Mike Unson: An Interview with a Professional Filipino Stand-Up Comedian

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Based from his Facebook page, "Mike Unson is one of the very few Filipinos who performs wholesome live point-of-view (POV) stand-up comedy. Because of his wholesome approach to the craft of stand-up comedy, he has even been invited to do guest lectures, and performances in many schools, and has also dabbled into event hosting, doing weddings, private parties, and shows for major corporations proving that his brand of comedy can thrive in any given environment."

I have to agree with those lines because I personally witnessed how he delivered his humor to the appreciation of the crowd during the Laugh and Stack Open Mic Showdown of Comedy Cartel held at the Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge last July 12, 2014.

We were invited to watch the show but we got a special treat for coming in early. We were fortunate to meet Mike and his manager, and another friend, who were also there early. We got to chat with the guy and do an up-close intimate video interview. We learned so much about him that it actually made the night really more special since we have an exclusive - no cuts, no edits - interview with the guy whose "clever observations about the Filipino condition surpass the realm of mere insult comedy.”

Madrid Fusión-Manila: Spain’s Famed Culinary Event To Conquer Manila’s Food Scene

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is set to host the very first Madrid Fusión-Manila in April 2015 after the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Spanish organizers Foro de Debate, S.L. and Arum Estrategias Internacionalización (Arum) inked a partnership agreement last 23 July 2014 (Wednesday).

The signing ceremony was attended by DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., DOT Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Maria Leonor Esteban (Administrator of Arum), Mr. Iñigo Cañado (Director of Arum), Ms. Lourdes Plana (Partner and General Manager of Foro de Debate), and Ms. Ana Capel Rives (Partner of Foro de Debate).

Madrid Fusión has established itself as one of the leading international gastronomy gatherings held annually in Madrid and attended by elite chefs and experts in the culinary field to discuss trends, evolution of tastes, and new food habits. More than 400 leading chefs from all five continents have graced its stage and performed live culinary demonstrations and memorable presentations on revolutionary techniques. Among these culinary experts included Grant Achatz, Gaston Acurio, Ferran Adria, Juan Mari Arzak, Alex Atala, Nobu Matsuhisa, Heston Blumenthal, Michel Brass, Paul Bocure, Quique Dacosta, Alain Duchase, Joel Robuchon, and Michel Troisgros. In addition to the culinary demonstrations, there have also been master workshops, contests, tastings, tributes, auctions, and exhibitors zone. Madrid Fusion’s 2014 edition brought together 1,000 congress delegates, 120 exhibitors, 96 speakers, 750 journalists, and 8267 authorized guests becoming a national trending topic on Twitter and appearing in most print and online publications.

Chef Lau's Pugon Roasters: Fast Food That is So Good!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Visiting their third branch and learning that they will soon have a fourth one only signifies that the people have really appreciated how Chef Roland (Chef Lau) and Jacqueline Laudico (Chef Jac) has steered their restaurant as an innovative "fast good" on its way into a very successful restaurant chain.

Partnered with the the Raya family, Chef Lau's Pugon Roasters serves dishes with a twist that only the famous chef couple can amazingly conjure like magic. Aside from the two culinary experts, we also met Roberto Luis Raya and found out that he was in charge of operations of the restaurants, and this confirmed my belief that you really need to partner with other people if you want to bring out the best in your craft. Artists also need to partner with other individuals that have the necessary specialties to take their dreams into a better reality.

My experience with their branch in Ayala Triangle Gardens located in Makati was as good as this visit at Venice Piazza located in McKinley Hill of Bonifacio Global City. We were able to dine on different set of dishes that really made our taste buds swoon in delight. Plus the passion of the couple in relating their stories about their food and how they started out, including their belief in using only natural and fresh ingredients was a big bonus for us. It is not everyday that you meet a celebrity chef couple so the lunch date with the Laudicos left us starstruck too.