Pop Song Agenda

Last night Remus Mark and I were just chilling and talking about music when I suddenly told him that I have decoded the pattern of hit pop songs.

Ohh na na. What’s my name

Ohh na na what’s my name.

– What’s My Name By Rihanna ft. Drake

You want the moves like jagger,

I've got the moves like jagger,

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

– Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera

I, I love you like a love song, baby

I, I love you like a love song, baby

I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hittin' re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

-Love You Like a Love Song by Selena Gomez

Before I continue, are you getting the pattern here? If not, here are more examples.

It’s not about the money, money, money

We don’t need your money, money, money

-Price Tag by Jessie J

This place about to bloooooow oh oh oh oh oh

-Blow by Kesha

Here’s what I’m trying to say. The songs above have words or syllables that are repeated over and over. The thing is, it’s easy to remember and as effect of the repetitive words and sounds, it gets stuck in your head and forces you to like it. (Yes, you don’t really like it. It just has hypnotizing powers) This realization came to me years ago when Rihanna’s Umbrella and Shut Up and Drive were popular. It’s like under my umbrella ella, ella, eh, eh, eh and shut and drive, drive, drive, drive.

So if you wanna be a famous pop star. Make songs that have ridiculous repetitive lyrics. Then you might  turn out to be one of them. Your call.

- Random thought ni Mersi Marrakesh

Today x Future presents LIPSTICK. All-Girl DJs. All-Female Tunes.

Wednesday, 16 November 2011, 9PM

Featuring:

She&Her (Leah Castañeda & Samantha Nicole)

Lotho Lotho

Monday Maxitronic (Melissa Carballo) & Cherry X-Bomb (Mersi Marrakesh Carballo)

Only at...

Today x Future

31 Cubao X General Romulo Street Cubao, Quezon City – Metro Manila

Catch the debut spin of my lovely sisters Melissa & Mersi Marrakesh. First time to go live on the turntable.

Don’t get stuck at home this Wednesday night. Pucker up!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

Natural remedy

My sister Melissa doesn't feel well today. I wanted her to load up on fresh fruits so we got these.

Longan, Dragon Fruit (Pitaya), Dalanghita (Tangerine)

The longan and tangerine were given by our friend Franda. I bought the dragon fruit from a nearby supermarket.


Later I'll discuss the health benefits of these fruits. But for now I have to run. Later!


- Kwento ni Remus Mark

Global voting ends! The New7Wonders of Nature are...

Komodo Dragons - Komodo Island, Indonesia

The initial count of the global vote to choose the New7Wonders of Nature has been announced. Congratulations to the following entries.

Amazon (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela)

Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Iguazu Falls (Argentina, Brazil)

Jeju Island (South Korea)

Komodo Island (Indonesia)

Puerto Princesa Underground River (Philippines)

Table Mountain (South Africa)

Unfortunately six finalists that were leading in last week’s tally did not make the final cut. These are:

Dead Sea (Israel, Jordan, Palestine)

Grand Canyon (USA)

Great Barrier Reef (Australia, Papua New Guinea)

Jeita Grotto (Lebanon)

Sundarbans (Bangladesh, India)

Vesuvius (Italy)

They were instead taken over by Amazon, Iguazu Falls, and Table Mountain.

The results were announced at the headquarters of the New7Wonders Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland after the global voting ended on 11.11.11.

The New7Wonders of Nature campaign lasted for over four years, starting with more than 440 locations from over 220 countries and all the way to the 28 finalist candidates from whom the New7Wonders of Nature have been chosen.

These preliminary results are provisional and are subject to validation. Confirmed winners will be announced in early 2012.

I’m delighted to see three winners from ASEAN. It only proves that Southeast Asia is a place of bountiful natural beauty. Visit ASEAN!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

How to cook Chicken in Tamarind Soup (Sinampalukang Manok)

This week I prepared regular food (read: non-vegetarian) for my family. I cooked two dishes and this is the first one.

Chicken in Tamarind Soup (Sinampalukang Manok)

Chicken in Tamarind Soup (Sinampalukang Manok)

  

Ingredients:

1 kilo chicken, cut into medium-size pieces

2 pcs medium-size eggplant (talong), sliced crosswise

1 pc medium-size radish (labanos), peeled and sliced crosswise

1 bundle river spinach (kangkong)

2 pcs tomato (kamatis), sliced

2 pcs green chili (siling mahaba)

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and grated

Sinigang sa Sampalok mix (Tamarind soup base)

12 cups water

cooking oil

salt (asin) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

fish sauce (patis), optional

Instructions: 

Heat oil in a pan then sauté garlic, onion, ginger, tomatoes and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add water and Sinigang sa Sampalok mix. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat. Mix all the other vegetables except river spinach. Add salt, black pepper and fish sauce to taste. Remove from heat then add river spinach.

That's it! Enjoy!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

Set fire

I'm ready to set the dancefloor on fire with my new shoes.

- Kwento ni Melissa

New7Wonders of Nature: How to vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines

Reputed to be the world's longest navigable underground river and the most beautiful subterranean river, The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a must-see for first time visitors to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Its main attraction is an 8.2-kilometer Underground River that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying into the South China Sea. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. 

Monkeys, large monitor lizards & squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave. Visitors can also enjoy bird-watching, mountain trekking & exploring the deeper part of the forest. 

The park was declared a premier ecotourism destination and has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding universal value and ecological significance as a natural site of intense beauty.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the Philippines' entry and a finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign.

Here are the top 10 finalists as of this writing (in alphabetical order):

Dead Sea (Israel, Jordan, Palestine)

Grand Canyon (USA)

Great Barrier Reef (Australia, Papua New Guinea)

Halong Bay (Vietnam)

Jeita Grotto (Lebanon)

Jeju Island (South Korea)

Komodo Island (Indonesia)

Puerto Princesa Underground River (Philippines)

Sundarbans (Bangladesh, India)

Vesuvius (Italy)

Voting for the New7Wonders of Nature ends on 11.11.11. We have less than five days left so vote for PPUR now! Here’s how.

1] Via Text Messaging/SMS

Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River via SMS from the Philippines.

Text PPUR send to 2861 (Smart, Globe and Sun subscribers)

1 vote = text PPUR

7 votes = text PPUR7

15 votes = text PPUR15

Each SMS sent counts as one vote for the PP Underground River in the Official New7Wonders of Nature.

Send PPUR to 2861

Cost per SMS sent:

PHP 2.00 (Sun)

PHP 2.50 (Globe, Smart)

2]  Via Internet

Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River via internet from anywhere in the world.

Visit http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2. Choose your 7 finalists. Leave your personal information including a valid email address. Enter captcha code. Send your vote.

Keep voting and spread the word to Filipinos in every corner of the world.

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

Gerald Anderson & Sarah Geronimo reunite in Won’t Last A Day Without You

It’s finally here, this season's ultimate kilig movie!

Won't Last A Day Without You marks the comeback the much-awaited tandem of Gerald Anderson and Sarah Geronimo. The movie features Joey De Leon, John Lapus, Megan Young, Martin Del Rosario, Marlann Flores, and Niña Dolino. Also stars Cheska Ortega, Young JV, Lui Villaruz, Jommy Teotico, and Yam Concepcion.

The film is directed by my good friend Raz de la Torre; produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films.

Won’t Last A Day Without You is poised to become this year’s biggest romantic comedy flick. A definite blockbuster in the making. The Sarah-Gerald movie opens 23 November 2011 in theaters nationwide.

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

My Halloween 2011 costume

Halloween is just around the corner. With all these parties fast approaching, everyone’s talking about what they will come as. Even I, for the first time, am excited to wear a costume. It’s not yet final but here’s a crazy idea.

My Halloween costume – Yosi Kadiri

What do you think of my Halloween costume?

My sister Mersi Marrakesh is planning to dress up as Nicki Minaj. I wonder if she can pull it off. We’ll see on Saturday.

Here’s a rundown of some of the best Halloween parties in Metro Manila happening this Saturday, 29 October 2011.

THE FUTURE WAS NOW.

Today x Future

31 Cubao X General Romulo Street Cubao, Quezon City – Metro Manila

BIGFISH CREAM HALLOWEEN BALL YEAR 11

World Trade Center

Pasay Road, Pasay City – Metro Manila

REPUBLIQ HALLOWEEN BALL 2011: UNLEASH THE INNER SUPERHERO IN YOU

Republiq Club   

Second Level, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City – Metro Manila

Which one are you attending?

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

Paul van Dyk Evolution World Tour 2011 Live in Manila

Bigfish brings back Grammy-nominated, globally acclaimed DJ Paul van Dyk (Germany) to Manila for the Evolution World Tour 2011. 

The fun happens tonight, Wednesday (19 October 2011), at 1Esplanade, Manila's stylish venue by the bay. 

Also featuring John Paul Lee & MC Kyle Olsen. See you there!


- Kwento ni Remus Mark

How to cook Sweet & Sour Tofu

My sister Melissa decided to cook a vegetarian dish earlier today. She used tofu this time. So here’s her version of Sweet and Sour Tofu.

Sweet & Sour Tofu

Ingredients:

water

cooking oil

tofu (tokwa), cut into squares

green beans (Baguio beans), sliced crosswise

1 pc medium-size carrot (karot), peeled and sliced

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

1 small can pineapple juice

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

4 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons ketchup

salt (asin) to taste

sugar (asukal) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

soy sauce (toyo) to taste

2 pcs chili pepper (siling labuyo), optional

sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to taste, optional

Instructions:

Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and soy sauce then coat tofu with cornstarch mixture. Fry tofu in cooking oil until golden brown. Set aside. Dissolve the remaining 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in ½ cup of water. Set aside. Sauté garlic in a saucepan until golden brown then add onion. Add fried tofu, vegetables, pineapple juice, dissolved cornstarch, and other seasonings. Stir carefully until sauce thickens. Remove from heat then serve.

Enjoy!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

How to cook Sauteed Mung Beans (Ginisang Munggo)

Yesterday I finally ended the week-long streak of cooking tofu dishes. I decided to use an ingredient my brother Mervin, who’s vegetarian, has introduced to me a long time ago. I’m referring to textured vegetable protein or TVP. I call TVP vegetarian meat as it’s usually used as a substitute for meat. TVP is made from defatted soy flour. It has high protein content and contains no fat.

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)

This is my first time to use TVP. Here’s my vegetarian version of Sauteed Mung Beans using TVP.

Sauteed Mung Beans (Ginisang Munggo)

Sauteed Mung Beans (Ginisang Munggo)

Ingredients:

water

cooking oil

TVP

6 cups mung beans (munggo)

bitter gourd tendrils (talbos ng ampalaya)

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

4 pcs medium-size tomato (kamatis), sliced

salt (asin) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

soy sauce (toyo) to taste

2 pcs chili pepper (siling labuyo), optional

fish sauce (patis), optional

Instructions:

Soak mung beans in water for several hours (preferably overnight). Boil mung beans in water until soft. Once done, set aside. Punch a small hole in very piece of TVP then soak in water until tender. Once tender, slice into bite-size pieces then add salt and soy sauce. Set aside. Fry garlic in a saucepan until golden brown then add onion and tomatoes. Add seasoned TVP then stir. Add boiled mung beans and chili pepper. Add water then stir. Add salt, ground black pepper, soy sauce and fish sauce (optional) to taste. Finally, add bitter gourd tendrils. Remove from heat then serve.

There you have it! Another vegetarian recipe, this time using TVP.

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

Vote for Miss Philippines Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup

Miss Philippines Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup

For the first time in the pageant's history, Miss Universe is having an online poll that will automatically guarantee a contestant with the highest score a spot in the semi-finals.

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup is representing the Philippines in the prestigious pageant this year. We urge all our kababayans, specially those who live abroad, to vote for Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup. To cast your votes, please visit the following websites.

NBC.com

http://www.nbc.com/pageant-life/bios/miss-universe/

MissUniverse.com

http://missuniverse.com/members/profile/599558/year:2011

MSNLatino.Telemundo.com (Unofficial)

http://msnlatino.telemundo.com/entretenimiento/Miss_Universo_2011/ranking

You may cast your votes from 4am on 20 August until 6am on 12 September 2011 (Manila time). Only 10 votes per email address per day will be counted.

Miss Philippines Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup in her evening gown

Miss Universe 2011 grand coronation night will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 12 September 2011. Our very own Lea Salonga, Tony Award winner & actress, will be one of the judges for the pageant.

- Kwento ni Melissa

How to cook Stir-Fried Chayote & Tofu (Ginisang Sayote at Tokwa)

Hello again! Tofu overload this week as I bring you yet another vegetarian recipe featuring, you guessed it right, tofu. This is what I had for lunch earlier today. Here it is.

Stir-Fried Chayote & Tofu (Ginisang Sayote at Tokwa)

Stir-Fried Chayote & Tofu (Ginisang Sayote at Tokwa)

Ingredients:

1 cup water

cooking oil

tofu (tokwa), mashed

3 pcs medium-size chayote (sayote), sliced

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

4 pcs medium-size tomato (kamatis), sliced

salt (asin) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

soy sauce (toyo) to taste

2 pcs chili pepper (siling labuyo), optional

sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to taste, optional

Instructions:

Fry garlic in a saucepan until golden brown then add onion and tomatoes. Add mashed tofu then stir. Add chayote and chili pepper. Add water then stir. Add salt, ground black pepper, soy sauce and sweet soy sauce to taste. Remove from heat then serve.

I only spent PHP 70 to buy the ingredients needed to make this dish. Serves eight persons.

For those who are wondering where to get sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), you can go to Matahari Indonesian Deli. They have branches in TriNoma, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Place Manila & V-Mall.

That’s all for now. Till next time!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

How to cook Stir-Fried Green Beans & Tofu (Ginisang Baguio Beans at Tokwa)

Hello, everyone! Here’s what I prepared for lunch earlier today. Actually it’s my sister Melissa’s recipe but I took over, reducing her cooking duty to frying tofu which we served as a side dish. Here it is.

Stir-Fried Green Beans & Tofu (Ginisang Baguio Beans at Tokwa)

Stir-Fried Green Beans & Tofu (Ginisang Baguio Beans at Tokwa)

Ingredients:

1 cup water

cooking oil

tofu (tokwa), mashed

green beans (Baguio beans), sliced crosswise

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

2 pcs medium-size tomato (kamatis), sliced

salt (asin) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

soy sauce (toyo) to taste

2 pcs chili pepper (siling labuyo), optional

sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to taste, optional

Instructions:

Fry garlic in a saucepan until golden brown then add onion and tomatoes. Add mashed tofu then stir. Add green beans and chili pepper. Add water then stir. Add salt, ground black pepper, soy sauce and sweet soy sauce to taste. Remove from heat then serve.

I only spent PHP 80 to buy the ingredients needed to make this dish. Serves five persons. Enjoy!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

How to cook Stir-Fried Chinese Cabbage & Tofu (Ginisang Pechay at Tokwa)

Hello, everyone! I’d like to share another tofu recipe which I prepared for lunch yesterday.

Stir-Fried Chinese Cabbage & Tofu (Ginisang Pechay at Tokwa)

Stir-Fried Chinese Cabbage & Tofu (Ginisang Pechay at Tokwa)

Ingredients:

1 cup water

cooking oil

tofu (tokwa), cut into rectangular shapes

2 bundles Chinese cabbage (pechay), sliced

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

salt (asin) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

soy sauce (toyo) to taste

2 pcs chili pepper (siling labuyo), optional

sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to taste, optional

Instructions:

Fry tofu in cooking oil until golden brown. Set aside. Fry garlic in a saucepan until golden brown then add onion. Add fried tofu, Chinese cabbage and chili pepper. Add water then stir. Add salt, ground black pepper, soy sauce and sweet soy sauce to taste. Remove from heat then serve.

I only spent PHP 80 for this dish so it’s perfect for those who wish eat healthy while keeping it cheap. Serves four persons. Enjoy!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

How to cook Tofu in Sour Oriental Soup (Sinigang na Tokwa)

Today is day three of living my supposed new healthy lifestyle. It’s also the third consecutive day of my so-called seasonal vegetarianism.

For lunch I prepared another tofu or tokwa dish. Eating tofu can be delicious and fun. Here’s my recipe for today.

Tofu in Sour Oriental Soup (Sinigang na Tokwa)

Tofu in Sour Oriental Soup (Sinigang na Tokwa)

Ingredients:

tofu (tokwa), cut into rectangular shapes

2 pcs medium-size eggplant (talong), sliced crosswise

1 pc medium-size radish (labanos), peeled and sliced crosswise

1 bundle river spinach (kangkong)

2 pcs tomato (kamatis), sliced

2 pcs green chili (siling mahaba)

1 pc medium-size onion (sibuyas), peeled and minced

6 cloves of garlic (bawang), crushed and minced

sinigang mix

12 cups water

cooking oil

salt (asin) to taste

ground black pepper (paminta) to taste

fish sauce (patis), optional

Instructions:

Fry tofu in cooking oil until golden brown. Set aside. Boil water in a casserole. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes and sinigang mix. Once tomatoes are tender, add eggplant, radish and fried tofu. Boil for three minutes then add river spinach and green chilli. Add salt, black pepper and fish sauce to taste. Remove from heat then serve.

That’s it. Pretty easy, right? Aside from being nutritious, this dish is also very cheap. I spent only around PHP 130 and it serves five persons. I hope you try this recipe.

Ok, that’s all for now. I’ll do cardio workout and weight training this afternoon. Jaiyo!

- Kwento ni Remus Mark

What's up with American Idol Season 10 finalists

25 May 2011, seventeen year old Scotty McCreery was announced as the winner of the tenth season of American Idol with sixteen year old Lauren Alaina as the runner-up.

Scotty’s first single “I Love You This Big” and Lauren’s “Like My Mother Does” (Kristy Lee Cook original), were released immediately after American Idol. Both songs were in the U.S. Billboard charts “I Love You This Big” peaked at number  11 and “Like My Mother Does” at number 20.

Scotty McCreery’s first album “Clear As Day” will be released on October 04, 2011 while Lauren Alaina’s “Wildflower” album on October 11, 2011.

Scotty McCreery (left) and Lauren Alaina (right) on the Today Show

Another American Idol season 10 finalist Pia Toscano just released her first single entitled “This Time.” (I just heard the song today and it’s awesome!) Pia Toscano, Haley Reinhart and James Durbin are now managed by Red Light Management.

Pia Toscano

James Durbin

Haley Reinhart

P.S. Haley Reinhart is my favorite! J

-Kwento ni Mersi Marrakesh

World’s top triathletes converge in CamSur for Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines 2011

Thousands of athletes, media people, and other participants arrived in CamSur this week for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines, now on its third year. Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte led the welcome for the participants during the Meet the Pros press conference at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines triathlon is the ultimate test of strength and endurance as it will take participants to a gruelling half-Ironman 70.3 mile race course (total distance) — consisting of 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, 56-mile (90 km) bike and 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run — around the world-renowned CWC. CWC is also home to the best cable wakeboarding park. Full Ironman consists of 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and 26.2-mile (42.195 km) run, raced in that order and without a break.

Some of the top male professional triathletes to watch out for include defending champion Pete Jacobs, Cameron Brown, Luke Gilmer, Justin Granger, Erich Felbabel, Jesse Thomas, and Dan Brown. The female professionals include Amanda Stevens, Belinda Granger, Katya Meyers, and Bree Wee. Defending champion Jacobs returns to CamSur hoping to grab the second of back-to-back titles. My personal favorite would be Dan Brown who loves the country so much that he married a Filipina (Ani De Leon-Brown) and relocated to my hometown Olongapo City. Dan Brown currently works in the Philippines as a coach and helps train members of the Philippine triathlon team.

The Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines is now an official qualifier to the Ford Ironman World Championship to be held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on 08 October 2011, with 30 available slots. It is also a qualifier to the Ironman World Championship 70.3 which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on 11 September 2011.

To my friends Jean Alia Robles and Dwan Abantao who will also participate in the triathlon, good luck to both of you!

Traffic advisory: Del Rosario Naga City, Pili Diversion Road, Ocampo, and Tigaon Camarines Sur will be close to all vehicles from 6:30am to 12:00noon tomorrow, 14 August 2011.

Author Remus Mark with friends at CWC

Author Remus Mark with friends at CWC

- Kwento ni Remus Mark