Last Week in Photos

Just let the good vibes coming!!! I so love last week!

PdP Blogger Hangout

It has been months since I was with PdP in an event, and this is already their third blogger hangout! Always a pleasure going to PdP’s events because they’re fun, and you really cannot run out of stuff to talk about. Plus, I love that these events are not-your-usual-events and is more intimate than others. I think it’s a good example how brands should conduct their events.

* Video by the Nomad Manager

Toe in Manila with Hanna and Pebbles

I will have to say that the last centavo of what seemed to be my measly savings went to my Toe ticket. No regrets though! I haven’t been in a rock concert, much more in a post-rock concert, and Toe was such a great band to watch and experience!! I wish I can show you how the drummer looked like when he was spacing out and just banging on his drums – he was so surreal! But unfortunately, even point-and-shoot cameras weren’t allowed. REALLY TERNO PRODUCTIONS? WHY?!

* Video grabbed from a random Youtube-r, hehe

The Hunger Games with Team DGNTY

And yes, the most awaited film of the quarter IMHO hit the big screens last week!! And I have to thank Hunger Games Philippines for the superb seats! I really don’t wanna spoil but there were so many good scenes, excellent even – and it was the best book-to-film adaptation there is, so far! The casting, the production design, the cinematography, the editing, the costume design, what else?! It’s so perfect, it deserves a repeat watch this Thursday!!! See you, fangirls!

EXO dance practice with Toff and Miko

And… I am trying to dance again… Hey, no judgment, I really used to dance, some five years ago! But that’s a long time already haha, so it really helped that Toff and Miko were really patient when I didn’t get the steps easily. I really missed dancing, and was really planning to enroll in a studio this summer. At least I get to start shedding off some rust now, hehe.

Honestly, all my muscles now are like on strike. Even just lifting a glass of water hurts my whole arm… THE WHOLE ARM, I TELL YOU! Am not complaining, but is that how long I’ve been without real physical activity? I better start getting used to this, lawlz.

But indeed, it was still an epic of a week!!!
Still felt like my birthday week, tbh.

Vincent Moon in MNL

I have to credit Hanna for being such a great source of information! I still got to go even at short notice, also albeit all the plans I make for Thursday nights. Like really. Thursday is the new weekend.

Big Bad Wolf in The Fort is the perfect place for such gatherings… There’s a big blank wall, couches, and board games! But of course, we didn’t get to play… we were there to watch the Take Away shows by Vincent Moon (Mathieu Saura) who has traveled around the world to capture different indie bands perform in the streets (or just perform anyway. He just finds new ways to film music and musicians.) It was a kind of surreal moment for me and my friends as we ourselves have dreamed for the longest time to travel the world. Double whammy for Hanna for wanting to do exactly what Vincent has been doing in the last 10 years.

Like, really? Ten years of traveling? On minimal budget, on a backpack, and only with your camera? It’s a dream, yes. Us, wide eyed, and him eyeing us to donate. It was a fundraiser after all – to support an artist, a fellow dreamer who has been living the dream. (Oh why am I being so dreamy now.)

Here’s to continuing the passion, Vincent! I may be financially incapable right now, but I want you to know that people appreciate what you’re doing!

Treat yourself to some Vincent Moon-lovin’ here:

http://vincentmoon.com

P.S. He’s here for three weeks (I think on his second week now already) so if you see Vincent Moon, say hi. He’s super nice!

February Roundup

I’ve been a lazy blogger. Oh forgive me.
Here are some photos/stuff I should’ve blogged days ago, but I kept on going home late *hic* and/or was just too lazy. Just lazy. Errrr.
My #MarchWish is to be a more diligent blogger (haha!) and to freaking save some money.

Anyway, I digress!
Teehee!

***

Post V-date with Coco and Frank

This Spinach and Artichoke cheese dip is seriously clogging my arteries. SO GOOD! I’ll suggest though, if you can request to replace the toast with some more pita, do it. I miss eating at Cyma!! By far, is still the best Mediterranean place in Mega Manila!

My staple order when having Greek at the middle of the day – Lamb Gyros with potato wedges. I really can’t say if the Gyro in Cyma shrunk, but I remember having bigger ones then. Nevertheless the taste still didn’t change. If only I can have this everyday… I’ll have a year only to live, haha! So sinful!

Gandiz!!! Virginal!!! LOL!

Watched The Vow after… with all the hype and cheesiness going on. I didn’t know what to expect after watching it, but after knowing that it was based on a true story, I came to appreciate the story. I really haven’t moved on from One Day and we still watched a depressing love story. Oh, why do I do this to myself? *laughs very hard*

Yuck, I look so fat here!!! And red!

This was the last V-date I had for that week. It was crazy though, I drank everyday, except for V-day itself because it was the busiest. Didn’t regret any of it though. Now, I let my liver rest.

***

Thysz’s birthday!

I love how the clouds were so perfect on Thysz’s birthday!!! You know my love for clouds… they kinda predict for me whether the day would be good or bad. Yeah, I’m weird like that.

Fierce sisters!!!!!!!!!!

 Words aren’t enough to express my gratitude and respect for Mama Thysz and how she really taught me so much for only a little time. Also for giving me a chance of a lifetime to work with her in the company in its infancy stage. Thank you Mama Thysz!!!

***

Vincent Moon Night with Pate and Hanna

It’s always fun hanging out with these two girls (feel ko kasing girl din ako, chos!) But seriously, it’s been months since I saw them, so I really really miss them! We went to Moon’s Take Away Show screening at Big Bad Wold (which really deserves to be visited again!) As promised, I’ll do a separate blog post on this wonderful, laid back event.

AND OH! It’s Hanna’s birthday today!!! Tweet @cotober and greet her!!!

***

It’s MARCH already!!! It’s my favorite month. Huzzah for my birthday month! And in traditional Jonver fashion, I’ll be calling it __th of March. Also it used to be vacation month, but whatever happened to it — I feel so old not having summer vacations at all!

But I really want to get away, even for just a couple of days, if only I didn’t use up all my savings… again! I really need to save up godamnit.

Dr. Martens reopens in the Philippines!!!

Imagine how happy Doc Martens lovers here in Manila were when the beloved shoe brand announced they’re opening in The Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City! A lot of us were frustrated because there is not one outlet that sell trusty ol’ DM boots before. So when it reopened its doors again to Manilenos, there is no way we would miss it!

14-holes!!!! Oh love.

Mantons, Desert boots, Tassel loafers, and Bennets

Everyone was wearing their favorite Docs

Dr. Martnes Philippines is located at The Fort Strip – in a container van! Very cool concept! It looks like pop-up shop, but when we asked around, the people working there actually told us it’s here to stay! OH JOY!!!!

Dinner break at Burger Avenue

Radiactive Sago Project plays for Dr. Martens Philippines opening

Borgy Manotoc hosts the giveaway

Thrifted blazer, Basic white v-neck, H&M purple plaid scarf, Penshoppe semi-glossy pants, Thrifted (from Karl Leuterio) boots, Bags of Love UK leather holdall bag

Bloggers United 2

I will have to apologize for the blurred photos. This is Jonver in shopping mode :P

I am very prepared when the Bloggers United bazaar was announced. I know which stores to go to already. What I didn’t prepare though is my time. I had a meeting early in the morning. So what I only saw in David‘s booth was these signs, LOL! Seriously, kidding aside, all the stuff I wanna buy from David was swept clean. Better luck next time, I guess…

Accessories from Gelo Arucan! I wanna buy the Born This Way but I forgot to!

Unisex Accessories, curated by JP Singson

Karl + Mike + Bosquejo booth!

Sino itong bakla na lagi kong kasamang magshopping?! ALAMIN. Chos!

The Plump Pinay has a very nice booth! CAN YOU BELIEVE I scored a hoodie from them (that I don’t have a photo now!) Aside from the perfect fit, I love the vintage Rolling Stones illustration. SCORED… OH YEAH!

Jen, Angel, Ava

The sellers at Divine Lee/Tim Yap/Victor Basa‘s booth we’re very kind! 1. They gave me a discount for V’s vintage boots, 2. There was a lotto ticket in V’s shoes and they gave it to me na lang haha AND 3. I left my DSLR at their booth and they were kind enough to keep it!!!! I WAS REALLY WORRIED! But I am so proud of them for being honest. *fist pump* tayo mga Ate!

Gold Dot team! No I didn’t buy a pair of shoes for myself from Gold Dot (asa naman sa malapad kong mga feet) but I scored booties from internationally known blogger Karl Leuterio! It was the right fit and it’s ITALIAN. I can ask for nothing more!

Sorry for the lack of photos, especially that of my purchases. But all in all I just spent something over a thousand pesos for TWO BOOTS and a HOODIE. It’s like I went to ukay but I just got really fabulous pieces!!! Can’t wait to post outfit photos using them!!!

My shopping partner in crime, Jen Aquino, in leopard sheer blazer. Arrive. Idagdag mo ang pangalawang Longchamp Le Pliage nya. ARRIVE.

Went to Mary Grace to grab early dinner…

Fried Kesong Puti with Chili Daing Dressing. This naturally goes with a calamansi dressing, but I like to try the chili daing dressing. The waiter was too kind to accommodate my request :)

It was funny when I took this photo. The lens was fogged up because of the aircon and I didn’t notice it. I like the effect though.

Grilled Classic Ensaymada. Fluffy and cheesy. Why can’t all ensaymadas be like this?!

Pasta Amatriciana with Italian meatballs. Pasta for my fabulous meat-loving friend. 

Oh this dressing… IS LOVE!

Dropped by Sonja’s to grab a red velvet cupcake. I am still in the Red Velvet fever. 

The Red Velvet Vixen

I died of happiness that day. Shopping + Foodtrip is indeed the most foolproof stress buster!

Nokia N9 Launch at Prive

Magic DJs

Paolo Bediones and DJ Sam YG

Celebrity couple Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles

I was thrilled to see Jenni Epperson and her daughter Aryanna! Such beautiful ladies! (and may I add and gloat a little – Jenni told me she loves my outfit that night! :P)

Alyanna Martinez with Franky

Playing a game… a finger game!

Ready, set… FINGER!

They have to feed each other using only one FINGER!

Bianca Valerio was pretty cautious to show her face, haha!

Brent Javier with girlfriend

Connect Agency’s Jon Herrera spinned for us!

Gerd and Franky

Franky, Lawryeng, and Verge

Almost matching denim outfits – Me and Gerd. 

My very pretty crowd with Connect’s Ed Lorenzo!

People are People black striped v-neck shirt, Thrifted (US) gray denim jacket, Billabong gray denim pants, Thrfted military boots, Wrangler denim tote, Speedo square frames.

Imagine the blush on my face (aside from drinking) when The Jenni Epperson greeted my outfit that night! Well, I love wearing denim, that explains this outfit. Also, I can wear denim ANYWHERE – this explains my katamaran naman. HAHA!

The Doctor is IN!

It’s here, oh my GAWD it’s here!!! FINALLY! Dr. Martens is back in Manila! *exclamation abuse!!!!!!!*

I remembered seeing them in SM North – Annex when I was a kid, and then they were gone for quite some time. One had to go to Hong Kong or Singapore (nearest alr!) to buy a pair of trusty ol’ 1460 boots!

Y’all know I’m a boot lover, and there is no way a boot lover can’t recognize a DM when he sees one! I’m so excited for this!

You may register here for the opening of the new concept store at The Plaza at Fort Strip on Dec. 9! Find the container van (nice idea, actually) near Puccini! Radioactive Sago Project will be performing at 9pm, but I prolly won’t recognize it anymore because I’m in the middle of all those Docs! Sorry, no offense meant. I love RSP! And oh, now you can gift me with a DM without going out of the country *oh yeeeeeah!*

Can’t. Wait.
J

P.S. My favorite brands keep on going here in Manila! What else to watch out for? I heard H&M, Uniqlo, and Cotton On are on their way to Manila?! From the people who brought it all for you!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Now I can say that F21 isn’t the only beautiful thing that hit Manila! I hope Nicola Formichetti drops by when Uniqlo opens *omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg*

IMMAP Open Mic Night

The Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) held the very first Open Mic Night at Craft bar in The Fort! It was a night of learning, inspiration, and a lot like overflowing Mexican fare and booze.

It was the first free Pecha Kucha session and people are so excited to hear from the speakers they had nominated in the IMMAP event wall in Facebook. The event was overflowing with spontaneity and a smorgasbord of what looks like edible inspiration.

Speakers are required to prepare 20 slides to be delivered at 20 seconds each – for a total of 6:40 minutes. It was amazing how much thoughts can be put in just  a little over 6 minutes of sharing. I can’t write everything here but I’ll try to do these amazing speakers some justice!

Jayvee Fernandez. The people who are important are not into social media.

Jay Jaboneta. The new people power in social media is to help Filipinos.

Andre Yap. Tell me and I will forget it. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and [I] will be one of [you].

Chay Saputil. Develop or better yet change the game. It has to be memorable and it has to be remarkable.

Anna Oposa. What one may lack in expertise can be made up for by persistence!

A quick break and look who we’ve got here! Atty. Chris Lao!

Oh. Had he been informed about this ambush photo op? NOT! :P 

Nasser Lubay. Your inspirations define your work. Stay inspired!

Coy Caballes. It’s all about the eye for viral. Content should evoke emotions. It is all about the people and [loving] your community.

Brian Tenorio. Seduction as a strategy in design helps you activate and target desire. (insert: I really really want to make a separate post about Tenorio’s talk. It’s so relevant!)

Patrick Cuartero. Compel in every touch point.

Ricky Baizas. If anything else fails, be your own CEO. Think Zuckerberg.

Carlo Ople. Do digital as you would your legacy!

Ernie Lopez. When you do the content, you feed your audience what they have no choice about.

Jim Paredes. Write stuff for us. Come as we are.

Third Domingo. Lunchtime is the new Primetime – everyone is stuck in only ONE medium.

Niccolo Cosme. (on AIDS awareness) If you’re doing nothing, then fuck you! (insert: I really (superlative!) enjoyed Niccolo’s talk so I really had forgotten to get his photo on stage. Good thing he’s just right beside me after his talk. Way to go, sister!)

***

I think what was clear from all the speakers that night was this – Passion is key to achieving whatever you want in life. You may be doing what you are ought to do, but what you ought to is not always what you what your heart tells you to do. Passion is key to a lock that holds you from reaching dreams. You have to find your passion. These people have and there should be nothing to stop you or me to find what we really want.

Thank you, IMMAP for coming up with this wonderful event. I was very inspired that day and God knows, I need a lot of it these days.

They’re back: Bloggers United 2!

This beautiful poster is made by Megann Jabola! Cute ain’t it?

From the success of BLOGGERS UNITED 1 comes another bloggers gives back x meet and greet by the original team of Ana Gonzales, Melai Entuna and Aisa Ipac. They encourage camaraderie and sense of “community” among Manila’s (and eventually, the country’s) fashion blogging community through events and productions like this.

It was fun last BU and I cannot fathom it’s double the whammy now!!!

Featuring some of Manila’s top and notable bloggers – Divine Lee (watch out for her YSLs!!!), Laureen Uy (Steve Maddens? Hmmmm), Kookie Buhain, Lissa Kahayaon (perhaps some maxis!), David Guison (I want dibs on his boots :P), Karl Leuterio (HEEL-LESS?!), Patricia Prieto (pretty, plafyful dresses) and Preview Magazine’s own Daryl and Andre Chang (God, I can buy off his whole closet if I have zeh money!).

But because Bloggers United wishes to go beyond the geographic limitations of the archipelago and extend its reach beyond Metro Manila and so for this event, they are flying in some of Cebu’s very own fashion bloggers which include Kryz Uy, Eden Villarba, designer Yves Camingue, Gillian Uang and Mildred Zapanta and a few more. Say hello to some of my BBM-mates! Hi Eden :3

Part of the proceeds from this event will go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation for its school building project, a small but significant step to improve the Filipino youth’s access to education.

So if you’re up for some early and happy Christmas shopping with your favorite bloggers, head over at Treston College at University Parkway District, 32nd Street corner C-5 Road, Bonifacio Global City – just right in front of Market! Market! and where Junior Masterchef Philippines are shooting.

Follow Bloggers United in Twitter @bloggers_united and follow them in Facebook.

Bloggers United is possible through their partnership with:
Multiply Philippines
GMA Kapuso Foundation
Treston International College

Event is co-presented by:
Nikon
Primadonna
Accessorize
Columbia Digital

Official media partners
ETC
Meg Magazine
When in Manila
Gadgets Magazine

In cooperation with:
Lorys
Kotex
Tomato
Nail It!
Manels
Ferretti
Giordano
Lapdance
Unionbank
Xend Business Solutions

Special thanks to:
Audioline
Posh Nails
Nivea
SM Dept Store

Online Shop Donors:
Belle York
Shop Dainty
Asian Vogue
F-STOP (Fashion Stop)
Anagon Collection
Archive Clothing
Extreme Finds
Sparkle Shop
Flattering Tops
Posh Pocket Shoes

I’m on the lookout for the best boots and yeah, again, Andre’s whole closet. LOL! Just kidding! See you there!!!

Raffles Design Institute – Manila

First off, forgive me. Yes this is very last week pa. But am really swamped with work and some other issues along the side. What is good now is I’m so ready to share to you Raffles Design Institiute – Manila! I really do not want to give just a couple of minutes for this, but I want to be able to impart to you this humble institution with a glorious international boast-worthy history.

With Miko, Kaye, Erika, and Lawryeng

LARGE BRANDS up for internship. I just say WOW

I’d rather not bore you with the slide photos, would I? Raffles, as I fondly call it, is an international design institute offering world-recognized courses and degrees – Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing and Management, Interior Design, and Visual Communication. What really tickles my fancy is that after taking your subjects at this campus, you have an option to continue it ELSEWHERE in its other 37 colleges in 36 cities across 14 countries! Get all that WITH assistance from the management. Now how is that for a college education to look forward to!

Well above is a slide of just SOME of their affiliates that you can get an internship at. I wish I had gotten an opportunity to intern at Swatch or Zara when I was in college (but yeah, I’m in nursing school, what was I thinking LOL!) But seriously, if I’d be given a chance to study again, then maybe I’d rethink my choices.

Moi, Miko, Kaye, Erika, Arnie

We had a quick tour of their floors at Accralaw building in The Fort, Global City. Picture above is their library. Get that – a library stockful of magazines! I wonder if they have Fantastic Man? :D

The study lounge is a conducive space for the students to study. Think tank, it is! I’d kill for my college to have one of these for the nursing department. Damn!

Interior Design students would find this room suitable to their plate-making needs. Lotsa free space to spread long sheets of paper and other materials!

I like that the Fashion Marketing and Management rooms are very minimal. Tables + projector + mood board. Yes, marketers DO need mood boards! I second that!

In the middle of our tour, Interior Design lecturer Mr. Lee Miles showed up and talked with us for a little while. He has a fancy accent and a really interesting sense of fashion (PEG!) I love it when men wear blazers over their shirts. Faux hipster, a really classy one, if you ask me :P

Sewing room

They have a MAC ROOM! Yes, MAC, separate from a PC room. LOVE. Just pure love.

Some works by students at visual communication

I took this photo because I wanna learn how to draw. Eventually, I hope I will

I’d like to show the room for Visual Communication, but I guess all I need to say is to imagine a blank space. Very conducive for those students, I think, because they need their tabula rasa!

Before the tour ended, Fashion Design Professor Dr. Janet Emmanuel came to have a little chat with us. She shared how she is amazed at how blogging has mobilized marketing through social media in the country. I agree, Ma’am! If it weren’t for blogging, I may not have a job now. LOL! But seriously! I am also flattered at how she acknowledged at how I managed blogging while I am a registered nurse. She’s such a sweet and happy person :D

F&H black v-neck, Thrifted blazer, Oxygen reversible jeans, Thrifted military boots, Punchdrunk Panda camera strap | Outfit photo by Miko Carreon

Haha! Did you notice that I look a little pandak when I’m wearing a lot of dark colors? Taking a note on that! Anyhow, it was a lovely morning to spend at Raffles! I am really privileged to be invited to tour around it! I love it. Even the programs, they’re very organized and aligned to international standards. I hope more and more internationally competitive universities, colleges, and institutes come here and invest for the Filipinos and our education.

I even see myself being enrolled in Fashion Marketing and Management… Hmmmm, we will see. We WILL see about that :P

* We were really late (Erika and I) but we also attended the WGSN trend forecasting for Summer-Spring 2012. I found a lot of familiar and new takes on some aesthetics. I’m so excited for Summer! Are you? If you are, then visit WGSN and learn about 50′s revival, tribal artisan, acquatic, and an upcoming Olympic-inspired trend!

* Also, Raffles Education in other countries does  not only focus on design. There are a lot of courses available, and you may look at it here.

Raffles Design Institue – Manila
Units 18-01/19-00 Accralaw Tower
30th Street, Crescent Park West
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
+632 846-2888
rdi-manila@raffles-design-institute.com