Fashionscapes

Gabriel Karlo Tio turns 7

2011-04-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago at 3:12 pm, in a fully occupied delivery room of Chong Hua Hospital, Gabriel Karlo Francisco Tio was born.

Jolted from his familiar warm cocoon, the little boy named after the Messenger Angel Gabriel, announced his arrival in the loudest possible way he could muster. Doctors and nurses present commented how strong his lungs and limbs were. That first encounter with this little boy already showed some indications of how he was to behave in the coming days, months, and years.

Karlo is a very intense young boy. He is very loving, thoughtful, helpful and sweet. Whenever he is home, he would call, text or send me “I love you” messages. He is quick to volunteer to help in all and every chore we do at home. From sweeping the floor, to watering the plants, chopping the vegetables and even mending clothes. A stickler for policies, he seemed to live up to his name--Gabriel as he is quick to announce whenever his brother commits some misdeed or fails to close the door, cap the toothpaste or switch off the light. He is also a deep thinker often commenting in the most unexpected way on certain issues or topics which are often way beyond his years.

And when he is angry or frustrated, his emotions could pour out like an avalanche that would sweep anything along its path. He just could not be distracted with toys, cartoon shows or even sweet talk whenever he starts with his angry fits and crying spells.

Years ago, one of his teachers who did not know him well enough yet, tried to appease him during one of these bouts by talking him out of it. Much to her surprise and discomfort, Karlo let off one of his quick punches. Such appeasing gestures does nothing to improve his demeanor at that time, however, we learned that the better way is just to let him be and allow him to let off steam while making sure that he is safe. Kids, like adults, needs space and time outs, and yes, lots of respect too.

That was years ago, now, Karlo at 7 has gotten his temper better reigned. After allowing him quiet time to be alone by himself and work out his anger or frustrations, he would approach us with his usual happy self again like nothing happened. When asked what happened or why he was so upset, he is ready to give his reasons. One time, he reflected saying, “I tried very hard but I just can’t control myself”. This is referring to his ability to reign in his temper. But then, he challenged himself by stating “I am trying hard and I will try again next time.”

To me, that speaks volumes on the maturity he has gained over the years. There are so many things to say about this precocious little boy who has truly enriched our lives in so many ways. But to me, his love for the Lord and his relation with GOD are the ones that stand out the most.

One time, when he was to go with his dad and brother for a boy’s night out, leaving me all alone in the house, I muttered “Please don’t leave me, I’m scared”. Of which Karlo quickly quipped “Don’t be afraid mom, you are not alone, GOD is with you!”

Gabriel Karlo Tio, you are GOD-sent to your family and friends! We wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY our GOD’s little messenger : ) We love you so much!!!

PROJECT RUNWAY…

2010-06-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

This last couple of weeks, I’ve been watching previous episodes of Project Runway. Unless you are one of the last remaining cavemen, I am sure you have seen or at least heard of this show. The show is pretty engaging as it has the elements of a real life drama--- tensions, conflicts and of course, flair and fashion. One talks of urban jungle and I must tell you, this show has some of the fine specimens of what the word means. Survival is the name of the game and contestants in the guise of respectable “designers and style makers” battle it out for a chance of a lifetime to have their collections sashayed in the runway.

As predictable as it can be, there are losers, winners, judges and the whole circus team. Oh don’t get me wrong, I do like the show very much, I really wouldn’t mind being cooped up in bed, espresso on one hand, whiling my time away watching it. If I have to define what my afternoon doing nothing means…this is it what it is…

To me, at the end of each show, Heidi Klum is the one that ends up as the sure winner. I am simply enamored by her. If you’d look as great as her after 4 kids, it undoubtedly would tantamount to winning the lottery 4 times over. Seeing her do the catwalk in vertiginous killer heels to deliver the line “Are you in or out?” is quite mesmerizing. How she actually gracefully manage such height with or without her bump, her pregnancy apparently hasn’t hindered her from hosting the show, is beyond me. I’ve been pregnant twice and 5 months into it and flat soft shoes where my shoe du jour!

One thing I cannot quite help but notice about the show though is just how vaguely familiar each of the designs were. Sure there may be some new elements, the designers’ personal take on how a certain dress is cut, nipped and tucked but there are familiar elements in it too. Pleating for instance can be done in various ways, big, small, asymmetric, diagonal, you name it, but at the end of it all, the pleating looks, well, just like what its suppose to look like---a pleat!

Certain form that flatters in 1960’s continues to be relevant in our present time if combined with the right styling, attitude and accessories. Even hippie pants, baggy trousers and shoulder pads had been coming in and out of the fashion scene. No matter which way fashion forecasters put it, there is some cyclical sense in the way the designs and cuts are churned out.

Didn’t people used to call short mid calf pants as pedals (short for pedal pushers) way back in the 50’s? And then fast forward to the present time, it now got a sassier name—Capri pants. Then I also just learned recently that these also go by the name Calypso or Pirates pants. Perhaps to avoid confusion, some fashion authorities did try to give a definitive distinction for these terminologies, but well, it does prove the point I am trying to drive at here, right? … No matter how much hawking and peddling and how very much abused the line “ This season’s all new must haves” is used, you can be sure that one design still is a bit of a reincarnation from the past albeit, tweaked and freshly styled.

Having said that, the one other thing I like of the show, aside from just totally wasting an uneventful afternoon in front of the TV or laptop whichever is convenient for me at the time, is the sense that if I don’t get the latest season’s must have, I really didn’t actually miss much.

That, and the feeling that I can actually still recycle past years’ apparels that now inhabit my closet, the ones I used to call “full of nothing to wear” and being able to wear it over and over again without looking like a total alien. On one note though, I still consider it alien if I see anyone still wearing full bell-bottom pants. You know, the ones people used to joke that wearing bell-bottom pants and crossing a river is a big no-no as the pants would surely dry out the river. Fortunately, this particular design had gone through a bit of make over, over the years too. In fact, this is now reborn to a new name –bootleg pants. One of the most flattering pant cut I have.

It does feel good and liberating having this realization specially that I don’t really have that much budget for this season’s must haves. Well for those who do have the budget to splurge then, that’s really good for you! And for those who don’t have, well, we can all just point a finger to Project Runway just like I did; we all cope in some ways hahaha! Have fun, fashion is not suppose to be taken seriously!

Reminiscing…

2010-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Recently, I received several friends’ requests at the social network I am currently active. Most of the friends’ requests I received were from friends, classmates and acquaintances from way back during the time I spent 4 years of my high school in my grandma’s place in Mindanao.

While my high-school years were definitely interesting and colorful, I cannot quite help but feel melancholic about this sudden reminder of my dearly loved yet often forgotten past. Work, career, family and other personal commitments caught up with me and had kept me from visiting my grandma’s place as often as I would have wanted. In fact, I have to admit that since my grandma’s passing more than 20 years ago, I don’t really have any strong motivation to make time and re-visit the place. And so today, I would like to take some time to pause and do as I do now, reminiscing old memories….

I spent a large part of my childhood with my grandmother. Growing up in a quiet, sleepy town in Mindanao, my favorite past time as a young girl was to day dream. Guilty as charged, I did have a Cinderella complex, that is, I would actually imagine having a fairy godmother that would grant me my every whim and desire.

As the eldest grandchild, well, the only child, in my grandmother’s big two-storey house, playing alone by myself didn’t upset me. My pretend playmates in the form of a rag doll, a well-loved teddy bear and a few other prized possessions—gifts from parents and relatives, along with my very rich imagination, were my constant, pleasant companion. I remembered long hours of fun in the afternoon climbing one tree to another, even tall ones like the coconut trees that surrounded our old ancestral home. One day, I am a princess in a beautiful castle, a merchant selling candies made of clay or perhaps a hunter inside a cave. There was never a time that I felt alone or even lonely despite the lack of obvious playmate.

The few times that I did have a playmate were all in the form of our washer woman’s son and having a boy to share dolls and teddy bears with wasn’t a pleasant alternative. Too much of convincing that my doll is not a canon ball is enough for me to relinquish my right to a play date, I definitely preferred being alone than play with a semi-sadistic, snot running little tyke.

I relish the time when I can happily sing and dance amidst the rain fall, thumping on sludge of mud, with not a single care of this world. Time seemed to slow down in the province back then and yes, we do sleep right after dinner and that would be about 8 o’clock in the evening.

I vaguely remembered the night time ritual just prior to dinner of watching any one of the soap operas offered by the only 2 television stations back then. I think the TV series were entitled Flordeluna and Annaliza. I didn’t understand the show and I would always wonder why grandma and several of our neighbors and house helps would discreetly wipe off a tear punctuated with silent sobs from time to time. The puffy red eyes were always a give away after the show and my uncles who were then the classic, naughty teenagers would tease my grandma on end.

Ahh, yes, back then, it was very common for neighbors to come knocking at one’s door to borrow salt or in this case, watch a soap opera on TV. Back then, I think people were much friendlier, more open, more loving….people simply cared.

My grandma’s town is right at the middle of Davao and Butuan City. To get there, one must take a bus from either side. You will know you reached the place when you could hardly feel your butt being there. Three hours of stiff sitting with very little chance of having unshared seats that allows one to a comfortable recline, is enough to get even the most practiced sentry guard complain. Back then, there were also few air conditioned buses so the usual travels to get to the city was quite an ordeal, a sure test of patience and endurance. Being a child though, I get the exception of being able to take a nap right at my uncle’s or any seat mate’s lap for that matter. I usually doze off the whole 3 hours of travel, which is a good thing. Traveling to the city had been one of the things I look forward to as a child although each trip had been far between. Perhaps, the travel torture was too much for my adult relatives to bear.

Perhaps it has been more than 20 years since I last visited the place, saved of course for that measly 2 hours I sneaked to get to Trento a year ago. I was out on an official reconnaissance trip to Butuan City with a group from Dept. of Science and Technology and a few other fashion accessory manufacturers and exporters. Seeing that we were somehow free for the afternoon, I decided to sneak out for a quick, hurried trip to Trento. The travel going there on a bus is far longer than the actual time I got myself seated in the old sofa still currently used by my uncle’s family who now resides in my grandma’s house. My mom once joked that traveling to Trento, we only need to pay an extra P10 fare to get to heaven. I’m sure she would be amused to hear me say this now; she has indeed gone to heaven almost 3 years ago.

Reaching the place, it was like being in a stranger’s house. There had been some changes to the house yet at the same time; there were several traces of the old. Despite the alterations, I do not resent my uncle and his family for renovating the place. After all, the house was largely made of wood and after sometime, wood materials, no matter how strong, tends to wither and aged from elements. It was just proper and quite expected that some of its parts would not last past 20 years.

Nonetheless, I loved the place. It was there that I first witnessed the reddening of the sky just as the mid afternoon sun sets. It was there that I have counted the stars only to get lost by their number or their glitter or to walk the rice paddies of the sea of greens. It was for me, simply a piece of heaven on earth.

Despite the distance and time that has separated me from the place; I am pleasantly surprised to feel the familiar warmth, the tender yet firm tug the place gave on my memories of years gone by.

Walking down the Aisle...

2010-03-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

We are now preparing for a bridal fair. Of all the projects I get commissioned to do, working for a bridal collection is one of my favorites. There is something deeply magical and emotional about weddings and it is such a privilege to be part of one of the most important events in somebody’s life. Unless you are tying the knot under duress of no less than a high caliber shotgun, most marriages, as a lot of people say, is still made in heaven. I believe this because mine is. Ten years of marriage and I still believe I married a prince although there had been times when my prince charming has been a scrawny little frog himself. There is a lot of metamorphic process that a person goes through in marriage. You can turn a frog into a prince or from a frog, well, to a bull. And as for the brides, one starts out as a princess that will eventually turn into a queen or to that of an evil witch. What makes one instead of the other is an entire alchemy subject whose formula I don’t have. Sorry, but I am neither a self help guru nor do I pretend to be one.

While wedding ceremonies seemed celestial in nature, the whole preparation itself is more earth-bound than one starry-eyed bride might think. Often this involves a long, looong process. In fact, I have known of girl friends who dream of their wedding day since 5 years old. Others even keep clippings of wedding pictures to guide them through their final choices. While the entire ceremony in itself takes less than a day, the preparation in a lot of instances, takes more than a decade.

It is no surprise that one would go through all the lengths in order to make this one momentous event as perfect as it can possibly be. The details involved in the preparation starting with the theme, to the flowers, decors, gowns and what have you is just so dizzying. We rejoice with the many options available to the most discerning and even quirky, peculiar couples, yet at the same time, the endless choices can be too confusing.

How one finally decides getting a mint green motif instead of say, sage green is a long well thought of scientific or in large part “just because I want” process which sometimes entails a lot of heartaches, arguments, and disappointments.

And so, with this in mind, you can imagine how extra challenging designing for a wedding collection both for bridal accessories and keepsakes can be. Pleasing the couple as well as the extended families in tow is a major, major task. And that’s just the quest I and the rest of my team are currently engaged in. Talk about self-imposed stress.

A few weeks ago, we’ve met with no less than the force behind Mandarin Oriental’s “Our Wedding Proposals” bridal fair. It was a serendipitous engagement because we initially contacted them for our corporate giveaways and it just so happened that they were cooking up a bridal fair at that same time. After seeing some of our samples and understanding our capabilities, they gave our team the exclusive privilege to showcase the bridal accessories and giveaways.

Our task was to come up with bridal accessories and giveaways grouped into 4 themes. The themes are: Oriental, Filipiniana, Traditional and Modern. If I was asked to define what these were, 20 years ago, I would be dumbfounded. But now, I’m simply glad that my training and designing backgrounds are sufficient to give these themes a decent interpretation and distinction. I have attached here photos of some of our works.

One good feature we offer brides and grooms is our customized design capability. With a vertically integrated full manufacturing company backing us up, I must say that there is very little that we cannot possibly do. One has just to imagine it and we would most likely be able to execute it. One interesting project we did many years back was to replicate the exact same tiara worn by Ms. Victoria Beckham during her wedding. Of course, it was a one piece deal and we had to mobilize our most skilled artisans. Likewise, the cost of in-laid Swarovski crystals alone was astounding. But hey, one gets to marry only once (for most cases) right?

All in all, it was one of our grandest and most interesting projects we’ve ever had, likewise, we definitely had one happy bride walking down the aisle. I am not sure though if I can say the same for the groom who paid for the bill. Hopefully his little tiara investment is a good start to turn his princess into a queen.

If you are in the look out for wedding accessories and giveaways, you might want to check us out during the “Our Wedding Proposal” Bridal Fair at Mandarin Oriental Manila on March 20 to 21, 2010. Or call or email us to set an appointment with our ARTIZANS Bridal team at mobile no. 0922-8699911 or email info@artizans.bz

Little Loves

2010-02-10T22:53:00.000-08:00

The holidays are not officially over till the Chinese says “Kung Hei Fat Choi!”. That’s Chinese for Happy New Year!

This year, we are celebrating Chinese New Year on the same day as Valentines Day—February 14, 2010!

With 2 special affairs happening on one single day, I can’t help but wonder what this day holds for us. You see, with 2 very active boys living under the same roof, every day is simply a day for new adventures for us. There is no such thing as a routine or boring moment in our household except, of course, when the boys are in school or if they are sound asleep.

As long as both are present and wide awake, we are all in high gears as if preparing for a siege about to happen anytime soon. I mean this in a good way of course :) I am always reminded of the energizer bunny commercial every time I see my little tikes doing what they do best… jumping, running and kicking around. If you have boys below the age of 10, I think you know exactly what I mean.

Mine are aged 5 and 8, and for me, this is just the perfect age for some top notch raucous! I guarantee you, between my 2 boys; they can start a riot just with their sheer combined energies.

At home, there’s simply no way of telling what might happen on any given hour of the day. It can be as consternating as our adopted feral cats scampering for dear life with my spunky little Karlo hot on its tail OR seemingly docile as mommy’s little trinkets re-born with a twist as our boys take their hands in designing, taking things apart and putting them back on in a totally different way. I must say, each time they’d do this, somehow, there seems to be extra parts that get left behind ready for a new project to be made. I don’t even know where these parts come from. If there is such a thing as multiplication of “bread and fishes” in this time and age, this is our home version.

Innocent, harmless pens get converted to rocket ships; cookie cans becomes valued treasure chests, clothes hangers to swords of knights and kings of York. Karlo would say he is the king and sometimes, the knight or even both and his older brother—Khalil gets to be the jester…Oh boy, and that’s the start of the real fight! And since I have time and time again refused to buy them toy guns, somehow they found a way to make it on their own, using papers and card boards. Origami takes a totally different meaning in our house.

Well, I’d like to think that being raised in a Christian family, Karlo is not really vent on mangling the cats. In fact, when asked why he’d chased them, he’d give you his sweet innocent look and say “I just want to play with them but they won’t have me!” Poor cats, they just can’t see past the danger of getting mobbed and run over by my 5-year old to realize his good intentions. And for my trinkets, well, I can rejoice that somehow my creative genes have wormed its way to my children. What a blessing!

With the 2 boys now able to tinker with their hands and their creative abilities starting to get apparent, no special event pass us by without getting something special from either one of them. Our recent treats were the ones they gave us last December.

Aren’t these just adorable? Whose hearts would not melt when given such symbols of love? The hours of hard work and careful attention is evident by the details they labored into each piece. My husband and I are just overwhelmed and humbled for the care and love shown through these master pieces.

And talking about love, I have included here the list of my 10 little loves which I’d like to remind myself over and over again.

They say, one can count sheep to get to sleep, I’d say, its better to count our blessings. This is in random order as I cannot quite decide which one I love the most.

1.)I love the smell of coffee that my husband brews for me almost all of my mornings.

2.)I love the feel of warm breaths as I wake up to a little jumbled mass of humanity, limbs entwined of our family of 4. The kids have their own rooms but somehow during dawn, they’d find their way into our room and into our bed.

3.)I love to tinker with my hands, creating things big and small. There is a feeling of exhilaration that I cannot quite explain seeing an object transform according to how I envision it to be.

4.)I love spending quiet time with GOD, with myself, with my family, with my closest friends, with my books and with my garden. I find it extremely important to find a place of refuge, my sanctuary when the cares and concerns weigh me down.

5.)I love getting together with friends and family specially those I have not seen for years. It’s nice to recall good old memories and then creating new ones for the future.

6.)I love getting presents specially the ones that clearly shows and represents the giver. I specially love the little gifts that my husband and children prepares for me. My husband is a genius in giving me well thought of surprises.

7.)I love challenging myself to learn new things. I remembered entering the working world not knowing how to type, much more use a computer. But then one month into a typing computer program and guess what? I learned! Sure it was hard as “old dogs are harder to teach new tricks” but this “old dog” is not beyond learning. No grand ceremonies, but I sure felt good inside.

8.)I love anything and everything beautiful and that includes music, art and fashion. I’m not really on the quest of acquiring more but I relish the opportunity to understand how society is transformed through these media. I like the idea that I have something to contribute no matter how seemingly little it may be.

9.)I love anything healthy and worthwhile, may it be in the food I eat, the products I use or the entertainment I indulged myself in. I like feeding my body and my soul with things that gives it life. I am not about to waste the gift of life and salvation that Christ, my Lord and King suffered on the cross for me.

10.)I love supporting a good cause and of standing up for issues and principles that I truly, passionately believe in.

There, I have more to include but these are on top of my list right now. And I am pretty sure that right after the Valentines Day, I have more to add. I am very much looking forward to it right now : )

Kung Hei Fat Choi and Happy Love Day everyone!!!

IMPERFECT HOLIDAY

2010-01-29T17:13:00.000-08:00

It's the 3rd week of January and yet I am still reeling from how quickly my holiday break went. I must say, it just passed me by in a blink of an eye and before I knew it, it has left me far behind.

Whew!!! I didn't really have the time to catch my breath or to fill in the Christmas stockings. I have gifts still undelivered 'neath my Christmas tree and worse, my yearly scrapbook project is still unaccomplished. I have to admit that I just had the busiest and considerably the shortest holiday I ever had.

Before the days, weeks, and months add up, let me just greet every one a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Despite the holiday season passing me by in a breeze, I am proud to say that we had quite a remarkable and truly special Christmas and New Year celebration.

First off, my children Khalil and Karlo participated in their school's first ever musical play entitled Psalty's Christmas Calamity. The musical play portrays an endearing story of trusting GOD at all times and not depending on one's own might.

It was a rare opportunity for my children to perform alongside the Mandaue Childrens' Choir and be trained by no less than Maestro Dennis Gregory Sugarol. Yup, the very same maestro who has trained several award winning singing groups which includes the Mandaue Childrens' Choir and Cebu Chamber Singers. Mandaue Childrens' Choir won 3 gold medals in the 1st Asian Choir Games for childrens' choir, folklore and music of religious categories held in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2007. Later on, also winning the Grand Prix of International Children's Choral Music in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea.

Khalil was one of the 6 soloists and while he remains to be a reluctant singer post-musical, he did quite a charming rendition of Away in Manger and Silent Night during their school play.
Khalil, who has displayed quite an ear for music at a young age, prefers to tinker on musical instruments rather than work on his vocals. He loves to re-work keys and notes of songs on his piano or xylophone even without having the song books to guide him. Like most mothers who are extremely proud of their children, I am no exception.

My 5 year old, Karlo, on the other hand is quite the actor, putting to heart his role, memorizing even the other performers' lines. He truly is quite a darling to watch on stage. Karlo had a slight fever during the play itself, but it didn't stop him from giving it his best.

Secondly, we have finally found a home for our WE LOVE ORGANICS store. Early in 2009, our family had taken the resolve to live a much healthier lifestyle. This includes the use of organic, natural products in our daily choices. This in turn led us to discover several products that are not only organic and natural but have excellent health benefits as well. In our desire to share our discoveries with family and friends, we have decided to open a new business unit under the organic product line. For months, my friends and I had searched for the perfect place for a store for our new concept.

Finding the right place that fills a good balance of accessibility, safety and our meager budget was quite a feat but GOD whom we cannot out give, had led us to the perfect place---- The Orchard Cebu Hotel and Suites.

Hence, the usual Christmas merry-making was alternated with frequent trips to our new outlet watching over the carpentry work. Not my general idea of a holiday, but I must say, I found satisfaction in seeing my dreams come to reality literally piece by piece.

We finally moved in to our new store last January 4, the first working day of January 2010. If you have not been to our We Love Organics store, I invite to come and visit us. With lots of Philippine made healthy organic goodies to choose from, you sure can be on your way to wellness in no time. And with our products supporting a good cause, you can be at peace that you have done your share in building a better Philippines.

Thirdly, we have participated in a 45-day Christmas bazaar under the Christmas Village concept of Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa. We offered quite a nice do-it-yourself concept where one can buy the components from our booth and get the training from our sales girls/designers so that one can assemble the pieces themselves. To some, there's nothing that can quite compare to creating something with one's own hand. I know 'coz I do.

For those who simply enjoy watching how the components transform into master pieces right before their eyes, they may also opt to have their selected components assembled for them. I had a chance to man our booth on a particularly busy evening and while the bazaar was suppose to close at 10PM, we ended up being the only booth opened till midnight. It was hard work and I went home with an achy back and a few sore fingers (from all the looping and twisting) but it was a joy to see how much our design and craftsmanship were appreciated by a group of discerning guests of the hotel.

It was truly a worthy endeavor not just in bringing the Christmas magic to children and adults alike but also, because a portion of the sales of the Christmas bazaar goes to the Batang Opon outreach project of Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa. Batang Opon is the foundation that takes care of homeless, indigent group of children in Lapu Lapu City

Aside from the DIY items, we also displayed a few finished fashion accessories and bags. One simple yet charming lady was seen coming back to our booth day after day. Later, she introduced herself and requested to see our factory. We later learned that this lady happened to be the wife of one of the most successful heart surgeons and owner of a medical equipment company in the US. Their family is very well privileged and listed in the Forbes worlds richest. Mrs. Cheney liked our design, and while she had chosen to become a full time mom and wife for years, she got so interested with our product that she found herself taking on a new business, distributing our fashion jewelry in various countries.

What is more impressive is her vision to donate the entire sales to a charitable institution in Philippines. I advised her to consider Gawad Kalinga, the charitable institution which our company supports. As she quite put it: “I don't need the money”. Well, I wish more people would be like her. It is stories like this that truly warms my heart and makes me love my job all the more :)

And last but not least, I still managed to meet up and enjoy several intimate Christmas dinners, a few parties and get-togethers with family and friends that are closest and dearest to my heart. One good friend I happen to meet up now resides in Dubai and it has been years since we last saw each other. I truly enjoyed the evening I visited her for a chat the day prior to her trip back to Dubai.

Sure I didn't quite manage to bake my legendary (ahem!) Apple Walnut Cake or the moisty coco macaroons that my boys simply love, and I still was not able to by myself a potted flowering poinsettia plant that I have been pining for years, but hey a little change from the old routine surely doesn't hurt from time to time.

Lessons from Noah's Ark

2009-11-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

The recent calamities, typhoons and flooding, that struck our country have really gotten me off track from my writing. Well, at least the type of writing that gets posted here. The emotional seesaw has left me so confused on what to focus on long enough to come up with a coherent article. I did have several start-up articles although in my personal opinion, are better left hidden, chronicled in my own little journal, not intended for public access.

It was in this state of mental and emotional limbo when I came across a rare find. It was one lazy weekend afternoon when with no intended purpose, I flipped through one of my favorite designer books and found several forgotten treasures. Among them is an old newspaper clipping carefully tucked between the pages of the book.

Quite honestly, I could not remember when and why I placed the clipping there. Considering that I arm-wrestled my way to get the one and only copy of this book several years ago, the clipping must be of equal if not greater value than the book itself to earn the honor of being encased in the book’s immaculate pages. While I could not actually remember putting the clipping in the book, I have discounted the possibility of a generous donor as I kept this book under lock and key in my office cabinet. And with no other key duplicate in existence, there is no one else to give credit for this serendipitous find.

The clipping must have been dated some years back as it now looked rather old and worn. Nevertheless, reading through its content gave me a jolt of very timely wisdom appropriate to the present time. I’d like to share this with you…

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark:

One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something
really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you are stressed, float awhile.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals
Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with GOD, there's always a rainbow
waiting.

I can't help but smile when reading this. This is truly a treasure, simple yet practical lessons in living a life. And I must say, the timing and circumstance when I came across this is impeccable.

Is it just me or is this my heavenly Father's way of letting me know He is here and in control? And since I know in my heart that it's indeed Him, I just felt renewed and strengthened knowing that Father GOD is indeed a GOD of small and big things. While He can direct solutions to problems as big as the typhoon and flooding during Noah's time, surely our own flooding and typhoon in the Philippines is nothing compared to what HE can do. And as for my own little problems, my little life's typhoons and floodings? Well, that too, is under HIS care.

Today I woke up with a confidence knowing that everything will indeed fall into place according to GOD's plan and purpose. Taking the lessons from the Noah's ark to heart, I think I'd like to exercise lesson number 9 and that is, to float for just a little while…. God bless you!

TV shows, commercials and etcetera…

2009-09-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

It's been more than 8 years since we cut off our connection to the cabled world.

To some of you who are religiously following a certain TV series, this might come as a shock. Well, some of my friends still give me that raised eyebrow look and others, the look of disbelief whenever this topic worms into our conversation.

After all, who in their right mind, would willfully let go of one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century and undoubtedly the cheapest form of entertainment? As unusual as it may sound, we did.

As far as I can remember I have ceremoniously said goodbye to the program “Designing For the Sexes” by Michael Payne as well as the “Shabby Chic” by Rachel Ashwell. Somebody told me “Shabby Chic” is still around although its time slot is still not to my convenience.

What made me do such drastic and I must say, life changing act? Well, motherhood becomes me. The moment I gave birth to my eldest son Khalil, I know my life would never be the same. The first to go were my night time rituals.

My husband and I apart from watching tv, used to enjoy our evenings playing computer games. No, not the high tech PSPs that put kids on semi-zombie mode or the reality games you play on Wii…just the simple yet equally engaging games of Heroes of Might and Magic, this along with some other games involving knights, and kings and princesses. I have such affinity to royalty, after all, I am not named “Reyna “(a Filipino term for Queen) for nothing. Well, those games give me the little reality escape to the wonderful world of make believe. I used to imagine myself as one of the princesses, not the one that needs rescuing though, but one that's considered a town hero. I am almost sure I have some significant contribution to the rise of different women’s leagues that now abound. I was so good at these games that 5 minutes into it and my opponent (the computer) would surrender! No, I am seriously not kidding at all. You can ask my husband about this… He’d probably say that it's a computer glitz but I’m not just about to let go of my bragging rights!

Anyway, much like my television habit, that too must go. Why? Well, simple. I wouldn't want strangers AKA black box AKA TV to be the one to educate my son. I also certainly don't want to get my son exposed to the seemingly harmless computer games but in reality, reeks of danger and violence. Entertaining as it might look; there is nothing minutely amusing when your house gets attacked with a trebuchet or assaulted by a battering ram. Can you imagine that in real life?

So as I would always answer my friends, NO, I have no regrets that I made this decision.

I must admit though that early on, there had been moments of weakness. Like that one rare occasion when my husband and I got interviewed on ANC Live and we couldn't watch it on its delayed telecast. There had been times too, when I’d miss my favorite HGTV and FTV shows, after all, I can legitimately say that those shows are educational. One that I can use for my line of work with the fashion jewelry and the home accents that I would be inspired to come up with. I used to keep track of the rise of Gemma Ward, who was then, a young doe-eyed, phenomenal teenage girl that simply hugs the camera. I also get amused by this lady with salt and pepper hair that carries a tiny pooch with her while interviewing different style makers and designers. An L.A.designer, who was once interviewed by this same person, told me she has a Jekyll and Hyde personality, sweet and entertaining on camera and completely bitchy off it. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s any truth to that. I am almost sure the brand of wine she promotes at the end of her show has a lot to do with that double personality. Ahhh such form of entertainment… intriguing yet totally useless.

Its amazing that after all these years, there are certain episodes of tv shows I still clearly remember. I actually still don’t mind watching the reruns of Friends even if I can mouth more than half of the entire episode’s conversation. Who would forget the memorable Phoebe Buffay’s (played by Lisa Kudrow), rendition of “Smelly Cat” on acoustics? What a classic!

Apart from these mainstay shows, my husband and I certainly missed some of the commercials too. My husband has this queer habit of memorizing commercials. No, not just the scene by scene feature but line by line as well. Till today, he can still remember the entire line complete with innuendos and hand gestures for the Glade Dry freshener. Creepy isn't it? The same goes for the very down to earth Happy Mart commercial. Huh, my husband knows Teban (Esteban Escudero) and Goliat (sorry, I haven’t gotten past the first name basis with this guy) the heroes of bargain shopping (ukay ukay stores were not plentiful back then), like his very own best friends. He can sing the jingle (oh please no!) without missing a beat!

Such is the power of television, so influential; it invades and pervades our entire being. It is no surprise then that this amusing sometimes annoying but downright entertaining black box, has become a mainstay of almost every home.

Now imagine if we can harness the same influence and patronage as that of these TV programs and commercials. I bet, that would surely be the dream of all marketing gurus around the world. People would pay heaps if they can be guaranteed such religious following.

Nevertheless, do we know that the way we speak, act, and conduct ourselves especially when our guards are down, is like a mini television, a mini broadcast to the world as to who we are as a person on the inside?

Much like the lines and commercials we sometimes unconsciously sing-a-long with, people do take note of what they see in us. Often, without us knowing, people keep a mental tab in the way we conduct ourselves.

I guess this explains why couples or long time friends can finish off each other’s sentences or anticipate each other’s next move.

If such is the reflection we give of ourselves to others and to the world, what do your actions, words and gestures speaks about you today? What sort of commercial ads or TV program can you be likened to? Well, just a thought, perhaps our little baggages of anger, pain and hurt could use a little “Clean House”.

I don’t know about you, but Shabby Chic sounds good for me….that’s more of the chic without robbing the bank and less of the shabbiness! Well, at least that’s what I aspire for…..

DESIGNER SYNERGY

2009-08-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Working with seven other designers is both a privilege and a challenge for me. Each designer has his or her own design approach, taste, and aesthetics. To get them to work together or individually on a thematic collection requires a certain type of skill comparable to that of a politician about to run for the presidential post. The question “How do you get an entire nation to vote for you?” in design lingo might as well be said as “How do you get these designers to work for a Jurassic-inspired collection?” The parallelism is so uncanny. The arms twisting are replaced with the more subtle goading and haggling though….and yes, much like in politics, cash rewards do work.

The first time I took my post as Head for Design and Development, I remembered it to be quite a painful, emotional roller coaster for me. Though it helped that most of my designer-colleagues had worked with me with a previous employer, still, the idea that they now report to me for design approval is quite daunting.

As a designer myself, I really believe in my heart that each designer thinks that their design is the best there is. And because art is highly relative, I must agree to this. What looks good with one might not look good with another. One’s trash is another’s treasure.

It is in this realm of so much relativity that I tread with great care. As Head of Design of a commercial fashion jewelry company, I look at designs not just in terms of creative expression but in consideration of more practical parameters—cost, materials, color relevance for the season, time and the capability to be mass produced --- in short, marketability and viability of the product.

Much like giving birth, each new design creation shows the same promise and potential of a newborn child. Hence, it is quite devastating that a design, one labored for several weeks, land in the “not approve for development” section. The bearer of the news and verdict, I, becomes instantly unpopular. I am just glad that except for dagger-looks and a few episodes of cold war, those were just the extent that the embattled designer had gone through.

Now I understand why it is not surprising at all that a lot of politicians are not keen in pointing out the mistakes and failures of their constituents especially when election time is coming. As the famous Beatle’s song goes, “honesty is such a lonely word”. With my post, I deal with honestly more often that it is for my own good.

Seeing the dwindling number of friends at work due to rejections of designs, I came up with the idea of vetting designs. What we basically do is for the designers to lay out on the table the first piece they make in a collection. They must not name who made the collection. This first piece is then presented to every member of the design team where each one would make his or her comments and suggestions.

Prior to the vetting, certain rules are put into place. Comments must not be personal but must only pertain to the design or the piece presented. Comments must be constructive and must be aimed at improving the product. Price will also be determined at this stage and everyone must assess if the product can be sold based on its price. If the price is too high, we then replace some of the expensive materials or tweak the design a bit to bring down the cost. The mathematics involved in computing the price is simple but to analyze how a design positions itself in the market is not.

I used to dread having to reject or alter someone else’s design. My comments, no matter how well crafted, are always viewed as a personal rejection. With group vetting, however, everyone has the chance to say something including the designer himself or herself. Thus, it becomes a much healthier exercise for the group. It definitely fosters cooperation as there had been times when 2 or 3 designers collaborate on a design. This collaborative work has also determined and made use of what each designer is really good at.

One designer for instance is really good at combining colors. I have observed that even prior to the vetting, the other designers would defer to this designer to assess the palette of the newly developed piece. What used to be me, mine, and myself way of doing things has now become all and everyone’s masterpiece.

Indeed this strategy has worked so well that this is now our standard protocol.

A lot of people has approached and asked me what our secret is for our fashion jewelry line to thrive despite the economic crisis. Well, there’s really no single formula but product design definitely contributes much. I am just so blessed to be part of a team of designers who individually possesses innate outstanding creative talents that when put together produces meaningful, relevant, and world-class designs. To me, that’s the Designer synergy at its best!

Photo Credits: Cave Woman; Wired Ring; Hammered Cuff; Copper Disc Earrings

DON’T QUIT

2009-07-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

I came across this poem entitled “Don’t Quit” some 20 years or so ago.

Since my initial discovery, this poem has become a personal mantra for me.

Much like a well worn, ever reliable comfort blanket, this is something I read over and over again specially during times of discouragements and disappointments.

As we go through the motions of life, now like any other, is the right time for us, for me, to re-visit the old familiar verses of this poem and draw strength and inspiration it so reliably and unselfishly gives.

Let me share this with you...

Don't Quit
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Indeed I couldn’t agree more!

As the saying goes, "a quitter never wins and a winner never quits".

In whatever battle you may be in right now, I hope that you too will find inspiration from the simple yet life giving message of this poem.

GOD bless everyone!

My Inspirations...

2009-06-30T23:47:00.000-07:00

“What inspires you to create a design or to write about something?”

I’ve been asked this question countless times and while this seemed like a good question to ask somebody whose main source of livelihood depends heavily on art and creative work, my answer is actually not outstanding. In fact some would say, too generic.

My usual answer would be “anything”. This is not a conspiracy answer among artists, believe me, nor do I want to sound mysterious to haggle for attention. The truth is, as boring and as plain as it may sound, anything and everything inspires me.

There was a time in my teenage years when the confusion and struggles both in my school and family life prompted me to pour out my soul through my sketches. Sketches, doodles, scribbles… mostly incomprehensible - were my lifeline to sanity back then.

I remembered vaguely that I was vying for the top honors in school then and boy, people in the provinces, really takes these things so seriously. The teachers handling our class were torn between the two competing students. I remember one serious talk with one of my teacher-advisers as she detailed to me my class standing.

I garnered second in the end, but looking back, the lessons learned on struggles, survival, victories and losses are all so surreal --- worthy of a local FAMAS Award. Now if only I can get Judy Ann Santos to play my role.

Then at another time and place, one evening, heavy with my first child, I just could not get myself to sleep. Perhaps it was some crazy hormonal imbalance kicking, I found myself turning and tossing, feeling so depressed and for no reason at all.

To get me occupied and quell the strong urge to bother anyone else (poor husband!), I found myself painting in acrylic this serene and peaceful picture of a blue house. I finished this “master piece” at 4 am. I guess that was my own artistic way of pacifying the turmoil raging inside of me. I am proud to say that aside from the big heavy eye bags, and the sore achy back, no other collateral damage had been done.

When my two boys were aged 3 and 5, I considered that to be by far, the most chaotic family situation we ever had. I found solace in the scrapbooks and journals, and of little “Dear Khalil” and “Dear Karlo” notes I neatly compiled for my sons. Perhaps someday when they are old enough, they would understand through my own little chronicle of their adventures and mischief of just how uniquely special and wonderful both of them are.

In my career as fashion jewelry designer, some four years ago, I came across a client who brought us 3 pieces of designer necklaces and asked us to come up with 25 collections in one month. Our only inspirations were the 3 necklaces she left us. Talk about stress and pressure!

Pressed with a deadline, it’s amazing how much creative juices flow to come up with the most sought-after pieces. I have posted a picture of one of my favorite works borne out of that one-month creative sojourn.

So as if on cue, as if history is repeating itself, here I am again, faced with a 2 month deadline to come up with 45 collections of designer pieces to showcase in one of the major fashion jewelry tradeshows.

My inspirations for this gynormous endeavor? ….I am not looking far…I’d like to share with you some snap shots of the corner stone of my collection….my kids artworks! It’s unrestrained, unmindful, carefree, happy, expressive, head turning, and one that simply calls for attention, just exactly what I want our next collection to be.

Overall, I must say that my creative output is very much influenced by my state of mind, emotions, life situation, and maturity as an artist. And oh, I must include my understanding of my client’s needs and goals.

Nowadays, I don’t see myself doing childish doodles anymore, but like exactly what I am doing right now, writing this blog, announcing to the world just where I am and what I feel…

My Passions…

2009-06-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

The past weeks had been a whirl of product presentations for our new line ARTIZANS Organics.

The more I talk about it and explain to people why we launched it, the more I am convinced that indeed we have made the right decision.

And as if we do not have our hands full already, we have taken the next step, to introduce our nutritional line. To me, this comes naturally as the next step.

While we take good care of the outside of our body through our personal care line--- Human Heart Nature, even more important is the need to take care of what is inside our body. After all, there is not much nice skin or hair to maintain if our body is rotting and going haywire from the inside.

There is no question on the merit of the products we are promoting. We believe that we have GOD-sent products which first and foremost are blessings to us personally as users. This small bit of ambivalence though has nothing to do the with the product line, but largely because our fashion jewelry line---still our main business, which continues to flourish despite the odds.

Now in all of these, timing is the key.

You see, while we are doing all these ARTIZANS Organics presentations, I am also in negotiation with a possible distributor who will open several high-end retail outlets in Canada and Europe for our international brand IMPRESSIONE. This lady I am in contact with is quite amazing as she is currently the General Manager of one of the most recognizable American brands of apparel that has about 1,800 stores all over the US alone. While she is very nice and accommodating, I have to keep in mind that she really knows what she is talking about. She is indeed astute and business savvy with quite an energy that I need to match.

One of the tasks I am suppose to do is to come up with at least 45 collections by September for our launching during Eastern Canada’s premier jewelry fair, the JCK Toronto.

Whoa, this is definitely not a walk in the park considering that we are not only going to launch premium but also meaningful, designer-only collections, in other words, haute couture.

While this is definitely a good project to exercise creativity and a rare chance to partner with the industry’s best, in my heart, I feel the tug to get the message out there for ARTIZANS Organics.

At night, when I think about my mom who by the way celebrated her 2nd year of passing last May, or of family and friends who are desperate for something due to an ailing love one, I know that the more people I can share and tell, the more I would feel better. Not that we claim our nutritional line to bring forth miracles and cure terminal diseases (it would be good though if it does, as some documented instances did) but what pains me most is that there is just so much lack of information. There is so much ignorance and deception brought about by the high flying marketing campaigns of the various commercial products that we see nowadays. Deprived of the chance to be heard, healthier alternative products gets pushed back down, shelved and ignored. People do not make informed decisions on the choices they make, healthwise.

Does anyone even know the sugar content in a 8 oz bottle of soft drinks? Do we know that one of the main ingredients of canned goods is sodium nitrate (yes, go ahead look at the label of the can goods in your pantry), also the ingredients used in explosives?

You see, ARTIZANS Organics has become our passion, our own little contribution to the Filipino community and possibly to the world, as our nutritional line is not limited to Philippines alone. ARTIZANS Organics is also our way of telling our children that we love them so much, we want to be responsible and take care of our bodies.

Will there be a time that I would leave fashion jewelry for good and just work full time on ARTIZANS Organics? I don’t think so.

I sleep, eat and breathe with creativity and art, something I get to exercise with fashion jewelry. To do otherwise is to die a little inside.

My barometer in making important decisions though is based on GOD’s handbook itself---the Bible.

In Proverbs 10:22, it says, "the blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it."

Right now, I have no doubt GOD wants us to continue pursuing our fashion jewelry line.

After all, through this business, we continue to be a channel of blessing to more than a 100 full time employees.

I don’t think we would have all the rare opportunities we now have, if the Master’s intention is otherwise.

But as what is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."

Now if you are wondering what our nutritional line is, knowing that there is so much misconception and prejudices about food supplements and alternative products, we would rather give our product a chance to be fully listened to.

We want people to get the facts straight, and for people to have a chance to ask, argue and understand.

If anyone is interested, we are open to individual or group meetings to discuss this in detail.

What we do promise is that at the end of the presentation, anyone can walk away and say “No it’s not for me”. And that’s just fine with us.

We don’t need to launch ARTIZANS Organics. We can opt to just use the products and get the benefits just for ourselves.

We really don’t have to balance our time and resources and talk to people about it, which is not an easy thing to do.

But we choose the other way, in fact, the hard way. We just felt that as we have been blessed, we too should be able to bless others as well.

To do otherwise is to act selfishly and disobediently.

Let me direct you to another article written in the Freeman by a world renowned doctor of Oriental and Western alternative medicine based in San Carlos, California.(Click Here)

There are 3 parameters that ARTIZANS Organics abide when choosing the products that it promotes:

First and foremost is the health benefit of the product.

The product we endorse should be able to stand on its own health merit alone.

The integrity of the product and the company behind it must be intact.

If the product needs glitzy and costly marketing campaigns or it needs arm twisting and convincing, then it is not worth our time and effort.

Second, that it should be affordable or within most people’s budget.

We believe that no matter how good the product is, if we are unable to buy it due to price, it is considered nothing.

Third, as much as possible it should have some type of financial benefit, a possible income generating aspect to it, something we could all use specially at this time.

My passions? Well, it is very obvious isn't it? GOD, Family, Health and Art... exactly in that order.

Right now, the 45 collections of IMPRESSIONE Premium/Haute Couture is looking good. My next articles hopefully detail how this line unfolds.

To know more about ARTIZANS Organics and our nutritional line, contact us at organics@artizans.bz or (032)4223657 or 0922-8021681.

For overseas, we can also schedule for SKYPE conference.

Artizans Organics

Promoting Health
Nurturing Environment
Building the Nation
One Person at a time!

Organics for Life!

2009-06-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Several health issues plague humanity nowadays.

We can attribute this to a lot of factors---pollution, stress, food intake, products that we use, among other things.

Chemicals like Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Parabens and others are just some of the controversial chemicals found in our favorite brand of shampoos , soaps, lotions and other personal care products. These chemicals has been studied and are found to be possible causes of cancer, asthma, various allergies, neuro toxicity and several other health conditions.

To those in the know, a lot has actually gone back to basics….the use of organic products!

Sadly, most of the organic products are sold under high-end brands and are quite costly.

Is it only the financially blessed who have the right to use organic products?

Good news, ARTIZANS Organics introduces alternative products such as Human Heart Nature.

Motivated by the love of GOD and the Philippines, Human Heart Nature created a line of personal care products that has real health benefits without harming oneself and the environment, at a price that most can afford. You do not have to be rich in order to buy organic, natural products. A 50 ml shampoo costs as little as P29.95.

Through Human Heart Nature, we help support our Filipino Organic Farmers and extend a livelihood program to the different Gawad Kalinga communities.

What’s more, we offer business opportunities to those who wants to earn extra income through its agent/distributorship program.

Enjoy an exciting afternoon as we share with you the full product and business presentation over a cup of tea and a marvelous selection of treats at Marco Polo Hotel Lobby Lounge this Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 3pm to 6pm. Registration to this event is P250 consummable.

For reservations and more information, you may call (032) 518-8343 or you may email organics@artizans.bz. Artizans Organics is located inside Fashion Avenue, Level 1, Ayala Center Cebu.

ARTIZANS Organics
Promoting Health
Nurturing Earth
Building the Nation
One Person at a time!

FASHION RECESSION

2009-05-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

These past weeks had been very busy for me. I met up with a lot of old friends. Most have come home to Cebu after years of living and working outside the country. Others just visited Cebu for vacation. There was a lot of getting together, catching up on each other’s lives, and trying to reconnect threads of yester years.

I may have overbooked myself that I am now afflicted with a terrible flu. Thank goodness though that it’s not the H1N1 type, just the more common type which one gets whenever we lack sleep and rest. This is quite a price to pay for a fledging social butterfly.

Anyway, after countless get together, I noticed that whenever I meet friends with whom I have not seen for quite a while, there are 3 questions that I can now expect to be asked.

First question-----How are you? Usually this includes my family too.

Second question----How’s business?

And third but not least---How’s the recession affecting fashion?

There are of course variations to these questions, but the theme is pretty much the same.

I also used to give varied answers depending on my state of mind that day, but as this had been asked of me countless times, quite automatically I’ve been noticing myself ready with repeated answers. Answers which are pretty much like the pre-programmed responses on answering machines which I just hope none of my friends have noticed.

So, to spill the beans, here are the million dollar answers to these questions…..

Question number 1: How are you?

My answer to question number one largely depends on the breakfast I ate that day and of which side of the bed I woke up with.

The answer varies from “Okay, I’m doing well” to “I’m doing great”. Because I believe in positive thinking and of self-prophecy (one tends to act out what he or she earlier predicted or declared), I seldom give a negative answer.

There are days though when I really do feel terrible and in such rare instance, I would most likely just say “Okay ra”.

I believe that no matter how we feel or what our state of mind is, we still have a lot of blessings to be thankful for. It is just but right to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

Question number 2: How’s business?

Well, quite emphatically, I would answer that “Business is fine and only because of God’s grace” and that’s the undeniable truth.

Most business people veer away from the discussion of GOD. I once had been interviewed by a famous local business magazine and the writer who later became a very good friend of mine, once told me that she cannot put too much emphasis on GOD’s miracles in our business. As she is writing for a business magazine, she needs to write about clear and tangible business practices which led to our success.

While I know she and the magazine she works for, meant well. I cannot quite discount the fact, that apart from GOD, we really cannot do anything. Our company started really small, a measly sum of P200,000. This amount is really nothing considering that we put up a manufacturing company targeting the mid to high end market. At that time, no bank would grant us a loan as we have nothing to use as collateral.

That was 7 years ago and while the company is not immune to financial strains, to reach this far is a simple miracle. A grace and favor from GOD.

Now on the third question….

Question no. 3: How is the recession affecting fashion?

Well, this is a bit harder to answer.

For one, unlike food, shelter, or clothing, fashion accessories are definitely not on everyone’s priority list. In fact, this is usually at the bottommost.

For a fashion accessory company like ours, to maintain operations and grow sales when most companies are closing, is really a daunting task.

However it is good to keep in mind that while global economy might be depressed, the fashion accessory industry still remains to be a multi-billion business. While some companies and buyers may want to shift businesses at this time, a lot are actually sticking it out. A lot are riding the tide.

Quite amazingly, in our case, a few of our buyers have actually expanded their fashion accessory businesses.

What’s the secret? Well, I believe that the secret is no secret at all. The company who has expanded their business has gotten a good pulse of the business landscape. For fashion jewelry, it’s literally going back to basics. Classic, timeless, elegant, fashion items that doesn’t go out of style and those that offers great value for money are topping the chart.

This is the very same niche that our international brand IMPRESSIONE and local brand ARTIZANS have comfortably settled in for many years now.

I’ve been accused of shamelessly tooting our own horn when promoting our fashion jewelry line and yes, I agree that I do. We do however, walk our talk.

I am just thankful that we made a decision many years back to work on various themes as part of our design philosophy, one which includes the Classics as the biggest and most important among our design themes.

Not only do we develop designs that doesn’t go out of style, but we also make sure that we incorporate materials whose value by itself will certainly increase with the passage of time.

You will find a lot of IMPRESSIONE and ARTIZANS pieces infused with semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, swarovski crystals and lots more.

ARTIZANS fashion accessory pieces may be had for a reasonable price. An earring for instance, would cost as little as P280 and already using these materials. I think that’s truly value for money!

So, how is the current global economic crisis affecting the fashion industry business?

I really cannot speak for the entire industry, but for the company I work for, it is good.

When most people are struggling to keep ends meet, it’s certainly unwise to invest in disposable fashion items. Classic jewelry pieces made of value added materials is the way to go.

If you are to shop for fashion jewelry as a fashion statement piece, a gift or simply to reward one self, I hope you can consider my 2-cents worth. Shop wisely everyone!

Organics for Life!

2009-05-09T01:26:00.000-07:00

I told my husband, Jeff - aka my editor, that my well is running dry... I mean creative writing well, that is, not any other…

To an aspiring writer like me, this is something we all dread. Actually, it’s not that I lack the inspiration. On the contrary, I have lots that I just have too much mental clutter right now. So much has happened over the past 2 weeks. There are just several highlights but the topmost is the launching of our new line ARTIZANS Organics.

ARTIZANS Organics, is our company’s latest business unit with the purpose of promoting health and wellness by providing access to complimentary organic products that are healthful, accessible, affordable, and does not harm the environment.

What made us decide to go into this had been the result of years of our own personal battle with debilitating diseases as well as the GOD-given opportunities we have come across recently.

My closest friends know that our family had been an advocate of natural, organic products for several years now. The decision to go organic was propelled by several life changing events that our family had gone through over the past 10 years.

Both my husband and I are asthmatic. Mine actually started very early. As a baby, I had become a fixture in doctor’s clinics. There was a time when I just dreaded seeing people wearing white. For many years, they represented to me the nightmare trips and painful needles they would have to prick or attach to me. It was so traumatic that I remembered one incident where I absconded from the hospital. It was a long story and one I would never forget.

My husband’s allergic and asthmatic condition on the other hand, is adult-onset. His asthma started when he was in college, although the doctors believed that it might not had been diagnosed early. He would have frequent episodes of lung infections and as a result, just before reaching the age of 30, he was diagnosed of Bronchiectasis, a pulmonary disorder common only to old people.

And our 2 boys, well, the fruit couldn’t be too far from the tree. Much like their parents, they too are born allergic and asthmatic. I remembered countless sleepless nights. My heart breaks to pieces when my little ones couldn’t sleep of persistent coughing or of difficulty in breathing. I am just thankful to GOD for sending me an angel in the form of my very good friend and pediatrician—Dr. Ed Serafica who would not mind my calling or texting in the wee hours to consult about my children.

Our allergies are not just brought about by the food we take, but in everything we are exposed to---food, dusts, strong perfumes, chemicals from the products that we use etc. The allergic and asthmatic episodes are so severe that we avoid precipitating known allergies at any cost. Our game plan had always been prevention.

Two years ago my mom also passed away of the big C—Cancer. It started with her reproductive system, then to her lungs, then to her brain. A year before that, a young son of a very close doctor friend also passed away of a much rarer type of cancer. Such was a promising future snatched out of a young man by this merciless disease. This year, the father of another close friend also passed away of cancer.

Like allergies and asthma, cancer has gotten so common. Most people I know have a relative, a friend, or a friend of a friend who has had cancer. It makes us wonder why thirty to fifty years ago, cancer is not considered a common disease… but yet, it has gotten so prevalent, much like the common colds nowadays. What happened? What had caused this?

Like most families whose beloved succumbed to cancer, we did our own research in order to try to understand and hopefully find ways to prevent it from happening again.

Such was the beginning of our long journey of prevention, disease-management and making smart choices that affected our lives. Our own home-based researches which include several internet searches, reading various books and magazines, interactions with doctor friends and conversations with cancer survivors and known asthmatic friends, led us to discoveries and an understanding that we actually had the power in our hand to arm ourselves---our bodies, for this battle of a “life” time.

One vital lesson we learned was that good nutrition, drinking lots of water, getting enough sleep, stress management and exercise are still the hallmark of wellness and the most inexpensive at that.

Another was that, a lot of the products we take and use are actually doing more harm than good.

For instance, a lot of the soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body washes and other personal care products we buy promises long, soft, smooth, shiny, healthy hair and skin but fail to mention that certain side effects can be traced back to the harsh chemicals such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, and Parabens which they contain. These are controversial chemicals that are considered possible causes of cancer, skin irritations, allergies and neurotoxicity and others.

Pthalates, another common ingredient in shampoos is derived from naphthalene and which can cause congenital anomalies among developing infants…pregnant women please beware!

A quick internet search involving these chemicals would show you several studies that would make one very afraid. If you want to make a specific research on the toxicity level of the current brand you are using, may I suggest that you log on to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

The problem is, a lot of people do not read the labels of the products they buy or if they do, most people do not take the time to understand what these chemicals are for and what the side effects are. Too often, we are smitten by the glossy and beautiful appearances of models endorsing the product which we see on print or on TV.

Another problem is that a lot of personal care products disguise themselves. Most products are so good at highlighting the good and toning down the bad.

A lot are actually labeled as organic, natural, botanicals, aromatherapy, aromacology and other similar sounding terms and yet, they still contain these harmful chemicals.

Hence, it is very important for consumers to read the label. What we should all aim for is to be rid of these chemicals while getting the benefit that Mother Nature had been providing us since the beginning of time. How I wish getting gugo shampoo straight from the gugo plant is as easy as it were many years back.

While I still adhere to home preparation and still maintain a few pots of aloe vera in my garden to mix with other fresh ingredients, it was such a relief to me when I discovered Human Heart Nature, one of the products that ARTIZANS Organics promotes and distributes.

Human Heart Nature was created by Ms. Anna Meloto-Wilk and Ms. Camille Meloto, the daughters of Gawad Kalinga founder, Mr. Tony Meloto.

Motivated by love of GOD and of the Philippines, the vision of Human Heart Nature was to create a line of products that has real health benefits without harming oneself and the environment, at a price that most can afford. You do not have to be rich in order to buy organic, natural products.

Human Heart Nature also consciously uses only Philippine-sourced and grown raw materials to support our local organic farmers. The future plan is to include the different Gawad Kalinga communities to grow these raw materials, as a viable livelihood program. These are values and advocacies that ARTIZANS Organics wholeheartedly support.

Human Heart Nature is a line of personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners, body washes, bug sprays that are sourced from organically grown Philippine raw materials. These do not contain harmful chemicals like the ones I mentioned earlier.

Instead of the strong detergent—Sodium laurel sulfate, Human Heart Nature uses Vegetable Glycerin, a more superior, more expensive yet more healthful alternative. Instead of Parabens as preservatives, Human Heart Nature uses natural preservatives such as Tocopheryl acetate or Vitamin E, royal jelly, honey and others. These are preservatives Mother Nature had been providing us for ages.

Human Heart Nature is a viable substitute to the current brands of personal care products that most people use. One example is a 50 ml Human Heart Nature shampoo which only costs P29.95. For the same budget, you now have a choice between a safe and beneficial Human Heart Nature product, or of other brand products which contain these harmful ingredients.

Most of us are skeptical about the quality and efficacy of the product when it is cheap. Cynics would say that if it’s too good to be true (price wise) it probably is. Well, what I can say is to challenge every one to just try. A shampoo for P29.95 doesn’t really hurt our pockets if in the end we are able to make better choices for ourselves. We challenge anyone with falling hair to at least try the strengthening, less hair fall shampoo for at least a week to see the difference.

It is good to keep in mind too that the main motivation in launching this product is to help people ----the recipient communities: Gawad Kalinga and our organic farmers and the users--- our own Filipino brothers and sisters who have less in life and are the very same ones who would not be able to afford costly medical treatments.

Personally, our family feels so in love from the results we got from using Human Heart Nature products that we decided to become one of the two super distributors in Cebu. While margins as super distributors is not at all lucrative in terms of money value, we feel that Human Heart Nature is an excellent product that all of us should have access to. This is largely an advocacy than business in the strictest sense.

As super distributor, this meant that ARTIZANS Organics takes care of the Cebu-wide distribution and can offer and extend the distributorship arrangement to anyone who is also interested.

To know more about the products, about this income opportunity as agents/distributor, or to place an order, please contact ARTIZANS Organics at (032) 5188343 or email organics@artizans.bz. Orders may be picked up from our office in Mandaue or from our drop-off/pick-up point at Ayala Center Cebu or door to door delivery for a small fee.

There are still other complimentary products that ARTIZANS Organics carries whose availability will soon be announced. Just like Human Heart Nature, these other products are well studied and chosen primarily for the health benefit it brings. Please watch out for announcements as soon as these products are available.

ARTIZANS Organics

Promoting Health
Nurturing Earth
Building the Nation
One Person at a time

To GOD we give all the glory!

Going Green

2009-04-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

What do Natalie Portman, Leonardo DiCaprio and Shangrila Mactan Resort have in common? Not only are they the embodiment of beauty, but there’s definitely more to these recognizable names than meets the eye.

If you are one of the 15 million Filipinos who took the time to switch your lights off last March 28, 2009 from 8 to 9 pm for the Earth Hour, then you would know that there are already several known personalities and celebrities who had become avid spokespersons on green revolution.

Nope, this is not the same as the one coined in the 80’s where people were asked to plant trees, vegetables and fruits. Still a worthy cause back then, but in the present time, the green movement as it is also coined, has taken on a new and much more encompassing coverage.

Several public and private personalities have gone beyond their comfort zone to promote the environment. The pressing and looming concern on global warming brought about by the depletion of natural resources at unprecedented rate, and with all of us feeling the direct effect cannot deny the impending threat to our very own survival. Surely something ought to be done.

The 11th Hour Trailer

Without sounding mellow dramatic, it takes little to realize, that the extreme temperatures we now experience is really out of the usual.

While the heat has not scorched us to oblivion yet, there are those in several miles across the worlds that are directly affected, currently fighting for their very own lives. Mother Nature, normally nurturing and caring, is a force to reckon with when we place ourselves on its worst side.

Last December, for the first time in history, people in Manila experienced extreme cold while for the other parts of the Philippines, summer had arrived much sooner than expected. Our weather bureau, PAG-ASA, whose forecast, I sometimes likened to the predictions of Madame Auring (pun intended here), is in a much more difficult situation now with the weather going haywire. If you must leave the house, I must say that umbrellas are the most versatile of tools you can bring… it works pretty well whether it rains or shines.

For the common tao, one can ask, “what can I do to address the issue of global warming, I am just one person?” Well, the answer is, each and everyone is enjoined to help, doing his or her own share one person at a time.

Spelled out in a more practical terms, I have a few practical tips you can do…

1.)Switch off lights and other electrical equipments when not in use.

Unused electrical appliances continue to take in energy and electrical load when left plugged in. Add up several households that are unmindful of this practice and we are talking about a serious carbon foot print.

Carbon Footprint is the amount of generated carbon emissions, which contribute to accelerating global warming and climate change. This is an indication of the effect one has on the climate in terms of the total amount of greenhouse gases produced as measured in units of carbon dioxide.

What’s more, the natural gas, still the main source of electricity, comes from a fast declining resource buried deep down from the earth’s crust, the key word—fossil fuel.

To make matters worse, our electrical appliances when in use, emits free radicals believed to be harmful to the human body. This is one of the cited sources of premature ageing and skin cancer. No wonder my dermatologist advised me to use sun blocks with UVA and UVB coverage even when staying indoors.

2.)Close the faucets when brushing teeth, shaving or when not in use

We all have the illusion that water is an infinite resource. Well, you are wrong!

If you have lived or had a chance to visit the Middle East, you will know that water is a precious commodity. People are dying because of water, either by lack of it or for an effort to take control of it.

With more than two-thirds of the human body composed of water, we might as well be called water creatures! No water means serious trouble for us all.

We will survive without precious gold or the black gold---oil, but we will certainly not survive without water. It is the vital key to our survival, and yet, we indiscriminately destroy the very source of water. Wastes chemicals are irresponsibly dumped in rivers or seas with poisons finding its way into our water system.

3.)Recycle

In the office, we strive to have paperless transactions, or if we do use papers, we make sure that it is well used up, front and back.

According to the product insert of the organic tea we are currently brewing, one ton of paper takes 2 or 3 times its weight in trees. Now if only trees could talk. No wonder the Ents in Lord of the Rings are mad.

At home, we do save used bottles and plastic containers and give it a second life as dispensers of products we buy in big volume. Even egg shells are used as mulch or natural fertilizer to our plants.

Back in the office, we have launched a new jewelry line called ECO CHIC, making use of the usual trash and converting them to treasures. You have to see our latest accessories made of newspaper beads or the cool colorful pendants from the cuttings of our lowly brooms, among others. The ingenuity and pure talent of our design team never fails to amaze me. I am just very, very proud of them!

We also highly recommend the use of fabric bags when shopping at the supermarket instead of using non-biodegradable plastic bags. I commend SM & Rustans Supermarket for coming up with their reusable shopping bags. My husband so used to the habit that we could never leave home doing grocery shopping without those cool bags.

4.)Be conscientious in our every choice.

It takes 30 days to form a habit. When asked to buy or use something, it is worthwhile to ask one self, “Is there a better, more economical, more responsible way other than this?”

During the Earth Hour countdown at Shangrila Mactan Cebu, those present were asked to write their pledges to support the environment on a used compact disc. As a symbolic gesture, we were asked to hang our disks on a pine tree situated right by the stage. Though the tree looked impoverished lacking the usual lights and glitters, I am reminded of Christmas in a noble and practical way. Now if only every one keeps the promises they made that evening.

Having represented our company, I wrote that we will continue with our GO GREEN initiative. That is, for our local brand ARTIZANS; we will plant one tree for every product sold. With or without recognitions or accolades, we knew this was one of the best decisions we ever made in our company.

In my personal capacity, I wrote, “I promise to use only earth-friendly, organic, biodegradable self-care products for my personal and family use”.

This is actually not just by choice but also by necessity as belonging to a generation of asthmatics, we are all very allergic to several synthetic chemicals. For many years now, using organic products is the only way for us. I will discuss more of this in my next article.

5.)Get informed and be a part of a bigger organization that promotes green living.

To get a healthy gym habit, you are always advised to get a gym buddy. Your gym partner is there to help encourage and motivate you.

This is pretty much the same with any new activity you delve into.

A green buddy as I call it, and I don’t mean Shrek here, should be there to share the latest knowledge and information on green living with you. He or she must encourage you when the going gets rough and tough, probably even to the extent of being able to share, trade or barter some the things he or she has. Now that truly is economical!

6.)Participate in activities that promote Green initiatives.

I am not much of a party-goer anymore. I actually have a body clock that goes off at the strike of 10 in the evening---my exact time to hit the sack when most pubs are just starting to open. I now prefer to spend my evenings with my boys at home doing our nightly rituals, reading books, making up stories, singing. I am now resigned, very well settled to my blissful state of motherhood come evening.

Yet, for the Earth hour, I realized I do need to be one with friends, old and new, who shares the same belief as I. It is good to be affirmed and to know that indeed I am making the right decision. Going green is a commitment and something we should all do, not just for show.

And so at that night, the home buddy that I am, I found myself standing arm in arm with a gorgeous, hunky, very organic date (my husband) in a plush Shangrila Mactan Resort, made even more magical during the lights off with the stars solely illuminating the sky.

If you have missed this momentous event, and you are feeling a slight pinch of guilt due to your indifference, do not despair as Mr. Raymund Bragg, the General Manager of Shangrila Mactan Resort promised that this is going to be a yearly event.

Going green should not be a passing fad but must be the way of life. It is not the other way, but the ONLY way, if we are to ensure the survival of our children and that of our children’s children.

Our fight against issues and factors that affects our environment is real and we ought to dig deep into the good in every one of us and work together for this common cause. As Mr Leonardo Di Caprio said in his video, “Man’s darkest moment is yet to be our finest hour”.

GOOD FRIDAY….its good!

2009-04-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Last holy week, Good Friday to be specific, my husband--Jeff and I did the unthinkable. With a few minutes to prepare and no idea where to head off, we packed our bags and with 2 children aged 5 and 7 in tow, dashed out of our house for an unprecedented, totally unplanned for getaway.

Normally, my vacations revolves around a well-planned schedules plotted months ahead. This compose of mini inventory of my vacation stash and several trips to the malls to make sure my “survival kit” can withstand all major foreseeable disasters, with tsunamis not totally out of the picture. And my husband, he is an epitome of inspector gadget; you can be assured that he always has an extra of something.

I boast of being an extensive planner too, in fact, good enough that I am a member of our production planning team in our office. It was indeed very uncharacteristic of me, so totally against my grain to head to somewhere without so much of a hotel reservation.

Anyway, my husband assured me that it’s going to be fun. So with a long, heartfelt prayer and a 50 watt smile, I gamely gave in to the call of nature unpredictable as we head off south.

Our first stop was a hidden mountain resort whose signage we spotted right by the roadside. It said, 6 kilometers from main road and the picture showed a promising nature adventure, comfortable accommodations and several spring watered pools, we were ready to be surprised! Well, 6 kilometers to our estimate should not be more than a 30-minute drive. In reality, it felt like forever to get there. My youngest Karlo kept saying, ”I think we are lost, we should have a GPS (referring to Global Positioning Satellite)”. I think he had too much of Little Einstein show.

Good that it didn’t rain days before as I could very well see the deep mud tracks that has now hardened and has become deep potholes and humps to contend with. And the surprise, well, we were surprised indeed but not in a good way. Some of the pools look very green, my eldest son Khalil smugly coined it a “toad pond”… he couldn’t be more right!

My spirit was slightly dampened as we head back to highway, but still buoyant, looking forward to the adventure which we don’t really know what yet.

Next stop was a roadside eatery near San Fernando. It was actually a pleasant find as we didn’t expect small outlets to be open on a Good Friday, surprise still to see that they offered pork adobo in their menu, not your usual fare during Lenten season. We packed our own lunch so we only need to buy a few supplements to justify our use of their tables and chairs. The kids ate a hearty lunch and even had a chance to play in the swing nearby… indeed a good way to stretch after a long journey.

At about 1 pm, we traveled onwards still unsure of what the day had in store for us. We marveled at how each town has changed over the years. It must have been more than 10 years the last time we passed by these towns. The former landmarks I still keep in my memory were no longer there. Indeed commercialism has crept in into major town centers with Goldilocks signages now vying for better view over Dunkin Donuts’.

Another stop was the Molave Milk Station for a quick soft ice cream fix, very timely with the sun getting more and more intense. Much to my surprise, the property is owned by the Unchuan’s. So this was the place my friend Marissa (Unchuan) of White Sands Beach Resort was inviting us for several times a few years ago. We have to turn her down since the boys were still very young and their asthma was quite hard to manage back then. The property was very well kept and I saw several dairy cows.

I imagine myself being transported to the typical picturesque New Zealand; I was prepared to see milk maids strutting by. Unfortunately, aside from the small strip allotted for the milk station, the farm is not open to public unless of course you know people in high places like the mistress of the house herself. The family wasn’t around at that time though and with the sun setting, we knew we have to find our hotel soon. We were back on the road in 10 minutes tops.

We then head straight to Club Serena Resort (www.clubserenaresort.com) in Moalboal, working on a lead given by a very picky friend who swears that the place is really nice. Prior to actually reaching the place, we had a few quick stops on various forgettable resorts. I was getting worried, but well, what the heck; I assured myself that these were all part of the adventure.

Club Serena Resort was totally divine specially having eyed several resorts that don’t really come close to it by a mile. We were greeted by the manager on duty which everybody calls Haze, he speaks good English and was very accommodating and knowledgeable of their services and facilities. We had a quick tour of the place, quaint with just 8 single-detached accommodations, a nice swimming pool just right for my boys and a small beach front offering a short walk to reach the crystal clear waters. The manager asked if my husband dives, of which he replied no and pointed to me instead. Well, I had a few scuba escapades in my past life but not anymore. But yes, Moalboal holds a special place in my heart as this is where I had my first dive in Pescador Island holding hands the whole time with my Padi instructor.

My boys had their gelato and pasta carbonara for merienda while Jeff and I had our ginseng coffee and beef empanada with mozzarella cheese. Absolutely wonderful and I very much liked the place that my heart sank several degrees when we were told that they are fully booked. The manager was kind enough to refer us to another resort though and even did the calling and arrangements, service par excellence indeed!

Upon checking the place we were referred to though, Jeff didn’t like it at all and instead, we decided to head off to another strip of resorts nearby. At this time, it was about 4 pm already. The sun was almost setting but we were determined to find a comparable resort to Club Serena. We would probably have been ready to settle for much less except that now, we have a standard to compare all the other nearby resorts with. I was ready to go second rate on several things but not at the expense and comfort of my boys.

If not for the kids, we would probably have asked Club Serena to allow us to camp out at one of the cabanas there. I doubt if Club Serena would allow us though as that would probably be over extending their generosity already.

In a few minutes, we were at Panagsama Beach strip, with rows and rows of resorts on both sides of the road and of which, a few paces leads straight to the beach. The set up is reminiscent of Boracay but the similarity ends there. While I remembered wonderful scuba diving memories in this place, somehow it has lost its magic to me now. Hotel owners did little to improve it or probably driven by constant influx of customers, they have placed little attention to its upkeep. Most of the rooms are full except for one, but with careful thoughts, we decided that it was not worth staying there.

And so with the road now officially dark, we decided to head off back to Cebu but not after spotting a roadside restaurant called Palalong, situated out of nowhere near a cliff in Dumanhug, the town next from Moalboal. I thought I remembered seeing the words “bed and breakfast” but one of the busboys said no when my husband asked if they had a room for the night. I called it divine intervention that I took a few minutes to wash up at the sink as my husband flipped through the menu and found the room rates right on the first page.

Aha! So they did have a room. Apparently, the guy he earlier asked did not really understand the question and conveniently answered “no”. This is something to take note of when talking to somebody, make sure he understands what you are asking…lesson 101 in effective communication indeed!

I was relieved to find the room clean, faucet and aircon running and I must say the view of the Southern part of Cebu and nearby islands from our vantage point were stunning! It was indeed a hidden treasure, that’s not so hidden.

In the morning, we were pleasantly wakened up by the bright sunlight filtered on the window curtain. My little boy still disoriented from the unfamiliar room gave me his sweet smile upon remembering that we were off on a wonderful trip.

Do I feel guilty having spent my Good Friday that way? The answer is absolutely NO.

While I have nothing personal against penance and doing personal sacrifices during the Lenten Season, I have come to realize that no amount of my good works could purchase GOD’s favor and salvation.

In Ephesians 2: 8 to 9, it says,

“For it is by grace that we are saved, through faith---and this is not from ourselves but as a gift of GOD---not by good works so that no one can boast”.

There are days when I do go on fasting and meditation to clear my mind and spend time with GOD. However, I chose not to do it last Friday. After all, I need not please men and conform to their standards and expectations.

And my thoughts on good works? Well, if you have been recipient of the goodness of the Lord, you cannot help but extend the good that you have experienced. Doing good towards others is my way of saying thank you to GOD for the good that He has done in my life. It is never to bribe Him to grant or pardon me for something.

Life lesson from unlikely source...mumps

2009-03-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

I am currently down with high fever and parotid glands swelling due to mumps.

Mumps is a viral disease characterized by fever, headache, muscle weakness, stiff neck, loss of appetite, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands situated along the angle of the jaw and inside the mouth, including the parotid gland located within the cheeks just below the front of the ear. (http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/mumps/fact_sheet.htm)

Mumps is a horrible, horrible viral infection one can have. Not only do I have to contend with the warm, tender and throbbing pains on my parotids but that it also comes with various with aches all over the body. I never felt my back ache as much before and my muscles got this weariness almost similar to when you have over exercised the day before. It’s a horrible feeling at all.

My mumps couldn’t have been timelier. We had a fashion show at Fashion Avenue last night which I have to miss. My cousins had a mini reunion last night too as one arrived from Dubai , 2 arrived from Mindanao and 2 others, graduated from College. The happy reunion with several fun things we could have done was replaced by a quiet dinner at home while I am seated far enough from everyone else wearing mask. I was very hesitant comes picture taking time as I really do not want to document my bloated face. So big, I can now imagine how I might look like if I gain 100 pounds more….its certainly not a sight to behold. Ugggh!

Funny that I actually thought of wearing big baggy clothes with probably some pillows underneath and meet up with some close friends just to see if they’d recognize me. All planning and no actual rendition though as the body ache is just so persistent, I am better off vegetating in bed. Ice packs and paracetamols are my current best friends.

As a designer and head of a design team, to be on top of my game, I make it a point that I study current and up and coming fashion trends at least 15 to 30 minutes a day. Since this mumps appeared, I am just totally uninspired. Nothing ticks, nothing jumps from the various photos and write ups I’ve been reading….just nothing. I cannot even summon myself to write something about fashion (so now you have to contend with my whining). It really is a horrible feeling to be in.

Anyway, if there’s anything good that came out of the mumps, that is, I was forced to stay home.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do love staying home. I love to tend to my garden, to do art activities with my boys, to cook unusual meals etc. However, lately, I’ve just been too busy at work. This past weeks, my day comprise of a quick breakfast, short interaction with the kid, rush to work. And then at the end of the day, it’s picking up kids from school, quick dinner, a few emails then sleep. Most part of my day is just in the office and my work load just keeps piling up. They don’t seem to run out at all.

Well, considering the global economic crisis where various fashion companies are affected, we have nothing short of a miracle in the office with orders coming in almost in a daily basis. While companies have complain of no orders and of losing the market to cheap China prices, we actually have buyers who are putting in much of their business with the company I work for instead of spreading their orders over a number of suppliers. It really is a good place to be in, in business.

In sales and marketing, it is considered good if you have consistent flow of work and YES, I and the company I work for is very thankful for all these blessings. But being consistently busy has its way of creeping up and taking away intangible things too.

I have noticed the overgrowth of the weeds in my garden and the decay of some plants. I have seen our bamboo decorative fences fall off one by one, next thing I knew, we now have this big heap needing real carpenters to put back. I heard my youngest complain, “You are always busy, can you just spend the whole day with me”.

Now that I am forced to stay home because of mumps, my little boy has no compunction coming in and out of my room despite repeated warning that mommy is infectious. Fortunately, being a nurse and after my own research, I learned that masks can sufficiently protect from the transfer of virus and that the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine shots that my children received can protect them too.

In life, we all should take some pockets of time to rest without waiting for the situation to force us into it. Being a health buff and believer of homeopathic therapy, I boast of not being susceptible to diseases. However, being too busy, stressed out, lacking enough rest and sleep, did lower my body’s defense system and guess what, made me vulnerable to mumps.

Nothing is beautiful about mumps, I still wouldn’t wish for any one to have it, not even to my worse enemy. But in a lot of ways, it has taught me a lot about creating a balance, of being thankful for the gift of health and of life, and to give importance to the little other personal things that matters too. Be well!

NURSES UNLIMITED…The gray stocking takes the spotlight

2009-03-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

There’s almost an anti-thesis to fashion when one mentions nurses. What comes up to mind is the immaculately white head to toe get up and a tiny, little head piece sitting just right there at back of the head. There is something obstinate, even ascetic about it.

Of course in some parts of the world, the white get up and the starchy, oh-so-hard-to-stiffen head piece had been dished out, replaced by a funky, bright and much happier ensemble. Nonetheless, the white get up and the head piece had been the stereotype of nurses for many years now.

In my not so distant past, 13 years to be exact, I had been privileged to be called one of the “daughters of Florence Nightingale” otherwise known as nurses. Florence Nightingale also coined as the “Lady with the Lamp” is one of the unsung heroes who have devoted her life in the care of the sick and dying. Famous for her work in the military hospitals of the Crimea, Florence Nightingale established nursing as a respectable profession for women. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/nightingale_florence.shtml)

Known only to family and close friends, not so many people know that I hold a Bachelors degree in nursing and a holder of a certified nursing license at that. After graduating from Cebu Doctors College of Nursing (now Cebu Doctors University), I had a chance to also do a volunteer work as volunteer paramedic at Cebu’s very own version of 911—the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation. What made me shift careers is one I hope to be able to write about in the future.

What I want to write today however, is the little innocuous incidents that happened many years back while I was still a nursing student involving the gray stockings.

You see, my alma mater, has a rather unique, according to one teacher, very European nursing student hospital uniform. This involves a set of a pink tops, white apron, dark gray stockings, black shoes and the little headpiece that we have to laboriously starch until it stands and iron on high setting. All except the stockings are dispensed at our school pantry at the beginning of our hospital work.

At that time, with few malls to choose from, we are at a mercy of a very few selections of stockings. We really had a hard time finding the right shade of gray, much more finding the panty hose version. Most often, we’d ended up getting the extra long sock type stockings with a garter on top to hold it in place whose life span is comparable to that of a disposable coffee filter. With its rarity and our limited budget to boot, we’d ended up using the stockings over and over again despite the sagging garter line. Quite frankly, nobody suggested garter belts, but I reckon, it must have been hard to find at our malls at that time too.

They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions. I don’t know who ingeniously started it all, but one suggested we put a one peso coin to the garter line and fold it twice and voila! your little secret is safe and you have a stationary garter in place ----or so we thought.

Indeed, this little one peso secret was put to test one uneventful day.

There was nothing out of the ordinary that morning. I was doing my usual hospital routine, one of which was to give NGT ( Naso gastric tube) feeding to a patient. I was holding the feeding bottle over head waiting for the liquefied food to flow through the tubing when to the surprise of my patient’s family members; they heard a clanking and rolling of a coin followed by a slow yet sure descent of the infamous gray stockings.

At that moment, I feel the earth just swallowed me whole. I remembered wanting to run away and cry of embarrassment, but the task at hand (remember the NGT feeding), made me stay put.

Of course, like any incident, it did pass and in no time I had gotten over it. The gray stocking remained one of our favorite topics though whenever our batch mates in college meet up fondly adding their own tribute story to it.

I also recalled one former classmate saying that her very own gray stocking, very untimely choose to take center stage during the doctor’s round. The doctor she was accompanying couldn’t hide his wide-eyed surprise with the gray stocking, with all its glory, cramped up at my classmate’s ankles. Up until now, I couldn’t quite manage to conjure the image of it without getting laughing fits.

What I remembered most about my years as a nursing student though was what our Dean of College of Nursing, Dr. Ofelia Sisno, asked us during one of the subjects she handled.

She said “If you encounter a patient you’ve met for the first time, do you know that person? And do you know how to care for that person?” Most of my classmates, perhaps thinking of possible lawsuits and that nurses should not play doctors, said “No”. However, in a class of about 30 students, one answered “Yes”. “Please elaborate” Dr. Sisno said. And the student answered “ I know enough that I am dealing with a human life and that the person is created by GOD, and therefore I should care for him in the best way I can, in the best way I know as I assess his condition”. Very poignantly spoken and indeed, a true reflection of CDCN’s motto “Primum Homo Esto” or “ Let him first be a man”.

As what Doctor Ofelia Sisno, would tirelessly say to us day after day…” Dare to Care”…now, there’s nothing unfashionable about that at all.

And the gray stocking….well thankfully, with the advent of new technologies, it has gotten its own make over, over the years.

If you have your own story to tell about this adorable gray stocking or of a memorable experience being a nurse, please, write me at fashionscapes@gmail.com. I don’t have budget to pay but who knows we’d be able to make a good compilation of stories.

Lead-free, Nickel-free what’s the BIG deal?

2009-03-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

There are various selections of fashion jewelry that floods the market today. While this offers us excellent choices that fit all sorts of tastes and budget, there is a hidden danger lurking behind those unassuming treasures that we ought to know about.

With the exception of a handful of knowledgeable and discerning consumers, very few people know the implication of the word nickel-free and lead-free.

What then does nickel-free and lead-free means, and why should the public be concerned about it?

Nickel has been known to be the most common source of skin allergies. The reaction to it could range from a simple appearance of itchy, or blotchy red rashes to a more severe reaction characterized by wheals, pus formation and at some cases causing deformities.
When detected early, this can be easily remedied by removing the nickel-containing article and a dose of an anti-histamine medication but in severe cases, this requires a more intensive medical intervention. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nickel-allergy/DS00826/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs)

Due to this damaging effect, U.S., several other western countries and the whole of Europe has totally banded the presence of nickel in their jewelry.
Unfortunately in Asia and in third world countries, such regulation does not exist or even if it does, this is not seriously monitored and implemented.

While the wearer may not be allergic, there is such case as secondary nickel allergic reaction. This happens when a non-nickel sensitive person gets in contact with a nickel-sensitive person. A simple hand shake could illicit similar response as when the person gets in contact with a nickel-containing item first hand. Unfortunately for the affected person, he or she would most likely not have known where the allergy came from.

In the U.S., ingestion of lead containing jewelry has been one of the leading causes of lead poisoning among children. So much so that the U.S. government has passed on a strict regulation with regards to lead content not just in the fashion jewelry but also among toys, paints and several other household products as well.

Exposure to lead even in slow incremental doses through skin contact could overtime still lead to poisoning.

I have known a wonderful lady who had been in the fashion jewelry business for more more than 15 years now. She is a hands-on designer who strings and assembles the prototypes of her jewelry herself. While doing so, she got into the habit of putting beads into her lip ready to be strung.

Just last year, she has been in and out of the hospital for various medical diagnosis and treatments. She complains of unexplained fatigue, nervousness, tremors, prolonged diarrhea and others, the diagnosis---lead and mercury poisoning.
She has undergone chelation and several other treatments with the hope of flushing the toxins out. But her condition was rather far too advanced when she found out about it.

How are we to know that the jewelry we are buying is lead-free and nickel-free?

1.) Buy from reputable source

In general, branded jewelry from US and Europe has a standing government regulation to ensure that they only sell lead and nickel-free jewelry. The sanctions are quite severe so most companies comply.

From my experience in exporting fashion jewelry to various brands abroad, all the samples and a random selection from the volume produced items, undergoes testing once it reaches the country of destination.

Likewise, most of the big brands, only work with manufacturing companies that has been audited by a reputable, independent auditing body to ensure not only that the jewelry is safe but that it is produced responsibly.

This is probably the reason why authentic brands also cost higher and why we should all be wary of imitations.

Of course this doesn’t mean that we should only buy expensive branded products.
I believe there are a lot of Filipino companies and manufacturers who have taken the moral obligation to have their products tested.

Take for instance the flip flop brand—Havaianas. While this is a non-filipino brand, yet the Filipino distributor took the initiative of voluntarily recalling the Havaianas flip flops for kids as a precautionary measure for possible lead content. I don’t know Ms. Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Terry S.A. the Havaianas Philippines Distributor personally, but I think that it was quite admirable for their company to do what they just did. Putting the safety of the consumer even at the possible loss of profit, is one that other businessmen could learn from.

2.) Read the label

Companies who have undergone and passed nickel and lead testing are confident to put the word—“hypoallergenic” or nickel-free and lead-free into their label.
In the brand “IMPRESSIONE “ and “ARTIZANS” which I personally endorse, we are guaranteed of the items being lead-free and nickel-free.

For the rest of the brands out there, if there are no labels, then ask the sales lady or the company.

In this time and age, communications are relayed in variety of means, choose one that suits you. It might also be worthwhile if one could just make a quick internet research about the company or brand.

3.) If its too good to be true, it probably is

I have a personal confession to make; I am a sucker for cheap bargains. I’d feel good getting the things I want for a fraction of its cost. I’m one of those buyers who’d befriend a salesgirl so that somehow she can call or text me in case my coveted product goes on sale.

Overtime, I have gotten wiser though. Some cheap items actually come with a hidden hefty price tag… your very own health included.

Having known the materials and labor cost involved in producing decent and safe fashion jewelry, getting a pair of earring at P30 for me is rather questionable.

My suggestion is, if the price is too cheap; get a quick inventory of what makes the item cheap.

For instance, if the materials are made of shells or wood or other locally produced components, and there aren’t too many big pieces of metals on it, then perhaps getting the item for a little less than P100 is okay. If a metallic chain necklace cost less than a hundred, I serious doubt if its nickel or lead-free.

4.) Do a personal testing

Your local ACE or TRUE-Value hardware store might carry a local nickel-testing kit that allows one to do their own nickel-testing. Just ask for Nickel-testing kit and the salesperson should be able to locate this for you if they have it on stock.

Of course I am only talking about fashion jewelry here. There are still many other products we use everyday that we should take the time to check. Reading the labels and ingredients for instance, should be a habit, we all should develop.

(photo credit: http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk)

Silver Linings

2009-02-14T23:30:00.000-08:00

When America sneezes the rest of the world catches the cold. We have heard this said often enough. But the recent global economic crisis left a lot of proof of this old adage lying around. A lot of Filipinos are definitely experiencing the full blown flu with companies closing left and right leaving several thousands even millions of people jobless. There is a palpable feeling of gloom and doom among the working sector.

Yet to every dark cloud, there is always a silver lining waiting to be discovered. Filipinos as we are, we are known for our tenacity and resilience. We are the Juans or Juanas who chooses to sell ice candies and halo halo during the El Ninos and Kape at Tsokolates during the El Nina’s. We know how to laugh even during our hardest fall. Our history books have a lot to tell about this, from the World War II, to the Asian economic Crises, to the 20 year regime of a dictator. For those who lived through these decades, they are not only survivors but winners in their own rights.

Indeed, we do not allow momentary difficulties to hinder us from achieving our goals. We have the innate indomitable fighting spirits in all of us. We have proofs of Filipinos excelling in their chosen field given the right opportunities, such as the likes of Filipino achievers –Lea Salonga conquering the broadway scene, Fashion byword—Monique Lhuillier, Furniture-maker Kenneth Cobonpue or the GenSan hero Manny Pacquaio.

For some of us who may have the fair share of difficulties brought about by this recent economic crisis, we need not look very far though. We can look deep into ourselves and ask, ‘what can I do today that would change my situation?”

The answer could be as simple as changing one’s lifestyle, simple budgeting or getting an alternative or added source of income. Whatever it is, the important thing is that we do not succumb to fear and allow uncertainties take a hold on us to decide our future.

There will always be a silver lining waiting to be discovered. And as the Source of all wisdom says: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)

This fundamental truth will certainly never go out of style.

New Year Musings

2009-01-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

The entry of the New Year---2009 is quite remarkable for me.

First of all, it’s the first Christmas break that I didn’t stress myself too much shopping for gifts. I started doing my Christmas shopping as early as June last year. Boy, what a difference that makes comes December. I was able to spend more time just sitting back and enjoying quiet time with my family at home. It was good to miss the traffic for a while and avoid all the holiday rush.

Second, I am proud to say that I accomplished about 90% of what I wrote in my wish list of things to do. Sure, over the years, I got wiser by choosing only those achievable wishes, but that’s beside the point.

The point is, for the first time, I was able to give myself the highest personal rating in accomplishing my “to do” list and I am ecstatic about it.

Simple things which I deemed important but which my every day busy life has put aside, has finally gotten center stage last holiday break.

I was able to update my scrapbook (I have to print over 150 photos from my digital camera to get all the photos), gone through my closet and did a serious inventory, and last but not least, finally started this new website.

Other stuff like getting a good beauty pampering which includes a trip to my favorite saloon or finally watching the entire episode of the animation series I’ve been hoping to watch, were also some of what I achieved from my list. However, the first three (3) accomplishments I mentioned earlier were the ones I considered the greatest last December.

On updating scrapbooks---I realized that life will always dish us a mixture of good and bad experiences. It’s a cycle and it is part of living. But what makes the bad ones bearable is by acknowledging that as a cycle, it will come to pass. By looking at happy memories on our scrap books remind us that just like in the past, good times will surely come and that life is worth living.

On going through my closet---I am a self-confessed bag lady. I mean, I have this habit of I accumulating things mostly due to sentimental reasons. My husband finds it acceptable probably even cute (or maybe not) that I keep things like my baby’s first tooth, tufts of hair from my sons’ first hair cut etc.

However, in the matter of clothing, over the years I realized that there are just too much and too many things that I have accumulated. Prior to my cleaning, more than half of the clothes hanging in my closest has not been worn for more than 6 months, the space it’s sitting on could use some breather.

I have finally let go of the favorite pants that are now slightly out of shape, the turquoise blue haltered blouse given by a friend that looks cute but unbefitting my personality, these, and many other caboodles.

In a way, the whole closet cleaning became a personal fashion inventory for me. I realized that I owned quite a lot of black, white and cream colored clothes. And while I sometimes buy trendy and experimental-designed clothing, I always seemed to go for the classics.

It is quite a relief finding that after being self critical of what to keep and what not to keep, I still have a good array of decent outfits. With a critical eye, right fashion accessories, good posture and winning personality, I believe I am ready for 2009.

I encourage all of you to do the same. New Year doesn’t necessary mean a totally whole new you or a total head to toe make over. For some, it might just mean a simple updating or of seeing the same you in a new, different light.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!

About Me

2008-12-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

I have always been fascinated by fashion. I find it amusing that a lot of people think of it as trivial and frivolous without realizing that fashion actually has a great positive contribution in the society that we live in. Fashion is one of the forces that shapes and forms our economic landscapes. It is one of the driving forces behind many of the multi billion businesses we see nowadays which in turn provide jobs and livelihood.

Fashion is certainly more than just choosing the right color or the right cut. After all, a well delivered speech would lose its sincerity and impact if delivered by someone who is not dressed appropriately. Nobody would take one seriously if they are dressed like a clown so to speak. Through fashion, passions are rekindled, power deals are closed, and a gloomy disposition is lifted up. In more ways than one, fashion affects us.

Personally, a big part of my life has been about fashion. I had the privilege to be on both sides of the equation, that of being a consumer and that of a designer and manufacturer.

As a consumer, I can relate to the exhilaration one feels after purchasing the much sought after “it” shoes at 30% discount or of finding the perfect clutch for the latest acquired mini dress.

Likewise, fashion has carved a career path for me. Having worked both as Sales and Marketing Manager and Designer for an international fashion accessory company for almost 10 years now, I was also given the rare opportunity of working with established designers of well known brands abroad. It is truly very inspiring to work with some of the geniuses in the fashion industry and get a glimpse on how a certain design takes shape.

Also, I find it a privilege to have access to the most expensive forecasting tools and of knowing the up and coming trends at least one to two seasons ahead.

Far from being a fashion expert, these experiences have somehow given me quite a unique perspective which others may find interesting. In the course of these various exposures and influences, I have come to know what works and what doesn’t personally work for me in fashion.

It is indeed with these varied personal and career exposures that I have decided to put up an online site. I hope to share my knowledge and experiences and hopefully also learn from others with the same interest as I, through this online interaction.

Early on, I also just want to inform that the opinions expressed in this site are purely my personal opinions or that of my guest writers.