CAPTURE AND CELEBRATE LIFE IN EVERY MOMENT POSSIBLE.
Author: rubyasoy
Ruby is a true-blooded media practitioner and a journalist by profession.
She served her early years as a lifestyle writer for a leading magazine and a couple of corporate engagements to which she learned the ropes of editorial work – and dealing with almost the brightest personalities and celebrities in tinsel town.
She had a very productive stint at the now-defunct AMPR Publicity and Communications, Inc. It was also during this period that she honed her skills in Marketing when she had the opportunity to serve as Committee Member at the prestigious Philippine Marketing Association.
For inquiries, invites, or to send relevant press content, email the author at rubyasoy@yahoo.com.
FB pages: https://www.facebook.com/precious.r.asoyhttps://www.facebook.com/rubyasoyph/
Organize your desk with fun and functional accessories and storage systems that highlight your personality.
With working from home emerging as a new lifestyle trend, we are certainly spending more time in our home offices. With that, our desks have become a favorite space where we make reports, plan our schedules, attend zoom meetings, and keep connected with friends and family.
And the start of the New Year is a good time to give our desks at home or in the office, much- needed refresh with stylish accessories from SM Stationery. These desk-mates mirror the latest fashion trends – metallic mesh, geometric pattern – lattice, herringbone, dotted; and as well as a pop of pastel colors that will help you work better and more creatively.
Organize your desk with fun and functional accessories and storage systems that highlight your personality. Showcase the things you love by adding gadget accessories like LED Touch lamp that makes your space modern and contemporary.
Add green in your workspace to welcome new ideas and experiences. Indoor plants can help you keep calm and breathe in your work area. But most of all – make it also an inviting space for yourself as you work long hours, or for visitors who may drop by.
The Techy Artist. Energize your home office space with a combination of techie and artsy accessories from SM Stationery.
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Optimize space with this modern, sleek and metallic mesh organizer.
Jot down your daily activities and thoughts on these journals and notebooks.
Light up your working space with this cute and nifty touch lamp with phone stand.
The desk organizer set collection is available at the selected SM Stationery section of the SM Stores. Also, SM Stationery is now online on www.smstationery.com.ph and with the SM Store’s #143SM Call to Deliver services. You can now have your home office must-haves delivered right to your doorstep. Follow SM Stationery PH on Instagram and Facebook and join their Viber community for more details and info.
Jamie has interpreted the inspirational song “We Give Our Yes,” adding a feather in her cap.
There’s a new dimension to Jamie Rivera’s music career that she’s very proud of. Just recently, she launched the inspirational song “We Give Our Yes,” the official mission song of the year-long 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines celebration which kicked off last month.
Father Carlo Magno Marcelo wrote the song and produced it by ABS-CBN music creative director Jonathan Manalo. As of press time, it has 113k views on YouTube Channel.
Highlights of Jamie’s career
She has made a name for herself as a singer and has blossomed, too, as a composer. Jamie considered being part of Miss Saigon the highlights of her show business career. She was only 24 then.
“Through that, I experienced a twist of fate. Before that, I thought I was just a singer. The stage was still an unexplored arena. Somehow because of Miss Saigon my status was elevated,” she disclosed from a previous exclusive interview.
From that experience, Jamie learned pointers on confidence, stage acting, independence, humility, and punctuality.
“Lessons on the latter, I had in big doses. It happened to me one time during my first rehearsal. Our stage director said, ‘You have to be in the theatre exactly 10 in the morning.’ I arrived at about 10:05. He said, ‘Miss Jamie Rivera, you’re now in London, and when I say 10 o’clock you have to be here about five minutes before 10.’”
Aside from Miss Saigon, another memorable performance of Jamie was when she got the female lead of a 22-member cast in the musical Bogis Street. Jamie played opposite Singaporean theatre actor George Chan. The musical was staged not only in the Kallang Theater in Singapore but in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur as well.
Jamie admitted that she has experienced how to be treated like a star when her first record album, Hey, It’s Me became gold in so a short time.
“That time I was really overwhelmed,” she recalled. “Even my family misunderstood my intention, my attitude because I became too busy. You should be as normal as everyone else. Of course, if you’re a star somehow you have an edge over other artists. When you’re a star you should be more humble because a lot of people look up to you as a role model.”
Lucrative profession
Jamie said she considers singing a lucrative profession. However, there are times when it’s not that stable.
“We’re not a regular earner. So you must have a fallback,” she said. “I’m urging other singers to finish their studies so they’ll have a fallback. (In her case, she finished Commerce, major in Economics at UST). She’s also helping her husband in his real estate business.
Courtesy: Jamie Rivera FB page
She has learned to accept that there’s a lean and peak season in everyone’s career. “You shouldn’t be frustrated. You learn through your experiences,” she quipped.
Jamie’s musical taste is more on the classical. She loves broadway, cartoons, and orchestra songs. “But when I write songs it should be commercial,” she said. “Kasi iba gusto ko sa gusto ng ibang tao. Ang ibinibigay ko ay ‘yung gusto ng tao. Kasi kapag gusto ko ang gagawin ko hindi naman sya bibilhin ng mga tao,” she rationalized.
What makes a good singer?
“A good singer should have a distinct quality of voice and proper packaging. I consider Lea Salonga a good singer because of her flawless voice. Of course, there’s Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma, Barbra Streisand, Zsa-Zsa Padilla, and Pops Fernandez,” she shared.
Inherent Talent
Mary Jane Cruz Mendoza in real life comes from a musically-inclined family. Although, she’s the only one who could sing professionally. Jamie decided to pursue a career in music when she won in the Yamaha Music Mate Girl Contest in 1986 while still majoring in A.B. Economics at the University of Sto. Tomas.
Actual training for her began during her first years with the Metropolitan Theater where she also did her first major concert, Hey, It’s Me, Jamie. Soon after, she recorded her first album. And the rest is history.
In her line of work, the most important lesson she learned is to be politically correct.
“Otherwise, you will get enemies easily,” she said. “Another lesson is to prioritize your family. All the things will fade but not your family; nobody can take them away from you. And whatever you do in the past it will reflect you in the future. While you’re still young try to be good. Keep your feet on the ground.”
Hue Puerto Princesa is a standout hotel and resort-like feel at the heart of Puerto Princesa City.
This summer, let’s explore Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan and the gateway to almost every island in the province.
The room design combines both local and global inspirations to its interiors.
Just adjacent from the newly-opened Puerto Princesa airport, this writer stayed at Hue Hotels and Resorts admirable for its wide-open space, and for excellently combining global and local design to its interiors. Truly, a standout hotel and resort-like feel at the heart of Puerto Princesa City.
The moment we arrived at the hotel, we easily felt the warm welcome from its staff and front desk manager at the time of our visit. He ushered me to my comfy room and immediately got awe-struck with the room design – the carpet was made of a colorful banig, the welcome kit consisted of local delicacies and drinks, and the imported glass bottle (no, they don’t use plastic bottle) seemed so attractive. I made sure to check on the hotel swimming pool and Aminah Spa located on the roof deck. It was a relaxing feeling to have tried the soothing massage on our second day.
The hotel swimming floor located on the roof deck. Photo by Renjie Tolentino
The hotel restaurant is called Matiz Tapas Bar & Restaurant just very near the hotel lobby. It offers Classic-Filipino-Spanish and some Vietnamese dishes that pay homage to the Vietnamese community in Puerto Princesa. Matiz is being managed by Chef Gabby Prats.
The modern look of Matiz Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Photo by Renjie Tolentino
Hue Puerto Princesa is envisioned to be chic and creative with a “design-forward and culturally-rooted architecture.”
The property is being managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc. (HII). “It (HII) creates distinct hotel concepts that are original and one of a kind – this is what Hue Hotels and Resorts is all about, ” shares Chris Guballa, the hotel’s general manager. Guballa is also proud of its advocacy of promoting the local community through a hotel that promotes local products and culture.
City tour
Hue Puerto Princesa has not only given us superb accommodation but an unforgettable tour around the city.
We went to the famous Underground River named as one of the seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the Underground River
Other interesting tourist spots we visited were Baker’s Hill, Butterfly Eco Garden, and Tribal Village, Rancho Mitra, Elephant Cave, Baywalk Plaza Quartel, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Buenavista View Deck (where you can see the beauty of Ulugan Bay and Tres Marias).
At Baker’s Hill Palawan
At Rancho Mitra
At Tribal Village
Our Puerto Princesa trip was made possible by Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa – one that truly brings colors to leisure.
Jaya has said many times: “I know my mom prayed a lot for me. I think that’s where all the blessings came from.”
After 30 years in show business, Queen of Soul, Jaya, feels that she has been blessed. “Life’s been treating me good. I’ve always pursued what I believe in and I don’t think of what people say. I do what pleases me as long as I don’t hurt anyone. And if I didn’t succeed the first time, I just keep on trying,” she shared.
Jaya said that she doesn’t plan to sing forever. “I don’t want to do this forever. I’m only doing this because I’m trying to satisfy myself and the talent that I have. I don’t think I will grow old in this profession. But that’s so far from now. But who knows . . .”
If there’s a song to describe her life, it would be “What Matters Most.” She said: “People tend to think about the temporary things in life. When we die what matters most is what we have done when we were still alive. While we are still alive let’s enjoy life, make friends, see different countries if you can afford it, breathe, live, enjoy the spirit that’s in you, improve what’s bad in you because we’re only human and we’re capable of committing mistakes. But what matters most is that we should love each other.”
As a woman, she admits she’s bading, independent, and strong-willed. “I didn’t graduate from high school but I still try to learn things by surfing the internet, doing research,” she shared. “As a person, I’m not very trusting but once I trust you, matagal ‘yon. Basically, I’m very loyal. I don’t really harbor ill feelings toward other persons. I just let it pass. I’m very impulsive also and loving, but I don’t forget the past because I based my present life on my past. And I don’t believe in too much in politics.”
Jaya on a roll
Since she launched her singing career locally some years ago, Jaya has become a household name. “I think I’m a little bit more self-assured now knowing the crowd expects me to give this type of music. And sometimes, I want to surprise them.”
Definitely, her living in the States for several years has had a big influence on her musicality. She says, she had the chance to listen to different types of music – Irish, Brazilian, African, reggae, pop, rock, alternative – name it.
“Because of that American influence in me, everybody noticed that I was a bit different when I came here. But I wasn’t trying to sound like anybody else. I’m influenced a lot by African-American music. Back in the old days, my voice was like matining na mataas. Now it has texture. I have the low tones and the high notes.”
Remembering her mom
Looking back at what she and her late mom, Elizabeth Ramsey had been through, Jaya muses: “Aside from my talent in singing, I’ve inherited some of her good traits, like her spirituality, but mine is in a different way. I’m not a collector of saints like my mom, but I have a few at home. I don’t pray as regimentally, but the moment I hold a rosary, I know that I will be saved.”
Jaya has said many times: “I know my mom prayed a lot for me. I think that’s where all the blessings came from.”
Jaya with her lovely family.
Jaya has been married for more than 14 years now (and counting) to non-showbiz husband, Gary Goditoc. The couple has two beautiful children.
The town is blessed with abundant natural attractions, picturesque sceneries, cultural, historical, and religious sites, recreation and accommodation, gastronomic delights, and eco-tourism.
Nasugbu is about two hours drive from Manila. It is the town on the western coast of Batangas, and a favorite leisure and vacation getaway for tourists because of its proximity to Manila.
The town is blessed with abundant natural attractions, picturesque sceneries, cultural, historical, and religious sites, recreation and accommodation, gastronomic delights, and eco-tourism.
With the influx of tourists coming to Nasugbu, the Kaybiang tunnel was constructed to connect the Ternate-Nasugbu Road, making the trip to Nasugbu a less than an hour journey.
Kaybiang Tunnel – connecting the Ternate-Nasugbu Road, making the trip to Nasugbu a less than an hour journey. Courtesy: Facebook.com
Nasugbu has a population of 138,000, and it caters to the AB market. Frequent tourists to this area include Europeans, Americans, and some Asians.
Pico De Loro Cove: Offers an active vacation lifestyle
Pico De Loro Cove, which is set amidst the verdant green mountains and vibrant clear waters of Hamilo Coast is SM land’s premier leisure destination with 5,800 hectares of natural beauty. It only takes 90 minutes by car from Manila via the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) and the Kaybiang Tunnel. This writer had a relaxing stay at Pico Sands Hotel, the cove’s premier hotel during a previous media tour.
The writer at Pico Sands HotelCourtesy: Pico Sands Hotel FB page
Pico De Loro is renowned for being part of the “center of the world’s biodiversity,” where more than 65% of the world’s marine species can be found. Its location within the Verde Island passage makes it an ideal jump-off point for cruising to other renowned island destinations such as Apo Reef, Mindoro, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, and Boracay.
The property is composed of eight mid-rise residential buildings set around a serene environment. It makes owning a beach home as easy and practical as condominium living. Each condo comes with playing rights at the Pico De Loro Beach & Country Club, which has the most extensive land and sea-based recreational facilities in the Nasugbu area.
Pico De Loro Beach and Country Club
Together they offer an active vacation lifestyle and a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports and recreation options. Homeowners and guests can enjoy eco-adventures such as biking, trekking, fish-feeding, cove tour, diving, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, banana boat, Frisbee, jet skiing, paddle boarding, water taxi, and beach volleyball.
Nasugbu town: A major tourism destination
The tourist destinations inventory of the municipality has listed down 18 natural attractions, including the famous Hamilo Coves, the Karakawa Rivers and Falls, the Layong Bilog River, and the Tumalim Water Falls and River.
Mountains such as Mt. Talamitam, Mt. Batulao, Mt. Pico De Loro, famous for mountain climbing, surround the town. Rock formations are also scattered around Nasugbu Bay including the Elephant Rock, Pinnacle Rocks, and Payong-Payong.
Virgin island abounds the town with Fortune Island and Twin Island as the more popular ones. It is also surrounded by four marine protected areas: Fuego Point Marine Sanctuary, Taytayen/Etayo Marine Reserve, Pinagdakutan/Santelmo Marine Sanctuary, and Cutad/Pico De Loro Marine Reserve.
For a sumptuous local lunch, visit Kainan sa Dalampasigan in Martinez St. in Nasugbu. This 13-square- meter restaurant is owned by Normita “Tita Baby” Limjoco-Lucas and offers excellent home cooking and rustic ambiance.
Hearty lunch with DOT and Hamilo Coast marketing.
Nasugbu has a wide array of kakanin. It is said that there are at least 13 varieties of kakanin in town. Thus, an “abibingkahan” can be found in the public market where kakanin are being sold.
The tour was never complete without a visit to some religious sites like the main town church of Saint Francis Xavier Church and Lumang Simbahan where pilgrims and devotees from far and nearby towns come to visit every Friday to offer prayers to the Black Nazarene. Nevertheless, the influence of the Catholic Church in Nasugbu has been dominant in their culture and townspeople’s religious faith.
Saint Francis Xavier Church Nasugbu. Courtesy: Nasugbu Tourism Office
The group ended the tour with a relaxing Barako foot bliss at Rain Spa of Pico Sands Hotel. This coffee-infused foot treatment relieves sore feet and frees up one’s thoughts. Coffee’s calming and anti-oxidant qualities are employed to relieve stress and tension as well as improve circulation, restoring the body’s natural balance.
In Nasugbu, you can definitely explore more tourist attractions, and deserving of another visit. This time, plan to stay longer in your next getaway with your loved ones.
By Ruby Asoy-Lebajo
(Based on the article published in Experience Travel and Living magazine by the same author. The media tour was organized by the Department of Tourism some years back.)
This Valentine’s Day finds the most unique gifts that have just the right amount of thoughtfulness and sweetness. SweetBlooms Rose Candy Pastillas are perfect gifts for your loved ones.
When you are searching for the exact gift for your loved ones, the one that achieves the genuine tone is something that will make them feel appreciated, special, and that your love for them survive and thrive even during the pandemic.
SweetBlooms Rose Candy Pastillas are perfect gift ideas for many good reasons: Made with quality and fresh ingredients, affordable, presentable, a yummy treat, and blooming with candy pastillas. Choose from an array of product choices you can find in the brand FB page link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=Sweetblooms&set=a.5149750408376144.
Lovely to look at, the rose candy pastillas come in different flower sizes that are edible and with a reasonable price range. SweetBlooms deliver flowers nationwide.
It is available in small rose candy pastillas (Php25.00), medium rose candy pastillas (Php35.00), Rosebloom candy pastillas (Php55.00), Gerbera candy pastillas (Php60.00), bouquet (Php350.00), Saver Bouquet (Php395.00), Long Stem Bouquet (Php100.00), Full of Love Bouquet (from Php595.00 – 945.00), Full of Charm Bouquet (from Php685.00 -1,620.00), Enchanted Full of Charm Bouquet (from Php835.00 – 1,880.00), Beary Full of Charm Bouquet (from Php1,075 – 2,270.00), and Bouquet (from Php95.00 – 295.00).
Celebrating the most romantic day doesn’t always mean to be expensive — because it’s the thought that counts. What matters most is remembering and celebrating the occasion with the people you care about the most.
SweetBlooms has also appointed an Ambassador for February, the charming young lady singer-songwriter/influencer Moira Lacambra, to create more awareness of the brand, and encourage new customers.
A sweet venture
SweetBlooms was borne out by the owner’s love for Filipino delicacies, her fondness for flowers, and childhood dreams of having her own thriving food business. The confectionery shop has been around for more than a decade now.
May Tiburcio De Vera, the hardworking owner of SweetBlooms first discovered her passion for making pastillas through the support of her beloved mom Remy, a restaurateur and a native of Isabela province. Knowing her genuine love for the craft it wasn’t difficult to pursue her passion.
May with her mom Remy (center), who taught her how to make pastillas.
Through the years, SweetBlooms has evolved from a pastillas kiosk, into a candy flower shop, a cake shop, a café, and now housed in a headquarter building in Marikina City. It inspires people on diligence and hard work that led the brand to where it is now.
The entrepreneur-pastry chef takes pride in how far she has come and continues to have faith in how far she can go. Success is sweet and sweeter when you have worked hard for it.
The entrepreneur-pastry chef attending her culinary class . . .During a TV interview with media personality Karen KaladKaren
The way to a man’s heart
Food as they say is the way to a man’s heart, and thus, this was how the owner’s love story came about.
May and her husband Macoy have created a strong bond through the rose pastillas. During the earlier stage in their relationship, May didn’t like giving her boyfriend an ordinary present.
The young couple then had created a strong bond through rose pastillas.
Instead, she made him edible rose pastillas. Her boyfriend was overwhelmed with her efforts, and the more that she was endeared to him. May thought that it was a perfect way to show her love to him.
The couple now: Enjoying the fruits of their labor.Happy family life: May and Macoy with their three lovely children.M & M Building – a testament to their hard work.
So, whether you’re looking to rekindle a flame, continue to enjoy that wedded bliss, or keeps the fire burning bright in your relationship, and family life, say it with #SweetBlooms on the most romantic day of the year. Share the bloom in all seasons!
To order, contact: 09175073997, 09175139300, (02) 83520051, (02) 75020497. Sweetblooms Marikina is located at 267 J. P. Rizal St., Barangay San Roque, Marikina City.
A hearty and happy get-together of a family in a Filipino restaurant offering good food and good ambiance.
Food is always a good idea. Sharing it with our loved ones in a place with good ambiance and delectable food offerings make the experience more enjoyable.
When a dear balikbayan family member went home for a short vacation, most likely we would treat her to a special dining destination. Luckily, we were able to do this family reunion of the Lebajo side before we are hard hit by the pandemic.
Kare-kare
Pata tim
Grilled bangus
Pancit
Inihaw na pusit. Courtesy: @balaydakotagaytay
Lebajo family
Balay Dako (an Ilonggo term for “Big House”) was the unanimous choice. It is a three-story, modern colonial house located along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway. Since its inception, it has become one of the favorite gathering places of Filipino families for special celebrations and occasions. The restaurant serves an extensive menu of Filipino comfort dishes and classic Tagaytay food.
The Comedor is aFilipino restaurant located on the second level with beautiful panoramic views of Taal Lake. It has a seating capacity of 250.
We occupied two tables with the long green couch chairs since we were many. We ordered some of its best-sellers like pata tim, palabok, kare-kare, lechon kawali, grilled squid and bangus, crunchy turon, and native ice cream. We enjoyed the dishes and it didn’t disappoint us!
The third floor is called Terrazas, a semi-open bar that can be reserved for big functions, and with a seating capacity of 270. You can also eat in this area but you can only order from their bar food menu. It has an open-air veranda with breath-taking views of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.
Breath-taking views of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. Courtesy: @balaydakotagaytay
Panoramic views of Taal Lake. Courtesy: @balaydakotagaytay
The writer enjoying the open-air veranda.
After we finished our meals, we also brought home some bread and local delicacies from its Deli Shop.
In the light of the prevailing pandemic, Balay Dako By Antonio’s continues to implement its strict safety measures to ensure the safety of its staff and guests. It is now open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, except Mondays in line with the City of Tagaytay Executive Order No. 355 Series of 2021 until further notice.
They are now also accepting events for 2021. For inquiries please e-mail balaydakoevents@gmail.com.
The Metropolitan Theater will house the quincentennial evening show on April 27, 2021, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan, which will serve as the maiden show of MET after 25 years since its closure in 1996.
“Doors of the newly restored Met will be open to all Filipinos from all classes of our society. For this is the people’s theater,” the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso shared a glimpse of the newly restored Metropolitan Theatre on NCCA Official FB Page. MET is set to be inaugurated in 2021.
“The inauguration of the new MET is the culmination of a long arduous journey. This has been made possible by the determined effort of a long line of individuals who share a common dream to bring back to life one of our nation’s cultural treasures. We will strive to do our best to be worthy of this collective effort as well as the high expectations of our people,” Lizaso added. The Commission’s chairman is honored that the realization of the dream to restore and rehabilitate the nation’s theater will happen under his watch.
The Metropolitan Theater will house the quincentennial evening show on April 27, 2021, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan, which will serve as the maiden show of MET after 25 years since its closure in 1996.
Currently, the NCCA and the City of Manila headed by Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso is working on a partnership to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the city at the Metropolitan Theater this June 2021.
In 2015, the NCCA purchased the Metropolitan Theater from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and started its rehabilitation and restoration, with the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines providing the necessary technical expertise. Representatives from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) were also consulted in the rehabilitation of the MET’s Main Theatre.
The NCCA, headed by its chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso, executive director Al Ryan S. Alejandre, deputy executive director Marichu G. Tellano, and supervising officer for administration Bernan Joseph R. Corpuz, is the prime government agency that promotes and develops Philippine arts and culture.
After 17 years of wedded bliss, the couple’s love for each other grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by.
Televiewers may still remember how veteran broadcast journalist Julius Babao and TV host Christine “Tintin” Bersola’s romance blossomed on the set of Alas Singko Y Medya, the former morning show of ABS-CBN.
The good-looking couple had proceeded cautiously before they made a serious long-term commitment.
“Tinutukso-tukso kami hanggang sa ma-develop,” admitted Tintin during the past exclusive interview for a cover photoshoot.
Needless to say, they shared to have the same wavelength, and complement each other.
Said Julius: “I’ve had a crush on Tintin since 1993 . . . I like her because she’s the first person I see in the morning. She’s a very natural person, very bubbly and she balances my personality.”
Said Tintin: “Julius is the right man for me. He’s responsible, has a sense of humor, knows how to handle money, is very generous, and intelligent.”
For Julius, love knows no boundaries. His idea of a good relationship is something that allows a certain amount of “freedom” for both individuals.
For Tintin, it’s being there for each other through thick and thin, with or without money, in a good or bad mood.”
To this day, the couple has been blessed with a happy and fulfilling family life.
The couple has celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary last year. “To 17 years of love & marriage and beyond! Happy anniversary babe @christinebbabao! Love you!” was Julius’s message to her beautiful wife in his IG account @juliusbabao.
Courtesy: @juliusbabao IG account
Julius and Tintin have proven the old saying that “Marriage is like a fine wine, if tended properly, it just gets better with age.”
(Based on the cover story published in the now-defunct Mirror Weekly magazine with the same author)
Her mom didn’t live to see her beautiful Filipino-British mestiza daughter win the crown in the past Binibining Pilipinas beauty competition.
“I wish my mom could see me now,” relates former Binibining Pilipinas-World 1999 Lalaine Edson-Forgham from a previous exclusive interview with the author. Her late mom, Gloria (a Filipina from Pampanga) urged her to join the contest. It was her dream to see her only daughter become a beauty queen.
In the question and answer portion during the 1999 Binibining Pilipinas coronation night: “What do you think is the most beautiful thing in the world today? And what would you do to preserve it?”
“It’s not a thing but a human being — it’s the birth of a child. To preserve it, nurture her with love because she’s our future and she will bring our future to us,” was Lalaine’s reply to the question with much confidence.
She cherishes the experience. “We were all old friends,” she says. “The 39 girls were all friends. We were treated all equally.”
The Binibining Pilipinas was her second contest, the first time was in London in 1995 where she bagged the Miss Philippines UK title. After that, she stopped school and came back to the Philippines to be beside her ailing mom. At present, the Filipino-British mestiza is a photographer and filmmaker based in London.
Lalaine’s favorite beauty queens are Abbygale Arenas and Patti Betita. “They’re beautiful and they walk gracefully,” she shares. “Abby is so kind, she gave me all the points that I should know about in joining a beauty pageant. She gave pointers on how to carry myself, how to walk, and look good. She also taught me how to achieve that winning attitude.”
Being the only child in the family is not at all lonely according to Lalaine. She says she has a lot of cousins to keep her company in times of sadness and happiness.
“I was brought up with my cousins around. So they’re like my brothers and sisters already. My mom raised me with Filipino values,” she shares. “When I was growing up many would say that I got the semblance from my dad, but now I’m more of my mom. The shape of my face, my eyes, and lips are from my mom; the color (hazel gray) of my eyes and eyebrows are from my dad. My nose is half of my dad and mom. And my sense of humor is from my dad.”
Lalaine was born in England. At the age of 10, she stayed in the Philippines for four and a half years. Then she returned to England and stayed until the age of 19. She came back in 1996 and worked in showbiz as a ramp and commercial model. And the rest is history.
Her beauty secret
Lalaine’s beauty secret is never to sleep with her makeup on and after pictorials, she automatically takes off her makeup. Then she washes with soap followed by a moisturizer. Before she goes to sleep, she applies an under-eye cream to lessen the eyebags.
“While we’re still young, we have to look after our skin,” she advises. “When I go out I don’t really put heavy makeup. I just put blush on and lipstick on. The real beauty comes from within. You have to be happy all the time. Smile. So you have a good aura,” she ends.
By: Ruby Asoy-Lebajo
Featured photo: Jun De Leon / file photo
Based on an original article of the author in Mirror Weekly Magazine, 1999
