To celebrate Chinese New Year 2013 and the close friendship with superstar Eason Chan, adidas Originals and Jeremy Scott present a special edition of JS Wings called JS Wings CNY.

Inspired by Hong Kong’s rich oriental colours and luxurious silks, the shoe features a royal blue silk base, with embroidered flowers and embroidered wing.

The JS Wings CNY launched exclusively in China on January 1st, 2013, followed by a global roll-out which started January 15th in selected adidas Originals stores and wholesale partners.
The shoes are available for Php 12,995 at Adidas Greenbelt 3 and Two Parkade, Bonifacio Global City.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Nicolas Ghesquière is still on board as he presents Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection.
The idea, he says, was to connect different pieces from opposing worlds, and establish an open dialogue between them.
For example, he pairs a nun- or bib-looking top with an extremely sensual ‘ellipse’ skirt. Or a conservative top with a sexy, high-cut asymetrical skirt.
He uses ‘tweed’ embroidery in direct reference to the work of Cristobal Balenciaga who used this material throughout his career for suits and most especially in his collections of 1962 and 1963.
Personally, I’m excited for the new shapes of Balenciaga bags coming out this Spring. Maybe I’ll be carrying a real Balenciaga bag this year, not just a coin purse.

BALENCIAGA is at the ground floor, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Village, Makati, Philippines.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Dear PLDT,
Please connect my Internet na.
Paid this last January 10. It is now 17 days later.
Have guests arriving on January 30 and I’m getting nervous.
How long do I have to wait?
Thank you very much,
Cecile

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Dear PLDT,
Please connect my Internet na.
Paid this last January 10. It is now 17 days later.
Have guests arriving on January 30 and I’m getting nervous.
How long do I have to wait?
Thank you very much,
Cecile

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I have Hong Kong guests arriving tomorrow. Actually they are Hong Kong residents arriving from Boracay.
One of them is creating the Chuvaness app and I owe him tons. So I invited them to stay in my one-room Hotel Whereabouts, instead of checking in somewhere in Makati.

The place isn’t 100% finished. It still needs wallpaper, cable TV, the pendant lights have to be slightly relocated, and the bathroom tiles and toilet need repair. All of those will be done next week, and I’ll show you when it’s ready.
But today I really needed the Internet connection for the guests.

Two days ago I woke up in a state of panic and basically tweeted everyone in PLDT, including God and Manny Pangilinan to please help me get my PLDT fixed. I also blogged it.
Lo and behold, PLDT came this morning and installed.

The guy worked really fast. I am so grateful. Thank you!! And now I must fix the Skycable. So help me God!!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

So yesterday I was at Pepper Lunch Shangri-La, having merienda with our maid and driver, when I saw on Twitter that Carlos Celdran was found guilty of “offending religious feelings.”

Guilty.

— carlosceldran (@carlosceldran) January 28, 2013

I read online that Carlos can go to jail between “2 months and 21 days to a maximum of one year, 1 month and 11 days.”
I have no idea why the numbers are like that.
All I know is I started to cry while eating this double hamburger (shameless plug).

“The last time I cried over a hamburger was at Brother’s Burger, when I heard that Gilda (Cordero-Fernando) had a heart attack,” I told my friend Jude over the phone.
“So stop eating hamburger,” Jude curtly said.
Jude had visited Carlos in jail when he was arrested last September 30, 2010.

I believe the night he spent in jail was enough. Carlos apologized. He has been banned from bringing his tours around the churches. Don’t know if he was excommunicated and I don’t want to bug him to ask.

Yesterday I spent a great deal of time ranting on Twitter and even arguing with some righteous Catholics with four followers. I consider myself deeply Catholic even though I don’t go to Mass regularly. I like to think that Jesus, while on earth, would have drawn people to himself, instead of repel. So why do some righteous Catholics tend to alienate others instead of inspire?
By nighttime I had a feeling of remorse and used an app to erase more than 2,000 tweets on my timeline, and with that, I went to bed.
So now that even the President thinks Carlos should be pardoned, I think we can rest assured, Carlos will be free.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

What do you do if your car slips on an icy road, spins around and drops your baby girl onto the road where a truck narrowly misses running over her?
You run for your kid and walk back calmly, while your companion jumps down to pick up the blanket and hangs it on the side of the car. Hmmm….

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I wonder if Vicky Morales’s show Wish Ko Lang still exists?
Vicky was a schoolmate from Assumption, and I still bump in Vicky once in a while. I wonder if could make a wish through her show.
See, there’s this house on 8th Street, New Manila, which used to belong to my grandparents.
Here’s a picture of me, my elder sister and my Mom in that house, back in the day.

We spent a lot of time there. All weekends and summers of my childhood. We swam, read Pinoy komiks, bought Magnolia ice cream from the cart, played patin-tero and piko (hopscotch), while the adults played mahjohngg and cuajo all the time.

There was a big pebble wash area near the pool. I still remember those glass doors and that couch. I scanned these from my Tita Noni’s photo album, that’s why she’s in most of the photos.

Here’s the view from inside the house. My grandfather is in red, my grandmother is in the green dress.

I have vivid memories of these windows

These were the Galang relatives in the veranda, where the kids used to eat

I wish I had more pictures. The house was sold when my grandparents became too old to climb the stairs and moved to a bungalow. I don’t know who bought the house, but it’s still there and once in a blue moon I drive by and wish I could go inside. I distinctly remember the wavy walls—can you see the slight curve?

This is how it looked two years ago.

I am dying to go back and visit. I literally dream about it.
Sometimes I wish I could just go there with an artista (popular actor) like Maxene Magalona and her mother Pia, and just ring the doorbell. I think Filipinos would be awfully kind to celebrities who appear on their doorstep.
I still remember when Sharon Cuneta rang my doorbell in the ’80s to use the toilet due to the heavy traffic. She was with my former schoolmates, stuck in an unmoving car and my house wasn’t far away. They decided to walk to my house to use the toilet and ask for water.
I wish Sharon and I were close. Maybe she would ring the doorbell for me.
That said, I do hope someone in the universe will make it happen. Does anybody know anyone who lives in this house?

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Have you noticed the sudden influx of afams in Manila lately? (AFAM = a foreigner assigned in Manila).
I was having dinner recently at Mamou, Rockwell—and couldn’t help noticing how many afams were passing by and eating in the restaurants. It was almost Singapore levels.
Not talking about Burgos-quality afams, but young, good-looking and male and female afams (no offence to Burgos afams).
Could it be the ad campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”?

Could it be Noynoy Aquino—knowing our sitting President isn’t stealing is making the country more attractive to foreigners and investors?
Could it be that the New York Times, Travel & Leisure , and Condé Nast Traveller all named Philippines as one of the top travel destinations in 2013?
Could it be that new luxe hotels and resorts are setting up shop in the Philippines?
Or all of the above?

After Century Properties announced its new development called Acqua Iguazu with yoo inspired by Philippe Starck comes Aqua Boracay by yoo.
I know it sounds all too confusing—both are called Acqua and Aqua with a slight difference in spelling and both are designed by yoo—but developers are different.
Acqua Iguazu is by Century Properties, while the other is developed by the AQUA Boracay Group of Marco Biggiogero, Marco Manzoni, and Dmitry Zhur.

Aqua Boracay will have a cluster of four-storey, low-density and low-rise building, offering 134 units of up to two-bedroom luxury apartments with prices starting at P11 million.
Amenities include concierge, guest services, housekeeping and laundry, on-site water sports, and exclusive access to clubhouse and swimming pools

Take a look at the renderings designed by yoo.
Here’s a studio type

The bedrooms with the local, resort elements mixed with modern sensibilities

The bathrooms I would not complain about. (For me, the big come-on is the banyo. Filipinos don’t do banyos like these.)

The living/dining/kitchen in various renderings—take your pick—it all boils down to clean and simple lines

Is it Vito Selma?

Check out the floor plans for one-bedroom

and two-bedroom

To me, it all looks magical. But I’ve never been to Boracay.
I imagine a beach looks lovelier with less people. But with Boracay getting more commercialized and populated—hey, at least it get a few notches cooler with yoo joining in the fun.
Now if only the government would fix the airport….

To know more about Aqua Boracay, go to http://aquaboracay.com/ or like them on Facebook.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Awwww….I didn’t know this ad existed. Whoever added Dingdong is a genius!
You forget we also have actors called Enchong, Lotlot, Dranreb, Sunshine, Princess, Empress, and more.
Now watch the TVC*

*TV commercial

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Last night after dinner at Serendra, I dragged Jeroen to the Herman Miller store on the second level.
Jeroen had never been up there. We looked at the SMEG refrigerators for a future house, some beautiful FLOS lamps, and finally this shop:

The Herman Miller showroom is very small and was relaunched last November 2012.
Jeroen really liked this setup

I liked the Airia media cabinet

There’s the iconic Nelson marshmallow sofa

The Eames molded plywood chair

The Eames wire chair

The Nelson coconut chairs

and finally the Eames Rocker—the real thing

So gorgeous, I’ve always wanted one. This was taken in Hong Kong in 2010

I thought I got a good deal when I found one in Beijing and brought it home

Then I found out last night that real Eames rockers are matte—not glossy—according to the lady in the showroom. No wonder it was affordable! So Ely, you and I have copies pala. Ngek!

Matte, not glossy. Bullet day, I’ll have a real one.

Visit Herman Miller on the 2nd Level of Serendra, Bonifacio Global City
Open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM. Tel. (632) 659-6449
To know more, go to http://www.hermanmiller.com/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Most of the time I like to clown around on Twitter. Like this afternoon I realized, why does Sam Ajdani follow Regina Belmonte and not me? So I decided to make this #jejetweet

The #jejetweet was a hit. Soon people were asking Sam to follow me

I even offered to throw in some prizes

Finally, after a few minutes:

Listen, I have no idea what Teddyboy Locsin’s #jejetweet was all about, but Sam Ajdani followed me!!

For those asking, Sam Ajdani is Manila’s model du jour—at least he has a small fan club of groupies who are ecstatic he joined Twitter. He also appeared in last month’s Metro magazine (January 2013 issue)

That said, here’s the promised giveaway: four buckets filled with colorful girly stuff

It includes: 1) Burlington foot products; 2) Goody hair accessories; 3) little Pupung clock from SOLO; 4) Team Manila zippered pouch; 5) Tokidoki eyeshadow set from Sephora; 6) Dylan’s Candy Bar reusable BAGGU tote bag; 7) New York subway map pen; 8) Spam tin case from Target.

Mechanics:
1) Open to any follower with a Philippine-based shipping address
2) Must follow @chuvaness on Twitter or Instagram
3) Must register HERE.
4) Winners will be drawn by electronic lottery
5) Cutoff on Feb. 8, 2013 at 11:00 PM.
6) Winners will be announced here and on Twitter.

More giveaways coming soon!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Some of you have asked where I got the clear paint buckets in my giveaway.
I got them from Beabi and it cost Php 295 each. A bit pricey, yes, but cute!

Last Christmas I used it to store my tools, as I wrapped gift in different parts of the house, like the bedroom, stock room and dining room. I would just pick up the bucket and everything would be handy.

The bucket can be used as swag bags or gift bags, like this expectant daddy kit made by Living Eventfully.

I just love putting together gift bags.

Beabi is the Philippines’ answer to Muji or Container Store.
To see more products, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Sorry this took so long!
I was out these past couple of days and only got a chance to review over 1500 entries tonight.
Out of 1460 valid entries, four winners were electronically draw at random.org.
The winning numbers are:

Which corresponds to the entries of:
Melissa Floro of Quezon City
Laurice Talusan of Caloocan City
VIRNA LIZA VILLAREAL of PASIG CITY
and Christina Agustin of Caloocan City

Please check your Twitter DM or email to find a message from me!
Thanks and watch for my next giveaway very soon!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Villa del Conte sent the first Valentines this year.

This Valentine season, Villa del Conte offers a special limited edition box filled with 385 grams of chocolate excellence for only Php 1,480.
The red box with gold heart band contains a collection of praline sticks and domes.
The domes come in dark chocolate with tartufone cream and cereal; dark chocolate with whiskey mocha; dark chocolate with salted toffee; milk chocolate with hazelnut and hazelnut chips; and milk chocolate with blueberry cream filling.

The praline sticks come in fruity flavors of milk chocolate with watermelon cream filling; milk chocolate with strawberry cream filling; milk chocolate with banana cream filling; dark chocolate with mint cream filling; and dark chocolate with orange cream filling.

For those looking for something simpler, Villa Del Conte has the Amore boxes which showcases their truffle collection.
For only Php 380, choose from three extraordinary truffles: fig fillet, marron glace (chestnut), and walnut.
The truffles come in a pink or white heart-shaped box with ribbon. Its sweet and youthful package also make it a perfect prom gift.

Find Villa del Conte at the following locations:
3/F Shangri-la Plaza Edsa
2/F Greenbelt 5, Makati
3/F TriNoma, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Resorts World Manila

To know more go to Villa del Conte’s Facebook.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with CIBO’s Pasta Polpette alla Cabrese, made of fusilli, ground beef, parma ham, egg, parsley, provolone and parmesan cheese.
Get a free Twinings Red Fruits (strawberry, red currant, cherry, and raspberry) Iced Tea with every order of Pasta Polpette alla Cabrese or with every Php 500 purchase from February 10 to 17, 2013 only.

CIBO brunch is available from 7:00 AM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Rockwell (ground floor); and 11 AM to 3 PM in other branches.

http://www.cibo.ph/

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The 4th Philippine International PyroMusical Competition 2013 comes back to SM Mall of Asia from February 16 to March 23, 2013 from 7-8 PM.
Watch as international fireworks experts from 11 countries show off their pyrotechnic skills!
And what better way to enjoy than with a sizzling dinner + front row view at Pepper Lunch, Mall of Asia?

For more information go to Pyro Philippines Facebook.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

As someone obsessed with the perfect stay, I highly recommend Inside Claridges, a three-part BBC documentary on what goes on inside the most iconic five-star hotel in Mayfair, London.
As I watched, a few luxury hotels came to mind: first, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, which has the world’s best Thai food in my opinion. I would fly there just to eat, but I’m afraid of weight gain.
At the time of our stay, very very importants guests would come in and out of its doors, with Presidents, heads of state, royalty, bodyguards and security everywhere.

Jeroen and I were pampered in our loft accommodation.

However, I had to close my eyes every time I used the shower. There was darkened grout or sealant where the glass partition met the bathtub. It was pretty disgusting, I had to cover the area with a towel and hurry up. For this alone I would be wary of going back to the Oriental.

I had the same experience in one of Makati’s “best” hotels. I was really disappointed (or grossed out) with the condition of its bathrooms which appeared to have been built in the ’80s and never renovated.
Such a thing would never happen at the Claridges.

On the other hand, I feel like I’ve experienced heaven at the Peninsula Tokyo.
The minute you come in you have the feeling of quiet luxury.

Everything is spic and span. Even the bathrooms are immaculate.

When I was really sick for a month last December, I had some time to think about my life because I thought I was dying. And I told my friends Ginggay and Penny, one of the things I thought about was how lucky I was to have stayed at the Peninsula Tokyo because it was close to heaven, LOL. We all laughed.
In fact, the Peninsula Tokyo is, I feel much better than the Claridges in London.

I have not stayed at the Claridges. But while the Claridges is tons more expensive with a staff that pays attention to every single detail, I would rather pay less money for more modern interiors—especially the bathrooms. I was quite horrified how some Claridges bathrooms look like they’re from the ’70s.

That said, there’s a lot to be learned from Inside Claridges, which teaches you about impeccable service and attention to detail.
They have painters on the payroll just to go over stains as soon as the guest checks out.
They check bathroom fixtures and even install a jacuzzi before a VVIP checks in.
They take pictures and keep files of how regular guests want their rooms done for their next visit.
They’re used to the likes of Madonna, U2, the Japanese Britney Spears, the President of Malawi, Joan Collins, and Prince Andrew either staying or popping in.

How lucky we are that this was just uploaded on YouTube—no need to find torrents.
Now watch the 3-part series and find out what makes Claridges one of the best luxury hotels in the world.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

It’s been a while since I last saw Singapore—to be exact, it was December 2011 with the kids.
I wanted to get away, so I asked Jeroen to take me here for Valentine’s Day.
I’ve forgotten how great Singapore Airlines feels.
So much space

So many compartments—for your magazines, bottled water, rosary

I even had a “trash” bin (cause I hate stuffing trash into the magazine pocket)

This I love: you can plug your gadgets (I don’t know why that logo is baliktad)

I sat next to the wing. I only realized this before landing because I kept the cover down the whole time.
The plane shook a little after takeoff and I had to manage my anxiety by praying and of course some medication

Because Jeroen slept on me! I love that you can recline fully.

To think that the seats near the wings are the least shaky—so I’ve read. Yes I’m still scared of flying.
Over and over I kept thinking about what Kissa McDermott told me—her brother and father are both pilots. According to them turbulence is nothing to be afraid of and flying is really, really safe.
We made it in one piece.
The airport looks so beautiful.

Yes, it’s been a while. I don’t remember this beautiful carpet

Follow the Singapore Girls

Gorgeous trees. I wonder if they were lit up for Christmas

Jeroen and I didn’t eat on the plane. After checking in our hotel, we walked to the Ion Orchard where I enjoyed real Singaporean roasted chicken rice—the best!!
I have to say it feels good to be back.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Dear Dennis (my brother),
There is nothing shabby about the Grand Hyatt Singapore!
Except for amazingly slow Internet connection, everything else is lovely. Look at the floor.

This way to our room

Huge, comfy bed (can sleep 2 adults + 1 kid)

Jeroen loves the reading chair and lamp

Study table in the corner

I love the closet

Inside is a wooden door that slides open so you can access the closet from inside the bathroom. Genius idea!!

I love the bathroom with the privacy toilet and bath

Separate shower

Marble counter sink! (read: not bowl)

And a makeup table!!! I don’t have to dry my hair next to the laptop! Thank you!!

The first three days Jeroen and I were really thrilled to be in this room, but today there was that feeling of it’s time to go home. #singapore

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.