Photos by Jilson Tiu and courtesy of Michael Karlo LimRamon Hizon Enriquez has the face and personality for television. He did star in a beer commercial back in the ’80s when his marker-thin ’stache said “bold star” rather than “matinee idol.” The thick, expressive brows coupled with an almost permanent impish grin spell danger and yet Enriquez is so magnetic that you can’t help but shuffle closer to see what he’ll do next.
While Enriquez’s massive personality belongs in the spotlight, Ricardo “Richie” Zamora’s self-deprecating, charmingly funny style is what makes his posts and videos attick. Once having worked as actor Troy Montero’s road manager, he doesn’t mind playing the everyman, the goofy sidekick that despite the lack of a six-pack gets to say the best lines. However, it’s hard to stay in somebody’s shadow, especially with the magnitude of Zamora’s talent and passion for food.
, there was a time when bloggers sneered at traditional media and frowned upon using their sites as a platform for business. However, Enriquez doesn’t see it that way. “We didn’t sell out; we were adopted! Are we still as credible and reliable as before? Many are. Those with their hearts in the right place. And stomachs, too, of course.” In Enriquez’s case, at least, this still holds true considering his many food writing gigs for broadsheets and magazines.
“Integrity is everything. Everyone owes that to themselves to begin with. One can only truly endorse products and services that one really enjoys, that one uses regularly and, most importantly, can afford for one’s self.”