After Charice, Arnel Pineda invades 'Oprah'

ABS-CBN News

After Charice, it was Arnel Pineda’s turn to impress Oprah Winfrey, one of the world’s most powerful women today.

Pineda and the rest of the members of the American rock band "Journey” recently guested on Oprah to promote the group’s latest album, “Revelation.”

During the show, Journey's Filipino front man could not believe that he was being interviewed by no less than Winfrey herself.

"I'm facing you (Winfrey) right now. You are [one of the] biggest [names] in show business and I'm facing you. It's like… I'm not allowed to be here but I'm here. And I thank God for that," he said.

The show featured Pineda’s journey “from total obscurity to recapturing the voice of one of the greatest bands of our time."

Pineda’s rags-to-riches story has inspired many people around the world. His life story will be made into a film titled "Don't Stop Believing: Every Man's Journey." The biopic will hit the big screen next year.

The Filipino singer was discovered on YouTube by Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon. Jonathan Cain (keyboard), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Ross Valory (bass) were equally impressed when they first watched him on YouTube performing Journey’s “Faithfully.”

Cain said: "Neal contacted us. I checked the YouTube video just like he said. And there he was singing. And I said, 'The guy got great pipes, does he speak English?’ And, ‘How are we going to get him to the stage to check him out?'" Cain said.

Valory said he had “goosebumps surplus” when he first heard Pineda sing.

Castronovo was also blown away by Pineda’s voice. “It was frightening just to hear that voice come out from that little guy. We couldn't believe it. It’s just so strong. And the best part about it was just how humble the man was, how humble human being, beautiful heart."

For Pineda, being part of Journey still feels like a dream.

"I've seen enough pain and poverty in the Philippines. I've never been that big. All I wanted was to be able to get out of it -- the pain and the poverty - and live decently everyday," he said.

He said touring around the world with his band mates is “amazing, unbelievable and fantastic.” “All the superlative words that you can utter.”

He admitted that he felt the pressure when the band played in the Philippines early this year. “There was a big responsibility and thank God I pulled it off.”

And now that he is making lots of money, Pineda said he bought a home for his family and set up his own foundation to help poor Filipinos.

Journey's Manila concert is now available on DVD in the United States.

Congratulations to RP pastry chefs

Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 22:28:00 09/09/2009Filed Under: Lifestyle/Food

THE PINOYS did it again!

Members of The Pastry Alliance of the Philippines (PAP) brought home awards from the recent Asia’s 1st Culinary Cup held at Siam Paragon Exhibition Halls in Bangkok, Thailand.

Penk Ching (Pastry Bin) bagged the silver medal for her gorgeous “Vases of Luck” under the Freestyle showpiece category. The outer vase was deeply carved and cut through with a design of flowers and leaves, revealing another vase inside.

The inner vase, which can be rotated, had the Chinese characters symbolizing “Luck, Prosperity, Longevity and Happiness.” It was festooned with an intricate filigree of floral scrolls to provide texture to the flowers and petals.

Peachy Juban (Shortcrust Cake Shop) got the bronze medal for the Dress-The-Cake. Her “Pavo Mehndi” featured a hand-molded peacock on gold-stamped fondant. It was a well-researched piece reflecting Indian culture: The peacock being India’s national bird, the paisley a popular Hindu figure and Mehndi the art form of applying henna tattoos.

All these were executed within two hours in live competition. The only thing pre-baked was the bare cake. Icings had to be colored, molded, applied and piped on the spot. No golds and silvers were awarded for the event.

Pixie Sevilla-Santos (Forget-Me-Not Specialty Cakes) received a diploma for her “Hot Chocolate Chili Mousse and Mango Coconut Cheesecake” in the Live Individual Plated Desserts. It was an unparalleled effort to prepare and plate two desserts from scratch in only one-and-a-half hours.

Chocolate mousse with chili was a play on the senses. The coconut base was a perfect match to the creamy cheesecake.

The winning members were led by Buddy Trinidad, PAP president, and James Antolin, PAP vice president.

The competition was also participated in by representatives from Australia, China, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and United States of America.

World's top chefs gather at gourmet festival in Bangkok

The 10th Annual World Gourmet Festival, to be held Oct. 5-11 at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, will feature some of the world's best master chefs.

All award winners, with some heading Michelin-starred restaurants, the chefs will lead a week-long celebration of outstanding food and wines. They'll also share tips and information on how to create award-winning cuisine.

The lineup includes Christine Manfield of Universal Cafe, Sydney, Australia; David Kinch of the two-Michelin star Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos, California; David Thompson of Nahm Thai Restaurant (one Michelin star), London, UK; Francois Payard of Payard New York City; Fulvio Siccardi, Ristorante Conti Roero ( one Michelin star), Monticello d' Alba, Italy; Luke Dale-Roberts of La Colombe, Cape Town, South Africa; Mohammed Fedal of Dar Moha, Marrakesh, Morroco; Kazumi Sawada of Banrekiryukodo (one Michelin star), Tokyo, Japan; Michael Ginor of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, USA; Graham Elliot Bowles of Graham Elliot Restaurant, Chicago, USA; and Paola Carosella of Arturito, Sao Poalo, Brazil.

Each chef will host two evenings in one of Four Seasons' restaurant and a cooking demonstration for lunch or dinner. They'll also be present at the seven-course gala dinner Oct. 9.

Coordinating the event are Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok executive chef Nicolas Schneller, Shintaro Chef Satoshi Sawada and Biscotti Chef, Danilo Aiassa.

Sunday work

It’s another beautiful Sunday. Supposed to be family day but in my case I need to go to work. I woke up late because I was still up late last night. Sunday morning is so peaceful, I love Sundays. It’s time to prepare breakfast and coffee. Going to work today is easy. The traffic is light and passengers in the metro rail are few. Got to get to work early because I know diners will come early too so I need to finish all my tasks as soon as possible. All right, everything’s done. Philippine basketball star 6’11” footer Marlou Aquino and his wife visits. They have fresh sea urchin and salmon sashimi and rice toppings. What do they said about the food and service? Of course, perfect! I asked him if we could take a picture with him, he gladly agreed. He said they will come back to try other food in the menu. Thanks to our good team work. We made another celebrity customer satisfied.
It’s raining hard when I got out from work. Some streets are near the knee flooded; luckily I immediately fetch a jeep to ride home. My wife prepared a hot chicken soup for dinner perfect when it’s raining. It’s time to eat.

Prince Michael Jackson II misses his daddy so much

"Where's Daddy gone?"

These were the words recently came out of Blanket or Prince Michael Jackson II, who is inquiring about his father.

On a news mag the King of Pop's youngest son is still confused about where the late superstar is.

It appears that, with his tender age, Blanket is missing his daddy and the little boy thinks that his dad is just enjoying a vacation somewhere.

Michael Jackson died unexpectedly after a cardiac arrest last month, but his seven-year-old son is too young to understand that his father has passed away.

Jackson's long-time friend, Mark Lester, was with blanket during the star's memorial service in Staple's Center Los Angeles earlieer this month when he had to answer the hearbreaking question.

Lester says, "it is obvious to me that blanket is still unsure about what exactly happened to his father. He said, 'where's daddy gone? on holidat?' It was rhetorical question and it broke my heart."

During the memorial, Blanket was holding a copy of the memorial program and the toy figure of his dad. he doesn't seem to grasp what the memorial was all about.

Bye, Michael Jackson

He is the king of pop. This music genius influenced millions of people.

His music not just inspires everybody but love's his music. I remember when i was in elementary, we danced his music to the tune of black or white. That immediately thought me how to love his music. Bye, Michael. You will always be in our hearts, forever.

Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo with my co-staffs

TV and movie personalities judy ann santos and ryan agoncillo dine at one of makati's fave japanese restaurant. The two enjoyed the food and the staff's good service. We are much more happier.