Dishy Documentary

In the short span of two and a half years, Dish has quickly built itself into one of the de facto epicenters of the restaurant,and nightlife industry in the Philippines. Moving to the ground floor of the ELJ Communication Center in the ABS-CBN complex, the establishment takes its signature formula of food and fun to a larger and more lucrative Quezon City market. Walking through those silver chrome doors for the formal opening this June, I witnessed a string of surreal events which could easily out-billet any star search or reality-based show on local television.

Entertainment Epicenter

With quirky interiors by Tessa Prieto-Valdes and so much sleek media equipment installed for the event (i.e. mounted TV monitors, roving TV cameras, floor cables, etc.) the complex could easily pass for a combined studio set of James Bond 007: The World is Not Enough and Studio 54 flicks.

 "Ipe, you just missed the live newsfeed," Dish owner and STAR’s Philip Cu-Unjieng sighs at the entrance, referring to the recent nationwide news broadcast of Channel 2’s TV Patrol and Studio 23’s Wazzup Wazzup within the premises.

 Grabbing my first vodka tonic for the night, I went up the ramp on the left to look for some friends. "Hey Trishy!" I exclaimed, giving a hug to a supportive Tricia Cu-Unjieng who was sandwiched between her three adorable kids and sexy celebrity Joyce Jimenez. "Okay guys. Let’s go to the middle," I implored some friends of mine, Mika Bautista and Abba Napa, forming a human chain to efficiently push against the hordes of well-wishers who each guarded a flavored martini and some kind of pica-pica in their hands. After about 10 minutes, we somehow found our way to the perimeter of the VIP area, with a panel of media barons like Gabby Lopez, Cito Alejandro, Charo Santos-Concio and Monchet Olives, only a handshake away.

 "Moët, Moët?" Dish’s EJ Litton graciously asks, waving his hand at the nearby waiter, signaling him to bring over some champagne for our thirsty group. Waiting for that green bottle to chill in the ice bucket, I notice something strange happening to my left.

 "And now you’re back at the formal opening of Dish in the ABS-CBN Loop!" a man projects over a wireless microphone. Staring at the TV screen above, I realize that the chatty bystander happens to be MTB Ang Saya Saya’s Edu Manzano, who is in the middle of a live hosting spiel, simultaneously aired in the closed circuit TV system. Popping the cork, I decide to just continue towards the dancefloor with my full glass of bubbly.

Stage Spectacle

Not even ten steps later, I feel a tap on my shoulder. "Hey Nyoy! Are you playing tonight?" I holler to Nyoy Volante, trying to compete with the loud live music in the background. With both thumbs in the air, the acoustic phenomenon continued to make his way towards the front. In the course of the next hour, Nyoy, as well as a host of other singers including Paolo Santos, Akafellas, Jimmy Bondoc, JM Rodriguez, Cris Villonco, and Jeffrey Hidalgo, grace that wide stage to do a few numbers for the people seated below.

In between sets, I receive another tap on the shoulder. "You’re Ipe, right? Come with me. We’re about to start," the tapping lady calmly declares, firmly pulling my hand. Looking at the peculiar microphone-earphone gadget dangling from her neck, I suddenly remember that I had earlier agreed to judge a segment in that live TV gag program: Yes Yes Show. While trying to make a quick call to the house to record said cameo, I was quickly led to a small stage by the DJ booth. "Five... four... three... two... one!" the show’s director Alco Guerrero declares over the P.A. system. Seated to the right of co-judge and actress Angelu de Leon, I anxiously peruse the scorecards.

 "Nandito ngayon tayo live sa Dish sa ABS-CBN Loop at ito ang Clown in a Million!" national comedians Bayani Agbayani and Vhong Navarro announce as their special guest Epi Quizon sits on a high stool. For the next 15 minutes, we judge the comedy acts of three clowns by scoring them from one to five, with five being the funniest. "O judges, ano ang inyong score?" the hosts would periodically ask us after each performance. Like clockwork, I respond by raising the appropriate score card with a big grin, catching myself every so often on the TV screen. After the third round, I realize that watching yourself being broadcast on national television is a lot like staring in a mirror that projects your reflection to millions of other people you’ve never remotely met.

Fun Factor

As the TV crew switches off the floodlights and the staff begins collecting our scorecards, I quickly step down to join the rest of the crowd. A few minutes later, with Vicky Belo behind me, the Jaboom Twins of Sunod the Galaw Mo fame to my left and the Spirit of ’67 band strutting their stuff in front, I eventually begin to understand why so many people enjoy coming to this establishment. On one hand, the place always manages to contract the hottest local and international musical acts to perform in an intimate setting. On the other hand, visitors can easily to choose from an impressive selection of affordable food items (from Swiss spatzle to Japanese sukiyaki) and drinks (from cold beer to lychee martinis). Finally, thanks to the owners’ combined network of actors, models, big businessmen, politicians, and media men, partygoers can even get a surreal kick from catching their favorite personalities just a table or two away, all having the time of their lives in Dish.

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Dish is now located on the Ground Floor of the ELJ Communications Center in the ABS-CBN Complex, Mother Ignacia St., Quezon City; Business hours: Monday to Thursday-11a.m. to 1:30a.m. and Friday to Saturday-11a.m. to 3:30a.m.; Tel: :413-0603 and 4130609.

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E-mail the author at mybubbleboy@hotmail.com