YouTube Star Mikey Bustos Presents The #UNDISCOVEREDTAIPEI

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The number of Southeast Asian visitors to Taipei has been on the rise in the recent years. According to a statistics report by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the number of visitors from the Philippines in 2018 grew 44 percent from 2017, the highest growth among other Southeast Asian countries. To keep the momentum of the success of the Filipino market, Taipei City’s Department of Information and Tourism continues to promote the city as the best destination in the region. 

Meanwhile, the city holds a product launch at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City on June 14, 2019. Filipino YouTube star Mikey Bustos has been tapped to promote the city anew. In the event, he sings a song “Undiscovered Taipei” in a twist of traditional Taiwanese “seven-word tune” opera with rap. The fun and creative performance is set to start a new trend.

Yi-ting Liu, commissioner of Taipei City’s Department of Information and Tourism, says the decision to invite Mikey again is based on the successof his song “My New Crushie,”, which set a record of a million views in major social networking websites last year. Many netizens express their interest to see Mikey produce a new video, which has been fulfilled by the said government agency. Filipino tourists are encouraged to visit Taipei again and try something they have never experienced before. 

“Here’s the deal!,” Liu beams at the launch event, “Feel free to share and forward the video as we’ll offer a free air ticket from the Philippines to Taiwan when the music video collects over 300,000 views.”

​Aside from the said “ticket giveaway” promo, the internet sensation, who dabbles as singer, actor and YouTuber, performs his latest song “I Showed My Parents Taipei” during the press launch. The song is catchy and danceable. According to him, the music video highlights the different locations he didn’t see as well as the different foods he sampled last year.

“The most interesting part is in the Beitou Hot Spring,” claims Mikey,“because there is a comfortable spring pool in the room. We also tasted tea served in a whisky glass in a hipster tea bar. It was a relaxing experience full of surprises. Also, we had a great time filming on Yangmingshan. The flower sea of hydrangea and Xiaoyukeng, a scenic part on the mountain, isabsolutely stunning.”

Further, the Department of Information and Tourism gathers an army of Taipei’s popular businesses showcasing Taipei’s authentic and classic dishes. These include Taipei’s bestselling breakfast shop Zhenfang’s Taiwanese-styled omelet and fresh milk tea combo, Taipei’s spicy hotpot chain Mantanghung’s Sichuan-styled beef dried noodle, Taipei’s must-buy souvenir BRAVO!BEAR mango shortcake by Taiwan’s leading pastry maker Kuo Yuan Ye, popular Jin Jin Dessert’s honey citron aiyu jelly and unique sugar and grass jelly and milk, one of Filipino’s favorite tea shops as well as Cha FOR TEA to go’s signature 913 pearl milk tea and honey green tea. These offers are expected to bring Taiwanese flavors to the event-goers. Catering to the characteristics of the Philippine visitors, online travel experience provider Klook comes up with an exclusive Taipei experience set, including Taipei’s double-decker sightseeing bus and the trendiest hotels as those are highly inquired by many a Filipino.

A new Taipei travel product promotion for FIT travelers has also beenannounced to the Manila-based media. The promotion is a joint initiative between Taiwan’s top airliner Eva Air and online travel experience agency Klook. For group travelers, Eva Air has collaborated with certain travel agencies to launch a super package that starts at US$127 per person (about NT$4,000), available for sale in the Philippines as of today. Other giveaways in limited quantities include a co-branded handmade soap gift box between Dachuns Soap and Taipei City or a Taipei travel pass (an exclusive EasyCardor a 4-hour ticket on Taipei’s double-decker sightseeing bus.) This promotion aims to offer Filipino visitors a super value experience from the moment they board the airplane until they finish the whole journey. 

Commissioner Yi-ting Liu adds, “to further develop the Philippine market, the Department of Information and Tourism has organized a business matching session for travel agencies in the same afternoon after the press conference.” Over 50 local travel agencies meet with Taipei’s hospitality business operators. For the first time, travel industry insider Michael Wu shares his views on the global travel market trend and Taiwan as a MICE destination, in the hope to boost the market of the Filipino visitors and promote Taipei’s potential as a MICE location.

Liu also talks about the consumer event at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center on Saturday, June 15. Highlights of the mall event include the live performance of Mikey singing his new song “I Showed My Parents Taipei”,Meet and Greet with Mikey, food samplings, fun games, etc. Plus, the food stations featuring Taipei’s gourmet dishes and an interactive studio to see Taipei’s landmarks and scenic spots, giving visitors a sneak peek of what to expect in Taipei. 

“We welcome all of you to see Mikey Bustos’ performance, taste Taipei’s food, take a picture and upload on the web with the hashtag #UndiscoveredTaipei,” stresses Liu. “Don’t miss out on the chance to join the lucky draw and now is the time to discover the parts of Taipei you haven’t seen!”

KLOOK Promotion Details:

1. Taipei Travel Online Campaign Deals (Valid June 16th - July 30th, 2019)

1) P150 (US$3) off on all Taipei Activities with a minimum spend of P3000 (US$57)

2) 10% off on Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass

3) 10% off on Taipei 101 Observatory E-ticket

4) 10% off on Taipei Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus

2. Taipei Travel E-Voucher: KLOOK X EVA AIR

(Limited Quantity 3,000, Valid June 14th - December 31st, 2019)

Reserve Taipei & Philippines roundtrip ticket via Eva Air to get the best deals! P250 (US$5) off on all Taipei Activities with a minimum spend of P3000 (US$57)

3. Consumer Event Deals on June 15th, 2019, Activity Center Glorietta

1) 10% off on all Taipei Activities; Max discount of P400 (US$8)

2) 10% off on Taiwan High Speed Rail

3) Buy 2 Get 1 Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass

4) Buy 2 Get 1 Taipei 101 Observatory E-ticket

5) Buy 2 Get 1 Taipei Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus ticket

*Estimated US currency is only mid-market rates and subject to change, which is for informational purposes only.

Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino offers classic dishes with a modern twist!

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Filipinos are considered to be among the most hospitable people in the world. And this is very evident in the way they welcome people into their homes. They would offer their old traditional family dishes with the hope that people will acknowledge how special it is. Food has become an integral part of people’s lives, and would describe where region in their country they become a part. Almost all Filipinos boast about how great the food is from their region.

Filipino Cuisines offers traditional Filipino dishes, Filipino classics and the country’s home cooking.

One of the best Filipino Cuisines /restaurants I visited with friends is Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino who serves traditional Filipino dishes with a modern twist.

Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino specializes in barbecues, bagnet, crispy dinuguan, laing,  shrimp, and other mouth-watering Filipino dishes.

Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino opens its 2nd branch at the upper level of Promenade in Greenhills , San Juan. 

This is great dining place for gatherings, be it special celebrations or simple meet ups with family, relatives and friends, where the ambiance is “Home away from home”. 

The Ambiance 

You can feel the nostalgic seeing old photos, and old furnitures and old things even you can use or play the sungka while waiting for your food. 

Photo by Facebook

During an interview with Christine Dayco, the owner of Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino, she shared that an old photo was Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes, the woman who inspired the pioneering line of Filipino sauces and spice mixes, had a vision to bring Philippine flavours to the world. Mama Sita’s® is a legacy that spans five generations of fine Filipino cooking. 

The Food

Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino serves a variety of well-loved Filipino dishes with a twist.

The Casa Reyes is well known for Wagyu 

This is my favorite dish Buttered and Garlic Shrimps with Creamy Aligue Sauce  and I promise myself that I will dine and order this  here again.. And again.

They have  an artisanal Filipino  gelatos displayed in a sorbetero cart at the entrance area.  

Try this bibingka with a twist! Bibingka and fluffy Japanese cheesecake topped with Salted egg.

Salted Egg Bibingka Cheescake available in tin can for only Php 398. 

Operation Hours

Connecticut Operating Hours

Mon-Sun 7Am-10 Pm

Promenade Operating Hours

Mon-Thurs 11 Am-10 Pm

Fri 11 Am-11 Pm

Sat 10 Am – 11 Pm

Sun 10 Am- 10 Pm

Casa Filipino does catering and delivery within the area. You can also book the restaurant for special occasions.

For more details and updates, check out their Facebook account

https://www.facebook.com/casareyesbistrofilipino/

CASA REYES BISTRO FILIPINO

Casa Reyes Bistro Filipino

B U5 2/F, Al-Fresco, Promenade Greenhills,
Ortigas,  San Juan City

Greenhills Shopping Complex

1st Level, Connecticut Carpark

Ortigas Ave. Greenhills San Juan City

Ai-Ai delas Alas and Bayani Agbayani top bill rom-com 'Feelennial'

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People will enjoy this funny and feel-good  rom-com movie "Feelennial" with  Comedy and Box Office Queen Ai-Ai Delas Alas and versatile comedian and host Bayani Agbayani, as mid-aged people trying to find love in the digital age. 

These days,  many funny and adorable not so young people,  the 'titos and titas,' uncles and aunts try to adapt to the lifestyle of the younger generation. 

"Feelennial," a portmanteau of "feeling millennials," is about middle-aged individuals who feel and act like millennials. They are your adorable titos and titas, who stumble into one  misadventure after another as they try to adopt the lifestyle of the younger  generation. 

Romantic comedies are always a hit among Pinoys, as local movie-goers love the combination of a good laugh and the kilig feeling they get from these light-hearted movies.

"Feelennial" movie contains the ingredients of a sure blockbuster hit.

Ai-Ai plays the role of Madame Bato-bato, a rich single mom who has everything she needs except the attention of her only son Nico, played by actor-model Arvic Tan. She tries to do the activities that her millennial son is into to gain the latter's attention. In one of her feelennial activities-online dating, she meets Chito (Bayani's character), a rich bachelor who recently won a huge sum via lotto jackpot.

Their first encounter doesn't turn out too well, and what ensues is a flurry of mishaps and misadventures, pitting De las Alas and Agbayani into funny, yet thought-provoking situations on how romance and family dynamic has changed in today's society.

Both Ai-Ai and Bayani are surrounded at work by a young group of stars and production people, whose millennial habits they have somewhat imbibed as well. These include cast members Nar Cabico as Dua, Ina Feleo as Tahoma, Nicole Donesa as Cambria, Jelai Andres as Aerial, Nicole Donesa as Cambria, Sofia delas Alas as Sophia, Skelly Skelly as Dope, Micah Muñoz as Shanty, Arvic Tan as Nico and Raffy Roque as Efril, with special participation of Mart Nievera, Pops Fernandez, and Paolo Ballesteros.

Both Ai-Ai and Bayani said they find playing their roles in the movie a breeze as they can fully relate to their characters. With four grown-up children, Ai-Ai has always practiced the millennial vibe as she is into #0otd's, constantly takes selfies and groufies and regularly uploads these on her social media accounts. Bayani is also a certified "titolennial." Married for over two decades to his wife Lenlen, he gets his inspiration from their four young millennial daughters.

Directed by one of GMA 7's resident directors, Rechie del Carmen, Feelennial is produced by Cignal Entertainment, the original content division of the Philippine's #1 Pay TV provider, Cignal TV, and Pops Fernandez's DSL Productions, which marks its first venture into film production after organizing successful concerts for over 30 years.

Bring the whole family to watch Feelennial, which opens in cinemas on June 19.

Mark Oblea Experiments with New Sound in Latest Single "Ain't It Lovely"

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Singer-songwriter Mark Oblea is back with a new sound with his latest single 'Ain't It Lovely.'

Ain't It Lovely delves further into Oblea's exploration of the alternative pop genre, being a love song that features more of a folk sound than his previous outings. His rendition of Paraluman's classic song 'Tabi' has garnered over 3.7 million plays on the streaming platform Spotify.

Talking more about the song, which is written and produced by fellow Universal Records artist Fern., he says "I've always wanted to do a song such as this - one that gives off an indie romantic vibe. And at the same time, I want to offer something new to my listeners, as I explore new vocal styles and with this being my first original English track."

Ain't It Lovely is certainly not a track to miss, with its romantic vibe and a sound that will resonate with today's generation.

The track is now available to stream and download on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music under Universal Records

Sarah G to independent ladies: Learn how to cook for yourself

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The Popstar Royalty shares why cooking gives her a sense of freedom

What is an independent Filipina? Is she someone who likes to do things on her own, learn new experiences as she moves through life, or someone who knows how to take care of herself? For many women, being independent means more than living on their own. It also means experiencing life in her own terms and being able to follow one’s passion without restriction.

Take it from Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo who is starting to claim and enjoy her own independence—free to chase her passion and discover new ones. “Para posa’kin, being an independent person means kaya monggawin ‘yung mga bagay na gusto mong gawin. As an independent woman, gustung-gusto ko pong mag-explore ng mga bagay na di ko pa nagagawa, and also learn more about myself in the process.”

One passion she decided to pursue is cooking. 

“Ang sarap po kasi ng pakiramdam na kaya mong ipaglutoyung sarili mo. Whenever I cook, I get that sense of freedom in my own kitchen. I’m free to experiment, try new dishes, or recreate my Mom’s recipes,” she adds. “Kaya to all independent women out there, I advise that you learn how to cook. It’s very empowering to rely on yourself, and a good start will be in the kitchen.”

As testament to her new-found independence in pursuing her passion, Sarah even shared some easy-to-cook recipes. Her favorites are found in the cookbook that comes with every purchase of the all-new Phoenix Super LPG at select super hubs.

Whether you’re living alone or just simply someone who loves to do things on their own, these Sarah G-approved dishes will make you rediscover the joys of cooking (and eating!).