ARTIST’S CORNER

FOR Trick Reyes, a 24-year-old artist from Bulacan, art is an expression of his influences and a platform for representation as it allows him to use vivid imagery and scenarios to depict a slice of his vibrant imagination.

“My art style is influenced by a lot of fairytales and media I watched growing up. I am a very nostalgic person, so I love to reference old characters I adored when I was younger. Also, as a queer artist, I want to bring more representation for us, so my

By Gabriella Andrea Tresvalles

Photos by Kyla

Victoriano

NO inuman session in the Philippines is complete without good food, especially since Filipinos often find ideal pairings between their drinks and food, also known as pulutan.

Pulutan comes from the Filipino term pulutin,” meaning “to pick up.” These foods are eaten between drinks and conversations with friends and loved ones.

Most of the famous pulutan here in our country is meat such as sisig, crispy pata, and chicharon. This Filipino pairing of meat pulutan and alcohol proves a study from Washington State University where alcohol brings out the flavor of the meat we eat while we drink.

Last Friday, April 14, The Singleton opened their five-week pop-up bar in One Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

During its media launch event, The Singleton curated a one-of-a-kind flavor experience for its opening weekend with its first-week food collaborator, Bolzico Beef, and cocktails prepared by Erwan Heusaff

Its menu comprises El Sando, Beef Salpicao, Meatball Marinara, and Beef Empanada Sampler.

First on the menu is El Sando, a sandwich made from Argentinian tenderloin, pickles, swiss cheese, jalapeno cream, and brioche toast. Beef Salpicao, one of the crowd’s favorites, is made of prime Argentinian Steak bites and garlic confit. Meanwhile, Meatball Marinara comprises prime art is very reflective of my experiences being a queer person in the industry,” he said. He hopes his art will provide more representation of the queer community in the Philippines as he continues to develop his style.

Argentinian Beef Mince, Homemade Marinara Sauce, Parmesan Herb Crumb, and Hawaiian Buns. Lastly, Beef Empanada Sampler is a four-sample portion of Bolzico Beef’s famous beef empanadas.

Cocktail menus include The Singleton Aoi Highball–made with hojicha, and soda water, The Singleton Narra–made with pandan juice, coconut soda with bitters, and the Singleton Yoshi–made with muddled wedges with mint and pineapple smash, simple syrup, and Cointreau.

All of these cocktails have The Singleton 12 Years Old as their whisky. One of The Singleton Social Bar’s features was its excellent food pairing combinations with cocktails. They said that the pulutan culture influences this part.

“Food pairing combinations that Filipino can enjoy. As we all know, when it comes to drinking culture in the Philippines, food will always be part of it. It’s the whole pulutan culture that we are all familiar with. It’s a great way for us to bring in the entire experience,” says Merell Beltran-Ginete Marketing Manager for Culture and Advocacy at Diageo Philippines.

Participants could also create their version of The Singleton’s signature cocktail, the Singleton Plus Two.

The Single Plus Two’s formula comprises one part Singleton whisky, one part still mixer–this can be any juice of choice, and one part sparkling mixer–it can be soda, soda water, tonic water, ginger ale, or beer. Through this activity, The Singleton aims to let the consumers experiment and take the fun to the next level.

“The Singleton Plus Two serve is something that we always try to not just showcase to other people but also teach actual consumers who buy a full bottle that it’s [very] easy for people to make their cocktails,” says Beltran-Ginete.

“You don’t have to be overwhelmed; you don’t have to be scared when you make your cocktail. Everybody can be a bartender,” she continued.

“I’d like to explore and evolve and not be afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone. I just love sharing what I love with people, and my interests are ever-changing. I think that’s the beauty of our journey as artists,” he added

The Lovers. In a hidden lake, two lovers share a quiet moment together. Reminiscing how far they’ve come and how stronger they’ve grown.

Tea Party. Playing pretend wasn’t for her anymore. It was time to show the world her true self.

n By PETER ATENCIO

PUT yourself in the players’ shoes.

This became the mantra of TNT Tropang Giga coach Jojo Lastimosa in developing a great rapport with his players over the last four months and eventually laying claim to the Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup.

These made Tropang Giga look tougher and more solid against the seasoned Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings in the final series.

“You just need to communicate to the players. The players will understand, and they will always understand,” said Lastimosa as their title conquest finally sunk in him following their 97-93 triumph in Game 6 on Friday evening at the Araneta Coliseum.

Lastimosa recalled his heydays as a player in the league, from Purefoods Hotdogs, the Pop Cola Panthers, and then to Alaska Aces who was then under Tim Cone. In college, Lastimosa earned his spurs with the Ateneo de Manila and with the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu.

Lastimosa grew as a player when he won the MVP honors while playing for Mama’s Love in the first conference of the 1985 Philippine Amateur Basketball League.

And then, as a teammate of Samboy Lim with the Lhuillier Jewelers, won the championship of the PABL’s first conference the following year.

While in the PBA, Lastimosa recalled that he would get angry when he would be substituted and replaced on the floor by another player, and other tasks were done with no explanation from the coaches.

“Nag-aaway kami ni Tim(Cone) before sa finals. Daming beses kaming nagsisigawan sa labas ng locker room. That’s because there were things that I wanted to happen, kaso, hindi na-eexplain sa coach. Even in the 1998 Asian Games, we had disagreements. So, that’s why I learned from this as coach,” added Lastimosa.

PROLIFIC PAIR

Two TNT players stood out in the end, with a triple from the mighty pair