.tHiS iS mY uToPiA.

I'M MOVING!!!

2007-07-06T05:35:00.000+08:00

Yes, I am. I'm going to miss my blogger home but I realized, since I have my own online store in Multiply, it would be much easier for me to manage my own website there as well. Plus Multiply is a no-brainer, easy to maintain site since everything is set up for you already (blog, video, music, photo albums, etc). I will miss you all here but please do visit me from time to time. It would be great if you have your own Multiply. If you do, add me ok?. If not, come with?

CLICK TO GO TO MY NEW HOME

My New Online Boutique

2007-02-19T13:51:00.000+08:00

A decade ago, I started a ready-to-wear clothing line called, What To Wear. It was just a little “sideline” that I really enjoyed doing. However, the hectic schedule of my real professiona forced me to set aside this little endeavour of mine.

But that was many years ago. Now, after the success of my other business (K9 Couture), I have decided to revive What To Wear via the internet.

I hope that you will support me in this new endeavor by adding me to your network...and maybe buying a piece or two from me. hehe!

Thanks and God bless! =)

Visit my online boutique at

www.what2wear.multiply.com

I'm Crushing

2007-02-12T00:49:00.000+08:00

It's so freaking high school, I swear! I have this immense crush on Wentworth Miller right now. Seriously! Just finished watching season 1 of Prison Break and I miss him already. Haha!

My daughter was asking me who he was so I showed her some pics of my Wenty (haha!) and she though he was cute too. I told her, "Mikah, bawal ang panget sa family ok. If you're going to have a boy-friend, he'd better look like that!" =)

I heart Wentworth Miller! And I don't care if I sound like a 15 year old! I mean look at those eyes!...*blows kisses to the computer*

Online Shopping

2007-01-21T00:18:00.000+08:00

I recently discovered the fun and very convenient alternative to shopping at the malls. And this was my very first purchase...A Havaianas/Flipflop Holder. It's perfect for the very O.C. me. Now my havies are more organized and easy to reach. If you want to order, let me know coz some friends of mine are ordering too. It comes in black, white, pink, and lavander. And it only costs 250pesos each! How cool is that?

Ok, don't mind my unmanicured hands. I've already gone to the salon since. Hehe! Anyway, this vintage-like ring I got from Stellar. Very cute accessories made by the very cute Chynna Ortaleza. I love big rings! I immediately texted her as soon as I saw these in her online store. And I got it the next day! Do you love it?

*sigh*...So many online stores, so little time! =)

FINALLY!

2007-01-10T10:01:00.000+08:00

I've been trying to log into Blogger for the past three days and thank God I finally got in!

Anyway, I wanted to write about our New Year's eve. We checked in the Renaissance Hotel in Makati on the 30th. And out of all the 5 star hotels we've tried, sorry to say, this one wasn't as nice as the others. The room was so-so, the breakfast buffet wasn't so great either. The room was pricey like all 5 star hotels but it wasn't at all worth it. The toothbrush and toothpaste weren't even free! Hahaha!

On the plus side, we were just a stone's throw away from Greenbelt and we had a magnificent view of the eve's fireworks.

Will we stay here again? Probably not. =(

On the 31st, we had dinner at M Cafe in Greenbelt. Headed back to the hotel to watch the fireworks. Yeah, I have to have a roof under my head when all the "paputok" starts. Still have this fear of a stray bullet, possibly landing on my head, and killing me on the spot. Haha! No, seriously!

Speaking of death, my hana had a friend who passed away this week and I have an acquaintance who passed on too. He was just my age! This is enough to drive me into a paranoia state. Plus, hearing on the news that Ely Buendia had a heart attack (but he's ok now) didn't help at all. To all those who know me, death is something I really fear. Gosh, there's still so much I want to do in this world!!!

Anyway, my heart goes out to their friends and families. I pray that the good Lord will give them strength. What a way to start the year, noh? =(

Cute Christmas Card

2006-12-28T02:57:00.000+08:00

Along with the gift, containing Lucy's favorite things, was a cute Christmas card from Richard, Lucy and Juliana Gomez. I'm blogging about it because I just want to show how they put so much thought and effort to make such a personalized greeting card. Isn't it neat? It actually folds 3 times and has a page with a collage of their pictures taken at the beach, at home, etc. I wasn't able to scan it anymore.

Anyway, Juliana looks so cute staring up, lying beside their Christmas Tree!

To tell you frankly, I would've been so happy just receiving the card! Cheap thrill, huh? I know I wasn't only the one who received this card but I'm just happy that I was given one. I just like receiving things like these.

I should know coz I gave something like this to my co-dancers this Christmas too and they were thrilled. Although mine was a personalized calendar that I made for each of them which holds all their pictures that I acquired from photos I took of them this year. Well, some were ripped off from their friendster accounts. Haha!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Here's to a Happy New Year and more cute christmas cards this coming year! =)

*you may view our family's Christmas pics at my photo section.

What You Get Me For Christmas?

2006-12-18T09:37:00.000+08:00

Anything will do. Material or non-material, as long as it comes from the heart...naks :D

Xmas Stocking

leave a gift for hanagirl

get your stocking

Krispy Kreme Krazy!

2006-12-10T17:58:00.000+08:00

It was a monday night and 4 days after it's grand opening, there was still a long line outside Krispy Kreme. We couldn't care less. We wanted our donut(s)! Last time we sunk our teeth into this sinful, sinful sweet thing was in 2004. Luckily, we only stood in line for 15 minutes and there were staff people going around, handing out free glazed donuts.

Anyway, we got 1 dozen of the glazed and another dozen of the assorted ones.

That night, between the both of us...we had 8. That's so not right!

Note to selves: "A moment on the lips, forever on the hips".

Add Us Up!

2006-12-09T09:46:00.000+08:00

Just wanted to share that my hana and I created a Multiply account which holds our family pictures, our videos, my hana's recordings, etc.

Visit and add us if you have a Multiply account ok?

www.michaelandjulie.multiply.com

Thai at Silk

2006-11-29T18:35:00.000+08:00

I am so in love with Serendra right now. The ambiance is something else. So far we've been there twice and ate in restos already. Last Sunday it was at Abe which served great Filipino gourmet dishes .

Had lunch here yesterday at Thai at Silk with Ricky D. after hana's auditions for The Kind and I. The food was excellent! I love, love, love Thai food!!! Lovely owner and chef, Cecille Ysmael (wife of Louie) recommended the Tom Yum Goon, Pad Thai, some spring rolls, Pomelo Salad, some fish curry, and Jasmine rice. We washed it down with some yummy Pandan Juice.

It was absolutely to die for! Oh if only we can eat here everyday! Highly-recommended resto!

*Thai at Silk is open every day for lunch and dinner.

Located at Unit 1C12 Little Asia on the ground floor of Serendra Piazza in Fort Bonifacio, call 856-0386 or 856-0387 for reservations.

Our Creation for the Marcoses

2006-11-23T11:21:00.000+08:00

We were sweating bullets when Ms. Aimee Marcos walked in our store and entrusted us to make her mini pinscher's (Venus) terno just in time for the launch of her mother's (none other that Mrs. Imelda Marcos) acessories collection. We were starstruck and nervous at the same time. We prayed to high heavens that she would be satisfied with our creation.

And satisfied, she was. She was so happy with the beadwork and the quality that she said it looked like it was made by Jo Salazar! Whew!

It was such an honor for us to make a terno for the Marcos' and we would like to thank them for advertising us as well :)

p.s. I'm still starstruck!

Asia's Songbird

2006-10-25T07:42:00.000+08:00

...Ms. Regine Velasquez, of course. Two weeks ago was Reg's 20th years anniversary concert. As expected, the Araneta Coliseum was bursting at the seems with fans and friends who have been there for her for the last 20 years. That's me sitting on her left side. Notice that she's holding my arm. During the photo op, I was gonna go to the back but she grabbed me and said, "Uy! Dito ka!". You see, K9 Couture is the sponsor of Reg's dog, George. Oh di ba! We provide George's clothes :)

Anyway, in one of the Hotlegs numbers, she gave a lovely and touching spiel about our group. She said, "These dancers have always been with me. From the very start pa. Whenever I have a concert, andyan sila. Payat pa kami noon, eto ngayun sila payat pa rin ako hindi (laughter), bata pa kami noon, ngayun tumanda na, may mga anak na, ako wala pa rin (laughter). Pero hindi pa rin sila nagbaabago...ang nag-iisang...HOTLEGS.

And then starts the Music of Goodbye number. Please watch this and see why Reg loves us so much...

Nice noh? Reg is not JUST one of the celebrities we perform for. Through the years she has become one our closest friends. She really is a very generous, nice, funny and sincere person. For us, sya talaga ang nag-iisang... Asia's Songbird.

Oh My!

2006-10-21T10:09:00.000+08:00

This is an actual recording. Oh the pressures! And this is why I can't imagine myself working in a call center...

Here's my 2 cents...The customer wasn't being so much of a jerk. Like any unhappy customer, it's normal to complain and be really pissed about not having internet connection for days. I myself would be either angry, or kill me nalang kaya noh! Haha! So, the guy was ok except that he shouldn't have cursed. I need not explain that. However, he didn't curse AT the call center girl. So the reaction of the girl was REALLY uncalled for. If there's one thing I learned in the service kind of business is that "the customer is always right". And as much as we want to snap back, sorry, but you really have to suck it all up, breathe in and out and pray to high heavens that you will not lose your temper even if the customer is so obviously wrong . I'm just thinking she heard wrong.

What do you think?

My Pride and Joy

2006-10-16T09:25:00.000+08:00

Today is my daughter's 13th birthday. Wow, huh? I have a teenager! Has it been already 13 years since I first held my little precious princess in my arms?

Last month I accompanied her to Chat Peypoch for her graduation pic shoot (see pic below). I was such a stage mom! While all the other mother's entrusted their daughter's total look to the in-house make-up and hair stylist, I, of course, wanted to do all that for Mikah. I did so little because she has such beautiful olive, even-toned skin that I did was just put some light powder on her, comber her eyebrows, put a little blush and clear lip gloss. For hair hair, I just had to blow dry it since she already has gloriously straight jet black hair that would give any Sunsilk model a run for her money. Haha!

She's also a very beautiful person inside. Case in point, for her 13th birthday celebration, she wanted a party with the orphans at White Cross. Ain't she something else?

Take a good look at her. My heart-stoppingly beautiful 13 year old "dalaga". My pride and Joy. My daughter.

Happy Birthday, Mikah! You'll always be my little babygirl.

My look-alikes?

2006-10-10T18:16:00.000+08:00

Just for fun...

Try it and let me know who your are a dead ringer for. Well at least the ones I know coz half of my look-alikes here I haven't the slightest clue who they are!

Sunshine After the Rain

2006-10-01T21:06:00.000+08:00

I've always tried to look for the silver lining, the brighter and positive side of unpleasant and dreadful situations. So forgive me if I don't talk about the devastation of the recent storm. Good vibes only here.

We were stuck at home last Friday when typhoon Milenyo hit Manila. We had no electricity and tried for hours to get a decent hotel, but to no avail. All were fully booked! It's a good thing we stay on the 3rd floor of a condo building and God provided us with this unbelievably cool breeze that circulated from our balcony all the way to our bedroom. Keeping us cool and mosquito-free all night.

I woke up early the next day and started calling the hotels in the Pasig and Mandaluyong area. Still no luck. Then I tried Makati but just found a suite at the Manadrin that costs 12K. No way! Later on, I finally got us a room at the Diamond Hotel in Roxas Blvd. Whew!

clockwise:

1. Cooked Thai food: Tom Yum Goong, Chicken in Green Curry, and Rotti. It just seemed so suitable for the weather.

2. Our comfy room at the Diamond Hotel.

3. Our hotel bathroom. Pampered myself with a nice warm bubble bath.

4. The view from our room. Yes, that's the bay. Imagine how it must've looked like during the storm! Think tsunami?!

We also went to Mall of Asia and met Mike's boys and some friends. Had dinner and shopped. That mall is freaking huge!!! I could get lost there. It was a good thing Geoff was with us (who knew the mall so well) so we were able to get back to our car. Haha!

I've got the Diamond Hotel on my speed dial now, just in case. The room was really cheap (4,500pesos) compared to other 5 star hotels and the service was great! Not to mention, it's located near a monster mall!

What did you guys do or where were you during the storm?

My Crowning Glory

2006-09-20T15:56:00.000+08:00

Had my hair styled and colored yesterday at H Salon. Henry Calayag is absolutely the best when you want kick-ass layering. I told him I wanted to keep it long. So he just added some shape and swoop bangs that's very Nicole Richie and Madonna. Ok, I choose the latter. Hehe! I also didn't want color that had orange or red undertones so he just just used some natural shade of brown.

Henry is such a master at his craft and it's such a joy to be around him. He's very nice, hella funny and so animated! He is the hairstylist behind Gretchen B., Ruffa G., Pia G. , etc.

I love my new do, don't you?

I'm Baaaaaack Here...

2006-09-04T21:24:00.000+08:00

...and I want to go back there! Bangkok is such a beautiful place! Staying for just 6 days was really not enough. So much more to do, see and experience. Truly it was a feast for all senses: The magnificent sight of the Grand Palace and Buddhist Temples, the feel of smooth Thai silk, the smell and tangy taste of the Thai dishes, and the serenity of Ayuthaya. This was yet another memorable birthday for me. And I've got pictures to prove it!

I really don't know what the big hoopla is with the Chatuchak Market. Maybe because I've been to Divisoria and Greenhills several times? I dunno. Everything you see in Divi and GH is all there. Price is almost the same too. I fell in love with the malls though. Still didn't buy that much, just unique pieces that can't be found here in Manila.

We stayed with my friend (a former dancer for Hotlegs), Vivian, who is now happily married to an American diplomat. They both work at the U.S. Embassy. They have a great place that equalled the beauty and high standards of Essensa at Fort Bonifacio. Plus it was walking distance to the train and malls.

We will definitely visit again.

Here's a little slideshow I made from the pictures of our trip...

Sorry it's a bit blurry. Pixelated when I uploaded it. If you wanna see just the pics with better quality, just go to my photos section on the sidebar.

I'm Off!!!

2006-08-24T02:09:00.000+08:00

Next time you hear from me again I've got some stories and great pictures to share.

Bangkok baby, here I come! :)

I Am A Rent-head!

2006-08-16T14:11:00.000+08:00

And I am damn proud of it!!! I fell in love with RENT even before I saw the musical. I just heard then, the newly released CD of the musical being staged in New York. Suffice to say, I really fell in love with the music. Who wouldn't?!! Jonathan Larson (God rest his swet soul), wherever you are, I just want to say, "thank you for your music and you're the bomb!!!"

I watched musical twice when it was staged here in Manila. The first time, I didn't know my hana yet. My thought bubble was, "ah, he sing pala". And years later, when it had a repeat, he was already my hana. Hehe! He said I had to watch it again, now that I know him and all. :)

Yes, in case you didn't know...my hana played the part of Tom Collins (In the video below, he's the black guy with the beanie hat on). And yes, he had to kiss a guy, er, gay (Richie Chan who played the part of ANGEL). Hehe!

This year, I watched Rent the Movie with my hana and 2 of the original members of the cast in Manila..Rachel Alejandro (Mimi) and JM Rodriguez (Mark). Of course, I respected that the three of them would have not so good reactions to the movie since they were in the musical and all. Can't blame them. Actually, nothing beats the actual musical. But I couldn't care less. The music of RENT is so captivating and, to this day, still sends chills down my spine. In fact, everyone (me included) in the movie house couldn't help but sing along!

So for all the RENT-HEADS out there (Chari, Crystal, and Roni)and even for those who haven't seen RENT (F.Y.I. you're missing half of your life), pump up the volume and hit play. here's the movie cast of RENT singing SEASONS OF LOVE at the Ellen de Generes show in N.Y.C.(feel free to sing along!)...

Sucks To be Me

2006-08-02T19:32:00.000+08:00

There's just so much to do and so little time to do all of it. Being the O.C. that I am, I just won't settle for a "pwede na yan" outcome. I don't think I've ever felt this tired...this burned out from work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. But it's just hard when you do everything yourself and I can't trust anyone else to do it the way I do. I digress, it's the Virgo woman in me -doesn't settle for anything less that perfect.

It also doesn't help when most of the people I bump into think I'm sick! Yes, I never though that there will be a time where I can look so...DISHEVELED. I'd probably blend in well with the typhoon victims.

I need some time off. I need to get away from my desk. I need to get far away from here. Just a few days to recharge!

I also need to stop mouthing off now and actually get some work done.

Superman is that You?

2006-07-26T12:24:00.000+08:00

Who?... Who desecrated and mutilated his image? WHO DID THIS TO MY BABY?!!

It's quite funny though. I still heart him anyways :)

Family Day

2006-07-18T12:59:00.000+08:00

There's nothing like a nice get together with family on a weekend. Last Saturday, we met up in Tiendesitas for some dinner and a few (?) beers. Our conversations covered a myriad of unrelated topics such as religion, FHM models, travel (of course), to dieting (you can do it Cathy!).

I also had a blast taking pics of Gabbys 2 handsome boys who were not at all camera shy. They eagerly posed and ask for more pics to be taken.

Geoff and Aj had their dogs groomed at our Salon. See the pics in my Photo section.

It's That Time of the Year

2006-07-10T23:09:00.000+08:00

My hana and I went the hospital for his annual liver check up. You see, my hana has Hepatitis C. This virus is only blood born, so it's not really that contageous. It's not airborne and it can't be contracted through sex. Transmission occurs when blood from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected.
HCV (hepa c virus) is spread through sharing needles, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth So no need to take cover. :)

He thinks he got it when he either had his ear pierced or got one of his tattoos years back. Would you believe he wouldn't have known he had the virus until he was about to donate blood? It's really a dormant disease. You may have it and not know it at all since it doesn't have any symptoms! By the time you feel something, you already may have cirrhosis of the liver (liver cancer). So it was really a blessing that he found out right away.

The good thing with this disease is that it's manageable. As long as you keep your liver healthy 9good thing he doesn't drink), you don't have to worry. Most HCV infected people have been known to survive this, even dying later on from other causes but Hepa C. I mean, look at Naomi Judd and Pamela Anderson (yes, they have HCV). They don't look like they're gonna die soon, right?

Anyway, we held our breathes for like 10 minutes while the doctor did an ultrasound on my hana's liver until he finally said, "you're liver is ok." Whew!!!

God is SO good!

Wanderlust

2006-07-04T21:25:00.000+08:00

For the past few weeks, my feet have been itching. Figuratively speaking, of course! I've just been so consumed by this STRONG desire to travel. I've been buying Lonely Planet books left and right, constantly browsing lonelyplanet.com, and planning our trips for '06 and '07. I guess I just need a change of scene. I wanna expose my self to different cultures, try other cuisines, go to the other parts of the world. For me, experiencing the world and all it's wonders is what "LIVING A FULL LIFE" is all about.

My recent purchase...the Lonely Planet's Blue List '06 and '07. This is the ultimate travel bible, baby! It's a compilation of the world's hottest trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead. It even has a calendar of the best places to go and things to do.

I'm leaving this August for my birthday, that's for sure. We were planning a trip to Prague and Vienna, but due to time constraints, we're postponing it to next year. So we decided to just go to Bangkok, Thailand. Come with?

*.*tHiS iS mY uToPiA*.*