Last week, a couple of Filipinos made an impression at the recently concluded Asian Film Awards held at the Dancing Water Theatre in Macau, China.

For starters, our very own Eugene Domingo stood alongside some of Asia’s cinematic superstars as she was one of the presenters during the event. And on top of that, she was also nominated for a best actress award for her role in Barber’s Tales. And although the award for best actress was snagged by Zhang Ziyi for the film The Grandmaster, Eugene Domingo joined the audience in congratulating Ziyi’s win.

The Filipino-related film Ilo Ilo’s Yeo Yann Yann also took the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the said film. The movie is based on the story of a Singaporean family’s relationship with a Filipina maid, played by Filipina actress Angeli Bayani.

The Complete Awards list are as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
• Best Film: The Grandmaster
• Best Director: Wong Kar-wai, The Grandmaster
• Best Actor: Irrfan Khan, The Lunchbox
• Best Actress: Zhang Ziyi, The Grandmaster
• Best Newcomer: Jiang Shuying, So Young
• Best Supporting Actor: Huang Bo, No Man’s Land
• Best supporting actress: Yeo Yann Yann, Ilo Ilo
• Best Screenwriter: Ritesh Batra, The Lunchbox
• Best Cinematographer: Philippe Le Sourd, The Grandmaster
• Best Production Designer: William Chang Suk Ping, Alfred Yau Wai Ming, The Grandmaster
• Best Composer: Nathaniel Mechaly, Umebayashi Shigeru, The Grandmaster
• Best Editor: Shin Min-kyung, Cold Eyes
• Best Visual Effects: Jung Sung-jin, Mr Go
• Best Costume designer: William Chang Suk Ping, The Grandmaster

Property developer Ortigas & Company is set to celebrate their 82^nd anniversary as well as the launch of their most recent project – Capitol Commons by hosting a month-long festival that showcases world-class Filipino acts back to the local stage starting May 25 until June 15.

The first part of the series of events started off last Saturday, June 1 with an art exhibit that showcased Filipino paintings and sculptures. Artworks featured in the show include traditional subjects and forms to modern statement pieces.

On the other hand, home experts will be the focus of the upcoming event this Saturday, June 8. The event will start at 6pm and will feature chefs Claude Tayag and Vicky Pacheco as the reveal their secrets for being kitchen superstars with a special demo. There will also be an exhibit of beautifully designed contemporary Filipino furniture by world-class designer Kenneth Cobonpue during the event.

To cap of the month long celebration, there will be a fashion show on the 15^th featuring the hottest names in fashion including Michael Cinco, Amina Aranaz, Herbert Custodio, Roel Rosal and Albert Andrada.

Mercato Centrale will organize a food market featuring different gustatory delights. All events are free and open to the public.

About Capital Commons:

Capital Commons is the newest urban destination in the southern part of Ortigas Center. It is located at Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard. Capitol Commons stands at the former site of the Rizal Provincial Capitol and can be accessed via Shaw Boulevard, and via Capt. H. Javier Street near ULTRA and Valle Verde Country Club.

The 10-hectare mixed-used development will feature posh retail establishments, state-of-the-art office space, modern living units, and a full range of amenities. Fifty percent of the development’s total area will be dedicated to wide, open spaces, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and enjoyment.

For more information, you can visit the developer’s website at www.ortigas.com.ph or call 401-3332.

For someone who has never visited a Pancake House store, one would assume that this restaurant only serves Pancakes and other types of desserts to its customers.  But in reality, Pancake house is more than just pancakes and waffles and one might be surprised by the amount of variety that these restaurant has in terms of the food they serve.

So when my friends and I visited one of their branches, we were just as surprised to see that they have a lot of dishes to offer. However, having a diverse menu isn’t everything when you’re looking for the best dining experience. So to justify whether or not Pancake House makes the cut as one of the best places to eat in the city, here’s a quick review of our dining experience.

AMBIANCE

The environment inside Pancake House’s store is very typical of most restaurant and fast food chains in the country. It’s not that fancy but it doesn’t look cheap either. The walls are colored orange making the dining experience quite lively and energetic. Customers can choose if they want to sit on couches or the usual metal chairs.

Lighting inside the store is also quite good. The branch we visited employed soft and warm lighting as opposed to the bright lights used by most fast food chains, which gives the place a very cosy and relaxing feel. Most of the time, there is also music playing in the background that adds to the place’s homy vibe.

FOOD

As stated earlier, Pancake House offers more than just pancakes and other pastries. A close look at their menu, one can find an assortment of pasta, rice meals and sandwiches. Serving size for pasta is adequate given the prize of each meal. For sandwiches, on the other hand are also quite generously served and are served warm to touch.

The taste of the food is also okay. And when I say okay, I mean the taste of the food is good enough to satisfy your hunger but it’s not the kind of unforgettable food you would want to order again and again each time you eat at that restaurant.

Of course, there’s a reason why the restaurant is named Pancake House. And this is because the star of their menu – their pancakes are superb. The pancake dishes on their menu are served hot probably straight from the pans they were cooked on. They have a healthy serving of 2-3 pieces of pancakes per order and is drizzled with the syrup of your choice topped with a scoop of ice cream.

SERVICE

Customer service for Pancake House can be rated as average. The serving time of most of their dishes are at par with the serving time of other restaurants at the same price level. There weren’t any issues we encountered when we ate there. The tableware that the restaurant uses was all clean and are in good condition. 

Tables and chairs were clean and are cleared a few minutes after a customer leaves. The store’s restroom is also surprisingly well maintained. The only thing that I wish would have been improved is the staff’s lack of initiative to pay close attention to their customer’s needs. During our visit at their branch in SM Megamall, we had to call the staff’s attention twice before they approached us to see what we need.

In my opinion, a restaurant that charges their customers at the rate the same as Pancake House should see the needs of their customers in a timelier manner in contrast to other restaurants that charge cheaper.

VERDICT

In general, our Pancake House dining experience was really good. There weren’t a lot of negative instances that made us unhappy. However, there weren’t also a lot of good things that we saw that made our visit exceptionally pleasant. Instead it was quite okay – hmmm, just okay.

With all points taken, I can recommend Pancake house to those looking for that dining experience with a western flavour. If you’re a fan of pasta, club sandwiches and pastries, this restaurant is your best bet in getting all your favourite dishes in one roof with a budget of under P1,000 for two people. So if you’re tired of eating at Pizza Hut, S’barro or Banaple, you might want to try Pancake House for a change J

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Sizzling plates have long been the territory of a favourite Filipino food – the sisig. But nowadays, the sizzling plate has become the home of other dishes other than sisig that are now slowly becoming an enjoyable food experience by providing foodies with a unique way of eating meals that are not commonly served on a hot plate.

One restaurant that capitalized on this way of serving food is Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak. The brand is part of the Pancake House group of restaurants and already has several branches in and around the metro. We recently had an opportunity to drop by their store and give their menu a try. And here’s what we have to say about the entirety of their products and services. So if you’re planning to dine in one of their stores, here are a few things you can expect.

AMBIANCE

We visited the Glorietta 5 branch of Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak and the overall look and feel of the restaurant exudes that of a middle class environment. The chairs are well built, all the dining wares are well maintained and the store was properly lit. The store in Glorietta 5 has both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating features wooden tables and benches lined with cushions while the store’s outdoor section has wooden tables and red plastic chairs with back support.

There’s a television screen inside the store that displays ads and other promotional materials for the restaurant. Each table in the store has its own set of condiments which include a pair of salt and pepper shaker and if I’m not mistaken a bottle of vinegar and soy sauce.

Lastly, a unique item on SPS’s tables is the MOO flip card. Each table has a card stand that features two cow-head shaped cards. One side of the cards are coloured red and states “Moo” while the other sides are coloured green and states “Go”. Customers can use this card to let the staff know when they need something by simply flipping the card stand to show the green side of the card.

FOOD

As the name of the restaurant suggests, almost every part of the menu, especially the entrée is composed of meals that are served in sizzling plates. Most of the items on the menu are served half cooked and customers may need to cook them thoroughly on their own by mixing or flipping components of the dish to cook it to one’s preference.

Eggs and specific meat dishes may be served this way. Furthermore, paper guards are placed on the sizzling plate to protect the customer from sauces and meat juices that sizzle with the heat of the hot plate. Sauces are also served together with your orders.

Serving time is adequate and customers may have to wait for about 10-15 minutes for food to be served. If you’re ordering dessert, you can ask the staff to serve the dessert later until you’re finished with the main course. Serving size is quite generous though, one serving of one of their signature sizzling plate dishes can easily provide satisfaction to ordinary customers.

And in terms of taste, the food is actually tastes good; you just have to be careful in eating as you can burn your mouth or your tongue if you try to eat without allowing the food to cool down. Moreover, the hot plates can sometimes become really crowded and customers may end up spilling a lot of food when they’re trying to eat.

SERVICE AND PRICE

Customer service is quite okay with Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak. The staff of the restaurant was very quick in addressing any needs we had whenever we flipped the moo card. Service time was very quick and they were very accommodating.

Price is a little bit higher compared to common fast food chains. Prices of their signature pepper rice dishes are around P200+; so for those looking for a very cheap way to satisfy their hunger, SPS might not be the best place to do it. But for those who are looking for a different way to dine and would want to stay away from the usual pasta, burger, fried chicken, pizza or fries that most fast food chain offer, then SPS would definitely give you something different for a change.

So there you go guys. Have you been to a Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak store in the past? Tell us you experience by leaving a comment below. You can also find TFL on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and GooglePlus. You can also subscribe to TFL’s RSS feeds for more of the latest stories about Filipino living.

Flips flops have always been the favorite footwear of a lot of Pinoys. They’re very comfortable, very convenient to use and their more affordable than shoes and other types of footwear. But over the course of time, flip flops have evolved from its humble beginnings and become a fashion statement for most people. There are now different brands and styles of flip flops that appeal to different ages and people with different preferences that it can sometimes be a difficult choice on which pair of flip flops to get. So I’ve listed a few of the most popular brands in the market to help you in finding that awesome pair of slippers.

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MOST POPULAR: Havianas

Havaianas is one of the most popular brands of flip flops in the Philippines today. In the past, it has mostly associated as a high-end brand of slippers that has a history of being durable and at most stylish thanks to the numerous designs that the company has released since its rise to popularity.

There are even certain designs that were meant to coincide with certain events such as their UAAP collection that features design elements inspired by the different universities associated with the sports organization. And on top of that, Havaianas has released a number of slipper designs that have rubber add-ons like butterflies, letters and other small trinkets.

MOST COMFORTABLE: Crocs

Crocs is another high-end brand enjoyed by a lot of Filipinos today. Their popularity is mostly attributed to the comfort they bring to consumers. Yes, they’re not really the most stylish pair of slippers in the market but they are oh so comfortable to wear. The bulgy tip of the classic crocs slippers actually makes it more like a half-shoe rather than a pair of slippers.

But nevertheless, Crocs have made variations in their line that provides more style compared to the first generation of slippers they’ve come up with.

MOST ORGANIC LOOKING: Sanuk

For those looking for a more relaxed look and a more organic feel, a nice option would be to get a pair of Sanuk slippers. Unlike those from Crocs and Havianas, Sanuk slippers are usually made from synthetic fiber or some sort of woven material. This gives the brand a name for providing consumers with a very light and comfortable walking experience.

Sanuk slippers also use high quality rubber making them quite durable. Moreover, unlike the brightly colored footwear from Havaianas and Crocs, those from Sanuk mostly uses neutral colors such as brown, beige, cream or black which makes it perfect to wear if you’re that person who doesn’t want too much attention.

MOST POSH: Birkenstock

Birkenstock is probably one of the oldest flip flops brand I can remember. They have been with us for more than a decade and has been the brand of choice for high end consumers looking for a pair of slippers for that laid back event/occasion or just a comfortable weekend at home.

Birkenstocks are usually made from high quality rubber and leather. This combination allows for consumers to experience the durability and weather resistance of leather and at the same time give consumers the premium feel provided by leather, which is the reason why Birkenstock can charge premium prices for their products.

MOST SPORTY: Nike

Another old brand that has a notable line of flip flops is Nike. Nike is one of the biggest brands in the world that provides products for individuals with an active lifestyle. Their product line includes apparel for both men and women, and even accessories for electronic gadgets.

But Nike’s most profitable and most well-known product is of course foot wear. Their name is almost synonymous with shoes from every type of sport known worldwide, which includes basketball, golf and soccer. So it’s not surprising that they have also come up with their own line of flip flops. And just like their shoe line, Nike has different products to cater for different individuals involved in different forms of activities.

And with Nike’s history and proven track record gives their line of flip flops consumers are guaranteed with a product that is both stylish and yet sporty enough to match their active livestyle.

MOST AFFORDABLE: Islander

Islander is the only Filipino brand to make it on our list. Unlike other less known local brands of flip flops in the country today, Islander provides its patrons with a very comfortable product without the premium price tag offered by foreign brands.

Islander slippers are made from high quality thick rubber for its sole and synthetic fibers woven together for its strap. It is extremely affordable with a price tag that will not exceed P200, it is almost 80-90% lower compared to the other names on our list.

OTHER NOTABLE BRANDS

Aside from the ones we’ve mentioned above, there are also quite a number of brands that consumers can try out if they’re still not satisfied with the quality or the price of the options we’ve presented above. One brand that you can consider is Ipanema which is a direct rival or Havaianas but with a slightly less popular name. If you’re looking for a pair of flip flops that is out of the ordinary, then Ipanema is one of your best options.

For those on a tight budget, the super affordable line of slippers from Planet can definitely save you in terms of budget. Although there’s a tradeoff between quality and price, each pair costs around P100-P150 which makes it really cheap.

There are also therapeutic and contoured types of flip flop, such as Reva, that you can opt for if you’re looking for the most comfortable walking experience that a mid-range budget could afford.  Reva for instance would cost close to P1000 but may offer more comfort compared to a havaianas.

Lastly, consumers can opt for flip flops that are branded by clothing labels. Popular RTW boutiques such as Bench, Penshoppe and Levi’s among other sell their own line of slippers. If you’re very loyal to a specific brand, these kinds of products may appeal most to you.

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So there you have it. What’s your flip flop of choice? Do tell us by leaving a comment below. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus. You can also subscribe to our blog using our RSSFeeds for other Filipino lifestyle stories about technology, fashion, fashion, food, beauty and travel.

Travelling has been one of the most popular activities that a lot of Filipinos enjoy these days. But there’s one very crucial thing that comes with travelling that a lot of people are oftentimes having trouble with – packing. For most people, it would seem that packing stuff would be very easy as shoving clothes and other items in your bag. But of course in reality, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

If you’re travelling by plane, this would be more difficult due to luggage limitations. And if you’re travelling by bus or van, hauling a giant bag in your lap is really not that convenient, right? So having said this, it is very important to pack the right stuff in the right amount whenever you’re going on an out of town trip. So to help you guys out, the next time you set off on a trip, here are a few tips on how to travel lighter and more efficiently.

1.) Arrange your clothes in rolls. Rolling your clothes and arranging them neatly in your bag helps a lot by not only making more room inside your bag but it also makes it really convenient to check things on the last minute as one would easily see all the items in your bag using this arrangement. It’s also easier to compact things when clothes are rolled in contrast when they’re just laid flat.

2.) Use a shammy cloth towel. If you’re not sure whether the hotel or resort you’re going to offers bath towels as standard or you’re not just comfortable using towels other than your own, then bringing a bath towel is not an option. However, bath towels are quite large and heavy. It also takes a large amount of space in your bag, space which can be used to store other things. So if you really need to bring your own towel, try bringing a shammy cloth towel instead. It takes half the space and absorbs the same amount of water.

3.) Use the proper bag. Having a nice system of organizing your stuff is not enough to make your travel lighter. Having the right bag to put all your things plays a pivotal role in order to keep your package light. For me, the best travel bag is always a backpack. Backpacks balance the weight of its contents between your shoulders making it easier to carry. It is also nice if you bag would have several compartments and pockets to store your various gadgets and trinkets. Additional storage would also help getting things organized and most of the times more accessible.

4.) Bring only what you need. The excitement of going on a place you haven’t been before can cause anyone to overestimate a lot of things. And this is also true when it comes to packing. Even though you’re very excited, always keep in mind to bring only the things that you will need. If you’re going on a 5-day trip, bring only things that you will need for the duration of your trip.

5.)Plan ahead of time. Cramming is possibly be a travellers worst enemy. A hap-hazard, last minute packing things would increase the chance of a person over pack or worse, forget something. So it’s always advisable to plan things ahead of time so you can sort things out, packing only the things that are necessary and choosing the right equipment to haul all your stuff.

So I hope this post was able to help you out whenever you plan to go out of town. Do you have other suggestions on how to pack lighter when travelling? Do tell us by leaving a comment below. You can also drop a line on TFL’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus accounts. You can also subscribe to TFL using this link.

Action movies have long been part of the movie industry. However, in recent years, there have been a number of action films that feature women as lead roles. These so-called Femme Fatales have grown in number since the women of the original Charlie’s Angels blew the crowd with their jumps, punches and high kicks. Moreover, the roles reserved for these feisty women are no longer that or heroines but also as villains, secret agents and assassins.

Here are some of the fiercest women in Hollywood that can really literally kick some a$s and have long fascinated Filipino audiences.

Angelina Jolie – Angelina Jolie has starred in numerous action packed roles in the past few years including the movie adaptation of the hit video game series, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the Russian assassin in Evelyn Salt in SALT, and of course in the 2005 romantic comedy action film with real life husband Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Jennifer Garner – Jennifer Garner’s another Hollywood star with femme fatale roles. Her first was in the TV series Alias, which gave her a name as a sultry yet deadly secret agent. She then moved to the big screen with her roles in other action movies like Elektra and Daredevil.

Zoe Saldana – Zoe Saldana might not be as bright a star as Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Garner but she was exceptionally awesome in the 2011 action film – Colombiana as Cataleya Restrepo. In the movie, she plays a professional assassin torn between doing her job and her family.

Lucy Lawless – She’s Xena the warrior princess and became very popular in the 90s with her famous battle cry.  She also appeard in other TV series like Battlestar Galactica, Spartacus: Vengeance, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. And on top of that, she also has a career in singing and in theatre.

Maggie Q – Margaret Denise Quigley more populary known as Maggie Q plays the lead role in CW’s espionage drama thriller series Nikita. Aside from her starring role in Nikita, Maggie Q has also appeared in several action packed films like Naked Weapon, Mission: Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard. She has also appeared in the video game franchise Need for Speed, specifically in the Need for Speed: Undercover game.

 




Milla Jovovich - Another famous name in the field of kick-butt women is American model and actress Milla Jovovich. Her most famous femme fatale role would be her character as Alice in the highly successful Resident Evil movie franchise. Aside from being an actress, Jovovich is also a recording artist and a fashion designer.

Kate Beckinsale  - Kate Beckinsale is an English actress who have starred in different movies from different genres. She has appeared on comedy and drama roles alongside other notable actors such as John Cusack, Adam Sandler and Ben Afleck to name a few. Moreover, she has played a number of heroine roles in various titles including Van Helsing and Total Recall. Her most famous femme fatale role was her character as Selene in the Underworld movie series.

Most Pinoys nowadays are frequent travellers. The popularization of seat sales in airline companies as well as improved routes of transformation has made travelling to a lot of easier compared ten years ago. But of course, we Filipinos are more of a muncher than a traveller. So whenever we go out and about exploring the world, we always like to bring some food to eat to past the time or to just fill an empty stomach.

So what are the most popular chichas for Filipinos on the go? If you’re planning for an out of town trip, an adventure trip or you’re just plain hungry, here are a few snacks you might want to consider bringing the next time you want to go Dora the Explorer.

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Peanuts – Peanuts are probably one of the best knick-knacks to bring whenever travelling. They’re very easy to stash in your bag. Peanuts can be bought from supermarkets as packed snacks with different variants and flavors or be bought from vendors in bus stations or sidewalks.

If you’re buying from sidewalk vendors, you can either get a steamed peanut (shells included) or a fried version with two variants. One with the skin (the brown coating found on peanut seeds) or the one without which is known locally as the hubad na mani.

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Chips – Another snack favorite for people on the go are chips. Chips are readily available in most supermarket and even in sari-sari stores so getting them is a piece of cake. The most common chips are those from Jack N’Jill, Oishi and Regent. For the more posh traveller, there are a variety of imported chips you can choose from including Lays, Pringles and Doritos.

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Pugo (Quail Eggs) – Although not really something that’s easy to eat on the road, quail eggs or pugo have long been a favorite for travellers all over the country. They are usually sold in small plastic bags with a small amount of salt included. Each pack contains around 4-5 pieces of quail eggs and costs around 20 pesos per pack.

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Corn (Cornick or fresh corn) – Another favorite snack in buses and trains is corn. Whether in the form of deep fried corn bits or steamed corn on the cob, you can see corn snacks sold in bus and train stations and even sold by vendors in bus stop overs.

If you love the steamed corn on the cob, do take note that there are buses that do not allow passengers to eat this while on the bus. This is because they can be quite messy to eat at times and can’t leave an unpleasant smell if you leave them on plastic for a considerable amount of time.

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Biscuits/crackers – Last but definitely not the least are biscuits and crackers. They’re very cheap and very reliable when it comes to satisfying a hungry stomach. There is a diverse list of choices such as plain crackers, cream filled biscuits, jelly-filled biscuits and flavored crackers to name a few.

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So there you have it guys! Which is your best buddy whenever you’re travelling? Please tell us by leaving a comment below. And please, don’t forget to add TFL on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus and subscribe to their feed for more Filipino lifestyle stories.