The Year The World Was Supposed To End

For all the blessings that God has bestowed upon me,

For all the love and care 

my family, co-teachers, and friends have showered me,

For all the encouragement and dance & life lessons 

the Philippine dance community has shared to me,

 And, for the freedom and faith that I have found in me,

I am truly grateful and contented.

Thank you all super much.

2012 has taught me well enough and has made me a better person.

I may have shed a thousand tears,

cut myself to the quick a gazillion times,

or wasted my effort on irrelevant things,

I can head-up high say that GOOD and HAPPY things happened
more than the bad ones.
I have grown and learned so much

from all those things.
Since the end of the world did not happen at 2012,
I am going to make 2013 count and
waste not a single chance of bliss and love.
After all, we only live once.

2013, I am more than excited and ready for you! 

Fully Booked Mega Sale

Fully Booked announced their mega sale last July 2. As expected, book readers swarmed over the sale section and rummaged through the wide selection of books that are on sale.

This is definitely a lucky day for book lovers like me. 

                                     

Books went down from 798Php-1499Php to 50Php-15oPhp. Can things get any better than this?

This is definitely one of those moments where I am screaming for joy while shaking my knees. The moment I stepped a foot in the book store, I felt pure bliss.

Eat, Pray, Surf

My first solitary adventure is just too fulfilling and spontaneous. It was awesome to the highest level. I did not plan any of it and yet, it turned out REALLY good.


For me, this is the right time to say "You Only Live Once."
There are far too many good things in life to let the negative ones even pass by your thought.
After all, those things will make you stronger and wiser.


The initial get-away was to go to Singapore alone, but then my budget could not handle the hotel expenses and my friend's landlady did not allow me to stay at her flat. And so, I searched for an alternative place. Baler was my first choice. It is a 6-hour drive from Manila  and the thought of just sitting in the bus for that long made me think twice of going there. Finally, with the help of Jay and Roz, I went to Liw-liwa, Zambales, Central Luzon- nearer and "more familiar."


The Circle Hostel is the BEST place to stay at in one of the best surfing spots here in the Philippines- Zambales. I also love their belief: No one is a stranger here. Really, I made friends with everyone! It's really such a small world that I have a bunch of mutual friends with my new found acquaintances. Say, this trip is not so lonely after all. The location is far from the busy city and polluted air of Manila. (Of course, I had to say that!)  The place is secluded and locals are very hospitable and warm. Food is cheaper than usual and VERY good. Got to love that Bagnet! The Circle sure is a safe place to stay at and plus, it is eco-friendly. A bunk bed costs 350php a night. The vicinity is pleasing to the eyes because there are paintings everywhere! I left the place with smudges on my shirt and dirty hands. I also love their bunk beds and hammocks. In a nutshell, when you want to clear your mind and unwind, GO HERE. 


That's what I did, actually.


I set myself free and let the wind take me to this place. It was scary at first and I did not know what to do. On the way to Zambales, I kept my eyes open in discovering new things. I saw an elder praying with her rosary, a man in his early 40s staring deeply out of the window, and a couple cuddling in their seats. There I was sitting on the fourth row, by the window, with my iPad on, and thinking on what I will do first when I reach my destination. Thank God for the free WiFi in the bus that I was able to track down where my location was. Hooray for the GPS! I went down at San Felipe and took a tricycle to Liw-liwa. It was a bumpy ride and rain was pouring a bit hard, but I finally managed to arrive at The Circle safe. Surprisingly, just as I reached the place, the rain has stopped.


I quickly changed to my bikini and headed to the beach. Waves were crazy and it was very sunny. I was alone in the beach. While walking down the shore, I saw a small nipa hut and stayed there for hours. Yeap, I did what I have to do- cried my heart out till rain started to fall again. I went back to the hostel and slept for a few hours. When I woke up, there were many guests already. One of them approached me and invited me to hang with them. My trip and itinerary for the day changed. I still did some though, but thanks to Marc for welcoming me in the group. Ateneans and a Lasallian merged together! Later that evening, more friends joined in- Benildeans. 


Later that night, we all went to the beach. It was dark and all you can hear is the sound of waves crashing through rocks. I can barely see anything without my flash light on. This time, they all let me be. I zoned out, screamed at the top of my lungs, and just lay on the sand. Photographs of yesterday came rushing in and realizations got into my senses. 


The following morning, I went to Pundaquit with the Atenean friends. The locals suggested it since the waves there are more surf-able than in Liw-liwa. Yes, I have finally overcome my fear of swimming in the deep blue sea. I surfed with them and boy, I was hella scared and tired! And plus, my instructor said that I'm pretty good at it. Ha! I fell in love with surfing right then and there- not just because it's on my bucket list, but because I have learned so much from it. It was just a sentence from the surfing coach and it hit me like a bull's eye. "Kelangan mo magfocus kasi kung hindi, tatangayin ka ng alon." (You have to focus or else, you'd be carried away by the waves.)

"Surfing equates to living 

in the very moment of 'now.' 

When you ride a wave,

 you leave behind all things 

important and unimportant, 

the purity of the moment is upon you.” 

- Bill Hamilton.

I went home with a clear mind and satisfied heart. 
Guard's up and no more false hopes.
What does not kill me will only make me stronger. 
Anything is possible. Anything. :)

Thank you to my new found friends 

for making this trip awesome and memorable. 

And for letting me hitch going back home!

Ateneans: Marc, Miggy, Ja, Kev, Justin, Bernice, Joss, Mendel,

Melody, Aloy, Candice, Pearl, Mara, and Ryan

Benildeans: Ciarra, Axle, Marti, Lej, Earl, Miko, and  Jay

Some of the photos are taken by

Kevin Tang and Ciarra De Mata

For more information about The Circle Hostel just contact

this number +63917-8611929.

Sinful

Oh gosh.

Why does it have to look so luscious and all that? O_O

I am starting to gain weight (which is good, btw!) and

my face is getting rounder and rounder,

but who the hell cares?

Oh food, why do you have to be so delicious??? :D:D:D

Belle

Yes, I am a big fan of Beauty and the Beast

ever since I was a little kid.

I always dream of having a prince charming.

I also despises witches, monsters, villains and such because

I don't like seeing the princess and their prince charming

getting hurt and being oppressed. :))

Anyway, here's a photo of Belle.

I found this in tumblr and when I saw the caption,

I told myself: "Yeaps, that's me!"

And of course, I do believe in happy endings. :">

Well actually,

I believe in "they live happily ever after..."

Clever Little Soles

Want to prevent your feet from getting blisters?

Are your favorite heels killing your precious feet?

Then treat them to these colorful,

lightweight, ballet flats and save your soles from

injury and total damage.

Last November 8, 2010 was the launch of UK's

Butterfly Twists

here in the Philippines.

I was asked to dance on the soft-opening

of the said product along with the freelance models.

It was held at the Stock Market, Bonifacio High Street, The Fort.

It was an exclusive launching lunch party with the media.

I was, actually, not expecting for it to be this big and popular.

When Trina Molina, one of the owners of Butterfly Twists Philippines,

told me it's just a launching party of the ballet flats

and that it's just a 4-minute dance,

I did not think the audience would be editors of

big-time magazine companies here in the country.

To name a few:

Cosmopolitan, Preview, Manila Bulletin,

Philippine Star and the like.

Oh my gosh. O_O

I suddenly felt like backing out that day. :))

So anyway, I danced to one of the

excerpts in Audrey Hepburn's film Funny Face.

I actually had a hard time making a dance for it

since it's been months since I last danced jazz.

What I did was, I freestyled most of the parts. Teehee!

But hey, they LOVED it.

I spread my wings and just floated across the floor.

Music comes first before the movement. ;)

I'm so happy to be part of this big event.

Not only does it involve with butterflies,

which we all know I'm addicted to, but

it also gave me a new learning experience

and new shoes.

As a token of appreciation,

they gave me four pairs of Butterfly Twists. (hot pink, black, red, and deep blue)

I really love them! :)

It really is my style and

the shoes fit me well.

I can wear it in school/malls along with my casual/semi-formal clothes

or at night when I go out with friends wearing my party clothes.

The event was featured in the Philippine Star.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=629219&publicationSubCategoryId=452

I don't have the photos yet,

but I'll upload them as soon as I got them. :D

Anyway,

if you're interested in buying, you can find the shoes at:

CMG

(G4, MOA, Trinoma, Megamall, Shagri-La Mall, SM the Block, and Robinson's Place-Ermita)

Chocolate Clothing Company (Robinson's Galleria)

Aranaz (Greenbelt5)

Atillo (Mabini St. San Juan, Metro Manila)

Thank you so much, Trina, for inviting me

and to Monica Villarica (Trina's cousin)

for going there with me.

I just accomplished something in my wish list.

I Got My Eyes On You

Oh how awful the feeling that you cannot get

what you like the most- an added piece in my butterfly collection. :(

I feel so sad that I could not even spend a bit money to treat

myself and be merry.

I checked the Facebook fan page of Forever21 Philippines

and saw the new accessories collection.

In the rings section, there were a LOT of gorgeous butterfly rings.

And when I say gorgeous, they really are GORGEOUS and CHIC.

My goodness!

I just feel really sad that I would miss adding a new stuff in my collection.

Anyway, here are the photos of the rings I got from the FB page of F21.

P.S.

I'm also eye-ing on these boots. >:)

Butterfly

I don't need to repeat this

BUT yes,
I LALALOVE BUTTERFLIES. <3>

And Accessorize made me VERY happy today.
I have been eyeing this coin purse for months and
I get very frustrated each and every time
I pass by the store
and I don't buy it.
It's just so damn expensive for a purse. :|
It's a rectangular-shaped purse filled with
sequins and beads.
And finally, it's on sale.
From P530 to P159.. ;)
It's worth the wait.
Told you guys I won't be wanton spending anymore. *wink*


And to complete this marvelous shopping day,
I was also able to buy a necklace and a charm bracelet.
Yes, the design of those two is a butterfly.


Some say it's addiction
but I say it's collection. ;)

Forever 21 in the Philippines

The most awaited clothing store

is now here in the country.
The legit Forever 21 is located
at SM Megamall A, Upper Ground Floor.
It opened its doors last July2 around 10 in the morning
and I must say the girls went ga-ga
over the much awaited store. :))
It was pure madness!
The line outside was crazy and long.
This 2,700 square meter store
has all the up-to-date, stylish, and affordable clothes.
I actually thought the price range of the clothes
would be the same as Zara and Topshop,
BUT it was unbelievably way cheaper.(P125 up)
They have EVERYTHING,
from basic finds to Gossip Girl-ish dresses, to Safari-inspired clothing.
And one thing I love most about this boutique
is that they change their styles EVERY month.
How cool is that? :)
I went there with my Skittlez gerlies Nica and Elana.
We enjoyed every second of our shopping therapy
the moment we land our feet at the entrance of the store.
I have seen a lot of familiar faces
from La Salle and the dance community.
And can you believe that
there was a LONG line outside the 34 fitting rooms?
Gosh. It was actually a bit horrifying seeing
a lot of girls trying out their funky finds in front of the mirror,
outside the fitting rooms. :|
Plus, Nica had a small fight with
a random girl at the counter. *fighting nails on*
And we waited
for 1 and a half hours just to pay. :))
Nonetheless, we still enjoyed our shopping day/therapy.
I guess it is just because that day
was the grand opening of F21.
Who wouldn't feel excited, right? ;)

Anyway, it was really all worth it.
I love you gerlies for going there with me. :)
I cannot wait to go back there and shop again.

Here are the photos c/o Nica Carlos and Chuvaness:

Long line outside the store
Inside the store One part of the store
Elana at the Lingerie Corner
Funky accessories and tank top
Mannequins outside the store
Elana and I
Elana, Nica, and I, FTW.

Into Basic and Classic

I never consider myself as one of the fashion addicts since I don't follow the trend.
I mean I do, sort of. Hmmm like shoes or pants but never my whole outfit. I also shift into different styles depending, of course, on what occasion. Let's say I'm going clubbing with my dance friends, then of course I would wear the usual tank top+ skinny jeans+ hi-cut shoes+ hoodie. And on school days, I'm into basic top or sometimes dressy top + skinny jeans or tights or shorts. What really matters for me is the accessory. :) My outfit is incomplete without it. Haha Here's a sample of what I normally wear in school.

(L-R) capri jeans+plaid top+blazer, dress+classic black shoulder bag+belt+stud earrings+bangles, jeans+layered necklace+simple yet edge-y top(a bit backless), tank top+miniskirt w/ rhinestones+bolero hoodie, scarf+tank top+tights

I'm not like the other girls out there who shop almost everyday. Whenever I buy clothes, which is rare, I always buy what I really need. (e.g. top, formal top, jeans, accessories, sandals, or flats) I want something that I could wear without people noticing I wore the same top/jeans already. Those people who do not have a life besides criticizing is so irritating. As what Lizzy McGuire has said, they are called "outfit rememberer." :))


And then I got inspired by the Olsen Twins... :D
I have read their So Little Time series and I have seen them everywhere, but never have I noticed their fashion style. I find them really pretty and adventurous. And now I realize that I like how they dress up. :) The way they put their clothes together, the style of their hair, the smudgy eye make-up, and their confidence in showing who they really are through fashion. :) Don't get me wrong. I still disagree with the "everyday shopping" thing. Hahaha