What’s cooking at the Music Factory?

What do Sharon Cuneta and her entire family do on a Friday evening? Forget the cares of the week past, get into chic clothes, hear delightful music and dance to the rhythm of a naughty band, i.e, do a whirly gig at the hottest, newest bar-restaurant in town, the Music Factory.

Located at the bustling Fiesta Strip of the SM Mall in the middle of suburbia in San Fernando City, Pampanga, the Music Factory beckons to the jaded souls of the metropolis especially on a sultry weekend night. When one has exhausted the possibilities of bohemian Malate, uppity Makati, yuppie Ortigas, hip Eastwood – this historical city populated by the fun-loving and culinary-gifted kabalens is the place to hie off to. True, it is more than an hour’s ride from Manila via the North Luzon Expressway, but the endless potential of the destination more than makes up for the bit of journey.

The opening bash of the Music Factory was a grand affair, with friends and fans having the time of their lives. Sharon cut the ceremonial ribbon with her family in full force: Sen. Kiko, eldest daughter KC, youngest daughter Frankie and even Mommy Elaine in tow. Oh, and the yayas of the Pangilinan-Cuneta household of course.

Shawie was in full bloom, her face as fresh as the scarlet flowers in her billowing blouse. (Indeed, red was the color of the evening, as the Chinese consider this a lucky color. People in the know wore all shades and hues of red to presage a worthy future for the new enterprises). Of course, she is every inch the expectant mother, but she was bustling with energy despite her third pregnancy. (Another stroke of good luck for the feng shui conscious, as a mother heavy with child is said to augur swerte all the time.)

Even the legendary tai pan, Henry Sy, was in attendance on this fateful night, enjoying the frolicsome air of his latest ally in the entertainment kingdom of SM.

The Music Factory is very spacious, consisting of two floors done in minimalist interiors. As one enters, the huge stage enthralls. Amply elevated, the huge stage focuses all eyes on the performing artists from sedate acoustic to heart-stopping live bands.

The lighting and sound facilities are state-of-the-art, the air conditioning is set to the max, ensuring a cool and comfortable ambience. There are billiard tables on the ground floor where one can bide the time chit-chatting with chums while playing.

The service is excellent, with attendants catering to every whim and caprice. The menu is exciting, with sizzling plates and appetizers for both the epicurean and pedestrian like buffalo wings, calamares, chicken ass, pinaputok na tilapia and tokwa’t baboy. All-time favorites are crispy pata, calderetang kambing and lechon kawali.

The drinks are quirky, like the shooters named Blow Job, Stroke, and Temporary Amnesia. Of course, there are the long drinks, house drinks, hard drinks, and the ubiquitous beer.

If the danger and decadence of the big city proves too much, by all means, rev up those wheels and brace yourselves for the exhilaration of something novel and refreshing – Music Factory. Life is too short to tolerate the mediocre.