, Kuwait, Maldives, and Qatar.  

Don’t Miss the Last Few Days to Score Fresh Deals at Robinsons Supermarket’s Freshtival!

One of the things I love about Robinsons Supermarket is their advocacy to encourage Filipinos to eat healthier. As we celebrate Nutrition Month this July, may each of us be more mindful of our food choices so that we can enjoy life longer with our loved ones. Read below why you should catch the awesome Freshtival offerings before the promo ends!  

Press Release:

Robinsons Supermarket's Freshtival is coming to a close, but shoppers still have a few days to score a wide array of fresh items that are conveniently available and easily affordable.

Mark your calendars  

Now on its 4th year, Freshtival continues to further promote the supermarket’s fresh section products by also giving shoppers exciting discounts, freebies, and special offers in July.

Every Monday, shoppers can buy a kilo of Supersavers Pork Barbeque to get an additional half a kilo free. They can also get P10 discounts on every kilo of Robina Farms Pork Pata Front, Robina Farms Pork Rib Shoulder, or the Supersavers Pork Chop Skin-On Bone-In.

Shoppers can enjoy a kilo of Magnolia Assorted Chicken Cut Ups for only P110. Those who purchase Magnolia Free Range Chicken on July 28 can get additional 15 Robinsons Rewards Card Points.

Fruit lovers will have more reasons to drop by Robinsons Supermarket every July weekend with a buy 1, take 1 promo on Fuji Apples and Grapes. Kids can also get an early start to healthy eating with a free apple in select Robinsons Supermarket branches. Shoppers may also enjoy Whatta Tops Chocolahat or Mango Graham while saving P5. 

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July, shoppers can get 2 free packs of Supersavers Cheese Slice 90g when they purchase CDO Highlands Premium Beef Patties 452g and free Magnolia Popsies Choco 65ml for every pack of Purefoods Tender Juicy Jumbo Hotdog 1kg. 

Fresh ideas to keeping healthy

The Freshtival also introduces selected vegetable produce grown from farms that follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). These GAP-certified farms minimize the use of pesticides to give consumers more affordable options aside from buying organic produce.

In selected stores, the month-long Freshtival also features hydroponic vegetables that are free of pesticides and grown in nutrient-rich water, as well as Halal frozen products.

Shopping for fresh items during the Freshtival can also be extra rewarding for Robinsons Rewards members as every purchase of participating items in select stores can earn them an extra 10 points.

Robinsons Supermarket’s Freshtival is freshly rewarding. To know more about upcoming promos and events, please visit Robinsons Supermarket’s official website or Facebook page. 

Oishi Snacktacular 2017 is Happening this July!

I was at Oishi's Snacktacular event last year (read all about it here) with my son who gamely joined the activities with me (read his writeup, here). This year, we're looking forward to visiting the exciting booths once again. Plus, the venue is in our part of the Metro! 

Press Release:

We’ve witnessed Panya, Hippy, Pilyo, Waifu, and the rest of the Oishi Friends in their slightly dark but humorous mishap adventures in Oishi’s famous webcomic strip series. With the friends’ varying appearances and personalities inspired by Oishi snacks, who can resist these adorable characters? And now, see them come to life in this years Oishi Snacktacular 2017 at Festival Mall, Alabang this coming July 28-30. Meet and eat the yummiest gang as Oishi’s innovative and interactive booths make their comeback with a twist!

We all know that Make Your Own Snack allows us to be inventive by choosing and mixing your chips and flavors of choice. This year, you choose a dip (or two) that you want to try with your favorite Oishi snack! Ridges dipped in chocolate? Why not! How about your favorite Fishda dipped in cheese and honey mustard? Trust us, it’s worth trying! 

O-Twirl is also offering something new to Oishi’s soft served ice cream with another flavor for you to try! Choose between Oishi Choco Chug and Oishi’s newest tetra drink, Tea Matchi Matcha milk tea! Don’t forget to top it off with 2 Oishi toppings!

This year’s Cuckoo Blaster is double the fun because you get to pair up with your friend (or stranger) in matchy Cuckoo geared suits to catch as many balls you can. The more balls you catch as a team, the more Oishi drinks each player wins. Two Cuckoo Birds are better than one!

Crowd favorite Oishi Snack Catcher is back! Dive into an enormous pool of Oishi snacks and grab all the treats you can take with your own hands! And of course, the Snack Shack booth will be there where you can fill up your 2-foot Giant Pack with your favorite Oishi Snacks in 60 seconds.

Don’t miss your chance to try out all these with your favorite Team O members, Alex Gonzaga, Maine Mendoza, Daniel Padilla, and Kathryn Bernardo! Drop by Oishi Snacktacular, the most O,Wow event of 2017!

#OishiOWow #OishiSnacktacular

Ketchup Mayo Fries is Back at Freezer Burn!

Love French fries? This one is a must-try!

Press Release:

This July, an old favorite is making its way back to our ice cream shop.

The Ketchup Mayo Fries à la Mode — the oddball flavor Freezer Burn debuted last year — is officially back.

It’s as weird as it’s enjoyable, with salt and pepper fries accompanying your Ketchup Mayo ice cream, which then turns into a milky dip as it melts. If you so desire, you can also have it now with twister fries! 

It doesn’t stop there. If you drop by Freezer Burn from July 10 to July 31, you can treat yourself to a solo serving of Ketchup Mayo Fries for just P95 or you can invite your family and friends and get a bigger carton (for sharing) at only P195!

Get the Ketchup Mayo Fries at Freezer Burn, Q3 (Ground Floor), Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The Workshop: A Pastry Chef’s Space to Create and Innovate

I've been to Le Petit recently to attend a product launch and they serve quaint, delicious snacks. I'm coming back soon to try that mouthwatering guava cheese tart!

Press Release:

Never ones to be satisfied by trends or convention, rising culinary stars Chef Miko Aspiras and Chef Kristine Lotilla have made it their mission to elevate the Filipino dessert experience. Located within the Le Petit Soufflé restaurant in the Mega Fashion Hall is their latest offering to the Metro Manila food scene—the Workshop Bespoke Bakery. 

A workshop is a space brimming with possibilities. It is a place where people hunker down to create, experiment, and labor with much dedication and love. This is what this new bespoke bakery is for the two young chefs. Chef Miko confides, “As pastry chefs, we wanted a space where we could create. If we ever got inspired, there would be a space for us to do it. This is our working shed.”

Each one armed with a background in hotels, the two wanted to go beyond the usual cupcakes, brownies, and cakes and prove that Filipino talent is capable of so much more than your run-of-the-mill desserts. “All of our offerings are made of the finest ingredients, crafted with technique and precision. We give painstaking attention to detail, flavors, and quality. Each creation speaks of our team’s dedication to the art of desserts,” explains Chef Kristine. 

The chefs are committed to educating and training each member of their staff, sharing their knowledge of the technique required to produce high quality pastries. “Many of our staff have no culinary background, and we strive to train them to become skilled patissiers and bakers,” she emphasizes.

Customers can expect unusual menu items such as the Matcha Canelé, the Guava Cheese Tart, artisanal Valrhona chocolate bars, and decadent Entremets — treats you would be hard pressed to find in just any restaurant. And the best part is that the chefs are more than willing to customize desserts for hopeful customers, using all of the flavors, techniques, and inspirations they have gathered from their travels. The Workshop is where fancy meets fun and avant garde. Your potluck dessert contribution will never be the same. 

“We try to be risky with our desserts. We want to introduce new flavors and techniques. We owe this to our fellow Filipinos!” Chef Kristine says. With that in mind, customers must visit the workshop with a hungry stomach, a craving sweet tooth, and most importantly, an open mind and heart. 

“Be adventurous! It will be worth it,” Chef Miko promises. “This is our invitation: take a bite out of our joy!”

For more information on the Workshop, LIKE  Workshop_ph on Facebook and FOLLOW @workshop_ph on Instagram.

The Workshop is a bespoke bakery by Chefs Miko Aspiras and Kristine Lotilla located inside Le Petit Soufflé in Mega Fashion Hall. A bakery par excellence, Workshop’s creations are made fresh daily, with the finest ingredients and crafted by skilled patissiers and bakers.

Low-Cost Remittances and More Made Easy via TrueMoney's Large Network

Financial services have just become more accessible to "underbanked" or "unbanked" Filipinos who prefer face-to-face transactions over online-based business models. Read this to know why TrueMoney is breaking the mold of a typical FinTech startup company and how it is building its large network all over the Philippines ...  

Press Release:

“FinTech” (short for Financial Technology) is an extremely hot industry sector in business today. Talk to any tech investor or Venture Capitalist out there and they will tell you how investment into FinTech companies and start-ups has soared in the past two years. In 2016 alone, according to data accumulated by investment bank Financial Technology Partners, FinTech companies globally raised a total of US$36 billion in funding.

Xavier Marzan

FinTech is especially attractive in emerging markets like the Philippines because of the massive opportunity to serve those without access to efficient payments and banking services today. And according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), this number of “underbanked” or “unbanked” Filipinos is still around 70% of working adults today. 

However, skim through these FinTech companies and you’ll find that most, if not all, existing FinTech players have a skew towards an app-based service or digital-first business model. 

Enter TrueMoney, the latest mobile financial services provider in the market. The company started out with a totally different view of how to provide FinTech services— its focus on face-to-face transactions. 

TrueMoney POS terminal

TRUE ACCESSIBILITY

“Our mission is to provide affordable and innovative financial services to those who are underbanked and underserved today,” says TrueMoney Philippines CEO Xavier Marzan. “That means going beyond a purely digital UI (user interface) and being present in the physical world where these segments are transacting today.”

The strategy seems to be working. The company has only been in operations in the Philippines for less than a year and yet has achieved a level of size and scale that some of these FinTech start-ups are still aspiring for. In a matter of months, the company has grown from nothing into an organization with hundreds of employees across the country and with a distribution network comprised of 5,000 TrueMoney Centers which they manage with a high standard. These Centers are currently capable of performing remittance transactions, bills payment, gaming credits, and even payments for e-commerce purchases. 

a TrueMoney center in Pasig

“We need to bring underserved customers who don’t even use banking services today along a customer journey. This requires us to be pervasive across the country and be able to serve customers even in farther-flung areas,” Marzan adds. 

“Getting to this point, however, has not been easy,” says Mr. Marzan. “We had to contend with all kinds of challenges that are inherent in a ‘last mile’ business.” 

True enough, access to financial services has been hard to come by in majority of places in the Philippines, with nearly 40% of municipalities in the country not having any banking presence, according to a study by the BSP. 

TrueMoney in Bataan

Currently, TrueMoney Centers in the Philippines already provide convenient payments and financial services to provinces and far flung areas including Albay, Bataan, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos, Isabela, Laguna, La Union, Metro Manila, Misamis Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, and Zambales and more!

“Where we are today is just the starting point,” Marzan says. “We are constantly growing our network of partner centers to cover more greenfield areas.” 

TrueMoney in Pangasinan

TRUE AFFORDABILITY


Given its large network today, TrueMoney has also started to offer domestic money remittance services. And true to its mission of providing affordable services, it has come out with one of the lowest sending rates in the country for cash-to-cash remittance services. 

While the average rates for domestic remittances today range from 3 percent to more than 10 percent for some providers, TrueMoney rates go as low as only 2 percent of the transaction amount—without any additional charges to the recipient. So say for remittances of P1,000, the total cost of sending is only P20. The recipient also gets the entire amount without any additional charges. 

“We are also constantly innovating our services and plan to offer more services in the future,” says Marzan.

To know more about TrueMoney and how to become a TrueMoney partner agent, visit www.truemoney.com.ph or call (02) 7189999. You may even text them at 09778063775 (Globe) or 0998565999 (Smart).

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About CP group:

The CP (Charoen Pokphand) Group is one of the largest conglomerates in the world. It is Thailand's largest private company and operates in several industries—agribusiness and food, retail and distribution, and communications. Founded in 1921, the CP Group employs over 300,000 employees, with investments in over 20 countries.

About  Ascend Group: 

Ascend Group is a digital commerce company headquartered in Thailand operating several businesses across Southeast Asia. It aims to be a regional player in several industries. Its mission is to create opportunities for all, through world-class digital platforms and services. With the company’s position as the leader of e-Commerce in Thailand, it has entered into several partnerships, including with Alipay and Google, to grow and become the leader in eCommerce and digital services in Southeast Asia by 2017.

Ascend Group provides cost-effective end-to-end e-Commerce services, with fulfillment solutions that enhance delivery efficiency for both online and offline sales channels, e-Payment and lending, e-Service business providing comprehensive digital marketing solutions, world-class data centers and cloud services, as well as venture capital.

About Alibaba Group:

Alibaba Group is a Chinese ecommerce company that provides consumer-to-consumer, business-to consumer and business-to-business sales services. It also provides electronic payment services, a shopping search engine and data-centric cloud computing services. In 2012, two of Alibaba's portals handled $170 billion in sales. As of December 2015, the company’s market cap value was about $212 billion. Alibaba has been the most dominant retailer in the world, generating more gross merchandise volume than Amazon.com and eBay combined. Its online sales & profits surpassed all US retailers combined in 2015

About Ant Financial Services Group 

Formerly known as Alipay, Ant Financial Services Group is an affiliate company of the Chinese Alibaba Group. It operates the Alipay payment platform.  Alipay.com is a third-party online payment platform. It was launched in China in 2004 by Alibaba Group and its founder Jack Ma.  As of October 2016, Alipay has around 400 million users and controls just under half of China's online payment market. Alipay is the world's largest mobile and online payments platform since 2014.

HOOQ Joins Spider-Man Homecoming World Premiere

Hey, Marvel fans! Did you know that you can watch all the past Spider-Man movies on HOOQ? Start your FREE trial now! 

Press Release:

PHILIPPINES, 05 July 2017 

HOOQ, the largest video-on-demand service in Southeast Asia recently brought Filipino social media superstars Donnalyn Bartolome and Wil Dasovich to the world premiere of Spider-Man Homecoming last June 28, 2017 at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, U.S.A. for a once in a lifetime experience. 

from left: Alodia, Wil, Donnalyn, Sheila, and Jako

Joining them were Sheila Paul, Head of Marketing for HOOQ Philippines, YouTube producer/manager Jako de Leon, and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.

The Philippine entourage was able to meet Spider-Man cast members Laura Harrier who plays Spider-Man's love interest Liz, as well as Filipino-American actor Jacob Batalon in a breakthrough role as Spider-Man's best friend Ned.

Donalyn and Wil with Laura Harrier

They were also able to meet internet superstar Zach King, Orange is the New Black star Selenis Leyva, US Champion ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani among others. Spider-Man Homecoming will be released in the Philippines on July 6, 2017.  

The film stars Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Donald Glover, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tyne Daly, Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. 

Donalyn with Jacob Batalon

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker tries to balance high school life with being a superhero. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine -- distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.

To get ready for his new adventures, revisit all of the past movies of the webcrawler including Spider-Man 1, 2 and 3 as well as The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 all exclusively on HOOQ. 

from left: Sheila, Wil, and Donalyn

HOW TO GET HOOQ

It’s easy to get HOOQ’d.  Customers can simply download the HOOQ app from Apple Store or Google Play, sign up or log in, to access HOOQ’s library of top Hollywood and Asian hits anytime, anywhere and on any device including computers, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, and smart TVs via Google Chromecast and all Apple devices.  Globe At Home customers can get to try HOOQ for free with plans P1,299 and up, while Globe mobile customers can also get a trial of up to 6 months on selected prepaid and postpaid plans. You may also sign up for a 7-day trial at www.hooq.tv. 

It’s Raining Deals in F1 Hotel Manila

Don't let the rains get you down! Here are some ideas of activities we can engage to banish those rainy season blues ...

Press Release:

Seems like rain can’t stop from falling, so why not embrace it and visit F1 Hotel Manila this July until August for their rainy day promotions? Make yourself feel at home with F1 Hotel’s suite rooms and appetizing selection of food to offer.

Cuddle up and keep yourself comfy and warm by availing an overnight stay in a City Suite with “Make It Rain” Room Package. This comes with buffet breakfast and complimentary in-room massage for two (2) persons, for the special rate of Php 6,388 nett per night. This staycation is perfect for couples, or for the whole family to enjoy!

Grab your festive hats when visiting F1 Hotel’s F All-Day Dining for the American Feast which is available every Friday & Saturday. Bountiful buffet spread awaits you for lunch or dinner at only Php 1,699 nett per person. Alongside the American Feast, F1 Hotel also offers Sausage Festival at the Canary Lounge, wherein a variety of great a la carte sausage dishes is served.  

What is good food without drinks? Celebrate with friends with 2+1 Beer Plunge, by getting your third bottle of beer for free, for every three beer bottles purchased. 

Turn this rainy season into a bright staycation by visiting F1 Hotel Manila Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. To place reservation or inquiries, call 908-7888, send an e-mail to inquiry@f1hotelsandresorts.com or visit their website at www.f1hotelmanila.com. 

Happiness By Way of Ramen is Found at Hanamaruken

Aren't the names of the dishes at Hanamaruken so creative?! Do visit one of their branches located in Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, or Rockwell and try their various offerings!

Press Release:

In the Manila food scene, a trend picks up, catches fire, and eventually fizzles out. Thus, when the ramen trend hit several years ago, numerous ramen restaurants sprouted around Metro Manila faster than you could slurp up a bowl of miso soup. Today, ramen restaurants are a dime a dozen, challenging the remaining competitors to set themselves apart. How? By meeting three criteria—quality, authenticity, and (for the bolder chefs), innovation—and that's exactly what Hanamaruken seems to be so good at.

Hana Champion

Hanamaruken Ramen found its beginnings in no less than the mecca of Japanese cuisine—Osaka, Japan. It was founded by Takaku Arakawa, a man whose family was in the piggery business. As the one whose job was to sell pork wholesale, he developed a passion for it, and wanted to find a way to integrate his favorite cut into ramen, the Japanese national food. 

Signature Happiness Ramen

He discovered “Tonkotsu” which is stewed pork cartilage—a cut that was not only delicious and flavorful, but one that could easily broken by chopsticks. This is what set his ramen apart from the numerous ramen restaurants in Osaka, and is what birthed what many like to call his masterpiece ramen: The Signature Happiness Ramen. This joyful bowl includes a shoyu tonkotsu broth ramen topped with a tender, slow-braised custom cut soft bone rib. Over 40 restaurants later, Hanamaruken has found its new home in Manila, thanks to ramen enthusiast, technopreneur, and restaurateur Charles Paw. He frequented the restaurant so often during his travels that he decided to bring it here as a franchise. Why keep this joy to himself, after all?

Hana Abura

The Signature Happiness Ramen is one among 7 options to choose from, on a menu that is simple and straightforward, but nonetheless appetizing. The Sparerib Ramen and the Potbelly Ramen are certainly menu stars, but the other selections—the Curry Tan Tan Mien, the Spicy Tobanjan Ramen, the Salary Man Ramen, and the Chasyu Ramen can certainly hold their own as well. And for a small fee of Php50, you can add an Aji Tamago, a traditional marinated soft boiled egg.

Edamame

At Hanamaruken, meat is taken quite seriously, and thus must be enjoyed in different forms and ways. The Hanamaruken Rice bowls capture the Filipino palate's fascination with rice, and topping a dining staple with meat so good you could cry about it. But happiness must come first! Customers are raving about the Happiness Rice Bowl, which includes the famous pork rib over steamed rice, as well as the Drunk Man Rice Bowl, which includes kukuni with two fried eggs on rice—because there's nothing quite like a bowl of carbs and protein for nursing a hangover. 

fried rice

Other must-tries include the classic Gyoza and the Ebi Tempura. One can never truly go wrong with Japanese comfort food, especially when assured of topnotch quality. “We strive to provide only the best quality ingredients to satisfy our customers. We settle for nothing less,” insists Arakawa, who speaks of his restaurants with as much tenderness as a father would of his son. “I put my soul and passion into making this ramen,” he boldly declares.

enjoy eating!

For more information on Hanamaruken LIKE Hanamaruken Ramen on Facebook and FOLLOW @hanamaruken_ph on Instagram.

What Happens When Two Cuisines Make Amends: The Ping Pong Diplomacy

This restaurant has a very interesting story. I'm looking forward to visiting it, soon!

Press Release:

Does Pingpong Diplomacy serve fusion cuisine? “Not quite,” says Chef Noel Mauricio. Interpretation, he says, is definitely a better word to describe the Chinese-American inspired menu he and Chef Him Uy de Baron designed to leave each customer surprised, intrigued, and definitely wanting more.

Crunchy Eggplant

Techpreneur turned restaurateur Charles Paw explains that after the Cold War, the first formal communication between the United States and China was the exchange of table tennis players. This was their first act of diplomacy. It was their first attempt to thaw the ice, and the inspiration behind the theme and name of his new restaurant. When brainstorming menu items for Ping Pong Diplomacy, Paw’s vision was to take his customers back in time to the seventies—when Americans didn’t know much about China beyond stereotypes. The restaurant’s interiors are reminiscent of Chinatown in the decade of bellbottoms and disco, and one can expect to enjoy music from the likes of the Beegees, Gloria Gaynor, and Queen as they enjoy their meals. Even the servers sport retro graphic tees with the names of the streets found in the different Chinatowns in the US printed across the front.

Oriental Burgers

But all of these elements simply set the stage, because the spotlight stays on the menu. Chef Noel was trained in Paris and the South of France, and may be best known for his work at French Japanese fusion restaurant, Le Petit Souffle. Trusted by Charles Paw to produce no less than creativity and innovation in the kitchen, he was paired with another kitchen maverick, seasoned Chef Him Uy de Baron, who is most famous for changing the ramen game back in 2013. The two have put their heads together to redefine Chinese and American cuisines, and marry the two in ways that have never been done before. “‘No cookbooks!’ we were told,” shares Chef Noel. “Charles wanted this restaurant to be a literal melting pot of cultures, culinary training, and whatever ideas of Chinese and American cuisine we had.” 

Dan Dan Chicken Skin Rice

And so what does this progressive restaurant look, sound, and taste like? Their most popular dishes include a Wonton Cheeseburger, wagyu beef wrapped in a crispy wonton and served with a sharp cheddar as a starter. The Typhoon Shelter Grilled Prawns, one of Hong kong’s culinary legends, is done Ping Pong Diplomacy-style, covered in crispy garlic and charred pickled vegetables. The Caveman Beef Rib, a melt-in-your-mouth braised beef rib cooked in crispy shallots and zhenjang vinaigrette, is definitely not one to miss. And why not have the Fortune Balls for dessert? Mochi is done with a Ping Pong Diplomacy twist, made with taro, ginger, and black sesame, dusted with sesame crumble, and served with a pistachio cream.  

Mongo Buchi

Ping Pong Diplomacy also has a takeout menu for when you’re hungry in a hurry. There are buns, drinks, and other desserts you can grab through the grills. Their oriental burgers come in three variations, 5-spice Chicken, Cumin Pulled Lamb, and Szechuan Pork Belly—each one skillfully layered between toasted baos. As a takeout dessert, you may choose between Ping Pong Diplomacy’s own version of the original egg tarts and ice cream buns, which are comprised of peanut cake, vanilla ice cream, and toasted bao. Ping Pong Diplomacy also boasts of a drinks menu that includes Rose and Plum Iced Teas, a Cucumber Ginger Cooler, and even a Hong Kong Milk Tea. 

refreshing beverages

For a unique experience of progressive Chinese fare, visit the Ping Pong Diplomacy at the 3rd floor of SM Aura. For more information, LIKE Ping Pong Diplomacy on Facebook FOLLOW @pingpongdiplomacyph on Instagram.

Meditate Towards Lasting Happiness

Sharing this for those who are searching for a way to achieve peace of mind and lasting happiness ...

Press Release:

Think of the human mind as a hard drive where all your life experiences are stored like pictures. We’re all familiar with the phrase, “I just can’t shake that picture out of my mind”, and this is also true in the metaphorical sense. We just can’t let go of certain experiences, and this affects how we go about the world. Often, this holds us back from achieving our true potential self because we are bogged down by the emotions and memories that our minds have held on to for so long. 

We tend to look outside ourselves for the answers to life’s pressing problems, but to practitioners of meditation the answer always lies within ourselves.  Makati Meditation and Ortigas Meditation are two groups in the Philippines that encourage the practice of subtraction meditation as a method towards lasting happiness. 

Humans take pictures of all experiences through the five senses – eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and body- and store those pictures in the mind. Pictures of our family, our childhood, fighting with friends, even memories of our first love, we have taken pictures of them and stored them in our mind. Stress, worries, and all the moments of hardships are pictures in our mind. These pictures trouble us and we cannot escape from this for the rest of our lives. Throwing away these pictures in the mind is the Subtraction Meditation method. 

The Subtraction Meditation is a meditation method that is composed of seven levels which is about throwing away the false mind or pictures in the human mind. The meditation helper guides students in each level. As one goes through the levels, practitioners eventually enlighten by themselves. 

The first step is letting go. For stand-up comedian Tim Tayag, this has been key, “Now I can let go of my past, my mistakes, my false minds, and even meditation itself. As a result, I have a better disposition, and I am much happier.”

The change towards lasting happiness starts with self-reflection. Through the practice of meditation, the time and energy spent on useless thoughts are lessened, allowing one’s self to focus on the most important things in life. Before we start new things we should take time to look back to the past and assess ourselves. This also applies to our workplace, school and community. We examine our success and failures; we learn from our past mistakes and prepare to do better in the future. For Emil Capino, a Chief Technology Officer, this came in the form of a more efficient work performance that has also spread to other areas in his life. “I can break-free from all the stress, worries and anxieties coming from my job,” says Capino. “Now I can do and accomplish more with a peace of mind and real happiness that no amount of money can provide.”

Meditation is the process of reflecting on one’s inner self to deeply understand ourselves. When we know ourselves completely, we can live the life that we want. Through meditation, we can find wise and practical solutions to all the root cause of our problems and complex situations that we face in our daily lives. “I have realized many benefits including mental clarity and greater patience,” says Reggie Ofrin, a Mechanical Engineer by profession. “Now I can smile even on the road during blood-curdling traffic jams.”

As much as we empty our mind, the more our inner strength takes root. When we empty our minds, the human mind transforms. Through meditation, one can have a broad and caring mind, being considerate of others, smiling more often, being calm and becoming more focused coming from inner peace. Having a clear mind, one can make wiser decisions in every moment. “I can find my inner peace without self-defeating talk or having to worry about judgement or criticism from other people,” says practitioner Gerilyn Baltan, who is a marketing manager by profession. The benefits of meditation bleed onto every aspect of your life. The normal tendency is to fix problems at hand which may not necessarily address the root cause of those problems, meditation is a holistic approach that everyone can do if they just take the time. 

At Makati Meditation practitioners come to the center usually after work. Some of them come around lunch time or before work so they can make use of their time meditating in the center instead of being stuck in traffic.

They cannot emphasize enough that anyone can do meditation. Practitioners range from businessmen, employees, students, housewives etc.  People from all walks of life with diverse religious beliefs and nationalities come to meditate. While the language that surrounds meditation can be a heady concept, the objectives are very grounded. Increasing self-confidence, overcoming traumatic experiences, eliminating stress are just some of the main ones. So for people who hesitate with the jargon and find that inner peace is a little too abstract, there’s still a takeaway for them here. 

At Makati Meditation and Ortigas Meditation, they often start with a lecture before meditation, which includes achieving the proper posture and participants are guided through the session accordingly. For beginners, this is a helpful process to orient oneself to the practice. Even longtime practitioners find guided meditations helpful when they’re finding it particularly difficult to quiet the mind. 

At Makati Meditation they encourage participants to meditate twice a week. At first, a one on one session with an instructor is advised, but after two weeks, practitioners can choose to join the group class. Studies show that group meditations are an even more powerful force for peace. 

Entrepreneur Catherine Dy credits meditation as a practice that helped her live a happier life, “I am free from stress, fear and anxiety. I am living a life full of joy, peace and gratitude.” 

Book your free introductory seminar at Makati Meditation Center or at Ortigas Meditation center now. 

MAKATI MEDITATION CENTER

02-856-6943

makatimeditation@gmail.com

Classica Tower 2, 114 H.V. Dela Costa, Makati 1227 Metro Manila

https://www.facebook.com/makatimeditation/

http://makatimeditation.org/

ORTIGAS MEDITATION CENTER

02-687-1294

ortigasmeditation@gmail.com

#2505 AIC Gold Tower, F.Ortigas Jr. Ave., Pasig City

https://www.facebook.com/ortigasmeditation/

http://ortigasmeditation.org/