Samgyupsalamat? Samgyup Salahat!

Samgyupsalamat? Samgyup Salahat!

Many years ago my daughter used to drag me to this amazing new unlimited Korean Grill for samgypsal. I remember asking her, “What in the world is samgyupsal?” and my daughter patiently explained to me that it is a Korean barbeque place. Since I’ve never been a fan of K-drama I was clueless and this all went over my head but “food is food” so I went along. And that was the start of our fascination with Korean Unlimited Grill. Watch out, waistline!

Samgyupsalamat opened its doors to hungry patrons in 2012.

Rebranding

Since its inception in 2012, this popular restaurant has sprouted several branches and rebranded multiple times. From the initial “Samgyupsalamat” it became “Unlicity Samgyup!” to its newest name “Unlicity Samgyup Salahat”. At present, only the Subic branch already has the signage for Unlicity Samgyup Salahat. This new name will soon be implemented in all existing (and upcoming) branches, whether they are currently called Samgyupsalamat or Unlicity Samgyup!

Come visit Unlicity Samgyup Salahat at Trinoma

Unlicity Samgyup! at Trinoma

Unlicity Samgyup! at Trinoma

Soon to be called Unlicity Samgyup Salahat, Unlicity Samgyup! at Trinoma is ready to provide us with delicious meats and side dishes from 11 am to 2 am daily with happy hour from 11 am to 3 pm.

Ample space and seating

ample walking space and seating at the Unlicity Samgyup Salahat Trinoma branch

I’ve always hated when people stand or sit too close to me so I’m one of those people that LOVES the fact that the pandemic forced people to recognize the importance of social distancing. The tables are spaced far enough to make the wariest guest comfortable while at the same time providing ample seating for several groups who would wish to dine in.

What’s on the menu?

samgyup menu and pricingUnli pork, beef, chicken, and side dishes for groups of 2 or more are priced at a mere P549 …  no leftovers (otherwise you will be charged), and all guests are allowed to dine for a maximum of 3 hours. Eating solo? No problem!  Just be prepared to spend P699, instead.

If you want to get more “bang for your buck”, come and dine during the “happy hour” which is actually more than an hour as it runs from 11 am to 3 pm for only P499. You get the same flavorful quality meats and side dishes for less!

I tend to like my meat very flavorful and/or spicy so my go-to orders are P2 (Buljib), P4 (Gochujang Pork), B3 (Beef Boolgogi), B4 (Gochujang Beef). Buljib is pork belly seasoned with salt, cracked pepper, and ground parsley. Gochujang is a red chili paste that is savory, sweet, and spicy all at the same time.  This makes it perfect for combining with grilled meat either as a marinade or as a dipping sauce. Bulgogi, on. the other hand is thinly sliced beef marinated in a dark, sweet sauce.

All 8 side dishes listed are served even before you reach the table, except for the steamed egg which has to be requested. Including the steamed egg my favorite side dishes are the chapchae (glass noodles sauteed with veggies, chicken, and a special sauce), spicy tofu soup, pickled radish, and rice.

Not to be forgotten is the melted cheese dip that is placed on the grill in a little holder to keep it piping hot as we enjoy our meal.

Sadly, one of my favorite side dishes, the fishcake strips, is no longer on the menu. 🙁 I think perhaps it is not as popular as the others or might be more expensive. Instead, it was replaced by the cucumber, which is sliced thinly, then marinated in gochujang. If I weren’t allergic to cucumber I would surely like it as I’m quite a fan of gochujang. 😀

To wash down all that yummy goodness iced tea and cold water are provided, as part of the package. If you have a hankering for a beverage other than those, they do have soda, beer, and Soju available for an additional charge.

Also not part of the package is the ramyun gyeran (ramen or noodle soup) and dessert (ube, leche flan, or a combination of both).

What’s new at Unlicity Samgyup Salahat?

As we swelter in the oppressive summer heat, Unlicity Samgyup Salahat has added something refreshing to the menu that got me excited. As someone who loves fruits and fruity drinks, this popular summer drink hit the spot.

Unlicity Samgyup Salahat's Create Your Smoothie menu

Unlicity Samgyup Salahat’s Create Your Smoothie menu

Fruit smoothies are now available at a reasonable price of only P129. Whether you are a purist and go with a single fruit or want to mix it up with a 2 or 4 fruit combo, these smoothies will surely leave you feeling happy and refreshed.

So the next time you and your family and friends are looking for a congenial place to share a meal that is reasonably priced, make your way to Unlicity Samgyup Salahat! They also accept advance bookings, especially for large groups.

Cook the way you like it then dig in!

Unlicity Samgyup Salahat Trinoma branch is located on the 4th-floor garden view level.

Bloggers at work

I would like to thank my fellow bloggers Jamie, Aileen, Camilo, Dianne, Nestor, Trixie, and Vicky for sharing their event photos. Thank you, also, to Ms. Grace for inviting us and Ms. Sunrise for hosting us.

Unlicity SamgYup! in Trinoma: Your unlimited BBQ in Quezon City

Unlicity SamgYup! in Trinoma: Your unlimited BBQ in Quezon City

SamgYup! is a restaurant chain in and around Metro Manila that serves unlimited Korean BBQ. It’s been around some time with a lot of branches under the “Unlicity” brand and counting for more as there are under construction soon to open branches and under the management of Zoomanity Eatz.

Now open with a new brand from Samgyupsalamat to SamgYup! at Trinoma Mall on the 4th Floor, Garden Area, and with easier access at the Mindanao entrance, the popular and famous chain of restaurants is still serving all the mall goers.

Opened last October 2019 with a different brand with Zoomanity EatZ CEO, Robert Laurel Yupangco, YUP Gallery Board of Trustee Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas and Zoomanity Group COO May Gamir and Operation Site Manager Sunrise.

According to Robert Laurel Yupangco, Zoomanity EatZ CEO, “We are thankful for the patronage of our customers, we have now 5 branches under our management that includes branches in Century City Mall in Makati, Inside The Residence Inn in Tagaytay, at Alabang Town Center and Subic. Filipinos are into unlimited BBQ and affordable cost with good and quality food.”

SamgYup! menu combines flavored pork and beef (and exciting side dishes, too!). There are so many patrons right now because of the popularity and affordable prices.

For the new brand, it offers also Japanese dishes and Coffee since the company started Japanese restaurants before venturing into Korean. New brand, more offerings.

Four Enemies by Stephanie Brother

Four Enemies by Stephanie Brother

Brittany is such an interesting character that I was happy to know she was going to be featured in Four Enemies by Stephanie Brother, the 3rd book of the Four After Dark series. First of all, she is in her 30s and not reed thin. Second, she is a highly sexual woman and knows how to get what she wants but practices very good self-control. Third, she is organized and knows how to get things done. Two out of three made her promotion as tour manager aka “babysitter” for Club Red on Tour logical.

Going on tour with four hot men should be a dream but these fellas don’t make it easy. Colin and Jordan seem to be determined to act like horny teenagers and take every opportunity to provoke her. Zane and Brittany had a fantastic one-night stand that Brittany would like to keep a secret, and Owen is just quiet and sullen. The tour starts innocently enough despite the childish pranks from Colin and Jordan. But one booking error at a hotel and a game of Never Have I Ever changed everything … for Brittany and for the men.

  • Brittany has never been with more than one man before but being with these men just felt right.
  • Colin, Jordan, Owen, and Zane have never shared before, but being with Brittany together did not feel awkward.

Then the morning comes and Brittany backpedals in her guilt.  Aaargh! That was so frustrating! It may seem weird but as I was reading I found it easier to relate to the men, specifically Owen or Zane, than to Brittany.  If I had to think about it, it is probably because I hate how wishy-washy she was with the men. I get it, though, she was afraid that she and they would lose their jobs.

Because this is an enemies-to-lovers story it is more angsty than the usual Stephanie Brother books I read. Nonetheless, it is still thrilling to read. I’m up for a cuddle or four.

Mark the date on your calendar!  April 25, Four Enemies by Stephanie Brother will be available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats, woohoo! As always it will be on Kindle Unlimited but you can already pre-order the ebook now for $2.99. The paperback copy will be $12.99. Don’t forget to read the bonus chapter on Stephanie’s website!

5 Benefits of Resealable and Recyclable Pouch Packaging

5 Benefits of Resealable and Recyclable Pouch Packaging

If you are interested in packaging for your product that is recyclable and resealable, you probably have many questions. Are plastic pouches recyclable? Some are and some aren’t, so you should do some research on the manufacturer before making a purchasing decision. Once you find a packaging company that offers recyclable pouches, you can take advantage of many benefits. Here are the top five.

1. Providing Added Convenience

Custom stand-up pouches are convenient for you. They’re versatile enough to be used in almost any industry, and they don’t take up much space, so you can store your inventory more efficiently and save on storage costs.

Resealable pouches are also convenient for your customers, who can seal up your product and carry it around in a pocket, handbag, or briefcase without having to worry about it spilling or leaking. Recycling the pouches is fairly easy as well, and becoming easier all the time.

2. Preventing Waste

Obviously, using recyclable packaging is going to cut down on the waste that ends up in landfills if consumers do their part and dispose of the packaging properly. However, resealable packaging also prevents perishable products from going bad by sealing out oxygen and moisture, keeping the contents fresh longer. As a result, consumers don’t have to dispose of unused portions that went bad before they had a chance to use them. This saves consumers money and gives them good value for their money.

3. Reducing Packaging Cost

Custom sachet packaging made from recycled materials doesn’t require as much processing as those made from virgin materials. Therefore, they do not cost as much to produce. This translates to savings on your part because you can package your materials for less. You can also pass the savings along to your customers, who are likely to appreciate it.

Using flexible, eco-friendly packaging can also reduce your transportation costs because the packaging is more lightweight and you don’t have to use as much of it. This can mean additional savings for your company.

4. Conserving Resources

Flexible packaging and packaging made of recycled materials use less water and fossil fuels to manufacture because they require less processing and they don’t use virgin materials that have to be extracted from the ground. This helps to conserve limited resources.

Flexible packaging made of recyclable materials also emits fewer carbon compounds than rigid plastic packaging made of virgin materials. Fewer greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere help to reduce global warming and climate change.

5. Connecting With Customers

As awareness about the need for sustainability increases, more consumers are making buying decisions based on the environmental friendliness of the company. Recyclable flexible packaging communicates to potential customers that you share their values and their concerns about the environment. It demonstrates that your company is deserving of their trust. Once consumers find a company that they can trust, they keep coming back to purchase from them, developing brand loyalty in the process.

While it’s not always easy going green at first, the long-term benefits to you and your customers make the extra effort worth it.

Zion Philippines, Paving the Way to Healthy Living

Zion Philippines, Paving the Way to Healthy Living

Massage chairs have become increasingly popular over the years as people look for ways to relax and relieve stress at home. With the convenience of having a massage chair in your own home, you can enjoy the benefits of a massage without having to schedule appointments or leave your house.

ZION Philippines the leading brand of massage chairs offers a variety of massage chairs available on the market today, ranging from basic models to more advanced ones that come with a wide range of features. Each massage chair is designed to provide a full-body massage but varies on certain specifications.

One of the primary benefits of owning a ZION Philippines massage chair is that it can help reduce stress and tension in your muscles. Regular massage can also help improve circulation and flexibility, as well as alleviate pain and stiffness in the body which is one of the goals of the brand in terms of the health and living standards of an individual.

ZION Massage chairs are also a great way to unwind after a long day at work or a strenuous workout. They provide a relaxing and comfortable environment that can help you recharge and rejuvenate.

Just like one of ZION Philippines’ Brand Endorser, Ms. Dimples Romana, mother, actress, and a very influential personality in showbiz, has first-hand experience of how amazing the benefits are of having a massage chair at home. It helps her save time instead of having to book a massage appointment and travel to a spa or massage center; She can simply relax in her own home and enjoy a massage whenever she wants especially with such a demanding work schedule.

When choosing a massage chair, there are several factors to consider. These include the type of massage you prefer, the features you want, and your budget. Most of ZION Philippines’ massage chairs come with additional features such as zero-gravity positioning, and air compression massage, which can provide even more benefits for your body. Soon enough, ZION Philippines will be announcing a new addition to its top-of-the-line flagship model featuring volcanic hot stones.

Overall, ZION Philippines massage chair can be a great investment for anyone who wants to improve their physical and mental health. With the convenience of having a massage chair at home, you can enjoy the benefits of a massage whenever you want, without having to leave your house.

Follow @ZionPhilippinesMain @OfficialZionPhilippine on Facebook and @zion.philippines on Instagram or check out their website at www.zionphilippines.com.

Fight Mouth Aging with Listerine

Fight Mouth Aging with Listerine

The Oral Health Report 2022 from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 46% of persons 30 years of age and older have gum disease. This is one of the most prevalent oral conditions that affect adults in their middle years, which is also the main factor in tooth loss. Moreover, we are led to believe that we are doomed to lose all our teeth as we age, just like our parents and grandparents. However, did you know that this is preventable? You can keep a healthy mouth, even as you age, with good oral hygiene. Good oral health is a lifetime commitment, the earlier you develop good oral hygiene habits, like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, the easier it will be to avoid expensive dental operations and more serious oral health problems as you age.

“The dental profession strives to reduce the consequences of oral health disease in the country. A lot don’t know that as we age, oral health problems become more common. These can take a toll on a person, causing mental distress, impaired social function, and worsening health conditions. I’m very happy that Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Philippines is spreading awareness with the advocacy of  “Mouth Aging.” Just remember, the progression of oral health diseases as you age can be hindered with regular visits to the dentists and by practicing proper oral hygiene: brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash,” Dr. Jose Angelo “Gelo” Militante, oral and maxillofacial surgeon and immediate past president of the Philippine Dental Association.

Last April 13, 2023, Listerine held a talk on the significance of protecting your mouth as you age. It was moderated by Listerine brand ambassador Macoy Dubs, and it featured special guests. Dr. Jose Angelo “Gelo” Militante, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and immediate past president of the Philippine Dental Association, spoke about the aging mouth and the need to act immediately to improve overall oral health, and Dr. Ashita Bhatia, associate director of research & development for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health APAC, who shared the science behind Listerine and how it is the best mouthwash partner for people who are experiencing mouth problems as they age.

“We at Listerine envision a world where everyone, everywhere realizes the transformative impact of good oral health. We are committed to helping every Filipino enjoy healthier mouths for longer by raising awareness on the impact of aging on the mouth, and educating on the essential role of mouthwash and how Listerine helps #FightMouthAging,” says the marketing manager for Listerine Philippines, Miguel Gamboa.

Learning how to get your mouth clean with a brush, floss, and rinse routine may be as simple as it sounds but maintaining a consistent oral care regimen is a different story. We all know that brushing alone only reaches 25% of your mouth and that it leaves behind oral problem-causing germs that damage your oral health. “As you age, your body’s ability to fight germs and infections weakens, making you prone to oral health problems. Using a mouthwash like Listerine is essential as you age because it reaches the whole mouth and protects you from these germs. Just swish two times daily after every brush,” says the associate director for research & development for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health APAC, Dr. Ashita Bhatia.

With Listerine Total Care Zero it helps you #FightMouthAging because it gives up to 24-hour complete germ defense to fight cavities, plaque, and gum problems. It also has four essential oils, namely thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and methyl salicylate which have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and offer lasting freshness, to help keep your teeth and gums healthy, even as you age. Aside from this, Listerine Total Care Zero has zero alcohol for a mild taste and contains fluoride to strengthen enamel and give protection against cavities.

Investing in your oral health is critical, especially if you want to have a healthy mouth that lasts a lifetime. It’s crucial to take the right steps every day to take care of our overall oral health and this involves getting the right oral care regimen of brushing, flossing, and using Listerine.

Listerine is available in Watsons both online and in-store and on official Johnson & Johnson Shopee and Lazada pages. To learn more about Listerine visit www.listerine.com.ph and follow Listerine on Facebook @ListerinePhilippines.

Zion Philippines Unveils a Full-On Powerhouse

Zion Philippines Unveils a Full-On Powerhouse

ZION Philippines presents a POWERHOUSE ensemble of well-known celebrities and influential personalities showcasing top-of-the-line massage chairs that offer comfort and complete body and mind relaxation. This is where luxury meets the utmost relaxation.

ZION Philippines is the leading brand in the industry that provides a wide array of massage chair models that are intended to fit various requirements and tailored to the needs – using cutting-edge technology to deliver therapeutic, pain-relieving, and calming effects, alleviating muscle tension, reducing stress, and promoting overall well-being.

L-R: Rico Maierhofer, Gerry Santos & Sol Mercado Libre

ZION Philippines provides THE ULTIMATE MAN CAVE NEEDS with massage chairs ranging from the most basic to the high-end models with advanced features such as zero-gravity positioning, airbag massage, and full-body health scanning. These chairs are designed to simulate the techniques of professional massage therapists. They are a unique addition to your man cave décor and a great way to start a conversation while relaxing.

Having a ZION Massage Chair in your man cave can provide a number of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being such as mood-enhancer and stress- reliever as the immersive massage experience, various techniques, and features help the release of endorphins.

Sustainable Practices Begin at Home

Sustainable Practices Begin at Home

Even the simplest of household decisions impact how communities safeguard the environment. In line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) encourages Filipinos to make more mindful choices on how valuable resources like water, energy, and oil are consumed and managed.

The exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, PCPPI reaffirms its sustainability commitments ahead of Earth Day, which is observed worldwide on April 22. According to Frederick D. Ong, PCPPI President & CEO, adopting sustainable lifestyle habits affects people and the planet for the better. “The daily decisions we make can help reduce household waste, save expenses, and improve our well-being. Living ‘sustainably’ does not have to be complex, as we can all start with the choices we make at home,” he said.

Re-use and repurpose

plastic bottle planters photo credit to supersimple.com

It often takes a fresh perspective to see our everyday tasks differently. One of the ways to reduce household waste is through repurposing old items, like plastic water bottles which may be transformed into plant holders or vases. Used boxes can also be turned into organizers, while brown paper bags can be used as craft paper for school projects.

Meal planning

Apart from selecting healthier food options from the market or grocery, meal planning has the added benefit of consuming just the right amount of food—thereby cutting down on excess and food waste. Planning meals ahead of time also helps manage one’s budget, as well as electricity costs.

Unplug when not in use

Turning off that are not in use, using enough water to wash hands, or unplugging fully charged devices are some good practices to manage resource consumption at home. These also help maintain the health of electrical appliances, helping them run properly for longer.

Go digital, go paperless

One of the shifts accelerated during the community lockdowns was the move towards paperless transactions. Mail and bills are now accessed electronically, minimizing the need to consume paper. With further advances in technology, the possibilities are endless for how the world can help preserve and protect trees.

As PCPPI supports the practice of these sustainable practices, the organization continues to work on its own sustainability initiatives that demonstrate its long-term commitment to care and respect for the environment.

PCPPI aims to reduce the use of virgin plastic and reach 100% recyclable packaging. The company continues to expand its efforts in lightweighting and exploring alternative packaging sources. Since early 2021, PCPPI has also transitioned to renewable energy use to supply the energy requirements of its plants. Solar panels are installed in its Batangas, Cebu, and Davao manufacturing facilities.

In line with the Adopt-an-Estero Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), PCPPI has organized clean-up drives near bodies of water in the communities where it operates. PCPPI has adopted key waterways across the country, including those in San Fernando, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cebu, and Zamboanga. Partnerships with agencies like the Laguna Lake Development Authority allow PCPPI to regularly meet with other community stakeholders on how to best address environmental concerns and develop innovative ways to protect local ecosystems.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country. It distributes well-loved brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Sting, Tropicana, Lipton Iced Tea, Milkis, Chum Churum Soonhari, and Premier. For more information about PCPPI and its products, please visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.

Rise to Ultimate Power: The Great Awesome Power System by Strange Pen

Rise to Ultimate Power: The Great Awesome Power System by Strange Pen

I don’t know how it happened but Rise to Ultimate Power: The Great Awesome Power System by Strange Pen was recommended to me by Goodnovel and out of curiosity I opened it and started reading. It isn’t the usual kind of story I read on Goodnovel but when I checked “About the Book” I saw that it was just 74 chapters (so far) so decided to give it a shot.

Quick backgrounder, Harvey is poor and because of it, his peers ridicule him and his girlfriend dumped him for her ex who had more money than he. Not too long after he hears a voice in his head that tells him he has a windfall of several million and it tells him to complete tasks to receive rewards.

This voice in his head is called The System. How it got in his head is not explained. The way The System seems to work is through a rewards system where he does tasks and is given different things. Sometimes it is more money, company shares, and even skills he never had before. It almost gives me that Matrix feel, without having to choose between the red or blue pill.

So far I am 19 chapters in and all he has done is good. He helped his family and the police. I’m invested in the story because I’m curious about just how much he will level up. A love interest would be incidental, as far as I am concerned.

It is not a romance. At least, it hasn’t been 19 chapters in. I would probably classify it as a “coming of age” kinda story even though Goodnovel classified it as “system”.

Here I am posting this review and, of course, I intend to share the link to the story on Goodnovel where I am reading it. The funny thing is … when I try to search for the book using the search feature it says the book does not exist! It is already in my library but it is not searchable. Also, for some reason, the book is currently being promoted.

This does not compute. How am I reading the book and where is my payment going if it does not exist?

If you are unable to find the book on Goodnovel, you can also read it on Meganovel. Interestingly, when I opened the book cover on Meganovel on another tab, the favicon indicates that it is pointing to an image hosted in the Goodnovel server. Are Goodnovel and Meganovel related perhaps? Curiouser and curiouser!


Side comment/s:

  • I find the title very juvenile. the first part made sense, but the second part … it made me think that the author is probably a teenager
  • The book cover is also very juvenile and does not really match the way the character is portrayed in the story. It is hard to believe that that boy on the cover is 19.
  • The author cannot make up his/her/their mind if the main character’s name is Harvey or Melvin. Sometimes his last name is Weinstein and other times it is Reed.
  • The author keeps messing up his/her/their pronouns.
  • Often the author uses a term that does not make sense, but probably closely resembles the word he/she/they want to use. As the reader, you should be able to grasp it in context.
James Blanco wins Best Actor at the 20th Asian Film Festival in Rome

James Blanco wins Best Actor at the 20th Asian Film Festival in Rome

Filipino Actor James Blanco won the Best Actor award at the 20th Asian Film Festival for his role in Daniel R. Palacio’s Ang Matsing at Ang Pagong (The Monkey and the Turtle). James bested 17 other nominees at the film festival held at Cinema Farnese in Rome, Italy from March 30 to April 5, 2023.

Film director Enzo Aronica, screenwriter Roberto Recchioni and journalist Marco Lodoli served as the jurors. In their own words, they selected Blanco “for how he manages to interpret, with passion but also with a series of important nuances, the character of a hero despite him, witnessing a reality in disguise, corrupt and violent”.

The 20th Asian Film Festival director Antonio Termenini presented the award, which was received by “Ang Matsing at Ang Pagong” producers Vanessa Joy Palacio and Hilque Dairo on behalf of Blanco. “Dream Palace” actress Kim Sun-Young of South Korea won Best Actress and “Barbarian Invasion” from Malaysia won Best Picture.

Written and directed by Daniel, “Ang Matsing at Ang Pagong” is the debut project of M1 Films. The film represented the Philippines proudly as its message of social inequality echoed throughout Rome. The viewers applauded Daniel for his tenacity in denouncing political issues in the Philippines. In the film, Blanco plays the role of a rural town’s vice mayor, challenging the incumbent chief for the mayoral position in the coming election.

“I gave James the freedom to respond and react with his own interpretation of the character,” Daniel revealed. “That’s why his creativity and natural acting shone on the film. He even challenged the script on one occasion, standing firm on the character’s mindset. I loved it! He’s perfect for the role and the story I co-wrote with my mentor Armando Bing Lao.”

M1 Films executive producer Oliver Sy was praised for choosing a powerful story with a powerful voice to start the company’s venture into the movie industry. He favored the Asian Film Festival, one of Europe’s most important film festivals, to hold the world premiere of the film with over 80,000 Filipinos in Rome.

Blanco’s award concluded a memorable event as overseas Filipino workers from different parts of Italy came to watch the film. They expressed gratitude and praise to the director, sharing their sentiments about the movie.

“We were watching our life story,” one teary-eyed Filipina shared. “Thank you for showing it here.”

Donna Celeste Feliciano-Gatmaytan, the Consul General of the Philippine Embassy in Rome, joined Daniel, Vanessa, and Dairo at the film festival. Daniel welcomed the mostly Italian audience who were fascinated with his docu-drama cinema style and when asked by the Italian press if he plans to stay true to denouncing films in the future, he quipped, “There’s no other purpose of my film but that”.

In the photo: Hilque Dario, Donna Celeste Feliciano-Gatmaytan, Daniel Palacio, Antonio Termenini, and Vanessa Joy Palacio

“The words of appreciation from fellow Filipinos were accomplishments already,” Daniel continued. “The win was a cherry on top.”

Aside from co-writing the script, Armando Lao is also the editor of “Ang Matsing at Ang Pagong” while Jeffrey Icawat and Jerel Travezonda are the cinematographers. Joining Blanco in the cast are Jana Victoria, Ryan Sandoval, Raquel Villavicencio, Cataleya Surio, Dido Dela Paz, and Lou Veloso.

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