Event: London Philippine Fashion Show

Prospero World presented the first ever London Philippine Fashion Show last March 8, 2012, Thursday at the Victoria House. The show highlighted fashion for higher causes, those being educational projects by the Ayala Foundation. Featured designers included Joyce Makitalo, Cary Santiago, Lulu Tan Gan, Pepito Albert, Rajo Laurel, Randy Ortiz, Wynn Wynn Ong, Federico de Vera, Silk Cocoon, Bergamo, Celestina, Josie Natori Couture, Lesley Mobo, Michael Cinco and London-based designer, Jasper Garvida. Here are just some of the outfits featured during the show. 

The event was graced by Princess Marie Chantal and Prince Pavlos of Greece. Also in attendance during the event was Ayala Corporation's Fernando Zobel de Ayala. The show also featured cultural dances, artifacts and artwork depicting Filipinos in the 1800s. Goes to show how much Filipino talented is appreciated - from our local shores, to the U.S., U.A.E. and now, London.

Photo Source: Andrew Southard @ Pixate

Dress as Manny Pacquiao this Halloween with this Mask

Yesterday, my youngest brother and his friends went around our place to go "trick-or-treating". One of his friends wore a Manny Pacquiao mask, that looked so detailed and realistic. It looked so awesome, I thought of having one for myself and searched online to look where I could purchase it. My online search led me to the Schoolkid.Ph website, and there I found where I could buy one! Schoolkid is selling the mask for 500 PhP (kids) and 600 PhP (adults). I also learned another delightful thing about the mask: All of the profits will be going to the children of Bulacan and Pampanga who suffered from the wrath of Typhoons Pedring and Quiel from Bulacan and Pampanga. Dress as Manny Pacquiao this Halloween with this mask and help our children out!

The Manny Pacquiao mask was vacuum-formed from impact-resistant, partially recycled plastic and individually-painted with lead-free paint. The kit includes the mask, eye inserts (for optional use) and an elastic band. Sizes are as follows :

Kids - 14 cm x 16 cm

Adults - 16 cm x 21 cm

Visit the Schoolkid website to place orders. Dress as Manny Pacquiao this Halloween with this mask and be  a champion in your Halloween party and for Filipino schoolchildren!

Photo: Schoolkid Webpage

Event: Ateneo de Manila University Dollhouse Miting de Avance

This year, I was lucky to witness the epic Dollhouse Miting de Avance held in Ateneo de Manila University, last 15 July 2011. I was taking a break from doing a paper when I saw a flurry of beautiful beckies preparing at the "Dollhouse Annex". That's when I remembered that that day was the day of Dollhouse's Miting de Avance and Elections. After seeing and chatting with old friends Patch and Nyko, I decided to pack my things up from the library, cram my paper later and head to the much-awaited event. 

(For those who do not know, the Dollhouse is an eleven-year old organization in AdMU for the LGBTQA crowd and anyone who shares their passion for love, laughter and the drive for acceptance and equality. But more than it is an organization, it is a family. Personally, it's one of the funniest and most endearing groups of people I've ever seen and interacted with.)

This year's Dollhouse Miting de Avance and Elections were different for many reasons. First was because of the different venue, second was because of the media and blogger coverage, and lastly because it was graced by none other than Goddess Mother Becky herself, Divine Lee! Former Queen Mothers and event hosts Erick Habijan and Patch Buenaventura together with the fabulous candidates vying for the positions of King Father, Lady GaGuard (Sargeant-at-Arms), F-Buddy (Treasurer), Sex-Gen (Secretary), Vice-Ganda (Vice-President) and the much-coveted Queen Mother (President) brought in the laughs through their advocacies for equality and acceptance. Divine Lee's ever-supportive boyfriend Victor Basa and celebrities Megan Young and Saab Magalona were also in the house!

Here are some photos of the event itself, featuring some of the best-dressed, blue-blooded and eagle-loving beckies (I wish I could have met them!):

Erick Habijan (Queen Mother 2007-2008) looked tres-fab with her neon color-blocked outfit and black heels.

Patch Buenaventura (Queen Mother 2009 - 2010) channeled mega corporate chic with her neutral-colored outfit, complete with sky-high heels. 

Auntie Fashion in the house!

Now, THAT's more like it!

Goddess Mother Becky Divine Lee! She looked absolutely beautiful in her "toned-down" outfit: a gold sequin mini dress and black heels. Ka-LUCA!

I totally loved La GaGuard candidate Rica's Ken doll necklace, fringed top and happy disposition all throughout her speech! Rica is from PARTIDO DYOSA.

Lady GaGuard candidate Fons was a captivating sight in her floor-length blue animal print dress. Very sophisticated! Fons is from PARTIDO PILITA.

Lady GaGuard candidate Nikki pulled out all the stops with her gothic tribal look, husky voice and killer platform. Nikki is from PARTIDO BALUR. (SHE WON!)

PARTIDO PILITA's F-Buddy candidate Cedie delivering her speech shoeless and in a headdress

PARTIDO BALUR's F-Buddy candidate Jebby should have won an award for improvisation. I call this the "FEROSH TRIBAL PAMBAHAY" look. (SHE WON!)

Rence, PARTIDO DYOSA's candidate for Sex-Gen wearing distressed jeans. Was she channeling nineties Janet Jackson ? I'm not sure, but I like where she decided to hook Ken!

Paolo, PARTIDO PILITA's candidate for Sex-Gen totally went for the Antelope look. Sadly, she took her black lace headpiece while giving her speech. Definitely one of the event's fashion highlights.

PARTIDO BALUR's Sex-Gen Candidate Gelo looked like a dark Moor traveler (history/geography much?) and came out with one of the longest and funniest speeches ever. (SHE WON!)

Auntie Fashion worn by PARTIDO PILITA's Vice-Ganda bet, JR!

PARTIDO BALUR's Josh Lao could give any Harajuku girl a run for their money. Her outfit was for me, the second fashion highlight. (SHE WON!)

 LAST AND THE FIERCEST, THE CANDIDATES FOR QUEEN MOTHER!

PARTIDO PILITA's Mamu wore a rather simple outfit, and delivered a simple but heartwarming message.

PARTIDO BALUR's Mico Suba in her all-white outfit, inspired by queens and brides everywhere! Her outfit was regal beyond words and her speech brought the house down! (SHE WON!!!)

With host and educator extraordinaire, Erick!

She made things possible. Good job Nyko!

Sadly, I had to go home before the winners were proclaimed, but had load of fun nonetheless. Sorry if the photos are blurry, I took them using my mobile phone's camera and was laughing the whole time! Congratulations to PARTIDO BALUR for a landslide win (knew it'd happen before I left) and to the DOLLHOUSE for a very successful event! WINNUR KAYONG LAHAT!

Store: CM Crafts Center

In the Philippines, sustainable development goes beyond the definition that covers organic resources as it also refers to the preservation of our indigenous culture and protection of the indigenous peoples. Rather than treating the IPs as an ‘other’, several groups came together with various IPs and established a partnership with them to sustain their livelihood. ‘Non-Timber Forest Products Task Force’ (NTFP) , a network of local and Southeast Asian non-governmental organizations dealing with issues such as land reform, resource management and livelihood established a crafts center called CM Crafts Center or Custom Made Crafts Center in 2003 to promote the talent and products of various IPs in the Philippines, namely the Mangyans of Mindoro, Palaw’anon and Tagbanua of Palawan, Higaonon of Bukidnon, Maguindanaon of Mindanao, the T’Boli of Lake Sebu, as well as rural artisans and weavers from Negros and Pangasinan. The network practices fair trade and constantly dialogues with the IPs in order to reach prices that would allow consumers to help provide for the basic needs and traditional way of life of the IPs adequately and meaningfully. Through CM Crafts, women from the IP and rural areas are also empowered to help their household. Women have always been given respect in particular ways in IP culture, and their role in livelihood increased their already-revered role in society.

CM Crafts Center covers a wide range of products, from seeds, organic food, special collections made by particular IPs, beads and ethnic textiles, journals, filing boxes, office bags and lunch boxes (aptly called “gathering packs” – the name reminds me so much of the hunters’/nomads’ lifestyle), home décor such as pillows, photo frames and placemats and of course wardrobe and accessories. CM Crafts Center also sells woven dresses, tops, belts, bags and woven necklaces and bracelets among others:

CM Craft Center Showroom, Metro Manila, Philippines

CM Crafts Center is one of the many local advocacies for sustainable development but its partnership with the country’s IPs is what makes it stand out from the rest. When you buy a CM Craft product, you carry with you the IPs’ legacy that spans several centuries and help these IPs carry on their cultural legacies even longer.

CM Craft Center

Address:

92-A Masikap Ext., Bgy. Central
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Tel Nos. +6329293665 / +6324262757

You can view their products and purchase online via the CMCrafts Website

Photo: NTFP

Event: Filipino Artists Come Together for UNICEF's Auction for Action

UNICEF Philippines' first online auction called Auction for Action goes live today, 25 May 2011 on EBay Philippines. A partnership between Greenbelt Ayala Malls, EBay, Cibo and Cibo di M, the auction will run for two weeks and will benefit the world organization's programs for children here in the Philippines. Featured artists hail from the worlds of fashion and jewellery design (Mich Dulce, Janina Dizon, Kristine Dee, Paul Syjuco, Joey Samson, Celestina, Accessory Lab), interior design (Kenneth Cobonpue, Ito Kish, Debbie Palao, Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre, Benji Reyes, Vito Selma), photography (Tom Epperson, E. Billy Mondoñedo) and the visual arts (Manny Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Seb Chua, Araceli Limcaco - Dans, Ramon Orlina, Ling Quisimbing-Ramilo, Popo San Pascual and Reg Yuson). 

Here are two of the items that will be auctioned off from Janina Dizon and Mich Dulce. 

Necklace of pink shells with eggs of multi-coloured sapphire in vermeil from Janina Dizon

 

Miniature version of a hat custom-made for British musician Adam Ant from Mich Dulce. The hat comes with other items donated by Adam Ant himself.

UNICEF Special Advocate for Children, Ms. Daphne Oseña-Paez and Galerie Joaquin artists such Jovan Benito, Jomar Delluba, Hamzah Marbella, Dominic Rubio and  Juvenal Sanso also participate in UNICEF Philippines' first online auction venture.

Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Country Representative states, "Our partnership with acclaimed artists via online auction helps us engage the public in a new and interesting way. As well as raising important funds for our work, we will be able to raise awareness of important issues affecting children in the most disadvantaged communities of the Philippines and worldwide." Daphne Oseña-Paez adds, "the response from artists has been very encouraging, to say the least. It feels incredible to be able to work with such prominent artists for a worthwhile cause. I’m a great fan of their work, but now I’m in even greater awe of their kindness and generosity. They put a lot of love and devote a lot of time into everything they create, so I know that beyond the beautiful art piece, the artists are really sharing a part of themselves with UNICEF." 

Visit. http://www.ebay.ph/unicef to view other products and participate in the auction. 

Source: UNICEF PH Facebook

Photos: Janina Dizon Blog, Adam Ant Website

UNICEF's programs are in line with the 2015 Millennium Development Goals for Child Health, Universal Education and Ending Poverty and Hunger. I interned for UNICEF PH four years ago and the experience was nothing short of wonderful. Helping out and working for via UNICEF was really life-changing. With your bidding, you could help UNICEF Philippines reach those goals and make our Philippines a better place for our future children.