After all the health issues in the family I made sure we make it to the strictly formal affair lined up that weekend. I figured it would energize me. Some "me" time with the husband. Would allow me to get out from the sweat pants and into that long dress (thanks to the big mall who had a big sale that week...).

But don't get me wrong, Im not one to be spending a whole hour or more in front of the mirror just to put on make up. For one thing it now only takes me 20 minutes to do my hair ( if I shampoo the night before and condition on the hour...).

I have always been proud of my 7.5-minute make up. Ahihi (so is my husband, seriously). Doesn't take much really. What I have in my arsenal is just as simple. Must of them gifts, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford them.

The 7.5-minute make up. For my formal affair. 

  Two days prior I have already cleaned my face. A simple DIY facial at home, nothing complicated really. This would give any redness the chance to disappear two days later. Dark circles under the eyes are my worst enemies. Took me years and a lot of searching on the net what other ladies are wearing. And what I could afford. Two years ago a friend of mine from New York got me All About Eyes by Clinique. Luckily it works good for me. Lessens the puffiness and moisturizes the eyebags. I didnt have to look far for the cover up as I got the more affordable BB cream specifically for eyes by Garnier. But then of course knowing me, one must not presume I use it for my eyes alone. ahihihi.. works good for the eyebrow and nostril areas, corners of the mouth and under the lower lip, where shadows always form. I usually use my brushes to apply. I love the MAC brushes. But lately Ive been favoring dubbing the cover ups with my fingers. It absorbs and blends better that way.

One treasured possession is the Sheer Cashmere foundation by L'Oreal. It's matte and blends well. But  only apply it in certain areas which need attention. To set everything I love Covergirl's Trublend Mineral Loose Powder, applied with my Kabuki brush by Everbelena. 

Sometimes I like to play with colors as I have demonstrated in old entries of the blog but not during formal affairs. So I stick with the basics. You know the highlight on the middle of the lid and dark contours on the side of the lid routine.... I used to do a lot of winged-tip eyeliners but lately I've been favoring the more circular one. Wherein I just follow my natural curve of the lid up to the tip. I first saw it on Jinky Pacquiao on her controversial cover. No kidding. I said, "wow! Those eyes are not photoshopped. They're remarkably made up and lined! So I decided I like that..."

Gigi, my friend from Singapore gifted me with my now every-reliable color palette. I use them all the time. By Etude House.

Like I said, I always go for the more affordable stuff so I buy my stash at the Face Shop. Eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, the works...

It's a no brainer thing. I just go over some tutorials on Youtube and Im done. hehehe Seriously, 7.5 minutes. That quick. That easy...

Wouldn't have recognized her in one glance if not for the her name in bold on the cover of this month's Asian Dragon magazine!

Never have I seen her in this kind of make up. She usually goes neutral and pink.

I love this look on her!

She carries it well.

Kudos, Jinkee Pacquiao!!!

It sure was their fight.

A fitting Mother's Day gift for Jinkee Pacquiao it was with another champ's belt for her husband.

Congratulations are indeed in order!

Instead of publicly declaring war against detractors, she gets even. Hehehehe. And I gave her my gigantic seal of approval. More respect!

Standing by her man blow by blow she deserves all our respect!

Sitting pretties. Seriously.

Yes, JP, smile naturally. Give them teeth. You are pretty.

The proper way to sing the Philippine National Anthem. Please take note any future singer of any program/event/affair, be it local or international. Thank you, Charice:

It is afterall written in our country's law that the anthem should be played, with words or not, must "carry a brisk martial tone or tempo" as it is a marching song(Section 37 of Republic Act No.8491 an Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat of Arms and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines). Almost all of the artists who performed the anthem at Pacquiao's past fights got negative reviews for taking liberty in rendering the anthem in their own "artistic" way.

So how about this for a surprise? Two words. Jimi Jamison.

Survivor band member who originally sang the 1982 Rocky movie theme, "Eye of the Tiger" sang the same song himself as Manny Pacquiao walks into the arena at MGM.

I gasped when I saw his face!

Contrary to popular belief, Jimi Jamison has not retired from singing. He reunited with his Survivor band in 2000 and released an album in 2005. He also released a CD Crossroad Moment in the US in 2009.

Subtle.

Very sleek, Manny.

And Jimi? He's still got them cool pipes.

Cool!

I am blogging. 10.23 in the morning, Philippines time. Obviously, I am one of the very few who is not glued to the tv set today right now to watch the match between Philippines' Pacquiao and Mexican boxer "Tijuana Tornado" Margarito. Dont get me wrong. I love Pacquiao! I love him so much that I dont dwell on whatever rumors or scandals he is attached to. Much respect to his wife, mother and children.

I have never watched any one of his fights real time.

Im just too chicken to watch it real time. hehehe

Here's praying for Pacquiao's victory!!!

And on the lighter (and cute) note. Miss Liz Uy.

I dont know her personally. Just what's written on the news. One thing's for sure thought, she is one of the most respected and beloved stylist in this country. And that's the reason my Miss Kris Aquino hired her to be her brother's stylist. Personally, I love her style. I have heard about her even before she was dating a very popular actor. I follow her on Twitter, just because. And so rumors had it that she was dating our President Nonoy Aquino. They were somewhat outed by gossip show host Boy Abunda, who the President pointed out "is not my spokesperson." Well, first, no legal impedement there. hehehe. Second, yes I heard she is indeed a nice person. And third, whoa...she would be the chicest First Lady in the globe indeed!!! ahihihi...

And yes, the President himself has confirmed that he has gone out with Miss Uy several times.

Now...behold....

Philippine's chic stylist, Liz Uy

Isnt she just beautiful

HURRAY TO THE GREATEST FILIPINO BOXER OF ALL TIMES!!!

Makes me blush and flushed with pride.
Manny Pacquiao, our boxing hero. Born in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City to a poor family, he had to choose to forgo his studies to be able to help his mother, Aling Dionisia (a celebrity on her own right), support their family. Fighting at the young age of 16, little did he know that he was on a non-stop train to super-stardom and sky-high seemingly limitless success. But of course he had his share of heartaches, muscle aches and failure. But where is he now? Where has his hard work taken him? Billions of $$$, that is where. We are not talking about pesos now. KACHING KACHING! Being in a tv ad of Nike alongside sports royalties like Tiger Woods and Maria Sharapova is definitely not shabby for wrecked-English speaking Manny Pacquiao. A giant billboard in the highway of Los Angeles permanently puts him on the books! He has endured horrific blows to his body and head. One by one he took them belts from boxing champions of his division. I could go on and on but I am pretty sure every single one of my readers already know who Manny Pacquiao is.
I choose to bask in his achievements. I choose to see what good he has done to his mother and family. The great name he has given our country, to the Bisayas.
For years people have chosen to make fun of his lack of talent in speaking the English language. Why? Does he need to be fluent in that area? By whose standards?
Criticized his affiliation with certain politicians. So OK, I'm guilty in that department. C'mon Mr. Pacquiao, you don't really need that. Your sport is deadly enough.
Politics is never "win-able".
Never.
Right now, the whole country is having an amnesia. They have forgotten the glory and victory that Manny Pacquiao has just handed us in a silver platter.
Who is Krista? (I won't even drag the name of her college Alma mater into this as it is irrelevant in this issue, this could happen to anyone).
Whether it is a publicity thing for their upcoming movie or not, I must admit the whole thing is tasteless.
I do not know what is going on. I am not a personal friend of neither Pacquiao or Krista. Or Mrs. Jinky Pacquiao for that matter. But I pray they stop. Everyone would just stop. If all the rumors are true, I pray that all parties concerned will wake up tomorrow and right all their actions.
A movie publicity stunt. Poor Mrs. Pacquiao. Poor everyone.
But must we blow it out of proportion? Can't we just talk about how good he was during his Jimmy Kimmel appearance? And stop forcing him to speak fluent English!
If there is any truth to this whole circus, can't we just tie them all up and drag them to counseling? And not plaster every questionable video or picture on the internet? We bask in his glory. Hurray he is Filipino! He does his wife wrong --- do we involve ourselves? We pull him down further. Showbiz? Has it really come to this? Obviously those love teams publicly professing and admitting giving gifts to their leading ladies are nothing but tiresome publicity ploys. Duh. That is after all how our country rolls. Gotta inject something sexual and controversial otherwise the movie would NEVER sell!
Gracious me...I just hope they all stop. OK, it can't be helped. It's all right in front of us. The Mrs crying in the mass and not wanting to be touched by the Mr. Maybe it is true. What right do we have to plaster and dissect every nitty dirty details in their lives. Public figure? Is that reason enough for us to be mean. Just news? No, it's being mean. It's capitalizing on the dirty news, which sadly, makes a more interesting new...which sadly, gets more audience and mileage.
Haaayyy...
Can't we just help them privately?
I miss the good old days of media.