His own accord(uroy)

Although he specializes in clothing for cold weather, the J.W. Anderson x Uniqlo collaboration showed that he can take his strength and retool it to a more tropical climate. He took heavier materials like wool and corduroy, and made tropic-friendly clothes like short skirts.

My favorite of the lot are his corduroy wrap skirts. They’re super chic.

In his lookbook, he paired it with flannel shirts. But I thought that it would be better paired with something lighter. Like a crisp and chic cotton shirt.

This fabric and color combination works. It gives the entire ensemble a more casual and carefree vibe.

Ate Bullet is sure to rock this look.

FMM: Go!

The past week was just as I expected it to be.

Busy and eventful.

Busy with meetings. And events are happening left and right. It's almost December, after all.

And now that I'm well and fully-energized, my attitude towards the whole thing is best summed up by today's Friday Magic Madness song from Wang Chung.



Let's go, Life! Let's live it to the fullest!

Faster than a speeding...

Ate Bullet is celebrating her birthday today!

Let me make this greeting fast.

Happy Birthday to my cool, fashionable and uber caring sister! I'm so blessed to have you in my life, especially during this year after all I've been through. Not only have you been a great sister, you've been a source of strength, encouragement and blessings.

Happy Birthday, Ate! May you receive all the best that life has to offer.

Bed of flowers

When Mom and I saw this bedsheet in SM Cubao, we both fell in love with the vibrant, tropical flower print.

Unfortunately, they didn't have a 4-piece Queen Size set there, so we didn't buy the 4-piece Twin Size set. (It was all-or-nothing! Harhar!)

Hopefully, they'll have this in SM Megamall. In both sizes.

A-Ten-Tion!

Remember that favorite Donburi place that Mark and I have in Tokyo?

They're now in MNL!

Now,  there's an additional restaurant to our usual repertoire.

Express Yourself!

Here's actual proof that Panda Express is really opening in MNL!

It's going to be at the 1st floor of SM Megamall!

That photo of Orange Chicken just whet my appetite even more.

Hurry up and open in MNL! Please

What's in a name? Part Dua

Yes, JKT is like a gift that keeps on giving.

If you like funny product names as "gifts. "

Here's another sighting from a local supermarket.

And yes, they still can't import this in the Philippines.

What's in a name?

When we were in JKT, a particular brand of snacks - potato chips to be exact - caught my eye.

Nay, it grabbed me eye and made sure I paid attention.

I actually get the idea behind the name. It's something I teach in SSC, that you can sometimes create a "Compound Name" out of 2 or more important qualities of the product. This is a "Japanese" "Potato Chip," and I'm assuming that's how they got to the name.

Valid. But I don't think they can sell this in the Philippines.

FMM: Back to Workin'

My family and friends will attest to this - I'm a workaholic.

Ever since I got my first job as a junior copywriter at 19 years old, I've worked non-stop. And enjoyed every minute of it.

That's why it was such a weird feeling when I found myself in a situation where I was confined to a bed at home with no activity except for recuperation. (A very important activity, I must say.)

Thankfully, that chapter is over and I've been given the greenlight to go back to regular programming this week. So, in celebration of my first week of regular work, let's bring in Dolly Parton!



Yes, I'm Workin' 9 to 5. And lovin' it!

Star-filled dreams

I've dreamt of Carl's Jr. twice this month already!

Unfortunately, I can't travel out of the country yet. So, Carl's Jr. will have to wait.

Gosh! I miss the times when they had Carl's Jr. in Pasay Road. Someone bring back Carl's Jr. to the Philippines. Please!

In our nature

Having handled shampoo brands for majority of my work life, I'm well aware of the different products in the market. This knowledge made me very finicky about shampoos, and I've gone through different brands through the years.

When we were kids, one of the most popular brands was called "Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific." Quite a mouthful, but if you took a whiff of their red variant, you know they speak the truth.

Then, there was this trendy brand called "Shake Double." It was an interesting premise: the Shampoo and Conditioner parts are split equally and separate in one bottle, and you'd have to shake it in order to get the full effect.

Because I handled Palmolive Shampoo for the longest time, I also used the brand and its many variants.

Then, after discovering the clear and light variant of Pantene, that became my go-to.

Until Human Nature's Peppermint Shampoo came along.

This product is a joy to use. It's light, natural, and leaves a cool feeling on your scalp after using it. That's why it's now my daily shampoo, and I couldn't be happier.

Sorry, Palmolive.

In the cycle of things...

One thing that yesterday made me realize is that working in advertising is like riding a bike.

Even if you haven't done it in a while, you'll always know how to do it. And you'll always love doing it.

Now I miss my BMX bike.

Back in the saddle again!

Today is my first day back at work!

I've never been as excited and psyched for a long time!

Let's do this!

(You know I'm excited when all sentences end with an exclamation point. Harhar.)

Was there a Giam?

Since I was relegated to the house the past few weeks, I missed the launch of the Giambattista Valli x H&M collaboration this November. So now, I don't know if it was met by the usual mad rush of shoppers, or if they flew off the shelves in record time.

I'll find out for myself when I finally go to an H&M store next week.

I'm not expecting much. But if I see this dress is still there, I just might get it.

Let's see.

Like a Hawk!

Saturday was a red-letter day for us when we were kids. It was the day when RPN-9 would play cartoons and kiddie shows non-stop, from 8:00am to noontime.

This was Saturday Fun Machine.

One of our favorite shows back then was "Superfriends." It was the 30-minute show that featured Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and some lesser known heroes like Apache Chief. They went up against the Legion of Doom which had villains that were pitted directly against a hero.

Superman vs. Bizarro. Green Lantern vs. Sinestro. Apache Chief vs. Giganta. That kind of shizz.

And while my brothers and cousins wanted to be Superman and Batman, I was the only one who wanted to be Hawkman.

I thought Hawkman was super cool. Aside from the fact that he had real wings, I found his stern demeanor and dry humor very interesting.

While he's still very much around in the DC Universe, I think they should build him up some more. This guy deserves to soar even higher.

FMM: In the Mex

Okay, fine.

Since we've been talking about Tacos, Nachos and Mexican food the past few days, let's stick with the theme this Friday Magic Madness.

Time for a little James Taylor.



It's really a Mex-xed up world.

Come to Kamico

And the Taco the town continues.

When we were kids, we'd go to Unimart every weekend. Lolo would give us P20 each, and we were allowed to spend it any way we wanted.

My brothers would immediately go to Funhouse, while my sisters would go to Gift Gate to buy Sanrio. Me? You'd either find me at Nova Fontana, or eating Nachos at Kamicos.

Kamico was this small stall on the 3rd floor of Shoppesville, and they served awesome Nachos and Tacos. For their price point, their Mexican food tasted pretty legit, that's why I loved it.

And that's also why after more than 2 decades, they're still pretty much around today.

Mexxed-up world

While dreaming of authentic Mexican Tacos last night, I just realized that there's one place in Manila that I frequent whenever I crave for Mexican food.

Technically, they're not really Mexican. The name itself is a compound of Mexico and California, so their cuisine is more of the Baja California type of Mexican food. But admittedly, their enchiladas are good. So are their burritos.

Gosh, writing this is making me crave for Mexican goodies even more.

I should really stop.

Taco Tuesdays

Watching several American TV shows both on youtube and on television, one of the things I noticed is that they often mention "Taco Tuesdays."

I'm not sure if it's a big thing in the U.S. And I have to investigate what it actually means. Do they get discounts on Tacos on Tuesdays? Is that the only thing they eat on Tuesdays? Is this a U.S.-wide thing?

Thinking about it makes me miss those authentic tacos we used to eat at Mexico. Those were top notch, and definitely not Taco Bell.

But since we don't get these types of Tacos here in Manila, well, see you in Taco Bell.

Just a taste

Since I spend the whole day at home, youtube has become my best friend.

There's nothing really good on free TV, and the cable shows tend to be repetitive. So, youtube is a good place to get fresh content.

I've been following several youtube channels, and one of them is an appetite-inducing one:

Yes, there's a channel called "Tasty." And it lives up to its name.

I'm getting hungry just thinking of it.

Sundazed

When I was working, the weekdays would be so busy - and Saturdays would sometimes be busier - that I'd look forward to Sundays.

This was the day when I'd just sit back, relax, empty my mind, and just enjoy a day of doing nothing.

The past month that I was at home recuperating, this relaxed, "doing nothing" exercise was what I did almost everyday. Thus, I missed the magic of Sunday.

Conclusion: I miss working. And I miss appreciating Sundays.

Thankfully, that'll change really soon.

Missing School

For more than a decade, I'd spend Saturdays waking up super early (even earlier than weekdays) to go to school.

To teach, that is.

On a fateful weekday in 1999, Prichy visited me at my office in Vito Cruz and asked me if I'd be interested in teaching part-time at St. Scholastica's College. Because Prichy is one of my bestest friends - and because a lot of our batchmates were also there - I obliged.

It was one of the best decisions that I made. And it was something I continued to do for more than a decade.

I'd still be doing it if not for this recent health issue. One thing I realized this morning is how much I miss it. I really miss teaching so, so, so SOOOOOOO much!

But that feeling of longing turns into anticipation when I think that I'll be back in school next year.

Wait for me, SSC! I'll be back.

FMM: Just can't stop it

If there's one thing this experience taught me, is that there might be huge, daunting obstacles that may face you, but if you're determined to push through, nothing can stop you from doing it.

That's why this Friday Magic Madness, we celebrate the fact that there are certain things you can't stop.

You can't stop dreams. You can't stop happiness. You can't stop hope. You can't stop living.

And in the words of The Village People, you can't stop the music!



Music has been a large part of this journey of mine, so this ditty is so apt this Friday.

New Year, Old Frendz

What better way to spend a new year in life than with old, reliable friends who have been with you through the thicks and thins and highs and lows in life. Just like true and genuine friends do.

A lot has changed since our Block I-1 days. And I'm glad that despite that, the things that matter hasn't changed at all.

Sixth Sense

Celebrating my birthday right after the life-altering and eye-opening realization that happened to me, I face another year with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation.

This year is the year when I can truly say: "I'm still here, so I must still have a mission and purpose in life."

And I'm definitely making sure that I'll fulfill it.

High Flyer!

Today, the family's high flyer celebrates another year!

Happy Birthday, Kev! Keep soaring and reaching for your dreams!

Star Struck!

After seeing the final trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” I’m even more psyched to see it!

Check it out!

Aren’t you Star-struck?

Oreo glad?

Everyone’s all agog about Red Velvet Oreo in Manila these days.

Thing is, that flavor is a few years delayed. They’ve had that - and we’re lucky to have enjoyed it - for years now.

What I really want are the Halloween Oreos.

Wonder when they’ll carry these here.

Soul food

Visiting memorial parks on All Soul’s Day was a lot different when we were younger.

Before, it was very solemn. People would go to the memorial parks as families, reminiscing and remembering the times they spent with their loved ones who’ve passed. We’d roll our mats and eat home-cooked food, which made it an intimate family affair.

Now, you go to a memorial park and it feels more like a state fair! It’s crowded, noisy, and people - especially the younger set - are more focused on having fun than remembering their dearly departed ones.

And another thing I noticed, food stalls are everywhere! Heck, you can even have food delivered to your lot! With the name of your deceased as address. Strange, but true.

Oh, how the times have changed.

FMM: Busted!

Since it’s Halloween - and Friday Magic Madness day - I thought of the theme song of one of my favorite spooky shows as a kid.

The Ghostbusters!

No, i’m Not talking about the modern take, but the O.G.

This:



Classic!