I’m taking this very opportunity to post whilst uploading something that I’ll be doing later. Y’know, someone’s got a day job. I just had a breather from a “major, major” project, but it seems that it’s back for good starting today.

Anyway, it won’t stop me from sneaking out in between and type stuff here, will it?

Hopefully, I won’t be just blogging about music (my other love) and food (my reason for being). For sure, it will still be filled with things that are less interesting, but better be bland than never! Okay, that’s just a fugly wordplay I did there.

Since part of me is a girl who wants to be primped, prettified and pampered, let me plug something that’s gonna happen in 3 days time. So, you want shopping, eh?

Beauty and Minerals will have a booth at the upcoming Rockwell Moonlit Bazaar this October 15-17, 2010. If you don’t know Beauty and Minerals, it’s either you’re not a girl, or you don’t happen to doll yourself up at all. Now’s your chance to do the latter, and impress the boys (or girls for that matter since some guys wear makeup as well lolol).

Get up-close and personal with your favorite mineral makeup brands such as Monave and Valerie, as well as Blinc cosmetics. You can also check out My Intimate bra straps (that I sometimes use to prevent my straps from peeking outside my racerback shirt) and Charm makeup brushes.

No excuses for those who are currently broke ‘coz the bazaar is on payday!

The Killers Concert is now lying in its deathbed.

Grrr! I thought it wasn’t true. I refused to believe that IT IS really true, not until I read something on The Killers official website. I’d vehemently say that I didn’t like what I just read.

The Killers have been forced to cancel their appearances in Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Tokyo and Seoul due to unforeseen circumstances. The band deeply apologizes to their fans and hope to reschedule their shows in these cities soon. At this time the bands Australian appearances remain scheduled as planned. - Source

So much for disappointment.

I love The Killers, prolly at par or next to Coldplay. I love Brandon Flowers <3. I love their upbeat music and totally nonsense lyrics. It makes no sense to heart something that seems to be good for nothing, but I just DON’T CAREE! (Yes, I’m a self-confessed fangirl!)

So, I’d better stash some extra hundred bucks for this concert, as TicketNet reservations are already available online. Ticket prices are as follows:

Gold - Php 3950
Silver - Php 1550
Bronze - Php 550

What I’m kinda of worried about is the venue, which is in SM Mall of Asia. Hmmm… oh well, must muster more guts of traveling to and fro the South.

I’m assuming to hear more songs from their latest album, Day & Age. But, I’m looking forward for them to also play Read My Mind, Somebody Told Me, Move Away, Bones, Smile Like You Mean It and Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine. Obviously, Human and Mr. Brightside will be played, so I won’t be asking for more of both.

Last Wednesday, friend T and I trudged our way from our office building to BMW Autohaus for the CK Free Event. I would have caught up with blogger friend S, but she couldn’t make it that day.

Anyhoos, the event started of course with the emcee introducing the brand. (Okay, I wasn’t paying attention then, that’s why I didn’t get her name).

The emcee called up the president of Luxasia. After which, the new senior product manager was introduced, and so the advert was finally put into play.

Luxasia Sr Product Manager Ella Reyes and the emcee as they discussed about CK’s new fragrance.

The models “strutted” their stuff:

BMW also launched their latest model in the Philippines — The BMW Z4 Roadster. This two-door convertible sports coupe arrived in a stylish flair, flaunting its ability to automatically close the roof as well as the compartment.

T and I had a look-see on the car. It’s really quite a piece of art! I love the interior just as I love the exterior. T went inside the car for a better feel.

My grainy pic didn’t do justice. The car’s really “muy guapo” in person!

The event won’t be complete without the booze wine courtesy of Casillero del Diablo, and some pica-pica from Zeno bar.

More on CK Free

CK Free, the new men’s fragrance from Calvin Klein, is inspired by the spirit of the modern, independent man who lives everyday to the fullest. It has an aromatic warm woody fragrance, unexpectedly fresh, yet casual and distinctly masculine.

Here’s the CK Free US Commercial:

If you’re curious about the model, meet Jamie Dornan.

…who also appeared in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.

Jamie Dornan as Count Axel von Fersen in the movie, Marie Antoinette.

Aside from Calvin Klein, he also appeared on other ad campaigns such as Dior, Aquascutum, Dolce and Gabbana, Levis and Armani.

Going back, the latest CK Free Ad didn’t appeal to me very well, particularly that of the poster. It makes Jamie’s nose look big and bent more on the left. Weird Concept. Bad Lighting.

The perfume wasn’t that bad. It smells good, though my heart still goes to CK One and Eternity.
On the other hand, this ad looks just as much “more free”:

Jamie Dornan for CK Underwear.

Just sayin’!

*Flood from a few streets away from us, taken by a friend*

We all felt robbed by Onyong.

I’ve been living in our house in Quezon City since birth, and I have never experienced a flood like this before. Though we are nearby a flood-prone area, we were never affected ‘coz we’re located in a much higher ground-or that’s what we know, at least to say.

Yesterday, September 26, was the day feared by all of us residing in Metro Manila. Rain started pouring in around 7am. I left work at 6ish and arrived almost 7 because there were so many people queued into the cab lane. In hindsight, it had been raining intermittently all night along before the catastrophe happened. But, the rain wasn’t so bad then.

Come 11am at the middle of my first few hours of sleep, my mother woke me up telling me that the flood was starting to reach us. In much disbelief, I reluctantly got out of my bed, until everyone in the compound (where I live in) was in a panicky. The water quickly started rushing into the garage, then inside my uncle’s house, and finally into ours and a close neighbor’s. It happened so fast that every second was deemed critical. We opted to salvage fragile stuff first like the TV and the microwave, both of which were prone from being inundated. Mom carried them one by one as if she’s been a weightlifter all her life. We didn’t have enough time and strength to save the fridge and the gas range, so we just left them there hoping they’d stand still amidst the gush of filthy water. We hurriedly put all low-leveled drawers and other stuff on the upper deck of the bed, and placed plastic containers one by one on a mini working desk like building baby blocks.

We relocated into another relative’s place which was beside ours. It’s a two-storey house with higher flooring; so the water, fortunately, didn’t get in. I was able to save pertinent stuff like gadgets, important documents and money, and weren’t drowned to waste. We also got ourselves some clothing, toiletries and a mattress bed. All things that were salvaged were then brought to our “relocation site”.

The flood inside our house rose up to the leg, and so the fridge and the table began to topple down. With the help of my male relatives, we put the fridge back in place. On the other hand, I held the table from toppling down and floating, keeping all things atop of it from falling off the dingy water. My mom suspected it was the plastic containers that made the table float, so we got them all out under the table, carried these large, painfully heavy boxes, and put them altogether with the rest of the stuff atop. After making sure that all things were in order (as we ought to be), we finally evacuated the place and waited til the rain stopped and the flood ebbed.

In spite of what happened, I still feel blessed. I know for a fact that we weren’t the ones who were hit the most. It was this nearby street situated at the lower ground that took its entire wrath, as they’re deeply submerged for more than 2 meters of muddy water. On the other hand, I felt so proud and thankful on the rescuers, which was composed of my neighbors in our street, who had a rubber boat and started saving people who got stranded or stuck as the flood quickly rose. Others helped my neighbors who were also affected by carrying loads of stuff to safety. There’s no denying that the bayanihan spirit is always within us, breaking free without reluctance in times of need.

I failed to hear the news that day. I even missed taking pictures ‘coz my concern all went to saving everything that needs to be saved. It was only today that I knew how grim and gruesome this catastrophe is. Marikina was almost erased from the map, as the city turned into one gigantic lake. The same situation was not far on the cities of Rizal, Pasig, Paranaque, Makati, Malabon, Quezon City and most parts of Manila. Neighboring provinces like Bulacan wasn’t out of harm’s way either. Houses were deeply submerged in water, leaving only roofs visible to the naked eye. People were helplessly stuck for hours without food or drinking water. It’s like they were shut down from the outside world, and had no choice but to wait for rescue. The saddest part is: several drowned in the process of saving their own lives. Typhoon Onyong truly made history more than just having the heaviest rainfall, as it left a huge, deep gash into our hearts especially to those who were bereaved.

Ondoy & the Upside of Technology

One thing we need to thank technology for is its ability to transmit messages in a snap of a finger-or perhaps faster. Information sprouted like mushrooms from one website to another in real-time. Social media sites were filled with deep concerns and pledges. It’s been a trending topic in Twitter, and was all over the news-online and on TV. You can see actual footages via Youtube and Facebook. Even those abroad weren’t missing anything at all, since they were able to reach out through the internet.
If you’re reading this right now and wanting to help, doing so is just a click of a mouse button. You can donate to TXTPower.Org via Paypal and learn how to donate in various ways to Philippine National Red Cross.

Pond’s is slashing up to 70% off its price from August 15-September 15! That’s one month of getting your favorite skincare product in bargain prices!

Visit my beauty and fashion blog for more details.

With all the moving speeches by Brooke Shields, Motown founder Berry Gordy and Pastor Lucious Smith and fervid performances by Jermaine Jackson and Usher amongst others, MJ’s daughter Paris Jackson truly melted everyone’s heart, including mine. It left me weeping to tears.

To quote, she said:

“Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say that I love him so much,”

Here’s the heartfelt video of Paris Jackson’s speech that made all of us cry and feel her grief.

If you missed the whole event, you can still watch it via CNN Live.

*Listen to the Star-Spangled Banner by Whitney Houston & The Florida Orchestra*

I may not be currently living in the US, but most of my folks reside there. I only wish that the star-spangled banner will continue to shine through amidst today’s adversity.

Happy 4th of July America!

The cause of Michael Jackson‘s death is not yet clear, but it was suspected to be cardiac arrest as he collapsed from his rented home in Los Angeles, California. The news is quite shocking and disturbing, so as the startling reaction of million of his fans worldwide.

I will forever cherish his hits such as Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat it, Rock with you, PYT, Black or White, and many more. Truly, he made quite a mark in music history by his revolutionary style and rhythm that changed music forever.

It sucks that MJ has to pass away long before his planned London concert in commemoration with Thriller’s 25th Anniversary (his album Thriller has been dubbed as the best-selling album of all time). His consummate performances, unparalleled legacy and moonwalks will forever live in our hearts and minds. Adieu, Michael!

Celebrate the life of Michael Jackson

Feel like reminiscing Michael Jackson? Well, here’s a music vid of his most successful hit ever, Thriller.

Not viewable to Philippine users.

You can also check his MySpace Artist Page and Official Web Site.

For starters, L’Oreal’s wonderful ladies, Jannie Villacorta and Kristine Coronel-Dy, graced the event. Kristine summoned the guys carrying our “present”.

Inside this lovely gift box was a list of instructions, each representing a Luxe booth and a beauty-suggested activity! I myself just had my personal scent tested in the Luxury Scents booth, featuring the new fragrance of Giorgio Armani: Attitude Extreme. Aback were the drool-worthy pictures that made it to the photo contest. I also discovered the newest skin care products from Lancome, particularly the Genifique Youth Activator that piques my interest greatly. Of course, I had some moment of relaxation with the a hand massage treatment using Kiehl’s products, not to mention met Kiehl’s product manager Sheena Dy.

Lastly, I had super fun as John Pagaduan of Shu Uemura fixed my once unkempt brows. Finally, I don’t have to visit the salon this week, and fit it with my uber-busy schedule. Instead of waxing, he had my brows tweazed slowly but surely. I really love how my brows look now.

Also, took a peek on Shu Uemura‘s Tokyo lash bar, whilst supping my drink for the gods/goddesses from Kiehl’s.

Of course, more reviews & product updates coming up!

More Pics!

*Gorgeous ladies Jannie Villacorta (L) & Kristine Coronel-Dy (R) of L’Oreal*

*Had fun with the beauty bloggers: Phoebe, Nikki, Shen, Jaimee, Kim & Bambi*