A taste of Naples in Manila

Three of my batch mates in Xavier School namely Richie Yang, Luis Vera and Gerry Qua are part owners of the Italian restaurant Salvatore Cuomo in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. So, I made it a point to go to its preview dinner before the restaurant — which is an international chain that has branches in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan — opened to the public.

Chef Salvatore Cuomo himself was there for our dinner and showed us how to make pizza. He was born in Naples to an Italian father and a Japanese mother. Chef Cuomo is a restaurateur, an author of three cookbooks and a television star. He also heavily promotes Neapolitan cooking, particularly the all-time Italian favorite — pizza.  In 2006, 2007 and 2008, Chef Cuomo placed in the first three positions at the International Pizza Festival held in Naples. The Japan-based Pizza Salvatore Cuomo was also named the No. 1 pizza chain in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The restaurant’s yakitori, which came in skewers of chicken breast chunks and ground chicken, was definitely the standout for me that night. I enjoyed a few servings of this moist and juicy treat even though I am mostly a dark-meat eater.

Also served that night was Pizza DOC, which hit the spot for me because this pizza with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella was as good as what I had in Naples. Chef Cuomo’s four-cheese pizza was perfect with honey. Guests should expect these pizzas to be light, thin and crispy on the outside but gooey in the middle.

Another favorite of mine was Zeppole or deep-fried pizza dough with powdered sugar. I had about six pieces of this before dinner.

Salvatore’s partner for coffee Paul Bassett, an Australian who was one of the youngest winners of the World Barista Championship, was also present during the dinner. Paul made us sample some amazing coffee that was made from a label that bears his own name.

Great pizza and yakitori and coffee — what more can I ask for? A bar, perhaps? But the Salvatore Cuomo restaurant does have a bar as well that completes this venue that I would definitely go back to.

(Salvatore Cuomo Restaurant and Bar is located at G/F, Uptown Parade, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries or reservations, call 946-3072. For more information, visit salvatorecuomoph.com.)

Epitome of British luxury

Estée Lauder Companies brought Jo Malone London to Bonifacio Global City as it opened its second boutique at SM Aura in Taguig City.

As guests entered the store, they were welcomed by “fragrance stylists” and were treated to a relaxing hand and arm massage at the “Tasting Bar.” Guests were also able to try the lineup of scents available at the “Discovery Bar” and create their own bespoke scent.

Those who purchased fragrances during the opening day were given an exclusive special box illustration service from artists Monica Magsanoc and Kyla Gancayco. Two significant British symbols — Big Ben and the London Bridge — were hand drawn by the illustrators on the Jo Malone boxes.

(Jo Malone London is now open on the Upper Ground Floor level of SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.)

Recognizing the country’s microentrepreneurs

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Citi Philippines and Microfinance Council of the Philippines once again came together in their mission to recognize outstanding micro business owners with the launch of the 2016 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA).

For 14 years now, the awards program — a nationwide search for outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs who have overtaken poverty and great odds — has fruitfully strengthened the cause of microfinance and enterprise development in the country. This is done by recognizing entrepreneurs who have achieved personal success through the support of microfinance institutions.

In their respective welcoming remarks, both Citi Philippines CEO Aftad Ahmed and BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. extolled the importance of microentrepreneurship in nation building and the roles their respective institutions play.

Ahmed said, “Citi has always been highly committed to microfinance, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. We’ve been an exceptionally strong supporter and see it as a key corporate citizenship priority.”

Tetangco added, “The environment for the development of the microfinance sector continues to improve based on sustained cooperation among industry stakeholders.”

Also at the event to share their respective success stories were 2015 CMA regional winners Ester Vitto from Luzon and Jordan Inalisan from Visayas.

The awards are open to microenterprises with assets worth P300,000 to P3 million. A cash prize of P200,000 awaits the national winner and regional, youth and special awardees will get P100,000 each. The loan officers of the winners will also get a cash incentive of P10,000 while semi-finalists will receive a cash incentive of P10,000.

To help winners better manage and potentially scale their businesses, CMA will also provide microinsurance coverage and a nine-day entrepreneurship training at the  Citi Microenterprise Development Center. They will also receive laptops and basic computer training. The winners will also gain automatic membership in the CMA Alumni Network to build their market connections and participate in a mentoring program that will help them further improve their businesses.

The awards program was introduced in 2002 as Citi celebrated its centennial in the Philippines and in Asia. Since then, it has been adopted as a global program and introduced in over 30 countries. Over the last decade, it has recognized over 100 Filipinos who have grown their businesses significantly in terms of profits and assets.

Painting colorful dreams

Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines spread color and hope as it launched its flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, “Colourful Dreams.” This endeavor is part of the bigger “Colour, Joy and Love” CSR program implemented by the Nippon Paint Group across the 15 countries and 300 cities in Asia where it operates.

Fulfilling its mission of acting as a catalyst for positive change to children, Nippon Paint’s “Colourful Dreams” supported the Department of Education (DepEd)-Las Piñas division’s Brigada Eskwela Adopt-A-School Program, with Pamplona Elementary School as its first beneficiary school. The company joined hands with DepEd-Las Piñas, volunteers from the Philippine School of Interior Design Alumni Association, as well as community education stakeholders in preparing the school’s facilities for the opening of classes.

Using the new toluene-free Pylox Spray Paint and its Green Choice Series — high-quality coatings that are water-based, have no added lead and mercury, and have near-zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) coatings — Nippon Paint sponsored the repainting of the school’s library, reading corners, hallway and façade.

A little bit of paint and color can create joy and go a long way in making learning fun and engaging.  Through its Colourful Dreams and Brigada Eskwela CSR program, Nippon Paint aims to motivate students to study and learn so they can achieve their dreams.

(Visit www.nipponpaint.ph and www.facebook.com/nipponpaintphilippines.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)