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Rihanna’s Anti scores Billboard 200 top spot

NEW YORK — Rihanna’s new album, Anti, officially took the top spot on the Billboard 200 album charts on Monday, a week after 1 million giveaway copies made it ineligible for Billboard consideration.

Australia set to legalize cultivation of medical cannabis

AUSTRALIA is expected to legalize the cultivation of cannabis for medical or scientific purposes with a bill introduced to parliament on Wednesday — the first step towards doctors eventually prescribing it to patients with chronic pain.

Documentary recalls when Michael Jackson went solo

Documentary Review
Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off the Wall

Reliving EDSA with the music of a gladiator-king

By Zsarlene B. Chua

Ballet
Rebel
Ballet Manila
Feb. 25-27, 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 28, 3:00 p.m.
ALIW Theater
Sotto St., CCP Complex, Pasay City

Sea turtles with tumors fill Florida hospital

MARATHON, UNITED STATES — The young patient writhes on the operating table, kicking its flippers. A team of medical attendants turns it over, revealing an underbelly cluttered with tumors, some as big as golf balls.

In the center of action

THE newest addition to the AccorHotels properties stands 25 floors high in the middle of the ever-busy Araneta Center in Cubao.

Situmercials: Solmux and Knorr

Ads & Ends — Nanette Franco-Diyco

CALL IT a non-traditional media placement or media buy. If you venture to watch a teleserye (soap opera) on ABS-CBN, there’s an interesting mode of advertising that you may catch on weekdays.

Your weekend guide (February 12, 2016)

Eastwood Richmonde HotelFor a night-long affair specially designed “All for Love”, the Valentine’s weekend packages provide lovers an exciting and delicious celebration. Available on Feb. 13 and 14, room packages start at P8,860 net per night for a superior room, including an exquisite five-course Valentine’s dinner for two, a hearty buffet breakfast for the couple, Wi-Fi access, and use of the fitness center and pool. Heart-to-heart conversations will surely be extra memorable over an impressive set dinner at The Lounge on Feb. 13 and 14. Aptly named “Tête-à-tête,” this intimate dinner special, priced at only P1,580 net per person. The savory set includes an amuse bouche followed by soup and salad. After priming your palates, choose from two surf-and-turf selections of either grilled filet mignon with garlic mashed potato and parmesan-crusted baked salmon with roasted capsicum, eggplant tomato salsa, and garlic dill aioli; or grilled filet mignon with sautéed wild mushroom, asparagus, and gravy, and buttered king prawns with parmesan risotto and parsley garlic butter sauce. For the fairytale ending, you can have your fill of heavenly cakes and pastries at the dessert buffet. All diners also get a 10% discount on bottle orders of California wines.
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel
For a night-long affair specially designed “All for Love”, the Valentine’s weekend packages provide lovers an exciting and delicious celebration. Available on Feb. 13 and 14, room packages start at P8,860 net per night for a superior room, including an exquisite five-course Valentine’s dinner for two, a hearty buffet breakfast for the couple, Wi-Fi access, and use of the fitness center and pool.
Heart-to-heart conversations will surely be extra memorable over an impressive set dinner at The Lounge on Feb. 13 and 14. Aptly named “Tête-à-tête,” this intimate dinner special, priced at only P1,580 net per person.
The savory set includes an amuse bouche followed by soup and salad. After priming your palates, choose from two surf-and-turf selections of either grilled filet mignon with garlic mashed potato and parmesan-crusted baked salmon with roasted capsicum, eggplant tomato salsa, and garlic dill aioli; or grilled filet mignon with sautéed wild mushroom, asparagus, and gravy, and buttered king prawns with parmesan risotto and parsley garlic butter sauce.
For the fairytale ending, you can have your fill of heavenly cakes and pastries at the dessert buffet. All diners also get a 10% discount on bottle orders of California wines.

ORTIGAS

Edsa Shangri-La
Avail of the Valentines room package, inclusive of a romantic dinner with a glass of champagne, an appetizer, and dessert buffet for two persons at the Lobby Lounge, as well as buffet breakfast at HEAT, with rates starting at P14,000 net.

There will be an intimate Valentine’s Day dinner at Paparazzi: a four-course dining experience prepared by Executive Italian Chef Marco Ghezzi for P5,000 net per person.

As for the main course, couples may choose from a tempting pan-fried beef tenderloin in red wine sauce with mashed potato and foie grass or a rolled salmon with prawn and spinach in saffron sauce. Dessert will be dark chocolate leaves interlaced in a chocolate grand mariner mousse, topped with gold leaf dusting with white chocolate truffle ice cream on the side.

At the Lobby Lounge, you can impress through a dinner with a glass of champagne, an appetizer, and dessert buffet for P4,000 per person. Couples may enjoy a lavish buffet spread at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant HEAT, highlighting a vast assortment of international specialties for P3,988 net per person.

For inquiries or reservations, call 633-8888.

Shangri-La Plaza
Shangri-La Plaza wants to treat you to a romantic Valentine’s dinner and more with its Instagram promo. Post a photo of you and your special someone while at the Shang on Instagram, and complete with the caption: “Valentine’s at the Shang is…”

Tag it with @shangrilaplazaofficial and use the hashtag #loveattheShang.

The first prize winner will be treated to a dinner for two at Chops Chicago Steakhouse at Level 5 of the East Wing on Feb. 14, two The Spa gift certificates, two Shang Cineplex tickets, and two Shang Cinebar GCs.

Check out @shangrilaplazaofficial on Instagram and Shangri-La Plaza (Official Fan Page) on Facebook, or call 370-2500 loc. 597.

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Spend a weekend in one of the hotel’s rooms, with a choice of a buffet breakfast for two at Cucina or an intimate in-room Valentine breakfast for two. This package starts at P5,800++ and is available from Feb. 13 to 15.

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila also offers another romantic getaway stay available Feb. 13 and 14. This includes a Valentine brunch for two at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge for P8,500++.

One may also book a Continental Club Room inclusive of a Valentine Dinner for two at the Hotel’s VIP Continental Club Lounge. Enjoy premium amenities and Continental Club privileges and benefits while staying at the two top floors of the hotel tower. Indulge in this romantic getaway with a loved one for P10,500++ on Feb. 13.

Cucina, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant on the 24th floor, invites all diners to fall in love with its luscious Valentine-themed buffet spread, dubbed “Amor Mio.” This romantic buffet spread is available from Feb. 9 to 14. Buffet price is at P2,200 per person for lunch and P2,700 for dinner.

Celebrate romance in the sky at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge with a tapas buffet amid spectacular views of Manila for P2,600 per person, inclusive of one welcome drink. Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge is located at the topmost floor of the hotel and will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Feb. 14.

For inquiries and reservations, contact 720-7777, book online via www.marcopolohotels.com, or e-mail manila@marcopolohotels.com.

C2 Classic Cuisine
C2 Classic Cuisine will offer Valentine’s Day treats for everyone. For lovebirds on a double date or for a small family, Set A at P599 is a meal that includes Filipino dishes like pako (fern) salad with kesong puti (white cheese), sprinkled with blue pea flowers as an edible garnish; salted egg and watermelon; pork ribs sinigang sa bayabas; seared tilapia with coconut emulsion; and pandan rice.

If treating a bigger circle, begin the fun with Set B at P1,599, consisting of larger servings of Set A dishes as well as beef mechado.

The deals are available only this February at the following C2 Classic Cuisine outlets: The Ledge at Shangri-La Mall (636-1510); Wharf The Lakefront, Sucat (551-0447); Missouri Street, Greenhills, San Juan City (726-2712); and Summit Circle, Cebu City (032 239-3000).

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas
Set hearts ablaze this Valentine season with romantic escapes and an exquisite dinner at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas! Until Feb. 29, couples can enjoy special Valentine’s rates at P 3,900 net for a deluxe room and P 4,300 net for a junior suite.

Book the Hearts & Passion Valentine’s Package, which comes complete with breakfast buffet for two, Wi-Fi access, a bottle of wine, and a cheese platter, for only P4,800 net for a deluxe room, and P 5,200 net for a junior suite. These promotional rates are valid only for local residents and foreigners with ACR and are subject to room availability.

At the Richmonde Café on Feb. 12, the Amore Mio! pre-Valentine’s Day dinner will be presenting Italian-inspired cuisine with flavors from Sicily. The highlight of the dinner menu is the plated entree, a choice of either porcini and herb-crusted prime rib or Glrazed Salmon with Sicilian salsa.

For inquiries and reservations, call 638-7777 or logon to www.richmondehotels.com.ph.

MAKATI

Holiday Inn and Suites Makati
Flavors Restaurant offers two items for its carving station, a salmon coulibiac and a hefty ribeye steak served with Cabernet sauce. Other buffet favorites such as fresh seafood on ice, as well as the deli, pasta, soup, and grill stations, will be on display together with a delectable selection of Valentine dessert staples such as red velvet and Paris-Brest.

Flavors Restaurant’s Valentine dinner buffet will be available on Feb. 13 and  14 for P1,950++ per person, inclusive of sparkling wine.

After a sumptuous dinner, head up to Oz Bar, located at the hotel’s roof deck, and enjoy the rest of the night listening to live music as performed by acoustic trio Strings Attached.

Flavors Restaurant is located at the lobby level of Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Glorietta 1, Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, call 909-0888 or visit www.holidayinn.com/makati.

Lucia Ristorante
From Feb. 12 to 14, catch Lucia’s four-course Valentine meal at P899 net per person. Dinner starts with an amuse bouche paired with classic Italian sparkling wine to set the celebratory mood. Appetizers follow with beetroot cappuccino and parmigiano tuile, while antipasto is a burrata and tomato carpaccio salad in concentrated balsamic vinaigrette. Main course is a choice between potato-crusted baked salmon with roasted bell pepper coulis and spinach risotto, and succulent beef medallion with pumpkin and potato puree in truffle sauce.

For dessert, choose between cherry walnut cheesecake with white chocolate chip, or rich dark chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis candied nut.

Lucia Ristorante is located at 02 San Lorenzo Drive corner A. Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City. Follow Lucia on facebook.com/luciaristoranteph and call (+632) 836-0023 for reservations and inquiries.

Dusit Thani Manila
Spend Valentine’s with the family at Dusit Thani Manila for an evening “of exquisite entertainment” at the poolside on Feb. 13.

Partake of hot-off-the grill barbecue and sliders, indulge in their chocolate fountain, cotton candy, and select ice cream flavors, and loosen up with unlimited beer, soda and chilled juices.

Tickets for the Family Date are priced at P1,800 per person, with children 12 years and under free of charge.

The Valentine’s room rate for Dusit Thani is P8,800, inclusive of a romantic dinner for two, chocolates and wine, and breakfast for two. For more information, call 238-8888.

BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY

F1 Hotel Manila
On Feb. 14, make the evening memorable with Sound of Love Valentine concert at the Infinity Ballroom. Be serenaded by Vanessa Monot over a scrumptious five-course dinner, which comes with a glass of wine for P2,999 net. Dinner starts 6:30 p.m. while the concert starts 8:30 p.m.

Spend a cozy getaway in a Fort Suite for P6,450 net, inclusive of in-room breakfast for two, a welcome bottle of wine and a chocolate sampler, P900 discount on the Sound of Love Valentine dinner, complimentary use of the gym and pool facilities, and unlimited Wi-Fi and/or internet access.

The promo is valid until end of Feb.

F1 Hotel Manila is on 32 street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. For inquiries and reservations, call 928-9888. For online booking, go to www.f1hotelmanila.com.

MANILA

Pan Pacific Manila
On Feb. 13 and 14, Pan Pacific Manila relives the timeless Pixar romance of Carl and Ellie with their “Up! To Forever” Valentine’s Day set menu at Pacific Lounge. For P2,200 net per person, diners will enjoy a complimentary glass of Raspberry Kir Royale, a special Valentine’s gift, and a sumptuous “Up”-inspired seven-course set menu, including Langoustine Creole, seared scallops, and micro-green salad with lemon froth in balsamic reduction for appetizer; red lentil veloute with dill mascarpone for the soup; smoked duck breast salad on organic mesclun with fig chutney and orange vinaigrette for the salad; seared sea bass and smoked octopus, mini yukon croquette, pea puree, and warm pesto for the fish course; strawberry-tarragon sorbet with US prime beef sirloin and slow-braised beef cheek, mashed potatoes with horseradish red wine reduction, and plum sauce for the main course; and dark chocolate truffle cake, salted caramel, French macaron, raspberry bavarois, mango chiboust, and butterscotch sauce for the dessert.

At the Sunset Lounge, romantic revelers will be treated to live acoustic performances from Philippine Jazzfest on all Fridays of February. Savor the bay view with friends or loved ones with a pitcher of your choice of flavored margaritas, good for sharing, for P800 net per flavor.

Guests who wish to have a more luxurious experience may avail of the “Up! To Forever” Room Package at P9,000 for an executive room and P12,000 for the Pacific King Suite, which includes an overnight stay with breakfast for two persons, welcome drinks for two, a seven-course romantic dinner for two at Pacific Lounge, a rose petal bubble bath, and a special Valentine’s gift.

Room packages are available from Feb. 12 to 15. For inquiries and reservations, e-mail enquiry.ppmnl@panpacific.com or call 318-0788 and ask for the butler.

Diamond Hotel
From Feb. 12 to 15, the hotel’s Valentine Room Packages make for an unforgettable romantic sojourn. Stay in a deluxe room for P7,300 net per night inclusive of a massage for two, or book the P9,500  net per night package inclusive of lunch or dinner for two. Both room packages are complemented with a breakfast buffet for two at Corniche.

For dining choices, Corniche Restaurant offers pre-Valentine and Valentine lunch and dinner buffets from Feb. 12 to 15 for P2,980  net per person, inclusive of a glass of Moet & Chandon. At Yurakuen Restaurant, an eight-course Kaiseki set dinner menu, priced at P2,480 net per person inclusive of a glass of Moet & Chandon, awaits couples.

The Sky Lounge on the 27th floor gets you high in love from Feb. 12 to 15 with an entertaining evening for P500 net per person, inclusive of two standard drinks. The Poolside, from Feb. 12 to 14, will allow you to dine under the stars with your loved one for P6,500  net, which includes a six-course set dinner for two, with a glass of wine and a violin serenade. All ladies dining on Feb. 14 will receive a special gift.

For room reservations, call 528-3000 ext. 1141, and for restaurant reservations call 529-3000 ext. 1121.

Casa Roces
From Feb. 12 to 14, Casa Roces offers the Strawberry Infusion and Chocolate Infusion set menus. Strawberry Infusion is a five-course set dinner with a glass of red or white wine. Complimentary welcome drinks are followed by an appetizer of tuna tartare, smoked strawberry vinaigrette, spiked avocado black sesame and micro-greens; strawberry, cheese, and sugar beets art soup; and a salad of strawberries tapas, local white cheese, roasted chicken, organic micro-greens, and strawberry hibiscus vinaigrette.

For the entrée, there will be a sous vide herbed salmon with strawberry-dill cream beurre blanc. Leave some room for homemade strawberry ice cream-stuffed macaroons over strawberry velvet cake.

The five-course Chocolate Infusion dinner includes complimentary welcome drinks, beef carpaccio, light chocolate vinaigrette, organic tomatoes, and micro-greens; potato-leek purée, fried mushroom, and shaved chocolate art soup; a salad of smoked apple and pear, local white cheese, grilled chicken, organic micro-greens, and citrus chocolate vinaigrette.

For the main course, there will be cochinillo topped with local tablea and farmers’ cheese, caramelized onions, smoked grapes, and sweet potato and pumpkin purée, with seafood bouillabaisse de chocolat. Finish it off with a serving of flaming triple chocolate dome cake.

Casa Roces is at 1153 J. P. Laurel corner Aguado Streets in San Miguel, Manila, in front of Malacañan Palace. Call 735-5896, 488-1929, or 0917-550-9743, or visit the Facebook page (casarocesphils) for reservations.

Amelie Hotel Manila
The L’Amour special rates, from Feb. 12 to 15, start at P5,500, which includes overnight accommodation for two, dinner for two, a couples’ massage (advanced reservation required), breakfast for two, and complimentary Wi-Fi, pool, and gym use. Guests who avail of this special promo will also get a raffle coupon for a chance to win a complimentary oversight stay at the hotel. The raffle draw will be on Feb. 16.

For inquiries and reservations, please call 875-7888, e-mail hello@ameliehotelmanila.com, or visit www.ameliehotelmanila.com.

EASTWOOD CITY

Heart-pounding beats from today’s hottest DJs will greet singles and those who love to groove at the Electric Love Party on Feb. 12, 8:00 p.m. at the Fuente Circle. Revelers can party the night away with live party music from DJs Ace Ramos, Katsy Lee, Aaron Atayde, Funk Avi, Patty Tiu, Marc Marasigan, Kat DJ, MC Ron Thug, and MC Aoh.

Couples and literary enthusiasts can also check out Summit Books’ newest literary collections at Love Notes, a book signing event on Feb. 14, 4:00 p.m. at the Eastwood Central Plaza. Those who buy a copy of one of the books at the venue can have them signed by featured authors, including Reese Lansangan, Marla Miniano, Jamie Catt, Reggie Belmonte, Abby Orbeta, Roch Lazarte, and more.

A special and laughter-filled showcase awaits visitors on Feb. 14, 8:00 p.m. at the Eastwood Central as Spit Manila performs a fun improv Valentine-themed skit and host a fun quiz night, where couples can get a chance to take home exciting prizes.

Meanwhile, romantic melodies will fill the air at the Eastwood Mall Open Park on Feb. 14, 8:00 p.m. as the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra leads the “Valentine Symphonies at the Park,” a special musical offering for couples and those celebrating love.

Pet owners and their furry companions can also celebrate love and their unique bond at the Must Love Pet: A Valentine Pet Soiree on Feb. 13, 4:00 p.m. at the Eastwood Mall Open Park.

Open to pets of all shapes and sizes, this Valentine soirée for the animals gives pet owners the chance to have their companions enjoy fun and romantic pet activities. Pet owners and their pets can come in matching costumes for the chance to win fun prizes and participate in pet games. Pet couples can signify their love at the miniature church, have their own pet love lock, and enjoy a delicious pet buffet.

Interested pet owners can bring their pets’ latest vaccination documents to get their pet pass and register for the event. Pre-registration begins on Feb. 10 while regular registration starts at 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 13.

For more information on “Heartbeats: Valentine Celebration at Eastwood City”, please call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at 709-9888, 709-0888, or 0917-838-0111, or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

OUTSIDE METRO MANILA

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
For P7,500, couples may stay in a deluxe room overnight and be treated to a scrumptious Valentine’s dinner and breakfast for two from Feb. 12 to 14.

Special dishes by the in-house chefs will be prepared exclusively for the Valentine’s dinner on Feb. 13 and 14 for P1,988 per person. Guests will be serenaded with the most-loved classic and contemporary music.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a three-hour drive from Manila via the NLEx and SCTEx routes or the NLEx — San Fernando exit plying the Jose Abad Santos Avenue route. For bookings and inquiries, you may call the Manila sales and reservations office at 332-5338 or 332-5286.

Sisterfields Tagaytay
Dinner at Sisterfields Tagaytay starts with rosemary gougeres and warm mini cheese puffs for amuse bouche, followed by the appetizers: cream of roasted tomato soup with crispy kale and hearts of palm salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and corn on baby greens, drizzled with homemade Green Goddess dressing.

Main courses include braised beef short ribs with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, grilled giant prawns with herbed butter, sautéed haricot verts, and grilled asparagus.

The meal ends with pineapple souffle with a tarragon crème anglaise and Sisterfields’ Rocky Road Bites and sugar cookies.

Sisterfields’ Valentine set menu is available on Feb. 13 for P999 net per person or P1,999 net for two.

Sisterfields is at Km. 58 Maharlika West, Gen. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City. Call (02) 240-6888 for reservations.

House of Cards ‘watchathon’ before 4th season’s March 5 airing

TO PREPARE audiences for the upcoming fourth season of House of Cards on March 5, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment HD will air seasons 1 to 3 of the critically-acclaimed series in three consecutive weekend “watchathons” beginning with season 1 on Feb. 13. Season 2 follows on Feb. 20 and season 3 on Feb. 27.

What to see this week

6 films to see on the week of February 12-February 19, 2016

February is heart month

Medicine Cabinet
Reiner W. Gloor

FEBRUARY has always traditionally been celebrated as “Heart Month” by the Department of Health in the Philippines but is also observed in other countries.

Europe’s shift to dark green forests stokes global warming — study

OSLO — An expansion of Europe’s forests towards dark green conifers has stoked global warming, according to a study on Thursday at odds with a widespread view that planting more trees helps human efforts to slow rising temperatures.