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Posted on October 7, 2011 - by Vic

Shut Up and Dance Retro Disco Bar opens in Malate

The variety of elements in contrasting eras, cuisine and looks makes these new combined establishment inviting and unpredictable. Indeed Malate continues to be the hub of night life these days. In the late 60’s, film director Ishmael Bernal opened “Gray November in my Soul” along A. Mabini street the corner of T. Alonso Street. Artists talk about life. Down the street near the corner of Remedios Street came along “Indios Bravos”(the brave natives) – a cafe owned and run by the couple Betsy Romualdez Francia, a poetess, and her husband, Henry Francia, the film maker. Flower power bloomed, the anti- Vietnam War rallies crowded America’s streets and the young strummed their guitars and sang in folk
houses.

Then came the disco houses in the late 70s. And in the 80s, Ernest Santiago opened Coco banana along Remedios Circle with Subway disco along M. Adriatico Street catching up to accommodate the late crowd. Twenty years later, businessman Joseph “Jong” Garcia revives a retro disco bar which he aptly calls “Shut up & Dance” retro disco bar along M. Orosa St. corner J. Nakpil St., in Malate. One can enjoy listening to original popular tunes of The Boss by Diana Ross, Kool and the Gang, YMCA by the Village People. Any visitor stepping in to this place will eventually notice that they
will spend more time enjoying their meals here as well. “I want to revive the good old days of the Malate area”, emphasizes Jong. “The dishes we serve at Shut up & Dance are familiar classical dishes.” We have lined up these dishes which our excellent chefs cooks to please, but not to impress, “ notes Jong Garcia over lunch. Three seasoned cooks manages the kitchen of Shut Up and Dance including Chef Alejandro Ricalde, Chef Angel Padon and Chef Louie Batalla. They have earned a sizable number of years of culinary experience working with other well known restaurants in Metro Manila as well as stints with reputable dining establishments abroad.

Besides Shut up & Dance retro disco bar, Jong has also opened Dematisse Cafe Bar & Diner and also Socialista Bar & Restaurant near each other along Remedios Street also in Malate, Manila. Socialista was the first of these three outlets to open with close proximity of each other and is now perhaps Jong’s most wide-reach-dining cum fun bar venture, praises for its food and service by everybody who had ever eaten there: the locals of Malate, Makati, traditionalist and international food and travel guides. Shut up & Dance Retro Disco bar is slowly garnering enough clients to sustain its status as a “destination,” or as described by Jong,” a dining jaunt, ” where people can have good food, excellent drink mixes and a home grown feel. “We are happy where Shut up & Dance is even just opened a few weeks ago where the feel of the good old 70’s and 80’s is with its music provided by Sonny Tugade who was a famous
retro DJ in the 80’s at Cocobanana and Subway Disco who is back manning the controls that would surely attract office workers and yuppies who will make it their watering hole, according to Jong.

During the luncheon preview, we were given a taste of Jong’s favourite dishes including Paella in various delectable variations of the valencia tinta(squid) and marinara(seafood). One should also try the tasty lengua, or the very oriental steamed fish with crab meat sauce, beef tenderloin with mushroom sauce plus other meat items like steak selections of porterhouse, sirloin and T-bone of imported angus beef. Jong thinks that these familiar dishes go extremely well with one’s palate and the attention to the dish’s consistency will always be there, added Jong. “We hope to maintain the consistency of the quality of our food in the menu. Diners can sense the effort put on the preparation of these dishes not only in the taste but in the presentation as well. Nearby Shut Up & Dance is Socialista Bar & Restaurant with Jong’s idea of recapturing the mid 80’s era. Like Marcel Proust’s own endeavour, the final product may be more romantic and lasting than the lost moment owner Jong sought to recapture. A melange of objects and music contrasting with things old and new, valuable or simply charming and a fondness for juxtaposing man-made objects with Jong’s personal touch is very much evident in Socialista. The food fare here is very much the same as Shut Up and Dance. No fancy reception procedure here, just genuine warmth; and simple attire for the staff, to make everyone blend in. All that was missing were the staple hugs and we’d be one big happy family. At night you can enjoy
some wine or coffee with close friends to catch up or bond with the rest of your family and remember an era gone by. Socialist can accommodate small groups of fifty to seventy and is ideal for reunions and intimate gatherings among close friends. One can enjoy their delicious meals where visits can remind us that the simple things oftentimes give us the greatest pleasure. It was not surprising that a lot of unforgettable parties were done here as the place can be closed just among friends. Last stop in the evening is at Demitasse Cafe Bar & Diner. A late entry into Malate’s night life scene, Demitasse is becoming synonymous as a place to chill out in the area and party till your dancing legs have no strength left. But if you can’t go all around Malate to party, here at Demitasse, one can spend just a few hours hanging out, worship or let loose of one’s self and party the night away with the latest techno music till the wee hours of daybreak.

Despite the dizzying rush of everyday life, some pockets of our metro Manila seem to be untouched by the net citizen’s mad dash for the future. For those better, simpler days, Jong Garcia’s three complementing fun establishments – Shut Up and Dance, Dematisse and Socialista are new places worth the visit as one feel time stood still for those better and simpler days. The city’s social and nightlife circuit will again be busy to check out these newest places in Malate. Lifestyle of Manila foodies and night owls will never be the same again.

Posted on April 13, 2011 - by Vic

Seafood Festival at Oakwood Premier Ortigas

At the Oakroom restaurant of the Oakwood Premier Joy – Nostalg Center across the Asian Development Bank in ADB Avenue, Pasig City, a seafood festival is their ongoing food promotions up to Easter Sunday, at Ortigas’s most luxurious serviced apartments.

Dubbed “11 Oceans” Seafood festival, executive chef Jerome Cartailller presented a mouthwatering menu of seafood dishes cooked in a variety of ways to represent the unique flavors of different countries in the property’s only fine dining outlet. One discovers a unique dining experience this side of the Ortigas business district, where indulgence in a premium address was presented to the food media to sample and enjoy the freshest catch of the sea. General Manager Brian Connelly says, “Summer is the best season for seafood. It’s a healthy, delicious indulgence and we use the freshest catch and cooking methods to preserve their natural taste and essence. Chef Cartailler seamlessly merged the bountiful catch of the sea, freshest harvest of organic vegetables from the land with the alluring chef masterfully blending and giving the dishes a new twist with the Oakwood restaurant and its classy and stunning surroundings as its backdrop venue.

The “11 Oceans” menu included Sea scallops in puff pastry (French), Risotto with herbed Scampi (Italian) Grilled Swordfish Souvlakis (Greek) and California Ciopppino (USA) with crab, clams, shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels and grouper in Tomato and while wine. We were given an extra treat with a sampler plate of other items including Gindara Terriyaki(Japanese), Baccalao fritters (Spanish) and Lobster chili (Mexican).Chef Cartailler’s mouth watering menu that day was a welcome treat to those who would like to further discover the many interesting offer of seafood cuisine. Complementing the seafood fare were Mappu wines from the Central Valley, south of Santiago Chile, know as a vast winegrowing area for its ideal climate and well suited to white wine varieties. Our hearty meal was complemented by white Mapu Chiliean wines by Baron Philippe de Rothschild including Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay and Saavignon Blanc vintage 2010.

Imbibed with good choices of fine Chilean wines and complemented with well prepared seafood dishes, other guests that day couldn’t be glossed over just to have another typical press lunch gathering. Oakwood and Chef Cartailler must be given kudos for their attention to details in preparing the dishes for their 11 Oceans Seafood festival. One should not miss this food festival available ala carte, from 11am to 11pm up to April 24. Oakwood‘s seafood festival is on the 6th level of Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center, and beautifully blends the culinary with the aural experience that any serious foodie should not miss.

Posted on March 10, 2011 - by Vic

Island hopping Adventure in Surigao

Text and Photographs by Vic Albornoz Lactaoen

I wanted to cleanse myself of Metro Manila and all the sordid things in life it hosts – ceaseless yakkity-yak of politics, corruption and daily bombardments on our collective consciousness of images on television of stern-looking bespectacled military –like crooks masquerading as public servants, among other weird offerings on broadcast media.

Friends have long told me of this paradisiacal group of islands called Surigao which is in the northeastern tip of Mindanao. And in my previous visits, I’ve always never tired of coming back to Surigao feeling like there’s always something new to visit and look forward to. After throwing some t-shirts and shorts into my travel bag, I took off to the wild blue yonder.

When the Almighty created His world, He must have had visions of how He wanted it to be, and most of what this vision was is embodied in Surigao. It’s a place of untouched natural splendor. From its pristine white sandy beaches to its lush tropical forests, from its hilly enclaves and lagoons with warm and shallow surroundings to its coral reefs and lakes, Surigao is truly an island paradise, perhaps the most beautiful in the Caraga administrative region.

The unspoiled teardrop shaped island is the Shangri-La of adventure and nature lovers. It is also the surfing capital of the Philippines which is 800 kilometers southeast of Manila.

Surigao City is the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, the entry point to northern Mindanao. It is a crowded, busy and developing city, with close beaches on the city’s “island barrangays” worth a beach enthusiast’s stay or visit. Though overlook, these island barangays are worth not just a day’s visit but a couple of days stay to experience Suriganon’s hospitality at its best!

There is a group of islands within easy day-tour reach of Surigao City. One can start off with Basul Island close to the Maharlika National Road, just a brief boat ride from the Maharlika Pier. Or you can go to Hikdop Island, 45 minutes away by a public pumpboat that leaves every morning. The island has good beaches and from here one can connect to Nonoc Island and start on a trek on the longest wooden bridge in the Philippines. This extraordinary 391 meter footbridge called the Cantiasay-San Pedro Foot Bridge, connects with Sibale Island. Conceived to ease movements and communications between two barangays, the bridge has transformed itself into a resting and promenade area, giving one the exhilarating experience and thrill of crossing two islands on foot.

But what made our visit to this island province a memorable one was our trip to nearby Zaragoza and the distant Pansukian Island. This is perhaps one of the few remaining destinations in the country where unquestionable hospitality is at its prime. Homestays are the penultimate mode of accommodations with “Bahay Turista” or Tourist Home, are the right address in the island. Where else can you find complimentary natural drinks of fresh coconut juice served in its natural shell upon arrival? Sometimes, if the locals are having fun-filled days, they even have “drink all you can” coconut – compliments of the islanders.

The island’s proximity to the Philippine Deep, coupled with the huge swells of the Pacific is what gives Siargao its world class waves, attracting surfers from all over the world. In fact one enamored surfer from Australia has begun building a resort in one popular surf spot called Cloud 9 in General Luna, not far from Pansukian. But as I’ve found out through the years, a visit to Siargao at nearly any time yields the same kind of exhalation.

Tourism has seeped its way into the area, thanks mostly to surfing (or no thanks depending on your perspective) but from the looks of it, modish restaurants, and spas are still along way coming. The developments in the island are mostly of the small-town variety and have not made a dent on Siargao’s homey charm. While making a name from surfing, it offers so much more, like charming islets, mangrove swamps, caves and some of the country’s best white sand beaches. What is truly wondrous about this place as I always enjoyed discovering to my every visit is that it has some of the very best of God’s gift to the country: coral reefs, powdery white sand beaches, lagoons with water colored an aquamarine hue so striking it seems to jump at your face, mangrove rivers, rice fields, rainforests, abundant marine resources, exotic flora and fauna.

The more luxurious accommodation can be had at neighboring Pansukian beach resort, dubbed by international design magazine as one of the best resorts in Asia. Each of the resort’s 10 guest cottages is put together in concrete, darkwood, treated bamboo and other natural materials as well in what can only be described as an amalgam of the best in Asian design. The cottages are roomy, with large beds, spacious bathrooms, and natural air-conditioning. The bigger rooms have a relaxing veranda. The resort gives you the impression that guests of the resort are mostly world-weary, well – traveled individuals who comes to the resort wanting nothing more than to kick off their shoes and walk barefoot through the soft silky white sands and of course visit the postcard-pretty islands nearby.

Here, one may find limestone rocks covered with foliage that spring from shimmering clear bluegreen waters as well as stingless jellyfish similar to those that can be found in Palau Islands in Micronesia .Diving through the surface of this underground lagoon where the sun’s rays rebound across the domed walls leaves even the most jaded beach bum breathless.

Food spread throughout my visit was all the freshest catch and ingredients of the day – move over organic farming! We had grilled seafood specialties, squids, kinilaw and the freshest crabs harvested in the island. All prepared by the island’s local cooks. Truly a meal, not to be forgotten!

Then there’s the island’s people – not just the local ones but fellow visitors, local surfers from all over the country, as well as foreign ones from as far as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, who have been touched by the island. To walk around and hear various calls of “when did you get in?” and “where are you staying?” to see the kids who only a few years back were smaller and are now tall young teens – adds to the enhancement of being there.

Once you’ve been touched by Siargao’s brand of magic, it is not hard to imagine how such a distant island has managed to capture your heart. With all these experiences, how can you leave the islands of Surigao? I’ll definitely come back to this Island of adventure!

Posted on March 1, 2011 - by Vic

A Modern and scientific way of adding years to your life

In today’s society where it’s not so much getting older but actually looking one’s age that actually bothers most people, there’s now a new regimen that can prolong life and delay ageing in the Philippines.

It is called longevity medicine which uses the latest in medical genetics, alternative hormone therapies and autologous stem cells to detect and prevent age related illness and expand lifespan according to Dr. Quiincy Raya, a leading doctor in this new field of medicine who recently opened the Asian Institute of Longevity Medicine (AILLM) in Salcedo Village Makati City. She is also a pioneer medical professionally trained in longevity medicine hormone replacement in leading hospitals in Europe including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and the Stem Cell Banking and Therapy in Heidelberg, Germany.

Consistent with the clinic’s thrust towards health promotion to cater to specific health needs of adults and geriatric segment it uses the latest in medical genetics, alternative hormone therapies and greatly reduces the risk of developing age related illnesses according to Dr Quincy Raya, Longevity medicine’s goal is to modify the causes of aging such as defective genes, chronic stress, lower levels of hormone production an accumulation of body toxins, progressive clogging of the arteries and lymph vessels, and an impaired immune system. “I hope that we can ensure our patients to regain and maintain their vitality and youth through safe hormone correction, stem cell therapy, dietary coaching, vitamin infusions and genetic counselling, Dr. Quiincy added.

“While we provide minimal invasive aesthetic procedures to help our patients look good as they feel, it goes beyond aesthetic procedures and cosmetic products but actually promotes innovative science and research to prolong healthy human lifestyles” Dr. Quincy emphasizes. According to Dr. Quincy Raya, the hormone plays an important role in the again process. “Restoring and balancing hormones to their optimum levels assist in resetting the hormonal clock in our body to delay the effects of aging,” she added. As the first and only institution in the country dedicated to providing up-to-date therapies to prolong life, the Asian Institute of Longevity Medicine clinic (AILM) provides up-to-date therapies to prolong life, addresses and treats defective genes, increased free radicals, tired and overactive immune system, chronic stress, improper diet and nutrition.

Through Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), we can correct hormonal deficiencies in both men and women using bio-identical hormones derive from natural sources. It is through BHRT, that we can give our patients hormones with bio-chemical compositions, the same hormones from one’s own body, according to Dr. Quincy Raya. “We can restore hormonal balance to the level of a 25 year old, the average age of optimum health,” quips Dr. Quincy. Here at the clinic, Dr Quincy Raya adds that they not only can take in patients but educate other doctors as well on longevity medicine with the aim of slowing down the rate of the individual patients, increase their health spans and improve their quality of life.

By resetting one’s hormonal clock to delay the effects of aging, BHRT promises to boost energy levels, promote good sleep and memory, increase muscle and bone mass, enhance muscle function and libido and diminish body fat and wrinkles.
Dr. Quincy Raya is proud that the Asian Institute of Longevity Clinic’s strength is with its strategic technology partnerships abroad with institutions like TICLEBA, A highly innovative life science company based in Heidelberg, Germany working in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Consequently, it also is a certified partner of GENOSENSE Diagnostics, which was founded in Viena, Austria by a highly experienced group of professionals.

Dr. Raya sums it up – “your genes makes each one of us unique and can tell you what illness you are predisposed to. One must be guided by their own genetic information towards the best lifestyle for a long and productive life.”
The Asian Institute of Longevity Medicine is located in at the 2nd floor of the Liberty Plaza Building, 102 H.V. dela Costa St., Salcedo Village,Makati City. For more information Call (632)385-1111 or 843-AILM or visit a4clinic.com.

Posted on February 24, 2011 - by Vic

Kusina Cagayana Modern Authentic Provincial Restaurant

With what little is left of your monthly salary in these hard times this new year, KUSINA Cagayana Restaurant along Pengue Highway in Tugegarao, Cagayan is one of the few places where you can put your hard earned money to its best use – recharging your batteries over the restaurant’s sumptuous daily buffet menu and its ongoing Asian buffet special offering this part of northern Philippines in Tuguegarao City Cagayan. Kusina Cagayana’s dishes are basically modern Cagayan and unique twists to old time Filipino favorites, in comfy and functional surroundings.

“The Filipino palate deserves to be treated once in a while to new and exciting fare,” quips Tess De Leon Valiente, manager of the restaurant,   and that is what KUSINA Cagayana  would like to accomplish with its one-of-a-kind buffet menu spread of otherwise regular provincial dishes but with a unique twist! It also has a host of other familiar Filipino dishes that will surely satisfy one’s Pinoy cravings, whether these are local residents, balikbayans or even expatriates visiting the country.

Good thing though, I found out that KUSINA Cagayana uses only the freshest ingredients available daily in the local market with their dishes, allowing fresh and natural ingredients to enhance the flavor of each serving.  The result has been rewarding with a consistently growing number of clientele who keeps coming back for more of the various choices on the buffet menu spread. Drive throughs are a common sight in the restaurant coming from nearby Isabela as well as Ilocos Norte, La Union and Isabela.

High on the list of must-tries is the mixed Filipino Salad delicacy and freshly grilled eggplants with bagoong, boiled okra, camote, or sweet mangoes on a bed of green lettuce dressed in sweet vinaigrette sauce. I found this dish, highly recommended for diet and health conscious individuals as I found it a filling meal by itself.  There’s the Shrimp ukoy, an intriguing mix of small shrimp, dipped with farm egg batter, Tkwa’t Baboy, Garlic Longganisa or thinly sliced marinated Beef Tapa served with their own special vinegar with fresh garlic and sprinkling of pepper.

There is also the familiar Inabraw and Molo soup, this dish gives the all-time pedestrian Ilongo favorite  a makeover.  Cooked in a mild spicy sauce and served in a celadon soup bowl, as its name says, this dish is a welcome familiar surprise to the Pinoy taste buds.

Fish enthusiasts will love to munch on Tilapia Strips, crispy fried on the outside and light and tasty on the inside, it can be eaten on its own or dipped in its accompanying mustard sauce, or the crispy fried Hito, a common fresh water fish caught daily, for a completely different gastronomic experience.  The restaurant has also cooked it with gata or coconut milk popular with the Bicolanos. Either way, these two dishes gives the effect of pallet addiction: as fans of these dishes know, one serving is never enough.  Along these lines, try their newest Vegetable Laing or Bicol Express, a take off from the famous fiery specialty of southern Bicolandia

Folks who want a taste of the traditional will not go wrong with their Boneless Crispy Pata, served already sliced into roulades.    According to Tess, this is one of the specialties of the restaurant and is never missing on all the tables of diners, especially during lunchtime celebrations and those other memorable occasions.  There is also the beef shanks cooked ala Kare-kare with garnishing of leafy pechay, string beans, banana sprouts and other vegetables.

For those diners craving to eat something in between meals, one must try their Pancit  Cagayana, a noodle delight which uses a combination of canton and sotanghon, mixed with a special, sweetish sauce and topped with bits of chopped lechon kawali.  A rich meal unto itself!

KUSINA Cagayana’s other dessert or merienda menu is equally adventurous.  It takes inspiration from our Japanese and Chinese influences and combines it with Filipino staples, resulting in a merienda to remember from the visually colorful Halo-halo, chilled gulaman, sticky suman rice, or their own version of puto and sapin-sapin, served with freshly grated coconut .  Or fried native Saba with Muscovado(brown sugar) . Customers with a sweet tooth will be delighted with the restaurant’s in Banana Langka a sweet Float, or mouth watering sticks of mini turons served in a martini glass tucked with a generous scoop of lychee gelatin  – a true celebration of texture and warmth or their own version of buko lychee pandan.

Thankfully, word-of-mouth has continuously drawn more people by the day attracted by the great eats and the reasonable price (expect to spend around pesos one hundred seventy eight pesos(for a satisfying KUSINA Cagayana  dining experience per person Nothing is as it seems at  this restaurant where Filipino cuisine is taken to new heights, and where customers can expect a different dining experience with each visit – the essence of KUSINA Cagayana.

For further details: Kusina Cagayana Restaurant is at JC Bldg. Cayosa Homes Pengue Highway, Tugegarao City, Cagayan Vallley.  Operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.  For reservations, call (076)844-2880 or 844-9324.