American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez to sing National Anthem at Pacquiao vs. Bradley

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via: TOPRANK BOXING/Fred Sternburg, Sternburg Comm

The 16-year-old Filipino/Mexican-American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez will sing the National Anthem on June 9, when Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao collides with unbeaten American boxing sensation Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley bout in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

The 16-year-old Filipino/Mexican-American singing sensation will be singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of over 16,000 members of the live audience and tens of millions of viewers who will watch the bout live via pay-per-view.

In her official Twitter account, Sanchez shared her excitement to be part of the most-awaited event.

"Singing the American National Anthem @ the Pacquiao fight this Saturday in Vegas! I am sooooooooo ecstatic!! :)," Sanchez tweeted.

Team Pacquiao had earlier had with the idea of Sanchez singing the Philippine national anthem but, as it turns out, Sanchez will be singing "The Star Spangled Banner" prior to the fight. The report revealed that "Filipino-American teenage singer, 14-year old Broadway talent Kirby Asunto, will sing the 'Lupang Hinirang' for the fight."

Watch out Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley on June 9!

Mabuhay Temple to Host One Day on Earth Screening

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The International Buddhist Progress Society, Manila (IBPS) will host a free public screening of One Day on Earth at the Five Contemplations Hall of the Mabuhay Temple on 11 June 2012 at 7:30 pm. Mabuhay Temple is located at 656 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila.

One Day on Earth is a full-length documentary feature that holds the distinction of being the first film ever to include footage from every country on earth, all captured on a single day -  10 October 2010. The film provides a unique look into a wide array of human activities and even offers intimate access to rarely seen images from countries such as North Korea, Iran and Kosovo.

One Day on Earth, the first film to include footage from every country on earth all captured in one day, will be shown for free at Mabuhay Temple on 11 June 2012 at 7:30 pm. 

The film was able to beautifully capture the interconnectedness of human beings by showing the shared triumphs and challenges of all people on earth. The film's director and founder Kyle Ruddick and co-founder and executive producer Brandon Litman, with the support of the United Nations and a global community of filmmakers, has succeeded in creating a video time capsule of one day on planet earth, making the documentary a great achievement, not only in film making, but also in human cooperation.

IBPS is honored that Mabuhay Temple was selected as one of the few venues to screen One Day on Earth in the Philippines. IBPS is an organization affiliated with the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist order based in Taiwan with Mabuhay Temple being its branch temple in Manila. Other FGS branch temples in the Philippines are located in Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo. Apart from regular Buddhist prayer services, Mabuhay Temple regularly holds other activities such as lectures, open mic events, film screenings, temple tours, study groups and short educational programs.

For more information about the One Day on Earth screening and other activities of Mabuhay Temple, please check out the temple's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mabuhaytemple. You can also send an email to fgsphilippines@gmail.com or call 559-9540.

Golf Your Way to Father’s Day at Marriott Manila

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This June, we share our own fun way to uniquely indulge every great leader of the family—our dads! At Marriott Manila, we ensure that we’re the perfect venue to celebrate his life and love through golf.

Since it’s another event that deserves a grand blow out, food is always the first thing to consider especially for the man who takes time to enjoy family, hobby, and a good meal of course. If thinking where to eat on his special day, it would be great to consider a venue where dad can enjoy a hole-in-one treat from dining, accommodation, plus his love for golf!

Wake up the whole family a little earlier and head to Marriott Café for a taste of our most-talked about Sunday Brunch. Needless to say, there’s just something so endearing about a brunch especially at Marriott Café which has set the bar on the way we brunch—cozy, comforting, and basically has everything to satisfy an ever-fickle taste buds. For only P2, 500 net, the whole family is in to be treated with a spread that is purely gourmet. You cant’ go wrong with executive chef Meik Brammer’s 17 stations, featuring its newest additions such as oyster bar, chilled seafood, salumiere, cheese studio, homemade pasta, yakitori, Chinese, and tandoor. Plus, Cru Steakhouse also incorporates its specialties such as Angus beef rib eye, strip loin steak, grilled fish, squid and veggies--which of course, every meat lover dad should never pass up! If you’re family is a fan of big, tender, and tasty slabs of steaks, you must have heard about our Cru. Our well marbled, precious steak slices that are usually saved up for special occasions can now be gorged limitless and enough to suffice the price for this brunch. And who would’ve thought that a martini bar is such as pleasure to enjoy this time of they day? With these well-crafted cocktails and great mixes, it will surely set the stage for dad’s extra special event.  Plus, our chocolate room that spells decadence is brimming with assorted chocolates and rich cake choices is always worth saving up the space for. Whether it’s for the romantic mom and dad or sweet-toothed siblings, this corner is bound to let you experience a taste of heaven.  And if you haven’t tasted just yet our sensational homemade gelato, it’s the best time to savor every flavor,   especially the famous Ferrero! 

What’s amazing with dads is that, they love all sort of action-packed bonding experience, especially if it’s a golf game. That’s why while enjoying brunch, an indoor putting station awaits all families that is guaranteed to bring fun and can make any family closer than ever. Make sure to bring out the best putt for a chance to win Marriott Manila gift certificates such as overnight stay, Java+, Marriott Café buffet, golf lessons, and freebies when dad makes it hole-in-one.

But if your goal is to surprise dad with a most romantic kind of date, book for a Cru Steakhouse dinner. For this occasion, sous chef Redj Casanova takes it up a notch with a special Father’s Day 4-course menu: Crispy soft shell crab salad, cream of chicken veloute, grilled grain fed Australian rib eye or pan roasted salmon fillet, and dark chocolate soufflé with Bailey’s ice cream--all at P4, 000 net.  And since it’s a day to be extra lavish, might as well consider treating him with a wine-by-the-glass which can add a wine tasting dimension to a meal. With its welcoming yet sophisticated fine dining vibe coupled by Cru’s personalized flair of service, dad will surely feel an amazing king of the day experience that he’ll probably talk about for years.

Another hands-down way to reward a hard working head of the family is by taking him at the Quan Spa, where he’s in to experience a whole new way to wholeness and wellness. Featuring Pevonia Detox massage for only P5, 950 net, this two-hour treatment is designed for distressing, detoxifying, and toning while taking away toxins and impurities of the body. This revered treatment for two hours is using Pevonia’s seaweed wrap teeming with nourishing extracts, guaranteed to revive and refresh a tired body.

A grueling first half of the year deserves a much-awaited break, and kicking back with your family sounds heavenly. Why not take them at Marriott Manila and avail of the mid-year bonus room package? For only P9, 888++ per night when staying for two nights, the deluxe room accommodation is also inclusive of buffet breakfast for two—and an extra 3rd night for free plus a double Marriott Rewards points!

Who said that crafting a special event like this would be such a pain? At Marriott Manila, we offer a simple formula for an occasion that is worth remembering while getting out of the traditional.

For inquiries or reservations, call 988-9999.

ABOUT MARRIOTT HOTEL MANILA:

An inviting beacon set in the world-class casino entertainment complex of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila is the place to work and play. Ideally located in Newport City across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, it is a convenient 15 minute drive from Makati Business District and Bonifacio Global City . Affording a splendid view of the adjoining 18-hole Villamor Golf Course, it boasts 342 exquisite guest accommodations that offers luxurious bedding, in-room safe, mini-bar, high-speed Internet, air conditioning, 40" full high definition LCDs with IPTV, videos on demand and jack pack plug-and-play system. The hotel features excellent dining options such as Marriott Cafe, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. Leisure facilities include Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and Newport Mall. With a Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms, Marriott Hotel Manila is also the ultimate destination for meetings and events, from weddings to gala dinner celebrations.

Feel the Retro Swag at the Newest Bar Lounge in Town: Rocket Room

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Extend your night out by swinging by the metro’s latest bar lounge brought to you by Raintree Restaurants—Rocket Room. 

With its vivid and outré interiors elaborately designed by Noel Bernardo, Rocket Room lends the right amount of buzz to every coffee break afternoon or late night out.

The bar lounge brings thrilling arrays of Rocket Room’s House Made Infusion Jars, specialty spirits infused with fresh fruits and spices, Classically Twisted drinks, which are twisted takes on the classics, as well as an extensive selection of wines, beers and sangrias.

Serving up the best of organically hot and cold Rocket Plates, Raintree Restaurants brings innovation with its distinctive variety of food offerings and characteristic sets of interiors.

Raintree Restaurants houses bistros within the metro including MoMo Café, Mr. Jones, Museum Café, Chelsea Market & Café, Stella, and Rocket Room. To know more about Rocket Room, visit www.facebook.com/RocketRoom.

Take A Trip Down Tutuban's Foodstreet

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The street is where you’ll find the heart of a cuisine and its culture. Street dishes are all the rage in the world’s culinary capitals, but we all know that these informal food feasts originated in Asia.

Manila, of course, is one of the top destinations for the practical and adventurous diner. Tutuban Center’s “FoodStreet” is a fine example of a gustatory district that attracts people from all walks of life for its simple, makeshift and unassuming stalls.

In these trying times, people are wisely cutting back on spending at restaurants and even fast-food joints. Street food—fresh, inexpensive, ready to eat—are more often preferred by the budget conscious. You can choose from a wide variety of food and beverages that recall the taste of home-cooked meals while having the feeling that you are dining out.

 Now more than ever, being a street-food trader makes a lot of financial sense. For the innately entrepreneurial, Tutuban’s FoodStreet is offering spaces for rent. Situated at the main thoroughfares of the historic and commercial mall, future tenants will have a captured market among shoppers, students and the working/professional class.

For its small size, a street-food enterprise only requires a small amount of capital. The trader only needs the most basic cooking skills, management acumen, simple facilities and of course, his serving of affordable yet delicious lunches, dinners and snacks.

Though small scale, this type of venture has a big potential for generating income—even employment—so it isn’t impossible for the street-food trader to have average earnings that can be three to even 10 times more than the minimum-wage worker. His profits can even be more than the earnings of skilled employees. More importantly, you can now be your own boss after growing tired of the corporate rat race. It can also be a sound investment, too, especially if you are a returning overseas Filipino worker or if you’re a bored housewife with excellent culinary skills, a FoodStreet stall is definitely perfect.

Tutuban’s FoodStreet’s location at the historic former railway station is fitting because it is a reflection of the exciting local culture as manifested on the food fare being served. Appetizing offerings include Hong Kong-style noodles; Chinese siopao and siomai;  Persian shawarma; the very Pinoy silog, isaw, balut, chicharon, fishballs and banana cues; or even inihaw na liempo, pusit, manok, bangus;  and delicious English muffins and American baked goodies.

The prospective food trader may not only earn high incomes but he will be helping the local economy as well in terms of taxes, as micro-industries such as street-selling promote financial self-sufficiency for families as well. For example, he sources his fresh ingredients and raw materials locally, thereby also benefiting the small-scale suppliers and farm growers.

One significant concern about street food, though, is health and sanitation. However, FoodStreet and Tutuban Center officials assure tenants that the mall administration takes this aspect of the business seriously. Hygiene, cleanliness and waste disposal will adhere to the strictest standards as imposed by law and the national and local health department.

Security of both the businessman and his consumers is also of utmost consideration. The mall’s roving and plainclothes security personnel will be on hand to ensure the safety of everyone.

So, harness that inherent entrepreneur in you and open your business at Tutuban Center’s FoodStreet and taste success—in your own terms.

Tutuban’s FoodStreet operations will be from 6 am to 12 midnight starting July 01, 2012. For leasing inquiries, contact: Gina Villamor and Mary Anne Suralta, 251-1661 local 125, or direct line, 253-1769.