Next stop: Cebu for Sinulog

If you're still undecided on where your next local trip is and you are free this weekend, why don't you head to Cebu for the Sinulog festival? :)

The parade will be held this Sunday, and it is the most-awaited event next to the festival.  I'm pretty sure all the hotels are booked, but do try to get yourself a room at Radisson Blu, who just recently celebrated its first year anniversary last November.

photo taken from living.cebunetwork.com

To make reservations, click on this link.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, and I'm so amazed at how this is going viral.   Here are some of the "contributions" of talented and witty netizens, which I've taken from Roland Benzon


I like this one because the word "schools" is associated with something close to my heart—getting an education, which isn't really related to this photo... but still :D

This makes "getting lost" a fun activity

A creative version of the "youtube"

Enough said, tweeting is more fun here

This shows the photographer enjoying the fantastic view of what he's shooting

This proves that the seniors can have fun, too!

Now, I would love to do this soon :)

I chose this as the last one, because I have personally experienced this and it is AMAZING!
You should try it sometime :)  The one who took us around and swam with us is the head of the whaleshark conservation group, and his name is NogNog 0918-4592646.  He is based in Donsol :)

Launched last January 6 with a very successful social buzz, the new Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. shares: “Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable.”

Even the Lonely Planet guidebook refers to Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.'—a reputation I am proud of :)  I hope this keeps up, and more and more Pinoys will share their fun memories and experiences through this project.  Thank you also to BBDO Guerrero for the fabulous campaign.  Never mind that "some" think you copied it from an old 1950s Swiss ad, I think this is a better campaign than any I've seen :D


I leave you with this video that I'm sure will inspire you to fill 2012 up with local trips :D

Tara, biyahe tayo! 

Care to share your favorite spots and where else do you want to go? ;)

Gift Quickies

Not done with gift giving? Here are a few more gift ideas that just may help you in your search for the perfect gift for your best gal pal:

For the stylista

She may be booked almost every night of this festive season, so why don’t you give her something from Trousseau? Its Stingray collection of accessories is available in eye-catching hues of purple and pink, to name a few. Choose from its wide array of minaudiere, cuffs and bangles. For more information, visit http://www.trousseaubyreshma.com

For the sweet girl

Chocolate-lovers will surely appreciate a gift from Patchi’s Christmas collection. With over 145 boutiques worldwide, this brand from Israel boasts of the finest imported ingredients that contain no preservatives, artificial flavors, and vegetable oil. Take your pick from their box sets and fancy arrangements that are unique only to Patchi. Visit their stores at Bonifacio High Street and Greenbelt 5.

For the fully-booked lass

Parties and function everyday (and sometimes two or three in a night) will most likely give you tired legs and achy feet. Help your gal pal get through the evening with a pair of foldable ballerinas from Butterfly Twists, so she can easily change her shoes and rest the feet. These flats come in three sizes: small (US Sizes 5-6), Medium (US Sizes 7-8), and Large (US Sizes 9-10). Available at most CMG stores.

For the busy bee

Help her get through a packed working day with fun office tools from Quirks. The store adds a touch of quirkiness to everyday items to make working a breeze. Take your pick from cute memo magnets, wheelie desk bin tidy (pen holder shaped into a small plastic trash bin), and pegs memo (wall-mounted note board with pegs to hold notes and keys). Visit Quirks at Power Plant Mall and Shangri-La Plaza mall for more choices.

See you at Forever 21 :D

Time to grab yourselves fab finds in any of the Forever 21 stores in SM Megamall, SM Makati and SM City Cebu :)

Happy New Year :D

Fashion + Food Lovers

This month is an extra special one because one of my colleagues (who I consider one of my mentors) had a book launch, which I posted last Monday.  

And since the book is about two of her passions (food and fashion), a holiday-theme table setup was added for a festive touch to the book launch

And it wasn't just me who attended this milestone of Jenni's, 
check out who celebrated with her :)

Her daughter Aryanna Epperson.  A life size cut-out of Jenni was also on display by the photowall—cute!  She's wearing all Forever 21, too :D

Jenni's husband, Tom, and her cute baby boy, Dylan

Tim Yap was the host

Xandra Ramos-Padilla, the publisher and one of National Bookstore's executives
with Amina Aranaz-Alunan (who was my colleague also back in Chalk magazine with Jenni Epperson)

Victor Basa and Divine Lee

Geolette Esguerra of Metro magazine, who's wearing Forever 21 booties ;)

Zen Zest Michelle Asence-Fontelera and Heidi Ng

Designer Tina Daniac, with stylists Myrhh Lao To and Edlene Cabral

Designer Louis Claparols

Photographers Dix Perez and Sandro Paredes
Dix is the man behind the fabulous layout of Jenni's book

Bubbles Paraiso and Maxene Magalona

Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Crystalle Henares

Maureen Disini and Nina Estacio

Robby Carmona

Bianca Valerio

People were lining up to have her book signed

Along with us :D

and while we waited for our turn, we were served these oh-so-cute cupcakes



Of course, I had to have a photo taken with "Jenni" ;)
Congratulations, Jenni :D

OOTD: Top and leather shorts from Forever 21, bag from Furla, booties from Virtual Mae