In the mood for love concerts

11-Feb-12, 8:01 PM |Interaksyon.com
By Ana Valenzuela

No plans yet for the season of love? Well, fret not as there many places to be, performers to see and entertain you, and just fill that date with enough romance. Here is a roundup of the showshappening this Valentine Season.

Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nieverra

Once in a Lifetime

February 11, 2012, Smart Araneta Coliseum

What took them so long? For the first time, the Megastar will share the stage with the Leading Man of Concerts. Good friends since way back, expect an animated evening of the best of OPM love songs as well as the witty banter of these two seasoned concert artists.

Once in a Lifetime also promises a lot more withsurprise guest performers and Louie Ocampo as musical director and Rowell Santiago as diretor. Call Viva Concerts at 687-7236 or Ticketnet at 911-5555 for inquiries and reservations.

Dingdong Avanzado and Rachel Alejandro

February 11, 7:00 PM, Eastwood Mall Open Park

February 14, 7:00 PM, Venice Piazza, Mc Kinley Hill

Fall in love all over again with Rachel and Dingdong.The OPM singer-songwriters and former lovers would perform love songs such as ‘Nakapagtataka’, ‘Paalam Na’, ‘Maybe This Time’ and ‘You Should Know By Now’.Relive your sweetest memories with the two as they perform at the Eastwood Mall Open Park and at the Venice Piazza, Mc Kinley Hill.

Rex Smith

February 12, 7:00 PM, Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill

February 14, 8:30 PM, Midas Hotel

Be serenaded by the man who gave hits such as, ‘Simply Jessie’, ‘Forever’, ‘You Take My Breath Away’, and ‘Foolish Heart’ as he performs in Manila. Reminisce to Rex Smith’s classic love songs on February 12, 7PM at the Venice Piazza and on Valentines Day at the Midas Hotel.

The Midas Hotel’s premiere 2702 Lobby Lounge also offers turndown pralines and two complimentary show tickets. Tickets are priced at 1584 which includes two free drinks. Prior reservations required. Call Ticketworld at 891-9999 for reservations and inquiries

Basil Valdez, Rachelle Ann Go, and The CompanY

Seasons of Love

February 13, 2012, Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World

Hear love songs as they reach new heights, as three of the country’s top performing acts, Basil Valdez, Rachelle Ann Go and the Company, join together for one lovely night.

Basil first made his mark as the vocalist of the Circus Band in the 70’s, but a more successful solo career did give him hits that became popular standards, ‘Ngayon at Kailanman’, Let the Pain Remain, ‘Kastilyong Buhangin’, and many others. The Ultimate Champion, Rachelle Ann is one of singing contests discoveries with hits such as ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’, ‘Masasabi Mo Ba’. The Company, the country’s premiere vocal group, on the other hand is responsible for such its like ‘Now that I have you’, and ‘Pakisabi Na Lang’.

One of the show’s highlight would definitely be the duet a capella of ‘Pagdating ng Panahon’ between Basil and the Company. The latter’s recent single. Call Ticketworld 891-9999 and Viva Concerts 687-7236 for tickets and inquiries.

Nina and Luke Mijares

Update Your Status

February 13, Music Museum

Whether you be single, in a relationship or ‘it’s complicated’, it is time for you to update your Status with Soul Siren, Nina. Hear her belt out some of her hits like ‘Through the Fire’ and ‘Love Moves in Mysterious Ways’. Nina will be joined by the Philippine’s R&B Kine, Luke Mijares. For ticket and reservations call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Music Museum at 721-6726.

Charlie Green

February 14, 7:00 PM,Eastwood Mall Open Park

International teen sensation Charlie Green is here in the country promoting his new album Rainbow. Apart from that, the British-Filipino crooner will sing his way into everyone’s hearts this Valentines Day at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Let Charlie set fire to the passions in your hearts and witness how Charlie has grown-up from his breakout act in Britain’s Got Talent to the crooner that he is.

Rico J. Puno

The Best of Rico J. Puno

February 14, Newport Performing Arts Theater

Let the ‘Macho Gwapito’ performer entertain you on Valentines day with his unique blend of soulful singing and humor. Rico J. Puno, named after the legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso and born on Valentine’s Day, has been a top concert draw here and abroad. Why not? Rico played a major part in the Manila Sound explosion of the 70s era with his hits such as ‘Kapalaran’, ‘Sorry Pwede Ba’, and‘May Bukas Pa’. Rico will perform these hits one more time at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on February 14. The show also features, singer and actress Katya Santos and Philippine music’s Vamp, Vernie Varga. Call Ticketworld 891-9999 and Viva Concerts 687-7236 for tickets and inquiries.

Aiza Seguerra and Duncan Ramos

Sessions of Love

February 14, 8:00 PM Music Museum

Unwind and enjoy the cooling sounds of the ‘Pagdating ng Panahon’ hitmaker Aize Seguerra, as she joins the stage with Duncan Ramos. The night promises to be a session of love and acoustic sounds, as the two artists performs their hits and crowd favorite covers.

For ticket and reservations call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Music Museum at 721-6726.

Engelbert Humperdinck

February 14, 7:00 PM Manila Hotel

February 15, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Reminisce to classic love songs made famous by Engelbert Humperdinck. Be captivated by the voice of the singer who brought us the hit songs ‘Release Me, ‘ Have I told You’ and ‘Quando, Quando, Quando’.

Engelbert would be performing at Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel on Valentines Day, with guests Pilita Corrales, Angelos, and many more.

For tickets and inquires you may call Ticketnet at 911-5555. For Manila Hotel tickets, call 527-0011 or 911-5615.

Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez

Mr. And Mrs. A

Feb. 14, 8:00 PM, Smart Araneta Coliseum

Rekindle the fire of romance and go weak in the knees as Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, a.k.a. Mr. and Mrs. Alcasid, perform together this day of hearts at the Araneta Colisuem. The dynamic couple are set to carry out duets of their hits together with guests Angeline Quinto, Kyla, Eric Santos, Dingdong Dantes and Vice Ganda. For tickets and other inquiries call Ticketnet at 911-5555.

Jon Santos

Love in 3D

Newport Performing Arts Theatre, Resorts World

February 15

Enjoy Armida Siguon-Reyna, Vilma Santos and Charice Pempengco all in one show, as the witty comedian Jon Santos take on his beloved characters namely D Queen of Philippine Music Tita Mids, D’ Star for All Season Ate Vee, and D’ Gleeful Star Chareez.

“My characters are chosen because they are really, really liked or there is strong public opinion about them,” says Jon.“When I take the stage my characters come out first. I put on the masks first and towards the end come out as myself,” shares Jon.“That persona has always taken a back seat to my characters. I guess I’m star struck!

“It’s a celebrity fiesta,” Jon swears. People can certainly count on seeing Tita Gloring, Krissy, Sherrap Estrada, and Jon’s numerous impersonations. Tickets for Love In 3D are available at Ticketworld 891-9999 andViva Concerts 687-7236.

Enchong reveals his secrets

by Ana Valenzuela

(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on 2012/february/6.)

Enchong Dee keeps in shape not because he is an actor but because he really is used to living a healthy lifestyle.

Even before he joined show business, Enchong was a member of the La Salle and national swimming teams. He competed in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.

Despite Enchong’s busy schedule, he finds the time to run and swim and of course, have a healthy and balanced diet.

During Amway’s Color UR Life Campaign launch, Enchong bared some of his secrets.

“I take Nutrilite Double X. I take the hair, nail and skin [supplement], green tea, and kapag nagbibinge ako pag (when I binge every) Sunday [which is my cheat day], [I also take the] Nutrilite Carb Blocker,” share Enchong.

He has been taking Nutrilite even before he was tapped to endorse the supplement.

“There was a direct seller na nagpunta sa bahay(who visited our house), so I have tried it even before Amway got me, three to four years ago,” Enchong tells us.

“You’ll be surprised when you take Double X,” he says. “The effect to me is hindi ako nagkre-crave (I don’t crave that) much, like when it comes to sweet food. Sometimes that is my problem, naghahanap ako ng matamis (I crave for something sweet).”

Enchong also wants to give his onscreen partner Erich Gonzales, Double X supplements.

“Double X has minerals, vitamins, and nutrients, lahat na andoon (it has everything in it),” he says.

Aside from taking his daily dose of Nutrilite vitamins, Enchong shares his other secrets

“Consistently drink water, kung lalagpas man ng (if you go over) eight glasses a day its okay. Tamang bilad lang sa (Do not over expose yourself to) sunlight, and ihawalay mo lang yung taba sa kinakain mo (Keep off fatty food),” he says.

“Choose an exercise or sport that you will enjoy, because kung napipilitan ka lang, (if you are just being forced into it) you will stop at a certain point. Tatamarain ka lang and hindi mo na magagawa yung pagiging healthy (You will just procrastinate and it won’t be healthy),” he adds.

To know more about Nutrilite and the Color Ur Life Campaign, visit www.colorurlife.com.ph and www.facebook.com/NutriliteCOLORurLIFE.

That Bon Chon Bite

by Ana Valenzuela

(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on 2011/november/9.)

“I lived in the US for 10 years, and I frequent New York. My first and last destination would always be Bon Chon,” Scott Tan, the owner of the Philippine franchise of the chicken resto, recalls at the opening of the newest branch of Bon Chon in Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato.

A big fan of Bon Chon's soy garlic chicken and spicy chicken wings, Tan began recommending Bon Chon to his friends. When he came back home, he eagerly bought the franchise and set up the first Bon Chon at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.

“I wanted every Filipino to experience what I had experience at my first bon chon bite,” Tan says. “What makes Bon Chon special I think is pretty much---the crispiness factor, the health factor and the flavour.”

Yummy secret

There must be some secret to making this chicken so yummy that you would just want to continuously feed your mouth nothing more. “The crispiness is due to the secret technique in cooking which no other chicken place in the Philippines does. Second, because of the cooking technique, it actually melts the fat off the chicken that is what makes it healthier than most chickens here in the Philippines. Lastly it’s flavourful because of the cooking technique there is no more fat in between the skin and the meat, the soy garlic and hot and spicy flavour is absorbed in every bite that makes it like a pure bite,” he says.

Now that the the restaurant has become a hit, Tan is thinking of expanding its offerings. “When we first started we only had the chicken,” he shares. “Then we added the fish taco for lent, then it proved to be very popular so we left it, then now the chap chae (Korean noodles) and the calamari.”

“Funny story about the fish taco and the calamari, it was supposed to be seasonal, we took it out after Lent, and then people started asking, where is it? So we brought it back,” says Andrea See, Bon Chon’s marketing head.

“Bon Chon is very flexible in customizing the food in each country, because they know that every country is different. They have to tailor it to the culture. (In the US, they) don’t have rice, but here we have value meals,” Scott states.

Apart from the difference in the menu, there is also a difference in Bon Chon‘s ambience. “In the US, Bon Chon is more of a bar/restaurant. People drink and everything. So when I brought it here, I decided I wanted to make it more of a quick service-restaurant--for a casual dining experience, so more people can try our food. We have beers, but we don’t market it,” he adds.

Bon Chon opted for a quick service setting so as to cater to a more family-centered market. Tan would like as much people as possible to try Bon Chon’s sumptuous recipe. “When we got the master franchise, we proposed to the owner that when we bring it here, we wanted to make it in to quick service. In order for us to reach the majority of the whole Philippines, and let everyone to try our food, we had to be quick service, because of you are a bar, it restricts a lot of age group,” he says.

“If you noticed, you order at the counter then we bring it to you. It is because we wanted the interaction, that still that differentiates us from the other fast food places,’’ says Andrea, stressing their difference on other fast-food chains.

More and more Filipinos seem to be craving this flavorful chicken, as they have plans for expansion. “This is our tenth store. By the year end we are going to have fourteen stores. At the Mall of Asia , Bonifacio High Street Extension , Trinoma and Alabang Town Center. Next year we are targeting to franchise out in the provincial area, so next year expect about 35 to 40 stores ,” discloses Tan. Surely many more hulks of eaters would be unleashed with every bite.

Mario Maurer graces Bon Chon opening

Bon Chon formally opened in the Philippines with no less than Thai superstar Mario Maurer gracing the event.

The Thai superstar, popular for the teenage romantic flick Crazy Little Thing Called Love, flew in to the country for the first time recently to do a series of engagements including signing a movie deal with Star Cinema and appearing in a Fan Conference at the PICC with thousands of screaming fans in attendance.

He was greeted by Bon Chon executives for the ceremonial ribbon cutting with a flock of excited fans hoping to get a glimpse of the 22-year old actor.

Bon Chon Chicken outlets are located at: Ayala Triangle Gardens; Greenbelt 1; Libis (Acropolis); SM Megamall; Robinson’s Galleria; Greenhills Promenade; Katipunan; Shangri-La Plaza; Taft Avenue; Tomas Morato (Il Terrazzo). Soon opening in TriNoma, SM Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center, and Bonifacio High Street Extension.