Tala Manila presents Zacarias and dotcomme in a three-day pop up event on August 14-16, 2015.
Zararias is a handbag line created by Rita Nazareno that combines progressive design and the art of hand-weaving.
They reflect the creator’s wit and appreciation for design and architecture. Zacarias bags utilize natural leather in combination with wicker and chaircane.

Dotcomme is a hobby clothing line started by Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Cecile van Straten, and Penny Ong—a group of friends who share a common love of the colors grey, black and baby blue. The collection is for women who are tomboys at heart and prefer boys’ clothes to form-fitting clothes.
“We’re not sexy and we’re not sweet,” said Cecile.

“It’s always a pleasure for us to showcase world-class talent that is homegrown,” said Mavis Manotoc-Fuentebella, the entrepreneur behind Tala Manila.
Nazareno will also be speaking about her work and influences behind her designs on August 15, Saturday at 4 PM.

Tala Manila is located at Unit 103, Three Salcedo Place,121 Tordesillas St, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
For more information, visit Tala Manila at Facebook.

My boys have certainly grown up.
I’m not a car person, but when my boys—Ben (13), Markus (12), Jeroen (42)—found out that we would get to use a Lexus SUV Hybrid for a week, they were excited.

The Lexus NH300H at the showroom garage

Lexus is a luxury car brand I’ve known for a while since I was in art school. Since the mid ‘90s, my Dad has bought four Lexus (or should I say, Lexi). He likes its “quiet comfort and understated elegance.”
My brother Dennis has owned three Lexus, including a Lexus NX300h, which we would be test driving.
Dennis says, compared with other luxury brands, you get a better engine, sound system and interior finishing with the Lexus. “The best feature for me is the roomy cabin and timeless luxury,” he said.

Common sight in our office parking: Lexus cars

My cousin Dr. Gerard Henson bought the Lexus RX450h hybrid last June 2014. He loves “everything about the car—from the car itself to the after-sales and servicing.” He also loves the Lexus showroom lounge at BGC
Gerard says he drives the car almost everyday. What he loves the most: “It’s a very low-key car that has all the makings of a high-end luxury vehicle.”

As a rider, I love the back seat, including the great lighting it offers

I actually did some research before test driving the Lexus NX300h. Simply put, a hybrid car is one that uses two sources of power, which allow you to save on fuel to achieve cost and energy efficient. That said, if your car needs a full tank every week, driving this compact luxury SUV will save you two trips to the gas station every month. Amazing, isn’t it?

Apart from that, we are also doing the environment some good as the NX300h’s CO2 emission is just 116g/km. Truth be said, you’re not going to recoup the cost of the car (P4 million) with your savings on fuel. But I believe some people feel good about reducing carbon footprints.

Roomy enough to accommodate Jeroen’s long Dutch legs

Driving the Lexus Hybrid NX300h also makes a statement as there are less than 10 of this variant in the Philippines. I’d say it’s not your typical family SUV.
In Hollywood, where many stars are environment activists, the Lexus is a favorite. Among those that drive Lexus Hybrids are Paul McCartney, Ryan Philippe, Zachary Quinto, Matt Damon, Kim Kardashian, Charlize Theron, Jeremy Piven and Olivia Wilde.

The boys took the NX for a spin around the village on the first night and they looked forward to using it in going to school the following day.
My jaded boys loved tinkering with the different high-tech features that the NX comes with.
One of them is the electronically adjustable cooling feature that allows us to adjust the temperature of the two front seats. My boys liked so much, they didn’t want to leave the car. They even asked if they could sleep inside.

The Qi Wireless Charging Tray came in handy when we were on our way to Shangri-La Mall and my phone was running low on power. All I had to do was put my phone on the tray to fully charge it. No need for cables at all.
Most of all, what the boys loved was the panoramic sunroof, especially when we were on our way to Estancia Mall as they enjoyed watching the rain fall on it. Can imagine how energizing it must be to have sunshine come through it as well.

We found the safety features very thoughtful for families: eight airbags, full LED headlights, 360-degree monitor and more. The 360-degree monitor is extremely useful to any driver, regardless of skill level. Find out more about the NX’s cool features here.

The Lexus Hybrid NX300h has a four-cylinder engine, electric motors and automatic transmission. The seats are comfortable for four people, but (let’s be honest) not for a tall person.

Since the NX300h is a hybrid, we were concerned about charging the car. I mean where are the charging stations in the Philippines? To our amazement, the NX charges its own battery whenever the driver steps on the brake.

Lexus Hybrid Drive is known as a full hybrid system, which means that its two power sources—a battery-powered electric motor and a petrol-driven combustion engine—are separate from one another. Lexus Hybrids run on Normal, Eco, and Sport modes but the NX 300h adds the “EV” mode that keeps it running on electricity at speeds below about 30 mph as long as the battery holds out.

We loved how smooth the Lexus Hybrid NX300h ran and how quiet the engine was. As for the boys, they were quite sad when it was time to return the car. Can’t even begin to tell you about the drama that ensued. I guess Lexus love really runs through their veins.

To know more about the Lexus Hybrid NX300h, go to http://www.lexusasia.com/.

Mavis Fuentebella, Patrice Ramos Diaz, Rita Nazareno, and I are very grateful to our friends and family, and even friends of friends, who came to the four-day pop-up event for dotcomme and Zacarias at Tala Manila last weekend.
Tala Manila is the brainchild of Mavis Manotoc-Fuentebella—the creative soul behind this hard-to-find shop which champions and promotes small labels from here and abroad.

Our latest collection for dotcomme includes the last designs of Penny Ong, our partner who passed away last June 15th. I’m proud to say her designs were received very well.

Rita Nazareno is the creator of Zacarias handwoven bags which are usually sold in Europe and Japan.

From opening day (August 13) to closing on August 16, Patrice, Rita, Mavis, and I were overwhelmed by the support of people like Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez, Irene Marcos-Araneta, Candy and Lucille Dizon, Monique Villongco, Dr. Tere Henson, Rhett Eala, Margie Duavit, Chiyo Tagami, Rajo Laurel, Dindi Gallardo, Cherish Garcia, Gabby Lichauco, Pauline Juan, Isha Andaya, Ria Prieto, Gina Torres, Bea Ledesma, Malu Gamboa, Cai Subijano, Mia San Agustin, Christine Dychiao, Daryl Chang, Mano Lotho, Luis Espiritu and the SOFA students, Jappy Gonzalez, Pepito Albert, Yvette Fernandez, Eric Paras, Yu Hokazono, Tinay Villiamiel, Grace Velasco, Katrina Holigores, Daffy Morales, Denise Peralta, Mikko Sison, Tita Vicky Sales and the Nazareno family who came in full force.
They were only some of our guests who braved the heavy payday weekend/rain/Makati traffic to visit Tala Manila.

Tweetie Gonzalez in dotcomme

Patrice Diaz and Mavis Fuentebella wearing dotcomme

Nico LeChevalier

Grace Velasco, Let Rosales, Rem de Vera

Ava Yap and Melvin Mojica

Gina Torres and Patrice Diaz


Rojo Sison with Rita’s Star Wars bags

Spanish guests

Matteo, 11 months

Nazareno family

Special thanks go to Jim Fuentebella and Yodel Pe (who did our dotcomme logo), Jasper Ong for the Magners and full support, Melvin Mojica, Ria Bolivar, Rem de Vera, Ann See, Jeramy and Shiela of Tala Manila, Preen, Don Papa Rhum and Portobello Bakery.

Everybody had fun trying on our clothes and Rita’s bags. Tiring but fun and definitely worth it. Can’t wait for the next pop-up store. Will let you know where and when.
Follow dotcomme on Instagram @dotcomme.ph and like us on Facebook.

To know more about Tala Manila, click HERE.

I still remember the first time I tasted Cibo back in 1997. A friend of mine was raving about it and took me to Margarita Forés’s first store in Glorietta.
It wasn’t even a real store then, it was set up in an open area on the 2nd level, leading to what became the walkway to Landmark.
Cibo was in fact the first open area eatery in the mall. After that everyone pretty much followed.
Eighteen years and several branches later, Cibo is still very much part of our family’s lifestyle, or should I say, taste buds.
Margarita Forés catered our wedding in November 2000 and continues to cater/host our family’s birthday parties. Now even my kids have their Cibo favorites.

As Cibo turns 18 this August, they are offering dishes at Php 18 only when you order its partner dish at regular price. Check out the partnered dishes below.

Cibo’s 18 Pairs for 18 Years promo is available from Monday to Thursday from 3 August until 30 September 2015.
CIBO is at Alabang Town Center; Gateway Mall (Araneta Center); Glorietta 4; Greenbelt 5; Eastwood Mall; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center; Promenade Greenhills; Robinsons Magnolia; Shangri-La Plaza.

http://www.cibo.ph/

Caroline Issa, street style advocate, ready to wear designer, luxury consultant, and Publisher and Executive Fashion Editor of Tank Magazine, was recently in the Philippines as a special guest of Harlan+Holden.

With her was Masoud Golsorkhi, Group Creative Director of the London-based Tank Form Creative and Editor-in-Chief of Tank Magazine.
Tank has worked on campaigns for Mulberry (featuring Georgia May Jagger) and Christian Lacroix, and produced publications for Prada and G-Star. Caroline is also a creative consultant at Harlan+Holden.

I met Caroline at the Harlan+Holden Tent in Greenbelt during a roundtable discussion that included Preview Magazine Editor In Chief Pauline Juan, L’Officiel Editor In Chief Pam Quiñones, blogger Kim Jones, newspaper columnist and socialite Tessa Prieto Valdes, fashion designer Rajo Laurel, and Stylebible Editor In Chief Anna Canlas, and myself.

Inside the Harlan+Holden Tent at Greenbelt

Harlan+Holden’s fig leaf logo was designed by Caroline’s team

L-R: Me (taking a photo of Caroline Issa), Rajo Laurel, Tim Yap, Caroline Issa, Kim Jones, Anna Canlas

Tim Yap hosted and moderated the talks that were attended by media, friends of Harlan+Holden, and fashion students from SoFa (School of Fashion and the Arts), De La Salle University’s College of Saint Benilde, Slims, and the Fashion Institute of the Philippines.

The talks were centered on branding, which Caroline, known as a “businesswoman who loves fashion,” is an expert on. Caroline is a former retail and consumer goods consultant with a business degree from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania. It was Masoud who offered Caroline a partnership in the company.

L-R: Harlan+Holden founder Eman Pineda, Masoud Golsorkhi, Harlan+Holden’s Managing Dirctor Mia San Agustin, Tim Yap, Caroline Issa, Pam Quiñones, Pauline Juan, Tessa Valdes

Everyone got to take home copies of Tank and Because.

In the evening, Harlan+Holden hosted a dinner for Caroline and Masoud at Cirkulo on Pasay Road. Among those present were Bea Valdes, who appears in for Harlan+Holden’s lookbook for its B.C. Collection, a line composed of 15 essentials that includes shirtdresses, trousers, and pleated skirts.

Sisters Bea and Marga Valdes in Harlan+Holden

Caroline Issa, Masoud Golsorkhi, and Mia San Agustin

Cai Subijano and Rissa Trillo

Mikaela Martinez and Amina Alunan

The evening ended with Tim Yap hailing a jeepney for the complete Filipino tour.

Caroline Issa, Tim Yap, Eman Pineda

Visit Harlan+Holden at Adora Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza, and Power Plant Mall or go to http://www.harlanholden.com/

Following the successful release of the YEEZY BOOST 350 in a white colorway last June, Kanye West and adidas Originals announce the global drop of an all-black version on August 22, 2015.

The shoe marks the third footwear model between West and adidas.
First seen in New York last February during the YEEZY SEASON 1 Fashion Week presentation, the lo-top YEEZY BOOST 350 in black features uppers composed of tonal Primeknit—a breakthrough material using adidas’ most advanced digital engineering techniques to fit like a second skin.

The YEEZY BOOST 350 hits stores globally on August 22, 2015.
For more information go to www.adidas.com/KANYE

Aside from being vertically challenged, one of my biggest frustrations in life is the hair. I was born with naturally thin curly hair, so most of the time when I look at a person, I notice the hair first.
I think people with great hair are so gifted. Lots of people are born with good hair strands, but not everybody has great hair.
I think that’s what made me notice Ivan Watson in the first place.
Aside from having a romantic job (as CNN Senior International Correspondent), Ivan has really good hair.
I have no idea if he’s married, single, straight or gay. All I know is he’s now based in Hong Kong (so near) and previously, he was based in Istanbul, Turkey for five years.

Ivan’s job at CNN takes him around the world—from the Philippines to Haiti, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia—basically where the action is.
Of course the job is only romantic because he’s cute (sorry!).
Last May, 2015, I got to briefly meet Ivan Watson at the CNN Philippines office on Shaw Boulevard.
I found out he was in town because I follow @ivancnn on Instagram.

Ivan with his newborn nephew. The hair is just killing me!!

After leaving a comment on Ivan’s Instagram, Angel Jacob messaged me on my phone.
Angel hosts MedTalk on CNN Philippines and told me Ivan was going to drop by the office soon.
So on May 4th, 2015, I woke up abnormally early to stalk him.

Angel is one of the loveliest people you will ever meet. I met her 13 years ago at a children’s party when Ben was just a few months old. She met me at the entrance of the CNN office.

Bit of trivia: I wanted to be a broadcast journalist when I was younger, but I froze the first time I was on cam, so I decided to write instead.
Here’s a quick peek around the office. News anchor Hilary Isaac was still with CNN at that time.

All the people behind the scenes. I would’ve liked to work here if I were younger.

I really envy people who can talk in front of the camera

Ivan arrived before lunch and was introduced to the bosses

We were waiting in a lounging area when Ivan Watson walked in wearing a jacket over jeans and leather shoes.

I took a picture of Ivan and Angel. Angel took her fan out because she is a “fan”

I would’ve wanted to talk to him but he had to go on cam for an interview.

Hay, ang pogi ni ankel, as Angel would say. LOL.

Ivan is the second CNN reporter I have stalked.

Macaroon (not to be confused with macaron)
A macaroon is a small circular cake, typically made of ground almonds, coconut, nuts or even potato, with sugar, egg white, and sometimes flavourings, food colouring, glace cherries, jam and/or a chocolate coating.
Macaroons are often baked on edible rice paper placed on a baking tray.

Macaron (not to be confused with macaroon)
A macaron is a French sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white or aquafaba, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food colouring.
A macaron is commonly filled with ganache, buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies. The name is derived from the Italian word macarone, maccarone or maccherone, the Italian meringue. (Source: Wikipedia)

Sorry, I just had to put that out because I can’t stand it when people call macarons macaroons. It bugs me to death!! To me, macaroons are coconut thingies, while macarons are like fancy meringue that come in (mostly) pastel colors.
Among all the macaron brands, Ladurée seems to be most popular.

Founded in Paris in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée, the brand was acquired by Groupe Holder in 1993.
Now, with locations in 30 countries worldwide, more than 15,000 macarons are said to be sold everyday.

Ladurée in Paris

Earlier this afternoon, Ladurée Philippines invited friends and family to a private event at its first store at 8 Rockwell. Ladurée is franchised in the Philippines by H&F Retails Concepts Inc., which also owns/runs Homme et Femme, Univers, among other luxury brands in the country.
The store looks really beautiful and authentic.

When we arrived at half past three, there was a long line at the counter.
Each guest was given a little card to be filled out and used to claim two free macarons.
It was a great idea because everyone had a reason to enter the store and line up in a civilized manner. Of course most guests are likely to buy other items once they are in line.

At first I was scared to line up, but it went smoothly because there were so many people manning the counter

To give you an idea, one macaron costs Php 150. You can buy per piece, or you choose your favorites and put them in cute boxes (ranging from four to 55 macarons).

Macarons aside, here’s what else you’ll find in store: jams and spreads

Lovely scented candles

Room scents, adorable tote bags, and charms. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to photograph the other items due to the number of people inside the store.

Spotted at the private event were H&F’s Managing Director, Jappy Gonzalez, who was on hand to answer everyone’s questions

Also, Ben of Ladurée was helping out

H&F/Univers’ Press Relations Officer, Mano Lotho

Preview Magazine’s Daryl Chang

Esquire Philippines’ Erwin Romulo

SM Supermalls’ Steven Tan

Miguel Ramos of National Book Store

Rowell Santiago

Belle King

Yodel Pe and Patrice Diaz

And here’s what I got: two scented candles, milk chocolate bar, and two boxes of macarons for my friend Chinky and my Dad.

I just need to go back to look at the other things I missed, like the totes and charms, but I can wait till the line is over.
Ladurée opens to the public on August 29, 2015.

https://www.laduree.com/

Sorry to bug you at this point, but my son’s class needs likes for their Filipino school project which appears on this Facebook post.
If you have a Facebook account, would you kindly please like the photo below to help them win a prize? I have no idea what prize they’re actually getting, but as a mom, I’m just doing what I can to help. Deadline is August 31!
Thank you very much in advance!
cecile

Like paella? Who doesn’t love this Spanish rice dish served on a hot plate, topped with seafood, sliced egg, chicken, and a lemon wedge?
An order of paella usually takes 30 minutes at least, but at Pepper Lunch you can have it in a jiffy as it launches its Paella Festival with three takes on this Spanish favorite.

Seafood Paella (Php 335) has plump mussels, fat shrimps, and juicy squid, while Chicken and Chorizo Paella (Php 315) has tender chicken chunks and slices of Spanish chorizo. Hearty eaters will love Supreme Paella (P355) with seafood, chicken and chorizo!
All dishes are served on Pepper Lunch’s patented hot plates, so if you’re craving for toasted rice at the bottom of the dish, come and get it.
Pepper Lunch Paella Festival is ongoing until October 31, 2015.

When I was studying at Parsons New York during the ’90s, some of my best friends were Korean.
There were so many Koreans enrolled, we called it Parsons Seoul of Design.
The Koreans were cliquish but they were the best darn illustrators in class.
I had no idea that one day Korean fashion would take over my world—well some of it.
I have yet to visit Korea, and I wish I knew Seoul like I do Tokyo. One day soon I hope to visit—mostly for fashion purposes. And I also love the TV shows. I think Koreanovelas are the best tourism ads, that’s why it just makes sense to put Lee Min Ho in the official tourism TV commercial.
Now when are we doing our own TVC with Piolo Pascual?

When I was in Houston in 2008, everyone thought I was a nurse.
It was the dead of winter. I was there to take care of my cousin who was battling leukemia at MD Anderson.
Even though the end result wasn’t favorable, I’m still grateful I was able to spend the last days with my best cousin.
Under my winter jacket, I wore the old Margiela T-shirt.

During my free time I would walk around the hospital so much, I started to know the place by heart. At the gift shop I even bought the scrubs, the MD Anderson shirt, the jacket, the ID, and the stethoscope. I thought of wearing the uniform just to amuse my cousin.
I wore my Birkenstock clogs to be comfy. At MD Anderson, majority of the nurses were Filipino, so people naturally assumed I was a nurse and would ask me for directions. And I gladly told them where to go since I knew where everything was.

In Singapore this week, some people thought I was Indonesian, which I find amusing. I have never been to Indonesia but the plan is to visit Jakarta in the near future.

Two World Cups ago, I joined my husband and his friends at the Dutch bar Heckle & Jeckle in the Burgos area. And while the Dutch boys enjoyed the drinks and action inside, I chose to step out with my friend to get some air. At some point, some foreigners thought she and I were Burgos girls (read: ladies of the night). Not sure what to think, but in fairness, the foreigner said we looked “expensive.”

More often I get mistaken for being younger than I am, which can sometimes be a hassle because I get scolded by people who are actually younger than me.
Recently, however, I had the most surprising case of mistaken identity.
I’ve been spending some time at Makati Med to seek treatment for our cook who has an early stage of breast cancer. While waiting for doctor to appear (we waited for 3.5 hours), I passed by Floating Island to buy my cook some fresh fruit juice and look what they thought I was:

For the first time the waiter or cashier assumed I was a doctora! Can’t tell you how flattered I am! It made me think what if I were a doctora? What kind of doctor would I be? An OB-GYNE like Dra. Tere Henson or an oncologist? To help give life or save lives?
Then the thought scared me so much I decided to scratch the thought.

You know you’re getting old when you realize that the children of celebrities of your generation are all grown up.
Last Wednesday, when we arrived at the Bench Holiday 2015 presentation at the Bench Tower, we were welcomed by Nielli Martinez, daughter of former teen idol William Martinez and Yayo Aguila. Nielli works at Bench’s Ad & Promo Department.
Among the models were Kyla Estrada, whose parents are John Estrada and Janice de Belen, and Marina Benipayo’s son Mark de Sequera.
Michelle Dee, one of the models for HerBench, is the daughter of Melanie Marquez.
I also spotted Sabina Gonzalez, daughter of Tweetie de Leon. She is stunning and I dare say—pang international!

Here are just some of the looks presented for Holiday 2015, beginning with Bench Body

Her Bench

Bench

Kashieca

Also spotted at the Bench Tower were Markki Stroem with Bench CEO, Ben Chan

Lucy and Richard Gomez

Miguel Pastor and Gino Gonzalez

Michael Lim and Quark Henares

http://shop.bench.com.ph/

Millinery meets makeup in MAC’s Philip Treacy collection.
For the collaboration, the London-based milliner created three hats that emphasize different parts of the face—an eye, the lips, and cheekbones.
A colorful feathered headdress inspired the lipsticks: No Faux Pas (hot pink), Cardinal (burgundy) and Hollywood Cerise (magenta berry).

A black-lace mask, which covers the entire head, reveals only one eye and inspired the Pro Longwear Paint Pots (Genuine Treasure and Chrome Angel) and Fluidline liners (Blacktrack, Blue Peep and Royal Wink) in shimmering metallics and tropical blues. There’s also the False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara.

The sparkling metallic hat from Treacy’s archives inspired the High-Light Powders (Blush Pink and Nude Pink) designed with Art Deco arches in pale pink and silver.

The collection is now available at MAC boutiques and counters.

To know more about the collaboration, click HERE.

I used to suffer from a severe back problem about eight years ago. I swear, there were times I couldn’t get out of bed, sit up or walk without much difficulty.
I tried many things: I switched to a Tempur pillow and forced myself to sleep on my back instead of my front. I had a healing session with Fr. Suarez. And then I found out a lot of it had to do with the heavy bags I was carrying.

Photo: Joseph Pascual

I used to carry my bags on my right shoulder until Dr. Vicki Belo told me my shoulders were uneven due to my curved spine?? I got scared so I started to carry my bag on my left shoulder. It took a while to get used to. Now my back rarely acts up.
I also started to buy smaller and lighter bags, or carry two bags—one for essentials, and another one for the other stuff I don’t need all the time—I can just leave that in the car, just in case.

So if you’re having a back problem, here’s one product that might help you.
Save My Bag is a line of handbags made of a water-resistant, ultra-lightweight material called polylycra (similar to neoprene but lighter). Made in Italy, it was created by Valentina Azzia who first made the bags as holiday gifts for friends and business contacts who loved them.

Save My Bag eventually ended up in the hands of Oprah Winfrey and celebrity stylist Patricia Field, who started to sell them at her store. The bag gained popularity especially among women who take them to the beach and resorts, like the Hamptons.

Valentina says the bags are for modern women “who pay a lot of attention to style. They buy the bags in multiples and there are different colors to choose from.” The bags are water-resistant and washable.

Valentina was in the Philippines for the launch of Save My Bag at Little White Box, a space found in selected SM Stores, such as SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM BF, SM Southmall, SM Cebu, SM Bacolod, SM Iloilo, SM Davao and, SM Lanang.
The bags start at Php 6,250 and come in different styles and sizes.

Here’s the fun part.
I’m giving away four bags from Save My Bag’s Icon collection, made of polylycra.
How to join:

1) You must have a Philippine address and an Instagram account.
2) Follow @chuvaness, @littlewhiteboxph and @smaccessories on Instagram.
3) Repost my Instagram photo of the giveaway and tell me why you want the bag.
4) Tag @littlewhitebox and @smaccessories and hashtag #chuvasavemybag.
5) Make sure your account isn’t locked so I can check your entry if you win.
6) Register for the electronic raffle HERE

Contest runs until September 15, 2015. I will choose the winners via random.org and post the winners here and on Facebook.

To know more about Save My Bag, go to http://www.savemybag.it/en/

One of my kids’ favorite things is to listen to my stories about when I was young.
Sometimes I would show them ’80s videos to educate them on fashion and music
I have shown them everything from the Thomspon Twins and Kajagoogoo to The Animal Song by the Europeans.
Ben doesn’t get the ’80s hair and music, but I really love it.

The other night we had a lesson on Boy George because our dog Anwar was nicknamed Warwar by his Ninang Grace.
So I started singing “Warwar stupid and people stupid.”
Ben says, “What are you singing?”
So I explain there’s this song by Boy George of Culture Club, The War Song. It goes like this.

Grrrr….I can’t believe I had such a crush on him in high school.
Ben said, “How can you have a crush on him? He’s so gay.”
Me: “I didn’t know he was gay because all I saw was a picture.” This one. And during the ’80s, lots of guys had long hair and makeup.

At 16, I had a problem discerning who was gay or straight. Now, no more
I loved how Boy George dressed and I still do like to wear the oversized tops and hats.
I finally got a chance to meet George in person when he toured Manila as a DJ in May 2005.
Colin McKay hosted a dinner for him at Sala in Malate. I had a 2 megapixel camera, I think, so the pictures sucked so much.

It was 2005, so our mobile phones did not take photos. Nobody in fact pulled out a camera until dinner was almost over.
Here are the photos I saved from that night.
Sala in Malate used to be the chicest restaurant in town. It is now closed.
This was the table setting

This was my plate. I do believe George did/does not eat meat.

The lucky dinner guests included Tim Yap, RS Francisco, Hindy and Gippy Tantoco, Elbert Cuenca, and people from George’s entourage

Also Anton Barretto, Leah Puyat, Rhett Eala

Mimi and Juliet Tan

DJ Mark Vedo

At the end of the night some of us finally had things autographed

I actually made a blog entry about it but Livejournal sucks and all my entries from May 2005 are missing. What I do recall was Boy George offered me a job because I told him I loved him.
He asked me to stand up. He looked at my outfit and told me to come follow him in New York. It was like Jesus calling a disciple, but I told him, I’m sorry I have kids and George said, “Bring them.”
How I wish he would have asked me when I was single and studying in New York.
But now I couldn’t do that. A few months later George was arrested in New York on drug charges and it’s a good thing I never followed.
But I told my kids that whole story and they are fascinated.

1) My friend Grace is mad about Eddie Redmayne.
2) We are both fag hags.
3) We both love the cinema, although most of the time we end up watching really bad Tagalog movies.
4) As for this movie, eye. can’t. wait!

The Danish Girl is based on the 2000 novel written by David Ebershoff. It stars Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender reassignment surgery and Alicia Vikander as his wife Gerda Wegener
In early 1920s Copenhagen, illustrator and artist Gerda asks her husband, Einar to stand in for a female model.
The popularity of her paintings leads to Gerda to paint more pictures of her husband as a woman.
This awakens the “female” in Einar who begins living as a woman named Lili. Ultimately Lili becomes the first ever recipient of male to female sex reassignment surgery.
While Gerda supports her decision, their marriage becomes strained when Gerda realizes that Lili is no longer the same person she married.
A childhood friend of Lili, Hans Axgil (Matthias Schoenaerts), shows up and forms a complex love triangle with the couple.
The movie was first screened in the main competition of the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, and was selected to be shown in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
The film is scheduled to be released in a limited release on November 27, 2015 by Focus Features. (Source: Wiki)

5) Watch this.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a crush ng bayan with really “long hair” like Jenna Hamilton in Awkward?
Dinna stopped watching Awkward because she says, “Siya na ang pinakamaganda. Every guy is after her. Parang fan fiction.”
But it does happen in real life. Not to me, but when my friend told me about a friend of ours and all her pedigreed exes, leading to her heartthrob husband, I was impressed.

Last night I watched Far From The Madding Crowd, which stars Carey Mulligan as Bathsheba Everdene, who gets three marriage proposals from her suitors:
1) Gabriel Oak, a gentle, soft-spoken, hard-working, handsome sheperd played by Matthias Schoenaerts
2) William Boldwood, a rich farmer, older man played by Michael Sheen
3) Sergeant Francis “Frank” Troy, a “dashing” but good for nothing soldier who sweeps Bathsheba off her feet, played by Tom Sturridge

As I watched the movie, it was clear to me who Bathsheba should marry—obviously a choice between #1 and #2. Both seemed like really good men, except that #1 is hot and #2 is not, but he’s rich.
She chose to marry #3 which leads to much bad luck for everybody.

While watching the movie I couldn’t help but think: why everybody is in love with Bathsheba? It must be a really small town with slim pickins because I didn’t find anything amazing about her. But that’s just me.
What got me transfixed was Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts with his apostolic, rugged, gentle looks.
Notice how most of the time his head is bent down—special angle?

Such a dreamboat

Notice how he kind of looks like Jesus—and not because he plays a shepherd.
Also how he always looks like a Gap model in every scene (great styling?).

Matthias Schoenaerts #1 (R) with co-star Michael Sheen #2 (L) and director Thomas Vinterberg

Belgians are kind of neighbors and cousins to Dutch people, which probably explains why I like him.

Watch the trailer. Which would you choose?

http://matthias-schoenaerts.net/

Tell you the truth, I wouldn’t have known about #aldub if Dinna hadn’t told me about it.
Dinna is my source for all things trivial and unknown because I live in a cocoon.
Aldub is the love team of Alden Richards + “Yaya Dub”—a character played by Maine Mendoza who was discovered by Eat Bulaga through her viral Dubsmash uploads.

Curious, I tuned in to Eat Bulaga to find out what the fuss is about and became very amused at how it affects all the maids in our household. It really makes them happy!
Personally I think Maine Mendoza looks wacky, but Alden Richards is a doll, so I get it!
Hey, even my eye doctor talks about them.

In Eat Bulaga‘s “kalyeserye” segment, Maine Mendoza plays a yaya called “Yaya Dub” who falls in love with actor Alden Richards on TV. Because the two are assigned to different remote locations, the two communicate via television splitscreen.
This has led the masses to anticipate their meeting in the flesh, which has yet to happen. They have had two near opportunities, only to be foiled by Yaya Dub’s heartless transgendered boss (played by Wally Bayola).

I can only remember a few Filipino heartthrobs that have caused much hysteria, like Robin Padilla in the ’90s and Daniel Padilla in the last few years. Though I have to say I find neither of them attractive.
But Alden Richards is so damn cute with the dimples, the hair, and the good boy looks, unlike Enrique Gil who has bad hair, bad wardrobe, and bad language (ask Fashion Pulis).

Alden Richards is currently the hottest actor on Philippine TV, and not just for the masses.
To prove my point, here are five really good photos of Alden found online.

1) From the Inquirer

2) On the cover of Men’s Health

3) Matinee idol looks captured by Andrew Apuya

4) Good hair day (pondering a rather heinous shoe)

5) Good hair, good outfit captured on his birthday

So yes, I get it, and the maids’ reactions are priceless. I should photograph/film our helper Aiza when gets all giddy when they’re on TV.
This is why Eat Bulaga is the longest running TV show in the Philippines. As one of the closet installers at my house put it recently, “Hindi ka talaga magsasawa.”
So cheers to Eat Bulaga, Aldub fever, and happy fans all over.

Okay so I finally did some research on Maine Mendoza a.k.a. 1/2 of #aldub and found her hilarious dubsmash of Kris Aquino on You Tube. Now I get why Eat Bulaga got her on board. Maine has a very strange talent, which truly begs the question: what the hell is she on??

Because one video is not enough…