LUNA J FILIPINO GASTROPUB: Sir Chief's Newest Delicious Venture

LUNA J FILIPINO GASTROPUB: Sir Chief's Newest Delicious Venture

Have you seen Sir Chief already in person? If not then try to eat at his latest restaurant along Tomas Morato called Luna J.  Upon arrival at the area, you would see this big very inviting signage. 

Spoliarium painter and national hero Juan Luna is the inspiration behind Luna J Filipino Gastropub's name. Luna J Filipino Gastropub is not about complex presentations or trendy food but simple, made-from-scratch preparations of Filipino dishes scoured from all over the archipelago. 

It is located at Il Terrazzo building in Quezon City, just a few steps away from Wang Fu Chinese Bistro owned and operated by Richard Yap, a.k.a. Sir Chief of "Be careful with my heart" fame, together with his business partners/ friends Ace Wang and  Lester Pimentel Ong ( who happened to be my cousin). Our family is very proud of Lester because he is not only a Wushu World Champion and movie and TV fight director but he is also a very kind person, doting father, loyal husband and a very good businessman, all rolled into one.

It can seat down comfortably 24 persons inside its air-conditioned dining area. They have both indoor and outdoor dining areas. Ambiance is great!

I highly recommend the adobong manok of Luna J. The chicken meat is so tender, sweet and very tasty. I simply love it.  Superrr sarapp!  

Bagnet with KBL - ( Kamatis, Bagoong, Lasona or in English Tomatoes, Fish Sauce & Onion Relish) is another of its bestseller. I think this dish is from Ilocos. Because when I went to Ilocos several years ago, the family of my friend's husband made sure we had this Ilocano meal everyday that I became addicted to it. Seeing and eating this dish at Luna J has brought back so much memories of my summer vacation in Ilocos. Eating it immediately sent me to pork heaven. Ha ha ha!

Kalderetang Baka  is one of the classic Filipino dishes served by many household during special occasions like birthdays and fiesta. Luna J's version is more like that of a beef mechado because it has a lot of tomato sauce.  Bakareta or Kalderetang Baka in Bicol is spicier.  But it tastes just as great and the meat is just as tender.  A must try!

Gising Gising is refreshingly delicious. This dish is unknown to me until Freda Co recommended this dish to us. Gising Gising,  it turned out, is a traditional Filipino dish blending minced meat with sigarilyas (winged beans), chilis and coconut sauce.   I think this dish is a distant cousin of laing. Ha ha ha!  It hit the high notes with the chili and from the sweet and fresh taste of its gata (coconut milk).  Oh, how I love its sweet and spicy taste!

Laing.  I am from Bicol and I could attest that Luna J's version is excellent. The "gata" used is kakang gata. It is sweet, fresh and very delicious. The laing has a rich savory flavor and a tingle of chile warmth on the finish.  It's really a must try.

Tinapa Rice is a yummy Filipino fried rice dish made up of tinapa (smoked fish) flakes, cooked rice and seasoning topped with tomato and salted eggs. 

Luna J's thirst quenchers Pandan juice and lemongrass juice.

Lemongrass is named as such but has no connection with lemons except that it has a strong lemon-like aroma and taste. 

I am telling you do not let this humble grass deceive you. It is packed with so much goodness that it can help improve so many chronic conditions. Nutrition-wise, it is a good source of vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese plus it has minute traces of the B vitamins.

The health benefits of lemongrass is tremendous due to its superior anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

For dessert, you could not go wrong with the traditional Filipino dessert palitaw (Sticky rice dumplings with coconut and toasted sesame seeds). In Filipino, litaw (lee-tou) means to rise. To emerge. To appear. To be seen again. Palitaw (pah-lee-tou) is a sweet rice dumpling sprinkled with a generous amount of grated coconut, sugar sesame seeds and cheese. The cheese added a new twist. Intrigued, I  picked up one piece of palitaw with my fork and took a bite. I was immediately transported to dessert heaven because of its soft, chewy dumplings that has a delightful texture of coconut and the rich nutty flavor of toasted sesame seeds with a cheesy twist. I licked my fingers clean of the sugary grit and reached out for another. Truly one-of-a-kind. Truly tastes like home.

Buko pandan was invented by Aling Amor, a good friend and ex-officemate of my good friend Eva. I know how to make this dessert since I was young because Eva thought me how to do it long before it became a household name. And Luna J's version did not disappoint.

Luna J's staff are friendly and service is good and fast. I believe that's the normal day-to-day dining scenarios at Luna J.

We were really stuffed when we finished our meal. Luna J Filipino Gastropub is now included in my all-time favorite restaurant.

You might want to visit them for a good bonding with your friends and family. Its entrees ranges from over PHp 65 to PHp 325 on the average, the prices are so affordable. Its food portions are generous.

If you’re into drinking alcohol, its menu is perfectly set up as pulutan (appetizer taken with alcohol).  Luna J also serves zero degrees beer for only Php50.

Please forgive the low quality of my photos I lost my Canon DSLR and Lumix camera at the steel PAID parking of CASH AND CARRY in Makati. #GanitoKamiSaMakati #BulokNaParkingSaMakati #AngTutuoSaMakati #CashNCarryPugadNgSalisiGang

Luna J Filipino Gastropub

Il Terrazzo Branch
IL Terrazzo Mall
305 Tomas Morato Ave. cor. Scout Madriñan St., Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone Number
(+63 2) 373-4668

Operating Hours
Mondays to Thursdays: 11:00am to 1:00am
Friday and Saturday: 11:00am to 2:00am
Sunday: 11:00am to 11:00pm

Travelonshoestring rating:

ABS-CBN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Releases Decades of OPM Album

ABS-CBN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Releases Decades of OPM Album

They say music heals. 

Tama?

In that connection, I'd like to call the attention of those people with broken hearts. Please listen to the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra's album. It can do wonders to your well-being. 

Several years ago, I wrote about the schedule of free public performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra. Boy, was I grateful when a mom reader told me that because of that free concert her son decided to take musical instrument lessons. That encounter made me #happy and sad at the same time. Weird eh? Yes, I wrote about their performances schedule but I was not able to watch the Philharmonic Orchestra's live performances at that time. Sigh, I thought I lost my chance forever.

Then the other night, after two long years,  I finally heard with my ears and saw with my own two-eyes the amazing 42-piece orchestra headed by musical director and conductor Gerard Salonga in a wonderful night of music at Dolphy theatre at ABS-CBN compound.  It was the official presscon for the orchestra's debut album: #DecadesofOPM!

Photo Credit Abs-cbn 

I was blown away by their OPM performances. My heart was filled with joy. It was fun. The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra even had a live interaction with some of the press in attendance that night. @ABSPhilharmonic's gamely played "Whoops Kiri" under the baton of Ms. Crispina Belen, Entertainment Editor of @manila_bulletin. Good job ma'am.

Our very lucky media friends @TempoPHL's Nestor Cuartero & @PEPalerts' Allan Sancon had an opportunity to sing #MagingSinoKaMan accompanied by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.  Bongga! How I wish I could also sing na ang nag-aacompany ay ang ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra! Weeeeeeeeee! 

It was a fun night. Thank you to the Lopez family for making the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra a reality. I hope Mr. Jonathan and @StarRecordsPH will produce a Christmas album for the orchestra too.

Let us support our very own all Filipino musicians at the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, peeps. 

Congrats @gerardsalonga
You can buy a copy of their album at all major record stores for only P350. A very nice Christmas gift for your loved ones.

DANIEL MATSUNAGA: Pinoy Big Brother Grand Winner 2014

DANIEL MATSUNAGA: Pinoy Big Brother Grand Winner 2014

Congratulations Daniel, the Pinoy Big Brother 2014 Grand Winner !

Daniel Matsunaga - Big Winner - gets Php1,000,000 cash plus business franchise from Mt. Albo worth Php1.5M and Buco Loco franchise worth Php300,000 plus Amaya condo in Novaliches, QC worth Php2 Million.

Maris Racal - First runner up - PhpP500,000 in cash



Jane-3rd big winner- Php300,000 in cash from Ace Hardware



Vickie- the lady mahinhin of Negros Occidental and Jason Abalos' girlfriend is the 4th Big winner. She gets Php200,000 in cash from Uratex.

All four will get a home entertainment package from Sony.

#PBBTHEBIGNIGHT

ROCKWELL TENT : Working Mom All About Kids Bazaar

ROCKWELL TENT : Working Mom All About Kids Bazaar

Working Mom Magazine wrapped up its All About Kids bazaar at The Rockwell Tent that happened from 11am to 7pm last August 9, 2014.

Working Mom magazine brought moms and kids a fun and magical weekend experience like no other.

The All About Kids bazaar program was hosted by actress Jackie Lou Blanco.  It offered that perfect dose of family fun, with big, big discounts to boot. Apart from games and demos for all kids to enjoy with their families, parents took advantage of their favorite kiddie brands as they were on sale.

Apart from all these, the All About Kids bazaar had an arts and crafts booth, magic shows, bubble tricks, balloon twisters, and other amazing performances. A mom and kid pampering booth was set up to give moms on the go that perfect chance to slow down with their loved ones. Celebrity mom Sarah Meier also shared valuable insights on enjoying life and motherhood with her daughter Kaya. One of the highlights of the event was the unique chance of meeting two favorite cartoon characters, Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Star!

Grab a copy of Working Mom’s latest issue at leading bookstores and magazine stands nationwide.

#allaboutkids2014bazaar #bazaar #allaboutkids2014

Heroes’ Day Selfie Contest

Heroes’ Day Selfie Contest

Attention: Pinoys and Pinays who love taking #selfie this is it mga kasulit!

I am so happy to share with you an online contest entitled “Heroes’ Day Selfie” organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will once again lead the nation in the observance of the 2014 National Heroes’ Day this August 25, 2014 with the theme Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.  

The “Heroes’ Day Selfie” contest aims to remind Filipinos of the significance not only of this National Holiday but also to commemorate our local heroes and also to promote the preservation of monuments and shrines of local heroes from the different parts of the Philippines.

GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA:

Guidelines for the contest:

1. The contest is open to Filipino citizens. Members of the NCCA Secretariat, Board of Commissioners, and Executive Councils of the National Committees are disqualified from participating.
2. The participant must take a selfie with a local hero’s monument on August 25, 2014.
3. Photos should be posted on the wall of the NCCA Facebook Page with the hashtag #HeroesDaySelfie on August 25, 2014, until 12MN.
4. The photo should include a brief caption (not more than 150 words) containing the hero’s name and an explanation of the hero’s life and its relevance to this year’s theme: Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.
5. The participant and the hero’s monument must be clearly visible in the photos.
6. All images submitted must be original works of the participants.
7. One winner will receive a set of NCCA publications. (Announcement will be on a later date)

Criteria for Judging:
40% Content and write-up
60% Originality and creativity

Photo enhance by moi taken from the fan page of NCCA.

Goodluck everyone! Pinoy may magagawa ka! Sali na at ipakita sa buong mundo kung sino ang hero mo!

LIVESTOCK RESTAURANT: Fresh Pork from Farm to Table

LIVESTOCK RESTAURANT: Fresh Pork from Farm to Table 

Livestock Crackling Pork Belly

What comes to your mind whenever you hear or read the word livestock? Pork, right?

It is not a secret that pork is the number one meat consumed in the whole wide world. Knowing where your food came from is a great advantage because it gives you an assurance of a high quality meat. 

Livestock Restaurant grows its own pig in Bulacan in order to have a better quality of meat than the products sold at the supermarket and by butchers. I think people who are concerned about sanitary issues and who want a high quality of meat will be happy to know this information. No wonder, Livestock will be celebrating its first year anniversary this coming September.  One of its bestsellers is the melts-in-your-mouth Crispy Pata that is so tender you can slice it using a popsicle stick. Its Crackling Pork Belly is also very delicious.

We had a feast when we dined at Livestock a few days ago upon the invitation of kuya Ted Claudio. We started off with fresh mango shake plus an appetizer called Adobo & Kesong Puti Pizza. 

Followed by the Bacon & Egg Pizza that has quail eggs with bacon, shitake plus button mushrooms. I was not able to taste the quail eggs though because it was gone from our table in sixty seconds.

My favorite is this! The yummylicious Seafood Laksa Soup, which happened to be the owner's own favorite. It tastes just right. 

Kangkong Sambal with Lechon.  Vegetable in creamy sauce.

I simply love this dish! I highly recommend the creamy and buttery goodness of Livestock's Salted Egg Prawns. 

Perfect Combination melts-in-your-mouth crispy pata and ripe mango shake  #livestockph

Livestock Restaurant can accommodate 70 persons at one time in its main dining area. 40 persons at its al fresco area located at the mezzanine and 80 persons at the second floor according to the very amiable and pretty owner Chef Ching Magdangal Uy. I forgot to ask her if she's in any way related to Jolina Magdangal.

By the way, Happy Birthday to the Queen of #livestockph Chef @chingkuy! Wishing you a lifetime of blessings, happiness and excellent health!

Travelonshoestring rating:


LIVESTOCK RESTAURANT
34 Sgt. Esguerra St. 
Brgy. South Triangle, QC

JUDY ANN SANTOS 'I Do': A Must Watch ABS-CBN Realeserye

JUDY ANN SANTOS 'I Do': A Must Watch ABS-CBN Realeserye

Judy Ann Santos, a famous film and television actress will be hosting 'I DO',  the newest realeserye of ABS-CBN to be shown every Saturday and Sunday this August.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to watched the first two episodes of the newest realeserye. At first, I thought it was just an ordinary show, then comes the twists and turns.

I can't believe it. It was one hell of a ride. The realeserye made me experience a rollercoaster of emotions. #Kilig, # happiness, #laughter #Fear #Suspense and yes, kahit nakakahiyang aminin, opo I ended up crying at hindi ako nag iisa kasi halos lahat ng tao sa audience ay nakiiyak din.  Buti na lang patay lahat ng ilaw, ha ha ha.

So, ngayon pa lang sabik na akong mapanood ang realeserye na "I do". Magakakaroon nga kaya ng 'Happily ever after' para sa lahat ng couples na kasali? Abangan....

#IDo #IDoPh #Blessing #HappilyEverAfter

Watch full trailer here:

#IDO Aug. 30 na every Saturday - 9:30pm at Sunday- 8:45pm.

Photo Credit: ABS-CBN.

Talk Back and You're Dead The Movie

Talk Back and You're Dead The Movie

Talk Back and You're Dead The Movie starring Viva babies: James Reid, Nadine Lustre, and Yassi Pressman.               

I was able to met the casts of ‪#‎TBYD‬ during the #TBYD blog-con last August 16, 2014. All of them are amiable and sincere with their answers.

Joseph Marco and Yassi Pressman admitted to the bloggers that they were not able to read the book. # honest

Photo Credits: Viva Films

James Reid and Nadine Lustre read the book. That is cool.

All the bloggers were #Kilig when James Reid said that it took a couple of kisses before he became at ease with Nadine.   

For sure, James Reid #Abs will be displayed once again in this movie! So, watch na! Go!

Talk Back and You're Dead is Rated PG by the MTRCB and Graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB). #TBYD.

Let's all watch the movie, and find out why Nadine Lustre cried when she read the last part of the book. 

Showing in theaters nationwide on August 20!

Congratulations in advance to #JaDine #talkbackandyouredead is #love

CANADIAN MANUFACTURING: Colorful Fusion and Hello Dolly Trade Show

CANADIAN MANUFACTURING: Colorful Fusion and Hello Dolly Trade Show

I got invited to the two-day event organized by Canadian Manufacturing and held last August 13 and 14, 2014 at the Manila Polo Club lobby. I was asked to go on the second day of the trade show. The event was by invitation only. Guests were treated to a frisky and colorful allure at the FUSION Lifestyle and Hello Dolly Trade Show.  

Canadian Manufacturing has a huge array of bedsheets, comforters, pillow and pillow cases with great variety and designs to choose from. I really like its Disney beddings.  Oh they are so cute! Canadian Manufacturing also has Barbie, Hello Kitty, WWE, NBA, and many more beddings. It has high end sheets up to 500 thread count. Plus, Canadian Manufacturing also manufactures my favorite anti-bacterial bedsheets that are very safe to use. 

Canadian Manufacturing puts the spotlight on the union of the elegant with the modern; the sophisticated with the funky; the nude with the colorful; and the classic with the youthful. This eclectic mix was showcased in the exhibits that featured the company’s bed and bath lines and infants and kids apparel products.

“Lifestyle by Canadian has always committed itself to bringing the good life to our customers. This trade show highlights our commitment and more as we aim to give visitors an experience beyond the good life – that is, catering to their unique tastes and individual preferences,” says Ravi Daryanani, Managing Director.

Divided into six distinct show areas: A-List institutional area; Urban Living Premium and Basic area; Character Collection area; Pick n’ Go area; Modern Linens and Qualcom area; and Store Look area, the event was designed to attract and transport visitors to the wide variety of Canadian Manufacturing’s product lines.

Apart from the show areas, the event featured exciting activities for both young and young at heart.

“We intentionally mounted a ‘styling’ activity for those with creative spirit and eye for sophistication. Not to be left out are the ‘selfie’ kings and queens, who definitely enjoyed in the photo-op activity. The tech-savvy got their fill of the digital showcase we prepared especially for them,” explains Chand Daryanani, Sales and Marketing Manager of Canadian Manufacturing.

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) savants got their creative juices going at the #MyBedroomStyle activity area, where they were given the opportunity to customize bedrooms to their liking. It gave a preview of what customers at home could experience when they log on to the company’s website, where a new built-in application now allows them to choose the style and color of their room wall that is fitting of the bed sheet they choose. At the activity area, customers had their masterpieces printed to take home as souvenirs or post them to their Facebook walls.

At the #FUSIONFeed activity area, hashtag enthusiasts had the chance to win special prizes for the most eye-catching tweets that creatively incorporated #ChangeIsComing, #Fusion, #PickNGo, #UrbanLiving, #Lifestyle2014, or #HelloDolly2014 into their Twitter and Facebook posts.

The company for the modern lifestyle

Featuring pre-loved and soon-to-be-loved infants and kids apparel, baby beddings, baby gift sets, towels, and bed and bath product lines from top brands such as Hello Dolly, Little Wishes, Disney, Winnie the Pooh, Baby Einstein, Little Einsteins, among others, each area brought to the table what patrons of the products have come to love all these years, plus new product offerings that are sure to catch the eyes and capture the hearts of customers.

The trade show indeed reflects New Creation Manufacturing’s brand image as a company tailored to the Filipino consumer’s modern and eclectic lifestyle preferences. Established in 1956 as a manufacturer of infants and kids apparel locally under the brand name Hello Dolly, it soon expanded to market its products all over the globe.

In the ‘90s, it marked another milestone with the acquisition of licenses to market some of the world’s beloved brands such as Disney, Snoopy and Warner characters.

Today, New Creation Manufacturing, with its president Hiro Asandas at the helm, takes pride in being the exclusive licensee of the top apparel and beddings brands and carries sought-after character portfolio.

What makes New Creation Manufacturing stand out is not only the brands it carries, but also the quality it puts into the creation of its products. It uses high-quality cotton for most of its products. Never stopping there, it has also recently acquired the official license from Cotton USA to manufacture all its products using USA Cotton. 

New Creation Manufacturing is now singled out as one of the very few manufacturers who know their customers well. Whether it’s the latest apparel designs for babies and kids, or bringing pleasurable sleeping moments to the Filipino families, New Creation Manufacturing takes excellent products and quality service to a whole new level.

PASAY CITY: Defective MRT Train Crashes Through The Wall

PASAY CITY: Defective MRT Train Crashes Through The Wall 

People's Television tweeted a picture showing the train (Body 003-B) crashing through the wall of the station.

I was watching TV this afternoon when I saw the flash news about the MRT train with body number 003-B crashing through the wall of the station. At least four people were reported injured after a defective coach of the Metro Rail Transit in Pasay City went out of control and crashed today, Wednesday afternoon, August 13, 2014.

Some of the injured were pedestrians at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue who were hit by debris, concrete and glass.

Around 4 people were transported to San Juan de Dios Hospital. Some people have chest, arms and face injuries.

One of the passengers of the MRT train said many passengers began to feel something was wrong when they saw a spark while the train was passing the Magallanes station in Makati.

MRT personnel had passengers get off the defective train, with body number 003-B, before the crash.

But as the train was being maneuvered to a depot, it suddenly went out of control, breached the safety line, and hit the wall of the MRT EDSA station in Pasay City.

It then hit a concrete lamppost which fell on a sport-utility vehicle with license plate XJH-655.

I think this incident will have an effect on the MRT trips in other stations.

#MRT #Accident

Krissy Villongco Releases Debut Album

Krissy Villongco Releases Debut Album

Krissy Villongco , the talented singer/composer of the the hit single 12:51, releases her first solo album entitled "Songs About You."  She's only 20-years old and a college student at Mint College in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

  

Krissy became a YouTube sensation together with her ate Ericka, who is only 10-months older than her, way back in 2009.

Krissy and Ericka, both sing and play the guitar and were labeled as the Philippine version of M2M.  According to Krissy, it was her ate Ericka who taught her how to play the guitar. I asked her if she's related to the stage actress and singer Cris Villongco. Krissy said she's her aunt. 

After years of working hand in hand with her sister Ericka, Krissy now turns solo and releases her debut album “Songs About You”.

“Songs About You” is an all original album written by Krissy herself that will certainly move the hearts of many listeners especially the young generation.

It features the carrier single “We Can’t Be”. Other tracks include “Weekend With You”, “Piece Of You”, “Distance”, “The Game”, “Don’t Forget Me”, “Gone Away” and the piano version of the hit single “12:51”. “I’m very much proud of this album because for the first time in my 5 years in the music industry, I was able to come up with an all original album, which has been my dream for as long as I can remember,” Krissy said. The album’s carrier single, “We Can’t Be”, a heartbreak song, will surely touch the listeners’ hearts just like her previous hit compositions “12:51” and “In Your Arms” during her days as a duo with her sister Ericka, whose videos got million hits in YouTube. Its music video recently premiered on MYX when she experienced mixed of emotional breakdowns and joyful happenings in her life.

According to her, each song is composed of unsaid words and unexpressed feelings to the guys she used to date. Krissy kind of wish that she told how she felt to those guys she almost had a relationship with. But then again, if she had done that, then she wouldn't have been able to write all those songs.  Krissy said that the listeners would not only feel sadness but also happiness, anger, loss or yearning on her album. These makes the songs truly relatable for lots of girls and some guys.

“Part of songwriting in every artist comes doubt in wondering whether we will ever be accepted for the things that we create, that’s why I’m always going to be thankful for the fans that have not only supported me but also gave me a chance to speak up and let my story be heard,” Krissy added. “Songs About You” by Krissy is now out on CDs at Astroplus and Odyssey outlets, through digital downloads via spinnr.ph and iTunes and can also be streamed via Deezer and Spotify. 

The album is released under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). Here are the links:

Spinnr- http://smarturl.it/SongsAboutU
iTunes- http://po.st/O3cVwi (Mastered for iTunes)

For bookings and inquiries, contact Sammy Samaniego of MCA Music Artist
Management at +632 9162504 local 107, +639178565174 and +639209682991. For more new and updates on Krissy, log on to the following sites: www.facebook.com/mcamusic or www.twitter.com/mca_music.

Message from Krissy:

Please share which song(s) from #songsaboutyou captured you the most and who would you like to dedicate this song to? Sending them my warm huugs too - Krissy

#saybts