What an awesome August sale that our fave fashion mecca had last weekend! Forever 21 is really the fashionable retail brand that we go to nowadays for practicality and the oh so stylish apparels that they produced. Clothes from Forever 21 is really for the young, hip and who embraces edgy fashion. Since the brand arrived in our shores a year ago, I knew that I had to pay a visit and that visit made me fell in love with their men's line. Also, it made me switched to my "go-to fashion saver" brand during what we call "fashion emergency". Here's a peak of the awesome sale in SM Makati last weekend:


Shades from all sizes and colors were on 30% off. I didn't get one because I just purchased three pairs last July for my Boracay trip and that day my focus was on hoarding clothes on sale.






Crazy lines

Thank you Forever 21 for landing in our soil and bringing us an uber chic street fashion within our reach! And watch out for their upcoming sales and events by liking them on Facebook it's Forever21 Philippines and following them on twitter it's @forever21ph.

It may sound so "mababaw" but this was the first time I saw a pool that your legs can be seen from outside like this:


Guess where is this? This cool swimming pool is from acclaimed "six-star" hotel Maxims in Newport City near Terminal3. I found this pool area so uber cool but apparently I did't get a chance to get dip in the pool for when this photo was taken I was covering the ala amazing race of Miss Resorts World Manila 2011. That day should be perfect to experience the pool for it was extremely humid that day.



Short Note: One of Miss Resorts World Manila's pre-pageant activity was to race around Resorts World Mall, Maxims hotel and the Star Cruises and Genting office and there were challenges waiting for them. One of them was to get ten (10) flowers dipped in the pool, again these 10 flowers should be gotten one by one and it's a bit hard because they had to swim or to walk inside the pool, that's like doing a cardio.

This quick trip in Resorts World Property gave me something I did for the first time:



It's my first time to play casino, though this was a mock only. The place where the photo was taken is where casino dealers are being trained before they will be sent to "real" casino. Now, I pray that someone will sponsor me to stay in Maxims hotel even just an overnight will do so I get to experience their so cool swimming pool. Wink, Wink.

Boracay is not a new place for me and for my friends, we've been here so many times but just recently in one of the rainy months (thank God, it was so sunny when we re-discover Boracay for five days), me, my dear friend Jairo and his hubby went to the best tropical island in the world to celebrate Jairo's birthday and for me it's my much needed vacay. When I got there, I noticed that there are a lot of new restos, cafes and bars lining up in the long stretch of that purest and whitest sand. It was July but it feels like summer for it's a bit crowded.

Our first night post dinner in Cocomangas bar in Station1 and about to enjoy the infamous illusion shaker mixed drink

The birthday gal in a fedora hat, denim cut-offs, flip-flops and Audrey Hepburn loose top

In Summer Place, lots of exotics and foreigners on this bar

Inside Epic Bar- the interior is so nice, it's mostly in white. During our visit, Epic bar offers "buy one take one" on their beers and standard cocktails

Our Day 2 officially starts with this:

At Jonah's, I had vanilla milkshake, I always visit Jonah's everytime I'm in Boracay

Aside from the nightlife, warm people, relaxing sound of the seawaves, what I truly love and admire in Boracay is it's whitest and powdery sand, so perfect!


Waiting for the breathtaking sunset while sipping some mojitos and getting some tan

Boracay sunset

The following days and nights were typically the same, enjoying our food especially in the "dampa" area and the eat-all-you can in a Mongolian restaurant and drinking alcohol til dawn in the seashores (sorry, no photos taken). The most exciting part of this trip was exploring the other side of the island through island hopping and some snorkeling. We went to the crocodile island, then snorkeling where you have to pay 20 pesos (so cheap and that includes free gaggles) and you would see the wonders of the underworld then last stop is Puka beach where the sand is made of crashed "puka" shells (from the local rom-com flick). Boracay is really a haven for some RnR and a dose of party without breaking your bank! We would definitely come back, hopefully we make it this summer 2012.

Mongolian dinner by the sand w/ Ronald and me in Zara v-neck shirt and boardshorts from SPF

About to leave the island to see the other side


In Puka beach, so lovely here very secluded

Here's another beauty post!Yay! As I walked down the beauty counter of Watson's in SM Makati and while on search of a drugstore brand for my facial cleanser, I noticed St. Ives Moisturizing Olive scrub. St. Ives has been in our go-to beauty aisles for years now, in fact I have used their famous apricot scrubs many, many times. I knew it from the start that when I saw this olive moisturizing scrub, I have to buy it and try it on my skin plus it only retails for 250 pesos! What a steal for your vanity kit!


And now I'm about to test its effectiveness and will monitor if there will be a gradual changes on my skin's texture. But for now here's my initial verdict based on my first used:

* the little tiny scrubs on this cleanser are so gentle when you rub them on your face unlike any other brands
* the scent is not too heavy which means less chemicals we're used in producing this cleanser

I'm giving this scrub two more weeks if it will work wonders on my facial skin and by that time I will blog my personal reviews. The good thing on St. Ives is their products are all natural, paraben-free and it's not tested on animals which is the battle-cry nowadays.

P.S. I'm no longer using the L'Oreal Dermagenesis Facial Scrub Mask (which I blog last March, 2011 in http://confessionsofalvin.blogspot.com) because its already obsolete (meaning, no longer available in the market), too sad.

It was raining so hard, terrible traffic and weather's not so cooperating but still partyphiles decided to celebrate the 1st year anniversary party of Manila's today "it" club-Republiq. All attendees were dressed to the nines on the theme of "gods and goddesses", almost everyone looked stunning on their "grecian" inspired outfit and on their preferred ensemble that night. It was like a white party which reminded me of "Gay Pride" every June. Republiq was dressed with lots of white for draping, there's even a carousel, sculpture of Zeus among others (sorry, no photos). What makes Republiq the "it" club of Manila today? There are so many reasons but I will just cite a few reasons based on my Republiq experience. It houses the best djs in the country playing only the best music and that night spinning was courtesy of DJ Ace Ramos. Of so many clubs in Manila, Republiq has high ceiling which is a plus point for non-smokers like me, because the smell of the cigarette doesn't stick easily on your clothes. And the icing on Republiq, most celebrities go here to party without worrying of too much press and fans, so if you're into celebrity sighting, party in Republiq.



JR Isaac hosted the coverage in PLDT MyDSL Watchpad. With the boys of Magic 89.9's Boy's Night Out

Republiq's 1st Anniversary Party was presented by PLDT MyDSL together with other sponsors who supported the club for the past one year. It was an open bar so obviously everyone was happy drinking 'til the last drop. Since PLDT MyDSL is a major presentor, we had the privilege to cover the much-talked event last June 23, 2011. Here's some photos that I took which you can view also in www.pldtwatchpad.com very, very soon!


JR interviewing theater actor JM Rodriguez

Republiq's resident dj Mark Nicoasia giving his message to the people behind the event

Tony Toni, Slick Rick and Sam YG doing artist bites for PLDT Watchpad

The goddess of playful prints Kate Torralba on how she envisioned the goddess look

Tim Yap in powdered blue coat hosting the event. He was acknowledging the team behind Republiq's success and also thanking PLDT MyDSL for the support


RnB star Amber, actor/singer Guji Lorenzana and rock icon Jet Pangan graced the stage for their respected numbers. No matter how unforgiving the rain was, people went to celebrate and gave wishes to the wonderful and successful year of Republiq. More parties and awesome nights for Republiq in the coming years! Thank you PLDT MyDSL for making it possible too. Cheers!

PLDT MyDSL's Annab in jersey white dress against her tanned skin.

PLDT MyDSL's Janice in animal print dress w/ Annab

Wanda from DDB Worldwide Ad Agency and me in The Ramp coat, Zara white V-neck shirt
P.S. For the complete coverage of Republiq's Anniversary Party, log on to www.pldtwatchpad.com

For years, this fashion and closet staple has always been my best company and my fashion emergency savior! Want to take a wild guess, I think almost everyone has this? Let's not get any longer, my fave fashion staple is a cardigan. I don't know with this versatile piece and I just can't have too many cardis! Just recently I purchased another one which my dear friend brought from the deserted land of Dubai. This new baby is a long cardigan in light gray ( it's a women's cardigan), I adore the neutral color for it will be perfect when I'm sporting a bright colored shirt underneath.


light gray cardigan from H&M

Aside from the fashion & comfort it gives during colder days, this much-loved cardigan is made of organic cotton, we're going green here and that should it be: "Fashion w/ conscience." Meaning during the production of this garment, no artificial ingredients and pesticides we're used and in line with this "green" fashion, this makes my very first organic item in my closet.

Since I had this last week, I was thinking where should I match this, well as I mentioned this is a very versatile piece so there will be a litany but I will share what's on top of mind. For men out there, you can pair this with my fearless suggestions:
- bright-colored shirt (used as underneath), denim cut-offs, espadrilles or sneakers and for add-on, a fedora hat
-an all black ensemble then cover it with the light gray cardigan
- denim top and denim jeans then cover it with the light gray cardigan

For my women readers here are some of my style tips:
- white or black tank top, floral mini-skirt, tanned brogues
-sunny yellow top, denim cut-offs, navy gladiator flats
-plain v-neck shirt, wide-legged trousers w/ skinny belt in chocolate brown and wooden clogs


As soon as I wear this new baby, I'll post a photo and will blog about it. I hope that my few fashion tips on how to sport this cardigan will help you in a way or another. The icing on the cake of this cardis is, it has a nautical red & navy striped scarf (also from H&M), thank you my dear Alma for the present. This scarf is also perfect for the cardigan:

Here with Alma, my friend from Dubai

After more than a year, my good friend Alma arrived from Dubai for a month-long vacation. We we're colleagues for two any-half years until we both decided that our work then doesn't fit us and as simple as we're no longer happy that time. She went abroad to look for her fortune and I took a 360-degree turn by talking a totally different field which I truly adore. Fast forward today , to make up for the lost times, we had lunch together (originally it's a brunch, but Alma is still thesame a biatch, who is always late) in one of the Italian fast food joints in Robinson's Galleria. Talking about food, give me some few lines on how I found the dishes we ordered. I'm a fan of pasta especially tomato-based, I ordered pasta in pomodoro sauce, you can taste the sourness of authentic tomatoes and I would come back for this:

Spaghetti in pomodoro sauce
We also had pizza (no photos)in pepperoni and hawaian, it's nothing extraordinary so I didn't much on those compare to the pasta Which I had two plates. So stuffed! More than what we had for lunch, what's exciting that day was the endless stories that Alma and I shared. I can only post a few of it for reading pleasure like how she managed to have two jobs, the one in the hospital and the other one as an uber cool face paint artist and how she makes lots of moolah by putting dirt on someone else's faces, LOL.

That lunch was quick for I have prior appointments in the afternoon and she had to meet up with her long time hubby Paolo. But before she left for Dubai again, sigh, we promised that we will see each other again for cup of coffee or a movie date and this time with another good friend April, just like the good 'ol days. Alma dear, thank you for staying as a friend and how can I forget ?! Your pasalubong, chocolates and my most loved, retail stuff from H&M, you really know how to make me happy that's why I just adore you my darling biatch friend!