#BelieveInMagique and Strike a Pose

A couple of weeks ago I shared my review of the new Mat Magique by L'Oreal, a powder compact that promises 12-hour matte and shine-free face, flawless and full coverage, and superior UV protection at only P499 a pop.

I also shared a peek at a fun shoot we had care of the L'Oreal team where we were prettified and shot by none other than BJ Pascual. Here are more photos from the event and information on how you can have your new profile photo shot by BJ as well!

My favorite part of any photo shoot is sitting down at the makeup artist's chair and emerging with a new look after
*heart eyes emoji at all these L'Oreal products*

My shade is Golden Ivory

Hair by Dennis Tuazon and makeup by Anjie Gogna ♡ 

The L'Oreal SAs were very helpful and accommodating in letting us choose the L'Oreal products we want for our goodie bag

In front of the lens
I've done this several times already but I still get nervous

With BJ Pascual himself

Kira and I arrived at the Sara Black Photography Studio a little after 4 o'clock because I needed to finish work first, so we weren't able to participate in the mini game the media people had earlier in the day. We didn't mind, though. Prepping up and the actual shoot itself took less than an hour and we're so glad we weren't caught by rush hour traffic going back to Makati.

I am very happy with how the photos turned out. I wish I can have this hair, makeup, and lighting every day! Now it's your turn to #BelieveInMagique and get the chance to have your profile photo taken by BJ Pascual! Just drop by the SM Mall of Asia Atrium today and tomorrow and purchase a Mat Magique. Voila!

Huge thanks to L'Oreal and Ogilvy for this opportunity!

Ladies, this chance doesn't come often so I really urge you to go! Tomorrow's the last day so make sure you visit their booth. (๑・ω-)～♥” 

Currently pretending I'm back at the beach.

I AM ALIVE!

I was privileged to spend the last three day and two nights in Balesin Island, one of the most beautiful places I will probably get to visit in this lifetime, because of my job. Basically, they paid me to be there. Please remind me of this post every time I feel like complaining about the littlest work-related things I am stressed about.

My kind of blues. Breathtaking.

I survived running on three to four hours of sleep, caffeine, and adrenaline; put my fear of flying on small airplanes at the deep recesses of my mind and actually flew, and; got over my terrible shyness and came closer to a lot of people! 

Life's better with sandy toes

I haven't completely decided on it yet, but if I were asked to name the most amazing things I experienced with ARC PR, this trip would most probably top my list.

I have so many stories to share but exhaustion has crept up on me and my bed is calling. In the meantime, please check out the #NiveaComeCloser hashtag on Instagram to see posts from everyone who was able to go to the Nivea Come Closer three-day event!

Thank you so much, Nivea! And thank you Universe for bringing me here!

Currently Vol. 4

I AM GOING CRAZY.

I need to be at the Alphaland Hangar before 5:30 AM tomorrow for my three-day work trip to Balesin but I haven't packed yet. Good luck to me, as Monday rush hour guarantees I won't reach home earlier than 8 PM tonight. Plus, I still need to coordinate with a few dozen people regarding their flight schedules. On top of that, I still have to write an ending for my YA story because the deadline is also tomorrow. PANIC.

In other news, I have new swimsuits!

High-waist bikini bottoms because I love rice too much, heh.

I've already tried them on in the safety of my room and I think I look okay in them. I guess I shouldn't stress out about it too much since everyone else will also be in swimsuits, right? Okay. *inhales* *exhales*

CURRENTLY Vol. 4

READING
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, the second book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams. I needed something fictional, fun, and not centered on romance, so this is my safest bet.

WRITING
My YA story for Mina Esguerra's Buqo-sponsored online class. I was randomly assigned to write a story under the trope Friends Turned to More Than Friends. I already have a name for my main character (MC) but none yet for my MC's love interest (LI). I also have a framework for my ending already but I still need to write it down and see to it that it doesn't feel too cheesy nor corny. I will do that after I finish the bajillion other tasks I still need to do.

LISTENING TO
My Balesin playlist which mostly contains alternative songs from the '90s, songs by Fun., Owl City, pre-meltdown Britney Spears, pre-Marc Anthony J.Lo, and Taylor Swift. In short, my playlist for any other day of the week.

SMELLING
My stash of Jollibee Peach Mango Pies beside me. Yum.

WEARING
A corporate-y looking dress as I attended a client meeting with one of my bosses earlier.

THINKING
Of the bajillion other things I still need to do.

FEELING
Panicked because of the bajillion other things I still need to do.

LOVING
That I thrive on stress, but I know this is not good for me, in general.

WANTING
To finish the bajillion other things I still need to do.

NEEDING
To finish the bajillion other things I still need to do.

WISHING
To finish the bajillion other things I still need to do.

I'm procrastinating with this post, see? Now I really have to finish my checklist of things I need to bring to my trip, wait for final confirmation of flight schedules, text people, pack, and write my YA ending. Please cross your fingers for me! And please pray that we may have a safe flight! I am terrified of small planes.

Let there be light.

I have a Catholic upbringing. I was born to a Catholic family and attended a Catholic school from elementary to high school. I was an active member of the Lector-Commentator Society and Legion of Mary and regularly led the Morning Prayer and daily Rosary during the flag ceremony. We recited prayers at the beginning and end of every class and had a 15-minute reflection in the classroom every day. I knew majority of the patron saints and feast days and won a lot of Marian Quiz and Bible Quiz Bees. 

However, when I got older, I became more discerning when it comes to my faith. Not that I ever doubted there is a God - I believe with all my heart that there is a God - but I have some reservations about the institution. I realized that I can be spiritual even though I am not that religious. I pray the Holy Rosary every day and regularly ask for the intercession of my favorite patron saints. I have a personal relationship with God and this will not be tainted.

As cliché as it sounds, I believe that there are no such things as coincidences. Last week, I was invited by my friends Ralph and Mike to go with them to a recollection with Verbum Dei. Since I was already feeling sick yesterday when we were in Binondo (for food trip and feng shui) and I have a long and busy work-week ahead, I thought I should just skip and take the day off to rest and paint. However, I woke up very early this morning feeling pumped up and excited to go!

It was easy to find the Verbum Dei chapter in Quezon City. Upon our arrival, we were given a warm welcome by friendly and smiling faces. We were recognized as newbies so we were given a quick introduction by Miss Ludy, Ralph and Mike's financial adviser who invited us to the retreat.

With Mike and Ralph

A couple of missionaries gave us Bible verses to ponder on and key topics to reflect on, but much of the morning was dedicated to prayer, self-reflection, and quiet retreat. It proved to be a challenge for Ralph because he said he prefers sharing within a group, but I personally didn't mind it that much - except for the time when my mind got too noisy with too many thoughts (yep, over-thinking is my second nature) that I had to write it out. We were given "freedom" to speak in the afternoon, when we were divided into small groups to share what we found the highlight of the day was with each other.

With my groupmates Sarah and Percy

Lunch was fun because aside from the good food, we also met a lot of new people who were all willing to tell us their stories.

I also saw a familiar face!

Reg is a professor in my alma mater Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. I thought she looked familiar, and then I found out she's a colleague and friend of my favorite professor in college!

My favorite part was when J-Ann, a missionary from Cebu, spoke about light. She said, "When we shine, we also give permission for others to shine." This is somewhat connected to what I learned from The Art of Asking, Amanda Palmer's book that resonated with me, and what feng shui master Johnson Chua advised me the other day. When turning the light on, there is always a switch. Switch = will. If we have the will, the light will shine, and when it shines, it speaks.

The light doesn't have to end in us. We should look for people to pass it on. "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." 

We bade our new friends goodbye after the celebration of the Holy Mass and went straight to Maginhawa Street for early dinner.

Crazy Katsu | Bookay-ukay which I was so tempted to check out, but I remembered my pile of books at home still waiting to be sorted and shelved | My favorite Moonleaf Tea Shop

J-Ann reiterated what I felt this morning when she said to us first-timers, "You being here is not a coincidence." I am thankful that I am blessed with friends who serve as instruments for me to have a deeper relationship with God. I've been looking for a recollection/ retreat house since I was used to doing it regularly when I was still studying but hadn't been successful to find any, until today.

Thank you for being my light, Ralph and Mike! You are stars.


Sunday well-spent.

Tedding-out

Lily: Don't Ted-out about it.
Ted: Did you just use my name as a verb?
Barney: Oh, yeah, we do that when you're not around. "Ted-out": to over think. See also "Ted-up". "Ted-up": to over think with disastrous consequences. For example, "Billy Tedded-up when he-"
Ted: All right, I get it.

From How I Met Your Mother S01E07: Matchmaker