"Food Hero" Chef Anton Amoncio's Home Cooked Asia: Philippines on Asian Food Channel Premieres December 29

Winning the Food Hero Asia tilt held in Singapore a few months ago spelled a lot of difference on the life of young Chef Anton Amoncio. For one, he gets to host his own cooking show, which for him is a "dream come true."

Home Cooked Asia: Philippines airs 9 am on December 29, Thursday over Asian Food Channel. It will feature Chef Anton cooking traditional Filipino recipes to serve as introductory journey for people who want to know about Filipino food.

 

Two, 30-minute each, episodes will air back-to-back for the so-called Chef for the Millennials, providing an hour-long spectacle of passioned cooking, with replays at 2 and 10 pm of the same day. In a way it is a sumptuous throwback Thursday as he deals with dishes he "grew up with."

"Winning the Food Hero competition was big already. But having your own show is short of miraculous. This show serves as a window to my soul and I thank everyone who helped me along the way," he shared during a short talk with the press.

Chef Anton is managed by Asian Artists Agency helmed by King of Talk Boy Abunda. He is one to let his cooking do more the talking, especially after his Tinola and Fried Chicken Adobo sa Gata made him as a Food Hero finalist and his Cheesy Lamb Rack Kaldereta bested other finalists from the South East Asian region.

He said, "I hope my bit of Home Cooked creates awareness of what Filipino food is about. I want people outside the Philippines to ask questions about the way we cook and the passion we have for it."

He added, "For Filipinos I made sure to make the dishes easy-to-make and accessible so they can try doing it themselves."

Chef Anton is also featured in the Chef Series where selected masters were asked to come out with their own recipes. He was chosen prior to winning the Food Hero challenge; his Tinola with watermelon and Chocolate Binagoongan serving as indicators of how he fits the bill.

Just recently launched, the Chef Series carries his recipes, along those of veteran chefs, to be made available in selected Fresh Options retail stores.

Asked to name his favorite Filipino dishes, he quickly named three: adobo, tinola, and kare-kare. His grandmother used to give him Tinola when he's feeling sick while he finds Kare-Kare best for festivities. Adobo is a no-brainer.

"For me Filipino food is the next big thing and I hope the show will be appreciated by people everywhere," he added.

For more information visit the Asian Artists Agency official Facebook page or email info@asianartistsagency.com

A Mom's Unbreakable Bond with Her Child

Seeing your body change, hearing the heartbeat for the first time, feeling the first kick from your insides—these are the moments that build the invisible but irrevocable connection between a mother and her child.

Because of this growing connection, you feel most responsible for your baby, so it is all but inevitable for anxieties to spring up left and right.

You worry if you are giving enough nourishment. You worry if your baby is developing normally. You worry if your baby will get diseases passed down from your family.

“I’m always thinking about my baby 24/7. I worry about his life so much so that besides adjusting my lifestyle for him, I also do a lot of research online.  I ask advice from my friends and family about how I can take better care of my baby because I can never be truly 100% sure about his well being all the time.” 

            – Lea, 30, first-time mom

Like mommy Lea, maybe it has dawned on you that you cannot protect your baby for the rest of your lives, but what if we can alter that reality. What if there is a way to help secure your child’s life from several life-threatening diseases by preserving that one-of-a-kind connection between you and your baby?

The umbilical cord is your child’s lifeline inside your womb. It is through this physical connection that you are able to give your child the gift of life. But after childbirth, this life giving cord is simply thrown away, not realizing the worth of the blood inside it.

Throwing the umbilical cord is like throwing life away. Cord blood contains the youngest and inherently valuable stem cells that may help save your baby from leukemia and other blood cancers, solid tumors, immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders.

With Cordlife, you can now make that one choice to take that one chance to protect your child’s life. Being the 1st and only registered Cord Blood Bank in the Philippines and part of the largest stem cell banking network in Asia, Cordlife gives you the chance to save your family by banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood.

By storing your cord blood that is painlessly extracted from your umbilical cord right after giving birth, you can give your child a fighting chance to survive life-threatening diseases.

Cord blood banking can provide the stem cells needed to replace and regenerate damaged bone marrow, treat blood cancers, correct genetic defects, and be a potential source for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. 

By preserving the visible connection between you and your baby, you can have your much-needed peace of mind when it comes to doing everything you can to secure your baby’s life.

Don’t throw life away. Save your baby’s cord blood. Save your baby’s life.

To know more about cord-blood banking, call (02) 332 1888
or visit https://www.cordlife.ph/

Catch Le Grand Cirque at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

The Araneta Center gave an early Christmas surprise to a packed audience when it held an exciting 2-hour preview of the much-awaited “Le Grand Cirque” on December 24. “Le Grand Cirque” is Araneta Center's latest offering to Filipino families this Christmas that will run at the Big Dome from December 25 until January 3, 2017.

Strongman act

A circus show like no other, it features spellbinding acts meant to wow viewers. “Le Grand Cirque” boasts of performers who came all the way from Europe, Canada, Russia, and other parts of the world. Their spellbinding acts amazed children and all the other beneficiaries of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.; Gerry Roxas Foundation -- through the presence of outstanding high school leadership awardees; and J. Amado Araneta Foundation, who came to experience the exciting yet meaningful event. The J. Amado Araneta Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to the vision and legacy of J. Amado Araneta (known by many as Don Amado).

Firedancer

It was an afternoon filled with wonder, as kids and adults alike watched the breathtaking stunts and performances of contortionists, aerialists, gymnasts, and acrobats in their colorful costumes with bated breath. Circus acts like Diabolo (featuring the tossing of diabolo tops resembling that of a giant yo-yo); Foot Juggling on Drums, which involves heavy precision skills; and the Russian Swing, where acrobats were tossed from one large-mounted swing to perform acrobatic tricks, were among the show's highlights.

Trampoline Wall

Other crowd favorites are the Strongman act; Hoop Diving; and the Trampoline Wall, where gymnasts would bounce on trampolines to walk on walls, among others. The modern-day clown made sure the audience also had its own participation in the show. The fire dancer, and all the other acts that included jumping, balancing, and somersaulting, also drew loud cheers from the kids.

Aerial Cube

Catch Le Grand Cirque at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with your whole family on December 25 until January 3, 2017. Visit www.ticketnet.com.ph for more details.

HOOQ holds a celebrity-studded premiere of Erik Matti’s SEKLUSYON

The cast of Seklusyon

HOOQ holds its Seklusyon presscon at the Sarsa Restaurant SM Megamall on December 22, before its premiere screening of Seklusyon, 3 days before its final showing. The Seklusyon cast headed by director Erik Matti, Phoebe Walker, Rhed Bustamante, Ronnie Alonte, Dominique Roque, Johnvic de Guzman, J.R. Versales, Lou Veloso and Elora Espano were present except for Ryan Neil Sese. Hooq Marketing Head, Shiela Paul hosts the presscon with the question and answer from the media.

HOOQ, Asia’s largest video-on-demand service, and co-presenter of the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival, concludes 2016 with a special HOOQ HANGOUTS as it holds a celebrity-studded premiere of Erik Matti’s SEKLUSYON days before it’s regular run at theaters throughout the country as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“We started HOOQ HANGOUTS a few months ago to provide a forum to showcase the vast library of HOOQ, particularly our local content which spans almost five decades. That is why we are ending the year with this HOOQ HANGOUTS featuring an exclusive screening of Seklusyon, produced by Reality Entertainment, which incidentally is also our partner in creating OTJ: The Series,” says Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager.

Jeff Remigio, HOOQ Content and Programming Head

Sheila Paul, HOOQ Marketing Head

The movie stars Ronnie Alonte Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales.  Set in the 1940s, the movie follows a young deacon (Alonte) who hides from the devil in a sacred sanctuary seven days before he is ordained as a priest.

SEKLUSYON has become one of the most anticipated entries since the announcement of its inclusion in the festival and is the only horror themed film in this year’s MMFF.  The movie has also been getting positive reviews since it made its international premiere at the recent Macau International Film Festival.

Erik Matti

HOOQ is the home of the largest collection of Pinoy movies and TV series spanning almost five decades, including close to a hundred winners and finalists of the Metro Manila Film Festival such as “Baler”, “Tanging Yaman”, “Mulawin the Movie, “Muro-Ami” and many more.

Ronnie Alonte

Phoebe Walker

Dominique Roque

HOOQ continues its collaboration with the Metro Manila Film Festival, major local studios, as well as a slew of independent film-makers in order to bring more of the MMFF entries onboard HOOQ.  MMFF entries from recent years, such as Regal Entertainment’s “Haunted Mansion”, ABS-CBN’s “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay” and “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” were made available on HOOQ.

HOOQ, a start-up venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros., is an award-winning service that empowers customers with unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movies and television content, on any device including computers, smartphones tablets, smart TVs via Google Chromecast and now also on Airplay and mobile web.

How to get HOOQ
It’s easy to get HOOQ!  Sign up today for a 7-day trial on www.HOOQ.tv.  Globe mobile customers can get up to 90 days HOOQ subscription selected GoSURF plans.  Broadband customers also get HOOQ on Globe Home Broadband.  Once the trial period expires, Globe customers can continue enjoying HOOQ at P149 subscription fee monthly charged to their Globe bill.  Simply text HOOQ149 to 8888.

HOOQ co-presents the 42nd MMFF exclusively for the second year

HOOQ, Asia’s largest video-on-demand service, remains the sole presenter for the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival, a partnership, which aims to improve and uplift the quality of Philippine entertainment.

HOOQ is the home of the largest collection of Pinoy movies and TV series spanning almost five decades, including close to a hundred winners and finalists of the Metro Manila Film Festival such as “Baler”, “Tanging Yaman”, “Muro Ami”, “Imortal”, the beloved franchises such as “Mano Po”, “Tanging Ina” “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and many more. New additions on HOOQ from the MMFF past entries include 2013’s “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay”, “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” as well as the 2015 finalist “Haunted Mansion”.

“We welcome another year of partnership with the Metro Manila Film Festival, as we see the expansion of the selection with fresh casting, unique stories and formats.  It’s certainly major development in the history of the MMFF.” shares Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager.  The 2016 finalist announcement created buzz in the industry as it stepped outside the usual selection of movies commonly expected in the annual festival. 

HOOQ further strengthens its partnership with the Metro Manila Film Festival by showcasing the new set of shorts under the new category “HOOQ Short Films”. With HOOQ the MMFF has found the perfect platform to showcase these new breed of movie makers and at the same time address the growing needs of the digital natives through streaming and download of the finalists’ short film entries and watch them at their own time.

The finalists for the HOOQ Short Film include: Birds (Christian Paolo Lat), EJK, Manila Scream (Roque Lee & Blair Camilo), Mga Bituin sa Siyudad (Jarell Serencio), Mitatang (Arvin Gagui), Momo (Avid Liongoren), Passage of Life (Renz Cruz), Sitsiritsit (Brian Spencer Reyes).

In a new move by the MMFF Executive Committee, each HOOQ Short Film will be partnered with a long-form finalist and to be screened during the MMFF regular theater run from December 25 to January 3.  Each short film runs under 5 minutes and will be available on HOOQ shortly after conclusion of the Metro Manila Film Festival.  “Last year, we saw a lot of very interesting entries that surprised us with their quick narratives and creative storytelling techniques,” said Jeffrey Remigio, HOOQ Philippines Director of Content. “HOOQ believes in nurturing these next generation of film makers by providing them a platform where more audiences can view their movies.”

HOOQ, a start-up venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros., is an award-winning service that empowers customers with unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movies and television content, on any device including computers, smartphones tablets, smart TVs via Google Chromecast and now also on Airplay and mobile web.

How to get HOOQ
It’s easy to get HOOQ!  Sign up today for a 7-day trial on www.HOOQ.tv.  Globe mobile customers can get up to 90 days HOOQ subscription selected GoSURF plans.  Broadband customers also get HOOQ on Globe Home Broadband.  Once the trial period expires, Globe customers can continue enjoying HOOQ at P149 subscription fee monthly charged to their Globe bill.  Simply text HOOQ149 to 8888.

SM Cinema partners with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to bring award-winning films to moviegoers

Continuing its commitment to support local independent and award-winning movies, SM Cinema has partnered with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to bring independent films closer and more accessible to moviegoers.

FDCP Chairman Liza Diño and SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI) President Edgar Tejerero made the joint announcement on the three-year partnership to provide dedicated SM Cinema theaters for local independently produced films and other FDCP programs.

“It is a known fact that independent filmmakers face many challenges including preconceived notion but everyone agrees that many of our talented directors and actors started out in independent films and so there is indeed a need to nurture and support them by giving their films more exposure, more venues to reach more people. From the very start, FDCP’s approach is engaging the entire film community through collaboration.  FDCP believes that all sectors from the filmmakers to the audience are stakeholders in the growth of our creative industry. This partnership with SM will not only fulfil our continuous pursuit of developing the audience into watching a variety of films but it will also give the independent producers a platform to learn how to market, to promote, and to distribute their films to wider audience.

Tejerero for his part said SM Cinema will provide eight (8) dedicated theaters nationwide that will show independent movies all year round. Participating SM branches include SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Southmall, SM Cebu, SM Bacoor and SM Mall of Asia (or SM Davao or SM Lanang).

As a way of promoting independent movies to a wider audience, pricing will be made more affordable, he added.

“This partnership with FDCP is our way of showing our support to the local film industry which include our independent movie producers. We believe in nurturing our independent movie producers and recognize the effort and creativity they put in their work despite the financial challenges. This is our way of helping them show their films to a wider audience because we believe in their talent and the work that they do for the local movie industry,” Tejerero said.

Moviegoers and film enthusiasts may go the nearest participating SM malls to watch the featured FDCP programmed films and events starting the early part of 2017.

Fast online approval for laboratory requests from MediCard

For some, part of having an HMO is securing a letter of approval (LOA) for laboratory tests requested by doctors to help them diagnose health problems accurately. These tests include blood tests, urinalysis, chest x-ray, among others.

A letter of approval basically confirms that such tests are indeed part of a member’s HMO coverage and authorizes the diagnostic clinic to proceed with the requested tests. However, securing an LOA may mean going through a process that can be slow and inconvenient sometimes: A medical attendant gets your card, then calls the HMO provider to advise them of the laboratory test that needs to be done. Afterwhich, the patient waits for the approval.

Now, Medicard, a leading health maintenance organization in the Philippines, takes the hassle out of getting LOA as it introduces Medicard Online LOA -- an online application that allows you to easily request for a letter of approval for your laboratory and diagnostic tests in the comfort of your own home or straight from your mobile phone on the go.

“MediCard constantly aspires to make quality healthcare accessible and more convenient for our members because we value their time. With innovations such as the Medicard Online LOA, we are able to eliminate a lengthy and time-consuming wait period to get your LOA since online application allows quick user convenience,” said Dr. Nicky Montoya.

Getting an LOA for laboratory and diagnostic tests can be done in five easy steps. First, go to www.medicardphils.com and click the MediCard Online LOA tab. Then, fill out the online form with your MediCard ID number and upload a copy of your doctor’s request.

Next, choose a MediCard free-standing clinic or any accredited clinic/hospital where you wish to avail of the test, and then your LOA and instructions will be sent via e-mail. Lastly, submit the LOA to the hospital together with a copy of your doctor’s request and a copy of the email.


Save yourself the inconvenience of waiting or long procedures and prioritize your good health now with the MediCard Online LOA.

Issuance of the LOA and access to select providers are dependent on the existing plan and coverage.

For more information, call 884-9999 or visit http://www.medicardphils.com. 

Jing Monis Salon at B Hotel Timog QC

I began coloring my virgin hair, a copper brown 8 years ago. It lasted for 8 months and I get tired and have been changing colors since then.  I experimented on light or mahinhin colors  from ash brown, to subtle brown highlights to burgundy in between keratin treatment. During those times, I wasnt that brave to go pink, red, blue or green or any loud colors. I was afraid it will not do justice with my age and skin color.

Until last year. I decided to go red 2 years ago during a salon event. It was a drastic decision on my part but it was the start of something new and I loved it.   I had it retouched last year April 2016  with red ombre.

I told myself that I have to change color before the year ends or first week of January 2017.  My blogger friend Erica Yu B of Stuckwith3.com referred me to Ms. Chelle Campos also a lifestyle blogger for a Jing Monis Salon event. I said yes right away and texted that I wanted to have a base color to give way to a blue ombre.  She said I would have to request for it to my assigned stylist on the event day.

My Before Hair

I was assigned at Jing Monis Salon in B Hotel, Timog, QC at 2pm. My stylist/colorist Marquee Alon suggested for a red purple balayage ombre instead.  He advised against going blue, because that would take a lot of bleaching hours, and if not proper taken care of, my hair would turn green after 2 to 3 months. Upon hearing that I said yes right away for a red/purple balayage.   He set his video cam on timelapse for the  pre coloring and post coloring application.

 He got rid of the split ends after shampoo. He cut 2 inches off my hair.

                    He uses Swarzkopf in deep berry red and purple readying for the layered balayage.

Here's the finish product and I loved it. I wanted to keep the soft curls, though. Ah, Im still thinking about it


If you would love to color your hair as red as mine. Please visit Jing Monis Salon at B Hotel and look for my stylist/colorist Mr. Marquee Alon and ask for a balayage ombre style.

After the coloring and blow drying, The Jing Monis Salon staff gave me Asida set of shampoo and conditioner, Schwarzkopf Color Freeze  and Macadamia Natural Oil for my color treated hair. Im still using them and it keeps the ombre part red which is slowly fading to pink.

Hurom Slow Juicer: The Gift of Health

The feasting has already begun, and there will be more as you make the round of holiday parties and reunions before the year is over. Then there’s that steady line of food gifts, likely sweet and decadent pastries most often than not that may be too tempting to resist. Of course this is the season of indulgences, but it’s time to mitigate that with a delicious squeeze. It’s time to apply a full court press…of slow juicing.

The best gift we can give and indeed receive Christmas is the gift of health, because without it, we can’t enjoy all the beautiful things that come with the season such as waking up early for dawn masses and staying up late to watch the various Christmas light shows and displays. For this you need stamina, but the weather and the stress doesn’t necessarily make it easy for a lot of us to be in the pink of health.

A gift of Hurom is not just a gift of health for Christmas, it’s for life. It’s a good idea to start drinking delicious, healthy juices now rather than making a New Year’s resolution in January next year. Besides, more fruits become readily available this season. You know you can’t eat all those 12 fruits people try to gather for a prosperous year ahead, you can, however, juice them and have the healthiest fruit punch to pass around.

Hurom Slow Juicers are the product of 40 years or research and development. The difference is in the squeeze. Normal juicers with high-speed blades shred fruits and vegetables, which damage the natural enzymes of the plant, but Hurom has the patented slow juice technology that presses the juice and keeps the taste and nutrition as close to its most natural state.

You can even see the difference in the color. Hurom juices retain their natural color, and a microcospic inspection of the juice shows that the fruits have kept their cellular structure. Hurom Slow Juicers are made of materials like ultem, tritan, and stainless steel, some of which are used to build spaceships. They also come with a long lasting AC motor. Hurom juicers produce a higher yield of juice. They want you to get every last squeeze of healthy, unprocessed juice that you can consume immediately or keep for 72 hours.

Versatility is also something Hurom has taken a lot into consideration. It’s easy to juice luscious fruits, but even crisp greens like kale and spinach are juiced to their maximum with a Hurom Slow Juicer. They also make superior nut milks such as almond, which needs high performing juicing. Asians tend have a higher degree of lactose intolerance in their systems, which makes this a really handy tool for those who need milk substitutes, or indeed just because nut milks in themselves just taste delicious.

With a Hurom juicer, you can confidently pick and choose from a wide range of ingredients. You can also make smoothies, ice-cream and sorbets, using the freshest and healthiest ingredients.

Safety in juicing is something Hurom has gone to great lengths to ensure. Hurom juicers are 100% BPA free and come without any blades or sharp parts, making it safe even for children to use. Over a million customers in more than 70 countries make juice with a Hurom juicer, making Hurom the global leader. Don’t miss out!




 New Hurom H-AA Series Slow Juicers are available in Abenson, Anson Link, Duty Free, Gourdo’s, Rustan’s, Landmark, Metro Gaisano, Royal Duty Free, S&R, SM Appliance, SM Home, True Value, and Western Appliances.



To learn more about Hurom Slow Juicers, visit the official website at www.hurom.com and follow us on our social media accounts: (Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/huromphofficial, and (Twitter & Instagram) @HuromPHofficial. You may contact directly to hotlines (+632) 926-8038 / (+632) 926-8009.

Non-stop Christmas Sarap from Goldilocks Bakeshop!

Goldilocks greets everyone a very Merry Christmas with their Christmas delights in tow! Visit your favorite Goldilocks branch near you to stock up on these goodies this Holiday season!

Start off the celebrations with the Goldilocks Christmas Greeting Cake, complete with a sugary Christmas train with Santa at the helm! Perfect for your office Christmas parties or any other pot-luck get-togethers.

For your Noche Buena feast, make the Chunky Choco Cake the centerpiece. Cap your Christmas dinner with this delicious rocky road cake bursting with marshmallows, chocolate chips and cashew nuts, made even special with a choco mousse filling!

As for your nephews and nieces, give them the sweetest Aguinaldo—Goldilocks’ Choco Lollipops. It’s available in different Christmas designs for that extra festive feel and, of course, can satisfy every kid’s sweet tooth.

Finally, if you need last minute Kris Kringle gifts, why not get a box of brownies? Goldilocks' brownies come in a box of 6 brownie varieties: Butterscotch, Brownie with Mallows, Marble, Brownie with Rice Crispies and Raisins, Hazelnut Brownie with Tiramisu, and Triple Chocolate Brownie flavors! You can even get a box just for yourself. And hey, if you can’t think of anything else to give this Christmas, you can’t go wrong with a box of delicious Fruit Cake from Goldilocks!

There are many ways to give someone a very merry Christmas, and a good lot of them may involve some Goldilocks Christmas delights.

What are you waiting for? These Christmas delights from Goldilocks are only available until January 3, so visit your nearest Golidlocks Bakeshop to sweeten your Holidays! For more information, visit the Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph! Merry Christmas!