God’s kitchen

Godskitchen Global Dance 2005 was one of the most spectacular dance events to hit Manila. Team Bigfish with The God Squad from Godskitchen, together with Addict Mobile and Motorola, transformed The Philippine Trade Training Center into a world-class super dance club set up with a pitch-black stage with two large video screens and plasma TVs, entrancing visuals, go-go dancers and laser lights.

DJ Tall Paul (because his height is 6’7") played a set of his signature sound – twisted uplifting house music – along with Malaysian DJ Johnboy Lee.

Spotted at the party were Addict Mobile’s Jon-Jon San Agustin and Nina Gomez, Motorola’s Mari Litonjua, Pixie Cheah, Kit Cojuangco, Gabby Katigbak, Ricky Daker, DJ Manolet Dario with girlfriend Rachel Lobangco, Erwin Edralin, Paula Rosales, DJ Jon Naval, Kina Santillan, Victoria Cruz, Alex Angara, Cesca Ayala and a former STAR Dream Girl Carissa Buendia.

Addict Mobile and Team Bigfish still have two big parties for this year – Hed Kandi Disco Heaven on Sept. 17 and Cream Halloween Ball 6 on Oct. 29 – both at the Philippine Trade Training Center again. 

See you there!

Chef’s table at Mezze

Mezze Restaurant and Bar’s Bobong Velez and Ernie Santos hosted an elegant chef’s table to introduce its two young kitchen wizards – Carlo Estagle and Christine Zarandin – and to present small plate dining specialties.

Estagle has degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies and Communication Arts from the Ateneo de Manila. He worked as copywriter and creative director but made a career shift from advertising to cooking in 2004. He enrolled at the Heny Sison Culinary School earning a Grand Diplome in Cuisine and Pastry Arts. Before joining Mezze, he was food and dessert consultant. 

Zarandin, on the other hand, has degrees in Culinary Arts from the Culinary School Community College of Southern Nevada and Culinary Management from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. She was named Junior Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation’s Fraternity of Executive Chefs in Las Vegas in 2003.  She has worked in Spago at Caesar’s Palace and Olives Bistro at Bellagio Casino-Hotel, both in Las Vegas, and Kisho Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar in Los Angeles.

Maricor Nieto created the beautiful table setting, using bright red roses and matching table linens in royal burgundy in the middle of the restaurant.

The 7-course feast started with spicy tuna tartare in crispy wanton cups and salpicado Oriente with crispy garlic, spring onions and ginger. Then the classic Madrileña callos with chorizo de Pamplona was served. After a buko sorbet, small plate-style main dishes followed in quick succession – Doña Nena’s classic paella Valenciana, sauteed snapper in mango salsa with Mexican pilaf rice, prime beef tenderloin filet with garlicky spinach, mashed potatoes and fried onion rings.

There were also traditional milanese panna cotta, almond dacquoise in Swiss butterscotch and Mezze’s version of decadent chocolate cake.

Guests gave Christine and Carlo a rousing ovation for a job well done. Mezze is located on the ground floor of Greenbelt 2.

Bublé is back!

The countdown begins for the forthcoming concert of Canadian crooner Michael Bublé at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 12. After his two successful visits in Manila in 2003 and 2004, Bublé is coming back amidst the cheers of his loyal following here. Expect him to enthrall Manila audiences with his silky, sexy rendition of Come Fly With Me, Fever, My Funny Valentine and Put Your Head On My Shoulder. This time around, the 29-year-old vocalist, songwriter and Starbucks endorser will be accompanied by a 12-member band. Bublé, one of the most popular and fastest-rising young singers, is on a perpetual music tour around the world. His latest CD has sold 2.5 million copies since its release this year.

Michael Bublé’s concert is presented by Smart Infinity, SunLife Financial, Rado and Joey 92.3. It is co-presented by Siematic, Sub-Zero and Philippine Airlines. Other sponsors are The Metropolitan at the MAC, Smart Gold, Rustan’s Essences, GMA 7, ETC, MTV Philippines, 105.1 Crossover, 97.9 Home Radio and Warner Music Philippines. Official hotel residence is the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

(For ticket details, call Ticketnet at

911-5555 or visit the Araneta Coliseum Box Office or SM Ticketnet outlet

at any SM Department Store.)

Pushing party boundaries

Five parties on four consecutive nights featuring three international DJs plus two after parties equals CircuitAsia 2005!

CircuitAsia became the foremost avenue promoting unity within Manila’s pink community, as well as raising AIDS awareness via CircuitAsia’s beneficiary, the Gift Foundation. 

The event was held at the Premiere THX Cinema and Event Center.  After the opening of DJ Owens Sun, the crowd heard something different when DJ Brian Cua dished out beats jamming with members of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with anthems like Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out, Village People’s YMCA and ABBA’s Dancing Queen. 

The crowd also enjoyed watching the pair of Darren Bersuk and Etienne Deneault – collectively known as Imago – perform their acrobatic skills. Vancouver pride favorite Scott Bolton belted out tunes and New York DJ Joe Gauthreaux provided deep house tracks late into the party.

Watch out for CircuitAsia’s next party called Salvation at the World Trade Center on Oct. 28. 

(For details, log on to www.circuitasia.com or call 889-7877.)

A million and one stories

A two-day launch themed A million and One Stories at the Bamboo Garden of Greenbelt Park emphasized the dynamic, luxurious and exciting "stories" future residents of Ayala Land, Inc.’s (ALI) new San Lorenzo Tower will experience.

The second tower of the The Residences at Greenbelt was launched by the tandem of ALI chairman Fernando Zobel and ALI president and CEO Jim Ayala. ALI Senior VP Angie Lacson personally accommodated business associates and clients who visited the three model units of the San Lorenzo Tower.

Zsa Zsa Padilla entertained the crowd while Daphne Oseña hosted the show as guests enjoyed food from Via Mare and a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the clear night sky.

The first night was a treat to Greenbelt and Ayala Center merchants who were given a sneak peek into the 57-storey San Lorenzo Tower. The second night was for ALI clients, a good mix of business figures and celebrities.

(For inquiries on the San Lorenzo Tower of The Residences at Greenbelt, call the Ayala hotline at 752-7000.)

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E-mail me at peppertstar@yahoo.com