And one of my best friends was crowned Ms. Philippines Earth 2015!

I couldn't be any happier for her because I know this is her dream. I've been a witness to her struggles and to how she worked really hard to reach where she is now. I'm a proud bestfriend, and sister (from another mother), I must say.

Once again, Congratulations, Angelia Gabrena Ong, from the City of Manila, for winning the title of Miss Philippines Earth 2015! This is just the start. You have a long journey to go. Go on and prove to the Filipinos and to the rest of the world that you deserve this title. We'll be supporting you all the way. Good luck and God bless, Miss Crystal Queen!

Ladies and gentlemen, please support her campaign, #wewillbecausewecan and let's all pray that she wins the international pageant in November to give the Philippines a back-to-back Miss Earth title for 2014 and 2015.

and we gave her 3 victory parties :)

Miss Manila 2014

Congratulations to my soul sister, Angelia Ong for winning 2nd Runner-up in Miss Manila 2014. She also won as the Press Choice and Best in Evening Gown. I'm indeed a proud friend right here! I know this will open a lot of bigger opportunities for her, so watch out!:)

June 24, 2014 (PICC, Manila)

the candidates

Lady and I cheering for Angelia

Special Awards: Angelia won as Press' Choice :)

evening gown

Angelia won as Best in Evening Gown

Top 15

Angelia on her swimsuit (sorry for the photo, I forgot to bring my camera again)

Top 5

Q&A

Announcement of Winners

Angelia won as 2nd Runner-up

the crowned beauties

supportive friends on stage

and I'm so proud of this girl

girl friends in full force

my OOTN :)

after-party at Solaire Resort and Casino

xoxo,

city girl

VOTE for ANGELIA ONG as MS. MANILA PEOPLE'S CHOICE 2014

Hi everyone, I hope you could support my good friend, Angelia Ong as she joins Miss Manila 2014. We'll need your help so she could win the People's Choice award.

To vote for her, just type, MManila 9 and send to 5656 (Smart and Sun subscribers only). 

Coronation night is on June 24 at the PICC. See you there!

Please spread the word! Thank you so much!!!:)

Beauty Review: My Staple Makeup Products

I don't really shop for cosmetics that much because I don't explore much when it comes to makeup. I just want my look to be plain and simple on an ordinary day. Well at times I try to put more effort on doing my makeup when attending events/parties or nightouts.

Probably I have only gained a higher interest with makeup when I have travelled to Seoul, Korea, where cosmetic shops are literally everywhere. And I think, the most expensive makeup item I have bought in my life is the Naked palette.

My tendency is to buy the same makeup item after what I have runs out. I don't buy/own multiple face powder/foundation at once, not unless they're given to me as gifts. I stick with the items that don't irritate my skin.

So far, here are the makeup products that I've been using. I recommend these items because they're very affordable and they're perfect to use on a daily basis. In fact, I can't leave the house without these stuff.

CONCEALER:

L'Oreal or Maybelline

I use it to cover some pimple marks and freckles.

(no photo)

FOUNDATION/POWDER:

Maybelline Mineral Foundation

Revlon ColourStay Mineral Foundation

These two have a really nice finish. However, they're quite messy to apply since they're loose powder (with brush). Also, it's quite a hassle carrying them in a small bag/clutch since they're  quite bulky.

Revlon PhotoReady (pressed)

This is what I'm currently using and it's my favorite! I love its matte finish, and my face doesn't get oily that much. And hey, it's compact! I can slip it in any clutch when I go out.

EYEBROW LINER:

Nature Republic

I used to have a Maybelline one but when I found this in Korea, I tried it and loved it.

BLUSH:

Maybelline Mineral Blush (Shade: Rose)

It's not as compact as other blush-ons but I want it because it can give a natural blush (when a little is applied) or a full make up look at night (when more of it is applied).

EYELINER:

Shiseido Integrate (Black)

Before, I was using the Maybelline HyperSharp Liner when I want a thin line, and the Nature Republic pencil eyeliner when I want a thicker line. However, pencil eyeliners often smudge and make me look like a panda; while the HyperSharp liner kind of dries up fast so it can't be consumed for a long time. When I came to Japan, I borrowed my cousin's eyeliner and I liked it. It's the Shiseido Integrate black pen eyeliner. It doesn't smudge. It dried quickly once applied. And the tip of the pen doesn't dry out fast so it can be consumed for a long time.

MASCARA:

Maybelline

Every time my Maybelline mascara runs out, I buy another Maybelline mascara of a different type. I prefer a mascara that adds length and volume to my natural lashes. So far I have used the Volum' Express Cat Eyes (black&pink), Colossal (yellow), HyperCurl (black&pink), and Lash Stiletto, which is what I'm currently using. Next in line that I wanna give a try are the Rocket (blue) and Magnum (yellow) Volum' Express.

LIPSTICK:

Mac

I like the Candy Yum Yum, Russian Red, and Ruby Woo. However, those shades are not wearable everyday. I mean, I'm not the type who wears red lipstick at daytime haha. But Russian Red helped me pull off my Halloween costume as a sexified version of Wednesday Addams. Anyway, Mac lipsticks are quite expensive too, for someone who doesn't spend much for makeup. The Addis Ababa shade of Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream actually looks like Candy Yum Yum, and it's way cheaper.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream (Istanbul/Milan)

I discovered this in a bazaar in Eastwood. I love its matte finish. Plus, I love pink! And these are the shades of pink that are wearable on a regular day. Milan is brighter, while Istanbul is neared the nude shade. However, they almost looked the same. Maybe, Milan is better in events/parties or nightouts.

So, when my staple daily makeup products are put together, this is how it looks like:

See, I like that natural glowing look. Furthermore, I can wear the same makeup for a nightout. I just apply a thicker eyeliner, false lashes or more mascara, dark brown eyeshadow, and richer lip color.

xoxo,

city girl

My First DigiPerm Experience

Last October, I came across a discount voucher of Tony & Jackey (Korean salon) on Metrodeal. It offered Rebonding or DigiPerm service for Php 2,999 only instead of Php 9,000 (original price). Since I've been wanting to try having curls, I immediately both the voucher. Then I called their branch at SM North The Block for an appointment. The next day, I came to the salon and presented my voucher together with my ID.

My hair was shampooed then it was assessed by the Korean stylist named Wendy. According to her, since my hair is coloured and a bit dry, they would have to apply heavy hair treatment so it won't be damaged by the chemicals that would be used in the digiperm process. The treatment costs a total of Php 4,000 (one was Php 2,500 and another was Php 1,500); however, I wasn't informed over the phone about it so I wasn't able to bring enough cash. They are not accepting credit cards at any of their branches so be sure that you bring enough cash. After telling them that I didn't have enough cash, they offered me the treatment that's worth Php 1,000. However, the stylist was worried that my hair would be damaged because I didn't avail of the better (yet more pricey) treatment.

Anyway, so we still proceeded. I showed them a photo of the type of curls I want to achieve so Wendy cut my hair according to that style before proceeding with the curling process. The assistant of the stylist applied treatment to my hair, covered, and heated it for 15 minutes. While waiting, they played a movie for me, which I watched through the mirror screen. Yeah, it's so high-tech!:)) Then they washed my hair, put the chemical for curling and covered it with plastic. After a couple of minutes, Wendy put my hair in the digital perming machine. After 30 minutes, the assistant washed my hair and it's done! They combed my hair while it's wet then twisted it using their fingers and they continued doing that as they were drying my hair with a blower. When it dried, Wendy put some cream that would hold the curls naturally (not like gel that would harden my hair).

I was happy with the result. A lot of my friends were impressed with the curls that I got. The service had 2 weeks warranty. After 2 days I came back because I felt that my curls were a bit gone. Then my hair was assessed by my stylist. They shampooed and dried my hair. Apparently, since it was my first time to have a digiperm, I wasn't used to setting my hair yet. They taught me how to do it so I wouldn't lose the curls. So this was Wendy's instructions:

1. After showering, wipe hair with a towel.

2. Comb hair with wide-toothed comb.

3. Split hair in half.

4. On one side, split hair again into two.

5. Twist each group.

6. Dry it with a blower, or just let it dry on its own.

7. Apply cream that would hold the curls. (They sell a bottle for Php 2,000 but I didn't buy because I also have a hair cream from Japan at home. However, they also have a cream which can be applied to wet hair and it's priced at Php 2,500.)

Anyway, so I just continued practicing what I've learnt from my stylist and so far, I've been happy with my curly hair. Whenever I wake up, it felt like I came from the salon because of the natural look of my curls.

xoxo,

city girl

An Overnight Trip in Iloilo City

I love Iloilo City. I'm not an Ilongga, but I have a lot of Ilonggo friends (based both in Iloilo and Manila) that's why I keep coming back to this city. I like how everything is so affordable there most especially the food that are super yummy! Oysters, cream horn, butterscotch, kansi (bulalo), inasal...name it and they have it!

I got really excited when I found out I'll be traveling there overnight for free. It's for work actually, but it so happened that my friends got a big event coming up on the same weekend so I knew that overnight trip would be really super worth it.

On September 21, lunch time, I flew to Iloilo with Angelia, Shamcey and LLoyd for a fashion show. From the airport, we headed to Sarabia Manor Hotel to check-in and have lunch. We rested for a bit while waiting for Daniel, who's also a part of the show. And when he arrived, they had some quick rehearsals.

my lunch :))

post lunch photo (Angelia, Me, Shamcey, Lloyd)

this hotel is pretty old

The event was organized by UP Visayas - ICON (an student organization) and College of Management Student Council for the benefit of Chameleon Foundation. The event was entitled, "BISTE 3", featuring five young designers of Iloilo City namely Jor-el Espina, Ram Silva, Alberto Barros, Paul Conte and Marvin Monfort.

Here are some of the photos of the fashion show:

Paul Conte with Shamcey Supsup

Alberto Barros with Daniel Matsunaga

Ram Silva with Shamcey Supsup

Daniel Matsunaga for Jor-el Espina

Shamcey Supsup for Jor-el Espina

After the event, we rested for a bit in our rooms and headed to Lamesa Grill for our late dinner. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up. Then we're off to La Tolda at Plazuela to party!:)

lloyd, shamcey, angelia

hungry daniel :))

The party we headed to was entitled, "Those Damn Nerds A/V Tour in 3D"; and it was our friend Renzi, one of the organizers, who invited us. DJ Mia Ayesa was one of the spinners. There were big screens that featured graphics and lyrics in 3D that's why there were 3D glasses all over the place. 

We really had a blast! Just four of us finished a liter of Black Label in 20 minutes. It was my first time doing a bottoms up of scotch haha! It was followed by another bottle of that...then another bottle of Jack. It was really a fun night! Here are some of our crazy photos:

the guests: Maffy, Me, Angelia, Daniel

us and the party host, Renzi. all wearing black except Maffy.

back in the hotel, still holding the pizza we found inside Renzi's car LOL!

The last time I had an overnight trip like this was in Isabela last April, for Angelia's hosting job. And for this trip, she was the one who joined me for work. No matter where we both are, we're always having fun. Thanks so much to my soul sister, whom I call "kapatid".:)

I would like to thank Jonas, and Maffy of Mercator Model Management for being so professional and considerate. Thanks also to Shamcey and Daniel for being so patient and accommodating, most especially because there were a lot of people taking photos with them. Thanks to Lloyd for joining us. Also, I would like to thank Renzi for inviting us and giving us unlimited booze at the event...oh, and for being our driver. haha!

That's it! Well, Iloilo never fails to impress me. I really love this city. Can't wait to be back!:)

xoxo,

citygirl