wanderlust (ˈwɒndəˌlʌst)
a great desire to travel and rove about
[German, literally: wander desire]

I’m one of those people who dies a little inside whenever I want to travel and just can’t take off.
Because of the kids, because of my fear of flying and other fears (bathrooms) etc.
The last time I traveled was to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my husband in Singapore—and to try yakitori sauces for our new food concept opening soon at SM Aura (shameless plug).

Then Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013. In my heart I wanted to fly to the Vatican and see him, but he said, give the money to the poor instead.
Summer came. My kids didn’t want to travel and there were court hearings for my son’s adoption.
So we stayed put.
It is now the end of June. I am still thinking of the Pope. I am still recovering from lipo and I can’t buy new clothes yet.
But I woke up to such great news: Japan relaxes visa rules for Filipinos.
This means I no longer have to apply for a freaking visa every time I want to go there—which is twice a year!!
Yes, I know we still need a visa. BUT I can get a multiple entry VISA for three years—that’s all I want.
I’m so tired and I can’t tell you how tedious it is to get a Japan visa.

Japan is like my second home. Japan is in my heart. Now I don’t have to go to Hong Kong every time I feel like I need new clothes. This changes everything.

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

I’m a simple girl. At least I like to think I am.
All I wanted was a nice, clean, modern bathroom at NAIA so I wouldn’t have to stuff my face with tissues when entering the loo. Can you smell this?

Oh, and the food problem. We need food in NAIA. Not mass-produced dense siomais, noodles cups and other smelly food.

I feel so sad for me and all the foreigners who leave with the worst image of the country—NAIA.
Then things started to improve. They started to fix some toilets—not all.

But the food still sucks.
And now, something more than we’ve bargained for—an overhaul by some of the biggest names in Philippine design—Kenneth Cobonpue, Royal Pineda, Budji Layug, and Leandro Locsin:

Cobonpue group to design NAIA-1′s interiors for free
June 26, 2013 4:19pm

The government has tasked the team of world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue to give the interiors of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) a facelift, a Malacañang spokesperson said Wednesday.
Quoting a text message from Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Cobonpue’s group “will be allowed to do the interior of the NAIA 1 building” for free.
Lacierda added that the Leandro V. Locsin & Associates (LVL) architecture firm, ran by the son of national artist Leandro Locsin, will be in charge of the airport’s architectural services after it was awarded the contract to redesign NAIA-1 two years ago.
“The Cobonpue group will help out with the interiors, but Architect Locsin will still be architect of record. The Cobonpue group has offered their services pro bono,” the president’s spokesman said.(Source)

I have no words. Thank You Lord, for Filipinos who care.
And as Filipinos would say, “NAIA, bigyan mo naman kami ng kahihiyan!”

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

American actor, model and martial artist Taylor Lautner, best known for playing Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga film series starts in Bench’s new ad campaign shot in Los Angeles by photographer, videographer and director Anthony Mandler.
Taylor, who has been acting since he was nine years old, has also appeared in Cheaper by the Dozen 2, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl, and the John Singleton thriller, Abduction.

Bench CEO and founder Ben Chan personally flew to LA to meet Taylor as the brand’s newest endorser. At right is director Anthony Mandler, who has worked with Rihanna, David Beckham, Beyonce, Usher, Shakira, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Justin Bieber.

Taylor was styled by Samantha McMillen, who’s included in The Hollywood Reporter’s list of 25 Most Powerful Stylists.
For the Bench shoot, Samantha outfitted Taylor in smart casual pieces, like a light cardigan or check shirt over a low-cut tank top and jeans.

Taylor Lautner shows us why actors are sometimes better models than models.
Watch him as he works behind-the-scenes (no stunt man) for BENCH.

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

I’m a big fan of Pinoy cinema. Never mind if 95% of it is bad. I just like Tagalog movies.
My husband doesn’t understand. “Too much shouting,” he says.
My love affair with Tagalog movies started when I was a kid—with black and white Dolphy movies on TV, all the Sampaguita movies with Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez and countless others.
We watched Niño Muhlach movies at the old Greenhills theater. Anything Danny Zialcita is a favorite—especially if it stars Sharon Cuneta.
I will watch almost any Tagalog movie as long as it’s cheesy. But rarely would I recommend something.
Now this trailer gave me goosebumps.

In celebration of ABS-CBN Film Production’s 20th anniversary, Skylight Films presents Tuhog, in theaters nationwide on July 17, 2013.
Directed by Cinemalaya award-winning director Veronica Velasco, Tuhog stars the unexpected ensemble of Enchong Dee, Jake Cuenca, Leo Martinez and Eugene Domingo.

Three uniquely struggling characters—the cranky bus barker, the retired old man, and the young man who preserves his virginity for his girlfriend—get their lives tangled up when they figure in a bus accident.
How will Fiesta, Tonio, and Caloy ‘disconnect’ from each other even if it means death for one of them?
To know more, go to https://www.facebook.com/Tuhog2013.

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

To celebrate 40 years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, Ayala Museum, with the support of the Japan Foundation-Manila, invites you to the I Love Kusama exhibition from July 16 to September 1, 2013.
The exhibit will feature Yayoi Kusama works from the treasure troves of Lito and Kim Camacho, two of the leading collectors of Kusama in the country.

Born in 1929 in Japan, Yayoi Kusama is one of the world’s leading and most influential figures in the avant-garde scene. She remains active and relevant at the age of 84.
Notable Kusama installations include her immersive infinity mirror rooms that have been featured in the Whitney Museum of American Art and Tate Modern, and her iconic spotted pumpkin sculptures.
In 2011, Kusama collaborated with Marc Jacobs for a line of whimsical products and corresponding window displays for Louis Vuitton.

With the assistance of the Camachos and the Japan Foundation-Manila, and the guidance of Ota Fine Arts, Yayoi Kusama Studio, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the exhibition at Ayala Museum will be the first major Yayoi Kusama show in the Philippines.

As part of its education component, Ayala Museum has invited Akira Tatehata, one of the world’s leading experts on Kusama and the curator the Japanese Pavilion during the 45th Venice Biennale in 1993 (when Kusama represented the country) for a one-time lecture on August 10, 2013.

Akira Tatehata

For more information, call (02) 757-7117 to 21 or email museum_inquiry@ayalamuseum.org.
http://www.ayalamuseum.org

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

What mom or girl wouldn’t love a shopping spree at Watsons?
Last week, a bunch of us bloggers and writers were invited to experience Watsons new revamped look at Greenbelt 1, Makati.
The revamp includes a modified Watsons logo, store interiors, brand visuals, uniforms, and a new store front.

I was given a bunch of gift cards and a shopping assistant (below) to carry my loot
Then I was free to look for anything I fancied, starting with the candies for the boys.

Bumped into fellow bloggers Mike Lim

Divine Lee

Kim Palanca and Shen Gee

Here’s the new staff uniforms

And enhanced, new pharmacy

The revamp will be seen across the region in over 3,200 outlets in 12 Asian and European markets.
“Loyal customers say they love Watsons because they enjoy browsing and discovering new products and new experiences,” said Robert U. Sun, Watsons Philippines General Manager.

Well count me in. Here are some of the products I love or caught my eye:
Disposable panties I use when traveling, in the hospital, or having some surgery
I prefer these to bringing dirty underwear home.

Cute hair coloring. I don’t use these, but they look so cool and Japanice

I love discovering new kinds of toothpaste as a break from Colgate white

These are for the kids

Wet tissues are a must in my bag. Better if they’re Hello Kitty

I’m a sucker for variety packs. But I don’t know this brand, so I passed

Another variety pack

For my hubby

Didn’t know Marrionaud sold these at Watsons

Cool fever patches are such a comfort for migraines

I have too many facial cleansers at home. These are cute though

Japanese brand Majolica Majorca makes the best mascaras, in my opinion

So much color—in nail polish

Lipsticks

Lip glosses, plumpers

Slimming drops!

My entire loot cost around Php 5,000+. I had them boxed to avoid using plastic bags. You should too.

I’m a happy camper.
Want to experience the new Watsons—and a shopping spree like we did?

Here’s how:

1) You must have a Twitter or Facebook account.
2) Click the tweet button or like the Facebook button at the bottom of this entry.
3) Follow Watsons on Twitter or like them on Facebook.
4) Register HERE for the electronic lottery.
4) Deadline for entries is on 11 PM of July 6, 2103. Please join only once.
5) Only one winner of Php 10,000 gift cards will be selected via electronic lottery.
6) Winner will be contacted via email with a message on how to claim the gift cards.

https://www.facebook.com/WatsonsPH

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

So the village sent this newsletter once again inviting residents and househelp to learn about modus operandi groups targeting homeowners.

Last May 28, 2013, while I was recovering in bed, the maid runs up to the bedroom, sweating buckets.
“Ma’am, pahiram daw ng camera sabi ni Kuya Boy. Nahuli ang dugo-dugo gang sa kapit-bahay!”
(“Ma’am, Kuya Boy wants to borrow your camera. They’ve arrested the bloody burglars at the neighbors!”)

What the hell?
I would have run there myself if I weren’t in so much pain.
I gave her my camera, and saw the pictures a few minutes later.

The two suspects are seated on the floor, surrounded by homeowners, staff, and their loot?
According to our maid and driver, two teenagers went to the neighbor’s house while the homeowners were out.
The maid had let them in when they introduced themselves as relatives. But the maid started to think something was wrong when the teens went inside the bedrooms.
The maid had the presence of mind to run out and alert the security guards, who called the cops.

As you can imagine, the entire street and their grandmother ran out to check out the suspects whom they labeled the “dugo-dugo gang.”
Everyone who had a cellphone started taking photos, and the boy suspect reportedly yelled at them in English to f*ck off and “stop taking my picture!!”
Here’s the suspect’s car in front of the neighbor’s house. It had been tire-locked pending investigation.

As soon as I had the photos, I tweeted them.
One of my Twitter followers was shocked when he recognized the boy in the photo as a troubled Ateneo student.
He was positively identified through the car’s plate number which I also tweeted.

My Twitter follower then called the suspect’s mother (who happens to be a lawyer) to inform her that her son had been arrested.
The mom began looking for her son in nearby precints and requested that I delete the tweets. So I did.
The following day the suspect’s car was no longer on our street, and I heard he had been released without charges.

Are these the 3rd world version of Bling Ring?
In 2009, five teens were arrested in Hollywood for burglarizing the homes of Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Audrina Patridge, to name a few.

This Friday, Sofia Coppola’s movie opens in theaters. (Her timing is impeccable.)
Interesting to note that Paris Hilton, one of the victims, has allowed Sofia to shoot in her home.
Watch!

http://theblingring.com/

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

That movie in your mind can become a reality, as The Script Factory—UK’s leading script development organization—comes to Manila for a three-day script development workshop for film and television drama.
A first for Asia, the Script Factory workshop will run from September 27-29, 2013 and will offer 35 participants the chance to train and network alongside the best scriptwriting and producing talent in Southeast Asia.

The workshop will provide participants with new perspectives on the script development process and focus on screenplay design and structure.
It will help participants to be more confident in the art of script and story editing and more effective when assisting writers of feature film and television drama.
Deadline for application is August 16, 2013.

The Script Factory in Manila is hosted by Cinemanila International Film Festival Foundation and the British Council Philippines.
To know more, or to request an application form, email Cinemanila.moonlight@gmail.com

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

Merienda is underrated.
I seldom get to enjoy merienda because nobody’s home at merienda time—kids are in school and hubby is at work.
When we were kids, merienda was a big deal, especially during summers at my lolo’s house in Quezon City.
The kids would swim while the adults played mahjongg.
In the middle of the afternoon, a bell would ring, heralding the arrival of the Magnolia ice cream cart.
The kids get out of the pool, bug the parents for money, and run to the Magnolia cart.
These were the choices:

1) Magnolia drumstick
2) I’m not sure
3) Pinipig crunch
4) Twin popsies
5) What’s this called?
6) Ice cream cup
7) Ice cream sandwich

Chocolate twin popsies were my favorite, and I have memories of having my tongue stuck in them.
Ice cream cup was also a fave, particularly Super Mocha.
If I’m not mistaken, ice cream sandwich was the most expensive and no longer exists.
Imagine my excitement when I saw this in the freezer of Konbini Store in Greenhills: Lotte’s vanilla monaka or ice cream sandwich

Inside is a nicely portioned wafer so you can share or break parts of it for more convenience

It’s the closest thing to Magnolia’s ice cream sandwich—imagine light vanilla ice cream (not too sweet) in a chewy thin wafer. The taste just brings me back to the ’70s.

It costs Php 150 each at Konbini Store and the best part is, I can call them and reserve whatever I want in advance (Tel. 722-4263).
Konbini Store is at 57 Connecticut Street, Northeast Greenhills, San Juan.

Now if only someone would bring this back in a glass bottle, that would be fab.

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

For many years, I’d visit the Bench headquarters in Pasay for various meetings.
On display was the scull boat Richard Gomez used in the famous Sculler TV commercial in 1991.

Now everyone’s moving to the Fort area, including Bench.
Here’s the new Bench Tower at Bonifacio Global City.

I was there last week to see my favorite Korean heartthrob, Lee Min Ho.
Lee Min Ho, one of Bench’s many endorsers, is the star of my favorite Korean drama, Boys Over Flowers.

Earlier that day Bench officially inaugurated the building (L-R:) Virgilio and Nenita Lim, Carlos Chan, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, actor Lee Min Ho, Ben Chan, Lucy and Richard Gomez (Photo: @lucytgomez on Instagram)

When I arrived the fans were still waiting for another glimpse of Lee Min Ho. So organized and civilized

I saw Bench VP Bryan Lim in the elevator and invited myself to the VIP area at the Penthouse.
Saw Tessa Valdes, Arnold Vegafria and John Prats

Small Laude, Korina Sanchez, Anton San Diego

Lucy Torres Gomez with Mayor Len Alonte of Biñan

But more than the who’s who, I was enamored by the VIP lounge, designed by Miguel Pastor.

Reminds me of Cathay Pacific lounge

Of course I saw these! Though I only drink Coke once a week now

Went down to the 21st floor for the Lee Min Ho press conference which was teeming with reporters, bloggers, photographers

It was so full, Ben Chan and his VIP guests gave way to us and sat humbly at the side

Unlike the Sarah Jessica Parker press con at SM Aura, this one was quite civilized. No rabid fans blocking our view

Sam Oh interviewed Lee Min Ho. I really love him! Kind of sad I couldn’t scream.

After the press con we were led to the basement, in time for Ronnie Salvacion’s photo exhibit of Bench images through the years. Saw Patrick Uy working.

Sam Ajdani

Juliana Gomez

Bench CEO, Ben Chan

On my way out the fans were still waiting for Lee Min Ho, who passed by quickly in a van. And they screamed! Made me feel lucky he was just three meters away from me. (Hoping to tour the rest of the Bench office

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

I’m Filipino, so I cover my books in plastic.
Yes, I still cover my books even though I’m no longer in school.
Some find it therapeutic. Though I have to say I prefer wrapping gifts to covering books.
Imagine my delight when I found these time saver plastic covers at National Bookstore.
The pre-cut rolls of plastic come in three sizes

Easier to store, use, and cut than those mega long rolls we all know (at left)

I hoarded.

No, I’m kidding. I bought two of each.
The shortest one is good for small pocket books (below), but I soon found out the most useful length is the longest of the three.

So whoever thought of these is a genius

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

I still remember the first Pylones store I ever saw—at Harbour City, Hong Kong—more than five years ago.
That place is always full.

As a lover of colorful things and stationery, I can’t resist a Pylones store whenever I see one. I just have to walk in and buy something. It feels like I’m buying myself a present.
French gift shop Pylones (pronounced “pee-loan”) opened its first store in Paris in 1987, selling colorful functional gift items. The idea is to take an ordinary object and make it extraordinary through a splash of colors and whimsical design, made by a team of passionate artists in France.

With nearly 100 stores worldwide, Pylones opens its first ever shop in the Philippines today at the 2nd level of Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati.
Some of you may have seen this barricade at Rockwell or SM Aura.

I got a sneak peek at what’s behind the barricade and got to be their first customer at Rockwell.

It’s amazing, the store is finished! It looks just like any Pylone store in Europe, with the colorful drums in the middle of the space.

The 78-square-meter space is much larger than the one in Hong Kong

Sensory overload! I didn’t know where to start looking or taking pictures, so I just shot anything.

Among the things you’ll see are the kitchen items

Aluminum flasks

Espresso cups

Colorful bowls and plates

Hairbrushes

Pens and stationery

Lunch kits and toys

iPhone cases

Bath scrunchies with suction cups

What I love: the chic umbrellas

Cool reading glasses—hey Jenny, I got one for Php 698!!

The paper towel holder (for obvious reasons)

The blown-glass rings

Pylones is slated to open three stores in Manila—at Rockwell, Glorietta 5 (opening on July 17th) and SM Aura (opening in October).
The prices are affordable, ranging from Php 198 for an eraser to Php 2,798 for a ceiling lamp. You will go crazy with over 1000 SKUs!
To know more, go to http://www.pylones.com/

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

Great news!
After receiving more than 1,000 entries to my Watsons shopping promo, the good people at Watsons decided to add five more prizes worth Php 2,000 each, in Watsons gift cards!

The winners were chosen electronically through random.org.
Winning Php 10,000 worth of Watsons gift cards is Aurora May Cabaneros.

While the winners of Php 2,000 each worth of gift cards are:</strong>
Margaret Caligner
Jo Anne Formalejo
Mary Elaine Reate
Apple May Rodriguez
Blythe Maxine Ancheta-Cabanting

Winners, please check your emails in a bit and reply so I can send you your prizes as soon as Watsons sends them to me.
Everyone else, please watch for my next giveaway in the next couple of days!

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

Now on its third month of operations, Grace Park gives us more reasons to go back, with new “farmhouse” offerings at One Rockwell, including favorites from Pepato, such as roasted bone marrow

Tomahawk—good for 5 persons and served with sea salt from Cervia, Italy; lemon; and béarnaise with vegetable sides of the day

Fresh pappardelle with organic duck ragu

Spaghettini with uni and prawn

Orecchiette with Ilonggo chistora

Cotechino with lentils

Chicken liver pate with sage butter on crostini

and Macedonia di fruta with mascarpone gelato

Grace Park was created by Margarita Fores, who was recently recognized as Ambassador of Italian cuisine in the Philippines by the Italian culinary school, Casa Artusi, which awarded her Premio Marietta ad Honorem.

Margarita’s award was received in Italy by Patricia Locsin with HE Luca Fornari and Senora Silvana Fornari

Margarita’s team was in Italy last June 2013 to represent the Philippines in the annual Italian food festival, Festa Artusiana under the banner “La Cucina Filippina” where they served pollo e maiale con salsa di soia (chicken and pork adobo), pasta di riso, verdure fresche e code di gamberi freschi (pancit guisado), pollo grigliato (chicken inasal), maiale grigliato (inihaw na liempo), and variazione di budino alla crema (leche flan).

Their participation, aimed to promote Philippine cuisine and tourism, was made possible by the Department of Tourism.

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

I was 24 years old when I lived in New York in the early ’90s as a student at Parsons School of Design.
When you’re single and in your 20s—that’s the best time to be in New York.
I was kind of dumb because I had a (loser) boyfriend back in Manila, so I tried really hard not to have a roving eye.
BUT I am really attracted to good-looking men, especially if they are good boys, and more if they are religious.
Good Catholic boys are such a turn on, like this one we saw at St. John The Evangelist in New York last year.

You can imagine him to be nice to bring home and introduce to your parents, be a good daddy, sweet husband, good provider, etc. Luckily I already got one at home, having married a nice Dutch Catholic in 2000.
But aside from Catholic boys, I am also attracted to Jewish men—I really think from a fashion point of view. I just die whenever I see a cute guy in a yarmulke (or skull cap) with their suits or long-sleeve shirts, walking around New York.

For me it’s just a turn-on—I don’t know why!!
So the Buzzfeed recently featured their Top 51 Hottest Jewish Men on their site.
Upon seeing the list, I thought, no wonder I’m attracted some of those guys, hehe.
From there, Grace and I decided to blog each other’s Top 10s without looking at each other’s blogs.
Here’s mine:

1) Adrien Brody
Fell in love with him in The Pianist. I find him intense looking and fashionable.

Died when he kissed Halle Berry at the Oscars

Swooned when he rode the train in Taipei

and died again when he passed by Manila and didn’t see me!

2) Paul Rudd
Loved him in Clueless and the fact that he aged well. He looks good even when haggard.
Wanted to watch him in Grace last year, but was no longer in New York when it opened on Broadway.

Paul Rudd at Grace press conference in New York

3) Bryan Greenberg
Got me hooked to How To Make It In America , which was sadly canceled after Season 2, and watched him again in Prime, as cougar Uma Thurman’s love interest.
Would make him #1 if he didn’t ignore me on Instagram and Twitter

4) Joshua Bowman
Plays Daniel Grayson in the TV thriller Revenge.
Was in Palawan not so long ago with girlfriend and co-star Emily VanCamp.

5) Jake Gyllenhaal
Because how many guys can look good—both as a good boy and a bad boy?

6) Mark Ronson
Because he looks so cool, and his looks change all the time.

7) Adam Brody
Can look good—both as good boy and bad boy.

The American actor also drums for Big Japan for extra pogi points!

8) Jack Antonoff
The guitarist of the American band Fun gets pogi points for the hair, and being Lena Dunham’s main squeeze.

9) Adam Sandler
Don’t laugh, but when I was a kid I had a strange crush on Jerry Lewis and watched all his movies.
For me, Adam Sandler is the modern Jerry Lewis. I don’t find him guapo but he’s cute in a comedian way.

10) Adam Levine
Saw him in Manila as Bench endorser and found him refreshingly honest.

To see Grace’s Top 10, click HERE.

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

Be very afraid of websites that don’t update and accommodations that don’t renovate.
Take the description of Chilline’s T House in its website:

PRIVATE. COZY. SPACIOUS
Feel the cool air with a touch of Greek-Balearic flavor. Sitting at the edge of a cliff, T has a spectacular view of the Taal volcano and its lake. The first Asian home to be featured in Architectural Digest, T is a homage to modern design with an uniquely organic flair.
A gracious example of Filipino hospitality, T accepts private bookings as a weekend getaway and is a venue for corporate retreats, private parties and exclusive events.
T now opens its doors to guests with discriminating taste. We invite you to come home to T.

RENTAL RATES
Weekdays: Php 25,000
Weekend Rates, One Night Only: Php 30,000
Weekends (Friday to Sunday) Php 55,000
Rates are exclusive of 12% VAT; Plus 10% Service charge
Please call for holiday, peak season rates and Commercial shoot rates.

Now view the professional photos, starting with the house itself. Not bad…

There’s the day view

and the night view

The bedrooms

And the rest of the features listed on the website:

2 Master Suites
2 Bedrooms
5 baths
Lake View Patio
Hidden Zen Garden
Custom Gourmet Kitchen
Additional Service Kitchen
Swimming Pool
4 Hot Tubs
Sauna and Steam Room
Free Wi-Fi Access

You wouldn’t blame Candy Dizon’s friends and family for wanting to book this, would you?
They paid Php 33,000 for one night but soon found out the website isn’t quite accurate.
Check out the reality of the accommodations, starting with the bedroom—it looks like the chambermaid needs to learn her “hospital corners”…

Maybe Woody Woodpecker was a guest?

Or a really lazy boy

Need an extra bed? Go help yourself to the mattress in the dressing room

This bathtub has an element of surprise and it ain’t bath salts and petals

It has “insect eggs and poop” in it

I can’t brush my teeth in here

And my poop just backed up. But hey, there’s toilet paper!

So Candy searched around the house to look for a cleaner bathroom among the five baths, and found these instead

Wait. It gets worse

I swear, I would sue this place ten x Php 33,000 for the agony of seeing these in person. I would scream and run, run far away back to Manila.
So be careful when viewing hotel websites, especially in the Philippines. Trust me!
But wait. Candy says there was a positive side to their stay—I just wonder what that is and I wait for her next entry.
Read Candy’s story HERE.

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

Dahlia Noir by Givenchy is artistic director Riccardo Tisci’s first fragrance for the luxury brand.
Simplicity marks the essence of his vision, as seen in its timeless bottle—because Tisci believes you don’t always need to shout to be heard.

Dahlia Noir embodies the elegance and style of the couture brand.
It is sensual, sophisticated and dangerous—presented as a “Fatal Flower” for the mysterious and fascinating woman.

It comes in two versions. The Eau de Parfum is a powdery fragrance of dusty chypre – floral structure.
The scent opens with top notes of mandarin, pink pepper and mimosa which then lead to the extensive and intensive core of rose, iris and patchouli. Finally, the base wraps up the composition in a mysterious veil, made with notes of sandalwood, vanilla and tonka bean.

The Eau de Toilette has a juicy and luminous start in which fresh and citrusy aromas of mandarin and lemon intertwine skillfully with thick and sweet peach zest. This extremely fruity opening leaves more space for a floral bouquet in the heart of the perfume—the fragrant petals of which make the flirtatious pink cocktail more playful. The base then incorporates creamy and soft shades of sandalwood and vanilla, accompanied with warm amber and cedar.

Dahlia Noir Eau de Toilette is available in 30 ml (PhP 2,750), 50 ml (PhP 3,950), and 100 ml (PhP 4,700
and Eau de Parfum in 30ml (PhP 3,300), 50ml (PhP 4,700), and 100ml (PhP 5,600).
Givenchy Dahlia Noir is exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corporation and is available in leading department stores nationwide.

http://www.dahlianoir.com/

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

I don’t know if you remember this, but during the ’80s, Imelda Marcos had the Manila International Film Festival.
I was in school then, but I remember half day only because we had exams. So I would rush home in my uniform, park the folding table in front of TV, eat KFC, and watch foreign subtitled movies—every single day until the festival was over.
I had the time of my life. I wasn’t an A student, obviously, but I passed all my exams.
Thus began my love affair of foreign movies.

Last Saturday night I couldn’t sleep. I started watching various trailers on iTunes, until I stumbled upon a 2006 French movie called Hors de Prix.

It stars Audrey Tatou (Amelie, Da Vinci Code, Coco Before Chanel) as Irene, a gold-digger on the prowl in the French Riviera. She likes them old and rich.

French-Moroccan stand-up comedian and actor Gad Elmaleh co-stars as Jean, a hotel employee, who gets mistaken for a millionaire when Irene finds him drinking at the hotel bar.

A one-night stand leads to a second, and Irene discovers who Jean really is.

Smitten, he allows the material girl to drain his life savings, forcing him to hook up with a wealthy widow.

But let’s not give away the rest of the story.
I have to say watching this made me feel like high school again—with my uniform, TV tray and KFC.
Except I watched this in bed while everyone was sleeping, under the blanket and with headphones.
I love how Gad Elmaleh transforms into a lowly bartender into a dashing gentleman, while Audrey Tautou has the body to die for!!
Makes me wish I were young again. I could study French again, visit Paris more.
And I need to watch more foreign films.
Now don’t let this trailer fool you. The movie, though a bit long in some scenes, is really worth watching.

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

British clothing brand Superdry recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary with a fashion event at London’s famous landmark, Battersea Power Station.

Steeped in British history, this incredible building provided a perfect backdrop to an exclusive Spring/Summer 2014 runway show, while up-and-coming British band Coves provided the soundtrack.

Born from an inspirational trip to Tokyo back in 2003, the brand started from a collection of five high-impact graphic tees—to up to 2,500 pieces per season in stores around the globe.
Founders James Holder and Julian Dunkerton vision was to combine their passion for vintage Americana styling with Japanese inspired graphics.

Superdry founders James Holder and Julian Dunkerton watch the runway show at the Superdry 10-year party

As it was then, and still is today, Superdry’s core philosophy is to offer classics pieces with graphic details, in original fabrics and vintage washes, and accessible price points.
In the Philippines, Superdry is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) with stores at Bonifacio High Street Central and Shangri-la Plaza Mall, East Wing.

To celebrate Superdry’s 10-year anniversary, a special event will be held on on July 26, 2013 at Shangri-La East Wing from 6-10 PM.
Enjoy live performances by the Philippine All-Stars, music by Major Chi, plus a 15% opening discount.
To know more, go to http://facebook.com/SuperdryPhilippines.

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

TLC’s Fun Taiwan host Janet Hsieh is on a mission to conquer as many islands as she can as she hosts a one-hour special in Fun Asia: Philippines to discover the country’s history, culture, fashion, music, food and entertainment.

Janet follows her local friends: arts and cultural activist Carlos Celdran, TV host Bianca Gonzalez, food blogger Erwan Heussaff, artist and musician Budoy of Filipino Reggae band Junior Kilat, and many others—starting with the local port city of Manila before heading to Cebu and Bohol Island.

With Bianca Gonzalez

With Carlos Celdran

While in Manila, Janet learns about the city’s influences, visits the San Augustin church and San Sebastian Basillica, goes on a shopping spree, takes a bite off local delicacies like beef tapa, longanisa and sinigang, and dances the calories away at a local nightclub.

Erwan and Janet get Breakfast at Antonio’s in Tagaytay

With Budoy and Junior Kilat

For the perfect hangover cure, Janet scoots off to the natural paradise that is Cebu and Bohol Island.
While there, she covers a range of activities from diving in the deep blue, riding on bamboo rafts to enjoying some tasty beach barbeque and even catches a glimpse of the Philippines’ favourite territorial nocturnal creatures, the tarsiers.

Fun Asia: Philippines airs:
Monday, July 22, 2013 at 10 PM
Tuesday, July 23 at 9 AM
Monday, July 29 at 4 PM

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