Patio Vera: A Hidden Culinary Gem in the Heart of Marikina City

Marikina City is the food capital of Metro Manila, there's no doubt about that. Even Quezon City is not up to par with the culinary treasure chest that is Marikina City.

Most might say that Marikina City is way too far, or too out-of-way, but if you are really up for a spin and on a hunt for great food, head over to the Shoe Capital and you're not going to regret it.

In the middle of a residential area of Calumpang stands Patio Vera. An old house converted into the Restaurant and Bar that it is now. It is a bit hard to find, especially if you aren't all too familiar with the streets of Marikina. But once you get there, you'll forget all the troubles you had to go through because what unfolds before you is a fabulous and grand restaurant with food that will take you back to a time when home cooking is not a rare thing.

Mr. Dennis Caballes, owner of Patio Vera, did the interior decoration and the landscaping of the restaurant himself. There was also an array of costumed shoes, that served as receipt trays, which he also designed. He mentioned that the look of the restaurant is ever-changing because he always redesigns whenever he feels like doing so.

Turning old houses into restaurants nowadays seem like a thing, maybe because it brings nostalgia to diners who miss the old days where one can look forward to home cooked meals on Sunday family lunch at Lola's house. This one, especially the house, brings me back to the 80s and to the studio/boutique of my mom's uncle who used to design gowns for celebrities back then.

  

At the center of the lawn is a tent, where you can dine al fresco. I loved the chandelier and the ornaments that reminded me of my childhood. The huge vase gives the illusion that you are in Phuket or Bali.

 

A very long and old wooden boat is recycled and turned into something like a table for plants and other antiquated displays.

Mr. Dennis Caballes, owner of Patio Vera Restobar

You might ask about the food... It was superb! It really made the whole nostalgia thing come to life with the food they serve. The food will really make you think of the times you visit your Grandma on Sundays (but you just play all  day with your cousins).

Visit their Facebook Page at Patio VERA (Restobar) for updates and details.

Patio Vera is located at 70 Gen. F. Santos Street, Calumpang, Marikina City. 

Telephone: 239-06-15

E-mail: patiovera@yahoo.com

Open hours: 5:00PM to 12:00AM on weekdays

11:00AM to 12:00AM on weekends

Christian Bautista launches new album this Saturday

After about two years, Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista is back with a new album “Soundtrack.” Produced by Universal Records, Christian’s new album includes memorable theme songs from the most romantic movies of all time.

The album’s first single Up Where We Belong, the theme from the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

Christian also bared his heart in his rendition of “A Thousand Years,” theme of the phenomenal hit movie series “Twilight.”

He also showed his edgier side in “Kiss From A Rose,” theme from “Batman Forever.”

Christian also tapped some of the best female singers to collaborate with him. Former sweetheart Rachelle Ann Go joins him in their rendition of “The Way We Were.”

Perennial stage leading lady Karylle performs the romantic “After All” with Christian. This is the first time the two performed a studio duet together, while Nikki Gil lent her beautiful voice in the duet “Come What May.”

The launch of the album “Soundtrack” will be launched this Saturday, Nov. 15, 7:00 p.m., Eastwood Mall Open Park.

  

Christian Bautista: SoundTrack

1.     Come What May (duet with Nikki Gil)

2.     Up Where We Belong

3.     How Deep Is Your Love

4.     When You Say Nothing At All

5.     After All (duet with Karylle)

6.     A Thousand Years

7.     Cruisin’ (duet with Julie Ann San Jose)

8.     Way Back Into Love

9.     Love Is All Around

10.  The Way We Were

11.  Kiss From A Rose

12.  Unchained Melody

Bonus Track

13. Seasons of Love (Theme from the series of the same title)

Richard Poon sings hits of Burt Bacharach in new album

The country’s premiere crooner Richard Poon interprets some of Burt Bacharach’s biggest hits in her new album aptly titled “The Crooner Sings Bacharach.” This is Richard’s second album with Universal Records, after the album “Legends,” which was awarded Gold.

The album consists of 12 Bacharach classics including “What The World Needs Now,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Close To You,” “Raindrops Keeps Falling On My Head,” among others.

“I think this is the best album I’ve ever done ever kasi even my record label executives are raving about it,” shares Richard. “It’s a nice album taas kamay ko sa mga arrangers ko.”

“The Crooner Sings Bacharach” will have an album launch this October 3, Friday, Shangrila Plaza East Wing. Advanced copies of the album will be sold at the venue.

THE CROONER SINGS BACHARACH

1. Always Something There To Remind Me

2. The Look Of Love

3. A House Is Not Home

4. What The World Needs Now Is Love

5. Alfie

6. Walk On By

7. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)

8. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

9. I Say A Little Prayer

10. Don't Make Me Over

11. You'll Never Get To Heaven

12. (They Long To Be) Close To You

Mariah Carey Live in Manila on October 28

PHOTOS: San Marino Tuna Flakes #WhatsNewWhatsNext Fair

Daniel Matsunaga San Marino Tuna Flakes #WhatsNewWhatsNext 

 Dani Barretto and Bubbles Paraiso

 Tuna Turnover and Tuna Canape

 

<- and="" arnold="" jeric="" opstal="" p="" teng="" van="">

 Jeron Teng ->

 Marc Nelson

Daniel Matsunaga reveals secret to having the strength to do what’s next after his PBB big win

As a believer in living life to the fullest, ‘Brapanese’ model Daniel Matsunaga regularly does cardio exercises, lifts weights, and participates in a lot of sports like professional football and the Spartan Race, the most difficult obstacle race franchise, whose US competition he wishes to join someday. He also loves to wakeboard and get into the groove of Brazil’s traditional dance Capoeira.

But sports and workout is only a small portion of what makes the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) grand winner fit and strong. The strength to do all his activities, especially after his recent big win at the reality show, comes from a daily diet that consists of a lot of protein that he gets from his favorite tuna.

“Food diet is very important for me. It gives me the strength to seize whatever opportunity comes my way after winning the top prize in PBB. And for me, the perfect diet mostly consists of high protein tuna from San Marino Tuna Flakes,” Matsunaga said.

Protein, after all, is an essential building block of muscles. The more protein people eat, the more they build and strengthen their muscles, which in turn will allow them to enjoy more activities and live life to the fullest.

“I just love San Marino Tuna Flakes. It’s all natural tuna goodness gives me just that – the strength to do what’s next in my showbiz career and sports engagements,” Matsunaga said.

After introducing a few years back its fresh twist to canned tuna, the “corned tuna,” San Marino has just joined the conventional  canned tuna market with the newly launched tuna flakes line that comes in oil and hot & spicy variants, and in easy-open cans.

Made from freshly-caught tuna with no preservatives, San Marino Tuna Flakes contains the highest level of protein to help build strong muscles so one can make the most out of life and take on #WhatsNewWhatsNext. This makes San Marino Tuna Flakes the perfect choice for health and fitness buffs. On its own or prepared in a variety of dishes like sandwiches and pasta, one can truly enjoy the natural goodness of tuna and the strength that comes with it.

During the launch of Matsunaga as the face of the new San Marino Tuna Flakes, Foodsphere President Jerome Ong said, “We are glad to welcome Daniel as one of our brand endorsers. After all, we created our newest tuna flakes product with millennials like him in mind. San Marino Tuna Flakes will fuel them so that they can do one exciting adventure after another.”

Ong further shared that their newest product is “a dream come true for everyone behind Foodsphere. It captures the essence of how the company has grown stronger and risen higher than ever to achieve its vision of providing total satisfaction to Filipinos through food that nourishes life.”

Present as well in the San Marino Tuna Flakes’ launch are fit & fab celebrities like young basketball superstars Jeric and Jeron Teng, Dela Salle Archers’ Big Man Arnold van Opstal and lady spiker Mika Reyes, hunks Marc Nelson and Victor Basa, actress-models Phoemela Baranda and Bubbles Paraiso, showbiz reporters Ginger Conejero and Divine Lee, showbiz daughter Dani Barretto, and hosts Nikko Ramos and Katz Salao.

Held at the Mercato-Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the San Marino Tuna Flakes launch event also treated guests and participants to try out exciting activities for free like wall climbing, trapezing, rappelling and win exciting prizes like GoPro cameras and Garmin watches.

J&J Philippines defies common notion with “See the Real Me” teen-powerment advocacy

Campaign challenges the status-quo that to sell one’s products,

one must sacrifice teens’ self-confidence.

MANILA, July 30, 2014 –Johnson & Johnson is pioneering a shift in their marketing philosophy. They are bravely changing the mindset of teen girls who are used to feeling unsure and held back by pimples and menstruation by giving them instead, the confidence and courage to show their real selves-- regardless of the changes happening in their bodies.  

Troubling societal phenomenon

The maker of Modess, Clean & Clear, and Carefree revealed today a troubling global statistic: 75% of adolescents aged 13-19 years old are growing up fearful adults, hesitant to show people who they are and to display their potential because they are afraid of being ridiculed or judged for their appearances. Teens fear that their peers focus on the external, bodily manifestations of puberty like pimples, menstrual leaks, and odors instead of who they are inside and what they can do. As a result, instead of sharing their own thoughts and ideas, having fun, or participating in socio-civic activities that drive personal progress and development, they often choose to tuck their heads in a corner and stay on the sidelines.  

“Our children are growing up in a world where they feel embarrassed and concerned over bodily changes that are actually normal and manageable,” said Gabrielle Solomon, Clean & Clear brand manager. “These teens will grow up thinking that having pimples, wetness, or menstruation stains are embarrassing and that having these prevents them from pursuing the opportunities available to them. They will think that so long as you are not the traditional, flawless kind of beautiful, or if you don’t work hard to hide your flaws, it will be difficult to stand out and show the world the real you.”

Johnson & Johnson recognizes that along with society, pop culture, and other entities, it played a role in propagating this mindset. In order to sell products, most companies paint puberty as scary and taboo in order to drive demand for the products they provide.

As such, J&J Philippines takes a brave stand with its recently launched, pioneering campaign entitled “See the Real Me.” Spearheaded by the company’s teen brands Clean & Clear, Modess, and Carefree, J&J wants to take the lead in correcting this mindset. It wants teens to understand that pimples, oil, menstruation, and wetness are not hindrances, but rather, milestones of a new chapter in their lives and a signal for them to show the world who they are and what they have to offer.

From taboo topic to celebrating puberty

“See The Real Me” takes on this new empowered mindset among teens by providing real role models—teen girls from the 25% of the population who have shown the courage to rise above puberty issues and are not afraid to move forward and show the world who they really are.  The campaign has also unveiled its official, self-titled anthem which aims to unify both segments and inspire them with its message.

J&J also provides platforms to make the campaign easily accessible to teen girls. Through digital media, it will be showing video testimonials about real teens talking about the challenges they encounter and expressing who they really are. And through on-ground efforts, there will be various educational teen programs in-store, as well as the J&J See the Real Me Teen-Powerment School Program. After three decades of partnerships with schools nationwide, J&J elevates its program by going beyond physical education and digging deeper into the psychological, emotional, and social components. This school program will initially go to hundreds of schools in the country, with the drive to help give teens the courage to show their real selves and tell them that puberty isn’t something to be scared of – and, on the contrary, that it should be celebrated.

 

Krissy Villongco, one half of the titular online sensation Krissy and Ericka, and Clean & Clear brand ambassador, said, “J&J goes beyond the movement of increasing self-esteem by giving teens the courage to show their real selves. We’re really happy to be part of this campaign because Filipino teenage girls today need a strong support system. It feels good to know that J&J is making them and their emotional well-being a priority.”

During the official launch event of the campaign at Makati High School, the See the Real Me anthem was debuted and performed by Krissy. Teen psychologist from Cribs Foundation, Aileen Sison talked more about the importance of celebrating puberty and having the courage to say #seetherealme.

For more information, log on to Johnson & Johnson’s brand pages and see how it is inspiring teens to have the courage to #seetherealme: www.facebook.com/cleanclearphilippines

www.facebook.com/ModessAngelsOfficial

www.facebook.com/carefreePH