August 5, 2012

Last weekend Maja Olivares Co asked me if I could host their cultural event at Paco Market. Maja is the Project Designer and Head of Culture and Education of the redevelopment of Paco Market. She has told me about the work she’s done here together with ABS-CBN Foundation’s efforts to rehabilitate the Pasig River. I had always wanted to see how they’ve transformed the old market and cleaned up the ‘estero’ but never had the chance. So I thought even though it’s a weekend, this was a good time to give back and have the kids learn a few things about our city and the environment.

Paco Market was built in 1911. Through the years it fell to decay and became one of the main pollutants of the Estero de Paco. When Maja started the restoration plans, some of the beams were structurally unsound. It took a lot of donations from the private sector and government to get this project going.

My kids are not new to markets. We always take them to public markets. This, they say, is one of the prettiest in terms of the “building”.

The event was held at the cultural/multi-purpose wing by the entrance. I love the bleachers and all the big arched windows.

Vice President Binay came early because he had to leave early. But the children of Paco Market held up a sign and chanted, “Vice President, Stay,” so he stayed and watched them perform. Check out how the market was restored. Lots of natural and artificial lighting and cross ventilation.

Cardona Youth Musical Ensemble performed using various instruments. They spent a few months training the Paco Market Youth Ensemble.

This is the Paco Market Youth Ensemble. They were under the guidance of the Cardona group for just a few months. And they were so good with the recorder.

With the children of Paco Market.

With Maja Olivares-Co and her mom, one of the pioneers of professional interior design in the Philippines Sonia Santiago Olivares (in white).

We took the kids to see the estero.

Hard to believe it was once completely filled with garbage. Imagine all this feeding into the Pasig River?! The newly rehabilitated market not only got a physical makeover. The tenants and nearby residents were taught and trained about proper water and waste disposal.

This is how the estero looks like now.

Unfortunately, a few metres away from Paco Market is this informal street market.

Local color, yes. Proper waste disposal, I hope so.

Watch Anna Coren’s report on the rehabilitation of Paco Market  in CNN’s Eye on the Philippines…

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August 4, 2012

I shot Cocktales yesterday. After a whole week of hanging out at home, waiting for the storm to pass and monitoring school cancellations, I had the chance to get all dolled up with fancy hair and makeup. I love that my life is all about being a school mom with a part time job. Haha. Feels great. Especially since my little job gets me to hang out with fascinating people.

Our guest this Sunday (9:30pm on Aksyon TV), is Rep. Mitos Magsaysay. It was interesting seeing her sans-issues and without the “Dragon Lady” persona during hearings. Notice the short skirt and platform wedges!

After asking about her crying over not getting her pork barrel, we moved on to the lighter side. I chose this photo because I want to freak out my Dad. (Dad, look what I’m doing with my lips. Haha. Inside joke.)

In between takes, reviewing lines with Vic Agustin and Cita Revilla. Must mention my fashion choices. This dress is from K&Company. I must admit it took me a while to appreciate it when I first saw it on a hanger at the shop. It turned out to be so cute! I wore them with a black onyx necklace I made seven years ago. The cuff is Marni x H&M. Shoes from CMG. The dress comes in a few colours and prints.

We shot these two episodes at Jill’s at The Fort.

Watch out for next Sunday’s (August 12) episode, featuring Xandra Ramos-Padilla of National Book Store and Crossings Department Store.

We talked about her business of running the biggest bookstore/school supplies chain in the country, on top of managing The Ramp at Crossings. Must thank our executive producer Giselle Ordinario for taking behind the scenes photos with my Olympus OMD.

Xandra’s and my outfit seemed to have complemented each other. She wears The Ramp with Rock Coconut necklace from Missoni. I’m wearing a fluorescent dress (like a highlighter yellow green) from K&Company. It has peekaboo slits on the arms. Fun! My necklace is a simple fabric handicraft from India. Without thinking, I just wore my purple stacked heel shoes. It felt great wearing bright colors during a gloomy day.

Watch Cocktales, Sunday nights 9:30pm on Aksyon TV 41.

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August 1, 2012

It has been a few months since I was launched as Vaseline Perfect 10′s brand ambassador. With dermatologist Dr. Alto Bautista-Ocampo, Uniliver’s Jacqe Yuengtian who very recently just got married and emcee Chal Lontoc, a very in-demand wedding host.

I’m brought back to the wonderful day of the launch, a quaint afternoon tea with a few friends from media. Since the launch, I’ve discovered more of the benefits of Vaseline’s Perfect 10 formulation. It is Vaseline’s first and only product that delivers the two-fold advantage of whitening and anti-aging in one. It reduces fine lines, lightens and nourishes skin, boosts radiance, reduces dark spots and gives UVA/UVB protection through a combination of ingredients known and tested to deliver tangible results.

I wanted to share Vaseline Perfect 10 with some of my friends. And Vaseline made it happen. Here are some Instagrams and Facebook photos from a few of those who received the gift packs. Thank you to my Vaseline family!

I also checked out the Vaseline Facebook Page, and was pleasantly surprised to see the video where Patrick gave me a surprise message. This was the one that made me cry — not because of the things he said, but because of the fact that he actually did this. We don’t normally do public couple things. Haha. The video is in this link for now…

Sorry for the cringe factor. I really did get giddy and emotional with this one. Haha.

Moving on, click here to take your Vaseline skin test. I’m sure you’re all Perfect 10s. And please like the Vaseline Facebook Page for more interesting features in the next few days.

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July 31, 2012

A few weeks ago, I announced on Twitter that I have been offered to be the Magniflex brand ambassador alongside Kenneth Cobonpue. The timing was right because when we had our 10th wedding anniversary a few months ago, one of the things that dawned on me was our need to buy a new bed mattress. And I definitely wanted an upgrade.

I got an invitation from Home Studio to come and see the luxurious and eco-friendly bed mattresses in their show room. Magniflex (pronounced man-yi-flex) is an Italian company based in Tuscany. It is now present in over 70 countries in the world. Here in Asia, you can only get a Magniflex in Singapore, Tokyo, and now in the Philippines. Magniflex has more than 30 million satisfied customers, who have discovered the luxury of sleep, naturally.

They had me at “naturally” and “eco-friendly”.

Magniflex is the only mattress brand 100% made in Italy and uses all-natural materials that are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, breathable and biodegradable. Most of the mattress covers are washable to ensure hygiene.

I was introduced to this brand by Grant Lim, managing director of Home Studio. All Magniflex mattresses are shipped to the country in vacuum packs to ensure its freshness. It also saves on shipping space, making it eco-effcient.

Grant walked me through the many models of Magniflex mattresses in his showroom. But in reality the only way to know which mattress is good for you is by actually lying on them. So he gave me a few minutes alone to try all the mattresses. I was drawn to the GeoEthic line.

All the mattresses in the GeoEthic line have an EcoGreen layer for a firm support for your entire body. It has beneficial breathability, excellent air exchange in the fabrics that maintain the body fresh and dry. The Naturest is covered in an extraordinary fabric made of bamboo fiber. Bamboo is known to have honey pectin that is good for treating skin problems. The Naturest has a 3-Zone System that provides variable support to the shoulders, body and legs, making sure that these three parts are properly supported to wake you fresh and energetic in the morning. This is the mattress we got for our own home.

From the Magniflex Classic line, there are mattresses that use silver fabric, like this Nightowner. Silver, as a natural material, has ions that benefit your body and is known to be anti-bacterial.

Home Studio is at 63 Connecticut Street, Ortigas. They carry other luxurious brands of construction material like tiles and fixtures.

Chat Guillermo and Grant Lim of Home Studio.

Know more about Magniflex here. Or follow Home Studio Philippines on Twitter here.

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July 28, 2012

I was woken last Monday morning to these fantastic tweets and instagrams by Kris Aquino (@aquinokristina). She posted photos of the necklace that Dr. Vicki Belo commissioned me to make.

Last month Dr. Belo asked me to create two necklaces, one for her and the other for Kris. Both were to have the images of Mother Mary, Jesus and St. Joseph (Holy Family). It wasn’t easy, as the medallions are quite rare. But everything seemed to fall into place.

Here is the necklace I made for Kris. Dr. Belo gave it to her last week. On Monday morning, Kris posted on her instagram: @aquinokristina Beautiful necklace w/ the Sacred Heart, Mother of Perpetual Help & St. Joseph from Dra Vicki Belo.

From Kris’ instagram. @aquinokristina Accompanying certification

That first night, Kris and I had a Twitter conversation. She told me she’d wear the necklace religiously “starting tomorrow until forever!”

There was so much I wanted to say, but I kept it short. I love it when the new owners of my pendants have this passionate reaction about them. Kris isn’t the first. But her tweets were something else!!

And she did wear the necklace on her show Kris TV everyday this week.

As expected when a Kris Aquino mentions your product, you get flooded with requests for prices and potential orders. Just to explain a bit, the medals are very rare and everything is crafted by hand. The price of gold is also a bit insane. Here’s what it looks like when I’m creating them.

This is the piece I made for Dr. Vicki. I thought Our Lady of Perpetual Help should have a frame of red roses around her. I used garnet. And the image of St. Joseph with baby Jesus has round cut peridot to play up the green on the stems of lilies. The leaf frame is inspired by antique Philippine jewellery like “tamburin” necklaces. Dr. Belo texted me, “What I love is that your pieces are so beautiful and intricate and with fine workmanship. It’s really a labor of love. When I wear them the energy is so good.”

For Kris, I gave her pink sapphires as she is known to love pink. And the amethyst is her birth stone. I try to give the pieces a little personal meaning to add to the iconography.

I don’t actively sell the medallions. I don’t have a price list. Every piece is custom-made.

It’s a very personal thing for me. Something I feel doesn’t need explanation. Those who love and appreciate the pieces know what they’re about – whether its the art, the craft, the devotion or whatever meaning they find. Vogue Italia asked me about them last December. If you haven’t watched the interview, click here.

These are gifts I wish I could share to everyone who wants them. But at the moment, I’m going to have to beg for your patience. I’m trying to figure out a system to address the interest. Thanks everyone!!

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