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Saturday, December 31, 2005

Farewell 2005 and Hello 2006

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Farewell 2005!!!

I'm glad you're over. You haven't been such a good year for me but don't worry, because in spite of the more lows than highs that you gave me, you're still one unforgettable year!!!

Hello 2006!!!

I hope you're way, way better than 2005!!!

Moving on, I'm leaving for Tagaytay in a few minutes. A friend invited Hunski and I, and a bunch of other people to their Tagaytay home to welcome the New Year.

I'm really excited and this is a big thing for me because this is the first time I won't be spending New Year's Eve with my family, and this is the first time I'm spending it with Hunski and with friends close to my heart.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Friday, December 30, 2005

I Love You, Kate

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December 2006 French Vogue

If you're a fan of Kate Moss, you'd know that it wasn't so long ago when she caused quite some news (and not in a good way) when photos of her having cocaine appeared on a news magazine. The news cost her her endorsements for Burberry and Chanel, if I'm not mistaken.

But Kate Moss being Kate Moss, the fashion industry is always ready to forgive the much beloved supermodel-turned-fashion icon.

Here she is on the cover of the December issue of French Vogue. And we're not just talking about one cover, but four covers dedicated for her. I swear, only Kate Moss is worthy of such honor. She was also the cover of the December issue of Vanity Fair.

Aside from landing the covers of these magazines, Kate has also signed a contract with Longchamp and Stella Mccartney. She also has a TV commercial for Virgin mobile.

That's quite a comeback, don't you think?

It's no doubt that Kate is and always will be part of the fashion world.

And no matter what, many would be echoing what was on Alexander McQueen's shirt on his recent October fashion show, "We love you, Kate."

P.S. I want those four December 2006 French Vogue issues. Anyone nice enough to send it as New Year's presents? Let me know.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Wedding in Laguna

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St. Marc's Chapel

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The Bride and The Groom

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Entrance to the National Arts Center

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St. Marc's Chapel Again...

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Tying the Knot

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The Newlyweds and Friends

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Hunskibooskis

Hunski and I attended a wedding at the National Arts Center at UP Los Banos.

His good friend from college, Ianne, tied the knot with her boyfriend of four years now, Alex.

It was a nice wedding. It was held at the St. Marc's Chapel. I've been to UPLB forever but the National Arts Center was one area I've never visited. I had no idea that the place was really nice though it was very secluded and really far away from the city. Well, I guess that's one of the charms of the place.

The chapel is located on the side of Mt. Makiling and it gives you a view of Laguna de Bay. It's an open area surrounded by plants and trees. What's great about the architecture of the chapel is that it blends perfectly well with the rugged surroundings.

The reception was held at the Bulwagang Sarimanok. If the view at St. Marc's Chapel was great, the one going to Bulwagang Sarimanok is even greater. You get a better view of Laguna de Bay and the surrounding cities. You even get to see the Makati skyline. That's how high the place was.

Hunski and I got to attend the ceremony but we didn't get to stay and mingle much with his college friends during the wedding reception. Unfortunately, Hunski had to go back to Manila for work while I had to meet up with Tito Jun to get some stuff for him.

But at least, we both got to attend the ceremony and see the couple profess their love in front of all the people. It was romantic.

Congratulations and best wishes to Alex and Ianne!!!

P.S. I'm writing an entry on the sermon given out by the pastor. I swear, if feminists heard what he was preaching, he would have had his head chewed off.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

What It’s Probably Like at Oprah’s Wildest Dreams Come True

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December 23, 2005 will go down the Angelo history as the day I felt what it’s probably like to be on Oprah’s Wildest Dreams Come True.

It was about four in the afternoon. Richie, Suki, Hunski and I met up at the Crepes and Cream at the Forbes Town Center to give each other’s gifts (and to do some Icon work).

Of course, I didn’t bring my gifts for Hunski since I thought that the gift giving would be Hunski and I giving our gifts to Richie and Suki and vice-versa. Bop Angelo!

Anyway, before we started giving gifts, Richie gave me this large brown box. He informed me the other day that I had a FedEx package from the US. It was such a surprise for me because I don’t know who would send me such a big package.

Moving on, I asked for the FedEx receipt and when I looked at the sender’s info, it said it was from Rafe in New York.

This somehow got me excited but the skepticism still remained. Why would I be getting such a big package from Rafe? While I was opening the box, Richie and Suki were saying, “That’s probably a Rafe bag!” and “If that’s a Rafe bag, I’m going to kill you.” I was saying, “No, it can’t be a bag. It looks like some sort of case.” I also jokingly said, “Maybe it’s a laptop.”

When I finally got to tear down the brown paper wrapper, there was another box which I had to open. As soon as that box was opened, I had to lift the content which was another box.

It only took me to got to see the first two inches of the box before my knees started trembling and I started shouting, “Oh my gawd! Oh my gawd!”

I brought out the box completely and it’s a 12-inch iBook.

With still a little skepticism, I say while my heart is beating so fast and my knees are trembling, “Maybe it’s just an Apple box and the content is something else.”

It wasn’t.

The next thing I know, I was holding a most immaculately white 12-inch iBook and I was shouting and jumping. I was just feeling so high and ecstatic. I didn’t care what the other people in the area thought of me. I just was so, so, so up there.

All this time, Hunski was just sitting there quietly and watching me.

Still skeptic that the package was from Rafe, I take a look at the FedEx receipt once more. I look at Hunski and said, “May kinalaman ka ba rito?” (Did you know anything about this?”) I look at him again and say, “Is this your handwriting? No, this isn’t your handwriting.”

Richie and Suki then told everything to me.

Hunski did buy me the laptop and he also planned the whole thing. Richie and Suki were just his accomplices. The FedEx form was just filled out by Suki. Richie, on the other hand, was telling me these past few days that Hunski’s probably getting me a Tiffany necklace. (Hunski’s been saying how he wants to get a Tiffany necklace for himself for Chrismas.)

The whole thing was just so amazing.

I gave Richie and Suki a hug. I gave Hunski a hug and a kiss on the cheek (in public!!!).

I’m just so stupid for not realizing sooner that it was Hunski who was behind the scheme. Well, the reason for this is that I Hunski already bought me a pair of Nike crosstrainers last November and I just assumed that that would already be my birthday and Christmas presents.

Thank you so much Richie and Suki! And of course, the biggest thanks and love, love, love and more love to Hunski!!!

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!!

Friday, December 23, 2005

Queermas Party 2005

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Last night was the annual Queermas Party. It was held at Richar’s house in Quezon City.

The party was supposed to start with a dinner at seven in the evening but with the horrible, horrible holiday traffic, everyone arrived late.

But it was okay.

An hour or two later, everyone was already there. Richard, Chuck, Jigs, Vince, Ate Tess, Mate, Weng, Jeng, Richmond, Nick, Edsel, Chari, Abi, Richie, Suki, Hunski, and me.

There was so much food. Each person was assigned to bring something. I brought some desserts from the Aristocrat bakeshop. Richie brought vodka. Suki brought pancit malabon. Hunski brought a wonderful, wonderful vegetarian lasagna (that everyone raved about.)

Part of the eve’s celebration was an exchange gifts. Given that the party was a queer party, the rules for the exchange gift were just crazy. After a person picks out a gift from the pile, he or she opens it and shows it to everyone. The next person who would pick a gift can either get a new gift or steal the gifts of the people ahead of him or her.

I got a bunch of skincare products from The Body Shop but Richmond took it from me and instead gave me the gift he picked out (some kind of seashell home décor).

After the exchange gifts, certain “awards” were given out. Again, being a queer party, you could probably guess that the awards were. We had a “Last Minute Award” for a friend who got himself a boyfriend just a couple of weeks ago. We had a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for another friend who’s pregnant for the second time. We had a “Pinakamadumi (Dirtiest) Award” given to the person with the most number of “bookings” for the year.

It was so hilarious. Everyone was just laughing as the awards were being described, and as the awards were given out to people.

This year, everyone was also asked to bring an extra gift that will be given out to street kids. Suki was the one who thought of the idea and I think it’s really great.

One thing I also enjoyed during the party was Richie’s annual “sentimental” activity. Last year, we were asked to say what we were thankful for the year. This year, we were asked to say something nice about the person to our left.

It was really nice. I enjoy activities like this. I dunno. It’s probably because of all those years of debriefing and evaluation sessions, and self-processing activities at Pahinungod. Haha! In any case, I’m glad that Richie initiates activities like this.

After the giving of gifts and the mini-program were over, everyone just hung out and enjoyed each other’s company.
It was a really great party and I’m just glad to have the friends that I have.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

There's a Kiddie Christmas Party


The invitation said “There’s a Kiddie Party,” and that guests should come in childlike costume.

Yes, the theme for the Portfolio Studio’s Christmas Party is Kiddie Party. Leave it to Raymund and his staff to come up with great ideas for parties. (Last year, the theme was Bollywood.)

Hunski and I sort of came in costume. Hunski came as a little boy - dressed in a large shirt tucked in high-waisted with a pair of shorts and rubber shoes. He also brought his teddy bear with a green bib that had an “X” embroidered on it. On the other hand, I dressed up as a first communicant. I was in a white shirt and white pants looking all clean and immaculate. I had a bowtie, and I also bought a large white candle and tied a pink ribbon around it. I also attached a stampita on the candle. I think that I should have worn white shorts though instead of pants because some people thought I was a food server if I wasn’t holding my props. Haha!

Richie came as a prep school boy. Suki was in jeans by Joey Samson. Kate dressed as a little girl and Pam was dressed as a schoolgirl. The host, Raymund, was also dressed as a little kid.

The food was great. We played several games. Really, really fantastic prizes were also given out.

I got a 2006 Portfolio notebook that is really perfect. Now I have something to replace the 2005 notebook that I lost.

After all the presents were given, the Icon people present – Richie, Suki, Jigs, Hunski, and I – gave our present to Raymund… the Tom Ford book.

It was super nice seeing Raymund enjoy the book.

The book may have cost a lot but after everything that Raymund has done for Icon, that book is not enough. Thank you Raymund.

Here are some photos from the Portfolio party.

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Sunday, December 18, 2005

Look What I Got!?

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Oh gawd! Oh gawd!

We finally bought it. We finally bought it. I’m actually holding a copy of the book that I’ve been wanting to have for the longest time. It was the last copy at Bibliarch and I’m not sure when they’ll behaving another copy of this priceless book.

The Tom Ford book.

I swear it’ll be the key item of my book collection. Oh my gawd! Oh my gawd!!!

This is just not a book. This book is a priceless memento of what Tom Ford has done for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent (the fashion house, not the person). The contents of this book is a very significant part of fashion history.

And I think every Tom Ford or Gucci or YSL fan (we’re talking about Tom Ford at Gucci and YSL era) should have this book. If you are like me who didn’t get to buy anything from Tom Ford’s last collection for the two fashion houses, at least you have this.

Oh gawd! I love it! I love it!

*slap* on Angelo’s face.

Ugh! What is that? Huh? What are you saying? Are you sure? Please don’t make jokes about matters like this. You’re not joking? You’re absolutely sure?

The book’s not for me.

Waaaahhhhh!!! You’re taking the book?! Why don’t you take my arm and my leg and my wristlet as well!!! Waaaaahhhh!!!

Alright, I’m being overly dramatic.

Yes, the book is not for me. It’s for someone who deserves it more than I do. And I’m really, really happy for him.

I hope he takes care of this book with his life. Haha!

Okay, is anyone willing to donate $10 to a struggling writer for a gay magazine who wants to have the Tom Ford book as well?

Willing to bake sweets and other queer jobs.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Icon Christmas Party!!!

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To everyone who came to party with the ICON team, thank you thank you thank you very much!!!

Thank you very much to our partners, sponsors and readers!

It has been a great year for us and we have you to thank for our success.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Looong Saturday...

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Shopping Galore...Not!!! But I love my job!

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Work is Fun...

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Clothes, Clothes and More Clothes...

Yesterday’s shoot turned out really well and I’m really happy with the outcome.

Preparations for the shoot started Friday afternoon. The approvals came from Rustan’s and finally, we were given the go signal to borrow the items. After getting the approval forms from Suki, Richie dropped me off at Rustan’s so I can begin borrowing the items.

I had to borrow from six sections and it was already past four in the afternoon. By seven in the evening, I was done with five sections and Suki was off from work so he met me at Rustan’s. We didn’t finish pulling out the merchandise till nine p.m. Yes, that’s how long it takes.

But it was okay. We’re starting to know the sales staff and they’re starting to be really nice. We also met Aileen, the sales manager for Zegna, Dunhill and men’s shoes, who is just really nice.

Moving on, from Rustan’s we headed to Suki’s place. After having a very good dinner, we started with our work. We brought out all the stuff we borrowed from various retail stores and started assembling the clothes of the people. We were tasked to dress 11 people. These eleven people will all be having two wardrobe changes. So the task at hand was to produce 22 attires that would have to still carry the personality of the people we would dress.

It was a fun thing to do. Later on, I would say that it was a very smart thing to do.

After assembling the attires, we pressed the clothes. We finished everything by two in the morning.

By seven a.m., Suki and I loaded all the stuff in his car and we headed to the studio. The first shoot was at 10:30. That gave us enough time to prepare the shoes. We had to tape cutout folders on the soles of the shoes to make sure that they won’t get dirty. Otherwise, we’d have to pay for them. And as much as I want those Paciottis, I can’t shell out P21,000 for a pair of shoes right now. Haha!

By 10:30, the Icon team was already there. None of the three talents schedule for the morning was there. Being the schedule freak that I am, I was starting to get uneasy and tense. Upon noticing this, Suki said, ““Will you relax? You’re not allowed to get tense until seven p.m.”

Thankfully, people started arriving and everything begins with work. Make-up, then hair, then fitting the clothes, then the photo shoot begins.

A little after lunch, all the other ten talents started arriving and before I knew it, all hell had begun to break loose. Hahaha! This is the part where Suki and I were really glad that we assembled the wardrobes the night before and labeled them according to each talent’s name. At least, when Suki and I are busy styling someone who’s up to be photographed, we can ask Edsel or Hunski or Richie to just go to the rack look for the name of the talent and give this to the next talent so he or her can change into that outfit.

As soon as the talent got dressed, we waited until it is his or her time to be in front of the camera before we finish styling. Suki took care of the accessories. I took care of the shoes.

I’m glad that I had asked some people take care of the interviews of the talents, so that was also one more thing not to worry about. I was also so thankful that Hunski, Richie and Edsel were there to help with the shoot and to entertain people as well.

Suki and I were so preoccupied with what we were doing that we already forgot about taking our lunch. I got to eat my lunch at six in the evening, when all the shoots were done and all the talents have left. Haha!

It was okay though.

After all the mayhem has passed, Suki, Edsel and I started to fix the stuff and began writing down what each talent wore. From the studio, we went back to the mall to return some of the stuff (the ones not from Rustan’s) we borrowed.

Then Hunski treated the Suki, Edsel and me to a very wonderful and much-deserved dinner at Uva. It was then followed by some drinks and dessert at Nuvo. We were just completely happy that the entire day went well. Too bad Richie couldn’t join us because he had to go to a Christmas party.

Hunski and I reached his house by midnight. As soon as my back touched the bed, I was immediately asleep. That’s how tired I was.

And that’s how my Saturday was.

Friday, December 09, 2005

And Some Thought It's Easy...

I had to get up early today and be at Rustan’s Makati by the time it opens at 10 a.m..

The photo shoot which I have been coordinating is happening tomorrow and here we are, a day before the shoot and the talents don’t have enough stuff to wear. I thought everything would have been okay because Suki and I prepared and faxed the request to borrow items a week earlier. However, there is one brand manager who didn’t approve several items that Suki and I wanted to borrow and we are informed that these items weren’t approved two days before the shoot.

Therefore, I had to go to Rustan’s and look for new items. Thankfully, there were several other good stuff that were available. I’m even happier because these items are proudly Pinoy. After getting the codes of the merchandise, I had to email them to Suki. Then Suki has to fax it to the Rustan’s main head office.

Right now. All we have to do is wait, and wait, and wait, and hope that all the new items will be approved.

This is an example of the kind of pressure stylists undergo through. (I don’t think I’m qualified to call myself a stylist since I’ve only had one styling job and the other one will be tomorrow. How many styling jobs does one need to do before he/she can call himself/herself a stylist?)

Some friends were recently talking about an article which in a way puts down the work of stylists. Apparently, the person who wrote the article somehow doesn’t understand the hell stylists go through. And I’m sure several other people have this pre-conceived notion that styling is such a glamorous and easy job.

It’s not.

Just to give you an idea, the process basically involves the following – looking for items, getting the codes of these items, borrowing the items (believe me, you have no idea how detail-oriented you have to be at this step…every scratch, every little stain needs to be noted down. You wouldn’t want to pay for that P90,000 leather jacket, would you), preparing the items, dressing the models or the talents, making sure that no one rips a seam or no one creases the shoe too much, making sure that you have extra items in case another “look” is needed, preparing the items for return, returning the items while holding your breath hoping that the retailers would see that you took care of the clothes or shoes or accessories.

It seems so easy. It’s not. Stylists just make it look easy.).

And I guess if you love what you do, then going through all this process would be enjoyable…difficult but enjoyable.

I’m really glad that Suki enjoys doing this whole thing the same way that I do. We’re actually both excited about tomorrow because we got to borrow from this one store we both love. Haha!

Back to waiting.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Party Time!!!

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No other Christmas party can be merrier or gayer than this!

Wednesday, 14 December 2005, 9PM
Government
Makati City
Music by DJ Brit

Come as your naughtiest or nicest and win a prize! Open Bar starts at 9pm.

Visit http://www.kokunevents.com for details and directions to Government.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Not Much Happening

The only highlight of the day was pulling out items from stores.

Suki and I met up at Glorietta to pull out from one shoe store and one clothing store. After that we went to Greenbelt to pull out stuff from another clothing store and an accessories store.

It’s great that we began pulling out yesterday because at least, the only thing we have to worry about today or tomorrow is a major pull-out from this other giant store.

Had we decided to pull out everything tomorrow, that would have been really, really stressful. And I’m sure we’d be deprived of so much sleep again so that come Saturday, we’d be looking like zombies at the photo shoot. Haha!

After pulling out, we had a pre-prod meeting with Richie, Ivan, Jigs and Edsel at Italianni’s. (I’m actually glad we ate here because I’ve been craving for really, really good pasta for the past few days.)

Now that we did a pre-prod meeting, I’m hoping that we can stick to the schedule this Saturday. Otherwise, we’ve got about seven people who’ll be cursing for me for any delay. Haha!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Back to the Meditation Guy

Some time ago, I went to this meditation guy to consult whether I should take a particular project or not?

I went back to him last Monday.

This time it was for a full “consultation,” so to speak. I thought it would just be a dialogue kind of “consultation” but to my surprised, I saw three kinds of tarot cards on the table as I sat down. I’ve never really tried having my cards read or going to a fortune teller so I was very nervous. It's not because I think it's not good or anything. It's just that, do I really want to get an idea what's in store for me?

Anyway, I went on with the "reading." There’s just something about this guy. I don’t think he’s a fortune teller or a psychic. I don’t know what exactly to call him, but for some reason, I find him to be credible and different.

He told me a lot of positive things. So much so that when I left his home, I was feeling more hopeful and looking forward to the near future. He mentioned a lot of things that were correct and that further added to why I believe that he’s not a fraud. (It makes me look pathetic, but I've been feeling down for the longest time and any signs that the future is much brighter are always welcome.)

None of the things he told me were disturbing or would be reason to lose sleep. Quite the contrary actually. It’s exciting and I just can’t wait to know if they would happen or not.

If it does happen, then I’ll let you know.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Celebrate Pride...

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Sunday, December 04, 2005

A Photo Shoot and Two Parties

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Saturday was also quite uneventful.

The whole afternoon was spent at a photo shoot.

Icon readers would be happy to know that we did something “new” with this photo shoot. Haha! You’ll just have to wait for the issue to come out for you to know what I’m talking about.

It was a great photo shoot. The models were really nice. Our photographer, as usual, did such a great job. It wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. I guess it was because Suki prepared early for that shoot since it’s his baby.

All I did for that shoot was make sure that the models, the photographer and the rest of the people were fed properly. Haha! So that was quite easy.

After the shoot, we went to Suki’s house to rest a bit before going to another party.

Jigs and Vince were thrown a party for being two of the seven most sought after creative young minds in Manila. The organizer was Mild Seven. It was a good party. It was nice seeing friends who we hardly see these days like Chari and Abi, Richard, Jeng, and Jing.

By midnight, we headed to Government to catch the performance of Star in a Million champion Frenchie Dy. I didn’t get to see her though. It was already two in the morning, and I just couldn’t wait for her anymore.

The only thing that I enjoyed was when they played “Jump” from Madonna’s new album. Love love love the song. You can dance to it so much.

That’s what Saturday was like. I hope you also had a good one.

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