Alliteration aside, one Sunday with my three boys really turned into a K-Pop evening, but with the K representing Kim Chiu and kimchi. First, we “popped” up at the launch at Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City, of the annual Star Magic Catalogue. Released annually, this showcase of the talents of the in-house agency of ABS-CBN, Star Magic, is highly anticipated, and has set the mark for publications of this type. Year in and year out, ABS Publishing pulls out all the stops in giving each year’s version a very special flavor and feel. This year, Christina Lopez turned to Bebeth Timbol to collaborate with the legendary Mr. M, Johnny Manahan, who heads Star Magic. They enlisted BJ Pascual and Paolo Pineda as photographers, and recruited Sidney Yap, Alyanna Martinez, Rex Atienza and AJ Alberto as stylists. The look this year was Hollywood glam, similar in treatment to how publications like Vanity Fair turn celebrities into fashion plates that exude class, elegance and taste in equal measures. The likes of Pokwang, Melai and Jason, and John Lapus are among the ones vitally transformed because of the treatment, and am certain they loved their photos.
At Fully Booked it was like an invasion of local show business, what with the likes of Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao, the aforementioned Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli, Xian Lim, Nyoy Volante (who my boys remembered from Dish days, and had seen recently in the musical play, In the Heights), Carmen Soo, Enchong Dee — just to name a few — entering the bookstore and gamely signing autographs. There was an after-party at CAV, Boni High, and that turned into a photo taking session, as the ones lucky to be invited had a field day posing with the stars. Representatives of advertisers were on hand, as the catalogue has also turned into a medium for companies to check out potential endorsers; and it was enlightening to watch Alan Real, Star Magic’s business manager, flitting from one table to the next, calling handlers to meet and greet interested advertisers making preliminary inquiries. Fans of these ABS Star Magic talents should seek out this magazine, as am certain they’ll love the elegant glamour treatment their favorite stars were given.
Dinner after the publishing event meant a short drive to Greenbelt 5, to the new Korean eatery, Bulgogi Brothers. Matteo, 17, loves Korean food, and made a grab for the red and white kimchi that comes to your table like magic! Luca, 12, was apprehensive as he doesn’t really go for spicy food, but he ordered the Kkotseungsim, marbled ribeye beef that’s served with sweet potato and garlic and pronounced it as excellent. We started off with the Dubu Steak — beancurd with bean sprouts, thinly sliced beef strips and teriyaki sauce, and that was yummy. The Bulgogi Brothers Special is heart-shaped ground beef that’s smashed not chopped up, so the flavor in the beef is retained, and it comes with mustard leaves to add flavor and bean sprouts. The Bibimpap is bulgogi beef, vegetables, egg and rice; and it’s the Korean version of fried rice, but with a lot more healthy ingredients to be found in the mix — this I shared with Quintin, 20.
We were introduced to the young Korean chef who handles the restaurant, and he explained how BB is a chain that started in Seoul, and has spread throughout the country and beyond, already existing in several key Asian cities. He was excited to be part of its entry into Manila, as he was only too aware of the growing number of Koreans who have come to this country — settling in Manila, Cebu, Angeles and Baguio, to name some cities. He’s proud of how K-Pop music has grown in popularity globally, and the piped-in music in the restaurant attests to that. Quintin, who was still nursing a hangover, found the music a bit on the loud side, but his brothers were just needling him about his condition. One great addition to our dining landscape.
Mraz-matazz
When Matteo discovered pop music back then, The Remedy was one of the songs he learned by heart. He loved the wordplay, the rhyming, the half rap elements of the song. Similarly, I was surprised last year to find Luca singing along to I’m Yours when I’d play it in the car. From old to young, there’s something magical and beguiling about Jason Mraz’ laid-back approach to music. When Dish at Rockwell was on its last legs in 2004, Jason came to Manila for the first time, and as part of the tour, we were offered an acoustic night, when he would perform solo, before the concert with his full band at Araneta the following night. EJ Litton and I jumped at the chance, we had Paolo Santos front-act, and it was a full house, with just texts and calls spreading the word about the impromptu performance. Even back then, he was that popular a performer.
Well, Jason returns to our shores on Oct. 30, performing with Taco Rivera, his percussionist as sole accompanist. It’s a tribute and throwback to his Live at Java Joe’s days, when he would ply the San Diego coffee shop scene as an emerging performer. To be held at the Smart Araneta Colisuem, don’t be fooled by the idea of two men taking over the full stage and venue that is Araneta. Despite the fact that it’s just Jason on guitar and his djembe percussionist, if Dish back then was any indicator, a truly full sound can be expected as Jason exhorts the crowd, produces sound effects and fills with his voice, and Taco does his thing. This will be a great night of music.