Spending Christmas in Heaven

By | Christmas, Tributes | 2 Comments

We will really never know when God will call us, whether we are 1 year old, 38 years old or 100 years old.  We have to be ready.

Our deepest condolences to the family of Javy – Tito Richie, Ninay Giging, Coco, Ricardo and Tata!

Merry Christmas Javy!  I am sure Joel is happy to have you with him now in heaven!

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Galadria by Miguel Lopez De Leon

By | Hot Off the Press | No Comments

‘GALADRIA,’ the First Release in a New Fantasy Trilogy by Miguel Lopez De

Leon, Reaches Amazon’s Best Seller List in its First Week of Publication

This new book is being touted by some to be the next Harry Potter.

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“GALADRIA: Peter Huddleston and the Rites of Passage” has soared in its first week of publication to become a best seller on Amazon.

 

Miguel Lopez De Leon, an accomplished short story writer, is thrilled to debut his premiere novel with the first book in a series of the fantastical story of Galadria. Peter Huddleston lived a dull life in a quiet town with his decidedly normal father and stepmother; he awoke each morning with the intention to fit in and be like everyone else. But something always seemed to get in the way of those best intentions.

 

Peter, the book’s main character, has been touted by journalists as the next Harry Potter. The book is written for young adults but people of all ages are buying and enjoying it. De Leon is making appearances at schools in the Los Angeles area and speaking to students about GALADRIA. He wants students to recognize their worth and understand that seemingly ordinary people all have extra-ordinary gifts if they are open to the possibilities.

 

In GALADRIA, Peter blunders from one misunderstanding to another until his exasperated father bundles him off for the summer to visit his Aunt Gillian at her home, Hillside Manor.

Peter quickly learns that Hillside Manor is no ordinary summer retreat, and that his aunt is anything but an ordinary woman. Within its vast walls, and 3,000 rooms, the wondrous manor houses many secrets, including the fact that it serves as a gateway between our world and the mysterious Galadria, where Peter’s family currently rules. Peter has been summoned to Hillside to learn that he is the only heir to the royal family, and to determine if he is prepared to face the Rites of Passage.

 

The rites are not the only challenges Peter will face during his summer of tutelage at the hands of his aunt and her strange and fascinating entourage. Peter is embroiled in the dynastic challenge as his aunt’s heir, inheriting the enmity of Knor of the House of Shadowray, who covets the crown of Galadria. With his trusty boomerang and armed with magical trinkets, Peter gamely faces the challenges to prove himself in this eccentric and privileged world. Aid comes from strange and unexpected places, but inexorably Peter is pushed and tested to his breaking point. His successes put him in evermore peril and catapult him closer to a confrontation with Knor, and to a grizzly realization that he might not survive the summer!

 

Miguel Lopez de Leon, who lives in Los Angeles, is grateful to all the kooky characters he’s met in his life, who have been a true and constant inspiration to his imagination. He is currently working on the second installment of the GALADRIA series, “Peter Huddleston and the Mists of the Three Lakes.”

 

For more information on the GALADRIA series go to www.wakestonepress.com. Available through Ingram Book Group. Publisher is based in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. For more information about the author and GALADRIA visit www.miguellopezdeleon.com

 

In the Philippines, GALADRIA will be exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Alabang.

 

Miguel Lopez de Leon

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Miguel Lopez de Leon is a novelist who lives in Los Angeles and is the author of the “GALADRIA” fantasy book series. Book 1, “GALADRIA: Peter Huddleston & The Rites of Passage” (Published by Moonshadow Press, an imprint of Wakestone Press) is the first book of the series, followed by Book 2, “GALADRIA: Peter Huddleston & The Mists of the Three Lakes” (Coming out in 2012). Successive books of the series will come out each year.

 

Prior to his novels, Miguel was an accomplished short story writer, even winning first place in Writer’s Digest Magazine’s “Your Story # 24” writing contest. His short story, “A Working Professional,” beat out over 550 other competitors in the international contest.

 

 Miguel’s  various short stories were published in The Shine Journal, The Oddville Press Magazine, The Cynic Magazine, Fantastic Horror Magazine, The Absent Willow Review, Hungur Magazine, Illumen Digest, Sounds of the Night Magazine, Niteblade Magazine,The Solid Gold Anthology- UK (Published by Gold Dust Magazine), The Cover of Darkness Anthology, as well as seven separate paperback anthologies by Pill Hill Press.

 

Aside from writing, Miguel’s other interests include the real estate business, financial investing, and philanthropic work with several international organizations.

 

Miguel has also modeled for various international brands, such as Diesel, and was chosen as the main face for a print ad campaign for the Italian brand “Bergamo.”

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Dinner with Jigger and May

By | Foodie | No Comments

We were so happy when Jigger and May invited us over to their new home to have dinner.  And this time, we had them all to ourselves!  which we actually like better so we can catch up.

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Previous Entries:

Wedding of the “Century” Part 1 – Arrival and Rehearsal Dinner Nov. 7 

Wedding of the “Century” Part 2 – Church Wedding  Nov. 8

Jigger and May by Jason Magbanua 

Wedding of the “Century” Part 3 – Reception 

Wedding of the “Century”  Part 5 – Luau and Dinner Nov. 9

I instantly liked May when Jigger first introduced her to us.  Jigger is so lucky to have her!

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May showed me her pink phone gadget!! You can attach it to your cellphone and use it like a regular telephone 🙂

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I see a lot of similarities between Jigger and James….afterall they were roomates in College in Pennsylvania 🙂

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Jigger is also OC and is very detailed in everything he does!  Here are his computer cords and accessories which are in zip loc bags before putting inside his computer bag 🙂  That is a step further than what James would do!

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Jigger is always prepared with all kinds of vitamins and medicines, of course it is also properly labelled and packed

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Our dinner venue in their new dining room.  Thank you Jigger and May for inviting us over, we had a great time

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May bought her dining accessories in Rustan’s!  No wonder it is so nice 🙂

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Jigger and May ordered food from Stephanie Zubiri and it was really good

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Spicy Thai Beef Salad

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Black Angus Short Rib Balsamic Beef adobo

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Truffle Mushroom Lasagna

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Bicol Express marinated Broiled Chicken

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Dory with Chorizo Lemon Sauce

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3 kinds of rice 🙂  Garlic Brown rice, Couscous and Plain rice

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Assorted mini cakes from Classic Confections

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Modern Luxe

By | Homes and Interiors | 2 Comments

Thank you Jigger and May for inviting us over to your new home!!!  It’s beautiful!! The three years in the making was worth it! 🙂  They took their time and within that timeframe, they were able to buy special pieces which they liked from their travels.  May told me she also enjoys accessorizing, so all the bathrooms and the kitchen accessories are chosen by her.  Jigger on the other hand who is very particular of everything, made sure that  everything is to his specs most especially his air-conditioning system.  The hospital bed in the master bedroom is his due to his acid reflux problem.  I found out that we have the same problem and he has to sleep in airplane position, upright.  

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I just had to take a photo of the staff of Jigger – they were all there to assist in the setting up of the place – from his executive assistant and driver, to the tailor and the computer guy from the office

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From the Sidewalk to Red Carpet

By | Entertainment, What's New at Rustan's | No Comments

Prada has been known as an Italian fashion label specializing in luxury goods for men and women. From red carpet affairs to casual city walks, celebrities don the latest from Prada to stay in the latest in the fashion circuit. For the première of ‘Contagion’ at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival, Actress Gwyneth Paltrow dazzled in a gorgeous Prada gown. This gown features an interesting design with its T-back bow detail. She complemented this stunning gown with a light pink Prada ‘Cipria Raso’ hard-case clutch and matching patent leather Prada peep-toe platforms. She opted for minimal but chic makeup –a slick of pink lipstick, which helped brighten up her look and a sophisticated side swept hairstyle. 

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Gwyneth Paltrow continued her winning fashion streak at the Venice Film Festival as she looked picture perfect when she stepped out on the red carpet for the photo call of “Contagion.”  She glowed in a coral Prada mini dress. Her ensemble features bunched, balloon-style half sleeves and is cinched at the waist with a black belt. She couldn’t be more summer appropriate as she wore her blonde hair in a casual straight style and chose light but totally flawless makeup.

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Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung was a show stopper at the Liulaogen Guild Hall opening in Beijing. She looked simple and chic as she wore an ivory gabardine natté dress from the Prada Fall Winter 2011 collection.

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Kate Mara wore head-to-toe Prada as she attended the film premiere of the movie ‘Tanner Hall’ film in Los Angeles. Kate went for a classic look as chose a simple red wool crepe Prada Autumn/Winter 2011short sleeve dress and added Prada Fall 2011 accessories – a rust-colored lurex button-detail clutch and a sexy pair of Prada Cammeo python heels.

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A stylishly dressed Miranda Kerr has recently been spotted going for lunch at the Sydney Opera House in Australia carrying a Prada bag from the Fall Winter 2011 collection. The Victoria’s Secret Angel donned an impeccable street-style as she paired a simple orange top with a navy pencil skirt, and she finished her look with her bold colored Prada “Runway to Green” red leather tote bag.

prada-celebrity-06.jpgprada-celebrity-07.jpgIn the Philippines, Prada is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is available at Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, Makati.

 

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Trina Turk Arrives in Rustan’s

By | Fashion, What's New at Rustan's | No Comments

Trina Turk Bio

Born and raised in California, Turk was 11 years old when her mother first taught her to sew. She studied apparel design at the University of Washington and took her first job with the Seattle-based sportswear manufacturer, Britannia Jeans. Turk’s next stop was Los Angeles, where she waded into a sea of 30 prints per season designing surf wear for ocean pacific.

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With her husband, then stylist, now photographer Jonathan Skow as partner, Trina Turk, the company, was born in 1995. In the same year, her clothing was sold by Barney’s New York, Fred Segal, and Saks Fifth Avenue. With that, Trina Turk’s wholesale sales topped $40 million in 2009.

Inspired by the multicultural mix, architecture, and landscape of Los Angeles and California, the Trina Turk collection is full of the season’s most casually sophisticated-and “must have” silhouettes. Trina’s philosophy is to create wearable, optimistic sportswear. The collection has become known for n amazing pant fit and gorgeous signature prints. Swimwear was introduced in 2007 through a license with apparel ventures.

About the Brand

Trina Turk Handbags

Trina Turk expandable totes, smart satchels and chic crossbody purses carry all your essentials in commendable style. Over-the-shoulder totes and travel vanity kits stay typically sleek (and surprisingly functional).

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Trina Turk Jewelry Collection

The inspiration for the Trina Turk Jewelry collection is Trina’s own collection of vintage jewelry, and the optimistic, California vibe that inspires everything we do. The concept is to create a fresh, new take on pieces you can no longer find, often incorporating MOVEMENT and COLOR. All materials used are of highest grade and quality. Trina Turk creates tomorrow’s collectibles by manufacturing jewelry that is made to last.

Trina Turk is exclusively available in Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-la Plaza.

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