I have admitted here several times already that I am probably the least sporty person you would ever meet. I disliked our Physical Education classes and was terrified of playing volleyball my whole elementary and high school life. I declined participating in physical games and preferred to sit and watch instead.

I avoided sports like the plague before, but, eight years after I graduated from high school, maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. Besides, how could I possibly refuse an invite from such an iconic brand?

That's right, I couldn't! That's why last rainy Sunday morning, I asked my friend Mae to go with me to the Converse Block Party - held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall - which promised "summer's last big blast with games, music and dance!"

A block party, like the Fourth of July Block Parties in the US, is more than just a street party. It's about community members rediscovering and relating to one another in unity and mutual understanding. From this unity, we discover the power of friendship and camaraderie so that we can act as one community for our benefit. Essentially, we are tapping into the same spirit of bayanihan that Filipino communities of old mobilized to help one another.  

When families and individuals stay at home, they are all separated from each other by their respective domiciles. When they gather outside in the streets, this separation disappears and they go a step closer to uniting as a community. The Converse Block Party wants to dissolve the barriers that separate us and help us find the qualities that make us one community.

Activities of the day included street games, basketball, skateboard, and dance exhibitions, musical performances by local acts like Callalily and Gloc9, photobooths, and a 3D movie. Here are some photos:

You can't go wrong with Converse.
Can you guess which one's my favorite? :)

Aside from enjoying the treats and activities being offered at the block party, I am also glad I got to spend time again with my friends :)

Jam (thanks again for inviting us, Jam!), Ana, and Mae

Jam's co-organizer Jason :)

Hat-sisters ;D

I loved this photo of myself and Ana taken by Mae...

So I "copied" the technique for the photo I took of them ;p

Posing for photos is fun!
Hat - YRYS | Top - Penshoppe | Shorts - Tutuban Centermall
Pewter flats - Tutuban Centermall | Bag - Tomato
Photo from Mae

Too bad we weren't able to watch the rest of the program as we had to leave early. I didn't even see Ava and the others. I'm sure it was fun!

Mae and I had a blast at the photobooth ;p
And yayyy, thank you Converse for the tracksuit bottoms!

Seriously, seeing all the fun the rest of the attendees were having inspired me to get a little bit more physical. So... my officemates and I have decided to hit the gym starting next week! Yayyy! And it's not even a desperate attempt to lose weight as I am perennially underweight already. I just want to be able to climb a flight of stairs without having the need to catch my breath ;) Thank you Converse for inspiring me to be more healthy!

Tick-tock Tick-tock Timex

Last Wednesday I went to SM Makati with my friend Mich to attend the Oldest Timex Exhibit and Launching of Jessy Mendiola and Joseph Marco as the new Timex endorsers.

World-renowned watch-makers and global icon, Timex recently brought to life the Timex Originals, an exciting new collection that features vintage designs inspired by Timex products throughout the decades, as well as modern updates to classics still in the line today. The line celebrates the brand's 156 years of watch-making experience; an homage to its heritage of authenticity.

Coinciding the launch of this new set of superior quality watches last January, Timex initiated a massive country-wide hunt-down for the oldest Timex watch. The brand raised a $1,000 reward up for grabs for anyone in possession of an authentic Timex watch with working, intact and complete parts. After a month of searching, the shortlist of 20 entries with an original Timex, alive and ticking, were finally bared.

An 1894 Waterbury pocket watch owned by Armando Paez won the Top Prize

Awarding and photo-op with winner Armando Paez, Timex general manager Avinash Uttamchandani, representatives from SM, and new Timex endorsers Joseph Marco and Jessy Mendiola

Aside from the cash prize, Mr. Paez (and the rest of the 20 finalists) also received a Timex Modern Originals Camper, a watch inspired by a men's military watch first launched by Timex in 1918. This new version is oversized and has convenient features like an INDIGLO night-light and an interchangeable, slip-through nylon strap.

Mr. Paez was given his Waterbury Pocket Watch (also known as the watch that made the dollar famous) by his father as a college graduation gift. The watch actually originally came from his grandfather who bequeathed it to his father. Amazing, right?

Aside from being entertained by a roving juggler and a magician performing card tricks (there was an awkward moment when I thought he offered "hard drinks" LOL!), Timex made sure the guests didn't go hungry by giving us food stubs for NYFD.

Chicken poppers, sandwich and soda

Loved dipping my fries on the barbecue dip :)

Orange snow cone :)

After the awarding of winners, Joseph and Jessy hosted a mini-game that was similar to the format of The Price is Right. I was surprised when my name was called as one of the participants; my friend Ed included my name! Too bad my team didn't win, the winners were very lucky as they were given Timex watches as prizes!

On the other hand, we were given Timex bags ;D

Joseph and Jessy also presented a short AVP that showed the evolution of Timex watches. Being a trivia-geek, I was very interested to see how the iconic brand developed throughout the years and how their designs adapted to the needs of the people from different eras.

 Some photos from the shoot Joseph and Jessy did for Timex:

True sportser. Joseph wearing a trendy timewear from the Timex Modern Originals Sport Styles.

Come one, Camo. Joseph wearing a strikingly rugged watch from the Timex Expedition Camo Collection.

Jewel goddess. Jessy wearing a stylish Timex piece with a neutral cream strap and rose gold accents with candlelight white dial adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals.

Summer stylista. Jessy wearing the Timex Modern Originals Easy Reader, the brand's most iconic wristwatch made bigger and more stunning with a range of new colors.

Timex's new ambassadors.

Gorgeous photos, yeah? I admittedly don't wear a watch but if asked what my Timex choice pick is, it would have to be a watch from the Women's Timex SL Series Automatics.

Mich and me with Jessy and Joseph :)

Thank you for inviting us, Ed! :)

I got such a kick from wearing my Media pass.
I am thankful I get to practice what I studied in college during events like this ♥

So do you have a Timex watch? Better save it because who knows, in a couple of hundred years you (or your descendants) might be able to win $1,000 (or even more, depending on the inflation LOL) like Mr. Paez ;)

Go to Timex's website for more information. Timex Originals are distributed by Newtrends International Corporation.

The Bloggers United Bazaar gets Krissyfied!

THE BLOGGERS UNITED BAZAAR HELD LAST FRIDAY WAS A ROARING SUCCESS!!

Thanks to digital word-of-mouth through blogs and social networking sites, we enjoyed a HUGE turn-out (even with the bleak weather). The 32nd and 33rd floors of Malayan Lounge were filled with chic and fashionable people gabbing with their friends, shopping the closets of their favorite fashion bloggers, and snapping away! It was so much fun seeing everyone having fun ♥

I shared a booth with my blog-sister Ava. Organizers Ana, Melai and Aisa weren't able to sell anymore because they were too busy running around. I told Ana to display her stuff on the booth though so Anagon Collection was still well-represented :) I also asked my fab friend and classmate from college Paula to come and sell her Maria Paulita handmade accessories :)

We were booth-neighbors with these gorgeous ladies:

Pretty Aie sold accessories and accessory-holders and boxes.

Rej, me, Aie, Earth and Bestie

Every hour Melai goes to the stage to say a few words about the sponsors, present AVPs, talk to guests and participating bloggers, announce winners of the raffle draw, and host games. I also won a game by Tomato :D The sponsors have been sooo generous in giving out freebies to everyone so thank you so much! I even got to take home a HUGE gift package from Unilever that contains prolly more than P1,000 worth of CloseUp, Vaseline and Clear products when I was interviewed for a TV spot that may be shown in etc ♥

I wasn't able to go around that much and take lots of photos, mainly because I admittedly have very low EQ and seeing pretty clothes and shoes would do bad, bad, bad damage to my savings account x_x It was great to see top fashion bloggers interacting with their readers. I'm sure this event will be forever remembered by a lot of people, especially since it is the first of its kind to happen here in Manila. Just Google Bloggers United and see posts from people who came and participated! (Check out Dylan's and Pau's ♥)

Some snaps:

Yay for happy customers!

Paula's officemates Monj and Joyce also came!

With my officemate Kristel's sister Ashley

With Ana's friend and classmate from college Mel. I knew her from way back - she's the daughter of Ma'am Milen de Quiros, the owner and CEO of Full Circle Communications (the PR firm I did my OJT for) and our thesis adviser :)

With my former officemate Kisty

With my fab officemate Thysz

Ava's adorable son Athan

The Walkie-Talkies performed. They were AMAZING!

With Denise of Denise Katipunera

With Lauren of I Am Bourgeois

With Rosanna of Little Miss Dress Up. I bought a top from her booth :)

With Tricia of Tricia Will Go Places *fan-girl alert*
A photo of myself, Aie and Ava was included in her post about the event :)

With Barney Stinson of How I Met Your Mother ;)

Also, can I just say how thankful I am that I have awesome friends? Big thanks to Dewi and Ed for dropping by and supporting my little hobby. I really appreciate it ♥ Fun fact: do you know Dewi lent me her camera just so I can have something to use for events after my camera got stolen? All together now, awwww ♥

Dewi getting her 'modelesque' groove on ;D

Happy faces!
Ed, Dewi, me, Paula and Paula's officemate Martin

After packing up at around 9, we headed to the adjacent Pancake House for a late dinner.

Big thanks also to Paula's boyfriend Marky for waiting for us and for buying us lunch! :)

Eddiibear :)

OM NOM NOM NOM!

Pink coat - Korean pre-order | White tank top - Tutuban
Polka-dot high-waist skirt - SM Department Store | Ballerina flats - Ylla

After dinner Marky was supposed to drop Ed, Dewi and me at Robinsons Galleria so we can get a cab home but he headed straight to Off the Grill in Timog Avenue for a couple of celebratory drinks and more bonding :)

My mojito was delicioso :)

I love you guys! Thank you so much! ♥

I reached my apartment at around 2:30AM lugging four big, heavy bags. Aside from the swag bags participating bloggers were given (I won't have to go toiletries-shopping for at least two months, I think ;p), I was able to snag these two items:

Janylin leopard-print stiletto booties I got from Reg's booth.
Would you believe she sold it to me for only P600??! :D

Pretty turquoise top I got from Rosanna's booth
This is brand new and I got it for P300 :)

I was eyeing a lot of other dresses but I succeeded in stopping myself from buying them. Yay for me! :D

Paula is so sweet. She handed a package to me after we have settled in our booth, and it contained these: a gothic necklace, two pairs of earrings, a wired corsage, a Krissy bookmark and three rings ♥

Congratulations to the Bloggers United trio Aisa, Melai and Ana! Thank you for coming up with this project, and I am superrr excited for the next one!!