May Festivals

BAWANG (GARLIC) FESTIVAL
Sinait, Ilocos Sur
May 01 – 03
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April Festivals

BUTANDING FESTIVAL
Donsol, Sorsogon
April 28 – 30
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Safest Way of Sending Money to the Philippines – The Joy of Giving

With more than two decades of service to the overseas Filipino, Forex has proven to be the safest, fastest, and most reliable means of sending money and balikbayan boxes to the Philippines. Recommended by many of our readers. Visit them at www.forexworld.com.

March Festivals

Bangkero Festival
Pagsanjan, Laguna
March 10
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First Bourdain, now Alton Brown

First Bourdain, now it’s Alton Brown. This recipe is from our favorite food network star Alton Brown. It’s a simple, doable dessert recipe and you won’t need any other kitchen appliance except your oven. The addition of corn meal gives this dessert extra texture and flavor. One of our favorites. Enjoy!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Tested, tasted by CarlosMiguel (The Confession of a Cook)

Ingredients

* 3/4 cup whole milk

* 1 cup coarse-ground cornmeal

* 4 ounces unsalted butter (8 tablespoons)

* 1 cup packed dark brown sugar

* 6 slices canned pineapple, in heavy syrup, reserve syrup

* 6 maraschino cherries

* 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

* 3 tablespoons canned pineapple syrup

* 1 cup all-purpose flour

* 2 teaspoons baking powder

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 3 whole eggs

* 3/4 cup granulated sugar

* 1/2 cup canola oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring the milk to a boil in small saucepan. Remove the milk from the stove and add the cornmeal. Stir and let soak at room temperature for 30 minutes. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and carefully place 1 slice of pineapple in the center of the pan. Place the other 5 slices around the center slice in a circle. Place the cherries in the centers of the pineapple slices and sprinkle the nuts evenly over the fruit. Drizzle the reserved pineapple syrup over top.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the sugar to the eggs and whisk to combine. Add the canola oil and whisk. Add the cornmeal and milk mixture to the egg mixture and whisk to combine. Add this to the flour and stir just until combined. Pour the batter over the fruit in the skillet and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes in the skillet. Set a platter on top of the skillet and carefully invert the cake.

“Life is Good”.

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Jeffrey Halili in Madama Butterfly in Miami, Florida

(Photo courtesy of Laiferart.com)

Filipino-Canadian tenor Jeffrey Halili will perform as Goro in Florida Grand Opera’s Madama Butterly and will run from April 25 to May 16 this year in Miami, Florida.  Just recently, he played Bardolfo in last season’s New York City Opera revival of Verdi’s Falstaff.  According to Opera News, “the tenor attacked the role with the brio and all-out physicality of a gymnast.”

This young tenor has performed in numerous big opera houses including the Minnesota Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, New Orleans Opera, and Virginia Opera in productions such as La Traviata, Turandot, Agrippina, and Lucia di Lammermoor.  He has likewise performed in concerts with Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and the Buffalo Philharmonic.

Jeffrey took tap and ballet lessons in his younger years.  He received his Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from the State University of New York, his Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University, and also studied in the Academy of Vocal Arts.

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Email Interview with Ms. Kuh Ledesma

(Dino Dela Rosa writes for the entertainment section of the Virginia-based The Manila Mail.  Below are the excerpts of his email interview with Ms. Kuh Ledesma)

“The Four Divas, Kuh Ledesma, ZsaZsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez will be performing on April 5, 2009 at the 5,800 Patriot Center of the George Mason University in Virginia, USA at 6:30 p.m. This show will be surely be an exciting and unforgettable evening as four of the greatest voices in Philippine entertainment will converge on one stage.

It will promise four times the talent and four times the flair. The unique personality and distinctive style of each diva a surpisingly different, inevitably exciting, never-before-experienced evening. The great icon Kuh Ledesma graciously did this e-mail interview.”

Question: (Q)What will be expecting from this show in terms of production numbers?
Since you ladies are known for your trend-savvy fashion choices, will you be wearing fabulous gowns?

Answer (A): Of course because divas are not just about songs but fabulous gowns. We have more than 6 costume changes from different top designers from Manila.

Q: You have performed here in the Washington D.C. Metro area in 2001 with the Freestyle, with Zsa Zsa Padilla in 2003, and Nora Aunor in 2004, how will this April 5 show be different from these previous ones?

A:  This must be the most expensive and the most elaborate show I have put together not to mention the most difficult because each singer has her own busy schedule. But I must say this has been so much fun.

 

Q: Your last show here  four years ago at the GWU Lisner auditorium was a well-received one, what was the experience like of doing that concert tour? Of working with Nora Aunor?

A:  It is always a pleasure working with different singers but with Nora Aunor was also a unique experience.  It was a thrill to perform with a musical icon. It was awe inspiring to see the adoration of her many fans

 

Q: You have said that your longtime idol has been Barbra Streisand who last year received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, would you say there are similarities in both of your careers?

A:  Barbra Streisand will always be one of my biggest inspirations.  I consider her my mentor. Her professionalism and relentless passion for her art has inspired not just me but many others worldwide.

 

E-mail your comments to dino.62@hotmail.com

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Snow Peas with Cellophane Noodles Recipe

Tested, tasted by CarlosMiguel (The Confession of a Cook)
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Oscars Predictions 2009

(Dino dela Rosa who writes for the entertainment section of the Virginia-based The Manila Mail makes his 2009 Oscars predictions.)

“Hollywood’s biggest social event of the year, the Oscars, will be televised this Sunday, Feb 22. at 8 p.m. I thought to share with you guys my Oscar predictions.”
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Paco Park – A Haven Amidst Chaos

There aren’t too many places in Manila where you can escape its chaotic traffic, the deafening sounds of jeepneys and buses, and the maddening crowd of the shopping malls. But there is this one place right in the middle of Manila where you can relax, have some peace and quiet, or even practice zen meditation. Read more

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