PLANA'S PANTRY: Intimate Goodness of Home-Cooked Meals

PLANA'S PANTRY: Intimate Goodness of Home-Cooked Meals

Plana's Pantry is a bit of heaven in Mandaluyong City.  This newly-opened quaint restaurant is not easy to miss because it has a big signage outside and is strategically located just right across California Garden Square Condominium along Domingo M. Guevara St. (formerly Libertad St.) in Mandaluyong City. Parking could be difficult though because there's a limited number of cars that could park in front of the restaurant. 

The quote "If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff" is from Remy, a determined young rat who dreams of becoming a renowned French chef in the hilarious movie, Ratatouille ( rat-a-too-ee). The handwriting you see on that big signage was done by the owners' 10-year old son. Cute, eh?

For a meat eater like me, there's nothing better than a big pile of pork ribs brushed with BBQ sauce and served piping hot in a homey environment that has bright lights and dainty designs.

A piece of heaven right in your plate!

The home-style, tender, fall-off-the-bone, smokin' hot Hickory Bbq ribs at Plana's Pantry are to die for. You have to personally try it. Six of us devoured this meaty goodness. Next time around, I'll order one all to myself. 

Hugged by smoke, licked by fire, and kissed by sauce, that’s how Plana's pantry does its Hickory bbq! 

For me, this is what a true barbecue is, and this is what Plana's Pantry brings to you every time you take a bite of its comfort food.  According to its owners, they only use choice cuts of ribs imported from Australia, marinated in sweet juices and rubbed with different herbs and spices. The secret though is how they cook their meat. Low and slow, using only prime grade charcoal and tender loving care that lend the ribs that great flavor. Plana's Pantry finishes it off with an amazing barbecue sauce to give it the perfect tang every good barbecue should have. Perfectly paired up with a corn side dish and a super delicious lemonade. 

The flavor exploded in my mouth the first time I took a bite. I can really taste the hickory smoke, very tasty, very juicy, solid meaty goodness. The meat falls off the bone, the sweet tangy sauce sticks into the tender meat.  I can say that Plana's Pantry is determined to satisfy its customers’ cravings for traditional home cooked meals fresh from the kitchen. 

Stellar home-made strawberry ice cream! This is really amazing. The taste is intense and delicious while the texture is unbelievable and like nothing I've ever had before. It was creamy and very rich in flavor. Just really good! Kudos to the owners who made the ice cream themselves with a little help from their eldest son.

Even though the restaurant is small, we spread out comfortably.  It was a hot night and the air-con was great.  I love locally-owned businesses that deliver perfect service. The owners are among the most humble and nicest people we've ever meet. 

Rachel said that Planas Pantry only prepares the freshest ingredients with no preservatives, much care is taken in order to make sure that every dish that comes out of its kitchen stimulates your palate and leaves you with a sense of comfort and satisfaction only good food can provide. Rachel further said that their recipes have been in their family for decades, ensuring that their food has been, and is continually being subjected to, the most discerning of tastes: their relatives' and friends'.

So the next time you want to eat out with your whole family, consider Plana's Pantry. Sit back and relax at its comfortable coach as you wait for your food to arrive. Decades of food tradition can’t be wrong. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait a lifetime to taste what Plana's Pantry have been concocting all these years.

We felt very happy with the experience and will surely be back even though it is quite a drive for us.

Terrific service and excellent food. While the restaurant is rather small and cozy, the dishes they serve open up your palate to a world of wonders.

Rating:

Plana's Pantry
50 Domingo M. Guevara St. (formerly Libertad St.) , 

Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City-

FINE JAPAN: Revealed The Secret To Longevity

FINE JAPAN: Revealed The Secret To Longevity 

Good news to those who want to be forever young! Finally, the secret of longevity and supple skin is now available in the Philippines!

I attended the product launch of Japan’s best-kept longevity secret, HyC150, a product by Fine Japan Co., Ltd., a leading Osaka, Japan nutraceutical company with its Philippine affiliate Fine Nutrition in partnership with its newly appointed Philippines exclusive distributor Bright Ray Enterprise earlier today at Oakwood Premier. 

Mr. Nobutsuna Sasaki, President of FINE Company Japan Ltd., looks like he is only in his early twenties but in reality his real age is 42.  He said his company has more than 800 products in Osaka, Japan. His father started the company 40 years ago and he usually tests the products that his father developed over the years. He shared that when he was 15 years old he started taking collagen.

FINE Premium HyC150 contains the following:

•  Collagen
•  Hyaluron
•  Ubiquinol
•  Elastin
•  Biotin
•  Pearl Coix
•  Vitamin C

FINE Premium HyC150 is a complete formula for reversing aging, dry, scaly, wrinkled, sagging, age spotted skin by building, youthful, flexible, elastic, radiant, younger-looking firmer skin, and renewing joints, eyes, and connective tissue.

FINE Premium HyC150 combines the ingredients necessary to keep your skin moist and firm, looking younger than ever. These are the essences considered essential for beautifying the body from within.

FINE Premium HyC150 is derived from fish because it has the same basic molecular components. It helps the body replenish its own collagen supply and boosts collagen cell turnover, assisting the body in making younger-looking and firmer skin. With its premium quality and low molecular weight, FINE's collagen peptide ingredient has greater absorption and utilization than other collagen products.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is vital to skin. While collagen gives skin its firmness, it is the HA that nourishes and hydrates the collagen. 50% of the HA in our body resides in the skin. Hyaluronic acid production decreases with age causing a reduction in moisture binding capacity, resulting in dry skin and weak joints.

HA, Collagen and Elastin are vital ingredients in maintaining the skin's layers and structure. HA acts as a space filler between cells, while collagen and elastin fibers act as a constant lubricant. HA is also present in the synovial fluid of joints and eyes, providing vital moisturizing protection and flexibility. HA may help slow signs of aging, wrinkles, fatigue, and diminished eye function. FINE HA with its low molecular weight ensures optimum absorption and utilization by the intestinal tract.

During the question and answer portion Dr. Rodolfo Apostol said that as young as 25 years old, you can drink FINE Premium HyC150 to maintain a youthful looking skin, after all prevention is better than cure.

I also talked to one of its satisfied customer who looks like she's in her 20's even though she's actually 44 years old. She said that the first time she tried fine hyaluron and collagen, she felt and saw the effect on the third day. Initial effect was her skin become radiant and glowing. 

Another believer testified that when she continued drinking it, the dark spot under her eyes lessened. She's a happy user of the product and intends to try its upscale collagen & hyaluron with Q10, which is awaiting to be available here in the Philippines.

What are you waiting for? Be Beautiful from Inside Out. 

Available at Watson's.

‪#‎FineJapan ‬‪#‎HyC150‬ ‪#‎Collagen‬ ‪#‎LongevitySecret‬ ‪#‎Japan‬ ‪#‎Beauty #AllNatural

DANIEL PADILLA'S ALLEGED AUDIO CLIP

DANIEL PADILLA'S ALLEGED AUDIO CLIP

Daniel Padilla's alleged audio clip while making fun of other celebrities is circulating on YouTube and social media sites.

It was even dubbed as the newest internet scandal simply because the alleged audio involves ABS-CBN’s hottest young actor Daniel Padilla.

Hay, naku ang ibang tao talaga,  gagawin ang lahat makapanira lang ng ibang tao.

Hindi ba pwedeng wala ng controversy para ibenta ang kani kaniyang alaga at career?

                                 

The audio was extracted from a video which was allegedly taken secretly while Daniel and his half-brother RJ Padilla were having a conversation. Thus, the video was dark and has no clear image that will confirm that it was indeed Daniel who was talking in the said conversation. Some netizens, however, identified the voices as Daniel’s and his half-brother RJ’s.

                                 

The voice that resembles Daniel’s talked about how he gets excited whenever he receives a text message from a girl who netizens speculate as Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the Teen King’s co-star in the MMFF movie “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo.

JAKE CUENCA: Naked Truth

JAKE CUENCA: Naked Truth

Jake Cuenca bared it all at this year's Naked Truth fashion show. Gays and gals alike enjoyed Jake's naked behind for the last time before he leaves for abroad to study acting in New York.

IPANEMA Philippines: Launches #ipanemaselfeet Campaign

IPANEMA Philippines: Launches #ipanemaselfeet Campaign

I am super excited with the ‪#‎IpanemaSelfeet‬ campaign. 

Find your next adventure and create new memories with #IpanemaSelfeet.

Ipanema, the premium Brazilian flip flop brand, takes the Filipinos' love for selfies to the next level with #IpanemaSelfeet. The campaign dares young fashionistas to create their own adventures with Ipanema and capture the memorable moment with a selfeet.

To kick start the #IpanemaSelfeet campaign is a series of mall events called IpanemaSelfeet Sunday in key cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao. If you’re in the mall where the event is happening, just take your Ipanemaselfeet, upload your selfeet  photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #IpanemaSelfeet and present it to the Bambu or Ipanema Store to get discounts.

The Ipanema Selfeet Sunday events will have stations complete with Ipanema flip flops and fun backgrounds worthy of even the most demanding selfie aficionado. Open to the public, the event will also feature the latest collection of Ipanema, celebrity appearances and entertainment, games and a chance to win free Ipanema flip flops, as well as discounts from the Ipanema store.

The Ipanema Selfeet Sunday events will start at Robinsons Ermita in Manila on September 21, Ayala Center in Cebu on October 12 and Abreeza Mall on November 16.

The fun continues online with the #IpanemaSelfeet contest on Facebook and Instagram. Simply upload your Ipanemaselfeet on Instagram or on the Ipanema Philippines Facebook page with the official hashtag, #IpanemaSelfeet and get a chance to win discounts on Ipanema flipflops!

With fashionable designs inspired by the vivid and colorful Brazilian lifestyle and its signature buttery soft sole, Ipanema flip flops are the perfect companion for any adventure -- whether it is to a dream destination or just within the city. No matter where you go, your feet will definitely take you farther in comfort and style.

Ipanema flip-flops and slippers are available at Ipanema stores in SM City Lucena, SM Clark in Pampanga, Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro, Bambu, Shoe Salon, and leading department stores like SM Department Store, Robinsons Department Store, Rustan’s Makati and Landmark.

For more information about #IpanemaSelfeet, visit www.facebook.com/IpanemaPhilippines.

Here's my ‪#‎selfeet‬ moment with ‪#‎Ipanema.  I can't wait for my next travel adventure with my family.  I really wish to create new memories with my new ‪#‎Ipanema‬ ‪‪#‎Brazilianflipflop‬s

I am looking forward to the Ipanema Selfeet Sundays where you stand to win a trip for 2 to Punta Fuego Resort just for creatively posting an #ipanemaselfeet of your adventurous, funky and fun self. 

Guess who's stepping into adventure this Sunday?  James Reid and Nadine Lustre will invade Robinsons Place Manila this September 21, 2014, Sunday with their #ipanemaselfeet!  Everyone is invited to join in the fun!

See you there!   Drop by Robinsons Ermita this Sunday and take an #ipanemaselfeet! Surprises await those who do!

Join @jaye.wolf and @nadzlustre on September 21 in Robinsons Place Manila for #IpanemaSelfeet! 

#ipanemaphilippines #ipanema #jamesreid #nadinelustre #jadine #‎IpanemaSelfeet‬ ‪#‎IpanemaLaunch ‬‪#‎IpanemaNewCampaign‬ ‪#‎lovelyfeet‬ ‪#‎loveyourownfeet‬ ‪‪#‎flipflops‬ ‪ ‪#‎TalesofIpanema‬ ‪#‎ipanemaflipflops‬ 

Flesh and the vastness of possibilities in Ina Jardiolin’s ‘Stripped’ exhibit

Flesh and the vastness of possibilities in Ina Jardiolin’s ‘Stripped’ exhibit

Over the centuries, many artists, including the great masters, have indulged us with their depictions of the human body. In the modern times, can there be new ways to present the human form? Regina Margarita “Ina” Jardiolin, a promising young visual artist whose works give viewers a glimpse of possible new takes on gender issues in Philippine art, tells us that in fact, there is.

In Stripped: A Solo Exhibit, Ina explores the landscape of the human body, imbuing it with interesting touches of whimsy and fantasy. In each of the 13 pieces, the 25-year old graduate of Painting from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts bravely combines the mundane and ethereal, for a collection that is at once familiar and novel.

Consider, for instance, the painting entitled “Stripped Collection 1” In the foreground, a naked man/woman is shown standing, eyes downcast. In the backdrop, a row of snake plants with flowers, which she chose because a snake can change its sex when necessary. Between the human figure and the plants is a blanket of starry skies

In another (Stripped Collection 2), two human figures seem to be staring right at the viewer, while at the back, just beneath a stream of blue space, there are three butterflies gloriously spread out. That the wings are not identical is an important detail, Ina is quick to explain. The butterflies are gynandromorphs – or organisms literally born half-male and female. Indeed, most of the elements in Ina’s paintings represent the fluid nature and duality of gender and sexuality.

“The juxtaposition of the landscape of outer space is always there as a representation of the vastness of possibilities, and the never ending change that goes on within and beyond us as individuals,” she explains.

More importantly, Ina presents her take on femininity and masculinity. Through her works, rendered meticulously using a bold color palette, she questions the society’s ideals of beauty, sex, and gender roles, while at the same time inviting the viewer to embrace both male and female energies.

 

To this end, Ina shares that she tried to make the figures androgynous, “a balance of both sexes.” True enough, in every painting, it is hard to identify whether her subject is a man or a woman. Where there is long hair, there will be a very angular face; where there is hint of smooth curves, there will be a very muscular torso. It’s as if she wants us to stop guessing, and instead focus on the more relevant questions.

Aside from the framed paintings, Ina also presented paintings rendered on old now rare wooden shoe lasts – an apparent homage to her origins, she being part of the Jardiolin family, thirty years in the shoe industry with shoe brands Confetti, Marikina Shoe Exchange and Natasha. This time, Ina is taking the family name to another realm of visual design using a theme that is close to her heart.

“The roles we play are defined by what is born between our legs: the Feminine and Masculine. To be successful at the feminine must act maternal, reserved, quiet and soft. To be successful at the masculine one must be strong, bold and adventurous, unafraid at pain. But who decided that one's genitals defined one's role in life? Why does it define our personality?”

To see how Ina Jardiolin used her paintbrush and canvas to tackle these questions catch the Stripped: A Solo Exhibit. It will be on display from October 5 to 20, 2014 at Kaida Contemporary Gallery located at 45 Sct. Madrinan Street, South Triangle, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

IPANEMA PHILIPPINES: Opens Concept Store at SM Annex

IPANEMA PHILIPPINES: Opens Concept Store at SM Annex 

I attended the successful launch of Ipanema Philippines' 4th stand-alone retail concept store located at the ground floor of SM North Edsa Annex last September 17, 2014.

 

The store offers the latest collection from Ipanema with fashionable designs inspired by the vivid and colorful Brazilian lifestyle and its signature buttery soft sole.

Did you know that the first ever stand-alone retail concept store of the popular brazilian Flip flops Ipanema brand is in the Philippines?

If you see an Ipanema stand-alone store in other countries you should be proud because that idea came from our country!

Speakers at the event were executives from ELRO marketing, Mr. Patxi Elizalde and Ms. Cecille Loretizo.  Special guest was Mr. Anton Del Rosario. The event was hosted by Gelli Victor.

Ipanema flip flops are the perfect companion -- whether it is to an adventure in a dream destination or just a leisurely stroll within the city. No matter where you go, your feet will definitely take you farther in comfort and style.

Ipanema flip-flops and slippers are available at Ipanema stores in SM City Lucena, SM Clark in Pampanga, Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro, Bambu, Shoe Salon, and leading department stores like SM Department Store, Robinsons Department Store, Rustan’s Makati and Landmark.

For more information about #IpanemaSelfeet, visit www.facebook.com/IpanemaPhilippines.

Congratulations Ipanema Philippines!

#ipanemaphilippines #ipanema #jamesreid #nadinelustre #jadine

MONEY SENSE: Manulife Helps Investors To Make Sound Judgement

MONEY SENSE: Manulife Helps Investors To Make Sound Judgement

Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. 

Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Their international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. They also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$637 billion (US$597 billion) as at June 30, 2014. Our group of companies operates as Manulife in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. 

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com. 

Philippines investors look far and wide for opportunities, but stay close to home for investment and advice – Manulife Survey

• Philippines investors favor developed economies over emerging Asia and show least home-market bias of any investors in Asia 
• Personal networks, bricks and mortar dominate approach to investing 
• Philippines investors remain most optimistic in Asia

Investors in the Philippines are among Asia's most optimistic and most outward-looking, given their willingness to invest outside the Philippines to gain returns, according to the latest Manulife Investor Sentiment Index* covering the second quarter of 2014.

Philippines investors reach across emerging Asia to mature markets

When asked which region they think is best to invest in, Philippines investors point to developed Asia, Australasia and North America over emerging markets, including emerging Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.

Fig. 1 – Philippines investors favour developed and distant markets over China and emerging Asia

Philippines investors seem less affected by home-market bias than any other investors in the survey. Given a selection of single markets, they show most enthusiasm for Canada (76 points) and Japan (73) above the Philippines itself (51), and show least for China (44), which most other Asia investors rank relatively higher.

When it comes to growth, Philippines investors are also most optimistic about Japan and Canada, with 19 percent believing that Japan’s economy will be the fastest growing in the next two years, followed by Canada, China and Australia. This contrasts markedly with the average Asia investor, 27 percent of whom expect China’s economy to grow fastest, followed by much lower expectations for Japan Australia and Canada.

Fig. 2 – Philippines investors’ views of which markets will grow fastest contrasted markedly with investors elsewhere in Asia

"Our research suggests that Philippines investors’ preference for Japan is likely related to Japan’s first quarter GDP growth which came in at 6.7 percent on strong consumer demand ahead of the implementation of a new goods and services tax," said Aira Gaspar, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of Manulife Philippines.

“It's also interesting that Philippines investors seem so keen on Canada. We think there is a sound basis for this given that Canadian equities outperformed their developed market peers in the first quarter."

Philippines investors rely on friendly advice, ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to portfolios

Despite their international outlook, Philippines investors place their faith closer to home when it comes to making investment decisions, with 88 percent relying on or referring to family, friends or colleagues as a source of advice – the highest level in the region and well above the regional average of 58 percent. They are less dependent on industry staff, mass media or online sources of investment advice.

Philippines investors also have a very ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to portfolio composition, with 61 percent saying they own investment property (against the Asian average of 19 percent) and 75 percent owning their own home (against an Asian average of 50 percent). Cash and property together make up the bulk of their portfolios. Conversely, they have much lower ownership of stocks (15 percent versus the Asian average of 48 percent) and mutual funds (6 percent versus 23 percent) – even though their sentiment towards equities is the highest in Asia.

“Philippines investors rely largely on their own networks for their investment decisions" said Ryan Charland, CEO of Manulife Philippines. "While it is comforting to speak with family and friends for investment advice, investors would benefit from consulting investment professionals, who could help them build a sound and diversified portfolio that meets their medium to long-term financial goals.”

Philippines investors are Asia's most optimistic

In addition to their positive views about investing overseas, Philippines investors remain optimistic about investing at home with the sentiment index for domestic investment at 59, the highest in Asia. This optimism was spread across all asset classes in the survey, which all saw increases except cash. Fixed income saw the biggest increase, up 5 points to 50; followed by stocks, up 4 to 45. Mutual funds rose 1 point to 36. Property has taken the lead as the most favored asset class, with home property highest at 75, up 1 in the quarter, while investment property rose by 4 points to 74. Cash was the only asset class to see a decline, down 9 to 73, but still remains high.

”Filipino respondents were generally upbeat, despite weaker-than-expected first quarter 2014 GDP growth and uninspiring corporate earnings for the same period,” confirmed Ms. Gaspar. “We believe sentiment was boosted by a credit rating upgrade from Standard & Poor’s and an increase in government spending on much-needed infrastructure projects. The country’s resilient private consumption, rising investment cycle, recovering manufacturing industry and favorable consumer and business confidence bode well for economic activity and a positive earnings growth story. However, investors’ sentiment could turn sour if policy reforms aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies and fostering inclusive economic growth stall.”

For more findings and related information from the Manulife Investor Sentiment Index in Asia, please visit www.manulife-asia.com.

*About Manulife Investor Sentiment Index in Asia

Manulife’s Investor Sentiment Index in Asia is a quarterly, proprietary survey measuring and tracking investors’ views across eight markets in the region on their attitudes towards key asset classes and related issues. The Index is calculated as a net score (% of “Very good time” and “Good time” minus % of “Bad time” and “Very bad time”) for each asset class. The overall index is calculated as an average of the index figures of asset classes. A positive number means a positive sentiment, zero means a neutral sentiment, and a negative number means negative sentiment.

The Manulife ISI is based on 500 online interviews in each market of Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore; in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines it is conducted face-to-face. Respondents are middle class to affluent investors, aged 25 years and above who are the primary decision maker of financial matters in the household and currently have investment products.

The Manulife ISI is a long-established research series in North America. The Manulife ISI has been measuring investor sentiment in Canada for the past 15 years, and extended this to its John Hancock operation in the U.S. in 2011. Asset classes taken into Manulife ISI Asia calculations are stocks/equities, real estate (primary residence and other investment properties), mutual funds/unit trusts, fixed income investment and cash.

About Manulife Asset Management

Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife, providing comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of public and private asset classes, as well as asset allocation solutions. As at June 30, 2014, assets under management for Manulife Asset Management were approximately C$300 billion (US$281 billion).

Manulife Asset Management’s public markets units have investment expertise across a broad range of asset classes including public equity and fixed income, and asset allocation strategies. Offices with full investment capabilities are located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, Manulife Asset Management has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. The public markets units of Manulife Asset Management also provide investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. John Hancock Asset Management and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.

Additional information about Manulife Asset Management may be found at ManulifeAM.com.