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#SocialMediaLife

How to be you po? No filter image online Internet Slang: What the kids of today are saying Heads-Up! How to ‘LIVe’stress free on the internet illustrado go>1

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EDITOR’S NOTE/ CONTENTS

ISSUE 23

#SocialMediaLife

It used to be that you had to rely on the good old grapevine (a.k.a. chismis) to find out what’s happening to people – your friends, your enemies and frenemies. If you want news, turn on the TV or read the newspaper.

Want to be on trend? Read the glossies. Want info on celebrities, do all of the above.

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But now, it’s all out there – at the flick of your thumb – the whole online community and everybody’s got their own thing going.

Of course, living with social media as an intrinsic part of our daily life has so many benefits. Then, there are also the perils of being “always on” in your choice of platforms.

There’s the fake news and troll, the vigorous fights on just about anything, then there’s the stress of seeing exes, foes, (and for parents) teenage kids and what they’re up to, among others. Moreso, you are always bombarded left right and center by carefully “curated” lifestyles – the luxuries, the perfect bodies, the destinations, and stuff like everybody’s got money to burn. True or imagined or simply faked? It doesn’t matter. It looks good on the news feed. Let it go.

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So what is a sane, balanced person to do? Don’t fret. We’ve got some perfectly reasonable advice inside. Read on. You don’t always have to be just part of the bandwagon.

Taas Noo Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief

PINOY PROGRESSIVE

HOW TO BE YOU PO? FINDING YOUR TRUE SELF IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA >5 IT’S WHAT I DO >8 ON LINE SLANG ATM >10 KEEPING UP WITH THE CON GEN: LESSONS FROM DAD >12 MAINTAINING A STRESS FREE LIFE ONLINE >14 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BUHAY MENDOZA > 22

FASHION & ART EASY SUNDAY >16

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JUST BECAUSE

ILLUSTRADO STUFF >9 BLOGGER-APPROVED TRAVEL APPS >24 FILIPINO TRAVELER: >26 ILLUSTRAGRAMMERS >32 ANNIE B CHRONICLES: OH TUKSO, DILIGAN MO AKO! >34 illustrado go>3

Contributors

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in- Chief and aspiring urban farmer “almost superwoman” Lalaine has been driving Illustrado’s mission to uplift Filipinos in the region for over a decade now. A former corporate dynamo living in Dubai for more than two decades, she has seen enough to appreciate that the best things in life can’t be bought, and that in this day and age, authenticity could be one’s best asset.

CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES

PAOLO GABRIEL BENITEZ

HANNAH MAGSAYO

A visual communications student, junior contributor Paolo is an aspiring artist, seeking to make his mark in the world of cinematography and the performance arts someday.

When not dancing in the living room in the middle of the night, he functions as a perceptive young man, seeking to learn how things are the way they are and providing insight on the various issues that plague his generation.

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When not performing his duties as the head of the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, or the obligations of a dutiful dad, passionate patriot Paul Raymund Cortes, mulls over how to further enrich the local Filipino community by promoting a more progressive mindset.

Hannah is a 20 something Dubaibased travel photographer whose newsfeed is just replete with images that “take you there.”

Whether strolling along the canals or Amsterdam, exploring Iceland’s grass fields or riding down Moscow’s rail system, Hannah is armed not only with her trusty camera, but also awesome “can’t do without” travel apps which she shares with readers in this issue. Follow hear meanderings at @hannahmagsayo and www. hannahmagsayo.info

ALWEE VILLAROSA

Savage PR savant. Social Media guy. Bangkok advocate. Hoarder of 3AM songs that are too cool for anyone. Strongest proponent of the #WastedYouth campaign on Instagram. AlweeVillarosa could be your typical, garden variety switched-on millennial Internaut, except that he’s infinitely more.

He is also a cunning marketing strategist, a burgeoning writer, and an account manager and leader with an unshakeable sense of integrity and work ethic that belies his young age. See more of his POV at his IG: @alweevillarosa

ANTONINO BENITEZ

Junior contributor Antonino is a straight-A student whose hair often gets him into trouble.

A quirky character, wellversed in both the academics and the arts, he never strays away from his individuality.

As he (not so) secretly fulfills his dream of becoming an astronaut, Antonino continues to walk through life hungry for new knowledge and in search of all things epic.

FEATURE

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How to be you po?

Finding your true self in the age of Social Media By> Alwee Villarosa

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In this age of social media, “influencers”, and trends, what does it take to be unique? Do your social media page and your aesthetic really represent who you are? Are we really what we believe we are? Or do we just take on a persona, because the internet says it’s cool? Maybe. Maybe not.

Filipinos spend 53 hours online every week. That’s higher than the global average of online and social media content consumption. It means, we spend a lot of time with our heads down scrolling through our newsfeeds, looking at travel photos by cool backpackers, #ootds by the biggest hottest and most fab bloggers, flatlays of brunches we can’t really afford IRL, Instastories by the cool kids in town (who also happen to have #feedgoals), as well as a lot of other things like spoilers and fake news.

The point here is, our eyes and minds are bombarded by the nice and not so nice things we find online.

@alweevillarosa

Even when it comes to decorating our rooms, we seek the help of Pinterest for pegs and inspiration.

And the question is - does social media make us lazy to think for ourselves, of what we really want?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to draw inspiration from others. But some, perhaps maybe most of us, are unaware that we are unconsciously being altered by something we’ve seen on Instagram, Facebook or any other social/digital platform. The reality is, we are obsessed with being liked; in real life and on social media. We post something, and wait to see how much “likes” we can get. Our bodies release dopamine — a feel good chemical that stimulates our brain when we get to express ourselves, and 80% of our social media posts are about ourselves. Almost all of us are guilty of this, and that is a lot of people considering the fact that 1/3 of the world’s population is part of the social media culture.

We are overwhelmed with so many things when we go online. We expose ourselves to other people’s ideas, views, thoughts, lifestyles and as humans of the internet, we get vulnerable and compare ourselves to what the other residents of the online world are doing.

In effect, are we moving further away from ourselves and more towards ego?

It’s undeniable that we Filipinos love showbiz. We religiously follow the celebs we love and even though some of us will deny it, we are somehow always up-to-date on their love interests, their new brand collabs, their wardrobe, and even their wedding details! And in some way, we feel that if it’s a celeb approved product, it’s good for us too. But that’s not necessarily true. Take Kris Aquino’s adobo for example: do you really use Mediterranean oil to sauté your garlic and onions? And do you throw in some foie gras just to make it a little better?

When was the last time you bought a dress (or a lookalike) that was not worn by the IT Girls? When was the last time

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FEATURE

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Filipinos spend 53 hours online every week. That’s higher than the global average of online and social media content consumption. It means, we spend a lot of time with our heads down scrolling through our newsfeeds, looking at travel photos by cool backpackers, ootds by the biggest hottest and most fab bloggers, flatlays of brunches we can’t really afford IRL, Instastories by the cool kids in town (who also happen to have #feedgoals), as well as a lot of other things like spoilers and fake news. you traveled and actually wandered around to explore the heart and soul of the city you’re visiting? A travel that is not for IG purposes? Do you really like the latte you keep getting because

it’s good or are you getting it because well, you like the idea of sitting in a cafe and pretending to read a book you’ll never finish? I also ask myself the same questions.

Do I really like the things that I like because I like them?

Some people would argue that the internet killed creativity. And while the concept of creativity is quite complex, we base our life goals on the things we see in our news feeds. In a generation where social media is prevalent, we are increasingly engaged in identity work.

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In the social and dating apps we use, we are constantly asked to provide a “bio”.

A set of characters that discusses who and what kind of a person we are, and as we continue to be engaged, we are encouraged to post updates about our lives - thus we proceed with forming, repairing, fashioning, maintaining and revising our sense of self-worth and personal significance.

The harsh truth is, we spend a lot of time curating our feed to look like it’s the perfect life. But nobody has a perfect life. So, tell the truth. People form an impression of you through what you share and that’s where connecting online becomes a disconnect. Post something real, and foster real human connections in the virtual world. Remember that it’s

okay to be vulnerable. Allow yourself to be a good human being with real human feelings and hopes that’s more meaningful than your #ItsFriYAY. Know what you want. It’s okay to not follow trends. You’re cool as you are.

We become what the technology allows us to become. But we need to live in the moment! Let’s bring back those times where talking to real people about real things was enjoyable. Let us not invest so much into online relationships; instead, we should dedicate our time into things that are productive and actually mean something in the grand scheme. Things that are still beautiful even if we don’t add filters to them.

From The Publishers of Illustrado Magazine

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR MON BENITEZ COLUMNISTS ABY YAP ALFRED “KRIP” YUSON ANNA DE LEON BARNEY ALMAZAR EXCEL DYQUIANCO SPECIAL QUARTERLY EDITION FRANCISCO COLAYCO KRISTINE ABANTE CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES TRACY LEY ORENCIO LOUISE MONIQUE SORIANO

BI-WEEKLY

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA ALWEE VILLAROSA ANTONINO BENITEZ JOSEPH ALCANTARA KENNETH EPHRAIM SURAT MAI BAUTISTA NINA PEÑALOSA-CARPIO PAOLO BENITEZ RACHE HERNANDEZ REX VENARD BACARRA ROMAN GUEVARA ROSAN KATLEA REODICA

PUBLISHER – UAE ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC 2ND FLOOR, BUILDING 2, DUBAI MEDIA CITY UNITED ARAB EMIRATES P.O. BOX 72280 OFFICE 20C TEL: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 FAX: +971 4 360 4771 E-MAIL: ADMIN@ILLUSTRADO.CO WEB: ILLUSTRADOLIFE.COM FACEBOOK: ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE INSTAGRAM: @illustradomagazine

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Filipino Progress & Diversity

at the work place >

It's what I do MILANIE SANCHEZ REGALADO Freelance News Presenter/ Reporter – Arabian Radio Network, UAE Correspondent - ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel Dubai, UAE

My job I work as a freelance news presenter/ reporter at the Arabian Radio Network where I regularly write news copies and conduct interviews in both English and Tagalog. I also present hourly newscasts for the first and leading Filipino radio station in the UAE, Tag 91.1. Furthermore, I even have the opportunity to converse with Dubai’s radio jocks, when we give advice to listeners, voice our opinions on various topics, be light and funny and even sing on air!

I also report on TV as a UAE Correspondent of ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel, where I cover people and events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The job entails shooting videos,

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interviewing people, writing scripts and doing voice overs.

My typical working day My job starts when most people are still in slumber. I usually come to work around 3:30 am and start writing local and international English news copies, then discuss with fellow news presenters (of other stations under ARN such as Dubai Eye, Dubai 92, Virgin, City, etc.) which stories should be used and which ones should be highlighted as leads. I then proceed in writing my Tagalog bulletins; newscasts on the early shift run from 5am until 10am, and in between. I go down to Tag studio for my live teases and chats with the radio jocks. I also upload news stories and photos on

the ARN News Centre app, which can be accessed to the ARN News Centre Facebook page and Twitter account.

Being in my workplace every day uplifts me as writing and reporting are already in my veins. I feel more energetic and grateful for every commendation, appreciative and corrective comments from bosses, colleagues, listeners and viewers.

My message to Filipinos Aim high, but never let your ambitions ruin your character. Use your profession, whenever possible, to serve and help people in need.

ILLUSTRADO STUFF >

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Water Front Market - Deira

We all felt down when our favorite Fish Market closed; but in case you have not heard, a new spot on Al Khaleej Road which is way cleaner and more comfortable than the old one has made its way on the block. We appreciate the parking space, air-conditioning and of course — better hygiene regulations.

Du Tuesdays

Mr Miyagi

Who doesn’t like movies? It may be a super kilig romcom movie or a suspense-thriller that can get your heart racing or a drama flick that makes you cry nonstop; the point is — we all do! If you’re a Du subscriber, you can get two-for-one movie tickets.

Isn’t that amazing?

Do you fancy some pho-nomenal Vietnamese soup or sushi and curries starting from AED39? You can get all these and more in the newly opened Asian street style restaurant in Media One Hotel. With splashes of color here and there, this fun and funky hotspot is likely to attract a party crowd! Go see it for yourself!

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ANGAS PINAS

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Pinoy Pride. Kabayan Yabang. Ganyan tayo eh!

Online Slang ATM By> Antonino Benitez

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If you read the title, and assumed that ATM referred to an electronic banking outlet, it’s about time you read this. The internet practically has its own language now, and churns out now and then, a colorful variety of phrases and abbreviations that are bizarrely relatable. Originally coined by netizens themselves, the sweeping popularity of online slang is thanks to the simple fact that it can pretty much capture everything you need to say, and more, in the space of a few characters. But if I’m being totally honest, we’ve all had our awkward moments trying to make sense of the more recently hatched terms - unless of course you’re some neophile - sassy online sensation, then nvm. So, for those of you behind on internet lingo, here’s an entertaining dose that’ll earn you some street credit, fo’ sho’!

General Terms:

An evolution beyond the typical lols and lmaos.

Shook: A state of being. When you’ve just experienced something truly amazing / illustrado go>10

@antonino.benitez

unexpected, and you are left emotionally flabbergasted. You are emotionally shook. And when you think you’re slightly beyond being ‘shook’, you my friend are shookt / shooketh (yes, William Shakespeare is turning in his grave).

OMG did you see what he just did? I’m so shook rn.

FOMO: Fear of missing out. The anxiety sparked by usage of social media.

Usually, when there’s a fun event/party/ get-together happening without you and as you scroll through your social platforms, everyone is posting about it - FOMO is precisely that feeling you have.

They did what last night? FOMO Lowkey: When you’re lowkey about something, you are quite reserved - so when it comes up in a convo with someone, you throw “low key” to your statement when you’re not fully able to admit something.

She is low key getting on my nerves.

Stan: Based on Eminem’s song ‘Stan’, the phrase is a combination of the words ‘Stalker’ and ‘Fan’. So, you’ve

probably already guessed that the term applies to the overzealous follower of any celebrity or famous person.

Their performance last night was iconic. I was stanning so hard.

Extra: Over the top. Excessive.

Extra. It’s pretty self explanatory. An adjective to describe people who love to be bougie (fancy) for the fun of it, or people who are just trying too hard. #EXTRA, I’m just saying

ANGAS PINAS

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Pinoy Pride. Kabayan Yabang. Ganyan tayo eh!

Woke: To be woke means to be aware of the reality that surrounds our current environment. Triggered through people’s detection of racial injustice, it has also come to be associated with conspiracies, politics, the media etc. Don’t share everything you see. Fake news is everywhere. Stay Woke.

NKKLK: Nakaloka. The phrase popularized

by Kris Aquino, literally means to drive someone insane. Now it’s been abbreviated and used widely by Pinoys on social media when they can’t believe something, or when something’s just too much to handle.

Did you see her latest insta post?

NKKLK

Popular online slang in the Philippines

Sepanx: Separation anxiety. When your emotional connection with people and places is tested by you being in a different environment.

That’s when “sepanx” gets real.

Gosh, we haven’t seen each other in a while! #sepanx

G: G is for game! One character is all you really need in the Philippines to express whether you’re up to do something fun with your barkada.

Heeey! There’s a party daw later.

Wanna come? G! Mej: Short for medyo. Normally, you would find yourself replying with ‘mej’ when you’re slightly feeling something / into something.

Are you hungry?

Mej. Pweds: Short for pwede. AKA ‘maybe’ in any optimistic context.

There’s a ticket sale daw going to Japan. G ka?

Pweds naman. When is it?

Seen Lord: Of all the irritating things that exist on the net, the “seen lords” are pretty high up on that list. If you have the nerve to read and ignore a message that people have exclusively poured the effort into typing, you must be some sick twisted person.

3 weeks and no reply? Such a seenlord.

Benta: Literally meaning to sell/ sold. When a joke so good, you have to physically express that you are sold on how funny it was.

Hahahaha! Ang Benta!

Before you dismiss the craze that is online slang, and say that it is complete sacrilege to the English language, and that it encourages laziness, chew on this - slang has changed the way we all communicate.

Not only have we been able to creatively play with our vernacular, giving words new meaning (some regarding relevant world issues), but we’ve also produced a mode of language that is understood globally.

The people have spoken. Online slang is here to stay. Peace out!

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Keeping up with Congen

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Tales from your friendly neighbourhood Philppine Consul-Genral

Lessons from Dad By> Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

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I have never lost a parent and I cannot bear the thought of losing one. I write this on a plane bound for home, with my dad-in- law at a critical moment in his life. I share quite an attachment for my in-laws but for many, this emotional bond appears uneasily melodramatic. After all, stories about in-laws are fodder for our telenovelas, films, and countless jokes.

Strike me off the list though. As lucky as I have been all my life, gaining another set of parents when my wife and I tied the knot some 20 and a half years ago could not have been any better.

Dad (I called my father-in-law Dad as opposed to my father who I call Daddy) is a devoted family dude. He is a popular figure not only among family but friends and his larger circles as well. He has the swagger of a smooth talker, the unbelievable comic tongue, the reputation of élan, and the steely determination and manly resolve to take care of his family.

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From the beginning, I knew that my wife was the Daddy’s girl. She was the only non-twin among the brood of five (twin sisters, my wife, and twin brothers.) She truly loves and adores her father and so when I officially joined the family in 1997 as the man who took Daddy’s little girl away, I pretty much expected a period of uneasiness of having to welcome a new member of the family. But sliding into the family was easy – it did help that both my mother and father were friends of my wife’s parents and Dad is actually my baptismal Godfather so the bond had more or less been set in motion years before.

Immediately after our wedding, my wife and I resettled in Manila as I took on my career as a diplomat. Dad would be incessant in checking up on us, whether we were alright with our home chores, our new life far from them, our safety, and our finances even. Dad was fond of cars and its minutia and whenever we had issues with our vehicles, he would be actively involved in resolving them. He

was hands on when it came to guiding each and every move of our family life.

Maybe he wanted to make sure that I took good care of his favorite daughter (or maybe if my wife took good care of his favorite son-in- law! Haha!)

Both Dad and Ma (in similar fashion, I call my mother in law Ma as opposed my mother who I call Mama) visited us in Budapest, our first posting. And together with our first born, we roamed the continent, sharing silly moments in the streets of Salzburg, in the hills of Buda, unnerving happenstances in the trams of Rome, inebriated belly laughing in Warsaw, and sauntering in the grandiose avenues of Paris. They would again visit us in our second diplomatic journey in the Pacific paradise of Hawaii. There, along with his cheery disposition and vigor, he would relive his Ilocos childhood, something he shared with so many of our Filipinos in Oahu.

In the two home postings we had, though we were Manila-based, he would,

Keeping up with Congen

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Tales from your friendly neighbourhood Philppine Consul-Genral

just as before, be as doting as ever.

Dad loved my three boys – though they would only see him in short bursts while we were abroad, time spent with him in Baguio more than made up the years away from the country. He lavished his grandchildren with affection. He played with them and genuinely acted like those grandfathers in fairy tales. Lolo (the Filipino term for grandfather) spoiled them – anything for them, not just financial, he readily gave.

Sadly though, Dad couldn’t visit us in Dubai. By the time we got home after our second posting, he was undergoing regular dialysis, which tied him to Baguio.

From 2013 to 2015, we went up to Baguio as often we could to be with him.

His schedules took him to the machine, at first twice a week, sometimes three times. At one point in 2014, he was rushed to the ICU. As I was abroad at that time, one of those numerous official trips I had, I ran to Baguio immediately after touchdown. There, for the first time, I saw mortality. When one is imbued with so much pep and spirit, somehow

it becomes unfathomable to visualize enfeeblement. Seeing him that day, his mental faculties quite confused, I couldn’t help but tear up. I knew his dogged spirit was fighting back and for quite some time, he appeared to win his little wars.

After this bout, Dad saw our family through yet another set of milestones, my promotion to Chief of Mission and our subsequent assignment as Head of Post in Dubai. He shared many of our family’s highlights and in the times we were going through rough patches, he was likewise there. And just as mortality once again beckons and stares in front of the family’s now grief-stricken faces, the webbed threads of our lives seem to connive so that just being there with him in these moments becomes a tug of war of emotions, and this is where my heart just breaks.

you for. You become party to the best lessons with those closest to you. Life is a product of moderation they say but the basket of our lives with Dad proves otherwise for my wife, my boys, and me. There can never be too much of an adoring dad. Here we are, begging for one last tight bear hug. There can never be too much of a vivacious grandpa.

Here we are, desperately clinging to a hope for one more moment of sparkle.

There can never be too much of a great father-in- law. Here I am, lost for words, disconsolate in the midst of a tenebrous chapter of our lives.

Though my boys are far from having their own (I hope), I do pray that they have the graces of a cool, chill, father-in- law.

It certainly makes lives so much happier, so much more auspicious, and infinitely smoother. It made mine and for this, I am grateful for Dad.

Lessons from the confines of a school room are never enough when confronted by human realities, when faced with practicalities no class can ever prepare

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FEATURE >

Maintaining a Stress free Life Online By > Paolo Benitez

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Right next to the latest Game of Thrones episode, today’s society religiously prioritizes the internet and social media.

It’s an archive of knowledge for the erudite, a safe haven for the unique, and a voice for the masses. What other benefits can we not mention?

The internet has taken over our lives as we know it, and while it may not be a bad thing, there are precautions we must take to avoid all the stress and so called “cancer” of the internet (unless that’s your thing). Here are some tips on how to maintain a stress free internet life!

Safety first: The internet is chock full of surprises, and not just crazy people! Viruses often lurk on the dark side of the web, and cause serious repercussions if left unchecked. With over 60,000 viruses for the Windows operating system alone, it doesn’t take much to get infected. Many types of malware exist - from ones that infect your computer, to ones that spy on you. There are, however, many ways to protect yourself too:

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Download an antivirus and

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@powbenitez

performing regular scans ensures that no viruses thrive on your machine.

Steer clear of random ads on the internet. Ads are often the most elusive methods of transmitting viruses on the internet, providing people with things they think they need and striking when they least expect. If it looks suspicious, stay away! (Hint: if anything involves beautiful singles in your area, RUN).

Avoid providing personal information unless to a legitimate source.

Hackers often take advantage of your email address and personal info. You social media accounts can be hacked and information can be used against you if given away too easily.

Cover thy webcam! It sounds weird, and your beautiful laptop can be easily ruined by a piece of masking tape (sticky notes if you have taste).

Certain spyware can monitor and record your every move through the webcam. By simply covering it, you can prevent material from being recorded, and coupling it with an antivirus guarantees your personal safety.

Privacy is Policy: Remember the lecture your parents gave you before you started your first social media account; the thin red line that separates you from the rest of the world. Devote a good amount of time to reviewing your privacy settings yearly, and save yourself from lurkers, competitors, and ex-boyfriends! Opening up to the world feels great, but nothing’s scarier than getting 80 consecutive likes from someone you don’t know. Setting boundaries for your posts is also a good idea, if you use one account for work AND play. Big boss doesn’t need to know what you did last Friday night!

Learn how to separate work and play: This one’s for the college students! As you progress into our college years, internship opportunities and job interviews become more prevalent. Your social media is a window into your soul, and is also publicly accessible. So, be cautious of the character you portray - recruiters have no time for indecent, toxic, and sloppy people! On the long run, it’s better to have a separate work account so that your priorities are set straight, and that your agendas don’t conflict.

FEATURE >

Some things are best kept to yourself: With privacy settings out of the way, personal boundaries are also a necessity.

Your image can be simply ruined by a single status update! Example: as a beauty blogger, it’s probably not the most advisable thing to post a photo of yourself wasted at the club. In fact, that’s not a good image for anybody! It may seem like a good idea when you’re in the moment, but waking up the next morning to a bunch of people laughing at you isn’t as nice.

everyone likes a good burn) - but that formula alone gains unwanted attention in the form of trolls, social justice warriors, and extremists, who seek to contradict, cause anger and sometimes, just stir up trouble. Our state of mind has become volatile too! Refrain from posting any strongly opinionated arguments, unless you’re prepared to discuss. Free speech is a human right, but free speech can also be abused. Tread wisely…

Setting limits for yourself on the mental plane is also key. At any given moment, anyone and everyone can hate on you.

Secretly, there’s a bragger inside us all, along with someone who likes to talk smack. Drama beckons the wrong kind of attention.

HINT: Anything controversial is great incentive for an argument. Avoid political posts, and anything related to moral or religious issues to avoid being run over by the hate train. If you want to stay stress free, there’s is no need to go all out as a passionate pro-Duterte or pro-liberal party supporter at this point.

Otherwise, you’re just asking for trouble.

Don’t jump into arguments: I know what you’re thinking! At some point, every internet dweller has had the insane urge to correct someone’s mistakes, or jump in on arguments and take sides. You’ll probably get a couple of likes here and there - hundreds if you throw in some shade too (because

It’s ok to cut off your (toxic) friends: Be it online, or in real life, people with differing opinions and approaches to life are inevitable. Social media becomes somewhat of an escape from reality.

You’ll find that people begin to show their true colors once they’ve settled into their digital life. From showing their emotional

side, venting their anger or just plain out starting fights. Unless you really want to be there for them, there’s really no extra reason to put up with someone else’s problems!

Fights in real life that transition onto online platforms are frankly pointless.

Remember, with social media becoming people’s safe space, there’s no knowing what can happen after a fight. Warning signs of extended resentment include cryptic messages, bad referral, talking smack and more! Even if there’s no fighting on the surface, your enemies could use your online friendship as a means of monitoring you. Like a predator stalks its prey, your enemies are just waiting for the right moment to prove their point and gain the upper hand (trust me, I’m guilty of this one).

And before you close this tab…

The internet is a collective entity full of surprises. As with all conventions of life, stress is a natural byproduct. In the end, we all just want to be happy! Stress comes from many sources, and the internet doesn’t have to be one of them.

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FASHION

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Gray Pullover by Drei Soriano; black denim pants by Jeffrey Rogador

EASY SUNDAY PHOTOGRAPHY: FILBERT KUNG AND GLENN PETER PEREZ STYLIST: ARGIE SALANGO STYLING ASSISTANT: EDRICK PAZ GROOMING: ANTON PATDU MODEL: LAURENS FORONDA SHOT ON LOCATION AT BSA TWIN TOWERS SPECIAL THANKS TO JOEL E. PAGUIO

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FASHION

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Coat ensemble with ceramic details by Albert Andrada; Oxford Shoes by Milanos

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FASHION

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Short sleeved twill coat by Drei Soriano; watch by Phillip Stein; turquoise framed glasses - stylist’s own

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FASHION

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Sleeveless crocheted top (worn inside) with fur cardigan by Edrick Paz; pants with pleated waist detail by Ulysses King

Knitted pullover by Edrick Paz; mustard pants by Jeffrey Rogador; fur by Jun Jun Ablaza

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FASHION

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Sleeveless crocheted top (worn inside) with fur cardigan by Edrick Paz; pants with pleated waist detail by Ulysses King

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FASHION

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Denim vest and shorts by Vin Orias; Oxford Shoes by Milanos

Black cowl neck pullover by Ulysses King; drawstring pants by Drei Soriano; Oxfords by Milanos

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

Buhay Mendoza Visual Artist

What’s your process of creation?

I always base concepts on my personal experiences, as well as my childhood days.

Currently my style is shyly shifting to a more mature subject that tackles social issues that our country is facing today.

I usually have a morning ritual before I do my paintings, but it always starts with research or eye candy.

After the research I would create a lot of initial sketches. usually doodles. I always keep a sketchpad in my bag wherever I go.

If any ideas come about, I jot them down right away and sketch them very quickly.

When done with final studies for my painting, I lay them out on my stretched canvas. I worked with oil before but lately, I have just been using whatever medium could be handy for my artwork. I try to experiment and expand my creativity by using raw materials from junk.

Visual artist Buhay Mendoza considers his art pop surrealist – a genre he loves for its playfulness and how it “signifies freedom and tickles creativity.” According to him, his chosen specialty also allows him to maximize his strength as an artist. Over and above that, Buhay says he considers art as his religion which gives her the sanity to appreciate all her blessings and makes her feel closer to God. For him, art is his life, the purpose of his existence. And hence, he advises aspiring artists, “Being an artist is a calling. Do it for the love of it.”

Buhay shares her life in art with Illustrado.

How did you get into art?

Actually, I am a late bloomer for a practicing visual artist. I started around 2008 at the age of 35. Everything happened like a walk in the park when I met a group of artists from Antipolo, Rizal during that year. They were the ones who opened the door for me to showcase my first artworks in public, and the rest is history.

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Life has always been my inspiration. To spread the greatness of our Creator is one of my inspirations. With this, I become one of His channels to show how blessed mankind is.

How does your work represent you?

I just put my heart into each of the pieces I work on. I draw inspiration from other artists as well, but somehow I do still try to work with my own stuff. One artist being Yoko d’Holbachie - I am always amazed by her works.

The true magic of art is seen and felt when you do it passionately. People can feel it from your pieces. What matters most is to deliver the message of your painting effectively to your audience, with them just looking at it.

What have been the highlights in your journey as an artist so far?

I had my first solo show in the HSBC Tower in Ayala Makati, and my third solo show in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam sponsored by An Binh Gallery. I had a successful showcase in these two events and I was even featured

in one of the magazines in Vietnam. One of my paintings was also featured in Art plus Magazine - the November 2014 issue.

What were your most notable recent projects?

This year in February, I worked on my fifth solo show for Kanto Gallery. I held a group show for Gallery Big and the Ayala Museum last December. I also have a work in progress in one of the galleries in Glendale California.

What’s your hope and plan for the future?

Philippine Art is truly a diamond in the rough. We have so many talented artists who need our government’s support in terms of enhancing their skills and promoting the art that they produce. That’s one of my advocacies as well - that is why I place such importance on what I do as a visual artist.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

Philippine Art is truly a diamond in the rough. We have so many talented artists who need our government’s support in terms of enhancing their skills and promoting the art that they produce.

That’s one of my advocacies as well - that is why I place such importance on what I do as a visual artist. > Buhay Mendoza > bu0331hay@gmail.com > +63943-5996703

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FEATURE >

Blog ger Approve d Travel Apps By> Hannah Magsayo

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Having a solid plan down for a trip is the first key to having a smooth and enjoyable experience. There are thousands of apps out there that will help you plan and prepare at the push of a button.

Here are some of the most treasured apps used by travel bloggers, that are particularly useful while traveling, or when simply planning for your journey in advance. Be sure to download these before jetting off.

Sky Scanner

Travel essentials? Skyscanner is on the top of the list. It is simply excellent.

Search for specific destinations and dates and Skyscanner will scan all the available airline options and help you find the best value for your desired timings. They also have “top deals” and the “search everywhere” feature,

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@hannahmagsayo

which is a winner if you love to go on spontaneous trips. With Skyscanner, I was able to find a flight to Iceland for less than 200 AED! Tripit TripIt is a definite must have for planning for, and going on a trip. It acts as a tool for organizing all your plans in a single place - (airline reservations, hotels, rental cars, activities etc.). The app is very easy to use: simply forward your travel confirmation emails to plans@ tripit.com and they automatically collate all the relevant info and add it to your trip itinerary. With this app, you can acquire information on your travel plans anytime (even when offline) making it all so accessible. TripIt also has features providing maps, weather forecasts, and suggestions for your destinations.

Tripadvisor Not just another guide app, Tripadvisor helps you check the best spots and hotels in town. You can read reviews as well as tips, book hotels, and see photos that travelers have contributed to the platform. The app also offers city guides you can access, even if you’re offline.

And if you have any questions, there is a great community of travelers that will gladly help.

Vsco If you haven’t downloaded the VSCO App, now’s the time. You deserve an app that can capture all the amazing memories you’re making. This app is perfect for all you people who love taking pictures, and it helps in stepping up your Instagram game. VSCO is my go to app whenever I’m travelling. It’s easy to use and it helps set the mood in my photos.

It’s just awesome. My favorite filters are A4 and A6.

FEATURE >

Airbnb

It’s a joy to experience how locals live, and view how they have curated the interiors of their homes with their own individual styles. I’ve always been interested in interior design, so for me, using Airbnb is paying for an experience in addition to a place to sleep.

Aside from having access to amenities, Airbnb allows users like me to catch glimpses of what it’s like to live in certain neighborhoods. The app has become a recent obsession of mine, and I’ve been checking and saving all the #roomgoals or #housegoals for future reference.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is just a gift from the techie gods. It aids when trying to find the coolest and the most unique hostels around the globe.

Hostelworld collects information

from different hostels, and lets you view a selection of options based on user rating or price.

Many travelers also leave reviews behind, so you can choose a place that suits your style and needs. I recently stayed in a hostel in Amsterdam and had a great experience.

Maps.me

Maps.me is genuinely a lifesaver whenever I travel. It is super simple to use and it gives you all the possible ways of getting from point A to point B. Additionally, it allows you to save and store chosen routes and directions offline. It’s more convenient and it makes your travels hassle free.

Tickets are booked. Bags are packed, and you’re off on your next great adventure. Enjoy!

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PINOY TRAVELER > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

Along the Canals of

Venice

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Only You (Robert Downey Jr. & Marisa Tomei). Add to that George Clooney’s wedding! For me, the calmness of the city’s canals and the soothing gondola rides best characterize love and romance. This is probably why Venice is also known as the City of Love.

When we think of Venice, these movies come to mind: The Tourist (Angelina Jolie & Johnny Depp), Chasing Liberty (Mandy Moore & Matthew Goode) and

Our friends had their 25th wedding anniversary recently and so we picked Venice to celebrate the occasion. We traversed the alleys, ran into hits and misses, and learned new stories about this city.

By> Lorna Real Del Rosario Venice (Venezia in Italian) which lies in northern Italy’s Veneto region alongside the provinces of Verona, Padua, Vicenza and Treviso easily tops the list of the most charming cities in the world.

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MY PINOY LIFE IN > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

City of Canals Simply put, Venice is a city built on water; it has no roads. There are nearly 200 canals, with Grand Canal as the largest, separating the city into over 100 islands. To navigate between the islands, there are 400 bridges (ponte in Italian) while to cross the Grand Canal, there are only 4 bridges. There are no motorized vehicles allowed in the city; hence, these canals serve as ‘roads’ in Venice.

When I first set foot in Venice, I understood why it draws millions and millions of visitors each year. I was greeted by its enchanting waters, stunning architecture, mysterious passageways, and clear blue skies.

It has all the elements of a perfect backdrop for any romantic setting.

Of the 4 bridges to cross the Grand Canal, I would say that the Rialto Bridge is the most beautiful. It’s the oldest bridge and most popular tourist spot in Venice. The bridge was closed during our visit as it was undergoing renovation yet the area was still laden with shops.

Do it yourself (DIY) tours As with other tourist destinations, there are several things to do and see in Venice. I saw tour companies offering walking tours and Grand Canal boat tours, but they are just too pricey! To scale-down costs, instead of taking the guided Grand Canal Tour, we bought an ACTV ticket which was valid for 24 hours, on a vaporetto (water bus). It costed us €20 each, instead of the €48 for an hour of Grand Canal boat tour.

We bought the ACTV tickets from our hotel’s reception desk.

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PINOY TRAVELER >

Expectation vs. Reality Before coming to Venice, I imagined myself on a gondola ride, sipping a glass of wine while being serenaded by the gondolier. And yet again, Venice is an expensive city. For a 30minute gondola ride, it would have been a whopping €80 for two.

We wanted to catch a traghetto as an alternative to a gondola experience.

A traghetto is also a public transport and looks xactly like a gondola, but is not decorated. For €2, it is technically the “5th” way to cross the Grand Canal. Now, that is what I call a bargain! However, our routes were not anywhere close to a traghetto pier. So we let that one go and just settled for our ACTV tickets.

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The usual things to do With our ACTV ticket, we cruised to St. Mark’s Square to visit the usual tourist haunts St. Mark’s Basilica We lined up to get inside the Basilica, where the remains of St. Mark (the Gospel Evangelist) are said to be kept. The body was brought from Alexandria (Egypt) to Venice (www. basilicasanmarco.it) and St. Mark became the city’s patron saint.

Photography is not allowed inside the Basilica.

St Mark’s Square The Square is just in front of the Basilica. We were there early so the area was less crowded. At sunset however, this place is just teeming with tourists and pigeons, it will be

PINOY TRAVELER > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

difficult to pose for photos. Take note that feeding the pigeons is banned in Venice since 2008, and there are fines for ignoring the ban.

Doge’s Palace The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale in Italian) was the home of the Doge, the ruler of Venice. This was the seat of power of the Venetian Republic were made. When the Republic fell on 1797, Venice was subjected to French rule, then Austrian, and eventually, and in 1866 it became part of a united Italy. The Doge’s Palace was converted as a museum in 1923 (www. palazzoducale.visitmuve.it).

The Bridge of Sighs Located near St. Mark’s Square, this bridge is always full of tourists. But what really is this bridge? This bridge connects the Doge’s Palace and the New Prisons. Legend has it that the name came about when sighs of desperation were exhaled by captives crossing the bridge as they were taken down to their cells. They sighed because that’s their final glimpse of the beauty of Venice.

How to get there There are two airports in Venice: (1) Marco Polo Airport, (2) Treviso Airport. From the airports, shuttle buses are available to

bring you to the island. The last stop is the Piazzale Roma. When arriving from Marco Polo airport, you can also a water taxi directly to your hotel since this airport is just sitting next to the Venetian lagoon. Our group arrived in Rome and took a highspeed train to Venice. Then, we flew out via Marco Polo Airport.

Where to stay Venice, the island, has only one train station, the Venezia Santa Lucia. While checking suitable hotels, Venezia Mestre station appeared in my searches. Hotels near Venezia Mestre offer good value and are decent, but these are in the mainland

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PINOY TRAVELER > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

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PINOY TRAVELER > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

and nowhere close to Venice Island! I made a mistake here since I picked Venezia Mestre station as our stop, coming from Rome. So, we took another 10-minute train ride to Venezia Santa Lucia station.

As there are only 4 bridges to cross the Grand Canal, and I doubt if a traghetto would accept huge luggage when crossing the canal, I picked a hotel close to 1 of the 4 bridges. We stayed at Hotel Carlton, just across Venezia Santa Lucia station and close to Scalzi Bridge. The cost was €140 per night with breakfast.

What to eat Reward yourself with a delicious gelato.

Our eyes got hooked to mounds of colorful

gelato so we made a quick stop and treated ourselves to a yummy scoop which costed €2.

Take a sweet bite of the cannoli.

Cannoli is a traditional dessert of Sicily.

Shells shaped like tubes are fried and then filled with ricotta cheese but more and more variations have become available like vanilla, or chocolate.

Indulge in a hearty Italian meal We ate lunch just across our hotel and tucked into Spaghetti in Nero di Seppia, which is a pasta with cuttlefish in its blank ink sauce, Pizza Margherita and seafood pasta. We asked for side plates so we can share and taste all the dishes we ordered.

The meal was insanely delicious. The pasta noodles were made by hand and the seafood were the restaurant’s fresh “catch of the day”. Our bill was €107 but it was all worth it.

On the side, when looking at the menu, make sure you read the fine print especially when it comes to seafood. Restaurants typically charge € per 100 grams. Thus, the price in the menu may be only for 100 grams and not the price of the entire dish.

Also, I was warned by my Italian friend that it is costly to drink coffee sitting down in a restaurant; so better take your coffee to-go.

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ILLUSTRAGRAMMERS

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A roundup of the Instagrammers we love

These folks could be your next style peg While you might be familiar with the household blogger names, for this issue it’s about time we turn the spotlight to other Instagram forces that deserve that follow button. Get to know these Illustagrammers who rule in the fashionsphere and could easily be your next style peg.

Since we believe that influence is not solely based on the numbers, Andrew is one of our favorites. He is part of a great tide that revolutionizes a generation through sharing tidbits of style, lifestyle, adventure, food, events and random insights here and there.

< Andrew Pablico @pablico

Renée’s IG account = endless scroll of kickass fashion and pretty places aka #lifepeg! She is a fashion and travel bloggers who is not afraid to express herself in the realest form possible.

She’ll be your best friend when you start to feel like ditching the boring pieces you have and start becoming a fashion rockstar.

Renée de Guzman @reneeedg >

ILLUSTRAGRAMMERS

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A roundup of the Instagrammers we love

We only know a few guys who can rock printed shirts especially the silk ones and part of that very short list is Stef. Yes to his bold sense of style and to this amazing hair! From LA to MNL, this guy knows how to stand out.

Stefan Alino @stefalino >

When you see her Instagram feed, the first thing you’d say would prolly be “oh, this gurl is chill!” A free-spirited soul vibe is what she gives, backed-up with her carefree and easy style (you’d usually find her in denim shorts and breathable tops).

Apart from being super pretty, she’s got the wits, sass and stretch marks. And she’s proud of it!

< Lexi Mendiola @leximendi

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ANNIE B CHRONICLES

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T h e ad v e n tur e s a n d mi s ad v e n tu re s o f a ‘ n o t s o a ve ra g e ’ P in a y tr y i n g to ma ke i t i n th e c o s m o po lita n c ity o f Du b a i

Oh Tukso…Diligan Mo Ako!

A

Ang init-init talaga. Ang over! Nakakapaso… nakakapawis….nakakadry…nakaka-tuyooooot.

Ang hapdi sa balat…

Ang tigas sa buhok…

Ang gaspang sa anit… Ang katikateee!! Umaapoy… Lumalagblab…

Kumukukulo… Uhaw na uhaaaaw.

Nakakainis…nakakayamot…nakakabato… nakakabaliiiiw. Panahon na naman ng pagkabagot. The hot, nasty, blazing weather outside let’s you do nothing – unless pangarap mong magka-skin cancer at matigok from dehydration. Ang Panget!

Pasensha na po sa mga talak ko. Ganyan talaga siguro kapag wala kang magawa.

Ika nga, an idle mind is the devil’s idol di ba? Kung anu-anong kademonyohan ang pumapasok sa kukote ko. Kakabato kasi.

Alone again naturally ang drama ko dito sa flat. Parehas kasing nasa Pilipinas

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nakabakasyon ngayon nag mga flatmates kong sina Angel at Alexa. Mga bruhang yon lumarga ng hindi binabayaran ang TFC bill naming kaya walang din akong mapanood. Yun naman aming Kapitbahay Libreng Wifi eh nabuking na yata na nakiki-apod lang kami sa kanya kaya naglagay bigla ng password – kaya hindi rin ako maka-Fezbook, o internet man lang. At siyempre pa, may sumpong na naman ang smartphone kong made-inChina…di tuloy ako maka-Whatsapp.

Haay… to think ilang buwan na lang wala ka na talagang silbi. Ang saya di ba?

Nade-depress tuloy ako.

Halos isang buwan na rin kasi kaming hindi nagkikita ni Adam my love, my hero, my knight, my shinging amor, my cupcake, mi amore, papable-jowa. Busy-bisihan kasi sya sa bagong business ventures nya sa Try State area ba yun? Ewan ko ba nung gi-noogle ko wala namang ganung pangalan ng State sa Amerika. Whatevs

Kebs! Bahala sya kung niloloko nya ako o hindi. Basta ako fateful. I’m a one-womanone-man woman. Dalagang Pilipina.

Busilak at walang bahid ng putik o mantsa o dumi ang puri.

Pero pano kung may ibang ma-meet si Adam doon sa US? Yung mas may asim pa sa akin? Mas low maintenance kesa sa ‘ken? Yung tipong aristocrata, hairess, royalting ang dating? Naku naman….. mapapraning na ako nito.

So, bago pa man din akong tuluyang ma-posses sa kakaselos kay Adam at sa tindi ng init na bumabalot sa laman ko ay pumayag ako sa imbitasyon ng BFF kong si Sheila na gumimick at magsabog ng kagandahan at lagim sa buong sambayanan.

Continue reading the Annie B Chronicles on www.illustradolife.com

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