Basho

I like Japanese food so during days when I'm really tired we go Japanese to perk us up. My friends love Japanese, too.

This is Basho, my fave, fave Japanese resto here in Siem Reap.

You can't miss this when you are there. It's displayed prominently in one corner. STOP THE LANDMINE! BAD! BAAAAAAAAAD!

Ay chocolate pala. BAD! BAAAAAAAD! Bad for your hips.

This is the lady owner. She reminds me so much of Ann Demeulemeester. Very chica sya.

Our waiter who reminds me so much of Billy Zane. Maybe it's his eyes.

Double Decker

Formerly

'something'BBQ. very TAFKAP.

I ordered this hearty Udon soup with Tempura

Marc Jacobs tote and my lunch

What a nice Marc Jacobs tote. I wish I had one, too!

my lunch: tom yam and couscous with eggplant. namit!

LV sighting: Stephen Sprouse pouchette

Haven't seen this style in a while. Collectors item for LV fans.

Strike the pose in Paul Smith w embroidery print

Costume: Paul Smith button down shirt with an embroidery print detail, balck pants by moi tucked into my high cut Converse sneaks.

Ukay

Went ukay hunting.

I'm loving this shirt. So comfy and the print is very me.

Since I only brought 1 pair of jeans here in Siem Reap, I was glad to nab an Evisu

and some True Religion.

I know the distressed detail is so 2005 but this is Cambodia so it's kinda ok. Beggars can't be choosy you know!

And something you wouldn't imagine me wearing - Kenneth Cole stripe shirt with pleated details on the chest. If not for the pleated detail I wouldn't buy it. I've worn it already and it was ok. Good for days when I feel lazy. It's roomy and big e, like a pajama top.

Strike the pose in Whereabout

Costume: Whereabout tank, 'Random Thoughts' necklace by moi, Diesel jeans, Converse sneaks.

Strike the pose in Celio

Costume: Celio 'imperfect stripe' shirt, hooded vest, my own designed pants and Converse sneaks. I thought it would really be hard to wear the Converse sneaks given the high cut designed. I had second thoughts buying it but I was pleasantly surprised it is very comfortable to wear. I love the Celio shirt (my first one from that brand since I really don't like most of their preppy style) because the cotton is so soft.

Strike the pose in Paul Smith swirly print tee

Costume: Swirly print tee, blue pants by moi, Jil Sander Puma sneaks

Strike the pose in Balenciaga vintage

Costume: Balenciaga shirt, checker belt, striped pants and Litmus sneaks

Strike the pose in Zucca

Costume: Zucca cardi, black tank, my own designed pants, h&m socks and white croc shoes

All sorts of material and inspiration

Weeks before the current exhibit, I accompanied my artist friend, Loven Ramos, to some sites he thinks he can find inspiration and source out his materials. Found my own inspirations, too.

Everyone is powerless to Nokía's reach. Even Buddha uses their promo caps.

We went to this workshop where all kinds of statues were being made.

Wood works galore. Intricately carved swing seating for the garden? That's Loven in white

I told you so, 'All sorts of sculptings'. Vungga!

Chen and Chef Cassy

For Noelene

I find this funny! Chefy looks weird. I don't know what happened here but it came out that way.

Robinsons Design Lab 2nd cycle

One of the biggest project I handled from my previous work was organizing a young fashion designer search. It was inspired by the wildly popular Project Runway, of which I am a fan. I also believed and really pushed for the project because I realized that a lot of young Ilonggos do dress up and do make their own little, nice clothes; those creative ones I see at bars and clubs around Cosmo-Iloilo.

It was hard, the selection and gathering of contestants. I must admit I was a little worried that time and thinking what if it will all flop. What if the kiddos produces so much crap? We had plenty of detractors telling us it will not work. Basta it was nakakaloka on my part because everything was my brainchild and I only had the support of my team. Of course, I had Bo with me all the way but generally his help was on the show part. The organizing meant I had to mobilize people in the office and also a lot of my friends. It also required a lot of bribing, hair pulling and acrobatics. Or variations of those, you get my drift. We had the first challenge, did a fantastic show, had a good season and closed the competition with surprising results. Everybody happy. Except our detractors, of course.

I'm happy to say that Design Lab 2007 has produced the next generation of Ilonggo designers who will carry on the legacy of their predecesors who made some contribution in the development and history of Philippine fashion. What kind of fashion is altogether another topic we shall discuss in some future entry. Names like Jor-el Espina (some Mega and Preview feature), Mary Rose Adelie Pacificar (Imagine fashion ed), Peer Lynelle Banas (has a cult following for his dark sensibility), Florad John Gonzales, Angelica Tan (big buttons and ribbons signature), Marvin Bana-ag and the rest of their batch are making some wonderful designs. There's nowhere to go but up.

The picture above features the new batch of Design Lab contestants. New faces, new voices, new fashion vocabulary to watch out for.

(The one in military green is Rofel, the host of Design Lab and the one in white is Bo Parcon, the resident judge and critic of the contest)

Mega Style Annual

"Don Protasio's amalgamation of monastic and futuristic references was superbly executed in form of trapeze-cut tops made out of vintage barong materials paired with silver lamé jodhpur pants. We loved his fusion of references and the very understated details he employed to point out his inspirations. "My collection is based on religion and futurism, utilizing jusi and vintage barong materials for simple A-line shapes."

Don't know what to say except thank you Mega and Patrick Ty for all the support. Special thanks to Louis Claparols for the scan.