The Promise

Wedding Belle.

Late last year two of my daughters got married, one was in Boracay and the other in Tagaytay.  The Boracay wedding came first while the Tagaytay came the day after.  A day before the beach wedding we were informed that my flight back to Manila was canceled and this would mean I won't be able to attend the wedding in the highlands.  The thought was quite upsetting so I tried my best to find an earlier flight and scrambled for numbers to make the necessary changes.  Luckily, there was an early flight that day (leaving the beach was quite saddening) so we were initially wait listed.  By early evening I received a confirmation call from SEAIR and everything just fell into place.  After all, I wouldn't want to miss my daughter's wedding.  Besides, I made a promise.

All made up.  Makeup and hairstyling by Lourd Ramos.

Arriving in Manila on the day of the wedding made me, frantic.  After traveling an hour and a half from the airport to Tagaytay I felt relieved.  We finally made it(with me were Reg and Rudolph--two of my other kids).  We realized we didn't have a place to dress up so Reg and Rudolph went to Starbucks while I changed inside the ever dependable van.  Time flew quickly and we rushed to Taal Vista Hotel (prepping up venue) to get a glimpse of the bride before she walks down the aisle.  The sight of my little girl in her beautiful vintage inspired gown holding a bouquet of blush pink peonies almost brought tears to my eyes.  I was overjoyed to see her and witness her one moment in time about to happen.  All the stress we went through just to get to this wedding vanished into the cold mountain breeze.  I was more than grateful to the universe and couldn't even ask for more.  There was an unforgettable glorious sunset at Caleruega (church) that day.  Wonderful hues filled the skies and unconditional love was all around us to celebrate the union of both Donna and Carlito.  As the church doors opened and the wedding march was about to start, a realization came to mind.  This is a day when two become one and promises are made not for the moment but to last a lifetime.

Picture Perfect. Wedding gown by Francis Libiran.  Photos by Pat Dy.

Family Ties(From left to right):  The author wearing an ivory dinner jacket, black bow, white long sleeved polo and tuxedo pants all by Joey Samson and sunglasses by Balmain; the bride in Francis Libiran; Reg in a white pleated dress by Blanc et Noir from SM, black shrug from Willow and sunglasses by Ray Ban; Rudolph in dark long sleeve polo and  trousers by Topman, checkered blazer by Mondo and sunglasses by Ray Ban.

Check out Donna's wedding at missdonata.blogspot.com

Valentine's Lush

 Valentine's Day is coming up and with a thousand and one gift items out there it's a bit hard to decide on what would be the best one.  If you're thinking of simple, inexpensive and sweet then why don't you try something to LUSH for.  These special romantic products are effective and at the same time economical all wrapped up in a cute special package called Knot-Wrap scarves at only P375.  The print reminds me so much of the bags of  Marc by Marc Jacobs seasons ago and mind you they are washable and reusable so nothing is wasted.    Add a personal touch to the package with their special massage bar and moisturizer for that unforgettable Lush feeling. Special things come in small packages.  Make it all worthwhile by Lush-ing it all up in this season of love love love.

Soft Coeur massage bar.

She loves me knot.

Can anything be more gorgeous?

In the Philippines, Lush is exclusively distributed by  Stores Specialist Inc. and is located at Glorietta 4, Powerplant Mall, Shagri-La Mall, Greenbelt 3, Mall of Asia and Bonifacio High Street.

Pattern Play

Two days ago was an easy pullout day and by mid-afternoon we decided to treat ourselves to ice cream at our favorite Ice Cream Bar( posted in an earlier entry) in Rockwell.  Decided to take pictures of the area around us to try to capture linear perspectives of the surrounding buildings.  Leading lines and vanishing points have always fascinated me with their play of symmetry.  So much inspiration can be drawn from these towering man-made monuments.

All boxed up.

Acute angles.

High rise.

Perfect cone.

A puzzlement.

In the middle of my random point and shoot we were stopped by security.  Unfortunately, shooting of structures is no longer allowed-weird!  Tried to steal several shots but the security guard was keeping an eye on us.  So we decided to continue the fun and started taking picture of ourselves.  Geometry to many may just be Math but as I reviewed the pictures in my camera I found our defining lines up close and personal.

Rudolph wearing a blue and white striped long sleeve polo with red buttons and white
pants both by H & M, suede boat shoes by Payless shoe source, watch by Kenneth
 Cole and leather sling bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Red, white and blue.

Donna wearing a white top by Topshop, black crochet vest by zoo.com.ph, printed
pants by Cotton On, sandals by Shuz, peacock ring and necklace from a bazaar
and bag by Gucci.

Go figure.

Reg wearing a sleeveless white top by Topshop, blush vest and gray cotton skirt
both by Forever 21, fringe necklace from Sm, woooden bangles from Bohol, brown
sling bag from Bangkok and woven platform wedges from Parisian.

All in the detail.

The author wearing white tee by Topshop, red and white checkered long sleeve polo
and khakis both by Zara, beige leather sneakers from Adora and plaid printed leather
bag by Vivienne Westwood. 

My little Japan

Irashaimase.

I love Japanese food.  From the sushi, sashimi, ramen and gyozas, more often than not I could eat a lot of it. I was recently invited by my good friend Danelle Palang for lunch at the popular UMU at Dusit Thani in Makati and knew it was going to be a yummy treat. UMU is one of my favorite restaurants in the city.  The famous food haven  boasts of beautiful and spacious interiors, five-star service, privacy  and most importantly a good menu with a wide range of Japanese specialties.  You can come fashionably comfortable because there's no strict dress code (but no slippers please) and its a nice place where one can eat and at the same time relax with friends.  

Lost in space.

Mellow yellow.

Light and Easy.

One of Umu's must-try signature special is their Teppanyaki Lunch Buffet (available from Monday-Friday).  An overflowing assortment of fresh seafoods, vegetables, chicken, pork and prime beef.  You can stuff yourself as much as you want until you get a delightful food coma.  You can always ask for hot tea to aid you in your digestion.  The perfect indulgence for those Japanese foodies out there.

Jap-setting.

Fish without tail.

Veggie delight.

Under the sea.

The lunch turned out to be an entire moment of catching up as usual. With us was up and coming young designer Pablo Cabahug ( Danelle's schoolmate in college) who recently won Most Promising Designer Look of Style Awards By Look Magazine and Phil.Daily Inquirer in cooperation with the British Council Manila. As part of his prize, the designer will be going to Central St. Martins in London this coming April to study a short course in design.  Could barely get up from my chair from the hearty meal. Excused myself for a smoke and when i got to the veranda facing the Japanese Garden (one of the "spots" where smoking is allowed) I was delighted to see schools of Koi.  Call me loonie tooney but the sight gave me a moment to embrace silence. A good insight after a wonderful meal and pleasant time with friends. Looking forward to my next visit to this wonderful place i call my little Japan.

Dusit Thani Senior PR and Events Manager Danelle Palang with Most Promising
Designer Look of Style awards designer Pablo Cabahug.



Koi spotting.

Umu is  open at 1130am-230pm and 530pm-10pm located at the ground floor of Dusit Thani hotel, Makati city.  For reservations  call 238 8888 or email dtmnfb@dusit.com

Feel Bright



Saffiano Satchel

Thinking of something spot on the trend to give your loved one or yourself this coming Valentine's day?  Time to think bold and beautiful in the season's brights with the latest offering from Tory Burch.  The hottest accessories in fierce colours of lava and poppy red will carry over your up to date style from the love month into the heart of summer.  No need to worry about the steep pricetag. Time to celebrate the modern lifestyle with these affordable luxuries.  Don't hold back because the new chic is definitely within reach.



Saffiano zip continental wallet.



Lava Red Brag Book Key



Lava Red Jewelry Zip Case

In the Philippines, Tory Burch is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialist, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati city.