Welcome to the south, Popeyes!

As I’ve mentioned before, Popeyes is my favorite fried chicken! Here in the Philippines, I frequent its branch at ArcoVia City in Pasig, which still has long queues more than a month ago after it opened.

Recently, it opened its second branch at the Alabang Town Center and I am so happy because I go to Alabang a lot on weekends to visit my friends. Now, I can get my Popeyes fix even when I am in the south!

(From left) Verniece Enciso, Laureen Uy, Patty Laurel-Filart with son Theo and Vern Enciso.

The opening kicked off with tunes from the marching band, followed by the grand unveiling of its vibrant global restaurant image first revealed at ArcoVia City.

Francis Reyes, CFO of Kuya J Group, the parent company of Popeyes in the Philippines, said, “Following the successful opening of our first Popeyes Philippines restaurant in ArcoVia City, Pasig, we are very thrilled to bring it closer to the people from the south. We know that they have been waiting for this, and now it’s here!”

(From left) Comisario Central Inc. COO Anton Dator, Diane Yu, Landers Superstore president Gwen Lim and Kuya J Group COO Richard Joseph Li.

Aside from the original honey biscuits, Cajun fries and the Popeyes fried chicken, the restaurant will also be offering new treats such as Popeyes Spaghetti, which is exclusive only in the Philippines; and the hazelnut and white chocolate biscuits. These delicious biscuits can be paired with friend chicken or can serve as a dessert.

(For more information, visit www.popeyes.ph, www.facebook.com/popeyesph or www.instagram.com/popeyesph.)

‘On Pointé’

Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde and Manila Broadcasting Company chairman Fred Elizalde.

Ballet Manila is all set to stage a series of shows as it officially launched its 24th season at S Maison in Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

With the theme “On Pointé,” Ballet Manila highlights the most iconic element in a ballet performance — the pointé shoes, which make a ballerina dance on her toes.

Ballet Manila principal dancers Gerardo Francisco and Jasmine Pia Dames with coartistic director Osias Barroso.

According to Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the decision to go with the theme is related to the company’s Russian Vaganova style of training and dancing. She said, “We have always been very proud of our direct connections with the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This kind of schooling and training emphasizes harmonious perfection — dancing with the entire body, promoting harmonious movements of arms, legs and torso.”

Ballet Manila will be staging four shows this season. The first one is the restaging of Snow White, the second installment in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Princess Trilogy, which will run on Sept. 7 and 8. Giselle, a romantic ballet in two acts, is on Oct. 19 and 20, while Sleeping Beauty, the last installment in the Princess Trilogy, will premiere on Dec. 7 and 8. The season’s finale will be Carmina Burana and La Traviata, a collaboration of opera, ballet and orchestra, which will be staged on Feb. 29, 2020 and March 1, 2020. All shows will be staged at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Ballet Manila principal dancers Abigail Lynn Oliveiro and Romeo Peralta.

(For tickets, visit any Ticketworld outlet, call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. Check out  balletmanila.com.ph and www.facebook.com/BalletManilaOfficial.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)