IS METRO MANILA NOW READY FOR NCAP?

Last August 2022, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) for traffic violators in Metro Manila.

The TRO stops the implementation of NCAP-related programs and ordinances and any apprehensions through the said policy and ordinances "shall be prohibited until further orders from the Court."

The order also halted the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and all parties acting on its behalf from giving out motorist information to all government units, cities, and municipalities enforcing NCAP programs and ordinances.

But last June 14, 2023, renewed calls to bring back NCAP were revitalized after a fatal accident happened at the EDSA Shaw Boulevard tunnel where a motorcycle driver was hit by an SUV drive. Both motorists happened to be in the EDSA Carousel Bus Lane resulting in the former getting run over by a tanker driver in the adjacent lane.

Because of this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wasted no time in coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General in the filing of a motion before the Supreme Court to consider lifting the temporary restraining order on the implementation of the NCAP.

It’s sad to know that a gruesome incident had to happen but aside from this, MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said they will use the data they obtained in the past months showing an increase in the number of road accidents and traffic violations after the NCAP was suspended in August last year.

“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to a greater risk,” said Artes. “We keep on reminding motorists not to use the innermost lane of EDSA as it may result in an accident, but despite our repeated calls and pleas, many drivers of privately-owned vehicles and motorcycle riders disregard the policy,” Artes added.

Aside from MMDA, Metro Manila Council President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora is also leading the discussion to raise the TRO on NCAP.

According to Zamora, MMDA data shows from August 2022 to May of the present year has already resulted in an average of 25,926 per month as compared to a monthly average of 9,500 before NCAP was suspended.

“This data shows that we have more than a double increase in the number of violations. Having been Mayor of San Juan for the last four years, it is close to impossible to have traffic enforcers all over the city of San Juan, more so all over the entire Metro Manila. Having NCAP deters motorists from committing traffic violations” shared Zamora.

For those with an interest in road safety, NCAP represents a step forward, in terms of our enforcement of traffic laws.

In the few months it was implemented in San Juan, Quezon City, Manila, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City and Paranaque City, NCAP did bring benefits that some would say were unfairly ignored in the debate.

These cities that have fully implemented NCAP cited decrease in obstructions, choking of traffic from apprehended vehicles, reckless driving, and hazardous motorists’ habits.

It is unfortunate that we needed to wait for a fatal accident in order for us to see the benefits of NCAP. And aside from this incident, many agree that it is now time for the TRO to be lifted. With NCAP already addressing a lot of the public’s concern, this July the handheld device for the Single Ticketing System (STS) will have a pilot test to be spearheaded by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

With the STS in place, it will enable the Metro Manila local government units to strictly enforce traffic laws, at the same time, harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement to establish an effective transport and traffic management system.

INTERNATIONAL FILIPINO ATHLETE JAKE DE LEON CROWNED AS NEW MWF PINOY WRESTLING CHAMPION

MANILA, September 20, 2022 – About three hundred Pinoy wrestling fans gathered at the PETA Theater Center last Sunday, September 11, to witness the crowning of “Mr. Philippine Wrestling” Jake De Leon as the new Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF) Pinoy Wrestling Champion. De Leon competed in the main event in a winning effort against two of the best performance athletes in the country – Fabio Makisig and Nigel San Jose. 

Jake De Leon is a multi-time wrestling champion and has held titles all over Southeast Asia. He has represented the country in numerous matches internationally, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and most notably in mainland China, where he participated in the WWE tryouts in 2019. A Philippine wrestling pioneer with almost a decade of in-ring experience, De Leon is one of the most respected and accomplished Filipino athletes in the genre.

Fabio Makisig and Nigel San Jose are expected to continue their Pinoy wrestling championship chase along with other members of the MWF roster, including the “Queen of Philippine Wrestling” Crystal, who was supposed to be featured alongside the three contenders last Sunday, but was pulled out of the event due to medical reasons. 

MWF’s Promising Prospects

MWF Road to Fate 2022 was packed with action throughout the evening, as other wrestling matches delivered star-making and head-turning performances from its top-notch athletes. Apart from the explosive main event, highlights of the event include: 

• Bro. Jomar Liwanag winning the SETUP Thailand Undisputed 24/7 Championship from Ken Warren

• Cavite’s own Danny Zamora beating Tondo-raised Razael in a No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere Match 

• Dabid “Godkiller” Ravena forcing “Danger” Rex Lawin into retirement 

• Chelsea Marie and CJ Serafin defeating Migs Valdez and Kanto “Kilabot” Terror in a tag team exhibition match 

• Saint John Martin showcasing his brutal, spectacular offense against MWF trainee “Black Shirt” 

• Ken Cifer putting out former MWF Champion Robin Sane’s fiery assault 

The event was also kicked-off with preliminary matches that saw newcomer Aaron Liwanag going up against El Katipunero with his valet Super P, and wrestling veteran Main Maxx in action against another MWF aspirant, “White Shirt.” 

Continuing its forward momentum towards the end of 2022 and beyond, MWF has announced the next chapter of its ManilaVerse saga on October 16 at Brawl Pit Bulusan, Quezon City, where they will film the next four episodes of its weekly program – MWF Aksyonovela TV. The company is also set to roll out details about its next major show, “MWF: Noche Buena” soon. To subscribe to their weekly programming and to stay updated for news and announcements, visit MWF’s official webpage at www.manilawrestling.com 

DTI Inspects Price and Supply of Noche Buena Items, BNPCs in QC Supermarkets

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group inspected the prices and supply of noche buena items and basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) in three Quezon City supermarkets on Monday, 20 December 2021.

DTI-CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Assistant Director Atty. Marimel D. Porciuncula led a monitoring team not only to ensure that there are enough stocks of BNPCs and Christmas food products this holiday season, but also to check if retailers follow the suggested retail price (SRP) as published by the DTI.

“It’s great to see that some products are being offered in a much lower price than our current SRP, that’s why we encourage the suppliers to double the delivery of noche buena products to the retailers until the end of the holiday season so consumers can have ample supply for their shopping needs,” said DTI-CPG Undersecretary Castelo.

According to the report, all three supermarkets were found to be following the SRP for their displayed products. However, one establishment was found to be lacking necessary price tags on some of their products, which resulted in the issuance of a Show Cause Order (SCO).

Pursuant to Article 81 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines or Republic Act No. 7394, "It shall be unlawful to offer any consumer product for retail sale to the public without an appropriate price tag, label, or marking publicly displayed to indicate the price of each article and said products shall not be sold at a price higher than that stated therein and without discrimination to all buyers. Further, price tags must be written clearly and legibly to prevent overpricing and unjust trade.

“In case there is an initial finding of violation, such as lack of price tags, it is part of administrative due process, that the establishment is directed to submit a written explanation within the prescribed period and if the establishment fails to do so, that’s the time we will file a formal charge against them for violating the Consumer Act of the Philippines,” DTI-CPG Undersecretary Castelo explained.

To see the list of noche buena products and its corresponding SRP, please follow this link: www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/e-presyo/. Further, the DTI encourages the consumers to be more attentive to undue price adjustments and illegal acts of price manipulation from retailers. Call 1-DTI (1-384) or send consumer complaints to consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

Equilibrio Launches New Products

Equilibrio, a known brand of premium pet food, launched its new line of products on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 55 Events Place in Quezon City.

In front of a number of veterinarians, friends from the media, and other guests, executives from Equilibrio and its manufacturing counterpart country, Neovia Philippines, formally unveiled its newest offerings that are formulated with high-quality raw materials and selected ingredients providing better digestibility and flavor of satisfaction and feeding of cats and dogs in the Philippines.

“Here in the Philippines, we consider our pets as members of our family. As such, we always want only the best for our cats and dogs, especially when it comes to the food that they eat,” said Johanna Emata, marketing manager of Neovia Philippines. “At Equilibrio, we believe that our pets deserve the right food for their own unique needs.”

Each of Equilibrio's recipes and snacks comprises of high nutrient assimilation, which helps in the reduction in stool volume. Also, they are specially manufactured with nutraceuticals aiming to improve the digestion; with Yucca schidegera that reduces stool odor, and prebiotics and probiotics that helps improve bowel transit time.

In addition, Equilibrio's latest offerings are now compatible with the highest nutritional concepts – thanks to its updated and modern formula. The variants are made for Small Breed, All Breed and Large Breed Puppies and Adult Dogs; as well as for Kittens and Adult Cats; and even has Veterinary Lines suited for pets that have special needs.

“We are very excited to finally launch Equilibrio, which is known globally as a brand that provides Excellence Nutrition to pets,” said Daniel Olivio, marketing director of Neovia Philippines. “We also made sure that Equilibiro's formulation is scientifically proven to help in improving the quality and longevity of their life.”

Equilibrio products are now available at selected credible pet stores and veterinary clinics.

Neovia, the company behind Equilibrio products, is a leading player in animal nutrition and health that operates in seven business lines involving complete feed, aquaculture, pet care, premium/firm services, additives & ingredients, animal health, and analysis laboratories.

Experience the best in condo living with Filinvest’s Pioneer Pointe

For those who want to experience the convenience, accessibility, and security of condominium living, there’s the Pioneer Pointe in Mandaluyong, part of Filinvest Livable Condos that value quality of life by creating well-planned homes.

A 28-storey premium property, Pioneer Pointe is strategically situated at the center of the bustling commercial and business district which allows for functional and enjoyable urban living. It is a real address of convenience as it is close to the EDSA MRT line and gives easier access to possible places of work in Mandaluyong City, Makati City, and Bonifacio Global City, where many small and medium enterprises and top corporations are located.

Also a short distance away from Pioneer Pointe are premiere shopping destinations which are home to leading retail stores and restaurants.

  

Pioneer Pointe offers studio units ranging from 30.85sqm to 40.39sqm and two-bedroom bi-level and flat units ranging from 62.3sqm to 73.52sqm. Two-bedroom garden units are also available from 96.1sqm to 110.8sqm.  At your disposal are stand-out features and complete amenities, including a function room, swimming pool, and a pocket garden with children’s play area.

With only a few units left, there’s no better time than now to acquire and invest in a condo unit at Pioneer Pointe. What’s more, it has a limited offer of a low down payment rate of only 2.5% until June 30, 2017.

So whether you’re an empty nester, a young professional, or starting a small family, take a closer look today at Pioneer Pointe—the best in urban living right at the heart of the city! For more information about Pioneer Pointe, please visit www.filinvest.com and follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pioneerpointeofficial. You may also call 850 0888.

A smart, future-proof office property investment in the south

Recent reports from international broker firms indicate that as of the fourth quarter of 2016, demand for office space in Metro Manila has remained strong.  While developments are largely concentrated in other parts of the National Capital Region, Alabang remains a highly attractive location, owing to its proximity to the progressive CALABARZON and adjacent communities teeming with talents for the labor pool.

Addressing this need is the 32-storey Parkway Corporate Center, the first office condominium under the WorkSpaces by Filinvest banner that offers investors pre-selling office units for sale in a dynamic environment.

Soon to rise at Filinvest City in Alabang, the premier CBD in the South, Parkway Corporate Center is positioned at a prime address that is conveniently located and is accessible – both to private and public transportation as well as its proximity to the Festival Mall Alabang. Filinvest City is a thriving, fully-integrated, and self-contained 244-hectare metropolis that harmonizes modern conveniences with nature – a genuine work-live-play environment that brings together a residential haven, a business central, a leisure destination, learning and education zones, and a medical and wellness hub. It is fast reinforcing its stature as the ultimate green city – sustainable, pedestrian friendly, and eco-centric.

Designed by H1 Architecture and Design, recognized as one of the top ten architectural firms in the country today, the state-of-the-art Parkway Corporate Center comes with units averaging 36 square meters in size, allowing for flexibility and combinability depending on the need, which is perfect for boutique companies and SMEs averaging six to 30 employees.  Companies in need of bigger spaces have the option of taking whole floors allowing for even greater flexibility.

As a future-ready premium office tower, Parkway Corporate Center offers intelligent space planning and modern building facilities such as six high speed elevators, 24-hour security with CCTV cameras in strategic areas, 100% back-up power, and an advanced fiber optic backbone. Additionally, Parkway Corporate Center’s glass curtain wall is double-glazed with a low-e coating that prevents heat and UV radiation, resulting in cost and energy efficiency.

For investors, Parkway Corporate Center presents a unique opportunity to own an office unit and is an excellent investment, one that is sure to appreciate over time. Plus, being a pre-selling project, you can acquire a unit at a lower purchase price with term payments. This allows you to prudently manage your investment costs for maximum returns.

And once Parkway Corporate Center is complete, with a target date of 2019, you can enjoy steady leasing income and even higher returns – a sure return of investment! For small-to-medium enterprises, meanwhile, Parkway Corporate Center allows you to have an office of your own in a sleek, modern structure – a future landmark – that’s situated in a prestigious address.

So for individuals looking to expand their property portfolio, or for companies in need of a future-ready office space, take a look at Parkway Corporate Center at Filinvest City.

For more information, call (02) 8096517 or visit www.parkwaycorporate.com.

*This is Press Release

Duterte’s Independent Foreign Policy benefits Philippines economically & strategically, will make country safe from possible nuclear attack in any superpower rivalry, analysts say

At the February 8 Pandesal Forum with media at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City, it was the consensus of various geopolitics and economics analysts that President Rody Duterte’s independent foreign policy of balancing Philippine diplomacy with a pivot to Russia and China has numerous strategic and socio-economic benefits, and it safeguards the country from the danger of a possible nuclear attack during a conflict between rival superpowers.

            The analysts said that not only has this reform in foreign policy direction gained new trading partners and allies such as the world’s second largest economy China and energy superpower Russia, Duterte’s independent foreign policy has gained record-high economic gains from traditional ally Japan and also expected to boost USA’s traditional ties with the Philippines under new President Donald Trump.

            The geopolitics and economics experts who shared their multi-disciplinary analyses were General Victor Corpus, former Senator Francisco Tatad, former Undersecretary Butch Valdes, analyst Rod Kapunan, ex-diplomat Ado Pagkalinawan, Catholic University of Louvain graduate and strategic analyst Celso Cainglet, Phil-Brics Strategic Studies, Inc. founder Herman T. Laurel, and the Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI) director, Wharton-educated economist and geopolitics analyst George T. Siy.

            The experts said that an independent foreign policy is mandated in the Philippine constitution, that President Duterte is the only Philippine leader in modern times to have upheld this policy not only in terms of balanced and pragmatic diplomacy to make the country an equidistant friend of all major powers, this policy also seeks to uphold the all-important goal of economic sovereignty.

            The analysts said that President Duterte’s reform of seeking neutrality of the Philippines with regards to the strategic rivalry and possible military conflict between the big powers USA and China, USA and Russia will ensure the long-term safety of the Philippines from any nuclear attack by the powers, in the same way most Asean countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and others are not militarily tied up with or strategically beholden to any of the major powers.  

            The analysts said the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the U.S. was signed in 1951 at the height of the Cold War between the capitalist countries and Communist countries, but the world has changed a lot since then and the Cold War ended in 1991, but the country’s leaders had failed to renegotiate the Mutual Defense Treaty and to reform Philippine foreign policy directions.

            The experts said that in March 2015 at the highest point of the tensions over the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea controversy the SWS conducted a survey of the Filipino public sentiment over the prospect of armed conflict between the Philippines and China. The survey showed that 84% of the Filipino public were “worried” about armed conflict with China and half of the people were “worried a great deal”. This is the wisdom of the Filipino people speaking, a sentiment President Rodrigo R. Duterte respects.

            In September 2016 President Duterte set the new pro-Philippines direction, “We will observe and I must insist – I repeat, I must insist – on the time honored principles of sovereign equality, non-interferen ce and commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes to best serve our people…”

            President Duterte launched the Philippines’ Independent Foreign Policy (IFP) with uniquely Filipino characteristics, re-opening bilateral dialogue with China which immediately bagged $ 25-Billion of investments, soft loans and assistance from China, boosted tourism and agricultural exports.

China’s initiative and prompted other other competing countries such as Japan playing to play catch up and offering $ 19-Billion of its own funding and support to the Philippines. President Duterte’s IFP has also opened the huge potential markets of Russia for Philippine agricultural exports and imports of 4-million barrels of cheaper Iranian oil.

            The normalization of ancient close ties with China also brings the Philippines a special seat on the gigantic 21^st Century “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR) project of infrastructure, communication, innovation and trade links that cross from Asia to Europe and back to Asia via the sea, and the Philippines offers the unique prospect of making that New Silk Road circumnavigate the global as OBOR’s eastern hub to the Pacific.

            The experts at the Pandesal Forum said that the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule was an entrepot between the robust China trade with Mexico, Spain and Europe via the fabled “Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade”, that the new independent foreign policy of President Duterte can revive this strategic trade importance of the Philippines via the China-led trans-continental “One Belt, One Road” project.  

            As part of efforts to diversify sources of economic support, the Philippines’ new independent foreign policy reform can also help expand the country’s source of huge infrastructure development funding through the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure International Bank (AIIB) of which even many USA allies Canada, South Korea and Germany are also already founding members.

            Most important of all is the crucial emerging role the Philippines now plays under President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the Pivot for Peace in the Asia-Pacific, being the fulcrum for the balance-of-power in a Multi-Polar World, especially this year 2017 when the Philippines is assuming the role as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Kamuning Bakery opens at SM North Edsa, 1st branch in 77 years

Quezon City’s pioneer and iconic bakery Kamuning Bakery Café has opened a new branch on December 23 at SM City North Edsa’s East Bridgeway, 2^nd floor, this is its first ever branch in its colorful 77 years history.

Founded in 1939 upon the invitation of Quezon City co-founder the media tycoon Don Alejandro Roces, Kamuning Bakery Café’s founder was Atty. Leticia “Letty” Bonifacio Javier, it was bought and revived in 2014 by writer and realty entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores.  

Kamuning Bakery Café has steadfastly continued its unique pugon-style, artisanal, no-preservatives, all hand-made and Filipino/Spanish baking traditions.

Since September 2015, Kamuning Bakery Café has also hosted the non-partisan “Pandesal Forum” where leaders and newsmakers dialogue with media and intellectuals over pugon-baked breads and excellent Philippine coffee

. History of Kamuning Bakery Cafe with intellectuals, artists & reform stalwarts: Kamuning Bakery was founded in 1939 as Quezon City’s first bakery by Atty. Leticia “Letty” Bonifacio Javier and her husband Lt. Marcelo Javier (who died fighting the Japanese invaders of World War II in the Battle of Manila). It was acquired and revived in December 2013 by writer, history buff and realty entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores, he restored the old cafe on March 20, 2015. Kamuning Bakery Cafe continues its artisanal and pugon or wood-fired brick oven baking.

Among its many colorful clients include pre-war media tycoon Don Alejandro Roces who facilitated sale of gov’t. land in 1939 at 50 centavos per square meter, his son the newspaper publisher & activist Joaquin “Chino” Roces, press freedom stalwart U.P. Dean Armando Malay, the late President Cory C. Aquino, national artists like Nick Joaquin and Levi Celerio, many showbiz celebrities, to a public school student who used to walk here to buy pugon-baked breads and is now the first female Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Filinvest Land Unvails Vinia Residences

Live a better life at Filinvest Vinia Residences

Filinvest Land, Inc.  (FLI)  in its commitment to building the Filipino dream across the country – now offers you its newest Vinia Residences + Versaflats. A nature-inspired infusion, stylish, and contemporary-designed residential community with Versatile flats perfect for professionals who want to work in the comfort of their homes.

Filinvest’s Vinia Residences is a 25-storey mixed-use development that gives you more than what you pay for. Built under the high-rise category of Filinvest property brand, Vinia Residences features nature-inspired, vibrant and versatile homes located at the city’s booming business district you have always wanted for you and your family.

Ultimate Convenience and Accessibility at the Center of Quezon City

Vinia’s perfect location in Quezon City is surrounded with over 50,000 retail establishments, and more than 15 universities and colleges. QC is now considered as an emerging business district. This high-rise development is definitely where all roads lead to. Here, you can experience all around living going around the metro for anything be it work, school, leisure, or shopping with Vinia's close proximity to the MRT network.

Fine amenities

There are sky pavilion, sky lounge, & a fitness studio that will give you a vibrant feel every day. It also gives you a great spot where you can spend quality time with your loved ones. You may also take a dip in the infinity pool whenever you want – all these at the comfort of Vinia Residences.

Versatility of Options

Indeed, home is where the heart is, and Filinvest makes sure that Vinia Residences has passed the standards to provide home buyers with prime condo living with efficiently-planned units to let you unwind in comfort. You can choose from Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom cut with well-maximized space that offer more rooms for a growing family. These units could turn into Versaflats or home-office units as an option. It also features pocket gardens, garden walls and a sky park to bring residents closer to nature.

Filinvest also shares the same value you have for your home. It has a dedicated property management team that oversees the quality, maintenance, and security of the whole development with 24/7 CCTV and elevator keycard access system.

In celebration of its new milestone, Vinia Residences recently staged Symphony of Lights for its Tower Unveiling at the Vinia’s project site located at EDSA, Brgy. South Philam, Quezon City. The event gave a preview of the modern lifestyle this nature-inspired high-rise condo embodies.

Built on the Gotianun tradition of integrity, quality and service, Filinvest is one of the most-trusted real estate developers in the country with a diverse property portfolio catering to all markets. Filinvest strives to fulfill every Filipino’s dream of owning a home, all over the Philippines. 

For more information, you can contact (02) 850-0888, (0917) 877-0888 or log on to www.filinvest.com.ph or follow on social media: www.facebook.com/FilinvestGroup  and www.twitter.com/filinvest 

Quezon City Monument Turns Orange

Quezon City will “Orange” its symbolic icon – the Quezon City Monument, reflecting orange lights every evening from November 25 to December 12. The city stands one with the United Nations Women (UN Women) and the rest of the nation during the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women.

This year the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, or UN Women, aims to highlight the issue of street harassment and all forms of sexual violence that women experience as they move about in the city – using public transport, lining up in terminals, going to markets/malls, and even just walking home in their own neighborhoods.

Whether due to shame or fear, women traditionally ignore and keep silent about catcalls, stalking, repeated harassment for their numbers, male public exposure, rubbing or groping (panghihipo) inside the MRT/ jeepneys, even bearing indecent language being yelled at them by men as they walk by.

This is why the Quezon City government has partnered with UN Women to implement the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative. QC is the first city in Metro Manila to join over 24 cities around the world in the programme to stop street harassment and sexual violence against women in public spaces with the support of the Spanish Cooperation for International Development (AECID).

During this period, UN Women also launches the hashtag #FreeFromFear as part of the social media campaign to raise awareness that all women have the right to be free from violence AND to be free from fear of violence as they go to work, school, participate in recreation and community life, and enjoy public spaces.

Their Facebook page features a photo blog and testimonies of women in Metro Manila who have experienced street harassment, a celebrity ‘fan sign’ collage, a community poll, and many more resources on preventing and responding to sexual harassment and violence against women in public spaces.

 Visit the page and join the Quezon City government and UN Women in their call – We want Safe Cities where Women are #FreeFromFear!

Calata Corp Guns to Break Guinness Record with ‘Lechon Party’

Calata Corporation, one of the biggest agribusiness conglomerates in the country, is mounting a grand “Lechon Party” for the less privileged residents of Metro Manila in its bid to break the record for largest serving of roast pork. The Lechon Party is set to happen on November 8, 2015, 4:00 pm at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Memorial Circle, Quezon City, in celebration of Calata Corporation’s 16th anniversary, and as an early Christmas gift to the less fortunate residents of the Metro.  More than just a celebratory feast, the event also aims to make history by hitting a Guinness World Record on the largest serving of roast pork. Currently, Mexico holds this record where they served 3,094.2 kilos of cochinita pibil, a popular roast pork dish in Yucatan region in 2010.  Calata Corporation will try to top the record by serving 5,000 kilos of the country’s well-loved version of roast pork – the lechon.  

“This year, we will celebrate our 16 successful years in the business by giving back to the community instead of having a lavish party. We also hope to make a momentous occasion for the Philippines by aspiring to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest serving of lechon’,” shares Joseph Calata, Chairman and CEO of Calata Corporation.

Calata Corporation is the largest retailer and distributor of top agrochemical brands, feeds, fertilizers, veterinary medicines and seeds throughout the country. Calata Corporation also owns and operates a chain of retail stores named AGRI, the largest retailer of the country’s choice brands such as AGRI Crop Protection, Heisenberg veterinary medicines, Thomson and Hine, as well as Ivansmith agrochemicals. Calata Corporation’s “Lechon Party” reflects how much the company values achievement, success, gratitude and kinship.  Indeed, it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season by sharing their blessings with the less privileged and gathering family and friends.

King Bee - If You're looking for a Chinese Restaurant in Commonwealth Avenue

This may sound a little weird for me. Why?! I don't know, is this the father of the known fast food chain? Or maybe not. Well, what I can say is I got definitely full from dining in this great Chinese Restaurant, so if chinese food is what you're craving for and your near their place then you can definitely check them out. What we tried was their Commonwealth Avenue Branch in Quezon City.



I get to taste good food in there, we had Jasmine Tea, Cold Cut sampler (pork asado, century egg, seaweed etc.)  Mixed Seafood with Polonchay Soup, Seafood Hofan Noodles, Shredded Beef Tenderloin in Sliced mango, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Sautéed Prawn Balls in Salted Egg(personal favorite),  Lechon Macau, King Bee Fried Chicken and a Fruit Platter. and just like what I always say on my food review post, I'm a carnivore so I obviously didn't try the Fruit Platter.

And my assesment for the above menu, except for the fruit platter that I did not try everything is a must have and probably you can have all especially if you're in for a party or a treat. At this time they have branches in Fisher Mall, E. Rodriguez, Las Piñas, Laguna, Antipolo, Cavite, and Gen. Trias

You can also check their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/King-Bee-Chinese-Food

Kamuning Bakery Has Rich 'Tinapay' History since 1930's

Not really new thing, by this time there are already a lot of write-ups and things you can know about this historic bakery. I was able to watch this bakery being featured in television in which I can't remember anymore but Im pretty sure it was more than once..definitely more than once. Finally I was fortunate to be able to visit this place and check on what I can see and of course can taste. 

Looks like a normal neighborhood bakery but interestingly people keeps on coming all over from different places. Well, don't be fooled. For after knowing what this bakery was and still is will make you proud to set foot to it - there are so many like these kinds of bakery anymore. Old School kind of thing, somehow when I tried their Pandesal my childhood flashed back in my head, scenes of what our breakfast table had everyday and I was lucky to have similar bakery near our house on the other part of Quezon City. 

Old school style - I admire the new owner a newspaper lifestyle/business columnist Wilson Lee Flores for retaining the original flavor and process of bread making and this bakery was able to have loyal clientele over decades of operation 43 Judge Jimenez St., Brgy. Kamuning and you will appreciate it even more because the prices of the breads that they are making matches the prices of the other bakeries even if the production time for Kamuning Bakery's bread is longer and requires more effort.

Ambiance for me is pretty okay, you can have your friends chill out just like a local coffee shop but the coffee will be just like what probably also have at home but the sweetener will be a condense milk. And when you tour around you can see some of the pictures of the famous people that have been there, and I'm not only talking about celebrities but people in history as well. President Manuel L. Quezon use to buy bread here all the time, same as the late President Cory Aquino. 

You may recognize some of the pictures that I took from the wall inside the air-conditioned room that they have, although those are not all the famous people who visited and liked the bakery back then(there were no selfies back when other celebs and politicians visited the place a few decades ago), and more familiar names are coming in and you can see it on there facebook wall as well.

Pan de Suelo, a favorite of President Cory. “This kind of bread requires a special skill to bake,” “It is cooked on the oven’s floor and the heat is circulated equally to ensure it is cooked perfectly.” Their bread is baked in a wood-fired oven, which gives the products a distinct flavor.

If you would like to visit you can go to 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Kamuning, Quezon City. Tels: 9292216, 7945045, 09175202756, 09228321888, 09178481818

You can also check https://www.facebook.com/kamuningbakery1939