Parisian Summer 2011 Lookbook

After more than a month since my Boracay entries, our shoot is finally on print.  Fashion forward shoe brand Parisian presents its 2011 Summer lookbook.  The latest and hottest in both bags and shoes are trendsetting the local retail scene in front row style.  Spot on the trend detailing and a kaleidoscopic spectrum of the most wanted hues display an irresistible global appeal to tickle your excitement.  Touch the color from neutral tones to the boldest of brights and there's no mistake this time, it's all a matter of choice. Satisfy your shoe fetish in an array of must-haves such as flats, wedges, platforms and towering heels that will keep you parading the days of summer. The shoe fits perfectly in a variety of prints, braids, cutouts and fantastic wood works. Wonder in delight with these cheap chic items sure to make a bold statement to compliment your updated wardrobe.  Parisian has definitely made a mark in local retail landscape by raising the style bar to international standards.  More importantly, with their new and improved comfort, you can keep on walking all day and night worry free.  Step ahead of the pack and strut your style in stellar confidence because it will never be the same without a Parisian.

Shot on located in Boracay Island.  Photography by Pat Dy, Styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., associate styling by Belle Camarsi, Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim and Rudolph Leonor.  Makeup by Bobby Carlos, makeup assistant Ria Aquino, hairstyling by Felicity Son. Parisian is exclusively available at all SM Department Stores nationwide.

Man of the Street

Suit dressing is all about the modern man.  Sleek, chic and all grown up, the man of the hour is all suited for gracing both formalities and informalities.  SM Men's fashion in house brand Main Street is no longer constricted to the boardroom and has moved on towards a more stylized look for every occassion. From jackets to blazers to suits, the complimentary color palette is practical for both the monochromatic tone on tone or mix matching look.  Silhouettes are moving forward with the times with an updated approach to retail tailoring.  The current slim pickings is transforming corporate fashion into something convenient for practical dressing.  For the man on the go, stepping up in this fashion forward appeal is giving more reason to rise in the workforce with style.  Today, the modern wadrobe is functional, fashionable without restrictions.  If women can be serious with what they wear, men are no longer spectators of style but are now actively taking the big leap as well from their closets to the main streets. 



Walk this way.



Chic living in with a suitcase.



The new relaxed cool.





Modern monotone.

 Photography by Frank Hoefsmit, styling by Luis Espiritu Jr., associate styling by Belle Camarsi, Reg Rodriguez, Donna Gonzales Lim and Rudolph Leonor, makeup by Bobby Carlos, modeled by Nathaniel Kiefer, Deny Barros and .  Shot on location at the SMX convention center parking lot in MOA.  Main Street is exclusively available in all SM Department Stores nationwide.

Mad about Poco Deli

The sign alone gives you an idea of what's in store.

Two days ago I started the day early doing errands before my 1pm shoot.  Luckily, I was able to finish everything around 1030am and was wondering what I was going to do next since I had a bit of time to kill.  My associate stylist Belle Camarsi suddenly texts me and said she was already near Pioneer Studios and wanted to have lunch.  It's always good to have a full meal before a shoot, so without hesitation I gladly obliged.  I asked her where we were going, she said it's a new secret foodie place I would surely love--POCO DELI.  Located in Barangay Kapitolyo in Pasig, if you guys are familiar with Charlie's(burger place) it's just a stone's throw away.  

Smoker's in the house.

Cellar status.

Home made cold cuts, an assortment of cheese and sweet somethings.

The prize is wine.

Uncanned goods.

I love going to new places, it always seems like there's an element of surprise. For lunch we had the sausage platter for starters.  The super juicy homemade sausages were grilled just about right matched with their special sauerkraut.  Panini prosciutto with melted mozzarella and cassava chips on the side for our main course with mushroom pasta with truffle oil.  I love truffle oil specially when the kitchen doesn't overdo it.  Tell me about major carbo loading but who cares it's super yummy and we didn't mind because you can take as much brewed coffee as you want (stay awake).  To top it all, we had two slices of cake for dessert.  The first one  was New York baked cheesecake( waaah real cheese and not mousse) and the second was Carrot cake with cinnamon frosting--this was the killer.  We stayed a little close to two hours enjoying the food and the carbo-sweet moment with no regrets.  I won't be surprised if this place becomes a popular one since the food is good and price points are fairly reasonable.  Don't expect a big area, it's fairly new( opened last October) and quite quaint.  Another perfect hideout from the scene to be seen. Wanted to stay longer and try the rest of the menu...oooppps but maybe some other time when work doesn't get in the way.  

The starter platter.

Pastaliscious.

Start spreading the news.

Cinnamon sin.

I completely forgot to try their homemade ice cream which I heard is really good.  Will be dropping by soon to get hold of this frozen delight.

I missed out on this :-(

Associate stylist Belle Camarsi wearing a gray tank and powder blue chambray polo
both by Topshop, denim cut-offs by Levis, blue snakeskin caged heel by Tonic, vintage
heirloom silver necklaces, leather tote by Tyler and sunglasses by Ralph Lauren.

Junior stylist Donna Gonzales Lim wearing slate gray dress with leather straps from 
HK,beige shoes by Cole Vintage and brown Fendi spy.

The author wearing a white tee from Banana Republic, pique khaki trousers by Joey
Samson, white snakeskin  shoes from Adora, wooden face watch with red patent strap
from a bazaar, sunglasses by Tom Ford and red Antigona lambskin bag by Givenchy.

Poco deli is open 11am -10pm on weekdays(Friday-Saturday until midnight), and Sundays 5pm - 10pm.

For Your Eyes Only

Have you ever wondered how an excellent Ad campaign is made?  Those beautiful billboards you see along edsa, store window displays, posters in the malls, catalogues and on the pages of glossies and broadsheets are all products of meticulous hard work.  From concept brainstorming to pre-production and production to printing, "the process" is like putting pieces of a big puzzle together.  It is no easy feat creating  an image of a brand or product.  For the consumer, all they see is the output which is left to their personal judgement. But for the team who's hands get all dirty to achieve this, the objective is to sell the image, promote a look or make a statement. With it comes heavy research, product development, buying, sourcing and the list goes on and on. Everything is planned well and it's not something you think of out of the blue or for the moment.  For the greater majority, it's just a matter of liking it or not.  To give you an idea of what happens behind the scenes, here is a sneak peak behind the smiles of SM's Shoes and Bags Summer Campaign shoot in Boracay.

Jack in the box?

This was the set up since 5am.

Rolling stones at 7am.

Retouch. 

A stone throw away.

Clipping on.

Gio and Rudolph with clothes in line.

Peter's instant set up.

Pat and Laura's smile check.

Formal setting.

Each shoot is different from one another in terms of looks, style and proportion but the effort put into it is all the same.  No shoot is greater or lesser than the other because they are all a result of collaborative efforts from each member of the team.  Professionally, everyone is integral and important from the client, agency, photographer, stylists, makeup artist, hair stylists, models and assistants.  Based on experience,the real key aside from what I've mentioned earlier is chemistry.  With no walls to be broken down,the invisible ties that bind us makes every shoot faster, lighter and easier. 


Rudolph wearing 21 Men.

Bobby wearing SM Wayferer.

Belle wearing Ray Ban.

Ria wearing Ray Ban Wayferer.

Donna wearing Chanel.

Rina wearing Ray Ban.

Reg wearing Anne Klein.

The author wearing Tom Ford.



True Food

Don't be deceived by the title. It's not the famous Indian restaurant found in the isle of Boracay. Whenever I go back,  I never miss out on having a good brekkie (breakfast) in Real Coffee.  Located in between station1 and 2, you can ask any tricycle driver or islander for directions and  they will surely show you the way.  The place is owned by Nadine who was introduced to me by a close friend almost a decade ago.  Since then, I never fail to keep coming back.

Me and my kids with the Queen of Real Coffee-Nadine's Mom(center).

They serve healthy breakfast food and  one of the best brewed (barako I think) coffee in the island.  Aside from the waker uppers, the quaint resto is known for signature offerings such as the pesto omelette and tuna melt.  We recently discovered the mouth-watering chicken sandwich also known as Marc's Melt ( named after tv personality Marc Nelson).  Seems like you can't get enough when you go through the entire menu filled with yummy treats. No fuss and flash presentations, the food is simple, healthy and something to look forward to.  Definitely a good way to start your day and satisfy your big morning appetite. 



Muchos Pesto.



The way Mark melts.

 One must not miss the legendary calamansi cupcake.  I used to order a dozen and bring them back home to Manila for my mom and sisters.  The best time to get these food for thought is in the morning and mid afternoon when they bake it. Nothing compares to this gastronomic find that's only available in the island til this day.  The food is as "real" as it can get.


Let them eat cake.

 Another place one shouldn't miss is JONAS for their fruit and milkshakes-super divine.  We had them during our first night plus a taste of the fake choriburger.  Please never get them in the restos because they're not even close to the real thing.  Try being adventurous and start  looking for those barbeque stalls on the street ( though we heard these stands are already prohibited to be setup along the beach) because they sell the authentic ones.  If JONAS is full, then you can get good shakes at JONY's as well which is just a few stores away. It's the perfect place to hangout out in the afternoon to snack up, have a round of drinks or people watch. They have this really good anchovy pizza so heavenly you just might end up ordering another one.


Mad scramble.



Cocktail hour @ Jony's.



Sweet surrender.



Smile with your heart.