The play is coined after the term “salamangkero,” a Filipino word for magician or wizard. Salaminkera is inspired by the magic mirror of the evil queen from the timeless tale of Snow White; and provides honest answers to any question.

Catch the preview on May 30, 2013, 11 am at the Rigodon Ballroom, Manila Peninsula and the regular run on June 8, 2013, 3pm at Glorietta 2, Makati City.

This show is a collaborative effort between Giselle and Sangobion, the organic iron supplement with vitamins and minerals. Sangobion empowers and gives women a boost in their everyday lives by helping combat the the three signs of iron deficiency: looking pale, lack of focus, and fatigue. (Website: www.sangobion.ph)

Giselle is known for being a witty stand-up comedienne who can also sing, act, and host. Her body of work spans theater to mainstream TV and cinema. Aside from her solid career in show business, she also writes for the Manila Bulletin and the online portal pep.ph.

Giselle says she hopes to inspire and give a boost to women everywhere thru this show so that they can always remain beautiful and successful as a mom and a wife, and still enjoy a career of their choice.  

It was refreshing to see today’s hottest love team Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (also known as Kathniel) in a culminating activity for #GandangDiMoInakala recently. This is a campaign by Procter & Gamble’s Ganda Trio brands Olay, Rejoice & Whisper to showcase the remarkable transformations of ordinary Filipinas. Hundreds of participants submitted before-and-after photos of themselves to highlight their change. Then the winners enjoyed a makeover session and an exclusive opportunity to meet Kathryn and Daniel in person.

First impressions: the young Daniel really rocks it when it comes to good looks and sex appeal. As a “teenspiration” for many right now, he is all for the youth’s expressing their individuality and uniqueness as a way of finding their mark in the world. We just hope Daniel doesn’t let success get into his head and he will surely go places like his famous uncle Robin.

About Kathryn: seeing her makes one proud about the beauty of the new generation of Filipinas. She oozes simplicity but you just know it is all about great looks, good genes and amazing talent. Kathryn said that with #GandangDiMoInakala, she’s both proud and elated to learn that countless young girls take inspiration from her to discover their own beauty and confidence.

Experts believe that social media has changed the landscape for growing up and development of today’s youth. Campaigns like #GandangDiMoInakala empower young girls to become more confident by overcoming the inhibitions they otherwise exhibit in face-to-face interactions, says P&G.

From our friends at The Maya Kitchen is this announcement about an exciting cooking class. Go if you like Thai food!

” Renowned chef J. Gamboa of Cirkulo Restaurant puts on a different hat as he takes on Thai cuisine as guest chef of The Maya Kitchen on May 25, Saturday, 10am-1pm.

Chef J. Gamboa will be joined by Chef Malichat of Azuthai Restaurant. Cirkulo and Azuthai are parts of a chain of restaurants that includes Milky Way at Rockwell Power Plant and V-Mall Greenhills;  Azuthai, Tsukiji and Milky Way Café all at the Milky Way Building, 900 Arnaiz Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati.

The two chefs will demonstrate popular Thai dishes like Tom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Prawn Soup with Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaves and Fresh Coriander); Goong Pad Prik Kratiem (Chili Garlic Prawns); Geng Kew Wan Gai (Green Chicken Curry); Pla Naeng Ma Naw (Steamed Apahap with Lime, Fish Sauce Garlic, Coriander and Chili) and Khao Niao Ma Muang (Mango with Sticky Rice).

Chef J. Gamboa belongs to a family of restaurateurs led by Malu A. Gamboa who runs the restaurant chain.  He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York.  He is Executive Chef of his family-owned restaurants Cirkulo, MilkyWay, Tsukiji and Azuthai.

Chef Malichat is a native of Nakhon Sawan, Thailand and has worked in 5 star hotels in Germany, China, Pakistan, Ukraine and in Thailand for over 20 years.

For more information on other course offerings, log on to www.themayakitchen.com  or e-mailcontactus@themayakitchen.com  or visit The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center every Tuesday to Saturday at 8F  Liberty Building, 835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City or call 8921185 / 892-5011 local 108 / Mobile No. +63947 835 2290.

The Philippines’ richest man Henry Sy (in wheelchair) was there with son Hans and other members of the family to inaugurate their latest mall together with senator-elect Alan Peter Cayetano and Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (in pink). Amid the fanfare about SM Aura, it makes me wonder how they are all going to solve their problem with the Bases Conversion Development Authority.

I was in a click, click! mode as I saw Gretchen Barretto descend the escalator with daughter Dominique.

Model Georgina Wilson gamely posed for a photo as she waited for her turn to see Sarah Jessica Parker in the SM Prestige Lounge holding room.

Vibrant in green: beauty queens Venus Raj and Marie Ann Umali.

At the after-party where champagne and Johnnie Walker flowed freely, pretty actress Carla Abellana was hanging out with her female friends.

Joey Mead-King was the emcee for the Sarah Jessica Parker presscon. I guess this is what you’d call “fashionably thin” I remember the time when I was awkward kind of bony and wanted to drink 2 liters of Mosegor for instant effect (get a little meat). Now that am comfortably fat, I want to get it all back! (the bones, I mean)

“Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well that’s fabulous.”

I would never have imagined meeting her in this lifetime – the girl I loved for her brains as much as her spunk and of course, her fashion sense. It wasn’t necessarily Carrie who was in Manila today, but Sarah Jessica Parker was even better in person. My fan mode was totally on upon seeing her up close

Most of us who were invited to the opening of SM’s spanking new mall, the SM Aura, really felt like the paparazzi, mostly because security for the ribbon cutting was EXAGG! At first, all I could take were photos of SJP’s back and her sides, like this one where she sort of blended with the mannequin

Finally, a semblance of order because there was an organized presscon after all. Sarah Jessica Parker gamely answered questions, ranging from her character in SATC to her fashion style to why she accepted the role of SM Aura endorser in faraway Philippines.

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“I’ve never been here before and it’s an amazing city,” she began. ” I love the food, the people…I even love the traffic. Your streets are so active and so alive. I’ve been impressed with everything. I hope this is the first of many visits.”

She may not be the epitome of a classic beauty but you can tell that SJP has a beautiful soul. Consider, for instance, her donation of $100,000 to the people of Taguig via the SM Foundation.

One surprising thing SJP tells us is that the reel Carrie was much bolder than the real life Sarah Jessica. “Her single life is more colorful, mine isn’t clearly so. I have kids, she didn’t. She was more courageous and had confidence I never could muster. It was like I had two lives for 12 years”

Anyhow, our fan mode for the night concluded with a private photo op with SJP in the ground floor Prestige Lounge of SM Aura. Am shown with Earth, Rod and Az. We are quite thrilled because it almost didn’t happen, haha.

Afterwards, we were allowed to exchange pleasantries with Sarah Jessica. I shook her dainty hands and told her “am your fan. Please come visit us again in Manila.” And her eyes glowed as she said: “Yes I will, of course.”

She is so nice. Period.

“Walang kasing saya ng pamilyang Pinoy. Pinakamalutong ang hagikhikan… pinaka juicy ang kwentuhan… pinakamasarap ang lambingan. Kaya naman the best ang saya pag nagsasama-sama. Best-tasting, crispylicious, juicylicious Chickenjoy. Para sa pamilyang Pinoy!”

Listen:

Somehow, grammar Nazis can forgive Jollibee for including “crispylicious, juicylicious” in our vocabulary. I guess they’re entitled to it for coming up with the Philippines’ most popular fried chicken which you will surely crave no matter what part of the world you are.Of course, it also helps that the one doing the narration for this TVC is top singer & actress Sarah Geronimo who we really enjoyed as Laida in the most kilig movie of the year, “It Takes a Man and a Woman.”

Anyway, am biased because the jolly bee is (literally!) the first figure my children looked up to while growing up. Whenever we drive by the highway or pass by the mall, they’d naturally blurt out the “J” word with glee. My youngest Lucia is no exception. Her ability to scream “Jollibee! Jollibee!” with a passion no doubt makes here 100% Pinoy in heart and spirit.

Chickenjoy with spaghetti is a favorite of her and her ate Dionne.

So yes, those ad people weren’t lying when they likened Jollibee to the laughter & affection shared by Filipino families. Because somehow, Jollibee – the national icon – binds everyone together in a celebration of love and food.

Here’s a candid shot of a mother and her son taken at the Mall of Asia last Sunday:

Jollibee crispylicious, juicylicious Chickenjoy…. bring it on! Thanks Jollibee for the Mother’s Day gift

Back-to-school season is here and if you’re looking to buy everything under one roof, find it at the SM Kids’ Fashion bazaar happening on May 17-19, 2013 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 1.

The bazaar has everything kids need to start the school year right. Here’s a one-stop shopping hub that brings in big savings on fun and functional everyday apparel, underwear, school supplies, bags, socks, and other essentials. With all these under one roof, there’s no better place to stock-up on all those classroom necessities.

What more, get everything at great value with up to 50% off on selected items from SM Kids’ Fashion.

Save more with 0% interest on installment payments with selected credit cards on every P3,000 minimum purchase from May 16 to 19, 2013 and buy now, pay later with BDO credit cards from April 16 to July 15, 2013. Visitors can also cut Php 100 off every purchase with MasterCard’s instant rebate program from April 15 to June 30, 2013.

Find SM Kids’ Fashion on the following social networks:

https://www.facebook.com/SMkidsfashion

http://twitter.com/smkidsfashion

http://instagram.com/smkidsfashion

https://pinterest.com/smkidsfashion/

Sarah Jessica Parker fans (like me) will be thrilled with this piece of news from our friends in SM Store:

“Sarah Jessica Parker arrived in Manila at exactly 6:45pm last night. She was a surprisingly simple and down-to-earth, she even lined up at immigration herself!

She was quickly whisked away and slipped into her limo but as soon as she got to her hotel, she took time to saying Hi to everyone and even stopped to admire the musicians playing at the hotel. As soon as the quartet was done with their rendition of “New York, New York”, she applauded the quartet and exclaimed “Wonderful!”

“She is one of the sweetest and most wonderful Hollywood celebrities in the world! She was really friendly and sincere.” , says the SM Store’s Senior Manager for Digital Marketing, Jason Alvarez.

Sarah Jessica Parker is in the country for the blessing of The SM Store Aura tomorrow, May 16.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the opening of The SM Store at SM Aura Premier – now that’s great fashion news!

For more updates, join The SM Store online community on Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest (/TheSMStore) and Twitter @thesmstore #SarahJParkerLoveToShopSMStore.

SM Aura’s Facebook page says the mall will open on Friday, May 17 but SJP a.k.a Carrie Bradshaw will be meeting her fans and the press in an event before that. SM Aura Premier is poised to be a high-end mall and they’re right in choosing the Hollywood style icon to be their opening day VIP. Mostly, we’re also excited about SM Aura’s unveiling because they will also be introducing new brands to Manila like Suiteblanco, Stefanel and Petit Bateau.

This SM Aura Premier photo from their Facebook page:

Apart from her film credits,Parker currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the New York City Ballet and is a UNICEF ambassador. In November 2009, the Obama administration elected her to be a member of President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. In April 2012, she adopted the Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Portland Oregon for the Turnaround Arts Initiative.

Spread the word about Sarah Jessica Parker in Manila by tweeting with the hashtag #SarahJParkerLoveToShopSMStore

Mark the date: Saturday, May 18, 2013 is when Yummy Eats Year 3 unfolds! Brought to us by Yummy Magazine, it is a one-day eating and cooking fair that will primarily showcase upcoming food establishments and home bakers specially handpicked by the YUMMY editorial team.

While I joined last year via our stall for Chicken Delish, my participation this year will be much different as I will be on stage with my daughter Dionne as a participant for the Hunt’s Mom-Child Cook-Off. Am excited for this segment because we will be preparing three dishes in just a span of one hour. It’s something I’ve never done before and am still researching on what dishes to make to wow the discriminating judges. Yay! Thanks to Hunt’s and Yummy for this opportunity

Anyway, the best thing about Yummy Eats is that the public will get to sample FOR FREE! the offerings of the city’s 50 best food concessionaires. Among those lined up are Mad Meats Bacon, Backyard Burger, Gawad Kalinga, Chez Karine, Mochiko, Pepita’s Lechon, Pino and many more.

Aside from the food sampling and the Hunt’s Cook-Off, there will also be cooking demos by top chefs and raffle draws. Admission to YUMMY Eats is only P 200. You can also opt to bring your May issue of YUMMY magazine for a discounted entrance fee of P 150! Don’t miss this year’s biggest food gathering by reserving and paying online via http://www.yummy.ph/yummyeats now!