July 13, 2012 as National Day of Remembrance for King of Comedy Dolphy

President Benigno Aquino declared under Proclamation No. 433 that Friday, July 13, 2012 is the National Day of Remembrance for the late Philippine king of comedy Rodolfo Vera Quizon, to his millions of fans, Dolphy.  The sad news broke out on social media re Dolphy’s death last Tuesday after he succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In a press statement, “The President issued the proclamation in recognition of how the nation deeply feels the passing of Dolphy. In the proclamation, the President cited Dolphy as a man who will live on in Philippine cultural history—and in the hearts of many of his countrymen.  President Aquino in his proclamation said that every milestone that Dolphy marked in a career that spanned decades, raised the standards of the entertainment industry, and strengthened our cultural identity, giving innumerable aspirants an example to look up to.”

Via Google Images

Malacanang is citing Dolphy’s contributions to Philippine culture, arts and entertainment as well as his philanthropic and generosity towards Filipinos in general. 

However, July 13, 2012 is NOT a non-working holiday.  People have clamored for Malacanang to declare a Day of Mourning but as Dolphy’s family has expressed, Dolphy would want to be remembered for his life and not passing.  We all want to celebrate his life and the late comedian’s art and artistry, his kindness and generosity, and deep patriotism.

Some people remarked that Palace, receiving proposals to commemorate Dolphy’s life, should have declared his birthday instead as the National Day of Remembrance to make it more significant.

The last day of the public viewing, where fans can pay their respect, will be on Saturday, from 8 am to 3 pm. 

The films of deeply loved Dolphy will be shown on Cinema One, SKY Cable Channel 56, from July 14 to July 20, 6am onwards.

 

Past Love Rekindled at Pasto

 

 

Previous to the discovery of Ristras, Pasto was frequent in the call log.  Bubba and I were reminiscing the other night how much we crave for Pasto before.  Pasto was our favorite go-to-restaurant for DVD food.  The Greenhills branch is rung ahead of time to order 2 batches of crostinis with chicken pate and pomodoro salsa dips.  Grab, pay and off to home movies. 

 

 

I also like eating at home since Bubba finishes most of the salsa, so I have to replicate with a homemade one.  Diced tomatoes, diced red onions (nominal), fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, (mmm-mm!) I can have as much as I want.  Soon, we were pairing our Pasto “to-go” order with Sandy’s Pizza’s buffalo wings, which we also got quite akin to.  Interestingly, we only order the wings (they deliver for 2 orders) and not the pizza.

 

Another favorite in Pasto is their Romano entrée (PHP345).  Romano is crusted chicken breast with spinach and roasted mushrooms in a Gorgonzola cream sauce served with fettuccine.

 

On the Table

 

Zuppa di Pomodoro PHP 95

Pasto has the best roasted-tomato cream soup in the Metro.  Its semi-smooth thickness is exactly right without making it appear like a tomato puree.  There’s a hint of Parmesan and cream taste in the roasted tomato soup. Garnished with fresh basil on top that adds a minty flavor perfect for that hot soothing spoonful.

 

 

Crostini, Pasto’s famous version of Italian crostini served with your choice of “dips.”  One order is equivalent to 8 pieces of crostini shaped like a pizza slice –thin, toasty and crispy.  Price of crostini depends on the dip.

 

Chicken pate PHP 125

 

 

Pomodoro Salsa PHP 105

 

 

En Route to the Perfect Bite

 

  1. Spread the chicken pate on the crostini
  2. Put a bit of the tomato salsa on top with a drip of the balsamic olive oil dressing

 

First layer of taste is good enough for me.

 

    3. Add another layer of flavor by adding grated Parmesan cheese.

    4. To add some heat, add the chili flakes

 

 

Before Ristras’ burritos and nacho chips, this was our comfort food.

 

 

Ortaggi PHP 225

Spaghetti cooked with artichokes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese.  The usual order is Romano, Vongole or Frutti di Mare, but we took a detour and ordered a pasta dish we haven’t tried –Ortaggi.  It was a tad bit on the sweet side (probably from the sun-dried tomatoes which I really love) that I wasn’t expecting.  We only finished half of the pasta, partly because we needed to run off to watch GI Joe.

 

 

 

Pasto

 

Greenhills Theater Mall

Unit F&B-5, Greenhills Theater Mall

Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan

(632) 722 4992

 

El Pueblo

Julio Vargas Ave cor. ADB Ave

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

(632) 634 0157

 

Paseo Center

3rd Floor, 8757 Paseo de Roxas

Salcedo Village, Makati City

(632) 893 0588

 

 

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 —

 

Manila News Today: August 10, 2009

 

$20,000 Gone in New York Minute

 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her entourage allegedly dined at Le Cirque in Manhattan, a prestigious French restaurant in New York City during her recent US trip, New York Post online’s “Page Six” wrote,

“Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life… Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”

 Theoretical Breakdown of the Bill

Image Source: Spot.ph

Image Source: Spot.ph

 

 

Renato Reyes, secretary general of the militant group, Bayan, said that it is inappropriate for a Third World country president to wine and dine in such lavish manner given that the rest of the country is in the midst of a crisis. He asserts that the NY dinner certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouth, at least for the rest of the Filipino people. The $20,000 is equivalent to almost 1 million pesos, an amount that can probably supply one township a year’s supply of rice or nourishment. 

 

PGMA’s camp claims that the report was exaggerated and that no taxpayer’s money was used.

 

Flash Your Age at HEAT

 

This is the celebration that won’t break your bank or catch the ire of Bayan group.

Birthday celebrants can enjoy great discounts at HEAT during their special day. Enjoy a dining discount equivalent to your birthday age during HEAT’s “Flash Your Age” promotion. It’s valid only on the exact date of the celebrant’s birthdate and will run from August 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009. A total of eight persons will be entitled to the dining discount. The celebrant must present a valid ID (i.e. Driver’s License, Passport, SSS ID only) with the birth date clearly shown to avail of the discount. This promo is not valid on public holidays and in conjunction with other promotions and privileges including Club Edsa, credit card discounts, rewards redemption vouchers, complimentary dining vouchers and special promotions. Prior reservations are required.

 

Image Source: Shangrila website

Image Source: Shangrila website

HEAT is also throwing in a complimentary birthday cake to the occasion. Share this privilege with family and friends. After all, what is a birthday without them? Flash It! Flaunt It! Age is no longer meant to be kept a secret at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila.

 

Vilma Santos Plays Cory in FilmBio, MMK Features Cory’s Bodyguard

 

Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, the Star for all Seasons, is being eyed to portray the role of former President Cory Aquino. Vilma is running for reelection and is not allowed to have a movie shown or appear on TV longer than the permitted time setforth by the COMELEC. The launch of the movie would probably start after the elections next year if Vilma were tapped to play the role.

 

Image Source: Abante.com

Image Source: Abante.com

 

Maalala Mo Kaya, hosted by ABS-CBN’s President, Charo Santos-Concio, will do an episode on one of the two bodyguards of Tita Cory. The bodyguard, who delivered a touching eulogy during the necrological services at the Manila Cathedral, will have his story in the long running drama anthology.

 

 

 

Addicted to Ristras

 

I seriously cannot count how many times I’ve been to Ristras.  I’ve had one too many visits since it opened.  I would have gotten a loyalty card by now if they have such customer management system.

 

July 24, Friday night, we are back again in Ristras but not for our usual “to go” food to be gorged on a DVD night.  We were there to give Butch a congratulatory pat on the back for his upcoming wedding on August 1, Saturday.

 

 

It’s already this week and just 3 days ago, I attended Didi’s wedding.  I still shake my head in disbelief knowing at least 9 people who are getting married between today until mid next year.  It’s the wedding season!

 

 

Butch and Marie, who I had some time to bond with during a spontaneous Tagaytay getaway, are one of the nicest and most sensible couples I know.  Both are currently working at P&G and have been together since 3rd year college.

 

 

 

Other than Andrew, it was Cris Darwin, Eric, Butch and Jim’s first time at Ristras.  We were just here 2 nights ago (err… every 2 nights before that as well?) 

 

 

 

The boys were a bit overwhelmed with the array of delicious ingredients in front of them.  Same sentiment I had when it was my first time there not so long ago.  I’m glad I was assisted during my selection of what’s going inside my burrito from Chef Rob.  I was glad to give the same assistance to the berks.

 

Create Your Own Burrito

 

First:       Choose Bowl or Burrito

 

It’s a matter of eating it in a bowl or in a wrap

 

Second:  Choose Your Rice (Easiest!)

 

2 choices: Cilantro White Rice or Chorizo Brown Rice.  (You can also forego if you’re on a no-rice diet)

 

 

I go for the chorizo brown rice, wonderful color, fantastic grain.

 

Third:     Choose Your Meat (or Go Vegetarian)

 

Steak –good quality meat soaked in hours in Chipotle Adobo marinade and then grilled medium rare.  Very tender and tasty

Chicken –grilled chicken meat in jalapeno marinade

Carnitas –free-range pork braised and seasoned with thyme, bay leave, orange juice

Barbacoa –slow braised shredded beef with cumin, cloves and other spices

 

 

You can choose 2 meats for your burrito, which will be separated on each side.

 

**Go Vegetarian and pack on the bell peppers, black beans and red beans or you can just add it all to your meat

 

Fourth:   Add-ons!

 

Choose your add-ons: Jalapeno, pico de gallo salsa, tomatoes, tomatillo green chile salsa, roasted chili corn salsa, sour cream, grated cheddar and white cheese, guacamole or no need to choose, you can go with “all the works!”

 

 

The serving is good for a hungry one or best shared with a good friend!  Now it’s time to order your nachos!

 

On the Table

 

Steak slash Barbacoa Burrito PHP 290

Bubba and I decided to split a burrito.  It was steak, brown rice and all the other works on one side while it was barbacoa and brown rice on the other.  Savor every mouthful

 

 

9 Layer Dip with Nachos PHP 255

I really love Rockefeller’s 7-layer nachos but being so far away in Makati, I’ve replaced it with Ristras’ 9-layer dip.  9-layer-dip is brimming with 9 colorful layers of fresh ingredients starting from 2 kinds of beans, sour cream, tomatoes, pico de gallo salsa, onion, corn, chopped olives, jalapenos and guacamole if you wish.  Create a perfect bite by getting a piece of everything.  We usually ran out of chips but we just grab a Tostitos Hint with Lime tortilla chips from our stash at home and it heightens eating this delicious comfort food.  It’s actually more perfect with Tostitos.

 

 

Whatever you decide, the garlic sauce makes all the mix and matches come together.  The white yogurt sauce suffused with loads garlic has the right consistency compared to other garlic sauces that are diluted.  It gives a softer and creamier supplement to each textural bite.

 

(Chris said that after that Friday visit he finally hit the mark and would probably visit after a month.  Newsflash: we were at Ristras last night, only 5 days after that vow.)

 

 

 

If Meg Ryan is addicted to love, she definitely needs to pay Ristras a visit.

 

 

 

CHECK OUT B&T Mexican Kitchen along Ortigas Avenue.

 

B&T Mexican Kitchen

B&T Mexican Kitchen Chicken Mole

 

Ristras 

J. Abad Santos St. Corner Lopez Jaena 

San Juan City 

 

Ristras Album

 

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AXN Beyond Event

 

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Catch Pushing Daisies and other supernatural shows of AXN Beyond

on Sky Cable Channel 35. 

AXN Beyond –Entertainment beyond your imagination