Saturday, April 25, 2009


"SonCastle Faire"
Sun.Star Davao, April 25, 2009

"Each one should use whatever gift/talents he has received to serve others." (1 Peter 4:10)

A summer activity fit for a king!

That’s the way the young participants of Davao Evangelical Church’s (DEC) Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) were especially treated when they attended Gospel Light’s “SonCastle Faire” recently.
Gospel Light is a renowned Christian publishing house in the U.S. which produces Christian literature like Sunday School and DVBS.

In the past, DEC has utilized exciting Gospel Light themes such as “Treasures of the Nile” (2004), “Power Up” (2005), “Construction Zone” (2006), “Kingdom of the Son-A Prayer Safari (2007) and “SonTreasure Island” (2008).

This year, kids from 4-12 years old were welcomed to the DVBS with a grand medieval castle setting. Volunteer church members made sure that the venue conveyed the royal theme through gigantic castles, stained glass, crowns, crests, shields, thrones and many more!

Majority of the volunteer teachers were church members who willingly gave their time and talents to serve the Lord for five days. They came from different backgrounds and professions such as bankers, teachers, doctors, housewives, businessmen, college and 
high school students, among others.

SonCastle Faire is one of Gospel Light’s most popular themes based on Jesus’ Parable of the Talents. The meaningful theme focused on the idea that “God has given talents and gifts to each person to use for the kingdom -- to serve God and others”.

Each day commenced with the all the kids assembling at the main area to sing Middle Ages-inspired songs with scripture memory verses like "God's Workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10), "I Will Praise You!" (Psalm 9:1, 2) and "I Believe God Will Use Me!".

Through enjoyable and creative music, crafts, skits and games, children explored their abilities as well as talents and learned five important life lessons based on Bible stories.
Kudos to the Davao Evangelical Church volunteers who willingly shared their God-given talents so that others may also discover theirs to serve the King of Kings!

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This summer, the Davao Evangelical Church will continue its “SonCastle Faire” theme during Sunday school activities from 8:30-9:30 a.m. All kids are welcome to attend.

For more details, please contact DEC’s Evelyn Cang or Aris Blas at tel. nos. 2213115 and 2276421.

Special thanks to Imagine Digital Foto Fun for the photos you see on this page.
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Little Cooks Summer Workshops

Kiddie Chefs!

Let your kids be a part of Center for Asian Culinary Studies Davao’s kitchen activities for this summer! Let them learn to whip up delectable treats as well as make new friends…you’ll be amazed at how they will work wonders in the kitchen!

The class will be handled by Chef Booboo Maramba. They can take the full 5-day class (with 10% off) or just choose the days they want to attend.

Fee is P 1,000.00 per workshop inclusive of ingredients.

5-9 years old (kids) – 9:00 am – 12:00 nn
10-15 years old (teens) – 1:00 – 4:00 pm

April 28- Workshop 1 (kids): Chicken Burger, Mango Float, S’mores and Melon Coolers; (teens)
Bacon Burger Steak, Pinwheel Sandwich, Apple Crumble and Chocolate Molding
April 30- Workshop 2 (kids): Ham & Egg Surprise, French Toast, Cheese Pie and Mango Slush; (teens): Ham & Cheese Macaroni, Easy Chocolate Cake, Mango Crepes, and Mongolian Beef Stir Fry
May 12 - Workshop 3 (kids): Mighty Burger, Do-it-yourself Pizza, Pink Ladyfingers and Milk Shake; (teens): Chicken & Mushroom Pasta, Shepherd’s Pie, Banana Cream Pie and Choco Chip Muffins
May 14 - Workshop 4 (kids): Chocolate Molding, Chicken Hamonado, Chocolate Clusters and Fruits & Pudding; (teens): Arroz ala Cubana, Honey Roasted Chicken, Mango Charlotte and Chocolate Icebox Cake
May 19 - Workshop 5 (kids): Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Hotdog Bugs, Bread Pudding and Choco Banana Shake; (teens): Cheese Steak Sandwich, Sesame Fish Sticks, Churros and Choco Hazelnut Cream

Kids in the Kitchen Workshop 2
5-9 years old - May 5, 2009 @ 9:00 am-12nn and 1:00-4:00 pm
10-15 years old - May 7, 2009 @ 9:00 am-12nn and 1:00-4:00 pm

This is the 2nd of the series by Chef Toto Erfe. It's an enhancement program designed to bring out the chefie side of your kids. Students will get to experience hands-on cooking and baking in a fun way!

Recipes are Peanut Butter & Choco Krispies, Oreo Banana Upside Down Ice Cream Pie, Gabby’s Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Fun Nachos, Meaty Lasagna, Strawberry Pond Cookies, Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Fondue, Mini Stuffed Cheese Burgers, Meaty Cheese Fries, Corn Dogs and Spiral Sandwich.

Fee is P3,000 inclusive of ingredients.

For reservations, please call, Center for Asian Culinary Studies Davao, Holiday Gym and Spa Complex, F. Torres St., Davao City, Telefax#: 300.2992 or 300.2227

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Missy and Jorgy's baby fashionista party

"Missy and Jorgy’s baby fashionista party"
Sun.Star Davao, April 18, 2009

“Babies with an attitude, toddlers that are in the mood
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it!”


The hottest red carpet event to hit town recently was not a fashion show or a concert but stylish identical twins Misha Jazleen (“Missy”) and Jorgina Mikeila (“Jorgy”) Te Huang’s 1st baby fashionista birthday party.

With fashion catwalk and house music blaring, guests arrived at Regency Inn’s grand ballroom in their hippest outfits raring to celebrate with the darling duo.

Born just a minute apart, Missy and Jorgy are the adorable daughters of my youngest brother Jasper and his dentist wife Maricel.

That same day, our family friend Fr. Danny Montaña officiated over the twins’ christening rites at the Sacred Heart Parish.

Missy’s godparents included Jasper and Maricel’s close friends Clark Yap, Popee Manapat, Arnold Ang, Jet Tangtatco, Dennis Ty, Mark Jason Kong, Jennifer Tan, Carla Kay Tan, Carrie Lou Mendez, Jen Sherry Cruz, Leslie Curate and yours truly.

On the other hand, Jason Lao, Ely Villarosa, Jaypee Solis, Leo Yap, Glenn Yap, Ian So, Patricia Huang, Cathleen Ann Go, Elaine Enriquez, Olive Te, Christina Lim and Loisa Latasa were especially chosen as Jorgy’s godparents.

At their baby fashionista party, Missy and Jorgy dressed up for the special occasion in their chic violet and fuchsia serpentine gowns inspired by their ‘Hollywood glam’ birthday invitation cover.

Party Fanatics’ Joy Inocencio creatively jazzed up the ballroom in girly girl hues of hot pink, violet, orange, yellow and green. Colorful Mylar balloons, table centerpieces and the stage backdrop carried fashionista staples such as trendy bags, shades, lipsticks, pearl necklaces, high-heeled shoes, perfume bottles, jewelry boxes and charms.

The talented and accommodating Joy is really a “joy” to work with. She was one of the readers I featured in my 2nd year anniversary issue, “Thankful at two”. The military wife and mother of one wrote that she got the idea to start her party decoration and coordination business because of my kiddie party articles. I’m proud to say that she consistently exceeds clients’ expectations not only in Davao but other parts of Mindanao.

Adding spark to the entertainment was the ever reliable James Infiesto who joined in the fun by dressing up as a hip and happenin’ host. Kids had a blast playing games like “Make Up Your Yaya”, “Best Fashion Catwalk”, “Dress Up Your Model”, among others. Later on, James changed to his magician garb as he bedazzled the young and old alike with his fascinating tricks.

Guests also loved the party booths such as Glimmer Me Tattoo, Kiddie Parlor, Allegro Ice Cream, Potato Corner, Dunkin’ Donuts and Imagine Foto Fun.

The fabulous four-tiered fondant creation of Cake Temptations’ Joy Ramirez likewise highlighted the baby fashionista theme with her signature caricature cake topper of the charming celebrants surrounded by stars, lips, lipsticks, bags and perfume bottles.

Fashion-loving girls went home from the party with pink tote bags accented by mini scarves while boys received Missy and Jorgy’s Hollywood star-designed belt bags.

We share photos of the memorable occasion courtesy of Imagine Digital Foto Fun.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

7th heaven


"7th heaven"
Sun.Star Davao, April 4, 2009

The creativity of the graduates of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies Davao goes beyond the four walls of their well-equipped kitchen.

For instance, their past Legacy Buffets’ imaginative themes include “Uno Skills” (1st batch), “Fantastic Fourth” (4th batch), “Cucina Cinco” (5th batch) and “Sixth Sense of Taste” (6th batch).

Of course, not to be left behind is the seventh and latest batch to finish CACS’ Certificate Program in Cooking and Baking Skills which whipped up their very own yummy title, “7th heaven”, for their culminating activity held at The Venue.

The Certificate Program in Cooking and Baking Skills is a 20-day, 28 session equivalent course handled by instructors from CACS Manila, chefs Gene Gonzales, Eliseo “JunJun” De Guzman Jr., Toto Erfe and Agnes Borromeo with CACS Davao’s Chef Booboo Carandang-Maramba.

Lessons cover all areas of basic kitchen skills; meat, fish, poultry and seafood fabrication; vegetables; pasta and other starch accompaniments and internationally accepted standards for baking. Menu planning and wine appreciation are also part of the program. Graduates will merit a government regulated (TESDA), National Level 2 Certificate.

The culinary students may have come from diverse professional backgrounds but they were united in their desire to enhance their cooking and baking skills through CACS’ certificate program.

True to its title, the new CACS graduates let their numerous relatives and friends sample a ‘taste of heaven’ when they showcased their gastronomic masterpieces at the Legacy Buffet which their batch recently hosted.

For starters, the guests savored Nachos with Guacamole, Salsa Cruda and Cheese Dip together with California Maki, Tekka/Manhattan Maki, Salmon and Tuna Sashimi.

The soothing Pumpkin Soup was a perfect combination to the scrumptious Caesar Salad, Chicken Waldorf and Mediterranean Grape Salad (my fave!).

Before heading off to the buffet table again, I waited several minutes to have ample room for the lip-smacking main dishes such as Menudo Sulipeña, Lengua Legislativa, Iberian Chicken, Seafood Paella, Ribeye with Demiglace and Bernaise Sauce, Cochinillo with Liver Sauce and Semi-Sweet Demiglace and Gamberoni with Sundried Tomatoes.
Crepe Samurai, Pistachio Sans Rival, Banana Loaf, Carrot Cake, Cream Puff and Éclair, Chocolate Pecan Pie, Mocha Praline Chiffon, Strawberry Shortcake, Milk Chocolate Truffles, Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles and White Chocolate Truffles were among the mouth-watering desserts that guests couldn’t resist at the pastry station.

Leading batch 7 is Executive Chef Dustin Liong with his reliable and hardworking sous chefs Marlon Tolosa (hot kitchen), Mary Michelle To (cold kitchen) and Jennifer Santillan (pastry kitchen).

Other graduates of “7th heaven” are the following: Hot Kitchen-Jeremy Joyce Tan, Ray Angelo Galura, Mark Glenn Melivo, Wilfredo Jovero Jr., Mary Ann Andaya, Joan Pada, Rosemarie Grasparil and Beatriz Fernandez; Cold Kitchen-Louis Arnel Bajado, Ian Paul Relampagos, Carla Bettina Loreto, Stella May Magbanua and Felrose Bacomo; and Pastry Kitchen-Honeylet Lim, Ana Maria Soriano, Shaunalea Seng, Eduard Bernardo, Lolet Sumail, Maria Magdalena Galura and John Paul Dasmariñas.

We share photos of this successful culinary event taken by Team B Photography’s Glenn Yap and Jasper Huang.

Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS) Davao is at Holiday Gym and Spa Complex, F. Torres St., DC/Tel. 3002992. Website: www.cacschef.com. E-mail: cacsdvo@gmail.com.