I'm from UP. And yes, I'm an activist.

There's something about attending UP that makes me so proud. Aside from being in THE best campus, THE center of academic excellence and THE benchmark of achievement in the country, there's really something about the culture that I really really love.

There's so much 'soul' about being a UP student/graduate. We're not detached from reality. We're grounded. We're rooted to the culture of the Filipino. We aren't blinded by wealth or 'coolness'. Let me explain...

It's nine days before the elections and a lot of people on Facebook have been posting their bets and their sentiments about the election. And most of them, as in 98% are my friends from UP. I felt like it's the most normal thing to do.

Siguro there's a little 'tibak' (activist in UP slang) in all UP graduates. It's innate to speak our minds and get involved in things that affect the country and our fellow Filipinos.

I've never heard my contacts from Ateneo or DLSU speak about their bets. Never campaigned for them. Never even posted a single thing about politics. I've had one from CSB- it's not even my brother. A friend is voting for Noynoy because he's a superfan of Kris Aquino. PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO APPRECIATE THAT KIND OF REASONING. I've read about one taxi driver who's voting for Noynoy because he has the yellow sticker. (OHGHAD KILL ME NOW. I don't even know which reason is more pathetic- being a fan of Kris or having the sticker.)

Sometimes I think twice, even thrice before posting or sharing a shout out or political article online. In my mind 'siguro iniisip nila taga UP talaga ako kasi napaka aktibista ko'. It's the stereotype eh. Everyone who's not from UP think we're activists. They think all we do is rally in the streets, scream and fight with policemen.

Of course we, UP people know better. Heck, in UP people from my college (CBA) are perceived to be apathetic towards social issues. No matter what 'outsiders' say, I still believe in fighting for this country. There is no room for alibis at this time. All we have is room for improvement. WE'VE HAD SO MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT BUT WE NEVER REALLY IMPROVED. It's empty and waiting.

Now let's allow this Dick to enter the room. Maybe then we'll see the change. DICK GORDON FOR PRESIDENT!

(HAHAHAHA Nagets mo noh?)

Viva Vintage

Here's another bag story. I was surfing Multiply shops in search for a leather laptop bag and I ended up seeing a vintage YSL sling. It was authentic and selling super low. I tried to rub off the thought of purchasing because I'm saving up for Singapore. But yesterday I saw that two different people inquired about the bag. So shempre epal ako, I inquired also because it was so beautiful. I texted the seller and she sent the the bad news- it was sold that morning. I wanna die.

Until today I still want the bag. To the extent that I messaged the seller to ask for the photo. You know, for reference coz I might end up seeing a similar bag

one day. I hope she agrees and emails me the photo.

Anyway, I was so sad to learn that the bag was sold so I ended up scouring the cabinets of mom and her sister in their old room upstairs. I didn't find any bag. The only vintage bag I got from them was a sling too! Got it December 2009, I remember it clearly coz the f

irst time I used it was during the lantern parade of our senior year. I love it so much! I would never sell it.

Having relayed that experience, I think what I want to do now is live by the shopping mantra 'quality over quantity' when it comes to bags. With shoes and clothes I don't mind getting affordable ones but with bags, I feel it'd be amazing if my niece or daughter in the future unearth my 'vintage' bags and scream with delight. They'll love me more! hahaha

Right now I still can't afford designer bags. My current personal savings and lifestyle does not allow me to purchase bags that exceed 7k. Bought bags worth 7k twice already. And I'm not planning to buy another one anytime soon. Hindi lang tubig ang kulang noh. May kakulangan rin ng pera ngayon. My conscience and pocket cannot stand spending too much on a bag. See my price limit here.

Anyway, back to my mom and her sister's cabinet. I didn't find any bag but I got vintage shades and a 5-peso coin with Pres. Marcos' face.

Isn't it lovely to have a piece of history?

Moms and Memories

Did you ever want to do something so bad your mom couldn't stand watching you yearn for it so she finds a way for you to get it? Yes yes, many times right?

Now I'd like to do that for my mom. There's a lot of things she mentally lists in her to-do's like get a carboxy treatment for her arms, or get into a certain businesses, or build a library for poor kids. Stuff like that. But her kids always get in the way. Like she'd forego these things because my brother lost his phone (so she buys him a new one), or I'd like us to visit the derma and get diamond peels (her treat of course), or because it's so hot I use the aircon every night so my electric bill shoots up and she has to pay for it, or because she's busy taking care of us so she doesn't have time for her hobbies. The reason always boils down to family.

So now my mission is to allow her to do all these things. Sometimes I wash the dishes for her. She never asks me to do it when she's here. Maybe she's trying to make up for the four years in college that I lived alone most of the time. But I'm a big girl now. She doesn't have to make up for anything. Anyway back to my mission. I am gonna swallow every molecule of 'hiya' I have to make all these possible. Won't post it here until it's done. hahaha baka fail tapos pabida pa ako. hahaha I love my mom so much, I want her to be super happy!

Hay grabe, I'm so excited for next year. Joop will be in college meaning they'll be spending a lot of time here in Manila. They're not moving here for good coz Dad likes living in Iloilo. hehe I'm just happy to spend every possible moment with my family. We're growing old so fast. I wanna create memories. I guess that's what I'll be spending for.

Nature's Best

I like my wavy locks but more often than not, it's frizzy and dry. When I started working, I vowed to take care of my locks more since I have more time and budget. But the thing is they don't come cheap- like Php 1,200 per treatment. I get annoyed whenever I sit at the salon for a hair cut and then the stylist and assistant would sales talk about getting a treatment "Kasi maam, dry na hair niyo. Bagay yun sayo."

I tried DIY treatments such as the Cream Silk and L'Oreal Liss Extreme treatments. Of course they work, but the effect lasts like two to three days only.

So two weeks ago, I decided to try olive oil on my hair. I've heard about how olive oil softens the skin and hair but never really tried it. I checked online for instructions but they're all so complicated. Instructions included heating the oil on the microwave, adding lemon juice, etc. Being the lazy girl, I just slathered the olive oil on my hair and placed a shower cap- no heating and lemons. After 15 minutes, I shampooed my hair (twice) to remove the smell of olive oil.

The result? Super soft and shiny hair that lasted two weeks! No kidding! I'll be doing it again tomorrow. I'm so glad mom always makes sure we have a olive oil.

PROJECT: BACK TO SCHOOL

Hello! My friends and I are working on a new project- Back to School! Basically we're pooling school kits for 100 kids of Katja Wohlrab Aeta School in Porac, Pampanga and hopefully 75 more kits for Maganda y Noboka Aeta School in Mabalacat, Pampanga. This project is in cooperation with EVA Charity Foundation, an NGO that supports aeta communties.

The kit includes a canvass backpack, 2 pencils, 2 pens, 1 notebook, 1 pad paper, eraser. Each classroom will also be equipped with a mounted mechanical sharpener.

If you wanna join in the execution of the project, donate in cash or in kind, or join us in assembling the kits, leave a comment! :) Old but usable books are very much welcome too. Thanks guys!

*photos from EVACF site.