Designer Expo

Going around Cubao Expo is always an interesting experience because of all the quirky shops within the compound. During our Father's Day lunch, Javier got a little restless and insisted on going outside and checking out the different thrift shops and looking at all the curios and collectibles.

When it was my turn to bring him around, we passed by this thrift shop that sold clothes. One of the pieces on display caught my eye. So, after lunch, I went back to the store to get a closer look at the dress. How close? So close, the dress went home with me.

The dress was an Alexander Wang confection in heather gray and black jersey fabric. True to his aesthetic, the dress had very clean lines, highlighted with draping, and some interesting details such as a fully exposed zipper at the side.

Truth is, one of the reasons why I gravitated towards the piece is because it reminded me of an Alexander Wang dress that Gywneth Paltrow wore to an event.

The dress I found in the thrift store is definitely a derivative of this one.

The next piece I found was this black, lightweight coat with elbow length sleeves. It had a lot of cute little design details that were a delight to look at.

First, it had printed, acrylic buttons in geometric shapes. It really popped out against the black. They look so cool!

But the biggest surprise was when I opened the coat and saw this:

The lining was 100% silk, and the pattern was so vibrant that it deserved a second and third look. 

Again, this vibrant pattern looked familiar, and upon closer scrutiny, I found out why:

It's a Pucci coat!

Whoa! Two designer finds in one cool thrift shop. This is enough to make me want to visit Cubao Expo more often.

Livin' la vida Loco

Here's another reason why I like dropping by Robinson's Galleria after hearing mass at EDSA Shrine.

Just in front of Robinson's Supermarket is this stall that sells the yummiest buko shakes! It's called Buko Loco and it's da bomb! The shakes are really, really smooth and creamy. None of those big chunks of ice that I get with the other buko shake stall that I frequent.

Another plus factor for Buko Loco is their fruit combinations. I really like their Buko + Mango froothies. What they do is they puree mango first, then make the buko shake, then they put them in one glass and shake it lightly so the 2 flavors marble slightly.

Then, they add the black jello for texture. And with all those things put together, the result is one yummy, refreshing and healthy drink. 

Their Buko Halo-halo drink is good, too. But it's a bit too heavy for my taste. With this hot weather we're having, Buko Loco's buko + mango froothies is one thing that keeps me from going insane.

Casual and Colorful

A laid-back lunch with Dad last Father's Day called for an attire that had the same vibe. And even if they didn't talk about it, the Morales ladies and girls were all decked in casual cool outfits.

Ate Bullet pairs a loose top with skinny marigold trousers. A black, slouchy bag completes her look.

Here's the perfect example of sisters in style. They're wearing the same style of top, but Ate Lissa pairs her teal colored blouse with blue boyfriend shorts. A slouchy, teal bag completes the look. Also, they're both wearing the Old Navy sandals that Kuya Marv got them from the U.S.

Yes, everyone must've been thinking of the same thing before heading off to lunch. Here are 3 generations of Morales women, all decked out in color. From Mom, Rose and Princess' tops, to Toni's bright and happy combination of neon yellow and pink.

Such colorful looks that are suited to a colorful occasion .

"Carbon Copy"

Growing up, I heard those two words a lot. Especially whenever people would see me with my Dad.

It always perplexed me since I thought my Dad and I looked completely different from one another.

As a kid, I'd spend time looking at myself in the mirror trying to find similarities between Dad and me. But as much as I'd wince and squint my eyes, I'd always come up with the conclusion that we weren't similar in any way.

Despite this personal observation, it seemed like everyone else had a dissenting opinion. In school, during parties, whenever we had family reunions, whenever I attended Dad's office events in San Miguel Corporation - everyone would say the same thing.

"Ed, carbon copy mo talaga si Lester."

Fast forward to a few decades later. I found myself working at San Miguel Corporation, and working with the same people who Dad worked with. In my team, there were 3 people who used to report directly to Dad as well: Senen, Miniong and Willie. I felt weird working with folks who used to be my Dad's staff. But it must've felt more weird for the 3 of them.

In fact, it was so weird that my first week in the company was mostly spent hearing them say: "Tignan mo nga naman, dati, 'yung Daddy mo ang boss namin. Ngayon, ikaw naman." 

As I worked closely with them, another insight surfaced. Apparently, I didn't just look like my Dad, we also have the same demeanor.

"Ka-ugali mo din pala si Edgar," Senen once said.

Now that I found a bit off putting. Fine, we might look alike, and that's a function of genetics. Being alike in terms of personality and attitude, now that's a totally different thing.

My Dad and I are polar opposites when it comes to personality. He's stern and I'm smiley. He's quiet and I'm talkative. He's serious and I'm carefree. He likes leather shoes and I'm more the sneaker type of guy. 

Candace, my former colleague in HKG, captured this thought in a sentence. Once, she ran into Dad and me in Causeway Bay. After introducing her to Dad, she pulled me aside and said: "Your Dad looks like the serious, scary version of you."

So, how can two totally different people be carbon copies of each other?

As the adage goes, with age comes wisdom. And during the past few years - 3 of which spent living alone - I realized more and more what people meant when they say "carbon copy."

After growing a mustache, I realized that I do look like my Dad. We have the same face shape, the same bushy eyebrows, and at certain points in time, we even have the same hairstyle. There were times that I'd look in the mirror in the morning and feel like I was looking at Dad. Seriously.

More than just looking alike, Dad and I really do have a lot of similarities in our personalities. We have the same penchant for shopping, (so that's where I got that from,) the same temper, the same generosity, the same love for family and siblings, the same interest in travel, and a host of other things that made me realize how I became who I am, and how big of an influence Dad has been on me.

Even without me knowing it.

Growing up, I heard the words "carbon copy" a lot whenever they'd describe my Dad and me.

And now that I've finally grown up (not completely, but I'm getting there,) I realized that we really are.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! (And carbon copy.)

Fat Albert

Whenever I was in the Benelux area, one of my favorite destinations was Albert Heijn. I'm a supermarket junkie, and this was THE supermarket to go to whenever you're in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemborg. 

I still remember how I'd enjoy going through each shelf to try and find something interesting and unique to buy. My favorites back then were the raisin bun and the Spa Blau. 

It's been years since I've been to Albert Heijn. But as the saying goes: "If Mohammed can't come to the mountain, let the mountain come to Mohammed." 

So, Albert Heijn comes to me. In the form of these two goodies!

First, there's the calorrific Stroopwafels! I swear, each piece of this must contain a gazillion calories! And of course, Belgian chocolates. Still the best in the world.

Thank goodness for pasalubongs from Albert Heijn. Even the ones designed to make you fat.

FMM: I Heart This Era

The cab driver of the cab I rode was playing a Madonna CD, so I was treated to a lot of her older songs. Particularly the ones from the "True Blue" album.

Yes, Madonna is the queen of reinvention and we've seen many incarnations of her. But for me, the younger Madonna - all pop and catchy - is the best version of her. It's this era that really captured my heart.



It's not that hard to love a song like this.

Maison-ry

After many months of speculation, H&M has finally revealed its next collaborator.



It's Maison Martin Margiela! Minimalism and tailoring galore!

I can imagine throngs of people already planning where to go and what to buy.

I'm not one of those people, though.

Well, not yet, at least.

School shopping

Despite the fact that it has happened several times before, I still get surprised when I get personal emails from people who read my blog. People I don't know, at that. 

Somehow, I'm still under the impression that it's 2005 and blogs were personal journals that other folks didn't have access to or read. But as Mark always points out, this blog is in the public sphere, so anyone can read it, as long as they have access to the internet.

I received an email today with a funny question. My blog reader asked if ever I buy anything for myself. She observed that I've posted so many entries about shopping for my sisters and friends, but she hasn't read anything about me shopping for myself.

Looking back, I think I've posted a lot of my personal shopping escapades, especially during my first year in HKG. There were a lot of posts about jeans back then, and there's that episode when I was trying to decide whether I should buy the Zara leather jacket. (Which I did, and I'm glad I did.)

So, in answer to that question, yes, I do shop for myself. Not too often, though. I usually shop for my clothes in HKG, which means I only do personal shopping once every 3 months or so. Maybe that'll change once Uniqlo opens in Manila on Friday, though.

As proof, I actually bought stuff this week. School is opening, and I decided to get some more "school-friendly" clothes after the Dean's talk last Saturday on proper dressing. In addition to that, they renovated the Deans' offices and they now have glass doors. This means they'll be able to see us clearly from their offices. Yikes!

Presenting my school "uniform" for this coming year.

Although they discourage denim jeans on campus, they didn't say anything about non-denim jeans. This pair from Forever 21 is made of the softest denim and comes in taupe - making it look like khaki chinos more than jeans. What's great about it is how incredibly soft it is. It feels like I'm wearing jogging pants.

Here's another staple I bought more of: chambray shirts! It's rare to find chambray shirts in nice colors here in Manila, so when I saw these two, I knew I had to buy them. They're light, airy, and more importantly, Dean approved!

With these purchases, I'm all set for school. Heck, I'm uber excited to go back to school already. Not because I have new pants and shirts, (how elementary school!) but because I'm teaching a new subject this year.

See, I do buy stuff for myself.

Dressed for excess part deux

A lot of fashion magazines say that if you have one highly detailed piece in your outfit, everything else should be more muted and minimalist to offset the extravagance of the detailed piece.

On the other hand some designers - including geniuses such as Karl Lagerfeld and Roberto Cavalli - say: The more, the merrier. That's why when you see their designs, it's so rich in details that it's almost bordering on excessive. 

Now, excessive details aren't reserved for the runway or special events. Everyday wear can still be rich in details and not look like a costume.

One such outfit is this shirt and skirt combo from Ate Lissa's closet. Both top and bottom have rich details: prints, ruffles, lace and texture. But the key to making it work for everyday is by keeping the colors muted. And in this case, it's a play of gray and black.

The top is from the old Freeway x Valera collaboration. It's a sublimation tee that has a print of beadwork from a Valera gown. This alone is an uber chic piece.

The bottom is a black lace skirt with ruffles along the hem and in the mid part of the skirt. The silhouette is full, which works with the snug fit of the shirt. This makes the two pieces complementary, despite their highly detailed nature.

This is one of those cases when excess equals success.

Charlize - not an angel

Just like Chris Hemsworth, one actor who looks like she's having a film fest this week is Charlize Theron. She has two movies showing in Manila simultaneously, and in both flicks, she's playing the main villain.

First, there's her turn as Queen Ravena in "Snow White and the Huntsman." I'm interested to see this movie because of her, but what keeps me away is the thought of Kristen Stewart's "I'm constipated" acting style.

Second, she plays Meredith Vickers in "Prometheus." Here, she plays a suit (in a very snazzy, futuristic suit) who manipulates the people in her intergalactic mission. I've only seen the trailer, but she looks wonderfully wicked and icy in the few scenes that I saw.

As much as I'm against typecasting, I must say that Charlize looks better as a villain. There's something beautifully, wickedly ethereal about her. Maybe it's her height, her features, or her icy demeanor, but she has "villain" written all over her. I just can't imagine her playing a damsel in distress or in a rom-com. (Although I think was in "Young Adult," which I still haven't watched.)

 In Charlize's case, it's really good to be bad.

Solve(ig)d!

Ever since I first heard the song on Disney Junior, I've always wondered about the title and who sang the catchy ditty that played in my head over and over again.

For weeks, I couldn't figure out what song it was. Despite many google and youtube searches, it still remained a mystery.

Until today, that is. They were playing it at the music store, so I had to ask the sales clerk about the artist, title and CD.

It turns out the song is by Martin Solveig and Dragonette.

And they just came to say "Hello."



Mystery solved!

Model Teacher

I've heard of teachers as models, but this is ridiculous.

Today, we had our faculty orientation for part-time professors and one of the items the administration discussed was the all-important subject of "the dress code."

Yes, there was a time when I was one of their favorite violators since I came to school in faded, tattered jeans and Chuck Taylors. I remember one of the deans telling me (in her colegiala accent): "I know it's bagay to you, but the other professors might imitate you and it's not bagay to them."

Now, as I've matured, I've become more compliant about it. I've lessened by use of Chuck Taylors and started shifting to Clarks. My faded jeans have now given way to dark rinse ones. ("Dark blue as the sky at night"is the official accepted color.) I've also started to wear khakis more often than usual. And my collarless Topman t-shirts have now been placed under chambray Oxford shirts.

Which simply means I've now transformed into the poster boy for "Preppy Geek."

Back to today's orientation, as the Dean was talking about the "acceptable way of dress," she said: "I know you want to wear jeans because it makes you feel cool and approachable to your students. But wearing faded, tattered jeans and rubber shoes isn't the only way to look cool."


The next part was the kicker:

She continued: "I'll give you an example. Lester, look at him. He's very cool, but he's not wearing tattered jeans and rubber shoes." (FYI: I was wearing khaki pants, brown Clark's and a plaid shirt.)

But does she stop there? No. She had to continue:

"Wait. Lester, why don't you come up here and show them how it's done. Show them what you're wearing. Model for us. You know, he has this beautiful pair of boots, but I don't think he's wearing it right now."

And even though I was reluctant about it, after seeing one of the male faculty members wearing jeans, a maong jacket and big, chunky gold jewelry, I knew it had to be done.

Hey, a teacher has to do what a teacher has to do.

FMM: Chime in

There's something relaxing and happy about the sound of chimes. During my childhood in our house in Morato, we'd have chimes in the main doors, and whenever I'd hear it ring, I'd immediately check out who arrived.

In my room, I also placed chimes on the door and one near the window. And usually, I'd wake up to the tingling of metal, which always put me in the right mood.

Maybe that's why I also like songs that have that have an element of chimes to it.

Right now, two songs come to mind, and they're two of my favorite songs from the 80s. I'm not really sure if they're considered as chime sounds, but the intro of these two songs have this light, organ sounds that do remind me of chimes.

First, this uppity song by Stephanie Mills:



Second, this song by Madonna which was done before she got all new age and odd:



Notice how the two songs start the same? That's the happy sound that makes me enjoy these songs even more.

Flare for fashion

Break out the Earth, Wind and Fire soundtrack because the 70s are back!

I've been looking at the new pairs of jeans coming out these days, and it looks like flared jeans are back with a vengeance. Not only that, the requisite flared jean companions are also making a resurgence. Just check out this combo I scored:

These Kamiseta pants were on sale at an uber cheap price. The wash is very light, and that's what makes it very 70s! I can imagine this pair being worn during the Woodstock era.

The top is a modern rendition of the peasant top. The sleeves are full and gathered at the wrist, and the top is a bit shirred. What makes it modern is the length of the sleeve and the buttons in front. This makes the combination look and feel current, and not a costume from an "Age of Aquarius" musical.

Here's another rendition of the 70s look turned modern:

The top is from the same family as the tribal print tops. But this one has a pattern that feels more 70s than tribal.

Paired with dark wash flares, and you've got something that's less Woodstock and more Studio 54.

It's amazing how a tweak or two can turn something from 4 decades ago feel new and updated. 

Less is More

This afternoon, Rona sent me an email asking me about my thoughts on the Bayo Campaign which is currently a hot topic in cyberspace. Apparently, there's a big of brouhaha about it, and as usual, the on-line public has transformed into a lynch mob. They're dissing and kicking and screaming bloody murder about a fashion ad.

Actually, I've seen this ad before. If I'm not mistaken, it was launched last week, and they have the materials in their stores and in billboards along EDSA. These are some of the ads that I saw:

Honestly, I think the ads were okay. I got their concept about mixing and matching, and there's the underlying message of "Beauty in Diversity." This, as a concept, is clear, easy to understand, and is true to the category.

It's also a concept that I can relate to since I'm a Filipino of mixed heritage. Lolo Iking was part Spanish, and Lola Dita was part Chinese. This is actually part of the reason why it's difficult for people to place my nationality whenever I'm abroad or here in the Philippines.

Then, I saw this version of the ad on-line. I'm assuming that this is the "full" version of the campaign:

Alas, this is where it all goes awry. I think the copywriter went a little keyboard happy and just went on typing and typing and typing what he or she thought would be a masterful manifesto. Unfortunately, if you read through it, the copy is not only long and laborious, it's also confusing and condescending.

The fact is, Bayo is a 100% Filipino brand, and is one of the few brands that actually have their clothes made locally. In its past campaigns, the brand has always stood for Filipina and proud. Now, with this manifesto, it's almost as if they're turning back from their heritage of Philippine pride. It says:

"But the mixing and matching of different nationalities with Filipino blood is almost a sure formula for someone beautiful and world-class." 

So, does this mean that pure blooded Filipinos aren't beautiful and world-class?

Then, the second paragraph goes on an extended explanation about the philosophy of Bayo as a clothing brand, and it has nothing to do about the concept of diversity. So, these are two disjointed thoughts that they're force fitting.

Unfortunately, this force fitting is very much ill-fitting.

My two cents worth on this subject? They should've just followed the "Less is More" mantra and ditched the manifesto. Frankly, it's what ruined the campaign. Explaining something too much can sometimes do more harm than good. And judging by the backlash on-line, this manifesto was definitely more harmful for Bayo.

Should they scrap the entire campaign? Nope, I don't think they should. Again, it's a pretty decent idea and was executed well.

They should just remember that "Less is More."

Burger and fries: The Oriental Version

A former mentor told me that I'm perfect for advertising because I respond to advertising. Whenever a new commercial comes out - especially if it's for food - you can expect me to go to the store or restaurant to try it out. Whilst many people say that advertising can jade you, it looks like I'm far from jaded.

On my way to Daily Supermarket, I passed through Chowking and saw the poster for their newest food offering. That same evening, I went back and ordered what can be considered as Chowking's answer to the burger-and-fries combination.

That is, of course, their Chow Pao and Chicharap Fries. 

The new product here is the Chow Pao. Which is really like a burger because it has all the elements of one. Heck, even the way it's packaged looks like a burger.

Their Chow Pao is available in 3 variants: Chinese Sausage, Braised Chicken and Braised Beef. Since they had no fish version, I just ordered the Braised Chicken.

I must say, they outdid themselves with this product. It's really, really, really good. The combination of flavors is just awesome. From the slightly sweet and very firm mantao bun, to the sweet and tangy braised chicken, to the crunchy veggies that top the main filling. Combine these 3 elements and you've got a burger that - in my opinion - can outburger any burger.

An interesting thing is that they have tofu in their veggies as well. So it's like having chopsuey in your burger. Conceptually strange, but flavorfully perfect.

I do hope that this Chow Pao isn't a seasonal product. Because I wouldn't mind ordering it every so often.

Color Story: Earthen Wear

Just because I'm fond of color, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the simpler, more neutral things in life. In fact, when it comes to colors, my personal inclination veer more towards Earthen hues. 

During my childhood, the crayons I'd often finish first were brown, flesh, yellow and burnt sienna. (Yes, I had the 48 crayon box with the built-in sharpener! Woot! Woot!) Most of my artwork would be in Earth tones because I find them very relaxing.

But just because they're neutral colors, this doesn't mean they're boring. When mixed together properly, it can be a very vibrant and chic combination. Take this outfit for example:

This ensemble uses 2 base colors - khaki and mustard. Separately, they might be drab, but combined, they can be very, very fab.

The top is a sheer, mustard blouse with floral prints in white and gray. Notice the absence of brightness in the combination. But still, the top looks quite vibrant and easy on the eyes.

The silhouette of the khaki pants are loose and easy, which works with the entire look. For a dash of color (just a dash, not a punch), there's a mustard belt to create continuity between the top and bottom.

To cap off the outfit with a much needed zing, add these Mary Jane wedges in dark brown leather.

It introduces another color, but one that's still within the family of colors used on the main outfit.

Put them all together and you have an Earth toned outfit that's out of this world.

Now who said neutral has to be boring?

Color Story: Be bright

It's always refreshing to see splashes of color everywhere. As Art Studies professors - or anyone who has an understanding of visual design - will tell you, colors define and create a mood for people who interact with it. 

In an email thread of D' Frendz, Mona mentioned that she needed a pop of color in her wardrobe. So, I immediately thought up of a bright palette, and came up with this:

Not content with just one pop of color, I decided to have 2. Here's a tailored shift in a bright and happy fuchsia color, and grounded a bit with a royal blue belt.

The style of the dress is perfect for Mona since it can go from meeting to party. The tailoring gives it that business feel, but the color and material make it worthy for a more casual event.

Okay, i'm not just fond of colors. I'm crazy about them. That's why I thought of upping the color ante of the outfit by adding another blue element - a blue cardigan! If you put it on top of the sheath, it make it more relaxed and laid back.

The cardigan is a shade darker than the belt, so it's perfect for layering. When you put the belt outside, it creates this 3-color block that's both sophisticated yet happy.

Another colorful and color blocked outfit that I came up with is this casual chic ensemble that I gathered from the Trinoma sale. It's made up of 3 easy pieces - a loose teal blouse, a pair of royal blue boyfriend shorts, and a teal belt.

I'm digging the vibe of this outfit. It feels like something you can wear in a beach in Europe - be it Sitges or St. Tropez. The play of contrasts is also nice. The top is loose and airy, while the bottom is structured.

Finally, the ribbon belt adds a touch of whimsy to the whole look. I'm sure Ate Lissa will rock this ensemble.

There's nothing like colors to make a wardrobe - and mood - so much brighter.

Just Be Cos

Two weeks more and Uniqlo is finally opening its doors in Manila! Woot woot!

With Uniqlo, Forever 21, and Cotton On opening in Manila, I thought there would be less reasons to go to HKG for shopping. But I read that by the end of June, Cos is landing in Queen's Road Central!

For those who are followers of fast fashion, Cos is known as H&M's older and more sophisticated sibling. Just as Zara has Massimo Dutti, H&M has Cos.

Their clothes are more classic, minimalist and is oozing with quiet elegance. And those are qualities that anyone would want in their wardrobe.

Okay, I've got to set another trip to HKG sometime in the 3rd quarter of the year. Cos there's a reason to go back now.

FMM: Swinging Emotions

Except maybe for my Dad, everyone in the family likes to dance - in one form or another. When we were kids, we'd have "dance parties" in the neighborhood, and each group would have to perform a dance number. I even remember performing "Street Beat" in one of those parties. (shudder)

One dance that I've always liked watching is the swing. I first learned the swing during Emin's debut, and eventually learned more about it since my Mom, Kuya Marv and Ate Lissa all dance the swing.

And that's how I learned to appreciate the swing music from the 70s. There are actually lots - lots and lots - of songs that you can swing to in the 70s. After all, it's the disco era. You've got Earth, Wind and Fire, Shalamar, Stylistics, Stephanie Mills, Van McCoy, Cheryl Lynn, Donna Summer - just to name a few.

Hands down, one of my favorite group is The Emotions. They're the group who sang the ever popular Swing ditty, "Best of my Love." And this is the song that I would hear a lot during Friday Magic Madness.

Since it's a Friday, what the hey, let the music play!