Rajo's Blog | StyleBible.ph

ACCP 2012 Art Auction!

rajo — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:37:18 +0000

One of my personal advocacies is the ARTS! I have always believed that ART is the soul of our people. Without it, I feel we would be all empty vapid shells. I sit on the board of The Asian Cultural Council whose main objective is to enhance the artists by giving them the opportunity to enrich their skills and crafts by immersing themselves in further studies or internships.

The Philippine board’s main goal is to find the money to do all of this. A really daunting task if you ask my opinion. However, it can be done. This can be done by all of you passing this message to everyone you know and sharing this information.

Today, we will be having main fund raising project which is an auction celebrating the greatness of the Filipino artist. This year is very special because we asked the help of the country’s top galleries to take part and share with us the most coveted and provoking talent they have in their roster. I for one, am very very excited for the auction and I implore all of you to help me spread the word on your Facebook accounts, on your twitter and on all your email data base. The more we spread the word about the auction the better it is for the future of our artists. Help me rekindle our soul and make our artists alive!

Please enjoy these amazing Images from the auction while we were setting up!

The Filipino artist is truly world class!

This is so cool!

This is our best collection of work so far!

This is going to be super excitng!

I love this!

The view from the top!

DISTRICT DINING

rajo — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:00:49 +0000

When my friend Kerwin Go (who is the chef of the super yummy People’s Palace) found out that I was flying to Sydney so he was adamant that I had to eat at District Dining! I believe Kerwin as he is no bull-shitter when it comes to good eats and so on my final meal in Sydney, my friends got us a table and it was a really simply beautiful experience.

Gotta love District Dining!

Primary/Mondrian-esque walls!

The other room which I presume becomes a bar at night.

The dark wood interiors.

The view from where I sat.

What I love about this restaurant is that it was real authentic, real, simple, straight forward and just sensational! http://districtdining.com.au/ The menu was easy to navigate and the plates seemed to be meant for sharing which I always prefer. We began our meal with a lovely pitcher of Pims! I have fallen in love with this super refreshing drink that I swear I will be serving this at home when I entertain. This is an easy recipe http://recipewise.co.uk/pimms-cocktail-recipe. TRY IT! It’s really really really GOOD!

Bistro style menu.

I LOVE PIMS!

We then had a trio of the appetizers. Deep fried quail eggs which opened up our taste buds. I specially loved the creamy dip. Then we had some sweet chicken wings which was a bit sweet for my taste, wish it was 2 notches less sugary. The baby shrimps were gorgeous as it had an Asian spin to the meal.

We then had a beautiful salad made from sweet golden and red beets and micro greens and the most beautiful feta cheese. This came with a side order of greens that just made me smile! I will really miss the vegetables in Australia! I truly wish that we had better vegetable options in Manila as most of what’s available is quite depressing!

The wings and the fried quail eggs.

Crispy baby shrimps provided the Asian flavor.

A close up of these golden balls of yum!

Our starters!

We ordered three more dishes which were just splendid. The baby lamb was just too beautiful that it almost made me weep! I mean it was just perfect! Then we had some pate’ that was both earthy and heavenly that I was left just oohing and aaahing!!! Finally, we had some beef tartare that was so top notch that I was holding myself to order another round! LOL!

This baby lamb shank was just awesome!

The beef tartare was really good too!

Cute plating for the pate!

Fresh greens and a really great salad of gold and red beets with greek feta cheese.

Finally, my friend Mark had to have his dessert so we all happily obliged. So we opted for a bar of chocolate for dessert and a really delightful bar that was like part cheesecake and part ice cream that was just entirely divine! I just have to say that this truly was the perfect way to send me back off to Manila! Recharged, revitalized and inspired! Thank you Australia for an amazing holiday! I have to say this was really one of the best vacations ever and I cannot wait to be back! Thank you to all the friends that I made both old and new. I am deeply and profoundly grateful! MARAMING SALAMAT!!! I cannot wait for all of you to come and visit us and show you how beautiful my Philippines is!

The desserts!

This ice cream bar brought back the child in me!

OMG! This was just crazy good!

My Sydney crew!

The district dining bar!

Planning our next trip together.

Walked around the Paddington area for some inspiration.

COOL!

Cool outside seating.

The fashion paddington area.

Street art!

This is the bar! I want to visit this when I get back.

HUGS!

RAJO!

The Fat Kid Inside’s BBQ birthday bash!

rajo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:27 +0000

One of my favorite blogs has got to be The FAT KID INSIDE! Click here to understand why…http://www.thefatkidinside.com/. If you follow my blog, you know that I get excited about food! However, Erwan takes this passion to the next level! The man is really obsessed with food and we had many conversations about it and to be honest, it is absolutely wonderful!

Birthday Boy hard at work! He basically cooked almost all the food from scratch! I was amazed!

We have been planning a meal with him for so long but our schedules never made it possible. So when Erwan invited Nix and I over for his birthday BBQ, I took this as a chance to finally taste all the yummy food that he has been showing in his blog.

The menu!

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon in a beautiful garden with a 1950′s home that has been lovingly preserved by the Heusaffs. I love the fact that they preserved the heritage of their home and not just tear it up like other people. It is so rare now to find a beautiful mid-century Philippine architecture that I kept looking at their house for several minutes.

The garden set-up.

The garden was also unusual as it was cut lengthwise and had these amazing trees. Any home with large trees for me is a home run! It reminds me of my grandparents’ home in Malate. Erwan set up his party in his very chill, laid back manner! He had us pick our fillings and he made these amazing sandwiches that just tasted AMAZING! I zeroed in on the soft shell crabs that were deep friend to perfection and placed in between these beautifully baked bread! I gave up carbs for 2012 but I had to indulge! LOL! Good thing I took a cirq-fit class before coming to the party.

I zeroed in on the deep fried soft shell crab! It was sweet, salty and crunchy and just fabulous!

Fresh Pizza! Thank you, Manang!

I also had to try the pulled pork that was cooked in Erwan’s special brick oven for what I heard was eternity. LOL! Let me tell you, that pork made me cuss because it was so good! It was moist yet crunchy and tasty. Finally I had to try his salads. All of which were equally fresh and complex.

This pulled pork was just too beautifully cooked for words!

See? Anne DOES eat! LOL!

Erwan also set up this bar with a bevy of original drinks from Berry Mojito’s that made me sing inside. I must have had 4 cups of those! Nix on the other had loved the watermelon concoction. I tried it as well and it was really delicious.

While we were having our food, Erwan arranged for some really funky music courtesy of a trio of very young men called The Hansoms. I found them really cool and quirky at the same time! I could not help myself laugh with their OPM interpretations. I would not mind having them over at my parties one day.

These are the Hansoms! A really cool band.

The best thing about that party was the company. Just a mix of really chill albeit really beautiful people! Erwan is the beau of Ms. Anne Curtis who is probably the most popular star in the Philippine showbiz galaxy. However, behind the kleig lights and the stage, Anne is one of the sweetest and normal persons that you could ever meet and know.

Lazy Sunday Pool parties are the best!

Gang's all here!

Our table. Vic+Divine+ Miguel!

The "Berick" LOL! with Anne.

Best lensman in town!

Our gang! That is the dad of Solenn and Erwan beside VIc! I like him very much.

Pose muna!

More food porn!

Say hello!

Liz and Marc!

I just want to say a huge thank you to Erwan for having us and for making me experience his food! I cannot wait to be invited again! LOL! I will drop everything and be there in a heartbeat. Happy birthday my friend and may only good things come your way and may your goals and dreams be just an arms length away.

HUGS!

RAJO!

ANNEBISYOSA!

rajo — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:00:51 +0000

Last Saturday was a magical day for Ms. Anne Curtis! Basically her dream came true! It’s not everyday that you get to witness a dream coming true to the magnitude that is Anne Curtis. I was really privileged to have been part of that dream as both her stylists called on me to create 2 looks for what I think is ”The most fashionable concert in Philippine History”. I am no stranger to the local concert scene as I have been lucky enough to dress up a lot of artists in the country.

This was one of the gowns that I did for Anne! It's our homage to modern royalty! Normally, it takes me around 3 months to make this but I cannot believe that we did this in 3 days! Granted I had my staff work round the clock to get to the finish line! The dress was so large that it occupied a small room in Araneta! LOL!

The costumes filled the entire backstage! This feathered number is from Dennis Celestial.

This beautiful bodysuit was created by the genius that is Michael Cinco!

Flowers galore all wishing Anne the best!

More costumes! There were actually so many! LOL!

This was not worn but I love the colors! Created by Leeroy New.

To be able to fill up a venue like the Araneta is no easy feat and to be honest, quite daunting and frightening at the same time. Even before 8pm 3/4 of the Araneta was already full! That is AMAZING! I also had a chat with the producer of VIVA productions and he told me that it was a 95% sell through. That means that 95% of those watching paid to see the concert! WOW! No wonder it was so hard to get a ticket! I mean it truly was! I had to call on several friends to help me get a seat! LOL!

THE FULL HOUSE!!! See Anne's besties' all out for support! Pati si Tita Anabelle go for the gold! Could you tell me who they are? LOL!

All of Anne's friends are so beautiful! Honestly both inside and out! Bea, Liz and Belle! I am certain you would know their last names.

My seatmates!

Solen and Christine! Fresh faces! Ang ganda talaga ng Pilipina no?

Anyway this is going to be quite a fun post with tons of “behind the scenes” images that will show you all on what really happens behind all that magic!

The stylist of Sarah Geronimo, Eric Pe Benito, practicing the tulle skirt I did for her on his assistant! It was too funny! LOL!

Behind the scene make-up and hair prep!

Baby sister Jaz, all glittery and shiny!

I really loved the show and for me it was INSPIRING, because it tells me that dreams really do come true! I would like to thank Pam Quinones and Liz Uy once more for the opportunity to be part of this show . I also need to acknowledge the following people as without them, the show would not be a fabulous success! The Director Rico Guttierez! Why are you so young looking? HUH? Did you make a pack with the devil? LOL! Marvin Querido as the musical director, galing mo man! To the G-Force dancers! You made me speechless! Kudos to Georcelle Dapat! Isa kang MALIGNO! LOL! HUGS! Finally, to Ms. Anne Curtis… thank you so much sweetie! What an unforgettable experience that evening was! BRAVO and Congratulations! YOU’RE AMAZING!!!!!

Two of the best stylists in the Philippines team up to curate the show!

The ever youthful director Rico Guttierez! Hate people who never age! LOL!

Liz and Pam so chic backstage!

Opening number! In Michael Cinco nude, crystals and fringe! Fabulous JOB!

I love her hair!

The men behind Anne's hair and Make up! Raymond Santiago and Robbie Pinera! Major talents!!!!

She then sang " Who run the world"!

I loved this Martin Bautista's graphic, one legged hooded jumpsuit! Very fierce indeed!

I wish I had clearer photos!

The stage!

Showgirl time!

Great job, Dennis Celestial!

Biritan level!

Then her sister came on stage to do some sister bonding time!

Speaking of sisters! Spotted KC and baby sister Chloe! They are so beautiful!

These G-Force dancers are AMAZING! OMG!

Fireworks!

Comedy time with Vhong and Luis, here she is in a Joey Samson bodysuit.

Then like a goddess she descended from the heaven on a giant bed!

I loved this part when her mike did not work and she shrieked! WAIT!!!! Ulit..Ulit...Ulit!!!! She asked for the bed to go up and descend again! LOL!

HOT!

OMG! An Agent Provocateur moment!

This was too funny! She is singing na "patiwarik"!

Then Vice Ganda arrived and ruled the stage!

Slaying it like a killer!

Hmmm....These G- Force dancers are HAWT!!!!

HOT, I TELL YOU!!! LOL!

What's his name?

Battle of the panties! LOL!

Grabe kung maka-bend!

Vice's best ASS-et! LOL!

Labanan! Too funny!

Then Anne got into her best segment ever! I loved her voice when she does Alanis.

Spotted my friend Mylene in the crowd! I adore this woman! Look how beautiful she looks sans make-up!

Samuel joins Anne on stage!

More sex on stage care of the G-Force dancers!

Derek is smoking!

Christine Reyes is all woman! I think this woman is really going to be a huge star!

Anne did another aerial entrance! I am glad she does not have vertigo because I would be pissing myself silly!

Derek and Anne ham it up on stage.

My Modern royalty gown! Came in a bit late! LOL! She only had 20 seconds to change into this.

She was joined on stage by another VIVA princess Ms. Sarah Geronimo!

I love these two girls so much!

Anne is just too pretty even if she is making funny faces. Le sigh!

A full view of the gown. I really wish I had a better photo.

Sarah then shows us all how it's done by wowing everyone! She is really very good!

Then Anne came out in my red Jessica Rabbit number with that dangerous slit!

She sang one of my favorite songs! Adelle's "Someone like you"!

I love how the fabric catches the light.

What does SAAABEEE mean? She says it a lot.

FINALE!!!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Tim Yap’s MADHATTER’S ball!

rajo — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:00:01 +0000

I feel a bit bad that I am so delayed in posting this entry! Blame it on the fact that I have a gazillion things on my plate. I am not complaining, I am very fortunate to be busy but I wish I had more time to blog and more time to share with you all the fun and crazy things that I have been doing.

So now back to the entry!

Tim Yap is one of my dearest and closest friends! He is one of those people that really makes things happen and his boundless energy, not to mention his extreme positivity are both intoxicating and delicious. When Tim throws a party, it becomes a real event. He is able to get that perfect mix of people that makes the party really memorable.

Cute Birthday cake!

Details!

For his birthday this year, he threw a Madhatter’s ball! I thought it was an excellent idea and made the entire denizens of the metropolis go hat crazy. I for one, immediately knew that I wanted to wear an Indian Chief headpiece. I have always loved the pageantry of it all! I remembered my friend Rhett Eala having one so I called on him to borrow his authentic Indian chief headpiece.

From the get go, I knew I wanted to wear this! Thank you Rhett, for lending this to me! It was a hit!

Nix on the other hand had several options for him. Our friend CJ Cruz is in town from London and he had this amazing vintage boater hat from Maison Schreman. The same people who make hats for the House of Chanel! I also asked Jun- Jun Ablaza who does these incredible accessories to loan me a few of his out of this world Coq feather headpieces as an option.

Nix on the other hand ended up wearing this boater courtesy of CJ Cruz.

This was Nix's second option from Jun- Jun Ablaza.

We're all set to party at Tim's Madhatter's ball!

Nix was a 1940's British school boy from Eton! LOL!

Good thing I came prepared as some of my friends ran to my studio for support! Georgina Wilson is a constant fixture in our studio! Gela, my sister, is her favorite makeup artist so she is practically there every other day! I even tease her that she is already a Laurel! LOL! I had to make her wear the biggest head piece I had in my loot! It was this amazing thing that was almost 4 feet tall. It was incredible on George as it even made her taller. Belle Daza and Solenn Heusaff were also in my studio so I suggested that Solenn wear the other coq hat that would look incredible on her! I suggested that Belle wear her mother’s Ms. Universe crown! LOL! I thought that would be so amazing! I mean every one wants her to be a beauty queen so I thought this would be the perfect time sans the pressure. LOL!

Who rules the world?

Tim makes his entrance with Belle Daza and her beau!

The most beautiful women in the Philppines were there! Ang gaganda ng Pilipina!

I LOVE BELLE!

The party was a huge success and everyone had a really fun time! My favorite DJ Mars Miranda was there to make sure that everyone was on their toes and Mariott hotel made sure that our glasses were never empty. I just want to wish my friend Tim Yap a happy birthday and may all your goals, wishes and aspirations be a hop,skip and a jump away! I for one will always be behind you and beside you with all your triumphs and pains. Happy Birthday TIM!

Check out our friend Mrs. Tweets! She was a Russian soldier.

Spotted Fierce Dong in Jerome Lorico and The Divine Ms. Lee in Kermit Tesoro! I love her hair chapeaux!

Charina in Mich Dulce! Smouldering!

The cutest bunny twins of the evening!

The Black SWAN! LOL!

What were these two doing? OMG!

The decadent dessert buffet which I stayed very far from. LOL!

Who had the best shorts? LOL!

Color blocked Mo-Hawk! Match the shmize and we're all set! LOL!

More hat variations!

I loved Francis' magic hat with doves.

SO CUTE!!!

Michelle Sison also wore Jun-Jun that night! She matched it with the deepest plunging neckline ever! OMG!

Was so happy to meet Anita Kapoor of Discovery channel. She was fun!

Dong's hat in detail! That is beautiful!

A rose by any other name!

Daryl was killing it as usual!

Andre is beyond amazing! Words are not enough! Bless him for keeping fashion in the country really interesting!

Alex in a carnival mode!

The entire Carnival arrived!

We all had to join in! Ms. Ruffa looking very Russian 20's glamazon royalty!

D+G!

AC+DC= LOVEEEETT!!!!!

JM was too cool for words!

Oops! Touch up muna! thank you Daryl! I kept on looking at the lips of the ladies and Daryl had the best red! So I asked if I could touch up! She kindly said yes! LOVE YOU!

Awwww......Her beau Lotho surprised her! Too cute!

Nix and George with Manila's "FEAT" Gurl! Go-Go- Go- Garlic!!!!

One of the sweetest gals I know! Karylle! So chic!

Joyce's Mo-Hawk was AMAZING! I want to borrow! Sorry I messed up you cheek! That red mark was from me! Tee hee!

TWINS?!!!! KC and her baby sister Chloe visiting from Stockholm.

The best milliner in Manila! Ms. Mich Dulce shows everyone how it's supposed to be done!

The black theater group did a presentation.

Tim gives a speech in a neon RAJOMAN!

I loved Astrud's hat which she made herself! BRAVO!

The GORGEOUS LIZ UY!!!!

Pose muna!

Jon-Jon and Dustin! Parents to be very soon! So exciting!

Best hat goes to Frank Magalona! See the antenna? Brilliant!

Nix and George ham it up!

So this is how you do an Indian call! Say Hi to Daniel, my friends!

Daniel and Heart really make a twosome coosome!

My girl G! I adore her!

Thanks to these guys, we had the best dragon dance!

HUGS!

RAJO!

The SAG Red Carpet Review!

rajo — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:13:53 +0000

I love that the major red carpet awards happen early in the year as it gives everyone basically an idea on how we should all dress up for formal events! LOL! Kidding aside, it truly is one of the best ways to appreciate new fashion as most of these actors albeit amazingly beautiful, are “real” people too. I mean, it’s not fair when we see these gowns on model-like amazons who are like 7 feet tall and 100 pounds! LOL!

The SAG Awards is one of those major red carpets moments that most people don’t really pay attention to! But I do! LOL! So to all of my readers doing some PROM peg research, look no further! You also get a bit of entertainment with my peanut gallery commentary which I love to do! Tee Hee! Enjoy the entry!

Angelina Jolie always looks like a goddess! This time, she channels the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone! LOL!

I can hardly recognize Ashley Simpson anymore with all that "work" but I am loving the 20's vibe of this dress and that BOB is LOVE!

This woman never ages! Diane Lane looking gorgeous in one of the biggest color trends this year! Cerulean blue.

Emily Blunt in a predictable one shoulder slit chiffon number! C'mon Emily! You can do better than this! Rally on!

Emma Stone is too cute for words! This is a great silhouette for those girls in PROM mode! I love the bodice!

Giuliana Rancic RED on RED! I think this gown needs a wee bit of editing to make it a winner. That metal thing on the neck has to go away!

I like the balance of a bare face and total shine! Jayma Mays scores a home run!

Jennifer Carpenter, I am confused! I am on the fence on the dress (Ganchillo much? LOL!) Is it too informal? Her hair is perfect!

Julie Bowen is looking a bit Mother of the bride here! Love the color but the style is aging her by 15 years! Never a good sign.

Kaley Cuoco is too old for this dress! I mean seriously? The color is fresh but it would look better on someone who is 16!

This Versace on Lea Michele is LOVE! She should have not pulled the slit though as it seems contrived! The color is amazing though!

Kelly Osbourne looks great here! Bravo for keeping the weight off! I like this look on her and her hair is very cool!

Finally something more flattering for Michelle Williams! Now let's take it to the next level!

I think Naya Rivera is smoking hot! If I were straight I would ask her out! Heck...I think I would still ask her out! LOL! The dress is just OK! Good thing she is so beautiful!

Sofia Vergara CAN DO NO WRONG! OMG! I LOVE HER TO DEATH!!!!!!! I pray to GOD to be able to dress her one day!

This dress is too low and too tight! Viola Davis' "girls" are just too out there! Her hair also is a bit....off? Like 5 decades off! LOL!

Amber Heard...Never heard! Who's she? Her gown is too tight! This should have had a bit of lycra in the fabric.

OK! This is new....But in a really awful way! Worst jumpsuit as long gown award goes to Rose Byrne! So wrong on many many levels! Shoot your stylist in the foot now!

Shailene Woodley looks like she is going to a luau! A chic one....but a Luau nonetheless! Wrong occasion sweetie.

Natalie Portman IS FABULOUS!!!!! Full stop! I LOVE IT!

Penelope Ann Miller is in a 25 dollar dress! Jeesh! What was she thinking? I mean yung tela na yan nakita ko binibenta sa sidewalk! Dios mio!

Octavia Spencer. Love this oyster shade on her! I wish the sleeves were shorter.

Zoe Saldana is in GIVENCHY!!!!! I wish the inner tank was more sexy! Also her hair could have been sleeker - like parted in the middle and super straight ala cher in the 1973!

Photos from: http://www.temptalia.com/

HUGS!

RAJO!

PHOENIX HOME!

rajo — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:00:45 +0000

Can I just say that I am extremely proud of my partner Nix! He is one of the most committed person I know. Last year, he created a list of resolution.

1. Learn how to drive – He did that in the first quarter of the year

2. Get training in NYC with a international Interior design firm – He interned and apprenticed with the famous Vicente Wolf. http://www.vicentewolf.com/. He did so well that Mr. Wolf did not want to let Nix go

3. Go back to School - He went to Parson’s new school of design last year and got extra credits/knowledge in the second and third part of 2011

4. Learn to swim - This, he has not done but he did take some classes! Alas he ran out of time.

5. Open a Furniture store - This was the most daunting and most challenging! However, he opened his PhoeNIX Home on the tail end of 2011 and 3weeks ago, he “softly” opened his store!

Now tell me, if that is not AMAZING, I do not know what is? I have to say that his store is really beautiful and his pieces are really OUTSTANDING! He showed his pieces to friends and a few professionals and he truly passed with FLYING colors! Not only did a lot of people love it, they actually bought so many pieces! I am so happy for Nix and I am really very very ( multiply this to infinity!!!!) proud of him and what he has done! I mean, he is not even 30 yet and he has a successful design firm and in my heart, this is just the start of amazing things!

Please take a look at a few photos of his show room and let me brag about how talented my partner is! The beauty of his designs is that they are extremely affordable! Nix made sure that great design is attainable and that it is truly within reach.

I encourage all of you to visit Nix’s store and enjoy his talent and take it home! I promise all you that you will not be dissapointed!

PHOENIX HOME

6075 PALMA St.

Poblacion, Makati City.

Tel. 02-9014144

http://www.nixalanon.com/

HUGS!

RAJO!

The ANNEBISYOSA costumes!

rajo — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:06 +0000

I want to share with all of you the costumes that I will be doing for the concert of Ms. Anne Curtis! I was so honored when both of her stylists came to see me and discussed the costume requirements. Two of the best stylists in the Philippines will be working hand in hand to curate and create fabulous looks for the concert. These stylists are Pam Quinones and Liz Uy!
I have to tell you that I am really excited to see the concert and to see Anne! She is really one of my most favorite clients as she is stunningly beautiful.

Pam Quinones asked me to create my adaptation of Jessica Rabbit with a Veronica Lake twist! Think 1940's dark noire chanteuse!

While Liz Uy asked me to create an image based on Modern Royalty! Complete with a 4 meter train! LOL!

For Pam’s segment, we wanted to channel a 1940′s chanteuse in the likes of Jessica Rabbit. Pam wanted a really dangerous slit and let me tell you this slit is really dangerous! LOL! Then we will be adding loads of crystals for effect and some opera gloves fro drama. Lastly, I think a Veronica Lake hairstyle will be perfect for this look.

How chic is Anne? This is how she looks like first thing in the morning! I DIE!!! LOL!

Slit to death!

.
Liz Uy on the other hand, wanted an all out declaration of Anne as Royalty! She wanted lots of shine and texture. It was quite daunting to create what Liz wanted as we only had 2 weeks to finish which normally takes around 3 months! But because I love Anne so much, I had my team work round the clock to finish the dress in time.

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I am also sharing some fitting photos so that you can get a better idea on what great lengths we do to make sure we get the image right. Because Anne is so busy, she only had time for an early morning fitting and I was so stunned to see how beautiful she looks like fresh out of bed! OMG! It was incredible! The woman gets out of bed and she looks this AMAZING! Incredible!

This is my idea on how Modern Philippine Royalty would look like! We love you Princess Anne!

This my version of modern royalty!

Train kung train!!

Even in the fitting, she was already practicing her songs!

She is our princess!

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I am so proud of Anne and so excited for her because this is her DREAM and I love it when dreams come true! Congratulations in advance my darling and we all love you so much! BRAVO!!!!

HUGS!
RAJO!

ACC Art Auction on February 4, Saturday

rajo — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:00:44 +0000

On February 4, we will be having main fund raising project which is an auction celebrating the greatness of the Filipino artist. This year is very special because we asked the help of the country’s top galleries to take part and share with us the most coveted and provoking talent they have in their roster. I for one, am very very excited for the auction and I implore all of you to help me spread the word on your Facebook accounts, on your twitter and on all your email data base. The more we spread the word about the auction the better it is for the future of our artists. Help me rekindle our soul and make our artists alive!

http://www.asianculturalcouncil.org/files/

The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation: Championing the Filipino Artist

The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation is holding its annual fundraising art auction on February 4, 2012. This year the ACCPF has partnered with several top galleries and is presenting a huge collection of vibrant art works from some of the Filipino masters and the best contemporary artists.

The auction, which aims to raise funds for the ACCPF Fellowship Program, will directly benefit the artists themselves. Half of the proceeds go to the contributing artist, while the other half of the sale is channelled into the Fellowship Program. The ACCPF hopes to send four or five grantees this year, all of them artists or arts practitioners who have chosen programs earmarked for their specific needs in their development.

The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation was established in 2000. Together with the ACC New York Foundation, around 60 Filipino artists from various disciplines have benefited from these prestigious grants. Mitzie Icasiano received one such grant to study 20^th century Ifugao textiles in various museums in the US. “I wanted to further my research on Ifugao textiles and return to Ifugao to share my ACC experience with the local weavers,” she says. Visual artist Lyra Garcellano remembers her own experience: “The chance to be in New York—to see, feel, and heart different things and meet and interact with a variety of people… This grant gave me a wonderfully amazing six month window of fresh perspective.”

The ACCPF’s commitment to the development and evolution of Filipino artists and scholars is as strong as ever—ensuring the exciting exchange of ideas, fostering understanding between diverse cultures, and keeping the spirit of Philippine art and culture very much alive.

The ACC benefit auction starts 4PM at the Finale art File, La Fuerza Compound, Pasong Tamo, Makati on Feb. 4, 2012. Preview and exhibition starts on Feb. 2, 2012. View the online catalogue on Jan. 28, 2012 at www.asianculturalcouncil.org.

HUGS!

RAJO!

OFF TO CHINA!

rajo — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:00:44 +0000

China is really the super market of the world! I mean, there is no denying this already! Every season, me and my team are drawn to this place because let’s face it, the prices cannot be competed against! I feel bad each time I source here but as a business man, I have to be smart and really make correct choices.

China road trips that go on for miles and miles looking like this.

As I said earlier, I love these trips with my “team” as it really fosters a bond that makes us more one! My corporate culture is really all about family. You can say that I am the Daddy! LOL!

My team ready to go! Brrrr.........!!!!!

My sister Venisse is my anchor! I don't know what will I do with our her! Thanks Ven!

The weather was really cold but I really didn’t mind as I love Winter! Travel really makes one get inspired and that is probably the main reason why I love to travel because when I come back, I am so full of ideas. Since I am always in China, I tend to by pass a few things and go to the areas that will perhaps inspire me. Normally, I like the antique markets the best, as this is where I can find real “treasures”.

Space age like structures!

Loved the colors!

I love winter because I can layer to death!

Cute little shoes like this make me smile!

Chinese ethnic jewelry that are really very chic!

The Sculpture market.

I found these cards hilarious.

Cara admiring the Terra cotta items.

I wonder how heavy my excess baggage will be if I get one? LOL!

Pose muna!

Ate here! My fave place in Town.

Spotted some wall scribbles that remind me of Cy Twombly.

Could be a great print!

China local scene.

I loved this.

Ven trying out the street food.

Lunch! YUM!

Had to take a bike shot.

I also looked at this really interesting hotel called the Waterhouse at South Bund. http://waterhouseshanghai.com/ . Being a design addict, I heard about this hotel and that it won several design awards! Too bad that I was not able to see the room but I do want to stay here next time I come visit. It looked really painfully chic!

I wanted to see this hotel. It's not much too look on the outside but the inside was very cool!I

I want to stay here next time. Look at this site. http://waterhouseshanghai.com/

The indoor terrace.

The inner lobby.

The main lobby. Too bad all the rooms were occupied.

The facade.

Then had dinner with my friends! Christina, Sean, Kelvin and Frederique.

Was getting cold so we needed to warm our ears! LOL!

Got these eyeglasses which got broken after 30 minutes. What do you guys think?

Ven and I...Tourist shot!

Have you met my son? LOL! JOKE!

Then we went to some medicinal herbal market to check out some oddities? What are these? Newts? It's so cool!

Ginseng!

Deer hoofs? OH MY! LOL!

Best Salon in China! LOL!

Spotted a cool gal on the street! LOVED HER PONCHO!

Then I visited my BFF Bob for some chill time! Here he is with our friend Kyle.

Just want to show you our team’s latest adventures and who knows how this will affect our future collections?

HUGS!

RAJO!