So yes, Yummy Eats 2012 will happen on Saturday, May 26 at the Rockwell Tent and my kitchen will be busy in preparation. This is the ultimate foodie event giving you value for your money because you pay only P150 and get to sample sweet, savory and gourmet treats from 50 concessionaires carefully chosen by the Yummy team. There will also be demos from noted chefs like Bruce Lim as well as booths by other culinary/baking celebrities like Sau del Rosario, Ed Bugia, Baba Ibazeta and Aileen Anastacio.

Here’s a complete list of Yummy Eats’ featured food brands:

Chicken Delish
Kristina’s Inutak
Pinkerton Ice Cream
Patisserie Caroline
Dragonfly Desserts
QQ Mochi Buns
Pepita’s Lechon
Margie’s Paella
Wabi Sabi
Simply Pie
Dulcelin
Mochiko
Cukay’s
Swell Sweets
Bonanza Roasted Calf
Chuck Wagon
Choclery Artisan
Jam Angus Beef
Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen
The Fruit Garden

Qitchen Queens
Whisk
Mambos Cheese
Crunchy Belly
Chicken Sarap Inasal
Chuck’s Grubberie
Kate Bakes Manila
Cupcake Boutique
Pint
Serenitea
J.Co Donuts
Cinq Desserts
Tully’s Coffee
Cassava Creme Royale
Little Louie’s Cupcakes
Jettee’s Kitchen
Kaoshong Coffee
Gold Leaf Teas
Istituto Culinario

“All concessionaires will sample a couple of their bestsellers and also have products for sale,” says Frances Ang, Associate Publisher of YUMMY magazine about what participants can look forward to in this year’s biggest food gathering.

Ang adds, “Participants can also partake in various booth activities brought by our sponsors and watch a series of cooking demos too. This is just a one-day affair of non-stop eating, cooking, and learning.”

Participants who bring a copy of the May issue of YUMMY are entitled to a discounted entrance fee of P100.

YUMMY Eats is co-presented by Hunt’s with major sponsors McCormick and Century Bangus and minor sponsor King Sue. Special thanks to media partners Yummy.ph, Asian Food Channel, 2nd Avenue, Star World, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Wave 89.1, Mellow 94.7, Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, and Summit Media.

Pvt. Ellen Tolentino of the Philippine Army took home 20,000 pesos as this year’s Last Woman Running in Bayer’s recently-concluded Rogin-E Marathon in Bonifacio Global City. She’s shown receiving her prize & trophy from Vincenzo Langella, Managing Director, Bayer Pilippines, Inc. and Muhammad Jaudat Amin, Country Division Head, Bayer Healthcare, Consumer Care Division. .

Adjudged Last Man Running was Bicolano and veteran marathon runner Mario Maglinao, more popularly known as Super Mario. Super Mario’s victory is all the sweeter because this year’s grand prize from Rogin-E is an all expense paid trip to China, to participate in the world renowned “Great Wall Marathon”.

This year’s Bayer Rogin-E Last Man Running 2 lived up to its reputation as one of the country’s most physically demanding and merciless ultra-marathons.

Unlike conventional marathons or even ultra-marathons that are defined by a fixed distance, Rogin-E’s Last Man Running is time bound. Contestants have to run for six hours at a fixed minimum pace. Should they fall too far behind the race pace, they are automatically eliminated. At the start of the 7th hour, it becomes a footrace for those (the few) still in the running. Thanks to a faster pace (compared to the first Rogin-E Last Man Running in 2011) and an especially hot morning sun, only Super Mario toed the line for the seventh hour of running, making him literally: the Last Man Running.

According to race organizers Bayer, attendance at this year’s event was much better than in 2011, particularly for the premier Last Man Running Category; which is why we can look forward to an even better Rogin-E Last Man Running 3 in 2013.

If you’re in your 40s, 50s or even 60s, don’t fret. You know what they say these days, 40 is the new 30 (or 20!) Just looking at JLo and Julia Roberts in a two-piece bikini makes me agree

US-educated sports-medicine expert and athletic-training specialist, Coach Jim Saret of The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition adds that age is really just a number. “One’s chronological age does not necessarily equal one’s fitness age,” he pointed out. “I’ve met people that are 21 years old chronologically but are so sedentary their fitness age is that of a 40 year old. I’ve also met 40 plus year old people that have the fitness age of a 25 year old.”

For those in their 40s and 50s, Coach Jim recommends “low-impact sports like swimming, biking and golf that don’t cause a lot of stress on the bones, joints, ligaments and muscle.”

“For exercises they can use the elliptical machine, stationary bicycle, rowing and strength training. The Metafit Workout is perfect for that age as they are non-impact and can be done in a short time thus lessening the amount of stress the body receives,” he continues.

“Outside taking a sport or physical activity, yoga and pilates are very helpful. Long nature walks or hiking are awesome for both the mind and body. Dipping in a pool, playing chess, tai-chi or any other mentally relaxing activities are great too.”

As Coach Jim recognizes that daily stress mostly caused by work contributes heavily to how fast a person ages, he understands the need to take a holistic approach in maintaining not only a sound mind and body but also a healthy diet.

By adequate nutrition, Coach Jim doesn’t mean eating whatever one fancies at just about any time of the day.

“As they say, you are what you eat. If you eat junk, then your body will look and move like junk with age. But if you feed your body with a well balanced healthy meal like fruits, veggies, carbs, healthy fat and protein, then your body will be a lean mean fighting machine.”

While eating a balanced diet and avoiding junk food and unnecessary calories helps a lot in maintaining a healthy well-being, Coach Jim likewise stresses that for aging people, it is important to supplement any deficiencies that they might have and that’s where a multivitamin like Immuvit can help.

“Since most people’s energy level wane as they get older, a multivitamin with Ginseng for energy will be very appropriate,” he exclaims. “An antioxidant like CoQ10 will also be a big help to help delay the damage caused by aging at the cellular level. Immuvit has all the right ingredients to help lessen the effects of aging as it has 2 Ginsengs and CoQ10 plsu other vitamins and minerals to support other bodily functions.”

In his own personal experience, Coach Jim noted that taking Immuvit provided him “with more energy to do more things.”

“I would usually be tired after a long day training but when I take Immuvit I still have the energy to workout in the evening even after working all day. I also noticed that I could train harder when I workout and still keep up with my younger friends in sports who are only in their 20s. Of course, physically I’m still able to keep people guessing my real age.”

Given his athletic, youthful physique, guessing the real age of Coach Jim Saret might be a lot harder than it seems and subtraction, rather than addition may be the best math in arriving at the right answer. For this extraordinary man, less is indeed more.

* from the official press release

On a peak season like summer, there are hordes of people checking in so it pays to come early. Even though the lines were long, it moved fast because staff were on hand to assist even before you reach the front desk.I’d give them high points for this one.

We booked the non-smoking Bella Suite with two queen beds and this was the view. The brochure said 70 square meters but it seemed smaller in real life, maybe because the space was eaten by the large bathroom.

Of course, my twin girls were happy to stay in the room. Awww!

This is the living room with the adjacent dining area and office table equipped with telephone & fax machine (which I didn’t use at all). Honestly, I thought the upholstery looks old. I remember when I first visited the Venetian in 2007. It’s been five years, and this hotel isn’t getting any younger. Ouch.

There was no free wifi in the hotel lobby or the rooms which was disappointing. Good thing I was able to get it (the wifi) in food outlets like Cafe Deco and McSorley’s Ale House. But first, we had to be customers

Partial view of the marble bathroom. No designer toiletries though.

We were given free vouchers upon check-in and am glad I didn’t ignore them. This is the good thing about Macau: free vouchers plus free shuttle buses to your destination = savings!

At first, I just planned to stay in the room all day but I realized it would be a sin not to go out and enjoy the place for what it’s worth. Here’s my daughters’ requisite photo op with the gondola & Renaissance-like structures.

They also had fun in one of the hotel’s four swimming pools.

At Qube, they engaged in playtime, Facebooking & computer games.

There was even a McDonald’s inside the complex and we ate there too. Cafe Deco was the breakfast buffet area, but I was glad they also offered affordable a la carte dishes (at P250 per order).

On second thought, I was glad I didn’t bring our two-year old baby girl or it would have been a workout. The place was so huge that it was an effort navigating from the main lobby to the hotel west lobby and the other areas. I didn’t need to go to the hotel gym because I was shedding off extra calories by walkercising. Whew!

The sun never sets in Venetian Macau!

website: venetianmacao.com

Cebu Pacific flights from Manila to Macau arrive at an unholy hour of 9:45 p.m. so it doesn’t make sense booking a swanky hotel when you’re just going to check out after 12 hours. It was the busy Labor Day weekend and I found out that even the so-called two-star hotels charged a minimum of US$100 a night. Even so, I enjoyed our stay at Hotel Hong Thai along Rua de Cinco (or some such) because it kept me in touch with the old Macau. It seems I preferred this area more than the location of the glitzy casinos. Landmarks like Senado Square and St.Paul’s Ruins were also just a five minute walk away.

I enjoyed eating in the local restaurants where the waitresses didn’t understand me and I had to point at the pictures written in Chinese characters.

For this trip, I was glad to be acquainted with a popular snack in Macau called the pork chop bun.Flavorful and tender boneless pork chop is enclosed in a perfect, semi-crusty bread that resembles our local pan de sal. Only P100 per serving, I swear I can finish two of this in one seating. Please note that you can also have chicken or beef fillet in the bun.

I love fried rice. I love it when it’s perfectly fried like this , with my fave shrimps, egg & veggies.

More scenes from old Macau:

The original outpost of the famous Pastelaria Koi Kei was located near our hotel.This is a great place to buy pasalubong, especially sought-after Macanese pastries laid out in pretty boxes.

Man having his morning coffee and newspapers in his apartment. Note the two “boxy” TVs in the background.

Dried fish being sold in roadside stalls. I wonder how these taste. I saw the fish hanging in most places.

A street in old Macau at night. No vendors spotted, it seemed so peaceful. I commend Macau for retaining their heritage despite the onslaught of those gambling meccas in the other side of town.

Indeed, these words made me vanish dieting from my vocabulary: Kapampangan (certainly my fave cuisine) and Chef Sau. One would be a fool to resist an appointment with this celebrity cook.

So there I was lucky to be seated with the chef of the hour and to find that he’s one down to earth guy. In my short conversation with him, I learned all about the history of sisig, their heirloom family recipes and how he does NOT eat camaru (among other exotic insects) like a true Kapampangan.

“Inspired” is the way to describe the menu Chef Sau has concocted for the Corniche food fest, as he tried to add a twist to traditional flavors.Adobo & quezong puti pizza anyone? How about Pork sisig with foie gras and organic egg or US sirlin bistek with shiitake? I certainly couldn’t resist this boneless crispy pata kare-kare with steamed local vegetables. It was awesome!

More sinfulness.Imagine whole baby lechon stuffed with curry rice or bringhe on the carvery. Here’s what I got on my plate. Pork skin was crispy and rice so tasty that I had to come back for seconds!

Lamb chops kaldereta with a ratatouille of local vegetables –

Fern, watermelon and prawn salad on coconut vinaigrette. Spell h-e-a-l-t-h-y!

Array of native desserts also concocted by Chef Sau: ube haleya, tibok tibok and brazo de maiz.

This is just a sneak peek though. Chef Sau drafted an extensive menu which rotates around two cycles. You can also look forward to the usual favorites like fried catfish fillet with buru, pansit luglug, aligue fried rice, chicken galantina, pastel de lengua, pinakbet con lechon, camaru and vegetable okoy… to name just a few.

I thought Culinaria Capampangan was vast enough. And then I realized it is just a part of the big & wide international buffet selection at Corniche. Price is P1,600 net per person while buffet with free-flowing tropical juices is at P1,888 net per pax. To add oomph to the festival (which runs until May 19 only, by the way), guests availing of the buffet will get a chance to win roundtrip airline tickets for two to Bohol with accommodations.

Shown here: Chef Sau with the Corniche staff. Special thanks to PR Manager Melanie Pallorina and Twinkle Lacsamana for the filling dinner

Foodie tip: when in Corniche, don’t forget to drop by the ice cream station. It has the best, most exciting flavors in Manila. Gen maicha and black sesame are my favorites , but you can also have a taste of banana with palm sugar, chestnut, and langka.Totally yum!

Diamond Hotel Philippines
Roxas Blvd. cor. Dr. J. Quintos St. Manila
call 528-3000 local 1121 for reservations

We’re so happy to hear the news that Fil-Am singing sensation Jessica Sanchez has made it to Top 3 of American Idol. No doubt, everyone’s votes counted inasmuch as Jessica took the breath of the judges away with her last performance singing “And I am Telling You am not going” from Dreamgirls. The song title is so apt from the manner she stayed, indeed!

With Hollie Cavanagh out, Jessica remains the only rose among the thorns. Let’s see if her feminine charm will triumph over the two other remaining contenders Joshua Ledet and Philip Phillips. My guess is that Jessica will remain a winner, whether or not she’s declared or not the champion in American Idol. Good if she makes AI history as the youngest ever to win the top prize but she can still carve out a successful singing career. The history of Idol non-winners David Archuleta & Adam Lambert attest to this.

Once again, congratulations Jessica!

Will Jessica Sanchez be the youngest winner of American Idol? Her fans would like to know as she steps closer to bagging the ultimate limelight as the Top 4 finalists in AI Season 11 square off later.

It’s Pinoy People Power once again as Filipinos and friends across the United States band together to put Jessica in the Top 3.

If you’re in the continental US, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska or the US Virgin Islands, vote for Jessica by dialling her assigned number (toll-free), sending an SMS via AT&T or voting online at americanidol.com.

We wish Jessica the plum prize in American Idol because she has immense talent and a nice girl like her deserves success. Go for gold!

Cebu Pacific’s ground personnel have come out in the open to say Claudine Barretto really “verbally abused” them. Judging from this old Claudine video on ASAP, we’re bound to believe she cussed indeed. Video’s kinda blurred, but you know what we mean. Oh dear!

Her sympathizers would say Claudine is only human. Who among us hasn’t cussed in a moment of despair?

In other developments, Claudine & Raymart Santiago today filed charges of physical injury and child abuse against Ramon Tulfo.

Stay tuned!

Somebody took a video of a man (looking like Tulfo) being beaten up by a group (presumably Santiago’s). Nobody has come up with the video yet of Claudine berating the Cebu Pacific ground personnel over her missing luggage. She is shown with her back to the camera wearing white shorts and a pink sleeveless shirt. She’s also shown helping punch Tulfo to the ground. The whole scene is kinda shocking.

Cebu Pacific still has to issue a statement in this unfolding drama.

NAIA still has to release its own CCTV footage.

Being a member of the media, I can initially sympathize with Tulfo who was only following his instinct to document the whole scene. In this day and age of citizen journalists, anything can be photographed and videographed. Public officials and celebrities like Raymart & Claudine should comport themselves well in public because their every move is fodder for the news. Even more so, a scandal like this.

It seems Claudine is really the good girl no more, if reports of her cussing to high heavens is true. In the past year, she herself figured in news of alleged extramarital affairs and the bank withdrawal ruckus with Raymart. But it looks like the couple are still together.

Stay tuned