Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights vs. Senator Vicente C. Sotto III

Yomenya Goemon opens in Greenbelt 3

Japanese Spaghetti HouseYomenya Goemon launched its first Philippine branch on October 18, introducing local foodies to Italian pasta and pizza cooked the Japanese way – which is fresh, upon order – and infused with indigenous Japanese flavors. 

Yomenya Goemon, which literally means Western Noodle Restaurant, first opened along Koen Street in Shibuya Prefecture, Japan in 1976. Its logo sports the face of a famous lawbreaker with a heart of gold. “Ishikawa Goemon is a legendary historical Japanese outlaw hero who stole from the rich to give to the poor: kind of like a Japanese version of Robin Hood,” explained Richmond Yang, Managing Director for Yomenya Goemon.

The brand famously hijacks the Japanese staple of noodles by marrying it with Western-style pasta, using premium ingredients from Italy (durum wheat semolina spaghetti noodles and extra virgin olive oil) and Japan (onsen egg, nori, mentaiko, Ao-Shiso, and Karashi Takana).

“The menu is special as Yomenya Goemon is able to seamlessly integrate Japanese and Western ingredients in a harmony of flavors that is recognizably Western but distinctly and undeniably Japanese,” said Richmond Yang.

“The result is a perfect fusion of East and West, with Japanese Spaghetti Noodles meant to be eaten and enjoyed the traditional Japanese way, which is slurping them with chopsticks,” Yang said.

The “Japanese spaghetti house” has become such a favorite among the ramen-loving Japanese that it is now the second largest food and beverage player in Japan.

Under the Nippon Restaurant Systems Group, Yomenya Goemon currently has over 300 restaurants and more than 2,500 stores covering 40 brands, in Japan alone. Other locations include Singapore, Shanghai and now the Philippines. Plans of expansion are also underway in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.

Filipinos familiar with Yomenya Goemon abroad needn’t worry, however, as all ingredients are either imported directly from Japan, or sourced locally through distributors of imported items.

Local franchise owners Richmond S. Yang, Luigi Vera and Robert Epes adhere to the strictest standards in the kitchen, that even the equipment is exactly the same as those utilized by the Yomenya Goemon outlets in Japan and Singapore.

“Our Sauces are prepared in our central kitchen using recipes approved by our Japanese principals following the same recipes in Japan and Singapore,” said Luigi Vera.

The kitchen staff initially conducted training in Singapore, with follow-up training classes on food and service standards conducted under the auspices of Japanese and Singaporean Chef Trainers in Manila.

“Food preparation is meticulously Japanese in cooking style as all the Japanese Spaghetti and Japanese Pizza dishes are cooked fresh upon order, to deliver you the best product possible,” said Luigi.

Customers may choose from the Grand Menu, 90% of which is composed of items served in all countries, and the rest originals based on “popular local flavors” as concocted by the research and development team

This means that Filipinos may not only sample 30 unique Japanese Spaghetti variants and seven Japanese Pizza variants, but also original dishes particularly tailored to the Filipino taste.

“For most of Japanese Spaghetti & Pizza dishes, they are available in the Philippine market bearing the exact same taste profile as the same dishes in Japan and Singapore because we feel the Filipino’s palate is already at the level of sophistication to fully appreciate their unique and distinct flavors,” said Robert Epes.

“The Philippine Flavors line-up of Japanese Spaghetti & Pizza dishes, however, are uniquely Filipino as they were developed exclusively for the Philippine market using indigenous ingredients such as our ubiquitous aligue or crab fat paste and longganisa breakfast staple,” Luigi added.

The menu helpfully marks with a Philippine flag the dishes exclusive to the local market, such as the Pork Longganisa & Broccoli Spaghetti (P285); Crab, Shrimp, and Scallop with Crab Paste Spaghetti (P325); and Longganisa Pizza (P395).

All-time favorite dishes, which stand out because their taste profiles represent a Japanese take on a classic spaghetti favorite, are tagged by the Goemon head logo.

These include the Squid Ink Spaghetti (P240); Carbonara with Yolk and Bacon (P260); Hokkaido Cheese Cream Soup Spaghetti with Scallop, Corn, Bacon and Potato (P295); Carbonara Meat Sauce with Onsen Egg (P325, in beef or pork meat sauce variants); Smoked Chicken and Three Cheese (P350); Avocado, Bacon and Shrimp with Cheese Cream Sauce (P375); Mentaiko, Shrimp & Japanese Herb Ao Shiso (P395); and Porcini Pizza with Bacon and Three Mushrooms (P450)

Japanese Spaghetti dishes’ serving sizes are either regular (120 grams) or large (160 grams), both generously portioned but meant ideally for individual servings. Diners may upsize to large portion (P120), and order add-ons of soup (P20) and wafu salad (P100).

The Japanese pizzas, meanwhile, come in a single size: 10 inches with eight slices good for three to four persons.

In addition, Yomenya Goemon also provides Regular, Large and Dessert Set Menus, where one can enjoy considerable savings compared to ordering á la carte, as well as three different Half & Half Sets (P450-P550), each with two half-portion fixed Japanese Spaghetti variants with a soup and a single-serve drink.

A kid’s set menu is also inclusive of Neapolitan spaghetti (50 grams), chocolate cake, and orange juice.

The dessert menu provides options such as Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ice Cream (P160), Soufflé Cheese Cake (P160), and Mango Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream (P160).

There is also a range of hot and cold beverages, including Iced Royal Milk Tea (P80; with ice cream, P100), and a choice between bottomless Red Iced Tea (P85) and bottomless Lemon Iced Tea (P85).

Yomenya Goemon is located at the 2nd level, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City. It is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday till Thursday, and from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 729-0586.

For additional news, Yomenya Goemon Philippines provides updates on Facebook (www.facebook.com/YomenyaGoemonPhilippines) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/YomenyaGoemonph)

The KFC Breakfast in Bed Experience

KFC is finally serving breakfast, and to make sure that everyone knows, they’re serving it like no fast food chain has done before. KFC is serving freshly cooked breakfast, in bed! I watched enviously as customers enjoyed their delicious meals on a very inviting queen sized bed, complete with extra large pillows and comforter. Every now and then, people outside would curiously peek through the windows to see the bed.

Turn-Off Behavior of the Lifestyle Writer

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Often when a product or a business is launched in Manila, the organizing company has a strict guest list. The invited people, whether friends or media representatives should observe decorum expected from a polite society. Hence, when this company launched its newest line of products, in the  guest list were those who moved in the same elite circle.

As in any product launch, there were freebies or gifts given to the guests as tokens of appreciation and  product promotion as well. These gifts are usually given during or towards the latter part of the launch. Since the guest list was screened, it goes without saying that the organizers expected a smooth sailing launch, which meant that no one would go around asking for his/her gift bag ahead of everyone else or acting too comfortably while mingling with the other guests. Or so the organizers thought…

One of the guests at the said launch was lifestyle writer (LW) who is known for his social crossovers to various forms of media. Prior to the start of the event, LW was seen along the hallway of the holding rooms looking like sneaking to get a few gift bags. Then, he handed the gift bags to his assistant with instructions, “Itago mo!” The two proceeded to the elevator while the assistant occasionally glanced in case there were witnesses to their mischief.

With his sneaky behavior, one could not help but think if LW behaves in this way in every product launch he attends. No one talks about it if ever maybe because of his status and influence.

Incidentally, if LW did not ask permission for the gift bags that he got, what do we call his act? And what do we call a person who commits such act? I can almost hear your brutally honest answers. 

Just Unstable or Merely Resentful?

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Movie Lead Actress LA1 has hurdled life's major difficulties even at an early age. Her life is a story of survival and was probably the reason why she has that certain strength of character as some people observe. But along with that also is a rumor of her being "inconsistent," to put it mildly.

Before the rehearsal of a scene of her movie, Lead Actress LA1 and some Extras EX were briefed about the details of the scene: execution, the emotions involved, and even the wardrobe to be worn by the characters that were shown to them. LA was cool about everything and had no complaints, outfits included.

But just when everything was ready and was about to shoot, LA1 suddenly demanded that her outfit be changed because it did not look good and was not suitable for the scene to be shot. The EX were dumbfounded because it was just minutes ago when LA1 said that she was okay with everything. Then someone commented that maybe the rumor was true after all, that LA1 has some "instability" problems.

Then while LA1 was changing outfits, someone from the staff overheard her saying, " Hay naku, bakit kasi hindi ako pinayagan magdala ng stylist, eh yung isa pinayagan, " ( referring to her fellow Lead Actress LA2 ). Turned out, along with "instability," it was also insecurity that got the better of her.

Such rumor did not die but actually surfaces everytime she displays mood changes at the click of a finger, oh well.

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Like or Dislike: Kathryn Bernardo for Meg

Dial "Play and Fun"

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Good looks runs in the family of this sociable celebrity SC. His physical looks and towering height alone will make for an ideal leading man material. But unfortunately, it was his choice to do only a few movies and instead opted to concentrate on what he does best. Apart from being visible in social events, SC is also an in-demand talent in his field. Some girls who don't know any better, really fall for him.

But there's a caveat.

Showbiz has enough of attractive men whose gender preferences will make girls scream in dismay. Rumors are abound about those who for one reason or another refuses to come out. Yes, it is, dear readers, SC is a confirmed one, yet not out. To his credit, he manages and carries himself well on gender issues surrounding him. Well, probably it just takes some getting used to. But rumors are rumors and SC can not get away with it.

One of them came from a massage parlor receptionist who says that SC is a frequent client. The place described as a red light district is quite popular among gays located somewhere in what is now called the new Sin City. But SC is very careful, or he won't be smart for nothing. He does not physically show himself at the joint but gets to enjoy and have fun just the same. Yes, SC prefers to "order" by phone and have the "goods" delivered to him - massage with extra service, that's more like it.

Certainly, SC can have his cake and eat it, too -- that's right!

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You Cannot Leave!

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How does one talent transfer to another network without ruffling the feathers of the management? Of the number of stars or former stars who made the network move, majority of the movers felt the backlash a few days after the formal announcement of their transfer. Take the case of singer actress (SA). Immediately after her move, she was lambasted with accusations of moving for money and ridiculed for a fading career. The same accusations were thrown at the hunk actor (HA) who decided not to renew his contract because he wanted to explore his options as a host of sports shows. It was not about the money, he firmly said. Another actress (AA) was able to move networks but her home studio felt she did a fast one since the head of the talent department was not around when she changed loyalties. Now, AA is homeless and her former home studio is not keen to get her back.

Now comes the case of the young actress (YA) who was said to be moving to a rival network where her rumoured boyfriend is one of the prized talents. YA became a household name because she was part of the elite emerging talents of her network. She had her appearances in teleseryes, and even in movies. In fact, she even appeared in some productions outside her network. Then, sometime ago, her transfer became the highlight of a few entertainment stories. The angle of the story is that her eventual transfer might cause chaos to the loveteam of her rumoured boyfriend. Her new manager assured that no such thing would happen.

Months have passed and nothing has been heard of the transfer of YA. Well, her management stepped into the picture and placed her on hold because the news of her intended transfer generated too much publicity. In short, YA got suspended. Until when? Well, perhaps when her network feels its time she could be released, or perhaps, when legally, she could leave. Sometimes, it does pay to stay quiet until every detail has been ironed out. Although YA is not really a big star compared to other talents in her network of the same calibre, why cannot the network release her smoothly? Is her management seeing a loss as she is quite talented, beautiful, and attractive? Or is the management simply being whimsical because she’s homegrown? Regardless of whatever is the reason for her hold, the network might be depriving YA of her living and it would not be fair for someone who wants to explore other venues at the risk of her career.

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Like or Dislike: Enchong Dee for Preview Men

Smart C+

Do you still remember the horrible medicine your mom used to give you when you had colds? Or that vitamin that your tortured to take every day despite the after taste. Also remind me of your worst scenario when you had a bad flu and your lola would give such wonderful concoction of boiled leaves to drink. My lola, such a good sorcerer when it comes to her own herbal medicines or I’d rather see it as a laxative in disguise.

But never the less, these moments will always remind me that I should keep myself healthy MY OWN WAY. With all the unpredictable weather, new diseases, infections; I feel a lot more will come this 2013. I know little much about medical terms but what I know is obvious to everyone, vitamin C is the best booster for your immune system. Right? Weak immune system = prone to contagious diseases = getting sick.

A recommended dose of Vitamin C intake daily is 500mg. You can get this from eating 11 medium-sized lemons or 8 oranges, another is 4 large sized pomelos. Would you have these fruits daily? 4 large pomelos a day? You gotta be kidding me. I’d be lucky not to stop over to the nearest comfort room on my way to work. I’m not into popping pills either. Good thing there’s another alternative way of consuming vitamin C and that is through Oishi’s SMART C+ juice drink.

I received a box of Smart C+ few days ago, I like how they presented each of the 7 bottles in a cabinet like shelves. It says there, “don’t forget your daily dose of Vitamin”. For every shelf, the days of the week is written.

The 500ml juice drink contains 500mg of Vitamin C with no added preservatives, no artificial color and no artificial sweetener. It comes with 3 flavors: Lemon Squeeze, Pomelo Grapefruit and Orange Crush. What I love about SMART C+ is that it’s a fun way of drinking your way to good health and away from bad days. Bottoms up to that!

Smart C+ is now being endorsed by the Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited winner Slater Young. He is a growing character in the world of showbiz. Having a major role in the teleserye “A Beautiful Affair”, nothing is stopping this starlet to stardom. With Smart C+ backing him up with his growing career, this will surely give a thirst quenching start to his success.

Slater Smart C – TVC : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOQddLRs6LA