Thursday, February 20, 2020




Discover the fabulous history of the Filipiniana at the Shang Obra Maestro 2020 brings the best Philippinefashion and culture to mall guests

Shangri~La Plaza isn’t letting National Arts Month pass any of its mall guests by. One of the metro’s foremost culture hubs is allowing everyone to experience the richness and vitality of Filipino design with Obra Maestra 2020: Homage to Heritage. This February, discover more of Philippine fashion as Shang celebrates the timeless appeal of the iconic Filipiniana dress.

Nothing can better showcase the beautiful iterations of this quintessential Filipino look than a night of fashion history with some of the biggest names in Philippine design and fashion. #ObraMaestraAtTheShang brings Spectacular Cultural Fashion show 8: Exhibition: The Evolution of Filipiniana Fashion featuring modern interpretations of the Filipiniana at the Grand Atrium. Participating designers include Oskar Peralta, Renee Salud, Ditta Sandico, Richard Papa, Roland Lirio, Steve De Leon, Delby Bragais, Peri Diaz, Albert Figueras, Peter Lim, Ricci Lizaso, Glenn Lopez, Edgar Madamba, Jontie Martinez, Jerome Navarro, Joyce PenasPilarsky, Lito Perez, Edgar San Diego, Gerry Sunga, Philip Torres, Edwin Uy, and the late Bad Boy of Philippine Fashion, Eddie Baddeo.

This dazzling display is scored by celebrated kundiman musicians, tenor Sherwin Sozon and soprano Tonton Pascual of the Lyric Opera of the Philippines, Mike Austria, Al Gatmaitan, Homer Mendoza, VinCe Conrad and Kathy Hipolito Mas. '


The fashion show complements the official unveiling of the upcoming publications of fashion and arts impresario Zardo Ayangco-Austria, who conceptualized and directed Obra Maestra at the Shang.

The hrst one is the landmark Obra Maestra: A Portrait of Excellence in Philippine Fashion and Culture, a retrospective of vintage fashion photography, culled from bibliophile Mario Feir’s exclusive Filipiniana collection. The coffee table book will also feature narratives on Filipino arts, customs, and traditions from the pre-colonial and colonial periods to the postwar and contemporary times. The other publication is NOBLEIDEAS... To Aspire & Inspire, a fullacolor magazine with almost 200 pages of inspiring work and articles from some of the country's talented and artistic designers from various Fields.

Obra Maestra has also put together a special exhibition of the evolution of the Filipiniana from pre-colonial times to the 19705 at the Luxury Lane, East Wing until February 29. Included in this showcase are pieces from Feir’s exclusive Filipiniana collection and the masterworks of Ramon Valera, Pitoy Moreno, Aureo Alonzo, Ben Farrales, R.T. Paras, and Pacita Longos.

Proceeds of the Obra Maestra efforts benefit the construction of the Benedictine Sisters Reparatrices of the Sacred Heart’s new monastery and chapel in Mexico, Pampanga. These also raise funds for the Duyog Marawi Project, spearheaded by Bishop Edwin dela Per'va, and the victims of the recent Taal Volcano eruption.

#FeelTheShangVibe and pay #HomageToHeritage as Shangri-La Plaza turns into a mecca of arts and fashion, open to anyone who wants to appreciate the best in Filipino culture.

For inquiries, call 8370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaoflcial. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazach/al.

How to Get an Extra Bottle of Novuhair For Free

In line with NOVUHAIR’s 10th year of fervent commitment to consumer health awareness on hair loss prevention and maintenance, coupled by a decade of partnership with Mercury Drug Corporation, ADP Pharma Corporation has launched the NOVUHAIR VIP KIT. Find out more at https://www.novuhair.com/novuhair-vip-kit-promo/





This exclusive promo is packed with the regular NOVUHAIR Topical Scalp Lotion 200ml. plus an extra 120ml. bottle valued at PhP 1,990. That’s 64% savings for a natural hair loss remedy good for 6 months!

The NOVUHAIR VIP KIT serves as a token of the company’s appreciation and gratitude to all its loyal users for continuously making NOVUHAIR the leading hair loss treatment in the country.


For more information, you may also contact our NOVUHAIR hotline at +(63) 917.549.0575, find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @NovuhairOfficial.

“Experience nature’s special makeover treatment and feel like a VIP  Very Important Person.”


Tuesday, February 18, 2020

TELEPERFORMANCE COTW helps Taal communities with donation to Philippine Red Cross




Mandaluyong City, Philippines – Teleperformance Philippines corporate social responsibility arm Citizen of the World (COTW) recently turned-over the donation of its employee-volunteers to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), its chosen linkage partner to send support for the communities affected by the recent  Taal Volcano eruption.

Chief Operating Officer Mike Lytle, Senior Vice President for Human Capital Resource Management Jeffrey Johnson, and Vice President for Human Resources Rachel Cacabelos represented the concerned donors in a ceremonial handover of a check for P250,000 that will be used by PRC to deliver essential medical assistance to families who remain in evacuation centers after the volcanic eruption.  

PRC Rizal Chapter OIC Ria S. Rivera and Donor Recruitment Officer Antonio Miguel T. Palpal-latoc expressed their appreciation for the COTW donors’ act of kindness which they said would truly help people in need.  

PRC is among the partner-beneficiaries that COTW regularly supports, as employee-volunteers also organize quarterly blood-letting drives as contribution to their continuous blood donation drive.
To learn more about Teleperformance Philippines and what they do, you may visit their website at www.teleperformance.ph/en-us or their Facebook page at /teleperformance.philippines.



ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE

Teleperformance (TEP – ISIN: FR0000051807 – Reuters: ROCH.PA – Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in customer experience management, serves as a strategic partner to the world’s largest companies in a wide variety of industries. Its customer care, technical support, customer acquisition, consulting and analytics, digital integrated business service solutions, and other high-value specialized services ensure consistently positive customer interactions that are simpler, faster, and safer. The company has established the highest security and quality standards in the industry and uses proprietary deep learning technology to optimize flexibility on a global scale.

The Group’s 300,000 employees, spread across 80 countries, support billions of connections annually in 265 languages and enhance the customer experience with every interaction. In 2018, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €4,441 million (US$5,256 million, based on €1 = $1.18).

Teleperformance began operations in the Philippines in 1996 and has grown to become a preferred offshore contact center outsourcing option. The company employs around 48,000 people in the country and operates over 34,000 workstations in 21 business sites located across Metro Manila, Antipolo, Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

From 2012 to 2018, Teleperformance received the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Contact Center Outsourcing Service Provider of the Year Award for its significant performance in revenue management, market share, capabilities, and overall contribution to the contact center industry. In addition, Teleperformance Philippines was awarded in 2017 as Outstanding Employer and Outstanding Community Project of the Year by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Top Employer of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards, and the Outstanding Volunteer by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

In 2018 and 2019, Teleperformance Philippines was certified as a Great Place to Work® and is the first organization in the country to receive this certification from the Great Place to Work® Institute. This year, Teleperformance celebrates its 23nd year of continued excellence and leadership in the country. This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to steadily provide the best employment experience for Filipinos, proactively support the nation’s ICT-BPO sector, and uphold its socio-civic engagements to create a difference in the lives of the Philippine community.





For further information, please visit the Teleperformance website at teleperformance.ph.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

EUGIE VARONA DELA CRUZ Sculptor and Master Carpenter


EUGIE VARONA DELA CRUZ
Sculptor and Master Carpenter 


Gino, as his friends call him, is a self-taught sculptor and carpenter. His exposure to woodworking happened during his childhood days. He would watch his father, a hobbyist carpenter, make wooden jalousies, doors, tables, and chairs for their home. His father never allowed him to touch sharp tools but would lecture him on how to choose the appropriate wood, as well as to always have patience when working with wood. 

He started his career in woodworking as vintage and antique furniture restorer as his hobby. Through reverse engineering, Gino learned the technique of early master carpenters on wood joinery; he studied the flaws and strength of old furniture designs. 

In his travels to Prague,  Italy,  Germany, and the US, he learned the western styles and techniques of carpenters. He learned the symmetry of wood, joinery techniques, and fusion of old and modern woodworking design. 










With his acquired knowledge of Philippine and Western wood craftsmanship, he had developed his style of functional sculpture.  His works are exquisitely intriguing how a beautifully handcrafted artwork shall be functionally durable. 
Gino’s inspiration in his sculptures evolves with family . His mind-boggling art involves  mathematics, science and physics .

He always  incorporate functionality in his art that  the whole family can enjoy. 
Gino studied political science,  economy,  history and social science. 

He was a professor of History, Philippine Government and Social Science. 
From 1995, he worked for National politicians as a political analyst,  political officer, consultant, and national campaign leader until the 2013 election.


To see Gino's pieces, visit the HUBOG Sining group art exhibit.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

TP’s new Leadership Development Center in Vertis North promotes lifelong learning for leaders




Guest of Honor UP Chancellor Dr. Mike Tan (middle) is warmly welcomed to the Leadership Development Center at TP Vertis North by TP leaders headed by SVP for Human Capital Resource Management Jeffrey Johnson (second from left).

Quezon City, Philippines – Teleperformance in the Philippines, the global leader in digitally integrated business services, continues its advocacy for lifelong learning through the launch of its second Leadership Development Center (LDC).

Located at TP Vertis North, the LDC facility focuses on upskilling TP leaders and employees for the workplace of the future. Just like the first LDC which is housed at TP Aura in Taguig City, the facility is fully equipped with an e-learning center, mini library, audio-visual equipment, and other resources leadership trainees may need.

Led by the Learning and Development (L&D) team, there is a variety of trainings being run in the LDC, from technical courses such as Lean Six Sigma and Data Analytics and Data Visualization to creative leadership modules such as Public Speaking and Presentations skills and the Power of Story-Telling.

Helping launch the facility was UP Chancellor Michael Tan, PhD who was specially invited for his work on promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the country, a pillar of sustainable growth that Teleperformance is committed on delivering throughout all its work spaces.

With its commitment to building an inclusive culture and being an equal opportunity employer, Teleperformance Philippines was the first-ever firm in the country to achieve certification as Great Place to Work® for two years in a row. It implements continuous improvement and development programs to ensure that all TP employees are supported with people programs, trainings, and world-class equipment that help enable growth for all its employees.

The TP Vertis North business site itself has been thoughtfully designed to support a culture that is focused on health and wellness, as well as to provide a fun and welcoming workplace. The site features rest and relaxation areas such as themed lounges and nap rooms. There are cash-operated massage chairs whose proceeds go to the company’s corporate social responsibility program Citizen of the World (COTW) which supports a host of partner-beneficiaries such as orphanages and homes for the elderly.

The TP Vertis North business site also has gender-neutral bathrooms, lactation rooms, a clinic, and a well-appointed gym with trainers from Elorde Boxing Gym, as well as entertainment spaces with billiards, karaoke, board games and game consoles.

To learn more about Teleperformance Philippines and their business solutions, you may visit their website at www.teleperformance.ph/en-us or their Facebook page at /teleperformance.philippines.


ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE

Teleperformance (TEP – ISIN: FR0000051807 – Reuters: ROCH.PA – Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management, serves as a strategic partner to the world’s largest companies in a wide variety of industries. Its customer care, technical support, customer acquisition, consulting and analytics, digital integrated business service solutions, and other high-value specialized services ensure consistently positive customer interactions that are reliable, flexible and intelligent. The company has established the highest security and quality standards in the industry and uses proprietary deep learning technology to optimize flexibility on a global scale.

The Group’s 300,000 employees, spread across 80 countries, support billions of connections annually in 265 languages and enhance the customer experience with every interaction. In 2018, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €4,441 million (US$5,256 million, based on €1 = $1.18).

Teleperformance began operations in the Philippines in 1996 and has grown to become a preferred offshore contact center outsourcing option. The company employs around 44,000 people in the country and operates over 30,000 workstations in 21 business sites located across Metro Manila, Antipolo, Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

From 2012 to 2018, Teleperformance received the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Contact Center Outsourcing Service Provider of the Year Award for its significant performance in revenue management, market share, capabilities, and overall contribution to the contact center industry. In addition, Teleperformance Philippines was awarded in 2017 as Outstanding Employer and Outstanding Community Project of the Year by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Top Employer of the Year at the Asia CEO Awards, and the Outstanding Volunteer by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

In 2018 and 2019, Teleperformance Philippines was certified as a Great Place to Work® and is the first organization in the country to receive this certification from the Great Place to Work® Institute. This year, Teleperformance celebrates its 23nd year of continued excellence and leadership in the country. This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to steadily provide the best employment experience for Filipinos, proactively support the nation’s ICT-BPO sector, and uphold its socio-civic engagements to create a difference in the lives of the Philippine community.

For further information, please visit the Teleperformance website at teleperformance.ph.


Monday, February 10, 2020

Kapuso star Bianca Umali visits children affected by Taal Volcano eruption


World Vision Ambassador for Education Ms. Bianca Umali gives an inspirational message to the victims of Taal Volcano eruption


Kapuso star Bianca Umali joined child-focused NGO World Vision in Laurel, Batangas last February 7 to visit and help distribute learners’ kits to about 400 school-aged children from Grade 1 to 7. Each kit contains a school bag, school supplies, and art materials to help hundreds of children who temporarily stopped schooling due to the eruption.

As World Vision’s Youth Ambassador for Education, Bianca Umali hoped to inspire the children with a message of hope amidst difficult times brought by Taal Volcano eruption.


"What happened to my province in the past few weeks is so heartbreaking, so I looked for ways on how to reach out to them. Good thing that being with World Vision as their Ambassador for Education, through the organization’s relief efforts, I was able to connect to my fellow Batangueños. Sa mga kababayan ko, just keep the faith and stay strong. I know that together, we can quickly recover from this and rise again," said Bianca Umali.

As Taal Volcano still indicates signs of volcanic threat to its surrounding communities, World Vision commits to assist affected families, including thousands of children whose schooling have been disrupted for almost a month.

Nine year old Jhylian from the locked-down village of Buso-buso said, "I used to have 10 notebooks but after Taal erupted, most of my school things were destroyed. Now, I only have three notebooks for nine subjects. I'm worried what I will use after I've used up all the pages of my three notebooks.”

Laurel Central School elementary students were among the 400 recipients of the World Vision Learner’s Kit distributed in Batangas.

World Vision Ambassador for Education Bianca Umali leads the World Vision Learner’s Kit Distribution to the victims of Taal Volcano eruption


According to the Department of Education’s (DEPED) report, at least 575,456 students coming from 1,034 schools are affected due to class suspensions.

“Education in emergencies is crucial. A lot of children were not able to spare their bags or notebooks and worse, could not go back to their school because of the damages caused by the eruption. This should not stop them from learning though and that’s where we all come in - to support them in any way possible to keep them in school,” says World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte.

“We are grateful to Bianca for making time to serve with us, despite her hectic schedule. The children and the people of Laurel are certainly encouraged and touched by her,” added Fuerte.

Since 2017, Umali has been an active advocate and generous supporter to various World Vision’s campaigns for the benefit of children. Months ago, Umali offered her voice and influence to promote the “1,000 Girls” campaign and the “Hope Town” experiential booth at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

To date, World Vision has reached 1,845 families with hygiene kits (soaps, undergarments, etc.) and non-food items (mosquito nets, blanket, and plastic mats). 12,000 individuals also received N95 dust masks while at least 4 child-friendly spaces continue to provide psychosocial support to children in evacuation centers.

World Vision continues to appeal for support in providing learners’ kits to the communities affected by Taal’s eruption. Click this link to go to World Vision’s donation page: https://wvph.co/DonateForTaal. You may also call World Vision at (02) 8372-7777 or (0917) 866-4824.
For more updates and information, like and follow World Vision Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit their official website www.worldvision.org.ph.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.


Friday, February 7, 2020

Fantasy and reality collide and create a romantic mess at REP’s Stage Kiss




Repertory Philippines has unveiled its exciting 83rd season opener that gives a peek into a backstage love affair that challenges the delicate and sometimes confusing line between fantasy and reality!

In Stage Kiss, the intoxicating desire for romance is shattered by the sobering bite of reality. It is clever and funny and—underneath its delicious comic layers, thought-provoking at its core. Running until March 1, Stage Kiss is the quintessential must-see for the month of love, hearts, and of course, kisses.

Named Critic’s Pick by The New York Times, Stage Kiss is a wickedly insightful romantic comedy about the blurred lines in a relationship. When an out-of-work stage actress (She) auditions for the lead in a forgettable 1930s melodrama, all the drama she’s hoping for is onstage. Little does she know she’s in for a whole lot more drama than what she signed up for. When her romantic c0-star (He) walks in on the first day of rehearsals, it turns out to be her real-life ex!

Now, He and She have to tackle their underlying feelings for each other while playing onstage lovers, all while sharing many, many stage kisses. As they lock lips, smoldering embers spark. Are they still actors playing a scene, or offstage lovers in a moment of passion? In this rib-tickling play-within-a-play, life simulates art and art simulates life. It gets tricky telling one from the other, keeping the audience in constant wonder.

With a book by American playwright Sarah Ruhl, REP’s production of Stage Kiss is brought to life by multi-awarded film and stage director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, known for films like Azucena, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, and Hari ng Tondo. Playing the romantic leads She and He are Missy Maramara and Tarek El Tayech. Rounding out the cast are REP veterans Robbie Guevara and Jamie Wilson, REP’s up-and-coming young stars Andres Borromeo, Justine Narciso, and Mica Pineda, as well as celebrated pianist Nick Nañgit.

Missy Maramara and Tarek el Tayech play out-of-work stage actor She and “17-year-old in man pants” He.

Exes He and She rekindle their relationship while starring in a play that requires them to share many, many stage kisses.

Robbie Guevara plays She’s husband, Harry, who’s good with numbers.

Smooching, hugging, touching—there are lots of those. And the humor is so risqué, theatergoers will be laughing and blushing. And beneath all the fun, Stage Kiss makes one ponder the bittersweet longing for how we want things to be versus how they really are. As She rekindles her relationship with He, slipping further into the fantasy, she finds out who she truly is. Is she the actress, the wife, the lover, or all of them? Maybe, none of the above? If you’re way over fairy tales and run-of-the-mill love stories, Stage Kiss is your edgy romcom that’s a surefire pick for the Valentine’s season.

REP’s  2020 season has been highly anticipated, so do not miss Stage Kiss! Bring your partner, lover, crush...or ex!

Get your tickets now by calling REP at 8451-1474, 0966-905-4013, Ticketworld at 8891-9999, or by logging on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph.

For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.





Tuesday, February 4, 2020

A new way to treat your cough with phlegm with Carbocisteine + Zinc in 1 tablet!


What happens when you mix a necessary nutrient with a mucolytic that helps relieve symptoms of Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) or simply put, cough? You have one unique drug that will aid your return to health in no time.
Such is the unique formulation of Solmux Advance, an over-the-counter medicine that provides complementary action against Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) addressing both sticky, hard to expel phlegm and lowered immunity when one is sick.
In sync with zinc
According to the National Institutes of Health, “zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. It is found in cells throughout the body and it helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, the generic material in all cells.”
 “Foods like red meat, poultry, oysters and other seafood, and fortified breakfast cereals are good sources of zinc as well as beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products.”
“The body's immune system needs zinc to do its job. Older people and children who have low levels of zinc might have a higher risk of getting pneumonia and other infections.”
Power of two
Carbocisteine, a household remedy to provide relief from cough with phlegm, has been recognized as an effective treatment for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder COPD. Several studies also show that this mucolytic has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“Combining Carbocisteine with zinc makes sense,” opens Joyce Santos, head of Research and Development of Unilab, Inc. (Unilab) while adding, “respiratory infections happen when you have a weak immune system. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is involved in the regulation of the immune response.”
Dr. Gwen Agra, MD, a pulmonologist and internist adds, “When patients have cough secondary to infection, especially in the susceptible population, this may be reflective of a weakened immune system. Zinc levels are lowered, which leaves us vulnerable and may prolong our recovery period. Which is why, I usually co-prescribe minerals like Zinc with mucolytic like Carbocisteine. Together, this is an ideal combination that effectively relieves cough by aiding in expulsion of phlegm with decreased bacterial adhesion to cells and helping in faster recovery by boosting immunity.”

Superior product
Santos explains, “A lot of lab work went into the development of the product. We have to ensure that the product is stable, safe, effective and of consistent quality. The product should be easy to take to ensure high patient compliance. We have to provide trusted quality healthcare.”
“That was the hard part. The development of the product depends on its complexity. A drug product takes time to develop and be introduced into the market in compliance with the FDA standards.”
Solmux Advance with Zinc prides itself as a unique cough solution, combining cough with phlegm solution and immunity boosting mineral, which may help in faster recovery. Precious time saved especially to those who get paid for work on a daily basis.


Monday, February 3, 2020

RAFAEL'S Tapas Bar and Restaurant serves Filipino food with unique twist in taste and presentation


Rafael's Tapas Bar and Restaurant, the right place to enjoy Filipino comfort food with your family and friends. Also perfect for intimate and romantic date this Valentines Day. Dine in as if you are at home as they serve home-cooked meals that we usually prepare at home. And be surprised with interesting twist of preparation and presentation of each dishes that they serve.
Entrepreneur Henjie Carmona launches Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant at Resorts World Manila to share his father Rafael’s passion for home-cooked dishes, his mother Petronila’s elegant homemaking, and his penchant for art collecting to the upscale hotel-casino complex’s food, wine, and fun loving clientele of high rollers, junkets, and the fancy set.
 “I want to offer them a place to come home to not only for familiar but original home recipes that have been leveled up for their discriminating tastes,” he said, “but also to cozy up, chill, and unwind after spending hours playing and gaming.”





Although he’s a communication research graduate by degree and initially a banker by profession, Carmona has been in the hotel and restaurant industry for more than two decades now. His group having pioneered the condotel (condominium + hotel) format and the executive breakfast lounge, he wanted to challenge himself further by offering ala carte.
Lessons from Father
“Opening Rafael’s isn’t a childhood dream, but everything that went into it has been inspired by my dad who taught me all I need about food and cooking,” Carmona confessed. “First, good food is all about freshness—meaning, nothing stays long in the freezer, nothing canned is used, and everything is made in-house, even the pasta and especially the sauces.”
He reminisces how his father never allowed helpers to cook, reserving that privilege and honor for the head of the family, and made sure to prepare their meals himself every weekend despite being swamped by his business all week. 
“I’d remember craving for his signature dinuguan (pork blood stew) and lechon (roasted suckling pig) pairing while Matt Monroe wafts in the air,” he recalls, adding that this time it’s not just about taste, but also being Instagrammable. Thus, all Rafael’s dishes are plated with delicate artistry worthy of being photographed and shared (pun intended).
Dinuguan

Gambas
The First Love




Slow Matador's Bull
The Chicken Hitchhiker
Chicken Skin

Duck Sisig

Maja Blanca

“Second, you never ask your guests if they have eaten already or if they want to eat or not,” Carmona explained. Not only would it put off guests as an excuse for lack of preparation or not having enough food, it would also give an impression that hospitality is not one’s forte,
He assured that there’s no compromising quality in the dining experience at Rafael’s, where groups of 10 to 15 can avail of the posh Petronila VIP mezzanine room for a consumable reserve price of P200K which comes with the mandatory Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV that can be hooked up to Resort World shows. “For that, it’s the sky’s the limit from cocktail drinks at P400 per pop to exquisite bottles of Remy Martin Louis XIII and Dalmore 25!”
“Third, food is everybody’s game,” Carmona concluded, “just like my father said everything’s done with food: deals closed, relationships opened, victories celebrated, wrongs amended, and sins forgiven.” Nobody loses with food and the best businesses invest in it.
Thus, Rafael’s is that rare mall space where you not only find the most original tasting dishes but also the most fastidiously interior decorated restaurant where diners eat and drink surrounded by towering Toto Aguilon wire spires, commissioned paintings from artists Tanya Gaisano Lee and Angelo Tabije, John Lloyd Cruz photographs, red and black draped tables, golden trumpet chandeliers, and a golden washroom!
Rafael’s Specialties
“All our dishes are all-time familiar favorites that offer a unique twist in taste and presentation,” Carmona beamed as he introduced Rafael’s house specialties, which have interesting, oftentimes intriguing, names.
For their signature tapas or appetizers, they have their ritzy rendition of chicken skin—Chicken that Crossed the Road (P380) served with chili malt vinegar, pickled carrot, and radish puree, which are extra crunchy along with their classy version of gambas—Miss Gump in Hot Flashes (P720) with black garlic and Chardonnay roasted chilis and lemon.
For dinner, they have First Love (P1150)—spicy soft shelled crab risotto with homemade chorizo and chicken thigh charged with lemon—which is as crispy as they are tasty and Blackened Angus Ribeye (P2900)—prime steak with corn and zucchini succotash and chimichurri sauce—which is the most expensive standalone item on the menu.
Capping every meal or visit, guests ought to make sure they try The Big Bang Theory (P390)—a delicately sweet triple nut, three-layered cake of butter and dark chocolate cake revelation, their version of “Choc Nut”, revealed Chef Jinggoy Fernando—for dessert to complete the Rafael’s experience.


The Chef & The Owner
“The concept behind all these is simple,” Henjie Carmona said summing up: “I want Rafael’s to be that kind of place where you always want to come back to every day because it’s home and the food reminds you of family,”
The Foodie

For the full menu, reservations, and more information, please visit @rafaelsrwph on Instagram and Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Facebook.

Midea Philippines earns Superbrands recognition for excellence and expertise in the home solutions industry

  Midea Philippines, a frontrunner in the home and commercial solutions industry in the country, recently earned its place in the prestigiou...