JC Buendia's 25th Anniversary Gala Show for Metro Society

He may have the humility and genius of Alber Elbaz, the boyish looks and design aesthetics of Narciso Rodriguez, and the impeccable tailoring and clean lines of Raf Simons, but JC Buendia has the bravura of these 3 great designers. I first met JC when he obliged to be part of Converse Glorietta 3 grand opening in 2005 which I handled, and together with Randy Ortiz, Vittorio Barba, Kate Torralba and Tonichi Nocom, they all came up with a pocket collection paired with Chuck Taylor. The group also designed their own Chucks, which were displayed for the store opening. And the times I bumped into JC, he has a ready smile and his aura is without any air, and this is for someone who has designed grand ternos and business suits for then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as suits for the former senator and now President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. And when he mentioned that Metro Society would be throwing a 25th Anniversary show on his behalf, I never knew that he had been designing for a quarter of a century. After many date changes as well as venue replacements, last August 27, JC Buendia’s show was held in the Grand Ballroom of Marriot Hotel in Resorts World Manila. The lobby leading to the ballroom was full of guests, quite excited to take their seats and see the show. It was like a movie date, as JC took inspiration from his favorite movies as well as TV series. Friends, clients and including former mentor Cesar Gaupo spoke about JC in a short video that opened the show. The 50-piece collection that JC presented that night spoke a lot about his design philosophy; excellent tailoring and classic silhouettes, ranging from evening dresses to ball gowns to men’s suits, JC did what was expected from him, a collection fit for a movie icon such as Audrey Hepburn (JC’s muse other than his own mom) and her leading man. The entire ballroom was agog as JC took his bow at the end of the show, he was onboard a bicycle and showed JC’s childlike attitude. Congratulations again JC and looking forward to your 50th year, may you make more beautiful clothes until 2037, we are all looking forward to another evening like your 25th Anniversary show.

Benchingko Films for Bench's 25th Anniversary

It was a film debut that got everyone talking after watching it last Friday, July 26 since it was a historic first. No it was not Queen Elizabeth’s cameo role in Oscar-winner director Danny Boyle’s film clip for the London Olympic 2012 Opening Ceremonies, who together with Daniel Craig as James Bond arrived via parachute onto the roof of the Olympic Stadium after jumping from a helicopter. People who attended the red carpet premiere of Benchingko Films in SM Mall Of Asia Centerstage guffawed and laughed out loud seeing Bench CEO Ben Chan on his first acting role as himself in “Bens 25” directed by Ianco Dela Cruz. Imagine seeing Ben Chan reveals the many side to his personality, 25 Ben Chans to be exact- one serious, the other “mataray”, another a bit skeptical- just to name a few. The film shows a humorous and candid peek at the many facets of the man behind the global fashion brand, seeing twenty-five Bens talking among themselves about the brand and how far it has come. “Bens 25” opened Benchingko Films and marks the first online short film initiative done by a retailer in the Philippines. The first batch to be released stars Lucy Torres-Gomez in “Star Teacher” directed by Marla Ancheta. It is a poignant travel documentary that brings her back to her beloved hometown, Ormoc, Piolo Pascual topbills Topel Lee’s “Perya”, a haunting love story set in the world where the grotesque and hideous is the norm. Lovi Poe takes on “Kama”- a three-part musical directed by Borgy Torre where the bed takes centerstage in different settings. Coco Martin plays Rogelio in “Horsepower” directed as well by Borgy Torre, a jeepney driver obsessed with speed and winning the prized horse trophy that would adorn his jeepney’s hood. Bella Flores, Philippine cinema’s quintessential kontrabida, plays herself as she reveals the secret of being the queen of mean via a wickedly step-by-step tutorial in “Kontrabida 101” directed by Jose Javier-Reyes. Ben Chan, together with Suyen Corporation’s Virgilio, Nenita, Brian and Kristine Lim, welcomed V.I.P. guests that came in spite of the inclement weather and heavy Friday traffic. Noel Manapat was seen hobnobbing with his collegeaus from advertising, industry stalwarts Melvin Mangada, Marci Reyes, Adobo Magazine’s Angel Guerrero, TBWA’s Tong Puno among others. Keren Pascual came with his ward Enchong Dee, together with good friends Leah Puyat and Marissa Lopa. Summit Publsihing’s Editorial Director Myrza Sison watched with husband Andrei, owner of Rain Tree Group that manages one of the best hotels in the world as declared by Travel + Leisure, the famed Discovery Shores in Boracay. “Be Bench Be Famous” reality star search winner Regine Angeles came with her new beau, Chef Victor Leano, who also won Century Tuna Bodies last 2011. Popular dermatologist, Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, who is heavy with their third child, came with husband Dr. Z Teo Designer Randy Ortiz came with hotelier Marco Protacio to support Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez, who is Randy’s muse. The Quizon siblings, film director/actor Eric Quizon, Epy Quizon, and their half-sister singer Zia Quizon, were ones of the early birds in the star-studded red carpet premiere. Other Bench brand ambassadors such as Shaina Magdayao, Jessy Mendiola, Enzo Pineda, Rocco Nacino, Benjamin Alves In the words of Bench founder and CEO Ben Chan: "Fashion keeps changing. Fashion is always evolving. Bench lasted this long because we figured out how to ride the waves of change. But movies and films are meant to last longer than fashion. Some are made to last forever. They make the foundation of a culture. The stay in people's minds and hearts. They become classics. It's the 25th anniversary of Bench, and this year we wanted to make something truly classic and ageless. So, we made these films. Movies are the backbone of Pinoy Pop Culture. " Ben also paid tribute to Philippine cinema’s King of Comedy, Dolphy, who would have been 84 that week. Creative, unconventional, funny, and moving, Benchingko Films are packed with a little bit of everything for everyone. True to its brand character, these films will surprise, mesmerize, perhaps even shock viewers, with genres so diverse ranging from documentary to musical to comedy. A Benchingko Films website that will house all films and make them available for online viewing will be launched soon. Benchingko Films is one of the many activities lined up this year as Bench celebrates its 25th year as Philippines’ leading fashion brand For more updates like Bench official Facebook page and follow @benchtm via Twitter. For more information about benchingko Films, visit www.benchtm.com/benchingko

Daphne Home Scents Out In The Market

I moved to the suburbs 4 years ago to escape the concrete jungle of Makati and be nearer to nature, and guess what, I found this ideal place 20 minutes from the Makati Central Business Disrtrict and yet feel so provencal, with all the open spaces planted with mango trees and fresh air all around somewhere in Laguna/Muntinlupa boundary. What I did not foresee was that the newfound place comes with a catch, next to the village is a piggery. Even if the owner of the stud farm surrounded his property with a thousand trees, the stench still permeates the perimeter of the piggery. I had two choices, to get an airconditioner (not environment-friendly) or get a powerful odor remover (my neighbors planted camellia to mask but that shrub does not bloom 365 days a week right?), and artificial air fresheners might do more harm than good, financially speaking as well as health-wise. Last Friday, I was invented for an afternoon tea for the launch Daphne Osena-Paez furniture line for Dimensione and Daphne Home Scents for Bench. Upon arriving in Dimensione in Bonifacio High Street, a very relaxing feel greeted me, seeing the lovely people from Suyen Corporation, and I took my seat up front. I had a feeling that this launch would be very intimate given that there were a few tables and the venue was held at the 2nd floor display area of Dimensione. When I took a bathroom break, upon stepping inside the men’s room, I was greeted by a relaxing scent. When I checked around, I saw a bottle of Daphne Home Scents by the sink, the variant says Lavender, so I made a mental note to buy after the event since it really smell good. When I returned to my table, the press launch was almost starting, and when Raymond Guiterrez, the host for the afternoon tea event introduced Daphne Osena-Paez, everybody snickered when it was mentioned that she could be the “Martha Stewart” of the Philippines (oh well, I guess we all knew that Martha had her day in the court and served her criminal sentence for insider trading a few years back). Daphne can’t help but gush over the preparations of Bench for their 1st ever collaboration, from the tale settings to the spread by Bizu and everything in between. Daphne Oseña-Paez, who cut her teeth on lifestyle shows with a focus on design, home and architecture, is putting theory to practice with her eponymous furniture label, now available at Dimensione, and line of home fragrances for Bench. “Because of my show Urban Zone's influence, I was given opportunities to create products for the home,” Daphne says. “I set up Daphne as an independent brand that addressed the need for stylish, good quality, and affordable pieces for the home.” Her first piece, which debuts at Dimensione, is a range of chairs fashioned from farmed mahogany wood. “My signature piece, the Daphne chair, is playful and a bit feminine,” she explains. “Nostalgia is a big part of my collection.” Available in purples, oranges, reds and yellows — inspired by her kids' love for ice cream — the chairs are whimsical yet rooted in practicality. “I wanted something reminiscent of the prettiness of childhood,” Daphne adds. “I'm pleasantly surprised that it has turned into something like a ‘must have for every girl.’” Handmade by an export-accredited award-winning furniture manufacturer, the chairs may look delicate but they are designed to last. “And the beauty of this piece is that it works in any kind of environment,” she points out. “I've seen it best in an ultra modern, minimalist home. It stood out like sculpture. I've seen it in a small coffee shop used as regular chairs.” Her home fragrance line, a trio of scents now available at Bench, is another aspect of home design she wanted to conquer. “I believe that home fragrances are just as important as personal scents,” she says. “It is the final touch in creating a well-dressed home.” “For as long as I could remember I always had room scents — whether it was candles, sprays, sachets or drawer liners. I want my home always smelling fresh and clean. I would tell these stories frequently on my blog Daphne.ph.” The resulting trio reflects these sensibilities. “I wanted the fragrance line to reflect different moods. When I was creating this with the Bench team, I was imagining actual rooms. I took inspiration from food, travel and colors.” Mint Jasmine Infusion is a mix of floral and mint, inspired by an outdoor kitchen in Tuscany. Homemade Lemon Tart is reminiscent of freshly-baked pie, a universal scent designed to appeal to all ages and lifestyles. Acres of Lavender, which aids in sleep, is woodsy, soothing and relaxing. “Fragrance can define the purpose of a room,” she adds. “It sets the mood: relaxing, refreshing, comfortable, welcoming. It's the final touch. The best accessory for a well-dressed home.” “I practice my love for design in my everyday life,” Daphne observes. “Now I'm happy that Daphne Furniture has found a new home in Dimensione and Daphne Home Fragrances for Bench.” Daphne Home Scents retail at Php348.00 each and is available at Dimensione stores and selected Bench stores nationwide.

How Joe Jonas came, saw and conquered Manila for Bench

The activities last week were dizzying, there was the CJ impeachment trial, the American Idol Season 11 finale, and the visit of a true Hollywood royalty. The lunch at Rizal ballroom of Makati Shangri-La for Joe Jonas’ formal introduction as Bench brand spokesperson was an event not to be missed. With my Detail magazine issue dated April 2011 with Joe Jonas as cover, I headed to the event hoping to see the 1/3 of the famous Jonas brothers, and I was not disappointed. Once he came on stage wearing his “It’s More Fun In Bench” (an offshoot from DOT’s “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” campaign), all hell broke loose, young girls shrieking, guests standing from their tables, everyone angling for a good photo or video of Joe Jonas. At 22 years old, Joe shed his teen heartthrob image (anyone who remember “Camp Rock”?) and transformed into a mature solo artist late last year with the debut of his album "Fastlife." The album was inspired by Joe's increasing interest in club culture, coming of age, pursuing new things, and learning to take risks. Fans will see a new side of Joe in his solo album which shows a sharp contrast to the music he did with his siblings Kevin and Nick. He took a break from pop-rock rifts and turned to club music ¬– a fusion of Pop, Dance, Hip-Hop, Techno and House. He collaborated with top hit-making producers Danja (Britney Spears, Madonna) and Rob Knox (Leona Lewis, Rihanna) to produce a sound uniquely his. “I wanted to make this album something a club DJ would listen to,” says Jonas. The tracks in the album carry unique sounds that uplift and energize listeners with a fun club vibe. Rhythmic ballads such as "I'm Sorry" and "See No More" are also included–containing dramatic melodies that showcase Joe's powerful

soaring voice. Famous for its global quality and stylish clothing Bench has been aligning itself with local and international artists who not only excel in their fields of expertise but are style ambassadors as well. In celebration of its 25th year, Bench's Ageless 25th anniversary campaign aims to transcend and dissolve all limits, borders, stereotypes and conventions, by collaborating with multi-talented artists from all around the world. Joe Jonas captures the Ageless Bench spirit because of his energy and global talent. Like Bench, he epitomizes the synergy of talent and style. He is a prominent style icon who has caught the eyes of influential designers the world over. Armed with a more mature cut and a bit of sexy scruff Joe is climbing the ranks of Hollywood's young A-list and is emerging as a sleek man with a sharper edge and sophisticated tastes. A major evidence of his refined style and growing fondness for fashion can be seen during last year's New York Fashion Week where he sported a sleek suit ensemble by young British designer Simon Spurr, earning him style point praises from designers the world over. For more updates don't forget to like Bench's official Facebook page and follow @benchtm via Twitter.

Happy 2011!!!

New year, new beginning. It’s really a cliché, why wait for the New Year to change oneself when we have 365 days in a year to adopt small things to better change ourselves. Wait, why change in the 1st place? Does that mean something is wrong? Defective? Not working? We are trained to see ourselves vis-à-vis the general population, our ego needs to be brushed by our peers, thus the popularity of Facebook and the ultimate demise of Friendster. In the old Friendster, you can’t tag your photos or do daily status updates, a way that made Facebook very cool. Imagine, now you can shout to the whole digital world the places you’ve been, the friends you have, the things you have, how’s that for bragging rights?

It’s been a while since I wrote down something on this blog; blame it to the pressure to churn out articles when I was writing for 2 daily broadsheets. Make that past tense, was, since I think I have given up on writing, or maybe the editors have given up on me. Whatever the case, writing is something that one can do anywhere, something similar to prayers. I was lucky I was given the chance to write in dailies, it was financially and creatively rewarding. I have a compilation of all my past articles, and sometimes I can’t help but feel bad for some bad writing of mine. I have no one to blame but my self, churning out articles in less than 10 minutes.

So today, I am resurrecting this blog and write stuff that interests me on a daily basis. I said that I would stuff doing Facebook, such as waste of time actually, and instead, will use my time in more noteworthy endeavors I missed, like reading, watching movies, running, talking long walks, traveling.

Everyone is saying that 2011 is my year, given that I was born under the Year of the Ox, and with the changing of the calendar from Tiger to Rabbit, I can’t hardly wait. Let’ see what this year holds for me

A tale of 2 seaside retreats

JUST LIKE A SIREN SONG, seaside living is tempting. Who would ever say no to the sound of trees swaying to the sea breeze while sipping a cold beer or cocktail and lounging in a hammock? The idea itself is enough to lull tired souls to sleep on lazy afternoons.

Landco, the purveyor of high leisure living for the past 20 years through notable seaside getaways such as Peninsula de Punta Fuego, is again pushing the envelope. Recently, Inquirer Lifestyle visited its two new developments, Playa Calatagan and The Peak at Terrazas de Punta Fuego.

Calatagan conjures images of polo players in the expansive fields of Punta Baluarte. When industrialist Enrique Zobel (“Enzo”) developed Calatagan as his playground and breeding ground for his thoroughbreds, the sleepy coastal Batangas town facing the South China Sea became an Old Boys’ Club and the upper crust started building weekend houses there.

Lately, marketing pundits have used “leisure tourism” as buzzword to push beach-side developments. Landco saw the laid-back and Old World charm of the area. It is now offering Playa Calatagan, which aims to provide recreational adventures for homeowners and tourists alike: It seeks to put up hotels, shopping centers and restaurants that provide convenience and endless options for residents and vacationers.

The main beach clubhouse is situated next to Playa Calatagan’s famous coastline dotted with overgrown Talisay trees. One can enjoy swimming or relaxing at the pool cabanas.

Playa Calatagan is also putting up an amphitheater park, a bamboo park, a hilltop clubhouse and a central park. And for those planning to build the perfect beach house, there will be Asian tropical-inspired homes that complement the natural, rustic atmosphere.

The model unit lets the sunshine in and has a view of South China Sea. (Big picture windows double as slide doors.)

The living room has cathedral ceiling for that airy effect. The living room is surrounded with infinity ponds filled with lotus and carp.

The open floor plan connects the living room to the dining area and kitchen, and more space for entertaining. The dining room extends to a pocket garden and a reflection pool that is also an infinity-edge pool.

A small powder room is at the stair landing. It leads to the second floor, where the private areas of the house are—a master bedroom and a guest room plus a family living area and the veranda.

The bedrooms have native decor, from bamboo stilts as overheard décor to capiz doors as dividers and wooden four-post bed.

The bathrooms have rain shower heads, bamboo, potted plants, and natural daylight coming in.

Retreat in style

Now that Peninsula de Punta Fuego has become Landco’s flagship high-end development in Batangas, the company has developed seaside residential enclaves in Nasugbu, from Terrazas de Punta Fuego to The Peak and The Ridge.

The view from the house is breathtaking—mountain ranges on one end, the South China Sea on the other, and farmlands and salt marshes in between.

The house adapts to the natural contour of sloping mountain terrain, and an open layout and extensive use of glass panels allow the mountain and sea to be viewed from every part of the house.

Intended to look like a small Asian tropical bungalow, the building is a three-level house with a loft. The 318-sq m layout is creatively done, with stairs leading to the lower level where the main part of the house is located.

The living room is designed to look and feel like an island, connected to the main house by a small concrete bridge over two small ponds. Glass doors and windows providing a 180-degree view of the mountains and the sea wrap around the living area.

The conjoined kitchen and dining area has a spectacular view of the rolling hills of Nasugbu.

The den is a small multipurpose area, which can be quickly transformed into a guest room.

At the ground level is the master’s bedroom with a pocket garden and view of the small pool below.

The showpiece of the master’s bedroom is the wooden bed, placed right at the center of the room overlooking the mountains.

Landco is celebrating its 20th year as premier developer of Playa Calatagan and Terrazas de Punta Fuego’s The Peak and The Ridge.

For details, call +632-8365000 or visit www.landco.ph.

Your guide to the next best thing in bazaars

FOUR months to go and Father Christmas is just about here. Greenhills Shopping Complex’s COD Christmas display is almost done, while Makati has started its dry run for the annual Christmas spectacle along Ayala Avenue.

If Christmas is near, expect the bazaars to take up most of our weekends to complete our list of holiday gifts. As early as August, groups such as Zonta Club of Makati headed by Olga Martel held a weekend bazaar at Rockwell Tent.

Bazaars are actually hotbeds for the next best thing. Entrepreneurs utilize bazaars to market-test their products.

Who will ever forget the success stories of Blued, a college project by trailblazing Ateneans led by Tess Manimtim? What started as a college exhibit called Bluemark became a household name, thanks to the brand’s preppy dose of colorful windbreakers, paisley-printed hooded shirts and cotton boxer shorts. From college bazaars to stand-alone store in the old Glorietta 2 that opened in 1992, Blued became a benchmark of bazaar success stories.

Candles and more

Recently, I did a visit of bazaars and listed possible Christmas gifts.

For candle lovers, Pont A La Ligne, Gien France and Deco Candles are brands meant for export to Europe. They are made at the Export Processing Zone in Rosario, Cavite. Nautical-inspired candles ranging from corals to clams will definitely look good on dinner tables or in one’s private study.

For bag hags, Bags in the City sells everything from magnetic money clips to totes to accessories organizers, while Lulu Virata Jorge’s 1203 Exchange Limited sells trinkets and colorful faux croc-skin minaudieres, perfect for ladies who love to smooch come cocktail hours.

For bazaar veteran Jocelyn Ramos, her Multi-realms Enterprises sell Pucci-printed shirtdresses and clothes fresh from the runway. She faithfully scours fashion magazines for fashion inspirations that will catch the eye of discerning bazaar-goers.

Meanwhile, Vella offers leathergoods from tissue holders, cardholders to notepads. Imagine checking in at Immigration counter using a Vella travel wallet that carries your passport in style.

Everywhere you look – hotels, country clubs, even vacant lots –
a bazaar is happening these days, and it’s still 15 weeks before Christmas. As the world limps out of recession (hopefully) before 2010, let us spread the joy of the holidays by bazaar-shopping.

Thanks for Chikka..

The sunset pictured above was from Baguio. It was the first time I appreciated this scenery despite the many times I have been up there. Maybe I am to busy shopping or the place was too foggy to notice it. I took this one from the Baguio Cathedral deck.

I used to remember, whenever my Globe postpaid line was disconnected, i panicked a lot, that was before, when I had friends and a lovelife, but now, both of them are non-existent, so when Globe disconnected by line, I took it in stride, no need to rush to the nearest business center to have it connected, what the heck, I am not expecting anything important, no calls that I have to place, to messages that I have to send. Thank God for Chikka, at least I get to reply once in a while to some messages, like clients from eBay, or from some people that have decided to text me.

Despite the absence of a working phone line and a permanent residential or office address, I had business cards that were printed just in time for an all important PR briefing/bidding for a Swiss multinational, and it dawned on me that after attending biddings for this client, I just realized that in this business, talent is irrelevant, it is all about timing, not mine nor anyone's else, but God's. If this project is really meant for me, then by all means, I will get this. As I was reading Deepak Chopra's book, he mentioned about the "Law Of Least Effort", which is really the way I should look at things. He specifically made an example wherein one is trying hard to recall something, and no matter how hard we try to remember it ( as they say, "it was on the tip of my tongue..."), when you totally let go of that matter, after a few second without really trying to remember it, then, you will just remember it. That's a perfect example of that law. So I will try to always live by that maxim, i won't put any effort on anything, period. I will put a lot of efforts though in praying and hearing masses, imagine, I even pray that the Lord make me invisible, at least from the building owners, so that they won't notice that i haven't replied to their demand letters or eviction notices, Har!Har! Har! Sometimes, I do pray for the wrong things, so I get them faster, be really careful with what you wish for, for you just might get it, as the adage goes.

While I am still on the topic of remembering, please do check out the latest copy of Time Magazine about the Heroes Of The Environment, a pinoy made it on the list, hooray!!! And check out the last page write up about social networking. The writer succintly defined what I am trying to say. This social networking is really a crap, I don't even see who invented it, I have a Friendster, Facebook, Blogspot, Multiply, Flixster, YouTube, X-Tube, and what-have-you accounts, and yet, not a single friend from these sites do call or text me, hahaha! with the exception of a few friends.

Thank God for Chikka, again, Dennis Mendiola, you are God-sent! Now I have to get my Globe reconnected, and that will be another story, for now, will wait for some stuff to be sold on eBay. My life has become a big sob story, and when the end comes, I will give the author of The Secret a run for their money, because it will be great!!!

Ground Zero Glorietta 2

A picture perfect photo of Glorietta 2 which I found in my files. I held the launch of Dwayne Wade shoes in this site last Nov. 3, 2005 which coincided with the global launch. I took care of everything, from planning, leading, organizing and control, and I must say I was pleased with the result. Tessa Valdes-Prieto hosted the event which was directed by uber-nice Jackie Aquino. Collections by Randy Ortiz, Tonichi Nocom, Vittorio Barba, JC Buendia and Kate Torralba were presented, and I asked them to design their own versions of the iconic Chuck Taylor to which they came produced beautiful renditions. James Yap was present as the image model for the brand and i asked the basketball varsity team of University Of Asia & The Pacific to be his background support. Aimee Marcos, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzales came, as well as Town & Country editors Monique Villonco and Mia Borromeo, FHM's Ana Kalaw, Mega's Vicky Tensuan, and host of other writers. Coca Cola Tigers, Sta. Lucia and Red Bull players such as Billy Mamaril, Nelbert Omolon, Warren Ybanez as well as Coach Eric Altamirano came. College basketball players of UST such as Dylan Ababou and College Of St. Benilde's Paolo Orbeta also dropped by.

I can't believe that investigators are pinpointing that the source of the blast could be an accident, a deadly mixture of methane gas and diesel which emanated from the sewerage located at the basement of the mall. The huge crater at the center of the site and the destruction all the way to the third level that blew the glass dome is a sad reminder that anything can happen to anyone. So far, 11 people have died from the blast which hit the mall during the Friday lunch rush hour. I am thankful that I was not there, to think I live around 500 meters from the site and I usually pass by that entrance lobby since a booksale is always held at the atrium. Also, it sits beside Goldcrest, another favorite hangout of mine for bargains. Sometimes, the Lord will really make me blessed despite the odds, He made sure I was hearing mass in Sacred Heart when the blast happened, which I dutifully do everyday. There are times I wanted Him to take me but it seems He has bigger plans for me. I am very thankful for the daily blessings He has bestowed upon me.

Silence...

There was silence. I decided not to blog for months. I felt that people were just looking at my blogs and they did not care if I was still surviving. Some were mocking me, as if I was a leper that was an outcast because I have nothing. I have learned to count my blessings rather than dwell on my misfortunes. By this time, I have known true friends from fake ones. I have become more prayerful, praying for others especially those who are against me. I guess friendship nowadays has become so lax, in this time and age, people won't bother to call you or text you to find out how are you faring, if you have eaten, if you have moved. Well, life is too short and I have decided to make this one be my signature life. I am young, beautiful, smart, and that was Ugly Betty's signature line. Please check out my photoblog at www.jakedeleonramirez.multiply.com

Lucky threesome..

And there was 3. I decided to get a new puppy since I heard that having even and not odd numbers as pets is very unlucky. I need to break the series of unfortunate events in my life. I am already on my 23rd week of hearing mass daily, and it has done wonders. I just received a call that I won P30,000 in cold cash from a promo, not bad. I am a sucker for raffles, and I have joined a lot. The most I got was a rice cooker which I never get to claim, I won an electric fan from a rigged office raffle, and won a gift certificate or two. Due to my addiction to raffle and shopping, which is a bad combination, I raked my credit card usage just to earn points and join in Mastercard or Visa raffle. I already got an overnight stay from Oakwood Hotel due to high points from Ayala Discount Plus. Even if I don’t smoke Philip Morris or Hope, I made sure that I get from the trash bin or from the “takatak’ boys (medicant cigarette vendors) the empty packs. Name it, I have joined it, Myra E Blooming Everyday, Halls Pera Sa Wrapper, La-Cash Tama Extra Joss, BIR’s Pera Sa Resibo, the daily lottery. Out of compulsion, I always place a bet under “lucky pick”, so far, I have won 4 numbers out of 6 combinations, to think the factorial is 1 out of 42 million, 45 million or 49 million, depending whether it is 6/42, 6/45 or 6/49, and I don’t even check out the results religiously, maybe I have won already millions and PCSO just kept my winnings since I didn’t claim the pot prize.

Well, I have named the 3rd dog Alberta, she is a mongrel I bought along Session Road for P500, not bad to think I won P30,000 with just an envelope and empty Myra E packs as capital. The luck continues…

Hermes Shoulder Birkin JPG 42 cms. Found!

NEWS!!!

Lindsay Lohan has pricey bag stolen!

Lindsay Lohan had a pretty bad day yesterday. She had her orange Hermès Birkin bag stolen at Heathrow Airport in London. Now ordinarily just losing a bag worth almost $10,000 would be bad enough, but she apparently had contents inside, including "a quantity of jewelry," valued at upwards of $1 million (!). Lindsay's rep, Leslie Sloane, says Lindsay is extremely upset about the loss. "She is begging for the return of the items," Sloane says. "She doesn't care how she gets them back, she just wants her stuff back." Yeah, good luck with that.

Update: Wow. A paparazzo helped locate Lindsay's bag, apparently with everything still inside. Lindsay's attorney said, "Lindsay wants to say a massive thank you to Mr. Paparazzi Darryn Lyons for handing back her bag to her today after his paparazzi film crew helped catch the thief and return her belongings. "She feels that maybe justice has been served, and karma may have played a role in the return of her bag today given that the paparazzi are usually a pest to her and today they have been a Godsend."

Hermes’ new designer Jean Paul Gaultier on the helm has redesigned the infamous ‘Birkin’ bag for spring/summer ‘05. This is no small innovation, given that the original is in such demand that there is a wait to get on the waiting list. But JPG’s changes work — now you can actually get the bag over your shoulder. Due to its shortened height, the bag seems as long as an eighteen wheeler semi! Like Luella with her Baby Gisele, the logic step to an already successful handbag was to adding a shoulder design and appeal to a wider audience. Among the large variety of carry-alls that we’ve seen, this new shoulder Birkin sure is in contention for the throne. So damned appealing! As shown on the right in the new “pumpkin orange” shade, the bag will go for £4,000 (~$7,500). Stores around the globe hesitated with the large orders for the bag, unsure about how the new low profile would appeal to the customer base. In addition, a limited production is running on these treasures as well. Hence, the new Hermes Shoulder Birkins are even more scarce than the legendary regular Birkins.

And lucky me!!! I got a Birkin Shoulder JPG in tan, if interested to buy, please let me know, let's work it out.

Cosmopolitan Bachelor Bash 2007

The annual beefcake fest dubbed as “Cosmopilitan Bachelor Bash” was again, a success. Cosmopolitan Philippines, who recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary in the country, and Saga Productions, pulled all the stop to mount 2007 Cosmopolitan 69 at NBC Tent in The Fort. This year’s theme is a ripped off from “Lost” and “Survivor”, wherein an airplane full of hunks crashed and the survivors got stranded in the island, with the audience, of course! A pleasant flight attendant voice continuously spoke on the start of the show mentioning the sponsors over and over again, and let me do that for you, “Air Cosmopolitan 69 Flight is brought to you by Premiere Condoms, Guess, Moschino Funny, Artic Vodka, Samsung and Caronia”. The stage was designed as a jungle, and all hell break loose when the boys started parading onstage, girls and gays alike screamed on top of their voice, they cajoled the boys to show more skin, and boy! These boys were pros, they titillated the crowd as if they were just wearing their Moschino scent, nothing else.

Previous awardees such as Richard Gutierriez, Jericho Rosales, Dennis Trillo, Marco Alcaraz, Zanjoe Marudo, and host of others became bigger star afterwards. This year’s awardees, as voted thru texting, were Dingdong Dantes, Jake Cuenca, Alfred Vargas, Derek Ramsey, Paolo Paraiso, Joem Bascon, Jon Avila (formerly Mullaly), Marvin Raymundo (formerly Wijangco) and Luke Jickain. Fortunately, the girlfriends of the awardees such as Karylle and Angelika Panganiban were not around, or they will go home with bragging rights that they got the best specimen of Pinoy manhood, as proven by the endless shrieks of girls and fags that night. Only Mylene Dizon was around to lend support to the father of her son Tomas, Paolo Paraiso. Tickets were so hard to procur as if it’s a holy grail, again, thanks to Nelson Canlas of GMA 7 for getting me in to the VIP area. I bumped into former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief who’s now at the helm of Marie Claire Philippines, Myrza Sison, who started this search in the country. Her successor, Ianne Evangelista, resigned already to raise a family of her own, and the acting Editor-In-Chief, Zo Aguila, was my Boracay buddy when we took the ro-ro going to the island in June 2002 and stayed for 4 days with a storm raging, and how I wish the fabulous 69 bachelor hunks were with us that time. Well, too late for wishes, they still come true, at least for this year’s Cosmo Bash, heavy rains poured outside NBC Tent after the show, so we got stranded with the boys.

Goodbye Marc Jacobs! Hello Junya Watanabe!!!

Poverty is a curse, and I am poor as a rat. It was like a bitter pill that I had to swallow, to kiss my Marc Jacobs leather shoes goodbye. Someone bought it on eBay for a song, and it was a tough decision for me to let it go. Marc Jacobs, the sitting Creative Director for Louis Vuitton and fashion's "wonder boy", has been consistently serving highly-successful collections every Fashion Week, whether for LV or for his own lines, Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

To console myself, I have to make it up by keeping my Comme Des Garcons by Junya Watanabe. Comme, dubbed as "Hiroshima Chic" and founded by designer Rei Kawakubo in 1973, was among the avant-garde japanese to introduce black as an everday fashion staple. Her much-feted protege, Junya Watanabe, joined Comme Des Garcons in 1984 as a pattern cutter. He presented his first solo collection in 1993 at Paris Fashion Week. and despite the wealth of creativity on display, Watanabe's clothes were a response to more fundamental issues: a practical answer to prevailing conditions and lifestyles. Junya Watanabe is one of the celebrated designers in Paris fashion.

To be fashionable and poor, what a predicament.

Kiehl's Greenbelt 5

At long last, one of the most awaited and highly anticipated brands in the history of cosmetics will be finally arriving on Philippine shores. Kiehl’s since 1851 will be in October 2007 at Greenbelt 5. Founded as an old world apothecary in New York’s East Village over 150 years ago, the brand is going strong as it steadily expands around the globe. As it launches simultaneously in Malaysia and Thailand, Kiehl’s will have its 40 sqm. maiden store at the ground floor drop off area of the soon-to-open Greenbelt 5. Celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes love their Crème with Silk Groom (SRP: P1,175.00), Mischa Barton favors the Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion (SRP: P700.00 for 4.2 oz.), Amino Acid Shampoo (SRP: P750.00 for 4.2 oz.) is Kirsten Dunst’s fave, while me and Julia Roberts can’t live without our Lip Balm # 1 (SRP: P450.00 for . 5 oz.)

The soft launch was held in the lobby of Greenbelt 3 with Shu Uemura’s Tina Tinio in attendance, who is now based in Singapore, and Kiehl’s product manager in the Philippines, Sheena Dy. We savored hotdogs from Muscle Beach, ice cream from Haagen-Dazs, and popcorn from Chimera. Beauty editors and leading editors-in-chief such as Lorraine Belmonte of Mega, Sari Yap of Lifestyle Asia and Myrza Sison of Marie Claire Philippines were in attendance. We were treated with samples of Kiehl’s Facial Fuel and Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion. Receptionists started taking our orders, in a form of prscriptions, as we enter the event. The items will be picked up once the store opens this October. I can’t hardly wait for my orders. Thanks to Tina Daniac, who designed Tina Tinio’s handpainted dress for the launch, and she decided to tag me along.

On hindsight, I even attended the FGD (focus group discussion) for Kiehl’s back in 2004. I got free L’Oreal items after attending it. Kiehl’s is the sister brand of L’Oreal and Shu Uemura worldwide.

The "It" Bag

While watching one of the episodes of “Ugly Betty”, I cried a bucket. The topic was fashion, and how it was good for one’s soul. The bone of contention between Betty and her conscience was about a Gucci bag. It was deemed as the “it” bag of the moment, and everyone at her office wanted to have it from the “sale”. The wardrobe keeper, who happens to be Betty’s friend, reserved it especially for her. When Betty finally received it, it brought back memories of her mother, who gave her a handbag similar to the Gucci one. As mentioned by her sister, it sealed Betty’s position as their mother’s favorite daughter. The sad part came when Betty had to part with the Gucci bag to buy important medicines for her dad since the neighborhood drugstore won’t let them use a credit line anymore. Betty used the bag as “pawn” and exchanged the bag for medicines. And along the way, she bought a fake one to sell to Mark, the gay officemate who wanted it so badly, and she bought one herself as well as to not disappoint the wardrobe mistress about letting go of the “it” bag. Eventually, the wardrobe assistant noticed that Betty was not carrying the genuine article, and Betty was forced to confess about her predicament.

This particular episode tugged a special chord in my heart. Yes, I cried a river, about Betty’s financial woes and my own. That I had to part with my “it” bags as well, my beloved “babies”, because I have to survive. Friends won’t lend me money anymore, and the way Betty can’t buy medicines for her dad, I can’t anymore pay my mortgages. I had to kiss them goodbye, under the positive impression that I will one day earn money to buy them again.

Recently, I got myself a Tod’s “it” bag, an authentic one, from a thrift store./. And I am embarrassed that why bags such as this Tod’s affected thousand of girls one way or the other. Fashion is really good for one’s soul, it uplifts them when things are not going well. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the inventor of “poor chic”, lifted the spirits of women who just emerged with the bitter remnants of second World War, and gave them jersey knit, usually reserved for men’s underwear, because raw materials were still in short supply. To Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, and a host of other great designers, thank you so much for feeding our souls.

Persevere in running the race..

Hebrews 12:1-4

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction from evil people, and you will not be discouraged or grow weary. Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin?"

Lately, I have been reading passages from Bible, especially from the Hebrews. It is all about faith and about perseverance. I can't help it. I only have now faith to keep me running, I have lost a lot of so-called friends. And I am bitter about the series of unfortunate events that have taken place in my life.

Sometimes, people will kill your spirit with their words or actions. It is all about letting them pass unnoticed for they will just weigh you down. Most of the times, what other people will pass on as truth will stop us from doing things. Fear is something that is all in the mind. Fear will stop as from doing things. Today, I have found it out myself. I am a fearless person, quite independent, and as much as possible, try to find things out of my own. However, at times, I don’t know if its plain stupidity that I rely on others. They say no man is an island, that we need others to survive. This led to my own downfall. I relied on others lately, thus losing my own identity. Prior to meeting these people, I was on my own, I lasted 7 years without them around, some of them I don’t even know. You hear phrases such as “Jake, it is not that easy, you need capital”, “Jake, to set up a company requires logistics”, and such. Getting a DTI Business Permit took me 3 hours to get, from application to releasing of the papers. I should have done it before, on my own. I should not have relied on business partners who just took my earnings, prospective partners that even asked for my birth signs and yet, I have never seen them again. Another even suggested a glitzy business address such as Makati ShangriLa, and yet, after 6 months, it never materialized. I guess It can make it on my own, the way I survived without these people. My name and my talents are my proprietary trademarks, God gave me a purpose, and I am thankful that despite the setbacks, I have learned everything out of His own goodness. Now, I have to do everything on my own. I tried asking for help from these so-called friends, and it went unheeded and fell on deaf ears. As they say, “Charity delayed is charity denied”. As they say, “Treat anyone with kindness, even those who are rude to you, not because they are not good, but because you are good”. And I am so fucking good, that is beyond dispute. Enough said.

Abraham's Faith

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen. 
Because of it the ancients were well attested.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 
By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and maker is God. 
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was
trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Seaside musings

The storm has passed. It is all quiet and peaceful. After hearing mass at Saint Jude, I decided to hang out at Starbucks by the bay. Looking at Manila Yatch Club from afar as well as the Manila Bay skyline, I can’t help but fall in love with the City Of Man, as addressed by then Metro Manila Governor Imelda Marcos. A lot has changed, with only 3 skyscrapers jostling from the view in the ‘90s, the Manila Diamond Hotel, Silahis Hotel and Ramon Magsaysay Center, Roxas Boulevard is now peppered with a score of high-rise buildings.

I started my professional career in ’93 when I was employed by J. Walter Thompson’s sister company, Lexington/Hill & Knowlton PR. I took my summer practicum a year before that at J. Walter Thompson as well. Our office then was in Ramon Magsaysay Center and it was facing the sea. Cigarette breaks were consumed at the ground floor of the white granite building. I felt so powerful back then, with an office building that reminded me of Rockefeller in New York, and an above-average compensation. My starting salary back then was double as to what my classmates were receiving. I was handling blue chip accounts such as Boeing, Chase Manhattan, Pepsi Cola, AT & T, and HBO Asia, who was being introduced back then since cable was a growing market. After the fall of EDSA, the uppercrust was receiving feed from the US bases thru UHF or FEN, and cable was never heard of. Lexington was really a small office, we occupied barely 1/8 of an entire floor, maybe around 100 square meter. My boss then was an ex-seminarian and an old bachelor who took a liking of me and decided to make me his protégé. Everyday, we ate out of the office, and I did the rounds of popular places, Café Adriatico, Manila Hotel, Bistro Remedios, Tonette’s, the Lobby and Island Café of then newly-opened ShangriLa Makati, the Lobby of Manila Peninsula. Nights were spent drinking at Conway’s, SkyLounge of Diamond Hotel. Then my boss got a call from a headhunter and he eventually left me for another job, with a promise that I will join him in a month’s time.

After my short stint as a writer, media relations manager and account person with Lexington, my former boss brought me to Caltex Philippines. I was placed under the Office Of The President and was in charge of Corporate Communications. From Ramon Magsaysay, I was hoarded into the new and spanking building called 6750 Ayala Avenue. The future looked so bright, I received an offer that was unheard of for someone who was barely in his 20s. I was offered P10,000 when the going rate then was P3,500. I was 19 and on top of my game, working with a Fortune 500 company. I aced the necessary exams that lasted for 4 hours for the job, and the testing center even added a note that I was highly recommended for the position. Friends were joking, now I am “Miss Caltex”, in allusion to the popular beauty search in the 70s producing the likes of Maggie Dela Riva. I started my driving lessons earlier when I was still with Lexington since a car plan was in the offing. I did drive my boss around in his company car and I get to bring it home afterwards. It was a Sentra Saloon in pearlized blue, I wanted mine to be moss green.

Then I fell in love. I met someone, a bisexual flight steward from Philippine Airlines. On the night of our first chance encounter in Malate, I felt he was the one. He was 10 years my senior, a goodlooking man by the name of Jay, a deadringer for Bong Revilla with a gorgeous body to boot. The first date ended up in bed, and it was decided there after that we become an item. I moved in with him in Quezon City and basically, it was my first taste of a working relationship. He was out of the country most of the time, and when he was in town, I was his girl Friday. I cooked for him and his family, washed his clothes, ironed his uniform, and kept the house clean. I became domesticated. It made a toll on my professional life. My boss started noticing that I stopped joining him on his after office drinking session as well as his weekend malling, and stopped being his personal driver. I was usually with my new boyfriend, he usually picks me up after work and we usually spend our weekends in his house in Pampanga.

One day, I received my pink slip and when I asked Caltex HR about the real scenario, I was told that as a probationary employee, their hands were tied since my boss instructed them to terminate me. I felt furious and realized that my boss was a closet homosexual after all. He took everything personally, and on my part, I was guilty of getting the freebies without thinking about the consequences. How one can explain the free lunches and dinners, the high salary offer, the free shopping trips, the occasional cash dole outs. I started suspecting about the nature of the relationship when we shared hotel rooms on out-of-town business trips. At first, it was OK with me given the rationale that maybe, it was cost-efficiency he was after. We used to visit Cebu Plaza Hotel when we were working under Lexington since it was our account. Then Caltex came, one time, a trip to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte for the Good Roots project, I insisted on a separate room in Fort Ilocandia for which he felt slighted. Given the fact that Caltex was wallowing in cash courtesy of the daily spike in gas prices, I felt I deserved my own room. That was the start of a strained relationship. We did not speak to each other for 12 hours on our way back to Manila.

My personal life also took a dive. My flight attendant boyfriend told me he loved me, and yet, he wanted to take a breather. He felt that I was really young for him, and the 10 year age gap was too much too handle. He realized this four months after we became an item, how’s that for good slap. He said he will be gone for 3 weeks and taking a break in California. When he was on his way back, he sent me a message thru my pager (mobile phones were still a thing of the past then, we communicated with the preferred mode of technology, the beeper or pager, I had a Beeper 150 then, top of the line, alpha numeric 4-liner Motorola model, and I still remember my number, Beeper 150-311822), he asked me to meet him up at the airport tarmac. Since my boyfriend’s brother worked also with Philippine Airlines, he was able to whisk me all the way to the tube connecting the plane at the arrival area. Lo and behold, my boyfriend emerged with a Filipino actor whose sexuality was also under question. It was more than enough to break my young heart. We decided to call it quits and I fell into a depression.

After the premature departure from Caltex and a lovelife gone kaput, I was lucky enough to be hired after 2 weeks by my first advertising agency, Adformatix. I swallowed the bitter pill of adjusting my paycheck from P10,000 to P6,500, still high by industry standards. Adformatix was thee first office I felt home. The organization was basically Filipino, there was the patriarch, Mr. Guillermo T. Garcia, whom we all addressed as GTG. The mother hen was the head of HR, whom we fondly call “Mother”. I was given the account of MY San, makers of Skyflakes and Fita, as well as a start up Filipino personal care company called Splash. My first acid test came when Ruffa Guttierez was involved in an envelope-switching scandal called Manila FilmFest Scam, the now infamous Viveka Vavaji “Take It! Take It” blopper. We had to replace Ruffa as a brand endorser for Splash Extract Ace, her “Kutis Na Pang-Miss World” tagline needed replacement ASAP. Luckily, Charlene Gonzales just emerged as a finalist from Miss Universe held in Manila and she was tapped as the impromptu replacement. After haggling with her mother for the correct talent fee which ended up in seven figure as well since they found out that Ruffa was paid the same, we did a storyboard in a day, got an approval the next day from client, and shoot was scheduled the day after. It was what you call “one week” campaign, from storyboarding to the actual TV commercial. The day before the shoot, guess who was on the phone one early morning? It was Ruffa’s mother, Tita Annabel Rama hurling some unprintables at me. I just sat then at my desk and it was 8 in the morning when I was served with Tita Annabel’s wrath. I first heard “Dong” even before everybody heard about it and which became Tita Annabel’s claim-to-fame. Now, “Dong” delivered by Tita Annabel, with her thick Visayan accent that you could actually serve it as dessert, has invaded our living rooms with her own endorsements as well ranging from pain relievers to some baking brands. Now, she can hold a candle vis-à-vis the number of endorsements Ruffa or Richard or even husband Eddie is doing.

Charlene and I hit it off during the shoot. I met her days before and I made numerous trips to her mother’s house in New Manila for the contract signing and outfit measurements. She was really nice, and we bonded in the shoot that laster for 24 hour straight. She was dating back then Dodot Jaworski and that was one thing we had in common, basketball players. I took a liking with Dodot’s friend, Vince Hizon, and I tried to fish out information as much as I can. Charlene was also studying then in UST, my alma mater, where she was taking her pre-med course.

After the commercial aired with a new tagline, “Kutis Na Pang-Beauty Queen” (we decided that using Miss Universe was out of the question since the Philippines produced only 2 so far, Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, but has produced numerous beauty queens given the fact that the Philippines is dotted with a lot of beauty searches, thus the tagline is “campaignable” and could be used over and over again) and I had to personally deliver the tapes to ABS-CBN hours after it was dubbed for a Sunday airing in “Sa Linggo nAPO Sila”, the client from Splash decided to do a caravan in the Queen City Of The South, Cebu. Doc and Mrs. Hortaleza had one request, that I personally join Charlene in Cebu. Early on, my clients already noticed that I had my way with celebrities, that my gift of gab was working to their advantage. Off to Cebu then, we did everything in a day, took the first flight out and last flight back to Manila. Mommy Elvie joined us since she usually chaperoned Charlene anywhere. Charlene and I sat side by side in the plane as well as in the car in Cebu, taking the back seats of the Nissan Safari provided for us. She was really a darling to work with, and we did the usual caravan, standing at a back of a 10 wheeler truck and covering Metro Cebu, giving out samples and waving at the crowd. I felt like I was a beauty queen for a day as well, looking back at the photos, yes! Charlene and I had similarities, we could pass off as siblings, no kidding. I had a skin as flawless as hers, thanks to my early initiation of the 3 rules of skincare, “cleanse, tone and moisturize”, which I still adhere to until now. From using Eskinol when I was 9 years old ( thanks Ate Vi for endorsing the brand, the original Eskinol Girl who still look fabulous despite the age), I had no choice but to start using the challenger brand, Splash Extract Ace. On hindsight and as a piece of trivia, guess who endorsed Eskinol, no other than Mikee Cojuangco, who dated Aga Muhlach and is now Mrs. Dodot Jaworski and Charlene became Mrs. Aga Muhlach, as well know. That’s what we may call six degrees of separation, astringent-style.

Meeting Mikee Cojuangco was another story, and will tell you about it in another blog entry. Yes! I do write for a celebrity glossy called Star Studio Magazine for quite some time now and meeting stars have become a job. For my readers, I hope you let me indulge with my calling in life, to be a star, not a megastar, a star for all season, a superstar, a diamond star, but just as a star, maybe a Hollywood star. It is a pity I did not to get to meet Josh Hartnett when he was in Manila during the height of the storm, I dreamt about the day he will be town, and when he did come, I was penniless to buy a ticket to General Santos or Davao, and it was raining hard in Manila to do a stakeout at the international airport. The closest encounter for me with a Hollywood star was with Lea Salonga, Cesar Montano and Paolo Montelibano, who starred opposite Brandy in “Cinderella”. You may also include Iza Calzado, who will be doing the Hollywood remake of “Sigaw”, entitled “Echo”.

I hope Hollywood pays better than my previous jobs in the Philippines, if the time comes. For now, I will take in the view of the world-famous Manila Bay and inhale the seabreeze, it is good for one’s health.


Postscript: I was able to recover from the heartbreak from the first lovelife. I recently saw him in Greenbelt and I was aghast that he gained weight and looked older. Gone was the body I lusted for when he was 30, and in place was a protruding stomach and receding hairline. Yes! He has the most beautiful appendage I laid my eyes and lips upon and I let him be my first guest in the hallowed hallway of my behind, for which I really enjoyed on a daily basis. He told me after the breakup that just in case after 10 years and we bumped into each other, and if I still loved him, then that was a test of true love. Fat chance! I don’t do fat and old guys, and things have come full circle. Now that I am in my 30s, I date guys who are in their 20s and I still get the boot, not the other way. I cannot help but asked, where is justice? The only difference is that I now date straight guys for money (no, they don’t pay me, I pay them) and totally avoided bisexual or homosexual dates. I am just thankful that I still look mid-20s despite the fact that I am already mid-30s. If I could only bring back the hands of time, I should have never smoked, stayed late up to 6 am partying. Well, too late for regrets.

Oratio Imperata..

MANILA, Philippines -- In what may be a sign of answered prayers, a tropical depression hovering over the Pacific Ocean could enter the Philippine area of responsibility Monday and trigger downpours over Luzon and the Visayas in the coming days.
“There’s a high probability of it entering the Philippine area of responsibility within the next 24 hours,” weather forecaster Roberto Rivera said Sunday.
While it may not hit land, the weather disturbance that was spotted north of Guam may activate the southwest monsoon (habagat), a weather system that brings rains, according to Rivera.
“So maybe within the next two to three days, the habagat will induce light to moderate rains most likely in the western section of Luzon and the Visayas,” he said.
“As to whether it will help replenish the water supplies in dams, this will depend on the amount and duration (of the rains),” he said.
‘Oratio Imperata’
In the face of a water crisis in Luzon caused by the dry spell, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales exhorted the Catholic faithful on Friday to recite the “Oratio Imperata,” a prayer for rain.
The Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Metro Manila have been hit by a dry spell for two months now.
After two months of inadequate rain, the water in major dams in Luzon, including Angat in Bulacan province, has dipped to way below critical levels, threatening the water supply for domestic use and the irrigation of farms.

Postcript: Prayers are so powerful. After a week, 2 typhoons came and made it clear. When it rains, it pours. Be really careful with what you wish for, you might just get it.