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Showing posts from March, 2014

[Throwback (Travel) Thursday 03.27.2014] Fond memories of Dos Palmas

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The water cottages of Dos Palmas back in February 2004. They've since been repainted with hues of brown. That infamous Abu Sayaff kidnapping in 2001, Rico Yan's death in 2002--Dos Palmas Resort was arguably reeling then from all the negative publicity it sustained from those two events even if they weren't really their fault. At the time people shied away from Dos Palmas but they held on, and more than a decade later they're still very much in operation. On February 2004, around the time when the resort was still recovering from the slump, I had the chance to try out Dos Palmas with my colleagues. We went there as a department and our trip was substantially subsidized by our company. Ah, those were certainly the days!

Lustlist: Zara March 2014 new arrivals

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Apart from the Zara swim shorts and other summer outfits I'm drooling over, I still have a couple of other items from the Spanish brand that I'm so in love with right now. T-shirts with bold prints How all those flowers are weaved together to form a skull is just awesome to me, though I'm torn between the black and white tees. Bold prints such as these are simply eye-catching. Skull T-shirt with flowers (Php 1,495).

Lovely time at Art in the Park 2014

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Installation by Maxine Syjuco. I've heard of it before yet I still keep on missing it year after year anyway. But yesterday, March 23, I was finally able to catch Art in the Park at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City. Although I only arrived at past-five already, I still had a good two or so hours looking around, perusing the artworks, and grabbing some dinner and coffee. Art installations The steel frames and enlarged photographs installation by artist Maxine Syjuco first greeted me at the park. I then made a right and into artist Pete Jimenez's exhibit dubbed "Iron Will," a visually intriguing display of everything iron, cast, twisted, and welded in every which way. There were huge pieces involving car hoods and doors, pipes and pipe elbows, as well as smaller items that would fit perfectly atop a console. Pete Jimenez's "Iron Will."

Sea-Ex 2014: The Philippines' premier nautical lifestyle expo

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So just this afternoon I found myself at Sea-Ex 2014 at One Esplanade where frankly I have absolutely no business. But it's something that has piqued my curiosity when I first learned about it sometime last year. So when I saw that it's back, I thought I finally could check it out.

[Lookbook 03.21.2014] From the valley to the hood

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No, I did not come from the valley and end up in the neighborhood; My Bibe did. Well, sort of. She went to The Valley and brought me home a hood. Er, a hoodie. A hoodie from the valley.

[Throwback (Travel) Thursday 03.20.2014] Alone in Malapascua

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How inviting, isn't it? This was taken back in October 2004 in Malapascua Island in Cebu. It was a trip by my lonesome, one of those side trips I normally make when I'm out of town for some audit work. I have long read of Malapascua and it has been on my travel wish list ever since. So when I finally had the chance, I seized it, even if it was just for 3 days. I knew I took some notes of my trip but I just couldn't find them right now, so I'm writing this all from memory. Yeah, it can get a little sketchy given that all this was 9 years ago. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * Getting there I hopped on a van at a terminal beside the old White Gold Club at the North Reclamation Area. I don't know if the terminal still exists but you can always take a bus bound for Maya at the North Bus Terminal. I've read then that the bus trip takes really long because of so many stops, plus there were no air-conditioned options. So I went for the more expensive--but what I th

12 Philippine resorts and destination hotels you might wanna try

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Everyone's starting to feel the steadily rising heat once more, a sensation that seems to automatically trigger a dormant part in the deepest recesses of our brain that wants us to escape, go someplace, anywhere but where we are stuck at the moment. Our thoughts run wild, feet itch, and alas, the wanderlust in all of us has awaken once again! But where to go? This might help. I've compiled a list of 12 resorts and out-of-town hotels in the Philippines that I've been to and that I thought people (maybe at least some) might want to check out. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're the best of the best but my time at each of these places--even despite some negatives--has still been good overall, good enough that I want to go back. To yes, all 12 of them. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 1. Club Paradise Dimakya Island, Busuanga, Palawan Don't you just want to go and take a plunge?

Mulling over dungarees from Zara

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I was browsing through Zara's new arrivals on their website and I came across something I've long been wanting to own: dungarees! Or overalls, whatever you call them. While dungarees are originally meant as protective clothing for workers, I've seen in photos online how they've slimmed down and become more fashionable than functional. And that's exactly the type of overalls I've been looking for, albeit passively.

[Lookbook 03.14.2014] Deception

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When people at the office first saw me this morning, they were all wondering why I looked so "formal" on a Friday (in our office culture, a long-sleeved shirt is already considered formal). These were the people who only saw half of me and were so easily deceived. Well, their sense of wonderment instantly vanished when they saw the full getup.

[Throwback Thursday 03.14.2014] Goodbye, Mang Tomas

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I haven't done any Throwback Thursday post yet for 2014, and it's quite sad that I'm finally posting one but on a somber note (unless you consider funny why the hell are my eyes closed in the photo). That's my grandfather with me in the picture. He just passed away last Saturday. He was 88. The photo was taken back in January 2002 on the evening following the interment of his wife and my grandmother, whom I fondly called " Part ." The sadness he must have felt then is evident in the photograph, even when he's forcing a smile. Yes, up until Saturday my Lolo Tomas had been living for more than a decade without his beloved " Ga " (short for Pangga , a term of endearment akin to Sweetheart or Honey) but finally they're reunited.

FRAGRANCE | Voyage d'Hermes (Parfum)

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My EDTs were running dry, so I really had to get a new one. I was hoping for something not too expensive, with a conscious attempt at holding off getting another Terre d'Hermes  for the time being. But then I found myself at Rustan's--yes, perfect place to find something inexpensive--and tried on some scents. Then I ended up with this: Not Terre d'Hermes but still Hermes. Nice try at "holding off" and finding something "inexpensive." Anyway, the choice was a surprise because I already tried Voyage d'Hermes before and was left disappointed. It was a good scent except that it just had some serious longevity problems.

Take it to the beach with swim shorts (2nd installment)

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With summer starting to heat up this part of the globe, all I can think of is the beach. Well, and what to wear to the beach. I've been searching for new stuff at a safe distance--that is from my computer--and found a few good swim shorts from Philippine brands . I also started checking out some foreign brands that have stores here and now I'm excited even more. Here are a few of the pieces I found: Zara I've always loved this Spanish brand and it did not disappoint in the swimwear department with checks, tie prints, and paisley. Though still limited for now, the pieces are perfectly short, allowing the wearer to show some thigh for a sexier look. At Php 1,595, I think it's a pretty good deal already. Checked swimming shorts, Zara.

A summer of sheer, patterns and bermudas

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I know it's a little too "Fabio" to be wearing a shirt with such a deep cut and with no buttons--and in a sheer fabric at that--but hey, it's summer. Besides, the shirt looks good, on the model at least. Voile shirt with Mao collar, Zara (Php 2,595).

Coming soon: Art in the Park 2014

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A mere two weeks after catching Art Fair Philippines 2014 , which showcased the best in contemporary art by Filipino artists and by some of our Southeast Asian neighbors, art has gotten me excited once more. I just learned that Art in the Park 2014 is happening on March 23! A sampling from the 2010 staging of Art in the Park. It's one of those events I've always been wanting to attend but for some reason, I'm always out of town or something when it happens. Not that I'm hellbent on collecting art with much urgency, it's just that I want to see beautiful things at the very least. Buying anything will largely depend on my wallet and probably only after much thought and a lengthy mental debate with myself.

(Updated) Take it to the beach with swim shorts

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Cold spell now over and temperatures are slowly rising. The advent of summer is at hand! And whenever I hear summer, there's only one thing that comes to my mind--the beach. I still have no concrete plans whatsoever but I took to Facebook to check what some of our local brands have in store for the season, particularly where swim shorts are concerned. Unfortunately, not all of them have photos of their collections but I found bits and pieces from their posts on the social media site. So far I'm liking what I see and I'm sharing these with you (although now I have to beat everyone to their stores). Penshoppe The flagship brand of Golden ABC posted a photo of a bunch of swim shorts, all of which come in different striped designs. There's no photo of them worn by anyone but by the looks of it, the length sits just fine with me. I want my swim shorts short, so I'm glad these ones aren't droopy.

PHOTO DIARY | Art Fair Philippines 2014 (Part 3 of 3)

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(Continued from Part 2 ) This is the last of three posts about the recently concluded Art Fair Philippines 2014 . I know it maybe too late (definitely too late!) to catch it but I'm hoping to show you some of the artwork exhibited at the event just in case you're interested in anything. That said, you can check with the art galleries concerned. *   *   *   *   *   *   *   When someone says art, paintings are what comes to mind first. But of course art isn't all about them. At the recent Art Fair Philippines 2014, I was also drawn to the sculptures and other creations that qualify as "display items" on your table, console, or shelf.   For instance, at the exhibition booth of Art Cube, I was wowed by the intricate designs and the sheer amount of detail involved in their Alice in Wonderland mixed metal sculptures by artist Daniel Dela Cruz. I mean, just look! "Where do I go, I don't much care where.." by Daniel Dela Cruz, Art Cube