The Joy of teaching

Checking midterms is easy - actually, more of a joy - when you have such talented students who come up with the most creative ideas in such a short amount of time.



These girls are going to rock the advertising world!

Sweet discovery

I've always been buying fruit teas at Simple Line since it opened across the school. And just to shake things up, I decided to order a milk based tea today. In particular, I tried the Caramel Black Tea with Konjac Jelly.

And I only have 3 words for it:

FAN. TAS. TIC.

Thanks to this discovery, I'm now going to go out of my fruit tea comfort zone and start ordering milk teas next time.

FMM: See Cyndi

Sometime this week, Dad mentioned to me that Cyndi Lauper was having a concert in Manila, and his next question was whether I would watch her perform live.

Yes, Dad remembers that I was such a big Cyndi Lauper fan back in my primary school years. Back then, it was Team Cyndi vs. Team Madonna. And I was part of the team that cheered the quirky girl with the colored hair and powerful pipes.

And thinking of her makes me crave for her music once again. So, on this Friday Magic Madness day, I'm driving back to 1989 and listen to Cyndi sing one of my favorite songs: "I drove all night."



Now the question is, will I watch the concert? And will she sing this song?

A sketchy story

When Lu-Ann told me that she was going to get married, we immediately met-up and discussed the details of her big day. In one meeting, she asked me that very important question: "What am I going to wear?"

She knew her wedding theme was "Modern Filipiniana," but she had no idea how to translate that into her wedding gown. And that's when she sprang this mind-boggling challenge for me: "I-drawing mo naman ako ng wedding gown."

While my passion is in writing, I also dabble in drawing. In fact, when I was in primary school, I drew a lot. I was a member of the art club, my "paintings" were always chosen by my art teacher and posted it on our classroom wall, I wrote a full length comic book about superheroes and I remember I even had a notebook which served as my dossier of characters.

Unfortunately, the growth of my drawing skills was stunted. Harhar. The way I drew back then is pretty much the same way I draw now. And it ain't that pretty, I kid you not.

Anyway, I took that challenge from Lu-Ann as a way to further enhance my creativity. And just as any advertising practitioner will tell you, the place to start the creative process is through inspiration.

I came back to Lu-Ann with 3 options, all under the theme of "Modern Filipiniana." One was inspired by the Vinta of Mindanao, the second was inspired by the lowly "tapis", and the third one was inspired by the Spanish-era jewelry, the "tambourin."



Lu-Ann immediately fell in love with the "tambourin" concept. The gown's silhouette was the classic Filipino terno, but I made it contemporary by adding the tambourin accents along the front and back seams of the dress. Another modern touch was to make the pattern more angular and geometric, thus, I designed it as a diamond instead of the usual circle. Finally, since I'm a believer of the "change costume" concept, there were two tops that could be worn with the gown. Aside from the butterfly sleeved top, there was also a "kimona" styled top with tulip sleeves. This was intended to be worn during the reception.



After Lu-Ann approved the design, I immediately brought it to Aling Bright for her masterful execution. We did several back and forth meetings in terms of the materials and embellishments to be used. And after a few months of work, this was how it turned out. It was actually better than what I envisioned.



Everything about the gown was custom designed. Even the geometric pattern was made from scratch. Good thing Aling Bright is a master at embroidery and beadwork. She captured the essence of the tambourin splendidly.



When the make-up artist saw the dress, she immediately remarked how classic and classy that it looked. Her words were "elegant," "mamahalin," and "ang yaman-yaman." And Lu-Ann said that the make-up artist was a good gauge of how nice the dress really is.



Before, during and after the wedding, people were telling Lu-Ann how beautiful her wedding gown was. She would always reply" "Gawa ni Lester 'yan," and I would always counter "Nope. I was just the Creative Director/sketcher."



And after seeing the two articles of clothing side by side, and seeing it in action, I thought, "Not bad for something that started out as chicken scratch." Harhar.

(It's worthy to note, though, that this wasn't my first foray into "chicken scratch-ing" a dress. I did the same thing for Rona last May. And that's worth another post.)

Very Vera 2

Whenever Mark and I attend weddings, he usually asks me about how I found the particulars. Like the overall organization of the event, the flowers, food and all those little bits that people often comment about.

During Bea and Turda's wedding, he asked me about the cake, and Bea's wedding dress.



With regards to Bea's wedding dress, I told him that it was very elegant, and subdued in its elegance. Except for the belt, there was no trace of beadwork on the entire gown. It relied on its soft pleats and detailed skirt for drama.

Then, I told him that the aesthetic of the gown looked very Vera Wang, and that it was probably brought in from the U.S., and likely bought at David's Bridal.

On our way out of the ballroom, one of the coordinators was carrying a David's Bridal garment bag, so, check on one observation. And a few days ago, Bea emailed me and said that it was indeed a Vera Wang. Two out of two! Woot!

You can never really go wrong with a Vera Wang. (And you can ask my sisters who have a couple of Vera Wang dresses in their closets.)

That's a (b)lot

Speaking of the Golden Globes, I direct your attention to the Monique Lhuillier dress that a lot of fashion observers didn't really like. It was this strapless gown worn by Sarah Michelle Gellar.



It was one of the three Monique Lhuilliers that walked down the red carpet. Including Paula Patton's and Debra Messing's.

Personally, what I found eye catching about this gown was the print. It looked like a cross between an ink-blot and a water shot. It's the image that you get when you dip a watercolor brush into a glass of water, and swirls of color travel from the top to the bottom.

Style-wise, I do agree with some observers that it made Sarah Michelle Gellar look a bit thick in the middle, and the silhouette is quite similar to the wedding gowns that she makes. But the print alone is enough to make me overlook that. It's the highlight of the gown, and a beautiful highlight it was.

Oh, Octavia.

I have much admiration for supporting stars in Hollywood. They put in as much work as the big stars, but they do it for less pay. But when you see them act in the film or TV series, you can see how much they put in into the scene, even if they're just relegated as a support or just put in the background.

Aside from Regina King, one of my favorite supporting actresses is Octavia Spencer. She's often typecast as a comic relief, and one of my favorite Octavia performances was in Ugly Betty. She played the woman obsessed with Betty's Father, Nacho.

And just as you're thinking that she'll just be another high-impact but not noticed star, Octavia Spencer just won a Golden Globes tonight!



Go Octavia! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work soon!

More sibling revelry

This holiday season, it wasn't just the Regalado-Morales siblings that had a reunion.

For the first time in many, many, many years. The Murillo-Morales siblings (aka, my Dad and Tita and Titos) were complete.

Last New Year, the 5 siblings who are spread over Manila, Barcelona and Bicol, found themselves at home, counting down to the New Year, and enjoying their time together. And enjoy they did. After all, they haven't been complete in almost a decade.



The Murillo-Morales siblings are, in chronological order, Tito Ting, Tita Evelyn, Tito Hector, Dad, and Tito Linden. In the picture, we have Tita Evelyn and Dad sitting down, and Tito Hector, Tito Linden, and Tito Ting behind them.

It was wonderful to see the 5 siblings together because you can see how much they enjoyed each other's company after being apart for so long. Especially Tita Evelyn who left the Philippines more than 50 years ago to plant her new roots and raise her family in far, far away Barcelona.



Yup, there was definitely a lot of sibling love this Holiday season. And it was really the best way of spending the New Year. With a reunion of siblings from 2 generations.

Lace in place

While Eileen and I were talking about her wardrobe last Thursday, the subject shifted to the subject of lace. She mentioned that she actually likes lace, unlike Grace who thinks lace is very Grandma-ish and quite marmy.

I beg to disagree. Yes, lace was initially very frilly, frou-frou, and would be reserved for syrupy occasions. But nowadays, lace is considered very edgy and chic. With its different textures, needlepoint techniques and backing, lace has taken its place in the fashion hierarchy as a versatile and all-occasion fabric.

And fast fashion brands are in on it, too. Just this week, I saw 3 different lace items in the mall. One was a dress from Avel Bacudio, the second was a white lace shift from Space, and the last was a lace blouse from Bysi.



The combination of black lace and white lining is very genteel. It's something that Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O. would wear. But the cut of this dress is very modern, with a tulip skirt is very structured. A nice counterbalance to the softness of the lace.



Also, a lot of people think that lace is very itchy. There are different lace blends now, and some of them are very light and airy. Just like this one from Bysi.



I should tell Grace about how lace has moved forward from Granny's closet to every fashionista's wardrobe. It just might change her mind regarding this very nice fabric.

FMM: Happy

It's Friday the 13th, and a lot of people think that this day is all about bad luck and bad vibes.

So, how do you counter this superstition? Simple, just be happy!







Happy Friday!

Me & You is Mads & Lu

Whenever I organize a wedding, I'm so focused on making everything run like clockwork that I sometimes don't remember parts of what happened. There are portions which are a blur, and those portions usually happen when I'm running around. Much like a blur.

But during the wedding of Lu-Ann and Mads, I remembered everything clearly. Even if I was running around a lot. As Maricar said, I was "The Invisible Man" during the wedding because she would always remark: "Nawala na naman si Lester."

As the wedding progressed, I knew that it was going smoothly, that every detail was in place, every part of the plan was executed perfectly, and there was a lot of heart and emotion in the entire proceedings.

And when Lu-Ann showed me the link to her wedding day video, my observations above were confirmed. From the preparation to the ceremony to the reception, everything unfolded beautifully. And when Lu-Ann told me about the video, she said that it felt like my wedding, too, because I was in a lot of scenes. Both physically present, and by name. (You'll hear my name being mentioned and shrieked at certain parts.)

MADS+LU-ANN:SAME DAY EDIT from Franz Arrogante on Vimeo.


This is such a beautiful video, made even more beautiful by the song that was written by the couple's friends. Entitled "Ikaw at Ako," or "Me & You," it was the perfect backdrop for the proceedings last December 30. Because after everything is finished - after the ceremony is completed and the reception is done, after people finished talking about the event and guests traded all the pics that they took, after all the preparation and execution, the wedding is really about two people.

And that's what a wedding is all about.

Lap it up

Practicality was one of the recurring themes of the gifts I received this holiday season. Among the lot of them, some were already in use a day after Christmas.

One of the gifts I received was this laptop cushion from Ate Lissa.



I've actually seen the box from afar a couple of times, but never got around to checking out what the product was or what it can do. Thanks to Ate, I discovered what a wonderful contraption this laptop cushion is!

This is one of the things that you think you don't need, but when you finally start using it, you realize what an indispensable item it is. Previous to this, I'd get a magazine (usually InStyle or Marie Claire), then set it on my lap, then put the laptop on top of the magazine. Primitive, I know. But it got the job done.

But with the laptop cushion, I can work with my laptop on my lap all-day, with so much ease! (I sound like an infomercial!)



Markbook fits on the cushion perfectly, so now, I can do my lessons, grades and transcription work from the comfort of my bed. Woot!



Hurray for practical gifts!

Out of the blue

En route to and from the MRT, I usually pass by New Farmer's Plaza. And really, there's really not much to see there. The only reason I stop by is for Salazar Bakery, and sometimes, Mr. Donut.

Today, I decided to go around the mall since they renovated some parts, and it actually looked decent. One area where I wandered off to was on the 2nd floor, and I saw this dress shop which was on sale. I decided to give it a whirl, and found this little blue gem of a dress among a whole bunch of blah frocks.



The photos don't show it, but the material of this dress is nice. It has this tweed texture that's very light.



While it looks deceptively simple, the dress had a couple of details that were thoughtfully added. One was a folded sleeve with a little button. The extended cap sleeve itself was also a nice touch.



Then, there's this odd, asymmetric detail on the neckline as well. And it adds visual interest to the dress.



Off hand, the dress looks like something that Roland Mouret would create. And who would've thought that something like this would appear in an out-of-the-blue place like Farmer's Plaza.

Scenes from a surprise

Last Saturday, the family gathered at Secret Garden for an equally Secret event. It was a surprise Quincinera for Kai-kai! She was set to celebrate her 15th birthday on January 14, but since she'll be back in the U.S. by then, we decided to celebrate it a week in advance.

The venue lived up to its name. It's a bit hard to find, to the point that it's really a secret. But when we got there, we found the place to be very quaint and photogenic. Much like Fernwood, but in a much smaller scale.

There was a Cinderella carriage where Javier posed for a few snaps.



And my folks also had to have their photos taken there.



Kaikai's favorite color is purple, so everyone came in that motif. Dad and Javier came in matching purple shirts, while Ate Lissa rocked the purplish-fuschiaish Giambattista Valli dress.



There was a cave room which was admittedly a bit camp, and quite spooky. But it made for a nice backdrop.





And what's a party without music? The boys practiced 3 songs, and they performed excellently for their cousin.



Overall, the party was fun and was a big success. I had to host it, though, so I didn't have photos of the actual event. I sure hope Biboy posts those photos soon.

Sales ahead. Proceed with caution.

It's the first month of the year, and retailers are itching to ditch their old stocks and usher in the new. And what better way to do that than to bring out that 4 letter word that everyone just loves.













Now is definitely a good time to stay away from the malls.

Bring back the Color!

Just read that Fox is planning a reboot of "In Living Color" this 2012. If this is true, I'm totally watching the show!



"In Living Color" was one of my favorite shows in the 90s. I remember it was being aired on Channel 9, and I would really wait for the show to go on. (Something I rarely do now.)

This show was famous for their hilarious sketches like "Homey the Clown" and the "Men on..." series. They also had unforgettable characters like Andrea Dice Clay and Vera de Milo.



And of course, this show will be remembered as the launching pad of the careers of Jim Carrey (then known as James Carrey), and a then-unknown Fly Girl named Jennifer Lopez.

I hope the reboot will be as colorful as the original show. And with Keenen Ivory Wayans on the helm of the 2012 edition, I think it will definitely be as funny.

FMM: Where it's at!

Back in the 90s, while everyone was going gaga over the Spice Girls, I was paying attention to THE OTHER girl group from Great Britain.

While All Saints wasn't as immensely popular like the Spice Girls, they had their own cult following. The fact that it was an all-girl group was the only similarity these 2 groups had. But in terms of look and sound, they were very distinct.

All Saints was a bit more brooding and melancholic. Their music was catchy, although it wasn't the stereotypical pop. Yes, you can sing and dance along to their songs, but in a more laid back and relaxed way.

And since it's Friday, I'm reliving my All Saints mania by going back to my favorite song from the group:



Yup, All Saints is where it's at.

Sibling Revelries

My siblings and I grew up in a very tight knit family. One reason why this was the case was because we didn't have cousins in Manila. When we were growing up, our cousins would either be in Bicol, in California or in Barcelona. And because of this lack of other cousins to play with, we grew up becoming both siblings, cousins and friends.


(One of our earlier photos in Morato. I blocked Kuya Marv and yes, I went out of the house wearing that.)

Yes, we had our disagreements and fights while growing up. And those fights were LEGENDARY! (Biboy and I used to chase each other with 2x2 wooden posts.) But as we grew older, we fought less, and appreciated each other more. And we appreciated everything, even the little quirks and flaws that would get on our nerves every so often.

Since Biboy moved to the U.S. in 2001, we made it a point to have our photos taken whenever he's in town. Actually, we had our photo taken without Biboy in 2006, and it just didn't feel complete.


(We were actually planning to add him via photoshop, but that plan didn't materialize.)

Thankfully, Biboy has been coming home regularly the past few years. And that's why we're able to have our usual sibling photos taken each time he's in Manila.


(Our "showband" shot.)

There's this one from 2007.



Then in 2009.



And our latest "Sibling Revelry" photo for 2011.



Whenever we take these photos, it's usually a riotous affair filled with the same banter and "kulitan" as we did when we were kids.

I guess in some aspects, my siblings and I never grew up.

Then and wow

Way back in the 80s, our family was living in Manila. We spent one holiday season in Bicol, particularly at Lolo Doring's house in Malinao. They gathered all 7 of us for a family picture, and this is how it came out.



Decades later, 2011 to be exact, our family is divided between Manila and the U.S. Our parents and brother live in Atlanta, while 4 of us live here in Manila. But on this holiday season, we all found ourselves back home. All 7 of us gathered for a family picture, and here's how we all look now.



Decades may pass and looks will change, but the joy of family - especially this family of ours - is timeless.

Forever in Cebu

While I was in Cebu last week, I thought of visiting the Northwing of SM City Cebu. I've been reading about it and wasn't able to check it out the last time I was there. Another notable reason why I decided to visit that area was the fact that Forever 21 was already open, and I just had to check it out.

And surprise, surprise. The Forever 21 store in Cebu wasn't just new. It was massive!



Seriously, people who remarked that the SM Megamall branch is huge should go and visit the Cebu branch. I was just in awe at the size of the store. It went from one end of the mall to the other, which just goes to show the scale of the store. Heck, it's even bigger than the Forever 21 store in Bangkok!



And if the size isn't enough, this store has 2 floors. But the first floor isn't as big as the second floor, though.



Unfortunately, I only had a few minutes to spare, so I wasn't able to really go around the entire store. But the next time I'm in Cebu, I'll definitely set aside time to really explore both floors and every nook and cranny of this fast fashion haven.

Even if it takes forever.

Once, there was a Valli

It's always a thrill to find items from fast fashion collaborations like Uniqlo x 3.1 Philip Lim, H&M x Lanvin, and H&M x Versace. While these items are a bit tricky to find, the fact that there are Uniqlo and H&M stores in Asia makes the task easy to do.

So, when I find items from collaborations that aren't found in Asia, then that becomes a bigger thrill. The perfect example would be these items from the Giambattista Valli collection from Macy's that my brother Biboy scored from the U.S. The items arrived before Christmas, and they're much cooler than I imagined them to be.

First is this raspberry dress with layers of ruffles.



It looked nice in the photo, and it's even nicer in real life. the ruffles are soft and flouncy, but still gives the dress a bit of structure.



Yup, my sister is going to be a "Valli girl" in this number.



The other items is the dress I wrote about more than a month ago.

What makes this dress so eye catching is that the jacquard material is actually shiny and sparkly. Which makes it stand out amidst the strong color block provided by the black ponte and fuchsia grossgrain material.



Yes, another product of the Valli, now here in the city.



That's the second designer collaboration that I've scored this year. Up next: Marni x H&M and Jason Wu for Target!

The New Year mantra

The first day of the New Year is when everyone decides how they'll meet the coming year. This is the day when you hear or read phrases like:

"I'm going to own 2012!"
"Claim 2012!"
"2012 is going to be my year!"

Personally, I have a simple mantra for the coming year. It's built on the fact that I see 2012 as the year of new adventures, breaking the mold, and embracing change head on.

This year, I'm gonna "Shake it Up!"



Happy New Year!