Travel Philippines: Taal Volcano

As you all know, I've been here in California for almost a decade and somewhere in between, there are times when I truly miss the Philippine islands. I miss it so much that whenever there's even a slight reference about my country and/or countrymen, whether it be in movies, documentaries or on any other media, I feel like I'm somehow keeping in touch.

Anyway, I saw this travel feature in one of the lifestyle websites that I'm subscribed to, Thrillist.com:

Click here for to see the full article ----> Thrillist.com

Thrillist is a good tongue-in-cheek website to check out if you live or visit in the main cities of the US since they cover everything from local eats, travel features and even weird gadgets.

I guess it really takes a true native to know their own motherland because right when I saw the picture, I knew it was in the Philippines. Hello there, blue skies! You know what's sad though? I've been to Tagaytay countless times, where it has the most splendid view overlooking the beautiful lake and the island but I've never actually been to the island itself.

Oh and do you know that the second most active volcano, Taal Volcano, is on the island? Yea, I'm not ready for it to go Dante's Peak on my hiney-ho so I'll stick to my mango shake and full body massage in Tagaytay for now.

While you're in the Philippines, don't forget to try out our mango shakes. We have both the green and yellow variety but y'all know I'm such a sweet tooth that I always go for the yellow.

*Back in 2011. Tagaytay, Philippines*

Here's to more features on my beloved Filipinas!

Toodles!

Elle UK Man of the Year

And the 2014 Elle UK Man of the Year goes to...

Tom Hiddleston!

Ladies and Gents, it's high time we gave this guy some luv luv luvin'! We all know that Tom is all great in the acting department but did you know this 6'2" sight-for-sore-eyes can bust out with some fascinatingly good foot work? Nothing beats seeing a rather cultured and polite Loki (nemesis of Thor, for those who aren't into comics) in a well-tailored suit---teaching a dance move or two!

Disclaimer: The video below has some cuss words in it since it's a late night show but you will be too busy ogling, anyway.

Oh and while we're on the subject of ogling, have you guys seen any of his interviews? He does really great impressions of other actors/ characters. He also speaks so damn eloquently, he could be reading the instruction manual of my vacuum cleaner and make it sound like he's reading a sonnet. I cannot, for the life of me, resist his British accent. 

I am a sucker for men who wear suits and dress shirts on a daily basis. I mean seriously, how many men do you see coming out of the airport looking like this?

Yep, a 3-piece suit and a pair of oxford shoes.

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Or this...in a more casual look.

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Even the Cookie Monster couldn't resist him...

Tom Hiddleston, you are growing on me at a dangerous pace...

Toodles!

Miss Lupita

I originally wanted to write about the Oscars in a more who-wore-what kind of mindset but I quickly scratched that idea when I discovered this new, young and vibrant actress, Lupita Nyong'o. I first caught a lovely glimpse of her in a fashion segment on TV and she was wearing this elegant, red cape gown by Ralph Lauren. The first thought that came to me was, "Who is this girl? Why is she fabulous and why don't I know her?" My curiosity wanted to kill the cat so I googled her and I was immediately blown away by her photos. 

I promise this isn't going to be all about fashion but I really can't help but admire her...

Lupita in a Ralph Lauren cape gown

www.jetmag.com

In a croc print Stella McCartney romper

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In a pleated Givenchy gown...I think this color is so hard to pull off but she nailed it!

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In a pink and gold lace Elie Saab dress (*gushhh*)...p.s. she had a matching coat on but I think she looked better without it.

www.zimbio.com

Right when you think she's all dainty...bam! She surprises us with a leather bustier J. Mendel dress.

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Bagging an Oscar while looking flawless in a Grecian-style pleated Prada gown

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The thing that I love the most about Lupita is she carries herself in the most dignified manner that her  occasional outfits with plunging necklines don't even look vulgar at all.

According to my expertly-googled research, the Kenyan-Mexican (she was born in Mexico with Kenyan parents) actress graduated from the Yale School of Drama---which happens to be where Meryl Streep honed her acting skillzzzzzzz too! Note the amount of z's, because Meryl deserves all the z's in the world. Lupita's educational background comes as no surprise though, after you hear her speak.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a good video of her full speech as she accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress in the movie, "12 Years A Slave", but the last part was just utterly inspiring when she said, 

"When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you're from, your dreams are valid."

Wow. Onions, I tell you. Onions.

Here she is at the Ellen DeGeneres show, post-Oscars:

She's beautiful, smart, articulate and seems like a geniune person. I hope to see her grace us more with her presence in the future, so much so that my future kids would get to look up to her as a role model despite the abundance of sordid, tacky, out-dated celebrities that surround the entertainment industry.

Cheers, Lupita Nyong'o! May you have more Oscars to come!

Toodles!