Friday, April 19, 2013

The Trip I Missed: Star Cruise Gemini

As a tradition, the heat of the summer sun has made my friends and I to book tours. It’s just too hot, it’s inhumane. So on the 6th of May, my friends gave in to wanderlust and boarded the Star Cruise ship headed to China and South Korea. Yes, if you noticed I used a possessive determiner “my” talking of the said trip. After months and countless debates of where-to’s and what-to-do’s, I didn’t make it to that longed-for trip. (cue the sad face)

With my BFF Angelette in the trip, she was just too kind (or cruel?) to tell me her stories of what happened to the trip! My good friends, took this chance to fun up and momentarily escape the city’s hustles and bustles. Judging from the photos, I bet the group had a blast. Till next trip guys! Count me in!

Follow the leader! Anton Barretto leading the group as they board the plane.
Traveling light, Nix?
Rajo and the gang inside the train.
Rimowa realness.
Pretty girl Star Cruises' 2nd AVP for Sales Andrea Manzano.
Spotted: Hollywood star! Hahaha
Where is everybody? Were they too early?
The group finally checked in at Star Cruise Gemini!

I told you, she's a Hollywood star!
Celebrity status! Haha :)
No personal questions please! Hahaha Feeling!
Rajo's turn!
The new Olsen twins! Marissa Tambunting a.k.a.  MDVByT with BFF Angelette Calero.
The fun (funny) group! Marissa, Anton, Angelette, Nix and Rajo.
Interesting walkway towards the ship.
Beautiful ceiling design.
Close Encounter, right?

Top most left to right – KP, Robert Valiao (Group Tour Specialist, Inc.), Jr Logmao (Horizon Travel), Nix, Rajo, Anton, Renato Lazaro (Infinite Travel)
2nd level – Mr. Kim Dong Seol (Rakso Travel), Ian Sy and Stephanie Sy (Uni Orient Travel), Liza Kuntze (Group Tour Specialist, Inc.), Sally Ortille (Oltremare Tours), Marisa and Angelette.
Lower level – Andrea Manzano (Star Cruises), Aileen Santos (Oltremare Tours), Armina Galao and Yolanda Duran (Rajah Travel), Mr. Michael Goh (SVP Sales Star Cruises).       

In 1992, the M/S Dreamward was launched. Christened by Diana Ross, the Dreamward became the first NCL ship to operate from Fort Lauderdale.
Breathtaking Shanghai!
Up up!
And away!
Love this picture!
Empty pool! What happened? But very nice backdrop!


Under the sun but still cold!

Rajo! Busy!
Anton by the bar.
Now the pool is filled!
Interesting shape for a pool. ET, anyone? Haha
Moments!

Uyy bagay!
Bagets!





Sweet, sweet sighting!



Tea time daldalan: Mitch, Kevin, Rajo, and Angelette
Love, love Rajo's neon scarf.
"Shiny Happy People" (Keren, Marissa, Rajo, Mitch, Kevin, Nix, Anton and Angelette.) --Kevin Tan, 2013
 Beautiful ladies!

The green room!


It's show time!
Pretty sure they had wonderful performances!

Houdini's on board?!

Always the entertainment. Magicians on a roll!

The gang still staying fit while on vacation!
To the left, to the left, Marissa!
Now, to the right!
Work it, Rajo!
Gangnam style, Nix? I thought it's Zumba!
Lost?
Angel, it's Zumba, not Patintero!
The health club inside the ship.
Shake it! Zumba part 2.
Rajo is so focused!
Twist and turn.
Now jump!
Bollywood!
Patterns, patterns! Interesting entrance to the Maxims Lounge!
The posh Maxims Lounge.
Pinay divas on board!
Every shalala...
Every wohhhh...
Still shines...
It's yesterday once more, shubidoo leng leng 2x

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Monocle: "It’s all relative ⎯ Philippines"

I got my hands on the latest issue of Monocle, which has a feature about the Marcos family deeply centered on Imelda. I have always been a fan of the former first lady not only for her “Imeldific-ness” but also on how she keeps her poise despite the end of their reign. Also, it’s a fact that she’s an icon of anything synonymous with luxury.

A backtrack of the Philippines and its current state preface the writing until it comes to focus on the Marcoses. Titled “It’s all relative ⎯ Philippines”, the story follows their surge to power, the experience, and how they lost it, up to where they are now and the plan to keep up with the changing times. Interestingly, there are messages, or snippets of information from National Artist F. Sionil Jose—doesn’t get any more credible than that. Gorgeous photographs of Imelda Marco are also in the issue. No wonder, it was done by my fellow traveler and good friend, Jake Verzosa, no less. Bongbong Marcos’s photo is also in it shot by Shaira Luna.

You may check out the online version of the magazine here.








Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Joseph Marco on the cover of Chalk Magazine (April)

Months ago, I was very fortunate to grace one of my favorites, Joseph Marco, in an exciting shoot that made the sunny afternoon in Tel Aviv, Israel, extra hot and sizzling. With Jake Verzosa (dare I say, equally hot) at the helm, Chalk magazine definitely has something for everyone this April and it’s better than an iTunes giftcard (or at least for me).

Trailing Joseph and Jake in different locations in Tel Aviv was one for the books. Who would complain? The whole afternoon we’ve spent was all about the sights of Israel made even better by the charming young man. Joseph kickstarts summer wear way up a notch on his cover dressed with every guy’s musts this roadtrip season. And what better way to grace the beaches of Tel Aviv but to wear an even greater accessory? His six-pack abs (or is it 8? I lost count).

Splashed with a bit of a summer color (the way it should be), Joseph charms his way to every Chalk girl’s dream summer getaway sporting a crisp blue shirt, green chinos, matched with a native fedora. I got so excited when I saw a copy on the shelves with this issue having that Teen Vogue feel written all over it and I’m everything but complaining. And flipping through the pages was like an instant trip down memory lane (or was it because nagpa-proud momma moment ako with Joseph? Haha).

Sure, the cover will leave you wanting for more, you’ll see a copy on your hands before you even realize you have it. If it hasn’t whetted your appetite yet, you’ll find yourself flipping through its pages with this year’s select number of Boys of Summer. Inside the issue, I was impressed with a lot of treats and good reads from the perfect summer destinations to your backpack must-haves for an even fun-filled Instagram-worthy getaway!

So let’s face it, we’re all pumped up for summer and Chalk just got us extra excited.