My First time to meet IMELDA ROMUALDEZ MARCOS "The Steel Butterfly"

The so-called Steel Butterfly’s seductive power remains largely intact, She fascinated American officials, diplomats and journalists with her striking beauty and lavish hospitality. She waltzed with Reagan and Lyndon B. Johnson, turned over her own bed to a visiting Richard M. Nixon....

Imelda Romualdez Marcos, The former first lady of the Philippines has become an icon of popular ridicule since the 1986 People Power revolution brought an end to her "ridiculous dreamworld."

The first time I met her, I was stone cold. I was star struck that time because of the over flowing Charisma that she carried along side with a huge entourage of body guards and some maids. I was fascinated with the former First Lady of  the Philippines because I remember the time when I was a young boy, I only saw her on Television and Magazines talking with grace, power and most of all beauty.

I remembered her saying: "If you're a little presentable, you're called frivolous. Beauty is frivolity it seems, but beauty is love. You can never have an excess of what is democratic, just and beautiful. You can't say a woman is overly beautiful but you can say someone is overly ugly. It is against religiosity to be surrounded by ugliness." and "I hate ugliness. You know I'm allergic to ugliness."

I would ask my mother: Who is that beautiful woman? And my mother would tell me everything about her. And I said to myself: One day, I will meet her. My obsession meeting with Mrs.Marcos kept on and on and on. Until it reached my playmates who were same my age that time and classmates as well. But I ended up being teased because for them, I was too ambitious and I will never make it since I'm from the province and she will never meet me, who am I too? But I said NO. I will meet her and will take photos.

And the impossible happened.

When I met her face to face, I was a little bit scared, not because of the bodyguards or the big people that was with her that time, I was afraid because I have doubts that she would ignore me just like one of those crowds.

Because of my courage and bravery, I said the words that I wanted to say for the longest time of my life.

'Mrs. Marcos, you're my idol' 

She looked at me and smiled and said: 'I am flattered by your kind words, where are you from Ijo?'

I answered back: 'I'm from the province actually, I'm a Bisaya. I never hide my roots eversince I arrived in Manila.'

She again smiled and said: 'So that explains why you are good looking and mestiso like those Spaniards, I'm Bisaya too. And basta mga Bisaya, I never hide that in the world, Bisaya people are beautiful. You should be proud of it'

We chatted and she told me many things. And at the end of the conversation, I told her that I was hoping to see her in person since I was a kid. And no one believe me because I was too far ambitious and people think I'm just daydreaming.

She smiled again and she said:'It's okay to dream. People sometimes would laugh at you because they find things impossible, but they're not. Look at you now. You're infront of me talking. Mission accomplished right?'

Tracing her lonely, traumatic upbringing in Leyte, her fabled courtship by Ferdinand Marcos and her role in his rise to the presidency, the author describes how the first lady gradually traded in a fairytale dream of romance for a dream of power. When the dream became a reality, she used that power for self-glorification ("Look! Look how the people love me.")

The New Age of Party: REPUBLIQ

Where in Manila you would experience the so called 'High End' clubbing and party from Dusk till Dawn? No one can do this except REPUBLIQ.


It’s located in Resorts World Manila (RWM), which is located in Pasay. The club is best described as a Vegas nightclub. The club is always packed, especially on Wednesdays (The Wild) and Fridays (Soiree). Saturday (Pure) is house music only, the other days is mostly hip-hop, top40, mashup. You can text or call to book a table at Republiq, but make sure to book early. Many times the best tables are already booked over a month in advance.



Republiq has a strict dress code. Males have to wear a collar! Always dress up nicely (dress to impress). Girls can dress up sexy or stylish and guys should wear a shirt, jacket or polo shirt (it needs to have a collar or you won’t get in). Jeans & sneakers will be allowed upon our discretion.

Door lines At certain times it can get very busy at the entrance which sometimes results in big lines. Always be patient, you will get in, but remember that VIPs, regulars and paying customers always go before people that are on the guestlist, so sometimes you might have to wait long. Don’t get angry or let it spoil your night. It’s worth the wait!

Falling in line for the first time sometimes can give you a 'shock factor' since  you can see beautiful people, celebrities like Haute Couture designers, Models, Actors and Actresses. It's an experience for someone who breathe glamour and sophistication. Girls on their branded shoes like Jimmy Cho, Prada and even Manolos. Guys most often wear black and white, but if you're lucky, you can see them on colorful masculine polos and the huge venue definitely makes Republiq THE premier nightlife destination in Manila.

The hype that it offers to the people who want to unwind is exceptional. With the pumping and superb music provided by the house DJ, you will surely rock your night away. Aside from the boosted energy of the people around you, you will also have a great time with their famous Margarita and Tequila which are really ideal for a person that’s looking for the perfect place to unwind and have fun.

Luxewear that is Albert Andrada

His amazing show of world-class brilliance and bravura, unfettered by conventions and logistical limitations has definitely caught the attention of style pundits in Manila.

-Illustradolife

Albert Andrada has been living a charmed life for the last nine years.  As head fashion designer for the Royal Family of Fujairah and a trusted member of the Royal Household, the designer’s life is cloaked in grandiosity like nobody else can imagine.

Luxe wear, as he would later describe his creations. In the mid 80's Andrada was an OFW in Al-Khobar Saudi Arabia designing graduation gowns, uniforms (corporate), RTW and of course, couture.

Albert Andrada's life of privilege and luxury working as one of three Filipino designers for the ruling royal family of Fujeirah, one of the seven kingdoms of the United Arab Emirates. Travelling with a private plane, staying in five-, six-star hotels, eating in the best restaurants and shopping in the most high-end boutiques and specialty stores was simply amazing.The designer has been working in the Middle East since 1986 and in 2002, won the Designer of the Year Award at the Swarovski Bridal Show in Dubai

Jinkee Pacquiao, the wife of Philippine boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, made her debut as a ramp model during the 25th anniversary fashion show of local clothing line Bench 

Andrada says his styles are are very unpredictable and spontaneous. They change from season to season. Utmost concern is ease and wearability without compromising elegance of the human form. Opulence in details (or in local parlance being meticuloso) is the frame of reference in each Andrada creation, which is very evident in my needlework, embellishment and embroidery.

The Impalpable Dream of Michael Cinco

IMPALPABLE, CLASS, ELEGANCE, SOPHISTICATION... MICHAEL CINCO

Impalpable means Not able to be perceived by the senses (especially by touch); intangible or insubstantial.

Impalpable, that's the word that you can hear from Haute Couture Filipino Dubai based Michael Cinco. He's known for creating haute couture weddings gowns, that are favorite of most world class celebs and socialites in the Philippines and abroad. His creations have been worn by celebrities like Sofia Vergara, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown, Fergie, Paris Hilton, Dita Von Teese, Mischa Barton among others.

His fresh and elegant juxtaposition of elements, like fabric and Swarovski crystal embellishments, reiterate his utterly no-nonsense love for the intricacy of details on exceptionally superb creations.





Born in the south of Samar, in August 27, 1971, he struggled to fit in, shy and often misunderstood.

He is a rare breed of designer who seems to understand fashion and haute couture like so many of the greats who came before him, the whimsical detailing, exquisite necklines, and floral trains on the magnificent couture pieces blew our minds. It was magnificent, like beautiful things seen only in your dreams. This is not real - but it is.

He creates clothes for those who demand attention as well as for those who have a great personal style accompanied by a healthy dose of high drama. His work is full of emotion and detail. Delicate dresses glided down the runway in a fitting introduction to Cinco’s best collection to date.

Extremely intricate, the white collection presented both a restraint and a richness, with beautiful pearl beading, lace, and weaving reminding of Valentino’s rich delicacy.

                                     Michael Cinco's impalpable email via FB

                            Birthday Greetings From Philippine Designers and Models

THE CRONUT CRAZE

When I was working in the Middle East, I've read about this 'Cronut' thing in Facebook.

People even were asking me: 'Have you tried cronuts there?' 'Do they have cronuts?' 'How's the taste?'

I cannot answer all those questions because they got NO cronuts available in the place I'm working. Out of curiosity, I tried to search that on Google because of the 'hype' all over cyberspace. 

When I tried to search the internet, a CRONUT is a food portmanteau.It is a croissant-doughnut pastry invented and trademarked by Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City.

When I went back in Iloilo City, Philippines. I almost forgot about the Cronut fever that people were talking, and I never thought that it wouldn't reach the place I'm living since this is not the capital city which is Manila. 

I never expected that one bakery has it. The JD Bakeshop,their most famous branch is easily at the Roadhouse along Gen. Luna where it shares the building with it's sister restaurant, Emillion.

Eventually I got hooked and love cronuts, especially their custard and apple flavor.