Good Girls Gone B.A.D.

You know what? It's OK to be bad sometimes. It's OK to be naughty sometimes. Girls can be rough and tough just like men...

Be bad? yeah be really B.A.D= "Brave and Daring". And if you want to be BAD, be perfectly good at it.

Here's my tribute to the brave women of our time, who have fought for their rights and be noticed. And yeah, it's girl power baby! {v}

Model: Rain Villagonzalo
Designer : Elyse Laguatan
Head Stylist: Kristine Singson
Assistant Stylist: Gio Emprese
Make-up and Hair : Mhia Guarino
Location : Studio Sixty 7

Special Thanks to RAM MENDOZA!

Diwata in Couture

In Pinoy mythology, a Diwata is a local mythological version of fairies or nymphs. These earthly creatures are said to be goddesses that protect the nature. Known to be benevolent or neutral and usually called upon by our ancestors for ritually for positive good harvest, health, and fortune, but they can also give curse that can cause illness or misfortune if not given proper respect or veneration. They have the power that can lure anyone. A mystery that even science cannot define. Join me, as I pay homage to this mystical beauty...the DIWATA... {v}

Model: Rain Villagonzalo
Designer : Elyse Laguatan
Head Stylist: Kristine Singson
Assistant Stylist: Gio Emprese
Make-up and Hair : Mhia Guarino
Location : Studio Sixty 7

Special Thanks to RAM MENDOZA!

I LOVE MANILA (part 2): Luneta-Oh-La Lala

When I was kid, it has been a family tradition to have our Christmas outing at the Luneta Park. Wala pa kasi nung MOA, Ocean Park, Enchanted Kingdom o Star City. Hindi rin cheap ang airline ticket para mag Hong Kong kasi wala pa rin naman Disneyland or mag Singapore para mag Universal Studios. When I was a kid, happiness was really basic, just like going to Luneta Park. Dun kami mag lulunch (yes..I'm sure mga 80's baby makakarelate dito) at syempre adobo ang ulam para hindi madaling mapanis. Then sugue visit kami sa Nayong Pilipino then sa gabi biking sa Philcite with the huge Voltes V robot. Ganyang eksena...happiness na yan!

Two saturdays ago, we decided to bring the new generation kids of our family to Luneta for them appreciate what we enjoyed when we were kids. Well, I am so thankful that after how many years na napabayaan sya, Luneta is again breathing life. Luneta or officially called as the Rizal Park was renovated to give Pinoy families an alternative way to spend their weekend bonding. Dapat nga naman, from time to time, iwasan muna natin ang mall and feel our filipino sense of culture. Dalhin natin ang ating mga anak sa mga lugar tulad ng Rizal Park for them to get to know their country, para naman magkaroon sila ng PINOY PRIDE. I was surprised to see na may fountain show during the night, same as you see in Singapore and Macau, complete with symphony of music and laser lights! and it's FREE!

I think it's time the government should create more parks and places of interest that promote history and nationalism.

So what are you waiting for? Visit the new Rizal Park/Luneta and enjoy being a FILIPINO!

Here are some of my shots at the new Rizal/Luneta Park. Enjoy! {v}

I LOVE MANILA (part 1)

I’ve been living in the city for years now since my college days. Iba talaga ang MANILA. I’ve been to different cities in different countries pero hinahanap-hanap ko pa rin ang kakaibang karisma ng Manila. The people, the fast life, the busy streets, all the good things and even the ugly things is what makes Manila the ultimate city. Siguro nga, I’m in love with Manila, a relationship na mahirap talikuran. I took these photos one night at the roof deck of my newly purchased condo in Santa Ana. This is the first installment of my I LOVE MANILA Photoserye. Enjoy!

Nostalgic Summer

For the past two weeks, we have experienced nature’s hot flashes! Grabe ang init. 9AM pa lang akala mo it’s already noon time. However, summer isn’t always that bad. That warm feeling reminds us of memories when we were young like summer outings at the beaches or just spending your summer break at your lola’s ancestral house at the province. How about those street games (like Moro-moro, patintero, luksong baka, piko) you play when it’s already late afternoon? Ahhhh ang sarap balikan ng mainit na hapon, habang humihigop na malamig na halo-halo, o di kaya’y coke sa plastic ng yelo na binili mo lang sa sari-sari store.

This, collection is my homage to the vibrancy and the forever youthfulness of summer, a constant reminder that summer is indeed a season to be happy.

Keep the Faith

(Sorry for the delayed posting. This should have been posted last Easter Sunday but my connection did not cooperate and wasn’t able to post it then)

For the past couple of months, a lot of things happened in my life. MAJOR, MAJOR changes that made me questions myself, existence and my faith. A lot of times, I wake up in the middle of the night asking the question WHY? ... WHY ME? Only to find out the answer is... WHY NOT.

For the past years, I have always been focused on proving my worth to other people. Showing people what I can do and what I can be. I have always been somewhat obsessed to the idea of not failing because I am afraid of what people might think of me. The reason why I succumbed myself to working late nights and going to the corporate ladder fast. Going to the gym everyday, so I can just like be those models in glossy magazine, and buying all those gadgets so I can get ahead of technology. But why? Because I made myself believe that these are important things to be noticed, to get ahead, to be that Someone.

When you experience life changing moment, you tend to realize a lot of things. One of them is, life is really short and it can end any time. You also start to appreciate simple things that you have already forgotten to even notice before, like spending weekend lunch with your family, or just playing with your kids or nieces, or just having a slow day. Sometimes we just have to really stop, slow down and appreciate the things around us and what we already have. I also realized that I don't need to get noticed because my family has been noticing me since birth. I don't need to get ahead because I am not in a race with someone. And I don't need to be someone because in the eyes of God, I am already special.

The last Holy week was such a revelation to me. Of course, I went through the usual Visita Iglesia, watched the Penitencia, listened to the Pasyon and walked in the Procession. But those activities were now more meaningful to me. It made better understand why people hold like that to their faith. Because when there is nothing else that you can hold on to and you are about to falter, the only thing that will keep you going is your FAITH. It's hard to explain but there is something mystical about faith that keeps you all positive making you feel that “everything's gonna be alright". I read an article days ago in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and there is a line that really made a mark in me, "Our God, is a God who likes happy endings". That's the reason why people hold on to their faith because at the end of this journey, it will still be a happy ending… for each one of us.

The Semana Santa gave me an opportunity to use my lens and capture the various sights of this event and how Filipinos give high importance to this tradition. Well, I am not promoting self-inflicting pain for penance because I am sure our God is not a masochist but ey, WHO AM I to judge them. That's just my opinion and that's how they feel they need to profess their faith.

I am ok now. I have stopped asking a lot of WHYs. Because just like what I have said, the answer is "WHY NOT. Why not me? I have realized that I am pretty much a survivor. I don't easily give up. And because I have this faith... this will keep me even stronger. So my message to you all... just keep the faith. Happy Easter everyone! Hope you Enjoy the pics! {V}