Posts Tagged ‘family’
Friday, December 18th, 2009
I just had the most wonderful Christmas party in the home of my Grand Aunt Lorna Laurel. I have always admired my Tita Lorna. She is always so elegant and beautiful. She hosted a party in my honor at her home. I have fond memories of her house as a child. I remember playing in the garden amidst the giant trees. The house was built in the ’20s and Tita Lorna and her amazing staff have kept the property immaculately. I was so thrilled when I walked in as you could really feel the Christmas spirit. The house actually reminds me of the movie Gone with the Wind!LOL!
Enjoy the photos!
The facade of the house.
The decorations were done by their butler Cirillo. He has been with the family for more that 40 years!
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Tags: Christmas party, family, Fashion Insider, friends, grand aunt, houses, Lorna Laurel, old world, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
Something incredible recently happened to me! I just won the TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) for 2009! OMG! I did not realize how prestigious and important this recognition was. The TOYM is now on its 50th year; the awards began in 1959. There have been only 418 Filipinos who have received this award. As I read the list of Honorees from 1959 onwards, I get goosebumps as there are so many important names, like Ninoy Aquino (1960) and Lino Brocka (1975).
In my mind..Is this for real? Do I belong on this list? The cool thing about all of this is that I am the 3rd in my family who has received this award. My granduncle Dodjie Laurel won it in 1971 for Sports, as he was a famous race car driver. The other recipient was my father Jose “Joey” Laurel V, who won it for Public Service in 1983. My father actually also won the TOYP (The Outstanding Young Person of the WORLD), which is the next level of the competition. My Dad was the first Filipino to win this. If all things go as planned, I might be going to Tunisia to represent the Philippines in the International round. If I win, my Dad and I would be the first father and son to ever win this. How cool would that be?
Early this year, I was informed that I was nominated. I submitted all the requirements and really never thought about it after. Last week, I was asked to come for an interview, and it was like I was back in college defending my thesis! Sweaty palms, nervous anxiety and everything else that you feel when you are put on the hot seat. In my head I was like, this must be my KARMA from Project Runway Philippines! LOL!. However, this time it was like I was defending myself and what I do and did in my life. A few minutes later, the board of judges announced that I had WON! I was like, “HUWAAAAT!?! OMG!” I could not believe it!
The trophy was designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Mr. Abueva actually was part of the 6 original TOYM winners in 1959!
EEEK!!!! This is me with my award! Diba I look like a congressman! LOL! Not that there is anything wrong with that...But it's the last thing I want to look like! LOL!
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Tags: awards, Dodjie Laurel, family, Fashion Insider, Jose Laurel V, malacanang palace, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, rajo laurel, The Outstanding Young Men of 2009, TOYM
Posted in Fashion Insider | 23 Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
I don’t know about you guys, but I absolutely love long weekends! It just gives me the opportunity to do things that I have been meaning to do or do absolutely nothing and not feel guilty. Although I am the type of person who tries to fill my day with activities, this weekend I had some busy time and some down time.
The first thing I did was take my 90 year old Lola to watch Repertory Philippines Sweeney Todd. I promised my cousin Franco who plays the romantic lead Anthony that I would take our Lola Betty to the play. I was so thrilled to take her and we all had a super fantastic time.
Franco and our Lola Betty after the show!
Another shot with me in it! Isn't our Lola Beautiful?
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Tags: architecture, Escolta, family, Fashion Insider, food, Franco Laurel, Inspiration, Lola Betty, long weekend, peninsula manila, rajo laurel, Santino, Sweeney Todd
Posted in Fashion Insider | 16 Comments »
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
I have always loved the LA lifestyle, it’s so chill and relaxed and light. I have so many friends and family who live around the LA area, so I come visit quite often. What I love about this town is the weather, I mean the sun is always out and I don’t recall a cloudy day in LA ever.
I also love shopping in LA; unlike NY where you have to lug and carry everything that you buy. Since everyone drives in California, you end up shopping and driving. Here are some of my LA highlights before I head home to Manila! I cannot wait to come home as I miss my bed and I miss my work!
Perfect weather always!
Nix and Cedric outside Fred Seagal's, one of the best stores in LA.
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Tags: family, Fashion Insider, friends, LA, Los Angeles, rajo laurel, travel
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
I wanted to visit my cousin who lives in Queens. I have not been to Queens for a really long time and I wanted to check out the place. They have been slowly developing the area and there are quite a number of excellent real estate opportunities. It was the day of the NYC marathon and I was happy to see it for myself. I wonder if I could do something like that. Nix and I started to think about it, and perhaps when we get back to Manila, we could pick it up. It looked like a whole lot of fun! We spent a nice afternoon at the pier and enjoyed the views of east river.
Nix at the docks.
My cousins Tata and Iben.
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Tags: family, Fashion Insider, New York marathon, Queens, rajo laurel, travel
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Friday, November 6th, 2009
If you must know, brunch is my most favorite meal of all time. I have a feeling that New Yorkers invented brunch since all my most memorable brunches were all here in the city. This time, I tried out Morandi, this lovely restaurant owned by the same people who own Pastis and Balthazar, has that same old world rustic feel; it’s like I was in the Tuscan region of Italy.
Morandi interiors. I am loving the brick walls!
The menu was very European and we had a really beautiful brunch. My highlight of the meal was bumping into the super star chef Mario Batalli! I was like so happy when I saw him. I asked if I could have a photo of him and thankfully he agreed! It was really one of the highlights of my trip. LOL! Morandi is in the West Village just off W10th and Perry st. Right after brunch, we walked around the West Village and enjoyed the good weather that finally dawned upon my trip, thank you GOD!
Mr. Mario Batalli and me!
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Tags: autumn, brunch, family, Fashion Insider, food, Morandi, new york city, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 1 Comment »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
I was super lucky to get a table at the Standard Grill, apparently it’s one of the hottest places in NYC! I hear that it takes a couple of weeks even months to get a table. However, my stars must have been perfectly aligned that week because I was able to get a seating on a Friday night. The concept is like a very relaxed American restaurant with an old world feel. Again, the restaurant was dimly lit. Everywhere I go now, the restaurants are very dark. LOL!
The facade! Love the weatherbeaten look!
The outside seating
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Tags: family, Fashion Insider, food, friends, new york city, rajo laurel, the Standard Grill, travel
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
The weather has been pretty grey and rainy in the city, so I kind of feel lazy going out! Instead, I decided to enjoy my fabulous suite! Oh, they upgraded us to a bigger suite by the way! Can you imagine? I love my new suite because it’s so old world! I mean I don’t know anyone from my generation who has rooms that look like this. It’s really lovely!
This is the bedroom! It feels like a room fit for a princess!
This is the living room!
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Tags: family, Fashion Insider, hair, musical, new york city, rajo laurel, travel, vacation
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
I drafted a small list of restaurants that I wanted me and my family to try. One of these restaurants is CASA MONO. I’ts a Spanish tapas place created by the famous Mario Batalli. I tried to get a table the last time I was in New York, but I had no luck. I heard that even in the time of the great financial crisis, CASA MONO was still one of hardest places to book a table. We took that 9:30pm seating and had the best time. We were joined by my favorite cousin Alexis, who has been living in NY for almost a decade. Between two bottles of wine and what seemed to be more than 16 entrees we reminisced and just had a wonderful time.
When we got there, I bumped into our dear friend JR Abad! Funny how I bump into him each time I am in the city.
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Tags: Casa Mono, family, Fashion Insider, food, new york city, rajo laurel, travel
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Greetings from one of my favorite places in the entire planet! NEW YORK CITY! I just love the energy of the place and I come here to energize. I arrived at night and I decided to walk around first to feel the cool autumn air! Thankfully, it was not super cold as I expected. My brother and sisters arrived ahead of me and this is like a reunion of sorts. My siblings and I have not traveled together for a really long time, so I am pretty excited about this. I will be trying my best to update my blog everyday, since there is so much to share and so little time! So far, these are my day’s highlights!
Walked around the city to get my bearings.
Looked up and saw the beautiful Chrysler building all lit up
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Tags: family, Fashion Insider, friends, new york, rajo laurel, travel, vacation
Posted in Fashion Insider | No Comments »
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