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!

News: Stylish Ternos at the 2011 Philippine Independence Day Celebration in New York

Pop star Karylle and CBS 2 host Hazel Sanchez wore beautiful ternos as the Philippine community celebrated Independence Day with a parade and a program last 5 June 2011, Sunday on Madison Avenue in New York City,  New York. Karylle wore a black and white modern terno by Joey Samson while Hazel Sanchez wore a light gold terno with gold and copper sequins and ruffles. 

Other stars who joined Karylle in entertaining the crowd were jazz artist Annie Brazil, Rachel Anne Wolfe and fellow ABS-CBN and TFC star, Jericho Rosales. Tribu Pan-ay, the cultural dance group which won at the last Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo also made a special appearance. Prominent personalities present during the celebration were Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Consul-General Mario de Leon and Ambassador Jose Cuisia. 

The Philippine Independence Day Parade was hosted by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI).

Photos: Oliver Oliveros and U-Nick Domingo via Karylle's Facebook Fan Page and Hazel Sanchez's Twitter.

June Magazine Covers: Total Girl, MEG and CHALK

The hottest young stars grace the Back-to-School issues of three of the top teen magazines in the country: Total Girl, Meg and Chalk. Total Girl caters to the young teen crowd, Meg is mostly for high school girls and CHALK is for college students. 

Mara Clara stars Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes are on the covers of Total Girl and CHALK...

... while Fil-Australian sisters Anne Curtis and Jasmine Curtis-Smith are on the cover of Meg:

Photos: 

Total Girl Facebook, MEG Facebook, CHALK Facebook

Promo: Like Meg*Clothing on Facebook, win a GC!

Mariel Termulo - Padilla (otherwise known as Mariel Rodriguez), is asking you all to support local brand Meg*Clothing, of which she is an endorser of:

So what are you waiting for? Like Meg*Clothing on Facebook now!

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. 

May Magazine Cover and Photoshoot: Shalani Soledad for Preview

Shalani Soledad was once known as our President Noynoy Aquino's girlfriend. Since they have broken up, she has moved on to become a Valenzuela councilor and TV5 host for the shows Willing-Willie and Wil Time Big Time with controversial media personality Willie Revillame. Despite the news surrounding her, she has remained to be the quiet, gracious lady the public first caught a glimpse of. Here she is featured in a dark and romantic setting, wearing pieces from the country's hottest designers. 

White Vest by Noel Crisostomo, Animal-Print Button Down Polo by Camille Co, Sheer Skirt by Julius Tarog and Lace-Up Wedges by Soule Phenomenon

Long Vest by Nixon Marquez, Sheer Maxidress by Marc Rancy, Inner Minidress by Olivia and Fifth and Wedges from Gold Dot

Leather Vest by Nixon Marquez

Leather Vest by Julius Tarog, Sheer Vest worn backwards by Nixon Marquez, Black and White Dress by Eric delos Santos and Boots by Soule Phenomenon

Jacket by Julius Tarog, Gown by Rhett Eala

Photos: Fashion Media PH 1, 2

Store: The Amazing Playground

Having a basketball jersey or varsity jacket customized is now possible not only for your neighborhood or school's basketball or sports team, but also one just for you! Amazing Playground is a local streetwear store offering ready-to-wear and customized apparel. Owned by Amis Quizon Tumang, the store opened in March 2010 and gained much popularity among students and young professionals alike because of their customized jackets, which start at P900.00. Not bad huh? Amazing Playground t-shirts are are also unique as they are in a variety of designs containing positive, uplifting messages, as compared to other streetwear that emphasize on the hard ghetto life, and have attracted a larger audience.

 Ready to Wear Jackets

Customized Jackets

Ready-to-Wear T-Shirts

Some of its clients include world pop idol and Filipina singing wonder Charice Pempengco, musician Raymund Marasigan, businessman extraordinaire Manny V. Pangilinan, television host Drew Arellano and the hosts of sports news program Hardball. 

The Amazing Playground

75 Gil Preciosa Building, Timog Avenue, Quezon City

To order online, e-mail preferred designs to theamisshow@yahoo.com, or visit their Facebook page for more details.

Photos: David Guison for The Amazing Playground, The Amazing Playground Facebook and Multiply

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2011: Premiere A

"Premiere A" featuring designers Kristel Yulo, Michele Sison, Philipp Tampus, Ralph Ng and Roland Lirio was the highlight of 13 May, Day 4 of PFW Holiday 2011. Here are some photos of their collections which ranged from the simple and the elegant to the dramatically extravagant.

Kristel Yulo (Status Magazine Online)

Michele Sison (Lorna Llanes for Fasche)

Iya Villania

Nikki Gil

Carla Abellana

Philipp Tampus (stylebible.ph)

Ralph Ng (Camille Co)

Roland Lirio (stylebible.ph)