World Barista Champion Hidenori Izaki visits Manila for the Latte Art Throwdown

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World Barista Champion 2014 Hidenori Izaki recently visited the Philippines to judge the Latte Art Throwdown held at the Coffee Project in Macapagal Blvd, Pasay City. 

The Latte Art Throwdown Competition gathered baristas from all over the country showed their creativity and passion for coffee. The event was participated by different baristas from different coffee shops all over the country. This includes some baristas from Coffee Project, Starbucks, Figaro, Krispy Kreme, Toby's Estate and from others companies.

Hosted by TV personality and foodie Xandra Rocha,  and the panel of judges includes celebrity former MTV VJ and actress and now a food blogger Donita Rose, Chefs Jackie and Rolando Laudico and Silvester “Sly” Samonte and Hidenori Izaki will choose the winner in the final round. 

The winner for the Latte Art Throwdown is Andy Abergas Luyugoy of Toby's Estate Philippines bring home his very own Espresso machine and bunch of supplies from sponsors.

The Latte Art Throwdown was sponsored by Allegro Beverage, Victoria Arduino espresso machines, Jolly Cow Fresh Milk, Lotus Biscoff, and Coffee Project.

Before the competition started, the first ever Asian to win the premiere global barista competition from 60 countries, Hidenori shared his experiences and his journey how he became a barista! "I kept competing as I am completely obsessed with [barista] competitions and attracted to how beautiful the coffee community is,” he said.

Hidenori founded the ​Samurai Coffee Experience​, a global coffee consulting company where he travels more than 200 days a year all over the world to educate people about coffee, conduct consultancy, professional barista training, coffee roasting and product development. On top of that, he also serves as a technical consultant for an espresso machinery company.

As Hidenori started his coffee journey and honed his skills with Maruyama Coffee, a cafe chain and roasting company known worldwide for buying top auction lots of coffee, especially Cup of Excellence premium varieties. Maruyama is one of the most dominant coffee companies in the world, having won the Japanese Barista Championship for 5 straight years.

Before going into barista competitions, Hidenori had his fair share of ups and downs. He was in and out of school, he also studied in England when he finally realized that he would need a formal education to thrive. During his time abroad, he was able to learn the English language while interacting with people from different backgrounds. All his experiences both in Japan and abroad made him culturally-diverse, strong-willed and a passionate barista with an immeasurable thirst for coffee knowledge.

This made him confident to compete on the center stage of the barista world which requires not only coffee mastery but also great communication and rapport with the judges and the audience. “I was sure that I could communicate with people from different backgrounds and [it] helped me so much to get a more diverse point of view for who I am,” he shared while recounting how and why he decided to join the competition.

After two years of joining the said competition, he won and received the coveted World Barista Champion title in 2014 in Rimini, Italy.

“Hidenori opened the doors for many aspiring Asian baristas who compete in the global competitions. And that includes our very own Silvester Samonte who will compete later this year in Korea,” said Allegro Beverage Corporation president, Leo de Leon. Allegro is the preferred end-to-end coffee solutions provider in restaurants, hotel chains, and third wave coffee shops in the country. It is the exclusive distributor of world class espresso machines like the Victoria Arduino which is used during the World Barista Championships.

 Leo de Leon, Allegro Beverage Corporation president

In partnership with Nuova Simonelli, the leading manufacturer of espresso machines used in the competition, Fly Ace Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Lotus Biscoff biscuits and Jolly Cow Fresh Milk, and Coffee Project, the newest cozy coffee shop chain the country, Allegro put together this event to showcase the barista skills and passion of a true champion, facilitate and exchange of ideas, and educate the public about serving specialty coffee.

After all, de Leon said “Coffee is the nectar of the gods, the life blood of offices and a tonic drink for productivity.”

ALLEGRO BEVERAGE CORPORATION

Allegro Beverage Corporation (ABC) is the country’s leading provider of complete coffee solutions. It is the exclusive distributor of the finest espresso machines, brewers, coffee beans, syrups, sauces and teas from Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. Its products cater to hotels, casinos, culinary and educational institutions, restaurants, cafes, and franchise chains. www.allegrobeverage.com

FLY ACE CORPORATION

Fly Ace Corporation is one of the leading food and beverage consumer goods companies in the country today. Propelling limitless multiple-category growth by bringing the best of the world closer to Filipino consumers, Fly Ace Corporation’s portfolio of food and beverage products includes house brands and exclusively distributed brands.

JOLLY COW

The milk loved by the whole family for its deliciously creamy taste, is also a proud supporter of the coffee making industry in the country. JOLLY COW FRESH MILK is the official milk partner of the 2017 Philippine Barista Championships and 2017 Philippine National Latte Art Championship. Jolly Cow actively participates in latte art competitions in third wave coffee shops. Thick, creamy, and comes from the free-ranged “happy cows” of Europe, Jolly Cow Fresh Milk produces milk froth that is silky white and microfoam froth and it gives your coffee natural sweetness so that you can enjoy your coffee even without adding sugar that makes it highly recommended by every professional baristas in the country. Jolly Cow is exclusively distributed by Fly Ace Corporation in the Philippines. Follow Jolly Cow PH on Facebook for more information.​

LOTUS BISCOFF

The Lotus Biscoff coffee has been a favorite since 1932 among Europeans as the perfect coffee companion. The brand name itself “Biscoff” represents the marriage of biscuit and coffee. The unique caramelized taste of a Lotus Biscoff is formed during the baking process, resulting to typical aroma components, some of which are similar to the aroma components formed when roasting coffee. What is even more important than simply resembling each other is that together, Lotus Biscoff and coffee are complimentary. A Lotus Biscoff cookie creates an extra flavour experience that is in complete balance with coffee. The magic is that neither product ever tries to dominant the other, and that their individual character is maintained. Lotus Biscoff is exclusively distributed by Fly Ace Corporation in the Philippines. Follow Lotus Biscoff PH Official on Facebook for more information.

COFFEE PROJECT

Coffee Project aims to provide excellent coffee and gracious service creating memorable experience for people by serving good quality concoctions of espresso based drinks and mouth-watering food, and exceptional interior design. Every coffee outlet of Coffee Project is filled with flowers and greens to create a happy and vibrant mood among costumers. With this extraordinary concept, their valued customers consider Coffee Project as the Most Instagram-worthy coffee shop. To date, Coffee Project already has fourteen branches in Luzon and is planning to further expand to more locations in the coming months.

Arnel Pineda: The 50th Birthday Concert at Okada

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Partake in a heartfelt celebration of Arnel Pineda’s colorful life as he turns 50. The Filipino rockstar is marking his golden year with an intimate birthday dinner show on September 5, 2017 at Okada Manila, where he will be singing the songs of his life. 

The night’s setlist follows Arnel’s life story, from his beginnings in local bands to conquering the world stage as frontman of the legendary Journey. The artist will delight the audience with renditions of his personal favorites and original compositions. Surprise performances await both the audience and the artist himself.  With acclaimed video and event director Paul Basinillo at the helm, the night will surely create lasting impressions for those in attendance.

Our Cause

Arnel’s humble beginnings has shaped him into a man of goodwill. Majority of the event’s proceeds will go to the Arnel Pineda Foundation, Inc. (APFI), a non-stock, non profit, and independent foundation that provides underprivileged children quality education, health services and medical attention. Arnel and his family personally oversee the Foundation and are always present in its events.

The Celebrant

Arnel Pineda is the lead singer of celebrated American rock band, Journey. Since landing the coveted gig in 2007, he has showcased his powerful pipes at the biggest venues including the Hollywood Bowl, Wembley Arena, and Tokyo Budokan. He has collaborated with the likes of Foreigner, Deep Purple, Santana, Joan Jett, Rascal Flatts among others.

Arnel was born on September 5, 1967 in Sampaloc, Manila. After his mother’s illness and eventual death put the family in a dire financial situation, he volunteered to live independently, taking on odd jobs to provide for himself at the age of 14. At 15, he became the lead singer of the band, Ijos. In 1986, along with some members of Ijos, he formed Ammo and the band went on to win the Rock Wars contest. In 1988, Ammo won the Philippine leg of the Yamaha World Band Explosion and competed in Hong Kong for the finals.  In 1990, Pineda and other Ammo members formed another band called Intensity Five which came first runner-up at the Yamaha World Band Explosion, with Arnel winning Best Vocalist. Arnel also fronted the bands New Age, 9mm, Most W@nted, and Zoo.

Our Venue

Okada Manila impresses anyone who enters its halls. This biggest and grandest integrated resort in the country occupies an astounding 44 hectares of land in the Entertainment City. With a five-star hotel, a wealth of dining destinations, exciting retail options, and gaming experiences, Okada sets the bar high in the hospitality and gaming scene.

Tickets

Tickets to the event are now out at Ticketworld branches and online atticketworld.com.ph. A seat is PHP 7,040.40, inclusive of a full-course sit-down dinner and covering tax and other mandated charges.  

For inquiries, get in touch with Up North Productions at upnorthproductionsinc@gmail.co m, or at mobile number +63 917 652 7463. 

OPPO F3 dominates 15k-20k price range with 48.5% share

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GFK May 2017 shows strong OPPO F3 sales and retains No.2 smartphone ranking in PH

OPPO Philippines recently launched the mid-range smartphone OPPO F3 with its unique dual-selfie camera feature, sleek body and attractive package. In the latest GFK Philippines May 2017 report, it shows that OPPO F3 emerges as the No.1 smartphone for the price band of Php15,000 to Php20,000 smartphones, with a dominating 48.5% market share.

OPPO F3 started well in the market with 22,000 unit sales in the first three days of availability last May 2017. This reflected its strong acceptance from consumers because of the unique dual-selfie camera setup. The groufie camera enables an extraordinary experience in capturing amazing selfies with more range at any situation. Plus, the metal body and sleek body gives customers the luxurious feel appropriate for its price, along with ample 4GB RAM for multitasking and 64GB storage for all files needed.

Additionally, OPPO also retains its No.2 smartphone brand position in the Philippines. A sign that the Philippine market well accepts the wide range of lifestyle-centric lineup of the brand.

"The OPPO F3 is a well-received smartphone since the beginning, our competitive package, sleek design and trending dual selfie camera setup are the reasons why it is successful.” said Stephen Cheng, OPPO Philippines Brand Marketing Manager.

Last June 16, OPPO released the F3 Black edition for more color options to choose from. Customers may now select from three colors available which are Gold, Rose Gold and Black for a more lifestyle-centric smartphone experience.

The OPPO F3 is available nationwide in any OPPO concept and dealers stores for a special discounted price of Php15,990, under the Back-to-School Promo until July 31, 2017. All unit comes with a pre-installed screen protector and soft-transparent case for added value and protection.

For more details about the OPPO F3, please visit https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/ or log on tohttp://www.oppo.com/ph/index.html.

TAPADO (Fight for Justice), PH film to conquer int’l market soon

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TAPADO (Fight for Justice) Press Conference at Museum Cafe.

TAPADO (Fight for Justice), the Filipino action film to conquer international market next year. Directed by actor-director-writer and martial arts champion Vincent Soberano, announced the filming of "Tapado", Fight for Justice, which has its eyes set on the international market in 2018. According to the multi-hyphenate, the movie will be the Philippines’ answer to Thailand’s “Ong Bak” and Indonesia’s “Raid: Redemption.”

Known for his award-winning films, "Blood Hunters" and "On the Brink: Uncharted Waters," Soberano shared that he's really hopeful that this film would open the eyes of many Filipinos and ignite their pride. 

Vincent Soberano

"Filipinos should realize we have lots to be proud of culturally, historically, and that we don’t have to always look to foreigners for inspiration. In terms of martial arts, we have our own, we should be proud of it.”

TAPADO (Fight for Justice) is the story of small town martial arts champion Jacob Casa who infiltrates an international drug syndicate’s underground fighting circuit called “The Trigonal.” He does so after his wife was brutally assaulted and his best friend murdered by the drug lord’s henchmen.

What is "Tapado"? 

Tapado is an Original Filipino Martial Art which came from a Hiligaynon (a Filipino dialect) word ‘Tapat’ or ‘Tapos’ which means – finished or done in english or to finish the job in one strike. 

This art was founded in 1960 by the late Grandmaster Romeo ‘Nono’ Mamar of Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. 

And what is the Filipino Action Film "Tapado" (Fight for Justice)?

The film features a lesser known but extremely effective Filipino martial arts system that originates from the island of Negros. Called Tapado, this fighting method had been kept secret until now by practitioners fortunate enough to be taught by its masters.

Sarah Chang

The movie brings in international action stars such as Sarah Chang from China, Paul Allica from Australia, and China’s top UFC contender, Jingliang aka “The Leech” in his debut acting role. 

Ian Ignacio

Also starring in the movie are Monsour del Rosario, Ian Ignacio, Levi Ignacio and Director Soberano himself. 

TAPADO (Fight for Justice) is poised to be an indie blockbuster worldwide, setting the bar for local action films.

A full-throttle, high-intensity action film that gathers all the elements of Hollywood action films, the movie presents incredible action cinematography and audio-visual compositions by Japanese cinematographer, Takeyuki Onishi, who directed the photography of “Blood Hunters.”

Principal photography will commence between July and September in Negros, with various picturesque locations such as Bacolod City and Lakawon Island.

Line-produced by industry veteran, Elaine Lozano, with set design by award-winning production designer Fritz Solorio.

Executive producers are Jessie Efeno, Tony Aguirre of Piaya Network, and Oli Laperal of RS Video and Film Productions.

Alyssa Valdez with the Creamline Cool Smashers in Good Vibes Day with Fans

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Alyssa Valdez

Members of the volleyball team Creamline Cool Smashers had a field day spending time with their beloved fans and supporters on what was dubbed Good Vibes Day held recently at Gerry’s Grill, Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

Led by team captain and star player Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers enjoyed taking photos, signing shirts, making fan signs and videos, and just spending time with the very people cheering for them on and off the court. There were fifty lucky fans selected from the Creamline Creamy Ice Cream Facebook Fanpage who came in their Creamline shirts, bringing their usual happy, good vibes. 

Observing how the specially created fans day went, everybody was in a good mood, reflecting the positive vibes associated with the team spirit and crowd-drawing fan support that have characterized the campaign of the Cool Smashers right off the bat. 

Fans expressed their admiration for the Cool Smashers in various ways like giving them special gifts, posing for pictures, and addressing the team with sincere praises. 

The Cool Smashers, one of the exciting teams formed and playing for the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), finished third place in the just concluded Reinforced Conference. They debuted last April 30, kicking off their very first campaign that turned out to be a brilliant showcase of what they can do to give more credence to the league and the community that breathes on the sport of volleyball in this part of the globe. 

“We appreciate the support of our fans and we dedicate this day to them,” said import Laura Schaudt who, together with co-import Kuttika Kaewpin, had to leave for home that same day. 

The two imports practically saved the best for last in their fun days as players for Creamline. They had a good time with their teammates and their fans who showed everyone how loyal and expressive they are in their support of their favorite team. They told everyone they had a fun experience in Manila playing for Creamline. It won’t come as a surprise if they’d be back for another tour of duty.

Clearly, Valdez, awarded Most Valuable Player for the conference, is the heart and soul of the team. Yet, the fans showed up to let everybody know that each Creamline player is as special as anyone in the team. Valdez herself acknowledged that she couldn’t perform well without her teammates delivering the goods for the team’s welfare. 

‘We would like to thank everyone who supported us since Day 1. Our fans are keeping up with the good vibes that fuel our team every step of the way,” she stated. 

The Creamline Cool Smashers are expected to perform even better in the next conference as they gel even more as a team of talented and dedicated players, with a fan base growing by the day. 

Playing alongside Valdez are her teammates Pau Soriano, Coleen Bravo, Ces Racraquin, Joyce Palad, Alex Cabanos, Janet Serafica, Aerieal Patnongon, Jonalyn Ibisa, Jema Galanza, Jamela Suya, and Ivy Remulla.  

The Creamline Cool Smashers were formed with the backing of iconic brand Rebisco that has long been supporting volleyball in the country. 

The Good Vibes Day saw the players giving Rebisco gift bags to their fans, sharing cool moments in the special photo booth installed at the venue, chatting with the media representatives who graced the event, and jamming with everyone singing their hearts out.