Save up with AXA ION, the first online life insurance store in PH

A life insurance helps that in the event something happens to you, it maybe an accident or a heart attack, the needs of your loved ones can be provided for up to the amount you feel you are worth. You can insure yourself with  AXA eXentials line, guaranteed fast and easy with AXA iON thru online application. Save for the future and provide your family with financial stability and security when it matters most.

AXA Philippines,one of the country’s largest and fastest growing life insurance companies, continues to redefine standards by being the first life insurance company in the Philippines to offer life insurance products online through AXA iON (AXA Insurance Online).

“The internet is playing an ever increasing role in the way we communicate, transact and find information about anything,” says Rien Hermans, President & CEO of AXA Philippines. “Nowadays people meet on social media, find jobs online, buy books, gadgets, clothes, shoes, book hotels and air travel on the internet ---all of this is no surprise to any of us anymore.”

“With AXAiON, we now give customers the chance to secure their financial future from the increasing costs of education, the burden of expensive healthcare costs, and the passing of a breadwinner, all in a digital platform and in just a few, easy steps,”Hermans stated.

Hermans observes that most life insurance companies tend to create a lot of mystery or confusion around their products by coming up with a multitude of options, features and limitations, all packed in a lot of jargon.

“AXA Philippines wants to change this by offering the most basic financial products that can help people secure their financial future in a transparent, easy, and affordable way to the growing population of Filipinos who are logged on to the internet on an almost daily basis,” adds Hermans.

AXA iON offers four (4) fully-guaranteed products that make up the AXA eXentials line, which are designed to be affordable with premiums starting at only P1,000 per month: Health eXentials, Savings eXentials, Academic eXentials, and Life eXentials.

1.  Savings eXentials is a fail-proof alternative to savings that provide better returns than a regular savings account returns, pays out the cash to your family even if you don’t complete the 5-year savings plan in case of death or disability.

2.  Academic eXentials gives guaranteed cash benefits once a year for 5 consecutive years, to help defray costs related to tuition or education. But in case of untimely demise before the 5-year payout period, Academic eXentials will give your family additional cash every year until the year before the scheduled release of benefits.

3.  Life eXentials is a back-to-basics income replacement plan. Unlike typical life insurance plans, Life eXentials pays out its benefits monthly over a period of up to 5 years so there’s no danger of wiping out the insurance proceeds at once and ensures that the beneficiaries get a monthly stipend to replace the income of the loved one who passed away.

4.  Health eXentials is the affordable complement to HMO coverage as it pays out cash upon diagnosis of critical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, including gender specific cancers (breast, cervical, prostate cancers), stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease, liver disease and 30 other critical illnesses.

“Through AXA iON, customers can now learn more about these financial solutions, at their own pace and convenience” says Amor Balagtas, Chief Marketing Officer of AXA Philippines.  “Having done one’s own research and now ready to secure his financial future,one can purchase their desired financial productby simply using their credit card in just a few clicks.”

“But for those who prefer to talk to an AXA Financial Partner, they may use AXA iON to start a conversation on their financial needs, as this is a great tool to help them understand what options are available to them,”Balagtas explains further.

“The internet will not replace the financial advisor, but it will complement the way how we communicate and transact with our clients,” adds Hermans. “This is why we allow customers to select their financial advisor, even if they buy online. This ensures that once they want to do a full financial need analysis,they will have someone that they can turn to.”

“Having someone to support you in the important financial decisions in your life, to balance your investments, to prepare your retirement income and to fail proof your financial plans is of tremendous value.This is the reason why AXA focuses on quality over quantity when it comes to its financial advisors, providing continuous training, and providing them state of the art tools to support their job,” Hermans concludes.

To find out more about AXA iON, visit www.axaion.com.ph.

The craft of making the horror-thriller "Annabelle" from Director Leonetti

“ANNABELLE” DIRECTOR LEARNS CRAFT FROM MENTOR JAMES WAN


“The Conjuring” and “Insidious” cinematographer John R. Leonetti makes his feature directorial debut with New Line Cinema's upcoming horror-thriller “Annabelle.”

The new film begins before the evil was unleashed in “The Conjuring.” John Form (Ward Horton) has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis)—a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia’s delight with Annabelle doesn’t last long.

On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now...Annabelle.

The first-time director talks about his inspiration, mentor James Wan and the craft of making horror films, in the following interview.

Question: You have been working with James Wan as a cinematographer on a number of films. What was it about “Annabelle” that made you want to make the switch to director on this film?

John Leonetti: It’s fun doing these movies with James, like “Insidious” and “The Conjuring.” I love crafting these films as a cinematographer. But this script was so amazing, first of all. When they approached me about it—it just came out of the blue; I didn’t solicit it—I said, ‘Well, let me read the script.’ So I did. It was so good that I couldn’t believe that [screenwriter] Gary Dauberman had written the first draft in just six days.

It’s kind of a throwback to the past in terms of older movies like Polanski’s “Rosemary’s Baby.” It’s birthed by “The Conjuring,” I guess you could say, but the structure of this movie is different and one thing I really love is female protagonists. I’m a fan of women, and I’ve always been attracted to stories that are about women. And, honestly, as weakened as our heroine Mia becomes in the events surrounding this doll and the demon she has to confront, she is a very strong and has a very powerful soul in her own right.

But, really, it was the script, and then knowing that the family—I guess you could call it “The Conjuring” family from New Line—would be involved.

Q: When you’re directing, do you have to fight the urge to set up shots like a cinematographer or do you see it as more of a collaboration?

Leonetti: I do separate myself from it. However, having [cinematographer] Jimmy Kneist on the film, who’s really talented, was great. He’s someone that is open enough to let me add my three cents, yet he gets my vision and my sensibility enough to be able to just make it happen. I’m very specific about how I set up my shots. I didn’t storyboard the movie before we started, but I literally visualized, shot-listed, edited and cut the whole movie before we even started shooting. I’m very visual, obviously. That’s my day job. [Laughs] But when you’re working with a filmmaker like James Wan, you analyze how he’s directing these movies. He’s very visual as well. And we’ve been a pretty awesome team for five movies in a row.

Q: You’ve got like mind-meld going on...

Leonetti: Yeah, we do. [Laughs] So, when he visualizes something, I know I can give it to him. For someone else to come in and be me while I’m being James, if you will, it would be difficult for anybody because I know where I want to cut, where the transitions are, all those things.

It’s not to say that Tom Melkins, our editor, won’t be making variations on that, as he should, and make it better. That’s awesome, because the movie is not just about how it looks, but what the camera is doing at every moment and why. It’s building up suspense by getting inside Mia’s world, and following the characters and that freaking doll as well. [Laughs]

We’re so lucky to have such a great cast. They’re all amazing actors. But the thread throughout the movie is Mia and that demon and the suspense that builds around this conflict she’s facing essentially alone. And designing that, shot by shot, tasting each element as it comes, has to be very, very specific.

Q: “The Conjuring” has such a distinct look and feel to it. Was that a touchstone for you for “Annabelle”?

Leonetti: Oh, no question. Visually, it’s in the same zone as “The Conjuring” in terms of inspiration, conception and execution. Jimmy has been kind enough to embrace my cinematography on “The Conjuring,” to help maintain that continuity for a very specific reason. Not just the way the camera moves, but the way the film looks. Both stories take place around 1970, so the period is the same.

The way we manipulate the color in the post process is very similar. So it’s going to have very much the same look and feel and, by the way, it’s just as beautiful.

Q: Can you talk about building the tension and mood of the film, and also engineering the scares in the film? Were those fun for you to devise?

Leonetti: Definitely. The script is written in a way that creates a template for how we pace the movie. And my motto on this movie is ‘less is more,’ patience in suspense, and James Wan knows about that as well, obviously. So it’s always about keeping a balance between the ticking Hitchcock bomb and a jump scare, and you don’t give anything away. So you have to carefully set things up and then it’s how you pay them off throughout the movie, and there are many layers to that. Sometimes it’s just disorienting the audience enough to create the environment to be scared, or to let them know what Mia doesn’t to the point where they say, ‘Oh, no, don’t go down those stairs!’ Whatever it is.
The other thing that we did, which was so wonderful, is to shoot the film almost entirely in continuity. We were able to watch it grow, so that by the third act, everybody emotionally and dramatically can know where we are, from me to the actors.

But, even more importantly, it’s Annabelle’s performance as Mia. I believe that as strong as the demon is, so is she. As much as it knocks the wind out of her sails and tries to take the legs out from underneath her, every time that happens inside, she puts up another pillar of strength. We don’t see it, but it’s there. And then it’s a matter of gauging and varying performance, all the way through the movie, where she’s really vulnerable and becomes stronger.

Opening across the Philippines on October 01, 2014, “Annabelle” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Cherry Mobile unveils the Alpha series together with Kim Chiu

Multi-awarded actress and one of the country’s most sought-after celebrity endorsers, Kim Chiu, once again joins Cherry Mobile in unveiling the newest line of premium yet affordable smartphones and tablets, the Alpha Series, last night, September 9, 2014, at the Harbour Tent of Sofitel Manila.

The event were hosted by Phoemela Barranda and Cherry Mobile brand ambassador, Victor Basa, Kim Chiu graced the launch event as she shared her excitement over Cherry Mobile’s Alpha Series and her new TVC. With her Cherry Mobile devices Kim is able to stay connected with her family and friends, even on the go, especially with the new Style, Luxe, Play, and Morph. The Alpha Series’ sleek design, power, and functionality truly complement Kim’s lifestyle.

A first for the local phone brand recognized as the future of mobile, Cherry Mobile partnered with Microsoft, Intel, and Qualcomm in developing the Alpha Series, which features two smartphones and two tablets. Together, they aim to continue to produce innovative and affordable mobile devices for every Filipino lifestyle.

Heading the series are Cherry Mobile’s 10-inch high-definition, Morph, and 8-inch sleek, Play, which both run on Windows 8.1 operating system. Morph, priced at Php 11,999, is the more productivity-oriented of the pair, coming with its own keyboard in-box, 32 gigabytes of on-board memory, and two gigabytes of RAM. On the other hand, Play, priced at Php 7,999, is designed for mobile play and media consumption, with 16 gigabytes of memory, and a gigabyte of RAM.

Style and Luxe are the series’ smartphones with the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, priced at Php 2,999 and Php 4,999 respectively. Style is for the young techie with its 4-inch 800×480 IPS screen, four gigabytes of memory, and 512 megabytes of RAM. Luxe is for professionals who need powerful smartphones for work. It has a 5-inch 1280×720 HD screen, eight gigabytes of memory, and a gigabyte of RAM.

To compliment these gadgets and to meet the needs of every tech savvy consumer like Kim, all Alpha Series Windows phones come with a free download of Office Mobile, while all Alpha Series Windows tablets come with a one-year free subscription of Microsoft Office 365 Personal.

Similar to Kim Chiu’s continuous rise in the local showbiz scene, Cherry Mobile also continues to introduce new devices to stay ahead of its competitors by meeting the fast changing needs of its consumers, while still staying true to their commitment in offering their products at competitive price points.

Watch GMA News TV’s Biyahe ni Drew visits Kyoto, Nagoya and Shiga, Japan

Join television host Drew Arellano on a personal tour of various exciting places in Japan with his travel show Biyahe ni Drew.

On its first co-production, GMA News TV’s  teams up with Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) for a special two-part episode which will air on September 12 and 19 (Friday, 8 pm on GMA News TV). Drew is reliable travel guide as he takes the viewers on a virtual tour of three of Japan’s historic and picturesque prefectures: Kyoto, Nagoya and Shiga.

The travel show is packed with useful information about Japan. In the first episode, Drew discovers interesting facets of the Japanese culture through his encounters with graceful geishas in Gion district in Kyoto.

Drew has his fair share of memorable experiences during his brief stay in Japan. He meditates with a Zen monk at Kenninji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Kyoto. He tries to calm his mind and control his breathing, guided by a zen master. When he loses concentration, the monk taps his shoulders with a large wooden stick.

Drew becomes a ninja for a day at the Koka Ninja Village in Koka City, Shiga prefecture. Here, he learns the truth behind ninja myths, how they developed their stealth, and the tools and skills that made them such lethal assassins.

At the famous Toei Studio Park (a movie set and theme park) in Kyoto, Drew and the crew dress up as samurais. Drew explores the various attractions in the park that’s meant to educate and entertain local Japanese and tourists about the ancient samurai and ninja traditions.

Watch Biyahe ni Drew and be fascinated by everything and anything that is Japanese.

Drew is a Backroom artist. For Inquiries, call Backroom Inc at 4351108, 4351120 and 9280717 or email us at backroominc@hotmail.com. Like Backroom Inc. on facebook at www.facebook.com/backroominc and or follow Backroom Inc. on twitter at www.twitter.com/BackroomArtists.

#ChristmasComesEarly with 60% OFF Huawei Ascend P2 LTE

Huawei is bringing back its #ChristmasComesEarly treat with 60% off on the original price of its super fast LTE smartpone -- Huawei Ascend P2 LTE.

Sold in Europe for around 400 euros (roughly PhP22,000), Huawei is now offering the Ascend P2 to Filipinos for only PhP8,990 -- a rare opportunity this Christmas season. The early Christmas promo invites everyone to join and experience the super fast LTE handset that matches the growing LTE network connectivity in the country.

"The technological capabilities of the HUAWEI Ascend P2 will enable more customers to have the fastest access to all their content,” said Charles Wu, country consumer device head of Huawei Technologies Philippines, “ with speeds up to 150 Mbps on the 4G LTE network that we deploy in the Philippines and across the world.”

The Huawei Ascend P2 is the perfect combination of elegance and power, and further proof that there's no need to compromise when desiring a perfect smartphone. The Huawei Ascend P2 features a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor and LTE Cat 4 providing an ultrafast web experience with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps. Continuing the fashion legacy of the Ascend P-series, it is only 8.4mm slim with an infinity edge 4.7-inch IPS HD in-cell touch display with second-generation Corning Gorilla Glass, and will be available in black and white.

The HUAWEI Ascend P2 runs on the Android 4.1 operating system, with Huawei's own Emotion UI 1.5. Powered by a 2420 mAh battery and 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, the Ascend P2 downloads HD movies in minutes, and loads online videos, web pages, songs or e-Books in seconds. Huawei's proprietary ‘swift sharing' supports uploads and downloads two to three times faster than other smartphones in a Wi-Fi environment. With its NFC module*, Ascend P2 enables e-payments and can act as an electronic ticket. Huawei's unique Quick Power Control (QPC) and Automated Discontinuous Reception (ADRX) power-saving technologies, reduces power consumption and charging time by more than 30% compared to other smartphones.

Continuing the fashion focus of Huawei's Ascend P smartphones, HUAWEI Ascend P2 evokes the image of an infinity pool with its seamless, elegant design and curvy contours. Using in-cell technology, its LCD 4.7-inch IPS HD touchscreen is an impressive 8.4mm slim. Its ‘magic touch' feature provides enhanced screen responsiveness even with gloves, and instant keyword translation and Wikipedia searches can now be done on a single window with ‘smart reading'. The screen also calibrates its brightness automatically under any light conditions, allowing users to perform any function, under any light.

The HUAWEI Ascend P2 provides optimal photo and video features including a 13 MP BSI rear-facing camera with HDR, and a 1.3 MP front-facing camera to support self-portrait and video shooting. A dedicated camera key on the side of the phone also allows instant access to picture taking, click once for the camera to be activated and another time to take the shot. With Huawei's advanced camera algorithm, high-definition images can be captured even in backlit conditions. Auto adjustment modes further enable Ascend P2 to produce photos that rival professional cameras.

The #ChristmasComesEarly treat will be available first in Huawei brand shops, lounges, and kiosks nationwide.

Huawei Brand Shops: 4th Floor Cyberzone, SM North EDSA Annex, Quezon City | 3rd Floor Cyberzone, SM Fairview, QC | 4th Floor SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City | 3rd Floor SM Southmall, Las Pinas City | 2nd Floor Cyberzone SM Cebu City | 4th Floor Ayala Centrio Mall, Cagayan De Oro City | 3rd SM Lanang, Davao City

HUAWEI KIOSK AND LOUNGE: Robinsons Manila, Manila | SM BF, Paranaque City | SM Dasmarinas, Cavite City | SM Lipa, Batangas City | 2F SM Consolacion, Cebu City | Oro Graphics Store, Cagayan De Oro

Huawei Ascend P2 key specifications

•  4.7-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS capacitive touchscreen
•  Corning Gorilla Glass
•  1.5 GHz quad-core processor
•  1GB RAM/2GB RAM
•  16GBROM/32GBROM
•  13 MP auto focus camera with LED Flash
•  1.3 MP front-facing camera
•  4G LTE, 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and NFC
•  Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
•  2420 mAh battery
•  122 grams

When home works, everything works at mabe

GE rings a bell among filipino households when it comes to home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, and other appliances. Mabe a mexican brand since 1946 has been a strongest brand in its 68 years of excellence, quality and service. It partners with GE  in 1987 for the US market to bring you the trusted brand.  Mabe has been producing high end appliances for GE for years. Franklin Chan of  CYA Industries believes in the power of mabe, and partners with distribution of the brand.  mabe recently launched its own line of high end appliances at Resorts World, Manila on September 8, 2014.

The company, which enjoys a top-notch reputation and position in the American market and has since focused on expanding to Middle East, Europe and now Asia. The first is that, while the refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, and other appliances sold by mabe will have the same high quality and top-of-the-line features as their GE-labeled counterparts at a competitive price.

mabe boasts innovative designs and intuitive technology developed by their development center which is one of the largest and advanced in the world, and they believe this is the perfect time to launch their appliances in the Philippine market.

“We are confident more than ever,” says Jane Lo, General Manager of mabe International – Asia.  “The economy is upbeat and the growth is projected to continue for many years to come.  More homes are being built, and a better quality of living is being sought by the market.”

According to Jane, mabe aims to improve the everyday life of as many Filipino household as possible. “We are aligned with CYA Industries, our local partner, on our go to market strategy. CYA mission is to deliver the world's best brands and products that provide comfort in everyday home living, keeping abreast of technologies that make them affordable and sustainable to as many Filipinos as possible.”

mabe started in Mexico in 1946 by business partners Egon Mabardi and Francisco Berrondo; the first two letters of each of their family names was taken to form the company name. Initially, the company manufactured kitchen furniture, gas stoves, ovens, and embeddable grills, but in the 1960s, they began to make refrigerators as well, and they expanded their operations to Central America and the Caribbean.

mabe became known for their pioneering use of plastic interiors in their refrigerators, and their successes brought them to the attention of international appliance company General Electric. They entered into a partnership with GE in 1987 and, by doing so, gained a truly international reach. The company has since entered into various commercial partnerships, becoming a market leader across the Americas, and they hope to bring this success into Asia, Middle East and Europe now as well.
At present, mabe manufactures 13 brands in 15 plants distributed from Canada to Argentina and its products are sold in over 75 countries all around the world. They have over 20,000 employees all engaged in producing, distributing, and marketing over 9 million appliances every year.

UNIQLO PH presents "Lifewear" 2014 Fall-Winter collection

UNIQLO launched the "Lifewear" 2014 Fall-Winter Collection last September 5, 2014 at SM Megamall Fashion Hall ushering in the concept of  clothes that make life better, the new designs are highly functional, affordable, and of outstanding quality, fulfilling the practical demands of fashion-forward Filipinos. Booths or cubes represented different lifestyle situations: Travel (Ultra Light Down, Heattech, Fleece), Play (Denim, UT Sweaters, Flannel), and Work (Ines De la Fressange, Smart Style Pants, Extra Fine Merino.

“We call our design principle ‘LifeWear’ because our projects equip wearers for whatever life offers, so they can conquer every day in style,” said Fast Retailing Philippines, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Katsumi Kubota. More than looking good, UNIQLO creates clothing that provides exceptional comfort, great quality and functionality, and value for money.”

UNIQLO updates its Denim line each season, using only the finest materials and delivering a great fit for everyone. Made of high-quality fabric, the latest UNIQLO Denim designs enhance the wearer’s silhouette while boasting of flattering fit and cut that ensure ease of movement, providing high-end comfort and functionality at wallet-friendly prices.

UNIQLO works with Kaihara Co., Ltd., the world’s best denim manufacturer. The special denim created by the company in Hiroshima, which has a 50% domestic market share and attracts admiration from all brands across the world, has realized unprecedented texture. Ensuring unmatched durability and comfort, the cotton thread is spun and re-spun 64 times to ensure the strongest blend of premium denim and the dyeing process is repeated at least 10 times for a richer color that lasts longer. For the latest collection, UNIQLO and Kaihara created a new supple stretch for superior look and increased comfort.

The men’s line also includes an expanded range of selvedge denim, carefully woven on old-fashioned looms, to produce designs that are less bulky, more durable and less prone to fraying. The women’s line feature ankle-length designs with zippered hems that make the legs look longer and leaner.

Fast Retailing Philippines, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Katsumi Kubota of Uniqlo

 Enjoy cozy comfort with Heattech
UNIQLO’s latest collection features its revolutionary Heattech technology, made even better with close-fitting yet non-constricting designs, with soft and stretchable materials to provide warmth and comfort. Available in a range of items, from classic innerwear to camisoles, socks and scarves, this thermal wear line keeps wearers warm and dry without the bulk. The new women’s collection features an even softer feel with the addition of more Camellia oil, while the men’s line boasts of an increased stretch, so wearers can move freely with no bunching.

UNIQLO is also introducing the Heattech Extra Warm Line to provide extra comfort in extreme weather conditions. This collection is 50-percent more heat-retentive, while offering the same ease of movement and comfort as the original Heattech. The ultra-fine fiber traps body heat in a special knit construction, creating micro-air pockets.

 Travel, Play and Work with UNIQLO
Individuals on the go can gear up for travel, play and work with the latest items from UNIQLO’s 2014 Fall-Winter collection. Amazingly warm yet surprisingly light, Ultra Light Down collection can be folded conveniently into tiny, portable pouches for easy suitcase packing. New designs come in 90-percent down and 10-percent feather for a luxurious look and feel, while the latest Parkas feature aluminum-enhanced lining to help retain heat on cold days.

The latest UNIQLO Fleece uses mineral-infused heat storage thread that helps increase clothing temperature by about 1.5 degrees Celsius, making the latest designs the warmest yet.

Going beyond comfort this season, UT Sweats sport a stylish new look marked by artful prints and flattering silhouettes. New designs come in the finest, softest fabric, making them comfortable and cozy to lounge in, yet stylish enough to be worn outdoors. UNIQLO also breathes new life into classic Flannel, with new colors, modern details, and a slimmer silhouette.

The new collection also features stylish staples and trendy pieces for an updated wardrobe that can go from work to play. Blending sophistication, versatility and comfort, the modern Smart Style Pants feature a smart, tailored look for professional yet stylish ensembles. The brand also brings the timeless elegance and effortless chic look of the Parisian fashion icon to the new Ines de la Fressange collection.

Fashionable individuals can also stay bundled up during the cold season with the latest UNIQLO Extra Fine Merino Knits, made of high-quality, soft merino wool. Featuring special anti-pilling technology, designs are machine-washable and made to endure even when worn and washed regularly.

Taisho Ramen celebrates their 1st year anniversary with a 50% discount on their ramen

Angel Sayaka Satsumi of Taisho Ramen

Noodles are my comfort food next to salmon.   The fact is I can survive eating without rice, but not without noodles. When the ramen bandwagon hit Manila last year, an entire good ramen  restaurant sprouts everywhere in the city. Colored steaming bowls were the trends from green to red to black broth, it was a sight and a taste to behold. To satisfy my cravings, I gave in to several ramen restaurants, I tasted some of the best creamy ramen with green broth and checked out fresh soft noodles.  I admit I am still on the look-out for the best tasting spicy creamiest ramen in town, that is affordable, but not sacrificing the quality.

Ramen according to Wikipedia is a Japanese noodle soup dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or (occasionally) fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork (チャーシュー chāshū?), dried seaweed (海苔 nori?), kamaboko, and green onions. Nearly every region in Japan has its own variation of ramen, from the tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen of Kyushu to the miso ramen of Hokkaido.

Karamen

To get a taste of authentic ramen in Manila you have to at least shell out p500 for one steaming bowl, that is good  for one person, meant not to be shared. I got an invite recently to try out Taisho Ramen & Teppanyaki House at SM The Block, Sky Garden.

Master Taisho Global Corporation is a family owned chain of restaurants in Fukouka Ken, Japan, that operates a variety of food concepts. Founded by Ms. Mariane R. Isono. Taisho Ramen  celebrates their first year anniversary by offering 50 % discounts on their bestsellers ramen from September 8-10, 2014.

They also offer the Tonkotsu Ramen Half Chahan with 3/4 Karage 2 pcs half during weekdays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for only P180.00.

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen

I asked for their bestseller Karamen, and this is what my order looked like, I asked for medium spicy,the taste was tolerable enough, I should order for the deadly spicy instead. The broth was creamy delicious  combined with the soft pork and fresh ramen. The experience was good, I finished the whole bowl. I will come back again on September 8, 2014 to avail of the discount.

tofu salad

They also offer flavored shaved ice, such as strawberry and peach for desserts, with condensed milk on top.

The child wonder from the TV series Pepito Manaloto, Angel Sayaka Satsumi, gamely posed for a picture with my favorite ramen. Go and visit the store from September 8-10 to avail of 50% discount, and discover more authentic japanese cuisine.

Gilas Pilipinas finds redemption in win over Senegal

The road they have traveled was littered with heartaches and frustration, but in their fifth and final try, members of the Gilas Pilipinas finally secured a sought-after victory in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, this time over Senegal with the score of 81-79.

Gilas Pilipinas warded off a last-minute attempt by the Senegal team to tie the game, thanks to the perfect free throw shooting of team.

Captain Jimmy Alapag, who was playing his last game for the Philippine team in international competitions. Coach Chot Reyes stood up and encouraged the crowd to give the team a well-deserved ovation during the final buzzer.

Master, the biggest male face care brand in the Philippines giving men that oil free look gave five lucky Filipinos Jeiel Guarino, Clipper Besin, Michael Cleofe, Jerome Hernandez and Andrew Penaranda the chance to witness this historic win.

Jose Clipper Besin, a civil engineer from Laguna saw live how the Filipinos erupted in jubilation following the win. With a great performance at the world cup, he believes that this is just the beginning for the Philippine team.

Watch video here:

https://rcpt.hightail.com/2620200240/62c073185a95a01530da84773a9f3b4a?cid=tx-02002207350200000000&s=19104


*photo courtesy of pinoybasketball,net

Sweet Chili Thai Fish & Noodle House by Gerry's

I cant eat without condiments of chili, vinegar and sweet chili sauce. I have come to realized that I cant eat without spices. I have loved Thai food eversince Thai restaurants sprout everywhere in Manila. Then comes, Sweet Chili Thai Fish and Noodles Restaurant, owned by Gerry's Group of Restaurants. 

Thai food is one of the most balanced cuisines. It’s never just sweet or just spicy, rather a balance of acidity, sweetness, aroma, and heat. Now you can sink your teeth with Thai dishes right at Sweet Chili Thai Fish and Noodles Restaurant located at the 2nd floor of Fisher Mall in Quezon City.

Gerry's launched Sweet Chili Thai Fish and Noodles Restaurant to its growing portfolio of restaurant chains last September 4, 2014 at Fisher Mall, Quezon City.

"The Philippine restaurant scene is replete with Filipino food entrepreneurs who have become big names offering foreign cuisine" observes Gerry Apolinario, the successful entrepreneur behind Gerry's.

Bagoong fried rice topped with sweet pork, shredded fried egg, green mango and onion

Genuine tasting and simple matched with friendly Pinoy service in a casual ambience, Sweet Chili is a gastronomic adventure. "There are no shortcuts when your aim is to delight customers. We import some of our key ingredients so that you taste nothing but real Thai cuisine," adds Apolinario who opened Gerry's 17 years ago.

"Food is good for sharing at very affordable prices. Excellent meals need not be expensive. We never compromise on taste- and value for money," says Apolinario.

Sweet Chili hopes to open one more branch before the year ends. Their menu includes the mouth watering and delicious must- try items such as the following;

Catfish lightly breaded, fried until crispy, topped with sauteed bell pepper and fried garlic sauce

Marinated boneless chicken thigh wraped in pandan leaves served with sweet chili sauce

Grilled pork liempo topped with fresh bellpepper served with lemon tamarind sauce

King Fish deep fried until golden brown served with choice of sauces

Sauteed thai rice noodles with shrimp, tofu, bean sprout in tamarind sauce, wrapped in egg

Phad Thai wrapped in egg

Flavorful stir fried chicken in herbs and spices mixed with basil leaves

Fresh shrimp, squid and fish in authentic Thai herb soup

My personal favorite is their Seafood Tom Yum, the spiciness is tolerable, that goes right with the ingredients (vegetables and seafood) and broth. Second is the Chicken Pandan, with a little tinge of spice, its soft,  chewy,  and delicious, that comes around with the sauce, dont forget to dip your chicken into it.

 If you love Gerry's, wait till you taste what Sweet Chili's Thai food is offering. It is simply delicious and affordable.

SM Cinema brings you the best of Chinese Film Festival, Admission is free!

In time for the celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese Moon Festival, SM Cinema is hosting the Chinese Film Festival this September 5 to September 9. This partnership between the Chinese Embassy of the Philippines and SM Cinema aims to promote cultural understanding between China and the Philippines.

The screening showcases innovative Chinese films of high artistic value that gears towards Filipinos’ understanding of the Chinese cultural diversity and heritage. Movies that are part of the Chinese Film Festival will be available in selected SM Cinema branches such as SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM San Lazaro and SM Manila.

SM Cinema will be running popular movies including “Back to 1942” which won awards at the International Rome Film Festival in 2012 and Hong Kong Film Awards in 2013; “Caught in the Web” whose story ensembles a young woman who was victimized by a massive viral internet campaign; “The Grandmaster” which won several awards and nominations from different organizations such as the 50th Golden Horse Awards and 33rd Hong Kong Film Awards; The Romance-Fantasy movie of 2013 “Say Yes” is also included in the list along with the Comedy-Drama about old people “Full Circle” and last, but definitely not the least, is “Little Big Soldier” who was produced and written by Jackie Chan himself which he starred also in the movie.


SM Cinema is the cinema and exhibition brand under SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc, or SMLEI, the lifestyle and entertainment company of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. SM Cinema is one of the many premium brands managed by SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. Tucked under SMLEI’s belt are: Mall of Asia Arena, Snack Time, SM Tickets, e-PLUS Tap to Pay, e-PLUS Digital, SM Bowling and Leisure Center, SM Skating Rink, the Exploreum, IMAX, Director’s Club Cinema, WM Cinemas, and SM Cinema.

As part of the celebration, SM Cinema will be holding the admissions for free.