Newly-opened Filipino Hot Spot Resto Making Waves in D.C.

Hello Via Times,

A great read for the New Year. Bon appetit!

Bad Saint opened in D. C. on September 3, 2015 and consistently has long, long lines of hopeful diners. It has received over 70 delightful raves from Yelp, top ratings from Zagat and Travel Advisor, feature from Washington Magazine (like the Chicago Magazine), several articles from the Washington Post, both print and online editions; an early interview from NPR on Christmas foods and Filipino traditions; reviews from food bloggers in Europe, North America, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan.

Bad Saint was selected as the hottest new spot in D. C. in 2015. And now a review from the Washington Post’s food critic. This review brings fresh and new take on the restaurant; print edition comes out on Sunday.

The reviewer came three times to dine last month: on all times, he had to fall in line and waited for two hours to get in. We were in line, too, last month and last Monday. We met so many wonderful, excited people in the long lines, who wanted to taste the sweet, salty, sour, spicy, and umami of Filipino cuisine. We happily shared some facts about the Philippines.

Our first group of diners came in with some knowledge about the Filipino culture and heritage — we were in line at 4:45 PM. Bad Saint opens at 5:30.

We are thankful and grateful for your support and delighted to know that some of you flew in to D. C. to have dinner at Bad Saint.

We are proud of Genevieve (Bibi) and her team, who worked so hard to create this uniquely Filipino creative space in D. C.

May your year be bigger and better than ever! Win and Grace.

Grace A. Villamora Chicago, IL. (Proud mother of Bibi Villamora, co-owner of Bad Saint in Washington, D.C.)

 

THANK YOU, VT!

Thanks much for the two photos that appeared on page 36, Dec 2015 issue.

The VIA Times & our friend, Elsie Sy-Niebar, are strong supporters of the MBDO.

Thanks, Veronica, for featuring the Veterans Day 2015 event at the Manila American Cemetery & Memorial.

Richard McMahon www.mbdo.org

 

We are so grateful to all at Via Times CPRTV, Ms Veronica Leighton and Jovie Calma!!! We received the video of Jovie’s interview of Dylan. Thank you so much for all you do and your support of Dylan. Xoxoxo!!! We wish you all so much love and happiness always! God Bless!

CARMEN MANIANGLUNG-LAINEZ (Dylan Lainez is a very talented young stage actor who has been appearing in many plays in Chicago theatres.)

 

Peninsula Manila Builds Village for Families Displaced by Typhoon

Hi there,

Following Super Typhoon Haiyan, named “Yolanda” by Filipino Authorities, The Peninsula Hotels began a program to build a village named Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village for those left homeless following the destruction. $900k later – on January 27, 2016 it will be complete, housing 75 families from the coastal town of San Roque.

The Peninsula Manila General Manager Sonja Vodusek is the mastermind behind this initiative. The funding for construction of these houses was a shared initiative across Asia and the US Peninsula hotels consisting of $5 for each night’s stay per guest donated by each hotel, as well as proceeds from the sales of a special Philippine-themed tea, dessert and Christmas ornaments.

The Peninsula Hotels celebrates its 40th year in the Philippines in 2016. It will continue to do its part to help build a better nation and is looking to add an additional 25 houses with more fundraising.

Christena Bruchey | Murphy O’Brien