Viva Mexico!

To the rest of the world, Cinco de Mayo (a holiday that celebrates the Mexican victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862) is perhaps the biggest Mexican celebration there is, often mistaken as the country’s Independence Day. But in reality, our amigos and amigas from the south of the American border celebrate liberation from centuries of Spanish rule in September.

And celebrate was exactly what the Latin American community here in Manila did at Hacienda last month with an El Grito (symbolizing El Grito de Dolores, or the Cry of Dolores, which started the liberation of Mexico) party. Newly opened in Forbestown in BGC and serving Mexican comfort food, Hacienda is embraced by all those who love everything and anything authentic as carnitas on soft corn tortilla tacos. Nothing gives more satisfaction to the owner and operators of the restaurant than to hear the words “this reminds me of home.” I love the appetizers (get the chicken wings) and the carne asada!

Steve Mills and Mexican Embassy Vice Consul Gerardo Regalado.

Hacienda was born out of the passion and desire of Steve Mills, who runs the restaurant with his wife Liza Tan. The menu was developed by their good friend from Toronto, chef Francisco Alejandri, originally from León. Other business partners are George Royeca, Lloyd Lim, Day Cabuhat, Rico Robles, Dru Baltazar, Ron Gibson, Laureen Uy, Aryan Magat and Steven and Cristina Carl.

Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo, his wife Mariza and son Gerardo Jr. were also present at the party.

Anaid Monroy, Simone Luillier and Venezuelan Embassy’s Marlyn Natera.

Emmanuel Mariachi band entertained guests with lively music.

Guests enjoyed Cointreau Margarita carafes, Dos Equis cervezas and, obviously, tequila! In abundance that night was Ocho, one of the few tequilas that is still made the old-fashioned way.

(Check out Hacienda at Unit F121 Forbes Town Road, Forbes Wood Heights Retail, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries and reservations, call 625-4727.)

(From left) Deniss Thortensson, Karen Marichi, Anaid Monroy, Susana Gomez, Esteban Sanchez, Gerardo Regalado and Ryan Reeder.

Birds on Honeycomb

Filipino artist Clairelynn Uy’s works are always memorable. I first saw her works years ago and found her comical/pop culture style very amusing.  Sure, it may have been inspired by the likes of Roy Lichtenstein but her works have their own style to them. 

(From left) Gaby dela Merced, Mayor Jamie Cuaresma, Clairelynn Uy and Pia Reyes.

Clairelynn was born in 1974 and studied Fine Arts at the Philippine Women’s University. She has had several solo and group exhibitions in the Philippines.

The artist’s works are typically characterized by a playful use of pop-culture icons and graphics. Birds on Honeycomb is her first exhibition for Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery located at La Fuerza Compound in Makati City.

In this exhibition, Clairelynn plays with the reflection of images as each painting is perfectly symmetrical, as if a mirror has been wedged in the middle. She has recreated the pop icons of years past yet made them strangely novel to the eyes. These paintings flirt on the collective past with playfulness, asking the audience to re-imagine and play along with the mirrored version of iconic figures.

Her use of the pop culture aspect is still as evident in her current works as it was the first time I saw them.

‘Hearts in Action’

Top executives of AXA Philippines, local celebrities and NBA legends celebrated a weekend of basketball action at the NBA 3X Philippines presented by AXA at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Former NBA superstars Tim Hardaway  Sr. and Brian Scalabrine came to Manila to engage with their Filipino fans and help coach a basketball clinic for underprivileged kids. This was done in partnership with AXA Hearts in Action, a group of employee volunteers from the insurance company. The Detroit Pistons Extreme Team also provided a set of must-see aerial dunks during the weekend festivities.

AXA Philippines chief customer officer Amor Balagtas and CEO Rahul Hora with NBA Philippines managing director Carlo Singson.

AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora said, “We know Filipinos love basketball, which is why the NBA 3X Philippines event provides a meaningful way for us to interact with enthusiasts of the sport. It helps us as we use this as a platform to bridge their passion for basketball and connect it with the importance of having a game plan in life.”

The festivities started with a lunch with Hardaway Sr. who shared his story and his life’s game plan with AXA employees and select customers.

Derek Ramsay, Boys Night Out DJs and sports personalities like Charles Tiu and Nikko Ramos participated in the NBA 3X celebrity division. Actor Marco Alcaraz, TV personality Billy Crawford, former NCAA star Sudan Daniel and model-rugby player Eric Tai emerged as champions.

(From left) Marco Alcaraz, Eric Tai, Sudan Daniel and Billy Crawford.

Through NBA 3X Philippines, passionate Pinoy basketball fans experienced live NBA action at its finest!

 (Visit www.axa.com.ph.)

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(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)