NICKELODEON SUMMER FESTIVAL: FUN UNDER THE SUMMER SUN

Despite the fickle weather condition last May 4, 2013, Nickelodeon had just wrapped up summer with another fun and memorable event with the Nickelodeon Summer Festival held at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Kids, tweens and kids at heart all trooped to the said venue without minding the heat of the summer sun.

The Bonifacio Global City grounds on the 9^th Street corner 30^th was transformed into a Mardi Gras themed party where Buganda Drumbeaters officially opened the program while the SandugoColorguards also graced the said program. Of course, like any typical Nickster event, numerous booth and onstage games will always be a part of the occasion. There have been fun booths for kids to play with, even a signature slime shower for kids to fully enjoy being a true green slimed Nickster.  Moms and kids were also delighted to know that Toy Kingdom, one of the sponsors, also gave guests a chance to avail of the special discounts, the other booths also offered loads of freebies!

The Nickelodeon Summer Festival had been enjoyed by kids of all ages. Each game is tailored-fit for a child’s age so everyone surely had a grand time. The winners received awesome prizes while everyone else got consolation prizes as well, so there’s really no loser. But the envy of all was probably the two kids who won from the Air Asia Trip Around the World game; each child won a family of four roundtrip tickets from Clark to Kalibo and Clark to Davao respectively! Such a fun way to end their summer vacation!

Best of all, beloved Nickelodeon friends and characters also graced the show, the likes of Proppy from Propan TLC, Paddlepop and Lioness from Selecta Paddlepop, Ace from Air Asia, Nickelodeon Characters Dora and her cousin Diego, and of course, SpongebobSquarepants and his friend Patrick Star.

For more info on Nickelodeon, visit www.nick-asia.com.

NICKELODEON KIDS CHOICE AWARDS PREVIEW PARTY

Nickelodeon is not only for kids but for everyone who enjoys clean fun and those who do not mind getting slimed.  We recently attended the most popular Kids Choice Awards Preview Party held at the Cinema 6 of SM Megamall.  We were surprised to see that the US venue was jampacked. The local counterpart too, were filled with exciting kids all eager to see who will win in the prestigious awards chosen by kids around the globe. 

We may not be young anymore, but nevertheless, we’re still young-at-heart and it’s never too old to join in all the fun. After all, there have been games and Q & A portion where adults like me could join.

Here are some of the winners who held their orange blimp awards proudly:

Favorite TV Show-Victorious

Favorite cartoon-Spongebob Squarepants

Favorite Movie-The Hunger Games

Favorite Movie Actor-Johnny Depp

Favorite Videogame-Just Dance 4

I felt like a kid again as I’ve mingled with kids and those youngsters during the said event. Some have been lucky to bring home limited edition dolls of the One Direction boys. There have been games, raffles and surprises, including the appearance of Nickelodeon mascots Dora, Diego, Patrick Star and Spongebob.

For more info, visit their website at www.nick-asia.com.

TGI FRIDAYS BARTENDING SHOWDOWN, INTRODUCES RED CARD AND LAUNCHES A NEW BAR MENU

T.G.I.Friday’s, the first American casual dining chain in the Philippines is celebrating a sizzling start to the summer with a new bar menu. The updated bar list includes a wide array of affordable drinks such as the Ultimate drinks, beer on tap at P60, local bottled beer at P75 and beer by the bucket for only P350. Cocktails will also be available starting from P125, and includes staples such as the Long Island Tea, Bahama Mama, Kamikaze, and 77 Sunset Strip. To cool down for the scorching summer, the Refillable Mojito is also continuing its run as one of bar’s most popular offerings, available everyday at only P295.

The new beverage menu features concoctions to fit every bar personality, whether you’re the life of the party or just winding after work. To entice patrons to let loose and enjoy the distinct T.G.I.Friday’s atmosphere, the T.G.I Friday’s Red Card will be available by first week of April, which is a passport for a buy-one, take-one on cocktails every Thursday. The cards will be distributed free of charge to dining guests.

Adding to the excitement is the launch of the first leg of the Stars Behind the Bar tour, which includes a showcase of celebrity bartenders, free drinks, and a chance to learn basic flairs and cocktails.

The featured bartenders went through a rigorous round of auditions, with most being previous participants of the renowned Shake, Rattle, and Pour Bartending Championship, which will be on its 18^th year in 2013. T.G.I.Friday’s is known for popularizing flair tending, and hosted the first known flair bartending competition in the US in 1985. Patrons are also known to flock the bar to watch bartenders dazzle with flips, flairs, and tricks before drinks are delivered with a personalized touch.

The T.G.I.Friday’s Stars Behind the Bar tour is in partnership with Stolichnaya Vodka. Catch the tour at the following dates and locations: Bonifacio High Street on March 21, April 11 and 25, and May 9; Glorietta on March 22, April 12 and 26, and May 10; Mall of Asia on April 4 and May 16; Eastwood on April 5 and May 17; TriNoma on April 14 and May 4; Malate on April 18 and May 23; Alabang Town Center on April 19 and May 24; Tomas Morato on May 2 and 30; Robinsons Galleria on May 3 and 31.

T.G.I.Friday’s is a Bistro Group restaurant, and its latest promo is part of the group-wide Taste the Love campaign.

VANIDERM GUGO AND ALOE SHAMPOO WITH VCO

In aging comes the thinning of hair, and in as much as we all try to avoid such, we cannot defy aging no matter what we do. But it's best to start an early prevention. We must do away with chemical and artificial formulations when it comes to caring for our crowning glory. We've been recently invited in a bloggers event where we met Ms. Maribel, owner of Lucida Gluthathione and Vaniderm.

Ms. Maribel, Owner of Vaniderm and Lucida

VANIDERM Gugo & Aloe Vera Shampoo with VCO is an all-natural shampoo specially formulated for the young men and women. It helps thicken hair, and is proven to prevent premature hair loss. Its natural ingredients makes the scalp healthy and strengthens the hair strands.

The GUGO EXTRACT promotes hair growth and prevent premature hair fall. The VIRGIN COCO OIL acts as a natural scalp protection as well as hair conditioner.  ALOE VERA , on the other hand revitalizes and strengthens hair.

It is available in two sizes--100ml = ₱198.00 and 248ml = ₱348.00

Vaniderm Gluthathione is also available to those who'd like a fairier whiter skin with its rosehips and gluthathione plus olive oil, avocado oil and grapeseed guaranteed to make skin whiter without overdrying.

Vaniderm Shampoo with Gugo & Aloe Vera is exclusively distributed at all Mercury Drug outlets nationwide. Call (02) 9117854 to ask for a branch near you. For more information on the product, see the Vaniderm Facebook Fan Page.

KUSE TRADITIONAL FILIPINO CUISINE: Filipino Food at its best!

Kuse is the kind of place that everyone enjoys, be they executives having a meeting, balikbayans or a family enjoying a weekend out, or a couple on a casual date.  Big servings and a whole lot of comfort food. With a wide selection of just about anything your tummy can crave for, Kuse is a great hangout for everyone. Although harder to locate than most restaurants, the trip is definitely worth it. In fact, I'll go on a limb and say it'll be crazy for you not to try it.

Of the many Filipino cuisines I've tasted, Kuse is the only resto that has so far given me a truly rewarding gastronomic experience. One might find that the price is a bit, well, pricey but their astonishingly large servings more than make up for it. Being that and the consistency of quality is one of the resto's top priorities; you can be assured of the same grand experience everytime.

First-time diners should definitely try their Crispy Pata and Kare-kare. But if you're feeling adventurous, order their Adobong Kuhol sa gata--you won't regret it! Be sure not to miss out on their Creme Brulee Sapin-sapin as well.

Folks who like Crispy Pata are in for a savory-sweet sauce that's loaded with onions and chilis. The hard part about this dish is having to share it with other people and knowing when to stop or else your blood pressure will shoot up.

Adobong Kuhol sa Gata is rich, but not overpowering the taste of the snail still recognizable, with its brininess adding flavor to the coconut cream sauce.

The Bangus is a simple dish that never fails to win diners over. It's a grilled dish that showcases the freshness of its ingredients, highlighting how they all come together in layers of flavor.

The Garlic Dulong Rice is flavorful and is a viand in itself. Filling and belly-warming, its flavor punctuated by the succulent salty sweet of Crispy Pata perfectly balanced for a more neutral taste.

For a richer experience, Kare-kare is your best bet. The peanut sauce gives the dish a dense yet subtle flavor, which is accentuated by the other ingredients.

Clear your palate with this refreshing salad made of chopped tomatoes, minced white onions, white cheese, on a bed of fern leaves.

Kuse plays with flavors, taking the most unassuming ingredients and turning them into masterpieces. To discerning eaters, Kuse is a household name that is synonymous with home-cooked Filipino cuisine.

The author thanks Ms. Nana Nadal and Purple Plum Fairy

KUSE can be found on Venice Piazza in McKinley Hills, Eton Centris in Quezon City and Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila.