Anybody who has tried organizing a party or get-together without much experience would admit how hard it could be to stay on top of everything to ensure a smooth-sailing event. I've had my share of mishaps while staging birthday parties for my sons when they were small because information about party planning was scarce during those pre-internet years.

Children's Party theme

These days, if you need guidance on party do's and don'ts, you can easily log on to www.hizoncatering.com and find an extensive collection of tips and tricks at the blog section. However, if you want to really enjoy your party and relax with your guests, it's much better to just contact them and allow them to take charge!

delectable hors d' oeuvres

Hizon's Catering is a popular name when it comes to providing food, service, and amenities for parties that range from simple and casual to lavish and formal. They can accommodate anywhere between 50 and 15,000 guests. In fact, since 1989, they've been busy behind the scenes of weddings, anniversaries, baptisms, birthdays, graduations, seminars, Christmas parties, product launches, and many more! 

cakes are one of those little things that can make or break a party

What are amenities, you ask? They're the little things -- decor, hotel reservation, bridal car, entertainment, sound system, cake -- that can add up and become a big headache if one or more suddenly becomes missing or broken on the big day. 

Joseph Hizon

General Manager Joseph Hizon assures that inconveniences like that can be avoided because they take care of everything. "We assign an event planner to every client to coordinate all the details. We don't mark-up on it. It's like an added service. We've always been known for giving good value," he shares. Their packages start at P450/pax. Although based in Metro Manila, Hizon's has gone as far as Subic, Batangas, and Rizal. 

party food for kids and kids-at-heart

Apart from good service, Hizon's is also well-known for their consistently good food. Joseph reveals, "There is no secret recipe, we just make everything from scratch. As part of our culture, we don't allow instant food and flavorings in our kitchens."

beautiful wedding setup

Recently, Hizon's Catering provided bloggers a sneak peek of their offerings and it was amazing how they were able to fit four party themes on each corner of Oasis Manila's Pavillon. On one end was an elegant Wedding setup complete with bride and groom along with a buffet featuring soup, salad, main course, and a carving station.

pretty table setting

At the circus-themed and colorful Children's Party corner, the fare were delightfully a more sophisticated version of the kiddie meals we are commonly familiar with. There was also a balloon twister whose creations went home with happy owners.

cute twisted balloon minion

The third and glamorous corner was dedicated to an Awards Night theme complete with red carpet and paparazzis. Hor d'oeuvres were passed around and a dessert bar with a variety of tempting treats waited for those with a sweet tooth.      

elegant awards night theme

We also had the chance to see how a Corporate Seminar setup looks like. Since it was supposed to be a morning affair, the omelette cooking station with lots of fillings to choose from made up for the serious ambiance of the stark long tables meant for attendees.

savory treats

There were so many food items to sample, I wasn't able to try all of them but enjoyed everything that ended up on my plate. All the dishes were whipped up by the kitchen team headed by Chef Simon Dayrit while event styling was taken cared of by Drew Menor. The event planning group, on the other hand, was led by Cheska Pineda.

sweet temptations

Having experienced being a guest in a lot of parties and events, I am very much in favor of handing over the reins of being party organizer to the experts. So, if you also have a dream event in mind, make sure to give Hizon's Catering a call. They are the caterer accredited by the most number of venues (375 as of this writing) in Metro Manila. For more information, visit www.hizonscatering.com, email info@hizonscatering.com, or call (02) 925.0103 / (02) 925.0107.

practicing for our silver anniversary next year! :)

Thank you to the following partners for making the bloggers event possible: Oasis Manila, Advent Light & Sounds, Sentimental Groove Band, Bars Datiles Design Props, Star Balloon, Enzuno Cakes, The Photoman, Keon Salon, Jerome Yu LED Projector, and emcee Myra Lorenzo.

Thailand has a special place in my heart and people close to me would know why. Needless to say, I love Thai food and always appreciate a chance to savor authentic dishes made by Thai chefs. So when I found out that Conrad Manila's all-day dining restaurant, Brasserie on 3, will be serving Thai dishes for a limited time, I jumped at the chance to visit the restaurant for lunch yesterday.

Experience some of the much-loved Southeast Asian culinary gems known for their vibrant hues, aromas, and spices that make for rich and flavorful offerings. Flavors of Thailand is a celebration of authentic Thai cuisine specially prepared by guest chefs Apichat Sea-Jiang and Chanyut Kaewkra, from Conrad Manila's sister hotel Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa.

"Together with our Executive Chef, Thomas Jakobi, we are able to curate a special menu of Thai favorites which will be incorporated in our daily buffet for all to enjoy," shared Harald Feurstein, Conrad's General Manager. "We are proud to present authentic Thai cuisine, which are in line with Brasserie on 3's commitment in providing and making use of sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients."

Being a big hot and sour soup fan, I personally recommended diners to not miss having the Tom Yum Talay, which is spicy soup made with seafood and Thai aromatic herbs. I loved how it was served using young coconuts as bowls because the sweetness of the soft coconut meat complemented the soup's taste!

For appetizers, we had Tod Man Pla, which are delicious deep fried Thai fish cakes; Moo Satay made of pork with peanut sauce and cucumber relish; Yam Som O or spicy pomelo with prawn salad; and Nam Prik Kapi, a spicy shrimp paste dip with Thai vegetables. The vibrant colors and bursting flavors will definitely whet up your appetite for the main courses.

As to the main courses, have a taste of Gaeng Massaman Nuea, a dish of Massaman curry beef, potatoes, and peanuts; Phad Pak Ruam Mit or wok-fried vegetables (I ate a lot of the kailan leaves!) with oyster sauce; Goong Tod Kratiem Prik Thai made of deep fried tiger prawns with garlic and pepper; Poo Phad Pong Karee or wok fried curried crab with celery and spring onions (the crab meat is lip-smacking good!); and Gai Yang, which is Thai-style barbecued chicken.

Our dessert was Mango Rice served with ice cream and desiccated coconut. I couldn't eat more after that even if there were other delectable sweets and treats in the buffet's dessert area. I'd have to come back and try them another time.

Bottomline? If you haven't tried eating Thai food yet or are craving for authentic Thai dishes, this is a great time to work out your taste buds! Brasserie on 3's Flavors of Thailand food festival is available for buffet lunch and dinner at P1,600 nett per person from July 27 to August 2, 2017. For inquiries and reservations, please call +63.2.8339999 or email conradmanila@conradhotels.com.

Asia, many say, is the part of the world from which great TV arises. This year, HOOQ -- the largest Video on Demand service in South East Asia -- is mounting a project that turns TV series ideas into reality by calling Asian filmmakers to send in their scripts and treatments for a TV series idea.

calling Asian filmmakers!

During a media conference held at B Hotel in Quezon City the other day, Allison Chew, HOOQ Head of Brand, pointed out that more and more Asian viewers are making the shift to watching local shows so HOOQ is giving film professionals "a format to tell their stories" via the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild.

Renowned director, Erik Matti, who will represent the Philippines on the judging panel, affirmed that, "Everyone's moving to online so we can already see the shift to online viewing. HOOQ offers an international opportunity for us to share our stories and bring them to the global stage."

Direk Erik further added he believes the Philippines still has a lot of undiscovered filmmakers out there just waiting for their big break. "The HOOQ FIlmmakers Guild will give these aspiring filmmakers a chance to see their ideas become reality and, hopefully, inspire others to pursue their dream."

(from left) Allison Chew, Jane Cruz-Walker, Director Erik Matti,  and Jeff Remigio HOOQ Content and Programming Head

"Filipinos are very good storytellers," described Jane Cruz-Walker, HOOQ Country Manager. "There are so much more we can explore. This is an opportunity to spread your wings," she encouraged.

Apart from Direk Erik, two other judges from Indonesia have also already been announced: Mouly Surya, a critically acclaimed director who recently screened at Director's Fortnight in Cannes; and Nicholas Saputra, an award-winning actor and documentary producer. They will lead the selection process of the five pilots to be produced and the full series thereafter.

"There is incredible talent for TV series making in Asia and we want to give opportunities to film professionals to turn these amazing ideas into reality. HOOQ is built in Asia for Asia and we want to give Asian filmmakers the power to create quality entertainment that gives our customers that escape into worlds of romance, action, adventure, and even heroism, all in the setting of their backyard," pronounced Peter Bithos, Chief Executive Officer of HOOQ.

one of HOOQ's original productions

So, if you are a director, producer, or scriptwriter, take a chance to have your script selected as one of the five that will be given a funding of US$30,000 to be converted into a pilot episode that will debut on HOOQ! Submissions can be from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The best among the five pilots will be converted into a full series produced and aired on HOOQ. Winner will be decided by HOOQ subscribers and a star-studded judging panel consisting of top film talents around Asia and Hollywood (still to be announced). 

The HOOQ Filmmakers Guild is open for entries until August 15, 2017. Applicants must be either in film school or working as professionals in the film industry with prior film production experience. To qualify, they need to submit the script and treatment for a mini-series or a full-series with a maximum of 13 episodes for a single season. There will be no restriction to genre but submissions and productions must be in the language of the applicant's country.

Watch the trailer of this movie! I bet you'll be intrigued by the story, too!

The winning series will be part of HOOQ's new original productions including Critical Eleven and Sweet 20 which hit cinemas last month while Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts and OTJ 2 are scheduled to come out later this year.

  

SaladStop!, the largest healthy food chain in Asia that originated in Singapore, is currently making waves in the Philippines. With outlets in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Greenhills in San Juan, the brand gained recognition for serving Signature Salads and Wraps made with ingredients freshly delivered every day and never kept longer than overnight.

Eat Wide Awake at SaladStop! every bowl is the result and catalyst of a positive cycle of change

This coming September, the stylish salad bar that is also present in Japan and Indonesia, is bringing its brand of healthy food to a part of the world known for its heritage and high-end lifestyle: Europe. SaladStop! will open its first branch there at Balmes 193 corner Travessera de Gracia in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. 

The big leap is made possible after Philippines-based MFT Group of Companies recently acquired the SaladStop! master franchise and saw the potential of serving the large urban area with a population of about five million. "Barcelona is a magnet for investments with its diversified economic structure," described Mica Tan, CEO and President of MFT Group. "Europeans are now craving for something healthy and Spain has a rich food and gastronomy culture."

For those who are not familiar with the MFT Group, it is a diversified financial holdings company that adheres to the principles of restructuring corporate blueprints and helping businesses grow to establish sustainable financial footing. At present, the company has 20 subsidiaries from diverse industries including retail, fashion and lifestyle, medical equipment, pharmaceutical, technology, food, manufacturing, and finance and investments. It has presence in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, United States, and Europe. 

MFT Group ventured in the food industry through its strategic partnership with Pol Parareda, a finance and investment banker from Spain. During MFT's visit to the European country two years ago, they saw the increase of restaurants serving salads and customers lining up for a table. Even the supply of vegetables in the region's agricultural industry has been increasing year on year.

"Healthy conscious eating is a global trend already," affirmed Joanne Atienza-Cabaero, MFT's Regional Marketing Head who believes that SaladStop!'s homemade fresh dressings without artificial colors and flavorings will be a big hit in Spain as they will also be creating localized items for customers there. 

A pescatarian, Mica expressed, "We are thrilled to bring a great brand of nutrition, health, and wellness from Asia to Spain. I find SaladStop! to be a brand fit for health-conscious individuals like me. Not only do we contribute to SaladStop!'s health movement, we also add to the industry's bullish trend leading to economic growth." This millennial executive further added how glad they are to be chosen as a strategic partner in SaladStop!'s wellness movement.

Emma Skoog, a Swedish-born chef who has been in the F&B industry since 2001, will take the helm at SaladStop! Barcelona owing to her significant experience in Spanish lifestyle and eating habits. She moved to Spain in 2004 and was a cook at Barcelona's Market Hotel and Restaurant. She later became kitchen chef at Menjador's A Famous Tapas Place.

With a dream team of individuals who have embraced the wellness movement in the food and beverage industry, SaladStop! is sure to have a successful reach outside of Asia with plans to open more outlets in the coming years. 

Given how far SaladStop! is literally willing to go, this expansion to Europe is definitely a huge factor that will contribute to the brand's success. 

I appreciate the different kinds of food that originate from various countries especially the ones found in Asia. The same way with Filipinos dishes, other Asian cuisines are prepared with a touch of culture and a distinct taste from each region. 

This March, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila takes diners to a figurative journey to Vietnam as three guest chefs take over the show kitchen of Cafe 8 to prepare a delicious array of entrees and desserts that represent their country's unique and diverse flavors.

Meet Chefs Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngan, Tran Kim Hoang Trong, and Vo Van Chien. They are the faces behind the spread of specialities that will take diners' taste buds on a culinary experience that explores the healthy flavors of Vietnamese cuisine without needing a passport and leaving Metro Manila!

Featured in the selection of "A Taste of Vietnam" are world-renowned dishes such as Fried Tofu, Fresh Spring Rolls, Vietnamese Pho, Crab Noodle Soup, and more. 

Apart from the delicious dishes, I was able to try, for the first time, drinking a cup of Vietnamese coffee that has condensed milk at the bottom. Loved it because it doesn't require additional creamer and sugar anymore!

Do drop by Crimson Hotel until March 18, 2017 and enjoy lunch buffet at P1,235++ or dinner at P1410++, inclusive of free flowing beverages such as wine, beer, juices, and sodas. For booking or more information, please visit www.crimsonhotel.com/manila or call (02) 836.2222.  

I love learning stories about how things came to be and was fascinated about the background of Annam Noodle Bar, a Vietnamese restaurant that recently opened in Resorts World Manila. During the pre-opening lunch for members of the media, I found out that Namnam Noodle Bar (the establishment's name in Singapore and Indonesia) was founded by director and owner Chef Nam. 

foodies at Annam Resorts World Manila

Although he was born in Saigon, Nam (at age seven) and his family had to flee to Denmark in 1979 when their country fell to the communists. As he grew up, his parents made efforts to ensure their son kept his connection with Vietnamese traditions and culture.

Instilled with Vietnamese pride, Nam worked in various award-winning restaurants and hotels around the world such as the One Michelin Star Le Canard Oslo and the prestigious Sukhothai Bangkok where he became executive chef.

Annam's Resorts World Manila branch

In 2012, after five years of careful planning and strategizing, Chef Nam's first casual quick-service noodle bar opened in Raffles City Shopping Centre. Now, his tasteful dishes are also made available in the Philippines via Annam Noodle Bar.

Following the successful debut of Annam's first branch in Eastwood City last July 2016, diners who live in and near Pasay City are also set to be transported to the vibrant cities of Saigon with a revamped menu that includes new rice dishes especially created for the Filipino palate.

Annam's rice meals are priced at P320 and up

The new plates include Crispy Fried Pork Chop with classic Vietnamese steamed egg meatloaf; Twice Cooked Australian Beef Brisket with Imperial Roll; Fried Fish Fillet in Tomato-Turmeric Sauce with Prawn Sugarcane; and Sauteed Pork Belly with Prawns and Fried Egg.

Additionally, Annam has introduced a unique Vietnamese classic called Shaking Beef in Pepper Hoisin Sauce (or bo luc lac) served with thick cut fries due to its influences from the French colonial period.

Pho Australian Beef Steak Slices (loved it!) Annam's noodle bowls are priced at P290 and up

If you're already a fan of Annam's noodles, try the new Soy Braised Chicken Noodle with Crispy Wonton and Mekong Prawn Roll; and Bun Chai Hanoi. This is a dish made of grilled marinated pork patty and pork belly with a side of crispy Mekong prawn roll.

As to the famous banh mi, which are French-inspired Viet stuffed baguettes, Annam has three new flavors: Twice Cooked Australian Beef Brisket, Crispy Fried Turmeric Chicken, and Smoked Salmon with Tofu and Cream Cheese. All these are topped with traditional Vietnamese pickles, chicken pate, and fresh herbs. They are great to pair with the signature Vietnamese coffee made from premium robusta coffee beans.

Annam's choices of banh mi are priced at P230 and up

For appetizers and side dishes, diners can choose from a selection that includes a refreshing Pomelo Salad with Prawns, Chicken and Assorted Crackers; Crispy Chicken Bites with Sriracha Mayonnaise; Banh Bao Buns (steamed buns stuffed with caramelised pork belly, egg, cucumber, and scallion); and Caramelised Crispy Chicken Wings.

Of course, what's a good meal without thirst-quenching beverages? Some of the interesting combination of tropical fruit flavors in sparkling juices are Mango-Pineapple, Passion Fruit-Soursop; and Lime-Lychee. If you're looking for some caffeine boost, go for the Salted Caramel Banana Iced Coffee or the Pandan Red Bean Iced Milk Tea instead.

lots of beverage choices starting at P120 and up

Available on weekdays are ultimate dining deals with breakfast sets that are available all day, with new dishes inspired by Filipino favorites made with a twist. Options include Crispy Spam, Caramelised Pork Belly with Fried Egg, Corned Beef with Twice Cooked Beef Brisket and Fried Egg, and Caramelised Pork Belly Omelette, all topped on a crispy fried coconut rice croquette served on a hot plate. For P250, the breakfast set comes with a choice of Viet coffee, lotus tea, or tsokolate.

The weekday Value Lunch Set, priced at P350, includes Fresh Southern Rolls (prawn with pork and vegetarian), a choice of Chicken or Beef Slice Pho, and a drink. For an afternoon break, the Viet CaPhe Teatime Set includes a drink with an option of any banh mi (P200); Fried Wings with Thick Cut Fries (P200); or a dessert (P180).

Trio of Crispy Netted Rolls (P200) made of jackfruit, sweet potato, and cassava with coconut sauce for dipping

Also offered are buddy dinner set meals available from 6 to 9 PM on weekdays. Order the Pho-nomenal Buddy Meal (P999) with a choice of two appetizers, choice of two pho noodles, and two drinks; or the Pho-filling Banh-dle Meal (P899) with two appetizers and drinks with an option of a pho noodle and banh mi.

Known as NamNam Noodle Bar in Singapore, the concept now has four outlets in the island-state, four other locations in Jakarta, Indonesia, and now two in the Philippines. For more information, please visit www.namnamnoodlebar.com.

So many things have happened these past months that had a lot of individual investors worried. However, as far as investing goes, it should be kept in mind that investments take time to earn so we should always think long term.

The good news is, according to Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc., the Philippine economy will continue to remain strong this 2017 and could even grow by 7%.

During a press briefing at Shangri-La Makati last week, Sun Life Chief Investments Officer Michael Enriquez explained that with the increased consumer and government spending, the outlook remains fundamentally positive. He mentioned factors such as remittances from overseas Filipino workers, the BPO industry, and the large number of Filipinos who are of working age are among what's boosting our economy from the consumer's end. 

"On the other hand, the rise in government spending is bringing about more jobs and has also increased the demand for construction materials," added Enriquez. These positive developments, he said, have been offsetting the possible impact of recent events in the market, which include the weakening of the Philippine Peso against the US Dollar plus the drop in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index due to the shift of foreign funds to the US market.

"Stay the course and even boost your investments," advised Enriquez to investors. "With stock prices cheaper, it's a good time to buy so [you] can enjoy the greater gains once the market goes up."

How to take advantage of this scenario? One way is to invest in mutual funds such the Sun Life Prosperity Funds (read how I started mine, here) managed by Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI). Amid the developments in the market, the funds have been performing strongly as of December 31, 2016. 

For instance, the Sun Life Prosperity Equity Fund yielded a five-year return of 39% and a 10-year return of 119% while the Sun Life Prosperity Balanced Fund marked a 28% and 89% growth in the five and ten-year returns respectively. Likewise, the Sun Life Prosperity Bond Fund lodged 12% and 44% returns for the same time periods.

SLAMCI President Valerie Pama expressed, "We're delighted that our investors are reaping the rewards of their commitment to invest for the long-term, and we hope to see more Filipinos treading the same path so they, too, can experience financial security."

"We create wealth for our investors in the long term. [So,] investors should be more concerned about long term prospects rather than aim to make a quick buck," added Enriquez who advised that one should be patient enough to stay invested to see good payback.

To educate more Filipinos about the best ways to grow their money, Pama said SLAMCI will pursue this vision by championing financial inclusion and further boosting its financial literacy programs. The company also plans to strengthen distribution channels to reach new markets. 

  

"More partnerships with banks, brokers, and alternative channels will be launched and we will also enhance our online capability including the Money for Life e-Planner," she shared. (In relation to this, please read the recent partnership formed between Sun Life and USSC, here.) 

SLAMCI will also be more aggressive in promoting its programs such as Sun RISE, wherein employees can invest a minimal amount regularly via salary deduction; and Auto-Invest, a regular investment program in cooperation with partner banks. Pama is also optimistic about a possible regulation from the Securities and Exchange Commission that may lower initial investment from P5,000 to P1,000. 

"The economy is strong but may not necessarily translate to a strong equity market this year," clarified Enriquez. However, "This is the best [time] now to get assets cheaper. It's a short term opportunity to rebalance your portfolio."

"Please start investing already. Do it regularly, be disciplined, and focus on your long term goals," concluded Pama.

  

"Confidently beautiful with a heart" -- a phrase popularized by ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach aptly describes what a beauty queen should be: a lady who represents "beauty with a purpose." 

Prior to the coronation of the 2016 Miss Universe, 19 candidates spent time and harnessed their creativity to customize Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers to be auctioned for the Positive Action Foundation, which is supported by the Miss Universe organization. This advocacy is devoted to helping individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families, particularly those who lost their jobs due to the stigma of their medical condition.

Beauty pageant aficionados and Chucks collectors now have the chance to own a personalized Chucks by the following candidates: Ms. Angola – Luisa Baptista, Ms. Belgium – Stephanie Goldof, Ms. Belize – Rebecca Rath, Ms. Brazil – Raissa Santana, Ms. Bulgaria – Violina Ancheva, Ms. Cayman Islands – Monyque Brooks, Ms. Costa Rica – Carolina Duran, Ms. Germany – Johanna Acs, Ms. Guatemala – Virginia Argueta, Ms. Iceland – Hildur Maria, Ms. Mexico – Kristal Silva, Ms. Netherlands – Zoey Ivory, Ms. Nicaragua – Marina Jacoby, Ms. Panama – Keity Drenan, Ms. Paraguay – Andrea Melgarejo, Ms. Philippines – Maxine Medina, Ms. Russia – Yuliana Korolkova, Ms. Thailand – Chalita Suansane, and Ms. Uruguay – Magdalena Cohendent.

Through a silent bid auction, interested individuals are encouraged to give their bids, names, and contact details to the information officer in any of the mall exhibits of the shoes or thru a private message at the Converse Philippines Facebook page. Starting bid for all pairs is US$50.

View the personalized pairs at the exhibits in the following dates and venues:

Keep updated by liking Converse Philippines on Facebook. You can also join the conversation online by using and searching for the hashtag #ConversePHx65MissUniverse.