Apart from the film’s cute twist at the end, what was even more pleasantly surprising was how McDonald’s broke category conventions by featuring a GL (Girl Love) story. When asked about the creation of the ad, McDonald’s Corporate Relations Director, Adi Hernandez shares, “Despite its rare representation locally, it was important that this love story is depicted as a regular, everyday occurrence at McDonald’s Philippines. Gender inclusivity is ingrained in our brand experience from our customers to our employees. No matter who you are, you are welcome and safe to come back here again and again – that’s what we wanted our audience to know.”
And the story behind the effortless acting that made everyone feel giddy? The brand along with its advertising agency, TBWA\SMP, factored in proper representation in casting and tapped a real member of the LGBTQ+ community. “We wanted to do it right, and we wanted to make sure they (the actors) felt comfortable.” says Adi Hernandez.
Last year, McDonald’s gained praises for sponsoring Pride March 2022 and now with this feel-good film, the brand is constantly proving that it’s not shying away from gender inclusivity. What’s next? Adi Hernandez says, “There’s more to come. This is a part of a broader campaign to show our commitment to ensuring McDonald’s continues to be everyone’s happy place.”
And we can’t help but say, we’re lovin’ this step towards inclusivity for McDonald’s.
Garmin, a global leader in innovative GPS technology, recently announced the launch of the Instinct® 2X Solar, the latest addition to its acclaimed Instinct 2 family of rugged, purpose-built smartwatches. With its unrivaled durability and cutting-edge features, the Instinct 2X Solar and Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition are specifically designed to thrive in the most challenging and extreme environments.
Built to U.S. military standards (MIL-STD-810) for thermal shock, water resistance and shock, the smartwatches are water-rated up to 10 ATM1 and feature a chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant Power Glass™ lens. The lens assists in extending battery life, producing 50% more energy than the standard Instinct 2 solar watch. Solar charging gives unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode2, allowing users to do what they love longer without worrying about recharging their watch.
“Our latest addition to the Instinct 2 series is the ultimate smartwatch for anyone who wants to live life to the fullest. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to stay connected, this purpose-built GPS smartwatch has you covered.With its bold design, unlimited battery life, and built-in GPS, you can take on anything that comes your way,” said Mr. Scoppen Lin, Assistant General Manager, Garmin Asia.
The Instinct 2X Solar introduces an integrated LED flashlight with variable intensities, whether setting up camp or out for a run in the dark, a red or adjustable white light will illuminate the surroundings for greater visibility and situational awareness. In strobe mode, the light will match a running cadence and alternate between white and red so users can be seen and confidently take each stride.
Innovative tools to stay healthy and connected
The Instinct 2X Solar provides the features customers want and the data they can use to pursue wellness, fitness and lifestyle goals as well as navigate outdoor adventures.
● Keep tabs on body metrics with 24/7 Health and Wellness Tracking, including wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, respiration tracking, Pulse Ox and more3.
● Built-in sports apps to take on running, biking, swimming, strength training and more, plus VO2 max and other training features.
● Gain a deeper understanding of overall health, training and recovery through Heart Rate Variability during sleep, based on technology developed by Garmin’s Firstbeat Analytics™ team.
● New Multi-Band GNSS Support provides improved positional accuracy.
● Navigate the outdoors with built-in sensors for a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter.
● Retrace the trail with TracBack® routing, helping users find the same route back to their starting point and reference point marks of a known spot relative to their location.
● Stay connected with smart notifications, Garmin Pay™ contactless payments and
Connect IQ™ app integration4.
Obstacle Course activity addition
Additionally, the Instinct 2X Solar is the first to offer Obstacle Course Racing as an activity, which includes running segments and obstacles of various types. This activity will allow athletes to manually record obstacle splits and once obstacles are marked for the first lap, they will be automatically tracked for the remaining laps. The Obstacle Course activity will include the number of runs on a particular course, run times, number of obstacles, time spent on each obstacle, run metrics for run splits (distance, pace, cadence, stride length, etc.), elevation profile, heart rate and distance.
Infinite Battery Life
The Instinct 2x Solar revolutionizes the way we think about battery life. Harnessing the power of solar charging, Garmin’s latest innovation offers unparalleled longevity, enabling users to stay connected and explore with confidence.
With its solar charging technology, the Instinct 2X Solar* offers unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode, ensuring users can stay connected and explore with confidence. In case solar charging is unavailable, the Instinct 2x Solar still boasts of an extended battery life through its different modes.
In Expedition GPS Activity Mode, it provides an impressive 60 days of battery life, while the Battery Saver Watch Mode extends it to an astonishing 100 days. Even without solar charging, the Instinct 2X Solar delivers exceptional longevity, with up to 40 days of battery life in Smartwatch Mode. Garmin’s commitment to innovation and sustainability sets a new benchmark, empowering individuals to push their boundaries and go further without limits.
*Solar Charging: Assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000-lux conditions
Purpose-built to conquer the mission
The Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition is packed with features specific to tactical operations including Jumpmaster and tactical preloaded activities, projected waypoints, dual-position GPS formatting and Night-Vision Compatibility. Users can also enable Stealth Mode, which prevents sharing of GPS position and disables wireless communication. When in stealth mode, GPS location is visible on the watch face but is not saved to the device memory or shared. This allows for training functionality in areas with location security concerns without revealing the location.
To lead the way during night operations, the multi-LED flashlight on the Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition illuminates in either white or a dedicated green. Users will find the green light useful in maintaining their eyes’ natural night vision.
Now available in the Philippines, the Instinct 2X Solar has a suggested retail price of PHP 28,250, while the Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition has a suggested retail price of PHP 31,380.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin outdoor recreation products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences and enrich lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For more information about Garmin Philippines, visit theirwebsite orFacebook page.
Dama Ko Lahi Ko, the volunteer-driven initiative encouraging the celebration of Filipino culture through the five senses every Independence Day, enters its third year.
Established in 2021 by the Filipino Culture Collective, the movement banks on the Filipino’s massive and constant presence on social media to pique interest in, and spread awareness of, what makes Filipino culture unique. In this way, the movement seeks to spotlight Filipino culture (in products, services, and experiences) on the global menu.
Modern Creative Visionaries In an intimate event held at the prestigious Ito Kish showroom, prominent figures from various creative fields shared their insights on promoting Filipino culture locally and abroad.
Each speaker focused on a sense. Award-winning furniture designer Ito Kish described how growing up in San Pablo, Laguna was a tactile inspiration. Solihiya chairs at his grandmother’s house, balusters that let in cool breezes, became memories woven into his creativity. “Filipino will always be my design language,” he said.
Renowned scenographer Gino Gonzales illustrated the impact of the terno in Philippine history to champion the sense of sight, with vintage photographs showing how the terno was worn in everyday life. “When you wear a terno, you wear your heart on your sleeve,” he said. “You wear your nationality for everyone to know that you are Filipino.”
Artu Nepomuceno, one of the most talked about young photographers today, shared his experience of shooting cultural icon Apo Whang-od for Vogue’s magazine’s April 2023 issue, which rapidly gained worldwide acclaim. “I wanted to photograph Apo Whang-od like my lola,” he said. “When people abroad message me about the cover, they thank me for bringing a piece of home to the world. And now this photo exists in homes everywhere.”
Bayang Barrios’ lilting voice made its entrance before her, captivating the audience. The indigenous musician spoke of her journey to embracing her Manobo roots, culture, and music. She emphasized that more people should appreciate the different kinds of music in our heritage: “Kung hindi natin mamahalin ang kulturang atin, tayo po ay magkakawatak-watak at mismong bansa ay hihina at walang mapatutunguhan.”
Finally, restaurateur Jenny Yrasuegui spoke for the senses of smell and taste. She pointed out that the combination of Filipino hospitality and food is unparalleled. “Filipino food does not need to be elevated because there is nothing to elevate.” she said. “All you need to do is to find creative ways of presenting it.”
Culture and Soft Power During the event, the movement’s co-founders Leigh Reyes and Len Cabili emphasized the importance of Filipino culture as soft power in a world seeking what’s authentic, memorable, and valuable.
“What can help us advance as a nation can come from who we are. We can all be part of it by living our culture collectively, consciously, and consistently in our everyday lives,” the co-founders emphasized.
Dama Ko Lahi Ko is the unifying theme that compiles all Filipino experiences within the framework of the five senses. By using the hashtag #DamaKoLahiKo when sharing Filipino themes, everyone can actively support the growth and recognition of Filipino culture and talent—shaping a future where the Filipino identity thrives both at home and abroad.
For more information on Dama Ko Lahi Ko and upcoming events, please visit damakolahiko.com or follow us on Instagram: @damakolahiko.
Self-made entrepreneur Marzen Salazar remembers the many moments when she would catch her grandmother in front of the mirror, filling in her eyebrows faded by time.
Miss Derm owner and founder Marzen Salazar
Humans are said to be capable of nearly 10,000 facial expressions. The slightest twitch of facial muscle, the direction of the eye, and the movement of eyebrows all mean a plethora of emotions – the non-verbal cues that make up the unspoken daily chatter.
Yet as one grows old, it becomes more difficult to do so; the muscles loosen, but most significantly, the eyebrows thin along with the lashes.
Elite Brows Microshading by Miss Derm
“My grandmother always draws about her eyebrows. She would try it but (I) would never be satisfied,” remembers Marzen. “When I was growing up in the ‘90s, eyebrow tattooing was a popular solution to the fading of the brow for the elderly and people with thin strokes – but even tattoos have their limits.”
Wispy Lashes Extensions by Miss Derm
Today, as Marzen recalls her time growing up in Laguna with her lola, Marzen is gradually and decisively building her own business to provide a better solution for eyebrows, lashes, and other facial care woes.
In 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic, Marzen boldly launched Miss Derm – a clinic specializing in eyebrows, lashes, and facial treatment services, including microblading.
Lash Lift by Miss Derm
A relatively new technology for Filipinos, microblading uses small needles to create soft and subtle hair-like strokes and deposit pigment on the skin. It is a form of cosmetic tattooing but, unlike the traditional tattoo that embeds pigment deep into the skin, microblading only injects pigment superficially on the body and thus is only semi-permanent.
At Miss Derm, microblading is only done by certified microblading artists. Artists undergo intensive training to provide the highest level of quality and care for customers.
More than just a business
From one clinic in Makati, Marzen expanded Miss Derm to two more locations: Las Pinas and Quezon City – one additional business address each year. Despite travel restrictions, Miss Derm’s number of patrons have grown through word of mouth, attracted by the quality of premium services to help customers with their facial care needs.
“I’ve always been motivated by the fact that the services we do at Miss Derm directly affect our customers’ disposition. If eyes are the windows to the soul, eyebrows and lashes are the frames that help define what you want to express and how you want to be seen. We want to help our customers increase their confidence and wear a brighter face every day,” says Marzen, a former wedding photographer-turned communications manager in Oman.
Lip Blush by Miss Derm
Aside from its popular Elite Brows/Lips Package, Miss Derm offers a wide range of microblading, microshading, eyeliner, and blading solutions. Customers will also find a menu of no-needle procedures, including Brow Lamination, Lash Lift, Lash Extensions, and HIFU Skin Tightening for the face, neck, and the body.
HIFU Face & Chin lift by Miss Derm
Miss Derm’s complete facial care and skincare solutions prove to be perfect for customers who desire convenience and a highly personalized level of care. At Miss Derm, artists converse with customers about their needs and suggest ways to achieve how they want to look.
This level of service and hospitality is the product of Marzen’s entrepreneurial instincts, of putting customers at the heart of the process, and ensuring that employees are taken care of.
Marzen Salazar with the Miss Derm staff
Despite Marzen’s location in Oman, she has overseen the growth and initial success of Miss Derm with flying colors remotely, flying to Manila to visit the clinics when needed, but talking directly with her clients on a daily basis. “When customers chat with our social media channels for feedback or bookings, they’re likely talking to me. “I always had a passion for talking with customers, especially women. As a wedding photographer in Laguna and Oman, I deal with women on a regular basis. One should listen and be attentive; they know what they want. When you delight them with great service and you build a positive working relationship, they will come back for more and they will treat you like family,” says Marzen.
Miss Derm is located in Makati (9/f Centuria Medical Makati), Las Pinas (304 Aurora Bldg, Zapote-Alabang Road), and Quezon City (20 Shorthorn Street). To stay updated about Miss Derm, follow https://www.instagram.com/missderm/
Xiaomi fans are about to get a big mid-year treat as the brand unveils its 6.6 sale lineup. Massive discounts on select smartphones and AIoT products are on tap from June 6 to 8, 2023, via Xiaomi’s e-commerce platforms.
Smartphones for students, side-hustlers
Looking for an affordable and reliable smartphone? Check out the upcoming 6.6 promo where you can shop for various Redmi phones. The entry-level Redmi A1 (P3,299 from P3,799), for example, which will be a Shopee exclusive, is great for online classes, meetings, and daily internet browsing.
Another affordable phone option is the Redmi 12C, which comes in two variants: 4+64 (P5,999 from P6,499) and 6+128 (P6,499 from P7,499). It’s the go-to device for side-hustlers that need spacious storage, fast performance, and large screen display for everyday tasks.
Lifestyle AIoT items for all interests
Many Xiaomi AIoT products will also be discounted during the 6.6 sale. Music lovers can treat themselves to the Redmi Buds 3 Pro (P2,899 from P1,199) and the Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro (P6,999 from P3,999). Keep track of your fitness progress with the Mi Smart Band 7 (P2,499 from P1,999) and Xiaomi Watch S1 Active AP (P8,999 from P5,999).
These are just some of the products that will be up for sale during Xiaomi’s 6.6 promo. Check out the full product lineup for the mid-year sale here, and be sure to visit Xiaomi’s Shopee store from June 6 to 8 to avail of the special discounts.
Don’t miss out on these exciting deals and discounts this 6.6. For more information, visit Xiaomi’s official Facebook page and Xiaomi’s official website.
This June, prepare to be entertained as Cinema One brings a stellar lineup of Filipino blockbusters, perfect for a home movie marathon. From heartwarming romances to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, there’s a film for every taste. Engage with these must-watch Filipino movies, offering both light-hearted escapism and adrenaline-pumping excitement, right from the comfort of your own home!
Here are some films coming to Cinema One this month to add to your binge list:
Starring Matteo Guidicelli and Kim Chui June 2 | 5:00 PM
Journey into the mystical realm of ghost weddings in this gripping film. The Ghost Bride delves into the ancient Chinese tradition and its unnerving consequences. To save her family from being homeless and her father (Robert Sena) suffering from a heart condition, Mayen (Kim Chiu) desperately agrees to take the offer of a Chinese matchmaker (Alice Dixson) for a huge amount of money. In exchange, Mayen must submit herself as a Ghost Bride to a wealthy but dead Chinese man. This deal, however, happens to be a deadly curse when the deceased groom’s ghost becomes jealous and possessive of Mayen. It begins to take a toll on her and the people close to her heart. Ultimately, Mayen must make a choice on how to save herself, and most especially her family.
Starring Julia Baretto and Joshua Garcia June 4 | 7:00 PM
A pulse-racing zombie horror flick that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Watch how a group of university students strive to survive an unexpected zombie outbreak. Directed by Mikhail Red, a disparate group of students must band together if they are going to survive during a deadly viral infection outbreak.
Starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla June 9 | 7:00 PM
A timeless love story that transcends generations. This romantic drama is a testament to enduring love amidst trials and tribulations. Seventeen-year-old Athena Dizon unwittingly plays a trick on resident heartthrob and bad boy Kenji de los Reyes. All of a sudden, she finds herself pretending to be his girlfriend to make an ex jealous; however, she falls in love with him.
Starring Paolo Ballesteros and Christian Bables June 14 | 9PM
A heart-wrenching drama-comedy about a transgender woman’s pursuit of love and acceptance. It’s a true celebration of life, death, and the beauty in between. Trisha, a Filipino transgender woman, suddenly dies while being crowned in a beauty pageant. Her last wish was to be presented as a different celebrity on each night of her wake, but her conservative father wants to bury her as a man.
Starring Jodi Sta. Maria, Kris Aquino, Derek Ramsay and Ian Veneracion June 18 | 5:00 PM
Explore love in all its forms in this heartwarming anthology. It proves that love, indeed, is all you need. To remind everyone how inspiring it is to love and to feel loved, the powerhouse ensemble – Kris Aquino, Derek Ramsay, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, Nova Villa, Ronaldo Valdez, Pokwang, James “Bimby” Yap, and Julia and Talia Concio – join forces for this 2015 Metro Manila Film Fest entry. A heartwarming romantic and family movie, “All You Need Is Pag-ibig” explores and celebrates the complexity of human relationships in all their forms. The movie features varied forms of love: family love, sibling love, puppy love, unrequited love, ruined love, prospering love, in denial love, jaded love, and true love, among others. After all, what the world needs now is love.
Starring Coco Martin, Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza June 18 | 3:00 PM
A fast-paced action comedy film where a police officer, a rookie, and a grifter join forces to fight against crime. It’s an absolute riot from start to finish! Three adventurous police officers – “puliscredibles”, as they call it – go on a mission to stop the crimes in their area.
Starring Jennylyn Mercado and Sam Milby June 21 | 9:00 PM
A romantic comedy that delves into the practical side of love and marriage. Watch how a prenup agreement puts a young couple’s love to the ultimate test. Two people meet on a plane and fall in love in New York. They’re all set to get married back in the Philippines, but the guy’s rich parents are suspicious of the girl’s intentions and insist on a prenuptial agreement.
Starring Zaijian Jaranilla, Inigo Dominic Pacual and Maris Racal June 24 | 3:00 PM
A coming-of-age comedy that’s both heartfelt and humorous, revolving around Boyette, who is navigating his identity and adolescence. Zaijian Jaranilla plays a flamboyant gay teenager and a straight boy at the same time in “Boyette: Not a Girl Yet.” In the movie, Boyette (Zaijian) pretends to be straight when his long-time homophobic crush Charles (Inigo Pascual) recruits him to a dance club. In an awkward yet hilarious twist, Nancy (Maris Racal), Charles’ crush, ends up getting smitten by Boyette instead. While the film is very light-hearted, it effectively conveys an eye-opening message to its viewers – be unapologetically you and dismiss all the backlash about your sexuality because what’s important is your own happiness.
Starring Diether Ocampo, Dominic Ochoa, and Jodi Sta. Maria June 25 | 5:00 PM
This ensemble drama-comedy is a nostalgic trip that explores the lives of various individuals and how their paths intersect in unexpected ways. There are some youths who call themselves “jologs” to mean they’re modern, open-minded and true to themselves, and whose lives intertwine. Ruben (John Prats), the illegitimate son of a wealthy businessman, loses his college scholarship when the school finds out about his rich but indifferent father. He decides to rob his father’s house thinking that he has the right to share in his father’s money. Kulas (Vhong Navarro) is hopelessly transfixed in an unrequited love until he is harshly awakened to reality. Transvestite Shay (Baron Geisler) becomes a victim of gay bashing. Chona, after being taken cared of by Mando (Diether Ocampo) when she got pregnant, suddenly decides to leave for Japan and earn more money as entertainer, leaving her infant child with Mando. Then there’s the vacationing seminarian Dino who falls in love with Fay (Jodi Sta. Maria). And although Faye throws herself at Dino, he restrains himself until his friend’s suicide which makes him realize that life is short so he should make the most of it.
Starring JM De Guzman and Angelica Panganiban June 30 | 7:00 PM
A poignant exploration of heartbreak, healing, and finding one’s self again, this movie resonates with anyone who has loved and lost. A woman struggling to meet airline baggage requirements meets a man who comes to her aid. They form a friendship that helps them mend each other’s hearts.
From thrilling adventures to laugh-out-loud comedies and heartfelt dramas, Cinema One brings a spectacular line-up for June 2023. Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting cinematic journey!
Are you ready to experience the magic of these 10 phenomenal movies coming to Cinema One this June 2023? The only question left is: Which one will you watch first?
Remember to keep an eye out for next month’s update on the latest movies hitting Cinema One’s screen. For more Cinema One movies this June and for daily schedules of Cinema One, click here.
[Note: Channel schedules and movie lineup are subject to change without prior notice]
Can’t decide what to watch on TV this June? Don’t sweat it! PBO is coming to your rescue with a lineup of 8 Filipino movies that’ll get your hearts racing, eyes welling, and sides aching from laughter. Hold onto your remote controls as we guide you through this month’s must-watch movies on PBO! If you’re in the mood to spend some of your free time this month of June on the couch, watching films, PBO Channel has got you covered with their lineup of Pinoy movies. And to make it even easier for you, we have rounded up eight movies from their lineup that you might want to catch on your TV!
June 3, 1:30 AM | June 8, 3:15 AM | June 13, 3:30 AM | June 23, 6:45 AM
Kicking off our list is “Jacqueline Comes Home”, a movie based on real events that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat. This heart-wrenching story of two sisters caught in an unthinkable situation is bound to keep you gripped. This controversial biopic recalls the events of the 1997 Chiong murder case told from the perspectives of the alleged victims and the Chiong family.
June 4, 7:30 PM | June 9, 11 AM | June 12, 5:30 PM | June 20, 3:30PM
Need a hearty laugh? “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin” will do the trick! With hilarious antics and sharp wit, this comedy is a guaranteed pick-me-up. A soldier who once saved the entire country is assigned to guard a genius child whose intellect is needed to foil the plans of an evil villain. Who knew saving the world could be so funny?
June 6, 1:30 PM | June 12, 4:30 AM | June 24, 12:30 PM | June 30, 9:30 PM
Immerse yourself in a story of love, heartache, and the road to redemption with “On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets”. The film takes you on an emotional journey, where the lead characters discover solace and courage in the most unexpected places. A washed up actress and former child star Jane Pineda (Bela Padilla), battles with love, chances and alcoholism as her career plummets to rock bottom.
June 6, 5 AM | June 16, 3:15 PM | June 25, 11:15 AM
“The Gifted” offers a clever mix of humor and drama as it explores the rivalry between two extraordinarily intelligent women. Childhood best friends who are both geniuses in school eventually become bittersweet rivals for campus athlete Mark Ferrer. Can brains outshine the heart? Tune in to find out!
Feel the beat with “Indak”, a dance film that will inspire you to chase your dreams, no matter the odds. This musical extravaganza will get your toes tapping and heart thumping. Vin (Sam Concepcion) invites a simple island girl, Jen (Nadine Lustre), to join Indak Pinas, a dance group, after her dance video goes viral. The two not only find their groove, but also slowly fall for each other.
Rediscover the magic of love with “It Takes a Man and a Woman”. This rom-com will warm your heart with its portrayal of love’s ups and downs. The relationship between Miggy and Laida didn’t last, and neither did Miggy’s business success. When Laida returns to help with a presentation to MET, old feelings come to the surface. Is there anything better than a feel-good love story?
“The Day After Valentines” offers a poignant look at love, loss, and the road to healing. This emotional rollercoaster will make you reflect on your own relationships and appreciate the beauty of letting go. A woman should take the responsibility of helping a brokenhearted and self-destructive man to fix his problems.
Rounding off our list is “Para sa Hopeless Romantic”, a tale that weaves together stories of young love, heartbreak, and the relentless pursuit of happy endings. Can love truly conquer all? Watch and find out! A student writer struggles to find a happy ending for her romantic story when her own real life romance falls apart. Can love truly conquer all? Watch and find out!
This June, PBO’s movie lineup offers a thrilling rollercoaster ride of emotions. Don’t miss out on these 8 incredible Pinoy movies. Get ready to laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again. Happy viewing!
For more Movies on PBO Channel this June and for the daily schedules of PBO, click here.
[Note: schedules are subject to change without prior notice]
Do you know that there are 2 ways of “gisa” or sauteing? One is Chinese-style and the other one is Spanish-style. And how about choosing the right type of oil when deep-frying, sauteing, or preparing a salad dressing? How about marinating the meats or “babad” – before cooking – as one of the best ways to make meats juicy and delicious?
Welcome to SimpolDISHKARTE by Chef Tatung Sarthou! This is not your ordinary cookbook but a comprehensive guide for Pinoy cooking that will make kitchen time enjoyable and stress-free. Our goal is to provide you with the much-needed kitchen basics, hacks, tips, and tricks, easy-to-follow recipes, step-by-step photos, and illustrations so that you can have a happy & enjoyable cooking experience, whether at home for the family or a home-based business.
The book is divided into three (3) parts: Dish Is It, Dishkubre, and Dishkarte + Recipes.
Part 1: Dish Is It, focuses on simple but basic cooking rules such as choosing the right ingredients, knowing what works with the dish to be cooked, and using the right cookware & knives (do remember using a blunt knife is an accident waiting to happen), the correct way of chopping the ingredients, defrosting tips and others.
Part 2: Dishkubre, tackles the basic cooking techniques like boiling, steaming, sauteing, frying, deep-frying, thickening, or thinning the sauce, preparing the ingredients, and so much more.
Part 3: Dishkarte is all about the different types of beef, pork, and chicken cuts. Also includes the list of flavor enhancers or pampalasa, herbs and spices, noodles, and rice paper, measuring units, and color-coding chopping boards for food safety.
Part 3.5: Recipes. This is where we put the techniques and the basic kitchen concepts into action. Leveled-up Sinigang na Baboy, Molo Soup, Crispy Pata, Adobo cooked 4 ways (with gata, puti, pula and classic), Chicken Inasal, Laing, and different kinds of sauces from Chimichurri to Asian Barbeque Sauce to Classic Pinoy Barbeque Sauce.
Chef Tatung Sarthou, celebrity chef, restaurateur, and award-winning book author, says “Dishkarte was written to bridge the skill gap of home cooks to satisfy the discriminating tastes of people who frequent restaurants when served with home-cooked dishes. It is also written for non-English speakers by providing technical and practical know-how in the kitchen to function in a home or even commercial setting.” Chef Tatung also confirms that “the book is a perfect primer for non-cooks who want to ventureinto the kitchen. Mga naghahanap ng ibang career or hanapbuhay. Suitable for entry-level or community-based food businesses.”
On a more personal note, Chef Tatung wrote Dishkarte with his household staff in mind as well. “Ang hirap mag explain ng paulit-ulit, not to mention, time-consuming as there is much to cover and clarify.” says Chef Tatung. The book, initially published in 2018, is well-loved by Filipinos all over the world as evidenced by it being awarded as one of the top winners of the Filipino Readers Choice Award in 2022.
With our complete guide for Pinoy cooking in a language that most Filipinos can understand, we hope that everyone can learn how to cook delicious Pinoy dishes, understand the nuances and reasons why certain cooking techniques are done and without spending too much time or effort. So, let’s get started on your culinary journey today. Dapat sa kusina, Ma-Diskarte!
This June, in a vibrant salute to Pride Month, COS is set to launch their special Pride Collection worldwide on cos.com and at the COS Store Manila in SM Aura Premier. The collection embraces the diversity of queer club culture and the safe havens they provide, presenting a limited-edition t-shirt capsule adorned with unique designs, encapsulating the essence of four iconic global club experiences: Horse Meat Disco, House of Yes, Sink The Pink, and Churros con Chocolate, continuing to support LGBTQIA+ communities internationally so that everyone can feel respected, safe, and seen.
Pride 2023
Preserving Queer Spaces
Even prior to the pandemic, queer spaces were dwindling in numbers, with many continuing to face threats rooted in transphobia, homophobia, and gentrification. These places serve as the lifeblood of numerous queer communities, sparking inspiration, providing a hub for connection, celebration, and most importantly, a platform to express individuality.
Pride 2023
Celebrating Creativity and Individuality
COS’s Pride Collection encapsulates the unique creativity and individuality of each collaborating partner. Horse Meat Disco, the crowd-puller at many international music festivals, introduces a t-shirt infused with a bold and colorful DISCO design, signifying unity through a shared love for disco and dancing. Concurrently, House of Yes, a New York-based space dedicated to promoting creativity and connectivity, presents a powerful heart-shaped design interlaced with lines, crafting a unique symbol of love.
Next, the legendary UK collective and advocators of self-expression, Sink The Pink, presenting a playful Queen of Clubs design – a stunning tribute to their legacy. Lastly, Spain’s fun-filled festival, Churros con Chocolate, mirrors their iconic poster designs showcasing their dress-up ethos and exuberant attendees.
Photographed by Brett Lloyd, the campaign shines a spotlight on the beautiful faces that form the heart and soul of LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide.
Aiding the Cause
In an effort to create a future free from prejudice and discrimination, COS pledges to donate 100% of the profits from this collaborative endeavor to Metro ManilaPride, a volunteer-managed organisation. This body tirelessly works towards educating, equipping, and empowering the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community, asserting everyone’s right to feel safe, seen, and respected.
Get ready to wear your pride on your sleeve with COS’s Pride Collection. Together, let’s celebrate the colors of love, acceptance, and unity, supporting a cause that holds the promise of a safer, more inclusive future.
The COS Pride collection will be available globally at cos.com and the COS Store Manila in SM Aura Premier from June.
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ was so revolutionary in both its visual imagery and its engaging storytelling that it’s truly a tough act to follow. It was a perfect cinematic experience that was well-deserving of its Academy Award for Best Animated Feature that managed to properly capture the travails of a teenager – all their thoughts, hopes, and dreams (and disappointments) – while discovering they now have superpowers. Surprisingly, or maybe not, the sequel, ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ takes everything that made the first movie so good and antes up. The five years between films was not wasted as directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K Thompson offer up a smorgasbord of visual styles that manages to merge and mix very well with each other while screenwriters Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham continue to infuse all this visual magic with a pulsing heart that surprises at every turn.
Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and his mother Rio (Luna Lauren Velez) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
Time has passed since the events of the first movie and Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) and Miles is juggling being an exemplary (though often missing) student and fighting crime as Spider-Man. The strains of his double life weigh heavy on his family. His parents, Jefferson and Rio (voiced by Bryan Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez) are worried that they are doing their best as his parents, that he’s changing, that he’s growing up and they are feeling helpless about it. Miles, on the other hand, is feeling alone. No one else knows what he is going through. The only people who do understand are in another universe.
Jessica Drew (Issa Rae), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) and his daughter Mayday in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
And that’s when Gwen Stacy (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) returns. Having joined a group of different iterations of Spider-Man from various multiverses, Gwen can now travel to the different dimensions, and she visits Miles while on a mission to stop a villain known as the Spot (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), who is in Miles’ world. This mission, though, leads to larger, more serious events that allows Miles to go to various dimensions, interacts with different Spider-Men (and women) from other worlds, and discovers a truth about himself and a newfound resolve about his powers, his identity, and his relationships.
Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
What is absolutely incredible about ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is that, at the very heart of this story, is yet another heartfelt coming-of-age story for Miles. Even with the backdrop of superheroes and stunning animation, fighting crime and death-defying heroic stunts, at the core of every beat is that of Miles and Gwen discovering truths about themselves, the world, and what it means to grow up.
Jessica Drew (Issa Rae) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
Lord, Miller, and Callaham write this script with such depth but never takes away the fun and the wonder of what’s happening around these characters. By nature, all Spider-Men and Spider-Women are funny, and this isn’t lost to the characters but so many moments are also so incredibly written that they pack a punch. When Gwen first visits Miles, they have a talk while web-slinging through the city and it’s beautiful to watch: all the movements are so graceful and both heroes have distinct styles of web-swinging. But their conversation is so authentic to the experiences of both. I don’t know which one is more arresting.
Even when Jefferson and Rio talk about their son or Rio’s fantastic speech as she tries her best to get through to Miles and Miles is always at the verge of telling his mother his secret, it’s so emotionally true that it can bring a person to tears. The animation is so precise that the posture, the gestures, the mannerisms of each character is expressed so vividly. The film is breathing at every moment.
Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) and Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
So while the film manages to give us both very powerful human moments, character-driven scenes, it also gives us explosive superhuman sequences that allows us to also enjoy the comic book aspects of the movie and, for the Spider-Man fans, it gives us tons of Easter Eggs to watch out for as Miles enters the world of Miguel O’ Hara or Spider-Man 2099 (voiced by Oscar Isaac) and the hundreds of different Spider-Men,
The voice acting is superb. Especially that of Moore, Steinfeld, and Velez. Daniel Kaluuya also is incredible as Spider-Punk. Can I just reiterate how wonderful Luna Lauren Velez is as Rio and how much warmth and soul she infuses Rio with in each of her scenes? She is the MVP of this movie, for me. The art is phenomenal, changing with every dimension – one that suits the style accordingly to the character – and they all interact so well with each other.
Spider-Man/Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
You may not be aware (as I was not) but the film is only part one of two. This was an announcement that was made before the release of this film, apparently, and I was not aware so I was shocked to see it end in such a cliff-hanger and I cannot wait for the next installment. Already, as it is, I feel that it is already a sure win at the Oscars for the way by which it revolutionizes the way animated stories are told and the way by which the story really captures the ways by which growing up can make life so difficult. It captures it with so much heart and empathy. I can’t wait to see this film again.
