That controversial "Racist" FHM Cover

I read from a blog that this FMH cover earned the ire of many blog readers:

I must admit that when I first saw it, I didn't recognize the other girls in the back ground because I was only looking at the thumbnail of the picture. 

I think the line "Stepping out of the shadows" added more insult to injury.

So in an attempt to get on everyone's good side, they changed the cover to this:

FHM Philippines, March 2012 

Too bad, I like her red hot number in the first cover. But it reminds me a lot of what Anne Curtis wore during her concert last January:

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Don't you think it's from the same swimsuit designer or another case of copycat?

Patis Tito Garden Cafe, San Pablo City

One of the fun things about event planning as a wedding/events coordinator and having a sister as a wedding/events florist, is we get to do ocular of new places that we can suggest to clients for their pre-nup or wedding reception.  I've been noticing the sign that says PATIS TITO GARDEN CAFE when it was still KUSINA SALUD. It was along the way to Grandma's house and same road going to my nephew's house.

One Sunday, when we were picking up the kids to go to the mall, we decided to drop by Patis Tito Garden Cafe to check the place out. It just so happen that my sister, a wedding and event florist, was looking for places to recommend to her clients.

The place is really secluded, private and if you want a very private setting and it can only house a maximum of 150 guests.

The part where the Kusina Salud is located is officially closed and for the owner's use only. The guy who assisted us was very welcoming and allowed us to take a look around the place.

Entrance

Giant Painting of the owner on the left side. Super old house on the right

The place and some interesting details

The second floor

Souvenir for sale

More of Patis Tito

 I didn't notice I have the same photo of the orange vase twice! Oh well... let's move on with the show...

Tour around the private house

Lots of Antique (not for sale)

Peak of the garden

Tips:

• A pre-nup pictorial costs: Php 2,000.00/hour. (use of the place)
• They have a small parking space. Really. If you have 150 guests suggest a carpool.
• Business hours: 11am - 9pm, closed on Mondays.
• It also has a mini-bird zoo inside the area.
• Food prices are around 100+, 200+ but since we were not able to order food, maybe I'll blog about that next time.

We could've really stayed and ordered some food for food review but since we're running after a schedule, I guess we will have to do that next time.

But there's a scanned menu for those interested to hold their weddings, baptismal, debut, anniversary and other special events:

It was really different from the pictures/features/review from magazines. It was quite an interesting place but more like a diamond in the rough.  There are some huts outside that are being renovated for the guests. I think this place is best for privacy but the place needs to be styled for an event.


How to get there:

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Patis Tito Café is at 285 Barangay Sta. Cruz Putol, San Pablo, Laguna. Call 7244231 and 0906-4439092.

 Credits to guest photographer, Aprille Araguas

Project FEETrail [Feb 2012]: Muddy Crocs + Filthy Havs

For my February 2012 FEETrail Project, my feet photo of the month:

My muddy crocs and his filthy havs. Crappy photos because I took this using my camera phone before the death-defying caterpillar ride at the local fair.

Though it was rainy and muddy, Kuya Stew and I went to UP Fair on a Friday to grab something to eat and to check the fuss. I thought it's going to be the last day of the week-long fair and since I will not go to Feb Fair on Valentine's day, I decided a re-sched is good to go.

Since it was his first time attending a University local fair, we had our photos taken at the photo booth (twice!), had Plato Wraps for dinner, walked around and checked out frat and sorority booths, checked the bazaar, rode the caterpillar and went to play darts and won a keychain. All in all we only spent Php290.00.

I had totally forgotten that I have this FEET Shot project until he reminded me on the same moment that his feet got stuck in the mud while trying to catch up with my walking. And because of that, the photo for this month goes to you!

And because today is The Leap Year, I am scheduling this post to be published TODAY!

Let's take a LEAP today! <3

Unofficially Yours Review by Unofficially Yours Truly

The most decent cinema moved 30 minutes of driving (15 minutes by a drag racer, jeepney driver in our case last weekend)  from me and yet I can’t manage to have the time to allot and see movies at the cinema.  When I come to think of it, the last movie that I saw was Twilight Breaking Dawn in Trinoma Mall last year. Bff got the tickets reserved so that we’ll have the best seats in the house (read: full frontal of Jacob’s abs).

Last weekend, out of spontaneity and in between running errands and buying necessities, my sister and Kuya Stew had the chance to watch a Pinoy local film: Unofficially Yours. My sister and I were plotting the ultimate checklist that he needs to do while in the Philippines (that deserves another post of its own) , we dragged him to watch a local Romantic Comedy eventhough there’s 50 percent chance that he wouldn’t understand the dialogues since it’s in Tagalog. ( Hey, Pinoys sing to Korean songs so let’s see if Brits can do the same with movies).

Warning: This contain spoilers, so if you are a die hard “lloydie” fan who haven’t watched the film, click the [X] part of your browser.

Movie: Unofficially Yours

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Characters: Commitment Phobic, modern day woman (Angel Locsin) and a squeaky clean, good romantic guys (John Lloyd Cruz)

Nutshell:

Hooked up on a one night stand, guy was ready to get back on his feet after a major break up by getting a new job as reporter and finally finding passion in writing only to find out that the girl he hooked up with turned out to be his trainer for the job.  They’ve been hooking up every now and then, relationsihp status undefined, no commitments and strings attached, but ended up getting hurt at some point until they had to sit down and try to talk about why can’t they define and give love a chance for someone’s fallen in love with the other...blah, blah, blah, the usual.

What to expect:

• Series of hook up scenes, I guess tastefully done in Pinoy conservative culture.
• John Lloyd (though I’m not a fan) makes sure your money is worth it by playing the character well.
• Some pretty good lines.
• Angel Locsin’s really good hair color (and she’s pretty in the movie)
• Angel Locisin’s fabulous pumps (sky-high heels).

What I didn’t expect:

• The lesbian roommate of John Lloyd’s character was disturbing in a certain sleep-walk get up.
• Patrick Garcia’s lame appearance (they could’ve picked someone better, but I guess,  they got Patrick since it’s a small role)
• Another character in Angel’s household that was not smoothly introduced ( Mom’s boyfriend? Cousin?)

What they could’ve done better:

• How they started hooking up again (how brave of John Lloyd's character to just literally jump and start kissing angel, knocking over the computers and stuff)
• Clarify what “accident” exactly that happened to Angel’s character during the stating of conflict.
• The ending of the story is realistic – though they could’ve ditched the duet song. (C’mon!)

What I liked best:

• How John Lloyd’s character/lines did not configure its way to traditional endings or expectations of what a man should do for his lady love. Run after Angel Locsin’s Singapore-bound character.
• How Angel Locsin’s character did not alter it’s plans of going to SG just because she already found love.
• Funny "Trasier" jump of Angel Locsin to John Lloyd Cruz when she congratulated him for a job well done.

Suggestions for a better ending:

Film could’ve shown them skype-ing and trying to make the relationship work and how it’s worth a try, blah, blah, blah.

Over-all rating: 

3 out 5. I could’ve waited for it to be shown on PBO or Cinema One, but hey, spontaneous nga eh! 

And believe it or not, my half-brit cousin Stew liked the movie and was able to totally understand it. He said that it's best to watch Pinoy films to get better understanding and he said he thinks he can learn Tagalog fast by watching these Tagalog films.

Prepare to watch the cheesy ones, Stew!

Can you keep a secret?

Over the past few days, I saw a couple of these ring bands worn by someone close to me:

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I was supposed to ask about it but I kept my mouth shut. Then after a few minutes, I was informed that they finally got hitched. Secretly. Up until the moment that I'm writing this post, both of their folks don't know yet, but yes, they are very much of legal age. ( That is also why this post is scheduled to be published in this blog at a random date).

It was done in a legal ceremony, with a couple of witnesses and from what the photos looked like, it appears spontaneous but it really wasn't.

I've worked with weddings before and I'd have to give it to them who were brave enough to skip all the drama and just went for it!

For the first time I did not ask what made her say yes ( and no, she's not pregnant) because I've always knew she might have found the one already. From the first time I met the beau, I liked him for my girl, from the random very pleased comments from the relatives even when they are out of earshot and from the time that I can see how he won the family over.

I think I finally know what it meant when they say - you'll just know. I'm keeping tabs on my two bets ( my 2 friends in their own relationships) and see if this feeling of mine is tue.

No one knows in our circle yet and I'm super honored that I'm the first one they told. I just found out that it takes 15 working days for a filled out/signed marriage certificate to be declared really official.

So... can you keep a secret?


So can I. :)

The most relaxed Valentine's week I had in years

Funny, I've been reading posts about single and those in a relationship people ranting about Valentine's Day. While almost everyone says that Valentine's Day is overrated, (which I think it is as well) what makes it even more over-rated is saying/declaring/posting/tweeting that it's over-rated (sometimes in a ranting style kind of way).

I don't have a date last week,  nor had any romantic plans. But this year is probably the most relaxed Feb 14 that I've had in years! Instead of having a so-called Valentine's Day, I had a Valentine's Week!

Feb 17, 2012 - Since it's UP's Feb Fair, on what I thought was the last day of the Fair, I went with my cousin even though it's raining to check out the University's Fair

I made him experience what "Pinoy Photobooth fad" is

We grabbed Plato Wraps for dinner, rode the caterpillar amusement ride, played bust the balloons and for 5 balloons popped, he won a cellphone accessory/key chain! 

When I went home at around 10pm, I got a text from Joy inviting me to go to the fair. Since I've only been there a few minutes ago, we decided to go the next day which is the last day of the fair and this time, we'll go with the guys.

Feb 18, 2012 - I went to the fair again, this time with my HS friends:

UPLB Feb Fair 2012

My guys friends bought that toy with lights thing that you shoot up in the air. Ellis bought it for Php20.00, then literally 30 seconds later,  another vendor approached us and was selling it for Php15.00 - LOL!

The guys couldn't figure it out and had to ask help from random kids playing the same toy:

Guys' Team Effort 

We feel like college kids:

We sat by the sidewalk and people-watched

After grabbing something to eat, we decided to hit the Fair's photo booth. And in a classic BMS+Blacksheep Fashion, it was again a death-defying experience just trying to look decent in the frame:

My friends become competitive whenever we're in photo booth.

Since it's a college fair, Joy and I decided to get henna tattoos. We got one before, years ago, when we went on a spontaneous trip to Tagaytay and now we want to try the colored henna tattoos.

Joy's ink (The one with more colors) : Php 300.00, Mine is Php100.  I had to hide this thing because I have a conference Friday next week in the city.

Around 11pm, we've seen the best of Feb fair. We've had cotton candies, Zagu shakes, had barbecue and bought some stuff at the bazaar. Then we do what we always do best: BE SPONTANEOUS!

We all hopped in Joy's car and drove to Tagaytay but ended up in Starbucks Paseo Sta. Rosa because we figured out that the Starbucks in Tagaytay would probably be closed by the time we arrive.

Went home past 3am. I was tired from laughing all throughout the night but I had a really great time! I really love spontaneous weekends with these guys. 

But do you really want to know what happened on the actual Valentine's Day?

I had work the entire day and went straight to my grad school class where we had a round table discussion with the founder/Mother of Development Communication in the country, Dr. Nora C. Quebral, Professor Emeritus.

We had a meet and greet with the Mother of Development Communication and she signed our purchased books!

Then I literally rushed home because I'm afraid to meet the "jejewave" on their way to the UP Fair. Plus, I really have to get up early the next day for my class trip (that I blogged here ).

In lieu of Valentine's dinner date, I played Temple Run and Fruit Ninja instead while waiting for my 2 Broke Girls and How I met your mother Valentine's episodes to finish downloading and watched it before calling it a day. :)

The key to having a relaxed Valentine's day when you're either single or in a relationship is to not to have expectations at all. But to those who inevitably stresses out about the Vday (I've been there), Relax, it's just a day. And I'd like to quote my friend Franco last Valentine's day when we were walking from the campus, after our class:

"They call it Valentine's, I call it Tuesday!"

The first time I was a Drag Queen

Was around six years old and draped with comforters and bed sheets as my gown, hair up held by a scrunchie and I was holding a round brush while belting out:

" And I.....e-ayyyy... will always...love you.....uuuuooooaaahhhh.... will always.... love you...whoooohoo!.."

I was performing in front my my (late) grandmother and she was applauding and laughing her heart out as I reach Whitney's highest notes in all my 6-year-old glory.


I was six. And I was fierce.


And boy, did I belt those tunes.


You see, I'm not really the kind who easily fall into bandwagons, especially the RIP bandwagons on twitter. When I learned that Whitney died, I went to look for Yahoo News right away. I did not tweet about Whitney. I was just shocked and kept on reading. I knew she became a junkie from way back and the last performance on TV that I watched was the time she was wearing white.

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As blogs, fashion designers and the gay community paid their respects via the social media, I sit quietly in front of the screen googling what might have happened. Is this another Amy Winehouse case scenario? I've never really considered my self as a Whitney fan because I've always been fond of Mariah Carey, but as soon as I got Whitney's Greatest Hits on my ipod, I never realized how this woman's song have been with me since childhood.

Some songs from the Greatest Hits Album:

Saving all my love for you – This is like one of my warm up songs in any videoke session that I get my self into. I fell in love with this song when I watched “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”.

Greatest Love of All – I remember my sisters, Achi and Apy singing a duet of this song. This song is the song of a commercial that we love when we were kids.

I Have Nothing, I will always love you , Run to you – favorite Birit songs during videoke.

Exhale (Shoop Shoop) – I love how “Chill” this song is and how it perfectly fits my current state.

Count on Me (duet with Cece Williams) – one of the warmest and nicest MTV/song about friendship. I can still remember watching this video debut on MTV.

I believe in You and Me – I’ve always been smitten by the intro of this song.

It’s not right but it’s okay – I can still remember the move of her neck in this video, I don’t know whyyyy? This is one of the girl power songs that I found my self tapping my foot to (even when I couldn't relate at that time).

I’m Every woman, I wanna dance with somebody (who loves me) and Step by Step – songs that I feel like dancing to.

I also like another song but it's not with the album:

When you believe (duet with Mariah Carey) – this is memorable for me because I sang this in highschool with Mags Miranda – who’s got one of the best voices.

I listened to her greatest hits album and I got chills down my spine. Now, I’m feeling the loss. According to news she will be laid to rest in New Jersey this Saturday. 

RIP Whitney. You will be terribly missed.

Adele for Vogue March 2012 Cover

Thanks to Twitter for keeping me updated, real-time, with the Grammys yesterday while I’m stuck at work. I have learned that Adele won a total of 6 Grammy’s and my girl Taylor Swift won 2 grammy friends!

While my timeline was buzzing with grammy updates, grammy red carpet blogs, and jeje-wars between @jiritajackson of chuvaness.com and her “trolls”because she doesn’t like/get Adele, I too have quite a similar feeling towards Adele years ago.

While some celebrities were gushing how they love Adele, I find Adele OK but her music is amazing. I got into Adele when she first released her album, 19 . I was hooked on “Chasing Pavements” and downloaded the song only to find my self craving for more. I posted before asking anyone if they know Adele and her any other good songs and I got a response from a former colleague based back in US who recommended “Make you feel my love” (that’s when I found my wedding march song! Dibs! Haha!) while saying “ oh is Adele finally a trend back in PI?”

I didn’t know that Adele was a trend.

But now, after her second album 21, and after bagging 6 Grammy’s, Adele is definitely not a trend.  I know people who loves the songs “Rolling in the deep” and “Someone like you” and gushes that I should listen to the song, but my favorite is really the “Turning Tables”.

And it’s very timely that she’s the Cover Girl of Vogue. Thanks again to Twitter and the “new layout” that even if I wasn’t planning on reading stuff during the first hour of work, here I am blogging about Adele. She looks really good in this magazine, don’t you think? I love how her face-shot resembles those of Audrey Hepburn’s in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

All image source found  here

Congrats Adele! And as I write this entry today, I’ve already been hearing a whole lot of Adele songs.