The Brave And The Beautiful

Indeed, technology has brought the world closer. I've been friends with these women and men for more than a decade already, but two years ago, after forming a Blackberry Messenger chat group called Harrots, we became family. The very exclusive group consists of the most talented actresses, the wittiest directors, geniuses Deo Endrinal and Biboy Arboleda, Olive Isidro, Joel Mercado, Juan Sarte and Liz Uy. Lino Cayetano is an honorary member. We wake up knowing what Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is cooking for breakfast. The latest news is broadcast a week before it becomes tv news headline. We virtually group hug when one is having love problems. We turn into prayer warriors when one has a sick sibling or parent.
For our second Christmas, we dined in Zuchinni's. It was non-stop banter from the soup to the glorious mud pie. To cap our dinner, Biboy asked each of us to say what we are thankful for in 2011 and what we are wishing for in 2012. We were all smiling, not few teary-eyed, thankful for the gift of each other's friendship.

Beautiful and brave, clockwise; Bing, Amy, Agot, Mylene and Jodi

Agot's now famous peanuts!

Olives by Ira, Tomas, Lucas and Mylene

Worth the calories, Chocolate Mud Pie by Gay Vasquez

Harrots 2011

Comments

Swatch + Art + Fashion

As a nation grows, so does art and culture. Philippine Daily Inquirer's Thelma San Juan and Swatch Philippines' Virgie Ramos through thick and thin have supported art and fashion, rallying behind artists and designers. Last night, these two hardworking women launched an exhibit celebrating art, fashion, and Swatch Philippines' 25 years at the new Swatch & Swatch building in Makati. Dresses inspired by Ben Cab 's Sabel, giant photographs and installations were brilliantly curated by production designer Gino Gonzales , transporting you to a beautiful realm of light, opulent fabrics, and beauty. Fashion and art connoisseurs, students and designers shouldn't miss this exhibit, open to the public from 16 December 2014 to 15 January 2015 at the Swatch & Swatch, 418, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. Pepito Albert 's sculptural abaca jacket. Before blush, there was " Inno Sotto pink" . Gravity defying Cary Santiago . ...

10 Rainy Day Food Cravings

What is it with the rain and food? The heavier the downpour, the bigger the craving, and if you don’t give in to your cravings, you’ll be twisting and turning the whole night counting pork buns in your head. Here are ten of my rainy day cravings; savory, protein packed goodness, best eaten warm with a giant glass of Coca Cola. Aaahh, happiness. Ryu's Tantanmen , nothing beats hot ramen on a rainy night. Tim Ho Wan's Pork Buns, something worth lining up for and going out for on a rainy afternoon. Rain or shine, you just can't get enough of Lugang's Xiao Long Bao . Parmigiano's Lobster Pasta at Resort's World, perfect pre-movie dinner. Craving of cravings, Crispy Pata ! Best I've tasted was from Kinabuch in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Peppermill's Bagnet , crunchy and tender at the same time with a yummy sweet and spicy bagoong dip. Rainy night comfort combo, Poppin's Beef Salpicao , pilaf rice a...

The Cojuangco Ancestral House

Our next journey takes us to a historic town in Bulacan, thirty minutes north of Manila. My road trip buddies, my college friends who all share with me the same fascination for heritage houses were privileged by an invitation from Melecio Cojuangco to visit their ancestral house in Malolos. Mel, his cousin in law Marissa Lopa, Rima Datuin and Evelyn Bautista and I discovered each other's funny bone because of our love for the ice cream served in a huge bowl at Peninsula Manila's lobby. One evening, to justify our appetite, we pretended it was my birthday and we had the string quartet play happy birthday for me, from then on, we became good friends. Mel's grandfather, Jose Cojuangco was born at the Malolos house, very near the Barasoain Church. Jose's mother traded rice from Nueva Ecija, sacks transported by boat via the river at the back of the kamalig to Binondo, Manila. Like most turn of the century houses, the Cojuangco house uses piedra china ...

My Refrigerator Door

Search This Blog