Pardon me for the hiatus.
It is now 7 days post surgery (the plastic kind) and I find it awfully tedious to go online.
I’ve been feeling tired, sleepy and very itchy.
Meet my best friend, Arnica gel. (Available at Healthy Options)

It was recommended by a doctor friend who’s also a pole dancer in Hawaii. Arnica gel is your best friend if you’re bruised, swollen, and itchy.
But so far today I got a glimpse of my tummy and it is seriously flat. It’s gonna take 3-6 months before I see the final result, but for now I’m saying goodbye to Coke and cake.
I’m going to spare you the details of what I’ve been going through, but I do hope to gain my energy soon so I can get back to blogging regularly.
As the Japanese would say, thank you for waiting

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

Damn you Jane Kingsu and Candy Dizon for getting me addicted to Candy Crush!!

When Jane showed me the game at Keri’s birthday dinner last February, I paid no attention and thought it was no better than my favorite Bejeweled game.
Then Candy tweeted about it today, and I decided to download since I am now eight days post op and spending a lot of time in bed.
Though I’m not yet 100%, my spirits are up. I am no longer depressed due to suffering and lack of activity.

So yes I am surviving. What does Candy Crush teach me? Never say never. It is great for passing time and getting rid of crazy thoughts.
I also have to thank Ginggay for telling me about her friend who has spent Php 60,000 on Candy Crush buying all sorts of boosts. Thank you for telling me it is addicting so I won’t break the bank playing it.

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

It is now 11 days post-op and I’m still homebound, except for check-ups at the clinic and a trip to the mall to buy Spanx bras and a Tempur wedge pillow.
Last Monday I hauled my carcass off to a wake of my uncle who had died last week.

Funny how you don’t think deeply about some people until they die.
What I have about my Tito Meckoy Quiogue are great childhood memories.
A few have told me what a great boss and mentor he had been, but to me he was the coolest uncle.
If my memory serves me right, he took us cousins to Magnolia Ice Cream Parlour.

He took us to the movies. I have vivid memories of Logan’s Run because it was creepy and had bomba, and I was a kid. I was probably not supposed to see that.

My uncle was so cool he got us to watch a preview of the first Superman movie with Christopher Reeve, before it hit the cinemas officially.

He used to work at Coca-Cola, so we got to watch the filming of a Coke commercial in Baguio. I still remember the jingle.

He let my brother and sister and cousin appear in a Coke commercial, while my Tita Noli appeared in a Breeze commercial.
When we were kids back in the ’70s, Coke had a yoyo promo which brought the international yoyo champions to Manila. The champions even appeared at my cousin’s birthday party at home.
He played baril-barilan with us—a game which thrilled us to bits.

When we all grew up, we didn’t see Tito Meckoy regularly because he had a new family, though we would bump into him occasionally at events.

When he died I thought about the memories—that he was a cool uncle, and he was always good-looking.

Tito Meckoy with my cousin Enet at Hemady (I wonder who’s hiding in the back)

L-R: At work with Ed Roa, Meckoy Quiogue, Willy Ocampo, Frankie Gonzales (Photo: Ed Roa)

My husband says he doesn’t have vivid childhood memories, but I can remember as far back as three or four years old.
I remember bits and pieces of it, and what I like to remember is the kindness of people.
Because as I get older, I look back to my childhood for warm memories, so I try to give my children good ones.
Tito Meckoy was one of those good memories, and I thank him for that.
As I looked around his wake and saw the people that loved him, all the flowers and the few mementoes they put on display, I had the warm feeling he lived a good life and that God would welcome him with open arms.

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

“I want to paint you,” the artist, Popo San Pascual told me back in the early ’90s.
“Paint me with a tear in my eye,” I said.
“No, I want to paint you laughing,” Popo said, “I will call it Laughing Cecile.”
Popo moved to Tagaytay and we lost touch.

Something really tragic happened to me back in the ’90s, something I didn’t think I would survive.
During that time I found a small statue of the crying Virgin Mary, which touched me because I felt like she was crying with me. I had that special statue on my bedside until my baby dropped it on the floor and broke it.

Then sometime in November last year, I saw this invitation to an art gallery at The Fort.

Spanish painters Carla Rendon and Jessica Ruiz, collectively known as Crajes, was mounting a solo show in Manila.

I went there as fast as I could and marveled at the workmanship

These were huge

I couldn’t leave without buying anything, so I chose the one on the left.

Crajes’ paintings remind me so much of me, so I took a chance and emailed them to inquire about painting me, with a veil and a tear in my eye. I sent them a couple of pictures with me in Maison Michel hat and headband

I was thrilled when they emailed me back and wrote: “We want to know if you want a transparent tear or a blood one?”
A few months later, I was following its progress on @crajes Instagram account.

The tear is in place

Beginning of the veil

I love this

Amazing, painstaking detail with a fine brush

The finished product will be 100 x 115cm, and my dream is coming true.
To know more about Crajes, go to http://crajes.carbonmade.com/
Or follow them on Instagram @crajes and Twitter @crajesart

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

This isn’t a sponsored post.
I’m just one of those women who have “happy periods” for the most part, when I’m not doubled over in cramps.
I love cute sanitary pads, and I’m a sucker for cute packaging.
At first I thought I was the only one who hoarded sanitary napkins when traveling abroad, even when I don’t have my period. It turns out my sister and my friend Kathy used to do that too.
Not sure where I found this pack of Whisper Pinkcess, but I think it must’ve been Rustan’s Supermarket.
I bought it because of the cute little package.

Finally used it last week and was really surprised, because at first I thought something must be wrong with me.
I had a cold vajajay. I thought it had something to do with my recent liposuction.
Later that afternoon I stared at the packaging. I can’t read Chinese, but I figured that green breeze-looking thing that says i-co at the bottom probably meant menthol or something.
Which would explain the cold sensation. I lovett!! Perfect for the tropical weather.
Now if they can invent a napkin that relieves menstrual cramps, that would be perfect.

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

I’m excited for GMA’s new drama series, My Husband’s Lover, which premieres Monday, June 10, 2013.
But don’t expect the typical “mistress genre”, as the title suggests.

My Husband’s Lover, stars Tom Rodriguez (as Vincent) and Carla Abellana (as Lally), whose characters get pregnant while still in college.

They decide to get married, even though Vincent’s mom (Kuh Ledesma) is against it. Because of her, Lally finds out married life isn’t such a bed of roses.
Especially when she becomes pregnant with her second child—Vincent becomes distant and cold towards her.
Here’s when Lally discovers Vincent’s dark secret—an old flame named Eric, played by Dennis Trillo.

My Husband’s Lover also stars Karel Marquez, Victor Basa, Chanda Romero, Roi Vinzon, Glydel Mercado, Bettina Carlos, Kevin Santos, and Pancho Magno.

Now watch the trailer

To know more, go to https://www.facebook.com/myhusbandslover.

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

Last night while waiting for My Husband’s Lover on GMA, my friend Karen and I were reminiscing how we met in 1996. It was through my childhood friend Lia, who met her at Club Filipino during the badminton craze.
When I met Karen, she was chubby, bubbly and full of energy. She was my fashion assistant at Grocery, which was my label back in the ’90s.
Three years later she was back in the US, and I didn’t know when I would see her again.
In 2005 she came over to visit

L-R: Karen Salgado, Melvin Mojica, Hank Palenzuela

And then we lost touch. Well thank God for Mark Zuckerberg. I found her on Facebook and last week she came over to stay with me while visiting her dad who is undergoing cancer treatments.
This is Karen at home

and at Pepper Lunch

Two years ago, Karen started her career in Zumba, which combines Latin and international music in an effective workout system. See Karen’s weight loss in just one year

Karen, before and after. Not bad for 40!

Here for two weeks, Karen leaves on June 16th. Luckily she was given an opportunity to hold a Zumba masterclass at Beyond Yoga, The Fort to help raise funds for her dad.

You will love Karen’s energy. Just watch her during a fundraiser held in Palm Springs recently, where she was able to raise US$5,000 for her dad.

This Friday the class will be held from 6:30-7:30 PM at Beyond Yoga, BHS Central Branch – 3rd Floor, C2 Building, 7th Ave Corner 28th Street, Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig.
Fee is Php 600, and donations are more than welcome.
To reserve, please call (02) 553-3799 / 0917-6BYYOGA (6299642) or email inquire@igobeyondyoga.com.

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

It’s been two weeks since I last had Coke and I’m hoping never to drink again—mostly to keep my waist and face small.
My love of Coke dates back to my childhood. We always had them in stock at home.
Check out this vintage picture of my mom and grandma (standing 2nd and 3rd from left) and bottles of Coke on the table.

Back in the ’80s, I remember buying half a can of Coke for 35 cents, which sort of looked like this

Had it again with a yummy bowl of pancit at the Eva Air lounge in Taipei, 2005

These holiday bottles were found in Shimokitaza, Tokyo in 2010

The 90-calorie Coke at left is available at S&R Price Club

Now this really kills me: the Coke-sharing can recently introduced “but only for a few markets,” confirms Coke ambassador Adel Tamano.

My guess is, not the Philippines, but Singapore has them!!
Oh well. I’m not supposed to drink anyway.

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

Swedish retail giant H&M is proud to announce its autumn collaboration with Parisian designer Isabel Marant.
Known for her effortless style, Isabel mixes urban attitude and boho elegance with a rock ‘n’ roll spirit to deliver a genuine French allure.

For H&M, Isabel Marant will create a wardrobe of must-have pieces inspired by her signature style.
It will be available from November 14, 2013, in around 250 stores worldwide and online.
The collection will include clothing and accessories for women and teenagers, and for the first time for her, a collection for men.

“I am flattered by this collaboration,” said Isabel. “H&M works with the best designers and this invitation is an exciting honor. I aim at creating something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian: you dress up, but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be mixed following one’s own instincts: my take on fashion is all about personality” says Isabel Marant.

Born and raised in Paris, Isabel Marant started customizing her own clothes while still at high school.
A graduate of the famed Studio Berçot, Marant worked her way up the fashion system starting with a jewellery line, adding knitwear, then finally launching her eponymous collection in 1994. Today she runs an internationally successful fashion powerhouse with a string of boutiques worldwide. Her Parisian chic style, a mix of bohemia and masculine tailoring, grows in popularity season after season.

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

To celebrate Father’s Day, CIBO offers Gamberoni—king prawns, garlic, capers, anchovy, olive oil, sautéed spinach, balsamic vinegar with parsley rice pilaf—from June 9-16, 2013 at all CIBO branches.
As an added treat, every order of Gamberoni comes with a free glass of white wine or iced tea.

CIBO is located at Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza, Alabang Town Center, Rockwell, Promenade Greenhills, Gateway Mall Araneta Center, Greenbelt 5, Lucky Chinatown Mall and Robinsons Magnolia.

This June 14-16, 2013, Pepper Lunch offers a combination of shimofuri pepper steak and karubi cut steak with sweet yakiniku sauce—for a special price of only Php 477.
And yes, you can have it even if you’re not a father

This Pepper Lunch promo will be available at Rockwell, Shangri-La Plaza, Greenbelt 5, Alabang Town Center (2F Corte de las Palmas), SM Megamall-A, Robinson’s Ermita, SM Mall of Asia, and Eastwood Mall.

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

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho comes back to Manila in his first-ever concert tour on July 6, 2013 (Saturday) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Named after the release of his first album, My Everything—World Tour 2013 will be a 10-city tour that will take him to Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Osaka, Hong Kong and the United States.

Lee Min Ho’s acting career started in 2005 with small roles in Korean dramas, but the big career break in his career came when he took the lead role as Gu Jun Pyo in Boys Over Flowers.
He continued to star in several blockbuster dramas, including Personal Taste (retitled Perfect Match in the Philippines) and the action drama City Hunter.
Lee Min Ho is also one of BENCH clothing’s international endorsers.

Tickets available at all SM Ticket outlets or go to http://www.smtickets.com.
For VIP tickets or more information, call Wilbros Live at 374-9999.

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

This past week our internet at home conked out and my kids got really upset.
At the same time, my SIM card died. The landline was dead. The water pump got busted, and our aircon was dripping.
You’d think Mercury was in retrograde—but only in our house.
It was hell being a house manager while trying to recover from my surgery.
To fix the internet, I made a few tweets to @PLDThome, but it took them about five days to fix the problem. Apparently a fiber optic was corroded.
My SIM card was replaced the next day through my dad’s secretary and account officer.
Our driver was able to fix the water pump by himself, and the aircon guys arrived the next day.
Prior to repair, the kids were feeling withdrawal from internet, so I took them to our small apartment at the Shangri-La and stayed there until 8 PM for two days.

I can’t tell you how traumatized I’ve been this last week.
The solution: get a backup internet from another company—one in our room and one in the kids’ room.
We also have two landlines now.
Long before wifi and cellphones, we had three landlines at my parents’ house. Back in the day there was only PLDT and it wasn’t easy to get a line. You kind of had to have connections to get a phone number.
Telephone lines would easily conk out, especially if it was raining, so it was important to have a backup line.
During that time, no telephone, no life.

Nowadays people don’t care much for the landline, but I still prefer to use one when having a conversation.
So after this week’s trauma, I found myself breathing a sigh of relief at the thought that we now have two wifis at home—both with speeds of 7 mbps. If one conks out, I’ll have a backup, and I never have to go through that suffering again.
Unless of course both conk out at the same time, then we’ll just go to the apartment.
Didn’t realize how important wifi was until only this week. No wifi, no life.

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

Stefanel, together with local partner Nuovo Moda Concepts Inc., launched its first store in the Philippines with a cocktail party and trunk show at the new SM Aura Premiere at Bonifacio Global City.
Guests walked into a space surrounded by huge images of Stefanel’s ad campaign as realized by Mario Testino and Stephen Gan.

They were treated to music, a trunk show with models weaving in and out of the crowd, and never-ending bubbly by Fifi L’Amour. The evening was hosted by Tessa Prieto Valdes and was graced by Mr. Guissepe Stefanel, CEO of Stefanel.

Mr. Stefanel flew into Manila just for the event, along with members of Stefanel’s international team led by Daniela de Piccoli.

L-R: Giuseppe Stefanel, Daniela de Piccoli, Harley Sy

The event was also graced by the new Italian Ambassador, HE Massimo Roscigno and his wife Agnes.

L-R: Ali Yu, Andrew Gan, Agnes Roscigno, HE Ambassador Massimo Roscigno

Also spotted: Dr. Glenn Carandang, Carol Garcia, Cinthy Tambunting Recto, Tessa Prieto Valdes, Chatty Roxas

Anne Marie Saguil, Sonsoles Barretto, Karen Robicheaux

Alvaro Pertierra, Xavier Btesh, Frank Ordonez

Katya and Tania Lichauco, Bettina Osmena, Baby Girl Fricke

Daniela de Piccoli, Andrew Gan, Dr. Vicki Belo, Giuseppe Stefanel, Baby Cheng, Carol Sy, Daniela Cheng

Founded in Italy more than 50 years ago, Stefanel has grown to more than 450 stores in 30 countries worldwide.
The Philippine flagship store was designed and fitted by the celebrated Italian design firm Iride.
As a global brand, Stefanel’s design specifications are very exacting—everything had to be be imported from Italy down to the stool one sits on in the changing rooms.
The 105-square-meter space showcases Stefanel’s ladies’ and accessories collections, particularly knitwear, which has been in this very Italian company’s DNA since the beginning.

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

Maccha—or Japanese green tea—isn’t just for sipping anymore.
Maccha is now a sought-after ingredient, lending its multi-layered flavors and hints of luxury to ordinary dishes and desserts.
Produced under the most meticulous conditions, dried tea leaves are stone-ground until it turns into the fine, bright green, talc-like powder we know as maccha.
Imbued with antioxidants, it is said to boost metabolism and help reduce cholesterol levels.

Now maccha has found a perfect partner in Royce’s Green Tea Fair, with three new offerings this July.
Enjoy the fragrance of almonds and the bitterness of maccha with Royce’s Maccha Almond Chocolate

Bite into Prafeuille Chocolate Maccha to savor fragrant green tea sauce sandwiched in lightly textured, chocolate thins mixed with green tea leaves

And for the ultimate indulgence, try Nama Chocolate Maccha—premium green tea leaves blended into chocolate, sprinkled with green tea-flavored chocolate powder.

Maccha Almond Chocolate, Prafeuille Chocolate Maccha, and Nama Chocolate Maccha will be available in all Royce’ stores at Greenbelt 5, Rockwell, Trinoma, Eastwood Mall, Podium, and The Cake Club in Bonifacio Global City for a limited time only.

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

I was going to blog about being stuck in a three-hour traffic jam last night. But hell, I just read about Robbie Antonio in Vanity Fair.
First, he’s building a 25,000-square-foot home in Manila, designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
Second, it’s going to house a museum that will include his commissioned portraits by world-class artists such as Julian Schnabel, Marilyn Minter, and David Salle.

Who is Robbie Antonio?
He’s the 36-year-old managing director and board member of Century Properties, son Joey Antonio and wife Hilda, and brother to Jigger, Marco and Carlo.
Among Century Properties developments are Azure Urban Resort Residences, endorsed and partly designed by Robbie’s friend, Paris Hilton

The Trump Tower Manila

With Donald Trump Jr. with Robbie Antonio

and Acqua Iguazu by John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck

L-R: Robbie Antonio, Philippe Starck, Jigger Antonio

Listen, this isn’t a sponsored post and I don’t know Robbie Antonio personally.
I have met him once during the Acqua Iguazu press conference and found him pleasant.
Many rich people in Manila have their homes featured in glossy magazines, but I find them “lifestyles of rich and boring” for the most part.
Now if Rem Koolhaas is doing your house, it will be anything but boring.
Take a look at some of his work:

Educatorium, University of Utrecht

Seattle Public Library

Illinois Institute of Technology

Casa de Musica, Portugal

Now take a look at some of the portraits in Robbie’s collection—they give a whole new meaning to term “selfie”

Interstellar (Portrait of Robbie Antonio) by Kenny Scharf

By David Salle

By Takashi Murakami

By David LaChapelle

By Damien Hirst

By Julian Schnabel

And hey, I don’t judge if he wants to spend money this way. After all I did have my portrait done by Crajes—though mine is more affordable.
I just wish I knew him well enough to see his house!!
But reality bites. I already have a house and it needs fixing because I heard it’s gonna rain hard today and Saturday—much worse than Monday’s rain and traffic jam. We’re just praying it doesn’t flood at home.
To know more about Robbie, click HERE.
To see the Vanity Fair story, click HERE.

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

German luxury furniture company Hüls Group recently opened its flagship store in the Philippines, featuring top-of-the line designs by Hülsta and Rolf Benz.
Hülsta takes pride in being the market leader in today’s modern living room and bedroom needs, while Rolf Benz is unparalleled in delivering design and comfort in its sofa range.

These are done with greatest care for the environment, carrying the Blue Angel environmental seal throughout all ranges.
While Hülsta’s furniture are distributed around the world, its pieces are still manufactured at the German sites in Ottenstein and Stadtlohn.
The factories and offices of both brands are equipped with the latest machinery, following strict procedures to guarantee the highest level of product and service qualities.

If it’s seating you’re looking for, consider Rolf Benz, whose tag line is “the architecture of seating”.
They use up to nine different kinds of foam with different densities for the furniture’s interior structure.
Rolf Benz’s R&D group scientifically studies the ideal softness or hardness for every part of the body that makes contact with its seating.

“We are very proud to present our latest venture in the world of furniture and interior design,” said Jaime Daez, Managing Director of Hülsta and Rolf Benz PH. “Hülsta and Rolf Benz are known for applying state-of-the-art German technology in all their products. We cater to the most discerning, high-end clients, offering nothing less than the best.”

Visit the newly opened Hülsta and Rolf Benz showroom at the 3rd Floor, Fully Booked Building 6
11th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig. For inquries, call +632 738.2430.

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

At London Fashion Week, Bally kicked off a yearlong celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of the first two individuals known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.
On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay, the Nepalese Indian Sherpa mountaineer, climbed the top of Mt. Everest along with New Zealand bee-keeper and mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary.
Tenzing made that journey in a pair of Bally Reindeer-Himalaya boots, forever linking the Swiss brand to this momentous achievement.

At London Fashion Week, Bally set up a makeshift tent, showcasing items from the original Everest expeditions, including an official replica of the boots worn by Tenzing housed in the Bally archive.

Guests enjoyed a simple fare of cheese, toast, or brownies with either scotch or milk, while viewing items from Bally’s archives and its Everest capsule collection.

Spotted: Actor Dominic Cooper

Model Tony Ward

Actor Sascha Bailey

Actor Rupert Evans

Actor Kayvan Novac

Model Robert Konjic

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch

TV presenter Rick Edwards

Model Amber Anderson

Athlete Mark Foster

Model Jack Guinness

In the Philippines, Bally is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and Newport Mall Resorts World.

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

Rajo Laurel celebrated 20 years in fashion with a gala show recently at at the Raffles Ballroom.
Wearing his creations were Georgina Wilson, Tessa Valdes, Mandy dela Rama, Divine Lee, Isabelle Daza, Steph Zubiri-Crespi, Solenn Heussaff, Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez, Jessica Kienle, and Bianca Gonzalez.
The designer himself opened the show, singing “My Favorite Things,” setting the tone and mood of the evening.
In his 42-piece collection, drapes and folds transformed into voluminous capes and goddess dresses, while suspension tubes found their way into red-carpet dresses.
Elegant beadwork adorned delicate fabrics such as tulle, chiffon, and jersey. Tulle bodysuits and cylinder skirts became hybrid dresses.
Cut-outs and peek-a-boos added sensual flair to floor-length jersey gowns.

Spotted at Metrowear Icon: Rajo Laurel were Isabelle Daza

Jessica Kienle

Charina Sarte

Borgy Manotoc

Mandy dela Rama

Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez

Ivan Aseron

Adrienne Ley

Tetta Ortiz Matera

Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre

Nikki Teodoro

Venisse Laurel-Hermano

Metrowear Icon: Rajo Laurel was co-presented by Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and Tag Heuer
with major sponsors Manhattan Garden City, Tanduay Cocktails, and Tattoo Postpaid
together with Havaianas, The Skin Specialist, Betadine Feminine Wash, and Ideal Vision Center.
Special thanks to Raffles and Fairmont Makati, Colour Collection, Belvedere, Zen Zest, The Write Impression, along with event partner, The Lopez Group Foundation, Inc.

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

As some of my friends go into their 50s, out come the reading glasses.
I remember my former friend telling us, “One day you just suddenly go blind, as in you can’t read. It just happens overnight.”
I gave him that quizzical look and thought, it can’t happen to me. I had LASIK. I have like 20-15 vision (more than perfect).
And then this year I noticed I had difficulty with the tweezers. At first I thought it must be the nighttime. I should tweeze in the day time.

Then two days ago I tried to read the fine print on a medicine bottle and suddenly felt blind!!
Oh my God!! It’s that day frienemy was talking about!! I am officially OLD!!
How strange because I still have perfect vision. I can read everything from a safe distance, but I can’t read fine print on a medicine bottle.
Will I turned into one of those people who whip out the glasses to read a menu or even look at an iPad?
Scary!!

So the first thing I did was Google “cool reading glasses” and found the site of Filao Paris.
I seem to remember having seen these glasses in Tokyo with my mom.
By coincidence my cousin Jenny tweeted this the day after I discovered I was blind.

I now need reading glasses. SD@#$@#$^%!!!!!

— Janina Dizon (@Janina_Dizon) June 21, 2013

Good to know I’m not alone.
I promised Jenny I would blog it, so here are the glasses:

The nearest shop is at Victoria Optical at the Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
So Jenny, shall we?
To know more, go to http://www.filaoparis.com/

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

Project Runway judge and Marie Claire creative director Nina Garcia enthralled fashion fans at the recent JAG Origins during Philippine Fashion Week at the SMX Convention Center.

Radiant in a black halter crepe dress with silver lamé crocodile pattern and peplum detail, Nina shared bits of wisdom about the fashion industry in a live interview with Boy Abunda.

JAG Jeans flew in Nina as the inaugural speaker of JAG Origins, which will be an annual event promoting fashion, marketing and creative thinking among industry and fashion/art students.
“You should have passion, the drive, and the desire to be in the business… It is important to know a lot about culture, to know a lot about the arts, to know some about business… because it is really art and commerce,” Nina advised aspiring fashion designers.
A highlight of JAG Origins was the presentation of capsule collections by Norman Noriega, Jeffrey Rogador, and Jerome Salaya Ang, who worked on the theme “couture-meets-denim.”

JAG also hosted a special cocktails where Nina got to rub elbows with some of Manila’s top fashion personalities, like Robby Carmona and Rissa Trillo

Tweetie de Leon

Mark Bumgarner and Maggie Wilson

The fashion event, hosted by Sarah Meier, opened with a fashion show to launch JAG Jeans 2013 Holiday Collection, which especially featured the ankle cut jeans for women and stretch denim for men.
Watch the highlights of Nina Garcia’s visit to Manila.

JAG Origins is part of JAG’s commitment to promote and nurture the most promising fashion and design minds in the country. Known for its dedication to product innovation and delivering quality and high value products for over 30 years now, the program is the brand’s way of giving back and ensuring that its commitment to design lives on among the future movers and shapers of the Filipino fashion and design industry.

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