by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 10, 2020 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
The year has ended, but the joy of the holiday season is far from over. Check off more items from your wish list at the much-anticipated End of Season Sale in all SM malls nationwide ongoing until January 12, 2020.
“The New Year is a great time to treat yourself and continue sharing the warmth and joy of the season with others. To extend the holiday cheer, SM has prepared exciting promos and surprises for our shoppers to enjoy,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for marketing.
With the End of Season Sale, shoppers can discover great finds with up to 70% discount in all SM malls nationwide. Mallgoers even get a chance to win 1 of 10 LG appliance showcase with every P1,000 purchase at SM Appliance until January 15, 2020.
Also, enjoy 0% interest on a 3-month installment at The SM Store when you spend at least P5,000 using participating credit cards.
All these and more await SM shoppers at the most exciting End of Season Sale. For more updates, visit https://www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM Supermalls at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @smsupermalls.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 8, 2020 | Entertainment
“We are a team, a family. As one, we will continue to fight and work hard and overcome this together.” That was the statement of Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde as her dance company continues to show strength and resilience after the fire that razed its home venue, Aliw Theater, and temporarily set askew the company’s planned 24th performance season lineup.
It has been more than two months since the tragedy; and the dance company is slowly getting back on its feet, rising from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix to carry on with its goals and mission. “We went back to the original motto of Ballet Manila – ‘have floor, will dance.’ That was what we did before the existence of Aliw Theater and Star Theater. And that is what we will do,” she said.
Sleeping Beauty
Now, Ballet Manila is all set to captivate its audience with the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty, an apt offering for the new year, as the company ‘awakens’ from the brief slumber caused by the tragic fire.
The third show in its 24th performance season “On Pointe,” Sleeping Beauty is Macuja Elizalde’s homage to this ballet classic and fairy tale.
Against the background of the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Macuja Elizalde’s choreography adapted bits and pieces from the original staging by Marius Petipa and Konstantin Sergeyev while creating stunningly new portions.
It will be staged on January 18 at 6:00 PM and January 19 at 3:00 PM Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City.
“Sleeping Beauty is considered a masterwork in the world of classical ballet because it stretches everyone to the fullest of their abilities. Everything about this show is a very academic, very old school. Ballet Manila is here to preserve that tradition and, at the same time, create something entirely new.” she said.
Sleeping Beauty has been around for over one and a quarter-century and has been performed in different corners of the world. Despite the show’s perennial eminence, Macuja Elizalde, who choreographed the entire show, assures everyone that her version of Sleeping Beauty is different from the well-loved classic. With the help of Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso, who was also the show’s choreography assistant and rehearsal master, the country’s foremost and well-loved prima ballerina guarantees a spectacular show – an unforgettable retelling of the famous fairy tale.
New venue for Ballet Manila
Moving to the new venue meant adapting to necessary changes. Macuja Elizalde, her dancers, and the rest of her production team had to adjust to new plans, choreography, stage setup and casting. Producing the show was more challenging due to limited time for setting up and technical rehearsals.
Nevertheless, Macuja Elizalde said that they have certainly saved the best for last and Sleeping Beauty will be the fitting ending to her Princess Trilogy. An enthralling story on its own, Sleeping Beauty will surely capture the hearts of viewers even if they did not see the first two installments, namely Snow White and Cinderella.
The Cast of Sleeping Beauty
The show will be supported by a powerhouse cast led by principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames who will take on the role of Aurora, while her fellow principal dancer Romeo Peralta will be her love interest, Prince Phillip. Other cast members include Mark Sumaylo, Rissa May Camaclang, Joan Sia, Gerardo Francisco, Rafael Perez, Alvin Dictado, Shaira Comeros, and Emma Harris.
A month or so ago, Macuja Elizalde admitted that she didn’t even dream of staging Sleeping Beauty. “I did not have the courage to make a decision about proceeding with the show. I was still in shock and denial for weeks after the fire,” she shares. However, the overwhelming outpouring of love and support they’ve received when they performed Giselle in October gave her the strength to overcome the obstacles. And with Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Manila will continue to dance, beautifully, majestically in a way that will undoubtedly wow the audience.
To buy tickets for Sleeping Beauty, visit any Ticketworld outlet; call 8891 9999, or go to www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information, visit https://balletmanila.com.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/BalletManilaOfficial/.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 8, 2020 | Events
The Philippine Center for Gift Education (PCGE), Inc. in partnership with PROMIL® FOUR spearheaded the annual National Week for the Gifted Conference, a 2-day seminar held at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place in Quezon City. With the aim of promoting discussion and learnings on giftedness, the seminar’s focal point was revisiting multiple intelligences, as discussed by experts and keynote speakers.
In the photo are the following, from left to right: PCGE advisory board members Dr. Liezel Angeles, Dr. Elizabeth Vivien Magbata, Dr. Melanie Donkor and Prof. Mauricia Borromeo, Mikaela Samson, PCGE president Dr. Leticia Peñano-Ho, Ryan Tumbocon, and PCGE advisory board members Dr. Perry Esguerra, Prof. Hercules Calanta and Annabelle Sangalan.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 23, 2019 | Yummy Reviews
Yakikai, what a funny name to say. 🙂 ‘Tis the season to forget about that diet and indulge, as they say, and Yakikai is definitely a place to indulge our appetite. 🙂 A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to eat at Yakikai Grill and Fusion Buffet located at Scout Dr. Lazcano Street near Tomas Morato in Quezon City. For those who can’t quite imagine where this is, your nearest landmark would be Starbucks Reserve across from BPI on Tomas Morato Avenue. Yakikai is on the block where Starbucks is. 🙂
This restaurant was easy for me to find for these reasons:
- I live nearby
- this used to be Bagoong Club which I once frequented
- it is a stone’s throw away from my favorite Starbucks branch, the Starbucks Reserve Legacy Store on Tomas Morato. 🙂
For people with cars, if you arrive early enough you can park right in front of Yakikai, otherwise, your next available parking will be on Tomas Morato. Not to worry, though, as Tomas Morato is a very short distance from the restaurant … very walkable.
The first time I heard about Yakikai I couldn’t help but wonder if this was going to be any different from other samgyupsal restaurants I have visited in the past. While there are definitely similarities, the owner, Ms. Sam, introduced us to some features that make this restaurant stand out. FYI, Ms. Sam used to be the owner of Sodam, a samgyupsal restaurant in Greenhills, which she has since sold before she opened this place.
Dining Area
Since I have been to this building before when it was a different restaurant I was interested to note if they changed anything about its appearance or layout. So far, they have made the dining area brighter and, of course, there is the addition of the ventilation pipes for the hoods over each table.
There are three dining areas on the ground floor: the main area near the buffet which can seat approximately 24 or more people, another one just to the right of the main dining area which can comfortably seat 30 people, and an outdoor seating area at the lanai which can comfortably seat another 24 people.
On the second floor, there are two rooms. The room on the right could possibly seat around 20 people while the room on the left could possibly seat 50 people. This set up makes Yakikai ideal for big groups. While their Zomato page says they do not take table bookings, I think they do take reservations for special events.
Restrooms
It is important to note that there are two gender-neutral restrooms, one on each floor. This is a carryover from Bagoong Club. However, I wish they could maintain it better. One tip I would possibly give them is to have one of their staff check the restrooms every 30 minutes or every hour to make sure it is still clean (and not stinky) and clean it when necessary.
The Menu
As with other restaurants they have an ala carte menu and an “eat all you can” menu. In this review, I will focus on the latter because this is the menu that they really want to push. That is my gorgeous sister holding up the menu for me. 😀
They only have 2 sets to choose from. The premium set and the emperor set.
Premium Set
The first is the PREMIUM SET. This was originally priced at P499 but, at the moment is available for P339. Unlike other restaurants, this package is composed of chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp, cheese, plus the buffet! Talk about value for money.
The meat selection is basically the same as what you would find in every other samgyupsal place but the addition of the shrimp and cheese (which is a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese) at no extra cost brings them up a notch. I even noticed that there was one table that ordered just the fresh shrimp! That was so smart! I should do that next time.
Emperor Set
The second set is called the EMPEROR SET and is, of course, the one they highly recommend. Originally priced at P699, it is currently available for P599. The emperor set is composed of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, fish, Jjampong nabe soup, and cheese! Specifically, what makes the emperor set are the following:
- salmon sashimi
- chuck eye steak
- shrimp tempura
- and Jjampong Nabe
When cooking any kind of meat (and steak especially) it is important to know when to stop cooking it so that the meat is still edible. When it comes to the steak which compared to the other meats served is thick, cooking it too long will make the steak hard and dry. Your goal should always be medium. Some like it medium-rare, others medium-well.
We asked Ms. Sam if they served tuna sashimi aside from salmon sashimi and she said that they don’t serve tuna as it spoils faster so if it is not consumed quickly they end up throwing it away. Salmon, on the other hand, handles better and lasts longer. I love salmon anyway so this was no hardship for me. 😀
The Jjampong Nabe might be removed from the menu as they have received feedback that many patrons find it too spicy. They are still thinking about what to replace it with if they decide to remove it. Any suggestions?
Buffet
Both the premium and emperor set comes with the buffet which is self-service and you can go back as often as you want and get as much as you want.
At first, it would appear as though the buffet offerings are limited, but as each dish is emptied, it is replaced with a different dish (if similar) dish, which makes for an almost limitless buffet.
In this photo here you can see that the options have already changed. The dishes that I kept going back for are the shredded sweet Japanese corn and the japchae. For those who do not know, japchae is a Korean noodle dish made with vermicelli noodles with vegetables and beef tossed in.
Sushi options at the buffet
On the far left of the buffet is a selection of different kinds of sushi from the all-time favorite California Maki to salmon, shrimp, and tamago (egg) variations. At the window above the buffet are the chefs who were busy preparing refills of all the dishes in the buffet.
I am very keen on anything spicy I sampled the spicy tuna. The sushi tasted as expected, which is a good thing. 🙂 I had a few pieces of spicy tuna and tamago sushi. 😀
Is “buffet only” an option?
We asked Ms. Sam if it were possible for guests to order just the buffet and no grilling and she said no. When I think about it, though, that really isn’t too bad since the price of their premium set is not really that expensive.
Dessert and drinks
For dessert, you can ask for any of the Korean ice cream available from the freezer at an additional cost (they are not part of the package). Same with the drinks, the packages only come with water but you can order soda or juices from the menu at an additional cost.
Eat-All-You-Can
I ate all I could and there were still so many dishes that I was not able to taste. A tip to beginners, make sure you are hungry when you go here because I promise you, there is almost no waiting time between sitting at your table and eating. While they set up your table you could already start on the buffet.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 20, 2019 | Lifestyle
After a long, stressful week at work, there’s nothing like using that hard-earned time to kick back and enjoy the best in life. For people who live and work in North Makati (NOMA), Assembly Grounds at The Rise offers a bunch of ways to chill and relax, enjoying the best food and pampering treatments.
Enjoy unlimited Korean BBQ at Premier the Samgyupsal.
The meat is succulent, the side dishes are limitless, and there are enough flavors and textures to keep taste buds occupied for a long time. Diners can get premier-grade meats, imported melted cheese dip, and more authentic dishes. Bring the entire barkada for a fun weekend feast!
Take some time for self-care!
Focusing on appearance isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good, restoring a sense of self after a debilitating week behind that office desk. With /nook/ urban family salon + spa, both men and women can avail of top-notch pampering treatments, from facials to haircuts!
Chomp on some cheesy, meaty meals.
When craving for a juicy steak, crunchy nachos, and a dash of lime, head on over to Fiery Style Southwestern Flaming Grill, the place to be for Southwestern Tex-Mex food.
This perpetually festive restaurant is always alive with a vibrant cocktail bar or a live acoustic set, and when the most important thing in the world is a Friday night agenda, you can always rely on a hefty drink and a sizzling plate of spiced steak.
Set an appointment for a gentleman.
Got a bunch of fun engagements this weekend? Then looking dapper is a must. At Sanbry Men’s Grooming House, every guy becomes a gentleman, what with their bachelor-pad setup and expert grooming skills. You’ll walk out looking like the toast of the town.
Savor a hot bowl of ramen.
Is it a rainy weekend? Want to just stay in the area and enjoy something toasty and perfect? Then get a seat at Ramen Daisho, an authentic Fukuoka ramen restaurant that uses ingredients sourced directly from one of Japan’s Ramen Masters. With chewy, slippery noodles swimming in a bowl of savory broth, a rainy weekend will always be a happy weekend.
With all these things to do right in the heart of NOMA, Assembly Grounds at The Rise is the ideal place for the thriving community to make every minute of the weekend worthwhile!
For inquiries, call 8-298-8000 loc. 4 or visit www.assemblygroundsattherise.com. Follow Assembly Grounds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @assemblygrounds.
The year has ended, but the joy of the holiday season is far from over. Check off more items from your wish list at the much-anticipated End of Season Sale in all SM malls nationwide ongoing until January 12, 2020.
“We are a team, a family. As one, we will continue to fight and work hard and overcome this together.” That was the statement of Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde as her dance company continues to show strength and resilience after the fire that razed its home venue, Aliw Theater, and temporarily set askew the company’s planned 24th performance season lineup.
The third show in its 24th performance season “On Pointe,” Sleeping Beauty is Macuja Elizalde’s homage to this ballet classic and fairy tale. 
As with other restaurants they have an ala carte menu and an “eat all you can” menu. In this review, I will focus on the latter because this is the menu that they really want to push. That is my gorgeous sister holding up the menu for me. 😀
In this photo here you can see that the options have already changed. The dishes that I kept going back for are the shredded sweet Japanese corn and the japchae. For those who do not know, japchae is a Korean noodle dish made with vermicelli noodles with vegetables and beef tossed in.
On the far left of the buffet is a selection of different kinds of sushi from the all-time favorite California Maki to salmon, shrimp, and tamago (egg) variations. At the window above the buffet are the chefs who were busy preparing refills of all the dishes in the buffet.
The meat is succulent, the side dishes are limitless, and there are enough flavors and textures to keep taste buds occupied for a long time. Diners can get premier-grade meats, imported melted cheese dip, and more authentic dishes. Bring the entire barkada for a fun weekend feast!
Focusing on appearance isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good, restoring a sense of self after a debilitating week behind that office desk. With /nook/ urban family salon + spa, both men and women can avail of top-notch pampering treatments, from facials to haircuts!
When craving for a juicy steak, crunchy nachos, and a dash of lime, head on over to Fiery Style Southwestern Flaming Grill, the place to be for Southwestern Tex-Mex food.
Got a bunch of fun engagements this weekend? Then looking dapper is a must. At Sanbry Men’s Grooming House, every guy becomes a gentleman, what with their bachelor-pad setup and expert grooming skills. You’ll walk out looking like the toast of the town.
Is it a rainy weekend? Want to just stay in the area and enjoy something toasty and perfect? Then get a seat at Ramen Daisho, an authentic Fukuoka ramen restaurant that uses ingredients sourced directly from one of Japan’s Ramen Masters. With chewy, slippery noodles swimming in a bowl of savory broth, a rainy weekend will always be a happy weekend.
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