Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Philippine Launch of InvisaCook (Makati City, Metro Manila)

 

Philippine Launch of InvisCook at Bar Pintxos in 8 Rockwell

A new “invisible” induction cooktop that integrates directly beneath the countertop, representing a pivotal shift in high-end kitchen design, is now in the Philippines.  Called InvisaCook, it taps into a growing preference for kitchens that look less like work zones and more like extensions of the living area.  The device slides beneath a custom worktop designed by Spanish interior architect Luis Enrique Castillo of LineaCasa which leaves the surface completely clean. No burners, no glass panels, no metal grates—just a clean slab that doubles as your cooking space. 

Interior architect Luis Enrique Castillo of LineaCasa


By removing the visual interruption of a traditional hob, the technology resolves a long-standing aesthetic obstacle for interior designers and meets the rising market demand for seamless, uninterrupted surfaces in luxury residential and commercial projects. This concept is starting to catch attention, especially among homeowners leaning into Minimalist, “everything-in-its-place” interiors. 

 

The custom worktop designed by interior architect Luis Enrique Castillo

Last March 18, InvisaCook was launched in the Philippines at Bar Pintxos at 8 Rockwell in Makati City. InvisaCook is exclusively sold, locally, by Haig&Lee who brought in the technology.  Mr. Alvin R. Lim, General Manager/Managing Director of Haig&Lee Import Export Corp., said, “Designers have been wrestling with the eyesore of a visible hob for years.” He added, “The moment we learned about InvisaCook – a truly invisible induction cooktop and the local penchant of homeowners for seamless, Instagram‑ready interiors, we saw how it will be the kitchen technology of the future and the perfect fit for the local market.”

 

Mr. Alvin R. Lim, General Manager/Managing Director of Haig & Lee

Like any induction hob, InvisaCook works by creating an electromagnetic field that heats magnetic cookware directly. It also won’t heat unless it detects the right kind of compatible cookware and, if something unusual is placed on top, it shuts off. It’s more energy-efficient, compared to gas, and doesn’t produce open flames, which could be a plus for some households. 

Lim explained, “The technology is powerful enough to send the field through the countertop material.” He noted, “Sintered stone is the ideal medium – it’s non‑ferrous, durable, and lets the magnetic field pass without loss.” The unit offers precise temperature control and can be set up in one to five zones. Users can operate it via a dedicated app. Lim said, “You can control the hob from your tablet or phone. With InvisaCook, you get a high‑performance cooking hob without the need to sacrifice aesthetics.” 

Mr. Fabio Biavashi, Director of InvisaCook Asia-Pacific


Installation is quick. “The installation itself is surprisingly swift – once the slab and power are ready, the unit slides in and is hooked up in 1‑2hours,” Lim said. He added, “We coordinate closely with the installer to ensure the cut‑out is perfect and the electrical work meets safety standards.” 

Safety features include pan detection, a foreign‑object‑detection system with a flashing red LED and audible alert, and a surface‑temperature monitor. Lim noted, “The hob won’t heat unless a compatible pan is detected, and it has a foreign‑object‑detection system that shuts down with a flashing red LED and audible alert.”

Arch. Luis Enrique Castillo praised the design freedom. He said, “Because the cooktop is hidden, we can treat countertops as part of a design instead of as a functional element. For me as a designer this is key to create unique spaces with pure forms.” He added, “The invisible cook‑top creates a seamless, functional and beautiful kitchen, especially for condominiums where space is limited and open‑plan design provides a premium and unique experience to a home.”

A Spanish feast of paella, tapas and Jamon Serrano



Castillo also highlighted the social impact. “When the cooking surface disappears, the social space expands. You can have dinner parties where the kitchen and dining area truly merge, without anyone ever seeing a burner,” he said.

InvisaCook comes in five models, all ranging from 97
°F (36°C) to 400°F (205°C). The system promises up to 90% thermal efficiency and can boil water up to 50% faster than gas. It includes a three‑year warranty. 

Chef Mikel Arregi Satrustegi cooking paella 

During the Philippine launch, Bar Pintxos, known for its authentic Spanish taps and pintxos, treated media guests to a Spanish feast of paella, callos, tapas and Jamon Serrano paired with Sangria and wine.  Afterwards, Bar Pintxos’ young Chef Mikel Arregi Satrustegi, from the Spanish coastal town of Orio in the Basque region of Guipuzcoa, showcased the IvisaCook technology by cooking paella, live, directly on a seamless concealed surface, demonstrating the convenience of a “no stove, no burner” setup.

 

Spanish paella over an InvisaCook worktop

Homeowners, hotels and developers can order InvisaCook through Mr. WilbertSy, Haig&Lee’s Business Development Manager, atmobile number (0917) 134-7304 or viavia email at info@lnvisaCook.ph.  For more information, check out the  InvisaCook Asia‑Pacific website. 

Bar Pintxos: G/F, 8 Rockwell, Hidaldo Drive cor. Plaza Drive, Makati City, 1200 Metro Manila. Mobile number: (0905) 796-8729. E-mail: grupobarpintxos@gmail.com and barpintxos2015@gmail.com.

Monday, 9 March 2026

Bubur Lambuk: Sharing a Ramadan Tradition (Makati City, Metro Manila)

 

Bubur lambuk

Last Tuesday, March 10, in the spirit of the holy, fasting month of Ramadan, the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila celebrated the tradition of sharing and community (gotong-royong) during Ramadan by preparing and sharing the traditional bubur lambuk at the Malaysian ambassador’s residence (1487 Carissa Street, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City).

 

Ambassador Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino

His Excellency Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino hosted the event which highlights a long-standing tradition where the Malaysian embassy shares this special dish with friends, government officials, partners, and the community to promote unity and friendship and foster strong bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Philippines. 

 

Media guests

According to the ambassador, “preparing bubur lambuk is not just about cooking—it is a symbol of community unity. The way bubur lambuk is prepared is a community affair, where we bring together friends and community members to cook this delicious porridge and distribute it to our friends, families, and colleagues in the community.” 

 

Chef Amnar Syafig Bin Ayob

He added that “activities like this strengthen understanding, respect, and peace between Malaysia and the Philippines. It is a truly cultural exercise of bonding, mutual understanding, respect, tolerance, and peaceful co-existence. I hope that during this month of Ramadan, this spirit of peace, reflection, and helping the marginalized continues.”

 

Bubur lambuk ingredients

Bubur lambuk is a well-known traditional, savory Malaysian rice porridge dish designed to be nourishing for breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan in Malaysia. It is made with rice, meat (beef), spices, coconut milk and various vegetables, and is often distributed to family and friends.  This year's bubur lambuk was shared with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Cabinet Secretaries, members of the Congress, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and friends of Malaysia.

The cooking demonstration

Mr. Amnar Syafig Bin Ayob, the prominent embassy chef, together with embassy staff, prepared the dish.  Responsible for culinary diplomacy, promoting Malaysian cuisine, he frequently collaborates and works closely, for events, with Malaysian and Filipino chefs, including Chef Edwin Santos of Makati Shangri-La and Chef Miguel Cabel Moreno, to foster diplomatic ties through food.  Last November 2025, he recently led a two-week Malaysian gastronomic showcase at Circles Event Café, Makati Shangri-La in featuring dishes like rojak pasembur, nasi minyak, and mee kari.

 

Ready to serve bubur lambuk.....

He demonstrated the traditional cooking process of bubur lambuk which takes around three hours. They started the process at 8 AM. The ingredients used were similar to Filipino lugaw - onions, garlic, lemongrass, salt and, for aroma they used pandan, chives and cilantro. They also used jasmine rice for the congee and coconut milk. 

Mr. Mohd Faizal Sharip, Malaysian Tourism Attaché and Director, emphasized the importance of tourism ties between Malaysia and the Philippines, including the exchange of culture, food, and experiences, saying “In terms of tourism, it’s not only tourism but also culture. We can promote and introduce food, tourism, and gastronomy relations—Philippine food delicacies in Malaysia and Malaysian promotions in the Philippines.” 

 

Bubur lambuk being packed for distribution and sharing

Highlighting the importance of the Philippines as a key tourism partner of Malaysia, Mohd Faizal Sharip added, “In terms of overall tourist arrivals in Malaysia, the Philippines ranks seventh. That shows how important the Philippines is to the Malaysian market. Even though our major markets are Singapore, Thailand, China, and India, the Philippines remains an important partner in the Southeast Asian region.”  

This Ramadan, aside from the preparation and sharing of bubur lambuk, the Malaysian Embassy also carried out various activities including corporate social responsibility initiatives for communities and schools in the Philippines. Malaysian tourism officials also announced the upcoming Philippine–Malaysia Culinary Exchange, at the end of April, which will feature a Malaysian food promotion at Solaire Resort, Entertainment City, introducing traditional Malaysian cuisine to Filipinos. Simultaneously, a Philippine food promotion will be held in Malaysia to showcase Filipino cuisine and delicacies to the Malaysian market.

Monday, 2 March 2026

Garchomp Mega Evolves into Mega Garchomp Z in Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension

 

The Pokémon Company announces the latest news about the Nintendo Switch software title Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the Nintendo Switch 2 software title Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, as well as the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC.  The new Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension video is now available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. 

Mega Dimension


Please check it out Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension | Mega-Evolved Pokémon Roundup!  on this link: https://youtu.be/bSKDEJzYW4s . Mega Garchomp Z, a Mega Evolution of the Mach Pokémon Garchomp, appears in the Mega Dimension DLC. 

Unlike regular Garchomp, Mega Garchomp Z is constantly in the air. Its wings have grown huge, and a number of large, sinister claws have appeared along their fronts.  From up in the sky, it turns its piercing gaze down on its target. It now has small wings on either side of its head to improve its flight capabilities. 

Compared to previously discovered Mega Garchomp, Mega Garchomp Z is even more adept at styles of combat that make use of its speed.   Mega Garchomp Z no longer has the Ground type—it is a Dragon type only. Its Dragon-type energy has grown more powerful, and it can now remain constantly hovering. What’s more, its Dragon-type moves have grown more agile and are strengthened because Mega Garchomp Z uses them while in flight, adding to their momentum. 

The wings on its arms have expanded, letting them attain even more lift. These wings are lined with large, sharp claws that rend opponents even more aggressively than Mega Garchomp’s scythe- shaped wings, and they can shred targets with a gouging motion. Players can claim the Mystery Gift made available in Pokémon Legends: Z-A starting February 27, and they will be able to detect a special hyperspace distortion in the Mega Dimension DLC as well. Players can obtain a Garchompite Z stone by defeating the Mega Garchomp Z that appears in this pocket of hyperspace. If a Player give a Garchomp on its team a Garchompite Z stone to hold, it will then be able to Mega Evolve into Mega Garchomp Z. 

In order to access the special hyperspace distortion that allows you to encounter Mega Garchomp Z, you will need to have completed one or more hyperspace adventures in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC.  You do not need to purchase the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC (sold separately) to claim this Mystery Gift. You do need to purchase the Mega Dimension DLC to detect this special hyperspace distortion in your game. 

How to take on the special hyperspace distortion where a Player encounter a Mega Garchomp Z? The Player will need to claim a Mystery Gift in Pokémon Legends: Z-A in order to access the special hyperspace distortion where he can encounter Mega Garchomp Z in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC. 

Claim your Mystery Gift: A Player can receive this gift by selecting Get via Internet from the Mystery Gift menu in your game, then selecting Special distortion detected.  Go to the special hyperspace distortion: Head to the special hyperspace distortion that appears in Lumiose City, then enter this pocket of hyperspace to encounter Mega Garchomp Z.  You can access this special hyperspace distortion in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC. 

Garchomp

The Mystery Gift function can be found within the Link Play menu option in the main menu after you unlock the Rewards feature in Mable’s Research in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game. You will need to connect your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system to the internet to claim this bonus.  The user profile on your system will need to be linked to a Nintendo Account in order to connect to the internet. It takes approximately one hour of play time before you can access the Link Play menu. Gift can only be redeemed once per save data file. 

Players will be able to link Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon HOME soon. Once they have linked the title to Pokémon HOME, they will be able to transfer Pokémon from their team in Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Pokémon HOME and bring select Pokémon from past titles in the Pokémon video game series to Lumiose City. They will soon enjoy adventuring in Lumiose City even more alongside a variety of Pokémon! 

Pokémon cannot be transferred from Pokémon Legends: Z-A to previous titles in the Pokémon video game series. If you transfer a Pokémon from a previous title to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you will no longer be able to transfer it to other video games in the Pokémon series. To learn more about other titles compatible with Pokémon HOME, please check the official website. https://home.pokemon.com/en-us/. The Pokémon you can transfer to each game via Pokémon HOME are limited to Pokémon that can appear in those games. 

By depositing Pokémon caught in Pokémon Legends: Z-A to the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME, a Player can receive an alpha Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile as Mystery Gifts on the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME. A Player can enjoy adventuring in Lumiose City even more alongside these large Pokémon! The ability to link Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Pokémon HOME is only available on the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME. 

To prepare, please make sure that the Nintendo Switch version and the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME are linked. Please see https://app-ph.pokemon-support.com/hc/ja/articles/360053177771 for more details. Depending on your OS or device, you may not be able to use certain features. The contents and method for obtaining this gift may be changed at any time without notice.  Soon a Player will be able to use Pokémon HOME to bring certain Pokémon he befriended in Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Pokémon Champions. 

What’s more, there will be a promotion in which a Player can send Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja, and Eternal Flower Floette obtained in Pokémon Legends: Z-A to visit Pokémon Champions and receive their corresponding Mega Stones in Pokémon Champions.That way a Player can have intense battles in Pokémon Champions alongside Pokémon he adventured with in Lumiose City! For more information, please check the Pokémon Champions official Website at https://champions.pokemon.com/en-us/. 

A Chesnaughtite stone can be claimed by sending a Chesnaught to visit, a Delphoxite stone can be claimed by sending a Delphox to visit, a Greninjite stone can be claimed by sending a Greninja to visit, and a Floettite stone can be claimed by sending an Eternal Flower Floette to visit. 

These Mega Stones cannot be claimed by sending Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja, or Eternal Flower Floette that have been befriended outside of Pokémon Legends: Z-A to visit.  Chesnaughtite, Delphoxite, Greninjite, and Floettite can be claimed on both the Nintendo Switch version and mobile device version of Pokémon Champions. The Mega Stones available in this campaign may be unlocked in the shop or other areas of the game at a later date. 

For more product information and updates, please go to the office Website at https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us.  For more pictures, please click the link below: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1lPRAzA3EOk5hAvcKox9YWrZSAMGcbsUT.

Pokémon Pokopia’s New Video is Out on March 5!

The Pokémon Company announces exciting news about Pokémon Pokopia, a title for Nintendo Switch 2. This title was planned and co-developed by The Pokémon Company, GAME FREAK inc., and KOEI TECMO GAMES.  A new video for Pokémon Pokopia was revealed in the Pokémon Presents broadcast on February 27, 2026. Please check out the video, Pokémon Pokopia - Pokémon Day Special Trailer, by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/rR_4nsCu-IA

 

Pokemon Pokopia

Stereo Rotom, appearing inside a mini stereo, has a cheerful personality. Other Pokemon call it DJ Rotom. If a player gives the CDs he finds, throughout the game, to Stereo Rotom, it will play music for him.  A player can enjoy music that fits his mood for the day or where he’s headed. It looks like Ditto and the others are moving to the beat too.

 

Greedent

A Greedent (Cook), who stores cooking equipment all over its body, treats everyone in town to its dishes. It seems the other Pokemon call it Chef Dante. There are even dishes that can power up moves when eaten. This is sure to help with developing the town. Players can play with up to three other people and visit their towns, or invite them to their own. Here are some of the incredibly open-ended ways to play:  

  • You can bring a Pokemon from your town with you to go visit someone else’s town.
  • Players can use Camouflage to transform into whatever’s in front of you! You can even enjoy hide-and seek.

While life moves slowly, Players can also try exploring distant areas. Players will surely find all sorts of encounters awaiting them as they explore the vast landscape, It looks like Players can transform into Graveler and Magnemite, too.  Players might even meet a Legendary Pokemon…

Once their town becomes more developed, Players may enjoy finding ways to personalize them according to their tastes. With Pokemon Pokopia, Players can enjoy imagining a kind of slow life they will experience.

For more product information and updates, please visit the official Website at https://pokopia.pokemon.com/en-us/. For more photos, please click on the link below: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1lPRAzA3EOk5hAvcKox9YWrZSAMGcbsUT