Even as he is currently focusing on his hit horror fantaserye, “La Luna Sangre,” Daniel Padilla is also very much excited about District 8 Manila, his new restaurant venture with several prominent partners.
Already a star-studded enterprise with partners like former San Juan Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, former PBA player Paul Artadi, active PBA players James Yap and Marc Pingris, Ayala Land premier senior manager Charlton Yu, celebrity chef Kel Zaguirre, and club DJ Ace Ramos, District 8 recently got a big boost when Daniel invited good friend and comedian Vice Ganda to be another partner.
According to Zamora, it was Daniel who wanted a sports bar that was originally called First Five after the five partners who first came on board.
When more partners joined the fray, the sports bar concept was expanded into what is now dubbed as a “melting pot where celebrities, athletes and high-profile personalities will converge for good food, drinks and music.”
And now, Zamora revealed that another celebrity partner has signed up for District 8 Manila, Vice Ganda’s “It’s Showtime” co-host, Billy Crawford.
Crawford, who is now engaged to actress Coleen Garcia with whom he is expected to tie the knot next year, is no stranger to the restaurant business. He owns Sangkap, a Filipino food bistro in Oranbo, Pasig City, that specializes in Cebu Lechon Sinigang.
With more partners on board, Zamora noted that each and every partner is now excited for District 8 Manila’s official opening scheduled this August 8. Despite their busy schedules, Daniel and Vice, in particular, have been very active in attending meetings and food tasting sessions where they would give their inputs.
“Each partner has given a commitment to be a big part of District 8 and have a significant role in the direction of this venture. And so far, Daniel and Vice have both shown how determined they are to see this venture succeed,” Zamora noted.
Daniel is currently headlining the top-rated horror action fantasy drama teleserye, “La Luna Sangre,” on ABS-CBN which has been consistently trending on social media since its June 19 premiere.
The 22-year-old actor’s rumored girlfriend and “La Luna Sangre” leading leady Kathryn Bernardo, even joined him in some of the food tasting sessions and is also helping out in the promotion of District 8. Kathryn herself is starting her own business this year, a nail salon in Quezon City reportedly called Kathnails.
Both Daniel and Vice Ganda will be back on the big screen this Christmas season as they headline “The Revengers,” a new comedy directed by Joyce Bernal that will also mark the acting return of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
Produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films, the film is one of the four films initially selected for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
Watch Daniel Padilla and Vice Ganda invite fans to check out District 8 Manila in these videos on the restaurant’s Instagram page.