The iconic Aristocrat

To the Filipino foodie, the Aristocrat is a food haven. It is so popular that the establishment has become a Philippine restaurant icon. From its humble beginnings as a snack mobile in 1936, the Aristocrat, founded by Engracia Cruz-Reyes, more fondly known to Filipinos as Aling Asiang, has grown into a restaurant enterprise with branches in Metro Manila.

Recently, the restaurant was recognized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and was awarded a Historical Marker, which was unveiled in front of the restaurant on Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

The momentous ceremony was led by Aristocrat president Priscila Reyes-Pacheco and chairman Raymund Reyes with NHCP chairman Maria Serena Diokno and executive director Ludovico Badoy and Department of Public Works and Highways representative engineer Ernesto Leones.

The marker reads: Nagsimula sa isang lumang sasakyang ginamit ni Engracia Cruz-Reyes o Aling Asiang bilang tindahan ng meryenda na lumilibot sa Luneta at iba pang pook sa Maynila, Hulyo 1936. Dito itinatag ang unang gusaling kinilalang The Admiral Dewey at kinalauna’y pinangalanang The Aristocrat, 1939. Isa sa mga tanyag na kainang nagtampok ng mga lutuing Pilipino.

A delicious merienda was served to the guests that day. Among the notable guests who graced the historic occasion were former Central Bank governor Dr. Jaime Laya, former Sen. Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr., OB Montessori president Ambassador Preciosa Soliven, columnists Conrado de Quiros and Jullie Yap-Daza, Ambassador Lilia Bautista, Philippine General Hospital director Jose Gonzalez and CEFAM founder Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J.

Also present to celebrate the memorable event were four generations of the Reyes family led by Aling Asiang’s youngest son Victor Reyes with wife Ning.

Clinical care for sensitive skin

Not all moisturizers, your first line of defense against skin dryness, are created equal.

Conventional moisturizers may only mask skin dryness to give skin transitory moisture. This is moisture that can be washed off by rinsing or washing. Physiogel, however, moisturizes by mimicking the natural lipid composition of the skin and keeps it hydrated for up to three days, even with washing or bathing.

Physiogel from Stiefel, a GSK company, held an intimate gathering for beauty experts and skin-care aficionados. The event, hosted by Patty Laurel-Filart, was a great way to teach ladies the tips and tricks to healthier skin. Guests were even treated to a makeup demonstration by makeup artist RB Chanco.

Expert-recommended Physiogel is clinically proven to repair and rehydrate dry, sensitive skin. It is the No. 1 dermatologist-prescribed moisturizer according to the Philippine Medical Data Index (PMDI MAT 2012).

(Ask your dermatologist and pediatrician about it. Visit www.physiogel.ph/ or www.facebook.com/PhysiogelPH.)

‘Let’s get it on!’

Are you ready to show off your talent?

Get your creative juices flowing and flaunt your talent in Pony’s Show Off 2013 poster art and digital filmmaking competition. Open to all who have a passion for the art or film, this year’s competition will again give recognition to the best in the field.

Show Off 2013 has two categories — poster art and digital filmmaking. Contestants who can best interpret and breathe life into Pony’s official slogan, “Let’s Get it On,” via a creative and original interpretation in their poster art or digital film entry stand to win great prizes.

Up for grabs are P40,000 cash and P10,000 worth of Pony products for the grand prize winner from each contest category. Meanwhile, P20,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes; and P10,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Pony shoes await second and third place winners, respectively.

To join, simply visit Pony’s official Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/PonyPhilippines) and download the registration form. Completed entries must be dropped at designated drop boxes in SM Fairview, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Las Piñas, SM Makati, SM North EDSA, SM Cebu, SM Davao, SM Iloilo and SM Baguio.

The contest runs until Oct. 15. Contestants may join both categories, but may only win once. Only entries submitted on or before the deadline will be considered. Winners will be announced during the awards night slated on Nov. 23 at Insomnia Bar in Centris Walk, Quezon City. 

Pony Show Off 2013 is sponsored by Wet n Wild Cosmetics and Outdoor Products Backpacks with Clavel as media partner.

Pony is an American brand of footwear and apparel founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1972. It has since become a top global athletic brand and, by the ‘80s, its sales figures hit over $800 million. Champion athletes in the World Cup, Super Bowl and NBA have been seen wearing Pony.

A 2001 relaunch of the brand saw more and more celebrities forming an association with the footwear brand. In the next two years, Pony clothing and footwear became associated with rebel rockers like Staind, Limp Bizkit and Korn. Korn’s lead vocalist Jonathan Davis even had his own signature Pony shoes that he would wear during live performances.

With its rebel streak and fiercely unique character, Pony has become the brand known for espousing individuality, freedom of expression and living up to one’s potential.

(For more details, visit www.facebook.com/PonyPhilippines.)