Summer sizzles with the Superbods

It is the season to show off those sizzling bodies you worked hard for.

Now on its 10th year, the Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016 will hold its finals night on April 10 at The Palace Pool Club in Taguig City.

Century Pacific Food Inc. vice president and general manager Greg Banzon and Century Tuna brand manager Cheska Sebial gave an exciting rundown of what to watch out for as the Superbods competition brings in fun events like  nationwide go-sees, a Superbods Camp and the Weekend Fitness Fair. The company also introduced its own mobile app that aspiring Superbods can download for fitness tips and event updates.

During the launch, what ultimately brought the house down was the presence of the Ultimate Superbods Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay. The two shared their personal fitness regimens as well as their fitness goals for the year.

Japanese craze at The Block

Relish Group is making your food experience more exciting and delicious as the group opened Osaka Ohsho’s second branch and Kumori Japanese Bakery’s first full-scale concept, aptly named Café Kumori, on the ground floor of SM North EDSA-The Block.

Osaka Ohsho opened its flagship store in 2014.  After two years, the restaurant opened its second branch to bring the goodness of gyoza straight from Osaka closer to the hearts (and palates) of every foodie in Manila. The restaurant’s second branch is a sight to behold, with its clean, modern interiors paired with bright lights and eye-catching geisha artwork in the dining area.

Its menu features signature items such as crispy chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken), the fluffy and savory Fuwatoro Tenshin Han (Japanese omelette enveloping premium Koshihikari rice) and the signature gyoza available in five flavors — original, bacon and cheese, nori, kimchi and Japanese curry.

The cafe has an open kitchen that allows guests to see how their favorite Kumori bread and pastry items are baked using the freshest ingredients. The brand’s slogan is “It’s Japan Baked Daily.” Modern Japanese interiors are made complete with interesting memorabilia and portraits tracing Kumori’s roots in Nagoya, Japan.

Café Kumori also boasts of a wide beverage menu of coffee and tea-based drinks, which pair well with the well-loved Krone, Caramel Crunch Cake, Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake and the Salted Cheese Yakigashi. Also available are Kumori’s beautifully garnished milkshakes with flavors like matcha, caramel popcorn and cereal-topped Japanese sweet corn and choco hazelnut!

There’s also the Kumori’s Cottage Cheese, which is described as a light, delicate, cheese pudding with a delectable not-too-sweet-nor-salty appeal. This delicious treat makes a perfect dessert to cleanse one’s palate after a hearty meal or makes for a simple, elegant snack.

Relish Group’s managing partner Linfred Yap said, “We really wanted to bring the flavors of Japan to our friends in the metro north and opening Osaka Ohsho and Kumori’s second branches at SM North was definitely the best way to do it.”

(Visit Osaka Ohsho and Café Kumori on Facebook and @OsakaOhshoPH and @KumoriPH on Instagram.)

Café Sansó

I go to the Sansó Museum quite a lot and it’s nice to know that there is a little cafe right beside the museum called Café Sansó. It is headed by chef Jim Calungcaguin, who  graduated from International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management.

Bestsellers include Caesar Salad (mixed salad greens served with crispy bacon, Cajun chicken, Parmesan chicken and garlic croutons), Francesinha (rye bread with Jamon Serrano slices, chipolata sausage, sauteed wild mushrooms and chive cream cheese); and Serano Especial (Jamon Serrano, air-dried salami, chorizo Pamplona, Spanish longanisa and manchego cheese served with cocktail olives, grapes and crackers); Pasta alla Chitarra (spaghetti in oil-based sauce with chorizo, bacon and ham topped with fresh tomato and Parmesan slivers); and Churros (fried dough pastry rolled in cinnamon sugar with rich dark chocolate dip).

It really is nice to have a merienda after checking out the various exhibits staged by the museum featuring the works of Juvenal Sansó.

(Café Sansó is located on V. Cruz St., San Juan City. It is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For inquiries, call 275-2200.)

See the world better

Keep your eyes protected while staying connected to the digital world with the recently launched Crizal Eyezen lenses by Essilor, a global leader in ophthalmic lenses.

Designed for people who wear prescription lenses and those who usually do not need glasses, Crizal Eyezen lenses exist in three different optimizations according to the type of screen most used and the age of the patient.

Welcoming guests to the launch at Green Sun Hotel in Makati City were Essilor Philippines general manager Dr. Emelita Roleda, commercial general manager Dr. Kyle Galias and marketing manager Jinky Navo.

Essilor Asia Pacific, Russia and Africa director for education and professional services Dr. Colin Madigan shared how people’s usage of technology can result in eye strain and eye fatigue. Madigan also pointed out how the new lenses can provide comfort and relaxation to the eyes, as well as protection against the harmful blue light.

Roleda shared, “Crizal Eyezen enhances the digitally connected lifestyle of the millennial generation. While ordinary glasses help you see the world, Eyezen enhances the way you live in it. With clearer, sharper vision, you can connect to the digital world better, while getting protection for your eyes at the same time.”

The lenses feature three revolutionary technologies. First is the Eyezen Focus Technology, which helps relieve the focus of the eyes when using digital devices and reduces eye strain in ultra-near distances or for reading small characters. Second is the Light Scan Technology, which protects the eyes from the harmful blue-violet light emitted by digital screens. And third is the W.A.V.E Technology, which makes vision sharper and clearer at every distance and under any kind of lighting.

(For more information, visit www.facebook.com/crizaleyezenph.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)