Thursday, March 25, 2010

SWIMSUITS AHOY!

The most anticipated vacation of the year is just a few days away with the ushering Holy Week. While we endeavor reminiscing the passion of the Christ and strictly observing conservative Christian traditions, it is also the that time of the year - for some - to escape from the city, just unwind, do some soul-searching or simply go beach bound. Ask me then and I'll tell you, oh baby, let's cruise!

Get ready to full-swing into the holiday mood by choosing the best swimsuits that reveal all your curves under the heat of the sun - and some watchful eyes. This summer, upbeat and trendy brand COCCO sails away with well-striped bikinis in different cuts, colors and all together, with huge nautical flair.

Priced only at P749.75 each, you can already portray the role of a beach diva on a leisure inter-island tour aboard a yacht - perhaps getting some tan or enjoying a cocktail drink while still looking heavenly good and sexy in COCCO's latest resortwear.


Stripe it rich with this bikini set - also a little resemblant of Halle Berry's swimsuit in James Bond


Go girly-flirty by the beach in this swimsuit with a touch of Sailor Moon.



Turn others green with envy with this two-piece striped green bikini.



Full curves ahead: this two-piece swimwear is good for hour-glass shaped women.



This one-piece bathingsuit is truly a sweetheart.



Get sun-kissed in this young, colorful bikini set.

COCCO is located at the Annex Bldg. of SM City North EDSA, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Metroeast, The Landmark Makati and The Landmark Trinoma. Or visit http://www.houseofcocco.com/.




Wednesday, March 24, 2010

SUMMER FEVER WITH COCO MARTIN

No more teasing and guessing this time - I am sure that lots of people who travel through EDSA everyday have now seen WADE's new billboard ad campaign starring the hot and controversial COCO MARTIN. Isn't summer already feverish enough to add a sizzling male actor as the brand's first celebrity endorser?

I have to tell this, George and I, especially George, are huge fans of Coco. We belong to those people - girl, boy, bi, bakla, tomboy - who would swoon, giggle and get smittened with Coco's boyish grin and very kilig Pinoy charm. Hailed as the king of local Indie films, Coco has developed into more dramatic, serious and character roles, making him hotter and more versatile than ever! When WADE's owner, Ms. Bogs Lee called us to style for this shoot, it was more than a project - it was a indeed blessing, a wonderful dream that came true!

Please check out WADE's summer ad campaign and just like us, go loco over Coco Martin! Wade branches are located at Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Manila, SM Clark, SM Southmall, SM Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, Glorietta 3, Marquee Mall, Eastwood Mall, Market Market, The Shops Greenhills, Robinsons Place Manila and Robinsons Galleria. Or visit http://www.wade.com.ph/.








Saturday, March 20, 2010

WHITE NOW!

As we enter a new decade in fashion, SHAPES has rediscovered that less is more all over again for summer. Beyond the frills, bold patterns and flower blooms prevalent during this hot season, the local brand goes back to ever-reliable white pieces that usher in fresh sophistication. There are easy, breezy tops with Safari vibe, to pretty small dresses with some embroidery, and long, sexy pieces that billowed and frilled.

Check out the new ad campaign of SHAPES with celebrity sisters Toni & Alex Gonzaga (billboards scattered at Guadalupe, GMA-Kamuning, Cubao-Edsa and C5), which was shot entirely at Tagaytay Highlands. For SHAPES, summer is blistering hot - but donning white is simply cool.



Sisters Toni & Alex are both radiant in their respective white ensembles.


Spice up your white dress shirt and make it look Safari-inspired with a khaki bottom.


Toni looking fresh and sophisticated in this white dress with embroidered patterns.


Alex blooms in this white peasant top made spunkier with simple colorful layering.



Thursday, March 18, 2010

IN LIMBO

Congratulations to Wesley Villarica, photographer and a fave collaborator, for his new baby he named LIMBO. The newly-opened bar-cum-art gallery was launched recently attended by some of Manila's fashionable and die-hard "partynistas".

Man of the moment Wesley V. with super pretty actress Rhian Ramos

Shu Uemura's Omar Ermita with model Maike Evers

Art director Joel Catapang gets his share of booze

Stylist Rosario Herrera


Wesley with fellow photographer, Dix Perez

Frank Briones with Phil. Star's Ana Kalaw


Party to the max!

The ever-cuddable Wesley, who also owns Parallax Studio, now has better reasons to party harder, chillax or perhaps get instantly drunk after a gruelling task of shooting. Check out some of these tempting treats, drinks and concoctions that will certify that Limbo rocks!


While we angelic creatures opt to stay in heaven (where we belong), it would be a nice idea to visit Limbo once in a while to get some cocktails, unwind and just chill. Limbo is located at 31st St. cor. 1st Ave., The Grand Hamptons Tower 2, Fort Bonifacio Global City.
(Photos coutesy of Limbo)

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

I SCREAM, ICE CREAM!!!

OK Joubert, I must admit I can no longer stand this kind of summer heat brought about by the pestering El Nino phenomenon (does it always have to be present during summer and wreak havoc everywhere?). Add to that the escalating 2010 election madness, I just know I am experiencing some sort of a heat stroke! With your invitation to visit Cold Rock and have some of your tempting, precious ice cream, hell yeah, I am already smiling with the thought of giving in!

Cold Rock Ice Creamery is Australia’s leading homegrown super premium ice cream brand. With the opening of its first branch at the Fort Strip Mall at Bonifacio Global City, Cold Rock introduced Filipinos to the ultimate experience via its unique and exciting “mix-in” concept “that allowed customers to dream up their own ice cream creations and watch their frozen treats come to life right before their eyes”, says Joubert Yao, Marketing Manager of Cold Rock Philippines.





At Cold Rock, customers get to choose their favorite ice cream flavors and select the mix-ins that they would like to have. Mix-ins are fruits, confectionery and pastry treats that a person can pick to customize his/her ice cream concoction, like imported Australian fudge, candies and berries to classic Filipino favorites Chocnut and choco mallows! The customer’s choice of ice cream and mix-ins are then mixed and smashed on the “Cold Rock,” a patented frozen granite slab that prevents that ice cream from melting during the fun mixing process.

Cold Rock is made from the finest Australian dairy and ingredients, ensuring only the very best quality ice cream in terms of taste and creaminess. The brand has over fifty flavors and carries an even wider variety of mix-ins that is regularly added to – a great way to cool us down this summer!

Since the brand was founded in 1996 in Queensland, Australia, Cold Rock has grown to seventy stores in Australia alone. Cold Rock now has franchises in the Middle East, Singapore and Indonesia. In the Philippines, customers can enjoy Cold Rock ice cream at convenient locations at The Fort Strip Mall, Greenbelt 3, and Trinoma.

Alright Joubert, as you promised, gimme my Cold Rock now! Calling on Mela, Mayone, Geo and Patrick, too!

It's fruits galore with FRUITY FROST.




CHOCOLATIER is an overload for real choco lovers.



No reason to feel bitchy with PEACHES n' CREAM.



It's very tempting, it's BERRYLICIOUS!

Monday, March 15, 2010

WADE GOES LOCO THIS SUMMER!

Tease as you please! This summer, footwear and accessory brand WADE adds extra heat by launching a billboard ad campaign that features a new and exciting product celebrity endorser - very soon! So while others go loco at the moment, I would assume that their guess is as good as mine!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

SLITHERIN'

Attention dinggers! My partner in crime, George, recently handed me these – two pairs of gorgeous shorts made of faux python skin. One was in dark gray, the other in lighter gray. OMG, I was bitten right there and then!




Faux python skin shorts given to me by George - how twit!


Of course, it will take lots of guts and insistent prayers for me to wear one of these. If only I was blessed with the kilometric legs of iconic Melanie Marquez, or even so, the flawlessness of MUA/friend Bobby Carlos… But heck, it’s summer, and I love trotting in tapered shorts!

Having known Geo’s talent for spotting fab but cheap thrills, you’d be more surprised to know that each pair costs only P35 at Divisoria! Super mura, as in! These rubbery snakeskin shorts instantly reminded me of Prada S/S 2010 for men – bold, wild and adventurous! Steal the look as provided below by pulling on a knit top, finish off with a pair of statement sunglasses and leather flats – then you’re off to a weekend Safari or on to a luxury holiday cruise! Don’t you just slither?!


Runway look from Prada S/S 2010 for men
(photo from GQ.com)


Steal the look:

Faux snakeskin shorts (P35) at Divisoria; Gray knit vest (P2750) by Zara; Aviator shades (P199) by SM Department Store; White oversized silver-trimmed bag (P1500) by Baggets at Bobon; Black leather flats with suede trims (P1599) by Wade.











THE HOUSE OF COCCO

Calling all shopping divas! Want more discounts on your inner and outer wardrobe requirements? Then checkout upstart brand COCCO, the quirky new concept store that fuses intimate wear with trendy and spunky ladies apparel.

You may visit COCCO's website by logging and signing on http://www.houseofcocco.com/ to receive an e-coupon (sample layout below) with 20% DISCOUNT when you purchase regular-priced items (intimate wear, trendy garments and accessories). Limited offer only. Valid only at COCCO outlet at the 3rd Level, Annex Bldg., SM City North EDSA. See complete mechanics as specified in the website.



Sample e-coupon from COCCO - not for valid use!


OH DAVID TANG!

We’ve been smittened lately by model import Benjamin Tang, whose current sexy billboard for Bench Body is an awesome sight for girls, faux girls and perhaps everybody in between, somewhere along EDSA, Makati. But I think one is not enough. Here comes the younger version, David – thank God, we’re so blessed with young, beautiful things!

David, at 22, is half-German, quarter-Vietnamese, and quarter-Chinese. Presently under the management of Reco Models, David hails from Munich, Germany. He stands 1.88 meters, and is blessed with flawless white skin, lean body with washboard abs, red lips, slightly chinky eyes, and a boyish charm to die for. Once he flashes his angelic but killer smile, oh my, welcome to heaven!

When asked about his dream girl, he particularly likes those who are intelligent and clever. “They should know what they want and if it matches with my dreams, she is perfect.” Calling all girls – yun clever lang please!!!



(Photo courtesy of David)

BTS: David readies his pose for the camera.

BTS: George relishing the moment!
BTS: Joan B. shooting David with fellow model
BTS: Lucky me with David!


(I’d like to thank Toff de Venecia and SM Boys Teens Wear for the pictures used in this article. Please watch out for the summer ad campaign we shot starring the ever-wafu David.)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

IT'S STORMING BIKINIS!!!

Beachcombers, beware! We are on red alert, not because of the raging tsunami brought about by the recent tremor in Chile, but by sexy female bodies clad in the latest SASSA swimswear – all ready to conquer brave shores and challenge everyone for a showdown underneath the surging summer heat!

Now on its second year, SASSA went full-force again with a parade of heavenly bodies that recently glided the catwalk of 360 Restobar at A-Venue in Makati by showcasing swimsuits in variety of cuts, colors and prints. Despite the heavy EDSA traffic that day, the event was a success thru the heroics of Marketing Manager Ms. Rossana Unson. The show was also hosted by hottah hottah Juddha Paolo, and was co-presented by Hawaiian Tropics, Ipanema, Caylabne Bay Resort and Lay Bare Waxing Salon.

For us (who were calling the shots behind-the-scenes throughout the fashion show), the best attribute of the entire collection was that SASSA has covered the bases for women of different body types (not to mention they are priced reasonably against competing imported labels). Designer Gertie Hermanos’ clever use of bright & earth solids plus bold printed pieces gave women more options to mix and match bikinis while basking under the sun.


Flaunt your best assets in a classic black two-piece number.
Girls would surely wanna have fun in this sea-bright striped tankini.
Create a sexier statement with an eye-catching, curve-revealing white maillot.
Sexy Back: Pair off a sexy bikini bottom with a rash guard that looks good for boyish frames.
Conservative girls can opt for shorts while donning loud prints to snatch some attention.
Petite and skinny girls would look taller in this green and dark brown combination.
Bold accessories such as this starfish hairclip and oversized loop earrings
(by George Palmiano) add more oomph to this beach getup

My Ultimate Pick: Model Manette Mercado looking sexy in a
sweetheart top without having to bare much.

SASSA’s Rossana Unson & Gertie Hermanos gamely pose with the models after the show.


Checkout SASSA Swimwear at The Landmark Makati & Trinoma, and Robinsons Department Stores nationwide. Or visit their website at www.sassa.com.ph.