Do you love BB Creams but find blending it with your fingertips too tedious and/ or messy?

I'm the same!

When I read about BB Cushions from Korean beauty brands, I instantly wanted to try but found the price off-putting. Seeing Maybelline Super BB Cushion - their BB Cushion version of their instant cult favorite (also one of my favorites) Super BB Cream - made me so excited to get my paws on it stat!

The new Maybelline Super BB Cushion promises radiance from morning to night in just a tap tap.

Books and toys and pop culture

The weather has been extra gloomy these past few days and it was tempting to just stay home and eat champorado yesterday, but it's not every day that The Philippine Readers & Writers Festival and the AsiaPOP Comicon happen on the same weekend so despite the lure of my bed I got up and left the house.

First stop: Raffles Makati for The Philippine Readers & Writers Festival.

With Arnel Patawaran, and my signed copies of his books Write Here Write Now and Hai[na]ku

With Eliza Victoria and my signed copies of her books Wounded Little Gods and Project 17
I have more books of hers but they were borrowed by a friend and I never got them back. :(
Her book A Bottle of Storm Clouds inspired one of my watercolor paintings.

Never mind the crappy handwriting. I got my books signed by Arnel Patawaran and Eliza Victoria! Authors are my rock stars so I'm a happy fan girl. ♥

BEYOND

Because I already ran out of comic books for Manix to sign

It's not a secret that I'm a HUGE fan of Manix Abrera. Exhibit A: I lined up for six hours to get his autograph. Exhibit B: My boyfriend and I went to Baguio to attend his talk. To work on a project with him? That's the dream.

Well, as Paulo Coelho said in my favorite book The Alchemist, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

I work in PR and Beyond the Box is one of our clients. To celebrate the amazing talent and creativity found in Filipino comic book artistry through the use of technology, the Apple Premium Reseller brought together some of the country’s most respected and known comic artists to create a one-of-a-kind comic book compilation made solely using the iPad Pro — the first of its kind in the Philippines.

Harvey Tolibao, Manix Abrera, and Mervin Malonzo have been challenged to write and illustrate under the theme “beyond” as an ode to Beyond the Box as a brand that encourages pushing limits and exploring possibilities.

Harvey Tolibao is a Filipino comic book artist who has gained recognition by pencilling and inking for Dark Horse, Marvel and DC Comics. He is currently a cover artist at Zenescope Entertainment, a comic book artist at IDW Publishing, an artist at Nautilus Comics, and a cover artist for DC Comics.

Manuel “Manix” Abrera is a Filipino comic artist best known for his daily comic strip Kikomachine for The Philippine Daily Inquirer and his webcomic News Hardcore! on GMA News Online. 

Mervin Malonzo is a Filipino freelance designer, artist, animator, illustrator and cartoonist for web, video animation, print, and comics. He is known for writing and drawing the National Book Award-winning comic Tabi Po and his work with writer Adam David for Ang Subersibo, a comic adaptation of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

We launched Beyond at Hole in The Wall in Century City Mall last Tuesday (that's a couple of days before I had my hair cut, heh) and oh my, if only I could absorb even half of the creativity and awesomeness in the room!

Hi, Sab!

Hello, new glasses!

I used to lug heavy shoulder bags to work and that put a lot of strain on my shoulders, made worse by the fact that I am compelled to bring everything anywhere I go. Lately though, I started using a backpack and that made it a LOT easier for me. However, the backpack I have makes me look like I'm still in college. Flattering, yes, but doesn't leave a good impression especially when I'm on client meetings and events.

The solution: Get a "mature" backpack.

My friend/ officemate Alexandra went with me to SM Aura to look for one.

The problem: I didn't find any I liked enough.

We went around some more but we still weren't successful. On our way out of The SM Store, I spotted this:

Long story short, I have a new pair of eyeglasses.

I had an eye checkup and got the lens fitted the same day. I've had my current pair for two years now and I've been meaning to have it replaced so I couldn't have chanced upon these "granny glasses" at a better time. I got my glasses with the correct grade earlier today; it took longer because of my astigmatism.

I'm also in love with Maybelline Creamy Matte in Burgundy Blush. Review coming soon. ♥

Robinsons Beauty Fair August 2016: Winning Beauty

Hold your horses — and your wallets! It's Beauty Fair season again in Robinsons Department Store! Hoard and stock up on your favorite beauty products and personal care essentials and enjoy great discounts and freebies on brands like Unilever, L’Oreal, Maybelline New York, Celeteque, Colgate, Garnier, Procter & Gamble, Myra, Revlon and many more!

Doesn't it feel like Christmas in August?

Here are just some of the amazing deals you can score until the end of the month! Hurry!

I met Atom Araullo today

And here's the proof:

For context: #romanceclass started as a community of local authors and aspiring authors of romance books. This group was started by Mina V. Esguerra as an extension of the romance classes she offered but has since grown to include readers. It's a supportive and uplifting community and I am happy to be part of it. ♥

Just recently, Mina started organizing #romanceclass lectures where they invite personalities from certain fields to give us a clearer understanding of their professions and the dynamics of people in the workplace to either serve as inspiration for possible book characters, or to assist authors in the middle of writing about characters who happen to be in these fields.

Today we had Pia Arcangel and Atom Araullo representing journalists. 

My ballet class with Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde of Ballet Manila

If my career in PR doesn't pan out, I think I'll pursue my original dream and become a ballerina instead.

... is what I was thinking of on our way to The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila's new branch in Fisher Mall.

Such wishful thinking. Such lofty dreams.

Yes! As part of its continuing effort to bring ballet closer to the people and the people closer to ballet, Ballet Manila opens a new branch in Quezon City to bring the signature discipline and technique that it has come to be known for closer to aspiring ballerinas and danseurs residing north of Metro Manila.

See? I can even look the part!

Scents, sensibilities, and favorite feelings

I like scents and I cannot lie. After the long and extremely busy week we had last week (I mean, yeah, all weeks are long and busy when you work in PR, but last week was extraordinary because we had the huge Penshoppe x Lucky Blue Smith series of events), it's nice to sit back and enjoy a little aromatherapy.

What perfect time to open my package from FAVORI than last weekend, then. Really, my new Leaf Aerator is heaven-sent. ♥

Even a total noob can set this up. All you need to remember is to put enough water in the container while it is unplugged, add a few drops of your water-soluble oil of choice, and voila! You now have a fancy addition to your room that removes dust and smoke and reduces indoor pollution as it deodorizes and refreshens.

The color-changing display and LED illumination are nice touches, too. I was mesmerized!