Rajo's Blog | StyleBible.ph » friends

Loving LU!

rajo — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:36:07 +0000

My girls Leica, Kitty and Amanda decided to have a long Sunday brunch. I took this opportunity to finally try out LU at Rockwell! I was so excited because a couple of my readers (NAKS!) wrote me their suggestions on what to order.

When I walked in, I saw that the place was abuzz with customers and we were led to our table. The owner Luis Terry was there to greet us and gave us a big hug! I really appreciate it when the owners of restaurants are their because this really makes a huge difference. After Luis explained the menu, we decided to have a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the holidays! (As if we needed any other reason?! LOL!)

The menu was well conceived and very tempting! It's all like foreplay!

We started wit this yummy appetizer sampler plate which was really good! The hummus with the eggplant was divine!

We ordered up a storm! We started out with 2 appetizers which were DELISH! Then we decided to share 4 entrees and two desserts! The experience was really beautiful! Lu is still on its soft opening so you can forgive a few service hiccups, but other than that, I think I found a fave eating destination. If you have not been to LU, I suggest you guys hop on over for a really comforting experience!

Then we had fried courgettes with a cream stuffing! The plate was simple and beautiful. It's the kind of honest cooking that I really appreciate.

Fish and chips! I found it a bit too oily but the sauces were amazing! I would dab it with tissue first to absorb the oil. The fries were spicy and very tasty.

the Grilled Chicken was moist and very well flavored! It was perfectly cooked! I always order a chicken dish in new restaurants and this was a winner! Simple and satisfying!

Oooh...I forgot we also ordered some eggs benedict! It was really as in REALLY GOOD It was light and the hollandaise was absolutely perfect!

This for me was the star of the meal! The lamb shank cooked in yoghurt! It was a really pleasant surprise because it was light and very subtly flavored the meat just fell of the bone and the rice/noodle accompaniment was just sublime! It was like nirvana with every bite! This for me was the best of what we ordered!

Me and the girls! Kitty, Amanda & Leica!

BFF for life! Leica and Kitty!

We all decided to do some window shopping and see the new HERMES store! It was amazing how the Hermes store has like zero bags in stock! I mean they were all sold out! LOL! I spotted this leather bag in PRADA and it was really tempting me! The bag is on sale and I am seriously considering it? The practical side of me says..Hello do you really need another bag? While the other side of me says....GO GET IT! I am so torn, so what do you think? It's not cheap so I really have to think this one through very carefully.

Leica holding the bag that I want up. Hmmmm....I am still thinking about it.

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!

A Designer’s Christmas Bash!

rajo — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:11:37 +0000

One of my favorite people in the fashion industry is Randy Ortiz. I have known Randy my entire career and he has been one of the nicest people. Each year, he hosts a Christmas party uniting all of his friends in fashion. I was not able to take my camera so I am borrowing the great photos of JC Buendia.

Randy Ortiz is in the center holding the cake of our December birthday celebrtants! Jing Monis, Toots Tolentino, Marco Protacio and Roan Espino.

The rowdy Bingo game, spearheaded by Fashion show director Jackie Aquino.

Christmas Candy cane looks worn by Rey Llanada and Bianca Valerio

My personal super models. Bea Recto and Tweetie Gonzales.

Randy decorated his home with fresh pine and homemade decorations. It was super chic! I loved it!

It was so wonderful to see so many fashion folk at the party. We played a rowdy round of Bingo and exchanged our presents. The spread was really good as Randy is an excellent cook. The most heartwarming was the laughter that permeated the entire evening. We were all there as one community celebrating the coming of baby Jesus! 4 more days to go till Christmas. Are you all ready?

HUGS!
RAJO!

Maybe They Have to be Crazy!

rajo — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:55:56 +0000

You all have to see this video! I LOVE IT! It was done by the super creative team of Jujiin, Shahani and Rcxy! I have worked with all three of them before and I daresay that they are venturing into something that is really special! This direction is something I really want to support! This video is art and I would like to encourage them to make more! BRAVO SISTERS! You make me so proud! Please watch and let me know how it makes you feel?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bna5J3g2LeM[/youtube]

HUGS!
RAJO!

LEA SALONGA is on PEREZ HILTON’S BLOG!

rajo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:22:33 +0000

OMG! I got so excited when I found out that my darling friend Lea Salonga was in Perez Hilton’s infamous blog. Then I thought, OH NO! Perez can get very nasty! I was so relieved when I read that he loved it and even said that she was AWESOME! I mean Hello?! Lea is AWESOME! I just wanted to share this precious bit of info. I love how Lea just makes everything so classy! That’s all!

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

HUGS!
RAJO!

Christmas in San Juan!

rajo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:12:11 +0000

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!

The living room! I love how everything is still the same after so many years. It really brings back so many memories.

The dining room.

The garden was so beautifully decorated! All this for me? I was so deeply touched!

The lanai.

Old world glamour!

My girls came in full force. Cheska, Malu, Teenee and Leica.

Tita Lorna with her dear friend Pandot Ocampo and me!

Nix and Cheska were color coordinated that evening!

Yummy raclette! It smells so bad but tastes so good!

TIta Lorna and Pandot pose for me.

Look how beautiful the house looks. The trees are just gorgeous.

I love how the staff really prepared the meal, it's so old world talaga. I really appreciated it because no one does it like this anymore.

Nix and the lovely Divine Lee!

Tim dropped by. I know how busy he, so it meant a lot that he was there.

Yummy Ham!

My Lolo Teroy's library! I really love libraries!

Pj and April Pascual were there too!

My Dad gave a speech!

Me and my beautiful Tita Lorna.

My BFF Joey Campillo!

HUGS!

RAJO!

My Annual Christmas Cocktail!

rajo — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:31:14 +0000

It has been a tradition for Nix and I to host a cocktail party at our apartment. It has to be small and intimate because we live in a very small apartment. This year, we decided to have a reunion of my House of Laurel girls! We invited past, present and future team members to our house for an evening of fun and a few games. It was also an opportunity for us to relax and chill as this is the most toxic season for our business. I was so happy to be able to have all the girls in one room. It was also a chance for all of us to bid Yoya farewell as she will be migrating to Canada in a couple of weeks!

It was a really wonderful party, filled with lively chatter and reminiscing of all of our collective experiences working in the company. We played one of my favorite guessing games! The winner gets to win a DIAMOND RING! LOL! I was so happy to see everyone, as they are like sisters to me. I am certain that you are in the thick of the Christmas season. Enjoy the parties!

All my girls in a row! I really have the best team in the land!

Lovely ladies!

This is the complete class picture. Composed of past, present and future "House of Laurel" team mates! Hmm.....Let me enumerate. (L to R) Cara Sumabat , Criselle Panlilio, Gela Laurel, Venisse Laurel-Hermano, Sam Laurel, Rajo Laurel, Angela Tismo, Donna Cuna-Pita, Vernice Songco, Matet Esguerra, Camille Malapas, Bernice Palanca-Go, Mia Carballo, Renee Puno and Yoya Gueco! Phew! It's like a sorority! LOL!

This is one of my favorite guessing games. I just found out that it is called Pinoy Genio? Not sure now, but our prizes were FABULOUS! LOL!

Ix spent the entire Sunday putting our Christmas decorations up, we decided on having minimal decor this year and opted for a 15 inch Christmas tree. I was quite worried that our decor would look like a store window display.

Sam and Camille smiling for the camera.

Criselle and Matet.

It was a pot-luck style of a Cocktail/Dinner. However we all coordinated what to bring, the email thread was kind of long, but it all worked out.

More posing!

This is our class yearbook! Merry Christmas everyone!

HUGS!
RAJO!

I am so very proud of SASS!

rajo — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:07:12 +0000

I just wanted to share with you a very special video. This is a video from a human rights summit at the United Nations in New York! The opening speech was done by a very dear childhood friend of Nix. Her name is Sass Rogando Sassot. A leading voice and light of transgendered rights in the Philippines. I have met her on several occasions and each time I meet her, she really never ceases to amaze me.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrOc6CIQjtc[/youtube]

I implore you to listen to what she has to say as perhaps this will enlighten your thoughts and views on our transgendered sisters. Her speech brought me to tears. It is important for all of us to open our hearts and minds to the mysteries of all forms of lifestyles and orientations. Sass’s words are beautiful just as beautiful as she is!

BRAVO SASS!

MABUHAY KA!!!!!
HUGS!
RAJO!