After posting a bunch of bags of foreign descent, I believe it is hight time I feature our very own designs. Here are two designers who have gained international fashion stardom.
Rafe' Totengco's creations have been getting a lot of reviews abroad and just recently opened his store here in Manila, specifically at the new Greenbelt 5.
(Rafe is from Bacolod, studied fashion design here in the Philippines and left for New York 18 years ago, when he was 21 years old.)
Anyhooo, here are my favorites from his collection.
The Suko Thai bag and Bangkok bag, around Php12k each.Koh Samui, around Php17k. Eva Longoria had 10 of these made (in silver) for her wedding (entourage, i guess).
Tina Maristela-Ocampo's Celestina minaudiere collection have been declared by Vogue as the latest it bags. There are sold at an average of $1000 each. I have no favorites here (coz they're small) but I do appreciate the round one.Yay to Filipino ingenuity!
Still happy from my SATC movie date, I have scoured cyberspace for some bag lust.
Gawd I do not (hell) understand why some people can just drop at least $1000 for a bag. (There are pieces that go up to a whopping $10,160 or Php437,000 such as the brand Valextra or the ever coveted Hermes bag which is $30,000 or Php1.3M and the Chanel Paris Biarritz pieces that skyrockets to a thundering $45,000 each or almost Php2M!)
Of course at my age and source of income (read: baon), I definitely cannot afford luxury bags but at least I am giving myself something to aspire for. So here are my fabuleux finds...
The Jana bag by Bally at our current exchange rate goes at around 56k pesoses. (leather)
Beirn Jena bag made of watersnake, goes around Php13 975. This bag (in orange) is actually in the movie.The Faro bag by Gerard Darel. Php42 785. Calf hair.
I guess it is evident that I have a thing for big bags. I just love it when I can bring everything (I think) I need with me. It's something I also got from my mom. It's just that I have bigger bags than she does. hahaha
So there, my top three favorites. Trust me, it was hard to choose.
For now, these big bags shall (partially) fuel my big dreams. Cheers!♥
* * * Thanks to BagSnob for the photos and info.
Here's the Chanel Paris Biarritz bag that can feed a multitude. Whatchatink?
I am so loving Sex and the City the movie. I cannot miss it for the world so today, in its first day of showing, I made a date with myself to go see it. I super enjoyed myself and I recommend it to all you ladies and ladies at heart. If you love Gossip Girl's fashion, you'll love SATC's too! Well, one thing they do have in common is that they are all from New York. I will try to not spoil the movie here but forgive me for quoting Jennifer Hudson's character.
Carrie: Why did you come to New York? Louie: To fall in love.
This movie is all about love. All sorts of love. Love for friends, for yourself, and for that special someone. It is a perfect mix of laughter, wit and that good ol' 'i'm-here-for-you-no-matter-what' drama.
Go grab yourself a ticket and fall in love with Manhattan- the fashion, the people, and the city itself.
You just might find yourself wanting a martini after.
We're gonna be back in school in less than 2 weeks. I am so excited. But before all the academic stuff, I am bound to take a different school- DRIVING SCHOOL!
Well, I am not entirely sure if I'm gonna go for it but I have been bugging my mom to let me learn since second year college. This morning my mom told me to take driving lessons since I have a few more days to spare. I gladly said I'll check tomorrow since there are at least four different driving schools outside of the village. Naku, I'm so excited and afraid. Excited because there is a thrill in learning something really new. And hello, that's like a few steps away from independence? hahaha Afraid because, OMG I am so not ready for roadkill. I don't want horns honking at me every time the engine dies. And in case I get the hang of it, I will need to fight the temptation of carnapping my dad's car when I want to go out at two in the morning.
Anyhooo, nuff of this driving thrill. I am looking forward to starting school already. I miss my batchmates. I can't wait to see who my classmates are. And of course, this is our senior year which means we have to make the most out of it. I'm pretty sure before we know it, we'll be having our grad photos taken already, we'll be busy scouring for the best person to do our yearbook write-up. We'll be lining up to pay our grad fees and buy our sablay. The thought of it is killing me- in a good way, that is. It is bittersweet, they say. And just the thought of it makes me understand what bittersweet is. But to feel it, I don't know.
I am afraid to let go of my treasured friends. I am afraid to forget them- or be forgotten by them. I am excited to see the bigger world. I have no idea where I'll be. I just might end up in a corporate position or a TV show. (HAHAHAHA, crayzeeeeh) I might be on my way in building my dream house. Or whatever dream chuva ek there is. But enough of foreseeing the future. I'm gonna take things one day at a time, making sure I do not miss any special moment. Because these are the moments we'll surely enjoy recalling many years from now.
Today Mom and Joop left for Iloilo since enrollment na ni Joop and their semester will be starting on June 2.
As usual, Mom woke Jom and I to say bye bye. Everytime she does it, she cries. Back in first year, I remember how hard I cried when they left. Sophomore year, I still cried but I was ok fast. Junior year- teary teary but ok na rin. It's always like that every time they have to leave after summer and sem break. Today was nothing different. My mom showered Jom and I with tight hugs and lots of kisses. She sobbed in between 'bilins'. Her kisses were many- as if she was giving us one kiss for every single day she would not be spending with us. When she let go of me, she called my brother again for a second round of hugging. And then me again. And I realized how heartbreaking it is for a mother to leave her children. I thought I'm used to this drama but crap, I was so not ready to cry this morning. After they left, it took me quite a while to cry and recover before I finally fell asleep again. The next voice I heard was my kuya's. "Alis na ako, Lee". Mmkay, ingat.
When I finally woke up, I was okay but I knew I was alone. Dad will be back from Bicol within the week.
This evening was my second time to cry. I weep not only for myself but also for a friend. I share the pain...of being left behind. But do know, B, no matter where you go, I will always relive the memories. Trivial as it may be for others, I will never forget your contagious smile, your bubbly personality and most of all, I will not forget how you made me feel when we met the second time. It breaks my heart to see our friends hurt. But do know, that in your temporary absence, I will, in my own way, take care of F and J. I will keep them strong in this trying times. I wish you're happier now, B.
Alam niyo yung feeling na nalulungkot ka pag naiisip mo? Pero pag marami kang ginagawa, hindi mo rin naman naiisip? Yun yon. haha
This isn't the stereotypical hurting drama. Not a tear here, nor a tantrum there. Just some 'panghihinayang' on the good times we've had. I am not totally letting go. Because sometimes I feel there's nothing to let go of in the first place. But whatever we had, it's gonna have to take a backseat until you realize that the people you took for granted are the ones who will stay when the cool dudes have left. And for now, we are gonna take on the world in our happiest state. Happy because I do not need to watch after you. I do not have to constantly ask if you're okay. I do not have to defend you to people who misunderstand you. Because maybe they perfectly understand. I do not have to be the friend that I am to you at the moment. I will be dormant and will coexist harmoniously with the world.
Ask yourself, M.C., are you happy? Coz my friends and I are happy with each other's company and I doubt they'd want to be with you.
*** This is part of the therapy so forgive the bitch factor. hehehe :)
Part of the therapy chuva program I created for myself is just keep hurting until it all goes away. HAHAHA How sadistic is that? Anyhooo, nothing serious, just some good ol' friendship issue, that's all.
UPDATES!
CRS- got 18 units only to find out CS 197 (BA 198) was moved to the second sem. Feeling naman nila paimportante. I enlisted in the normal 198 class and I am fervently hoping that I get one of the three available slots left. Please please Lord. :)
ORG- My mom was generous enough to sponsor the supplies for ABAM so I bought the pens and sticky tapes and glue we will be needing in the future org activities. Oh how I love my mother. And I promised her I'd tell my orgmates she's my sponsor which I did in the 3 of our yahoo groups, hahaha Weeeee! Yun nalang ang token of appreciation from HR. haha
FAMILY- My dad upgraded my laptop from a 512 mb to a 1.5 Gb RAM which means FASTER programs, more multitasking opportunities, and more efficient work. Yey!
We had our last summer eat out also today since Mom and Joop will be flying back to Iloilo on Monday. Dad will be driving to Bicol to meet up with their clients in that region. He asked me if I wanted to come since enrollment won't be until June 6 but I declined since the drive is excruciatingly long, I made plans with some FA, I have to do work for ABAM as well as find my a room inside the campus. We ate at jay-J's Chicken Inasal (we didn't order inasal, haha) and all I can say is I have never been this full in my life. My mom laughed at me when I told her I was so full. All she said was 'Savor the feeling. Matagal-tagal bago ka ulit mabusog ng ganyan." Hahaha That's because I have no cooking skills whatsoever (except pasta, and fried whatever). As some of you know, when I don't cook, Jollibee and KFC are my usual meals which my dad pointed out today as well. 'Pag alis namin magsasawa ka nanaman sa chicken joy.' Ugh, I don't want to eat fastfood or at least, not most of the time.
ME- therapy. haha I'm excited for school to start! As in suuuper excited for my classes, for org events, for new knowledge (haha, geek-esque), and even for stress. I know, i know I shouldn't be excited for stress but I just love the rewarding feeling of waking up late on a weekend or the precious nod of your professor while voicing your thoughts. Lavet!
So there, those are the current things in my life. Gawd I miss Gossip Girl. Please please come soon season 2! According to Gossipgirl.tv "Gossip Girl Season 2 will kick off in August and the first episode will air in September. Now it's time to wish the Upper East Siders a very scandalous summer. You know you love it. XOXO."
Along with Gossip Girl's season break, it's that random time of year when one start picking up the pieces again. Everybody Loves. So it's no big deal. It's all over now.
Today Mom and I went to Quiapo to hear mass. Every time she comes here for a vacation, she makes it a point to hear mass in Quiapo. She asked me to accompany her since I have just recently celebrated my birthday. After mass, we ate at KFC nearby. I was fuming because the lady worker of KFC was, let's just say not very friendly to customers. There was this lady who asked her to refill the gravy thermos and she said 'Mamaya na ma'am." WTF diba?!?! My mom found it irritating but she seemed to be more amused at my anger so she calmed me down and told me to just keep eating. haha
After lunch, we store-hopped into the chain of bead shops and lastly, bought a pack of original hopia for daddy then took an FX to SM Fairview to meet Dad and my brothers.
I remember telling my mom 'Naku mommy baka umuwi si Kuya Bong, yung gamit ko nasa kwarto niya."
Coz you see, my younger brother Joop refuses to sleep at the top bed of the double deck. I never sleep at the top. So since he took my mom's bed, my mom moved to mine, my older brother has his own sofa bed therefore, I am shut out of the bedroom. hahaha Thus explains my temporary stay in my uncle, Kuya Bong's room.
Lo and behold, when we got back from the mall, Kuya Bong was at home. The next thing I heard as I entered the front door with heavy grocery bags in both hands, my mom was shouting what seemed to be my name. 'ALISIN MO LAHAT NG GAMIT MO DUN LEE!' She takes a deep breath and shouts again 'WAG NA WAG MO NA GAGAMITIN YANG KWARTO NA YAN!'
Turns out Kuya Bong did the one thing he keeps on doing ever since I moved here- called my attention because of my things. According to Joop, he said 'Pati kwarto ko may kalat na'. Eh hello? If only you'd see the room, the Sunday newspaper, my laptop, FA's Staedler pens and my Belle de Jour planner were the only things in his room. Plus of course, my bedsheets and pillow. How bad is that?
Joop got my mom a big glass of water. Took her around 30 minutes to recover in the room.
Now I explain myself. All these so called kalat he keeps clamoring about are things important in school and in my orgs. I have to constantly see them so I do not waste time searching huge boxes of random files every time I need something. Besides, it isn't kalat. I call it organized clutter. All my pens are stuffed in 3 containers depending on the ink color or purpose (ballpoint pen, colored pen, markers, etc). All my scratch papers are piled on a table along with my marketing and psych books, and favorite Seventeen USA magazines. All my ABAM files are in one file box, all my other BA files and memorabilia are in three other, equally colorful file boxes. I am simply utilizing every empty space available in the study room.
Here's the deal. My mom gets that point. And she's always been fine with justified clutter because well, it is justified (what the hell). haha But Kuya Bong is just overly obsessive-compulsive with everything. Sometimes I'd imagine myself saying 'eh di ikaw maglinis' hahaha but of course, that'd be rude. But rewarding nonetheless. hahaha
And for a student, you'd rather rest from all the thinking instead of walking around trying to figure out how make your study room Zen-like clean. Put it this way, I just have too many supplies- of papers, folders, pens, reams of bond paper and art papers- waiting to be used. It's not like I can just throw them all away.
Anyway, point of story... My mom is a superhero. She protects me in each and every way she can. Even my little complain on mosquito bites, she'd address me with such attention and worry and care that I couldn't imagine what I'd do if she weren't here. And I guess that's one of the gajillion reasons why I love her.
And oh, in case you're wondering what happened after? Kuya Bong didn't say anything after bumirit ng mommy ko. Coz my mom's the eldest sa magkakapatid. hahahaha
Here's another winner. Remember the famous Ken Lee video? Here she is... Valentina Hasan. THE NEW AND IMPROVED KEN LEE!
Happy Birthday to me! and to my dear friend Leslie Huang!
Wholesome part of the day:
This morning I woke up 6 hours after finishing all my Psych requirements. While working on it, I got calls from friends, text messages and had YM windows popping on my screen, all containing birthday greetings. I love the greetings. It is really very flattering.
Anyhooo, my family went to Manila Ocean Park to see marine life up close. hahaha But diving at Donsol with the butandings is still the best experience. Anyway, the place is wide and interesting however the people were stubborn and disobeyed the rule on not using the camera flash. That really sucks. I mean, hello, at that age (parental age!??!?) how can they not obey the rules?!
family pic with the sharks
After the tour, we had lunch at Ozeano, the restaurant inside the oceanarium. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great lunch, educational trip and yummeh cake!
Batch bonding...I shall leave it to the photos. :)
Leslie and I
group shots
Let's not post the jumping jacks ok? hahahahaha So there, the booze was great (snaps for Jave!) and the company was cool. Music was so reminiscent of our clubbing days. CALLING MISTER MIGUEL ECHANIS. COME BACK NOW BECAUSE IT'S TIME TO PARTEEYH.
Here's one funny and unintentional photo... Emm took this photo. I asked 'Is it nice?' And a tipsy voice said "It's suuper nice as in!" Then Emm shoved the cam on our faces saying 'it's like Gossip Girl." hahahaha
Who knows? Gossip Girl is just around the corner? There's a new talk in town. Ever heard of practice what you preach? Looks like the preacher quite forgot about that.
One question's for certain...
Will there be a "Stay here and fight" moment soon, just like S and B?
I hope not.
Like they say, don't let anyone catch you with your pants down. Literally.
This day started really wrong. I woke up feeling very unmotivated to go to school. It's really funny since there's only three days left for the summer term. Now isn't the perfect time to lose my drive. Anyhooo, I forced myself to get dressed for school despite the threat of the transport strike. Mom and dad drove me to school.
In the afternoon, we weren't able to report for the art studies class but it didn't really matter. I had fun catching up with my classmates. My mom told me to take public transpo on my way home since our car isn't in its best condition. I trooped to Philcoa waiting for a cab or fx to come my way. After a lot of cursing and praying, I got on a cab. GUESS WHAT?!?!?!
We got stuck near Commonwealth market for almost an hour and a half. It was super traffic because of the sudden rain. All five lanes of Commonwealth avenue were stuck as it is. Other vehicles started to counterflow the other side of Commonwealth. The driver suggested I move to a bus since it'd be such a waste to sit in the cab and let the meter tick all night. I bid the nice driver goodbye and 'ingat' and knocked on the nearest aircon bus on the counterflow side of the road. I sat on the floor beside the driver and rested my head on my hand. The driver even asked me 'okay ka lang ma'am?' I answered him nicely 'Ok lang po, pinalipat ako ng taxi kasi sayang daw pera ko.' Not exactly the words I used but that was my point. At 8 pm, I moved only a few meters from where I hopped on the bus. I was able to sit on the real seats and later on, people started to leave the bus and walk to their destinations. Wanting to go home badly and not seeing any hope in this rut, I decided to leave the bus and walked to the Jollibee which was just across the road. I ate dinner super fast so I could just fill my tummy and decide what to do next.
I found myself buying a pair of 20 peso yellow slippers from the store beside Jollibee. I wrapped my Lacoste flats and began walking towards home. All the mud, rainwater and icky stuff you could imagine, yes. They were all in my presence. I was walking against traffic, mumbling curses in between Oh-my-God's, silently motivating myself while trying to avoid getting run by the jeepneys and trucks. I was busy balancing myself while walking in the slippery and muddy streets. I walked with some people. A little farther, I was alone. But I could see the marker of our village. Along with the smell of the garbage trucks, burnt rubber wheels, and combusted fossil fuel, I was speeding to our village and hopped onto the tricycle.
I walked to the garage and laughed. 'What an adventure', I told myself, 'It's not everyday that you walk along commonwealth avenue on the opposite side of the street.' So I entered the front door in my grandest self ever saying 'Eto na ang bagong reyna ng Commonwealth'. My mama asked me 'teh, nilakad mo?' I found myself crying in the middle of the sala saying 'Opo, nilakad *sob* ko *sob*. I threw my bag on the couch and said 'AYOKO NA MAG SCHOOL BUKAS!' And I walked to the bathroom and took a bath.
After I changed, I walked to my pc laughing at my brother. He said 'bakit?' I just said, 'wala, natatawa ako sa sarili ko.' And he joined me in laughing.
Now I really hate it when I think about it. I hated the rain even back in high school. I hate they way it wets my jeans, muds my shoes and hassles all my walking. I hate it when it causes traffic.
As I got to my bus seat, Bee and I caught glances and I just had to say
"Weekend's over."
* * *
The trip was really fun but it could have been folds better if the people I miss were there with me. As I looked through the window while the bus made its way to the NLEX, I kept on 'dreaming' what it'd be like if Fa was with us. If Migs tagged along or if Raish came. Or if Andy surprised me at the terminal. But nonetheless, it was a superb trip with Bee, Emm, Ram, Jewel, Olga, Cancan, Panx, Marianne, and Ali! :D
Here's a lowdown on my Ilocos trip. :)
Finding my heart inside the huge kiln and among the clouds
Shopping in Calle CrisologoBeing one with art
Rocking Juan Luna's house with my 171 friendsclimbing all the climb-ablesfulfilling my (light house) dreamcelebrating freedom and happiness
and of course, remembering people who are truly missed.
(on the wall of the huge kiln)
So I guess my missed people are in perfect attendance afterall. ;)
A few days back was the college and university graduation which I was able to be part of as a member of the graduation committee of the CBA. It was really nice seeing all of them with their proud parents, taking photos with each and every batchmate they see. They were all so pretty and handsome in their graduation dresses and barongs that I felt the rush of excitement of the idea that in a year's time, I'll be in my own grad dress and doing the same things as well.
Some months before this momentous event, an academic scandal came out in our side of the fence. The BA-Econ 'country'. The buzz has been really loud. It involved a lot of professors, influential private people, and affluent students. And after the long scandalous and nerve-wracking (at least for them) wait, the University Council allowed these bunch of students to graduate with complete honors. To quote one of them, "naghagulgol kami sa saya. All 11 of us and our parents."
I was reading that blog entry and I felt a tinge of pain in my heart. It was then I realized that I cannot give my parents the joy and honor of awarding me on stage. It's not because I didn't try. I did. I really tried. But one too many times, I get lost somewhere in the middle of everything and lose track of what I am supposed to do or what I really want to achieve. Graduating on top, however, wasn't something my parents imposed on me. It's something I'm just used to and wanted to continue. In grade school and high school, I was always there. In the upper upper half of my batch. And it's something that came natural to me.
In the middle of that blog entry, I felt tears falling from my eyes. I couldn't help it. It something I thought I've already accepted way back the first semester of Junior year. Although, most of the time, I still find myself working so hard for a good grade, I always end up telling myself "I'm not running for honors anyway." An the mere thought of it kills me. In a way, it's a defense mechanism I guess. (Pampalubag-loob) I find myself doubting what I am capable of doing.
Then I run to my mom. I'd tell her how I feel about all these academic confusion. That I fear I'm not getting anywhere because I am not on top of my batch. However, I don't think I am too willing to undergo the trouble of getting into a scandal and all that shizz and eventually graduate with top honors. I am too afraid to go through it. I am too fragile to pick myself up. My mom knows how to make me feel better. She used my dad as her example. I'm guessing she wanted me to take a cue from my dad. Because I'm guessing she sees my dad in me. Where I am now, my dad was also here before. And I do hope, that where my dad is right now, I'll be there when I reach his age (or younger). And I want to be greater than my dad. I want him to be very proud of me. Prouder than he'll ever be. I want to learn so much from him. I wanna think the way he thinks. I want to work the way he works.
Maybe one day, when my mom learns how to surf the internet, or when my dad comes across this article, or maybe if my brothers feed them information on this, they will find it rewarding that I still want to give back to them the unconditional support that they've given me and my siblings. Maybe not through a medal, but I will.
p.s. I admire THAT group for being really strong in those difficult times. I am not judging them because I do not know them personally. But regardless of the accusations, their strength and faith has been admirably strong.
p.p.s. To the people who never stopped believing in me, thank you. To my orgmates in abam and adcore, moreover, to my friends who always stand by me when I'm down, you know who you are. I love each and everyone of you.
R and F, I love you both. * * * Find the happiness in yourself, and people will begin to see it. Cheers! ♥
Koh Samui, around Php17k. Eva Longoria had 10 of these made (in silver) for her wedding (entourage, i guess).
Koh Samui, around Php17k. Eva Longoria had 10 of these made (in silver) for her wedding (entourage, i guess).
Yay to Filipino ingenuity!
Yay to Filipino ingenuity!
