Café Ilang-Ilang Serves Delectable Kurobuta Pork Dishes

 

The Manila Hotel's famed Cafe Ilang-Ilang launches a variety of exquisite meals utilizing the remarkable quality and flavor of local Kurobuta pork from Esguerra Farms. Kurobuta stems from a Japanese name meaning "black pig." Renowned for its profuse marbling, suppleness, and rich flavor profile, Kurobuta pork is sometimes referred to as the "Wagyu of pork."

"We are excited to elevate the buffet spread of Café Ilang-Ilang with the produce of Esguerra Farms," says Konrad Walter, Executive Chef at The Manila Hotel. Esguerra Farms in Lipa, Batangas, is committed to using sustainable and ethical farming practices that prioritize animal care and environmental conservation.

Chef Konrad Walter, Executive Chef of The Manila Hotel

The pigs are grown in a safe, hygienic, and stress-free environment thanks to the farm's own Kurobuta Village. The pigs are sheltered, fed, and pampered, resulting in a higher pH level that allows for maximum marbling, retention of natural flavor, and healthier meat color.

Spicy Thai Mince Kurobuta Pork Salad

Korean Style Pork Belly Kurobuta

Don’t let high blood pressure get you down

 

Based on a recent study by the Philippine Heart Association, high blood pressure is living up to its reputation as a silent killer as it is the fifth cause of death among Filipinos from research made by the Philippine Statistics Authority in June 2022. According to the said report, hypertension among Pinoys rose by 37% in 2021. That’s the highest it’s ever been since 1992.

High blood pressure (BP), once thought to be a condition of the elderly, has recently been found in at least 5% of Filipino youth aged 12 to 18. The more shocking finding was that hypertensive adults and adolescents, regardless of age, had the same profile: a higher BMI, waist measurement, and central obesity rate.

The Best Wedding Flowers for Every Season

 

Every bride knows flowers are an important part of any wedding day. Tying together the bride, groom, and wedding party, as well as the wedding and reception venues, the flowers you choose for your special day can say a lot about you as a couple – especially about your taste and style.

Neutral tones are a classic choice that won’t date in photographs and that complement many themes, making them a popular option for brides all year round. These flowers are always in demand with a Somerset luxury wedding florist and can provide the wow factor for your wedding day.

Top Choices for Spring Weddings

A wedding florist in Somerset notes that many popular spring flowers are naturally neutral, such as delicate snowdrops and lily of the valley, while other seasonal favourites such as daffodils are available in muted shades. Pink Champagne has a soft peachy tone whereas the multiheaded Erlicheer bring a hint of lemon to a bouquet, along with a heady fragrance which can add to your special day. Tulips are another wonderful choice for a spring wedding with Maureen a timeless bloom with the classic fluted shape. Brides wishing to add a splash of bold colour might opt for the Danceline variety, which is cream with a kiss of cerise.

Top Choices for Summer Weddings

Summer weddings are still the most popular choice, and with so many flowers at their best throughout the summer months, it’s easy to see why. White roses are ideal for the minimalist summer bride, especially as they traditionally symbolise loyalty, purity and innocence – perfect for the fresh start of a wedding day – or opt for blousy peonies to make a statement. A wonderfully opulent luxury wedding florist Somerset brides will adore! Freesias and gypsophelia can create a soft summer look, giving a relaxed vibe ideal for country weddings or low-key ceremonies.

Looking for a new summer look? Make a fun beauty session at the Shang.

 

Summertime calls for new looks. It's the ideal time to experiment with shorter or colored hair and nail art. Everyone needs some extra TLC with all of the impending getaways and festivities. With its plethora of beauty services available at one location, Shangri-La Plaza can cater to every summer beauty desire.

Basement Salon on Level 1, East Wing, offers a stylish box bob and brilliant highlights. This beauty center is well-known for its skilled hair artists and a long list of celebrity clients. Additional services include permanent blow drying to manage frizzy hair and digiperm to acquire those in-demand locks and seasonal wavy hair.

Who says just girls want to have a good time? Gentlemen can visit Bruno's Barbers on Level 5, Main Wing for accurate and high-quality hair services performed by its team of skilled barbers. There is also The Mentholated Scalp Treatment for seasonally suited hair and scalp care treatment.

Thanks to the experienced aestheticians at Maxwax Waxing & Brow Studio on Level 5, Main Wing, no more painful bikini waxes or misaligned brows. This beauty salon offers brow grooming and waxing services that cover many parts of the body from the intimates, underarms, and upper lip—a must-stop this summer before visiting the beach!

Get customized treatments at Shang's well-known skincare clinics for a more intermediate level of self-care. Level 5, Main Wing, Belo offers ADVALight, a skin treatment that employs the world's first

and the only solid-state yellow laser to heal scars and hyperpigmentation, remove acne-causing germs, treat oiliness, and stimulate collagen to prevent lines and wrinkles. Lower Ground Level Skin 101,

The Revlite Toning Facial, the gold standard for skin pigmentation and whitening, is available in the East Wing. It is a light and safe laser that targets undesirable pigmentation for a more even complexion and skin tone.

Try Skin Station's slimming and body sculpting combo Meso-Bella with ThermaShape and EMS BodySculpt for a slimmer silhouette. Meso-Bella is a non-surgical slimming and reshaping treatment for women. ThermaShape is a radio-frequency therapy that provides firming and tightening by promoting collagen formation, and EMS BodySculpt uses high-intensity targeted electro-stimulation. Its magnetic technology is used to burn fat and develop muscle. Skin Station is located on Level 5, Main Wing.

Complete any beauty appearance with flawless brows and lashes. Strokes by Momoi Supe, located on Level 5, Main Wing, is the Philippines' top and most trusted beauty studio specializing in 3D brows tattoo. Aside from those prized brows, a fan favorite treatment is the AirLash, which is ideal for individuals who want healthy lashes and falsies that feel like air.

Make your digits stand out with charming summer nail art, bright polish, or those trendy milky nails from Shang The Nail Spa on Level 5, Main Wing offers a wide range of luxury services, including signature treatments and manicures. Designer nail paints. Nail Tropics on the Lower Ground Level, East Wing, offers something more fun. Summer Nail Heartworks elevate traditional nail art to new heights. Do you want something more personalized? I Do Nails on Level 5, East Wing offers manual nail art with unique add-ons such as stones, charms, and flowers.

Summer looks are fresh and glowing. Head to Shangri-La Plaza for that much-needed and deserved Summer beauty sesh. For updates and inquiries, follow Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial and on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial.

Project Hulmahan Art Exhibit at The Manila Hotel

 

Project Hulmahan is now on exhibit at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel

Project Hulmahan will be on display at The Manila Hotel's Grand Lobby and Art Gallery from May 8 to May 20. The art exhibit includes sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces created with shoe molds by both established and rising artists who share a desire for assisting others via their art.

"We looked for volunteer artists by publicly posting on Facebook who were willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines," Bernardo explains. Hundreds of artists from all across the Philippines responded positively to the appeal for volunteers. Rachy Cuna, creative consultant at The Manila Hotel, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez and Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and actor Dolly De Leon are among the artists whose works are on display in Project Hulmahan.

Zena Bernardo, a member of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya, created Project Hulmahan. Ms. Bernardo visited with shuttered shoe manufacturers in Marikina, and their group purchased about 500 pairs of shoe molds with the purpose of repurposing them into artworks to raise funding for community-based activities.

Pag-aalay by Rachy Cuna

"It is fitting for The Manila Hotel to collaborate with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates women, especially mothers, in the month of May," says Marvin Kim Tan, The Manila Hotel's Director of Sales & Marketing. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team led by Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia 'Patreng' of the renowned Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally recognized actress Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They established the communal kitchen, which benefited many people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Palakpaak by Toym Imao