LOL: Maganda

Kung gusto mong masabihan ng "MAGANDA", pumunta ka sa Starmall...
Tindera: "Ganda, anong hanap mo?"

English Translation

If you want to be complimented as "PRETTY", go to Starmall...
Vendor: Pretty girl, what are looking for?

LOL!

source: JC Gonzales' forwarded text message

QC Adventure & Bloggers-Readers Meet-up

When I saw Mikyle's post on my Google reader that we can get a chance to meet him and Dani, I tweeted them immediately since I only have few hours left before the given deadline. When I got home at around 10 pm, I got the announcement of the winners and it included me. I was really surprised I was able to win it.

The meeting place, Moonleaf (Maginhawa St., Teachers' Village, QC), is far and not so familiar so I have to search it through Google Map. After I saw the map location, I only need to find out how to get there. Thanks to Myril and to Commuter's Guide topic in Pinoy Exchange, which gave a full detail on how to get there.

Our call time is 10 AM so I need to leave early from our house. Going there became easy for me since I was able to go around the main roads of QC when we participated in the 1st World Youth Forum (which I haven't blogged 4 years ago) through UNYAP held in different places there way back in 2009. The tricycle driver brought me to a small Moonleaf branch. I got there as early as 9 AM since the traffic went smoothly. The store was still closed so I stayed at Mini Stop just in the corner of Magiting and Maginhawa Streets. I checked my things on my bag and found out that I left the batteries of my camera being charged in my sisters' room. :( So I had to buy a pair of AA batteries in the store.

Moonleaf Magiting branch, where I went the first time.

When it was already 10 AM, I checked Moonleaf if there were people already. I was annoyed to see it has not opened yet. I looked around the place and found an internet shop where I rented a use of their computer for 15 mins. After that, I decided to buy a cup of coffee and asked ate what time does Moonleaf opens. From her, I learned that there are two branches of Moonleaf there. One in Magiting Street (where the tricycle brought me)  and another one in Maginhawa. Luckily it was just a few steps from there to the right meeting place. I found two girls seating inside Moonleaf whom I believed to be waiting for the blogger love team too. I sat at a table next to them. After a few minutes another girl came with her aunt, whom later I learned to be Diana.

After waiting for quite a while, a beautiful young lady came. We were all starstrucked by her. Yes, she is Dani Baretto of 'Style is Eternal'. She said 'hi' to us then told us she'll just call Mikyle (Style Division), who came a few minutes after. They apologized for being late and of course we accepted it warmly.

These young bloggers are really awesome. We talked about blogging, fashion and even personal things while waiting for the free drinks sponsored by Moonleaf. I am even amazed how the other readers know much about the love team. :) Before we left and find some place to eat, we had some photo opps with them. Luckily, another two girls came just in time and we decided to take our lunch there. We had McDonald's and the blogger love team had their fried chicken from Mini Stop. I was so lucky to be the only guy among the readers and get a shirt from Rex Clothing. We then left the place for Trinoma to watch Sisterakas. Thanks Moonleaf for the free planners which we had autographed by Dani & Kyle.

with Dani Baretto and Mikyle Quizon

Winter Melon Tea

with Dani Baretto

the blogger love team signing our planners

free planner and shirt!

When we get to Trinoma Cinema ticket booth (2:40 PM), the available schedule for Siterakas was around 5-6 PM. That's when we decided to watch 'Sosy Problems'. Too sad Dani has to leave for another commitment. We had a photo opp outside Cinema 2 before she left and before we enter. The movie was really funny. I was happy to see my friends on the big screen too (you can see some photos on my past entry)! After the movie, we had another photo opp with Mikyle.

on our way to Trinoma

 

after watching 'Sosy Problems'

The day was great! We, readers, were able to meet the authors of the blogs that we're fond of reading. Till next time!

Update 2013.01.23:

with Diana

Punchdrunk Panda Shoot

No, I'm not an endorser of Punchdrunk Panda, but YES, I won on MadHouseMNL's giveaway that I posted here before. After tweeting and sharing their post everyday, I got my reward. Although I didn't get the Lomo Camera, I'm still happy with what I've got. Then, I finally received the package last December 20.

I had my Punchdrunk Panda look shoot right after my K-Pop Shoot. Myril is still the photographer on this shoot.

I wore a striped knitted pullover (thrifted), white jeans (Mint) and canvass shoes (Punchdrunk Panda).

My entry for SM MOA's Ultimate Uhljjang Photo Contest

K-Pop Shoot

K-Pop is already part of my life. I've been listening to SM Entertainment artists since 2008. So, when a friend of mine, Charmaine Paat, informed me about the K-Pop Dream Fantasy Concert (I'm not really updated with their activities. I just listen or DL their MVs.), where Girl's Generation will perform (I want to see them their beautiful legs with my own eyes), I browsed SM MOA's FB page to check the details. There, I found their "Ultimate Uhljjang Photo Contest" where if I won, I'll get a chance to see them on-stage. At first, I hesitated to join because it's a voting contest. Who would vote for me? Lol! But then, I told Myril about it and we decided to pursue with the contest. She will take care of my K-Pop make-up and be the photographer for my shoot. We scheduled the shoot on the December 22, after judging on a pageant.

Not so related to my post, some pictures of me on the pageant.

During the Mr. & Ms. YESS (Young English Students' Society).

L-R:  President of YESS, a 4th year candidate, and Clare

Our concept for the K-Pop shoot is to imitate Tasty (a new duo) because they have a mature look that will fit to my age. Lol! I chose to wear all-black clothes to give a dark aura to my shoot.

I wore a knitted long-sleeves (thrifted), waxed jeans (Penshoppe), leather boots (Mendrez) and dark gray scarf (thrifted).

Trying hard to look like Sean O'Pry. LOL

Imitating Tasty

My signature pose. LOL

With Myril, the Make-up Artist & Photographer

The team that helped me with the shoot. Thanks a lot!

When I got home, I reviewed my shoot on our pc and realized that we got a poor lighting from the shoot. I used the Punchdrunk Panda shoot instead as my entry. (See next post)

Christmas 2012

Feeling the cold breeze makes me excited to celebrate the birthday of our Dear Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, we shall appreciate all the blessings he gives us everyday.

Last Sunday, the Bagumbayan Evangelical Church had a lunch prepared for the whole congregation. The food was good! I enjoyed every dish especially my mom's embutido. Right after the church celebration, we went to Starbucks, Festival Mall so we can get additional stickers. LOL. Then we headed to SaveMore to buy the ingredients needed for our Noche Buena. Luckily, there are fewer people there than ShopWise (we checked ShopWise for Clam Shells which are not available in SaveMore). I also bought DQ's Black Forest Blizzard so I can send an entry for their iPad Giveaway (Giveaway addict!). Then we went home. My mom prepared the Fruit Salad to be frozen.

On the 24th, My mom and my sister Kate started to prepare and cook for the Noche Buena. They started with the Mussel Soup and the Bolonese Sause. Then they had the pizza dough prepared and baked with the pizza sauce and toppings. Since I don't have anything to do, I helped them cooking Mojos, which was prepared by Kate, while my mom is preparing the Cordon Bleu at the same time. When all is done, we prepared the table and had a photo shoot for the food (which was carefully designed by Kate, Mom, and me)! And of course, before we started eating, my dad lead us in a prayer.

Kate's Bolonese

Kate and Mom's Pizza (they actually made one pizza each)

Mom's Chicken Cordon Bleu

Kate's Mojos and Tartar Sauce

Kate's Mussel Soup

Our Noche Buena

Mom's Fruit Salad

Thank you Lord for all the blessings! We LOVE you!

Star Dance Shoot

It's been a month since I updated my blog with my personal activities. (I was busy joining online giveaways. LOL). 

Star Dance, currently on its second season, is a dance competition organized by Krewzada. We did a shoot for its promotional materials last Saturday.

We started preparing for the studio set-up/materials last Wednesday. The walls are made of used boxes then wrapped with old newspapers using gawgaw. We then painted them in black and red which were finished by Saturday morning.

Since the studio was not set-up yet, we started shooting the interview with the contenders and gave them a challenge related to the shoot. We challenged each contender to create their 16-count dance steps to be used for their Video ID and will be judged by Mr. Joey "Lil Ryu" Umpacan, Mr. Christopher "Daeto" Villa and Mr. Ivan "Kenjhons" Carpio.

During lunch, we started setting-up the studio by hanging them on the ceiling. We also hanged black cloths between the walls. After we have finished setting up the studio, Myril, our make-up artist, arrived from work. (She came just in time. LOL). She really did a great make-over for Joey and Jessica (see this post).

We started the shoot with the contenders. Most of them are shy in front of the camera. But when it was Joey and Jessica's turn, they really gave their best. Although, Jessica still has to learn how to smile good for the camera. The rest of the Krewzada members had their shoo as well. Even Myril and I had it. LOL. It was really fun.

I turned one of our photos into a parody of Spy Kids