Cesar proved to be a very versatile actor, starring in several movie genres without endangering his career, although majority of his films until 1998 were action movies. He also played light, comedy roles such as the one he did for the sitcom Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis opposite veteran actress Maricel Soriano.

It was through his breakout role in the award-winning film Jose Rizal that Cesar established his leading man status. His portrayal of the national hero brought praises from critics, and won the Best Actor award at the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival. A year after, he starred in another award-winning movie Muro Ami, where he played the ruthless captain of reef hunters.

At this stage of his career, Cesar focused on directing and starring on quality movies. Although he still appeared in comedy and love-themed films, the actor put more time and effort on projects that will earn critical acclaim. In 2004, he starred in the film Panaghoy sa Suba, in which he was also the director and producer. His directorial debut won multiple awards in both local and international award-giving bodies. It was even included in international foreign festivals like 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Hollywood also beckoned to Cesar. In 2005, he was cast in Miramax’s The Great Raid, which was directed by John Dahl. He was also cast in Another Deep Breath, another U.S. film which started shooting in 2005.

Cesar even tried his luck in music. He released his first album, Subok Lang, which is mostly made up of acoustic ballads. Subok Lang eventually became a platinum record. Nowadays, Cesar is busy on television, starring in the series Palos and host of the game show The Singing Bee. 

Personal Life

Cesar had two children with his first wife, Marilyn Polinga. She died of brain tumor in 1993. He also had a son with actress Teresa Loyzaga, who now lives in Australia. Cesar is currently married to actress Sunshine Cruz, and they have two daughters.

Iwa also had roles in the movies Pitong Dalagita and White Lady..

In 2006, Iwa decided to change the direction of her career. She changed her manager and became the talent of Rommel Gacho, who is also Katrina Halili’s manager. The young actress was launched with a sexier image, and she became the cover girl for the December issue of FHM Philippines. She scored another cover two years after. She also graced an FHM cover in Singapore. Her sexy body and Japanese-anime looks made her a hit among men, From 2006 to 2008, Iwa was included in FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World and Maxim’s 100 Hottest Women on the Planet lists.  

She was given better roles this time. She was cast to play Rita in Sine Novela’s Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap, which was originally played by veteran actress Amy Austria. After this, she became one of the stars of the fantasy primetime series Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. Iwa also starred in Joaquin Bordado and Sine Novela’s Magdusa Ka. Iwa proved to be great in villain roles, and she was cast as the bad cousin of Heart Evangelista’s character in Luna Mystika.

Filmography

 TV

• Luna Mystika
• Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan
• Sine Novela: Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap
• Super Twins
• SOP Rules
• Magic Kamison: The True Lindsay
• Bitoy’s Funniest Videos
• Bakekang
• Love to Love: Jass Got Lucky
• Nuts Entertainment
• Magpakailanman: The Iwa Moto Life Story
• Love to Love: Young At Heart
• SOP Gigsters
• POSH
• StarStruck: The Nationwide Invasion

Films

• Shake, Rattle & Roll X
• My Monster Mom
• Pitong Dalagita
• White Lady

Chop Suey

There are different variations of chop suey outside Taishan. In other parts of China, the name “chop suey”, when translated in Mandarin or Cantonese, means cooked animal entrails, which include liver and lungs.

The popularity of chop suey in the U.S is such that it has been referred to in popular art and literature. The name of the dish has actually been used as a title for the 2001 movie of photographer Bruce Weber. It was also mentioned in the Disney classic Lady and the Tramp and at the 2004 film Crash. Chop suey is also used as a song title by alternative metal band System of a Down. Chop Suey Recipe

Flan & Creme Caramel

The terms flan and crème caramel are French words, but they are used with different meanings in other regions. In North America and Spanish-speaking nations, flan refers to crème caramel. There are regions who consider flan as a custard tart, usually with fruit toppings. The name crème de custard and crème caramel is used in other European and Commonwealth countries.

Leche flan is topped with caramelized sugar, which gives the rich sweetness to the mild-flavored custard. In other countries, packaged versions of crème caramel can be bought, which makes cooking easier. Here in the Philippines, we prefer to cook our leche flan from scratch. The flan or custard is made of egg yolks and milk. Those in the provinces prefer to use fresh carabao’s milk instead of the canned ones. Carabao’s milk is richer and gives the flan better texture. It certainly makes a lot of difference when it comes to taste. Then we caramelize the sugar until it turns into a nice medium brown. The mixture is poured into thin, aluminum pans, which give the leche flan its perfect oval shape. Our lolas prefer to use dayap gratings to give the flan that little bit of bitterness that balances the sweetness of the dessert.

When my lola used to cook leche flan for Christmas and fiestas, I would wait excitedly for the moment when she would turn the aluminum pans upside down over the plates, during which the flan would slowly land down on the flat surface, exposing the rich, yummy caramel on top oozing down the side of the custard. Who could resist digging in?

 Needless to say, Maja became a talent of ABS-CBN and was immediately given her first project, which was the soap opera It Might Be You starring John Pratts. TV and movie opportunities kept pouring in after that, including her first movie, Sukob, in which she won a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the FAMAS and PASADO awards. For her performance, she won the New Movie Actress of the Year award at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies and the Breakthrough Performance by an Actress award at the Golden Screen Awards.

 The network also recognized Maja’s immense dancing skills, and she was included among the Ultimate Dance Four along with John Pratts, Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao. She became known as the “Dance Princess” of her generation.

 Because of her good lucks and many talents, Maja was dubbed as a “Complete Package” of a superstar by the press. She was also called the “Billboard Princess” because of her numerous billboards across Metro Manila. Maja is currently an endorser of several big-name brands, including the clothing brand Folded and Hung.

Filmography

 TV 

• May Bukas Pa
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Board Game”
• Kapitan Boom
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Journal”
• Your Song: “Kapag Ako ang Nagmahal”
• Sineserye Presents: Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara
• Pangarap Na Bituin
• Komiks Presents: Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao
• Your Song: “Minsan Lang”
• Your Song: “Cool Off”
• Love Spell: “Shoes Ko Po, Shoes Ko ‘Day!”
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Feeding Bottle”
• Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko
• Love Spell: “Home Switch Home”
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Cap”
• Your Song: “Akin Ka Na Lang”
• Your Song: “My Grown-Up Christmas List”
• John en Shirley
• Komiks: “Momay”
• Nagmamahal Kapamilya: “Tinikling”
• ASAP
• Nagmamahal Kapamilya: “First Time DH”
• Your Song: “Sayang Ang Lahat”
• Sa Piling Mo
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Regalo”
• ASAP Fanatic
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Diary”
• Spirits
• It Might Be You

 Film

• Kelly! Kelly! (Ang Hit na Musical)
• One More Chance
• My Kuya’s Wedding
• First Day High
• Sukob

When her parents separated, Yasmien went back home to the Philippines along with her mother. She became a commercial model, with Ponds as her first print ad. In 2003, she auditioned for Starstruck. Yasmien made it all the way into the Final Four, but eventually lost to Jennylyn Mercado. As part of the Final Four, Yasmien got a contract from GMA Network, and made appearances some of the network’s shows, such as Click and SOP Gigsters. She also got several movie projects, such as Aishite Imasu and Lovestruck. In 2005, she was given a prime role in the fantasy teleserye Encantandia.

GMA developed Yasmien’s singing career, and in 2005, she released her debut album In the Name of Love under GMA Records.

In 2006, Yasmien got her biggest acting break when she was cast to play Charming in the primetime series Bakekang, opposite Sunshine Dizon and Lovi Poe. In the same year, she starred in the movie Pitong Dalagita.

In 2007, the young actress was dubbed by the network as the “GMA Drama Princess”. During that time, she was starring in the series Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso with JC de Vera. This was followed by Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig, a TV remake of the classic Sharon Cuneta movie. The loveteam of Yasmien and JC became a hit among fans.

Yasmien continued to thrive in remakes of drama classics. She starred in Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita, which was originally a Lino Brocka film. The young star also starred in Saan Dadating ang Umaga? and took on the role of Maricel Soriano.

Aside from acting and music, Yasmien is also an active campaigner for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. Yasmien, who is a vegetarian, appeared in PETA ads to promote vegetarianism.

Filmography

TV

• Bleach: Season 2
• Saan Darating Ang Umaga
• Dear Friend
• Tasya Fantasya
• Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita
• Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig
• Pati Ba Pintig Ng Puso
• Bitoy’s Funniest Videos
• Bleach
• Carlo J. Caparas’ Bakekang
• Fans Kita
• Hokus Pokus
• Now and Forever: Tinig
• Encantadia
• Love To Love (Season 6): Wish Upon A Jar
• Joyride
• Click: Barkada Hunt!
• Click
• SOP Gigsters
• SOP Rules
• Stage 1: Live!
• Stage 1: The StarStruck Playhouse
• StarStruck

Films

• Bridesmaid 4ever
• Rock & Roll
• Loving You
• Bahay Kubo
• Pitong Dalagita
• Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5
• Lovestruck
• Happily Ever After
• Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita
• So Happy Together

 Discography

• In the Name of Love
• Love is All I Need 

It was in 2003 that Ai-Ai got the big break that she has been waiting for. She starred in Star Cinema’s Ang Tanging Ina, her very first solo film. Tanging Ina became a box-office hit, and finally recognized Ai-Ai as lead star material. The film was made into a TV series, which ran from 2003-2005. The success of the film and TV series earned more movies and TV projects for the comedienne. She also became a hot product endorser, and became one of the star clients of celebrity surgeon Vicki Belo, among other contracts.

The indefatigable Ai-Ai also ventured into music, and made her first album, Ang Tanging Ina Nyo, which showcases novelty tunes. She had a successful solo concert at the Araneta Coliseum, which earned her the title of Comedy Concert Queen. The success of the film Tanging Ina spawned a sequeal called Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat, which was one of the top moneymakers of 2008. This further established the box-office power of Ai-Ai.

Aside from being a hardworking actress and comedienne, Ai-Ai is also a dutiful mom to three kids with her ex-husband Miguel Vera. At present, Ai-Ai is one of the stars of the hit primetime telenovela, I Love Betty La Fea and co-host of the weekly show The Buzz. She is also set to star in a movie with no less than the Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Filmography

TV

• Nagai-Aida
• Ruffa & Ai
• i ♥ Betty La Fea
• Volta
• Princess Sarah
• ASAP ‘07
• Love Spell Presents: Pasko Na, Santa Ko
• Super Inggo
• Bituing Walang Ningning
• ETK (Entertainment Konek)
• Ang Tanging Ina
• Masayang Tanghali Bayan
• Whattamen
• Arriba!
• Sing-galing
• Comedy Central Market
• Magandang Tanghali Bayan MTB
• 1 For 3
• Salo-Salo Together (SST)
• Lunch Date

Film

• Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat
• Ikaw Pa Rin, Bongga Ka Boy
• Pasukob
• Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo
• Bituing Walang Ningning
• Kapag Tumibok ang Puso (Not once but Twice)
• Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5
• Volta
• Pinay Pie
• Pakners
• Ang Tanging Ina
• Booba
• Bakit Ba Ganyan? (Ewan Ko nga ba, Darling)
• Kiss mo Ko
• Ms. Kristina Moran, Ang Babaeng Palaban
• Isang tanong, Isang Sagot
• It’s cool bulol
• Darna: Ang Pagbabalik (aka Darna: The Return)
• Koronang Itim
• Separada
• Guwapings: The First Adventure
• Shake, Rattle & Roll IV
• Shake, Rattle & Roll III
• Wooly Booly 2: Ang Titser Kong Alien
• Bakit Kay Tagal ng Sandali?
• Rocky n Rolly: Suntok Sabay Takbo
• Romeo Loves Juliet… But Their Families Hate Each Other!
• Wooly Booly: Ang Classmate Kong Alien
• Gawa na ang Balang Para sa Akin
• Regal Shocker: The Movie
• Syanong parak, Mga
• Dalawang Larawan ng Pag-ibig
• Sana Kahit Minsan

Understandably, pork shawarma is not served in the Middle East, but can be served in other parts of the world, including the Philippines. Pita bread is used for the sandwich, which is stuffed with cucumber, tomato, onions, shredded cabbage and the choice of meat. The ingredients will vary depending which country you are in. Predictably, Pinoys sometimes eat their shawarma with rice.

The meat is cooked by placing strips of it on a spit, where the skewered meat is slowly rotated to make sure that all sides are roasted evenly. When the meat is already cooked, the server will shave some of the meat off using a large knife. The shaved meat will be retrieved from the circular tray below and stuffed into the pita bread.

A serving of shawarma will not be complete without the dressing. There are different kinds of dressings available for shawarma. The common ones are the tahini, hummus and Amba sauce. The best type of dressing will depend on the kind of shawarma that you are eating. Chicken shawarma is usually served with hot chili sauce, toum or garlic mayonnaise.

In the U.S., shawarma is usually sold at stalls and restaurants located near the Jewish and Arab communities. States like Chicago, Baltimore, Florida and New York are home to many Arabs and Jews, which makes shawarma a common dish in these places.

His good looks landed him modeling jobs, and won the Bodyshots competition in 2001. Zanjoe also became one of the Top 10 Bachelors list of Cosmopolitan Philippines magazine and was recently one of the models in the popular Bench fashion show. His biggest break however, is his stint at the celebrity edition of Pinoy Big Brother, where he was one of the contestants. After winning 4th place, Zanjoe signed a contract with ABS-CBN. As one of the winners of the show, Zanjoe was given lots of exposure in the network’s shows. He appeared in the weekly variety show ASAP and starred in several episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya. Zanjoe also got a role in the fantasy series Super Inggo.

After Zanjoe became a member of Star Magic, the network’s group of homegrown talents, projects came pouring in for this gorgeous hunk. He starred in the movies You Got Me and Altar.  His most recent shows include Dyosa and Florinda. He is set to star in another series The Wedding, with Anne Curtis and the local adaptation of the hit Korean series Lovers in Paris.

Zanjoe was rumored to be involved with TV host and actress Mariel Rodriguez.

Filmography

 TV

• Lovers in Paris
• The Wedding
• Florinda
• Pare Koy
• Varga
• Dyosa
• I Am KC Time’s Up
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Bus”
• Super Inggo 1.5: Ang Bagong Bangis
• Kokey
• Love Spell: Barbi-Cute
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Jacket”
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Bisekleta”
• Your Song: “Kasi Naman”
• Your Song: “Nasaan Ka?”
• Star Magic Presents: “Sabihin Mo Lang”
• Star Magic Presents: “The Sweetest Victory”
• Komiks: “Alpha Omega Girl”
• Komiks: “Fun Haus”
• Super Inggo
• Love Spell: “Wanted Mr. Perfect”
• Aalog-Alog
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Love Letters”
• ASAP (Variety Show)
• Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition

Film

• Altar
• You Got Me 

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of galapong (malagkit dough)
• ½ cup of rice galapong
• 3 cups of ubi, mashed and cooked
• 2 ½ cups of white sugar
• 4 cups of coconut cream
• 2 big cans of condensed milk
• Latik (fried grated coconut)
• Violet and egg-yellow food coloring

How to Cook:

1. In one big pan, put all ingredients together except for the ubi and food coloring.
2. Divide the mixture into three parts. On the first part, add the mashed ubi and a dash of the violet food color. Mix well. On the second part, add the yellow food coloring and mix this as well. Leave the third part as it is because it is supposed to be white.
3. Line a greased baking pan with banana leaves. Put grease on the leaves as well. Pour in the violet mixture and spread it evenly on the pan. Steam this for 30 minutes or more. Wait until the mixture becomes firm.
4. Pour the yellow mixture on top of the violet one then cover the pan. Steam for another 30 minutes.
5. Pour the white mixture then steam for another half minute.
6. Put hot latik on top of the sapin-sapin. Slice into small square pieces then serve.