Piknik Pinoy!

MANILA, Philippines — When was the last time you climbed a tree, or ate produce that you picked yourself? Mama Sita’s Mixes and Sauces made it possible for media friends to relive their childhood experiences such as these all over again by bringing the whole crew over to the beautiful Rosa Farms in San Marcelino, Zambales – home to several hectares of the sweetest mangoes in the world!

On the road, the excited participants were briefed about the day’s events by Mama Sita’s nieces, Adobo Queen Nancy Reyes Lumen and her cousin Sylvia Reyes, who entertained the busload of journalists by sharing wonderful stories about how picnics drew their large extended family together. “It was the Reyes matriarch, Aling Asiang, who started the tradition of going out on these huge family picnics. When she passed away in 1976, we were all wondering ‘paano na?’ It was a good thing that Mama Sita (Teresita Reyes) took on the tradition. She loved picnics so much! We can eat anywhere, strike anywhere. Near would be Tagaytay -- and far can be as far as Baguio, where we would all go just to eat together, complete with different kinds of baon like mechado and adobo.”

She waxes lyrical about the sinful treats that they partook of back in the day: “Yung mechado, yung mantika ay nasa ibabaw para hindi napapanis at ang kapal-kapal ng sarsa! Yung adobo was slow-cooked adobong manok na nadudurog yung manok!” The cousins also remembered how much produce they bought home from each trip. “She was a believer in local products, and we remember hauling back several kaings of fruits, a lot of which were also given away. We didn’t just go there to eat, too. We would also enjoy the agriculture of the place and take part in its culture.”

This was why, after the guests were greeted by Nelds and Ding Zulueta, the gracious owners of Rosa Farms, everybody buckled down for the activities of the day, which included the fun physical challenge of picking several kilos of mangoes from the trees that were simply loaded with the heart-shaped fruit. There were also kite-making and kite-flying activities, a rousing round of Pinoy Henyo and a thrilling participatory tinkling dance.

The group was also rewarded with a relaxing massage, and of course, a sumptuous lunch overseen by Chef Andro Fedaranga. Guests gamely eschewed the use of utensils as they gorged on deliciously uncomplicated native picnic fare made special with Mama Sita products: Sinigang na Gulay with Mama Sita’s Sinigang sa Sampalok Paste, plus Ensaladang Ar-Arosep (seaweed), Ampalaya Salad and Kinilaw na Puso ng Saging – all made extra appetizing with Mama Sita’s Coconut Nectar Vinegar.

Rice kept running out, especially since the steaming hot kanin was a perfect companion for the main dishes of Inasal na Manok (with Mama Sita’s new Bacolod-Style Inasal Marinade), Vegetarian Kare-Kare (using the rich Kare-Kare paste), Inihaw na Baboy (using Mama Sita’s special Pang-Inihaw), and extra-plump Halabos na Hipon at Alimango sauteed in the brand’s Annatto powder, for dipping in the aforementioned vinegar varieties.

And, since the event was not held at a gorgeous mango farm for nothing: on the table was an addicting dish of Burong Mangga (Pickled Mangoes with Mama Sita’s Tropic White Sugar and Sea Salt), while pieces of the organically-grown succulent sweet fruit were passed around as dessert. As the activities continued, the group worked up its appetite for hearty merienda which consisted of sweet corn picked fresh from the farm, a hearty and garlicky arroz caldo, and saba bananas flambéed with flair by chef Andro.

Before boarding the bus, members of the group shared their poignant picnic memories, and the consensus was that more urbanites need to experience this feeling of freedom that only comes with being close to the land. Rosa Farms offers this opportunity, by the way, and for more information about its pick-and-pay offerings, and their exact location, like their Facebook page.

source: mb.com.ph

Marian Rivera looks back on Cambodian trip with Dingdong Dantes

MANILA, Philippines – Kapuso actress Marian Rivera had a short but sweet vacation with her reel-and-real life sweetheart Dingdong Dantes in Cambodia during the Holy Week.

It was Marian herself who chose the said Asian country for their destination. Dingdong, on the other hand, made the arrangements.

“Gusto namin ibang set-up naman. Kasi sa pinupuntahan namin palaging magsha-shopping o kaya kailangan palaging may bibilhin so this time... gusto namin ‘yung medyo kakaiba at napili namin ‘yung Cambodia,” said Marian in an interview with “24 Oras,” April 12.

They had, reportedly, initially planned to visit China; however, they didn’t have enough time to accomplish the travel visa requirements. Nevertheless, Marian enthused that she and Dingdong enjoyed their three-day stay in Cambodia, marveling over its beauty and culture.

Dingdong even tweeted a photo of him and Marian last April 7 inside what seems to be a temple, quipping, “Temple run ba kamo?”

The showbiz couple was happily surprised by the throng of Cambodian fans that warmly welcomed them upon their arrival. The two enjoy a certain degree of popularity in the said country, since their 2008 TV series “Dyesebel” is currently being aired there.

Marian related that she and Dingdong were called their characters’ names in the soap opera, Isabel and Fredo, respectively.

“Tapos ang pangalan ko do'n Macha. Ibig sabihin ‘Princess of the Ocean.’ Iniba nila ‘yung title. Pero ‘yun pa rin, ‘Dyesebel’ pa rin,” she added.

Meanwhile, one of their previous TV projects, “Endless Love” (the Filipino adaptation of the hit Koreanovela), is also reportedly popular in Malaysia. Marian intimated that Dingdong would visit the Philippines’ neighboring country to promote the show.

“Si Dong kasi sure na makakapunta sa Malaysia, ako kasi hindi dahil kailangan kong habulin ‘yung ‘Tweets for my Sweets’ [sitcom] kaya kailangan kong mag-taping na…,” said Marian.

source: mb.com.ph

Two Pinoy acts earn standing ovation on 'Canada's Got Talent'

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos as world-class talents was again showcased in a reality-based talent show, “Canada’s Got Talent,” where two Pinoy acts earned a standing ovation for their performances.

Paul Kelvin Ong, who introduced himself as “a new immigrant from the Philippines although I’m a pure Chinese” and who lived for “just over a year” in Winnipeg, performed “Somewhere” from “The West Side Story.”

“Canada’s Got Talent” judges Martin Short, Stephan Moccio and Measha Brueggergosman were impressed with his performance, as were the audience who lavished him with applause and a standing ovation.

“You have a sweet voice. Bravo, bravo, bravo” said Moccio. “I’m intrigued. I really want to see what’s next from you, Paul,” he added.

“I really like how connected you were to the song. It was a really, really great performance,” Brueggergosman commented.

“I do think you have a really lovely voice,” Short said admiringly.

All three judges gave Paul their “yes,” which helped him advance to the next round.

In his post-performance interview, Paul, who was initially speechless, said, “It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you.”

A Pinoy group that collectively calls themselves Kayumanggi Filipina Performing Arts likewise earned plaudits and standing ovation for their performance.

Before their showcase, one male member shared that, “Being here gives us an opportunity to share our culture. The Philippines in history…we have been incorporated by so many different cultures from Spaniards to Japanese to Chinese.”

He added, “This part that we’re doing in particular is from the Muslim culture. We’re very proud to be Filipinos.”

A female performer, who played the princess, shared the background of their dance, the singkil.

“The story behind it is that the princess escapes from the evil king, from the castle, and everything goes back into harmony,” she said.

After a thunderous applause, the three judges favorably said yes to Kayumanggi.

Brueggergosman, obviously impressed with the group’s performance, said, “I was really, really looking forward to representation from the Filipino community and Winnipeg is, I heard, a very large one. Thank you so much.”

Moccio felt that, “There was a genuine authenticity to your performance. Your costumes are gorgeous. Your smiles are gorgeous.”

Short compared the group’s act to “different beautiful paintings being presented to us.”

In a report posted by ABS-CBNnews.com, it said that Toronto Star had written a favorable review of Kayumanggi’s performance.

“Their performance, acting out a tale about a princess escaping from an evil king in a castle, included boys balancing on bamboo poles held aloft, girls dancing and posing between the poles as the guys brought them together and apart, and dancing with fans. It was very colourful and unlike anything we’ve seen before on the show,” the review noted.

source: mb.com.ph