In the past few months we’ve covered the nightlife at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, where two live performance venues are located. To be held there for successive Fridays this month are two shows that promise lots of humor: Rex Navarrete at Teatrino on Nov. 21, and an all-star tribute to Fritz Ynfante at Music Museum on Nov. 28.
Navarrete, regarded as a top Filipino-American stand-up comedian, is doing the Teatrino gig after a successful two-night run in June at Resorts World Manila and Strumm’s. In an interview with Inquirer Lifestyle a few days before those June shows, the 45-year-old US resident described his act as “a smart sense of humor, really, at all levels… I obviously don’t do the more popular version of stand-up like the Vice Ganda style. It’s good for his audience… But it’s nice that my audience can also come to my show, and still laugh as hard.”
It’s a shame that all we’ve seen of Navarrete are excerpts of his shows uploaded on YouTube, so we’re looking forward to watching him at Teatrino on Nov. 21—rain or shine.
Fritz and ‘Barbra’
The all-star tribute to Fritz Ynfante, another top artist recognized for his long stints as stage and TV director and actor, is dubbed “I’m Still Here,” with a rather cryptic subtitle, “Barbra and I.” Apparently it’s a reference to Barbra Streisand, who probably figures in Ynfante’s life and career in a significant way.
In any case, we’ll find out in the show itself, which has the makings of a humor-filled gathering, since many of the performers are said to be preparing to roast the “star of the night”—who has worked mostly behind the cameras but whose gregarious personality has touched many lives.
The list of confirmed guests include Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Edu Manzano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Arnel Ignacio, Ariel Rivera, Basil Valdez, Cocoy Laurel, Cesar Montano, Epi Quizon, Jim Paredes, José Mari Chan, Leah Navarro, Nanette Inventor, Pilita Corrales, Richard Merk, Ryan Agoncillo, Maribeth Bichara, Geleen Eugenio, Douglas Nierras and Powerdance.
Hooch
There’s a new bar in Makati called Hooch, which is directly adjacent to the present location of Lulu Restaurant (G/F 125 V Corporate Center, L.P. Leviste St., Salcedo Village; tel. 0927-3759467).
In the two times that we’ve visited Hooch—slang for moonshine or bootleg alcohol, a popular term during the prohibition era—what was most noticeable is its cosmopolitan vibe. Many of its clientele are foreigners, and the bar itself has a European character.
We love its sign at the door that says it’s “open till the last man standing.”
Last week Hooch and Lulu hosted a launching party; we partook of some fine-tasting red wine and German beer, complemented by specially made pasta with lechon skin toppings from Lulu’s kitchen.
The food we sampled at Lulu on our first visit consisted of wild mushroom, spinach and artichokes salad and crispy chicken wings, both delectable. But the dessert, a concoction called peanut butter and jelly bomb, was a killer, very addicting.
We plan to be back soon to have a full look at Lulu’s menu, try its main dishes, and then move over next door to Hooch for a drink or two.
We think its owners, Sandra Mercado, Tom Hines and Icy Mariñas, should consider hiring a DJ to handle the music, which could vary depending on the crowd’s mood on a given night.