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-By Nestor Cuartero (Manila Bulletin)
JUST A THOUGHT: Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes, they forgive them. – Oscar Wilde
MANILA, Philippines — COOKING CHILDREN: Men taking to the kitchen are a rarity. But, what can we say about three boys of elementary school age beating 56 other male and female contestants as finalists in the first TV adaptation of “Junior Master Chef?”
Three boys – Jobim, Kyle, and Philip – plus a lone female contender, Mika, made it to the finals of the kiddie cookfest hosted by Judy Ann Santos every Saturday night on channel 2.
All four kiddie chefs said they intend to pursue careers in the culinary arts as soon as they get to college. One of them, Jobim, who goes to Xavier School in Greenhills, also expressed interest in writing.
Tonight (Feb. 18) marks a milestone in their young life as the budding chefs face-off in the grand finale of “JMC.” The event will be held at the Treston International College in Fort Bonifacio and critiqued by a guest panel of 100 food tasters representing various sectors of society.
On top of the judging are regular chef-judges Ferns, Lau and Jayps.
A one million peso cash prize awaits the grand champion. Five hundred thousand pesos goes to the second placer; while the third and the fourth placers shall bring home 250,000 pesos each. All four finalists are also instant winners of scholarship grants at Treston.
I asked Business Unit Head Lauren Dyogi what the network’s plans for the four kiddie cooking whizzes are.
They can’t possibly hire them as cooks at the local cafeteria. Are they going to make them actors as well, just like they do with all other winners or discoveries on network reality shows?
Lauren said it would be a good idea to guide them in establishing a food business. But, being youngsters, that isn’t quite possible. Those who will show interest in showbiz are welcome to participate therein, he said.
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CHARLIE GREEN’S RAINBOW: Later that same afternoon of Feb. 15, reporters found themselves talking with Charlie Green, the London-based Fil-British singer who only a few months back was just a child himself.
Charlie’s in town once again to push a new album, called “Rainbow.” The album was produced and recorded in Italy by Hollywood producer Christian de Walden and is being distributed locally by Viva.
Charlie surprised all of us when he materialized in the size of a full-grown man, standing at something like 5-foot-10. He was half-complaining about the sudden crack in his voice that usually marks a boy’s transition from childhood to puberty. It was the reason, he said, that he cut down his gigs to a minimum for about a year. Charlie is now 15.
The vocal change has prompted Charlie to revise his repertoire, so that these days, he no longer just sings standards. He has upped his line-up a bit to include more contemporary sound.
“Rainbow” gathers six original compositions by Filipino, Japanese, Italian and American composers, plus six covers.
Says a press release: The CD spotlights a versatile Charlie singing songs in Tagalog, Nonoy Zuñiga’s “Kumusta Ka;” in Japanese (“Sukiyaki” by Kyu Sakamoto); Spanish, Somos Novios (“It’s Impossible”), a duet with 16-year-old Danna Paola, famous Mexican star of music and telenovelas.
Charlie caused a sensation when he wowed audiences on the reality show, “Britain’s Got Talent.” “Rainbow” is his second album under Viva, following a self-titled debut album. The album is set for international release.
