Entertainment served on a plate

The place that started the concept of having several restaurants – while diners can enjoy a variety of cuisine while listening to live music – under one roof now has a new home. Dish had its grand opening at the ABS-CBN compound where loyal patrons, celebrities, and a horde of party people gathered on the ground floor of the ELJ Communications Center.

TV crew surrounded the place to cover celebrities and cameras flashed in grand fashion.  Ribbon cutters were ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, COO Cito Alejandrino and EVP and head of the Entertainment Group Charo Santos-Concio.

The night saw bands and musical acts,  a lot of whom perform regularly at Dish, such as South Border, Paolo Santos, Nyoy Volante, Jimmy Bondoc, Noel Cabangon, Arnee and Jeffrey Hidalgo, Kitchie Nadal, the Rage Band, Akafellas, Pido, Spirit of ’67, Time and a Half... and the list goes on!  Performers dropped by and readily did surprise and impromptu numbers.

As expected, the party lasted all the way until morning.

Having a good year

Champion race-car driver Angelo Barretto is the first endorser of Goodyear’s Eagle F1 tires. He will be introduced among car and music lovers during the Goodyear Eagle F1 Music Revolution on Aug. 7.

"I think speed has become almost academic. It’s come to a point where the speed and dynamics of the sport have become second nature," says the 34-year-old international race-car champion whose overseas exploits include claiming the coveted trophy at the 2002 Le Mans Classic in France.

In women’s race-car driving, Pia Boren and Gaby de la Merced are two of today’s most celebrated female race-car drivers.

"Motor sport racing is really my passion in life," says the 21-year-old Gaby, a former STAR Dream Girl who has raced internationally as an active competitor in Formula BMW. "Racing is a full-time job because when it’s not racing season, you still have to train and continually prepare yourself for the season ahead," says 22-year-old Pia, novice division champion of the 2002 Arthur Tuason Memorial and who races Formula Toyota.

Angelo adds, "When I’m in Manila, we do a lot of work, either with potential sponsors or with our current sponsors, which means we’ve got many interactive activities to do to promote the sport locally.  For example, with the technology or telecommunications companies, we’ve got hands-on stuff whether it be seminars or the training that we do with companies like Goodyear." 

Goodyear, the world’s leading tire company, is a supportive and steadfast patron and its rich racing heritage, which began in 1901.

Join Angelo, Pia, and Gaby at the Music Revolution on Aug. 7 at Le Pavillion along Roxas Boulevard.  Goodyear Eagle F1 will give away special awards for participating bands that can compose a Goodyear Eagle F1 song.  Awards include Band of the Night, the Best Drummer, Best Guitarist and Best Vocalist. Final Screening is on July 15. For those interested bands, please send entries to Apogee Production Unit 2709 Asiawealth Tower, Leveriza St., Pasay City, or call tel. nos. 522-3088 or 522-0929.

A gathering of gourmands

The InterContinental Manila’s Grand Ballroom was the scene of the hedonistic pleasure of gourmet dining when the Cheese Club of the Philippines hosted a cheese and wine party for its members there.

Twenty-four cheese varieties complemented by freshly-baked breads from the hotel bakery as supervised by Executive Chef Cyrille Soenen enhanced the sumptuous spread with a selection of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. 

The cheese platter included Roquefort Crouzat, Gouda Entier, Cambozola, Camembert with Calvados, Cantal Salers, Manchego Pur Brebis, Stelton Mini Meule and Crotten Pas de Loup.  Among the wine choices were Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet and Boomerang Bay Colombard Chardonnay.

On hand to welcome the guests were InterContinental Manila general manager Stefan Voogel; sales and marketing director Carmela Bocanegra; sales director Chabs Tan; and PR director Jennifer Peña.