A local fashion chain for teen girls is set to launch a new campaign featuring the recognisable face of Russian model Natalia Vodianova, the latest in a list of international celebrities that the is brand is known for having as endorsers- Alicia Silverstone, Natalie Portman, Petra Nemcova and Kate Hudson to name some. (Cue another [...]

Was still wiping the sleepy cobwebs from my eyes when I woke up at 6.30 am to check on a certain package I had sent last Wednesday.

I took this package to the post place Wednesday at 6pm. I forgot the fedex hub in Subic had been closed.. which is why the package only started [...]

at the Heritage hotel as part of their Chinese New Year celebration. Some students and teachers from school were asked to design and sew modern Chinese inspired outfits for a fashion show during the event. We only had one week to make the clothes. Our models were the hotel’s sales/marketing representatives. The real bodies (as [...]

Since we don’t have street names yet, as this village is new, it gets interesting how people tell visitors to get to our house. Ours is usually described as (at night) “the house at the end, the gold one with all the lights.” I guess our orangey walls and warm lights make it look golden. [...]

It’s raining right now. Been raining for a few days now. I can’t remember a time when it rained during Christmas.. But then again, I have terrible memory. Funny, as wet as it is outside right now, in my head I’m all dried up word-wise.. Which you might have noticed with my weather opening line.
I [...]

Christmas.. =)

10 sketches by Sir Dan, 10 students. We drew lots, I got #7, didn’t like it and swapped with Kacci so I ended up with #3. Not as easy as I thought it would be. 4 hours, a few yards of red and black chiffon/georgette and about a bazillion pins and pinpricks later, I finished.. [...]

We were told to wear stealth black, and most did.. I got the invite last week and I completely didn’t understand what it was saying. It said “Flash the pen across the surveillance photo.” I saw a pen with 2 laser light thingies and an envelope with a picture inside. I thought the instructions meant [...]

Celebrated our parents’ anniversary a few days ago with a dinner buffet at the Spiral restaurant in Hotel Sofitel. It was one of the best buffets I’ve ever tried. It could even be the best. It was ‘international’ in every way, from the diners to the cuisine served up: Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, French and [...]

The most recent ones from my thousands of sky pictures. I’ve always admired how pretty the sky can be sometimes. I hardly hesitate to bring out my cam for a quick photo. Here’s a small dose of Manila nightscapes, sunsets, sunrises, city skylines etc.

Early one day.. Smog or fog? Most likely the former, no?

The SLEX [...]

Let’s play a word game and contribute to a good cause, too! A banner will be put permanently on my sidebar. Just click to play or post a button on your blogs too to supporet a good cause.

“What if just knowing what a word meant could help feed hungry people around the world? Well, at [...]

Almost everyday of the past three weeks in my new school, has been so exciting and gratifying. I am learning so much stuff I need and equally love learning. And it’s even more thrilling when I get to apply them. It’s so refreshing to have no more mind-numbing English, Maths or freaking Bible Study classes [...]

Something I (and a lot of angels) have been devoting a ton of time and effort on will be done soon .. and all I can say at this point is that it’s HUGE. When I’m ready, I’ll announce it here. I am super excited about it. I’m so into it, that the can’t-be-bothered person [...]

I am home sweet home! It feels good to be away from the grime and danger of the city. I love coming home.. even if it means Natassja peeing all over the place. That dog does that everytime she gets excited. And she doesn’t just do it in one corner. She half-squats and pees while walking and she ends up making a wavy line of pee wherever she goes. Lol.

Half of the term is over.. that was quick.. I am doing good so far, I think. It’s been so tiring this week. I didn’t sleep for one whole day and then yesterday I slept for 16 hours straight. I have a headache today. The city is so stressful. Not really because of school but because it’s so polluted and noisy and you always have to be on alert. Thank God it’s a long weekend.

Anyway, just one more exam left. On Tuesday for Theo. And one project left for the most demanding and worthless subject ever. It’s so worthless, we don’t get a single unit upon completion. But it’s mandatory or we don’t get to graduate.

Here’s what I made for Philippine Lit in English. It’s based on the story “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez-Benitez. (The whole story is below if you’d want to read it.) The project is to make, based on any story discussed in class, something that reflects our majors. I’m taking Fashion Design so guess what I made. Lol. There are 3 main characters in Dead Stars and I based my project on Esperanza. This is what I think she wore on her and Alfonso’s wedding day.

The story is set in post-colonial Philippines, around 1920’s, I think, so naturally, even the way of dressing is heavily influenced by the Spanish. I got inspiration from Elena (Catherine Zeta Jones) in the Zorro movies. Also from dresses by Charles Frederick Worth (the English designer who dominated Parisian fashion in the latter half of the nineteenth century) because Esperanza is an elegant woman and I know she’d want something ‘current’ and classy for her time.

My eyes literally bugged out when I saw the marquee announcement scrolling across the screen as I was watching Beauty and the Geek last night on ETC. I really really really want to join but I’m too suspicious as it will be another local adaptation of a foreign reality series. As I was envisioning how [...]

Ok I’m sitting next to a guy who won’t quit mumbling in a really low voice. I thought he was reciting a prayer but I keep hearing “He’s gone. It’s gone” over and over so I guess that can’t be it. Anyhoo, I’m at the library, testing my new wi-fi thingy. Apart from the fear [...]

My parents have both been using these planners for the longest time. This is my first. It’s old-school and in many ways, better than average PDAs.
It’s all about time management. Efficiency. Priorities. The planner is designed to complement methods discussed in Steven R. Covey’s books: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and First [...]

We had to take Natassja to the vet yesterday. She had reddening around her right eye. So that meant putting her in the car. The last time she was in that car, she had an operation and did not go home for a few days.. I think she associated that car with pain and [...]

I misplace a lot of things. Not that I’m proud of it, it just always happens. And of all the things I lost, there are some that I just cannot forget.
I’ve been missing this wristwatch for around two years and have accepted (although reluctantly) that it’s forever gone; either left somewhere, got lost in [...]

Sophie, the woman behind Beautynomics and Beauty & Minerals, tagged me so here it is with no preamble.. =p
1. I only wear shoes with at least 3 inch heels most of the time. My definition of flat is heels lower than 2.5 inches. And call me a fashion victim but although I have an almost [...]

..to a lot of things this weekend. :s
But before that, some random updates, photos and thoughts.. For instance, how come I never knew that the Fashion Institute of the Philippines was just at the One San Miguel Bldg. in Ortigas when I lived there for a year? I’m thinking of taking lessons there now. While [...]

A commissioned illustration. Copying, distributing, sharing, editing, altering and commercial use of this image is not allowed.

I found out yesterday that I won the Candy Magazine Blog Awards 2007, in the Best Over All Blog category. So that was really pleasant.. =) A lot of thanks are in order: the judges Mimi Tiu, Macy Alcaraz, [...]

I hardly ever listen to radio in the Philippines since I never hear my kind of music playing anywhere. The only time I do is when I’m in cars, on the way to somewhere and I always either have to settle for Joey, keep switching from station to station or just forget it and play [...]

Everyone knows not to make these fashion mistakes…but everyday someone does. Your next challenge is to design an outfit that is based around a fashion faux pas that I will assign to you. These things rarely work on people, and it’s your job to make them work.
I was assigned “a humongous weekend bag” and [...]

I was out all day with hun. We went to the Mall of Asia to see Spiderman 3 in the iMax. There was a cosplay event there too I think because we kept seeing Sasukes, Narutos, Final Fantasy characters and bloody *literally* people milling around the place. Anyway, when we got to the [...]

I never understood what all the fuss was with Friendster because I never really “found” anyone there but Facebook is different. I’m finding friends I’ve met a long time ago all over again. It’s crazy when I think of all the time that’s passed without talking to them and now I’m getting back in touch [...]

First of all, happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there =)
Had lunch yesterday at Cafe Provencal at Shang Mall.. They have lots of new items on their menu.. and they have tortellini! That was a pleasant surprise since I was a bit put out that Trattoria Gourmet (another restaurant in the same mall) [...]

At Ace Hardware store yesterday:
Mum: *across a display of fans, to a salesman* Nasaan ang mga shampoo ng pang- dogs? (Where can I find shampoo for dogs?)
Salesman: Ay wala po kaming shampoo ng manok. Pang aso lang. (Oh, we don’t have shampoo for chickens. Only shampoo for dogs.)
Me: *turns away, does breathing exercises to keep [...]

The most recent challenge for Project Designer is to design an outfit that can be worn to P. Diddy’s annual white party. It must all be white, including the accessories and must be inspired by our model’s nationality. I got Willemina and since she’s of English descent, I got inspiration from the boned corsets of [...]

I’m one of the final 14 in the competition Project Designer Cycle 6 over at DeviantART! It’s a mock up version of Project Runway show on tv. Instead of having to sew the clothes, we will just have to design them. Here’s the link to the competition: Click Me. I’ve just been assigned my very [...]

Friday night: Nikki’s birthday celeb.
Saturday, whole day: with hun.
All I can say is, it turns me off when someone takes my niceness for granted. I’m the least naive person you’ll know. And I’m not talking about Saturday at all. I don’t care to elaborate.. Go figure.
Anyway

Pictures here: Click.
It was nice to see [...]

It’s dad’s birthday today and we went to Kimpura to celebrate. Thanks everyone who sent greetings via moi. I already passed the message. =)
My brother found this and I think it’s great: (the electronic violin is amazing)
[youtube BZmE3fUKU5U]

I miss Holland..

I managed to fit most of my stuff in 4 suitcases. Most. I left some clothes, artwork, books and other things I forget. I’ve been here for 5 days now, almost a week.
The flight back held a surprise. I was expecting and bracing myself for the inevitable rumbling, jittery landing I was so used to [...]

Mom and dad arrived today and we went… shopping. Lol. FCUK had this sale at Rustan’s and I got 3 skirts. I’m so happy. and then we got presents for my ninang and uncle.. It was tiring.. And then we ate at Alavars again.. yummy. Diego of course cleaned up all the plates lol.. I [...]

Some of you might have noticed if you’ve been trying to view crichi.com since last Saturday night. It exceeded bandwidth. Which means I’ve been getting lots and lots of traffic. So I guess thanks guys for visiting my site! I’ve upgraded my bandwidth allowance so hopefully this doesn’t happen again.
Here is the first public compilation [...]

If you have ever played The Sims before, you might recognise the last word in the title of this post as one of the utterances the Sims say in the game’s language called Simlish. I didn’t know it was called that before tonight, though. I was browsing through DeviantArt and saw someone say “I still [...]

..is how I feel. Which is good… very good.
This is the still life watercolour plate I made in Freehand class last Thursday. Watercolour is very annoying.. Lol. It requires a lot of patience (and tissue) and you have to keep in mind that you must preserve the translucency of the watercolours. Some people just lather [...]

… or so I thought. Last Thursday night, my boyfriend and I sort of broke up.. online. The next day, just before going to my classes, he told me to wait for him, that he has just finished packing and is on his way to the airport. I wasn’t sure what will happen when he [...]

I drew the bunny on the left and Bruce made that scary mutant bunny to the right. Lol. He printed it out and I think it’s hilarious that if you press Print on Doodle, it prints the picture out with a frame and everything. I just had to see it so he took a photo [...]

*shameless plugging coming right up- creatures of fragile disposition, avert your eyes*
Lol..
Ok well, thanks to Abbie, I found out about the CandyMag.com’s Teen Blog Awards. I just remembered that I used to be a junior moderator for CandyMag.com’s Teentalk before.. Anyway, this is a contest open for everyone from 13-25 years of age who has [...]

First of all: I am NOT talking about SARS. (Ate Trixie is telling me people might think that and that, anyway, to call this a flu would be wrong because none of us got fever and it should be called respiratory track disease infection something.. So I made an Oopsie. So what. That just confirms [...]

The themes I’ve made are originally posted in the Multiply Customized Themes Group. But since you have to be a member in order to see them and not everyone is a member, I’ve decided to compile the themes here on my website.
They are free, yes but please don’t ignore the conditions for use. You may [...]

I’ve changed crichi.com’s look at last after a really long while. I’ve been so happy making so many themes for Multiply that I’ve actually become drained of ideas for this website’s new look. Anyway, it’s done and I’m really happy with this. I was originally going to use brown, turquoise, pink and lime green but [...]

I’ve been busy with so many projects- that’s why the almost month-long drought in my journal. I’ve been making soap sculptures, pasta sculptures, watercolour paintings. I’ve been visiting the Palace of Justice, going to filmshowings, designing clothes, making clothes (at least trying) and etc. I’ve been making themes, websites, talking to possible clients.
Had dinner at [...]

Dad had dinner here last night of Cebuano dishes he has not had in a long time (I think). He brought my watercolour pencils which I left. Then we went to La Marea at Crossing to have coffee with Tito Rudy, Ninang Loy, Tito Luchoy & Tita Carla, the latter two just arrived here from [...]

Before everything else, here is my latest illustration:

I used Artline drawing pens and colored in PhotoShop.
I left all the other pictures taken from the holidays back in Manila, I’m waiting for my sister to send them to me, so I can’t post new pictures for now. I’m back here, will finish classes by March. And [...]

I like the two words. Baubles and bonbons- gaudy decors and sweeties. And they both sum up what Christmas has come to be:plastic garish decorations and over-the-top everything.
Christmas has brought out the opportunitists in many people, specially the hard-up ones. What was once, is supposed to be and should always be a meaningful season has [...]

(Read to the music of “Stupid Girls” by Pink)
There’s this Multiply account of which main page greets me with MY OWN WORDS. I mean wtf. Not another one.. =s There is four of them who shares the site. Don’t they have enough brain cells combined to think of their own words? I mean seriously, they [...]

Here are some really weird UNWANTED emails I’ve got from complete strangers. Beneath them are what I wish I could tell them.. But I’m a nice girl =)
Message #1:
If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my [...]

Would you take a friend’s diary, rip off pages from it and paste it to your own diary? Because someone’s been taking my journal entries, inserting different words or sometimes nothing at all, posting them on her own journal and passing them off as her own experiences. What is up with that? I can understand [...]

The 13th ASEAN Summit has been postponed. After months and months of preparation and the hassles and institutions revising schedules and planning alternate routes and everything in between, they change their minds at the last possible minute. Unbelievable. But there you go. Which means I will not be going home tomorrow afterall since we have [...]

I did a lot of waiting yesterday. First, I did all my drawings for Freehand early so I was hours early for my next class. We hung out at the library where it was cool. We waited for Mary so that was another sort of wait for me. Oh and Vanessa asked me to sketch [...]

The Cathedral Museum of Cebu at Mabini street opened its doors to the public today.
I was at the reception handing out programmes and seeing to the guestbook along with other student volunteers from CIT. After the place was blessed by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, we had a merienda at the patio. It was catered to by [...]

The decors are coming out now.. I have to admit I was becoming a tad too worried to function when I still couldn’t see the majority of places putting up Christmas stuff. You have to know that Christmas comes earlier here in the Philippines in comparison to other countries. I remember the decorations and the [...]

Haven’t been updating this.. I’ve been busy with school stuff. Paulie came over last Saturday and had lunch. Invited me to the Ftv party at the Loft.. But I wasn’t feeling it so I didn’t go.
Monday, had lunch with Lawi at Bigby’s.

Yummy =D
I want to go home.

25th October, Wednesday last week.

Went to Tita Malou’s with mom to return this architecture book. It was sad to see those trees that were uprooted. I missed the lush foliage that’s usually there when we go to Sta. Elena. Take note: Acacia trees are NOT very good survivors of storms, palm trees are. The african [...]

After planning and planning on always changing venues and dates, I finally finally met up with the girls but Ira couldn’t come because she was getting *gasp* braces. Lol. So it was just me, Nikki and Dana.. It was still fun of course =p. We ate at Tokyo Cafe in Mall of Asia.. And then [...]

My flight’s at 7.30pm tonight. I leave at 5.30 and I haven’t packed yet. I’m not sure which bag I should take or what stuff I should bring. I’m not even sure where I kept my ticket. I’m the greatest. Well it’s probably because I have mixed feelings about going home.. And staying there for [...]

One of the best restaurants.. no.. set of dishes I’ve ever had- Alavars de Cebu foodies.
I was really feeling crappy, though it doens’t show, because I had t spend my 21st here. Crap crap crap. Anyway, thanks guys for cheering me up a lil. I’m so full of food and sick of it, I [...]

I’m 21 summers young today..
Thanks to those who have greeted me already: Han, Mom, Dad, Nikki, Paolo, Ira, Earl, Tita Loy and Tito Rudy

I’ve finally handed in the Coke thing.. Cross your fingers for me! Hope I at least get into the top 20.. But that’s already stretching it I mean.. Gosh, there’s like thousands of fine arts students out there to compete aginst.. Oh well, all I can do is hope now. If I get into the [...]

So yes I’m still alive.. I’ve been incredibly busy the past days working on my entry for the Coca Cola contest thing. I’m not done yet. I will be before I sleep tonight and will *maybe* post my design here.. lol. *is shy* Anyway. I’ve been itching to have my hair cut again and I [...]

Spent the weekend at the farm.. well, “farm.” Made some drawings and sketches. Had very simple fresh food of fish veggies and maize rice. All from the farm. Fish from the sea, the corn grown there etc. Pretty sunset. It looked like glowering embers of coals. Played Jamaican Discsta. Lol. It’s this game I downloaded [...]

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

People keep coming and going. It’s sad when they go, I prefer the coming part anytime. Father Monj held mass at home earlier this night for my aunt and lil cousin’s safe flight to San Diego. And we ate out afterwards. I really am going to miss Joaquin. He’s so cute and sweet and expressive [...]

Took this quiz on gossipgirl.net and came up with this:

Ooh thanks Lyn-Lyn Bling-Bling.. I finally finally got the book, “Artists’ Journals & Sketchbooks.” I like it a lot and I haven’t even completely looked through it yet.. Just the first pages but it looks great. lol.. I used the shop’s address to mail it to and good thing I went there because I wasn’t [...]

I think babies with droplet eyes are the cutest ever. I’m not toally sure it’s really called droplet eyes but what I mean is, if you look at the shape, they look like drops of water.. one side round, other side pointy. Take Jarius here for example. It’s his 1st birthday today and I went [...]

Parents and my sister came over for the week. So most of the last week night’s I’ve been sleeping over at the hotel. It was a really nice place.. It sort of sticks out like a sore thumb, though. I mean, when we go there, we pass by nothing nice at all. Everything we see [...]

All my pictures go there. Permanently linked under Pages at the sidebar.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, yet I am. Our prof was no-show again today. This is really getting to my nerves. I mean how hard is it to sms at least one of her students to say that she is at the hospital and cannot show up for class? Just one. She doesn’t have to [...]

..that I’m not going to really talk about here. They’re too private.
Also the 2nd to the last day of midterm week. For Freehand Drawing, our plate was a drawing of this Julius Caesar bust. Lol. I never thought drawing eyeball-less eyes could be that trying. And it didn’t help that I sat at the back [...]

So we all got our sculptures back today. Some of them came back broken or off their cracked bases. They had to be tested for durability I think.. Mine was okay. But Ms. Tabo asked me to take it home so I can make it a bit less wobbly.. I think it’s gna be included [...]

is some paints.

And brushes. I got these new brushes bought from Sketchbooks in Greenbelt, Manila. Tita Loy gave it to me last night when they arrived back here in Cebu. They’re from Dad. They have these see-throush stems with rubber greips.. Lol. I wanted to test drive them so I painted. Wanted [...]

I don’t know why but it does, to me.

My midnight snack last night. I love avocados all chopped up with thick condensed and evaporated milk and lots and lots of sugar. I leave it sitting in that sweetness for a bit so it can absorb it and then chill it and then I can eat [...]

I thought we were going to have the sculptures back today. Or at least the grades. I thought wrong. We’re to have to have them next week instead. Oh well.
Not much has happened. I just feel so blah today I don’t know why. It could be that I’m dreading being alone this Wednesday when they [...]

I feel like I spent most of today in a line.
First I was at our class Bible Enthronement this morning at the Main Campus. There was a line for going in, for the Communion and the Bible blessing.
Then I went to see Repertory Philippines’ and Little Boy Production’s musical called, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, [...]

I just woke up. I fell asleep around 7.30pm and I woke up around 8.30pm and I was really disoriented. I feel like I’ve slept for ages and I couldn’t understand why people are still up and doing stuff. I’ve been having small pangs of headache which started late afternoon. It could have been brought [...]

A pretty uneventful day.. Started off with me trying to submit my finished wire sculpture which I forgot to take a picture of *kicks self*. In all honesty, I love it. I think it’s awesome. I made a really nice to-scale tulle tutu for it, i sewed it myself and used cream silk ribbons and [...]

So I was at the library *trying* to read Belinda by Anne Rice since my next class starts in 30 more mins and I was really tired. People started sitting at my table one by one.. People from some of my classes and people I know around school.. It got a bit noisy but I [...]

I’ve been wanting something sweet the whole day and there wasn’t really chance to get anything suitable enough for my needs. Woke up early and went to the mall with my Aunt to get stuff for the shop like ribbons and tassles and rhinestones and beads and fabric. We also had to have some photos [...]

It’s for my Design Fundamentals class.. So I made these two study sketches of what I’d like to make a wire sculpture on and the prof got to approve one of them, she of course chose the harder one. It looked so simple to me so I was like all right, lets see what happens.
So [...]

NYZ 465
That’s just one of the many ‘abusado’ cab drivers I have had the misfortune to have encountered.
So me and my friend were waiting in line at Shangri La Mall for a cab earlier- around 7:30 in the evening. We have just seen the move Red Eye (which is a pretty good film, by [...]

Woke up to a gloomy Ortigas and had to drag myself off of my warm cosy bed. Choosing what to wear takes up some time since my university has really strict policies on the dress code.. “no décolletage; shirts, blouses, and top-wear must cover the waist area at all times; may wear footwear of choice [...]

I have a love/hate thing with Tuesdays. Love it because the next day will be a Wednesday and I’m off during Wednesdays. I hate because I have to wake up extra early.. I have a 7:30 class. I’d rather crawl back under my nice fluffly covers. So anyway, the day consisted of :
♥ a Fine [...]

It was a Saturday. I was in the car with my mother and sister and the truck carrying my entire room right behind us. We were on our way to the new condo where I would be living during the weekdays while in college. We were driving along EDSA just before Robinson�s when these grotty [...]

Unpleasant security guards can really ruin my day. I mean, since they are security guards, they’re right there at the front gate, the first people you will meet. They can piss you off before you get anything else done. And I noticed that more often than not, male guards are much nicer than their female [...]

I have got myself weird tan lines from standing too long under the sun this last weekend. The 2nd leg of the 2005 Shell Superkarting Series was held last April 2-3, Sat-Sun at the Boomland Kart Track near the Cultural Center.
There are the following categories: ICA Open Class, Formula Rotax Masters, Formula Rotax, Formula Rotax [...]