Pawsome benefit dinner!

It was a very insightful night at the Bow & Wow and CARA (Compassion and Responsibility for Animals) benefit dinner held recently at Robinsons Magnolia Garden in Quezon City.

The highlight of this event, which I attended with my French Bulldog Pierre, was a presentation of some rescued and rehabilitated animals under CARA Welfare Philippines’ care.

The animal welfare organization, whose main focus is to curb the dog and cat overpopulation, has long been providing medical care, spay/neutering services, rehabilitation and facilitation of a permanent loving home for rescued, abandoned dogs and cats. Sadly, the number of abandoned animals continues to increase.

The event, hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Tim Yap, raised P250,000 from ticket sales and all of the proceeds were immediately turned over to CARA.

Furry guests and pet parents like me enjoyed the evening’s attractions such as the “Spot for a paw print” keepsake (which Pierre did), a caricature station and a design-your-own pet cupcakes area.

A wide array of all-natural treats at the buffet table specially made for pets was from Bow & Wow and All4PetsParty. Pet parents were also taken care of courtesy of Gaita Fores’ Cibo di M. Singer and active animal rescuer and advocate Jona Viray and Polecats Manila provided entertainment during the event.

At the event, winners of exciting prizes were announced: Melissa Bagamasbad and her Japanese Spitz-Aspin Cow, Pawsome Twosome Award; Rhome Jervia Yu and her pets Pumpkin and Kai, Wagging Tails Award; Adrian Tolentino and Show Suzuki with their dogs Logan and Perry, Picture Pawfect Award.

Raffle prizes included All4PetsParty packages, Cat Café Manila merchandise, Pupculture gift certificates and an overnight stay at Acuaverde.

(Bow & Wow stores are located at Level 6 Shangri-La Plaza Mall; L/G floor Greenbelt 5; second floor, Robinsons Magnolia; G/F Excelsior in Eastwood City; Ayala Center, Cebu; and Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. For more information, visit www.bowandwow.com.ph.)

The rise of The Makeup Addicts

United in their love for makeup, Katrina Ponce-Enrile, her daughter Kristen, and Kristen’s best friend Bianca Cabildo Jackes shared their passion for makeup with other enthusiasts and makeup connoisseurs at SOMA of the Green Sun Hotel through the launch of their beauty blog named “The Makeup Addicts.”

Gretchen Barretto, Kiana Valenciano and Samantha Richelle were the chosen muses for the event. Katrina, with renowned makeup artist Patrick Rosas, highlighted the beauty of Gretchen. Samantha’s face became the canvas for Bianca as created through the artistry of Jigs Mayuga. Kristen envisioned a contemporary and edgy look for Kiana as made up by Imee Sitchon.

All muses and other models wore ensembles by Charina Sarte. Other models were made up by Guerlain, Make Up For Ever and Inglot with hairstyling by Aveda.

The event was hosted by Bianca Valerio while Katrina’s other daughter, Tiana Ponce-Enrile, performed for the crowd.

Customized drinks from Moët & Chandon and Belvedere Vodka were served to the guests. These drinks were inspired by the three ladies — Obsessive (Bianca), Compulsive (Kristen) and Hoarder (Katrina). Different makeup booths and a makeup gallery, which has The Makeup Addicts’ coveted products, were featured during the event.

Samsung tablets were also made available around the venue so guests could browse the newest makeup blog.

(For more information visit www.themakeupaddicts.com.ph.)

Spotlight on chef Miko Aspiras

Guests during this year’s Madrid Fusion Manila were impressed with the presentation of Filipino chef Miko Aspiras.  Two of Aspiras’ creations that captured the imagination of the audience were different kinds of polvoron and a dessert called “Laro” (play).

The Laro dessert was inspired by Aspiras’ childhood where he remembers the distinct taste of rust (yes, we were kids then and we all tasted it at one point) and the nectar of the santan flower (which I also tasted as a child). The sad thing was, after his presentation, members of the audience were not able to taste any of his creations.

Luckily, Aspiras decided to hold a post-Madrid Fusion Manila desserts and savories tasting at his French-Japanese restaurant Le Petit Soufflé at Century City Mall in Makati City.

Our entrée was a potato wedge and cheese fondue followed by a chopped chicken and miso salad. The main course was a delightful ratatouille soufflé and then came the two desserts I was waiting for.

The polvoron came in seven unique flavors namely goat’s milk and Baguio strawberry; pili nut and corn; adlai (Job’s tears) and sweet sorghum; Davao kalamansi and cacao nibs; ube (purple yam) and coconut; orange and pumpkin seed flour; and tuyo (dried fish) and  squid ink.

My favorite among the flavors was the polvoron with tuyo and squid ink. Tuyo and squid ink as a polvoron flavor sounds strange, but I loved it so much I had to beg for another from my seat mate Berna Romulo Puyat, who gladly gave me her share. The ube and coconut and the pili nut and corn polvorons rounded up my Top 3 flavors.

“Laro” was an interesting dessert with the delicate flavor of the santan nectar on a meringue. The slight taste of “rust” mixed into chocolate did remind me of my carefree childhood.

One thing I am certain of, Aspiras is a culinary genius who is not afraid to experiment with food that people may find strange. I love his food and am glad he is opening Le Petit Soufflé at SM Megamall very soon. Watch out for that!

(Le Petit Soufflé is located on the third floor of Century City Mall in Makati City. For inquiries, call 0917-8418032 or 503-4282 and 718-5681.)

World Street Food Congress hits Manila

The country recently hosted the much-anticipated World Street Food Congress (WSFC) 2016 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Thousands of food experts and enthusiasts trooped to the venue to try some of the best local and international street food fares at the five-day event, organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Department of Tourism, Ayala Malls and Makansutra.

The event had two main activities: The World Street Food Dialogue, which included cooking demonstrations from presenters from around the globe; and The World Street Food Jamboree, where 25 top international hawkers showcased their country’s street food fare. These countries included India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the US, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.

Among those who participated in the dialogue were Asia’s first Master Chef winner Malcolm Lee; former director of the Hawker Centres division of the National Environment Agency of Singapore Richard Tan; Indonesian food editor Odilia Wineke, Iron Chef Thailand’s Ian Kittichai; Cafe Fleur’s chef Sau del Rosario; blogger and Mercato Centrale co-founder Anton Diaz; and Filipina chef Michelle Adrillana.

Guests were welcomed by Makansutra founder KF Seetoh, TPB chief operating officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III and Ayala Land Inc. assistant vice president Javier Hernandez.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)