Rajo's Blog | StyleBible.ph » Fashion Insider

LOVING LIMA!

rajo — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:30:22 +0000

I woke up bright and early today and was really psyched to have an excellent day! It is Palm Sunday and we all decided to hear the 7am mass. When I travel to a new destination, all my senses are on a high level. I try to take everything in and generally get inspired.

We walked to the church and the weather was so wonderful! Think sunny skies but with a gentle breeze to accompany it. Let me show you how I started my day.

Wandered about the hotel and saw the breakfast room. Simple, quaint and lovely.

The front courtyard.

The view from our walk to church! Incredible, no?

Palmeras for Palm sunday. Again reminding me of home.

The beautiful Church of Fatima. I love visiting new churches as I get to have a wish.

We were the first ones there but the church eventually filled itself to full capacity.

More Palmeras. Tessa was so sweet because she bought us all some to take home.

Photo with Our Lady.

: The view on the way back! It is just breathtaking!

More amazing vistas!

: Nix and I take a photo worthy of framing! LOL!

The gang with the view in the back.

: Check this restaurant out? Is it not amazing? I heard it’s just beautiful but the food is not very good! Pang picture lang talaga!

Beautiful homes along the Mira Flores district.

Having a really delicious breakfast!

Check out the beautiful fruit! I had some grapes, a peach, the green one is a cactus fruit called tuna, the taste and texture is a cross between a soft guava a kiwi and an avocado. It was really interesting to taste and try new fruits. The last one I believe is a kumquat. It is a sour berry which looks like a tiny tomato under the leaves.

HUGS!

RAJO!

LIMA here we come!

rajo — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:04:41 +0000

Met up with my travel gang at the LAX airport en route to Lima!

My travel gang! Leica, Anton, Tina B, Malu & Tessa!

We were all so very excited and ready to go!

Tessa was her useful, colorful self! I love her energy and positivity!

We checked out the lounge of LAN which was really so well designed.

The bar of the lounge.

The banyos were really nice too.

We took an airline called LAN and it was such a superb airline! They have the best blankets ever! LOL! The trip to Lima takes almost 8 hours from Los Angeles.

This was my seat on the plane!

Nix and I all set to fly!

The California coast.

The food on board was incredibly good! This was our first course, which was a very thinly sliced roast beef with some roasted goat cheese! The spinach and pear salad was so refreshing!

I decided to have the cheese ravioli as my main course.

The view before I fell asleep.

When we arrived it was close to midnight but since we were all so revved up we decided to make use of this energy and head out for an evening of partying! LOL! I just want to share with you some highlights from our day 1. The little spanish I know is actually getting a lot of use here and it is actually working for me. Tee hee.

We arrived in Lima close to midnight! So far everything was running so smooth and easy!

Lima's new airport.

Collecting our bags!

A shot of the chic little airport in Lima.

At first glance, I am reminded of Dumaguete! LOL! The city of Lima is along the coast and the architecture is really interesting.

We stayed in Hotel Inka. It is a small boutique hotel along the Mira Flores district. It was sweet and very homey. The hotel used to be the house of a famous Peruvian archeologist.

The waiting room.

This is the lobby.

Leica checking out the digs.

I loved this frame! I want to search for it in the markets.

Our room! The shocker was there was no air-con! LOL! It was a bit warm but when we opened the window it cooled us down. I still asked for a "bentilador" though. Good thing they gave me one immediately.

I found free chocolates on the bed; pretty sweet.

HUGS! RAJO!

NOW…I am a true fan!

rajo — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:38:31 +0000

OMG! I found more videos of Sam on YouTube and he did this number and I am in total AWE! As in, I am shaking as I type this entry! WOOW! I take it back, this guy does not need American Idol! He needs a record contract..NOW NA!

Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12QVtuB0_Q[/youtube]

HUGS!
RAJO!

An Ode to the Gaga!

rajo — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:21:29 +0000

I came accross this video of a live-mix-acoustic medley of Lady GAGA hits by this guy called Sam Tsui. I think it is brilliant! He should audition for American Idol! I LOVE IT! I want to watch Lady GAGA again! I hear she will be back in March, but this time in Japan! Time to save up!

Enjoy the video! It made me clap at the end of it!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoNdr0AbttI[/youtube]

HUGS! RAJO!

This is too cool!

rajo — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:17:07 +0000

I never thought that one day I could actually say “EAT ME!” and actually have someone literally do it! I have been blessed by the fact that I get so many presents during the Christmas season but this gift coming from my bride Anna Sandejas was too cool for words! She had my face from my blog printed on tiny white M&M‘S!!! How cool is that! I was beyond thrilled! It came with my name and my company name of some candy as well! This gift really made my day! TEE HEE!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Noel’s Homecoming!

rajo — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:44:08 +0000

What I love about Christmas is that so many friends from all over the world come home to celebrate Christmas. There is nothing like a Filipino Christmas! We just know how to celebrate this important holiday like no other race on the planet!

I recently had the pleasure to join a super chic homecoming dinner for one of our dearest friends Noel de la Rama! Noel has not been home for more than a decade. He resides in New York and is a personal chef for super famous people. Currently, he is the personal chef of Mr. Dustin Hoffman! Noel is like my own personal Zagat guide, giving me tips on the latest, hottest, best eats in New York City! Apart from that, Noel is really one great guy! We all love him!

He decided to surprise his best friend Junie Rodriquez with his home coming! Tita Fe (Junie’s Mom) was in cahoots with the whole surprise! The evening was an immense success! The meal was lovingly prepared amidst the most chic environment! Tita Fe & Junie are really my personal lifestyle heroes!

The Rodriguez's Christmas tree!

Junie was visually surprised with Noel's arrival.

It was a homecoming of sorts too for friends Rone( Barcelona) and her sister Tish with her boyfriend Nave. They reside in New York.

The best friends photo opportunity! Apparently they have not taken a photograph together in like forever! Rico, Noel, Junie and Anton!

I love this shot!

Junie taking into the dining table the star of the dinner....Cuchinillo! ( baby lechon!)

The super gorgeous Tita Fe! Her ear chandeliers are by Pepito Albert!

The lovely tablescape!

Maryfe, Rone and Tish pose for a shot.

The dinner was really fantastic, filled with memories and hopes for the future.

Anton, Tita Fe and Rico, relaxing after the dinner. Those chairs are so comfortable, I really want one of those! LOL!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Divine’s Wild Wild West Christmas Party!

rajo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:08:26 +0000

Each year I look forward to Divine Lee‘s Christmas Party! I love going to her Christmas parties because it is always fancy dress up and everyone, as in, EVERYONE is game!

This year, the theme was Cowboys and Indians! It was a riot! Divine and her angels transformed her apartment into the wild wild West! OMG! The details were incredible, cactus plants, play horses and a gigantic TEEPEE! I came in as Boss Hoggs from the Dukes of Hazzard while Nix came as an Indian Chief!

Divine as the ultimate Bingo girl! Here she is channeling a modern version of Mae West! LOL!

Indians and Cowboys galore!

The highlight of the night was the Bingo game where the top prize makes everyone so silent that you could hear a pin drop as the numbers are announced! The party was a huge success and we ended up till the wee hours of the morning! I can only imagine what next years theme will be like? Two more days to go till Christmas everyone! Hold on tight!

My friend Ino Caluza of Victor jeans!

Young designers Jerome Lorico in a stunning ensemble and Patrick Galang who simply stunned me! LOL!

Beautiful ladies!?!!! Patrick Galang and Veejay Floresca! WERQUIN IT!

The TEEPEE overflowing with gifts!

The new Indian tribe of chic and hotness! Personified by Stacy and Carlos!

A black and white Cowboy duet! Me and my fave cowgirl M!

Young design stars! Martin and Veejay!

Khaz, Nix and Michael.

Rocky was the hottest guy of the night!

My bet for the cutest couple! Charmaine and WIll!

Chief Nixy Baby!

Me and Michael!

HUGS!
RAJO!

An Evening with Ernest!

rajo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:00:32 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to have dinner with Mr. Ernest Escaler. He is one of my personal idols and I was more than happy to comply to his invitation. The dinner was in honor of our friends Artus Concepcion and his partner Jonathan Richter. They are spending the holidays in the Philippines.

Ernest is our Chairman of the Asian Cultural Council. I sit on the board and he has really influenced my thoughts on philanthropy and art appreciation. He prepared a sumptuous meal composed of ingredients that he grew himself! How many of us can say that? After the meal, he toured us around his beautiful home filled with the most incredible art. I really enjoyed the evening, as it was one of those super intimate dinners. Hope you’re all doing well!

Ernest is in the center being flanked by Artus, Nix and Jonathan.

We started the evening by enjoying the cool breeze of the Philippine december air. I wish it was the weather was always this agreeable.

Ernest's home was built in the '60s, but he recently renovated it.

We had dinner Al-fresco!

Ernest called the menu- "twisted-pinoy" . I loved the salad with two kinds of dressing, a savoury bagoong and a nutty-sweet Kare-kare like sauce ( very similar to gado-gado). These sauces were meant to highlight the beautiful vegetables that Ernest grows in his farm. He also prepared some binondo style pancit, a grilled pampano and an incredible adobo seasoned with rosemary.

The outdoor pool!

One of the two living rooms, highlighted by a portrait of Ernest by Romulo Galicano among several Bencabs.

A beautiful Bencab series of women in traditional ternos.

He showed me this special commissioned Fernando Amorsolo.

He then showed me a book and the story behind the piece. The title translates into "The Yellow Terror in the Philippines" meaning the Japanese during the World War 2.

My jaw dropped when I saw this Hidalgo! It was so beautiful!

This was done by the Spanish artist Murillo! Ernest bought this at an auction in Christies.

The main living room highlighted by A Gus Albor and Arturo Luz paintings. I loved his Murano glass Chandelier!

A pocket garden in the center of his houses which grows some herbs for his cooking.

An Antique Japanese quilt decorates his dining room.

A Romulo Galicano still life in the dining room.

This was my favorite room in the house! Ernest's library houses more than 3600 movies! I loved the feel of the room! I adored his personal pillows with messages.

I forgot who did this painting but I really liked it!

Ernest with one of his own paintings he did in the '60s! I told him that he should take it up again! Cool personal pillows dotting the chairs in his library. Very cool!

Another pillow with some humorous anecdote.

Jonathan and Artus admiring Ernest's silver collection.

Ernest also collects crystals. He told us that these absorb his negative chi and replaces it with good vibes! I want to know more about this! Hmmm. Perhaps next year!

The dining room with a really cool cast iron and lead crystal chandelier.

HUGS!

The ACCP Party!

rajo — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:03:44 +0000

My goodness! It’s like I am on a party overdrive! LOL! I certainly love the holidays, it seems you never run out of parties to go too!

My most recent one was an Asian Cultural Council Christmas cocktail party hosted by Patrick Reyno. It is always such a joy to visit Patrick’s pad, as it is like going to a museum! LOL! No wall is left bare! Every available surface is decked with the most modern voices in the South East Asian art scene. Patrick is one serious collector! I am just happy to be invited! Just being there ignites my creative juices. The party was short and sweet as we all had other affairs that evening! No rest for the wicked!

LOL!

Jon-Jon and Manny! I like Manny's shirt, wonder what it is?

Anton, Mia and NIx!

The cocktail scene amidst beautiful art!

The food was beautifully done by Chef Laudico!

The art in the bedroom!

Patrick and the gang!

I love the mix of the party! I always say it's all about the mix!

Karen & Mia!

Malu and Jon-Jon this time accentuated by ostrich plumes! LOL!

HUGS!

RAJO!

The SWANK!

rajo — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:24:44 +0000

Ever since I started blogging, I have been slowly following other blogs. One of my favorite blog/magazines is called “The Swank Style“! I just wanted to share this with all of you as the articles they produce are very smart and super interesting! They give me a heads up on the local art world and this is always good. I suggest you all pay it a visit and be inspired!

HUGS!

RAJO!