Wear Local: Anthologie PH

I've always been a fan of scarves, three fourth sleeves, button downs,  plain and plaids and everything nice until one local shop provided all of these. Guess what? The shop doesn't only provide your fashion needs but it is definitely a shop with a cause. The brand as well as the purpose is very Filipino.

Aside from patronizing locally made products from Anthologie PH, you get the chance to help fellow Filipinos through the shop's purpose. For every scarf or piece of clothing that you're going to buy, part of its sales goes to indigenous people in the coast of Ilagan, Isabela. 

Anthologie's set of scarves were made of cotton with unique and amazing designs and they are using quality clothing to finish not only scarves but might as well tunic tops and button downs. Another thing that captures the heart of consumers where the sense of style being delivered by Anthologie PH which is very classic and sophisticated yet remains to be simple, fresh and natural. 

Anthologie PH showcases outstanding and unique fashion that is simple, comfortable and is Filipino Made. It also represents an approach to design, sourcing and manufacture of clothing that maximizes benefits to people and communities and at the same time minimizing impact to the environment. Anthologie PH, undeniably stands out and was able to develop a unique identity and value proposition through branding in congruence with quality products. Another plus point that one should find in certain brand is the passion and consistency, which is obviously present with Anthologie PH. The products (tunics, buttondowns, scarfs) hold a promising edge and spot that is about to break New grounds not only in the Philippines but also in the international arena of fashion and design industry.

For more updates and recent products being posted, kindly follow:  @anthologieph in Instagram

Photos Credit: AnthologiePH

Hello: Whistle Alert Version

Have you ever tried hearing a song of piano ballad with soul origin from a RnB singer?

Here comes a new cover of our very own Mr. Johann Mendoza from the British singer and songwriter, Adele, whom I consider as one of the major "hugot" (pulled from the heartstring) singers of this generation. 

Seriously, when I first saw the link, I had no idea what would be the song but I'm 101% sure that this will surely hit infinite views. Upon hearing few of the first lines, gee! I knew it was the latest song from Adele and honest to goodness, this is definitely the best version of the song that I've heard so far. 

One of the rare abilities of an artist is to make your own version more unique and more pleasing to listeners, and this is the first time that I did finish the whole song. I'm not saying that Adele weren't able to make it more heartbreaking or relatable. Of course she did, because she already has this brand of coming up with a heartbreaking piece but the whistle alert guy version of the song is A+ and definitely awesome. 

And in my own opinion, the lyrics would be more fitted to be sung by a guy but Adele has her own unique way of breaking several records.

The cover of Johann was able to retain the original theme of the song which is mainly nostalgia and regret but Johann, also has his own way of making his listeners appreciate his version, different from the original. 

Additionally, I love how Adele come up with the lyrics and vocals and this is definitely fitted for a make-up record at 25. 

And for the listeners and viewers, Filipinos definitely has something to be proud of, which is not only the talent that Filipinos has to offer, but also the talented individuals themselves like Johann who continues to inspire other artists and at the same time brings out the best in arts and music.

Kudos both for Adele and Johann, who were definitely masters of their own craft!

For more updates, follow: https://www.facebook.com/johannmendozaofficial/

Start of Spring

The Spring starts on March but this time, I'm not pertaining to either meteorological or astronomical type of Spring. I'm talking about the spring pertaining to a blossoming feelings that I am starting to have with you.

It was three in the afternoon, and I'm waiting for you. I am waiting for you not because I knew from the start that I have to. I am waiting because I knew for a fact that we are going to be together for a matter of eight hours shift.  Who would have thought that we are going to easily understand each other. Who would have thought that we could talk about anything and everything under the sun and never get bored.  Who would have thought that there would be no blank spaces and we could easily fill the gaps in between. It was in that moment, that I felt like I was talking to a guy version of me.

It was the start of spring for me then. Constantly talking to someone with depth.  I was always excited, that it feels like I was always looking forward for tomorrow, stargazing at you. You were someone who believed that I deserved more, more than what I am expecting.

Knowing you was like knowing someone who would listen late in the evening and early in the morning or even mid in the afternoon, anytime of the day. Meeting you seems like having faith in His timing. You have always been a constant approval in every doubtful decisions and with that, you have been my comfort zone.

I couldn't even remember how it exactly feels whenever your around. When you enter a crowded room, it's always you that serves as my eyes' focal point. Heart beats fast, yet at the same time everything turns into a slow pace. During those times that our gaze mostly meet, we could easily think of questions to ask. It could've been an instant connection and just wanted it to last that way.

In was the start of spring for me, that I also wanted to believe that you were really sent for me, that you were the missing jigsaw piece that will perfectly fit my life's challenging puzzle. I wanted to hope that we met for a reason, that you are a blessing in disguise who have been filling the gaps ever since. That you are someone that I'll be needing for the next decades to come.

I may not be the person who blossoms in your eyes or someone who have started the spring in you but I somehow hope that even for a single moment, I became your comfort zone. 

THE WAY I SEE YOU

It was one of the clueless mornings that the hands of time just stop, and there is nothing but light, when I saw you entering the room, and the bunch of people surrounding you just instantly blurred out in the panoramic scene. 

Days, Weeks, Months have passed but still, nothing on you has change. You were still the best version of a prince charming that I have been reading since I was seven, which I never knew that would possibly come to life. 

But the way I see you was never the same way on how I visualize the prince charmings of Bella, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella. It was in my early adult age that I have come to realize that Prince Charming really don't come in shining armors and white horses. It is most of the time that I prefer visualizing such things in a simple context on how I see you. Wherein a prince charming may possibly come in a completely different manner, maybe someone who just comes in plain shirt and brushed up neat hair and denim jeans. He might also be wearing scrubs on a typical working day, driving on  a busy street. He might be the person cheering you up since day one or the person who sees things in you in a completely perfect perspective even though it is not. He might also be the person who has always been willing to give a helping hand. And I just like to view it that way, that once, I was Sally and the Harry that I've been waiting to meet was the person sitting in front of me. I just love to view it in a way that the prince charming in my own Cinderella story was you. 

You were the sun in a field of tulips, and certain days has never been blue because of you. You always manage to make things lighter and at ease whenever it is not. You were the harmony that calms the sea and the air that blows the summer breeze. The way you say "You're welcome always",  "It's okay" and "I'm just here" has always been a relief. There's a lot of simple things about you that had caught me off guard such as the way you look and how you say what you mean and how you mean it, and it is far better than royalties in white horses and knights in shining armors that I have been reading since then. 

You make everything seems to fall into place. You have always been the "Yes" in every "No", the confirmation in every doubt, and the pleasant surprise in every downfall. You may not see me the way I see you but you will always be my favorite definition of a prince charming and there is nothing else in between. 

Midway Grill

If you guys happen to hang out somewhere in San Fernando, La Union, you might also be interested to drop over an American Diner Place somewhere along the area of Mc Arthur Hi Way in La Union in front of St. Louis College. 

When you asked travel advisers or tour guides where in La Union can you find the best restaurant that offers quality American dishes, Midway Grill is the place to be!

When I say "baby back ribs", they actually had the best version of baby back ribs that I've tasted so far because their baby back ribs servings are worth every centavo, their dish is very tender and just had the right mixture for it to be interestingly delicious. Moreover, their plating designs are attractive. 

Anyway, Midway Grill would be the first restaurant that comes into my mind when people say "baby back ribs".

As what I'm saying, I have in here my order which includes their best seller, baby back ribs plated with vegetables and accompanied by a blue lemonade. 

Another thing that caught my attention was the design of their interior. The walls of the restaurant had a set of different frames of interesting movies. The theme of the restaurant is very American inspired not only in terms of their menu but also in general. 

A+ for Midway Grill's baby back ribs plus the staffs were very accommodating and courteous!

Gerry's Jeepney

If you guys are familiar with Maginhawa St., which I bet you are! 

The first restaurant that you'll be able to see is the Gerry's Jeepney. It was past 2 pm, that me and my classmates from graduate school decided to explore and have our lunch at Maginhawa St. Since the hot weather during that day was no joke and we wanted to eat in a restaurant, catering Filipino dishes for the benefit of our Indonesian friend, we decided to give Gerry's Jeepney a try. Their jeepneys outside the restaurant was eye catching and you can even dine inside the jeepney if you want to. 

The architectural design of this hangout place is very Filipino inspired and if you have a foreigner friend whom you wanted to try Filipino dishes and at the same time let them experience dining inside a jeepney, well, Gerry's Jeepney is definitely the answer. 

The theme of the restaurant is very unique and Filipino-inspired. 

However, we weren't able to dine inside the jeepney because the restaurant was fully packed that time. So we eat inside their air-conditioned room instead. Inside the room was still a fully furnished and well equipped with jeepney inspired theme. 

We have in here, their signature fried rice, sinigang na hipon, sisig and leche flan. I even asked my indonesian friend how was the taste of each dish at the same time how was the experience and for us, their menu is great and very affordable for a group package. 

Moreover, their sinigang na hipon was my favorite. And for me, they actually had the best version of this particular dish so far. 

An Open Letter to A 28-years old Me

Dear Self,

By the time that you are supposed to read this, I assume that you might be very busy. You might be going through a tough time or you might be coming from a straight duty from the hospital or you just got home from a tiring day completing stocks for your own business or you're resting from an intensive review for an upcoming exam for another degree, you might also be in a serious thought of preparing for a lecture or a presentation, you might just have closed a deal somewhere or more often than not, you just got home from a family gathering, a solo traveling experience or a hangout with friends. Whatever it is, that is keeping you busy, I wanted to give you a tap at the back and tell you that your 23 years old self is proud of you and the things that you have gone through.

Your journey was never easy but you are blessed with wonderful parents who were supporting you all the way. It is by now, that I knew that you have learned lot of life lessons the hard way, you might have lose and gain some things as well as people in your life but at the end of the day, the important thing is that you have learned and you're half way there into becoming a better version of yourself. It was also five years ago that life proved to you that Dad was right when he told you that the only person that you can trust is yourself. You're patience and trust has been tested for so many times but still, I wanted you not to lose faith in people. 

It was also five years ago that you were having a quarter life crisis, you kept on questioning if you are taking the right path and making the right decisions.You keep on struggling to make things work according to your plans but still everything doesn't seem to be that fine. And by now, I believe that you already have known the answers because you were given that time to ponder and work harder for what you think you deserve. You might not have found yet what truly makes you a better version of yourself but I wanted you to keep going, keep going until you are in the pedestal of having what you wanted in life. It will only take you a little more patience, a little more struggle and a little more moving forward to have the right time to have things fall into its proper places and have your goals within your reach but still, you must always remember to keep your feet on the ground. 

Moreover, the right person, might not also be in sight yet. But I know, you have always been the person who can make anything without depending on other people. It was most of the time that you are happy because you are genuinely happy with your family, friends and what you keep on doing. It will take you a long time to have someone to hold to at life's different seasons and it may possibly take a little longer but I promise and I knew for a fact, that someone will come, someone will be there to change the game. Again, it will only take you a little more patience and a little more moving forward. 

Looking at you through a mirror after five years would surely make me shed a tear because I knew that everything would really be different in a positive way. You've become the person that I always wanted to be despite the flaws and imperfections, I can see through you that you were the person that have become a lot more stronger, wiser and better than what I am today. 

Just always remember, continue to move forward and chase the landscape that you wanted your life to be and one day, you'll be surprised having the right time, right person and right circumstances falling into its proper places accordingly.