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Is Celebrity Couple Secretly Married Overseas?

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How true that amidst the malicious rumors about them, this controversial couple had already tied the knot very quietly (and secretly) on a recent trip abroad? Between the two, it is The Lady TL who is more ecstatic for this milestone with The Gentleman TG, her boyfriend for years. Eversince she became Mrs. TG, TL has been on a happy mood and always wearing a beautiful smile for everybody. She's been slowly showing different persona --- charming, tactful, friendly. Indeed, what beautiful love cannot do? Having her one true love, TG to finally affix his signature on that very significant contract was the be all and end all for her.

For the longest time, their relationship had been put on the line as TL believes that TG was often target of dangerous flirtations from various beautiful women out there, something that "playful" TG has a hard time resisting. TL's insecurity is widely talked about in their circle. She is just too tired of wearing that RED lipstick over and over again just to prove herself. She believes that the only way to end her misery is for both of them to ink that pact.

On the other hand, TG realized he just had to give in to TL's persistent pleas to have this marriage --- for her peace of mind, and his, as well. 'Though he admitted that it wasn't that easy at first. Apart from TL's constant nagging that really annoyed him, TG weighed all the pros and cons, including a lucrative career that can be imperiled if and when TL decides to leave him for good. And the fact that his family didn't fully approve of TL was another thing he risked and really gave up for the "love" of her.

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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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