Should the government implement a policy that will accredit social media publishers to cover Malacañang events? IMHO, a big fat NO!

IMHO NO, blogging is supposed to be personal – a passion. Unless you have an EXTENSIVE legal, public administration background and that’s your passion, still, I find it weird. Because:
1. Bloggers usually write (like me) on their free time because we have day jobs as well. Even if you’re already a ‘maverick’ like Anton Diaz, he writes about food & tourism – his passion; Now do we see anyone be a maverick at ‘covering’ (waiting for) Malacanang press junkets? Don’t you all have other things to do?

2. Blogging is about personal opinions so there are biases. You can share thoughts about current issues on your blog from the comfort of your home. from a coffee shop,etc. Why want to be at Malacanan?

3. Groups blogs still have varying opinions; what’s the point? Again you can share thoughts about current issues on your blog from the comfort of a coffee shop,etc. Why want to be at Malacanan?

4. Newspapers, TV stations and other news organizations already have their ‘online’ arm. So from their acrredited reporter at Malacanan, they throw it on their portals as well. You don’t need to be in Malacanan.

5. If you want an ‘accreditation’ after all that I’ve cited, then you must be in it for the bragging rights. Stay out of Malacanan.

Ovation Productions: Broadway hit Sister Act at The Theater at Solaire this June 2017!

Music enthusiasts will be thrilled and dazzled by the exhilarating song numbers and hilarious scenes from a much-acclaimed Broadway musical comedy when “Sister Act” premieres on June 27, 2017 at The Theatre at Solaire, Entertainment City, Pasay City.

The show opens the two-week Philippine run of the hit Broadway musical that is part of the Asian leg of the American production’s Asian tour for 2017. The musical will run for only two weeks with no extension.

Sister Act is Ovation Productions’ second Broadway musical presentation; with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 2 years ago at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as it’s first.

Media partners are Fox, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and BusinessWorld. Produced by Ovation Productions in cooperation with Broadway Entertainment Group, and Troika. Tickets at P6500, 5500, 4500, 3500, 1500 available online at http://www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (02) 981-9999. Avail of 10% Early Bird Discount from February 12 -28, 2017.

– More after the jump –

SIDCOR Sunday Market: A trip back to the farmers market which has almost everything

SIDCOR Sunday Farmers Market | walking around | All rights reserved

Its been years since I’ve been to a SIDCOR Sunday Farmers Market. Went a few times when they were still located at the Lung Center Phils. with my sister and for a blog event wherein we met Ms. Susan (owner) when they were located in the middle of Centris; now they are located near Quezon Avenue and EDSA, Since weekends, especially Sundays should be for outdoor and offline activities, my cousin and I went to SIDCOR on a whim.

SIDCOR Sunday Farmers Market | fresh seafood | All rights reserved

Expected the usual fare but oh boy was I surprised! There were long sections of clothes, shoes & bags (new, imported, bargain and pre-loved), home decors (export quality ceramics and furniture, paintings, wooden crafts/decors, carpets and antique pre-loved bargains), kids toys and collectibles, and even pets (though I frown on this because I’m an advocate for pet adoption).

SIDCOR Sunday Farmers Market | dried seafood | All rights reserved

What we planned for was to canvass/purchase seafood, vegetables and ornamental plants. SIDCOR did not disappoint because there were rows of what we came for and more! There are fresh (shrimps, scallops, etc.) as well as dried seafood (hasa-hasa, squid, danggit, etc.) even meat which were priced at a steal. I guess we’ll be frequenting SIDCOR for these rather than the supermarket now.

SIDCOR Sunday Farmers Market | ornamental plants | All rights reserved

SIDCOR Sunday Farmers Market | herbs & fruit-bearing plants | All rights reserved

We have mother orchids which gave us a few baby orchids so we needed to transfer them to husk chips. We found these rectangular husks which were great, hanged them (will show this on a separate post) like picture frames plus the roots can move freely that way. Unfortunately, our herbs gave up on us but the cacti and aloe vera still thrives. So we canvassed a few herbs and ornamental plants too. That’s enough motivation to go back and purchase soil, plant vitamins and some seedlings soon.

Read more after the jump

Fishermall Chinese Banchetto: The place for your street food cravings all week long and more in Quezon City

Fishermall’s Chinese Banchetto | crispy crablets, calamares, crispy tawilis and fried shrimps | All rights reserved

There are times when you have a hankering for Pinoy street food but thing is, most foodie haunts and food parks are only open during Fridays to Sundays. Well, Fishermall’s Chinese Banchetto (which started out as a Chinese New Year Banchetto, hence the name) is open daily from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. They have a wide array of Pinoy street food staples like kwek kwek, isaw (and other for grill/barbecue pork & chicken parts), chicharong bulaklak, calamares, crablets, lumpia, siomai even crispy shrimps and tawilis.

Fishermall’s Chinese Banchetto | pizza & pasta galore | All rights reserved

There’s also a pizza & pasta stall wherein for just P100.oo you can avail of a piece of deep dish pizza, pasta and cold drink of your choice! Talk about budget carbo-loading ei!

Fishermall’s Chinese Banchetto | crispy crablets, tempura, chicharong bulaklak, calamares and kwek kwek | All rights reserved

What I really like about the place is that the the tables and chairs are sturdy and not the usual plastic type which is woobly; its situated beside the mall which covers heat from the sun; they have live music after 6:00pm; the stall owners cook & deliver the food to your table; plus the cleanup is fast so there are no smelly and sticky tables.

Fishermall’s Chinese Banchetto | isaw, addidas (chicken feet) and other pork & chicken parts for barbecue | All rights reserved

Read more after the jump

Valentines Day 2017: Trending quirky food ideas for your Valentines day celebration

Valentines 2017 | Bacon Roses by Lazy Bastard | All rights reserved

BACON ROSES by Lazy Bastard – that chicken nuggets bouquet that went viral has nothing on this! What better way to say that you care about someone than by sharing delicious bacon…bacon is life!
½ Dozen of Awesome Bacon Roses (P 1,500); 1 Dozen of Awesome Bacon Roses (P 2,200). Supplies are limited so pre-order now by sending a message on Facebook www.facebook.com/lazybastardph

Valentines 2017 | Cheese Scraping by Raclette MNL | All rights reserved

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😳😳😳 #raclettemanila #raclettemnl

A post shared by Raclette Manila Catering (@raclettemnl) on Nov 25, 2016 at 9:48pm PST

CHEESE SCRAPING by Raclette MNL – Have a date with Raclette Manila at 14 Four Cafe this Valentine’s! Send them a DM or check out 14 Four Cafe for more details. They also accepting bookings for private events Raclette Station for 60pax or 100pax together with Terry’s Selection’s full leg of Jamon.

To book: raclettemnl@gmail.com/ www.facebook.com/RacletteMNL

Valentines 2017 | Botanicakes by Doughmesticph | All rights reserved

DOUGHMESTIC PH – hand-crafted and homemade Botanicakes
To order: 0928-805-3188 / doughmesticph@gmail.com/ www.facebook.com/doughmesticph

Read more after the jump

FDCP: Presents ‘Sining Sinta,’ an art exhibit this February 2017

It’s Sining’s month, Sinta!

In celebration of the love and arts month, the Film Development Council of the Philippines presents ‘Sining Sinta,’ featuring the arts and creation of our local painters, and artists.

Gala and opening of art exhibit is on Feb. 08, 2017 followed by a FREE film screening of ‘Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok’ (The Woman Behind the Tattoo Artist) directed by Lauren Marie Sevilla Faustino.

Exhibit is open for viewing until February 15, 2017 at Cinematheque Manila (855 T. M. Kalaw Ave., Ermita Manila)

FDCP: Disowns connections with Film ASEAN Inc.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has released an official statement disowning any connection to the non-government organization called Film ASEAN (Southeast Asia Film Development Foundation, Inc.).

Film ASEAN started as an FDCP program during the chairmanship of Briccio Santos but is now operating as a private organization. The Council has clarified that there are no ties between it and the Film ASEAN and that any agreements entered into by the organization are illegal and have no effect.

“FDCP is the sole agency that is empowered by law to enter into agreements with local and foreign agencies on matters relating to film or the cinematic arts, and the Film ASEAN is in no way connected to the Council,” said Liza Diño, Chairperson and CEO of the FDCP.

“If the public is aware of any Film ASEAN transactions relating to FDCP, please let us know as soon as possible,” she added.

Pasinaya 2017: Palabas at Palihan presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines

A wide variety of exciting activities await the public in the 13th PASINAYA OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL 2017: PALABAS AT PALIHAN; the largest annual multi-arts festival in the country with more than 300 shows in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and literature to choose from and more than 50,000 viewers. Taking as its theme ARTS FOR PEACE, the festival which will be held at the CCP and various museums and galleries in the city will feature excerpts from the works of over a hundred arts groups and thousands of artists from around the country.

For the Palabas at Palihan schedules, museum tour routes and more information, click after the jump

Bureau of Customs: Busts P15M smuggled onions in MICP

Intelligence agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) busted on Monday, January 30, P15 million-worth of smuggled imported fresh red Indian onions contained in 11 40-footer container vans (CVs) lodged for processing at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Of the 11 CVs, eight (8) were consigned to Mheriban Sales Corporation (MSC) with address Room 892 Artex Building, 435Juan Luna street, Barangay 287, Zone 27, Binondo, Manila, and three (3) to Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC) with address at Mapaniqui, Candaba, Pampanga. All have no valid import permits from the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI).

Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon said watchful agents of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at MICP led by Officer-in-Charge Teodoro C. Sagaral alerted BOC’s Command Center to issue an alert order on the shipment after a check with BPI.

Bureau of Customs: Seizes smuggled gadgets from online shop depot Kimstore

Some high-end communication and electronic gadgets worth millions of pesos, all believed to be smuggled into the country, were seized by agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in a building in Lakandula Street, Tondo, Manila on Monday, 30 January.

BOC acted on intelligence reports that an online shop identified as Kim Store sells imported high-end communication gadgets under suspicious importation schemes and processes. Among the items seized were units of Iphone 7 cellular phones, Macbook laptops, Samsung Galaxy S7 series phones, Nexus 6Ps phones, Zenfone 3 Ultra phones, Sony Xperia phones, Canon cameras, tablets and music players, audio accessories, and gadgets for safety and security.

 

Intelligence Officer Joel Pinawin, team leader of the CIIS operating unit, told Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon in an initial report that Kim Store is owned by a certain ‘Francis’, a Filipino-Chinese businessman in Binondo, who is engaged in selling smuggled items online. He added that the staff of Kim Store’s depot failed to present documents for their imported items.

 

The seized items are now padlocked inside the storehouse of Kim Store in Tondo and tightly guarded by CIIS agents.