Miss Universe 2012 Featuring The Orient's Pearl, Janine Tugonon

"For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It's being able to influence and inspire other people. So whatever language you have, as long as your heart wants to serve and you have a strong mind to show people, then you can be Miss Universe." - Miss Philippines

These very vigorous words contributed a whole lot to how the 23-year old Sto. Tomas University Cum Laude paved way to almost winning the Diamond Nexus Crown by the skin of her flashy teeth. 

Her grace, elegance and regal beauty overpowered  87 other beauty queens from all over the globe to acquire the title from last year's holder, Leila Lopes of Angola during the two-hour competition at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas Strip.

Miss Universe 2012 First Runner Up, Miss Philippines: Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon.
Miss Philippines on her floral swimsuit.

The orthodox however, of establishing what comprised her strengths as a candidate never was a walk in the park. She's gone through challenges every eligible candidate's gone through and earned her spot as first funner up next to Miss USA, Olivia Culpo who won the title. 

Nevertheless, Tugonon has given more than enough recognition and pride to the Philippines as she set the bars seriously high and brought the pageant an ardent competition.

Miss Universe 2012 First Runner Up, Miss Philippines: Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon.
Miss Philippines on her powder blue, flowy gown by Alfredo Barraza.

The New Glorietta Vibe Race the Runway Fashion Show

Filipinos make marks everywhere. Regardless of the inevitable circumstances, the Filipino spirit always triumph. One aspect we'll never be left out on as we know it: Fashion. And this post is just one of ganga proofs that when it comes to fashion, even wild horses couldn't keep Pinoys away.

November 29, 2012 - Philippines put on Guinness Book of World Records for having the Most Number of People on the Catwalk. Beating Istanbul, Turkey's record of 1,967, Makati, Philippines crossed the border big time with a difference of 288 and therefore hitting a total of 2,255.

The entire event is a collaboration of three grand companies namely Ayala Malls, which celebrated the launch of the new Glorietta, AVA.ph which is a queue-rated, online store and Tattoo Black. These conspired made the possibilities to succeed unavoidable. 

The event venued in Glorietta Mall unveiling the new Palm Drive wing coined 'Vibe'. This caused to excite and stir up everyone's gobbling towards the striking event and witness how the grand attempt to acquire the title was put together. Being a grand event so as to stress, the star-studded night was graced not only by professional models but also comprised of local celebrities. Among the stars were Billy Crawford and Bianca Gonzales who hosted the event.

Photo credit to rappler.com

Geneiva Cruz, Hayden Co, RJ Ledesma, Ivan Dorschner for JAG, Divine Lee for Meg, Vic Basa and Sam Milby for Folded&Hung were only some of the celebrities who sashayed on the runway. 

I wouldn't miss this opportunity to walk the runway with all the stars so TheMETROLad was also a part of this grand attempt and modeled for Original Penguin. (Weet Woo!) Wish I could provide you with a photo though but still is waiting for a miracle. LOL

Pumping up the show were live performances from Click 5's Kyle Patrick and Philippines' very own Bamboo who did a set while tallying the records.

Photo credit to rappler.com

Photo credit to rappler.com

Later that evening, Kristy Benett, an official representative from The Guinness Book of World Records announced that the Philippines has officially broken the record and now holds the title.

Photo credit to rappler.com

Photo credit to rappler.com

The country's premier retail destination, Glorietta set the stage for a show that put the country on the global fashion map with "Move to the Vibe of Glorietta". Smashing a huge success, the Philippines has this as the 8th entry to the Guinness Book of World Records this year and is only an awesome way to end 2012.

Araneta Center's DRESS ME UP 2: A Fashion Blogger's Event

Fashionistas never take a vacation. Instead, they head East - To Gateway Mall.

Yet again, The Araneta Center hosted another fashion event where a vacuum of stylistas were gathered. Dress Me Up 2: A Fashion Blogger's Event venued in Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall last November 10th with an army of Fashion Bloggers set full on their styling gauge capacities.

Dairy Queen’s Black Forest collection is a classic favorite that will never go out of style. It is the perfect blend for the holiday season which is why it comes no surprise that it's the choice for fashionistas as inspiration to style holiday outfits for Dress Me Up at The Araneta Center. Yep! The challenge was to create holiday-inspired looks themed in celebration of "something new" as Dairy Queen launched Black Forest.

In line with the this, here are the looks I and Sai Sayson Montes of Fashion by Sai came up with!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

And get a chance to win a P500.00-worth of Starbucks gift certificate by liking our photo entry.

Model: Bb. Pilipinas International 2012, Nicole Schmitz

Scroll down for more of the entire experience. See the brand sponsors and even some cool stuff we took a good look at!

Before anything else, making it official by loggin' my name in and getting my event pass.

Here we got assigned to our station and was given the kit!

I don't recall having a girl at my cam's sight that time though or I would've never taken the photo. Never the less, hype her look! LMAO

Got Bb. Pilipinas International, Nicole Schmitz to style! [Can this day get any better?]

And then the shopping part! Let me do the honor of taking you with where we went and did God knows what. Shot a bugillion of photos for y'all. The boutiques we visited are in order and as follows. [Slight autism kickin' in] LOL

It was a long, tiring yet fun day! Won and took home the bacon on top of the awesome experience - Third [3rd] prize baby! [Weet Woo!]

That's it! Thank you guys for taking the time reading the post.

Araneta Center's DRESS ME UP: The launch of TheMETROLad's Style Engineering

Bringing all there is to bring, the battle for stylistas is on as The Araneta Center bring you DRESS ME UP (A Fashion Blogger Event) which venued in Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center last 15th of September, 2012.

Five teams of fashion armies battle it out in an hour of gauging grace under pressure, tenacity and aesthetics by pulling off interestingly contrived attire towards the becoming. [Dramatic! LOL] Anyway, I was but excited about everything in this event as I officially become someone's stylist.

Challenge first stop at SM Accessories. [When I started going nuts. Wanted to get everything this early that I was the last one to go. LOL]

On to the shoot for Pizza Hut with Sai Montes of Fashion by Sai and models; Enrique and Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2012, Janine Tugonon. The look for both of the models were very comfy like they're just on a casual date. 

An old-school look is getting the new-school treatment. Yes, thanks to the visionary efforts of some truly “mad men,” the casual plaid shirt has been ubiquitous in menswear for more than a year—an eternity in fashion. From high-end labels like Band of Outsiders, Rag & Bone and Richard Chai to chain stores like Gap and American Eagle and fast-fashion retailers such as H&M and Topman, plaid has become unavoidable. Hence, deliberately came up with a laid back look by use of an unbuttoned plaid, 3/4 polo, layered by a dirty white shirt with vintage prints on it.

More of styling Enrique!

TOPMAN's Teenage Cancer Trust Shirt

Back in September Teenage Cancer Trust and TOPMAN joined forces for a three year fund-raising partnership to help raise awareness and funds through sales of products and staff fund-raising initiatives.

The partnership was kick-started with a capsule accessory collection called 'THE WINTER COLLECTION' featuring a snood, hooded scarf and a bobble hat that incorporates the Teenage Cancer Trust’s three-man logo.

For the first time ever, TOPMAN rolled out fund-raising to store and head office staff. This started in January and the entire campaign went very well.

Inspired by music yesterday, TOPMAN launched a 4 piece capsule collection in collaboration with Teenage Cancer Trust in pursuit of the same initiative. TOPMAN's in-house design team have produced a series of four vibrant shirts which Teenage Cancer Trust will benefit from. With £5 from every sale going towards the charity there's every reason to get involved. Check out the collection below..

Head to your nearest store or online now to make sure you are part of this special range! 
If personal purchasing fails, here's your last resort: http://tpmn.co/NeDydH

Flying Freebies From Flying Dutchman

The METRO has to know: Flying Dutchman is giving away ₱15,000+ total worth of items from their Holiday Collection to 3 hardworking winners! 

Can't stay as late tonight for a tsunami (exam) is headed my way (rolls eyes). Oh and yeah, good luck to those who'll participate on this!

For more information, check this link: http://davidguison.tumblr.com/post/29261635370#disqus_thread

Keep scrollin' to have a glance of what this collection brings to the table.