Camille’s Debut

Last December, I posted the pics from the hippie- inspired pre-debut shoot of Camille, the Maja Salvador look-alike. A week ago,  when students were busy with their exams, sat preps, and accomplishing school requirements, she celebrated her 18th birthday and I did the honor of dolling her up again on her special day.

Camille knows what she wants and speaks it politely. She requested for her makeup to be subtle and fresh on her debut.  She showed me a peg for the tousled sexy hairstyle that she wanted.  She’s already pretty to begin with, so I had no trouble giving in to her wishes. This time, she looked like no one else but her lovely self.

I used my new toy, the Philips 10 in 1 Multistylist to curl her hair. I usually hire somebody else to do the client’s  hair but this gadget made the hairstyling job a lot easier, and  so I did it myself. Here are some shots taken during the event by master photographer Dustein Sibug, for more pics, please visit his portfolio site at http://dustein.multiply.com:

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Cosmetologie 2010

Following the success of last year’s Cosmetologie 2009, the Philippine International Cosmetologists Association (PICA) and Premier Events Plus Group, Inc. are staging Cosmetologie 2010 on February 23-24, 2010 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia, the same venue where it was held last year.

I attended some makeup lectures by Fanny Serrano (Classic and Bridal Makeup) and my make-up teacher Lourd Ramos (TV Makeup) during the Cosmetologie 2009. They gave out certificates for attendees.There were booths that sold beauty supplies that are hard to find. The Fanny Serrano booth, from where I got my Sea Sponges, gave discounts on the make ups.  Suesh had their exhibit booth where I met one of the owners, Sheryl. I tested their makeup brushes that I didn’t have yet and I must say the superb quality is consistent in all of their brushes and other products. I bought a leather makeup traincase from them during the event. The exhibitors were varied. Apart from the beauty products showcased, there were lucky charms and magnetic bracelets sold, while health supplements including herbal sleeping pills samples were given away.

Apart from the paid lectures (around Php200 per session), they had free demonstrations in the hall where prizes were also given away. Celebrities  like Pops Fernandez either performed on stage or simply graced the event. Although most of the attendees were salon owners and workers, the convention is a must-attend for all beauty enthusiasts, including makeup newbies. There is much to learn in the trends of makeup artistry and hairstyling that you have to be updated on.

According to  PICA, here’s what to expect in Cosmetologie 2010:

Cosmetologie 2010 will provide the most rewarding educational experience to all its participants with different activities conducted by professionals and experts in various disciplines of cosmetology such as:

Interactive Workshops on Classic Cutting, Comprehensive coloring, Seasonal & trendy styling, Specialty make-up, Nail Enhancement, Hair Enhancement, Aromatherapy & Reflexology.

Live Demonstrations where visitors can watch and learn from the best in the industry as international celebrity experts conduct demonstrations on-stage

Daily Runway Shows where visitors will see total looks come together with fabulous fashion, amazing accessories, spectacular hair and make-up all set to vibrant music and expert commentary.

For more info, please visit the PICA website or the Cosmetologie 2010 page. The former is the source of the event poster above .

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Regine Velasquez in CDO

Last December 4, 2009 at the Limketkai Atrium, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez took Cagayan de Oro by storm with her rendition of the fans’ most requested songs.

Too bad I wasn’t there to watch the concert because hubby was on duty, but I watched Regine’s show a few years ago in Manila and she’s definitely one artist whose performances are worth every penny you spend for the concert ticket.

Buzz around town is that her Eraserheads and Hearts Medley were among the most applauded numbers. Her duet with Jed Madela of “The Prayer” blew people away and sharing the stage with her childhood singing rival, Eva Castillo, was a spectacular showdown of vocal power. Thanks to Youtube, I was able to catch a few clips from the concert.

Team Oro covered the event and one of the photographers, Bon Aserios, permitted me to post some of his shots. Bon is the same photographer I worked with during the Geisha shoot we did about 2 weeks ago.

If you need a photographer for your wedding or portrait shoots, please visit his website at http://bonaserios.com. His rates and contact details are posted on his site.

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The Philippine Blog Awards ‘09 Mindanao

The 2009 Philippine Blog Awards Mindanao leg was held shortly after the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit on the same venue- at the Pearlmont Hotel, Cagayan de Oro.

It was a long day. I had only 2 hours of sleep the night prior because of some deadlines I had to work on. I could easily opt to curl up in bed right after the summit but I just couldn’t afford to miss the PBA Night. It was a rare opportunity to accept the trophy for the Best Beauty Blog Award which was announced in Manila 2 weeks before the Mindanao leg. All along, I was thinking that claiming my precious trophy would take place off the stage. When CDO Bloggers President Chiq Montes came up to me, she said that winners of the nationwide categories had to prepare an acceptance speech. Like an ice cold water that was suddenly poured over my head, it snapped me out of lethargy. I could only blurt out to myself “Crap… But I don’t do speeches?!?”

The spotlight-loving theater artist in me stopped adoring the stage after high school. Speaking in public has been a tummy-somersaulting activity for me afterwards. It probably had to do with endorsements, grand rounds and (tor)mentors scaring the hell out of us during med school. I stutter when nervous and puke before a presentation I haven’t studied for.

What was more panic-inducing was my look for the occasion. I was dressed casually for the summit without considering my outfit for the awards night.

After all, I was expecting to be in the audience all throughout. I couldn’t climb up the stage looking like the beauty blogger who doesn’t practice what she preaches. Good thing I had extra clothes and shoes in the car. Putting out the NARS makeup palette from the bag, I worked some magic in an effort to restore some freshness into my exhausted, dried tuna look. With no makeup brushes, I used my hands in applying makeup. No breathtaking eye designs, no mascara, no “donyatic” hairstyle. Just the basics to help me pull through the night.

The dinner that was sponsored by the PBA have been sumptuous but my taste buds weren’t working due to my perceived impending doom. The announcements of winners from Mindanao were even a blur until after I delivered the speech. It was a brief one, just a quick thank you speech to let them know I could talk. For the record, I didn’t pass out on stage, slipped on stainless steel tiles nor puke before everyone. My blog title would have immediately changed to “The Doctor is Gross” had I lost my composure. My husband was my steady support throughout the day.

Thanks to the Philippine Blog Awards website, I could now share with you the list of the winners even if my memory was hazy that night:

WINNERS OF THE 2009 PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS – Mindanao

I. MAIN AWARDS (Nationwide Categories)
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Mike Abonitalla

Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vain
The Sissy Blogger With A Bad Case of Stage Fright

II. SPECIAL AWARDS

Mindanao Bloggers’ Choice
DavaoBase

Mindanao Advocacy Blog
Peace Initiatives in SOCSARGEN

Mindanao Destination Blog -
GenSan News Online Mag

Uniquely Mindanao Blog –
Hola Zamboanga

Globe Digital Tribe – Mindanao
angdabawenyo.com
mindanao.com

alleba.com/blog
riajose.com
migsmobile.net
gensantos.com
katherinevlara.com
lylesantos.com
ptlavina.wordpress.com
chiqmontes.com

Chikka Readers’ Choice

Gensan News Online Mag

Congratulations to all the winners and the people behind the Philippine Blog Awards, especially to the President, Mr. Juned Sonido for a job well done. May your efforts inspire more bloggers to raise the standards of blogging in this country. To Chiq Montes of the CDO Bloggers and Bloggie Robillo  of Mindanao Bloggers, congratulations for bringing the PBA ‘09 here in Cagayan de Oro. To all bloggers who attended the event, it was nice meeting all of you and I look forward to seeing you win the awards next year!

Here are some of the highlights captured through video by Zamboanga’s Ryann Elumba:

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Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3

Last Saturday, October 24, 2009, bloggers from Mindanao  convened at Pearlmont Hotel here in Cagayan de Oro City. It was the 3^rd Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit, a yearly event which was spearheaded by Bloggie Robillo in 2007.

The gathering was attended  by bloggers mostly from various parts of Mindanao, while some flew in all the way from Luzon.  The summit  instilled the responsibilities that come along with the power of blogging.  Our websites may not be the mainstream source of information but its influences cannot be understated. The occasion called for ways to change the way people view Mindanao, hence the theme: “ Mindanao, Bag-uhon and Panan-aw.” Beyond the insurgencies regularly featured on national TV, we hope to unravel the other side of Mindanao, its beauty that is oftentimes tainted with the ugly circumstances in certain areas. What people don’t know is that in most parts of Mindanao, we live quite normal lives.

Pearlmont Inn’s Bayanihan Ballroom was perfect for the event. Its design furnitures in the hallway are consistent with the hotel’s Filipino-Spanish interiors. However, the downside of this convention place is its limited parking space.

The summit was graced by key speakers like Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula  who welcomed the delegates to the summit, US Embassy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett who represented the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie Kenney (who sent her greetings through a video),  Atty. Adel Tamano, and Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza.

Atty. Adel Tamano won the attendees’ hearts with his enigmatic presence, engaging talk on leadership and palpable sincerity as he reached out to each one in the room. For the showbiz-inclined, you may know him as Dr. Vicky Belo’s lawyer and the face on Belo’s Ads along EDSA that say “Smart is the New Sexy.” The first Filipino-Muslim scholar of Harvard Law School who gave the validectory address during graduation certainly has a lot more going than good looks. His anti- corruption leadership model as President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) won me over more than his enviably clear skin ,which was the first thing I noticed (pardon the beauty blogger in me speaking).

Through videos, Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Liberal Party Senatorial Candidate Neric Acosta extended their inspirational messages to all bloggers and expressed their regrets for not making it to event personally.

Victor Sapar encouraged us to join  Iblog for Peace, a site that aggregates blogs, videos and podcasts of anyone’s view on peace.

The afternoon session started with Google’s Philippine Representative, Ms. Aileen Apolo giving the talk on “Blogging for Beginners.” It amazed us to know that she only spends 5-10 minutes each day updating her various blogs. Digital Filipino’s Ms. Janette Toral spoke on blog marketing techniques, an area which I admittedly suck at.  Lyle Santos sparked interests on bloggers who wanted to make money online with his google adsense expertise.

Updates from Mindanao bloggers were given by representatives of each city: Avel “Sexy Bariles” Manansala of Gen San,  Jaime Haw, Jr. of Davao City, Edward Ragpala of CDO, and Ryan Elumba of Zamboanga, where the 2010 Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit will be held.  Interestingly, Davao’s Jim Haw is likewise a doctor who trained in Radiology before he decided to quit residency, which leaves me wondering what’s in Radiology that prompts its ex-residents to pursue blogging. Uh, radioactive ideas, perhaps?

Migs Hipolito was the emcee who kept the atmosphere fun and lively. In between breaks, prizes were given out. I got a cool SMART Communications Netbook bag for publishing the press release of MBS3 on this blog. Alvin Tan from Manila won a 1st Rafting Adventures freebie. Other giveaways were convention shirts, Wordpress and Firefox buttons, Make Your Own Havaianas cellphone pendants and the most coveted Nokia  Ovi cellphones, one of which my husband luckily snagged during the raffle. Other sponsors who made the event possible were: UltraCraft, Syntactics, Majesty Sales Center, Clara’s Shoppe, MakatiAve.com, Asterisk Event and Communications and Loreto’s Bar and Grill.

Congratulations to the hosts of this year’s MBS- the CDO Bloggers, headed by Chiq Montes,  and Bloggie Robillo for uniting bloggers from Mindanao and everyone behind the success of the event.

After capping off the summit, we were set to attend the Philippine Blog Awards 2009 Mindanao leg an hour after. Who were the most influential Mindanao Bloggers and how did it feel accepting the trophy for the 1^st best beauty blog award? Find out on my next post.

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