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Showing posts from 2012

The ice is melting: Last few days to catch the stuffed animal holiday display at the Powerplant Mall

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I don't know why I haven't posted this sooner. Anyway, there's still a few days left before the Christmas season is over, which means there's still time to catch the really cute stuffed animal holiday display at the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, Makati. That's one really huge panda! Yes, pandas! When we went there last Nov. 30, I instantly became a kid again the minute I saw the pandas. They might be just stuffed toys but they're undeniably cute.

Holiday hangover: Live more at the Ayala Triangle lights and sound show

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Finally! Yes, finally My Bibe and I caught the lights and sound spectacle at the Ayala Triangle here in Makati, however unplanned -- and on Christmas Day at that! We went there for an afternoon meal and by the time we left the restaurant, the show was just about fifteen minutes away, so we thought of staying. Razzle-dazzle with lights it was! We've been wanting to see this annual display for years now but we just weren't able to. Ironically, our office isn't really that far away. Anyway, we're glad that we did. The show, which showcases a bevy of Christmas lights dancing to a medley of Christmas songs, starts at 6pm and runs every 30 minutes until 9pm. Even if Christmas is over, you can still catch it until Dec. 30.

[Lookbook 12.19.2012] Christmas casual

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Some mood lighting, huh? The moment they hung those giant lanterns outside our building, with one particularly huge piece right smack outside our conference room, I thought I should do a lookbook post by the window at night. Alas, work has been hectic and I realized I haven't had any outfit post since December started! Well, tonight I found time.

The Goose Station: Degustation at its finest

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About two weeks ago My Bibe and I tried out The Goose Station at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. And to sum it all up, we loved it there! Our yummy main course: chicken roulade A play on the word "degustation," this restaurant does put the "fine" in fine dining. For us who don't really go out of our way to try out new restaurants and whatnot, this was one of those rare occasions when we made an exception. And boy were we so glad we did!

Christmas fun at Meralco's Liwanag Park

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Christmas may spell horrendous traffic and long lines at the mall that I really don't fancy driving around town but there's no denying that I love all the lights and the decor that go with the season. Last week, however, My Bibe and I drove outside the comforts of Makati City and ventured into rather unfamiliar territory (at least as far as driving goes) into the Ortigas district to check out Meralco's Liwanag Park . ( For the benefit of my readers outside the Philippines, liwanag literally translates to light. ) I just love Christmas lights! We went on a Saturday night and thank heavens traffic was not a problem. And though we had a bit of a problem with the GPS, I was all smiles once we got there. The Meralco building's facade was fully bathed in LED lights.

REVIEW | Misibis Bay Resort: One huge luxury playground

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Yes, it's expensive (for me at least), so not surprisingly, expectations about Misibis Bay Resort are high. I did hear a few say it's overrated but I don't exactly share the same view. Sure, the resort did disappoint in some areas but for the most part, it was a very pleasant experience, pleasant enough to make me want to go back. As usual, I'm breaking this review down into various aspects and be as fair as I can be. The kiddie pool, with a great view of the beach and the sea in the distance. Welcome Misibis Bay Resort is a good one-hour drive from the Legazpi City airport in Bicol. I don't know about commuting there but transfers via coaster or van are already provided. I just found the welcoming committee a tad disorganized, though. We were just ushered to the side and there was no proper communication about what exactly we had to do or where we had to go. Thankfully it was a lot better once we got inside the van. Before we left, the driver informed u

Me, my six-year old camera, and the need to upgrade

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Whenever I ask some of my office colleagues to take my photos for my lookbook posts in this blog, they almost always tell me to get a new camera already. For the record, I'm using a lowly 6-megapixel Nikon D40 , my first ever DSLR (entry-level) that's been with me since 2007. My colleagues, on the other hand, are using much higher-end models of either Nikon or Canon ( Jessops has a great selection of both, by the way). But almost six years into my camera, I'm proud to say that it's still very actively used, and I daresay it still produces some really decent photos. However, I must admit that sometimes I do think of buying myself a new camera because I want to take much better photos, especially in low light. Yes, my D40 has its share of limitations. I still remember the excitement I felt then with my new toy, and I really thought I could become a photographer back then, or at least moonlight as one. One of my earlier photos, taken on June 2007 in Bolinao, Pan

Misibis Bay in photos: Facilities and recreation

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Unlike me and My Bibe who are basically content with sunbathing, swimming, and even just staying in our room, there are people who crave some action while on vacation ( "action while on vacation" - I like how that sounds ). And with a resort like Misibis Bay, such types of people are sure to ask about the resort's facilities and what they can do here. Fortunately for us, we didn't just sleep the whole time, which means we got to try a couple of what Misibis has in store for its guests. Water sports Being a beach resort, water sports and related activities should be a given. Here at Misibis, use of non-motorized water sports equipment comes free with your accommodation. Kayaking, paddle surfing, windsurfing, and hobie cat sailing are all free to enjoy. You should try hobie cat sailing when in Misibis. It's fun and of course, free! I normally shun any of these activities but yes, I did enjoy them here. I still felt quite lazy trying windsurfing, though. On

[Lookbook 11.22.2012] Country code 63

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I somehow forgot about these pictures already. They were taken during our department's cascade and teambuilding at Casa San Pablo, Laguna late last month. Nothing really special about my outfit; it's just that I like that the photos were outdoor shots, which I rarely get to do with my regular self-indulgent outfit posts.

Foster care

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A week ago, we welcomed into our home this tiny, furry fella: We've been hearing a kitten's incessant crying for at least two days already but had no idea where the little furball could be. So when I went to check what all the banging was about inside the school next to our apartment (worrying they were damaging our wall), I saw this teeny-weeny black kitten. The workers said it was abandoned because they never saw any mother come for it. One of them also said that it had just opened its eyes, and that he cleaned them, but added that it wouldn't eat. I looked around and saw just scraps of rice and chicken. It was a kitten for chrissakes! It needed milk! But I was still hoping the mom would come back; maybe she was just wary of all the workers there. So I left.

Misibis Bay in photos: Dining

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"So how's the food?" was one of the most-asked questions I got about our Misibis Bay trip. So after showing photos around the resort and into our lovely villa , I'm taking you to the restaurants. The resort lists two restaurants -- Spice Market and Dela Playa Beach Grill and Tapas Bar -- in its website. Spice Market features Southeast Asian cuisine (including native Bicolano dishes) while Dela Playa is all about grilled seafood and steaks. These two establishments, however, are adjacent to each other and the lines separating the two are practically blurred every meal time because the buffet sections are scattered all around these two supposedly separate restaurants. So it's just like one restaurant after all. Spice Market interiors and high ceiling. Spice Market sports warmer interiors while Dela Playa takes on a much brighter and airier tone, with outdoor seating available. Nonetheless, it's easy to spot that they use the same style of tables

Misibis Bay in photos: Our villa and other accommodation options

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After showing you around the resort , I'm now letting you in our villa at Misibis Bay Resort . We got a premiere villa for our recent holiday and my, was it gorgeous! Still expensive for me, but truth be told, it's already one of the cheaper accommodation options in this resort. The view of the room upon entering the door. Premiere villa At 50 sqm, the room was definitely spacious. It had a king-sized bed, a daybed tucked into a glass-paneled section that protruded from the villa, and a small table for two in case you wanted room service.

Misibis Bay in photos: The resort grounds, its beaches and pools

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I'm finally done sifting through photos from our recent holiday in Misibis Bay , and I'm now ready to share them. It's quite a lot, though, so I'm doing this in parts. Also, this isn't a review of the place (I'm saving that for last) but a mere showcase of snapshots from our trip. In this post, featured are the sprawling resort in general, how's the beach (beaches, actually), and the resort's three major swimming pools. The resort grounds Misibis Bay Resort is one sprawling property but the main resort area where the villas, the pools, the restaurant, and the main beach are occupies only part of it; so negotiating your way around remains easily manageable with just a walk. But since the resort promises luxury, you can always insist on a golf cart to take you around. One of the resort's three main pools, with the restaurant and indoor activity center in the background. Simply put, the resort is beautiful, with nearly every spot begging to be

[Lookbook 11.18-20.2012] A quick holiday

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We just came home from a quick holiday in Misibis Bay in the Bicol region. There were lots of things to do at the resort but then I also just wanted to sleep. That said, our two-night stay just wasn't enough. Oh well, here's a quick outfit post from our trip. Day 1 I was so brown for our flight. Yes, the brown-and-white striped espadrilles literally matched my brown printed tee and khaki shorts but I picked it because I didn't want to bring any other footwear. I wanted something that would go along with just about anything I put on. What I intended to wear on our trip going there would have to be the same shoes I will wear going home.

Breaking Dawn Part 2: Nothing but one vapid, extended AVP

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So yesterday I had to watch the final installment in the Twilight series with My Bibe. I wasn't really expecting anything but my, oh my, was it one extended piece of nothing but fluff. Spoilers be damned but the two-hour film went just like this: Bella was getting acquainted with her new life as a vampire, the Volturi got wind of Renesmee, the Cullens embarked on a worldwide search for "witnesses," an imaginary fight ensued, and then everyone went home. And oh, what followed was an extended audio-visual presentation (AVP) showing  all the cast members since the first Twilight movie, much like how local teleseryes  do it in their final episode.

[Lookbook 11.11.2012] The black hole effect

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Last week I attended a colleague's wedding (which I rarely do) and this was what I wore. No, it's not a funeral. Believe me, it's a wedding. Everyone invited was requested to wear black, that's why. So I pulled on an all-black getup -- shirt, suit, bow tie and shoes. And oh, yes, sunnies since it was an outdoor wedding and the sun was still too bright.

All the fashionable Christmas goodies under one roof

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Now that Halloween's over, the next big holiday everyone's looking forward to is Christmas. While Halloween spells costumes and candies, Christmas means presents. Oh yeah! One really fashionable piece I'm lusting after at the moment is this gorgeous Michael Kors watch below. Despite the busyness, this watch still has that classic appeal that I love. Of course, that gorgeous leather strap also helps. And there are more of these Michael Kors watches (both for him and for her) from premium fashion retailer Van Mildert , with styles that come in silver, gold, rose gold, white, and even tortoise.

Rihanna sexes up GQ this December 2012

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GQ Magazine's annual Men of the Year issue is here once again. As has been tradition, this issue has multiple covers and bestows upon individuals such titles as Movie Star of the Year and Filmmaker of the Year, to name a few. And my, oh my, does Rihanna know how to sizzle and show why she is GQ's Obsession of the Year (though I personally don't like her that much)! Magic Mike star Channing Tatum is also in one of the covers, but unlike Ri-Ri, he's not stripping this time (although he seems to be teasing the ladies with his smirk). Tatum has been accorded the title "Movie Star of the Year." Meanwhile, actor-filmmaker Ben Affleck, whose recent film, Argo , has been enjoying both critical and box office success, has been named "Filmmaker of the Year."

Alfred Dunhill: Classic British luxury

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Despite no longer being 100% British-owned, men's luxury brand Alfred Dunhill has remained as British as ever through all these years. The brand has wisely steered clear of the trendy and the whimsical, and has instead stayed true to its classic style. Today Alfred Dunhill offers a wide selection of shirts, suits, coats, ties, knitwear, and other pieces of clothing. More so, it boasts of a fine choice of leather from stylish wallets and belts, to everything from bags, luggage, and even iPad cases. A glimpse into their latest lookbook reveals a very dapper gentleman -- very James Bond. Curiously, Alfred Dunhill and James Bond have once shared a longstanding connection because a number of the brand's pieces have been used in several 007 films before all the way from the Sean Connery era up to Pierce Brosnan. Bond may not have been suited up by Dunhill but rather, the suave spy had been using Dunhill lighters and cufflinks in the films.

Making our Halloween family costumes

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More than a week after Halloween I still get compliments for our cute costumes, more so for our little trippy family portrait . At the office the other week, when Halloween celebrations were in full swing, we got everything from cute to creepy. We took them all as compliments anyway. Equally gratifying was that I managed to scare a number of kids and grownups alike. Haha! It was but another of our little fun-filled mini-endeavors now over and now relegated to objects of reminiscing. Also, I still get questions on where we got them or how we made them. For the record, we made them. My Bibe got the idea from a blog ( I'll have to ask her the URL ), which she found cute. Of course I did, too. There was no arguing, and we instantly were set on our Halloween costumes. What's more fun was that the cats were going to be part of the whole thing.

Got some swag?

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I've gotten a lot of it already, that impression that I'm someone with a much higher position than I actually have. It flatters me, to be honest. In other instances I get mistaken for someone from Marketing when I'm actually an auditor. I remember in one of our John Maxwell leadership seminars, our facilitator, Francis Kong , even kept on asking me if I was sure I was an auditor. Are auditors really that uncool? From an old blog post, [Project Look Book] Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 In retrospect, my initial thought has always been if it's the way I dress, because I do put a premium on dressing up. You can say that feeling good by dressing good is my motto of sorts. I occasionally put on a tie or a bow tie, or even wear a suit when nobody else in our office would, except for executives. I always believe that people treat you a lot better when you dress better. Let's be honest, people can be very judgmental. I mean, would you instantly trust someone who's lous

[Lookbook 11.07.2012] Metal-slapped

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Glad to be wearing these boots yesterday. I'm just happy with the design, the texture in the leather, and those two pieces of metal slapped onto the shoes. They're very stylish, yes, but more importantly, they're quite inexpensive. Seriously, they're really cheap.

[Review] 'Skyfall' doesn't feel much like a Bond film

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Agent 007's latest outing has been heaping praise and at the same time raking in money at the international box office (it has yet to be shown in the U.S.). And rightfully so! I daresay that  Skyfall is one of the best Bond movies ever made in the franchise's 50-year, 23-film history. Daniel Craig as James Bond. [ Source ] Since the 1960's, we all know James Bond to be this suave secret agent with a license to kill. Always perfectly dressed, he's got all the coolest cars and gadgets, and always gets to bed the most gorgeous of women with nary an effort. Bond had single-handedly made being a spy aspirational and such a cool occupation. But the world has changed a great lot since then, and director Sam Mendes has pretty much put this premise front and center, even questioning MI6's relevance in today's world where no one even knows who the enemy is anymore. With cyberterrorism and all, how can Bond keep up? I have to stop myself here to preclude myself f

FRAGRANCE | Is Dolce & Gabbana's 'The One' really the one?

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I finally am using the bottle of Dolce & Gabbana's The One that Kwittiegirl gifted me last September. I've been trying really hard to restrain myself from opening it because I promised myself that there should be no more than three scents in rotation at any given time. Glad that I succeeded, though. Packed in one really heavy bottle, The One is a very masculine but wearable scent. It starts off with a slightly sweet and citrusy smell before finally revealing its tobacco-woody base coated by an ambery warm sweetness. It figures, because it lists cedar wood, ambergris, and tobacco as its base notes. Nonetheless, despite its deep scent, this EDT doesn't come off as too heavy or overpowering. Like I said, it's very wearable, even in a tropical climate.

Halloween family portrait: Goldilocks and the three bears

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So last Halloween I showed up to work as some kind of a  fashionable bear , and I had a blast! But I was just one of three bears with a little kid named Goldilocks. Yup, this was our theme for Halloween with My Bibe and the cats. Presenting...Goldilocks and the Three Bears! I was Papa Bear, My Bibe was Mama Bear, our fluffy white cat Kwittie Boy was Baby Bear, and our little black cat Foreman was Goldilocks. I kept telling him that he was the first black Goldilocks, that he should be proud.

[Lookbook 10.31.2012] Halloween outfit: Cute or creepy?

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Yes, that's me right there. At the office today. Forgive me for my silliness but it's Halloween. Okay, forget about the bear for a moment and let's get on with the outfit first because without that bear head, this ensemble is not a costume at all. And oh, my colleagues transformed our conference room into a makeshift playroom for trick-or-treaters . So I'm taking advantage of the colorful "set."

[Lookbook 10.30.2012] Setting a casual tone with teal

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October's almost over and this is only my second lookbook post for the month. Oh well. Anyway, today I'm keeping a more casual look, with my shoes practically setting the tone. Definitely not dress shoes, they also have quite the color - teal.

Red hot sunglasses: Sporty Oakleys and Ray-Ban aviators

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We call them sunglasses, sunnies, or shades, and through the years we've seen them evolve immensely in terms of style. Of course they're still functional, providing that much-needed protection from UV rays and the sun's glare (although I still can't understand some people wearing sunnies indoors -- and at night!). Styles now range from classy and understated to the blinged-out and loud. For the outdoorsman, though, sunglasses from Oakley seem to be the perfect choice. The brand fuses form and function so well that it's become the de facto choice of runners and cyclists. Aside from looking sporty enough, their sunnies have that firm grip on your temples so they don't slip easily even with excessive sweating. Oakley Fast Jacket sunglasses in polished black

My impression on Impressions at Maxims Hotel, Resorts World Manila

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I was looking through some photos and totally forgot all about Impressions , one of them high-end restaurants at Resorts World Manila. It's been months since My Bibe and I dined there for our 7th anniversary earlier in July. It may be late but I'm sharing our experience anyhow. The place As you can see above, the place is awash in warm, yellow light, punctuated by the bluish glow emanating from the wine cellar on full display on one side. It sports an elongated layout that slants a little on one end. It looks fancy enough. What diluted the fanciness a bit was when they covered the table with a huge sheet of paper. I guess they weren't too keen on washing linen a lot. I wasn't able to take photos of the place but you get a glimpse of the place on both ends from where we were seated in these two photos below:

GQ goes "linsane" this November 2012

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I may already be a little late in posting this but what the heck -- it's Linsanity in GQ's November 2012 issue! I haven't heard from NBA phenom Jeremy Lin in a while, and I, for one, thought that the whole Linsanity thing was over. But GQ put the man on the cover and brought him back into everyone's consciousness -- okay, at least in mine.

Travel with at least one less worry

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It's always a great thing to be in some other place, be it an island, a nature resort, or simply another urban jungle. It's always great to wake up to the sound of splashing waves, birds chirping, or to a fantastic view like this: But every traveler knows all too well that not everything's nice and rosy when traveling. Gone are the days when flying or boarding a luxury liner meant prestige of sorts that everyone had to dress up. Today, traveling can be as inconvenient as it can get. There's the endless queuing, flight delays, exaggerated airport security measures, screaming kids -- it's a long list. And sometimes, even dealing with foreign currency can be a hassle. There's always some planning involved there, checking out currency exchange rates and all. Sure you can always charge everything to your credit card but there will always be times when cash is needed. Besides, if you're the type of traveler who works around a budget, then using your pla

[Lookbook 10.08.2012] For love of wine

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It's the color that I mean here. I really can't drink alcohol anymore so I'm just taking comfort in wine's color instead. And it is a beautiful color. I love its deep, dark hue and its rather muted personality -- there's a touch of color but never loud at all.

Fashion cruising

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It was another round of stress-relieving "cruising" for me online, and today the cruise ship has docked at Cruise Fashion , where a sweet selection of clothing, shoes and accessories abounds. While it now retails both men's and women's pieces, Cruise actually started with menswear back in 1981. Personal stylists are available on hand to help customers in their stores although their online boutique is just as fine. Apart from its style blog, I also appreciate the site's Editor's Highlights section, which could come in handy to those who get easily overwhelmed at the sheer number of items to peruse. At least the choices are narrowed down for you here. Come to think of it, it may just be the online equivalent of Cruise's in-store personal stylists! I have a weakness for shoes, and I'm glad to have been introduced to some gorgeous brogues by Grenson , as well as some pointy, hip designs from Jeffery West. Grenson Dylan brogues in tan brown

Questioning the lawfulness, reasonableness, and plausibility of enforcing and implementing the Cybercrime Prevention Act

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With at least eleven petitions already filed with the Supreme Court against RA 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, there's no denying that it is one very questionable law, if not totally bad. With much ado about cyber libel and all its consequences that effectively curtail freedom of speech or of expression, arguably at least, I have a lot of questions on how this controversial law will be implemented. Protesters against the Cybercrime Law [ Source ] Although DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima promised that the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) will " harmonize " the Cybercrime Law, the fact remains that there is still no IRR and none of us has any clue as to how RA 10175 will actually be implemented even if the law already officially took effect on Oct. 3, 2012, fifteen (15) days after it was first published in the Official Gazette . As such, I believe I cannot be faulted for raising some questions. Isn't this wiretapping? Section 12 of the C

[Lookbook 09.28.2012] Mint and maroon

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The good thing about maroon, or bordeaux, whatever you call it, is that a lot of other colors can easily go with it. Here I'm pairing it with mint.

Can Edwin Lacierda potentially be a cyber criminal?

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Oh yes, I'm talking about no less than Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, whose boss, President Noynoy Aquino, had just recently signed into law the controversial Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 ( read my moderately lengthy rant here ). Oh common, with libel lumped together with cybersex, child pornography and cyber fraud, how else would you call someone who can potentially be guilty of cyber libel (or online libel, whatever you call it) but a potential cyber criminal? Apparently, Lacierda  was a blogger. [ Source ] Who knew he kept a blog curiously called the San Juan Gossip Mills Outlet ! Thanks to Jojo A. Robles of the Manila Standard Today, I got wind of Lacierda's past life before he became the Palace's mouthpiece and by default, a staunch defender of the infamous law. He called himself then -- at least at the time -- "a veritable fanatic of the Internet" and was himself a guest lecturer at De La Salle Uni

Quality contemporary art from ArtStar

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I'm not a fan of taking photos in low light, what with all the inconveniences of special lenses, tripods and lighting equipment low-light and nighttime photography entails. However, I do appreciate the products of such patient and meticulous labor. I just don't have the patience to wait for even a minute to complete a single shot. I guess slow shutter speeds just aren't my cup of tea. So imagine my amazement when I learned that there's a Texas-based photographer named Noel Kerns who specializes in night photography. Night photography! Mind you, the images that he captures are nothing short of stunning. I love how he says he shoots almost exclusively by the light of the full moon. He does employ a few special lighting tricks here and there but still, measuring shutter speeds -- or lack thereof -- in terms of minutes instead of seconds or fractions thereof is something I just don't have the patience for.

[Lookbook 09.26.2012] The shirt jacket

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Last Wednesday's outfit consisted of this stylish jacket I got a few weeks ago. I love the army green color, first of all, and also its trim cut and stylish design. Problem was when I tried wearing a shirt underneath, I felt it was bulking up underneath (or I was just fat). So I ditched the shirt for a white V-neck undershirt and treated the jacket as if it were a shirt.

Number Eight: A fine selection of brands both popular and lesser-known under one roof

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It's always great to discover new brands from around the globe. I mean, not literally new but new to me at least. Take the Amsterdam brand Scotch & Soda , for instance, which has been around since the 80's and was reinvented in 2001, but which I've never heard of until now. Though not as ubiquitous as H&M or Topman, they have some really cool yet functional pieces that include shirts, jackets, jeans, and even leather iPhone cases. So despite their apparent lack of physical stores, we can be thankful to the slew of online shops like Scotland-based Number Eight Clothing that carry such brands. They've got a fine selection of brands here, some of which I've never heard of before like, as I've already mentioned, Scotch & Soda. And I'm loving their latest collection!

[Lookbook 09.20.2012] Cornered and colored

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Super late post. This was an outfit last week during a very rainy Thursday. And of course I'm back in this very familiar corner of our office, where the raindrops on the glass windows look both melancholic and beautiful.

40 years later, Martial Law is "back"

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Forty years ago today, then-President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081, effectively declaring the entire Philippines under Martial Law ( According to Wikipedia , it was actually signed on Sept. 17 but was postdated to Sept. 21 because of Marcos's superstitions and numerology beliefs. ). It was formally announced to the public on Sept. 23 on live television. [ Source ] Widely considered to be of the darkest periods in Philippine history, Martial Law was used to silence critics of the Marcos government. Many dissenters were arrested and incarcerated, one of whom was Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., father of current sitting President of the Republic, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. Interestingly, on Sept. 12, 2012, Noynoy signed into law Republic Act No. 10175, otherwise known as the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012," which is, according to Section 31 of the same law, to take effect "fifteen (15) days after the completion of its pub

[Lookbook 09.14.2012] Rainy days and Fridays and faux layering

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It sure was a rainy day yesterday, a perfect time to layer. Well, not so much outside but indoors in the office. But, but, but...I went with the lazy route. If there are, say, products like shampoo and conditioner in one, there sure is a shirt, cardigan and scarf all rolled into one outfit as well. And I'm wearing one.

The warrior, the pussy cat, and The Phantom of the Opera

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I'm obviously still not over The Phantom of the Opera . Through its 25 years many stars have come and gone playing the characters of this excellent musical ( you can check out show schedules over at Main Event Specials ) . But did you know that Nicole Sherzinger -- yes, the Pussycat Doll Nicole -- can sing the part of Christine? Watch this: Unbelievable, right? Who knew she could sing like that, that she could hit those seriously high notes? It's really funny how "packaging" can affect our view of artists and other celebrities. Sometimes we really don't know what "hidden talents" these celebrities have, and when we do get to see or hear them, we're instantly surprised. Take for instance Gerard Butler -- yes, the buff, six-pack-baring guy yelling "Sparta!" in 300 .  He sings, too! And in case this flew under your radar, he was the Phantom in the movie adaptation of the acclaimed musical.

[Lookbook 09.07.2012] Nautically military / Militarily nautical

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This was last Friday's outfit, which I've unearthed from my closet (the top that is). It's a study in confusion: a tad nautical-inspired in style but very military in color. Normally when we say nautical, we automatically think of blue.

[Lookbook 09.05.2012] Not so royal in royal blue

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The day started wet and gloomy. It's that kind of weather that makes you want to just stay home in bed all day. But I gotta work. Outfit-wise, I thought a sweater would be perfect for the weather.