Asia’s acoustic sweetheart SABRINA releases “I Love Acoustic 4” album—her version of the hit “Moves Like Jagger”

Last night I met in person Asia’s acoustic sweetheart SABRINA ORIAL or simply SABRINA  who releases her follow-up single from her highly successful “I Love Acoustic 4” album—her version of the hit “Moves Like Jagger”.

 

Sabrina is only 22 years old . She graduated Cum Laude from UP Los Banos with a degree in Communication Arts. Sabrina is an achiever and an ideal role model for kids of this generation. She doesn't smoke and she always exercise.  She was discovered at the tender age of 14 and was asked to come back after two years by Vicor who released her first album as a Bossa singer entitled "Sabrina".

She came from a family of musicians. Her Father and brother are guitar experts/composer.  Her older sister is a soprano. Her mother is an alto and a magna cum laude. No wonder Sabrina got not only her looks but also her intelligence. Their family usually spent weekends singing and playing the guitar together.  She described her family as a happy musical family.

Her “I Love Acoustic 4” turned GOLD in Indonesia in November of 2011 and this month, it is certified double PLATINUM. This makes Sabrina one of the few Filipino singers to have multi-platinum success in Indonesia. “I Love Acoustic 4” was also released in Thailand and soon in Singapore and Malaysia.

Sabrina has the following albums under her belt 

• "Sabrina"
• “I Love Acoustic”,
• “I Love Acoustic Too” 
• “I Love Acoustic 3” 
• “I Love Acoustic 4” 

They were multi-platinum success in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand- the only Filipino female singer to break in successfully in the South East Asian market. 

Her huge following abroad is now translating locally as the album is still in retail charts where it debuted at #1 at Astroplus and #9 at Odyssey upon its first week of release. Because of her success abroad, she became a recipient of the “International Achievement Award” at the recent Awit Awards where she also took home the I-Gateway Mobile Philippines, Inc.’s Most Downloaded Artist for 2010. 

The album also includes the tracks “Price Tag,” “Who Says”, “Edge of Glory”, “On The Floor”, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”, “California King Bed”, “Hold It Against Me”, “Rolling In The Deep”, “The Lazy Song”, “Back To December”, “That Should Be Me”, “Marry Me”, “Rocketeer”, “Just The Way You Are” featuring Indonesian singer Calvin Jeremy and “Lucky” featuring multi-platinum crooner Richard Poon.

Catch Sabrina as she serenades SM Pasig on February 17 (Friday) at 4pm. Those who will buy her album “I Love Acoustic 4” will get to have their CDs autographed by Sabrina herself after the show.

Let us support our Filipino artists!

“I Love Acosutic 4” by Sabrina is now out in CDs under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) and available for download at mymusicstore.com.ph. 

To download Sabrina’s single “Moves Like Jagger” 

text JGR and send to 2728 for Smart and Talk N Text subscribers

text KL343 and send to 2332 for Globe/ TM 

or text  5493161 and send to 2300 for Sun Cellular subscribers.

For more of Sabrina’s music, just text SABRINA to 3456 or check out www.facebook.com/mcamusic.

Please like Sabrina's fanpage :Sabrina - I <3 Acoustic

Sabrina's twitter account:  https://twitter.com/#!/sabrinaorial

Sabrina - A Thousand Miles Music Video

Sabrina- Hey Soul Sister

Sabrina- Who Says 

Sabrina - Saranghae (Perfect Match OST) - one of my favorites!

Sabrina - Last Friday night (T.G.I.F.) Katy Perry cover song

Sabrina- Billionaire ( I Love Acoustic 3)

Sabrina- Price Tag

Sabrina - Marry Me

Bianca Manalo got caught!!!!

Bianca Manalo got caught scratching around her groin area while hosting Happy Yipee Yehey.

Air Phil Express Sale Period: January 30 to February 2, 2012

Air Phil Express

Sale Period: January 30 to February 2, 2012

Travel Period: July 1 to November 30, 2012

* 10kg Free Baggage Allowance
** Travel starts Febraury 9, 2012
*** Travel starts March 22, 2012

Details

• Quoted fares for Domestic and International Flights are for one-way only.
• Fares are with 15 kilos Free Baggage Allowance.
• Philippine Goverment Tax not included.
• Fare is not guaranteed until the final purchase.
• Priced from Origin to Destination or Vice Versa.
• Subject to rules and conditions, please review carefully.

Domestic Destinations	One-Way Fare
Manila to Bacolod, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan*, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tacloban or Tagbilaran	P88
Cebu to Bacolod, Butuan***, Cagayan De Oro, Caticlan, Cotabato, Davao, Dumaguete***, General Santos***, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi**, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa***, Surigao, Tacloban or Zamboanga	P88
Davao to Cagayan De Oro or Iloilo	P88
Zamboanga to Davao, Jolo or Tawi-Tawi	P88
General Santos to Iloilo	P88
Manila to Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao, or Zamboanga	P488
Busuanga to Puerto Princesa	P488
International Destinations	One-Way Fare
Manila to Singapore	P888
Cebu to Hong Kong	P888

Click here to book AirPhil Express now!

CEBU PACIFIC SEAT SALE January 30 to February 2, 2012

Cebu Pacific

Sale Period: January 30 to February 2, 2012

Details

• Quoted fares are one-way and have limited availability.
• Fare are exclusive of government fees and taxes.
• International fares are exclusive of fuel surcharges.
• Fares are non-refundable.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply.

Domestic Flights	Go Lite Fare
Manila to San Jose (Mindoro)	P88
Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Cariclan), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Zamboanga or Kalibo NEW!	P88
Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo or Zamboanga	P88
Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo NEW!	P88
Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi NEW!	P88
Manila to Boracay (Caticlan), Bacolod, Catarman, Cauayan (Isabela), Cebu, Coron (Busuanga), Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tuguegarao or Virac	P288
Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao or Zamboanga	P488
Travel Period: April 1 to 15, 2012
International Flights	Go Lite Fare
Manila to Taipei or Xiamen NEW!	P888
Kalibo to Hong Kong NEW!	P888
Manila to Beijing, Guangzhou, Jakarta, Shanghai or Siem Reap NEW!	P1,888
Travel Period: May 1 to 31, 2012

Click here to book Cebu Pacific now!

NIKON : I AM THE BEST DEAL SALE

I know this is a late post but some of you might still be benefited. So rock on and visit them today!
 

Details

• Nikon booth at Photoworld Asia in Glorietta Activity Center.
• Promotion is from January 26 to 31, 2011.
• Special 30% discount for the Nikon Coolpix P300. From a regular price of P22,499 to P14,999.
• Free camera and sensor cleaning for the first 100 booth visitors on January 27, 2012.

Photoworld Asia 2012 Schedule

CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA DEPORTED FROM INDONESIA

Oh no! Our very own singer Christian Bautista who is hugely popular in Indonesia has been deported from Indonesia for working there using his visiting visa according to the Jakarta Post.

The immigration office found him conducting a show at Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang west of Jakarta without a working visa on Wednesday evening.  

A spokesman of the immigration directorate general, was quoted by tribunnews.com as saying:

“We will deport him this (Friday) afternoon"

Christian had a 30-day visiting visa since Wednesday but apparently used the opportunity to hold a concert on the day he arrived in Indonesia.

Bautista, who rose to fame in Indonesia with the hit single “The Way You Look at Me”, was questioned by immigration officers  from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday.

LITO LAPID'S WIFE MARISSA ARRESTED IN THE US

US authorities arrested Marissa when she arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 15, 2012.

According to the account supplied by the Lapid camp, she entered the United States in November 2011 carrying $50,000, in violation of US travel regulations. She was held but was released on bail, and managed to leave the country before a US court could detain her to stand trial for the offense.

US laws allow foreigners to carry up to $10,000 in cash. Foreigners must declare the money they are carrying beyond that amount, which Marissa failed to do.

 

Based on Friday’s currency exchange rates, Marissa had P2.1 million with her when she was arrested.

‘Just nervous’

Lapid said his wife was not aware that the case against her had prospered until she flew back to Las Vegas on Jan. 15.

“I’m sad. She had no intention to lie to authorities. She was just nervous,” he said.

Lapid said reports that he and his wife often traveled to Las Vegas to socialize or gamble were “untrue.”

“We stay with a friend, Edgar Balagtas, or with my mother (whenever we go to the United States),” he said.

Lapid said he had not been able to speak with Marissa by phone for days now because her American lawyer, Eliot Krieger, had told her not to take calls.

He said that they did talk on Jan. 15 and that she had mumbled, “Sorry Jo.” (Jo is their term of endearment.)

The senator also said he had asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to extend assistance to his wife the way it did to Filipinos in distress overseas.

Various businesses

He said their youngest son, Maynard, 27 and an American citizen, had been assisting his mother. (They have four children, including Mark Lapid, who served as governor of Pampanga and now heads the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority of the Department of Tourism.)

According to employees, Marissa Lapid owns and runs MTL Enterprises, which includes Walmart Construction Supply, Maynards’ Agri Farm Supply, Barstow Minimart, Generics Pharmacy and Porac Ice Plant.

Except for the grocery, these businesses occupy a row of stalls in a one-story building beside the district hospital in Barangay Babo Sacan in Porac.

When the Inquirer asked an employee who owned a Sea Oil fuel station in Barangay Sta. Cruz, he said: “It’s by Sen,” apparently referring to the senator.

Some 20 meters from the municipal hall is Marissa Hall, which the senator’s wife rents out for private or public functions.

The Porac Foundation Inc. (PFI) has sued Marissa for buying the 5,435-square-meter property from a couple who allegedly produced two fake titles for it. Fr. Resty Lumanlan, PFI chair and founder, said the property was part of donations to the foundation.

Another source said Marissa recently bought two lots in Porac from the David and Cuyugan families worth P20 million.

The Porac treasurer declined the request for information on business permits issued in the name of Marissa Lapid or her relatives.

Research conducted by the Inquirer in 2005 showed that of the family’s 17 vehicles that year, 14 were in Marissa’s name.

Undeclared properties

Lapid declared a net worth of P10.1 million in 2004, his first year in the Senate. Seven properties titled to him were estimated at P256 million, excluding a house in San Diego, California.

Many of the family’s properties in the Philippines were allegedly not declared in Lapid’s statements of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN) in 1995-2004, when he was Pampanga governor.

What were allegedly not declared in the 2003 SALN when his net worth was P10.1 million were a hilltop mansion in Porac and the three-story Mar-Man Building on Scout Borromeo Street in Quezon City.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents show that Lapid is a co-owner of Classic Films International and Mar-Man Farms Corp. None of these reported big profits.

The film company reported losing P5.49 million in 1996. Mar-Man, registered in 1993, has not filed financial statements in the SEC. The Lito Lapid College Foundation, set up in 1992, reported a net loss of P1.2 million in 1998.

Marissa Lapid’s Thousand Islands International, registered in 1997, had a paid-up capital of only P137,000, and GM Concrete Products Manufacturing and Trading Co., co-owned by Lapid, P1.8 million.

Not born wealthy

In his campaign for a seat in the Senate in 2004, Lapid reported spending P64.9 million from contributions.

Neither husband nor wife was born wealthy, according to Inquirer sources. Neither went to college after graduating from high school.

They married when he was still a movie stuntman. She is known in Porac as having stuck with him despite his affairs with some of his leading ladies in action movies.

Former Gov. Eddie Panlilio has sued Lapid, his son Mark and three other Pampanga officials for plunder, accusing them of enriching themselves using the province’s quarry funds.

The Lapids were cleared of the complaint.                                                     Source: Inquirer

GRACE IBUNA TO BE SUED OVER IGGY ARROYO'S DEATH

Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr.'s second wife, Alicia Arroyo, and common-law wife Grace Ibuna. Composite/File Photo

Mike Arroyo denies telling Grace to pull the plug

MANILA, Philippines - Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Tuason Arroyo Jr.'s common-law wife, Grace Ibuna, may be sued by the late lawmaker's legal wife for allegedly giving the go-signal to pull the plug on their clinically-dead husband. 

Alicia Arroyo's lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, said they are planning to file charges against Ibuna for declaring that she is the legal wife of Iggy. 

"To misrepresent that you are the spouse, when in fact you are not, to misrepresent or to actually go ahead and pull the plug, these are all multiple criminal offenses," Kapunan said.

Alicia said she would never have pulled the plug on Iggy.

Although their marriage was in the process of being annulled, she said it was never approved. She added the late lawmaker stopped going to their family home in La Vista, Quezon City in 2005.

"At the end of the day, he needs peace and healing.  If we're all peaceful here, maybe it's easier for him to have everlasting happiness. It's all I do, I just pray. I lift everything up to the Lord," she said.

Clinically dead

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel 'Mike' Arroyo told ABS-CBN News on Thursday that his brother was clinically dead and was only relying on life-support systems after he suffered a cardiac arrest  in London, England on Wednesday.

He later announced that his brother died after life-support systems were removed from his body.

No one was with Iggy in London, except for Ibuna, whom he has lived with for years, according to ABS-CBN London correspondent Gene Alcantara.

Ibuna has declined to comment publicly about the threat of a lawsuit, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau chief Danny Buenafe said on TV Patrol on Friday.

Buenafe said he was able to talk to Ibuna, who said off-camera that the decision to pull the plug on Iggy Arroyo did not come from her.

Ibuna reportedly talked to Mike before doctors removed the life-support system from Iggy.

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel 'Mike' Arroyo and his brother Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Tuason Arroyo Jr. File Photo

Mike, meanwhile, said on Friday that he did not order that his brother be removed from life support. "I did not order that," he said.

He said Ibuna asked him what to do. He reportedly told her, "I told her it's up to you. You're the one there."

"I never said that (ordered to pull the plug). Sinabi niya sa akin kanina. I never told her to pull the plug," he said.

"She was asking me what to do. Better you discuss it with the daughter. She's telling us that the hospital, prinessure siya ng hospital."

Ibuna said Bianca, the late lawmaker's daughter with his first wife, Marilen Jacinto, is expected to issue a statement regarding the issue after she arrives in London from Las Vegas to retrieve her father's remains.

Ibuna is a former girlfriend of actor Gabby Concepcion. They have a daughter, Gabrielle. 

Liver ailment

The younger Arroyo went to London last year to seek treatment for a liver ailment. He was listed as one of the lawmakers with the most number of absences in the House of Representatives for 2011.

He earlier told ABS-CBN News last December that he had to stay longer in London because of his ongoing treatment.

He had also urged President Benigno Aquino III to show compassion to his sister-in-law, former President Gloria Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for electoral sabotage. 

'Jose Pidal'

The younger Arroyo figured in the news in 2003 after he claimed ownership of the multi-million-peso "Jose Pidal" account, allegedly owned by his brother.

He again allegedly covered up for his brother after he claimed that he leased 5 helicopters from Lionair Inc. since 2004. Two of the second-hand choppers were allegedly sold to the Philippine National Police for $700,000 in 2009.

Arroyo's claim ran contrary to claims made by Lionair President Archibald Po that Mike Arroyo purchased and used the choppers before they were sold to the PNP. source: abs cbn news

BA NOI'S THE FRESH FLAVORS OF VIETNAM

Ba Noi's is a secret Vietnamese hole-in-the-wall in Makati. Tucked in a quiet Perea Street in Salcedo Village, Makati, Ba Noi's is surrounded by residential flats and office buildings and only a few blocks away from Greenbelt Mall. Ba Noi's is an unpretentious restaurant that seats around 30 to 40 persons. Ba Noi’s is a specialty restaurant that prides itself in serving authentic Vietnamese family dishes that cannot be found in other commercial restaurants. The essence of Ba Noi’s is simply to share a piece of Vietnam with the Philippines.

 

Goi Cuon is a dish consisting of pork, shrimp and vermicelli attractively rolled in rice paper served with Ba Noi's famous peanut sauce.

 

Pho Bo is a perfected homemade beef noodle soup served with fresh herbs and spices. So yummy. I love this! 

 

You could put the lime, bean sprouts, chili paste and hoisin sauce to the beef noodle soup or Pho Bo in Vietnamese.

Cha Gio is a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, taro and black fungus wrapped and deep fried and served with fresh greens and traditional nuoc mam dipping sauce. The small spring rolls are full of fillings, with a surprise crunchiness brought about by the black fungus (mushroom). I wrapped the spring rolls with the lettuce and basil served on the side then I dipped them in Nuoc Nam (fish sauce/patis).  Verdict: Yummy fried spring rolls. We had two orders of this!

Banh Xeo is a savory delicate crepe filled with sauteed pork, shrimp and bean sprouts that  is served with fresh veggies and nuoc mam sauce (fish sauce/patis).

Ca Kho To is a dish consisting of deep fried catfish simmered in rich caramel sauce and garnished with spring onions and fresh chillies. This is best eaten with steamed rice. 

Braised Chicken slowly cooked in lemongrass and curry powder infused with fresh chillies, shallots and spring onions.

The last but not the least dish is the best ever! Bo Luc Lac!!! This is my personal favorite! The beef bursts with flavor with every bite! Bo Luc Lac is stir-fried beef with honey and basil leaves. Dip it with the sauce. For the sauce, you just squeeze the lime into the salt-pepper mixture. This dish is so yummy! We will definitely come back for more Bo Luc Lac!

 

Banh Dan Long is a warm pandan cake filled with mung bean, drizzled with coconut cream and toasted sesame seeds. This dessert tastes like a cross between sapin-sapin and kalamay.

 

I washed down all these carbo with a sugarcane juice. Unique eh?

 

Some of my friends had red wine!

         

Trivia: Ba noi's has its own sugarcane machine. Designed to crush sugarcane. The sugarcane juice obtained after crushing is sweet, delectable and refreshingly healthy!

When we entered Ba Noi's restaurant, a friendly staff readily assists us to our seats and promptly took our orders.

Ba Noi's Menu.

 

I am fascinated with lights.  That is why it is hard for me not to notice Ba Noi's Ceiling lights.

 

 Ba Noi's Wall Lights and Wall Picture

 Every table at Ba Noi's has a picture and a wall light.

 Ba Noi's is the brainchild and vision of Filipino-Vietnamese entrepreneur Henry Nguyen.

Did you know that Ba Noi means:

1. Grandmother on the father side
2. A culinary experience that brings together authentic and traditional processes, ingredients and recipes from Vietnamese cuisine.

Verdict:  Vietnamese food is both colorful and bursting with fresh flavors. The beef's taste still lingers in my mind. Best Vietnamese restaurant ever in Manila. With Ba Noi's commitment to healthier food, you would enjoy their dishes infused with different greens. Vegetables are so fresh!  We will definitely come back for that hearty, healthy fix of a piece of Vietnam.  

 

Ba Noi's Facade 

BA NOI'S THE FRESH FLAVORS OF VIETNAM

106 G/F Greenbelt Mansions, Perea St., Legaspi Village Makati City, Metro Manila Philippines 

Telephone number: (02) 893-7359 

Cellphone number: (0916) 266-6652 

Opens from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm daily

Su, M, T, W, Th: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

F, Sa: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Because I really enjoyed the taste of Ba Noi's, so I asked the owner if they have delivery service. Guess what? You can enjoy a piece of Vietnam even in your homes or offices with just a dial away! For a minimum order of P500.00. Ba Noi's delivers in 45 - 75 minutes.

Enjoy! God bless your heart!

Air Phil Express Sale Period fromJanuary 27 to 29, 2012

Air Phil Express

Sale Period: January 27 to 29, 2012

Travel Period: April 1 to May 31, 2012

Details

• Quoted fares for Domestic and International Flights are for one-way only.
• Fares are with 15 kilos Free Baggage Allowance.
• Philippine Government Tax not included.
• Fare is not guaranteed until the final purchase.
• Priced from Origin to Destination or Vice versa.
• Subject to rules and conditions, please review airline security and privacy policy carefully.

Domestic Destinations	One-Way Fare
Manila to Legazpi	P488
Cebu to Butuan, Dumaguete, General Santos, Legazpi or Puerto Princesa	P488
General Santos to Iloilo	P488
Zamboanga to Jolo or Tawi-Tawi	P488
Cebu to Hong Kong	P888

Click here to book AirPhil Express now!

Iggy Arroyo Jr. clinically dead but still under life support in London

MANILA, Philippines - Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr., younger brother of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and congressman representing the 5th district of Negros Occidental, has been pronounced clinically dead but still under life support in London. He is 60.

Mike Arroyo said his brother had a cardiac arrest last night. At that point, an ambulance was called for him in London. He was revived at the hospital but he went into a coma. The younger Arroyo went to London last year to seek treatment for a liver ailment. He was listed as one of the lawmakers with the most number of absences in the House of Representatives for 2011.

Arroyo was elected as Congressman during his first try in politics in 2004 and in 2007, he was again chosen by his constituents in the 5th District of Negros Occidental. During the 13th Congress, he became the Vice-Chairman of the House Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations and Member of other various Committees. He is presently the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reorganization and Member of other various Committees.

His early education began in Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. He finished High School in 1969 at Villanova Preparatory High School in Ojai, California, USA and he took his preparatory course in Menlo College in Palo Alto, California then he went on to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, Major in Finance at the University of San Francisco, California, USA where he graduated in 1974 with flying colors.

Prior to his election as Representative of the 5th District of Negros Occidental, he was a Board Member of the Philippine Producers Corporation (PHILPROCOM) in Bacolod City as well as the Planters Association of Negros Occidental.

He was actively involved in Rotary Club of Bacolod-East and Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals. As the Representative of his district, his priority is to respond to the needs of his constituents by providing them high impact infrastructure projects and places high value on the youth and children as the hope of this country in these trying times. He is affectionately called “Iggy” by his constituents.

He has proposed an act to promote environmental awareness through environmental education, which was signed into law as Republic Act No. 9512 otherwise known as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008. He wants to instill to the youth the value of protecting our environment which means protecting their future. he likewise authored the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2008, which created the Climate Change Commission.

Among other significant bills, he has authored acts on increasing the salary grades of public school teachers, Seafarers Act of 2008, giving scholarship to the youth engaged in agriculture, instituting the children’s welfare funds for the protection and rehabilitation of abandoned, abused and sexually exploited children, the anti-child pornography act, Magna Carta for Day Care workers, establishing drug rehabilitation in every region in the country and granting incentives and benefits to rural health workers.

Source: ABS-CBN News