Six decades of Love

My parents' 60th wedding anniversary was such a festive, nostalgic and heartwarming event.

Festive because both Mom and Dad love to celebrate and party. Dad insisted on having the band to liven up the venue with retro music, line dancing and ballroom dancing. 

Nostalgic because of the videos done by Kurt. The video of their 1966 wedding in Malinao, with "We've only just begun" in the background was such a beautiful way to open the event. The videos of both the 40th and 50th anniversaries, as well as the old family photos were like time machines that brought us back to the past.

Heartwarming because of the family and friends who took like out to celebrate with us. Dad's high school friends were there. Our relatives who were there during the 50th anniversary also came. The Park Avenue group also came in full force. It just shows how much my parents are loved by the people around them.

So, yes, this was truly a celebration of love. Not just of my parents, not just of our family, but everyone who mattered.

Happy 60th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Sweet 60!

Today is the day!

Celebrating 60 years of marriage is such an amazing milestone. And we're super blessed that my parents have the privilege to celebrate theirs.

Needless to say, this party was in order.

FMM: I heard a rumour

No, this isn't a Bananarama post. Though I've featured their iconic song in this blog before.

This is about the other "Rumours."

Timex Social Club had this massive hit in 1986. It was such a big hit that it was difficult to replicate. And judging by the fact that this is the only hit under their name, it's probably true.

Yes, it wasn't a rumour.

Printed Matter: Glam Bot(anicals)

In the many times that Plains & Prints has done botanical prints, they've always done it well. 

Ate Bullet has a closetful of dresses, skirts and tops from the brand, and it's time to add another one to the collection. 

It features this print:

It's an array of flowers and leaves, all light and bright in colour, set against a backdrop of deep green that makes it pop. This pretty print is the canvas for this even prettier coords.

It's a crop top with a ribboned strap, plus a flowy skirt.

This is a perfect ensemble to make everyday a glamorous one.

Color Story: Sand just like that

Sand is one of the more underrated colours in my book.

Not as pristine as white, not as creamy as beige, not as strong as khaki.

But it has a touch of those qualities - pristine, creamy and strong.

Qualities that make it chic and effortless. Just like this outfit.

This sand duo - top from Mango and skirt from The Landmark - has that right balance of qualities. Add the Mary Janes from The SM Store, and you've got a look that can go from work to weekend.

Nothing rough about this sand.

Top (hot)dog

She started as a viral sensation.

Neneng's hotdog became a by-word because of TikTok.

She had this small table below Carriedo station, and she would sell her signature "hotdog overload." It was a hotdog sandwich that was literally overloaded with toppings. It was a good value product that gained traction on line, and IRL.

And it looks like that traction continued, because she now has this stall in front of Isetann Recto.

It's so gratifying to see success stories like these.

Never grows old: the marriage

Nope, not the marriage of Jul & Jen. But that's going to  hit a decade in a few months.

The wedding in this case is my parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary. 

Yes, that was already 10 years ago.

And this is still one of my favourite photos from that celebration.

It's Kevin's selfie. And I've said this before and I'll send it again, it's genius!

This moment - just like love - never grows old.

Never grows old: the engagement

Found this photo from Jul and Jen's engagement party.

That's when it hit me that this photo was already taken a decade ago!

Amazing how fast time flies.

Model Behaviour

A few months ago, was in Zara in Megamall and paying for my purchase. There was something playing on the screen, and it was the first time that I really stopped and watched it.

Gosh! It was iconic!

This was Zara's 50th Anniversary ad. They took 50 iconic models, one for each year. And the cast was like the encyclopedia of supermodels!

They had Twiggy. They had Cindy. They had Paulina. They had Naomi. They had Alek. They had Karen. They had everyone!

The cherry on top? It was directed by Steven Meisel.

This is the model of how anniversary ads should be done.

FMM: It's time

One realisation during last week's D' Frendz get together was that time is moving faster than we would want it to.

The babies we used to carry are now teens. The kids who loved to hang out with us now prefer to hang out at home or in their rooms.

We're now starting to discuss body aches and pains, trips to chiropractors and medical conditions.

This brings us to this question:

"Where does the time go?" by Julia Fordham is the perfect song for this. This 1988 hits still feels current, but hits different in our current age.

That said, can we just ask time to slow down a bit?

Celebrating Sixty!

Wedding anniversaries are always worth celebrating.

Much more so if it's a 60th wedding anniversary!

And that's what Mom and Dad are celebrating today.

Of course, the fam was in full force to celebrate. Including Princess who's visiting from Canada.

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary!

Color Story: I've got the Pow(d)er

At one point, powder blue was a popular colour for weddings.

Take it from me. I'm a wedding planner. (Or used to be, at least.)

 But powder blue is a great hue for everyday wear, too. Just like this combo.

The knit top is from Penshoppe, while the floral skirt is from The Landmark. To ground the look, beige flats from Parisian.

You won't get the blues with this ensemble.

I think you're ready for this Jelly

No, this isn't a Destiny's Child post.

It's about a recent discovery at SM North EDSA.

There's a shoe store called Lyn. Because of my unfamiliarity with the brand, my curiosity led me inside. Once there, the shoes they had were very Charles & Keith in terms of the vibe.

But in one corner, there was a display of jelly shoes under the brand "Jelly Bunny." That's what got my attention.

The attention turned into browsing. The browsing resulted in me going home with this pair of jelly Mary Janes.

What makes it interesting is the material and the cap detail. Gave this to Ate Bullet and she swears by the comfort.

Looks like I'm ready to buy more from this brand.

Mood

While we were at the office as early as January 2, today is actually the official work day at the office.

And seeing this cat outside our building pretty much sums up how everyone at work feels.

No time for cat napping thought. 

It's a new year.

Time to hustle!

Meals with Mark: It's a must

Over the decades, Mark and I have built small traditions that we enjoy going back to.

One of those traditions is to have lunch together on December 31, particularly at North Park in SM Muntinlupa.

No question, North Park has great food. But one of the things that we keep coming back for is their Fresh Lemonade, it's a must!

Yup, that's how this item appears on their menu. "Fresh Lemonade. It's a must." Heck, they even have a poster for it.

Here's to more meals with you this 2026!

New Year, Old Frendz

Though we might not see each other as often as we used to, or as often as we want to, it's always a riot when D' Frendz finally get together.

This coming 2026, here's to more meet-ups, iyak-tawa moments and discoveries with these long standing friends.

FMM: Hello Kit-tea!

Despite being more than 50 years old, Hello Kitty shows no signs of stopping.

Just saw this installation for the Chagee x Hello Kitty collab.

She's proof that a classic never grows old, and that there's always a way for you to be continuously relevant for other generations. From merch, to cafes, to tea, Hello Kitty has a midas touch that she has maintained for all these decades.

And in honour of this achievement, today's Friday Magic Madness song is dedicated to the kitty herself!

I'm not sure why I'm familiar with this song, but the "Hello Kitty theme song" has been living rent-free in my mind for a long time now.

This is the best time to bring it back.

It's a New Year!

And just like that, we begin another year.

Thanks, 2025, you were great.

Here's to greater things this 2026!

Let's Dance

Even though it's not an obvious choice - after all, it might not even be a colour - I'm very much drawn to this year's Pantone colour of the year.

Cloud Dancer is basically white. With a bit of softness to it. This is actually making it easy for everyone to follow the colour code this coming new year.

Hope the coming year will be filled with quietness, simplicity and freedom - just like a Cloud Dancer.

The Royal Treatment

After last year's very muted, black and white Christmas wrapping theme, my idea for this year's theme was the complete opposite.

At the get go, my mind was veering towards something more vibrant and elegant. A thought that was further solidified after seeing this wrapper:

It was the royal blue and gold combination that sold me to it. The combo felt so luxe, yet also quiet and muted.

Because of that colour scheme, the accents and accoutrements also followed suit. Found this really nice metallic gold ribbon, and a glittered gold snowflake.

That same blue and gold theme carried on to my gift cards, which echoed both the colours and patterns of those materials.

Together, these elements created this year's Christmas wrapping theme.

Now, let me put on Lorde's "Royal" in the background.

LFLTAT: Straight to No. 1

No, this isn't about the song by Touch and Go.

What it is is another post-Christmas sale ensemble.

For less than a thousand, of course.

The top is from Kashieca, which is a lace top (it's long enough to be a dress, actually) with an interesting, Chanel-esque print. The skirt if from The Landmark, and we all know who affordable fashion items are there.

Despite the P800 price tag, this look definitely has a lot of class to it.

LFLTAT x Color Story: Taupe tier

Sales about after Christmas day.

Retailers know that people have a lot of Christmas money to burn, so they give them a gentle nudge and suggestion on how to do it. 

Because of these sales, it's so easy to churn out a Look for Less than a Thousand, that can also be a Colour Story. Just like this ensemble:

It's a very classy and classic taupe look, but with something extra. The top is from Baleno at The SM Store, while the pants are from H&M. The pants are particularly interesting because it has that faux layered look, thanks to the lace overlay.

For the price - which is just around P900 - is a top choice!

Suddenly Six

Here's a case of Christmas history repeating itself.

These photos were taken on the same day - Christmas eve - but 6 years apart!

So much has happened since 2019, and the world is a lot different.

But Ate Bullet and Toni still look the same.

FMM: Christmas Calling

There was this very catchy yet very mindless piece of techno music back in 1999.

"Mindless" because for more than 2 minutes, they just repeated the same line over and over and over and over again. "Catchy" because it was so popular back then. You'd hear it on the radio, on MTV, in clubs and parties. 

You might not know the title, but once you hear it, it'll all come back.

IYKYK, as kids these days would say.

Yup, it's "Somebody answer the phone" by Mario Piu.

It's a fitting Friday Magic Madness song, inspired by Mark's very thoughtful Christmas gift.

He must have seen how old my current phone was, that he decided to give me a new one. He knows that I'm not the type who'll buy a phone for myself, so he took matters into his own hands.

Very thoughtful.

Great call, Mark.

Christmas at the Park

Park Avenue, that is.

From our family - both in Park Avenue and in Texas, Georgia and Toronto - a Merry Christmas and a blessed Holiday Season.

See you Litre

Went to Serenitea for my usual Lychee Green Tea fix, and got a big surprise.

Literally, big.

Like, a litre big!

Apparently, they have an anniversary promo. If you buy a selected drink (and my Lychee Green Tea was selected), you get a free upside to a 1-litre cup!

That's a whole lotta Lychee! (Not complaining, though.)

Bicho bottom dollar

No, this isn't an "Annie" post.

It's a post about the fact that, despite eating at Tsokolateria many, many times, I'm only discovering their Bicho Bicho today.

It's SO good!

The Bicho has the right combination of a crunchy exterior and a pillowy interior, and the choice of dips complement it.

Looks like the Churros Waffle will be dislodged as my Tsokolateria fave.

Creativi-tree

After a year of work, productions, work, pitches, rushed work, and more work, it's finally a wrap for the creative team this year.

From our creative family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Danke Schon

Thanks to Arche, I'm now familiar with this German brand of mixed fruits.

Meyve Mix was what I got from the exchange gift, and I couldn't be happier.

Hope they have this in supermarkets in MNL. 

It's sehr lecker!

Not Becky's Kitchen

But Becky's living room!

Once again, the Mass Comm faculty continues our tradition of spending our Christmas party at Becky's home.

As expected, it was an afternoon filled with food, laughter, and teacher talk.

Merry Christmas, Mass Comm!

FMM: Wither on not

Today's Friday Magic Madness post is in honour of the song that wasn't sung yesterday.

For our finale, we were supposed to group sing Bill Withers' 1972 hit, "Lean on Me."

But the team felt that we needed a more upbeat and party-ish ditty to end our tribute medley. Eventually, we sang "Happy Together" by The Turtles.

Too bad, actually, since we were really feeling the vibe of this Bill Withers song. Which I'll play today.

Too bad that this song didn't get the airplay it deserved.

Silver linings

And just like that, our agency celebrated our Silver Anniversary.

Congratulations, Catalytx!

Here's to the next 25 years.

Pro and (Comic)Con

We noticed a lot of people carrying "Back to the Future 40th Anniversary" totes, and was wondering what's up.

Then it hit us. 

It was Tokyo Comic Con!

Maybe we'll see Johnny Depp roaming around Makuhari.

SSDD

A decade ago, we were in Tokyo Midtown with Mark's friends - Derek, Trina, Diego & Rondel, and we had our photos taken at the bridge that connects the park to the mall.

During our Tokyo trip last week, we were able to take our photo on the same bridge.

So, this qualifies as a SSDD - Same shot, different decade - post.

Back to Earth

Because the Polo Earth that I bought and brought from Narita Airport was so good, just had to get another bottle.

Two, actually.

Guess this means that I'm a certified Earth-ling.

Meals with Mark: Go Cro!

When they closed the St. Marc's cafe in Megamall, we were bummed. Where do we get our yummy choco cros now?

That's why when we saw that there was a St. Marc's cafe outside our hotel in Makuhari, we already knew where we'd have breakfast.

It's so good to be able to share a choco cro with Mark again.

Luck is Standard

I'm so thrilled that we decided to stay in Makuhari on our last day in Tokyo.

Aside from the fact that there's the Mitsui Park Outlet just outside our hotel - literally, it was outside our hotel - there's also the Aeon Mall which was just 1 train stop away.

That mall is one of my faves because of these 2 shops:

Luck Rack is always a great place to hunt for off-season Japanese brands, while Standard Products can really give Muji a run for its money.

I'm super happy with my haul from these 2 stores.

FMM: The Others

Back in 1993, there was a song that enjoyed a lot of airplay, and it also enjoyed a lot of on-air play. I'd see the official music video on shows like MTV, and being danced on TV shows by popular dance gorups.

It's a song from a duo called "The Other Two." The English husband and wife team, originally from New Order, tried it out as a duo and came up with this hit song.

"Selfish," has that new wave vibe that also has a bit of a slow dance feel. It's that combination that makes this song such an ear worm.

Let me be selfish and play this song on repeat.

Always the best time

Back in the early 2000s, the tagline of Wendy's in the Philippines was: "It's the best time for Wendy's."

While they're not and have not used that tagline in decades, it still remains to be my favourite one.

With that, this is the best time to post about Wendy's in Tokyo.

Hands down, the fries in Wendy's Japan is top tier. That's why it's also one of the "must-visits" when I'm there.

It's the best!

Breakfast with a view

At The New Otani Hotel in Akasaka-Mitsuke, you have 2 venue options for the breakfast buffet. You can choose between a garden view and a city view.

Mark and I were deciding where to go, and we eventually decided to just go with the city view restaurant at the 40th floor.

Boy, was it a good choice! We were treated to this view while having breakfast:

Mount Fuji!

This view made our breakfast even more special!

Meals with Mark: Happy habits

From the early 2000s until now, one of the "must-visits" when we're in Japan has to be Saizeriya.

This "Italian-by-way-of-Japan" fast food place is like a second home for us. You might even call it a habit. The comfort food  the drink bar, the vibe - it all adds up to make every visit a satisfying one.

In our many, many times of eating here, this is the first time we're ordering their French onion soup.

Gosh! It's so, SO good! Why didn't we discover this earlier?

This is now going to be part of our regular orders from here on in.

Year end. Bookend.

Mark and I started our travel year in Japan.

Last January, we went to Makuhari in Tokyo,  and had a grand time there.

Now, we're back for our last international trip for the year.

Makuhari never disappoints. And Makuhari will always be one of our go-tos in Japan.

LFLTAT: Color of the Year

So, Pantone announced the 2026 colour of the year - Cloud Dancer.

It's basically a variation of white.

This reminded me of a LFLTAT from my previous Japan trip.

The culottes are from GU, while the top is from Uniqlo. They're both in various permutations of white, and they blend together seamlessly and perfectly.

It's a look that'll bring you to Cloud Nine!

Smells like Pinoy Spirit

Since we're on the subject of Pinoy Pride and proudly Pinoy products, here's a recent discover that can be filed under that subject.

It's a locally made perfume!

The packaging alone is a great reason to buy it. The box is elegant, aesthetic and posh. The perfume itself is equally good - long-lasting, good projection, and it really reminds me of Tom Ford's Oud Wood.

Take notes, local brands. This is how it's done.

FMM: Another one bites the Dusty

Dusty Springfield has one of the most fascinating voices in music. She had a mezzo-soprano voice that could pull off both classic and modern sounding songs.

Her career started in the 60s, but my first exposure to her music was through this 1987 collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys.

"What have I done to deserve this," was an often played song back in the 80s. Not only was it all over the airwaves, it was also all over parties and get togethers. Whenever it was played, my ears were always waiting for her to come in with those iconic lines: "Since you've been away, I've been hanging around, I've been wondering why I'm feeling down..."

These lines made the song for me.

That was the magic of Dusty Springfield.

Ballet meets Balot

This post is so, SO overdue.

Actually, the fact is that I thought I posted about this already. 

Apparently not.

Saw this really nice pair of ballet flats at a Trade Fair in Megamall, and just had to order a pair.

Yup, order. They make these shoes to order, which is a great way to really promote craftsmanship and quality.

This beautiful denim ballet flats has a whimsical "Balot" print. Very Pinoy yet very chic.

Now, that's Pinoy creativity at its finest.

That's so False!

Here's yet another example of how quality seems to have flown out the window.

They used false copy as stand-in for this video. And they didn't replace or remove it.

Gosh! Back when my advertising career began, this would've been a huge no-no. But these days, people with just shrug it off and say: "that video won't last long anyway."

Proofreader - and higher standards - please.

Dolled up denim

There are a lot of ways you can elevate denim. 

You can do it by pairing a denim item - like jeans - with a more luxe item like a silk blouse or a merino sweater. 

You can do it though accessories - like a sparkly shoe, a statement belt, or a tweed jacket.

Or you can make a dress with a lot of fashionable details that elevate it. Just like this dress:

Overall, the dress has a baby doll vibe. But it's done in a very modern way. From the cuts and seams on the bodice, to the sleeve that puffs up at the lower part, to the big neck tie that further enhances the "doll" look.

This is more than just "Denim done right," It's "Denim done wonderfully chic!"

Color Story: Children of the Cornflower

Saw a cornflower blue knit top at Memo, and it was on sale!

Of course, I had to buy it.

Next task was to find items to pair it with. That's when I remembered that there were a few light denim items in the stash that looks like cornflower.

Et voila!

The pants are from The SM store, and the vest is from the Plains & Prints x Marc Nicdao collaboration.