MIRROR...MIRROR ON THE WALL !!!!

As in everything else including fashion, we tend to find our own distinctive style, a look that is all our own.

At some point, our own understanding and awareness of ourselves... "Hey, this is who I am." It could be a classic, casual chic or fusion wear and it could be high fashion.Seeking to define our distinctive look, we often begin by imitating trendy friends or fashionable icons.



 It is only when we discover our true identity that we craft our individual style to become originals rather than wannabes.Once we know who we are internally, then our style statement will also emanate a certain  inner essence expressed through all of a piece with who we are. At the beginning of our style journey, though, when we are still looking for ways to be, we do the reverse, which is to piece together an identity through the way we dress.



 The more expensive the outfit, the more confident we feel about who we are. The more we copy trends, the safer we feel about our clothes. At this stage we are very vulnerable to brands and fashion trends because we have a great need to belong and to be endorsed.

A huge part of our identity derives from being fashionable or from having the money to dress in top-line clothing. Through our invulnerable armour of fashionable perfection, we survey the rest of humanity through the same parameter. Individuals who dress like us pass the test and those whose clothing is unbranded or not trendy are dismissed without further ado.



Indeed, one quick way of figuring out how far we have travelled on our path of finding our true self is to see how dependent we are on brands. How do we feel when we wear a branded pair of jeans? How do we feel when we don't? If a great deal of our confidence comes from 'magic names', we may be sure we have to work on ourselves.

I am not implying that people who have found their identity stop wearing brands. They might still choose to wear brands but their identities are not a function of the labels they flaunt. They will not be diminished if they are not wearing a brand. They are free - to discover their own inclinations, likes and dislikes, independent of whether they are in fashion or not and they will not judge others on the basis of whether they wear brands or not.

 

Indeed, we become originals rather than wannabes only when we discover our own style, which, as I said before, goes in tandem with the discovery of our own identity.

How do we discover our identity? By finding that we can survive - and even thrive on - the tests of life. By discovering our self-worth and self-respect. By connecting with our values, what we stand for and believe in. Gradually, like a figure rising out of the morning mist, we form. Instead of miming others' opinion about issues, we proffer our own. We daringly go out on a limb for things we believe in. We discover that we have skills and talents that others value and appreciate.
 

We find that we like ourselves - a lot. And gradually, we discern the shades that suit us, the styles that flatter us and those that do not, the fabric that feels right for us, the looks that we identify with. Eventually, our wardrobes begin to fuse around these factors. People around us begin to notice and comment on our dress sense and often bring us little trinkets and clothes which are 'so you'. Best of all, they begin to imitate us! Knowing who we are gives us the freedom to experiment. We are no longer afraid of looking outlandish or different.

When you discover your individual style, you just can't be beat…because you stand alone, facing the mirror.

Designers' Lunch at Fanny Serrano

Fanny Serrano is a remarkable man. Flamboyant actor, erudite make -up artist, complicated business man, serene fashion designer and most important- completely dedicated to life and God. Did I say flamboyant?

I had a wonderful  and enjoyable lunch with him at his house at Tomas Morato Avenue where his shop is also located. Serrano is a dominant figure in Beauty business who combines pleasure exuberantly and dramatically while attending to his lucrative beauty products and his successful saloon for high end clienteles. Wearing a loose cotton in white, he strides from the invited guests, the designers who lunch, laughing and just enjoying the fabulousness of the day.







 I sat together with Monsieur Christian Espiritu and I couldn't concentrate on the conversation, I felt the serenity of the place, the natural therapeutic effect of calmness....it wasn't about the ornate interiors, the crowded artifacts, the loaded textures...the fragrance, the shapes, the colours...it was all about home....engulfing everything from light intensity and heat to the charm, wit and playfulness of brilliant arts that fused and blended well with the food...the guests and the conversation.







It was local and exotic haute cuisine and artifacts....magoes and style....cold San Mig beer flowing as easily as the conversation when Fanny Serrano invites the capital's fashion's front liners and divas to a sumptuous afternoon treat.


Add the sassy guests that emerged like burst of flowers in May....a sense of chic from our host in his beautiful home full of arts to Philippine Fashion Maestro- Monsieur Christian Epiritu who looked very fresh and young in a mix-n-match cotton casual accentuated with a deep red orange ethnic scarf, Albert Andrada -Dubai -based designer who did a successful runway show at Philippine Fashion Week Holiday lat May 15 at SMX Manila, Frederick Peralta musing naughty at his first acting on indie film Kape Barako, Ronald Mendoza who is thinking a comeback next season at fashion week, famous runway photographer Nelson Villarica, the reluctant male designer- Rene Santos and of course, the stylemonger!

 

 
  


all photo credits: Nelson Villarica

PINO'S: CEBU'S HAUTE GOURMET

Restaurant chic is in. Today, great cuisine must be married with fabulous interiors. The trend for simplicity is over. Elaborate, over the top, themed or sheer luxury provide moods for the gastronomically inclined.

Bland and boring eateries are out, atmospheric cuisine is in.

the elegant entrance of PINO'S in Cebu

The trend of luxury restaurant seems to be kicking off, Pino's, the gourmet brainchild of Cebu socialite Madame Amparito Llamas Lhuillier and restaurateur and managing partner Monsieur Joel del Prado, resonated luxe and elegance in fine dining. Nothing can beat it for its sheer sprawl and space in a metropolis that is normally afraid to breathe, imparting a grainy feel in uptown Wilson Street in Lahug.

Pino's is in the neighbour-hood, and is a few notches upscale ladder with it's name-dropping labels( think the Lhuilliers, the Osmenas and the Ramas of Cebu).

the mouth watering Gourmet Theatre

The restaurant is spectacularly large with intricately faceted, polished, hardwood panelled surfaces, like being in the inside of a tree. Venetian crystal- chandeliers are suspended from the ceilings. The cuisine presents a modern approach to classic native flavours, very much like the interior design itself by the famous Sheila Solon.

wine on treat by Joel del Prado

The classic native cuisine – international wines paired with innovatively tweaked classic Cebuano recipes like white fresh marlin marinated with coconut milk and baked with local spices is complemented beautifully by the sumptuous interiors. Heavily adorned Venetian mirrors, dimly lit chandeliers, and lavish contemporary bohemian chic-hacienda feel make for a warm dinner and lunch. The exquisite décor made an unapologetic statement of ancestral hispanic splendour, impossible to ignore.

the warm interiors of PINO'S

How do the stylishly turned out and terribly talented Cary Santiago in Bottega Veneta arm candy and Project Runway winner Philip Tampus as my lunch hosts and friends strike you? As the kind of people to do things by extremely Haute and Couture? Blink again...I am just simply lucky!

Haute Couture Designer Cary Santiago in Bottega Veneta arm candy with Cebu socialite and fashionista Carla del Prado in Chanel black bag with printed summer top and Chanel shades

The menu proffers ‘native cuisine’ with a Spanish influence." Pino" which means fine, impressive craftsmanship and impeccable taste, is a leisure repast sit-down family and friends type dinner in relaxation buffet mode.

Cary Santiago, Philip Tampus with the STYLEMONGER

                                    lato ....!

Lowly veggies are now turning up on the tables of the elite and the nouveau-snobs. Take the "LATO" and "Gozo' sea weeds and a staple of the working classes — it can now be found on the best tables and in fine dining restaurants. Chefs in many-starred restaurants even top this sea vegetable with caviar.

                             gozo splendor

Similarly, a leafy plant that used to grow wild is now cultivated and served as trendy soups with ulo ng isda and even with delectable sauces. What the poor once ate has now become retro-chic. As have traditional, easy-on-the-stomach dishes like pot-au-feu, local soups and stews.

Necessity has always been the mother of invention, or indeed creativity, when it comes to cuisine in the Philippines. Vegetarian food evolved an exquisite vegetarian cuisine that could be an epicurean’s delight. For example, dishes made from the flowers of a banana plant, langka and coconuts.

Perhaps, it is time to go back to the future — to the roots, literally speaking too. The health conscious have discovered the virtues of traditional cuisines — even those of the masses. But there is another reason for a return to a simpler past, to the kind of traditional cooking that allows sudden increases in the number of guests at Pino's loving the food.

kinilaw

     Talaba

Maybe it was the uncompromising beauty of the locations, or the richness of colour (that our hazy city-life makes drab and grey), or the sheer understated luxury of the environs that made one feel desperately pampered – spoiled even, as if we were the only ones that truly mattered here, or maybe it was the fact that here, no one else mattered to either of us.... it completed us.

Seen at the Restaurant: the mother of Ruffa Guttierrez, Eddie Guttierez and Raymond Isaac

Thanks to Cary Santiago and Philip Tampus for my memorable Cebu trip

and thanks too for the bottle of wine and the fabulous lunch courtesy from the affable Managing Director of Pino's- Monsieur Joel del Prado

Monsieur Joel del Prado-Managing Director/PINO'S

YACHTING THE GOOD LIFE........

I sprawled myself on a fabulous yacht sailing away from Dubai Yacht Club. A friend  hosted a little boat party on that morning  cruising across Dubai Creek  with a champagne flute in hand and the sun shining gently overhead, we decided that life is most fabulous. Mr. RICH, owned  the boat.


 Before the Armani, the Burj, the Palm, Dubai during the 90's was already  about the good life....unknown mostly from the rest of the world, Dubai was already a city that breathes luxury.
  



Built on two levels,the boat  fitted with two cabins encased in rich leather, high-end furniture and flamboyant fabrics, promises you a cruise of a lifetime. As you float on board, you may sunbath on the open deck while you indulge in relaxing mood of sight seeing the creek.
  

As we sailed  back into the club docking port from our trip to Ras Al Khaima, up close while he was navigating the boat, out from the blues, I asked him how did he earn his "first million".He was so surprised with my question, almost embarrassed, I said I'm sorry.Then, to my astonishment, he laughed heavily and told me it was  alright.I said to myself, my gowhnish....me and my big mouth!

He  paused for a while, maybe thinking how he would answer my intruding question. You Mister Butz, you are   the first ever person  asking me about my finances" he says.
 "I earned my first million writing a book. A book about Bruce Lee, about kung fu" he sighs, as we transferred to the lounge on the upper deck.
  
"So did you really earn a million on a crazy kung fu book?"  I naughtily asked  him back.
'No.........hahahahaha...he laughs, you creep!!!!!, it was my dyeing factory, tons of fabrics dyed in different colors, earned my second million!" he grins.
  
Again without batting an eyelash, I asked him " Then how did you earn your second million?........."
 He paused for a little while and answered me with too much angst on his face, "My second million was too difficult to earn....I was expanding my hard-earned money to some new business ventures, he says. It was risk- gain strategies....I lost some and gain some....but I fought with strong determination."
Then a question so easy to answer took him almost two hours to relate something all about his personal life...!
 ...then there was a complete silence.
  
  Between sipping orange juice and enjoying the view of the panoramic Dubai, he asked me, ' Would you ask me how I earned my third million?.........!!!!
  
And I said, "No"
....and he said "WHY?
I said no need, Mr RICH GUY,........!!!!! THE FIRST MILLION was your most crucial, putting the hardwork, the push and the determination..............
The second MILLION was your journey into becoming someone who wanted to be SOMEONE......
THE THIRD, THE FOURTH ..THE FIFTH ....are the fruits of your ambitions......!!!!!!!(arggghh!, wow..you were just making me green!!) lol........!!!!

 As  I was saying??????.........when in Rome...?

POST SCRIPT:
Later, me and Mr.RICH become friends...and I was always in his boat, that I become so burnt black ..yucks!!!! and everytime I was in his boat a picture of images kept flashing in my mind....

 Me in a little wooden boat with my father paddling on a tranquil river early morning mist going to our fish ponds. I love the fog...the the small fishes jumping on our way, the white birds perching on the magrove trees....the  soft breeze.....the bond between me and my father. Ahhhhhh....that was my moments, that was my good life!!!!..........cheers! and happy holidays!!!!!!

KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS...

Everybody dreams of becoming the best in every aspect in the human life where there are competitions. We join contests to win. We fight to prove we are the greatest. We all want to get the golden cup or the sparkling medal for recognition of our glory and hard work. In short, we are all born to fight just like the saying “survival of the fittest”.

 

In our way to the top, we gather friends and peers for help and support. They make our goal-hunting easier and hassle-free. Providing laughter and smiles to wash the tiring competitiveness away.
 But of course, when the road to our goals gets nearer, everything changes from flowers to thorns. Earlier, I have said that everyone wants to become the best. But sometimes, some of this “everyone” is your friend.

This is when the war begins. JEAOUSY. ENVY. CRAB MENTALITY

People start to drag others down so they could work their way to the top. Either you deny it or not, we possess this attitude. Crab Mentality. To win, we strive with our best until we realize that our best is not enough, we resort to our last option. The dark evil ones: backstabbing, lies, gossip, etc. All of these under crab mentality. We destroy whatever good we have gathered through the way just for the prize on top. The flowery – friendly adventure has turned into greedy self – centering quests.



What we don’t realize is that our friends, the memories, the smiles, the laughters…everything, is more than the prize that we kill for. All we have to do is open our eyes and see this. Then, everything will be more different starting from you...DON'T TURN GREEN WITH ENVY....strive hard to level up, if not, then for your neighbor's sake... appreciate other's achievements, lifestyle, assets and their fabulous boyfriends. Or live in your frugal ways, saving for your rainy days, anyways you don't appreciate luxury so stay within your budget and wallet.


This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to "escape" a so-called "underprivileged life", but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their success.
Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as, crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase" IF I CANT'T HAVE IT, NEITHER SHOULD YOU". The metaphor refers to a pot of CRABS...singly, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead they grab each other in a useless "king on the hill competition" which prevents any from escaping and ensures their COLLECTIVE DEMISE. The analogy in human behaviour is that -a group or individual will attemp to "pull down"(negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieve SUCCESS beyond the others.

EAT TODAY..DIET TOMORROW

Dining is no longer about long and tiresome preparation in our kitchen. And it is not really about eating to satisfy our stomach, it is more about the dressing up, the conversation and the getting out from the normal routine. Hunger is for the cravings …palate tasters are what dining is all about.
Fine dining are in, or haven’t you heard?....”Do you cook?” somebody asked. “Of course not!” I answered back. Great parties are not  about knowing how to cook, but all about finding good and fabulous caterers and restaurants!!!!!!



Now, you visit a friend’s home during special events like Christmas or New Year who is bragging gourmet excellence with his  recipes snitched from one of the mushrooming gourmet restaurants in the internet….yay!  I believed – and every meal is judged on the outlandishly clever gourmet competency of the home-maker-turned-chef., but does his salmon salad come laced with chevre? Has it been garnished just so? If not, it’s not good enough to be plated up! Lol……..



And it’s not just the chic young men and women flaunting their culinary skills, it’s about ensuring that you have a system in place to replicate this sensational food – anytime and with the least bother. And to that end, my cravings struggling with understanding my desire to have my grilled cod from ZUMA , my Mediterranean bread  on multigrain herb focaccia in Armani where I simply adore grilled zucchini and eggplant  with mixed Italian  paste! And who cares I don’t know the difference and the meaning of ‘au gratin’ and parmigiana..? I just love to savor the good life.


 All along, the conversation tinkles with very profound discussions on fashion politics, who is in and the totally outs, and whether the food on your plate would work better with the coconut soufflé or the champagne tart. It’s the easy way out of pretentious course and is somehow that crass, Med-Italian  sort of thing one can do, to remain cool after all that soul-searching food.



Talking about soul-searching food, the chef- next-door believes in cooking from your heart, and with ingredients of love. How much can you cook from your heart, when your stomach is empty and how much love can emanate from that drop of extra virgin olive oil ? then, eat your heart out!
The thrill lies in the pleasure-seekers. After all, can you really be eating shawarma or plain looking dishes in your neighborhood resto  in your Jimmy Choos, Christian Louboutin and Herve Leger?


 But frankly? it is worth sharing , if merely to prove that the world is your personal oyster and you have an international, exclusive and very über-chic cooking in a state-of-the-art kitchen, er, not yours gorgeous....…but in that  five star hotel overlooking at your window!!
So if your new year’s resolution( as if) is about wishing you having a 24 inch waistline,...behave, eat today and diet tomorow!!!!!!!!!!

PASSION FOR FASHION

Passion is about life. Our passions are born from our need to go beyond the purely material towards the transcendental: to reach for, and hold  something that defies time. Passion is what makes it possible to survive defeat and our  weapon against loneliness because it has to be shared. Passion therefore forces us to bind with the world. We seek  to be recognized as a separate, distinct individual, and to be accepted by others as a person of worth.
 

 But respect has to be given; it cannot be taken. So reach out to others, form relationships, get involved, each involvement brings fulfillment.... but also fear. For awhile passion is exhilarating... it is also terrifying. For every overture holds within it the possibility of failure, of non-recognition by  others.


 When the mere possibility of not being recognized and accepted scares you so much that you prefer to destroy the object of your desire, then you destroy even the possibility of fulfillment through passion. But being able to take revenge makes a person feel powerful. Revenge is the opposite of passion because it seeks the final and total destruction of the other that is why revenge is so incredibly seductive..................

 
The contemporary mantra of this highly competitive world made us think that what matters most is winning. So if winning is everything, losing then becomes unbearable. And the only way to accept losing is to look for someone to blame. This is where hatred comes in.




If we are to break out of this vicious cycle before someone figures out a way to destroy us all in a senseless act of revenge, we need to end the obsession with winning, to bring back passion as the prime motivator in life – not competition. If we want the world to survive, we need to change……………………….

missing a place called HOME

  It's my travelling back home once again, at least on my homesick mind... another bewitching  time on my emotional snaps down memory lane. It is some sort of my recharging journey to connect once again my innerself  to a place called..home.

Why going home is still very emotional moment  for me then.....It's like me in a period movie...something sepia...some edgy cinematic pictures almost an entry to a vintage film festival.

  Dusky frame with monochromatic  shades of brownish gold landscape while an impatient sun perched in a corner of mountain trees waiting  in the wings of Mother Earth for its exit cue. It's my own version of "The Way We Were"  reverie. But back in time was just a year ago, where I saw trees, animals, my farm, mountain jeep, horses and water buffalos.

I don't dwell in the past...I am a present/ future tense in a sentence, yet here I am with confused emotions. After a longish spell lost in my thoughts, I know the answer...I simply miss all the good things in my life....my son and  Home.
 

My   travel back home involves more than just being there at the Philippine Fashion Week on May, exploring cuisine at Morato and sipping coffee at Greenbelt, landscape, nightlife, art, fashion, music.
More even enjoying the breath of fresh air in the mountain mist..it's my embraces to my love ones, a bonding moment  deeply catalogued in my memory bank,  so looking back, it will be another sepia coloured Kodak moments in some vintage  film festival on my mind.

 As a fashion designer and artist  I often travel for inspiration, or to find myself. Or even to change  by load-shedding previous inhibitions and ways of being. Sometimes using  other journeys  as mirrors to the ones I  have left behind. Here, my  destination gives me  a new relish of life  to look at the world, and perhaps myself, differently.

So  who needs  Paris to give my  imagination a free reign, let me  put it cogently: ‘One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of connection.”

photos: all from PAGADIAN CITY