This Boy's Life

Maximum Exposure Release


Cover Boy Borgy Manotoc


Suki, Mate, Hunski and Jeng


Editrix Richie and Goddess Kevin Aviance


Icon's Richie, Jigs, Carlo and Angelo

The third issue of Icon Magazine was released on a very humid Wednesday night. Held at the Government Dance Club in Makati (which has unofficially been the venue for Icon events), the launch was attended by a number of celebrities, the usual Government party people and the growing number of Icon readers.

As was the case during the grand launch of Icon, Hunski and I were assigned to sell magazines, together with our student intern Ryan and his friend who manned the registration. It was okay, because I wasn't really in the mood to party that night. I just wanted to people watch. It would have been better though had the weather been much cooler.

There wasn't really any program that night. Icon editrix Richie thanked the people for continuing to support the magazine. Circuit Asia DJ Kevin Aviance dropped by to command his "children" to attend the four-day Circuit Asia parties. A raffle also highlighted the evening. I am super grateful to Watsons boss Jill Mendoza for sending over really huge prizes despite the really late notice.

Among the celebrities who attended the night were models Cat Juan and Geoff Rodriguez (who are both in the swimwear editorial of Icon's current issue), and of course, our cover boy Borgy Manotoc who was with current beau Ornussa Cadness.

Suki, Richie, Hunski and I left around three in the morning. Hunski and I had to go to Suki's house to get some magazines for delivery the following day(!!!).

I think the party went really well. It may not be as grand as our launch but the attendance was good and the mini-program was also good. We just needed to make some noise and tell the entire country that the third issue of Icon magazine is now out in the newsstands.

So go get your copy now. Visit our website here.

Sunday Field Trip


Getting to Know a Fellow Visitor


Man and Machine


Feeling Anna Wintour

Sunday morning turned out to be some sort of field trip for me and Hunski. Together with Bunnees Richie and Suki, we headed to the printing press to check on the printing of Icon. We don't usually do this but since this issue's cover is neon (yes, I wrote neon), we had to be there at the printers in order to get the kind of neon that we want.

After about an hour's drive, we were welcomed at the printing press by ultra accommodating Mikko, who handles the Icon account. He brought us to the area where the cover is being printed so that we can personally instruct the operator to increase or decrease the color on the cover.

Then, Mikko toured us around showing us the step by step process of how the magazines, books, newspapers and other things are printed. It was fascinating because the company uses state-of-the art machinery. Then while waiting for the cover to be printed, Mikko took us to a lounge where we hung out.

A little after lunch, we again inspected the cover. Now satisfied with the cover, we gave Mikko the go signal to print the magazine.

Bree Van de Kamp Wannabe


The Finished Product

To bake a cake has always been included in my to do list.

I just didn't find the time to do it, although I think that baking is a really enjoyable thing to do. But more than the baking, I'm more interested in cake decorating. I dunno. Maybe I just found it as another form of art just like ikebana or oregami.

Last Saturday, having just spent a week of sleepless nights because of Icon, I decided to spend the day at home to rest and sleep.

However, a little before nine, Jeng rang me up and told me she was hosting a dinner that night. There goes my Saturday rest. Knowing myself though, I was really glad that a dinner with friends was set. It's been quite some time since I've seen other people besides Richie, Suki, Hunski and Carlo (again, because of Icon).

When I told Hunski about it, he asked me if I wanted to make a cake. I asked him how long the whole process would take and if we had ingredients. He assured me we had enough time to bake and that he'd buy ingredients. So since he was up for the task, I agreed to do it.

We met up at his house around three in the afternoon, and got to work around four. To be honest, I think it's much easier to make a cake than revel bars. You just mix the ingredients and leave it in the oven to bake. While I made the cake, Hunski made the frosting.

After a couple of hours, we began with the most interesting part - frosting. Since we didn't have that revolving plate for frosting the cake, we had to make do with a tray. However, the cake turned out to be underbaked and the middle part was a bit too chocolatey. The cake also began to crumble and stick to the tray since we ran out of wax paper. The frosting on the other hand didn't set very well so it was dripping on the sides of the cake.

Augh!!! I swear Bree Van de Kamp would have reprimanded me, and my application to be a Stepford Wife would have been completely been trashed. Hahaha!

The whole thing has been enjoyable though, and it was one thing I can add to the list of things Hunski and I did together. Plus, when we brought the cake to Jeng's place, everyone was proud of us and those who dared taste the cake remarked that it was good. Either they were telling the truth or they were just being true friends. Hahaha!

I personally liked the cake, and I'm quite sure this would be the beginning of more cakes to be baked. Yay!!!

Chanel Men???



I've been wondering if one of the world's greatest fashion houses is now carrying some pieces for men? I've been going through the photos of the recent Fall 2005 collection and I bumped across some male models who walked the runway ofChanel.

If Mr. Lagerfeld does now have a piece or two for men, then I guess that's great. I know I can't afford to buy any of them (right now or in the near future) but I'm sure there are a lot of other pink customers who've been wishing that Chanel comes up with some pieces for men.

Well, looks like Karl Lagerfeld has heard your prayers. I guess Mr. Lagerfeld is also beginning to recognize the purchasing power of the pink community, being a member of the community himself. Woohooo!



Anyway, I've always loved and been impressed by the clothes of Chanel. Sure, one ready-to-wear suit may be good enough to send seven people to a state university here in the country but I still maintain that a Chanel suit is something one would wear forever and even pass on to the next generation. Haha!

But more than, I am just amazed by the craftsmanship of Chanel people. The photos above say it. Just look at how intricate and exacting the details are. Every bead, every small design, every stitch is very significant to come up with a fantastic work. I think it's actually comparable to a great work of art.

If that's not high fashion, then I dunno what is.

Finally!



The third issue of ICON magazine comes out on the eve of next Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

Celebrate with the us at Government for a party with Cruised Out! and CircuitAsia.

See you all next week.

Beauty and Brent


Hi Brent. I'm Angelo


Icon's Angelo and Roy with Watson's big bosses Andrew Denby and Jill Mendoza, and new friends Manila and Carlo


Sorry Brent. I'm already happily taken. Hehe!


No, I don't think I'm fat. Brent is just really skinny. Hehe!

Although tired and still wanting to stay asleep, I dragged myself out of bed to get to the bathroom, get dressed and head to Makati to attend a media briefing.

Watson's was launching a promo "Beauty and Brent" and a media briefing was scheduled at the Mandarin Oriental Manila. Richie couldn't attend the media briefing, so he sent me and Roy, and Icon's student intern Ryan (Yes, we have an intern.) to attend the briefing.

Richie informed that the launch begins at eleven. So being the prompt person that I am (99% of the time...hehe), I arrived at Mandarin five minutes before eleven.

Surprise, surprise.

The only people there were the Watson's people (who I have to say are very, very nice). Haaay! I should have known. One of the biggest things I don't understand is why this practice of being late continues to thrive in several industries in this country? It's really annoying. Just because a certain magazine is already huge, or just because one is a television network doesn't give them any right to waste other people's time. Haaaay again!

A million guapo points though to model Brent Javier who was already at the venue when I arrived. I dunno if he's really like that on other occasions, but I was really impressed with the guy's punctuality.

The launch already started about half an hour before one p.m. The promo basically gives Watson's customers a chance to win a makeover session, and if that person gets luckier, win a date with Brent. All you need to do is have a P150 purchase at Watson's, register using your Smart or Amp sim card, and you're already part of the promo.

The media briefing concluded with a raffle where Roy and I won some gift packs. Others were luckier. They got to bring home these huge, cute dog stuffed toys and Watson's gift pack. In a way, it's good that I didn't win those bulky prizes because transporting them would have been a problem.

Anyway, join the promo of Watson's. If you're wondering if it's open to both men and women, the answer is yes. At least, that's what the Watson's people said. So join in. Who knows? You might even win a date with Brent? Hehehe!

Googlism for: angelo

I don't have time to post the things I want to post, so I'm posting this for now.

angelo is appointed chief operating officer
angelo is back in town
angelo is just the man to save the bears
angelo is a poem about how to rise
angelo is the name
angelo is approached by hunky hyperbutch mikhalis
angelo is a man who always wants to help
angelo is a small hotel offering the best of roman hospitality
angelo is given his powers for two specific reasons
angelo is a surprising text
angelo is one of the best instructors i have ever had
angelo is dr
angelo is paradise compared to past
angelo is the ideal solution
angelo is an old italian craftsman who restores facades of roman buildings
angelo is still alive
angelo is given his first cigarette and possibly his last
angelo is the definite starter
angelo is the rock writer's wet dream
angelo is an inviting conversationalist
angelo is located on horkanos street
angelo is a complex but caring electronic assistant that will detect stressed workers and act immediately to rectify the situation
angelo is just that
angelo is an extraordinary specimen
angelo is a very active little boy who loves to share what he can do and thrives under positive encouragement
angelo is always open to new possibilities

Try it here.

Eight Signs that I Was Really Out of Manila...

In addition to the obvious, here were some more of the things that made me really feel that I was out of polluted and congested Manila.

1. The movie we watched was circa 1990. The time when the movie cast included Rachel Lobangco, Jeric Raval and Mikee Villanueva. How many people even remember or know Mikee Villanueva?

2. The night sky is blanketed with hundreds of glittering stars with the crescent moon standing out. Kinda reminds you of a broken diamond necklace with the moon as the pendant.

3. The comfort room is really not worthy of that term. First of all, the one I had to use was not a room, and second of all, there was nothing comfortable about it. To take a bath, I had to wait til the wee hours of the night when it was completely dark and everyone was asleep. Why? Because the comfort room was really a makeshift cubicle that had plastic sacks and old roofs as "walls", and another huge plastic sack to enclose the structure. Am I complaining? Nope, not at all. It was very Survivor-ish in some sort of way. Loved it in a strange kind of way.

4. The living room is also the family room, the bedroom, the changing room, the guest room and so on. When we were done with dinner, everyone headed to the "living room" to watch a little TV. After finishing the movie we were watching, our foster mom just brought out some banig (mats) and spread it on the floor. She then brought out one pillow for each member of the family and a blanket. After that, it was already lights out.

5. Everyone in the community knows one another, and because of that, there is a strong sense of unity and cooperative spirit. You can feel it and see it in the way everyone greets one another along the way, and that everyone seems to be friends with every person in the barangay. It's sort of like Wisteria Lane, minus the dark mysteries. Haha!

6. The day begins very early and also ends very early. My foster father woke me up at five in the morning so I may help remove the fish from the net, and to help prepare some of the catch for selling. I think my foster father and mother however were up much earlier to welcome their sons who were out fishing during the night. In the evening, I think the whole community was already asleep by a very early nine p.m.

7. The livelihood of the family is partially determined by the gender of the children. In the case of Tatay Panyong whose kids were all male, he can rely on his sons to do fishing to bring in money for the family because the guys are the ones who do that kind of job. In the case of Tatay Silo whose kids were all female, they had to rely on a different kind of livelihood such as making vinegar, gathering coconuts to be processed, piggery, and raising aquarium fish.

8. Although we speak the same dialect, Tagalog, I found it hard to understand the people. First, probably because of the strong Batangas accent and second, because of the use of deep native Tagalog which I really really loved. I think the old Tagalog is really romantic and so nice to hear? Anyway, you want some examples of the differences in dialect? How many among Manileños still use pamamalakaya instead of pangingisda, magabok instead of maalikabok, banel instead of litid, agar instead of tagal, and bislag instead of magtanggal.

I can probably still think of other things to add to the list but these are the ones that top my list.

The Trip to Batangas..

The trip to Taal, Batangas was such a wonderful personal experience and I want to share it with everyone, well at least those willing to read lengthy entries.

The only regret I had during this trip was that I didn't have a camera with me. Augh!!! Moments like this are the reason I wish I had a handy digial camera.

Anyway...

The Journey Begins...
From UP Los Baños (where the volunteers had a pre-deployment training), we were brought to the bus station in Calamba where we boarded the bus going to Lipa City, Batangas. (We included me, Nicie - a sophomore Public Health student, and Michelle - a sophomore Organizational Communication student.) The trip took only about an hour. Upon arrival at the Lipa City terminal, we took a tricycle to get to the office of Pusod, Inc.

Pusod Inc.
Pusod is our local partner organization. It is an environmental organization, whose project is mainly for the protection of the Taal Lake. For non-Tagalog speaking/understanding friend, pusod, in Tagalog, means navel. I’m guessing they chose this name because it symbolizes the connection of the community to Mother Earth.

Ka Vicoy, Ka Panyong, Kuya Rei and Missing Officials
At the Pusod office, we met with two very nice people - Ka Vicoy and Ka Rei. We leveled off expectations just to clear the role of both parties. From the Pusod office, Rei accompanied us to meet with one of the foster fathers of the volunteers, Ka Panyong. We met him at the Municipal Office for a courtesy call with the mayor. Guess what? The Mayor's not at his office. We also tried to meet with the Barangay Captain, but again, the person was not around. Hmm...wonder where they are during office hours...

Since our efforts to make courtesy calls with officials were fruitless, the group decided to begin the trek to the community, something I wasn't physically prepared for as I would later find out.

The Long Way Down...
During my visit to the immersion site, I took a bangka ride for about fifteen to twenty minutes and it took me directly to the community. It was actually easy and unchallenging.

So when Rei and Ka Panyong informed me that we would be taking the alternate route, I wasn't sure if I was ready for it . The alternate route was going down a steep and rugged terrain, which led directly to the community. Walking has never really been an issue for me, especially when I’m in the province. The only thing is that I’ve been out of exercise for quite some time now. Being somewhat overweight also doesn’t help. So for love of volunteer work, I took a deep breath, put on a I-can-do-this-task face and said, "Okay, let's do this."

And we took the first step toward the long way down to the community. There were certain parts of the path that were cemented, there were some that were natural terrain. Despite the heat, we had the trees around us to thank for providing us shade. The stories of Ka Panyong and his friend, Ka Silo, also kept us distracted from noticing the difficulty of the trek down. Twice, we had to put down our bags, and rest a bit before continuing with the trek.

After a trek of what seemed like forever, the panoramic sight of the glistening waters of the Taal Lake and the islands lining the horizon was a huge reward for us. I survived the trek without any broken bones (Hehe!), carrying my heavy backpack and the heavy bag of one of the volunteers. Still we were all put to shame by an old woman, probably in her eighties, who we was going the opposite way and trekked uphill with much ease and little effort.

It's also good that the three of us were all adventurous enough and no one dared to make a complain about the trek. After meeting that old lady and after learning that the young children of Ka Panyong and Ka Silo have to make the climb and the trek back down every single day during school year, I felt none of us had the right to complain.

Upon reaching the community, Ka Silo headed to his own home while we went with Ka Panyong to his humble home where we were warmly welcomed by his wife, and some of his kids.

And as I said hello to his family, in my head I was saying,

"Barangay Nangkaan, I have arrived."

Gone for the Next Four Days...

Hey fellas.

I'll be out of town beginning tomorrow until this Thursday.

It's the pre-deployment training of the volunteers for the Summer Immersion Service Program, and I decided to help out with the training since this program is very close to my heart.

I'll be in UP Los Baños from tomorrow til Wednesday. And on Wednesday, I'll be bringing the volunteers to Batangas where they would stay for the next four weeks. I wanted to volunteer to go to Camarines Norte, which is way way farther than Batangas, but I decided not to since I'm waiting for some calls for job interviews.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog from Los Baños. I'll try. If I'm not able to, I'll post again as soon as I get back.

Take care y'all.

A New Neighbor...



Look who just moved to Wisteria Lane.

The creator of Desperate Housewives offered our beloved, Oprah Winfrey, a role in our (currently) beloved television series.

I'm not sure though if it's just a one episode thingie, or if she'll just have recurring roles. If I'm not mistaken, the Oprah Primetime this coming Sunday (Manila schedule) will be featuring the episode.

Asked to comment, Oprah said, "I thought I was done with my acting days, but I loved being a part of the Desperate Housewives so much that I'm thinking I might do something else soon."

To which Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry replies, "I'll write anything she wants."

Click here for more info.

If You're in Singapore, Lah...



Please watch the ongoing play - Boeing Boeing - which is currently being staged at the Victoria Theatre. The play is being directed by Glen Goei and is being produced by Wild Rice Production.

Just to give you an idea about the play, it's about a swinging yuppie bachelor named Bernard, who satisfies his polygamous desires by having three flight attendant girlfriends.

Of course, brilliantly helping Bernard with his scheme is the ever reliable maid, Imelda, who never forgets to change the photographs in the bedroom. The unexpected arrival of Bernard's old school friend, Robert, adds to already hysterical and confusing situation.

The cast is as follows: Lim Yu-Beng, Pam Oei, Emma Yong, Chermaine Ang, Brendon Fernandez and

drumroll, please...

our very good friend Chari, who's playing the role of Imelda.

Boeing Boeing is a comedy based on an English version by Beverley Cross and written by Marc Camoletti. It holds the record for being the longest-running comedy in the history of French theater (over 15 years!), as well as on London's West End. Moreover, it also became a successful Hollywood movie starring Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis.

Performances are available as follows: 6 and 7 April 2005 (Preview at 8:00pm); 8 to 24 April 2005. There will be no shows on Sunday evening and Monday. The playtime is at 8:00pm (Tuesday to Saturday) and 3:00pm (Saturday & Sunday).

Please watch.

Trip to Batangas...

I woke up at an ungodly three thirty in the morning yesterday. By four thirty, I left the house and headed to the JAM bus station to meet Ethel.

Nope, Ethel is not a code name for a guy who's real name is Ethan, and who I'm having an affair with. Hehe! Ethel is a fellow Pahinungod volunteer who will go with me to Batangas.

One of the programs of Pahinungod is the Summer Immersion Service Program. The program deploys student volunteers to various rural places, where they will live with the community for about three to four weeks. The easiest way to give you an idea of what the program is for you to think of Survivor sans the voting out and the contests.

The Summer Immersion Service Program aims to expose students to the harsh realities of life outside the University, and hopefully this exposure would develop a sense of social responsibility among the students. I handled the program for two years and I must admit that it was such an eyeopening experience for me, going to various communities and seeing a life that is totally different from the one I have here in the city.

Going back to my trip to Batangas, our destination for that morning was a coastal barangay along the shore of Taal Lake. Taal Lake is the third largest lake in the country, and is home to Taal Volcano, if you can describe it like that. I had no idea Taal Lake was such a huuuuge lake, because from Tagaytay City, it looks so small.

After a two hour bus trip, Ethel and I arrived at Lipa City. We headed to the office of our partner organization to meet with our contact person, Vic and Rei. The two guys will accompany us to the community. From the city, we had to take another trip for about thirty to forty minutes to get to the small pier of Balete (another town). From there, we took a twenty minute banca ride to the community. It was fun, although scary because I didn't know there was a banca ride, and I had no life vest, and I dunno how to swim.

Anyway...

The community is a fairly big one, composed of about four hundred families. It was hard to find these 400 families though since they were scattered in the area. The community was very rustic - houses made of nipa, fishnets hanging outside of the houses, women removing the catch of the day from the nets to be taken to the market, the men repairing their bancas, the cool wind blowing in your face, the sight of the lake just outside your house, the sight of Mt. Makulot on one side, the Taal Volcano on the other side.

Ah! It was close to perfect.

The site visit only took a couple of hours. Rei and Vic had to get back to the city for a training. I was back in Manila by early afternoon. It was a good trip. At least, for a couple of hours, I was far from the troubles and the pollution of the city.

Trips like this are always a treat for me. There's a huge part of me that wants to live in the rural community, and just do community development work. It's hard to explain. All I can say is that I'm really, really happy whenever I go to these communities.

Someday, when I've done whatever I need to do in this city, I'm going to move to the provinces and be a fisherman, or maybe a farmer, set up a small and informal preparatory school, and just enjoy the community life.

I Agree...


Image courtesy of Mike

Are you reading this Hunski? Hehe!

I have to agree with this.

As some of you know, Hunski has decided to be a vegetarian since November of last year. And since his transition, he has been strong enough to resist temptations to eat meat or seafoods. I'm just amazed with his discipline and control.

I, on the other hand, have been having more difficulty. I've already given up beef and pork. I've recently given up on chicken. (Although there are days when the spirit gives in to the flesh...eeep!) I am finding it very difficult though to give up seafoods and fish since I'm a big lover of both.

While I was going through this wonderful website - GoVeg.com - I just found more reason to go vegetarian. More than just being a vegetarian, I found some links on Animals Used for Clothing issues, and I must say it was such an eyeopener (especially, the ones on fur.)

I know someone has a wide smile on his face as he's reading this. Hehehe!

In any case, going through both websites have given so much information that would convince anyone - well, almost anyone - to go vegetarian, and to choose compassionate clothing.

Another One to Look Forward To...



I'm sure everyone knows that the sixth installment to the Harry Potter series is due to hit the bookstores middle of this year. I'm excited.

But I'm also excited because when I went to watch The Pacifier, I found out that one of the books of my favorite book series ever will also be made into a movie and will be released by the end of this year. Whoooppppeee!!!

If you know the photo above, then you what book I'm already talking about.

Exciting.

I wonder if all seven books would also be made into a movie.

Know more about the film and the book here.

John Paul II, Pray for Us



As the whole world knows by now, the beloved leader of the Roman Catholic Church - Pope John Paul II - returned to our Lord on Saturday, 9:37 p.m. in Rome (3:37 a.m., Sunday, Manila time).

I only found out about it when I went to attend the ten a.m. Mass this morning. I am really saddened by the death of the Holy Father, but at the same time, I'm happy for him because his physical suffering is over and he is back "home" now.

I saw the Pope when he visited Manila back in 1995 for the World Youth Day and that was such an experience. Recently, I found out that he was inaugurated as a Pope on October 22, 1978. I was born October 22, 1979. It may seem trivial, but it means something to me.

And while he may have been criticized for his views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, among others, I still believe he was a good man who loved everyone no matter what our race, age, or sexual orientation is. It just so happened that he was in a position where he had to take the positions he took. Sounds illogical, but that's what I believe.

John Paul II, pray for us.

What to Do...

Now that I'm about to go officially on summer break from school, I realize that I have nothing lined up to do for the summer in case I don't find a job.

I realize this when I found myself to be in the same routine these past few days - waking up at nine in the morning, checking my mail, taking breakfast, reading Front Row, sleeping, reading Front Row, sleeping, working on school paper, sleeping, reading Front Row, sleeping.

Augh!!! I don't want my whole summer to be like this.

I'm thinking of going on an immersion (and I really want to) for a month in a southern province, but I'm a bit hesitant because I have pending applications with some companies.

Sigh. What to do? What to do?

Meanwhile...

I'm super happy for some friends who've got things going great on their end - Chary who's in Singapore right now doing what she loves - theater, Jigs who just started working for Shu Uemura (Will he be the male Xeng Zulueta?), and Rony who I think is about to fly to Hong Kong for a huge gig with Disney Land Hong Kong.

Wooohooo! I'm super happy for you guys.

Currently Reading...



I'm currently reading Jerry Oppenheimer's unofficial and unauthorized biography on US Vogue's editor-in-chief... err, I mean... editrix - Anna Wintour and I'm quite enjoying it.

I'm not a big reader of biographies (I think the last one I read was Lives of Saints back in my Catholic school days. Hehe!) But when Suki told me that there is a book on Anna Wintour, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. (Thanks Hunski for the book.)

I have always been fascinated by Anna Wintour. (And as the book reveals, so were a lot of men.) I dunno if it's the bob, the wayfarers, the Chanel suits or her power to cripple the billion dollar fashion industry at her command.

I'm more than halfway through the book, and I've just become more fascinated with US Vogue's editrix. I guess the most surprising part for me, so far, is learning that she was a school dropout, and that she couldn't write at all... at least, that's what the informants claim.

I'm now at the "suspense-thriller" part where Anna is close to getting the position of Grace Mirabella. To describe the chapter, let me borrow Karen Walker's line from one episode of Will and Grace, "This is so delicious, it's got to be fattening!"

While I'm impressed with the work Oppenheimer did on the book, I wished there were more photos of Anna during her pre-Vogue days, and photos of some of the key informants (such as her former best friend Vivienne Lasky) and some of the work she did pre-Vogue.

Also, I can't help but note a couple of typo errors. So far, I've seen two misspelled Issey (typed Issye) Miyake and an unnecessary the (...the the boy...).

I'm sure Anna wouldn't have approved.