Facials at Dermalogica Rustans

One of the very few luxuries I enjoy in life is a 1 hour BASIC FACIAL in Dermalogica at Rustans.

I usually do this during Christmas, my birthday or when I'm feeling really ugly.

It doesn't cost an arm and a leg. A basic treatment is only 900 pesos. 

The facial in Dermalogica is different from the typical painful session at the doctor's clinic. One main difference is the ABSENCE OF NEEDLES.

The next most obvious difference is the "chi-chi" ambiance.

As soon as you walk into your private room, you are asked to change into a robe.

Spa music fills the dimly lit room.

You feel relaxed even before it starts.

Once you are ready, a trained therapist will pamper your skin for 1 hour using only the best Dermalogica Products.

The facial is very indulgent, complete with cleansing, exfoliating and ending with a massage

The therapist do extract blackheads and whiteheads but they only use their hands. Yes, expect some pain but seriously, it's nothing compared to having those pesky things pricked with needles.

I swear after my treatment,  my skin is glowing. Best of all, no prick marks!

You can find Dermalogica inside Rustans. I usually go to Makati but today, I went to Shangrila Mall because we had lunch in the area.

Right beside Dermalogica is Nail Tropics. 

IDEA: You can schedule a day of pampering. Start by having brunch. Then go have facial. After your facial, have merienda at EAST restaurant. End your day of Self Love with a mani and pedi at Nail Tropics. 

Cost of Self Love Day: 2,500 max!

To Make Reservations CALL:

Ayala Center Ayala Avenue Makati City 1226 +63.2.813.3739	Shangri-la Plaza Mall EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong City 1552 +63.2.633.4636

Enjoy!

Feeling Fresh,

L

First Feature Article

Happy Friday! Just came back from Barcinos. Hey hey happy hour! 

A quick post to share a picture of my first ever published feature. I got a spread on this month's issue of Working Mom.

Thanks Leah and the editors of WORKING MOM PHILIPPINES for the opportunity.

Happy,

L

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

Today is a special day because it's my first day of school at the INSTITUTO CERVANTES de MANILA. I signed up for Level 1, Spanish Class.

A couple of weeks ago, my mother-in-law went to a Chinese Temple in Cebu and asked about our past lives. The master said my husband was a wealthy tax collector in Paris and I was dancer in Africa.

Makes sense. He does think of money all the time and I do dance quite well. Or so I'd like to believe.

However, I really feel that in my past life I was a Spanish lady.

I love Spanish architecture, Spanish food and the beautiful language. Unfortunately, in this life time I was born a Filipino-Chinese.

I want to name my future son, JUAN MIGUEL IÑIGO and my future daughter Maria Carmela Ysabel. BUT! Let's face it, it sounds odd if the last name is CHUA right? So, I will name my kids Ping Pong or Ah Choo instead.

The small campus of Instituto reminds me of the Picasso Museum in Malaga. Sadly...they are moving to Makati in a few months.

The Moment We Fell In Love

My boss, Marga Mathijssen once told me..."Never forget the exact moment you fell inlove with each other. When the kids and the problems come and life happens...that moment will sustain you"

So I made sure I never forgot mine.

The first time S said I love you, we were sitting on a bench inside the Botanical Gardens, Singapore. It was around 7pm, dusk. I was lying on his lap.

He said... " I love you.."

I said..."That's nice..."

And no, I didn't just give you a bull*shit story grabbed from "Nottinghill". This really did happen.

It was in Paris, under a full moon on a bridge across the church of Notra Dame that I FELL IN LOVE with my husband. I'm sosyal that way.  Dun pa talaga eh, no?

It was our last day in Paris and we were sad that we were back to doing LDR again. We cried because the thought of being apart is just painful.

 Love and its many expressions really do change in time. You won't always have the dreamy eyes and the corny lines. All you are left with is the memory of THAT one DEFINING moment (two or three if you are lucky)  that the world stopped and only your hearts spoke.

Last year, we found ourselves in Paris again. But this time, not so in love na. We went to that same spot in Notra Dame and all S could think about was "Nutella Crepe". He couldn't admire the view because all he could think about was that stupid crepe.

Instead of getting mad at him, I just closed my eyes and recalled the time we fell in love. A few seconds later, I opened my eyes and said..."Why don't we go find that crepe." He smiled and held my hands.

How about you, can you remember the moment you fell in love?


Sentimental Fool,

L

Don't Cheat In Your Own Backyard

...or better yet, don't cheat at all.

If you are wondering why there are several posts about cheating here in my journal, that's because I am pissed at the husband of my cousin and my dearest friend, Belle.

What a stupid asshole. His pregnant mistress' workplace is just 2 km away from his wife's office.

I wonder if he has heard of the saying..."Don't sh*t in your own backyard."? Iloilo is one big backyard. Everyone knows everyone. Which is why, I never dated in Iloilo. Well, I was an ugly teenager but yah, that's not the point!

I don't know why guys love sh*tting where they work too. Someone from my old office had an affair with a brand manager. They would have their dates abroad while they were on business trips. Ofcourse, his wife caught them...AFTER 7 YEARS!

I also don't know why some girls don't really see a wedding ring as a deterrence. If a wedding ring is not enough...then surely these beautiful coffee cups from 7/11 won't stop someone from stealing what's yours!

But hey, the brewed coffee by City Blends is good. If you want to keep you Jowa, then buy a cup from 7/11 and deliver to his office everyday.  Mura lang. Effort lang nga to deliver.

If this won't stop the thieves, atleast your jowa will love you again/more. 

Anyway, the saga between my cousin and her stupid husband continues. Everything is happening in one small backyard called ILOILO.



Astounded with the stupidity of humankind,

L

I'm not a Prude

I'm thankful I have friends who are vocal about their sexuality.

I've heard it all, from threesomes, to bdsm...from straight, gay to bi.

When you don't know much, listening to the experts is like going to Chorla School of the Arts.

Wink,

L

FEW FRIENDS

In real life, I have very few friends. My life is very simple and uneventful.

Sometimes, I envy people who frequently post pictures of themselves attending parties and get-togethers. I say to myself, "Wow, they are so lucky they have such exciting lives."

Then, I remind myself that this is my choice to keep life simple. I have eliminated people who I believe are vexation to my spirit. I'd rather be alone that have friends like that.

There was once a girl who, when I posted a picture of my dream wedding shoes, posted a comment in my journal. Her comment was this...

" Ouch! Those look painful".

I found that comment quite hurtful because I saved up for those Louboutin Pumps. I restrained my inner demons from responding.

Another time, I shared about a wedding seminar that S and I attended. I shared about how the seminar helped us understand why we fight and helped us understand how to resolve the fights. The same girl made this comment...

"I'm glad my fiancé and I don't fight."

I was really put off. There I was humbly sharing the flaws of my relationships and she had the audacity to rub in my face that hers was bright and dandy.

If you know me in real life, you know how mean I can be. My tongue is sharp and my punches are strong. If I choose not to respond, it's because I don't want you to cry. 

As a marketer, I am trained to read between the lines, to know your fears and insecurities  and to see what's behind the facade.

What's behind my facade?

I am a recovering bitch. I am working on being nice. I am trying to keep life simple. I am trying to appreciate what I have. In short, I am trying to change. And if you are in my way, I will drop you in a heartbeat. 

I believe there are just people who bring out the worst in me. It could be someone who makes bratty comments or just someone who posts endless selfies. 

I hate selfies. 

I want to punch girls who pout their lips and take narcissistic images of themselves. SERIOUSLY! I try to avoid these people.

 I remember that there was a time that I just couldn't stop myself. So, when my friend posted a selfie with a totally unrelated caption (some stupid quote), I couldn't stop myself and I made this comment...

"Love yourself much?"

Yes...I am that mean. That's why I'm changing.

So now, I have few friends. And these friends help me in my journey to be a better person. 

These are people who have accepted me in their homes, dined in mine and have met my parents. 

These are people who, I can run to when I'm sad. I go to them when I'm scared. With them, I can take off my shields and be weak. I know they won't judge.

Sadly, many of them are not in Manila. I'm thankful that the internet has made them accessible. 

So, how few exactly are my friends?

I think I only have around....5. Just 5. I have met many people but I realize only 5 can genuinely be there for me.

How about you? How many real friends do you have?

Here are some guide questions...

1. You are stranded along Edsa, who will you call?

2. You need to go to the obgyn, who will you ask to accompany you?

3. You have to go to the emergency room at 10 pm at night, who will go to you?

4. You are depressed at 2 AM, who will you send a message to?

5. You are out of the country and your parents encountered something bad, who will you ask to go there and check?

Lastly.... Who among your friends now, will you be there for all the 5 questions I asked. 

Once you have the answers....well, GO LET THEM KNOW. TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE THEM IN YOUR LIFE.

Contemplating,

L

ANG PAO

ANG PAO/HONG BAO/ 红包/Red Packets are the standard gifts given during special occasions...weddings, birthdays, Chinese New Year and sometimes, even Christmas!

The amount should be in EVEN NUMBERS but never a 4 in the amount. Bawal 4, 44, 400.  4 sounds like death in chinese.

Ang Paos are usually given by MARRIED couples to Singles and Children. It is to ward off evil and to bring good luck. But, this year I got angpao from my in- laws because we need luck! My MIL said, she's giving me and S for 财气! TSAI KI in hokkien. I learned a new word!

Then I also got ang pao with 20 pesos from the temple!

 Feeling luckier,

L

FO GUANG SHAN New Year's Prayer

For me... Buddhism is a way of life.

It is relevant to people who have everything and yet feel empty. It talks about simplifying one's life because the joys and pleasures of the world are but temporal.

I am a lover of all religions. However,  I believe in One God, the Almighty and I believe HE created the Universe. The Universe has a dynamic and a plan. Everything that happens is meant to happen for us to get from point A to point B and ultimately to our destination.  

I also believe that people are innately good. 

My goal now is to CONTINUE simplifying my life. I want to find the joy in the simple things and  to enjoy the now. I'm working on giving happiness to others. Admittedly, it is really not very easy for me to love everyone because I do get agitated and I worry easily but this is my journey.

To clarify, I'm not really Buddhist but I do appreciate the teachings.

Here's the prayer last night. It's so easy to understand why it resonates with me.

Ash Wednesday and Chinese New Year

Yesterday, I felt like a Filipino-Chinese more than ever. I had to celebrate two very important traditions in one day.

In the morning, I attended the ASH WEDNESDAY mass and ate my obligatory JOLLIBEE TUNA PIE for breakfast.

Later that afternoon, we dropped by Ong pin on our way home. The chaos!  Pinoys, Fil-Chis and Caucasian tourists were buying tikoy, fruits, balloons and charms.  I just love the optimism of Filipinos. Hit talaga pag pam pa-swerte