Ara Mina bakes cakes, cupcakes for COVID-19 frontliners

MANILA – Since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has been declared in the entire Luzon, most people have been doing their own part in helping the COVID-19 frontliners -- whether by donating funds, goods or medical equipment, or just by staying at home to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.

For actress Ara Mina, she has been busy baking cakes and cupcakes which she sends to various hospitals here in Manila and in Pampanga, and even to military troops manning checkpoints.

“First week of ECQ, I was able to bake some cupcakes, cakes and we sent some food for our frontliners in Pasig Doctors Medical Center, AFP Medical Center, Angeles Pampanga Police Station 5 as well as police and military officers in San Mateo Rizal checkpoint. Just a little something for our heroes. Thank you to our frontliners, we salute you,” she wrote on Instagram.

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First week of ECQ, I was able to bake some cupcakes, cakes and we sent some food for our frontliners in Pasig Doctors Medical Center, AFP Medical Center, Angeles Pampanga Police Station 5 (near #Hazelberry in Pampanga 😊), as well as Police and Military Officers in San Mateo Rizal checkpoint. Just a little something for our heroes. Thank you to our frontliners, we salute you! 😍 . My partner @christineangela21 and I were also able to share some groceries to our employees. Thank God for providing🙏🏻 . Tulungan lang po tayo hangga’t sa makakaya. We’re giving our best effort. Donating also to some friends na nagreraise ng funds. Still thinking of how we can help pa while still working from home for @hazelberryofficial para kahit papaano may maitulong pa tayo sa ating kapwa. . We can do this everyone! 😍👍🏻 . #FightCovid19 #FrontlinersPH #AraCares #GTGFCares #HazelberryCares #AraMinaFoundation

A post shared by 💖 𝐀𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐚 💖 (@therealaramina) on Apr 13, 2020 at 9:21am PDT

Mina, who owns Hazelberry Café which has branches in Quezon City, Pasig City and Pampanga, also said she and her partner have not forgotten their own employees, to whom they gave some groceries.

“Tulungan lang po tayo hangga’t sa makakaya. We’re giving our best effort. Donating also to some friends na nagre-raise ng funds. Still thinking of how we can help pa while still working from home for Hazelberry para kahit papaano may maitulong pa tayo sa ating kapwa,” she said.

Although the current situation may be difficult for everyone, Mina said there’s nothing we can’t do if people will help each other.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: Sunshine Cruz, boyfriend mark first anniversary

MANILA – Sunshine Cruz and her boyfriend, businessman Ismael "Macky" Mathay, are celebrating their first year as a couple.

On Monday, the 40-year-old actress took to Instagram to share her anniversary greeting for Mathay.

In the caption, Cruz thanked Mathay for "being there not just for me but also for the girls."

"You are a wonderful person my Macky and I will always be here to support you in all of your endeavors," she said.

Mathay is the half-brother of Cruz's friend, Ara Mina.

Cruz is separated from her husband Cesar Montano. She has already filed an annulment case against the actor, with whom she has three children.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Ara Mina reacts to sister Cristine's pregnancy

MANILA – Ara Mina said she is very proud of her younger sister, actress Cristine Reyes, for taking responsibility after she learned that she will soon have a baby.

Reyes admitted that she is pregnant during her “ASAP” appearance on Sunday.



In an interview with “The Buzz,” which aired hours after Reyes's admission, Mina said she commends her sister because not all actresses are brave enough to announce to the public that they are pregnant.

“Proud ako sa kanya kasi hindi naman lahat umaamin and happy ako kasi matagal na niya kasi talaga itong gusto. Parang last year niya pa sinasabi sa akin. I’m excited for her also. Ang saya-saya, maraming babies ngayon sa family. It is a blessing,” she said.

Mina shared that her sister also experienced morning sickness.

“Nahihilo daw siya, nagsusuka minsan. 'Yung first trimester may mga morning sickness,” she said.

“Take care of yourself. Huwag ka magpapaka-stress para hindi ma-stress ang baby. Just call me anytime. Love you,” added.

Since her sister is in a delicate stage, Mina said she and the rest of their family will just support the 25-year-old actress in this “wonderful journey.”

“Alam mo naman na mahal na mahal kita. Nagkaaway na tayo, nagkabati na tayo per nandito pa rin ang ate mo. Kung saan ka masaya, masaya ako. I love you,” she said.






In a separate interview with “The Buzz,” Reyes said the pregnancy did not come as a surprise for her and her boyfriend because they actually planned it.

“Kaming dalawa ni Ali (her boyfriend) magkasama, nag-test kaming dalawa. We are happy kasi it was planned and it’s not a surprise. First test namin, morning 'yun. Akala namin negative pa so na-sad kami. Nung gabi nag-test ulit kami, positive na. After that, ang inuna namin 'yung family namin. They were happy and excited,” she said.

Reyes also said she and her partner are planning to tie the knot after she gives birth.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cristine speaks up on sister Ara's miscarriage

MANILA – Cristine Reyes reported that her sister, actress Ara Mina, is doing fine following her miscarriage late last year.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe, Reyes said the miscarriage occurred a few months ago and her sister has now accepted what happened.

“Actually 'yung news kay ate, matagal na 'yun. Kung tatanungin mo ako, okay na kami. Tapos na 'yung napagdaanan ni ate. Okay siya,” Reyes said.

Although Mina became depressed, Reyes said her sister is now “perfectly fine and busy siya sa business.”

“Na-depress siya for a while pero hind naman sobra,” she said. “I think ginagawa naman niya 'yung kailangan niyang gawin para alagaan ang sarili niya.”

In a statement sent to the Philippine Entertainment Portal, Mina said her miscarriage is something she and her partner, Bulacan, Bulacan Mayor Patrick Meneses, do not want to remember.

“It was so painful for me and Pat. Something that we just cannot vocally discuss in public, but we both owe the people the truth that’s why I’m making a statement about it,” she said.

Mina, however, is not losing hope that maybe one day, she will be given another chance to have her own child.

“In God’s time maybe another blessing will come in the future, but for now, we are still trying to move on, trying to forget the miscarriage. We hope that people would understand why we kept in private. Thank you,” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ara Mina gets back to baking

Last year, Ara Mina turned to a forgotten passion of her youth, one encouraged by her late grandmother. Surely, wherever her Lola is now, she couldn’t be more proud over the success of Ara’s Hazelberry cupcakes.

Long before she looked through rose-colored glasses and fell in love with show business, the teenage Ara Mina enjoyed spending time in the kitchen where she indulged her passion for the culinary arts. In particular, Ara loved to bake. It was a passion she shared with her Lola Sonya (Mathay), who passed away late last year.

“I took naman Pastry Lessons, this time at ISCAHM (International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management). Meron kasi kaming isang baking class that time. Ngayon, I took the full course in Pastry Baking,” she said.

Her grandmother who, for a while, had her own home-based business, encouraged Ara’s interest. Although she found baking an enjoyable activity and a stress reliever, there was a time when Ara had to put it aside in favor of other things.

Last year, she tried baking again, starting with a batch of Red Velvet cupcakes and offering them to friends. These friends, in turn, passed the word along to other friends. Orders started to come in until Ara finally decided that with so many orders coming in, it was high time to get serious and turn her hobby into a full-blown business. The first order of that business was to come up with a name to call it.

“Mostly, I was baking cupcakes, at dumami nang dumami ’yung mga orders, so I decided to put a name to it,” she said.

Now based in her home kitchen in Quezon City, the business is called Hazelberry Cupcakes—Hazel being Ara’s real name (she is Hazel Klenk Reyes in real life), and berry, a fruit commonly used for pies and cakes.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ara Mina completes culinary course, whips up dish best served cold for sister Cristine

With nine of her showbiz buddies, next of kin and friends, Ara Mina enrolled in a special cooking class under the tutelage of noted chefs from ISCAHM (International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management), Mr. Sean McSavaney (assistant director for culinary arts) and Mr. Manoj de Silva (assistant director for Asian Cuisine).

On Saturday, the group received their certificate of completion of their three-month course on the Fundamentals of Culinary Arts.

“Kahit naman nagkaroon na ako ng restaurant before, gusto ko pa rin talagang matutunan ang pagluluto and, eventually, ang gusto ko namang pasukin eh ang catering business. Para magkasundu-sundo ang mga schedule namin, kumuha kami ng special course. Hindi ko rin naman kasi kakayanin na mag-araw-araw.”

Who are her classmates?

“Ang nayaya ko sa mga friends ko in the business, si Councilor ng Angeles na si Marang (Maricel Morales), si Sunshine (Cruz-Montano) and singer Alynna (Velasquez). Tapos, nandiyan din ang mga friends ko na sina Oselle Punla, Elisa Jocson, Kristine Rodriquez and her boyfriend Piccolo Meneses, my brother Holy King (Reyes) and his wife Rizette. Dati 12 kami, eh. Naging very busy na ‘yung dalawa.”

One seems familiar, a Meneses? Will that explain the presence of the good mayor of Bulacan, Bulacan in their special day-graduation?

“Yes, brother siya ni Mayor Patrick. And sila ng girlfriend niya na si Tin, parehong mahilig magluto. Kaya suporta siya.”

Why did you take up this course? Is this a preparation for larger things to come, like being married and doing the wife bit?

“Mahilig lang talaga ako magluto kahit noon pa. And nung maisip ko naman to enroll nga, para na rin mas marami pa akong klase ng luto na malaman, na ma-enhance ko pa ang alam ko na sa pagluluto pati na ang disiplina sa kusina when preparing your favorite dishes.”

Is there someone special she’s regularly cooking for nowadays?

“Sa family ko. And friends. Sila tumitikim ng mga ginagawa ko. Like aside from the mga dishes na nagagawa ko na, gustong-gusto ko ring mag-bake o kaya gumawa ng mga pastries like my version ng macaroons, cheesecake and more.”

She concedes that her newly acquired culinary skills would be a big help in the romance department. But taking the course these past three months served as a stress-buster more than anything else.

“Siguro kasama na rin sa paghahanda ko ito na maging mahusay ako sa pagluluto. Pero all those three months, parang naging therapy na rin sa akin ito. Dahil sa pinagdaanan ko, medyo naka-bawas naman ito sa stress level ko,” she says.

Unfazed — that’s her current state of mind. So, no matter how many times and so many versions her sister Cristine Reyes delivers her apology in a bid to make Ara withdraw her libel case, Ara seems not to care a bit. She even participated in the blind item game with the hosts of “Juicy” on Saturday.

Now, people are asking who this B.I. (bad influence) in her sister Cristine’s life she was referring to.

“Hindi ko na kailangang lagyan ng pangalan. Madali namang malaman at makilala. Kasi, nakikita naman. Obvious naman. Matagal ko na namang pansin ‘yun. Ako naman kasi, madaling bumasa ng tao, eh.

“Siguro, ito naman ang namana ko sa mommy ko. Basta may sinabi siya sa isang tao, alam mo at matutuklasan mong totoo. Ang sa akin lang, sana mind your own business na lang. No, hindi ko na kailangang mag-effort na kausapin pa ito. Wala naman akong kailangang i-prove sa kanya,” she says.

Has her mom met the new man in her life, whom she prefers to stay away from the limeligh, at least for the meantime?

“Oo. Kasi, dito lang walang sinabing kung anu-ano ang mommy, eh. Very vocal siya kasi, sa una pa lang niya ma-meet ang manliligaw ko halimbawa. Walang tigil ‘yun pag may nakikita o nase-sense siya. Na hindi kayo magtatagal niyan. And tama naman siya lagi.

“Dito sa ngayon, walang gano’n. The first time na wala akong narinig from her. Si Mommy, mamnghuhula ‘ata, eh. Ako naman, hindi nag-e-expect. Kasi ayoko ring ma-frustrate pa in the end. Parang sa kapatid ko. ‘Di ba naging sobra ang expectation ko sa kanya? Kaya, ngayon, we’re just enjoying muna life as it comes. ‘Di naman nagmamadali.”

But why is she so quiet about it now?

“Dati, naging napaka-open ko naman about my relationship. Non-showbiz din naman ‘yun. Sa akin, kung ano na lang ang makita ninyo sa akin. Mag-talk ako or hindi, at one point, makikita rin naman ninyo kung ano ang mga nangyayari sa akin.”

If there’s one dish or recipe you would want to give to your sister Cristine, what would it be?

“Something sweet. Siguro, cheesecake. Para naman mapalitan ng pagiging sweet siya. Para bumalik din siya sa katinuan. Lahat ng matatamis. ‘yun ang ihahain ko sa kanya.”

A dish best served cold? Is that it?

“Ayoko na nga siya pag-aksayahan ng panahon, eh. Alam ko, she’s in London now. After ng mga TV guest appearances niya na ang topic pa rin eh ‘yung apology sa akin. Kung sincere siya talaga, after nitong mga guesting niya na idinadaan niya sa media, ang dali ng gagawin niya at alam niya.

“Dahil pwede siyang makagawa ng way to talk to me. Pinuntahan na lang sana niya ako. Pero, hindi naman siya gumagawa talaga ng way. Kung ano ‘yung sabihin sa kanya, ‘yun lang siya. Ako na nga ang nasaktan dito, ‘di ba? Kaya may demanda ‘di ba? Para malaman ng tao kung ano ang puno’t bunga nito. Nag-file ako. Hindi nga ako nagsasalita. Kung ano lang kailangang malaman sa akin ng mga tao, dun lang ako. Basta ako, masaya now.”

She doesn’t miss Cristine at all?

“Alam niya kung hanggang saan ko siya minamahal bilang kapatid. Kung hindi niya naa-appreciate ‘yun, marami rin namang nagmamahal sa akin at nagpi-fill ng void na ipinagkakait niyang makita o mai-share with me. Like I said, ayoko na mag-expect. Gusto ko lang matuto siya sa lahat ng ito.”

source: interaksyon.com

Cristine reiterates apology to Ara, asks public to withhold judgment

Cristine Reyes reiterated her apology to Ara Mina on Wednesday after the public apology she issued in a live interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday had failed to appease her elder half-sister.

“Sana magkaayos na kami ni Ate. Medyo matagal na po ang issue at marami nang nadamay. Kaya nagpapakumbaba na po ako para humingi ng tawad sa ate ko,” the actress said in a statement.

Ara filed charges of libel and grave coercion against Cristine in April after receiving a series of offensive text messages from Cristine over a financial dispute involving the sharing of payment for a property they had bought for their mother.

Ara had told media that she filed the case to teach Cristine a lesson and only a sincere public apology from the latter would make her withdraw it.

On Monday, Ara questioned the sincerity of Cristine’s apology on “The Buzz” and said she did not see enough remorse to reconsider her case.

Cristine, whose full name is Ara Marie Cristine Reyes, said she is very sorry that their feud has gotten out of hand.

“Nakakalungkot pong isipin na lumaki ng ganito ang misunderstanding namin ni Ate,” she said. “Nung una pa lang gusto ko nang mapag-usapan namin ang issue para makapag-explain at magkaintindihan.”

Cristine said she has sent several text messages to Ara requesting for a private meeting so she can apologize personally.

Cristine said Ara has not responded to any of them. ”Hindi pa po siguro siya handa na makipag-meet sa akin in private para subukang maayos ang mga bagay-bagay,” she surmised.

Nevertheless, Cristine remains hopeful that the feud will be resolved amicably soon. She also expressed remorse for hurting other members of her family who have been caught in the crossfire, especially their mother.

“Sorry na may ibang mga taong nasaktan at patuloy na nasasaktan dahil sa conflict,” she said.

Cristine is aware of the negative public perception the controversy has brought upon her. She is appealing for understanding and asking people to withhold their judgment until the issue has been resolved.

“Nakakalungkot na may humuhusga na sa akin, lalo na sa pagiging sincere ko. Wala naman po sigurong tao ang ayaw na nagkakasundo ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay, lalo na ang sariling pamilya,” she said.

source: interaksyon.com

Ara not buying Cristine’s ‘insincere’ apology, won’t withdraw libel case

Ara Mina says she found the public apology Cristine Reyes issued on “The Buzz” on Sunday lacking in remorse and sincerity.

It won’t move her to withdraw the libel and grave coercion suit she filed against her half-sister in April over allegedly vulgar text messages Cristine had sent her during Holy Week.

“Ang sabi ko noon, ang kailangan niya lang gawin eh mag-public apology. Pero public apology na totoo sa loob niya,” Ara told Interaksyon.com on Monday.

“Gusto ko lang siyang matuto sa kasalukuyang mga pangyayari. Eh mukhang hindi pa rin niya ito natututunan,” the 32-year-old actress added.

“I’m sorry, and I would like to apologize if I ever offended you,” Cristine addressed Ara in her interview with “The Buzz” host Boy Abunda. “I tried my best na pumunta sa ‘yo…Sinabi ko pa sa ‘yo, kung gusto mo, luluhod ako sa harapan mo. Sana lumambot na ang puso mo sa akin para maayos na itong gulo. Para sa pamilya natin, sa ikatatahimik ng pamilya nation.”

The 23-year-old Viva talent admitted she was holding back emotions to avoid a breakdown. “Ayokong ilabas ang emosyon ko dito. Kasi gusto kong maging positive sa life,” she said.

Judging by most reactions in the social media, Cristine not only failed to move Ara, she failed to touch the public as well. Messages from followers of Ara’s Twitter account said as much.

Ara retweeted some quotes sent to her, such as this one from British statesman Benjamin Disraeli: “One of the hardest things in this world is to admit you are wrong. And nothing is more helpful in resolving a situation than its frank admission.”

Ara forwarded another tweet to this reporter with her comment in the end: “When things aren’t working out as you wish, be patient. Stop trying to move ahead of God. His timing is perfect. Trust Him. Sus! Apology na ba ‘yun, Tita Pi?”

Ara vowed to issue an official statement this week, but she said that she hasn’t changed her mind about the cases she filed against Cristine.

She is sticking to her conviction that she is out to teach her younger sister a lesson in manners and gratitude.

“Sinabi ko rin before na mahal ko siya bilang kapatid ko. Sinabi ko rin naman na ayaw ko siyang makulong kaya ang sa akin lang eh ‘yung mabigyan siya ng pang-habangbuhay na leksyon.

“Sabi ko rin, anumang sugat eh napaghihilom ng panahon. Subalit ang pagpapatawad eh ibinibigay lang sa mga taong nagsisisi at humihingi ng tawad,” Ara said.

Ara also clarified that it was not only she who was hurt by Cristine.

“Sana humingi din siya ng paumanhin sa mga taong idinamay niya. Bottom line rin nito eh ‘yung mga tao’ng nasagasaan niya sa ginawa niya. Mahirap talaga ‘yung iba ang sinasabi sa ginagawa,” she said.

Ara considers herself semi-retired from show business, although she accepts offers to do shows abroad occasionally. ”Kaya nga I enrolled sa cooking class para mas harapin ko na lang uli ang pagbi-business in the future. And at the end of this month, graduation na namin ng mga kasama ko sa cooking class,” she shared.

She spends her spare time keeping in shape through bikram yoga “and bonding with family and friends who matter.”

She and Cristine have not met face to face since Holy Week when their dispute over a financial matter provoked Cristine to send the offensive text messages that Ara continues to resent.

A few weeks ago, she and Cristine were both invited to the wedding of their sister Heidi. Ara, however, could not attend because she was in Dubai for a series of shows.

“So hindi pa rin itinatadhana na magkita kami ng face to face. I don’t really know kung ano ang mangyayari, kung ano ang masasabi ko. Ang sa akin lang, magpakatotoo na lang for once! ‘Wag na ‘yang mga kailangan pa bang lumuhod or whatever. Alam natin hindi naman ‘yun mangyayari, right?”

article source: interaksyon.com