OPET LOVES SANDY

 

 

Sounds cheesy, but I can’t think of a better title for this story. If I were to change it, I’d just simply have it as (hashtag) #opetlovessandy. Believe it or not, this made a little noise in the newsfeed, be it on Instagram or Twitter. Friends and relatives of the newlyweds hashtag-ged every post related to the big day: from pre-wedding happenings up to the unveiling of the “official” photos on the internet. Such efforts made the topic trend across social media, and I’d like to keep it at that respect by adding one more post about this happy occasion.

 

“Everyone was just so happy and excited for both of us,” gushed the newly pronounced Mrs. Christopher “Opet” Dicdiquin.

 

 

Formerly Alessandra “Sandy” San Pedro, baker and co-owner of Coffee at the Yellow Hauz, the bride is the type who perks up one’s morning not with coffee, but with a hearty and genuine laughter. Ever cool, fun-loving, quirky, and affable, Sandy can jolt up energy in any boring room with her animated stories on hot issues and showbiz updates. Such optimism is so evident with the way she shared her story with me, even adding humor into a couple of unhappy memories in her own book of love.

 

“Opet is older by 4 years. We’ve been together for 8 years, and half of that long stretch was spent long distance. You see, he works in Canada for Bell Mobility. Apart from that brief period when he was assigned in Manila to set up the company’s call center, I only saw him once a year when he flies home to visit me and his family. Distance was really a big challenge. It came to a point that I got so frustrated with our setup. Well, it was a good thing he proposed to me before things could get even more difficult. It was all about timing. By then, we were both ready to settle down.”

 

 

“I am, by nature, a love-aholic, and I was sort of expecting him to have a huge plan when he’d propose to me. I was thinking so far ahead and I even tried to check on his things, in search of an engagement ring.”

 

 

“The way he proposed was totally spontaneous and out of the blue. We were in the middle of a DVD marathon when he grabbed something from his laptop bag and out popped THE BOX. I was teary eyed for a moment there, until he was about to put the ring on my right finger and we realized that we really didn’t know which finger it should be slipped on. Right or left? We were laughing out loud as we searched for the right answer on Google.”

 

 

 

Sandy’s sister, April, was the first to know about the good news. “My sister is like my best friend. Given that she has great eye and talent for designing prints, it was just right that I sought her help in conceptualizing my wedding. The thought of me leaving and living with Opet in Canada made her sad, and yet she still gave all out support when it came to the preparations.”

 

 

 

 

“Opet and I had a civil wedding first just so he could start processing my Visa for Canada. It was a quiet ceremony with just a handful as witnesses. Coming from a religious family, the civil ceremony still didn’t serve excuse for us to stay together in one bed,” Sandy chuckles.

 

  

“We have always wanted an intimate church wedding. So, we kept the guest list and entourage with just our immediate family and close friends. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable mingling around and socializing with people they can relate to.”

 

“Aside from my sister, I got extra help from Florence Alejandre of Occasions. She helped style the event and put together all the important aspects of my wedding. She made arrangements with La Portoflora, who flew in imported flowers for my wedding. My invites and other printed décor were made by Artisan Paperie, my sister’s design studio. Those were personally made by April, and she even surprised us with a very touching audio-visual presentation. Orange Studio and The Green Tomato captured every magical moment that day, all of which I still smile and laugh to every time I review our album.”

 

 

“I also put my skills to good use. I made our wedding cake, plus the souvenir cookies and cheesecakes for guests and sponsors.”

 

 

 

“The wedding was just simple and cozy, and it turned out the way we dreamed it would be. What made it so special were the company and my husband. Everyone was so game with our ideas. We opted to have a fun and unconventional prosperity dance to entertain our guests. After the wedding, I received a lot of emails and text messages saying they had the best time at our wedding and that it was one of the best they’ve attended."

(Photos by Orange Studio) 

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1 and A4, INdulge section, Edge Davao, Vol 6. Issue 33, 01 May 2013.

 

 

SUMMER SKIN AND STYLE

Summer is the time when our skin is most exposed. We see a lot of women out in the sun, wearing breezy outfits and sexy swimwear. Most of us feel more comfortable showing off some skin when it is at its best state --- moisturized, even-toned, and silky-smooth.

  

To give every female her most fashionable summer yet, Vaseline Healthy White SPF 24, the specialist in skin care, tied up with Forever 21, the one of the most influential brands in fashion, to celebrate summer in style.

“The image of a self-assured woman who uses only the best and maintains a strong sense of style is one that Vaseline shares with Forever 21. Vaseline Healthy White gives you that healthy and perfect skin that will go well with your summer style,” says Jules Gollayan, Vaseline’s Brand Manager.

 

 

 

Vaseline, a trusted brand with more than 140 years of skin expertise, makes summer even more fun as introduces the one lotion women need this summer: Vaseline Healthy White SPF 24. This all-in-one summer lotion makes for a perfect skin partner which works keeps skin fair, soft, smooth, well-protected from the sun rays. It has an active-whitening system formula with a combination of vitamin B3 and sunscreen.

 

 

 

To showcase summer skin and lifestyle, Vaseline and Forever 21 produced series of VIP fashion shows in key cities around the country. “Our country is blessed with tropical weather and women beat the heat with soft and cottony clothes which reveals a bit of skin. Vaseline Healthy White SPF24 is the perfect product for every Filipina’s daily skin care regimen, not just for summer but for the whole year round,” adds Jules.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 28, 24 April 2013.

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BEAUTY AND THE SKIN

Makeup artist / mother Melody Ross Tinoy-McMahon 

The heat is on and summer seems to get hotter by the day. While the beach lures us to its fresh air and cool water, extended sun exposure can dehydrate our skin and advance aging. Most women stick by the rule of 8’s (by this we mean 8 glasses of water and 8 hours of sleep per day) to keep skin young looking and well-moisturized. However, in this time and heat, and as your age exceeds the days in one calendar month, some would probably need extra help in caring for their skin. Of course there doctors and clinics who offer miracle science in different forms --- from scrubs, exfoliation, to collagen treatments --- but these might a bit too costly for some with limited budget.

 

"Keep it real." - Melody Ross Tinoy-McMahon

Makeup can be a momentary solution to hide unavoidable signs of hormonal imbalance and stress, but it also blocks pores and is quite heavy on the face. As much as possible, women prefer to keep it au naturel. A busy working mom asks, How else can we keep our face glowing and flawless all day without applying on layers of concealer or foundation?

Meloy at work

With this question in mind, I turned to makeup artist Melody Ross Tinoy-Mcmahon (or Meloy for short). While people in her profession can paint magic on faces with their magic wand of a brush, but they are also one of the best people who can give pointers on skin care. Meloy, mother of 10-month old cutie patootie Elyse, is like any busy working mom with irregular and extended hours on the job, countless of chores to do, and a baby to care for and play with. This makeup maven is one of the most “in demand” today for events, fashion shoots, and beauty and photography workshops.

 

Meloy and her daughter, Elyse Vivienne.

To sum up a day in the life of Meloy, she explains, “On top of what I do at work, my hands are also kept full with raising my future beauty queen of a baby, enjoying romance with my husband from continents away, writing articles for a European company, and day dreaming about Johnny Depp.”

 

Makeup by Meloy
Photo by Paul Borromeo

“I’m a makeup artist but I’m not a makeup addict. I don’t haul makeup products that neither I nor my clients can use. So before I purchase any item, I do research to make sure the money’s worth it.”

She brushes on skin talk from the point of view of a makeup artist.

  

“Skin prep is as equally important as the make-up itself. So normally, on a job, I ask my clients to bring their favorite moisturizer, eye cream, serum, etc. You get the drift. Imagine my surprise when a hefty 50-60% of my clients tell me they don’t apply moisturizers at all. Let me emphasize that when we say skin prep, this isn’t just the preparation we do before we apply makeup. It’s all about your regular beauty regimen. The condition of your skin speaks of how devoted you are in caring for it.”

Makeup by Meloy
Photo by Ayie Hernandez

“It is frustrating as an artist to find some women neglecting their skin only to rely heavily on makeup. The purpose of makeup is to enhance your features. When I do makeup, I make it to a point to keep the skin looking real and natural even under the foundation. I avoid putting on layers of foundation because the heat in this country will just melt your face away with that much paint on.”

“Let your skin breathe, and let it get the treatment it deserves. Pampering your skin does not automatically spell you are vain or narcissistic. I have made up plenty of faces and I’d say that the all makeup products, regardless of brand and price, will work best on a healthy skin.”

Makeup by Meloy
Photo by Paul Borromeo

“I started the cleanse-tone-moisturize ritual when I was 13, and this helped maintain my complexion to this day. Over the years, my beauty essentials have changed to suit my needs. I keep my skin protected with a SPF15 moisturizer, and I apply an eye cream day, night, and sometimes in between. I maybe a makeup artist by profession, but you rarely see me wearing full coverage foundation, and it’s not because I don’t need it. Heavy foundation feels like wearing a mask all day.”

Makeup by Meloy
Photo by Paul Borromeo

“I really encourage women to prioritize skin essentials instead of just your make up bag. Start your day and end it with a clean, moisturized and properly protected skin. It makes a huge difference when you call for our services, and when you remove the makeup afterwards. Makeup can hide damaged skin in photos, but not in real life. Love your skin and it will love you back.”

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For makeup services or inquiries on beauty and skin care products, please email Meloy at mrosstinoy@gmail.com. You may also reach her through mobile number 0933-272 6835.

 

 

Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge section, Edge Davao newspaper, Vol.6 Issue 23, 17 April 2013.

 

A DANCER'S POINT

One of the strong forces behind the highly acclaimed Lu Chin Bon Performing Arts Center (well, besides Mr. Lu himself) is a young lady who has groomed herself well as a dance teacher. Karen Diane Lu-Alcaraz, better known as Yam-Yam, is the only daughter of the talent center’s forefather and his wife, Cely Lu.

 

While much of the success of this dance school is rightfully credited to its director and main choreographer, Bing Locsin, it is without a doubt that Yam-Yam has also earned her place in their own world of dance, music, and dramatic art.

Yam hails from a family of artists. She grew up to the music of classical ballet, new wave, pop-rock, and rhythmic R&B. Her creative environment played a significant role in leading the way to the beat of her heart --- her calling. Her enthusiasm for the performing arts came second to her connection to dance. Childhood for her was similar to the rest among her generation, yet modern additions to leisure and lifestyle never swayed Yam from keeping her toes pointed to the path she wanted to take. Together with her brothers, she danced her way to life through different genres and gave all that she had to her life-long passion for movement. Years after college, she found herself taking the barre, filling in her first position as teacher in her father’s dance school. Since then, she has authored memorable and highly energetic dance pieces for their school productions and summer workshops.

 

 

 

I remember watching Yam-Yam as she played the role of teacher to bubbly and animated little students, my own high-spirited tot being one of them. Patient, ever cheerful, and yet meticulous in getting the right execution from her pupils, Yam-Yam struck me as a woman with an enormous passion for growing her craft through those who are willing to learn. She encourages and creates the right attitude and learning discipline among her students, which is one of the qualities that make a dancer effective for this kind of profession. She also makes an effort to communicate and establish eye contact and good rapport with each one in her class. She even gives special attention to every student. She takes time to check on their moves and correct them individually, helping them to gradually build their own technique.

 

 

The school’s well-loved teacher recently stepped into her bridal shoes and gracefully sashayed her way to the altar. Now, as expectant mom, Yam takes a step back from her practice, and, instead, extends her arm to support the school’s preparations for summer class. The encouraging way she talks to parents in offering a venue for children to develop confidence makes Yam a fervent supporter for growing local talents within the community.  She is now inviting parents to enroll their children in the school’s summer workshop, which will run until May 19. The dance courses will be intertwined to make one musical montage which both kids and parents are sure to enjoy.

 
While Yam-Yam’s performance will be greatly missed in the summer presentation, she is sure to make a momentous come back in the dance scene after the birth of her son in July.

LCB Performing Arts Center is located at #48 Villamor St., Obrero, Davao City. For more information on dance courses and student packages, please call 222 5205 or 305 3619.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1 and A4, INdulge section, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 18, 10 April 2013.