FMM: Tuesday Feels

Since new wave is making a comeback in Manila, today's Friday Magic Madness is an oldie-but-goodie new wave song.

It's a song by a group called "'Til Tuesday." If the name doesn't ring a bell, it's because they weren't one of those massive new wave bands. They were more the quiet types, but never fail to come up with great songs.

Just like my favorite song from the group, "Voices Carry."



This will be enough to carry me through the weekend.

Digital Design

There are times when I'd like to sketch something, but a nice pen or pencil is nowhere to be found.

Odd, but true.

In that case, I just open the trusty photoshop and try to digital my way out of the predicament.

Just like this design that for Richard's cake. Dexter's is going to do a great job on this.

It's actually faster to do it digitally at times. But call me old fashioned, but the traditional sketching is still my preference.

Spiel the beans!

Now I can "spill" it.

Anywhere and everywhere, I see proof that there is a dire need for proofreaders in this world.

Proofreader, please.

It's Britney, B***h!

My concert dreams just came true!

Britney Spears is finally coming to Manila!

Let me take an hour or two, or maybe a day to process this.

*faint*

Bicho by golly wow!

On my weekly trips to Divisoria, I always chance upon this nicely and neatly laid out food item on the street.

I've always wondered what it was. But I never got the chance to ask about it. Until yesterday.

I found out that it's called Bicho-Bicho, and it's deep fried bread.

Deep.
Fried.
Bread.

Where do I sign up?

After buying one and trying it, the experience was phenomenal! It tasted like those deep fried donuts they used to sell at Rustan's. So, it would be safe to say that Bicho-Bicho is a taste of childhood.

Looks like there's another reason for me to go back to Divisoria every weekend.

Learning should feel like a picnic!

In today's class, we were talking about event styling. The objective was to show the class that with the proper ambience, planning and props, you can transform just about any venue to one that fits the theme.

A few weeks ago, I asked them what type of event they wanted to see, and their answer was a "indie-camping-cum-picnic."

So, to demonstrate the lesson, I transformed our broadcast studio to a picnic ground. We placed mats, picnic props, and even stars in the background to give it an outdoorsy feel.

Considering how the class reacted, i'd say it was a success.

Learning should be this fun.

The cutest of the mole

You know Saturday is going to be great when your day starts with a comic strip as cute as this.

It's more than enough to give you the warm fuzzies the whole day, eh.

FMM: Make a wish!

In honor of that upcoming China Crisis concert that I saw, today's Friday Magic Madness song is... wait for it...

China Crisis!

And any 80s kid will know that "Wishful Thinking" is their biggest hit!



Makes me wonder if I should watch their concert.

Wishful thinking indeed!

War. Torn.

Both Lolo Iking and Lolo Doring were soldiers. That's why they had an involvement and interest in war.

I recall that in Lolo Iking's library, he had books on World Wars. There was even one book entitled "World War III" which I read and freaked me out. But it also got me interested in war as a subject.

When I was in high school, I would borrow books on military stories and operations. Also, I'd build scale models of war planes, tanks and trucks, along with my brothers.

On my way to a meeting in Pasay Road, I saw this in Ayala Museum.

Then I realized it was a long, long, long time since I've seen anything war-themed. Which made me want to check this out.

Unfortunately, it falls on a Saturday, and I have classes. And much as I'm torn between the two, I'm still an educator first and foremost.

So in this war, my classes win! Harhar.

Flash Mob

Here's a good way to spend time waiting for a meeting to start:

Gosh! I thought it would take time for me to do this, but I was able to do it in less than 3 minutes.

That was fast. Just like The Flash!

Koala cool

I'm a huge fan of Hello Panda. It's one of the snacks that is regular part of the repertoire. This was true even when I was living in HKG.

Last week, when Mark and I had lunch with Mike, I chanced upon this huge Koala bear near their office.

I realized it was the Koala from the Lotte chocolate snack, which is Hello Panda's fiercest competition.

Thanks to that huge koala, I found myself trying, and liking, the Koala filled chocolate, too!

Looks like the marketing folks who planned this did their jobs right. Now, they have another customer, thanks to that sighting.

Marketing is cool that way.

Grown-up Girl

The last time I saw Veja, my niece from Barcelona, was in 2013 when they visited us in Manila.

Two weeks ago, my cousin sent me a photo of her wearing the dress that I sent. And my, has she grown!

Sigh! Kids are growing up so fast these days.

Loose vowels

Oh what a difference a vowel makes!

While I was in Divisoria today, I saw this crate of cute, Hello Kitty stuffed toys.

When I came closer, lo and behold! When you change "u" to an "a", then it becomes a totally different product. Which makes me wonder, what's the "staff" all about?

Yup, it must be made by their staff. Or maybe it's made WITH their staff.

Now that I'm thinking about it more, I can't help but feel scared... Harhar.

Time of Crisis

The 80s are back to haunt us!

This time, it's in the form of two popular new wave bands. In the 80s. Like, 30 years ago!

Strangely, though, I'm very interested to see this twin concert. Hahaha.

FMM: Be(a)st Movie Ever!

While rave reviews were still hot, Mark and I watched "Beauty and the Beast" today, and I have my verdict.

It's-the-most-spec-tac-u-lar-movie-ever!!!

Throughout the movie, I was getting all the feels! After all, this is one of my favorite Disney Animated films of all time, and now it's happening live, with real people. Who wouldn't get goosies with that?

I'll gush about the film a bit more later. Now, let me just relish in the hangover by regaling Friday Magic Madness with the original theme song that was beautifully sung by Angela Landsbury. This was from the 90s, so it's an apt song to play today.



No kidding. This is Beauty and the BEST!

The Spice of Target's life

And Target just keeps on giving...

First, they released the full lookbook of the Victoria Beckham x Target collaboration. Now, the TV commercial is out, too. And all I can say is that it's a spice-y one!



I swear, this TVC just gave me some major Spice Girl feels!

Pieces to Target!

After months of searching and hoping, they finally released the lookbook for the Victoria Beckham x Target collection!

Can I hear a whoop, whoop?

*whoop, whoop!*

Her Target collection reflects the vibe and aesthetic of her Victoria Beckham and Victoria by Victoria Beckham lines. They're sophisticated, simple, and has a quiet elegance to it.

As usual, I'm gravitating towards the dresses in this collection. I'd say these are the money pieces! Like this menswear fabric shirt dress that's ultra chic!

And as I noticed in the first photo they released, they have a series of calla lily printed pieces. I'm loving this shirt and pant combo. It's relaxed and easy.

And the dress! Where do I line up for this?

I've noticed that they don't have evening or long pieces in this collection, though. That would definitely have been a home run.

Nonetheless, I'm SO on-board with this collection. Time to strategize my on-line shopping sojourn now!

Jesse takes the cake!

Birthdays are a funny thing. It feels like I just attended Jesse's 1st birthday party, and now, he's celebrating his 2nd birthday!

Mark showed me the cake they wanted for his Avengers themed party, then I looked at it, did some modifications, and sketched this:

As always, Ate Bullet and their team at Dexter's did an awesome job turning it into the actual cake!

According to Mark, the cake was a hit! Especially with Jesse.

And that means we did our job right.

Mexico by way of Japan

Having lived in Mexico and stayed in Japan for extended periods of time, their respective cuisines are among my favorite.

That's why it was a thrill to find this Mexican-Japanese hybrid snack at the nearby Tokyo Tokyo.

Yup, it's a Makirrito! A cross between a maki and a burrito.

Well, if you want to be technical about it, the burrito isn't Mexican food. One thing I learned during my stay there was that Mexico doesn't make or serve burrito. It's more of an American concept, developed by border towns to cater to "U.S. Americans."

The taste and texture are both interesting, but it's so heavy! I should be having this as lunch next time.

Yes, it's good that it warrants a next time.

TV See

More often than not, people who have been in the same industry or job for a long time tend to be jaded. Or maybe not as excited as they were during their first day at work.

I've been in the industry for more than 2 decades. (Hello, fossil!) But whenever I see the commercials that I've conceptualized on TV, the thrill is still the same. It's the same feeling I go when I saw my first commercial for Coleman entitled "camping" on air. A combination of joy, pride, thrill and plain 'ole giddiness.

Just like when I saw this commercial we did for Thunderbird on TV, in a public space. It was still such a thrill.

Safe to say, I love my job.

Wake up feeling like a million bucks!

That must be how it feels to wake up on this bed.

Yup, the bed is a million bucks. Literally. P1,000,000! You can find it at the 4th floor of Shangrila Mall in case you need to see what a million peso bed looks like.

If I had this bed, I probably won't get out of it under any circumstance. Hahaha.

FMM: Clear as Crystal (Waters)

I'm still having a 90s hangover, so it's back to that decade for this Friday Magic Madness.

During this decade, disco pop was the most prevalent genre. And the famous groups from this genre include C + C Music Factory, Black Box, and of course, Crystal Waters!



If you're a 90s kid, you've definitely danced to this ditty.

Admit it. You did. 100%!

Victoria's looks to Target

Okay.

Now that I'm over that spelling error, on to the matter at hand. The sneak peek at Victoria Beckham x Target!

Based on this photo, I'm gravitating towards the floral printed dress and pant set. It looks very chic, although it reminds me a bit of Altuzarra's floral printed dress.

But as a sneak peek, this photo is very effective. I can't wait to see the full lookbook!

Something to Berate

With Victoria Beckham x Target launching this April, I've been scouring the next for any news or sneak peeks into the collection.

Finally, I found one today! It was on the website of a UK-based publication called Metro.

But instead of noticing the first look of the collection, this is what I noticed!

Really? "Collaberation"?

Proofreader please!

Te extranjo mucho, Abuelo

You would've been 107 years old today, Lolo Iking.

I'm amazed that the fact that you've left us more than 20 years ago, but still you continue to inspire us and guide us from up there.

You will always be loved. And you are always missed.

Feliz Cumpleanos Lolo Iking. Mi Abuelo. Mi Heroe.

At Last (Jedi)!

Oh look! It's a longer trailer for "The Last Jedi."



Star Wars geek mode intensifying...

Blackish-black

Another series that I caught on the plane which I'm currently watching is "Blackish."

It's a sitcom about a modern African-American family, and how their second generation is acting more "white" than "black." Thus, the title.

Like "Fresh off the boat," this series plays on stereotypes, and how they're sometimes funny, sometimes true, but always good material for a sitcom.



What struck me about "Blackish" is the powerhouse cast they have. Imagine, they have Laurence Fishburne and Tracee Ellis Ross! And she won a Golden Globes for that!

No wonder this series is a winner.

Come and Getty!

Leafing through different fashion magazines the past few months, there was one name that kept on popping up. It's the name of a new designer who has a love affair with simplicity, minimalism, but with a sharp eye to detail.

That designer is Rosetta Getty.

It's no wonder why she's getting the attention of the press. Her work is fashion genius. It's cerebral but wearable. New, but with an old world vibe.

I'm going to watch out for her more and more.

FMM: Feeling Sap-py

Back in the 90s when I was still at Adformatix, we were deep in the process of brainstorming for Promil.

One of the insights was about how mothers will do everything to take care of their babies. Then, suddenly, a song played in my head. The strange thing was, I have no recollection of that song, and I can't remember when or where I first heard it. Heck, I didn't even know the title, just the lyrics.

I started humming and singing the song, and the lyrics I remembered were:

"I'll take care of you. Don't be sad, don't be blue. Just count on me your whole life through, Cause I'll take care of you."

Immediately, Kuya Danny (rest his soul) shouted "I'll take care of you! Ronnie Milsap!"

True enough, that was the song.



That was the first time I heard of Ronnie Milsap, or even the actual title of the song. But after that, this ditty never left my head.

And that's why on this Friday Magic Madness day, I'm bringing back Ronnie Milsap, and this song

Beast mode!

Disney is really pulling out all the stops to whet the appetite of "Beauty and the Beast" fans such as myself!

Look, they came out with another clip. And this features the opening song!



Show this film! Now!

Something fresh

Most of my friends know that most often, I get to watch movies and TV shows in one place.

In the plane.

My "catch-up" time is usually 35,000 feet above sea level. And this is the only time that I settle on a chair and watch old and new movies, as well as shows.

During my 22 hour flight from MNL to ATL last July, I discovered so many good TV shows. In fact, I binge-watched them while flying over the Atlantic.

One of the shows I discovered and enjoyed is "Fresh off the boat."



It's a comedy-satire about an Asian-American family in a US suburb. Particularly, a Chinese-American family. And it pokes fun at the Chinese traits that we all know and laugh at. And this resonates with me particularly because I've seen families in HKG do the same thing.

Let me look for a DVD of this. It's something fresh that I won't mind watching again.