McReunion

This actually happened more than a month ago.

We were on our way from lunch with Tita Sally and Victor when my phone rang. Upon looking at it, the name of the person who was calling was Helene. She's a close friend from McDonald's who I haven't seen in 20-or-so years. Since lives it AUS, so, it was quite surprising that she was calling.

Of course, I had to pick it up. Indeed, it was Helene and she said that she's here in MNL for a short vacation. And the cool part is, she's going to White Plains, near where Dexter's is. She'll be meeting up with some of our 026 friends, and asked if I'd be free to join.

When you haven't seen a close friend for that long, the answer was obvious:

It was awesome to see Helene, Teng and Chingky again. And we had a grand time reminiscing our McDonald's days.

You gotta love unplanned meet-ups that push through.

G.U. almost forgot

Since G.U. was the 1st stop of our short HKG trip a few weeks ago, the question remains: "What's the G.U. haul?"

While not as sizeable as my usual hauls, it was pretty decent considering the super shot length of my stay. Was able to buy stuff for Mark, Ate Bullet and myself. 

One of my my hauls for Ate was this outfit.

It consisted of a loose t-shirt, denim gauchos in this very versatile off-white color.

And to ground the neutral top and pants, a pair of cool, neon green platform sandals. 

This is such a comfy, elevated chic kind of ensemble.

You can really never go wrong with this brand.

FMM: Scent to Song, part 2

Byredo is one of those niche fragrances that's a fave among the scent-loving community. I've been hearing about this brand for years, but don't really know what the brand is like since they don't have it available in stores here in MNL.

I'd see the brand in HKG, particularly in Lane Crawford. Back in 2017 when the fam flew to HKG, I chanced upon it while we were strolling in IFC. But since we were in a hurry, I never got a chance to smell it.

When Mark and I went to Seoul last October, there was a Byredo store inside Lotte Department Store. On my way to the supermarket, I made a quick stop and finally took a whiff of this brand. Verdict: the hype is real!

That's why during my trip to HKG last month, part of the itinerary was the Byredo store in IFC. There, I finally got my hands on some of their most popular fragrances, the OG being this:

Gypsy Water is the Byredo scent that's on everyone's lips (or noses.) And it's easy to understand why. The scent is so fresh and clean, like an elevated skin scent.

And to celebrate my 1st bottle, today's Friday Magic Madness is an off-shoot of the scent's name.

"Gypsy Woman" & "Crystal Waters." Remove the "Woman" and "Crystal," and you have one of the scents that I'll be using on the regular. You gotta love the music of the 90s. Just like you gotta love this scent.

Classic Cool

Walking past H&M in Megamall, they have this huge display pushing their denim line.

The in-store billboard features a big and diverse group of models wearing jeans and different types of white tops. This combo of denim and white is the ultimate “classic cool” ensemble. It’s so classic and easy that you can wear it any time, anywhere, and you’ll still look chic.

Just like this ensemble that I was able to put together.

The white top is from SheIn, the jeans are from Mango and the snakeskin sneakers are from Zara.

Cool, eh.

Snack with a K!

Blame it on the Korean shows I've been watching lately, but there was a sudden craving for Korean snacks that had to be satisfied.

In their movies, Tteok-bokki is one of the go-to snacks of students. You'll often find young characters having a bowl of this traditional rice cake after class. Sometimes, they'd have fish cakes, too. And watching the characters eat them with gusto just makes my tummy grumble.

That's why today, this was my snacks of choice.

Tteok-bokki and fish cakes!

K-ravings satisfied.

Always our guide

He was our guide when we were growing up. Teaching us the values of integrity, leadership, compassion and kindness. 

He was one of the biggest influences in my life. In fact, I won a silver medal in an essay writing contest for the piece I wrote on him.

And even if it's been 34 years since he went to heaven, he still guides me - an all of us - until now.

On your 113th birthday, thank you, Lolo Iking. For the love and guidance that we experience even until now.

Happy Birthday, Lolo!

You da Gulaman

Black gulaman has to be one of my all-time favourite drinks. Ever!

It might have started as a kid when we'd have black gulaman whenever we'd eat at our usual Chinese restaurants with the family. Whether it was Ling Nam, Wai Ying or Green Patio, my drink of choice would always be Black Gulaman.

It's a habit that I've carried on until now. That's why whenever a restaurant serves this delectable drink, you can count on me to order a glass or two. Or three or four.

Eat Fresh has awesome gulaman that comes in huge cups, which is why it's my go-to order in that resto.

Bur recently, I've discovered this black gulaman goodness!

Yes! Fruitas now sells these by the bottle.

Take my money, please!

Raise your Mug(ler)

Fast fashion fans are always waiting for the next big collaboration. Particularly those coming from H&M.

It's been pretty quiet since last year's Iris Apfel collaboration. And there hasn't been a big name attached to the brand after Simone Rocha's in 2021.

But that all changed when they announced who they'll be collaborating with this year:

Mugler!

Yes! Thierry Mugler is a designer who's brand wis known for their very avant garde and almost alien-esque aesthetic. When you think of Mugler, you think of silver and black, stark lines and ultra-modern designs. 

Given how this is very different from H&M's wearable, everyday approach to fashion, I'm excited to see how these 2 brands will bring their sensibilities together.

LFLTAT; To the Nine(tie)s

Who doesn't love the minimalism and simplicity of the 90s?

It was the era of plain, streamlined dresses in chic cuts. Simple jewelry and an overall clean and sparse aesthetic.

Since last year, i’ve Been seeing that back in fast fashion shops. And thanks to the recent Zara sale, here’s a Look For Less Than A Thousand with that aesthetic in mind.

Tadaa!

The dress is so chic and beautiful. It’s a long, black dress with long sleeves, and a surprise at the back!

Paired with a metal choker, it captures the 90s to a tee. For less than a thousand pesos. FROM ZARA!

Who would’ve thought you could be dressed for the red carpet for less than P1000. If you know when and where to shop, you definitely can.

FMM: Irresistible

Today's Friday Magic Madness was inspired by a music conversation between Devi and myself.

We were thinking of music videos with back-up singers and dancers who were made up to look exactly the same. While on the topic, we both thought of and blurted out the same thing.

Robert Palmer!

Back in the 80s, he was known for very catchy tunes with visually interesting music videos. He's particularly known for having all-female back-ups, with their LBDs, slicked back hair and red lips. They'd have these poker faces, and they'd just slightly move and groove seductively to the beat.

Just like in "Simply Irresistible."

This 1988 video is now 35 years old! But it still looks fresh and current.

And irresistible to watch.

Putting the “March” in “Marchesa”

You know a design is good if it still looks current and relevant even if it’s more than a decade old.

Such is this dress from Marchesa Notte. Back in the early 2000s, Marchesa was one of the brands to watch. Having 2 women designers at the helm - Georgina Chapman and Karen Craig, they knew how to dress women. That’s why their designs became popular with the A-list fashionistas.

When I was living in HKG, I found the Marchesa Notte dress on sale at Lane Crawford in IFC. Because it was in Ate Lissa’s size, I had to buy it.

While tidying up my closet, I found the dress, still as pretty as the day I bought it. And again, that was more than a decade ago, in 009!

This is such a fashionable find to start off March.

You better Works!

After much anticipation and a long time waiting, we finally have an official Bath and Body Works store in the Philippines!

Yes! Their first mall store in SM Megamall is finally open!

Work, Bath and Body Works, Work!

Let it B

Before our HKG trip, I knew that shopping won't be a big part of the agenda.

Given that it was just a 3D/2N trip, my priorities were eating and meeting friends. Although my mind was already set on going to GU, thus it was the first place we went to after arriving.

True to expectations, I didn't go to my usual shopping haunts like Mongkok, Prince Edward Street, Lane Crawford Outlet and Joyce. But I was able to go to GU, Uniqlo, Citygate Outlets and IFC.

While at IFC, I had to go to the restroom, and found out that the Byredo store was just across. And with that, this was my unplanned purchase on this trip.

Since Byredo isn't easily available in MNL, I'm glad that I let myself buy this despite it being unplanned.

Ming Dynasty

We were at CLK waiting for our flight home last Sunday night.

Suddenly, we heard excited shrieks and people started running towards the airport balcony where the people from the departure area could view the arrival deck.

Curious about the ruckus, we went to the balcony to see what was going on. It turns our that the China Youth National Basketball Team just arrived in HKG, and the head of their delegation was China's most famous basketball player, Yao Ming!

Yup, even from afar, his 7'6" height is imposing.

The first time I saw him was in 2007 when he visited HKG. He was just a few feet away from me, he really looked gigantic. Now, even if he was around 15-20 feet away, the feeling was still the same.

After all these years, he's still famous and has the same following in HKG.

More of the Usuals

It might have been just a 3D/2N trip, but there was a conscious effort to sample all the HKG eats that are part of my life.

Like my usual McDonald's breakfast:

And Lok Bo Fan (from another resto, though.)

They were great eats! As per usual.

Prawn Stars

Just like my previous trips to HKG, no matter how short or how long, a visit to Landale Prawn Noodle Shop is always one of my stopovers.

So, in between a trip from Kwun Tong and Tung Chung, it was off to Admiralty, for this:

It's been 4 years since my last bowl of Prawn Noodles, and it's still as good.

Thank goodness some things never change.

FMM: Cheung Dynasty

Today's Friday Magic Madness song is an homage to my trip to HKG last weekend. Because of that, a HKG-themed FMM song is in order.

One thing I learned whilst living in HKG was the concept of "Four Heavenly Kings of Music." This referred to the 4 biggest names in Canto-Pop. These are the 4 male singers who are considered icons in the local music scene - some even making a name internationally.

These are Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Aaron Kwok and Jacky Cheung.

Among these 4 names, the one that would be more familiar to Pinoys is Jacky Cheung. That's because he had a song with Regine Velasquez in 1994. It's a song that made it big in the Philippines, as well as in HKG.

"In Love with You," was a great song that successfully melded together the styles of both Jacky and Regine, which made it doubly successful.

It's not hard to fall in love with this song, really.

Okay, Coral!

It's a given.

Whenever my travels take me to HKG, there's one place that's a "must-visit."

Cafe de Coral!

This iconic HKG fast food joint was part of my life during my 4-year stint in HKG. It was my go-to place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, even tea times! It's an ubiquitous part of the landscape and there's always a branch near you wherever you are.

Even if this trip is a very short 3D/2N, Cafe de Coral HAD TO BE part of the itinerary. So, this is where we had breakfast on our 2nd day.

The interiors of Cafe de Coral have been upgraded. But the service and the food is still the same.

Okay, that's one "must-visit" checked off the list.

Tart Time

The past 2 odd years, new items of stores and restaurants closing in HKG became commonplace. In fact, a number of my favourite places - Hui Lau Shan, Hop Hing Noodle House, Mido Cafe, Fat Angelos, even Swindon Book Co. Ltd. - closed down.

Upon arriving in HKG, there was a feeling of fear and dread that one of the places that I'd visit multiple times a week would be closed as well. This is Pie & Tart Specialists.

This is the small bakery that I'd often visit at the corner of Granville Road and Chatham Road South. I'd pass by their store before going home from the office, and would be their floss tarts and the mini tuna pie. It would usually be my dinner, or a whole day thing on weekends.

While Grace was shopping for shoes on Granville, I quickly darted to the corner to see whether Pie & Tart Specialists was still open.

Et voila!

Of course, my evening snack that night was the floss tart.

I'm so happy that I got to visit this store again this time.

Ticket within a Ticket

Call this an inception moment.

My airline ticket from CX going to HKG came with another ticket! It's a ticket to a film that I've always wanted to watch, featuring one of my all-time fave actresses - Julia Roberts!

"Ticket to Paradise" is a rom-com that's been on my radar since the trailer dropped. Unfortunately, they didn't show it here in MNL, mainly due to the fact that most theatres were closed. 

So, when it appeared on the entertainment console, I immediately pulled it up and watched it.

Gosh, Julia hasn't lost her touch when it comes to rom-coms!