Top US Chef Anthony Bourdain praises Jollibee burger, halo-halo

After Singaporeans voted its Chickenjoy as the best fried chicken, Jollibee’s other offerings got a thumbs-up from American chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain.

In one of the episodes of “Parts Unknown,” Bourdain’s new television show on CNN, he drove through a Jollibee branch in Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, where he had a taste of the signature Amazing Aloha Burger.

“It just sounds magical… that’s a very tasty burger,” he said of the burger that was first introduced in the Philippines in 1996.

Bourdain also tried two Jollibee treats that are currently available in Jollibee stores in the US – the Jollibee Little Big Bite, a slider or small sandwich consisting of fried Spam in a soft pan de sal roll, and Jollibee’s version of the Pinoys’ famous dessert, halo-halo.

“Dig deep and you hit delicious strata of red beans, white beans, chickpeas, cubes of red and green jello, young white coconut, shaved ice and… flan… I love it!” Bourdain said of the traditional Filipino dessert.

Bourdain even posted a photo of Jollibee’s halo-halo on his Twitter account, which he described as “oddly beautiful.”

Bourdain is famous for his New York Times best-selling book “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,” and his travel and food television shows “No Reservations” and “The Taste.”

China newspaper tags Philippines as 2012′s Best Leisure Destination

One of the most sought-after newspapers for advertising in China has named the Philippines as one of 2012’s “Best Leisure Destinations.”

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Lifestyle Publication conferred the recognition on the Philippines during its Grand Annual Tourism Awards.

The DFA said Lifestyle is renowned as the “top fashion and lifestyle service newspaper brand in China.” It has a circulation of about 300,000 copies and is published every Monday and Thursday.

Other awardees in the same category were Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives.

The four Grand Annual Tourism Awards given by Lifestyle are “The Most Popular Destination Award”, “Classic Destination Award“, “The Most Attractive Destination Award”, and the “Best Thorough Tour Destination Award.”

The awardees were chosen by the tourism industry representatives and professionals.

Meanwhile, The Beijing News, a major Chinese newspaper, awarded the Philippine Department of Tourism as one of the “Most Innovative Foreign Tourism Departments” for 2012.

According to The Beijing News, the DOT was chosen because of its continuous hard work and creative marketing activities.

The Philippine tourism campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” was also cited as one of the factors that earned the Philippines plaudits for innovation in marketing.

The tourism departments of New Zealand, Macau, France and Italy were also given the same award.

The winners were chosen by a panel of editors from The Beijing News, as well as members of the Beijing tourism industry.

The four other tourism-related awards conferred by The Beijing News are: “Foreign Tourism Departments with the Most Vigorous Promotions,” “Most Popular Foreign Tourist Destinations,” “Fast-growth Foreign Destinations,” and “Best-Value Entertainment Destinations.”

(Story courtesy of Roy C. Mabasa of the Manila Bulletin)

Jessica Sanchez is Frida Romero in US TV hit series Glee

Jessica Sanchez

Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez will be playing the role of Frida Romero, a legendary singer from a rival high school, in two-episodes in the American musical TV series “Glee.”

This was according to Sanchez herself, who also announced on Twitter on Sunday that she’s “getting ready” for “Glee.”

Frida Romero is reportedly the lead vocalist of glee club Hoosierdaddies from Indianapolis, which will be up against New Directions in the show’s regionals competition.

According to reports, Sanchez will be singing “Clarity” by DJ Zedd for the musical shows’s season finale.

This comes after Sanchez tweeted the lyrics of the song which went: “If our love is tragedy why are you my remedy.”

Sanchez will be appearing on the show on its April 25 and May 9 episodes.

“Glee” creator Ryan Murphy said he would have wanted Sanchez to be in every episode of “Glee” this year, only that it was not possible because of the singer’s prior commitments.

“Well, when you have a voice like that, we wanted her to be in every episode this year. But she couldn’t because of the tour. She is doing an album so we worked it out that she will probably do two or three episodes so that will probably be 16, 17, 18 when we get into the regionals competition,” he said.

“I would imagine she is going to be the big voice star of another competing choir who gives them a run for their money,” Murphy had added.

Jennifer Lopez wears a Michael Cinco on Dancing with the Stars

Jennifer Lopez singing with Andrea Bocelli [via ABS-CBN News]

Latin superstar Jennifer Lopez recently wore a Filipino creation by fashion desinger Michael Cinco while performing on an American TV show.

The 43-year-old singer-actress made an appearance on the reality dancing competition “Dancing with the Stars,” where she sang alongside renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

During the performance, Lopez wore a black lace gown by Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

The Dubai-based fashion designer proudly shared photos of Lopez in his creation on micro-blogging site Twitter shortly after the program’s live telecast.

The Cinco creation, which was first shown at the Style Fashion Week in Los Angeles in March, is reportedly embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Lopez was seen pairing the long-sleeved, high-neck gown with diamond jewelry.

This isn’t the first time a Cinco design has been worn by international celebrities. Pop stars Lady Gaga and Britney Spears have both donned creations by the Filipino designer on separate occasions.