Will he win?

If Tyra is going to crown a male model in this cycle of ANTM, I think she'll give it to Will.

He's like the Ann Ward of this cycle. Tall, awkward, a bit quirky, but knows how to maneuver the camera.

Besides, making Will win will make up for the Cory debacle last cycle.

Finding serenity

Sta. Cruz Church was another place I was able to visit while I was in Escolta last Saturday.

It's my first time to enter this Church, and I was impressed by the interiors and the architecture. The lines and structure were very modern. The altar was beautiful, mixing mosaic tiles, a gold tabernacle and hard wood.

What's even more impressive was how serene the place was. Since I was coming from the chaos and noise of Escolta which was just outside, it felt like being transported to another place.

Blast from the past!

Yesterday, I visited Lorenz's stall at an art market in Escolta. It's been decades since I was last in that area, so I took a few minutes to walk around the neighborhood.

Lo and behold, a sight that was so magical, I heard "hallelujahs" in the background after seeing it.

Syvel's!

This was a huge department store back then, even bigger than SM. They also had shoes as their main product, and I remember how Mom would buy her shoes in the Cubao branch.

Alas, all their stores are closed now. But at least their memory continues to live on with this sign.

Flying high!

My nephew is one step closer to his dreams of becoming a pilot. He got his wings today, after his successful solo flights. A few more months and he'll be flying commercial.

It makes me want to break into song and say: Fly, Kevin, Fly! (to the tune of "Fly, Robin, Fly.")

FMM: That tender feeling

It's Friday, and we're in a shoot.

And when we're in a shoot, particularly with this team, they always play 80s songs in between breaks. Which is appropriate, since it's Friday.

My favorite song from their playlist? This feel-good classic from General Public.



Now how's that for feel good.

Pop and Lock

"Once you pop, you just can't stop" might be Pringles' tagline, but I think this snack from Granny Goose deserves that tagline as well."

Everything about Pop'n Chips is a winner. From the strong cheese flavor with a bite of Jalapeno, to the interesting texture of crunchiness and chewiness at the same time. I bought 4 packs, and finished 3 within hours.

In my list of favorite snacks, this one is locked in.

A masterpiece dessert

We went to Donat's sculpture exhibit opening and discovered a masterpiece. Other than Donat's sculptures.

Cupcakes!

This cupcake was SO good, we had to take a photo with it.

Of Biblical proportions

As a fan of Biblical stories, I'm always thrilled when they tell these stories in Hollywood.

And I'm doubly thrilled when I find out that one of my favorite stories - Moses and Ramses - will be retold by Ridley Scott!



I can't wait for this movie to come out.

Lenox knocks it!

During last week's episode, Lenox almost got eliminated. Luckily, Romeo was disqualified and she was given a chance to stay.

On tonight's episode, she was only given 5 frames for her shoot. It was paltry compared to the 35 frames the other models got.

But she knocked it out of park! She got first call-out this week, and her score was 4 points higher than the second placer.

How's that for being on top!

Two ways: I'm a layer

In the U.S., September ushers in fall. That's why when you open a magazine, you're sure to find an article or a tutorial about layering.

It's important to know how to layer in the U.S. After all, it can be warm in the morning, a bit nippy in the afternoon, then super cold in the evening. To dress for three types of temperatures require skill and planning, and most Americans have that own pat.

While layering is more functional, layering can also be fashionable. With the right layer, an ensemble can look totally different from its original look. Observe:

Here's a classic button down chambray shirt and jeans combination. It looks very classic, but very straightfoward.

But if you add a tailored blazer, it looks a bit more artsy.

Particularly if the tailored blazer had ceramic floral prints.

Or, if you want something younger and more current, layer the ensemble with a cropped neoprene shirt.

This combination is unexpected, and very fun. Especially when the shirt has a vivid print such as this one.

Layering is a great way to make dressing up two times the fun.

Es-Lex

Over cupcakes at Vanilla bakery, Mark and I started talking about this cycle of ANTM. They brought back guys this cycle, and methinks that they'll make a guy win on this 21st installment. After all, they let a Brit win when they had the British Invasion cycle. And Marvin almost won last cycle, if not for Jourdan's awesomeness.

I've always had a soft spot for the quirky looking models on ANTM. And there's one in every cycle. Noteworthy ones are Heather of cycle 9, Lauren of cycle 10, Allison of cycle 12, Nicole of cycle 13, and the list goes on.

But one of my favorites is still Esther Petrack of cycle 15. I think she should've made top 3. (Ann was really the predestined winner of this cycle.)

This cycle, the quirky girl is also one of my favorites. And uncannily, she reminds me a lot of Esther.

Presenting Lenox!

She was almost eliminated this week, but was given a second chance due to a disqualification in the house. Methinks she'll bounce back from last week, and will go far in this competition. I mean, those eyes!

Eventhough I think a guy will win this cycle, who knows? Lenox might do a Jourdan and yank the victory from under their feet.

FMM: Under the (rainy) weather

There's a storm outside, and we're here at the office finishing up work.

Yes, despite the bad weather outside, some of us managed to get here. And since we're here, might as well finish up some projects.

And we'll do that with Eurythmics, since this song pretty much sums up how we're feeling.

This made me Lap!

Apparently, even the administrators of our office building don't know how to proofread.

It's either that, or they just don't know how to spell.

Great 8!

Whenever Mark's birthday comes along, I realize how time flies so fast.

After all, it feels just like yesterday when we were celebrating his birthday in far, far, far away Urasa. Then, it was followed by many other celebrations, from Ginza, to Manila. And just like that, we're celebrating it in Tim Ho Wan in Megamall today.

Omedetou Tanjoobi Gozaimasu, Mark!

Missing the Luster

While flipping channels on the telly, I found a channel that showed old Filipino films. The film that was being shown at that moment starred an actress who I haven't seen in a long, long, long, long, long time!

Cynthia Luster!

She's this martial artist who hit it big as an actress in Hong Kong. Eventually, she expanded her career to the Philippines where she starred in several action-comedy films. I remember watching one or two of them, and she was very effective. Both in making people laugh, and kicking other people's butts.

I wonder where she is now.

Hark! Is that an alarm I hear?

Presenting an odd sign that I saw at our client's office.

Does that mean that if the alarm rings, there will be an announciation?

Wonderful Weekend

The weather was rainy and lazy this weekend, and it was the perfect time for a staycation in Manila.

Everything about the weekend was awesome. From the hotel, to the executive lounge where we'd hang out and munch on the assorted snackers they've prepared, to the nice swimming pool, to the hearty breakfast, to the casino immersion, and everything else in between.

The staycation just ended, but I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Anna-tomy

I've always thought Anna Wintour was cool. And I don't mean that in an ice queen kind of way.

After seeing this video about her, her coolness notch just went up a few hundred levels.



It's such a creative way to know more about her.

FMM: Oh, Lonnie!

Back in the early 90s, there was a surge of electronic-dance-pop songs, as well as singers.

It was the time when C & C Music Factory, Madison Avenue, Blackbox, Cece Peniston, Sybil and other singers from that branch really hit it big. And I wasn't surprised because their songs were really fun and infectious.

One of my favorite singers from this era was Lonnie Gordon. She was a British singer in a sea of Americans, but she was able to break through the clutter with her sick beats. And if you listen to her songs now - more than 20 years since they were first heard on air - they still sound current.



That's the magic of old songs.

Magic Hour

We had an early shoot, and an even earlier call time. As I left the house for the office, it was such a refreshing sight to see the moon still up while the day was about to begin.

It was a magical sight.

What a change the weekend makes.

Last Sunday, I dropped by Ortigas to use the ATM. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they close off Emerald Avenue on weekends and turn it into a big pedestrian park.

 

Instead of the usual throngs of people, cabs and cars, Emerald was occupied by joggers, skateboarders and families who rent bikes and ride around with their kids.

It's such a refreshing change. They should consider doing this on a weekday.

Is this how you treat your friends?

Spotted this very interesting tarpaulin in Cubao.

Look closer.

You're not supposed to eat your friends, right?

Mama's day

Among the many images of Mama Mary, the image of the Mother of Perpetual Help is one of my favorites. There's something very old world and enchanting about it.

And on her birthday, I'm sending her a greeting with this photo attached.

Happy Birthday Mama Mary.

Delectable D.I.Y.

For the advanced birthday celebration for both Mark and Chrissie, we decided to channel our inner chefs and went to 2 D.I.Y. places in one day.

We had early dinner at Project Pie, then dessert at Slappy Cakes.

Getting stuffed has never been this crafty.

Cool ka, Lang!

In more collaboration news, Uniqlo is teaming up with Helmut Lang!

HELMUT LANG!!!

I hope they carry these jackets in the Philippines.

These collaborations just get better and better.

FMM: Hearing Double

Deja vu. Feels like you've heard that one before, right?

Well, that song title is shared by 2 of my favorite songs. One is really old, while the other was launched almost a decade ago. So, since today is set aside for old songs, might as well have a double deja vu treat.

First, from Dionne Warwick:


And from Beyonce:


Now that's a double treat this weekend.

See you laser!

A few months ago, my sister's friend asked me whether I knew what a "laser cut" fabric was. Apparently, she had a daughter studying design, and she was asked to look for one. The problem was, she didn't know what "laser cut" fabric is. 

I told her that it's a type of fabric with a very intricate design, usually lattice work. This design is perforated from the fabric, using a laser. Thus, the name.

The explanation had to be repeated several times before she got it. On hindsight, I should've just showed her one of Ate Bullet's laser cut dresses for her to understand it better.

As you can see, it has a very intricate design, similar to lattice work.

In laser cut dresses, the fabric and design are everything. And this dress captures those qualities perfectly.

And that, my friends, is a laser cut dress.

Let the sunshine in!

Pretty much like her sunny personality, Ate Bullet has a penchant for happy, cheerful clothes. She gravitates towards color, and has a lot of floral print dresses in her wardrobe.

Last week, I saw a dress that I knew would fit her perfectly. The color, the pattern, the silhouette - they were all neatly packaged in one outfit.

The dress has a classic shift silhouette which makes the dress very versatile. The color is this bright, lemon yellow that's sure to add cheer to the wearer and everyone who sees her. Then, there's an embroidered sunflower pattern which makes the dress come alive.

This dress was such a winner that I ended up getting two more. A red one for Ate Lissa and a blue one for Mom.

Just like happiness, a dress this nice should be shared.

Meals with Mark: OOOff the list

When I suggested that we have lunch at Triple O's today, Mark was a bit hesitant. 

As I've previously mentioned, one of the drawbacks of Triple O's is value for money. After all, it's a fast food burger joint that sells burgers that are more expensive than fast casual restaurants like 8 Cuts and Chili's. So, he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to pay as much for a fast food burger.

But in keeping with the idea of crossing off restaurants from our list, we decided to have lunch there.

Since it was Tuesday, they had a "Spot Size" promo where we got an automatic upgrade to large fries and drinks. It was a pleasant surprise. Or should I say, sur-fries. Harhar.

After the meal, Mark's verdict is similar to mine. The food is good, but for this price, he was expecting something more. While the size of the burger is bigger than 8 Cuts, he still prefers the taste of the latter. So, for this price, he's rather go back to 8 Cuts. And the next time we're craving for a burger and a chicken sandwich, that's where we're going.

But hey, at least we got Triple O's off the list.

And just like that, September is here.

Just because it's the first day of September.



Hey, at least it isn't a Christmas song.