Mattytouille Magnifique

"Mattytouille magnifique"

Sun.Star Davao, Oct. 24, 2009

At the young age of 8, Matthew Nathaniel “Matty” Achanzar Ramirez already has a vision for the future...he wants to be a chef!

Having such creative and culinary geniuses as parents--Cake Temptations’ Moi and Joy Ramirez must have played an immense influence on Matty.

On their spare time, Matty and his elder brother Mojo willingly act as ‘junior assistants’ in making their parents’ whimsical cake decorations, just for fun.

Cake Temptations is the first cake shop in Davao City to concentrate on “unique, detailed, funny and personalized cake toppers for all occasions”. Just starting in 2007, the Ramirez couple has attracted national media attention by being featured on “Entrepreneur” magazine and “Ruffa and Ai”, Ruffa Gutierrez and Ai-Ai de las Alas’ ABS-CBN morning TV show.

They have also graced many celebrity parties by whipping up the remarkable personalized cakes of Manny Pacquiao, Sharon Cuneta, Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino, Marian Rivera, Lorin Bektas (Ruffa Gutierrez’ daughter) and MYMP’s Juris Fernandez and Chin Alcantara.

Mattytouille magnifique

Recently, ‘Chef’ Matty had the ultimate party of his dreams when he celebrated his 8th birthday party with a fantastic Ratatouille theme. The Marco Polo Grand Ballroom was masterfully transformed by 777 Party Fanatics to “Mattytouille”!

“I started preparing for Matty’s party around mid-July but due to my hectic schedule, I had to ask my good friend Joy Inocencio of 777 Party Fanatics to coordinate with the food carts, decors and other party needs. I was only able to finalize everything only during the 1st week of September”, shares Matty’s mom, Joy.

Since Ratatouille’s characters were not that colorful, it was quite a challenge for 777 Party Fanatics to make the grand celebration lively and festive.

As there was a previous function prior to Matty’s party, 777 Party Fanatics only had four hours to decorate the ballroom. Nevertheless, even with the time constraints, Joy Inocencio gave her full attention even to the smallest details. She used violet, lime green, aqua blue and yellow as the main colors of the party. On the other hand, red and pink were utilized as the accent colors.

“There were 2 kinds of personalized table centerpieces, the balloon pillar centerpiece with the logo “Matty @ 8” and the “Mattytouille” box with helium-filled flying balloons and imported Ratatouille-themed Mylar balloons. Each table had a Remy stuffed toy carrying the personalized PVC card with the party details”, describes Joy Inocencio.

A giant kitchen painting served as the center stage backdrop with life-size Ratatouille character styrofoam standees such as Remy, Linguini, Colette, Skinner and Emile.

“For the ceiling, 777 Party Fanatics utilized lots of tulles and balloons plus floating styrofoam kitchen utensils like rolling pins, kitchen knives, frying pan, spatula, chef hat, and fork. Indeed, 777 Party Fanatics made sure every detail was perfect!”, gushes Joy, the full-time mom turned baker/entrepreneur.

Yummy party
Happy Parties imaginatively created Matty’s invitations, photo booth stubs, souvenir claim stubs and VIP entrance stubs which carried the exciting “Mattytouille” theme.

The unique birthday invitation had a “Mattytouille” menu design featuring the party’s seven food carts, namely: Basti’s Brew pizza, Potato Corner french fries, Thumbs Up ice cream, Smokey’s hotdog, Cotton Candy, All that Juice, and Allegro ice cream sandwich; Marco Polo’s sumptuous buffet spread; and Lachi’s heavenly dessert bar.

The delighted guests feasted on delectable Mixed Garden Greens, Seafood Chowder with Bread and Butter, Baby Back Ribs with Maple Sweet Corn Kernels, Pan Fried Fish Fillet with Shrimp and Dill Cream Sauce, Roasted Pork Meat with Liver Sauce and Fettuccine Pasta with Chicken.

In addition, Lachi’s owners and twin brothers Mike and Melvin Aviles showcased their mouth watering pastries and desserts such as Chinese Spoon Creme Brulee, Summer Fruit Tarts, NY Cheesecakes, Dark Choco Mallow, Mini Dark Truffle Hearts, Cashew Mocha Torte, Davao Durian Cheesecake, Brazo de Mercedes and Fruit Salad with Ice Cream.

Upon entering the ballroom, the kiddie guests were gifted with toques and aprons in bright colors which they eagerly wore throughout the party.
Matty’s towering Ratatouille birthday cake had 8 amazing layers lovingly made by his parents.

Its culinary-inspired decorations included an oven, burner, pot, pan, loaf of bread, cake, cheese, sausage, vegetables and of course, Remy together with the gigantic number 8 on top.

Moreover, Imagine Digital Fotofun displayed a “Mattytouille” photo booth where party guests gamely posed, smiled and said “cheese!”.

Most sought-after prizes for the games superbly hosted by ‘Chef’ James Infiesto were oven mitts; Remy and Emile stuffed toys; Ratatouille notebooks, keychains, erasers and coloring books; various plastic cooking utensils; food-related toys; and many more.

For give-aways, the adult guests went home with cans of Pringles tagged with personalized “Mattytouille” thank you cards while the kids received multi-hued bags stuffed with all kinds of goodies and bread rolls. The give-aways, toques and aprons were likewise supplied by Happy Parties.

With the innovative interpretation of the Ratatouille theme in every aspect of the birthday party, even the fastidious critic Anton Ego would agree that “Mattytouille” rightfully deserves his rave review!

Special thanks to Imagine Digital Fotofun for the party photos.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Check out:

http://www.partyfanatics.multiply.com/

http://www.happyparties.multiply.com/

http://www.caketemptations.multiply.com/

Read "Cakes with personality", Sun.Star Davao, Jan. 19, 2008

Alpha toques

"Alpha Toques"

Sun.Star Davao, Oct. 17, 2009

They call themselves, the “Alpha Toques”.

Does the catchy name conjure images of toque-wearing super hero chefs out to conquer the culinary universe? Well, close enough.

The Alpha Toques is, in fact, the first batch of graduates from the Center for Asian Culinary Studies Davao’s Intensive Professional Culinary Arts Program.

Through ‘thin and thick’ (who wouldn’t gain extra pounds tasting all that sinful food?!); cuts and burns experienced for several months, the students learned how to prepare soups, sauces, vegetables, entrees, breads, pastries and desserts. They also learned how to identify, fabricate and portion meat, poultry, fish and shellfish and were taught introductory skills on Asian and Halal cooking, wine appreciation, table service and back of the house operations.

The Intensive Culinary Arts Program prepares students for professional entry into the food service industry. This program integrates classical and modern culinary techniques of the finest institutions abroad with kitchen management skills. It is a hands-on training series for students to gain professional skills needed to perform in a commercial kitchen.

Recently, as part of their culmination program, family and friends gathered to sample the sumptuous creations of batch Alpha Toques at the Linmarr Davao.

When I arrived at the venue, I was pleased to know that I was going to sit with Chefs Paddy Lascano and Booboo Maramaba, who are also CACS instructors. This was the third Legacy Buffet that I’ve attended with the two esteemed chefs as my tablemates.

As we waited for the program to start, we munched on the Artisan Crackers with Borsan Dip so artistically arranged as centerpiece with multi-hued colors and varying lengths.

We were later joined by Edge’s lifestyle editor Kenneth Ong, Marco Polo Sales and Marketing Director Art Boncato and CACS Davao owners Bubuy and Gene Bangayan.

For appetizers, the Alpha Toques served lip-smacking Caesar’s Salad, Kani Salad, Thai Pomelo with Dried Shrimps, Grape Salad, California Maki, Futo Maki, Kempyo Maki, Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Sashimi and Spicy Tuna Gunken.

The Mixed Seafood Soup was truly comforting and a great way to begin the meal before proceeding with the impressive main dishes such as Lapu Lapu el Graten, Lengua con Cetas, Menudo Sulipena, Paella Majorcana, Prawns Thermidore, Vegetable Casserole, Potato Dauphinoise, Roast Rib-Eye, Roast Leg of Lamb, Roast Turkey with Red Wine Sauce, Peppercorn Sauce and Giblet Gravy.

Although I’m really a certified noodle lover, I had to pass up on the pasta station which showcased Fettucine, Penne and Spaghetti with Seafood, Garlic and Basil Sauce, Carbonara and Puttanesca because I wanted to leave room for the heavenly desserts.

And, fortunately, the dessert station did not disappoint! The Durian Butterscotch Ripple Ice Cream was to die for. It was so rich and creamy that my fellow guests felt we were actually eating the real ‘king of fruits’. The Cherry Garcia Ice Cream was equally yummy and decadent with its generous chunks of rich chocolate.

Chefs Paddy and Booboo reminded me that I should not miss the Fruit Tartlets and the Turtle Pie, and they were absolutely right! I also enjoyed the other diet busters like the Amaretto Sans Rival, Blueberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Croquembouche Noel, Mousse and Crepes with Mango and Banana.

Kudos to the Alpha Toques headed by Executive Chef Sheila Mabao with sous chefs Gerome Garcia (hot station), Michael Sunglao (cold station) and Martin Lozano (pastry station) for a job well done!

Other Alpha Toques graduates include the following: Hot Station-Ralphy Licudan, Darwin Lao, John Carlo Camarinta, Ryan Tam and Pedro Paolo Angeles; Cold Station-Ruby Ann Periquet, Leticia Quijano and Lynnibel Chan; and Pastry Station-Asmaa Hashmin, Ma. Kristina Collantes, Nikki Alde and Darvin Bais.

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.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Healing hands

"Healing hands"

Sun.Star Davao, Oct. 10, 2009

Born prematurely at 6 months old, Kym Siapno is deaf, blind and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. But, even with these physical challenges, Kym’s devoted parents, Denton and Cathy, are determined to have their young daughter live the best life possible.

Through the Internet, the Siapnos discovered Neuro-Respiratory Therapy (NRT), now called The Scotson Technique (TST). TST was developed through more than 13 years of research and practice by Linda Scotson.

Like Kym, Linda’s son Doran had cerebral palsy. In December 2004, Cathy and Kym travelled to the United Kingdom to undergo training for TST.

The drug-free technique is a “unique, predictable, deeply restorative rehabilitation therapy for children and young adults with disabilities caused by brain injury such as cerebral palsy, microcephaly, floppiness; developmental delay; learning disability; autism; vaccine damage; epilepsy; dyspraxia; head injury; stroke; scoliosis; and neurological syndromes (and even spinal injury)”.

The Scotson Technique

“As a result of TST, Kym laughs a lot now. We can already bring her to malls and even on out of town trips which she enjoys. We used to feed her with blended vegetables and fish, now she can chew her food and whenever we feed her she acknowledges if ever she still wants more”, describes Cathy, a registered nurse.

And if sleep was a problem before, now Kym sleeps from 8 to 10 hours or up to 12 hours uninterrupted.

“The greatest help that TST has done to Kym is for almost 4 years now she never had an asthma attack and has never been hospitalized. All her maintenance drug (steroids) has been discontinued and all she takes now is vitamin C”, she adds.

“TST relies only on the use of face towels which parents will use in making very light massages on different areas of the body. We thought that this would be a perfect setting for the Filipino family since there has been a steady decline in the number of physical therapists (due to the nursing trend) and expectedly, the cost per session became higher”, discusses Denton.

The Siapnos were quite impressed with Kym’s improved condition that they invited Linda Scotson and her team to come to Davao so that more children could benefit from TST. Linda sent her senior therapists from the Institute for Advanced Neuromotor Rehabilitation to the city last January 2007. It was the first time ever that the training was conducted in the Philippines.

Healing hands

Inspired by The Scotson Technique motto, ‘We can advance’, Denton and Cathy aimed to make the TST training sustainable and to be able to accommodate more Filipino families. During the British therapists’ first visit, each of the families had to raise P25,000 to cover the training costs. While there are some families who can afford, sadly, most cannot.

Thus, the Healing Hands Center for Brain-Injured Children and Adult Foundation was established as a registered charity foundation by the families and friends of special children in Davao City. The center is located at GEM Village in Maa.

“As parents, we realized how challenging life can be to have a child with special needs so we thought of a way on how to extend services to the less fortunate families so that their special children can also undergo various therapies to appropriately address their needs to develop their motor, cognitive and communication skills”, explains Cathy.

The Healing Hands Center’s goal is “to provide essential therapy to children diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, learning disability and developmental delays and at the same time, share these with parents to promote involvement and participation”.

The center started its operations last March 2008 with 30 children being assisted and provided therapy by trained professional staff who are volunteer occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers and nurses.

“It is our desire to extend our services to more developmentally challenged children, help them become productive and independent. We passionately wish to continue assisting more families through a community of generous hearts and kind spirits”, smiles Cathy.

“We have a list of children who need intervention but the family cannot afford their therapy. So, we are knocking on the hearts of generous individuals to help sponsor a child’s therapy through the ‘Foster a Child’ program”, encourages Cathy.

Benefit concert

This coming October 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., Fullhouse Events and Productions will have a comedy show dubbed as “Todo Tawanan sa Dakbayan”, with the Healing Hands Center as the chosen beneficiary. The performing artists are Tuesday Vargas, Rufa Mi and Pekto with tickets sold at P300, P500 and P1,000 (silver) and P2,500 (VIP).

“Other than the guest artists, some special children will show their God-given talents too”, shares Cathy.

“We guarantee that you will not only enjoy the show but at the same time, make a big difference in the lives of children with special needs. The proceeds of this show will be used to build more therapy rooms and if God permits, we can also put up a small gym for the children, which is very important for their development”, hopes Cathy.

Truly, Cathy and her team are not only gifted with ‘healing hands’ but also of hearts overflowing with love to nurture the special children’s indomitable spirit.

Are you willing to spend time with the kids of Healing Hands Center? Be a volunteer! Call Cathy at tel. no. (082)2448888 for more information.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.