Mercedes-Benz car offers hands-free parking

MANILA, Philippines – Motorists who get a headache from parallel parking will be delighted with a special feature included in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class B 160.

The B 160, which is regarded as a “compact car making a big impact” by its makers, boasts of the Active Parking Assist.

The handy tool maneuvers the vehicle for parallel parking, automatically steering the B-Class into parking spaces while the driver takes care of the gas and brakes.

Parallel parking, a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars, is considered to be one of the hardest driving skills to learn as it requires the motorist to drive the car in reverse gear into the parking space.

But with the B 160’s special feature, the driver just has to slow his or her B-Class to below 30 kilometers per hour for the Active Parking Assist to show a “P” and an arrow in the instrument cluster display.

These indicate that it has found a parking space. The space just has to be 1.2 meters longer than the vehicle.

If the driver changes to reserve gear and confirms the parking selection shown, the Active Parking Assist completes the necessary steering wheel movements on its own.

ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) anchor Tony Velasquez did a test drive on the B 160 for his show, “Future Perfect.”

“I’m actually entrusting the car to park itself,” Velasquez said while trying out the Active Parking Assist feature. “This actually takes some faith in the car not to hit the cars that are already parked.”

When the B 160’s steering wheel moved by itself, he remarked: “Wow! This is magic… uncanny.”

The B 160 is powered by a 1.5 liter engine that delivers 95 horsepower and a top speed of 168 kilometers per hour.

It is equipped with front and rear disc breaks, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and 6 airbags for safety.

What to eat before a workout

MANILA, Philippines - Engaging in physical activity on an empty stomach may have serious consequences on the body.

Skipping meals before exercise has been known to cause fatigue, dizziness, poor performance and low energy, among others.

Eating too much, however, is just as bad. Food that remains in your stomach during a workout may cause stomach upset, nausea and cramping, according to exercise physiologist and fitness consultant Elizabeth Quinn.

Quinn, who is a sports medicine writer for information website About.com, noted that one should allow a meal to fully digest before a workout, or about 1 to 4 hours.

"Everyone is a bit different, and you should experiment prior to workouts to determine what works best for you," she wrote in her article.

So when is the best time to eat when you have to exercise?

"If you have an early morning race or workout, it's best to get up early enough to eat your pre-exercise meal. If not, you should try to eat or drink something easily digestible about 20 to 30 minutes before the event," she wrote.

Quinn continued, "The closer you are to the time of your event, the less you should eat. You can have a liquid meal closer to your event than a solid meal because your stomach digests liquids faster."

What to eat

Consumer giant Nestle has noted that a pre-workout meal should generally be full of slow-burning complex carbohydrates such as whole grain cereals, fruits and vegetables.

Complex carbohydrates are the body's main source of fuel and should make up two-thirds of the average pre- and post-workout meal, the company said.

Nestle said one should stay away from refined or processed food as these can contribute to the rise in blood sugar, which makes the muscles store more glycogen.

"Glycogen is then used to 'fuel' the body during workout instead of using fat or calories," the company said in a statement.

Quinn, for her part, said meat, doughnuts, fries, potato chips and candy bars should be avoided in a pre-exercise meal since these are slow to digest and can cause cramping and discomfort.

She listed the following meals that one can take before a workout:

1 hour or less before exercise

- fresh fruits (apple, watermelon, peach, grapes, orange)
- energy gel
- up to 1.5 cups of a sports drink

2 to 3 hours before exercise

- fresh fruits
- bagels or pasta
- yogurt
- water

3 to 4 hours before exercise

- fresh fruits
- bread, preferably bagels
- pasta with tomato sauce
- baked potatoes
- energy bar
- cereal with milk
- yogurt
- toast with a bit of peanut butter or cheese
- water

Angelica receives set of diamond earrings from Derek

MANILA, Philippines – Two weeks ago, Derek Ramsay and Angelica Panganiban finally got to celebrate their 4th anniversary as a couple.

Although their relationship has weathered many ups and downs, including a rumored breakup early this year, Ramsay is proud to say that his bond with Panganiban is as strong as ever.

“It’s been great. Usually, in four years, a lot of people get used to their partner na or get sawa na with their partner, but Angel and I are still moving forward so it’s been great,” Ramsay said.

Known to be very sweet and giving to each other, the “Magkaribal” actor gave his ladylove a mini-Cooper last year for their anniversary while Panganiban concocted a surprise with the help of one of the actor’s closest friends.

For their 4th anniversary, Ramsay narrated that Panganiban just wanted an intimate dinner at Antonio’s restaurant in Tagaytay.

“Kasi she said she wanted to eat at Antonio’s and wala pa akong binibigay na regalo noon so I tried to make her feel na wala akong regalo. Nag-aarte siya na ‘Hindi, ang gusto ko lang dinner sa Antonio’s,” he said.

“So, I set a dinner schedule at Antonio’s with my family. I had dinner with her and tried to piss her off by inviting my parents. I know she didn’t want to show it, but I know she wanted to be alone with me because it’s our special day, but I planned it all out so she wouldn’t expect a gift from me,” he recalled.

He said all the planning was worth it when he presented the pretty actress with the jewelry.

“She was speechless with the gift I gave her. I gave her a set of diamond earrings na tig-two and a half carats each,” he said.

On her Twitter account, Panganiban said: “Totoo po ang diamond earrings na gift sakin ni Derek. Ganon po kami mag regalo sa isa't isa... Hindi ko kasalanan na ganon namin kamahal ang isa’t isa at hindi namin iniisip ang presyo ng bawat regalo namin taon taon.”

She further said both of them are working hard to save up for their future.

“Nagpapakahirap at nagpupuyat ho kami para makaipon ng pera para sa future namin. Huwag na kayong magalit kung mahal nya ko,” Panganiban said, alluding to their detractors who continuously criticize their relationship.

Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez join revamped 'American Idol'

LOS ANGELES – Pop star and actress Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler are joining TV singing contest "American Idol" as judges in a major overhaul aimed at keeping the show No. 1 with viewers as it enters its 10th year.

Producers on Wednesday announced the signing of Lopez, 41, the singer and star of movies such as "The Wedding Planner", and Tyler, 61, at a glitzy event in Los Angeles that ended months of speculation over who would join the judging panel.

Record producer Randy Jackson remains the only original judge since the program debuted on Fox television in 2001, and Ryan Seacrest will remain as host.

"American Idol" producers announced other big changes to get away from what they called the "karaoke" feel of the show when it returns to U.S. television in January 2011 after a four year ratings decline.

Universal Music executive Jimmy Iovine will act as an in-house mentor and will be featured behind the scenes working weekly with aspiring pop stars as they compete to become the 2011 "American Idol."

Major record producers like Timbaland also will work with the contestants, but celebrity guest mentors will not be used and contestants must dance more. The moves are a bid to find genuine stars like first champion Kelly Clarkson who went on to a Grammy-winning career.

"We are 10 years-old and we are being given the opportunity to recreate the magic," returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said at a news conference announcing the changes. "We have got to go back to creating an 'American Idol'"

Rock 'n' rollercoaster

Lopez and Tyler replace British judge Simon Cowell, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and songwriter Kara DioGuardi as the judging panel returns to its original three-person format.

Tyler said on Wednesday he wanted to "bring some rock to this rollercoaster".

"I want to give everybody a little love before I decide who goes home heartbroken. If you don't like what I say, don't get mad, get better," the colorful Aerosmith showman added.

Lopez, star of movies like "The Wedding Planner", said she had long been a fan of the show and that the opportunity to be a judge "felt like the right thing at the right time for me."

"American Idol" has generated huge advertising revenues for Fox over the years and boosted record sales and digital downloads for early winners like Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

But despite being the most-watched TV show in the United States for eight years, "American Idol" has lost about six million viewers since 2006, and recent winners have largely failed to translate their success into chart-topping careers.

Lythgoe said that contestants would no longer be made to sing different genres each week, like country, disco or rock, but would be encouraged to perfect their own original style.

"It has been alleged we are a bit of a karaoke show," he said. "We have a whole new set of rules. We are not just going to copy tracks. And they are no longer just going to be standing there, like shoe-gazers. We will want them to move. I want the focus to go back on the kids and their talent."

Brian Friedman, one of the executive producers of TV show "America's Got Talent", said "Idol" needed changes to keep it fresh.

"The last thing you want is your studio audience and viewers at home to be able to predict the show. You have got to keep everyone on their toes," Friedman told Reuters.

"American Idol" is produced by 19 Entertainment, a unit of CKX Inc and FremantleMedia, a unit of Bertelsmann AG-controlled broadcaster RTL Group. Fox is a unit of News Corp.

Joaquin Phoenix a druggy rapper? All an act, says Affleck

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters Life!) - Joaquin Phoenix transformed from a clean-cut actor into a bearded, druggy rap wannabe two years ago -- but it seems it was all in the name of art.

His brother-in-law Casey Affleck, who made a documentary about Phoenix's transition from acclaimed actor to bearded, shambolic hip-hop star, admitted on Thursday that it was an act.

"It's a terrific performance, it's the performance of his career," Affleck told the New York Times.

Affleck said Phoenix put his professional life on the line to star in the documentary, "I'm Still Here," which captivated viewers at the Venice International Film Festival this month.

At the event, Phoenix swore it was a genuine documentary despite clear indications on the screen that it was a "mockumentary" poking fun at a narrow-minded public.

The buzz about the documentary began when a bearded Phoenix appeared on David Letterman's chat show in February last year, confused and mumbling.

In the movie Phoenix is at times funny and coherent and at others childish, aggressive and paranoid as he struggles to live with his decision in 2008, which the media greeted with breathless disbelief, to give up acting and take up hip-hop.

The film includes footage of him apparently taking drugs, surfing the Internet for call girls, hosting prostitutes, diving off a stage to attack a heckler and vomiting. It also features rap impresario Sean Combs, who finally agrees to listen to a demo of his hip-hop music.

Affleck has now come clean. Virtually none of it was real, he told the New York Times. Not even the opening shots, supposedly of Phoenix and his siblings swimming in a water hole in Panama. Affleck said that was actually shot in Hawaii with actors. "I never intended to trick anybody," said Affleck.

He acknowledged that Letterman was not in on the joke involving Phoenix who was nominated for an Oscar for his role of Johnny Cash in "Walk The Line."

Phoenix, whose sister Summer is married to Affleck, is due to return to "The Late Show with David Letterman" next week -- and Affleck said this time he would not be in character.

Robin issues statement on wedding with Mariel

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Robin Padilla has issued a statement regarding reports that he and actress-host Mariel Rodriguez tied the knot in Benguet last Monday.

In a text message sent to ABS-CBN News, Padilla said what happened in Baguio was part of their lives as a couple. He added the ceremony will also be used for an upcoming show on ABS-CBN.

"Ang mga naganap sa lupa ng mga Cariño sa Baguio ay isa lamang sa mga nagaganap na yugto sa aming pag-ibig at sa nalalapit na programa sa ABS-CBN," Padilla said.

Despite the Igorot rites, the actor, a Muslim convert, said he remains faithful to Islam. He added that the tribal ceremony is part of Filipino culture and tradition.

"Walang dapat ipangamba ang mga kapatiran, kababayan at katribo sapagkat ang pagsunod namin ay sa Islam, ang pagpupugay namin ay sa Kristianismo at ang pakikiisa namin ay sa kultura at tradisyong Pilipino," Padilla added.

Padilla was also responding to comments and criticisms about an apparent conflict between his Igorot wedding and him being a Muslim.

Some readers of abs-cbnNEWS.com had commented that Padilla disrespected Islam for using pig's blood during the ceremony.

The wedding

Jimmy Ong, the mamburong who performed the ceremony, confirmed to ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the ceremony took place last September 13 at 3 p.m.

Padilla’s youngest son was also present during the event.

Ong said he initially thought he was just attending a shooting, but was caught by surprise when he found the couple wearing traditional clothes of the Ibaloi.

“Tinanong ko si Robin kung kasal talaga ito. Sabi niya, ‘Oo, kasal talaga.’ Kaya sinimulan ko na,” he said.

During the ceremony, he said the couple drank rice wine to symbolize their love for each other.

They also danced Tayao, a native dance, to show that they are officially married, he said.

According to him, Padilla, whose mother is an Igorot, and Rodriguez, had pig’s blood on their faces as part of the ceremony.

“Ang kasal na ito ay legal sa kultura ng mga Igorot....binasbasan ko sila na hanggang kamatayan magsasama sila,” he said.

After the traditional ceremony, the celebrity couple again got married in a ceremony officiated by a pastor and was held in a private home.

It was a whirlwind romance for Padilla and Rodriguez.

The 2 met on the set of the now defunct ABS-CBN noontime show “Wowowee” when Padilla subbed for Willie Revillame early this year.

Rodriguez was one of the female hosts of “Wowowee.”

Essences from Vietnam

Vietnam recently celebrated its 65th anniversary as a nation. From August 25 to September 5, Sofitel's acclaimed group of interactive kitchens featured Vietnamese cuisine to mark the occasion.

Culinary creations included Súp so diep tom tuoi (scallop and prawn soup), Cua lôt chiên dòn (deep fried crispy battered soft shell crabs), Tôm sú háp nu'ó'c dù'a (steamed fresh prawns in coconut juice), Ga nuong la chanh (roasted chicken with lemon leaf), and Su'on non nu'ong xa (pork spare ribs with lemongrass).

Dessert specialties such as Che khoai mon (taro sweet soup) and Che chuoi (banana sweet soup) provided a sweet close to the meal, accompanied by special Vietnamese beverages like Vietnamese iced tea and Vietnamese rice wine.

For this week's Tastebuds feature on Mornings@ANC, Executive Chef Somnuk Attawon from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam took us on a tour through Vietnamese dishes according to the country's regions.

The island country is elongated. In the north where the weather is cold, Chef Attawon says, the food is slightly on the salty side, while in the south, where it rains a lot, much like the Philippines, the food is a bit sweet. It's the same for Vietnam's pho or beef noodle soups, which has become synonymous to its cuisine.

Southern Vietnamese cuisine was largely influenced by Chinese immigrants and French colonizers. Dishes in Central Vietnam are a bit more spicy, while those of the North, which is the cradle of Vietnamese civilization, are more traditional and less diverse.

"The Vietnamese don't cook so much," Chef Attawon says. "They want fresh ingredients from nature, special herbs."

Despite the seeming simplicity of its cooking, traditional Vetnamese cuisine is a culture all its own.

"In Vietnamese cuisine we have the fresh roll made from rice paper with roast pork shrimp. Vietnamese people like to eat rolls. They like the smell of lemon grass, galangga (a Vietnamese variety of ginger), shrimp paste and fish sauce." Chef Attawon says. All their dishes have these ingredients. "In the New Year, they have pork stew and sticky rice fill with mung beans and pork," he adds.

For Spiral's Food Festival promotion, it laid out a deep fried fish dish, rice noodle rolls with shrimp, stir fried rice noodles and stir fried chicken with ginger.

Chef Attawon showed us how to prepare the Cha Ca Hanoi or Deep Fried Fish Hanoi Style, from northern Vietnam, using the Basa fish from Vietnam. He says sea bass or the local milkfish would work just as well.

It begins with marinating the fish in a mixture made of lime, fish sauce, chili before frying it in oil. Chef Attaworn also adds a special ingredient, rice water which was fermented for two days, which gives this dish a certain sourness characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine.

A pomelo salad made with shrimp and agar-- a gelatinous rice and simple sweet and sour dressing-- provide a nice contrast and a great accompaniment to the fried fish. Those who may find it a bit mild for the tastebuds, may very well get a boost from having it with a bit more shrimp paste, the way the Vietnamese like it.

Fried Fish Hanoi Style

Ingredients:

For the dipping sauce:

Mash 1 Tbsp chopped garlic
Add 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp chili-garlic sauce (or finely chopped hot red chili peppers or 1 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes)
3 tsp fish sauce
3 tsp water
2 Tbsp lime juice

For the fish:

Combine: 2 Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp finely minced galangal/ ginger root
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp salt
Use mix to coat:
1 pound fish fillets (tilapia, monkfish or catfish) cut into 2- to 3-inch chunks

For Pomelo Salad:

In a bowl, mix fresh pomelo segments, sliced onions, ground peanuts, dried shrimps and chopped cilantro in vietnamese dressing (lime juice + fish sauce + sugar/honey).

For noodles:

Boil water
Place 8 ounces thin, dried rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes, drain
In a large skillet:
Heat 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Add coarsely chopped dill
Add fish.
Toss 5 scallions (cut into 2-inch lengths)
Serve individually with fried fish:
Add shredded lettuce, mint or cilantro leaves
Sprinkle with chopped, roasted, salted peanuts

Eat gold, seriously

MANILA, Philippines - Now you can have your cake--and gold--and eat it, too.

A Pinoy chef known as "Karat Chef" has been making dishes incorporating 24-karat gold in them.

In fact, chef Angelito Araneta, Jr., is known for creating the world's most expensive sushi which costs P198,999.00. The gold he put in it drove up the price of the dish.

In an interview on "Umagang Kay Ganda" on ABS-CBN on Wednesday, Araneta said our bodies naturally have a bit of gold content.

"Natural na may ginto sa katawan natin. Ang tubig natin, may percentage din ng gold," he said, adding this is the reason why people won't have an allergic reaction when eating bits of gold.

Araneta recommends using only 24-karat gold in dishes to make sure it's edible. If the gold used is less than 24 karats, "edible pa rin pero di tayo nakakasiguro kung walang allergic reaction," he said.

For the morning TV show, Araneta created three dishes infused with 24-karat gold: The Noble Heart Pendant, The Unnamed Cake, and Granola La Traviata.

The Noble Heart Pendant, a dish with gold leaf

The Unnamed Cake

Granola La Traviata

"Sobrang nipis na gold ang ginamit natin para sure tayo na kahit gaano karaming cake kainin, 'di makakasama," Araneta said.

The chef said just one piece of chocolate coated in gold may fetch a price of P1,200.

Araneta's cakes have been used for wedding proposals, wedding ceremonies, and engagement parties.

According to him, special orders for cakes and dishes with gold take 3 weeks to do: one week for tasting, one week for design, and one week for preparation.

How to deal with 'secretive' adolescents

MANILA, Philippines - Children who enter adolescence, or the period between ages 13 and 19, usually undergo a number of physical changes -- from an increase in height to a surge in hormone production.

Along these, of course, are changes in attitude and personality.

According to Maribel Sison-Dionisio of Love Institute Philippines, teenagers tend to be selective in sharing their thoughts and feelings, particularly to their parents, at this stage in their lives. Some adolescents may start to view their friends as more important or influential than their parents and guardians, who they usually consider as overprotective.

"Teenagers today prefer talking with their colleagues rather than talking with their parents," Sison-Dionisio said in an interview on ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda.

Sison-Dionisio said parents should exert extra effort when it comes to reaching out to their children.

This as some adolescents who don't have a healthy relationship with their parents tend to engage in risk behavior such as smoking and drinking alcohol.

She stressed, however, that parents should not just start breaking the ice with their children when they reach adolescence. Rather, a parent's love and guidance must be felt by the child since day one.

Here are some of her tips in dealing with your "secretive" adolescent:

1. Don't stop your teen from having a crush or a "puppy love" as this is normal during adolescence. Instead, make it clear that this person should only serve as an inspiration -- not a hindrance -- to your child's activities. It's all about learning when to draw the line.

2. Inform your teen about the consequences of pre-marital sex, such as unwanted pregnancies and early parenthood, instead of constantly restricting their activities and interactions with persons of the opposite sex. That way, your teen is less likely to hide things from you, and more likely to make better decisions.

3. Let your teen decide for herself. Give her guidance, but don't make the decisions since these will only push her away from you. Sometimes, all your teen needs is a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

4. Mealtimes are one of the best moments to communicate with your teen. Use it to your advantage.

Celeb foodie: Venus Raj

MANILA, Philippines - Maria Venus Raj loves eating -- in a "major major" way.

The beauty with a 22-inch waistline admits that she doesn't watch her weight and eats almost everything -- from the usual fish and vegetables to the more exotic frogs and snakes -- citing her humble beginnings as a farm girl in Camarines Sur, Bicol.

She has, however, developed a soft spot for all things with coconut milk.

"Ako kakainin ko basta may gata (I'd eat anything with coconut milk)," she happily tells abs-cbnNEWS.com, adding, "I love Filipino food."

It could be noted that sweet, creamy coconut milk and spices figure prominently in the local cuisine of Bicol, her hometown.

The 2 most popular dishes in the region -- laing (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk) and Bicol express (pork strips and finger chilies cooked in coconut milk) -- are among Raj's favorites.

She may not be a picky eater, but Raj swears she will never eat insects again, especially after trying to munch on crickets a few years back.

"Naramdaman ko yung legs tapos pagkagat mo lalabas yung juice. After no'n ayoko na talaga ng insects ever (I felt the cricket's legs as I placed it inside my mouth. Then when I started eating it, its juice came out. I freaked out, after that, I don't want to eat insects again)," she shares.

Here are Raj's answers to some of the questions posed by abs-cbnNEWS.com:

Describe yourself using food. If you were an ingredient, what would you be?

A sili (chili pepper). It's hot, spicy, and adds lots of flavor! (laughs). We use it every day at home.

What's your all-time favorite food?

Laing, Bicol express, ako kahit ano basta may gata (as long as it has coconut milk). I also like sinigang na baboy (sour soup with pork). I love Filipino food!

Give us 5 food items that you can eat every day for the rest of your life. Are these the same as your all-time favorites?

Actually, I can eat anything talaga. Of course, I want rice (laughs). Tapos 'yung iba kahit ano talaga. Kahit anong luto at klase ng isda, gulay, kahit ano talaga. (Then the rest can be anything, any kind of fish or vegetable cooked in any way)

What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

Palaka (frog), bat, snake, and cricket!

What is one thing that you'll never, ever eat?

Insects! After ng cricket ayoko na ng kahit anong insects. (After eating a cricket I don't want to try eating other insects)

You say you love to eat, but do you also love to cook?

Yes! High school ako nag-start magluto. Magaling ako magluto! (I started cooking as early as high school. I can cook really well!)

Any specialties?

Filipino food pa rin, particularly 'yung mga dish sa amin sa Bicol. (Still Filipino food, particularly dishes from Bicol, my hometown.)

So if you love to eat, and you love to cook, how come you're still so skinny? What's your secret to maintaining a 22-inch waistline?

Hindi ko alam! (laughs) Siguro mabilis lang talaga metabolism ko. Tapos I exercise sa gym, so baka 'yun. (I don't know! Maybe I just have a really fast metabolism. Then I also make it a point to exercise at the gym regularly, so maybe that's the reason.)

Sashimi -- with a different bite

MANILA, Philippines - Japanese cuisine has always reflected beauty and balance in food, from the plating to the taste.

A good example is the sashimi, a Japanese delicacy that primarily consists of raw seafood sliced into very thin pieces.

It's a simple yet beautiful dish -- the fresh taste of the fish is complemented by a dipping sauce, either soy sauce with wasabi paste, fresh ginger, or shredded radish.

Executive Chef Godfrey Laforteza of The Establishment's Crystal Room, however, does things differently.

His dishes take influence from not only Japanese, but also various Asian cuisines -- Indonesia, India, Korea and Thailand.

"A lot of people say our food is fusion, but it's not. Fusion for me is Japanese to Italian or Chinese to French. A lot of the ingredients I use are Japanese because my background is Japanese cuisine," Laforteza said.

He added, "The method and the technique is Japanese -- the way we slice the food, the way we present it. A lot of the taste would be more of the Japanese side, but there's a hint of Thai, Korean."

Looking for a change after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, Laforteza went to culinary school despite having no interest in food. After graduation, he found himself training at Nobu, a Japanese restaurant in New York co-owned by acclaimed Hollywood actor Robert de Niro.

"Robert de Niro hired me. After a year or so of training as an omagachi chef, I catered for Barbra Streisand, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Bill Clinton and the wedding of de Niro," he shared.

Before going back home, Laforteza said he got to work for other restaurants in New York, Hong Kong and Jakarta.

"Anton San Diego, the President of the Crystal Room (of) The Establishment asked me (to work for them). After 6 months of considering, I decided to introduce my flavors to the Philippines," he narrated.

Asked about his current menu at the Crystal Room, Laforteza said, "My menu is very small. It changes every 6 to 8 months. I invent every day. I don't have limitations at all. I just have to make sure the food is presented well, tastes good, and makes my customers happy."

Sashimi with a twist

Aside from Asian flavors, Laforteza said he also infuses western flavors into his creations.

In this week's episode of Taste Buds on Mornings@ANC, he gave us a taste of his French-inspired sashimi dish -- the citron-cured salmon sashimi with seaweed salsa.

He began by curing the salmon with salt and 4 kinds of zest -- calamansi, orange, lime and lemon -- for 48 hours.

"We put the mixture of zest on top. Make sure you leave the skin on the bottom, flesh side up. This is enough for 48 hours or 2 days. The salt will help take liquid out of the salmon. All the liquid from the zest will give the salmon the citrus flavor," Laforteza said.

The chef then removed the juice and the zest from the cured salmon, and cut the meat into thin sashimi slices using a sharp knife.

The dish was topped with a salsa made of diced red bell pepper, fresh mango, red onion and fried Japanese seaweed. A drizzle of Japanese soy sauce, fresh lemon juice, Japanese wasabi mix, chopped chives and roasted sesame seeds were also added.

Laforteza said his dish is best enjoyed by eating the salmon with the seaweed salsa.

Asked to describe his creation, he said, "It's an explosion of flavors (and) textures. A mix of sweet, sour (and) spicy because of the wasabi. One bite of everything is like riding a motorcycle in 2 seconds."

It's packed with flavor, yes, but unlike sashimi soaked in soy sauce and wasabi, there's just enough heat to make the dish tolerable. The whole concoction is very light and satisfying, and is definitely worth seconds.

Here are the ingredients for Laforteza's citron-cured salmon sashimi:

MARINADE

240 grams fresh salmon fillet, deboned
10 grams mixed citrus zest (orange, lemon, lime and calamansi)
10 grams sea salt

SAUCE

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Japanese soy sauce
5 grams wasabi
1 gram black pepper

SALSA

2 grams kombu (Japanese seaweed), julienned (cut into long thin strips)
2 grams small red onion, diced
2 grams fresh ripe mango, diced
2 grams red bell pepper, diced
1 gram chives, diced
roasted sesame seeds for garnish

Charice parties with 'Glee' stars

MANILA, Philippines - Songstress Charice attended the red carpet premiere party of the second season of American television series “Glee” in California on Tuesday (US time).

The 18-year-old singer, who looked stunning in her black dress, is playing Sunshine Corazon, a Filipino exchange student at fictional William McKinley High School “whose killer vocals get Rachel (Berry) contemplating murder.”

The “Pyramid” singer admitted that she can relate to her character, saying that they are both “simple” and “shy.”

“I'm very, very happy that my character is Sunshine. Sunshine is very, very Charice, simple one, shy type,” she said.

An excited Charice is also looking forward to more showdowns between her character and Rachel Berry (Lea Michele).

“We're like frenemies, I think that's the word... and we're gonna sing a very, very big song, Lady Gaga and Beyonce. It's ‘Telephone.’ So, it's gonna be amazing,” she said.

She said she is learning so many things by being part of the popular TV series. She said she is happy that it allows her to both sing and dance.

“It's my first comedy acting. So, I'm learning a lot. And I’m really thankful that I’m part of ‘Glee.’ I’m learning so much things,” she added.

After the celebration, Charice tweeted that she had a blast at the party. “I really had fun @ the Glee party. :) t'was great. MsLeaMichele was amazing. goodnight everyone. :)”

Bachelor Aquino has no time for love

MANILA, Philippines – Does President Aquino still have time to date as he attends to the affairs of the state?

This question was posed to the 50-year-old bachelor President by GMA 7’s news anchor Mel Tiangco during Aquino’s televised no-holds-barred interview Thursday.

Aquino admitted that he can hardly find time for his personal life, noting that he even has to work on Sundays. He also lamented that if he does go out, there’s no privacy.

“Sa totoo lang ho kung saka-sakaling magkaroon ng oras, wala naman pong privacy maski anong puntahan natin - supermarket, restaurant, sinehan. Marami pong makikisama sa pagda-date [namin]. Picture taking, sasamang kwentuhan. Pati ho Linggo kinukuha na din sa atin. So, medyo talagang manipis na manipis ang free time,” he said.

On Thursday, Aquino faced a panel of TV news anchors, composed of Tiangco, ABS-CBN’s Ted Failon and TV 5’s Paolo Bediones, to answer all the issues involving the botched handling of the tragic hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand.

The hostage crisis resulted in the deaths of 8 Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker, police officer Rolando Mendoza.

The question asked by Tiangco, a self-confessed hopeless romantic, provided a brief breather to the President as he tackled the tragedy that caused tension between the Philippines and Hong Kong.

In a follow up question, Tiangco asked if Aquino was ruling out the possibility of having a First Lady during his term and holding a grand wedding.

Aquino replied: “Sabi po sa akin ng mga Amerikano, hope springs eternal.”

Aquino’s girlfriend is 30-year-old Valenzuela councilor Shalani Soledad. The high-profile couple has been tightlipped whenever they are asked about their relationship.

In a previous interview, Soledad said she is willing to wait for Aquino.