The Amazing 2012*
*superheroes bit by eight-legged creatures not included! 
It’s that time of the year again — a time for year-ender posts (at least for bloggers!). It was exactly a year ago (December 29, 2011) when I posted my first year-ender on this blog, and I just realized that the universe heard my plea. When I said that I wanted to be “amazed” this year (inspired by the movie New Year’s Eve), I think I got more than what I asked for! 
Last year, I wrote this:
“This coming year, I also dare ALL OF US to be AMAZED!!! I don’t know… be amazed by EATING. TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS. PRAYING. TRAVELING. LOVING. WRITING. Actually, ANYTHING. As long as you get to have your own interpretation of the word “AMAZING,” do it! Just. be. amazed!”
Eating, taking photographs (hello, Instagram!), and praying are already givens. They’re practically part of my everyday life, so I’d like to focus on the remaining three: traveling, loving, and writing.
Let’s start with TRAVELING.
During the first half of the year, the travel bug was at work in my life because that was the time I decided to TRAVEL just because I could! Hahaha! I don’t know what happened, but I just suddenly found myself traveling to Brunei in January, Bohol and Cebu in April, Vietnam and Cambodia in May, and Hong Kong (for the nth time!) in June.
I have a feeling that it’ll be a long time before I can do THIS again, so I’m grateful that I was given the chance to do so in 2012. 
Aside from my own travels, I also launched my 2012 blog project (yehesss, “launch” talaga!) wherein I featured “people like you and me — who just happen to have ‘wanderlust’ as their middle names” every month. To know what I’m talking about, CLICK HERE. Haha! So to my featured travelers this 2012 — Minnie, Danica, Pia, my sisters, Cara, Joanna, Carol, Anthony, Arlene, Gian, Rema, Madel, Bianca, George and Angelo — I want to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! for sharing your travel stories and making my blog project a success! It was as if we also went to the places you’ve been to through your words and pictures. I love and thank you all!!! 
This 2013, I’ll still feature travelers but it won’t be a monthly thing anymore. However, I still hope that you’ll read and enjoy them as much as you did when I was still doing it every month. Heehee.
Let’s move on to WRITING.
This is the part where I talk about my “chosen career” (as opposed to the “default” one). @_@
2012 has been a roller coaster ride for me career-wise. In May, I decided to leave my first full-time job after working there for two years and nine months. Three months after that, I landed my next job wherein I was finally able to pursue my passion for writing. But I believe that God has a better plan for me, so that “next job” lasted for only three months. I’m still thankful, though, that I was given that “experience” because I did learn a thing or two from it. In fact, I’d like to share with you my favorite “assignment” during my short stint there: FOOD REVIEWS!!!
(excerpts from “Family-friendly Restaurants”
found inside BC Magazine Philippines’ November 2012 issue)
Mom & Tina’s, Comida China de Manila, and Aria Cucina Italiana
my favorite work “assignment”: Jamba Juice
This 2013, I still hope to pursue this “chosen career” of mine, BUT I’m hoping that I’ll also have the luck to be given the chance to pursue my “default” one. Take a hint, my dream job! (Universe, are you listening again? Hehehe.)
And to end this post, let’s talk about LOVING.
I don’t know how to start this without being cheesy and mushy. Alam naaa!
Okay, this is a continuation of what I wrote on my year-ender post last 2011:
PAUL, huh? ♥
I wrote THAT in December 2011. And even though I didn’t really meet Zac Efron in person this year, I still got to have my very own Paul — who I met nine months after telling the world that I wanted to be amazed!
(pagbigyan na ang cheesiness at mushiness! Wahahahaha!)
I love you, hon!!! ♥
Mika and Paul
So yeah. Universe, excellent job! Consider me MORE THAN amazed!
I, thank you. ♥♥♥
—
This coming new year, I hope that I’ll continue to be GRATEFUL and AMAZED.
I wish the same things for ALL OF YOU.
Happy 2013, my dear friends!!!
xoxo,
Mikhaela Georgette
BLUE and REDssssss
The celebration happened a week ago, but the actual birthday happens this week! Having said that, I just want to say HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend/featured traveler/fellow blogger CAROL!!!
Happy Birthday, C! ♥
But aside from that, one of the things that made that day blog-worthy was how we all looked like with our blue-and-red ensemble! =))
See? How can you not “document” a day like that? Hahaha!
And oh! If you’re wondering WHERE this took place, it was at Diamond Hotel’s Corniche restaurant:
“…Corniche offers an exceptional breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet spread and an extensive all-day a la carte menu. The buffet selection is composed of Asian, Western, Japanese, salad, and dessert stations, all meticulously prepared by culinary experts. Featuring signature cakes and pastries for dining and take-out orders is a cake shop at the Corniche entrance.”
dessert > Mika!
That’s pretty much it. I just had to make this quick and simple. So again…
Happy Birthday, Carol!
May you enjoy your day (even though I know you have exams in law school!)
We love you.
I love you.
I still wish we had videoke, though. Haha, PEACE!!!
xoxo, M.
Gotta Love A Travel-Themed Debut ♥
First of all, I’d like to greet the debutante, Rossell, a HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!
Ingenious theme; gorgeous debutante ♥♥♥
Anyway, the last debut I attended was more than three years ago… and that was the debut of Rossell‘s Achie Minnie. In fact, I also blogged about it on CandyMag.com! You can check it out here. Time flies sooo fast that I can’t even fit into the dress I wore for Minnie‘s cotillion! Wahahahaha!
2008 and 2012 (don’t even mention the 30 lbs. I gained! HA HA HA)
Going back to Rossell‘s debut, it was truly a night to remember! And based on this post’s title, you can already tell what its theme was: TRAVEL! ♥♥♥
Actually, Rossell‘s Achie Minnie was my very first featured traveler when I started my 2012 blog project — click here! So no surprise there at all because their family truly loves traveling.
From the invitation…
The Lady’s “passport” to Rossell’s travel-themed debut ♥
the stage…
Eiffel Tower, anyone?
down to the cake!
Talk about EDIBLE LUGGAGE!!!
Everything was truly lovelovelove.
Plus, I was able to catch up and DANCE (haha!) with friends I haven’t seen in a looong time! Perfect night, indeed!
Special mention goes to my seatmates during that night: Stephanie, Bianca, and John! Heehee.
And of course, thanks to my friend Carol for my dress that night!!!
Thanks, C! ♥♥♥
And that’s it! Once again, I’d like to greet Rossell a HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! Thanks for inviting me! From The Lady to another lady, may all your wishes come true and I wish you all the best in your studies and future career — Doktora Rossell diba? Hehe. Stay gorgeous and sweet. Love you!
Ate Mika xx
The Great Megamall Adventure :))
I love malls. However, I only go to those located in Makati (Ayala Malls and Power Plant), Manila (Robinsons Place), and Pasay (MOA). Other than those malls are considered out of my “territory” if I may say. So when Kanebo Philippines invited me again to another event in Megamall, I was so looking forward to a so-called “adventure!” Oo, isang malaking adventure na para sa’kin ang magpunta sa Megamall! Hahaha!
Image via Wikipedia
Of course, no adventure’s complete without sharing it with someone! So I asked one of my best girlfriends, Val, to go share this “adventure” with me.
Thanks, Val! ♥
♥♥♥
The first stop of the “adventure” was the BEAUTY part = the Kanebo event. Having said that, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thanks (again) to my friend Noriko Hanajima of Summit Media and Yannie Valencia of Kanebo Philippines.
Thanks, Kanebo Philippines!!!
Anyway, Kanebo Philippines held a mall animation featuring their Kate line — which is already my favorite makeup line! SWEAR!!!
photo courtesy of Kanebo Philippines
Plus, Val and I were able to get free makeovers courtesy of Kanebo Philippines‘ Suzzanne Tan and more freebies!!!
Use Kanebo's Kate line to "raise the impact of your eyes, face, and lips."
Aside from the Kate line, one of my favorite Kanebo products is their Freshel White C Mineral BB Cream. I first used it two days ago, and I instantly fell in love with it!
I use the one in Natural Beige (but there’s also the Medium Beige shade) and for those BB cream junkies, this is definitely a MUST-TRY product!!! Today, I’m glad I was finally able to own one whole tube (after receiving a free sample from the previous Kanebo event I attended! Heehee.)
Moving on…
The second part of the “adventure” was the FOOD AND DRINKS part = Bubble Tea and Happy Lemon. Since I don’t get to go to Megamall that often, I wanted to try “something” that can be found there, but not in the malls I frequent.
Okay, there’s a Happy Lemon branch at Power Plant but still, this was just my second time to try it. AND my first try wasn’t even “happy!” For some time, I wasn’t a fan of Happy Lemon because I got disappointed when I first tried their Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese. I thought it was too overrated and tasted just like any ordinary iced chocolate. But today, that changed when I finally tried their Green Tea with Rock Salt and Cheese!!!
Bubble Tea x Happy Lemon
Oh well, to each his own. But yeah, consider me a fan already. HA HA HA
And the third part of our “adventure” was seeing our (former) officemates and lovebirds KC (with her family) and Leo at Megamall! Stay in love, you guyysss. ♥
Good luck...
...and may we ALL finally find our "careers." =))
Looking forward to my next MALL adventure,
Mikaaa
Your resident Kanebo girl!
A Beauty Affair To Remember
Last week, I was able to attend a bloggers event by Kanebo Cosmetics.
the so-called VIP Beauty Affair
“LIKE” Kanebo Philippines‘ Facebook page here.
Kanebo Cosmetics actually dates back in 1937.
“…The company entered the cosmetics industry in the following year [1937] and quickly grew to become Japan’s second largest manufacturer of cosmetics. Kanebo Cosmetics products are now sold in 53 countries and regions around the world.
Kanebo Cosmetics spun off from Kanebo in 2004 as a company specialized exclusively in cosmetics. In 2006, it came under the wing of the Kao Group, Japan’s largest manufacturer of household consumer goods…” (To know more about Kanebo‘s Company Outline, click here.)
In fact, I remember that my mom used Kanebo waaay back when I was still a kid. So yeah, you can say that it’s already a tried-and-tested brand for years — heck, even generations! (Read: since the 1930′s.)
Anyway, Kanebo Philippines presented three product lines during the event: Impress, Kate, and Lunasol. ♥♥♥
I can say that Kate is more youth-oriented, while Lunasol is more high-end.
As for Impress, it “is a total anti-aging skincare product line for those who know the joy of keeping themselves refined.” Obviously, it’s a skincare line — which was actually launched on the day of the event.
Here are some things from the press kit for me to share with you:
And can I just emphasize more on “KATE”? As in Kate Beckinsale, Kate Winslet, and of course, KATE MIDDLETON! Hahaha, just kidding! But yes, KAAATE! I already love the “name,” so having a whole makeup line named after it is just. plain. PERFECT!!! At least for me, but you already know why. Heehee. ♥
Kanebo Cosmetics’ KATE line
Of course cocktails were served, and I even gained a new friend — Poala! Nice, huh?
a new-found friend + cocktails = awesome sauce!
And if that wasn’t enough, I got to bring home THESE:
Kikay stuff I brought home! Yay!!!
Aside from the name (haha!), I’m already loving the Kate blush (I got the RD-1) because it’s very compact! It can easily fit into my bag and after months of searching for a new blush (yes, it’s been a long time coming), I think I finally found it — thanks to Kanebo‘s Kate line!
So a big THANK YOU to my friend Noriko Hanajima of Summit Media and Yannie Valencia of Kanebo Philippines for inviting me last week. Looking forward to THE next event! (Yes, there’s another one coming up! Heehee.)
Keep calm and (as Kanebo puts it) FEEL YOUR BEAUTY,
The Lady xoxo
—
To know more about Kanebo Philippines and where to buy their products,
click HERE.
Watch Mamma Mia, Go to Baguio
Sooo, I had another EPIC weekend. And knowing me, I just have to blog about it — again! But hey, this is a PERSONAL blog after all. So what did you expect? Haha!
Anyway, let’s start with ba-ba-ba-BAGUIO!!!
My family and I went to Baguio for the weekend since my brother-in-law was already there anyway for a golf tournament. We stayed at one of The Manor‘s family suites in Camp John Hay, and that’s where all the epic-ness started!
If you’ve been to The Manor (or Baguio in general), I think you’ll agree that the weather isn’t the same in Manila. And when I say “not the same,” I mean it in a positive way! I don’t know about you, but I’m actually a “cold person” — meaning, I looove anything cold, including the cold weather! But if you want to interpret my being a “cold person” in a different way, that’s NOT my business anymore! Go ahead, feel free to do so.
Hahaha! Of course, I kid!
Moving on, here are some more shots of The Manor:
view from our room
Aside from savoring the awesome cold weather (I heard that it was 10 °C when we were in Baguio), I just practically took advantage of the fact that I could be a “bum” in my own right for at least a day. So some of the things I did while in The Manor Baguio were watching DVDs (Bridesmaids and Chances Are — which by the way stars a very young Robert Downey, Jr. So spell H-O-T!), eating, shopping at the outlet stores, eating, having a massage at the spa, and yes, EATING! EATING!! EATING!!!
two of my newest discoveries! HARHARHAR
Hay, kaya nakakarir ko ang pag-shoshorts sa Baguio eh… eh pa’no, marami kasing baong “fats” ang legs ko! (Read: mga pata!) Wahahahaha!
jump shots!
Well, ganun talaga! Gotta love my cuuurves, people! And yes, gotta take advantage of the cold weather I’m so deprived of while in Manila! Kaya shorts all the way talaga!!! HA HA HA
But seriously, if you’re planning to GO TO BAGUIO, stay at The Manor. It’s ALL good!!! I actually give it a rating of: FIVE HEARTS (♥♥♥♥♥)
—
And then… there’s MAMMA MIA!
The Lady's outfit wouldn't be complete without her favorite accessory - anything UNION JACK! Hehehe.
Speaking of the U.K., did you know that MAMMA MIA! The Musical is actually an original British production??? Ooh, plus! plus! points there!!!
Anywhooo, I watched it last Friday at CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) with my sisters and MY, MY, it was totally a very, very, lovely show! Of course my ticket was the cheapest (tumataginting na Php772.50 lang naman), but who cares? Nilibre lang naman ako eh… magrereklamo pa ba ako?! =))
view from my seat... not THAT bad! Haha!
my "cheap," but totally worth it ticket!
Besides… all those “accents,” all those witty lines, and all those wonderful ABBA songs? Totally WORTH IT!!! I actually plan on watching it again if I have the time… this time, with a more “expensive” ticket for a better view, and yes, a better “musical” experience! Rawr!
But yeah, you and I have to hurry because the show runs until February 19, 2012 only. We can cross our fingers and hope that it gets extended, but why depend on wishful thinking when you already have the power in your hands NOW? At meganon talaga?!
Sabi nga ng ate ko,
“Kung gusto niyo sumaya, manood kayo ng MAMMA MIA!“
Oha, rhyming lang si a-TEH! But it’s true. If you want to be happy, head to CCP and WATCH MAMMA MIA! now!!! I promise, it’s a rating of FIVE HEARTS and mooore (♥♥♥♥♥+++++)!
For more information on how you can buy tickets, click here.
♪ "...'cause somewhere in the crowd there's YOU!" ♫
Enjoooy!
The Year Ender :)
Aahhh… Another year has passed us by! And since this is my year-ender blog post, please allow me to take a few moments to reflect on the year that was: 2011. And how do I propose to do that? By listing SOME OF THE THINGS I WASTED AND MADE THE MOST OUT OF IN 2011.
Wasted:
1. Money – I think half of which was spent on MILK TEA!!! So this coming 2012, I’m sooo going on a milk tea fast — NOT! Hahaha! Adik lang! @_@
Another proof? Two words: Juju Cleanse.
It STARTED with this...
...then PROGRESSED to "these."
Don’t get me wrong… A LOT of people have said good things about this cleanse, and why shouldn’t they? After all, it’s REEAAALLLLYYYYY good for the body. But if only I had known that I’d be feeling sick and close to puking while I was on my third bottle, I never would’ve spent Php2,500 for six “juicified” veggies that I was required to finish ALL IN ONE DAY! FAIL!!! But then again, that’s just me. To each his own, people! I repeat, TO. EACH. HIS. OWN.
BUT when I finally held bottle #3, I just couldn't END it with much bliss. 
2. The first five months of my *new* gym membership – reference on #1: milk tea = heaps and heaps of CALORIES!!! And BOOM! Just like that, another “health project” went down the drain… Gaaah~ (I sooo hope this changes for the better in 2012! Paaak!)
3. Time spent on social-networking sites - Facebook, Twitter, you name it! — but not WordPress — hmm… no, definitely NOT WordPress! Haha! But you know, BALANCE is always the key — and I just think I went a little “out of balance” when it comes to my social-networking activities in 2011.
Made The Most Out Of:
1. B-L-O-G-G-I-N-G. I’ve already mentioned SEVERAL times that I call 2011 my “blogging year.” Yay WordPress! And did I reach my goal to have 10,000 hits before the year ends? CHECK!!! But seriously, you’re already reading it… do I really have to say more?
Oh yeah, I do have one more thing to say: I, THANK YOU!
2. Driving skills – Makati? Check! MOA? Ay nakooo, kahit yata nakapikit keri ko! Chos! Pero syempre, CHECK! Nagtahan-Sta. Mesa-Tomas Morato? Check! Taft Avenue? Check! EDSA? Check! Check!! Check!!! Next year, SLEX naman! Wahahahaha! (Disclaimer: I said “driving,” NOT “parking.” There’s a BIG difference, yah know?)
3. “Family and Friends” time – First, my niece turned ONE and had the awesome-est kiddie party evah!!! And then she also traveled for the FIRST TIME. Second, most of my weekends were JAM-PACKED. And third? Milk tea date here, movie date there, just any kind of “date” (actually) everywhere. Yun nga lang, puro FRIENDLY dates ah. Waleeyyy man lang “romantic date” kahit isa! Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Ah basta, I LOVE YAH MI FAMILIA Y MI AMIGOS!!! Mwah.
4. Graduate school – I’m already done with ALL of my coursework! Yay meee! Next step: comprehensive exam PLUS thesis! Yiiikes me! 
And there you have it. But wait… please keep on reading…
—
Before you decide to move on to that more important site (whatever that is) you have to set your eyes on, I have ONLY ONE request for you: please don’t finish reading this blog entry without watching the following video. PLEASE WATCH IT. I promise your nine minutes and 56 seconds will truly be WORTH IT.
(Thanks to my Idol Patty [Laurel] for “introducing” this video to me.)
This coming year, let’s make it a point to be more GRATEFUL. Everyday.
But that’s not all…
I think each of us can also learn a thing or two from (the movie) New Year’s Eve‘s Ingrid:
BE AMAZED!!!
This coming year, I also dare ALL OF US to be AMAZED!!! I don’t know… be amazed by EATING. TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS. PRAYING. TRAVELING. LOVING. WRITING. Actually, ANYTHING. As long as you get to have your own interpretation of the word “AMAZING,” do it! Just. be. amazed!
Then again, if I got to have my very own “Paul” (a.k.a. Zac Efron)…
…I think I’d be amazed enough! But GOOD LUCK with that! Hahaha!
Now, how’s that for New-Year’s-resolutions-gone-short-and-vague? — ano daaaw? =))
HAPPY 2012 TO Y’ALL!!!
Remember, BE GRATEFUL and BE AMAZED. ♥
2011, signing off…
—
P.S: To spice things up a little bit, I decided to work on a “special project” for THIS blog come 2012! So, watch for that!!! Clue: if you love adventure, culture, food, and lots and lots of photos, then I can’t wait for YOU to read all about it (or them)! Who knows? That can be the start of your “be amazed” resolution! Teehee – heehee with a capital “T” — isa pang clue ‘yan!
Season’s Greetings!
*all together now*
CHRISTMAAAS IS HEEERE! ♥
Yes, IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR once again! And if you still haven’t noticed, even my blog is being one with the Season! Heehee. So let me take this opportunity to be one of the first peeps to greet you: SEASON’S GREETINGS EVERYONE!!!
You see, the Christmas Season and I, we share a very deep, personal, deep, special, and DEEP relationship! Oha, oha! Wala nang lalalim pa sa relasyon namin ni Christmas! Hahaha! Kidding aside, I don’t know… I just feel really HAPPY whenever this time of the year arrives. It could be the nostalgia I feel that dates back to my childhood days… maybe it’s the awesome, lovely, and special people I spend it with… OR it could be the traditional lights and sounds show the city of Makati (my “work” town) showcases every year:
“Spectacular Spectrum” at the Ayala Triangle Gardens
happens every night, 6-9PM (until December 30, 2011).
Oo, ganito kami sa Makati! Hahaha!
Kahit ano pa ang dahilan, isa lang ang katotohanan: I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS!!!
So, in honor of my undying affection and love for the Season, I made a simple video (note: SIMPLE being the operative word! ) using “Christmas is” by Regine Velasquez featuring Jim Brickman as background music — which I consider one of the best Christmas songs ever made! It truly captures the real essence and meaning of the Season!
Please lang, panoorin niyo. Effort din maghanap ng pictures at mag-edit sa Windows MovieMaker noh! Wahahahaha!
Anyway, here are more pictures with SOME of the awesome, lovely, and special people I spend Christmas with:
with two of my sisters ♥
with my beautiful friends Camille and Tinah ♥
At akalain niyo, on this very same night… during our dinner…. LOOK WHO WE SAW:
JOSE MARI CHAN in the house, yo!
If that’s not “Chistmas” destiny, then I don’t know what is! Haha!
Having said that,
“Christmas in Our Hearts,“ anyone?
Thank YOU… ♥
…to my FRIENDS. For taking the time to greet me, whether it was through social-networking sites (Facebook and Twitter), text, and in person. Reading your messages, whether short and simple OR more elaborate, truly brightened my day! I truly have the most awesome set of friendsss! You guys rock! So for that… Thank YOU. ♥
…to my FAMILY. You never fail to surprise me! Aside from the “material gifts,” I also want to thank you for the GIFTS of friendship, support, and most importantly, LOVE! I love yoouuu to bits! Again, Thank YOU. ♥
…and most of all,
…to GOD. Thank you for the last 21 years. And of course, for the next SIXTY or more!!! You are truly my Best Friend, Brother, and Father all rolled into one! In this 22nd year of mine, I can’t wait to face the challenges You have in store for me, AS WELL AS the triumphs You’ll give to me. Whether good or bad, I know that I can face them ALL because You’ll ALWAYS be with me! So God, Thank YOU. Thank YOU. Thank YOU. And a trillion mooore Thank YOUsss. I love you. ♥
—
This is it you guys! Wala na ‘tong urungan… Adult kung adult na talaga si Mikhaela Georgette!!! Hahaha!
♪ HAPPY, HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! ♫
From the bottom of my ♥,
I, Thank YOU.
Five Countries in One (Family) Day :D
One of my sisters works for one of the country’s top real estate companies, Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) And last Friday, September 30, 2011, my family and I were able to “visit” China, India, Spain, Vietnam, and The United States of America as ALI celebrated their 23rd Anniversary at the World Trade Center Manila entitled, “Around the World in One Day (ALI Family Day)”
The passport
The airport
yours truly
The entire thing was so “karir” na kulang na lang ay maging totohanan na! Hahaha! Anyway, for each booth, there were several things you could do: create some arts and crafts, eat a food family platter, try the photo booth, etc. PLUS the performances! I especially loved the U.S.A. performance because I was able to watch the killer moves of The UP Pep Squad! Niiice!
China
The stage
The dragon dance performance
India
henna tattoo
Spain
Spanish Visa kuno! Haha!
Too bad I wasn’t able to take a photo of the Spanish booth, but I can remember that they served lots and lots of ENSAYMADA there! Yuuum!
Vietnam
The United States of America
posing beside my new friend, The Statue of Liberty!
…and a special performance by this year’s UAAP Cheerdance Competition Champion, The University of the Philippines’ Pep Squad!
AND…
The U.K. may not be included, but Mr. Bean was present and I sure didn’t forget about my friend (Union) Jack! My golly, it’s like he’s following me wherever I go! Not that I’m complaining, thank you very much.
with Mr. Bean! Hahaha!
(Union) Jack and I, we're ThisClose!
"Long live the Queen!"
More “tourist-y” and kakulitan shots:
But at the end of the day, of course nothing beats being with THY family, and bonding over one satisfying meal! Awww!
The Chiong Girls ♥
family ♥
BONUS: Here are some pictures of my niece Lila during our family dinner — at isa lang ang masasabi ko: DEFINE HAPPINESS!
Gimme Some CANDY!!!
If there was one word to describe my previous weekend, it’d be “SWEET!”
Sweet stuff, anyone?
Why? Simply because I attended one of Summit Media‘s biggest events of the year: The Candy Fair 2011! CANDY = SWEET! Get it? Hahaha!
my childhood friend Meeko, her sister Mariella, and yours truly
Candy Magazine has been a part of my life since 2002, when I got my hands on my very first issue (it was the July 2002 issue)! However, it started to become a BIG part of my life in 2008 when I was chosen to be one of the members of the Candy Council of Cool 9 (CoC 9), wherein I instantly became a CONTRIBUTING WRITER in my own right for my beloved teen magazine! From then on, I never stopped and my life just got sweeter and sweeter…
Anyway, the Candy Fair is held every year (around September or October) and this is my third time to attend it. I started going in 2008, and the only time I missed it was in 2009 — during the Ondoy incident! Obviously, I really had no choice. Thankfully, the Fair is an annual event and this year, I went with my childhood friend Meeko and her sister Mariella.
certified Candy Girls
Who's who?
Aside from that, the Fair also serves as a “reunion” place for friends and of course, a place to make new friends! And last weekend, I was able to do both:
with my fellow CoC 9 member, CJ Alayon
with CoC 10's Jeselle Villegas
with Jesselle's friend and my NEW friend, Paty Tabas
And of course, no Candy Fair will be complete without…
FUN ACTIVITIES/BOOTHS
No stamp; no entry.
Candie's temporary tats
Yay for MILK TEA! Yay for Bubble Tea!
Happy milk tea drinker!!!
nail art
my Christmas-themed nails
definitely, THUMBS UP!
Meeko won a prize!
Thanks, SkinWhite! Heehee.
CANDY CUTIES
The winning photo!!! Ayiieee! ♥
They're so lucky they still have all their TEEN YEARS to enjoy! Haha!
Speaking of Candy Cuties, I had my eye on a particular Cutie but I felt so OLD I passed on the opportunity to have my picture taken with him! Sayaaang! Ayan tuloy, sobrang nagsisisi ang lola niyo! And when I say “lola“… well, bahala na nga kayo! Hahaha! But fine, his name’s Francis Salvador — so Francis, if you happen to read this, this is me saying HI!!! (Hays, iba talaga umasa ang mga lola! Wahahahaha!)
CELEBRITIES
Dino Imperial and Myx VJ Janine Ramirez
The hosts
Elmo Magalona
James Reid
For more celebrities at the Candy Fair 2011, click here;
for Candy’s tribute to the late Candy Cutie AJ Perez, click here.
And oh, before I forget, my friend UNION JACK was also present at the Fair! I saw several girls sporting their Union Jack-inspired bags, tops, and whatnot. At syempre, isa na’ko sa mga ‘yon! REPRESENT!!!
hugging my friend (Union) Jack!
I was so happy I was THIS|CLOSE to approaching every girl I saw — I wanted to ask where they bought their Union Jack-inspired whatever, and even take their pictures! But of course, the Lady (ehem!) tried her best to still be ladylike. So no, I didn’t do those. What I did, however, was just smile… and smile… and smile… and keep asking myself, “sa’n niya kaya nabili ‘yon?” Hay.
To sum things up, I’ve been a Candy Girl for almost a decade now! And even though I’m not a teen anymore (alam naaa!), I know in my heart that I’ll always be one (or at least FEEL like one! Heehee.) ♥
Simply put:
Once a Candy Girl, ALWAYS a Candy Girl!
Candy Girl Mika
See you at the next year’s fair, fellow Candy Girls!!!
Gotta Love Books! ♥
Today, I went to the 32nd Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center.
The SMX Convention Center
I looove books! Be it fiction or nonfiction, I can say that I can read both! But then again, who doesn’t love books, RIGHT? Well if you don’t, I recommend that you start doing so NOW! It’s never too late to get interested in them and attend book fairs here and there! Heehee. Anyway, this is my second time to attend the Manila International Book Fair, and I plan to keep this as some sort of a yearly “tradition.” And this year, I went with my childhood friend Meeko with only three “goals” in mind:
First, have my Before Ever After (read my blog entry about it here) copy signed by the author (Samantha Sotto) herself PLUS attend the book discussion that came after it. CHECK and CHECK!
Book Signing
"To Mika, follow the chickens!" ♥
Meeko, yours truly, and Samantha Sotto
Book Discussion
Next, buy a copy of The Dukan Diet by Dr. Pierre Dukan! (F.Y.I: this is the pre-wedding diet of Kate Middleton! Haha!) = CHECK! But as to whether or not it’s effective FOR ME, then I guess we’ll just have to WAIT and SEE!
Of course, I bought other books as well, but having done what I really came there for was really satisfying! As my friend Meeko said, “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!”
Meeko and Mika!
Can’t wait for the 33rd Manila International Book Fair!!!
Admit it, we just GOTTA. LOVE. BOOKS!!!
♥♥♥
