Why Buding is here to stay - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Nanette Inventor is a brilliant performer. Buding is impregnable. Both are seasoned warriors in the dazzling world of showbiz and politics. People flocked to Onstage Theater at Greenbelt to watch the comeback of Nanette Inventor’s Donya Buding character in the Buding 4 Senator series. It was a rip-roaring success. Produced by Bulwagang Gantimpala, Buding 4 Senator was directed by Tony Espejo with script written by Joey Javier Reyes.

After a brief hiatus from her colorful public life, Donya Buding has decided to throw her hat into the political arena. What transpired during the three soldout nights was a clear testament to the genius of Nanette as Donya Buding. She regaled the crowd with her marvelous wit, humorous verbiage and candid insights about Pinoy politics. Even her social commentaries, however funny, painted a brutal picture of the many ills that our country needs to cure. But what truly made Buding 4 Senator a hit is the fact that it came at a time when everybody needed a break from all the political tension that has been gripping the country. This was a time when everyone needed a good laugh.

People who went to see the show came from all sectors of society. From the world of business came Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II and immediate members of the Zobel family. From the performing arts were Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Carlo Orosa, Jaya, Florante, Bimbo Cerrudo, and Robert Seña, among others. Also seen during one of the performances were Tessie Tomas, Rosanna Roces, Richard Gomez, and Lucy Torres. MTV International VJ Donita Rose was seen during the show’s last night at the Music Museum.

Everyone had fun as Nanette and Buding whacked and maligned all sorts of politics including herself. And like a sniper that has successfully hit its target, the success of Buding 4 Senator has also established Donya Buding as a timeless character in the world of stand-up comedy in the Philippines. Congratulations to Nanette Inventor and Donya Buding. And the election fever will never be over for Buding. Like all defeated candidates, I’m sure she’s going to say she’s been cheated despite spending so much money to buy votes.

Buding is here to stay for a long, long time. Because Buding lurks in every one of us.

The Friomixx secret

Just when you thought that the continuing popularity of "frozen shakes" has yielded just about every imaginable desirable mixture, comes Friomixx. Ask any of the growing "advocates" of Friomixx’s, and most likely he will gush that it is simply the best of its kind: creamier, smoother, bursting with unprocessed flavors, providing a true chill-out experience.

Says Friomixx’s Sarah Rellera, "I can’t attribute the popularity of Friomixx’s frozen shakes to anything else but the fact that we use only fresh ingredients – like, for our fruit-flavored varieties we use real fruits to create the flavor. This was our reaction to all the negative press that has haunted the powder flavoring normally used for frozen shakes. Our frozen shakes are not only more flavorful but they are natural and healthy drinks."

Besides not using artificially-flavored powders, all of Friomixx’s frozen shakes arrive at its 15 stores in Metro Manila already prepared in the company commissary, frozen and stored in hygienic containers, ready to be served. "The company took this approach because it ensured that our frozen shakes will be of the same high quality in all our branches," says Sarah. "The additional value that our clients enjoy from this approach is that they no longer have to wait for minutes to get their frozen shakes."

After a year of operations, its menu includes not only cool milky drinks and iced tea concoctions but also pasta and sandwiches, plus sinful waffles and other stuff for the sweet-toothed.

"Since the first Friomixx branch opened, our menu has been evolving and will continue to evolve according to prevailing tastes of the public," says Sarah.