Turn around

No, this isn't a "Total Eclipse of the Heart" post.

It's another cat post. It's a Monday after all.

And today's cat is facing the wall.

Makes me wonder why this cat has his back turned against all the onlookers and passers-by.

Maybe he did something wrong. Maybe he just doesn't want to see people.

But one thing's for sure, this cat sums up our feeling this Monday.

Simply Stella(r)

The hallmark of a really good designer is the ability to elevate something that would normally be simple.

And Stella McCartney displays that ability in her new H&M collaboration.

While there are a lot of very nice pieces, my key piece is this seemingly simple dress.

Yes, it's a white, sheath dress, but the way she draped it makes it look phenomenal. It's already gorgeous as a flat piece, so imagine it when it's actually worn.

If they carried this piece in the MNL stores of H&M, it would probably be the one I'd be grabbing.

Not Bad

You know you're old when the artist you listened to as a kid is now the subject of a retrospective.

Yes, there's a Michael Jackson mini-exhibit in One Ayala.

Listening to the kids talk about Michael Jackson as if he was some super old person is both amusing and humbling.

Yes, we're old.

(And that's not bad.)

FMM: XS-sive

I've been doing this Friday Magic Madness thing for more than a decade, and I'm actually surprised that there's hasn't been any INXS song featured yet.

They're a rock band from the 80s, and they had a number of massive global hits. Needless to say, they're also a mainstay in TV shows like Video Hit Parade, America's Top 10 and MTV.

One of my most listened to INXS songs is this 1983 hit.

"Original Sin," is their first song that really caught my ear and became an earworm back in the 80s. The lyrics well-written, and the musicality of their performance is just top notch.

They really are originals.

Ca(t)mouflage

This cat definitely amused me.

Yes, there's a cat in this photo. He's just strategically positioned so that you can hardly see him.

Great camouflage skills, Mr. Cat.

Good Natured

I've always liked Human Nature.

They have really nice personal care products, and I'm a user of their mint shampoo and cooling body cleanser. 

Found another reason to like them after passing by their Trinoma store:

They're closed on Sundays!

Yup, the day with the most foot traffic is the day their store is closed. Why? Because it's a Holy day of rest, and they choose to honour that.

The people behind this brand are really good humans.

Color Story: You're the G(Oat)

There are days that you just want a fashion palette cleanser, and look for something that's not white.

For such days, oatmeal is a good option. 

It's not stark as white, but not too heavy like khaki, and not too plain like beige. It has the proper amount of creaminess, and still has that aspect of cleanliness.

Just like this ensemble:

The key piece here is the oatmeal skirt from the Nicolo x R.A.F. collaboration. Just like the other pieces in that collab, this has a lot of interesting details and cuts that make it visually interesting. Then, the top is from Surplus Shop, and it has an off-white hue that plays well with the colour of the skirt.

It bring the concept of "clean girl aesthetic" to a different level.

Lost Flores

The reason we went to Robinsons Magnolia yesterday was to have lunch at Las Flores. We've been craving for good Paella and croquetas, and this place is one of our go-to spots.

But when we got there, it was already closed!

That makes 2 Las Flores branches that closed already. The first was in Podium, and now Robinsons Magnolia.

Hope this isn't a trend and their other branches don't shutter, too.

One skirt, two ways: Sleeve me alone

Today's after mass lunch was at Robinsons Magnolia, and it's always fun to walk around this mall. The vibe is chill and laid-back, even if it's a Sunday.

Of course, Plains & Prints is on the agenda. Lo and behold, they were on sale. Apparently, it's a Robinsons Mall sale, so only selected branches are part of this.

Some of the items on sale are from the Michael Leyva x Plains & Prints collab from 2024. One item that was on sale that Ate Bullet doesn't have yet is a black skirt with the signature scarf print and a front tie. It's a dressy skirt with an attitude, and it can be worn two ways.

First, pair it with a textured knit top from SM GTW. This has a classic t-shirt style, but rendered in a knit fabric. The ensemble is giving fashion editor.

Second, pair it with a classic, boat neck sleeveless top from Uniqlo. The colour and cut of this top is so French, and it gives the ensemble a Parisian mood.

Amazing how small details - like a sleeve - can give an ensemble a different vibe altogehter.

LFLTAT: Thrift to Tabaco part deux

To prove that the first outfit wasn't a fluke, here's another outfit from my Tabaco ukay-ukay expendition.

This one is giving cool, western vibes. The denim jumper dress is made of soft denim and has an adjustable back. The top is a loose, checkered blouse with extended and puffed sleeves. And when worn together, it gives this fashionable bohemian vibe.

And yes, the price tag is the same - P170 for the ensemble!

Have to go and visit Tabaco again soon.

FMM: Sweet like Candi

While browsing through FB reels yesterday, there was a piece of content about a New Yorker throwing a baby shower.

The visuals didn't really interest me, but it was the soundtrack that caught my ear.

The soundtrack? This catchy ditty from 1976.

"Young hearts frun free," is one of Candi Statons hits. Just like many hits from the 70s, this has the trifecta of a catchy beat, great lyrics and an awesome singer. It's one of hose ditties that give that very chill vibe that you can listen to the whole day.

This is one candi that you're allowed to enjoy everyday.

LFLTAT: Thrift to Tabaco

As a fairly often Tabaco visitor, one of my learnings is that you shouldn't sleep on Tabaco ukay-ukay

The few times that I've been to ukay shops there, I've found a number of fashionable pieces at provincial prices.

And my last trip yielded a number of great outfits, such as this:

The top is a wool vest with a side pleat detail, and the a-line skirt is made of a ponte-wool blend. The color of the 2 pieces are so similar that you'd think that they came as a set, but they didn't.

How much did these 2 pieces cost? P170!

Yes, one hundred and seventy pesos only.

This ensemble alone made the trip worth it.

Hello, Halo

Of course, a visit to Bicol isn't complete without DJC Halo-halo.

This is an icon in Tiwi and- when we were younger - we would just go to Tiwi for this halo-halo. 

They've tried expanding to different parts of Albay. Some succeeded, like this one in Tabaco. It's just walking distance from where we usually stay, so looking for and enjoying it is a lot easier.

Hello again, DJC!

Buy Laws(on)

Finally, Lawson is getting into the onigiri game!

Tried it and must say, their onigiri is pretty good.

Right amount of rice, generous amount of filling, the nori is crunchy and doesn't break apart when you pull the plastic wrapper.

Hope they make this a regular product in all their stores.

Group C(h)at

Looks like their group is expanding.

Now, there's not just one carefree cat in our building.

Yup, he has a companion! And he's just as nonchalant and laid-back as the other.

I'm sure a lot of people would love to be part of this group.

Kuro Kids

Spent Saturday night supporting Kurt & Cza's latest Meraki pop-up.

Of course, Kuro was there.

The event had such a young and laid-back vibe. And staying there for a few hours gave me this realisation.

I'm definitely old.

It's a pake!

Snopake was the correction fluid brand du jour back in my high school days.

Back then, correction fluid had to be part of your pencil case arsenal. Some kids had Liquid Paper, some had Magic Touch, but the fold standard was Snopake.

Nowardays, no one uses correction fluid anymore. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see this during my visit to National Bookstore.

Yes, Snopake is still very much around.

Didn't get to see what they were actually selling, though. Will save that for another visit.

FMM: Beneath me

Being a jazz fan, a large chunk of my 90s life was spent listening to Incognito.

This British acid jazz band was a staple in radio stations during the 90s, and we'd also have their CDs at the office and play it during OT nights.

One of my most listened to songs from this band is this 1996 hit, "Beneath the Surface."

Whenever this song plays, it brings me back to my San Miguel days. That was a very memorable 1 year of my working life, and it gave me a lot of long time friendships that are cherished until now.

So yes, my love for this song is more than surface deep.

Light and Faith

No visit to Tabaco is complete without dropping by the Tabaco Church and offering a few candles for the family and loved ones.

For some reason, doing this in Bicol hits different.

Across the Hall

One thing that always amazes me during my Bicol trips is the fact that it still follows the old Spanish set-up of having a plaza across the City Hall.

Having studied this back in HS and College, the centre of old Filipino towns would have the trifecta of government, religion and commerce. Thus, there would be a city hall, a church and a market situated around the town plaza.

The plaza across the city hall in Tabaco is always bustling with activity and people. Whether it's joggers in the morning, students hanging out in the afternoon, or couples in the evening - there's always some sort of activity happening there. 

And when you're in Bicol, do as the Bicolanos do. That's why I'd hang out in front of the city hall wheneer there's free time.

Ah, the joys of provincial life.

That's great!

Especially if it's St. Gregory the Great!

Yup, my visits to Bicol won't be complete without dropping by St. Gregory the Great Cathedral in Legazpi. 

Yes, I was just here last January, but I'm going to keep coming back to this place whenever possible.

Ancestral Home is where the heart is

Even as a kid, this Ancestral Home in Tabaco always had a special place in my heart.

It's not just because I'm a fan of old Filipino homes and architecture. It's deeper than that.

It's because this ancestral home was once owned by my great-great-grandfather, Mariano Villanueva.

Now, it's a National Heritage site, though it's in a state of disarray. But looking at it, both from afar and up close, you can feel the stories and traditions behind these walls.

Gosh, if I had the means, I'd buy this home and restore it.

Rise and Rejoice

Today, we celebrate the most profound and happiest day of the Holy Week celebration.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

Happy Easter!

Sea of Faith

Those words came to my mind while watching the Good Friday procession last night.

There were more than 50 "pasos" and - in my estimate - more than 5,000 people who attended the procession in Tabaco. It was so heartwarming to see a sea of people, carrying candles, ushering the Saints around the Centro.

Truly, Holy week in Bicol hits different.

FMM: Words of Tradition

If there's one thing that was on my agenda on this trip to Bicol, it was to go to Malinao and hear the Siete Palabras.

We did this when we where kids. As early as 1pm, we'd go to Sts. Joaquim and Anne Parish, and we'd listen to the  last words and wait for the image of Christ to breathe his last. Yes, the image of Jesus Christ actually "dies" at 3pm. And, back then, it was a novel sight for a kid from Manila to see.

I'm glad to have witnessed this again, albeit the scriptures and sharing went a bit overtime and the culmination happened around 3:30pm rather than 3:00pm.

One of the songs that they sang during the 7 last words is an old church song that's been a favourite of mine since childhood. And on today's Good Friday Magic Madness, it's only apt to play this song:

"Pananagutan" is a church hymn that was written sometime between the 60s and the 70s. It was written by a Jesuit preist named Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, and has been part of church hymns ever since. 

It's such a classic song that while listening to it this 2026, it still hits the same way as it did when I'd listen to it as a kid in the 80s.

I'm so glad to have heard this, and witness this tradition, after decades.

Big(gs) Time!

One thing that's always on my list during my Bicol trips is eating at Biggs.

That became easier now that they've opened a branch in Tabaco!

Now, that's one item ticked off my list.

View-tiful

I've been to Bicol hundreds of times, but this view still takes my breath away.

Hello again, Mayon! Glad to see you.

The art of friendship

Had a meeting at the Philippine Stock Exchange building last week, and had to take a snap of this.

It's Ovvian's sculpture!

There's a welling feeling of pride every time I see Ovvian's work. She's gotten her talent in metal sculpting from her dad, and it's always a joy seeing her work.

I'm so fortunate to have such a creative and talented friend.

Face the wall

Another Monday, another cute cat.

This time, it's this cutie cattater who might have been mischievous.

That's the only explanation in my mind as to why he's facing the wall.

Either way, this cat is cure. And also a good visualisation of our Monday mood.

Fam-meal-ia

Nothing beats the feeling of a hearty meal shared with the family.

What makes it even more special is the fact that we're with Biboy and Liz, both who just flew in from the US.

We should really have more of this.

Blackstar

No, this isn't about the 80s cartoon featuring John Blackstar. But make no mistake, that was one of my favourite childhood programs.

This is about another favourite - black outfits!

Just like this one. 

It's a outfit that's culled from different countries. The very classic, black, boatneck sleeveless top is from Bocu, a local clothing brand. The skirt was from Luck Rack in Tokyo, and was one of the best finds during that trip. And the shoes were from SG, Pull & Bear, if I'm not mistaken.

This is the perfect example of black that isn't boring. The sheer details on the skirt and the silver stud on the shoes elevate the black into something elevated.

It's an outfit that has star quality.

FMM: Smooth!

No, this isn't a Santana post. Though that would've been appropriate for a Friday Magic Madness post.

But this is a Friday Magic Madness post.

Someone at the office suddenly played Sade, and my mind went: "Why don't I feature her as often as she should?"

Et voila!

"Smooth Operator" is probably one of her biggest hits. It came out in 1984 and was ubiquitous back then. And even until now.

This song is just so smooth!

Oh No! (Brand!)

It's closing season.

After M&S, here's another international brand that's closing in the Philippines.

Yup, No brand is no more.

Part of me really isn't surprised. They don't have stand-alone stores this big in Korea, so I'm surprised that they had it here. At first, it looked promising, but when they started populating the store with non-No Brand items, it looked like they were losing focus.

What they should do is follow the Korean model of selling the brand inside Robinsons supermarkets. (They sell it inside Emart in Korea.) At least, we won't completely miss out on these no brand goodies.

Slim pickings

Oh, I miss the days when there were rows upon rows upon rows of beautiful gift wrappers at National Bookstore.

As the distributor of Hallmark products, they had the best and most varied selections of gift wrappers. They had a wrapper for every vibe, every occasion, every aesthetic. But now, they have this:

It's kinda sad to see how much they've downscaled their gift wrapping area. Even sadder is the fact that the designs are becoming bland and repetitive. Even their gift tags are blah.

Is it time to find another source of wrapping papers?

I took a picture, I took a picture

Because we're turning Japanese!

The Creative Team was the host for this month's birthday cocktails. We had several themes in mind, but knowing that this month is the Sakura season in Japan, we thought of bringing a bit of Japan to Ortigas.

Thanks to the team, we were able to transform the CAI Cafe into our little piece of Ueno park.

Sugoi ne!

Black, white and red...

...but make it a cat edition.

That was the first thing that came to mind after seeing this:

Yup, it's another cute cat Monday post. 

We know we'll never get tired of that.

Back in the box

Or, "midterms, but make it yummy."

That pretty much sums up my midterm exam for my copywriting class.

Instead of just a piece of paper, they got this:

And to inspire them to write, they got this:

Yup, they actually get to touch and taste the products they're making advertising copy for.

Who says exams should be daunting or boring?

The Difference of a D

Yet another example of how 1 letter can make a world of difference.

Instead of being a sign that tells you the establishment is closed, it now looks like an apology to a person who doesn't want you to be close to them.

Proofreader, please!

FMM: That's crazy

It's kinda wild whenever people refer to 90s songs as "old."

Saw this reel on FB when people were asked to listen to "old songs from the 90s." In my mind, I'm like, "Really? That's already considered old?"

One good thing about watching that video, though, is that it brought back songs and memories from 2 decades back. And this song rom 1999 is what made me excited the most.

"Butterfly" by Crazy Town was such as ubiquitous song back then. It was played all over - radios, parties, discos - wherever you went, you could hear it.

But what makes this song memorable for me is the fact that one of my nephews loved to sing it. I'm not sure if it was Carl or Miguel, but whenever this song came on and they'd play the chorus, he'd sing the part that went "Sugar... baby..."

It's crazy how one song can bring so much awesome memories.

Having a ball(pen)

Back then, you could only start using a ballpen when you were able to write in cursive and you were in grade 4. 

Gosh, I looked forward to that day so much.

And when that time came, my only request was that my ballpen be Kilometrico.

It was one of the most famous pens back then, thanks to their commercials that had a jingle and the tagline: "Writes thousand and thousands of words."

My Kilometrico collection was composed of all 3 colours, and in multiples. Couldn't risk not having one of these precious pens in my pencil box or bag.

Why am I recalling all these today? It's because of this:

Yes, Kilometrico is still very much around.

Excuse me while I go to National Bookstore to buy one.

Meals with Mark: Two in a row

When Mark and I saw the poster for Chili's burger day a week ago, we said that our experience last year was enough and we don't need to repeat the experience this year.

Or so we thought.

We passed by Chili's in Galleria and saw a long line of people waiting for their turn to avail of the promo. We though, "what the heck!" So, we lined up, we got a table immediately, and enjoyed our 50% off burgers.

That's 2 years in a row. 

Maybe this will be a tradition.

Pop goes Zagu

One of the secrets to Zagu's longevity is the fact that they always introduce something new and interesting.

While their pearl shakes are more than 20 years old now, they keep themselves from being stagnant by having seasonal flavours that will pique people's interest.

Heck, my interest was piqued after seeing this:

Popcorn in a pearl shake? Interesting.

And yes, it's good!

You go, curl!

It might be the universe telling me that there hasn't been a Monday cat post for a while.

This greeted me on my way to 7-11 this morning.

It's safe to say that everyone just wants to curl up like this on a Monday.

2 good 2 pass up

The more trailers they drop, the more appealing this film is.

It looks like "The Devil Wears Prada 2" will be a line-fest aside from being a fashion fest. That line by Emily Blunt has all the makings of a classic line:

"May the bridges I burn light my way."

If this is a preview of what's to come, you know it's going to be SO good!

The cat who can't be moved

Yes, this post is inspired by that hit song from "The Script."

But instead of a man who can't be moved, this post is about this.

Yes, the cat was on top of the stairs, and no once could get him to move. So, everyone had to walk around him.

The cat must've had the chorus "I'm not moving..." playing in his head the entire time.

FMM: Madness!

Yes, today's Friday Magic Madness song is about madness. How's that for a coincidence.

"Beauty and Madness" by Fra Lippo Lippi suddenly came to mind because of this youtube reel that keeps popping up on my feed. It's about a music teacher who asks people to guess a song based on a few notes that he plays on his keyboards.

One of the song he plays most often is this Fra Lippo Lippi hit song from 1987. And surprisingly, no one gets it right! Gosh. How can they not know this iconic song.

Madness!

Half hazard

Last year, Mark and I went to Chili's One Ayala and caught their half-price burger promo. 

It was such a busy time! Getting a table was a challenge. People were lined up outside constantly. Servers were rushing back and forth with trays of burgers. But everyone was served efficiently and on-time, including us.

Can't believe that was almost a year ago. Because they're going at it again.

After seeing this sign, we asked ourselves if we'd do the whole half-price burger craziness again. And we thought, "maybe not."

Rabbit in!

Looks like Target is going into overdrive with their collaborations.

Aside from Rifle Paper Co., their simultaneously launching a collaboration with Roller Rabbit.

Of course, Roller Rabbit is known for their fun and whimsical prints. The brand has this joie de vivre that's perfect for summer.

Looks like people are going to start hopping to Target because of this.

Hello Milo!

Just when you thought you couldn't have any more Milo options in your life.

Now, 7-11 has Milo in their range of Gulp drinks!

Right now, this is the cheapest among all the Milo options I've tried. It's P59 for a large cup like this. And while it's not as rich and creamy tasting as the others in my rotation, (places like PickUp and Cocopan put milk and syrup in their Milo drinks) this one still hits the spot.

Looks like I'll be in 7-11 more often these days.

Ohayo Ootoya!

Ootoya will always have a special place in my heart. 

This Japanese restaurant chain was one of the first places where Mark and I ate in Tokyo. And it also became one of our regulars.

During our last 2 or 3 trips to Japan, though, we weren't able to go there.

But now, we don't even have to go to Japan!

Ootoya is now open in BGC!

Sugoi ne!

Ultimate cuteness!

Can't get over how cute this photo of Sab is!

Asked if she was praying when this photo was shot. Apparently not:

"She was pooping."

Gosh. That makes it even cuter!

An officer and a gentleman

Today is Lolo Iking's birthday. It's his 116th birth anniversary, and his 37th birthday in heaven. 

The family continues to miss Lolo dearly, and this post made by Kuya Marv really sums up who our Lolo was, and how we feel about him.

He truly was an officer and a gentleman, and while today isn't a Friday Magic Madness day, it's just fitting that we bring back this 1982 hit song. 

"Up where we belong," was a hit from Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, and was used in the film "An Officer and a Gentleman." And that makes this song even more apt and meaningful.

Happy heavenly birthday, Lolo Iking!

FMM: That's cold

I'm not sure why, but it seems like Paula Abdul's "Cold Hearted" is making a resurgence on-line. I've been seeing it popping up on my feed in different iterations. Some posts are about the actual video, some are about the iconic lip-sync at RuPaul's Drag Race, and some feature Paula herself.

That's a sign. This song deserves to be on today's Friday Magic Madness.

The MTV is so slick and cool. It feels like an homage to the audition scene in "Flashdance." The song itself is iconic! From the catchy beat to the shift the the orchestra. And of course, Paula's fast rap was the chef's kiss of the song. Overall, it still feels fresh and current, despite the fact that it's a 37 year old song.

Because of all these reasons, it's with a full heart that I'm playing this song over and over again today.

Rife for Rifle

As a gift wrapper junkie, one of my most visited sites is Rifle Paper Co.

It's actually one of my black holes. Once I'm in the site and start browsing their excellent selection of gift wrapper prints, time will pass by in a flash, and I'll be in the site or an hour without noticing.

Imagine my thrill upon learning that they're going to have a collaboration with Target!

Upon closer scrutiny, though, they won't carry the gift wrapping and stationary line at Target. What they'll do is take their iconic prints and translate them into home ware and a few apparel pieces.

Not as expected, but I'm sure this is still worthy of being checked out.

Diana would be proud

Look Ms. Ross, I've found "The Boss."

And that's today's cat cuteness post.

Elephant in the room. The mall, rather.

Apparently, South Korea's other fave eyewear brand is also in the Philippines.

Passed through Glorietta on my way to the 4As meeting and spotted this Blue Elephant kiosk in Glorietta 2. 

Aside from Gentle Monster, this is the other brand that Pinoys hoard whenever they go to Seoul.

There's some controversy surrounding these 2 brands, though. There was a time when Gentle Monster was suing Blue Elephant for copying their designs and selling it cheaper. Not sure what happened to that, but the fact that Blue Elephant is still around might be an indicator.

Guess they acknowledged the elephant in the room.