The Philippine Italian Association celebrates its Ruby Anniversary this year. The association has accomplished many projects since it was founded in l962. Among them is the bronze statue of Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian explorer, historian and navigator who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in his expedition to the Philippines. The statue was unveiled in Cebu City in 1980. There’s also a life-size bronze statue of famous Filipino painter Juan Luna which now stands at the corner of Gen. Luna and Padre Burgos St. outside the walls of Intramuros.
"The Association manifests its aims through its networking and programs on cultural, education, scientific and technological exchanges," explained to moi by the Association president and workasonic persona Chit Montenegro. "In the past 40 years, it has successfully organized a spectrum of activities which (aim to) influence and enrich lifestyles in our country."
The association’s annual Notte Italiana (with the theme Carnevale Italiano 2002) was held at the Polo Club, dahlings. Notte Italiana is known for its authentic Italian food cooked under the supervision of an Italian chef.
The décor was beautifully taken care of by that lady of the art world, Galleria Duemila curator Silvana Diaz, the Rustans Creative Group, and Marcoroberto Ascione. Prizes courtesy of I Dogi di Venezia were awarded to the three with the best costumes. Overall chairperson was one of the country’s top hostesses, Nedy Tantoco, PIA vice president for social affairs.
Among PIA’s past presidents, palanggas, are founder-president Ambassadors Proceso Sebastian, Sebastian Ugarte, Ernesto Lagdameo, Ramon del Rosario, Bienvenido Tantoco and Alberto Katigbak; Ernesto Escaler; and Conrado Calalang.
Yoshinoya, the oldest and most popular gyudon (beef bowl) restaurant chain in Japan, opened its first branch locally at the SM South Mall. This landmark branch, palanggas, is Yoshinoya’s 997th store worldwide.
The opening saw long queues of would-be customers eager to try the resto’s tasty meals. Famous actress Judy Ann Santos was there to lend a hand to the Yoshinoya rah! rah! crew in getting orders from excited patrons who were delighted to see her behind the counter.
The popular gyudon, palanggas, is based on a century-old secret recipe which Yoshinoya has been using since it first opened in Tokyo’s Nihombashi Fish Market in 1899. Gyudon is a bowlful of steaming rice with a generous topping of thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory blend of herbs and spices.
"Since Yoshinoya began, we have always stayed true to our company motto ‘Good taste, fast service, reasonable price’ ," said well-respected Shuji Abe, president of Yoshinoya D&C Co. Ltd. Japan. "With the opening of the Philippine branch, we are happy to share with Filipinos the Yoshinoya heritage."
Top Yoshinoya D&C Co. Ltd. executives jetted to Manille especially for this grand opening which was hosted by TV persona, tall, tanned and handsome Marc Nelson. The ribbon snipping ceremony, palanggas, was led by Shuji Abe, and Mitsui and Co., Ltd. country manager Shouichi Kameyama.
Raffy Lantin, marketing director of Yoshinoya’s local franchise, said, "We are always developing new offerings and we plan to open more outlets to bring Yoshinoya to more Filipinos."
Among Yoshinoya’s dishes is the popular chicken and pork bowls with generous servings of steamed rice topped with grilled boneless teriyaki chicken, or marinated pork with loads of vegetables on the side. For those with healthier appetites, palanggas, there’s beef and chicken combo bowl with generous portions of beef, chicken and vegetables with rice. Yoshinoya also has a especially formulated green iced tea for quenching thirst.
One thing moi noticed, palanggas, is that this resto offers the best value for money. With filling rice bowls available for as low as P59, it’s truly a great choice for satisfying meals. Bowls come in regular and large sizes. Yoshinoya also offers tasty side dishes like kimchi, coleslaw and miso soup, and great desserts like ube, sago and halo-halo cocktail. The resto also combines traditional Japanese cuisine with American fast-food efficiency, offering tasty meals served quickly and efficiently in a very friendly atmosphere.
It all started, palanggas, when eight brave personas set out to defy the ordinary at pristine Boracay, tour frais faits: Marc Leviste; Jacqueline Colmenares; Alain Lo; Illac Diaz; Elizabeth Javellana; Victoria Aquino; Leilani Diaz; and Leo Magno. They endured grueling rounds requiring stamina. It wasn’t bad but it definitely was not a vacation.
Naturellement, the victory bash became more relaxed as the survivors relived their experience – this time in better frames of mind. Joining in was Philips Electronics and Lighting Phils.’ magnum president and CEO, well-liked Pratt Hsu, who gave out the coveted prizes including a trip for two, a cool P100,000 for the ultimate survivor, and cash prizes for two other top contenders. Assisting them and sharing in the victory party of sorts was nice PCC GM Angelo Valenton and PCC marketing manager, always with a smile, Maritess Songco.
Fitness instructor Vikki Aquino, dahlings, got the grand prize. She was feted by the attending survivors in a manner befitting a well-liked co-survivor.
Among the throng of buzzy personas, palanggas, were Carat Phils.’ Resti Reyes; PBA host/sports commentator and magazine editor, good-looking TJ Manotoc; DDB Phils.’ Lovinia Gotao, Michelle Ovenden and Norman Ramos; Game Plan’s supervising producer Joy Mari Ibay; and Extra Extra executive producer Margie Natividad.
Partying with the super men and women were host Anthony Saludares; Brian Hagedorn; BJ Raymundo; Ann and JC Leviste; Akio Ochoa; Oneil Hernandez; Hans Gatchalian; Kina Jimenez; and Ton Paz; plus others like them too nice and fun to mention, palanggas.
Everyone got into the spirit as the challenge to out-think, outwit and outlast each other except the Philips Xenium 9@9 cellular phone was met amidst the triumphant camaraderie. Brought to us by the leader in communications and electronics technology, the rout was also a celebration of action: Vivre ce n’est pas respirer, c’est agir. Indeed, life consists of not only in breathing but in doing!
A first of its kind on Philippine soil, the Philips Survival Challenge: Defy the Ordinary games was brought by AXN, the exclusive broadcaster of the internationally renowned Survivor Africa here in Asia, no less, and Smart Communications, which provided technical assistance on location. The Philips Survivor Challenge was exclusively covered by Game Plan, natch!
So that cool – ahhh! – Asti Cinzano, the most renowned sparkling wine in the world did just that on a swinging night at the rock-iest Dish in Rockwell.
Asti Cinzano was introduced to Cosmo Manille’s party scene via a new and sleek label.
True to its bubbly, sweet and refreshing taste, palanggas, Asti Cinzano celebrated with a great mix of entertainment, wit and style as hosts hunky Hans Montenegro and stylish DJ Crystal kept the party jumping with loads of fun and spunk.
Making the launch even more exhilarating, dahlings, were Love Angels John Falkin and Julia Duncan, gamely dressed in cherub-inspired outfits. They played Cupid to many guests who were lovers, almost lovers or searching for lovers.
Grooving to the music of Escape band, hundreds of our town’s night owls gamely joined in the fun in such dating games as "Love Match" and "Love Cuffs."
Clearly having a blast were Campari Asia Pacific marketing manager Simonetta Ilari; Asti Cinzano brand manager Andy Requintina; Premier Wines and Spirits general manager JP Santamarina; plus hoteliers and restaurateurs who rubbed elbows during a great party with The Palms Country Club GM Graham Kiy; athlete super handsome Vince Hizon; TV persona Regine Tolentino; the dynamic fashion duo of Mimi and Juliet Tan; brilliant business heavyweight Frederick Gokongwei; Dish’s big man EJ Litton; filmmaker Minette Dayrit; plus so many others like them too nice and super-looking to mention, palanggas, having a perfect reason to celebrate.
What sets the two ladies’ windows apart from other PVC windows, palanggas, is that all their components – and moi means all! – are made of high-grade materials. Their double-glazed frames not block infrared and harmful UV rays, they also conserve a lot of energy by providing double insulation. Tthe easy-on-the-eyes, easy-to-wash windows also come with internal overlap screens.
The windows have – take note! – argon gas between their panes, dahlings. Since argon’s thermal conductivity is lower than air, it thus makes the windows more energy-efficient.
So confident is Cecille about her Canadian windows, dahlings, that she used them and only them for her newy-constructed Valle Verde house.
To see it to believe, palanggas. Check out these one-of-a kind Canadian windows, palanggas, at the ongoing (until March 17) World Building and Construction Exposition (Worldbex 2002) at Manila’s World Trade Center where Cecille and Peewee have a booth.
Or call the Canadian Window Centre Corp. (tel. no. 687-08-05 or fax 687-08-04) which is located at Unit 5, Second Floor, Triquetra Bldg., 237 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., 1110 Bagumbayan Libis, Quezon City.
Do have a great weekend and drive safely, palanggas. See you!