Status Magazine launches the “Art Issue” at Encore Fly this Monday, April 19

“Status is a full size bi-monthly magazine focused on inspiring the next generation. We focus on articles and people that would grab the attention of the youth and get them addicted to the YOUTH culture. Status sees no boundaries on the influence it can create and the inspiration it can give. Passion, talent and courage unite our readers to walk the road less traveled. Status also highlights the latest fashion, gadgets and technology that keep readers in the know of what’s going to happen next.” – Status Magazine

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, from a screenplay by Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn, and based on the comic written by Mark Millar and John S. Romita Jr. Lionsgate and MARV present a MARV Films / Plan B production.

SM Cinemas will launch it’s most interactive cinema experience ever. Based on their ad materials, this interactive experience seems to involve something dynamic and playful, insinuating hand waving motions. If this is so, then it would be a first in Philippine cinema!

Together with the advent of 3D movies, efforts of creating unique encounters like the “interactive cinema experience” while watching in theaters is what makes cinemas still one of the best places for leisure. This project will be launched this late April at the Digital Theater, Cinema 1, of SM Megamall. This will be in time for the series of blockbuster movies this summer. We’re excited to try it soon!

The University of the Philippines – Diliman University Student Council (UPD-USC) and the Engineers and Men for the College and Country Fraternity (EMC2 Frat) present YOUTHSTOCK: ROCK, ROLE, RIGHTS in the University of the Philippines Fair 2010, this coming February 13, Saturday, 6pm-4am, at the UP Sunken Garden. This day of the UP FAIR will feature:

Tickets are priced at Php 80. You may order tickets by leaving a comment here (with means to get back to you) or contact me directly at 09274549037. Thank you very much! See you at the UP FAIR 2010!

I spent my last weekend as far away as I could get from Manila, and it was in Cebu where I landed. It was supposed to be a ticket to Sinulog, but Mica booked the wrong date. Though that was the case, I knew it was there, at that time, for a reason. Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted to go there on another date. As all of my trips out of town, it was filled with scenic places to visit, yummy food to taste and really nice people to meet. What more can I ask for?

Mica and I arrived before 6am. It was still pitch dark. We decided to go to McDonalds first and have breakfast, before checking in our own hotels. I stayed at the Sampaguita Suites along Gen. Maxilom Avenue again, simply because it was cheap and decent, with free wi-fi in the lobby. Since I figured I am not staying in my room most of the day, why would I book a hotel room more expensive than 700 pesos?

Mica, Bryan, Evanjohnn and I ate at Mooon Cafe for lunch. Here’s my post about this irresistible restaurant.

After eating I spent time in my room, rested a bit, and I capped my first day in Cebu with Choices and Voices for 2010: A Presidential Forum in Cebu International Convention Center. I tried my luck entering, but I didn’t have a media pass. I was lucky to touch base with Senator Richard Gordon, whom I met the day before through the Blogwatch Interview, and got in. Not only that, I got past security, and into the Presidentiables’ holding area. I got hold of these pictures. Oh, and I also met Margaux Salcedo, who I deeply respect not only because of being a spokesperson of a Presidential candidate, but mostly because of her gastronomic adventures.

Hi guys! I haven’t blogged here for a long time now. I had a lot of stuff going for me: I write at Blogwatch.ph, covering the 2010 Philippine Elections with different bloggers, writing my thesis in Public Administration (for me to graduate this year) and some other stuff. I had no time to update this and Manila Foodistas. But now, I’m vacationing in Cebu, and I had this opportunity to blog and update this site!

I had fun touring Cebu City, Mactan and other places (those posts will have to wait for now) but I would like to share this impromptu video/ short film my friend Mica Rodriguez conceptualized, with the help of Winston Almendras (as the cameraman). This was shot, without permission, in the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

I hope you enjoy the video, please visit Mica’s Project52Weeks to know more about the video and to see other similar great short films she directed.

The Virlanie Foundation, Inc. is a 17 year old private non-sectarian child caring institution in Metro Manila, which cares for street children, who are abandoned, abused and those referred by other institutions.

8 to Educate is an awareness campaign, participated by 8 high-end restaurants in Serendra and Bonifacio High Street in Taguig (Arama, CAV, Chelsea, Cupcakes by Sonja, Fu, Healthy Kitchen, Sentro 1771 and Xocolat), which highlights the importance of education in the lives of the Filipino children especially for the disadvantaged street kids.

The participating restaurants have pledged to support the campaign by donating a certain percentage of their sales each time a featured menu item from the 8 participating restaurants is ordered:

Some of the Virlanie Foundation photos through the years:

Starting today, November 4, 2009, you can start collecting your stickers to be able to get the planner. You will be needing 17 stickers (9 Holiday Featured Beverages – Dark Cherry Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte or Peppermint Mocha; and 8 Regular Starbucks Beverages) for you to redeem one.

You may visit 2010 Starbucks Coffee Planner up for grabs for more information.

In the advent of video streaming and torrent downloads, UPTV aims to captivate the young and dynamic online audience with television programming they’ve never seen before. Upholding the spirit of UP values and quality content and production, UPTV offers a fresh series of programs that will not only cater to UP students but to students of other universities as well. We bring you entertainment like no other. The following are the UPTV programs that will be shown at and will be launched with an event on the evening of October 14, 2009 at the Media Center of the College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman.

Watch out for…KOLEHIYO (Campus Horror Stories; ST. PHILIP’S HIGH SCHOOL (Political Satire Narrative); CRASHERS (University Travelogue); EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS (Short Experimental Videos); FAQs (Freshman Guide Narrative); U-GAG (Gag Show); EXTENDED PLAY (Campus Music Documentary).

Brought to you by Broadcast Communication Class of 2010, a creative powerhouse of students from the UP College of Mass Communication (BC 172 class).

Because we were early, we bummed around in SM Megamall for a bit and discovered a new store called Tutti Frutti (but more on that in our previous post.)

Of course the first thing you notice about the place is the decor. True to form, Texas Roadhouse is designed like a cowboy’s retreat. Pictures of cowboys and rodeos adorn the wall, and the walls and furniture are mostly made from wood, and very rustic in feel. But of course, we didn’t come here to check out the decor, we came here to eat!

Chef whatshisname came out of the kitchen to welcome us bloggers and to explain the concept of the food that we were to have for the night. They didn’t disappoint. First thing that comes to mind, I’m sure, when one says Texas Roadhouse, even with the barest knowledge of the place, is that it will have steaks on the menu, and indeed there were steaks on the menu. But more on that later.

Well, like they always tell me, less talking, more eating so on to the food then: We were first served Corn Soup. Now, I know it sounds so blah, what is so special about corn soup, after all? But mind you, this was no ordinary corn soup, it had strips of tortilla chips in it, which gave it a welcome surprise.

Next came the Jesse James Sampler. I love cheese sticks – or anything cheese, for that matter, and this was no exception. I found everything to be yummy, although the buffalo wings weren’t as spicy as I’d hoped they would be. I guess this is so that people not as fond of spicy food can still enjoy this dish.

Next came the pride of the Texas Roadhouse – the rib eye steak. Chef whatshisname explains the choice of beef they use, which is choice. At first I thought it odd that a reputable steakhouse would choose to serve anything less than prime, but I did understand the choice once he explains. He says that since most Pinoys shy away from meat with too much fat, it would make more sense to serve steaks that are of the choice variety, which would also make their pricing more competitive. I found the steak a bit hard to cut into, but it was flavorful, if a bit salty for my taste.

Next on the menu were Seafood Skewers. This one was my personal favorite, pink salmon and shrimps on a skewer set on a bed of rice, and served with lemon butter dipping sauce. I do love me some seafood, and this was cooked just right.

Of course, what meal would be complete without dessert? I have to admit I was thinking of skipping dessert altogether since I was so stuffed and had earlier gotten myself some yogurt, but who could resist this Mud Pie? Certainly not me, that’s for sure. I’m not a fan of chocolate, but I have to admit that this really hit the spot. We learned that this mud pie was made with Snickers chocolate, which made it a winner in my book, and my favorite part of the pie hands down was the crust, although it was a bit tough to cut into because it was so hard.

Well, I guess that’s it. Till the next one!