Tuesday, August 10, 2010

This Pinay comes with a Powerful Punch..Nicole Scherzinger

Ive adored this woman ever since i caught her strutting around in her low waisted track pants in the 2005 music video for  PCD's 'Dont cha'.

I was concerned about her career going solo so soon, but i guess when your in the peak of girl group extravaganza you must branch out. Her talent is obvious as her body is inspirational, but so are many other female artists. What made me so attractive toward Nic was her ethnic mix of Russian ,Hawaiian and Pinay! When i look at her, i see a eclectic mix of the world singing with that one brilliant voice.

Like every young girl, you have someone to relate to when growing up. Im no little girl now, but i still appreciate and like to support those who are of mixed races . All just trying to make their stamp in this world. Growing up in Australia, being a tad different made people act weird, i learned early on in life that communities tend to box you into categories..what if you didn't fit in? That was my story at a young age. My step father moved work which meant us moving further in country. I started mid highschool awkwardly in a Aussie school of 220 students,  predominately Australian/German kids and five Aboriginal kids. Quite a shock coming from a city school that had a variety of kids from different cultures. It confused me to be taunted often for being the 'Asian', each day id hear mean comments like ' Joeys mum is a mail order bride' or 'Joey ching chong,likes to eat dim sum' but the classic one was one boy running in my class yelling out loud that he wouldn't f*ck a nip ( a cruel slang term for Japanese). Interesting how they thought the Philippines was automatically in China?

This is a piccie of me at 8 years old..hehe

Gotta love my feather comb, i did then :p
Totally sucked during that time, but as i grew up i understood why. It was fear and plain ignorance ,i didnt not look like anyone else. Was not Caucasian, nor black or did i look very Asian , I kept being ousted for being the 'Asian'. I laugh at it now especially when i think those kids have never left that town and i did. Because of that experience, i embrace my mixed-ness.

Lets get back to the knockout Nicole! I was totally blown away by her recent, memorable for life performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Portraying bisexual character of Maureen from the musical Rent. Directed by Mr Awesomeness, Neil Patrick Harris. If only i was in LA! Alas..thank goodness for YouTube.
Nicole does what i can only pretend to do in front of the mirror ( or in front of my boyfriend if mood permits) she seized this part, cheekily conquered it, with much applauded approval all around! I was laughing so much and clapped in front of the computer. Miss Scherzinger effortlessly proved that not only is she a star but can light up the world like a solar tsunami ! Here is where i read it, and watched the video of Nicole singing 'Over the moon'.
GALING!!

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The wanna be performer in me is proud the world has talent like hers to wow us! Makes mixed muts like me feel proud to be representing all parts of the earth.

Mabuhay to you Nicole and thank you!:)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Urban chic gets TOUGH






Five different people representing different lifestyles & energies are all selected to join Tough Jeansmith family.

Proving no matter what you do for a living, what age you are, what you did last summer or what you eat for breakfast..anyone can get it right with Tough. 

Its rugged wear made for long term use, not the kinda clothing that frays & changes color after 3 washes. Tough can be Rock & Roll if you want it..or you can style yourself to be the sweety pie that lives next door.

For me, Tough is versatile, fits my travel life & i can play with the rock-street chick look. So here are the photos shot by Xander Angeles featuring Tough Urban Vandals !

The bright light Ms Patty Betita

The man who makes the world dance Manolet Dario
Transport never looked so cool,Car body kit maverick Atoy Llave
Triple threat coming your way Hollywood, Actor & model Luke Jickain


Then there is me..:P Those pink boots..they're mine..too cute!



Till the next post, keep up positive energy my most powerful Pinays! 






TOUGH launch Philippines



Last July Tough Jeansmith launched their recent selection of urban fab threads to the denim loving society of the Philippines.

Manolet Dario, Atoy Llave,Luke Jickain,Patty Betita & yours truly are this seasons Toughs Ambassadors. The photo displays in the stores, where magically shot by Xander Angeles and the mini avp of the'behind the scenes' of the Tough photo shoot where presented during launch. ( I cheekily admit to liking the part where Luke Jickain is jumping in a scene like superman about to take off into the sky..hehe very cute) My next post i will add the photos from the shoot!:) Meanwhile here are some of my pics before show start.

Car architect Atoy Llave being interviewed.

Its cool being asked to be an Ambassador for this urban brand, Ive always liked their bags & plan to pick one up next visit , i do dig their jackets and jeans as well. Alas i can only wear some of my jackets when i travel to cooler climates or when i watch movies. Especially in Singapore, like a freezer!

But here are some pics of the Launch event held at the Atrium in Shangrila mall Edsa, where the one of the Tough stores is located.

Patty being interviewed by Flippish.com

Mano just chill in his Tough threds




Hehe..i took this pic of the flippish.com crew whilst doing my interview:)






Kirja Parcell & Mark Whittington












Teasing Rovilson on camera










Ian & I :)











Bianca Valerio hosted the show( i totally loved her knee high black boots), introduced Toughs top gal JoyAustria to introduce the fashion show.










My fave portion was when All-stars crashed the stage with their beat popping dance movements, i love them!





The best part for me in the show was to be able to spray paint the whole wall! Everyone had permission to vandalise! Though audience members near stage did get high on some fumes..but the thrill of spraying was mere harmless fun.

Miss sexiness Justine spraying it up during end of show,

Ended up taking the spray can home...look out if you catch any hot pink graffiti @Powertothepinay along Edsa...hehehe...kidding:P




Tough stores can be found in Shangrila mall Edsa and Trinoma mall





Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Eyebrow artist

Finding a makeup artist is almost like finding the perfect dress in five different shades & shapes. I like working with  artists that are playful with their colors & open to trying out different styles & are down with the odd suggestion.

I have quite a few on my roster that I'm delighted to be in the chair of. Of course i have staples of Jing,Juan,Leo,Lala,Jigs & Patrick that i know can turn on the magic with a whisk of their feather weight brush wands.

Alas i see them when its work oriented. Thank goodness The Jing Monis Salon has the talented Junie Sierra. I met Junie just over a year ago for a mini jewelry shoot and was most impressed by his 'eyebrow' skill. It was always the private test i had in my mind when seated in front of a makeup artist i had not worked with yet. If my eyebrows where perfectly brushed,penciled,arched, or even colored i would be confident that shoot would be set off on the right beat. 


I called Jing to request for Junie's help to prep me for the Tough launch that evening. Here are my pics of arriving without a stitch of make up & sweetheart Malou, patiently blow dried and curled my hair whilst Junie set up ready to create the Tough gal look i wanted to achieve. My green shawl/jacket is also from Tough & so far my favorite travel partner.
I also love it how some artists can naturally apply makeup, without you being beat about like pancake mix. I almost forget to snap some shots because I'm so relaxed. Like a fluttery face  massage. Junie is precise & a perfectionist when it comes to the eyebrows, shaping checking & even asking if my event was a stage event. Its a different makeup  set up style for runway or TV.
I'm very happy with my overall look for Tough event & really feel like a Rockista in my Tough leather jacket, jeans & tank. Boots are my own darlings..syempre! What do you think?:)

Next blog post ill be posting pics with all the fabulous Tough Ambassadors that rocked the event with me.

You can find the extraordinary Junie Sierra at The Jing Monis Salon located in Greenbelt 1.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Siam i am


Siam center is THE place for all things shopping in central Bangkok. Its also very convenient if your hotel is located along the BTS Sky train transit. As simple as spending 20Baht, hop on the train and explore the Ratchaprasong shopping mecca.

Though due to unfortunate political turmoil last June, a few fab shopping malls are under repair, so i was not able to wander around Central world or Zen shopping malls. As you can see in my picture its still going to be awhile.
Naturally the high end malls are absolute perfection, like the Siam Paragon & Gaysorn. Anything high end is there, seriously i walked around awestruck. And when everything is in Baht..fools me into believing its so affordable. So tread carefully label lovers. Though when i travel i always hope to stumble upon a unique piece, that doesnt cost me an arm! I favoured Erawann Mall, located also along Sky walk. Siam has scattered shrines to visit, like this one outside of Erwann
In this mall they have a wonderful section on the 3rd floor with all types of Thai goodies to buy and bargain for, not chaotic like some of the night markets. That's unless your into that sort of thing. I found a little store selling all kinds of beautiful beads. Im a tart when it comes to turquoise jewellery, but had been wanting a lapiz lazuli necklace for a long time now. My turquoise necklace cost me 800baht & my lapiz choker 700baht. I lost my mind when i saw this amazing necklace with coral,turquoise & lapiz all entwined beautifully, it was just screaming at me to buy her..that one cost me 4000baht. I asked Shadow( my cat) to model it,hehe. You have to admit..super fabulous purchase!

I walked all the way to check out MBK mall. This place is most definitely chaos on a stick. Reminded me so much of Philippine mall Greenhills but with  7 floors! Alas nothing to my liking, its all things Ive seen before on my travels. Until on my way out..Eureka! A most wonderful store! A must see and must buy! 'Lofty Bamboo'!!
All items are under the free trade law, i felt even more elated knowing that im truly buying items handmade in various parts of Thailand. I came home with a beautiful blue cotton dress for 1200baht. Such a happy gal i was..and that was all i needed from my walkabout in central Bangkok...just needed to stuff my face with as much Thai food as possible!