Binibining Pilipinas Gold Fashion Show

For decades now, the Bb. Pilipinas pageant has been celebrating Philippine pride through its roster of candidates and titlists showing how both beauty and brains can co-exist. Since 1964, when the Bb. Pilipinas Charity Inc. earned the local franchise of Miss Universe, things have never been the same.

In 1969, the 18-year old Gloria Diaz, brought honor to the Filipinos by taking home the bacon when sent to represent the country and once became the most beautiful. After Margie Moran won the second title in 1973, and a 26-year dry spell, the Philippines continued to compete for the international competition marking several recognition during the 60's and 70's. Finally regaining its rightful place, the country began getting closer to winning the crown which started 2005 and continued in 2010,2011 and 2012 when the entire world witnessed how flawlessly, Janine Mari Tugonon  got near to winning the Diamond Nexus Crown by the skin of her teeth.

Now on its 50th and grandest, the Bb. Pilipinas tradition lives on. Another 50 official candidates will compete for the crowns on the coronation night.

The Filipina stunners sashayed the catwalk for Binibining Pilipinas Gold Fashion Show yesterday hosted by the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

They didn't do Shamcey's 'Tsunami' or Janine's 'Cobra Walk', but they fired up the runway just the same.

Clad in "heritage" gowns by acclaimed fashion guru Pitoy Moreno and casuals from JAG, the fifty aspirants of the much-coveted 2013 Binibining Pilipinas titles current queens Miss Universe 2012 1st runner up Janine Mari Tugonon, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2012 Nicole Schmitz, Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism 2012 Katrina Dimaranan, and Miss Supranational 2012 3rd runner up Elaine Kay Moll recently strut down the fashion ramp of the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It was a fitting tribute to the Philippine's fashion czar and esteemed Binibining Pilipinas executive board member.

This fashion show is the last of many activities that the fifty candidates engaged in the past months. The ladies have also participated in a slew of charitable events including an Operation Smile mission conducted in Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila. The candidates are going to be busy with rehearsals en route to the grand Coronation Night to be held on Sunday, April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This will be aired live on ABS-CBN and will be hosted by seasoned artists Martin Nieverra and Dawn Zulueta together with Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup.

Breaking the stereotype, this batch of Filipina stunners are set to wow the crowd. Here's taking you to a full ride. - Video credits to Ted Claudio who I didn't get to see that night sitting pretty behind another queen, Venus Raj.

The Binibining Pilipinas 2013 pageant is brought to you by the Araneta Center, ABS-CBN, and CreamSilk with major sponsors San Miguel Brewery, Petron Corporation, SMC Global Power, Ginebra san Miguel and Purefoods. Other sponsors are Casino Filipino, PAGCOR, Avon, Lactacyd, Philippine Airlines, JAG and Manhattan Garden City. Service sponsors are EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Manila Bulletin, Pizza Hut, David's Salon, Gold's Gym, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Joylong Van, Picture City, Dale Carnegie Training Center, Entrepreneur School of Asia, Charter, Ping An Assurance Corporation, Raymond Saldana, Photography and Rightspot Electric Media.

Tickets are available through Ticketnet Online: www.ticketnet.com.ph or inquire at 911-5555.

SenCha Mandaluyong

Sure to complement this summer's weltering heat is this spoiled milk tea haven I got invited to visit along Sacrepante Street, Mandaluyong. 

If there's any consolation to this over-the-top hotness going on with the 'Gateway to Asia', it's pretty much these variety of refreshing drinks the brand has in store!

SenCha - 'Fresh Tea Sensations' is a milk tea place offering a wide selection of milk tea, coffee and fruit shakes for milk tea lovers. Far from the usual ambiance, SenCha has changed the way a milk tea place should look and feel like. From an oriental vibe into a more relaxing and laid back environment, its idea of being 'out-of-the-box' has not only made them come up with a bugillion of beverages to choose from but has also tweaked more enthusiasts to walk in.

SenCha has a distinctive taste setting it apart from the rest. The business has also managed to establish an edge among existing milk tea businesses in the market through efforts of maintaining high-quality products and services that built repute to its name.

Now, SenCha has ventured the franchising world not just to expand the business but also to share great opportunities of success and boy are we glad this branch in Mandaluyong opened!

Although the brand is generally renowned for offering unique interior design that stimulates positive aura for one which SenCha has rapidly caught the palate and tickle of its patrons with, SenCha Mandaluyong's fine line did a grand canyon of difference: Customer Engagement / Customer Relations Management.

The use of 100% imported non-dairy creamers and freshly brewed tea leaves blah blah is all well and good but it's almost always the 'treatment' that drives people back. [Funny how I'm trying to go back to some majors I've had back in college wanting to seem expert and shower this some justice. LOL]. A random store visit turn meet & greet with Ms. Isa, was so much more than what I expected. She was very hands-on with everything. That apparently included my indecisive self - Which from the menu to order? [LOL] One thing I sure decided on though was to stay longer after enjoying the meal and Ms. Isa's company 'cause the branch was playing a movie!

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So here's lookin' at my first of SenCha's. [Chicken Sandwich, Tapa Pasta complemented by Jinjiu Lemon Juice with Aloe Bits] 

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The PG me somehow felt the need to buy myself another treat while watching. - Choco-Oreo Milk Tea [Regular]

Another fun thing with SenCha Mandaluyong is that you get to take photos by the corner called 'Fun Wall'. For what it's worth, [LOL] the photos will be up on the page the next thing you know. It's fun! I did it myself!

I also got myself this SenCha Loyalty Card. What's in it for you? Voila!

To all who works or live near Mandaluyong, be sure to visit SenCha and grab your favorite drinks now!

MANDALUYONG ADRESS : UNIT 4 CLUSTER 1 San francisco Garden, 708 Boni Avenue Corner Sacrepante Street, Brgy Malamig, Mandaluyong City.

Here's the menu to help you guys save time. Don't feel like going out? Call their delivery hotline: 87878!

Kuddos to SenCha Mandaluyong!

Food Trip Passport

Food Trip Passport by The Araneta Center - Gateway Mall 

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!