EXCUSE MY FRENCH

Myth of the Human Body

2012-01-22T21:19:00.000+08:00

Myth of the Human Body officially opened in 2010 but has been extended (so many times) until February 29, 2012. I've only heard of the exhibit in late 2011

The Neobabylon building, an ode to Roman architecture. Photo from here

One of the statues that will greet you upon entering the exhibit

An inside look at a person's body

Woman holding organs

One of my favorite exhibits, a look at the stages of fetal development. This is by far the creepiest of the bunch

Yesterday, I was at Bonifacio Global City with my friend Myk to check out the Myth of the Human Body exhibit at the Neobabylon Building in AFPOVAI. It exhibits the human anatomy using real body specimens and parts, preserved through a process of plastination, involving embalming, dehydrating, boiling, and hardening which was developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in the 70's.

The exhibit is divided into seven, each dedicated to a specific body system and a Greek god associated with it. There was the muscular/skeletal system (Heracles), respiratory system (Poseidon), digestive system (Dionysus), reproductive system (Eros), nervous system (Zeus), the circulatory system (Hades), and the fetal system (Artemis). The exhibits are highly detailed and therefore, quite disturbing. I did have fun seeing internal organs piece by piece, but didn't recognize many of them because not everything had explanations.

Myk and I didn't go with the guided tour so the educational aspect was lost in our amazement and sometimes, disgust. Perhaps the most disturbing exhibits were the fetal system where there were actual specimens of a baby from its first month to its last. Knowing that these are actual infants plastinated made it even creepier. There were also jars filled with fetuses of various sizes and babies with hydrocephalus and anacephalus, a disorder where the baby doesn't have a forebrain (the largest part of the brain) and a portion of the skull and scalp.

The venue, the Neobabylon building is a work of art. The exterior is filled with mock statues of gods and the interiors resemble a grand Roman palace. I tried to get the history of the place and see if it was specifically built for Myth or if it was designed that way. I couldn't find anything but it was amazing.

As for the exhibit, it wasn't maintained. Some of the organs were dusty and security was lax. When Myk and I went, we had a feeling that we were the only ones there, considering it was a Saturday. We went two hours before closing, though, so they might have gone in the morning. But it felt deserted, adding to the creepiness factor. Myth was informative and fun, but not as exciting as I thought it would be. But you guys can check it out, because it's having its last extension until February 29, 2012 (not the first time I heard of that). Tickets cost P350 and is open everyday from 10.30 AM - 8.30 PM. Myth of the Human Body is located at Neobabylon Building, 9 Bayani Road, AFPOVAI, Taguig City.

After the exhibit, we weren't feeling hungry (the pieces turned us off from eating) but we had dinner at Silk in Serendra. The Thai food was standard, but I know a better Thai place that serves cheaper food. Dessert courtesy of Patchi and McDonald's, and of course, a trip to High Street wouldn't be complete without a visit to Fully Booked. I still have my reading list, so I only got a copy of The Philippine Star for my article.

Best of the Week: Dreams, trials, and Interweb blackouts

2012-01-22T21:00:00.000+08:00

Concert of the week: Katy Perry’s California Dreams tour

MANILA, Philippines - The SM Mall of Asia concert grounds will be turned into a fantasyland for Katy Perry’s concert, her last for the California Dreams world tour. Tomorrow will be her second performance in the country, after her Hello Katy concert in 2009 where she asked the audience how to say penis in Filipino — trust us, Katy, ask that again tomorrow and we’ll still fall for it.

Advocacy of the week: Stop SOPA!

This Wednesday, Wikipedia blocked its website for 24 hours donning the words “Imagine a world without free knowledge,” in an attempt to fight the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). The two bills aim to fight copyright infringement and piracy of US products overseas by blacklisting “alleged” pirated content, which could block people from accessing them on the Internet. That should be enough to scare everybody into making a stand and protesting the unfair aspects of the bills.

Quarterback of the week: Tim Tebow

Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow is famous for his exceptional skills in football and a meme called Tebowing, where people get down on one knee in prayer in unconventional locations. Pretty soon, he will conquer the Philippines the way he conquered American football by opening a children’s hospital in Davao. It may strike you as odd that he would pick our country, but the NFL star was born here during his parents’ Baptist missionary work. He will partner with CURE International to build a 30-bed hospital that is expected to touch down in 2013.

TV event of the week: the Corona-novela

This week saw the start of the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. Though certainly not our first impeachment trial (former president Estrada, we’re looking at you), if Corona’s prosecutors successfully convict him of betrayal of public trust, violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption, he will be the first Chief Justice to be impeached in our history. Much like our telenovelas, the case is proving to be every bit as convoluted and controversial, making it difficult to determine who’s playing thebida and the kontrabida. — Cai Subijano

2012: so far.

2012-01-14T20:33:00.000+08:00

So far, 2012 is going great. I have a pending job application in a multinational company (I'm going to announce it as soon as I get accepted) and I spent my time going to Christmas parties - posts are here and here - and catching up on my movies, TV shows, and reading.

The Suite Vollard's entrance, the color scheme was just divine

Some of the works displayed on the red walls - a specific Pantone of red that goes with the exhibit

Pablo Picasso

Minotauro acariciando a una mujer dormida, 18 junio 1933

FUNDACION MAPFRE’s Collections

© Sucesión Pablo Picasso. VEGAP. Madrid, 2011

Pablo Picasso
Minotauro moribundo, 30 mayo 1933
FUNDACION MAPFRE’s Collections
© Sucesión Pablo Picasso. VEGAP. Madrid, 2011

Last Saturday, I was in Mall of Asia with my friend Myk, who I met on Twitter two years back. I brought him to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila for the Suite Vollard, a 100 piece collection of Picasso's works. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I was blown away by actually seeing works by the Cubist master, who is one of my favorite artists. The works were sketches depicting violence and rape, and it was so overwhelming that I am surprised I didn't suffer from Stendhal Syndrome. The pieces were accentuated with beautiful Spanish music and sensuous red walls - a specific Pantone that goes with the Suite.

Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, directed by Tikoy Aguiluz (I think)

We then went to Mall of Asia to watch Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story. I've been dying to see the film ever since I heard it was going to be filmed in black-and-white, and I imagined it would be like those old gangster movies. I wasn't disappointed, it was exactly like that and it had a great story to boot. It's about Asiong Salonga and his rise as the kingpin of Tondo, while dealing with a rival gang eager to put him down and a brother who works in the police force. It had a lot of guns, testosterone, and really good fedoras. Myk started liking the movie ten minutes before it ended, but I enjoyed it from start to finish. We had dinner at Pepper Lunch and dessert at Sebastian's Ice Cream, where I had the blue cheese ice cream with Palawan honey. The ice cream on its own tastes weird, but with the honey, it was heavenly. I recommend it to every adventurous gourmand.

On Thursday, I was in Makati for that job application. This is my second time to come back because the last time I was there, they were offering me the assistant manager position for a certain brand. They said I fit the image but I thought I'd like an office position better. Being an assistant manager was a tempting offer but they gave me time to think. I was interviewed by a manager who is infamous for being hard to please, but I was surprised because she was laughing the entire time. So I was back yesterday, set on the office position but I was interviewed again, this time by the HR manager. She was offering me the assistant manager position and refused to accept my office choice. They gave me time to think (for the second time), and I'm scheduled for another interview on Monday.

The chinoiserie from Alice Blue Candles promises a "a citrusy, woody, & floral scent reminiscent of the elegant gardens of old Shanghai"

Went to Glorietta to run some errands, mainly to buy the January-February issue of Esquire Philippines, some hair wax, and potted mums. I dropped by Alice Blue in Glorietta 3 to check out their scented candle collection. They have a wide variety of scents from the garden collection: bamboo, baby shower (with a scent of a freshly bathed and powdered baby), cranberry spice, French mimosa, Mediterranean fig, white tea and ginger, the cafe collection: berry crumble (their bestseller), cafe mocha, orange chocolate, and vanilla sugar, and the tropical collection: Boracay shores and the Palawan mystique. They're affordable candles manufactured in the Philippines and are made of soy wax. I got the chinoiserie, a "a citrusy, woody, & floral scent reminiscent of the elegant gardens of old Shanghai." They're located in Glorietta 3, Rockwell, and Trinoma.

With my brother, the confirmant, and his sponsor, our Tita Susan. What I wore: Topman dress shirt, my trusty Bench jeans, leather shoes from Sledgers and sunglasses from Aldo

After a grueling ceremony at 8AM, we are done! With my brother, who I think is just as excited for it to be over

With my brother, my mom, and our Tita Susan

My brother with Shingen, one of his best friends. He's also a family friend

A class picture with the bishop

Yesterday, the folks and I were in the Parish of St. James the Great in Ayala Alabang for my brother's confirmation. It was very long and I'm not sure how I got through it, but I was very proud of my brother who is finally confirmed, for what I don't know. He managed to upstage me, our mom, and his sponsor (our tita), by wearing a barong by Rajo Laurel. He's only 13. To celebrate, we had lunch at Omakase in ATC with Shingen, one of his best friends, who was also confirmed.

Photos from here.

Best of the Week: Out with The Bourne Legacy rumors, in with David Archuleta and Beyoncé's baby

2012-01-14T15:46:00.000+08:00

Future Economic Boom Of The Week

MANILA, Philippines - Good news for the Philippines! In the year 2050, HSBC predicts in their report,”The World in 2050,” the sleeping giant China, will be alive, awake and enthusiastic in the economic arena, displacing the United States as having the world’s biggest economy. The bank also predicts that the future belongs to the emerging countries, which includes the Philippines, which is supposed to take 27 leapfrog places to become the 16th largest economy in the next 38 years, thanks to our demographics and our rising education standards. We’re all aware of the 2012 end of the world predictions, but for the sake of the future, let’s hope HSBC’s soothsayer prowess is the real thing! — Roxy Valencerina

Band Of The Week: Taken By Cars

“It’s just us, the gig, the trip, and the dream,” Taken by Cars vocalist Sarah Marco posted on her Facebook status earlier this week, along with a photo of TbC featured on the home page of the SXSW Music Festival. As the first Filipino band to be invited to the renowned international music and arts festival in Austin, Texas this March, they’ve come a pretty long way from just wanting to play regular gigs at Saguijo five years ago. However, there is a catch: They’re still short on funds. With just 50 days to go before SXSW, help send TbC to Texas by checking them out on artiseconnect.com! Let’s show the world that Pinoy music is more than just Charice Pempengco and Manny Pacquiao — no disrespect to their fans! — Cai Subijano

Kapatid Of The Week: David Archuleta

In the wake of international celebrity endorsers, TV5 reigned supreme by booking American Idol alumnus David Archuleta, who just signed for a primetime series with actresses Eula Caballero and Jasmine Curtis-Smith. The singer is already in the country and is filming and promoting the series, with David in a love triangle as the plot. David Archuleta is a Mormon and considering Mormons love dancing and sugary potluck parties, he’ll fit right in with the Philippines’ noontime show culture, especially in Will Time Bigtime.

Baby Of The Week: Blue Ivy Carter

The birth of Beyonce and Jay-Z's new bundle of joy last Jan. 7 in New York City didn't stop the brand new papa from dropping a new track entitled Glory (feat. B.I.C.) featuring the wails of the power couple’s first offspring, just a mere hour after being birthed into the world. Baby Blue Ivy Carter or better known as B.I.C., has yet to be caught candid by the vicious paparazzi, but with a sweet number 74 spot on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart, it won’t be long before this kid takes the world by storm. Jay-Z may have 99 problems, but baby B.I.C. sure ain’t one of them. — Roxy Valencerina

Hoax Of The Week: The Bourne Legacy Extras

More than a thousand hopefuls were devastated (including yours truly) when news leaked that the call for 1,000 extras for The Bourne Legacy was fake. Online ads indicated that applicants must send their names and details to a specified e-mail address, and that the only requirement is that they can walk (seriously). Another hoax was that the producers were looking for stand-ins for leads Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz. Sadly, the Philippine producers have revealed that they don’t know the “talent coordinators” mentioned in the ads, and would prefer extras who are in location because they “will act naturally.” Sorry, guys. Hollywood is just one tough bee-yatch to crack.

Christmas Parties Pt. II (2011)

2012-01-14T12:10:00.002+08:00

A continuation of the Christmas parties I attended, and things I did in between. If you'll notice, my last Christmas party was held in January!

December 29, 2011: SM Mall of Asia

What I wore: Uniqlo shirt, Takeo Kikuchi jacket, Bench jeans, sneakers from Hong Kong

Steak at Highlands Steakhouse - it's to die for

Someone thought it was funny to vandalize the Highlands restroom. I burst out laughing

A wonderful collection of artists and their works. It was too expensive so I wasn't able to buy any. I would have liked to get Picasso, Munch, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec

Went to SM Mall of Asia with the folks. We didn't really have a plan in mind, we just wanted to go because we were supposed to go on Christmas Day (we ended up in Alabang). We had dinner at Highlands Steakhouse and saw my family friend GP with his girlfriend Andi Manzano. Bought a dress shirt from Topman to reward my effort for my Best of the Year feature in Supreme.

December 31, 2011: The Arsua New Year's Eve Party

Me, my mom, and my brother

My brother with our cousins Gilly and Mimae

Spent a lot of time taking pictures of fireworks

My cousin Gabe playing with this thing (I have no idea what it's called), the only thing allowed for the kids

My new favorite firework - a fountain that emits whips and makes loud whistling noises

Our annual New Year's Eve party is held at the Paragases in Xavierville, Quezon City. We have dinner, lots of desserts, and watch the neighbors fireworks while lighting our own. Ours is usually the safer kind, while the neighbors opt for the grand displays of light and sound. Dinner was delicious - there was carbonara, kare-kare, ox tongue, chicken, and lechon. I tried pig's brains for the first time and it tasted like balut. Had a lot for dessert: two slices of cake, pistachio ice cream, lemon yogurt ice cream, and fruit salad, but regrets are for the new year!

January 1, 2012: SM Mall of Asia

What I wore: Uniqlo shirt, Forever 21 cardigan, Bench jeans, and sneakers from Hong Kong

A Britney tribute. She lip-synced to a Britney medley. Not so convincing

The Gaga tribute was more convincing. She sang Bad Romance, Telephone, and Marry The Night with the appropriate costumes and steps

One of my favorite acts: a young Mongolian girl contortionist. She's won awards for her tricks

The cast

My brother and I discovered a shopping cart in the parking lot. Of course, a photo shoot ensued

For the first day of the year, the folks and I were in Mall of Asia (again) to catch the Uncle Sam's Flying Circus. It was their last day and my mom wanted to see the show. The show was entertaining. They weren't as good as the acrobats we saw in Shanghai, whose tricks were flawlessly done, but the Flying Circus made up for it by doing stunts I've never seen before and for being upbeat. The Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe was serious while the Flying Circus focused on having fun. The members were from different countries, from Brazil to China to Romania and I think there was even one Filipino. My favorite stunts were where these guys would perform flips over trampolines. And the ringmaster is actually also a performer and he did flips, too!

January 10, 2012: Ninang Daisy's Christmas party

My Ninang Daisy with my mom and friends

Overflowing food: there was Japanese curry, chicken, cordon bleu, barbecue, lasagna, and my ninang's very delicious chicharon. There were three kinds of desserts so I indulged!

With the hostess, my Ninang Daisy. What I wore: Topman dress shirt, Bench jeans, Kickers loafers

With my ninang, Maria Isabel Lopez, who regaled me with stories of me as a kid

The little celebrity, AJ Yao

My last Christmas party for the season is with my Ninang Daisy, my mother's manager when she was still modeling. This party is starting to become a tradition after last year's success and is mainly composed of the models my ninang handled, many of whom are also my ninangs, some of who I haven't seen in ages. It's been so long that they regaled me with stories of me as a kid and they called me Kallyboy the entire night, my childhood nickname. One of them is Maria Isabel Lopez, who was in Brillante Mendoza's Kinatay and more recently, Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown. The night was filled with food, wine, stories, and fawning over AJ, my ninang's first grandson. He's an adorable kid, with a cute smile to boot. The night concluded with the distribution of gifts (kids not included), but my ninang gave me hers, a paper bag filled with beauty products: a L'Oreal moisturizer (really good stuff), a Garnier exfoliant, a Kerastase anti-dandruff spray, and a bath kit from Biotherm Homme, all courtesy of her son Jappy, who is the Marketing Research and Intelligence Manager at L'Oreal Singapore. I haven't seen Jappy in years, but we were really close growing up. He's gay, too and he wanted to meet me to talk about our sexuality, but by the time the party rolled around, he had to get back to Singapore. But his mom took up the pace and we talked about it, along with my mom and two of their amigas who also have gay sons. At the end of the night, another event seems to be shaping up into a tradition: one of the moms who has a gay kid is setting me up with him. My mom seems to think it's a brilliant idea, which makes it even more awkward.

Continued from here.

The year that was: 2011

2012-01-13T21:20:00.001+08:00

2011 has been a crazy year. It went by really quick - but I reached so many milestones that I could say it's my best year so far. Here are some of the highlights of the year that was. I could only think of 11 (lucky, because it's 2011) but these 11 are really big events, in no particular order:

Me and my mom during my graduation

1. Graduating. This is by far, the most important milestone. Of course, who wouldn't like to graduate and be out of school? It took me two schools and six years but I finally made it, with a gold medal for leadership to boot. I got my degree in AB Psychology and frankly, I don't know what to do with it. Right now I'm working in an industry where my degree is totally unrelated, but I might pursue a more relevant career in the near future. School was really great, and now that I'm a working boy, I can say that work is a lot easier. Maybe it was because I handled the paper in my senior year, but I found myself less stressed when I got a job. I might take up my Master's for Abnormal Psychology (which is still my first love), but I think I'll enjoy making money first.

My calling card of five months

2. Getting a job. Honestly, I had a tough time looking for a job. At the beginning, I vowed never to use my or my family's connections, but I realized that when it comes to your career, it's never what you know but who you know. I tried the "normal" way of getting a job, sending my resume via e-mail and all that, but unfortunately, no matter how good and qualified you are, if they're not looking for anyone, you can't do anything about it. I looked for jobs in PR, but it didn't work out so I accepted a marketing executive position at Colorpoint, a printing press / photography studio who did our school's yearbook. The president saw me talk one time and he hired me as soon as I graduated. Things didn't go well at the company and I only stayed for five months, but I earned a lot of money and spent a lot of it, too. Currently, I'm unemployed but I have a sideline project going on.

Me awarding a certificate to Mr. Rick Olivares, one of the guest speakers

3. My editor-in-chief position. I was awarded the editor-in-chief position last year, but the paper has made a lot of headway in 2011. We started Erratum, a journalism seminar and we invited renowned practitioners from Business Mirror, ABS-CBN, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer to speak. We're turning it into an annual tradition and they invited me to be the 'inspirational speaker' this year, whatever that means. We also started the Perpetualife, a year-ender magazine that was well-received by the student body. In fact, all our issues for the school year were well-received and I've been told a couple of times that my year was the best yet.

4. The yearbook. I was part of the yearbook committee as the literary editor. It was really tough going through the process, having to deal with lots of people, but I got to work with an incredible team. There were a lot of issues attached but everyone made it with no missing limbs. My first job was with the company who did the yearbook so I took it with me but when we finally closed the book (after so many months), I heaved a huge sigh of relief. I don't have a picture of the actual yearbook because I haven't picked it up yet. I've seen it everyday for the past year so I'm not that excited.

My feature at Chalk magazine

5. Chalk magazine. I was briefly featured in the March issue of Chalk magazine. It was very short, three sentences only, but a statement I made regarding not graduating on time appeared with my picture. An online friend of mine, KB, is an editor for the magazine so she managed to squeeze me in with other late graduates.

With hosts Aida Sy, Lourd de Veyra, and Joey Reyes

6. Tayuan Mo At Panindigan! In the same month, I was a guest for Tayuan Mo At Panindigan!, a talk show on TV5 with director Joey Reyes, radio personality Aida Sy and media fixture Lourd de Veyra as hosts. We talked about graduation and what my plans were after college, and I mentioned writing. I never got to see the episode, but my friend Skate, who is the talent coordinator, said I did good and direk Joey was impressed by me.

My debut article for The Philippine Star - Supreme

7. The Philippine Star. I mentioned a while ago that I'm doing a sideline project. It's writing for The Philippine Star - Supreme. I make weekly contributions by writing the Best of the Week section. I've been part of the team for over nine weeks now and have met the team once, including Tim Yap, the editor-in-chief when we did a group feature for SM Megamall. It has its down sides but I learned to swallow my pride and just be grateful my works get included in the Star. I'm planning to branch out by contributing to other publications in the near future.

Kylie Minogue live in Manila

8. Kylie Minogue. When news broke out that Kylie Minogue is performing in the Philippines, I just had to get tickets. I'm a huge fan so I was thrilled. I was lucky to be employed the time she came, so I was able to afford good seats. I danced, sang, jumped and cried, it was such an overwhelming experience. So many musicians are performing here this year, but I'm looking forward to the day Madonna will come. I will buy front row tickets, no questions asked.

A photo I took while biking with the folks

9. My love life. My love life for 2011 isn't as colorful as 2009, but I did go out on several dates with several guys. One was with an ex who wanted to rekindle a bad romance, another that took two years in the making, with two guys who are friends (I dated them separately), two colleagues, a schoolmate, and one straight guy who I'm not quite sure if we dated or not.

Me with Nikko, Roi, and Jan, writers from the school paper

10. Nikko. Nikko has been one of the best parts of the year. He was a writer who applied when I was editor-in-chief. He was one of my favorites because he was assertive, creative, and ambitious. His passion for writing was inspiring and he greatly helped make my tenure one of the best. On top of that, we became good friends and he has a thirst for life that I admire that we ended up doing new things like watching plays, eating new food, and going to new places.

At Boracay

With family and friends at Puerto Galera

At Xintiandi, Shanghai

With friends at Batangas

11. Boracay, Puerto Galera, China, Batangas. This summer was the best, with the most trips. Normally, I go out of the country for a week during the summer and that's it, but this year, my family and I went to Boracay, Puerto Galera, and China, then my friends and I drove to Batangas for a day. I'm not really much of a beach person but Boracay changed me. It was so beautiful that I promised myself to go to the beach (preferably Boracay) every year. Met some friends there and even hung out with Don. And just when I thought my 2011 beach trip was over, a family friend invited us for a trip to Puerto Galera. We stayed at this island resort called Aninuan and it was so great having an island to ourselves. A week later, the folks and I were off to Shanghai to spend a week. I had such a blast even though the language barrier made things a bit difficult. But China is a majestic country and I can't wait to go back, this time to Beijing.

Best of the Week: The hackers are upon us! Rachel Weisz on a jeepney! And the most morbid sex tape ever

2012-01-07T15:42:00.000+08:00

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Divorce of the week: Russell Brand and Katy Perry

MANILA, Philippines - Media darlings Katy Perry and Russell Brand are getting a divorce (insert sad face). The couple has not talked to the public about what happened, but the decision seems final and that they will “remain friends.” Rumors began plaguing the couple, from allegations of cheating (on Katy’s part), pregnancy (also on Katy’s), and a separation that ultimately led to the sweethearts’ demise. Sources close to the two say that Katy’s partying habits and the two’s clashing schedules caused the fireworks display to come crashing down.

Shooting of the week: ‘The Bourne Legacy’

Hello, Hollywood! The set of The Bourne Legacy will be in the Philippines to shoot key scenes. According to director Tony Gilroy, 40 percent of the film will be shot in Manila and eight locations have been selected for filming: Intramuros, Navotas Fishport, Marikina City Market, San Andres Market, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Ayala Avenue, Nagtahan, and Pasay-Taft Rotonda for one of the film’s car chase sequences. We feel that our haphazard jeepneys and murderous bus drivers will contribute more than their fair share of action to the plot. Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, and Edward Norton, you’re welcome.

Hackers of the week: Anonymous

A collection of online activists who attack government and high-profile websites call themselves Anonymous (so original) and left a cryptic message on government sites saying, “Occupants of the west are still on the move and in no such time, Manila, will be the center of unethical activities in Asia. For some reasons that is (sic) untold, they choose (sic) the Philippines to organize a legion that will nullify the entire Philippine Cyberspace.” For some reasons that are untold, the effect of their message was somehow lost in their wrong grammar. Yoo hoo, Anonymous! If you need people to edit your online writings on the wall, Supreme is your team! Also, how do you divide one by zero? Just kidding, please don’t hack our website and Twitter account! Kthxbye!

Sick f*ck of the week: The Ramgen-Janelle video uploader

As if his gruesome unsolved murder wasn’t sickening enough, some really twisted individual thought the Internet might benefit from a sex tape of the murdered Ramgen Revilla and his girlfriend, Janelle Manahan. According to Janelle’s lawyer, she was being blackmailed through Facebook by one of Ramgen’s siblings warning her, “You are not clean, Ate Janelle.” Sen. Bong Revilla, who helped author the Anti-Voyeurism Act in the Philippines, called then video pambababoy to Janelle and the memory of his slain half-brother. The NBI has stated that they can trace the source of the video to find out who the culprit is. Maybe they can also figure out who really uploaded Mo Twister’s confessional video. —Cai Subijano

Fan of the week: Atty. Ferdinand Topacio

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio made headlines when he vowed to cut his testicles off if his clients, the Arroyos, would not return after a trip abroad, but he is now facing another controversy when he admitted to “idolizing” Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The story was brought to light when he was interviewed in his office with a large portrait of the freaky fuehrer hanging behind his desk. Topacio defended his devotion by saying that there is no evidence that Hitler ordered the holocaust, and that Germany became very prosperous under his rule. Hitler is considered as responsible for the death of over six million Jews, but one of the stories that stuck about the leader is that he only had one testicle. Which only means one thing: Um, someone is kind of craaaazy. Just kind of.

Best of the Year: 2011, it's a wrap!

2011-12-31T15:38:00.000+08:00

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Woman of the year: Anne Curtis

MANILA, Philippines - Besides hosting Showtime, where she dazzles everyone with her smile and sense of style, Anne Curtis starred in the talked-about box office hit No Other Woman, became the first Filipina L’Oreal endorser, and received a star at the Eastwood Walk of Fame. She also released her debut album Annebisyosa, which received a gold record award three weeks after, giving hope, as Anne said so herself, to non-singers who dream of recording best-selling albums. Anne has conquered everything that comes her way and she’s going to give established singers a run for their money when tickets start selling for her first solo concert next year. She’s all that and a bag of chips and to prove it, she became the first Rogue girl to receive triple covers and made like KC Concepcion (but without the cameras) and rode the notoriously packed MRT just to catch Kylie Minogue perform in Araneta!

Beauty queens of the year: Shamcey Supsup, Gwendoline Ruais, Dianne Necio, and Athena Imperial

Annual beauty pageants are the Super Bowls of beckys, so it was a good year for our sisters when Shamcey Supsup, Gwendoline Ruais, Dianne Necio, and Athena Imperial won respective titles in the pageants they participated in. Shamcey Supsup was awarded 3rd runner-up at Miss Universe, Gwendoline Ruais won 1st runner-up at Miss World, Dianne Necio placed in the Top 15 of Miss International (being the fourth consecutive Filipina contestant to do so), and Athena Imperial bagged the Miss Earth-Water title. With all the titles our beauties have been bagging this year, we wonder why Veejay Floresca, Martin Bautista, Lex Librea and Aleq Africa haven’t recorded themselves jumping up and down in their pajamas for old times’ sake.

Festival of the year: Cinemalaya

Cinemalaya, the bastion of Filipino indie cinema, has received its long-awaited and well-deserved recognition from mainstream media. Films from the festival in July, such as Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me, Ang Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, Zombadings: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington, and Rakenrol received commercial release, much to the delight of fans. Interest in indie films has increased over the years mainly because mainstream actors have started participating, most notably Eugene Domingo, much to the dismay of purists. Most exciting is Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank’s entry into the Oscars shortlist of Best Foreign Language Film. Whether or not it brings home the big win, is beside the point because finally, we may be evolving from formulaic teenybopper dramedies.

Network of the year: TV5

A great shift began in local television when business mogul Manny V. Pangilinan bought TV5 in 2009. The network has been MVP-fied for two years, but the masses only felt the change when big stars started transferring, beginning with Dolphy, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Willie Revillame in 2010. This was soon followed by Aga Muhlach, Nora Aunor, Lorna Tolentino, and Sharon Cuneta, whose move was rumored to have cost the network over P5 billion. TV5 under MVP shook the industry, changing the game from a two-player deal to a free-for-all, threatening those who relaxed in a one-competition setup. The successful rebranding of the network has made MVP even more relevant (especially after the Digitel takeover last month), probably as relevant as the PNoy himself, but we hope TV5 won’t monopolize the entertainment industry by getting all the artists — imagine Marian Rivera and Kris Aquino ending up sharing a talk show!

Breakups of the year: John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao, KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual, and Mo Twister and Rhian Ramos

The Ruffa Gutierrez-John Lloyd Cruz-Shaina Magdayao love triangle was confusing, then amusing at best, and KC Concepcion’s breakup with heartthrob Piolo Pascual was intriguing because of all the ambiguity during her interview with Tito Boy Abunda. After all, what are we supposed to think when she said “May mga hinahanap ako na basic lang na hahanapin ng isang babae sa isang boyfriend, sa isang lalaki.” But shortly after KC’s tearful tell-all, Mo Twister stole her thunder with the anonymous uploading of a “repaired video” wherein Mo detailed Rhian’s alleged abortion of their child. Though Mo denies having anything to do with the video’s public release, Rhian and her lawyer slapped him with a case accusing him of violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. Since then, another video surfaced of Rhian straddling Mo while dry humping, groping, making out and giving icky poo loooove declarations to the camera. For Rhian’s sake, we hope nothing worse surfaces. —Cai Subijano

Most celebrated musicians of the year: Adele and Amy Winehouse

Adele may have been performing since 2008 with the release of her studio album “19,” but it was the January release of “21” that propelled the British crooner to international fame. Her hypnotic voice gained a large following with her proclamation that she makes music for ears, not eyes. Despite the criticism on her weight, her hit single Someone Like You became an anthem (and the subject of a hilarious SNL spoof) and her cover photos for magazines, like Rolling Stone, British Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, are proof that big talent is beautiful. Her passionate and soulful voice reminds us of another tortured soul, Amy Winehouse, who we sadly lost this July, but we hope that Adele goes past the infamous 27 Club, which has taken many of our musical greats, to make the album “28.”

Icon of the year: Steve Jobs

News of the death of Steve Jobs came as a huge shock, especially for those who lived by the gadgets he created, from the iPod, the iPad, and everything in between. His death in October was due to a rare form of pancreatic cancer, which he rarely talked about since being diagnosed in 2003. Steve is credited for leading the technology wave with revolutionary products that changed how we viewed communication. Currently, rumors regarding the iPhone 5 are spreading (again), but things haven’t been the same without Steve, who was celebrated for his personality aside from his products. Many believe that the company would do just fine, even when the maker has met the maker.

Box office diva of the year: Vice Ganda

Patrons of comedy bars in the days of yore knew who Vice Ganda was even before Showtime. The comedian has been in the comedy circuit since 1999, delivering the punchlines that would eventually break a Philippine record. He dominated national consciousness when he joined the hit series Showtime, where his jokes, which centered on the “may nagtext!” theme became insanely popular. But it was his self-deprecating attitude that endeared him to many fans, and he still remains the unkabogable judge, meaning he’s un-evictable (though we believe he would be a staple even if he could be booted out). His biggest coup for the year was starring in Praybeyt Benjamin, which broke the record for highest-earning Filipino movie of all time. Call him a horse as many times as you want, but Vice Ganda will be galloping all the way to the bank.

Arrest of the year: CGMA

We’ve all heard of the tragic executions of the suspected drug mules in China and our hearts go out to their families, but the biggest arrest for this year is of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. An arrest warrant for electoral sabotage was charged against the Pampanga representative while she was at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City where she was nursing a rare bone disorder. This was one of the missions of President Noynoy Aquino, but he didn’t seem satisfied as he went on a vicious tirade against the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Renato Corona for blocking his efforts with Corona immediately impeached. The furor raised against this was so great that pundits are calling the President a dictator, which is of course not true because the mark of a true dictator is having a Tumblr account of him looking at things or dropping the bass.

Good riddance of the year: Osama Bin Laden, Kim Jong-Il, Muammar Gaddafi, and Hosni Mubarak

It was a good year for politics as we saw the deaths of terrorist Osama Bin Laden, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and the ousting of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. These four have led different lives, but what they have in common is the feeling of discomfort they gave while in power, whether it be for their nation’s people or people from around the world. Bin Laden was finally captured by a US special forces military unit, Kim Jong-Il passed away due to a heart attack, Gaddafi was beaten and shot to death, while Mubarak was ousted after 18 days of protest. Suddenly, with the exception of natural calamities, the world suddenly seems like a safer place.

Team of the year: Team Philippines!

The Philippine Azkals paved the way for Filipino athletes getting the recognition they deserve by making the most out of a crack at entering the World Cup and putting up a good fight against David Beckham and the rest of LA Galaxy. The Philippine Volcanoes managed to live up to all that underwear-related hype by bagging the silver medal at the Asian Men’s Rugby 7s Championships. The Philippine Dragon Boat team has won five gold medals and two silver medals at the 10th World Dragon Boat Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida, on top of their gold medal wins in 2007 and 2009. All this athletic popularity proves that becoming a professional athlete in the Philippines is a viable career because if all else fails, you could also go for being a sought-after endorser. —Cai Subijano

Discussion of the year: The RH Bill

From the ridiculous schism among Ayala Alabang residents over whether a doctor’s prescription is needed to buy oral contraceptives to the intense verbal wars between Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Mommy Dionisia, and Lea Salonga and Manny Pacquiao, the RH Bill was one hot topic people couldn’t stop talking about. The discussions reached their peak with the exhibition of Mideo Cruz’s “Poleteismo” where even The Huffington Post took note of the way he offended the CBCP by gluing a wooden penis on Jesus Christ’s face on a poster. Admittedly, the exhibit was shocking, but the CBCP’s involvement in its removal begged the question of whether the Catholic Church was meddling a tad too much in society’s affairs. They may insist on refusing Holy Communion to politicians who support the pure logic of the RH Bill, but messing around in matters of art may be taking their position of power way too far. —Cai Subijano

Facelift of the year: NAIA

It took an international double blow for us to realize that NAIA 1 was overdue for a makeover. The Guide to Sleeping in Airports blog ranked NAIA 1 as the worst airport in the world and fifth most hated airport in the world by CNN’s travel site. A plan to rehabilitate the airport turned awry when renowned designers Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug, and Royal Pineda revealed that Cabinet officials commissioned them to prepare a pro bono design. Teddy Boy Locsin demanded that the designers should be given subpoenas to reveal who these officials were, hinting that the officials granted them permission in exchange for free or almost-free furnishing. In spite of all the negative backlash, what’s important is our government has been moved to action. PNoy signed off on a P1.1 billion rehabilitation plan — P500 million for the interior design, with the help of the team behind Singapore’s Changi International, P340 million for structural upgrades, P300 million for much-needed rapid exit taxiways, P20 million for 72 new toilets (thank God!), and P20 million for urinals and other amenities. Hey, if an airport was named after your father, you’d better make it a priority! —Cai Subijano

Disappointment of the year: Banned underwear billboards on EDSA

Clothing magnate Bench has always pushed the boundaries when it came to advertising, but one series of billboards along EDSA apparently went too far and bothered the wrong people. Described by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos as “inappropriate,” he had them dismantled. Ads featuring Aly Borromeo, along with the rest of the Philippine Volcanoes, the brothers Younghusband, Angel Locsin, and Lovi Poe in provocative wear were also removed because they were “offensive.” While it may appear that the MMDA has a personal vendetta against fit people, the organization’s chair Francis Tolentino said that they were removed because the operators didn’t have the proper permits. Whatever the reason — because really, most, if not all, of the ads removed had barely-clothed endorsers — EDSA is probably now safer, with less road accidents, but a lot less eventful.

Christmas Parties Pt. I (2011)

2011-12-30T12:28:00.000+08:00

Christmas in the Philippines has always been a grand affair. I mean, what else could it be for a country that celebrates the holiday for a quarter of the year? But 2011 was different. It wasn't as jolly or colorful. Fewer houses featured Christmas lights, and our street was no exception - in fact ours was barely lit. It must have been the disasters that struck our friends in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, but the gloom spread throughout the country. Despite that, the Christmas spirit didn't stop because we sent our donations, prayed hard, and partied harder. Because that's the great thing about us Filipinos - we get by with faith, camaraderie, and a glowing optimism. Here's a rundown of the parties I attended, celebrated with a grain of sobriety to support our stricken brothers.

December 19, 2011: Team Supreme

Celebrated with some writers from Supreme at SM Megamall. Actually, we were there to feature some stores in the Mega Atrium but my editor Cai decided to double it as our Christmas party. Had lunch at Yabu with the marketing department of Megamall and Tim, our editor-in-chief. Went to our assigned stores together, but eventually dispersed. I got Gotti's and Amici, both Italian restaurants. I was so stuffed because they kept bombarding us with food, and I even tried the other restaurants the other writers featured. I got to keep three kinds of pastas, two pizzas, a salad, on top of the food we ate. Met Nikko, wandered around then went to SM Mall of Asia to have dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant.

December 21, 2011: TP

Me and the new members of the team

I was invited to the Christmas party of The Perpetualite, my school's publication. I missed the first part of the party in Alabang because I had to work on my Atrium pieces, but I joined them at the current editor-in-chief's bar. Had a lovely dinner and reconnected with my close friends. I was supposed to stay for an hour because I had to work on my Best of the Week stories but a good supply of drinks and company made me stay until morning. I submitted my Best of the Week past the deadline with profuse apologies and alcohol breath.

December 23, 2011: The Tins

What I wore: Ukay dress shirt, H&M undershirt, Zara jeans, Kickers loafers

The Tin family. There are more of us, some were in the den playing mahjong

Me and my brother with the Tin kids, the most adorable siblings this side of the Philippines

I went to Quezon City for the Tin Christmas party, a family friend of ours. My mom and brother go a day early, but I usually go on the day itself if I have to finish tasks or if I'm feeling too lazy to join them. I decided to stay home and unwind after the stressful week at Supreme and watched movies the whole day. I didn't encounter traffic (thank God) so I was in time for dinner. The catering was really good and I helped myself to prawn, Korean noodles, ox tongue, and good conversation from the Tins. I met a Canadian teacher who works with Kim in Vietnam and we exchanged notes on culture. We had the annual exchange gift, which is a fun experience because there are over 40 of us. Auntie Lisa picked me (I picked her last year) and she got me a wonderful bath set from Italy. Ang pao were exchanged and I made quite the collection.

December 24, 2011: The Arsuas

Me and my brother with the Paragases and my cousin Lord

Me and my brother with our cousin Pao. He is the cutest toddler and he and his siblings (all under the age of 11) are the most intelligent kids I've ever met.

My family usually spends noche buena at home with my mother's side of the family. The number of attendees can almost rival that of the Tins, but there are family dramas that decimated the size for the past two years. But the show must go on and the party was almost as cheerful as when we were complete. The food was divine, thanks to my mom who is one of the best cooks ever. We had our exchange gift, I got a Takeo Kikuchi jacket from my mom and the Japanese editions of Vogue and Elle from my brother.

December 25, 2011: Alabang

What I wore: Kenneth Cole shirt, Takeo Kikuchi blazer, Bench jeans, and Kickers loafers

I grabbed hot chocolate at Coffee Bean and was surprised to see this - a gadget that vibrates and flashes when your drink is ready!

On Christmas Day, my mom invited us to go to Alabang to catch dinner and a movie. We watched Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13 for the Metro Manila Filmfest. It was the least of all evils, according to mom, but I personally wanted to see Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story and Segunda Mano (out of morbid fascination for Kris Aquino's acting). We had dinner at Pepper Lunch and caught the movie. I even ran into my editor at the cinema! I wasn't impressed with the movie, but I did like the last part with Chris Martinez and Eugene Domingo, who teamed together for the hit Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank. A week before, my mom asked me if I wanted an iPad for Christmas. I'm not big on gadgets so I probably wouldn't enjoy an iPad as much as an Apple junkie, and I didn't really know what I wanted so I asked instead for a 500GB external hard drive. It's been very useful to me for storing my movies and TV shows.

To be continued here.

A hidden oasis

2011-12-24T15:27:00.000+08:00

Manila, Philippines - The iconic SM Megamall is a structure that people associate with ultimate convenience. Apart from offering several floors of shopping, dining and entertainment, it’s also a one-stop shop for those errands that never seem to get crossed off your to-do list, like renewing your driver’s license, getting yearly health and dental check-ups, even sorting out your banking affairs, then hopping on the MRT once you’re done. Indeed if you build it, they will come, and so came the bustling crowds that are as identifiable as Megamall itself. In that rush to get everything done before that movie you bought tickets for starts, all while making your way through a packed escalator, you might feel that you just want to stop and take a break. But being able to relax right in the middle of a busy crowd? Indeed, when SM Megamall proclaimed that they’ve got it all for you, they left no stone unturned.

This is exactly what the Team Supreme found out when we invaded the Mega Atrium at SM Megamall, an area that appears suddenly like mirage for mall goers who need a bit of respite, yet disguises itself as a blur in the corners of the eyes of determined shoppers hopping from one store to another. Truly, once you finally take notice of it, you’ll realize that it’s been there all along, waiting for you to enter. Located right in the heart of SM Megamall, literally in between Mega A and Mega B, the Atrium has a bright, yet intimate feel about it, despite the fact that it houses nearly 100 stores and restaurants.

Some of us, like Chief Supremo Tim Yap, were dropped right off at the Mega Atrium Lobby, which is located in the center of the mall facing J. Vargas Avenue. Once in the lobby, all he had to do was take the elevator and be whisked away, crowd-free, to meet the team for lunch at Yabu. If it’s your chauffeur’s day off, valet service is also an option at a P100 flat rate. Like those who drove their own cars, you'll be pleased to know that the Mega Carpark C opened last month and offers direct access to the middle of Megamall at only a P45 flat parking rate. That’s right, no more lugging your purchases from one end of the mall to the other just to get to Mega Carpark A or B.

All five floors of the Mega Atrium at SM Megamall offers a balanced selection of shops and restaurants.

In fact, you don’t even need to lug your shopping bags at all because there is the luxury of sending your purchases to the Package Pick-Up Counter. The service is totally free. Simply shop at the participating stores, fill out a form to have your items sent to the Package Pick-Up Counter, then fetch them when you’re all shopped-out with your claim stub. If you urgently need to send out an important e-mail to your boss, worry not because there is free wireless Internet available in the entire SM Megamall.

And finally, when every aspect of yourself has been satisfied physically, head up to the fifth floor of the Atrium where you can find the beautifully spacious Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord. Capping off a full day of shopping and dining with a moment of silence before heading home is a great way to end a well-rounded Mega Atrium experience.

Turn to the next pages to see how TeamSupreme spent the day at the Mega Atrium at SM Megamall!

Amici

Amici satisfies the most discriminating tastes with authentic Italian dishes, offering Italy’s finest and using the freshest ingredients. Sadly, authentic comes with the price of newcomers thinking that it is expensive, but Amici believes that quality food does not require a hefty price tag and its back story proves just that.

Amici di Don Bosco began in 1994 when a Salesian priest opened a turo-turo canteen to serve the Don Bosco Printing Press employees. The canteen served Italian coffee and gelato, later introducing wood-fire oven-baked pizzas and homemade pasta. Word got around and Don Bosco students began flocking to the canteen, followed by visitors from all walks of life: from celebrities and socialites to housewives and blue-collar workers. Realizing that business was not their specialty, the Salesian priests sold the business to Iboy Pinga and Danny Moran, the founders of Red Ribbon.

Amici is known for its pastas, pizzas, and the dessert obsession du jour, gelato. The pizza choices are diverse, from the classic Margherita and Napoletana to specialized pizzas, such as the seafood-based Frutti di Mare, the meat-only Tutta Carne, and the cheesy Al Quattro Formaggi. Pizzas cost roughly P300 to P400 and are good to share. First-timers must try the Chorizo e Spinaci, one of their specialties. The pastas are just as varied, from tomato-based, cream-based, to olive oil-based. The must-try is the Spaghetti ai Tesori del Mare, a spicy dish with chili oil and the Linguine al Proscuitto e Tartuffo, a dish with two kinds of mushrooms.

Equally renowned is Caramia, Amici’s gelateria. It offers cakes and gelato, a healthier alternative to ice cream. Compared to ice cream, gelato has less fat and is richer and creamier. It comes in many flavors such as pistachio, sans rival, and cioccolato and costs P75 a scoop. Slices of cake range from P65 to P125, with the Di Lusso as one of their newer offerings, a combination of pistachio, chocolate, and strawberry gelato wrapped in chocolate and has a crushed graham crust.

Dining at Amici may sound sinful, but true to its religious roots, its core value is sharing. Not only is eating more pleasurable with loved ones, an order of select dishes called Tuloy Speciali will give P10 to the Tuloy Foundation, a non-profit organization in Alabang to help street children. At Amici, it’s all about eating good and doing good!

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Amici is located on the 4/F Mega Atrium, SM Megamall and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations, call 636-1341.

Gotti’s Ristorante

Tucked away in the fourth floor of the Mega Atrium at SM Megamall is one of its best-kept secrets: Gotti’s Ristorante. An Italian restaurant by trade, its interiors promise a taste of Italy: lots of wood and brick, subtle lighting, and posters of Italians and their dishes. Even though its name evokes Italy, it references one of the most infamous mobsters ever, John Gotti, who is also known for his epicurean tastes.

Lovers of Italian food appreciate what Gotti’s has to offer. That’s because the pizzas and pastas are authentic, something owners Eileen and Manuel Gonzales and John Erich and Malou Taca have mastered over the years. The idea began when Eileen was working in an Italian restaurant in New York. She felt that “it would be right” to offer thin-crust pizza in the Philippines, so in 2002, she opened Pizzeria Pronto with her husband and the Tacas in SM Bicutan. It wasn’t until 2008 when they changed names and decided to expand to SM Mall of Asia and the Mega Atrium at SM Megamall after studying their products.

The joint is known for its pizza and pasta, but what separates Gotti’s from the rest are the secret recipes, their affordable prices and heaping servings. Pastas come in single and to-share servings, with prices ranging from P200 for single servings to P300 for groups of two to three. The must-try, or “most wanted” is the Frutti di Mare, a seafood-based pasta in rich marinara sauce. Other pasta dishes not to be missed are the garlic shrimp in white wine and the creamy basil bacon. One interesting pasta dish is the Pasta ala Vodka, a pomodoro cream sauce dish with chili and the alcoholic drink.

An Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without its pizza offerings and Gotti’s doesn’t come short. For P260 to P360 per 12-inch pie, customers will have a taste of Italy with its oven-baked thin crust. The classics are there but the stars are the Four Seasons, Mi Mama’s Quattro Formaggi, and the Contadina, a pizza with prosciutto, grilled eggplant, and freshly grated Parmigiano Romano.

Highly recommended for dessert is the decadent Tartufo Nero, a pure dark chocolate gelato with a brandied cherry core, capping off a delicious Italian meal. Gotti and his mob crew have reached our shores and might soon be the Philippines’ most wanted.

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Gotti’s Ristorante is located on the 4/F Mega Atrium, SM Megamall and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations, call 634-0348.

Best of the Week: Gaga gets hacked, a Pinoy saint, and Britney is engaged! Again.

2011-12-24T15:05:00.001+08:00

Saint of the week: Pedro Calungsod

Manila, Philippines - Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be canonized as the second Filipino saint since Lorenzo Ruiz in 1987. Calungsod, a native of Iloilo, is known as the 17-year-old martyr who taught Catechism and evangelized the Chamorros in the Marianas Islands, Guam. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000 for his unwavering dedication to Christ, and that “young people today can draw encouragement and strength” from him. On Dec. 19, Pope Benedict XVI approved his sainthood after a woman was brought back to life from a heart attack through Calungsod’s intercession. The date of his canonization has yet to be announced, but we Filipinos are proud!

Partyboy of the week: PNoy

Actress Valerie Concepcion and President Noynoy Aquino are getting negative attention for attending a Christmas party for the employees of Malacañang at the height of Typhoon Sendong. The story broke after Valerie tweeted that she was at a party with the president and that he was laughing at her jokes. The Aquino team (meaning his sisters), came to his defense saying that the party has been planned ahead of time but that he was constantly on the phone, monitoring affected areas such as Cagayan de Oro. His unofficial spokesperson, Kris Aquino also said that “Hindi naming pwedeng huminto nalang ang buhay at magmukmok nalang tayo.” All we have to say is that it must have been one hell of a party!

Death of the week: Kim Jong-Il

Kim Jong-Il has been a popular figure even outside the political circle, so it came as a huge shock when it was revealed that the North Korean leader died over the weekend. The news came as a double surprise because it was declared two days after, similar to what happened when his father, Kim Il-Sung passed away. The Dear Leader died of a heart attack caused by overwork and stress, and his son Kim Jong Un will soon take control of a 24 million strong nation, raising concerns over his plans and capabilities. The local media has elevated him to mythic status, but politicians and the masses are still cautious with the Great Successor, wondering if he can be iconic enough to have a Tumblr account of him looking at things.

Hacking of the week: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga wins the Associated Press’ Entertainer of the Year award, besting Apple’s Steve Jobs by three votes, but 45 million Facebook fans and 17 million Twitter followers weren’t entertained when a virus hacked into Mother Monster’s accounts promising an iPad 2 for every follower who clicked the link posted. The post read “FREE iPad2′s to each one of you in the spirit of the holidays” luring unsuspecting followers (at least 7,000 of them) who thought she was just being her fan-loving self. The posts have been deleted, but her AP win might be eclipsed by the hacking. After all, what use does a cooperative shared by 1,700 newspapers, 5,000 radio and television broadcasters, 243 news bureaus, and 120 countries have compared to 62 million rabid monsters?

Engagement of the week: Britney Spears and Jason Trawick

Pop superstar Britney Spears is tying the knot for the third time with her former manager, Jason Trawick. The engagement was announced in the most bizarre way, though: by changing her Facebook status from single to engaged. While the method of broadcasting the news may be questionable, it might be a case of “third time’s the charm” with the pop icon, who is about to marry a 40-year-old man who chose a ring based on quality and beauty rather than size. Many cynics are probably betting on the union’s longevity (hers is still the record to beat with 55 hours), but we believe in happily ever after, even when she sang “Mama, I’m in love with a criminal, and this type of love isn’t rational, it’s physical.”

Flight attendants of the week: Thai ladyboys

New Thai airline PC Air made a bold move by hiring transsexuals, or ladyboys, to serve as flight attendants. The decision to hire one of Thailand’s “trademarks” came after more than 100 transsexuals applied for the job. Four were accepted with the condition that they must walk and talk like a woman and that they meet the qualifications for female flight attendants. One transsexual flight attendant, Tanyarat Jirapatpakorn said that the opportunity is the beginning of acceptance of transsexuals in Thailand and that maybe they could get a future job in the police force and the army, scaring homophobes into bullying members of the LGBT community with access to machine guns.

Weekend in bullets.

2011-12-20T19:22:00.000+08:00

Mom came home from Japan! She was there for two months to manage our business and she's back for the holidays! My brother and I missed her so we were really happy to have her back. Tons of pasalubongs!

Mom knows my fascination with green tea so she got me stuff with green tea in it: coffee, candy, cheese with wasabi (they're also green), cocoa, and wafer sticks.

Local fashion magazines. Random Japanese magazines for women (I have no idea what I'll do with these); for men, featuring the S/S 2012 collections of the Fashion Weeks in New York, Tokyo, Milan and Paris; and the pièce de résistance, the November and December issue of Vogue Nippon.

Clothes: Three button-downs, a t-shirt, a blazer from Gap, a belt, room socks (I have a thing for wearing socks in my room), Sonia Rykiel towels, and a Cerruti toiletries bag for when I travel.

In typical mom fashion, she asked us what we wanted for Christmas. My brother asked for a longboard (which he got the following day) but I don't know what to get. Frankly, I have everything I want. She then asked me if I wanted an iPad and I didn't know what to say because I have no idea what it does. Sorry, guys. I'm not an Apple fan. I've had three iPods but that's the closest I'll get to Steve Jobs. I might upgrade my camera instead.

Saturday, I met my friend Myk for dinner and a movie in Greenbelt. We wanted to watch The Adventures of Tintin (it was that good that I wanted to see it again) but they weren't showing it anymore so we opted for Immortals. I didn't really want to watch it but it was either that or New Year's Eve so we chose Immortals. Bad move because the movie was terrible. The story was boring and the portrayal of the gods was disappointing. The biggest letdown was Athena. The paragon of wisdom in ancient Greece looked more like a Victoria's Secret model than the goddess of justice.

Bought Ira Levin's The Stepford Wives! I've been looking for a copy for years. Finally! It even has an introduction by one of my favorite authors, Chuck Palahniuk.

The movie adaptation featuring Nicole Kidman and Glenn Close was really something. Can't wait to read this one and watch the first adaptation!

Dinner at CBD, Ayala Triangle. It's only been two weeks since I last dined there but I've been craving for their milkshakes the minute I stepped out the last time I ate in the restaurant. I had the same thing - CBD burger (this time with cheese) and the apple pie milkshake, which is one of the best things I've ever tasted, I swear by it.

Yesterday, I was in Megamall with Supreme for a feature we're doing for the Atrium. Met some of the admin who gave us a brief tour and left us to divide the stores we were featuring. I got Amici and Gotti's, both Italian restaurants. It was really fun because I got to taste everything for free and got to take everything I didn't finish home. It was my first time to meet the team and they were very nice, especially my editor, Tim Yap. We had lunch at Yabu, delicious.

Met Nikko, window shopped at Forever 21 (I saw my friend Kim, who is home from Vietnam for the holidays) and was severely tempted to buy a Fair Isle cardigan after Gino de la Paz's raves in his Supreme column last Saturday. I didn't buy one but Nikko and I did get jars of Dead Sea Salt from Jericho. I tried it last night and it felt so damn good.

Great on the skin, this is one way of pampering yourself.

Went to Mall of Asia to have dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant, Jatujak. We had the Bagoong Rice and the Chicken Pandan, oh my gosh. Yummy!

Had my hair cut today!

I don't like it very much but I have to work with what I have!

An Industrial Wonderland

2011-12-17T12:50:00.000+08:00

It starts with that haunting tune. You enter the gallery and it sucks you in, into some sort of industrial Wonderland where everything is an alternate of what you know and believe in. You hear the hypnotic music from DJ Spooky’s video installation and you forget everything else.

“A crayon sketch of Leonor Rivera drawn by José Rizal taken from Wikipedia” by Patrick Cruz. Screenshot, Xerox Paper. Dimensions variable.

Collage Drop Outs is an art exhibit that features pieces from established artists in the Philippines, Singapore, Canada, and the US. It is a collection of works that aims to explore and question orthodox and unorthodox ways in addressing theme, imagery, style and material by putting together artists who have unique practices. This is a conscious choice by the curators, Mariano Ching and Isabel Ching. “We’re not really following what we were taught in college about collage. Many of these artists are not known for doing traditional collages.” While collage brings to mind high school notebooks with cutouts of images and mantras from magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan, Collage Drop Outs is mature, intelligent, and beautiful.

"Antarctica Manifesto / Antarctica Treaty" by Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid. Digital print on paper. 2’ x 3’ each.

The name Collage Drop Outs itself is a play on words. Mariano and Isabel chose it because the idea of a dropout is closer to counter-culture. It is subversive and rebellious, with a self-deprecating twist that makes it humble. Also, because the name sounded funny. On the surface, it is witty and attracts attention, but is steeped with meaning. Much like the exhibit pieces.

“Let’s Talk About Everything” by Izziyana Suhaimi. Embroidery on found materials, wooden embroidery hoops and gold thread. Variable dimensions.

Exploring the exhibit is like exploring Wonderland. Every visitor feels like Alice as she digs into a dimension where every place is as different as the last and to find the real meaning of everything would only confuse even more. Taking collage as a departure point, the 11 artists considered the relevance of collage to their respective practices. The group of artists is also a collage, a collage of nationalities, perspective, and practices with fresh takes on the theme, but there was an underlying dialogue that made the exhibit coherent. The curators have invited underground filmmaker and cartoonist Roxlee, installation artists Felix Bacolor and Juan Alcazaren, musician DJ Spooky, and equally renowned artists such as Zeus Bascon, Patrick Cruz, Eugene Jarque, Rafeeza Khaliq, Romeo Lee, Izziyana Suhaimi, and Mac Valdezco.

Dust” and “Mold” by Mac Valdezco. Acrylic and collage on canvas. 3’ x 4’

The curators themselves are celebrated. Isabel Ching, a noted curator, has set up countless exhibits in Singapore and Hong Kong, and has worked with at least 30 artists including multi-awarded painters Louie Cordero and Poklong Anading. Mariano Ching is a member of the Surrounded by Water Art Group and his works have been recognized by art groups, and he was awarded the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artists Award in 2006. His works have been exhibited here and abroad, and some of his pieces belong to art collections in the Singapore Art Museum. Despite the same last name, the two are not related.

“China Girl” and “Indian Head” by Felix Bacolor. Adhesive wallpaper, dimensions variable. Wallpaper sticker backing, masking tape, ladder, dimensions variable.

According to Mariano and Isabel, inviting the artists was both challenging and exciting. The challenge came from overseas artists who couldn’t guide the curators in installing their pieces, and working within the allotted budget. But the reward of working with really good artists paid off because the artists were open to how their works were going to be displayed and the exhibit went without a hitch.

“Good Night Collage Series 1-9” by Juan Alcazaren. Plastic. 15” x 11”

In the end, I had to tear myself away from the pieces because it was nearly closing. Throughout the exhibit I was mesmerized by DJ Spooky’s haunting tune and when I exited, I was awakened by the cold wind and the faint smell of lemons from the nearby Cantinetta. As I walked away, possibly suffering from Stendhal Syndrome, I swear I saw the Cheshire Cat up in a tree, grinning at me.

Collage Drop Outs is located at Finale Art File, Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound (Gate 1), Chino Roces Avenue, Makati and will be exhibited until December 31. The gallery is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10AM to 7PM. You may contact them at 813-2310 and 812-5034.

Best of the Week: Heroes, iPhone wars and the Person of the Year!

2011-12-17T12:44:00.000+08:00

Release Party Battle Of The Week

MANILA, Philippines - Since 2008, Globe Telecom has been enjoying sole distribution of the iPhone, but their reign has ended. Apple has now given Smart Communications the green light on the iPhone 4s release as well. To set themselves apart, both companies went head-to-head with the baddest release parties. Globe’s iPhone 4s launch last Dec. 15 had house DJ, Kaskade, perform at the Ayala Museum while Smart took them on by bringing performers Lupe Fiasco and Jermaine Dupri last Dec. 16 at Rockwell. It’s hard to tell who fares better in the telecommunications game, but one thing’s for sure: with the release of the iPhone 4s and the jaw-dropping line-up of performers, everybody wins. — Roxy Valencerina

Hero Of The Week: Robin Lim

Filipino-American midwife Robin Lim was announced as 2011’s CNN Hero of the Year, being the second Pinoy to win after 2009’s Efren Peñaflorida and hiskariton klasrum. Lim, who was proclaimed last Sunday in Los Angeles, is known in Indonesia for her free prenatal and birthing services to low-income families. Mother Robin, or Ibu Robin as she is called by locals, set up the Yayasan Bumi Sehat (Healthy Mother Earth Foundation) in 2003 to fight the rising costs of delivery that result in high maternal and infant mortality rates. Mother Robin received an additional $250,000 grant for her foundation on top of the $50,000 each of the 10 finalists received. Filipinos are proud, yet eye Indonesia as a competitor for the most populated country in Asia.

Rude Awakening Of The Week: Tvmaria.Com

Polite Manila got the shock of their lives when a live streaming link to the installation of new Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle led them to a transvestite porn site with a man wearing lingerie greeting them with “Are you over 21 and feeling horny? Then enter me, darling!!” The website link was posted on the Manila Archdiocese’s website and features the correct site but with a different domain. The group has yet to release a statement but it is safe to say that it was a rude awakening, in more ways than one.

Time’s Person Of The Year: The Protester

Time magazine’s annual Person of the Year award is out and it honors The Protester for strengthening the idea that “individual action can bring collective, colossal change.” The idea sparked when a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in a public square because of the dictatorship, which was followed by the iconic toppling of dictators in the Middle East, and then the Occupy Wall Street movement. Other candidates were considered, such as Apple’s Steve Jobs, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, Kate Middleton (we don’t know either), and Admiral William McRaven, the overall commander of the secret US mission to kill Osama Bin Laden. Filipinos have yet to meet The Protester, argue that Kris Aquino should be Person of the Year.

Best of the Week: Rumors, gossip, a catfight, oh my!

2011-12-10T12:18:00.000+08:00

Rumor of the week: Ryan Gosling in Siargao

MANILA, Philippines - A frenzy erupted in Twitterverse when a rumor spread that actor Ryan Gosling was surfing in Siargao, Surigao del Norte. Known for his roles in The Notebook and Crazy, Stupid Love, the rumor had everyone questioning, from fangirls to celebrities, such as Ruffa Gutierrez and Maxene Magalona. Tweets poured in from users, some confirming his alleged presence with an Instagram photo. The rumor was eventually quelled with a tweet saying that he was in L.A. at the time of the “sighting,” on the set of a new movie. The Instagram photo was real (the abs were not Photoshopped), but it has been said that it was taken years ago in Miami, disappointing Filipino girls, feminist Ryan Gosling fans, and secretly, boys.

Beauty pageant of the week: Miss Earth 2011

Miss Philippines Athena Imperial was crowned Miss Earth-Water, placing her among the ranks of Shamcey Supsup and Gwendoline Ruais, but a controversy met the recently concluded pageant. A screencap of Miss USA Nicole Kelley’s Facebook Wall went viral, with a post that said the Philippines is “dirty and noisy,” that “these people want to touch you and be with you all the time” and that she’s “scared to eat.” Kelley later denied the post, claiming that her account was hacked and that she was at a community garden tour when it was posted. Netizens expressed their disbelief, saying that she should have been grateful for being welcomed with open arms, while admitting that what she said was true.

Rally of the week: Slutwalk

Girls in conservative Singapore gathered for the very first Slutwalk, a worldwide campaign to fight sexual violence that started in April after a Canadian police officer said “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.” Based on the manifesto, society should stop blaming the victim, emphasize that “no” means “no,”and for women to reclaim their right to express their sexuality without fear. The global campaign has had 50 marches around the world and will include talks and workshops to discuss sexual assault and to provide support services for rape victims. According to Cher Tan, one of the organizers, the event is “not about the right to wear skimpy clothes, but rather the right to be without fear,” and that participants need not wear provocative attire in the rally, resulting in a low turnout of perverts, and therefore, rape. Mission accomplished.

Visitor of the week: Isis King

Isis King, the first transgender model from hit series America’s Next Top Model is in the country to shoot a film called Hello Forever. The film will be about a mother looking for her lost child with Isis playing a transgender in search of love. The model and actress is having a blast in the Philippines, where she guested on Umagang Kay Ganda, shot for Mega magazine, and partied with locals at KYSS. Isis is the third ANTM personality who has visited the Philippines, after photographer Nigel Barker and runway coach Miss J. Beckys are hoping Tyra’s next, bringing with her all the fierce our country can handle.

Couple of the week: Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna

Notorious ladies’ man Vic Sotto has found himself another girlfriend, this time in the form of co-host Pauleen Luna. The news was publicized last Tuesday by Philippine STAR columnist Ricky Lo who revealed the news after a close friend to the couple confirmed it. Bossing, as he is known to his loyal fans, has had a very colorful love life that once involved Dina Bonnevie, Coney Reyes, Christine Jacob, Kris Aquino and Pia Guanio. The news was met with shock (from girls) and reverence for Vic’s prowess (from boys), and a slew of comments, one of which was an open letter to Paolo Ballesteros saying “Keep up the drag queen dress-up and you just might be next on Vic Sotto’s list!”

Catfight of the week: PNoy and the SC

A potential catfight broke out last Monday when President Aquino berated the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Renato Corona in the televised First National Criminal Justice Summit at the Manila Hotel. In his speech, he grilled the Supreme Court for stopping him from going after ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and that they should be serving the Filipino people. Officials were disturbed by this tirade and described the President as a “bully,” but Corona did not react during the speech and even shook hands with the President. Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez announced that Corona would not resign and that he would just “let it be, it’s almost Christmas,” but we suspect Corona’s Burn Book will be filled with pictures of Aquino and catty remarks.

Video of the week: RepairedMovie.mov

Just when DJ Mo Twister was about to leave the country and escape his “dark place,” a video of him was uploaded on YouTube tearfully narrating an abortion his then-girlfriend Rhian Ramos had in 2010. In it, he blames her family, her manager and her station, forcing GMA to file suits against the DJ for “malicious and false imputations.” According to Mo, he did not have anything to do with uploading, saying that he sold many of his items including his computers just before leaving for New York, but that Rhian knew of the video’s existence. Rhian was described as traumatized and has filed for a temporary protection order and a harassment case against Mo, saying that he violated the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. He later apologized to Rhian and the network, but spoke further about his grief over the abortion, prolonging the issue and making things more awkward for everybody.

Best of the Week: Four Pinoys and a supposed funeral

2011-12-03T21:07:00.002+08:00

Alleged arrest of the week: Dingdong Dantes

MANILA, Philippines - What seemed like a regular blind item on TV5’s Paparazzi spun out of control when host Zoren Legaspi named Dingdong Dantes as the actor who was arrested in Las Vegas. According to reports, he was in a bar with girlfriend Marian Rivera when he had to step outside for a moment. Upon returning, he wasn’t allowed to re-enter because he forgot to have his wrist stamped. He lost his temper and was involved in a brief scuffle until the police were called and escorted him off the premises. While tragedy has struck the T.G.I.S. star, the Las Vegas doormen should have been thankful they didn’t have to deal with his feisty girlfriend.

Game of the week: David Beckham’s L.A. Galaxy vs. the Philippine Azkals

In a move that will excite more bekis than football aficionados, David Beckham and the rest of the L.A. Galaxy team will fly to Manila for a friendly match against the Azkals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium today. The visit will be part of an Asia-Pacific tour and will include a football clinic and a glimpse of the star players. When asked why the team chose to play in the Philippines, Galaxy president Tom Payne said “The timing worked out and it will be good to come to a market that doesn’t have these matches often.” The venue, which can seat up to 18,000 people, will surely be filled with fans of the Azkals, the Galaxy, football, and Posh.

Tribute of the week: Tara Macken

In the highly-anticipated film The Hunger Games to be released in early 2012, one Filipina is playing the tribute from District 4. Her name is Tara Macken, an Irish-Filipino gymnast-model who works as a stunt actor in Los Angeles, California. Born in Kuwait, she moved to the Philippines after grade school to study in the International School Manila, where she joined dance groups that sent her and her team to compete internationally. She moved to California after high school to pursue Political Science and Theater Arts, and since then, it can be assumed that she moved to Panem where she participated in The Hunger Games, thus proving the fact that we Filipinos are everywhere.

Subpoena of the week: Teddy Boy Locsin

It was a sad day for designer Kenneth Cobonpue, interior designer Budji Layug and architect Royal Pineda when their pro bono design on the remake of NAIA was set aside in favor of Leandro Locsin’s work with the help of the people behind Changi Airport, one of the best in the world. Cobonpue and the team revealed that several Cabinet officials approached them about the design. The situation worsened when Teddy Boy Locsin, in his segment TEDitorial announced that the three designers should be given a subpoena to reveal the names of the Cabinet members who hinted they could remodel the airport if they refurnished their homes for a “deep discount or” for “free,” adding that the homes of Cabinet officials should be searched for furniture coming from the internationally-renowned group. He even went as far as saying that “nobody who is anyone notices the airports they pass through,” and that as long as “it performs immigration and customs functions, who cares if it does not do anything else?” Uh, maybe the people who care about cleanliness, hygiene, and corruption-free operation?

Farewell of the week: DJ Mo Twister

Notorious DJ and host Mo Twister faced his own controversy when he announced on Paparazzi that he will be flying to New York City to escape the drama and “negative vibes” being linked to him. Though he refuses to comment on the details, many believe his decision involves ex-girlfriend Rhian Ramos. It can be remembered that in May, the couple broke up on Twitter when a hacker allegedly broke into Rhian’s account to tweet that they’ve broken up, even before Mo found out. Just recently, the two started talking again until Mo posted mysterious tweets about abortion — prompting readers to wonder what he meant and who he was alluding to. Perhaps the DJ has bitten off mo’ than he could chew, but according to Jay-Z, if he can make it in NY, he can make it anywhere.

Sexiest Pinoy of the week: Manny Pacquiao

Online magazine Salon recently named pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao as one of its sexiest men of 2011. The magazine chose Pacquiao as its eighth candidate because aside from being one of the best boxers in the world “with a Bieber-esque moptop,” he has an ability to “croon romantic ballads that are just as deadly.” The site also mentions his humanitarian efforts in fighting poverty and his position as the country’s greatest national icon in the world (surely an exaggeration?). Salon’s annual list includes men with unconventional charm whose cultural relevance, intelligence, principles, and talent outweigh hard-rock abs and blindingly white teeth.

Confession the week: KC-Piolo breakup

The whole country (at least on Twitter) feigned surprised when news broke out that KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual have called it quits after a year-long whirlwind romance. The cause of the breakup was kept mum, but KC revealed on The Buzz that the rift began two to three months ago and that she can’t take it anymore, calling the relationship a “tug-of-war” — between her and who else, nobody knows exactly. The interview was vague, but people couldn’t get over her cryptic statements, especially “May mga hinahanap ako na basic lang na hahanapin ng isang babae sa isang boyfriend,sa isang lalaki,” and “Hindi ko mabigay sa kanya ‘yung kailangan niya.” Fill in the blanks.

Conspiracy of the week: “Put The Little Girl To Sleep”

The Philippines has never been home to conspiracies. What seemed to be an American pastime has hit the nation as the camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has received word that there is a plot to kill her, codenamed “Put The Little Girl To Sleep.” According to CGMA spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn, a reliable source from President Aquino’s camp has informed them that there is a threat to the Pampanga representative’s life and that they should be careful with the food and medicine provided to her. While the operation has a poetic name, Budget Secretary Butch Abad denied the allegation and advised Horn to see a psychiatrist.

Deal of the week: NBA lockout

After 15 hours of talks, a tentative deal was reached to end the four-month lockout of the National Basketball Association. The fourth lockout in the history of NBA began when a deal in 2005 regarding issues such as basketball-related income (BRI) ended in June 2011. The agreed settlement detailed the new percentage in BRI for players and the reformation of the union, and as soon as all the other issues have been settled, the 2011-2012 season can officially begin, or what we like to call beer-and-chips season.

Lawsuit of the week: Camp Hell

A movie poster for Camp Hell prominently featuring the face of The Social Network star Jesse Eisenberg has caused him to sue the production company for $3 million for alleged misappropriation of right of publicity and unfair business practices. In the suit, it states that contrary to the poster, “Eisenberg is not the star of the film” and appears for less than five minutes, receiving $3,000 for the role, which the actor’s camp claims is substantially less than what he typically receives. Some may say it is an underhanded way of attracting viewers, some say it’s advertising genius.

How Many Words Do You Need to Know in a Second Language?

2011-11-28T21:48:00.000+08:00

I studied French when I was in high school. Back then, I didn't really take it seriously and just studied it for the sake of passing. But now that I appreciate French culture, I regret not taking the language seriously when I was given the chance to master it.

If you are learning a second language you should celebrate every little achievement in your studying and every new word you pick up along the way. You will find that some words stick first time while other just don’t seem to want to remain in your head no matter how hard you try them there.

This brings us on to an interesting point; how many words do you need to learn in order to be able to converse in a reasonably decent way in your newly learned tongue? The answer, not surprisingly, is that it depends upon several different factors.

For example, some languages have a bigger vocabulary to choose from than others and, crucially, sometimes people commonly use more of them in some countries than in others. This, again, depends upon different factors such as education levels and local customs.

Some interesting studies on the subject have shown us that the average native speaker knows around 15,000 – 20,000 words but that to speak a language reasonably well you only need to learn the thousand or so most commonly used ones. This obviously leaves you well behind the native speakers but it will let you understand and be understood fairly well.

If we look at the example of the French language, the matter is complicated by the different conjugations which each verb has. However, when you take the French courses Leeds and other UK cities provide then you will find the following words useful to learn.

Le, La, L`, Les

This is the definitive article in French and the one you use depends upon whether it is a singular, plural, masculine or feminine word.

Être

This is the verb which means `to be’ and is therefore vital in most conversations. As mentioned earlier, the number of different conjugations will make this difficult to pick up. If you take one of the French courses Manchester or London offers then you will spend a lot of time saying things like, `Je suis´and Il est´ until these words become second nature to you.

Avoir

Another verb which you can’t live without when learning French is this one. It means `to have´ and will come in handy in a lot of different situations

These are just three of the most common words in French and as you can imagine, learning at least a thousand of them is a tough task. However, it can be done if you work at it and enjoy your studying.

Best of the week: Leave EDSA, Gloria, Taylor and the Biebs alone!

2011-11-26T21:01:00.001+08:00

Anorexic of the week: CGMA

MANILA, Philippines - Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo told The Philippine STAR that his wife, Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has possibly developed anorexia nervosa after being arrested for electoral sabotage and plunder at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City. According to her husband, she became depressed and has lost her appetite because she was not allowed to leave the country for a medical consultation in Singapore. Alleged mugshots have floated on the Internet but conflicting camps argue over its authenticity. Currently, the former President is staying in the presidential suite (costing P50,000 a day) that has amenities “comparable to those found in presidential suites of luxury hotels,” where she spends her time writing about her body issues in her diary. Kidding!

Gadgets of the week: The Google Chromebook and the Facebook Phone

Two of the biggest websites have decided to branch out by creating gadgets that will stroke their vanity and excite trolls around the world: the Google Chromebook and the Facebook Phone. Tagged as the “computer for people who hate computers,” the Chromebook is essentially an operating system that vows to make things easier for the user by providing an 8-second bootup, built-in Wi-Fi and 3G, and thousands of web apps. However, it comes with no desktop and is purely Internet, making its users heavily reliant on the web (kind of like crack). On the same note, Facebook will be releasing a phone (codenamed Buffy, after the vampire slayer, for some reason) with a modified version of Android that will deeply integrate its services as opposed to a single button, which apparently is not enough. The Chromebook will be manufactured by Acer and Samsung while Buffy will be created by HTC, trolls can’t wait.

Move of the week: Sharon Cuneta

In a surprise move, megastar Sharon Cuneta jumped fence and transferred to TV5 after spending 23 years in ABS-CBN. The news came after rumors of her switching surfaced in October, but she denied the news then, saying that she had no reason to leave ABS-CBN but that she’d like to give herself a chance if someone talked to her. The megastar is one of the many celebrities who have transferred to TV5, and there are rumors that it came with a price: a five-year contract worth P1 billion. When asked about this, Sharon and Kapatid executives merely laughed, with Viva Entertainment’s Vic del Rosario saying that the fee is “commensurate to her stature in the industry.” A day after her contract signing, Sharon was quoted as saying that she vows to “work her famous behind off,” leaving us speculating if she will host a show similar to The Biggest Loser.

Pinoy pride of the week: Johnny Bravo

Kids born in the ’90s would definitely remember Johnny Bravo, the arrogant, funny, and irreverent character in the show on Cartoon Network. In a recent phone interview with The STAR, it was revealed that the creator, Van Partible, is Fil-Am. Though he was raised in California (he was born in Manila and still has relatives in La Union), he kept in touch with his roots by hiring Filipinos to voice-over his Johnny Bravo characters some of them including Tia Carere, Dante Basco (who also voiced Jake Long in Disney’s American Dragon) and Lea Salonga. The Filipino references subtly pepper the series, especially the titular character: his inflated confidence, breezy swagger, unwavering love for women, and fear of his “momma,” which reminds us of the comic traits of some of our local men. In the interview, Partible also says that many could relate to the show because “there’s a part of Johnny Bravo in every guy, he’s just looking for someone who notices him and who thinks he’s cool” makes you think of someone you know, eh?

Bill of the week: EDSA to Cory Avenue

A bill filed by a Bohol representative is seeking to rename EDSA to Cory Aquino Avenue (CAVE?) to commemorate the former president and icon of democracy. According to the bill, one usually associates EDSA with Aquino, who brought back democracy by replacing Marcos and ending his dictatorial rule. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño have disputed the bill with Casiño saying it is a mega-epal case, referring to the pending Anti-Epal Bill. While politicians are on the matter of honoring historic places to the Aquinos, someone should think about replacing Luneta Park to the Kris Aquino Park.

Video of the week: Midas Marquez

Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez has received attention for his moral fiber, integrity, eloquence, and style. He has appeared many times on TV, talking about current events in that sleek, calm, and unhurried way of his. He has that aura of respectability that many should admire. However, in a live telecast of a press briefing in the Supreme Court, Atty. Marquez had a less-than-ideal reaction to a microphone falling off the podium, betraying a side to the spokesman many would consider effeminate. The video of the reaction has gone viral, but regardless of alleged orientation (the attorney is married and has two children), many of us would like to continue trusting him on his fierce take on political issues, but not when a flying cockroach enters the room.

Reunion of the week: Lola Aurelia and Lolo Luis

A photo circulating on the Internet caught the attention of 60,000 Facebook users and helped an old woman find her missing husband. Lola Aurelia Matias was photographed one afternoon with two pieces of paper pinned to her front and back, with a picture of her missing husband and her contact information. According to her, she has been relentlessly searching for her husband, who may be suffering from dementia, for over two weeks, who disappeared one morning while she was doing the laundry. He was found sleeping near the Quirino Station of the LRT, and the way he was found using social media makes us wonder if Ramona Revilla could be found the same way.

Winner of the week: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was the star of the night at the 39^thAmerican Music Awards held on Nov. 20 at the Nokia Theater in LA, where she won Best Female Artist, Best Album in the country music category, and the coveted Artist of the Year award. Her win didn’t come as a surprise as the singer was recently placed in the 2012 Guinness Book of World Recordsfor Fastest Selling Digital Album by a Female Artist for "Speak Now" and Most Simultaneous US Hot 100 Hits by a Female Artist. Her acceptance speech was uneventful as Kanye West did not make a special appearance, probably for fear it would bolster her fame after she writes another song about him. Unfortunately for Justin Bieber, he did not win anything, but he joined LMFAO in the closing number, dancing to Party Rock Anthem while David Hasselhoff joined the duo in Sexy and I Know It, reminding everyone why he was the captain lifeguard in Baywatch.

Exam of the week: Justin Bieber’s paternity test

Justin Bieber’s baby drama continues as he finally took a paternity test on Nov. 18 to prove that he’s not the father of Mariah Yeater’s baby, even though he was not required to do so. According to TMZ, the test was done under “very controlled circumstances” so Yeater’s camp can’t contest the results should they come out negative. It is also interesting to note that Yeater, who has quietly dropped the paternity suit, also pinned her baby boy on her ex-boyfriend, who denied the allegations. The next step is for Yeater to provide a DNA sample of the baby to see if it matches, and if it doesn’t, Bieber’s lawyers have threatened to sue her for defaming his good name and reputation, and for taking the song that made him famous to heart.

Best of the Week

2011-11-19T20:27:00.001+08:00

Catholic scandal of the week: Vatican forces Benetton to pull Pope Benedict kissing ad

MANILA, Philippines - The Vatican is showing no love for Benetton’s new campaign, “Unhate” which featured a scandalous ad of Pope Benedict XVI sharing a friendly smooch with Muslim cleric Mohamed El-Tayeb. The photograph, one of many digitally altered ads of world leaders kissing, was created by the Italian clothing company to promote tolerance for love in all of its many forms. Unfortunately, Benetton’s good intentions were not enough to save the company from the wrath of God’s church. Instead of praying the problem away, the Vatican resorted to man-made forums of conflict resolution, threatening the international retailer with legal action. The ad was pulled from the lineup immediately after. — Veronica Gutierrez

Failed attempt of the week: The Arroyos

We’ve all heard the story of how ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo developed a rare bone disorder that can only be treated abroad and how the government is trying to stop her from leaving, even offering to pay for her medical expenses and flying in specialists to see her. The government’s motives may be seen as an attempt to keep her in the country after rumors spread that Arroyo and her family obtained Dominican Republic passports and planned to seek political asylum there to avoid criminal charges. Drama ensued when the DOJ barred her from leaving after being allowed by the Supreme Court to seek foreign medical advice. As an assurance, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio offered one of his testicles if his clients don’t return from the trip, raising the ante from potentially promising to potentially disturbing.

Sporting competition of the week: The 2011 Southeast Asian Games

The Philippine teams made a great start at the 26th SEA Games that began on Nov. 11 and will last until Nov. 22 in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. Proving that the country does not only produce topnotch boxers, the Philippines has the sixth highest number of medals with 16 gold medals, 28 silver, and 34 bronze for a total of 78 awards as of Nov. 16. Host country Indonesia leads the pack with a total 222 medals and Vietnam comes next with 168 medals.

Awakening of the week: Occupy Wall Street

It seems like Occupy Wall Street has another problem besides the social and economic inequality: sanitation. Police arrived at New York’s Zuccotti Park on Nov. 15 to clear the area after local residents and merchants complained of the negative impact the group has been receiving. Police sent notices to the protesters, saying that they should temporarily vacate the premises so that it could be cleaned. This was met with some hostility, leading to the arrest of 70 protesters, including a group who chained themselves together. The mission of the movement sounds noble, but perhaps the protesters should leave Wall Street alone and occupy health centers instead?

Crybaby of the week: Juan Manuel Marquez

Juan Manuel Marquez faced Manny Pacquiao for the third time in an attempt to settle the seven-year-old question: Who is the better fighter? In their first two matches, Pacquiao won by a draw and then a split decision, prompting the Mexican fighter to wear shirts emblazoned with the statements “We were robbed” and “Marquez beat Manny Pacquiao twice” in the Philippine streets. In the tradition of Pacquiao matches, crime rate dramatically decreased but the tension was sky-high as Pacquiao beat Marquez yet again, this time with a majority decision. Many were frustrated as they believed Marquez should have won – either way, he followed Pacquiao’s lead by singing a song after the match: a possible swan song.

Record-breaking movie of the week: Praybeyt Benjamin

There is a certain charm attached to Vice Ganda and it was proven by his hit movie Praybeyt Benjamin, which earned P320 million in ticket sales in the span of 20 days, making it the highest-earning Filipino movie of all time. The record was previously held by No Other Woman, starring Cristine Reyes, Derek Ramsey, and Vice Ganda’s gal pal, Anne Curtis. The film’s success relied heavily on his permanent stay on the wildly successful noontime variety show Showtime and his effective self-promotion. In an interview, Vice Ganda was quoted as saying, “May ibang magic ang Diyos.” Yes, Vice. Both you and Jesus are "un-kabogable."

Best of the Week: Finding Ramona, tapping Georgina, and giving it up for Gaga

2011-11-12T20:12:00.002+08:00

Beauty queens of the week: Gwendoline Ruais and Dianne Necio

MANILA, Philippines - This week, Gwendoline Ruais finished as first runner-up at the Miss World competition, the second Filipina to do so since Evangeline Pascual 30 years ago, while Dianne Necio made it to the Top 15 at Miss International, and took home the People’s Choice Award. For the uninformed (like Chris Lao), the two pageants were held last Nov. 6, with Miss World in London and Miss International in Chengdu, China. Miss Venezuela won Miss World (no surprises there!), while Miss Ecuador was crowned Miss International for the first time. If you haven’t had your fill of pageantry this month, watch out for the Miss Earth pageant on Dec. 3. — Cai Subijano

Twitter hashtag of the week: #ReplacemovietitleswithRamona

Twitterverse was abuzz with the news that Ramona Revilla, a prime suspect in the murder of brother Ramgen Revilla, has fled the country to Turkey. In an unprecedented sweep, the hashtag #replacemovietitleswithRamona became a worldwide trending topic, inviting users, from celebrities to the masses, to participate. While the DOJ, the Revilla clan, Interpol, and the media speculate on her clashing stories and questionable behavior, the people on Twitter kept things light with titles like Panic Roomona from Pia Magalona (@piamagalona), I Know What Ramona Did Last October 28, courtesy of Cristine Reyes (@EVAFONDA2008), and Finding Ramona by Carmen Soo (@carmensoo). Other titles included Patayin Sa Shokot Si Ramona, Praybeyt Ramona, Despicable Ramona, A Crazy, Little Thing Called Ramona, Catch Ramona If You Can, and Nightmare On Ramona Street.

Pinoy pride of the week: Georgina Wilson

Former supermodel and media mogul Tyra Banks seems to have caught the Filipino spirit by tapping local model Georgina Wilson to guest as a stylist and model in her hit reality television show America’s Next Top Model. The news comes as a pleasant surprise after fellow members of the fashion industry Michael Cinco and Oliver Tolentino have guested and provided gowns for the challenges. Announced by Wilson herself on Twitter, she also revealed that Cinco will be back to supply the clothes for the season’s finale and Bench Body will sponsor the clothing for the semifinals. The episode will be shot in Greece and will air in the Philippines on Nov. 14, adding ANTM stylist/model to Wilson’s already impressive resume that includes model, DJ, and Borgy Manotoc’s girlfriend.

Biggest (and craziest) fanbase of the week: Lady Gaga

At the recently concluded MTV Europe Music Awards held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Lady Gaga took center stage, winning four EMA’s: Best Song (Born This Way), Best Video (Born This Way), Best Female (Justin Bieber won Best Male in a move that confused many), and Biggest Fans. The last award comes as no surprise as Gaga is seen by many as a born-this-way-proclaiming messiah, resulting in her becoming the first person to have reached 10 million followers on Twitter. However, her mass appeal comes at a price, as legions of fans excuse their fashion choices on Gaga, making “be yourself” one of the worst pieces of advice given to impressionable teens everywhere.

Gift of God of the week: YouTube’s K-pop channel

Days after the announcement of YouTube Philippines, news broke out that the video-sharing site will create a channel exclusively for Korean music. The move was done to create a more visible presence in the country, although it seems that not only Koreans will benefit from the channel. As one of the nations who obsessively follow K-pop groups, Filipinos welcomed the creation, bringing their love for the musicians to a whole different level. Right around the report is the release of a video guide by the Philippine Embassy in South Korea that details the lives of current and soon-to-be married migrants. While many Filipinas dream of marrying their Koreanovela crushes, common marriage problems between Koreans and Filipinos include language barriers, culture shock, and even domestic violence, though we expect Rain will make a much better husband than that.

Quack doctor of the week: Conrad Murray

King of Pop Michael Jackson’s personal physician Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and branded as a “danger to society” after a two-day trial that ended on Nov. 7. Fans, friends, and family members rejoiced as the doctor could face up to four years in prison, and the loss of his medical license. Murray’s lawyers are not shocked about the decision, but will request another hearing before the sentencing on Nov. 29. While we may never get Michael back, we’re pretty sure he’s doing the moonwalk up there in heaven to celebrate the victory.

Geek guide of the week: 9gag

Ever wonder where those Internet memes come from, or those inspirational (or downright offensive) wordart creations? A lot of them are products of 9gag, the website that features a wide variety of things from Steven Seagal emotion charts to random comics that feature emoticons, like Me Gusta, Poker Face, and Y U No! The beauty of the site is that it doesn’t really make any sense; it’s just pure, unadulterated comedy in small doses. A caveat: Don’t come here if you’re expecting Shakespeare or Eco. You’ll probably end up like the Y U No! Guy whose face is frozen in perpetual annoyance.

Going back to my roots.

2011-09-18T21:25:00.002+08:00

I've always been a writer. Ever since I was a kid, I've been keeping journals on and off. I'd write in a notebook for several months then get bored with the routine, only to find myself writing another entry after a month or so. I'd have those little notebooks with cartoon designs and a lock feature, then I graduated to regular notebooks with different bindings, then to my current addiction: nondescript notebooks with classy pages, leather covers, and ribbon bookmarks.

I first discovered blogging in 2005 when I graduated from high school. I had a lot of fun writing online, sharing my thoughts, ideas and complaints for cyberspace to see. I tried them all: Xanga, Wordpress, Livejournal, Multiply. Through the years, I became faithful to Blogger and have kept small accounts from Tumblr and Twitter for light posts. I started using Excuse My French as my title in 2006, and my description hasn't changed since then.

I have gained a small following from blogging. I felt happy knowing that I entertained a select group of people who found my strange, often annoying posts on life and love interesting. In a way, they have inspired me to write. It's great motivation to find out that there are people who appreciate what I have to say. I think one of my proudest blogging moments is being a finalist for Best Personal Blog at the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards.

I regularly posted but somewhere along the line, I stopped. I think it was when I became editor-in-chief of the campus paper and I became saturated with writing. It became a job for me and I sought respite, a break. My posts were limited to Tumblr and Twitter where posts were either just pictures or text that consisted of 140 characters or less.

But now I graduated. My days as editrix are behind me and I embraced my job as an account executive for a printing press / photography studio. Where in the past I spent my days writing and editing, I now spend weekdays (and Saturdays) talking about why schools should pick us to print their yearbooks and take their graduation pictures.

I miss writing. I miss playing with words and constructing sentences in colorful ways to get a thought across. To some extent, I love my job but deep inside, I'm a writer. I express myself better through writing. I can be a talker but I'm more comfortable this way. I consider myself better in making speeches rather than delivering them. I understand the nuances of subtly-placed verbs and adjectives, not the symbolism of facial expressions and gesticulations. I feel like I can persuade and influence more people through my written works instead of oral presentations. After all, I'm still that shy little boy who'd quietly sit in a corner with his books.

I'm thinking of going back to my roots. No, I'm not going to quit my marketing job to "find" myself. I'm an idealist but I'm not stupid. I have expensive tastes and I don't think I can afford weekly shopping trips and experimental dining with blogging. Just like what I did in my editorial years, I'm going to use writing as a balance from my days talking my head off.

So, I'm back. You can take this boy out of writing, but you can't take writing out of this boy.

God, I miss closing entries with cheesy one-liners.

Made in China: Accomodations

2011-06-01T13:10:00.001+08:00

We stayed at Li Jing Hotel, a three star hotel in Hankou Lu. I convinced my mom to stay in a cheaper hotel so that we could maximize our money on shopping and activities. So she booked a room, sight unseen, in Li Jing. We were worried about the quality but it has a great location because it's right where the action is. Nanjing Lu (one of the world's busiest shopping streets) is less than five minutes away and there are three train stations that could take you practically anywhere in Shanghai. Plus, it's parallel to Fuzou Lu, where the bookstores and art stores are so I was able to sneak a visit to what is fondly called The Culture Street.

When we arrived at Li Jing, it wasn't what we expected. One night costs Y398 (P2,786) but the hotel is really classy. We expected a run-down hotel run by shady characters but it looks opulent and expensive.

My brother.

The lobby. It doesn't look like a third star hotel, doesn't it? It even has a jade block as a "centerpiece."

Opulent interiors and objet d'art.

The rooms are standard but I have no complaints. The bed was a little hard but I was too tired every night to even notice. Also, their breakfast buffet was the same. Every single day.

My biggest concern is the lack of English-speaking staff. Because it's only three-star, all the guests were locals so they didn't feel the need to brush up on English. Luckily, they understood basic phrases so it wasn't that much of a struggle.

I would recommend the hotel to those who want a cheap hotel worth more than you'll pay for. It's clean, it's location is convenient, and a police station is right around the corner. There's also a C-Mart (their 7-11) right outside and some eateries and massage parlors.

And yes, that's a copy of Smile on my bed. It's complimentary, okay.

Made in China: East Meets West (Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, Xintiandi and CPC)

2011-06-01T13:09:00.000+08:00

Shanghai is a beautiful mix of old and new. They keep temples with elaborate Oriental designs amidst the steel and glass cosmopolitan buildings that litter the city. It is a seamless mix of east meets west and it felt wonderful leaving a new world to enter an old one in just a few steps. It felt overwhelming and just a little schizophrenic.

Yuyuan complex is a leisure and shopping district with a classic architecture. You can buy anything from notebooks to keychains to cheap and expensive knickknacks such as vases, jade rocks and ivory statuettes. Food choices range from tea, dumplings, Starbucks and chou doufu or stinky tofu, a local delicacy (it really stinks). I wasn't able to try it because I was stuffed but I spent a lovely time just admiring the view. There were so many people and the alleyways were crowded but it was a great journey.

Amidst the brouhaha is the Yuyuan Garden, a 400 year old garden created by a government officer in the Ming Dynasty for his ageing parents. The garden is five acres and comprises six scenic areas with ponds, rockeries, courtyards and the most beautiful pavilions in China. One of the sights to behold is the Exquisite Jade Rock, a 10.8 ft high rock with 72 holes. If you burn a joss stick beneath it, the smoke will float out from all holes. Similarly, when water falls on the rock, it will flow out on all holes. Pan Yuandan, the founder of the garden, built a hall facing the rock so he could admire it. I was not fortunate enough to have seen it in action but it is both formidable and beautiful.

The garden is quiet and serene and it felt great looking around and admiring the culture around. I imagined what it would be like living in such a palace and found myself daydreaming the entire time. It was glorious. Today, it is considered as one of the most lavish gardens in the region.

After we went to Old Shanghai, we went to The Bund, or the Shanghai of the Future. It is a one mile strip which runs along the Huangpu River, the largest river in Shanghai. It offers a fantastic view of Pudong, the Oriental Pearl Tower and the buildings that tower over Shanghai. The best time to see it is at night when all the lights are switched on to provide a magnificent light show.

Pudong at night. Photo from this site.

Xintiandi, Chinese for new heaven and earth is an entertainment complex with restaurants, bars, and malls. It is similar to Manila's Greenbelt district with expensive eats, drinks, brands and foreigners. The contrast of shikumen (a style of housing unique to Shanghai that flourished in the 1860s) and global brands was just breathtaking.

To add to the architectural confusion of Xintiandi is the Museum of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. Entrance is free and you can witness the beginning of communism in China, one of the country's trademarks. It was inspiring.

Unlike its Beijing sister that thrives on the past, Shanghai is that progressive city that looks forward to change without forgetting her past. It is unsettling but beautiful.

Made in China: Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower

2011-06-01T13:08:00.001+08:00

Shanghai is home to two of the biggest buildings in the world: the Jin Mao Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. The Jin Mao Tower is the 8th tallest building in the world and was the tallest in China until 2007 when the Shanghai World Financial Center was built next to it. On the other hand, the Oriental Pearl Tower is the 5th tallest tower in the world. Both are a sight to see.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is a TV tower that broadcasts TV and radio programs. It is also home to exhibition facilities, a shopping mall, a revolving restaurant (at 876 ft.), an arcade and amusement park complete with rollercoaster. There is also a hotel called Space Hotel. Today, the Oriental Pearl Tower is seen as the symbol of Shanghai.

The Tower has 15 observatory levels with the highest at 1,148 ft. We stayed at the next one because we ran out of yuan but it was just as breathtaking. The view was amazing.

The sightseeing floor is at 863 ft. The floor is clear which affords the spectator a clear view of the ground below. My brother and I discovered this by accident (it wasn't advertised so I suggest you consciously look for this one) and it felt discomforting yet strangely exhilarating.

The Jin Mao Tower is just around the corner. You can't miss it. It's an 88-floor giant inspired by the ancient Chinese pagoda. Much of the construction is relied on the number eight, which signifies prosperity for the Chinese. The 88 floors (93 if the spire floors are counted) are divided into 16 segments, each of which is 1/8 shorter than the 16-storey base. The tower is built around an octagon-shaped core surrounded by eight exterior supercolumns and eight exterior steel columns. Three sets of eight two-story high trusses connect the columns to the core at six of the floors to provide additional support (Wikipedia).

Currently, the tower comprises of restaurants, nightclubs, a shopping mall and most interestingly, its primary tenant, the Shanghai Grand Hyatt Hotel. It occupies 34 floors and contains 555 rooms. The five-star hotel is one of the highest in the world, second to its sister hotel, the Shanghai Park Hyatt located next door at the Shanghai World Financial Center (biggest building in China, second in the world). However, the hotel holds the distinction to owning the world's longest laundry chute, which stretches all the way down to the building's basement.

One of its attractions is its elevators, which can take you to the 88th floor in 45 seconds or 9.1 m/s.

The view was even better.

Honestly, there was nothing much to see in Jin Mao Tower because it offered the same view in the Oriental Pearl Tower. There was nothing else to see. I did find this interesting, though. The highest ice cream shop in the world.

A view down. You can see all the way down to the lobby. Or the Grand Hyatt. Either way, it was scary.

Since both towers offer the same thing, it would be prudent to pick one over the other. I suggest you go for the Oriental Pearl Tower because it has a the sightseeing floor but the Jin Mao Tower is higher. If you prefer going to both, you get extra bragging rights.

Made in China: Acrobats

2011-06-01T13:08:00.000+08:00

Chinese acrobats have been around for 2,000 years. They have perfected the ancient art that the one place to go to if you want to see acrobats is China. Historically speaking, Chinese acrobatics (formally known as Chinese variety art) has been around since the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC. It was popular in the Imperial court until it spilled into the masses.

One of the best troupes is the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. They have traveled around the world from Chicago to Sydney to Rome, showcasing their amazing talents in contortion and movement. In fact, the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe is one of the things you should see when you're in the city. The troupe is divided into two - one in the Shanghai Center Theater and the other is in Shanghai Circus World. I was fortunate enough to have seen both shows.

We actually discovered Shanghai Circus World by accident. Before heading out on our first day, we asked the hotel concierge how to get to the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. The concierge couldn't understand English but I saw a pamphlet on the desk of a girl doing acrobats. I showed it to her and she wrote the direction down in Chinese characters so we could ask around. I found a friendly couple who gave us directions and taught us how to use the train. The Circus World had its own station but we were disappointed to see that it wasn't what we wanted. Since we were already there (and it was far from the other places we planned to go to), we decided to buy tickets and enjoy the show instead. I couldn't remember the exact price and it doesn't indicate on the ticket I kept but it was around P1,200 for third row seats. Prices vary according to seat numbers.

We were further disappointed when we saw the large puppets and the audience filled with children and their parents. It was obviously a kid's show. I started to lower my expectations.

The troupe surprised me when they started to do their stunts, which left me completely breathless. They started throwing themselves into the air and flying around the arena with only pieces of cloth to hold their chests, arms or legs. These people were just amazing.

My favorite act was the one with the boys who did balancing acts on horses. These guys were incredible. Would you believe that these guys jumped one by one while the horses were galloping at top speed? They would then throw themselves on top of each other's shoulders until they built this pyramid.

There were acts with animals involved. There were seals that did ball tricks, ponies that danced, parrots, bears, and monkeys that rode bikes. There were even two parrots who played basketball! The lion segment was scary. There were two white tigers and two lions and the lion tamers (a man and woman team) made them do tricks. The felines were obviously in terrible moods and wouldn't do it unless they were given meat.

The highlight and finale of the show was this large metallic contraption with two circles where a person could stand in. They would rotate this very fast (like a turbine) and do tricks. At one point, one guy went on top and juggled. It was really wild because they didn't use nets and it was so high.

Closing. The show was really worth it, considering it was for kids. What more could I expect from the actual Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe? Actually, while I was writing this, I did a little research on Circus World and the group is part of the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. The building, a permanent indoor circus was built in 1999 to house the troupe who were tired of travelling around the world without a theater to call their own. Within a few weeks, it became one of the most popular attractions in the city and was billed as the number one circus in Asia.

The following day, we went to watch the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe in Shanghai Centre Theater. This was what we really wanted to watch and was looking forward to the stunts because of what we saw in Shanghai Circus World. We also had third row seats and from what I can remember, we paid around Y200 (P1,400) per ticket. It was worth every centavo because this was the group that went around the world to entertain millions of people.

You could tell that these people had a reputation because the audience was filled with foreigners. We didn't see any Chinese locals unlike in Shanghai Circus World. Perhaps it was deemed expensive by locals, or maybe it's part of their culture and they're all acrobats.

If the Shanghai Circus World was amazing, the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe was simply divine. Their acts were all gravity-defying and I found myself loudly gasping after what looked like an impossible stunt. Their acts were similar to Circus World but they brought it up by several notches. It was mindblowing. I wasn't bored with any act.

One stunt required audience participation. It was that classic act where someone leans against a board while someone throws a knife from across the stage. I was casually watching his assistant pretending to look into the crowd, looking for a participant. I remember thinking about how I could learn acrobatics when his steady gaze fell upon me. How could he not see me? I was sitting in the aisle seat of the third row and I was wearing a bright yellow shirt. I was like, holy shit.

He went down the stage and tried to convince me to go up. He was a 'mime' and he was just smiling stupidly (as was his role) while he beckoned me. My reaction was "Are you fucking kidding me? No." I was so freaked out that that was the only thing I could say. He just thanked me and proceeded to the back of audience. One guy went up, but only after his friend and the crowd cheered him on.

Apparently, what happened was the mime put a jacket over the participant's head, stabbed the board and urged everyone to pretend the man threw it. They did this three times and even did one where the mime stabbed the space between the participant's legs. He got a prize and a huge cheer from the crowd.

I felt cheated. I'm an adventurous guy who rarely says no to a new experience. I would have said yes but I didn't want to risk getting stabbed. If I knew the man was only going to pretend to throw the knife, I could have even leaned on the wall upside down. I could have done whatever the man wanted me to do.

I was appeased when I got a card from a lady magician's trick. Out of nowhere, she managed to conjure thousands of cards from her hands which she threw around the stage and the audience. I swear, she threw over a thousand cards. It was that many.

The Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe (in general) is definitely a must-see. Since you're watching on their turf, tickets are a lot cheaper than when they perform in other countries. The troupe that performs in the Shanghai Center Theater performs every night at 7.30PM. They change the routines and acrobats every night so the show is not the same two nights in a row.

Made in China: Madame Tussauds

2011-06-01T13:07:00.000+08:00

A visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum should be on every person's bucket list. Tussaud has made a name for herself (or at least the company) for making wax statues of famous people, all of them so lifelike that it's as if you were meeting the actual person yourself. Some of them look so real that it borders on creepy.

Madame Tussaud opened her first museum in London in 1835 to feature her collection of death masks of guillotined French aristocrats. Her London branch even has a Chamber of Horrors section where it features murderers, criminals and victims of the French Revolution. Today it enjoys branches in Amsterdam, Bangkok, Berlin, Blackpool, Hollywood, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, New York, Washington DC and Wien. I read about other branches but I only included the branches mentioned on the official site to be sure.

The Shanghai branch opened in 2006 and is the sixth in the world. This branch is different in the sense that it has an Experience Area where you can see the actual construction of the models.

The Shanghai branch has more than 70 wax figures in seven themed rooms.

The lady herself, Madame Tussaud. Her first wax figure was created in 1777 and was the figure of Voltaire. Some of the figures she made herself still exist.

Tom Cruise. The room he was in simulated a celebrity-filled party. Some of the other figures were Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman (far away from Cruise, of course) and some Asian celebrities I didn't recognize. Lady Gaga was there on stage as a performer but I really didn't like her figure. But it was so lifelike that the makers even included the freckles on Gaga's chest. There was a 'VIP area' for Madonna with mirrors and couches but her figure looked nothing like the Material Girl.

The next room was reserved for the great thinkers. There was a Chinese astronaut and some figures I didn't recognize. Albert Einstein was there, too. Also, there were interactive trivia games you could try. I wasn't able to play because there were so many people crowding around it.

The politics room housed the world's greatest leaders. Unlike the previous room with actors where they were scattered around the room, this one had the leaders arranged in a circle. There were figures of Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama (where he stands next to a podium you can stand in and speak), Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton and one of the most handsome politicians ever, Russia's Vladimir Putin.

The music room was like the actors room where they're just milling around. This room had Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and some Asian musicians. Of course I included the picture of Kylie Minogue, who I am going to see perform when she comes to the Philippines in July! I didn't like the room that much because it looked plain compared to the other rooms. It was just white.

My brother with Bruce Lee as Billo Lo from Game of Death. This room was dedicated to famous fictional characters from Hugh Jackman as Wolverine to Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, Marilyn Monroe as The Girl from The Seven Year Itch, and Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter.

There was a section dedicated to the late Princess Diana and her son Prince Charles, who was recently married to Kate Middleton. I couldn't get a decent picture of Charles because all the ladies were flocking to him and putting their arms around him. I was one of them.

The sports room had figures of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, some local athletes and two of the best-looking football players ever, Davic Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. I actually have a picture of me almost smothering Beckham but I'm a little embarrassed to post it here.

One room was dedicated to local celebrities. I didn't recognize most of them except Jet Li and F4. The room (which was larger compared to others) was sponsored by Pepsi.

There was a room dedicated to show how the wax figures are made. It was very interesting to see how they make the molds and the eyes and the other parts of the body. I found out that each statue takes over 800 hours to mold, measure, paint and sculpt. The process begins when the star is invited for a sitting where detailed measurements are taken. If the star is unable to come or has passed away, the team gathers over 250 photos and precise measurements to work with. Usually, the Tussauds group regularly gives out a poll for the public to decide which celebrity to be made next. Visitors to the Shanghai branch can even order wax models of themselves.

The experience was exciting because it was as if you were standing in front of the actual celebrities. Many of the figures were so lifelike that you would expect them to suddenly move and smile at you. In Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, you can't really tell which of the people are real and which ones aren't. In fact, I was surprised many times when a figure I thought was a wax statue would move and talk to the person next to them!

The Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is located on the 10th floor of the New World Building on Nanjing Xi Lu. It's the one with Samsung written across the top floor. I included the directions because none of the locals knew what we were talking about and it's tricky to find.

Made in China: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium and Insect Kingdom

2011-06-01T13:06:00.000+08:00

Before going to China, I had this sudden urge to go to Manila Ocean Park. I haven't been there but I suddenly wanted to go after I remembered the exhibits in the Hong Kong branch. Shanghai doesn't have a branch but they have the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium with the world's longest underwater viewing tunnel at 155m. Part of my desire to go to Manila Ocean Park was to see the sharks and luckily, Shanghai has them!

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is home to standard aquatic creatures like stingrays, penguins, jellyfish, seals and ducks but it also had strange creatures as well. I made the mistake of not getting their names, so yeah. Fail.

The aquarium has a special section housing the unique species that live in the Huangpu River. I like how the Chinese love their culture, it's inspiring.

The start of the travellator. The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium has the longest underwater tunnel in the world. It houses sharks, turtles, and a large number of aquatic species. I was so spellbound that it inspired me to get a religion. Who else could make such beautiful creatures?

The sharks! We caught them during feeding time. Actually, we arrived when they were about to be fed so we rushed to the tanks, thinking we were the ones who were going to feed them. We didn't even bother looking at the other displays because we were so eager to see the sharks. They were at the end of the tour and we were disappointed to see that we were only going to watch divers feed them. Horror struck us when we realized we couldn't go back anymore. The end of the tour went straight to the gift shop, food court and the exit. We explained the situation to the manager and it was a good thing I took random pictures so he believed us. He let us back in and we got to enjoy the sharks again.

One of my favorite rooms in the aquarium was the one dedicated to saving sharks. They included facts and news and a timeline of how people are abusing them. The most horrifying tale is the one about shark finning, or the removal of a shark's fin for the production of shark's fin soup, a luxury item in the world of cuisine. According to the information given, the removal of the fin (finning) takes place at sea so fishermen don't need to carry the entire fish. Most of the time, they would just slice the fin off and throw the shark back to the sea to bleed to death. The demand for shark's fin has risen dramatically because of the middle class becoming richer and has resulted in the capture of 70 million sharks a year as of 2010. The worst thing is, the fin doesn't even contribute to the flavor of the soup.

Our next stop was the Shanghai Natural Wild-Insect Kingdom, a short walk from Oriental Pearl Tower and the Ocean Aquarium. The place didn't meet my expectations.

They did have a cute array of mammals, from the sugar glider to a species of monkey none of us could identify. The sugar glider is a marsupial found in Australia known for their preference of eating sweet sap from species of eucalyptus, acacia and gum trees. I found this out while I was making this entry and all the while I thought they were called sugar gliders because of their wide eyes and constant shaking.

They also had rabbits, hamsters, a goat, mice, and an owl. You can pet most of these.

Their collection of bugs was disappointing. They only had a few and most of them were in little cages in aquariums, making them hard to see and appreciate. The big ones weren't interesting and I even found one struggling to get on its feet. It was sad. The Butterfly Garden in Sentosa, Singapore was far more interesting.

The turtles and reptiles were more fascinating and extensive. The lizard exhibits had the right amount of freak in it so it compensated for the lack of insects. The turtles were okay but there has got the something wrong with an insect museum with more turtles in it.

The best part of the museum was this man-made lake teeming with carps. For Y10 (P70) an hour, you can rent a net and bucket where you can try to catch the fish. You can keep the ones that you catch but it was really tough. These fish have been abused so they know when and where to hide. Most of them would swim to the bottom of the bridge where no human could access them. I guess that was why they allowed guests to keep the fish they caught - if you can catch them. My brother did manage to catch one but put it back because he had no idea where to put it. Besides, we had two other places to go.

There was a room where you could custom-make your own insect but it looked too kiddie so we skipped it.

The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is a must-visit if you like underwater creatures or would want to marvel over the wonderful creations of God. You can skip the Natural Wild-Insect Kingdom.

Made in China: Food

2011-06-01T13:05:00.000+08:00

My friend Nikko once told me that the food in Shanghai is delicious. Boy, was he right. The gastronomical delights were endless and there were so many cuisines that even those with discerning tastes would give up.

Generally, food in Shanghai is a mix of Chinese cuisines. Technically, there are 16 major styles but Shanghai is distinct because of its sweetness. Called benbang cai (local-type cuisine), it is sweeter, less spicy and oilier than its Chinese counterparts. In fact, when other Chinese dishes come to Shanghai, chefs need to adjust their flavor in order to attract customers.

The Shanghainese are less adventurous as their Cantonese cousins, who are known to eat "anything in the sky with wings but airplanes, anything in the sea except submarines, and anything with four legs but the table." That means you wouldn't find anything as exotic as the balut or fried grasshoppers. I was a little bit disappointed with the lack of exotic eats because I believed in the "when in Rome" saying but I was soon appeased by the edible delights of Shanghai.

Shanghai is home to the xiaolongbao, a dumpling with soup inside served in small bamboo baskets. I don't have a picture of the actual dimsum because I instantly wolfed it down (It was that delicious) but luckily my mom wanted to take a picture of me and my brother with a poster advertising it. Don't ask me why. The xialongbao kind of looks like the Japanese gyoza.

A larger version of the xiaolongbao. While the xiaolongbao looks more like siomai, this one looks more like siopao. We had this at a joint in Yuyuan Garden. It was incredibly delicious. I didn't catch the name of the restaurant but they have an extensive collection of dumplings of every size and color. And they all looked scrumptious.

Generally, the rule of thumb is, the dirtier the joint looks, the better the food tastes. It's the ones hidden in alleyways run by noisy women who shout orders and with cooks dressed in clothes stained with sauces and with greasy hair. These can be normally found in the alleyways in Nanjing Lu. Food is cheap and the number one rule is to always bring your own chopsticks. I've been told that it's easy to get hepatitis here so we took extra precautions. But when you have a bite of the hongshau rou or braised beef, you know you're in heaven. Be prepared to do a lot of pointing because a lot of the menus don't have English translations.

Of course, we also tried the fancy restaurant scene. This is at Nan Xiang, one of the popular restaurants in Shanghai. It was more expensive than the alley cafeterias and there was just something about it that didn't taste as good as the joints on the streets. This is where I tried the hongshau rou (pork braised in brown sauce), a local delicacy favored by Chairman Mao himself. It must be popular because when I asked for this in a cafeteria, the waitress nodded and laughed.

This particular tea seems to be like the Chinese version of Coke because I see this and posters of it everywhere. If you're a tea lover like myself, I suggest you buy a can because it is filled with awesomeness. I'm not sure what kind of tea it is, though. Oh, I do. It's awesome tea. I switched assam to awesome, get it? No? Right.

As for their coffee, Costa seems to reign supreme with multiple branches. I seem to see it everywhere until I realized that the branch I went to was practically empty, considering it was Nanjing Lu. There were more people in Starbucks and Coffee Bean. The hot chocolate was average.

A coffee shop along Nanjing Lu. How communist can the name get? I love it.

Yes, there is McDonald's and Starbucks in China. I didn't even bother trying the Starbucks (I very rarely go to the branches here, favoring the quiet atmosphere of Coffee Bean) but the McDonald's taste exactly the same. They did have burgers there that we don't have here such as the spicy chicken burger. I had the classic double cheeseburger and fries.

For all your one-stop needs, there is always C-Mart. It's their local version of 7-11 complete with the colors, but there are also branches of 7-11 around. You can buy candy, drinks, snacks, noodles, even copies of Vogue and century eggs. Or what looks like century eggs.

They also have single-serve Bacardi Breezers! I'm not sure if they have it here in the Philippines, though. Do they? I don't usually frequent convenience stores.

Made in China: Transportation

2011-06-01T13:04:00.000+08:00

Shanghai's main mode of transportation is the train. Before heading to China, I read a book on Shanghai and it said that it is so congested that even CEOs use a combination of bus, train, cab, and walking to get to certain destinations. Of course, I believed this because I was under the impression that China is overpopulated (Shanghai is the country's most populous city) but I didn't experience any traffic at all.

The Shanghai Metro has 11 lines that connects the city. As long as you know where you're going, you can take the train to practically anywhere in Shanghai. Tickets are roughly Y3 (P21) and it's kind of like the Philippines - it's crowded, but not to the point where you're squished against each other.

Tickets are bought on a machine that accepts both coins and bills. Isn't it so high-tech? Thankfully, there is an English translation so we didn't struggle that much. And yes, it's touch-screen.

The tickets are cute. This is my favorite, for obvious reasons. I like communism.

A normal day at the train station. It's not as crowded as the trains in the Philippines, considering that the Shanghai Metro is the fourth busiest metro line in the world.

Each doorway has this to guide commuters, which is really helpful especially to foreigners who have no idea what the next station is. The PA also had English translations so we never missed a stop or got lost. The only problem we experienced were the exits. There were so many that led to different places so it can be a little confusing for first-timers.

Inside the train. Like the ones in the Philippines, seats are offered to ladies, the disabled and the old.

They also have buses but we couldn't figure out the route because they spoke in Chinese. There are also tourist buses that will take you to key places in the city. You can just hop on and alight wherever you want. However, you need to buy a ticket somewhere to avail of the service.

While walking in Nanjing Lu, I saw a Barbie bus. There was a six-floor Barbie museum in Shanghai that closed down a few weeks ago. Perhaps this will take me to a new one?

Cabs are everywhere, too. They're not like the cabs here that charge a fixed fee; they all rigorously follow the meter system. Rates start at Y12 (P84) but most of the time, we pay the flat rate. That's how slow it moves, so getting a cab isn't a bad idea if you're tired, lost, or carrying tons of shopping bags.

Made in China: Architecture

2011-06-01T13:03:00.000+08:00

Architecturally, Shanghai is a mix of old and new, east and west. It can be schizophrenic walking the streets of the city seeing old shikumen-style buildings next to postmodern pieces and Victorian towers. Of course, I know nothing about architecture but it was nice to see a wide variety of buildings from different schools of thought in one city block.

Xintiandi is a prime example of Shanghai's juxtaposed architecture. Located in the Lu Wan District or the French Concession, the exteriors look like a series of elegant guesthouses you'd expect to see in Europe. The interiors however are strictly Chinese (except for the Starbucks and the Western cuisine). The architects meticulously rebuilt the shikumen - a trademark in Shanghai housing. It began in 1860 and were townhouses with gates framed in stone. These were reserved for poorer families who would rent a room.

Of course, the shikumen in Xintiandi looked beautiful and added a local touch to the vastly progressing area.

You will see an immense array of architectural styles in Shanghai. Some of them are classic designs such as the first two photos but many are experimental and out-of-this-world, like the third photo. It was a pleasure to see so much creativity in Shanghai that it makes me want to see something like this in the Philippines. Calling Zaha Hadid? The second photo is of H&M in Huaihai Lu and the third is of a shopping mall in Nanjing Lu.

Shanghai is expat heaven. There are so many expats that they even brought their architectural styles with them and each building represents their country of origin. The Bund alone is home to many styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Classical, Beaux-Arts and Art Deco. According to Wikipedia, Shanghai has one of the richest Art Deco architectures in the world. I may not know the technicalities of the field but I do know how to appreciate beautiful things.

This building has a tasteful mix of ancient and modern. It is found in the Yuyuan Complex.

You would occasionally find something like this. Amidst a sea of Western influences with Western brand names and restaurants stands a serene Chinese temple that refuses to partake of progress. It firmly stands its ground, an intricate and breathtaking centuries-old design.

Made in China: Boys

2011-06-01T13:02:00.000+08:00

When it comes to boys, China has its own set of cuties.

A boy walking along Nanjing Lu while Mother bought tickets for the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

A performer at Circus World. He was part of a group that jumped on horses. He was really good.

One of the lion tamers at Circus World.

The Oriental Pearl Tower ticket guy.

Random guys from the streets of Shanghai.

A guy sitting outside Jin Mao Tower.

Jin Mao Tower's security guard.

You all need to forgive me. It has been a while since I was with a guy so I was hungry for mancandy. If you're wondering how I managed to take snapshots of the guys, that's one secret I'll never tell.

Made in China: Fashion

2011-06-01T13:01:00.000+08:00

Shanghai didn't disappoint me in terms of style. A lot of the people, regardless of sex were really dressed up and rocking their outfits. I wasn't surprised - they have all these resources that cater to every budget. From local Chinese brands (with logos eerily similar to those of Western brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren and Lacoste) to designers such as Miu Miu and Salvatore Ferragamo, the locals knew how to dress.

There were plenty more but I couldn't take pictures of them because of the angle and the speed of their walks.

Of course, I also made an effort to dress up. I planned my outfits two days before leaving and used communist chic as my peg with two green jackets as my key pieces.

Black shirt from Kenneth Cole, jeans from Lee, sneakers from Hong Kong and bag a gift from an uncle. I turned over the jacket's front because it has gold Chinese print all over it. I was tempted to wear it like that since I was in China but everyone was dressed modern so I decided against it. I got it at an ukay for P35.

Green jacket from an ukay (P35), yellow shirt from Uniqlo, Lee jeans, sneakers from Hong Kong and bag from uncle.

I still have another look from my third day but I didn't really like it that much. I just realized that day that the dress shirt (Celio) I brought didn't go well with either jacket. Eh, it was functional anyway because it was freezing cold.

Made in China: Shopping

2011-06-01T13:00:00.001+08:00

Shanghai is one of the best places to shop. Nanjing Lu alone is home to many malls that house thousands of brands from local names (such as Shanghai Tang) to couture pieces from Western designers. After all, it is one of the world's busiest shopping streets. Every designer seems to have a store here - from Jean Paul Gaultier to Bottega Veneta. Of course, my family being openly addicted to shopping, we reserved a day just for consumer pleasures.

This part of Nanjing Lu is filled with malls. In fact, all of the buildings you see here are malls!

Shanghai is home to many, if not all, designer labels. There is a portion of Nanjing Lu where it's just filled with stores and malls teeming with high-end brands. A branch of Louis Vuitton is being constructed here.

The Apple store in Pudong. It's a huge underground store that has all the Apple products imaginable. It kind of looks like a fortress with all the guards in and around the entrance.

I was excited to hear that there is H&M in Shanghai. Because we don't have it here in the Philippines, I was eager to shop and buy a scarf. Unfortunately, the one in Nanjing Lu has yet to open so the nearest one was in Huaihai Lu, far from where we were staying. So I ventured on my own to look for the store. I arrived in Huaihai only to realize that I had no idea where it was. So I walked. And walked. And walked. None of the locals knew what I was talking about so I had to brave it on my own. It took me around 30 minutes to find it (the foot massage I had the night before became pointless) and I remember screaming 'Fuck yeah' when I found it. The store is enormous, with three stories but I couldn't find anything I like. I ended up shopping at Uniqlo where I bought six pairs of colored socks for Y20 (P140) each.

Cheaper finds can be found on Fuyou Lu near the Yuyuan Garden where you can buy anything for less than Y10 (P70). They have clothes, school supplies, jewelry and random knickknacks. It's indoor and it looks a lot like Divisoria. They even sold the same things.

Culture vultures should check out Dong Tai Lu. They sell really cheap vintage items from Mao posters (and statues and watches and pins and notebooks) to playing cards and old record players and jade stones. It's paradise for those who crave a culture fix. I definitely went crazy over here. Always go here first because the stuff they sell are cheaper compared to those found anywhere else. I bought a communist hat in Yuyuan Garden for Y65 (P455) only to find a woman trying to sell it to me for Y5 (P35). Always remember to haggle.

It can be tricky to get here because it isn't on the map but it's near Nanjing Lu. If you get a map from Pudong Airport, check the mini version at the back. You'll find it there.

As for books, they are everywhere. Literally. A lot of people are selling it on the streets on carts pulled by bikes. And it's ridiculously cheap. Most of the books are Y20 (P140) and it's the same editions (and in English) they sell in bookstores here for P300++. I bought a copy of Iris Chang's The Rape of Nanking and the semi-complete Tintin comics from Y250 (P1,750) to Y105 (P735).

Of course, Shanghai has its legitimate bookstores. Most of the good ones are found on Fuzou Lu, popularly known as Culture Street. I walked around on my last night to check the literary scene only to find that most bookstores sold books in Chinese. Also, I've noticed that they mainly sold Chinese revolution books. I barely saw Western books. This particular bookstore has seven floors. I also liked the quote on the entrance. I can't remember the exact words but it talked about how books are related to a country's progress.

I did find a bilingual bookstore called the Shanghai Foreign Languages Bookstore with bilingual staff. They were so cute because their tags indicated the languages they spoke. I bought a Chinese history book (something I'll start collecting besides fashion magazines and postcards) for Y65 (P455). I browsed through it and found it funny because it slightly altered those that made the country look bad. It was sponsored by the government.

My haul:

The semi-complete collection of Tintin comics. It didn't include the Land of the Soviets, In the Congo and Alph-Art probably because of the racial issues
A Chairman Mao mini-plate
A card I picked up from the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe show
A (real) pearl I got for visiting the Jin Mao Tower. My mom thought it was weird that they'd give out free pearls instead of the Oriental Pearl Tower
A postcard (something I collect from my travels) of the Pudong skyline
A poster of a Shanghai Lady. These ladies are known to be feisty
Colored socks from Uniqlo. I only realized that they formed the colors of the rainbow when I got home
The May 2011 issue of Vogue China
A miniature version of the Oriental Pearl Tower
A miniature mug from Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
A lucky charm I got in Fouyu Lu
A book of quotations from Chairman Mao
A Chairman Mao notebook with Special Instructions on the cover
Chairman Mao pins (or what's left of them)
Iris Chang's The Rape of Nanking
Common Knowledge About Chinese History
A communist hat
The May 2011 issue of GQ China
The May 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar China

Made in China: People, Language, and an Indecent Proposal

2011-06-01T12:59:00.013+08:00

Shanghai is China's most populous city. As of 2010, there are over 23 million people and according to sources, 60% of those aren't local to Shanghai. According to the guide book I bought, Shanghai is a haven for expats and their families. History tells us that is has been like this for a while, with British and American nationals being the most powerful citizens (Shanghailanders) while locals occupied the lowest tiers (Shanghainese). Many locals didn't find the idea appealing and one local journalist quipped, "After all, Hemingway wasn't a 'Parislander' - he was an American in Paris. What gives foreigners some special title here?"

Surprisingly, I didn't see that many foreigners on my first two days. In fact, I didn't see any at all! If I did, it would only be a tiny group, like a French mother and her two daughters in the Natural Wild Insect Kingdom (I could understand bits of their conversation having studied Français for four years) and three white boys outside the Pearl Tower. I did find them on my last day, though - they were at the Apple store and Xintiandi, one of the exclusive lifestyle centers in Shanghai. There were a lot of tourists in the city, but most, if not all them were local citizens from other parts of China.

The locals were very nice, especially if they know you're a foreigner. According to sources, they're nicer to foreigners outside China than to foreigners outside Shanghai. They tend to bully these "outsiders" and see them as "not one of them." Learning their language helps a lot as it shows that you're trying to assimilate their culture unlike some expats who live reclusive lives in expat-exclusive areas. Of course, I only learned basic phrases but they seemed to love it - some of them even smiled when I said ni hao (hello) and xiexie (thank you).

Learning basic Shanghainese is a must because many of them speak little to zero English, even those who work in the service industry. Shanghainese is their own version of Mandarin. It sounds a lot like Mandarin but the differences in pronunciation are there. Armed with this idea, I studied Shanghainese only to discover that many of them are adapting to Mandarin. Whenever I would say nung hoa (hello in Shanghainese), they would look at me blankly but whenever I say ni hao, they would be all jolly that a foreigner would speak like them.

Personally, I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere - Shanghainese or Shanghailander. Being Asian myself, I didn't look foreign enough to fit in with the Caucasians with blonde hair and blue eyes. Neither did I look local enough to pass off as a Chinese. To the untrained eye, Chinese and Japanese people look the same but if you know the difference (which all Chinese do), they know you're foreign.

On my last night, I was walking around Nanjing Lu taking photos when two girls approached me for dinner. I was to meet my mom and brother for dinner so I gave them my email address instead. Then all of a sudden, a whole bunch of guys started approaching me offering sex! I'm not sure if it was because of the two girls because I saw other guys being propositioned but I was never offered earthly delights. It was always pirate delights - fake bags, fake shoes and fake shirts, which I avoided like a plague after one of my friends said I'm allergic to faux fashion because I sneeze and get a terrible cold when I'm around masses of them.

These kinds of people abound in Nanjing Lu and other parts of Shanghai. They'd go up to you offering random wares from wheels for your shoes to statues of the Pearl Tower. I feel bad for a lot of them because they're so desperate to make a sale that they eventually slash the prices to more than half. The trick is to just ignore them until they leave because even if you say no, they'll continue to lower the price.

I had two bad experiences in Shanghai. I was casually walking alone in Nanjing Lu when this middle-aged dude went up to me offering sex. I made the mistake of saying no so he started offering me a blowjob (which he pronounced brojob) for Y100 (P700). I started to ignore him until he offered actual sex (six) and I sort of freaked out when he put his arm around my shoulders and started grabbing my ass. I got so freaked out that I ducked into a Shakey's and was so flustered that I couldn't say anything to the girl offering me a seat.

Luckily I didn't accept the offer because when I got back to the Philippines, I did research on the state of prostitution in Shanghai. According to what I read, not only is it completely illegal but sometimes these are just ways for people to bring you to secluded places to beat you up and get your money. There is of course the added danger of STDs and HIV. But if you want a lapdance from a nine-year-old girl, send me a message. I still have a calling card from her handler, Jun.

My other proposition was less sexual but just as threatening. I was casually sitting at Costa Coffee enjoying my hot chocolate and a copy of a Chinese history book when an old dude went up to me and asked if he could shine my shoes. He knew I needed one because my sneakers were really ratty - just the way I liked them. I said no and told him I'm out of money because I was on my way to the airport for my flight (partly true but I had over Y200 or P1,400 left over). He said that it was okay and proceeded to clean my shoes. I told him to stop but he insisted, saying it was okay if I didn't have money and that I could pay him with whatever amount. I remember having around Y5 (P35) in my pocket from change and decided to give him that. Lo and behold, after polishing my shoes, which basically meant cleaning the rubber sole because my shoes were made of canvass, he was charging me Y80 (P560)! I tried to convince him that I didn't have any money because I was on my way home. He was so persistent but he eventually left.

Take note, all these events happened on the same night. It was frightening.

Driving slow on Sunday morning, and I never want to leave

2011-05-17T20:21:00.000+08:00

I've been very busy these days, what with events and catching up with tasks that I haven't been able to blog about what happened to me recently. There was Fashion Week, my trips to Boracay, Puerto Galera and China, and what I did these past two weekends. This post will be dedicated to those two weekends.

Last Sunday, I went to PETA in Quezon City to watch Caredivas with one of my good friends, Nikko Panti. The musical is about five crossdressers in Israel who work as caregivers by day and showgirls by night. The show was brilliant. It was funny, thanks largely to Vincent de Jesus, who wrote the lyrics and music and starred as Shai, the comedic leader of the group. If you want to know the true genius of de Jesus, he also wrote the music of Zsazsa Zaturnnah and received many accolades for his works, including a Palanca, two Gawad Urian awards, a Luna Award, a Gawad Tanglaw Award, among many others.

The musical hits close to home because many Filipinos work as caregivers abroad. Basically, the musical tackles the hardships OFWs face abroad, from bitchy bosses and not being able to take care of their families at home to fear of deportation. What makes this piece special is the fact that they're crossdressers, which add discrimination (in Israel and the Philippines) to the demons they face each day. Add the fact that they're struggling performers who try to make a niche in a Tel Aviv stricken by the intafada, or the Palestinian occupation of Israel. All in all, the musical was a poignant piece and I found myself on the verge of tears during key scenes.

Despite the drama, the play is just as comedic. It's hilarious and unforgiving and it adds a flirty touch to the serious undertone of the musical. Each character had their funny moments which were priceless. There was Buddy Caramat as Jonee, the grumpiest diva of the bunch and his sarcastic remarks; Jason Barcial as Thalia, with his naïve (read dumb blonde) one-liners; Melvin Lee as Chelsea, the optimist and the mother of the group; and Jerald Napoles as Kayla, whose laugh factor stems from the fact that he's a straight guy with huge... muscles. There is of course, de Jesus, whose biting wit is a clear reflection of a gay Filipino's sense of humor.

I highly recommend this to everyone. It's witty and you don't need to be an OFW or be gay to appreciate the story (most of the people in the audience were gay). You just need to have a sense of humor and a heart that is easily moved. Unfortunately, according to Nikko, this is the last run of the play. I was lucky enough to have caught one of its last productions and I loved it.

Me with Vincent de Jesus and Jason Barcial.

With Jerald Napoles, the lone straight guy of the Caredivas. I was so used to him playing Kayla that I freaked out a little when he talked to me in a deep voice and put his muscular arm on my chest for a picture. My large smile is a result of fear mixed with uncontained joy from the show's glory.

If Caredivas runs again, you should definitely check it out. You never know, it might pull off a Cher and decide to do a comeback.

This Sunday, I was out with the staff of The Perpetualite for our summer outing. We were supposed to go to Nikko's Pampanga house but since many couldn't afford the proposed budget, we decided to go swimming at Park Place in Imus, Cavite. It's kind of like a clubhouse for the village and it has a pool, several courts and nipa huts you can rent for the day.

Nikko and I were at Fashion Week the night before for Design Fusion and Ford Supermodels' Supermodel of the World Philippines and arrived home late so I didn't wake up in time for Cavite. It was already an hour and a half from the call time when I woke up to see Nikko and Jan (my literary editor) standing in my doorway, ready to pick me up. I only had time to brush my teeth and stuff everything I need in a duffel bag.

We frolicked around the pool (we didn't really swim) and played the most stressful game of Uno. Stressful because the game took too long and the punishment for losers was to eat the terrible candies I brought back from Shanghai, China. This is what happens when gay guys get together to play a stressful game. Terms (like Gutom Ford and Tagalia Vodianova) and expletives are invented. In the end, we gave it up to go swimming.

I had the biggest lunch that day. I ate four servings of rice. On the way home, some of us stopped by a Padi's Point in Bacoor for drinks. I haven't been to a Padi's Point in over seven years but the branch we went to was great. It was well-ventilated and the staff were accomodating (and cute). Two show bands were there and it was funny because I didn't know show bands these days have accompanying choreography. It was hilarious.

Postscript: Puerto Galera (April 23-25, 2011)

2011-05-17T17:00:00.000+08:00

As you know, I immensely enjoyed my trip to Boracay. I was never a fan of the beach but after seeing the clear waters and the white sands of Boracay Island, I was in love. So in love that I put a picture of a gorgeous beach as my laptop wallpaper and kept staring at my tan (which eventually peeled, gross). I wanted to go back to the beach, any beach, that I was delighted when my mom announced we were going to Puerto Galera for the weekend. Take note that this happened just a week after Boracay. I was thrilled. Imagine going to two summer destinations in one month!

I like Boracay better but Galera has its charms. The beach was also beautiful and inspiring. However, most of the people were locals and the food was more affordable. I knew that it was gay paradise but I didn't expect the deluge of gay boys. I think more than half of the Galera crowd were gay. My sister and I tried to figure out the science behind it but eventually forgot about it because we discovered a new sport - kayaking.

We stayed in a private resort which made our stay fun. I enjoyed the company and even met some great people. It was a perfect way to unwind and enjoy the weekend before my trip to China.

Postscript: Accomodations

2011-05-17T16:00:00.000+08:00

We stayed at Aninuan Resort, an exclusive resort with its own beach strip in Sunset Beach, next to White Beach. It was a welcome break from the crowded Boracay scene and I had as much fun even without so many people. It had a wonderful view of the sea and I got to really relax.

Tables for meals. In the background are the rooms for rent. The resort is cozy because it's private and everybody knows each other.

A view of the sea from the lounge chairs and "egg" chairs. I'm not sure what you call them but they look like the Caribbean version of those egg chairs on Mars Attacks!

The resort has a lot of palm trees so it wasn't that hot. We spent a lot of time just lounging around ordering drinks and snacks.

The private strip of beach. I'm not sure if it's owned by Aninuan because there are other people but it's still peaceful and secluded.

It isn't called Sunset Beach for nothing!

The rooms were modest but I've never been particular with accommodations. As long as the bathroom's beautiful and the place is safe, I'm fine with that. My only issue was the blackout that happened one night that lasted until morning. It was terrible. The picture is of a view from our balcony.

Like Boracay, the sands were white but the water wasn't as clear. But it was a lovely shade of blue and I spent a lot of time just staring at it.

The shore was rocky, a stark contrast to the almost-bare Boracay, where I only found dried corals (I even found two shaped like a penis and I gave one to Don Jaucian). Some of the stones were beautiful and I took them home to put in a vase. I changed my mind when I dipped into the sea - there were a lot more rocks and I hurt myself a couple of times.

I highly recommend Aninuan Resort if you want an escape from the crazy Puerto Galera scene or life in general. The place is cozy and homey and everyone is accomodating. I even got to meet the owner, Lexy Neiderer and one of her sons, Tino. The food can be expensive but it's because most of her clients are foreigners so her prices are dollar-based. If you want cheap eats, you can go to White Beach, a tricycle ride away. But nothing beats the peaceful environment and the gorgeous beachview of Aninuan Resort.

You may contact Lexy Neiderer at this website.

Postscript: Activities

2011-05-17T15:00:00.000+08:00

Because of the seclusion, there wasn't much room for activities. Water activities were limited to kayaking but there was a recreation room with board games, some books, and a billiard and foosball table.

My brother, sister and I spent most of our stay exploring the beach, walking along the shore and admiring the sea. We would look at stones and keep the nice ones and dip in the sea.

My brother, that wonderful jack-of-all-trades discovered a new sport - stone skipping. Sophie (sister) was good at it so Yuji (brother) decided to learn the ancient art. He managed to learn but I failed majestically. I spent the time taking pictures while they skipped stones.

But we all discovered a new sport - kayaking. It was great exercise for the arms and it was a lot of fun rowing to the deep ends of the beach. We even dared to kayak to White Beach and just grab a few drinks but decided not to because we had to pass by a rocky part of the sea and it was windy.

On the second day, I decided to row alone. It was a lot easier than rowing in pairs because you're in full control. But it's scary because you're lighter and it's easier to tip over. I have a morbid fear of the deep parts of the sea so it wasn't comforting to see vague shapes moving under the water. But kayaking was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to trying it again.

One night, we got to meet Max, a 15 year old Dutch boy who offered to play poker with us. He's seven years younger than I am but taller than me, and his voice is deeper. He's kind of cute and we still exchange messages on Facebook. From what I know, he is about to enter college in Amsterdam. We also got to play with Tino, the resort owner's son, a fast-talking, half-German banker from Switzerland. He was really jolly and invited me and Sophie for drinks with his friends but we had to turn him down because Sophie was tired. Yuji, a 12 year old beginner managed to beat all of us, even Tino, the expert.

That boy. He's going to make us rich.

Postscript: White Beach

2011-05-17T14:00:00.000+08:00

A Galera visit wouldn't be complete without a trip to White Beach, one of the famous spots in the municipality of Oriental Mindoro. I knew that there was going to be a lot of gay guys there but I didn't expect the deluge of glitter and rainbows when I arrived there.

Notice the IQ poster with the colors of the rainbow? It promotes a sort of bathhouse in Pasay City. This poster alone shows the accepting atmosphere of White Beach. My sister and I tried to debate the science behind why so many gay guys go here during the summer. We also debated the meaning of this curiously-named bar.

A sample of Galera's gay scene. There was even a hostel where all the guests seemed to be gay. I swear, the place is so fabulous (note the lisp) that at one point, I heard one stall playing Madonna's Sorry while another played Vogue. For a second there, I thought I found heaven.

Unlike its more upscale counterpart (Boracay), Puerto Galera offers tons of cheap eats. The beach strip is lined with bars, restaurants and stalls that sell everything from buko juice to articles of clothing. I didn't really like the stuff they sold, which were typical tiangge finds. I did buy anklets for me and my siblings, which we still wear now. If men in Boracay peddle water activities, here they peddle pearls, accessories and darts. I think the stuff they sell are authentic because they have IDs issued by the DTI (assuming these are authentic).

While the shopping was disappointing, the food was incredible. We ate at a joint called Crazy Gurl. Don't ask.

The beach was okay. The sands weren't white but it had a lovely consistency.

I might stay in White Beach the next time I go to Puerto Galera. I love the serenity of Aninuan Resort but sometimes it's nice to be at the heart of the action. Plus it's nice to go to Galera because everything is cheap from the lodging to food. I even saw a spot where you can rent a tent for P300 a night. However, if I push through with visiting the beach again, I'm going with my friends. It doesn't seem to be a family oriented place.

Nota bene: I'm going here when I'm single.

Postscript: Buri

2011-05-17T13:00:00.001+08:00

On our last day, we went to Buri Resort, another exclusive joint that's far from the hotspots of Puerto Galera. It's so secluded that it has its own island (I think) and you have to ride a yacht to access it. We had drinks with the owner, who is one of our companion's friends.

The gates to one of the most beautiful resorts I've seen. Ever.

The resort even has a dock that offers a majestic view of the sea. Perfect for soul-searching, which my sister and I did while standing and admiring the view.

The resort's pool area. Doesn't it look inviting?

One of the villas for rent. What I love about the place is that it's covered with trees. Would you believe that the owner employs only two gardeners to maintain the entire resort?

The staircase leads to more villas. We were asked to look around but my sister and I talked about pressing matters so we only got to see the outside.

Us with the owner of the resort. She's second from left. She's a quiet and sophisticated woman who's a little shy. But her resort is just breathtaking.

Buri Spa and Resort is perfect if you want to really unwind and escape from everything. It's so secluded that you're almost cut off from everyone else and it gives you an opportunity to reflect or spend time with a special someone. It's perfect for writers who need an extra touch of inspiration without the hassle of real life.

You may contact Buri here.

Philippine Fashion Week: The Holiday Collection 2011 (Part Une)

2011-05-11T20:05:00.001+08:00

Last night, I was at SMX with Nikko Panti for Philippine Fashion Week. We got tickets for Menswear and Arnold Galang/Chris Diaz/Gerry Katigbak from Stylebible at the last minute.

Menswear had 12 designers and I liked Bang Pineda, Drei Soriano and Ulysses King. Pineda used a lot of interesting circles in his designs, especially on his jackets and dress shirts. Soriano mainly used blacks, greys and leather and it looked really badass. I liked how S&M his collection looked and I might pick up some stuff from his collection. The 12 designers mostly used blacks but King broke the monotony by preparing pieces in vibrant and refreshing shades of oranges and blues.

For the next show, I really liked Arnold Galang’s collection. I think his peg was Tibet or Thailand and his pieces were a tasteful combination of reds, greens, and oranges. The fabrics looked really soft, flowy and elegant. I didn’t really feel Diaz’s collection because it looked too Single Ladies, complete with leotards and that metallic glove that Beyonce seemed to obsess over a time. Katigbak used a lot of beautiful lace.

The best part of the night was seeing Chat Almarvez, Charo Ronquillo and Ria Bolivar in one show. I almost had an orgasm.

Because we got the tickets at the last minute, I didn’t have enough time to put together an outfit. Uniqlo shirt, custom-made blazer, Lee jeans, French shoes, nonprescription glasses from the tiangge. Not very fasyown, I must admit but hey, I was under duress.

My socks are also from Uniqlo. I’m so into the brand that even the underwear I wore was from Uniqlo.

I have invites for L’Oreal tonight but I can’t make it because I have a dinner. But I’ll be there this Friday for Luxewear and Oxygen, and Ford Model’s Supermodel of the World Philippines and Design Fusion this Saturday. See you guys there!

Nota bene: I need to get a better camera.

Goodbye!

2011-05-01T16:09:00.004+08:00

“Hello! My name is Koji and I’ll be staying in Shanghai, China. Goodbye, everybody!”

So I’m finally flying to China today. I’ve been preparing since I got back from Puerto Galera, reading as much as I can about Shanghai from its food, culture, customs, and thoughts on sexuality, which I got from a book I bought the minute I stepped into Manila from Galera. I swear, I still had sand on my sandals when I went to Alabang. I even brushed up on my Shanghainese, their version of Mandarin. I only know a few key phrases like how to say my name, where I’m staying, complaining about something being too expensive, and I’m gay (ngu tongxinglian).

I’m scared because only a few people speak English but I’m excited because Shanghai has been touted as the Paris of the East. To top it off, I’ll be staying in Nanjing Lu, the heart of the action.

Shanghai is very different from Beijing because the former is a mix of old and new, which can be seen in its architecture, people, places, and food. It’s a lot more sophisticated and urbane without losing its touch of China. It still has itsshikumen (a unique architectural design seen in Shanghai since the 1800s) and the site of the birth of the Chinese Communist Party.

I’ve prepared an extensive itinerary which include local shopping, dining, and cultural visits. I included a few commercial shopping, but I limited it to designer labels (I didn’t go out of the country to buy affordable clothing, we have enough of them here, xiaxia). Some of the things I’ll be scouting for are Mao memorabilia, jade, ivory, tea, and of course, the Chinese editions of Vogue, Elle, and GQ. I’ve yet to see if those nasty rumors about eating babies are true.

I only brought a few clothes: three shirts, two dress shirts and two jackets. I’m only going to bring the pants and shoes I’ll be wearing to the airport. My peg for the entire week is communist chic with two green jackets I found at an ukay.

So wish me luck! This is the first country I’ll go to where most locals don’t speak English (I’ve been to Japan but I spoke Japanese fluently then). I won’t be bringing my laptop so I’ll be MIA yet again. Have a great week, everyone!

Tsewe!

Yearbook pictorial

2011-04-28T20:19:00.001+08:00

Last Tuesday, I had a shoot for the yearbook with the rest of the committee. I was tired because I just got back from Puerto Galera the previous day but I missed my friends so much that I didn’t dare miss it. Here is an outtake of my creative shot.

My peg was Josh Hartnett’s ad for Emporio Armani’s Diamonds for Men, a fragrance that came out around 2008. I’ve always been in love with the ad since it came out and decided to use it as inspiration when we decided to theme our shoot as high fashion.

This is Laura Recto, our editor-in-chief. Nikko Panti and I styled her and used Liz Uy’s recent Preview cover shoot as a peg. We had a hard time trying to breathe life into Liz’s ensemble but I had a stroke of inspiration when I found a large cloth among the costumes of Colorpoint. Everything else just fell into place and bam! She looked picture perfect.

After the shoot, Nikko, Jan and I went to Robinson’s Manila to check out some stuff. It was such a wonderful feeling to be with them again.

Friendster

2011-04-28T16:14:00.001+08:00

I never thought Friendster would affect me like this. I almost forgot about the site ever since I started Facebook. When I heard that it would shut down, I never bothered to worry about it or even have an opinion. I just thought, oh well. That’s life.

On a whim, I decided to open my Friendster account for one last time. It was a whirl of emotions. I felt loved because all my testimonials had good words. More than half of them said they missed me, they loved me, were asking where I was, etc.

It also brought back a lot of painful memories. I saw my exes, guys I went out with who I gave my heart to, and two exes who passed away, one of them including my first love. My first love was a great guy - he left me but he taught me to love. Honestly, I was very wild back then but he told me to focus on my life and pick up my act. The reason why I’m so successful is because he inspired me to be the best I can be.

I feel so nostalgic. My Friendster account is full of people who loved me, hated me, screwed me over, and knew me inside and out. But I understand that all things must come to an end, including Friendster. What I don’t understand is how I don’t recognize some of the people who tell me that they miss and that we should hang out again.

Graduation.

2011-04-10T20:00:00.003+08:00

After spending six years in college, I finally graduated. It wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be (I even contemplated wearing liquid eyeliner to my graduation so black streaks would run down my face because I thought I was going to cry) but a different series of emotions took over me as I was in the ceremony: boredom, excitement, some fear, and a tremendous relief as the weight of so many responsibilities were taken off my shoulders. Of course, I still have to publish my last issue as editor-in-chief (yes, we're still not yet done) and edit all the writeups for the yearbook but knowing that I'm a graduate makes it easier for me to breathe. I received a gold medal for leadership, by the way. But right now, what do I do next?

As I was celebrating at Yakimix with friends and family, I realized one thing. I'm now unemployed. I have now joined the millions of Filipinos with no jobs and no futures. So I cruised some job portals and decided on a career in public relations. I don't know where it came from but it seemed like a natural choice for someone as talkative as me. My original choice was to apply as a writer for a fashion magazine (I even applied for Mega late last year but they couldn't accept me because I was still in school) because I wanted to marry my two loves: writing and fashion. But I guested on a show on TV5 and one of the hosts, Direk Joey Reyes (director of Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and its sequel Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo) said that there's no money in writing. I knew that but ever since my mother stopped giving me allowance, I panicked and realized that I need to replenish my supply.

I was advised not to make writing my primary source of income because there's no money and I might tire of it. But because it's my edge, I decided on public relations. I might pursue corporate communications but PR sounds a lot more fun. I have most, if not all of the requirements, so I think I have a chance. I don't have a degree in journalism or mass communications but I have six years of experience writing and have had four editorships, I have participated in three journalism seminars hosted by the prestigious universities in the country, have organized one myself (with Charie Villa as speaker, among notable others), I have been nominated for Best Personal Blog at the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards, was awarded a gold medal for leadership (in case they want someone who works under pressure), I speak good English, and I interned for the marketing department of my school.

Ever since I told my mother I'm qualified to graduate, she kept bombarding me with job opportunities. For some reason, my mother is well-connected and she is friends with or related to media moguls, founders of film production companies, celebrities, executives, and owners of some of the hottest real estate companies, clubs, bars, and restaurants. She kept suggesting that she could help me find a job, which I kept saying no to. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I want to make it on my own. And I think I can.

I know many people would kill to have a contacts list like my mother's, but I plan to be one of those people who will get a job based on what he knows, not who he knows. If I knew that I could get a job at Viva Films or Century Properties, I wouldn't spend six years of my life spending sleepless nights trying to get a grade of 1. I would have settled for 3s if I planned on getting a high-paying job because I'm related to an executive or I'm friends with a COO (child of owner). I wouldn't have joined three papers, the student council, the debate team, the theater group, two socio-civic organizations, and the yearbook committee twice if I was aiming for nepotism. I have good credentials. And I want to use them.

I've always been called an idealist. Perhaps I am, or maybe everyone else is cynical. You might tell me that there's not enough jobs to go around but I had a chance to talk to Ms. Criselda Sy, the director of Bureau of Local Employment at the Department of Labor and Employment and she told me that the unemployment rate of the US is higher than that of the Philippines, and the primary reason why so many Filipinos are unemployed is because of choice. Being unemployed sounds terrible to me and I have no plans of becoming a bum. The thought of lounging around and doing nothing for a year just doesn't cut it for me. I'm sorry but I have ambition.

Direk Joey laughed at me good-naturedly when I told him of my writing plans. He said that it's either I'm an idealist, or I'm rich. I might be neither one of them, I might be one of them, or I could be both. I don't know. Perhaps it's my morals but I think the only time I'll ask for help when it comes to my career is when I find myself stuck in a rut.

Half a million a year with a monthly trip to Singapore and London, you say? Thanks, but no thanks, mom.

Vogue Nippon, March 2011

2011-04-09T18:51:00.000+08:00

The cover featuring Izabel Goulart in Dolce & Gabbana, shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

A feature on Angelina Jolie, with a photo shot by Mario Testino

Interesting eye makeup from Look Out!, a fashion editorial styled by Aurora Sansone

A feature on Tom Ford

The Return of Splendor, styled by George Cortina

Coordinating Lesson with looks from Marc Jacobs, YSL, and TopShop

From Fred and Ginger, styled by George Cortina and shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

From The Look Says It All, styled by Anna Dello Russo

World Traveller, a feature on vacation spots

The supplement, Nippon Vogue Color Bag and Shoes Dictionary

Yellow

The March 2011 issue of Vogue Nippon was boring compared to its other issues. Perhaps it was the lack of interesting pictures, which is what I look at when I read foreign editions of magazines because of the language barrier. I did, however, like the cover because of the use of animal prints, even on the title!

The issue is titled Catch The Look and it featured looks by fashion personalities like Alexa Chung, Anna Dello Russo, Taylor Momsen, Vivienne Westwood, and Carine Roitfeld; and the makeup of Faye Dunaway, a young Jodie Foster, Grace Coddington, Jerry Hall, and Jane Fonda.

There were several features that I wanted to read, such as the ones for Angelina Jolie, Tom Ford, and Tommy Hilfiger. But because it was in Japanese, I had no way of understanding it. In fact, the December 2010-January 2011 issue of French Vogue did an extensive feature on Tom Ford and I couldn't read it either, doubling my frustration.

The editorials were good, but I noticed the decimated number of pictures. Some editorials only had four shots. But they made up for it by being dramatic, especially Fred and Ginger, The Look Says It All, The Return of Splendor, and the eye makeup of Look Out!

The issue also featured top vacation spots which ignited my wanderlust. They featured wonderful places like Greece, Morocco, Maldives, and Shanghai, the last of which I'll be visiting in May. I'm looking forward to buying cultural items like Mao memorabilia and of course, stacks of Vogue China.

The issue came with a supplement, a dictionary of bags and shoes arranged by color. The dictionary is a wonderful guide, and I had fun sifting through the items. Arranging it by color was a brilliant idea and I think every stylist/style-conscious person should own a copy.