There was a time in High School when Espadrilles were a must-have. In fact, in our school where there was no shoe-code, Espadrilles were a daily sight. I for one have owned several pairs.
A few years later, the fad became, well, just that, a fad and soon the fashion find faded into obscurity with barely a few noticing. With the onslaught of new footwear brands and ideas into the country, it would only be a matter of time before anyone reintroduced (reminded) us of a time when Espadrilles were such a chic and comfy fashion idea.
It came by way of the Toms, the brand that had a cause and lately, Sueno de Espadrilles. Toms are expensive compared to the latter, but I would not say not worth it. Equally fashionable, the only sad part of the whole Toms craze is that people had started to wear it as a statement or an announcement of class. I think somewhere along the way, people missed the whole point of Toms.
Don’t get me wrong, though: Toms are still quite nice. And I would love to wear one too. But thanks to the entry of the less expensive and thankfully, creatively executed Sueno, the espadrilles are slowly coming back. With a variety of designs and colors, summer has become more comfortable.
Thankfully too, it’s available widely: The Podium (4/F, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City), Mall of Asia (2/F, South Wing, Pasay City), Greenbelt 5 (2/F, Phase 1, Ayala Center, Makati City), Ayala Center Cebu (2/F, Bridgeway, Expansion Bldg., Cebu City) SunCity, Gen. Santos (G/F, SunCity Suites, National Highway, Gen. Santos City) & Chimes Department Store (Davao City).
Their website is currently under construction but you can look up the old one: http://www.wix.com/suenode/sueno
I had the pleasure of visiting the Queen City of the South recently. And though it was mostly for something official, I found the experience something I could go through again and again and again.
I have been there a few times before and each time I would tell myself that it’s a place I could live in and love.
Perhaps in my next trip to this place, I would finally be able to say something with finality. Perhaps decide to live there. How I will sustain myself, though, I have yet to think about.
I have not found a more profound connection with a place than this. I was born and raised in Manila yet I’ve always had this indifference to it. Compared, Manila definitely has more places that offer more choices. Truth be told, I like variety and I feel my own growth is stifled when not given enough places, people and other things to experience.
Yet the limits that Cebu offers do not drive me away from it. For now, I think that Cebu is like a love affair I have yet to fully experience to know that I could live with it.
My friends have already planned a trip. I am nervous about how I will feel after.
My childhood is a mix of music, books and movies. It was hardly about games. We did not have that luxury. So even if I hardly have any emotional connection to this, I am quite excited.
THE CHRISTMAS COD MANNEQUIN SHOW COMES ALIVE AT THE GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER
When the Manila COD closed down decades ago, another tradition also ceased—its annual Christmas mannequin show. I’m not sure of ever having been brought there by my parents as I no longer have a memory of it. But a lot of my friends still do and even have the photos to show. In recent years, though the Greenhills Shopping Center got together with the family that owned the COD and offered to bring to life that very show. With little prodding, the show did come back to life.
In fact, the show has started its run (Nov 13) and will do so until January 2, coinciding with the Christmas Night Market. Dubbed as “Christmas in Wonderland,” the show comes on every half hour from 6:30pm to 11:30pm everyday.
If you happen to pass by the area, I suggest you watch out for the show. It never fails to delight kids of all ages. For all things Greenhills Shopping Center, visit their website: http://www.greenhills.com.ph.
PROJECT HEADSHOT CLINIC PROMTOES HIV TESTING ON ITS 3RD YEAR
The National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the Department of Health (DOH) recently reported that in the month of August of this year, there were 108 new HIV positive individuals confirmed. You might say it is indeed unfortunate. But when you realize that this actually represents a 77% increase compared to the same period last year, you will definitely say it’s alarming.
Here are other alarming facts:
In 2007, there was one new case of HIV infection diagnosed each day. In 2009, there were two new cases each day. For 2010, there are more than four cases of HIV infection diagnosed each day. From 2007 there has been a shift in the predominant trend of sexual transmission of the virus from heterosexual contact (28%) to males having sex with males (72%).
The total number of cases in 2010 is 1,048 and the total number of reported cases since 1984 is 5,472.
Notably, 80% of that figure is represented by males having sex with other males (MSM).
While it might be argued that a portion of this incidence are and can be attributed to inadvertent contact with the virus, the fact that a great percentage of infection still come from “informed and consensual” sexual contact is much cause for alarm.
TAKE COURAGE
Yes, there is still no cure for HIV infection. Victory is still very far but thanks to people who persist and continue to fight this disease, a few milestones have been achieved.
You might have heard of a vital part of treatment and care, for HIV-positive individuals such as an antiretroviral therapy, a way to prevent their infection from progressing into AIDS.
Currently, antiretroviral drugs or ARVs are being given for free to HIV positive individuals through the help of the Global Fund. But the supply is estimated to last only until 2012. But given the current trend in the HIV epidemic, ensuring an adequate supply of ARVs is a challenge that needs to be addressed by government as well as various sectors of society.
You know what I think will definitely help? A change in attitude towards the disease.
You can do this two ways: take precaution by way of condoms or get yourself tested.
A vital key to prevention is testing. The earlier you know your HIV status, the better chances for you to be able to take care of yourself and help prevent the spread of the virus. Note that only 7% of males who have sex with males have been tested for HIV within the past year, and know their status.
And as far as information on where to avail of services on HIV, only 29% among males who have sex with males are being reached. Ideally, 80% of at-risk populations should be reached, if the country is to attain Millennium Development Goal 6, which is to “halt and reverse the spread of HIV infection by 2015.”
Just recently, Project Headshot Clinic led a testing activity. Together with the Take The Test and AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP), they launched Project Head Shot Clinic: ACT, an HIV and AIDS awareness campaign that promotes HIV testing.
This project is part of the World AIDS Campaign, in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
You might notice a trend in my posts. I have been all over the net in search of the best home ideas. I’ve been to sites about furniture and homes but as far as ideas - real new and new takes on traditional ones - are concerned, this has got to be one of the best in the entire cyberlandscape.
Click on the title of this post to be led to the blog site.
As I was browsing the net for interior home ideas, one of the images that Google sprung out was a photo of President Obama moving Oval Office furniture. As I clicked on the link, I was led to the Official Flickr Photostream of the White House. How cool is that?
Click on the title of this post to be led to the Photo stream.
MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST
I may be accused as a little too worldly with this post. I say there’s nothing wrong with it as long as I don’t actually badger my friends for them. Haha! This of course also serves as a shopping list; some of the items here, I might strike out because of budgetary constraints. If there is anything to call this, it’s a reflection of my current sense of aesthetics — including what I think is cool and what truly completes my days. It also reflects how I choose to reward myself.
One of the most fun things to do is putting together or decorating a new home. I have not done this in a really long time. And now that the opportunity has presented itself, I am more than eager to do my share. MY sister recently got a house somewhere in the outskirts of Manila. It’s a townhouse just big enough for us three - my mom, my sister and me. So my sister and I have agreed to keep it understated. Which is all good since that is what I have always wanted and that is also what this home can accommodate.
We also want it light in terms of hues. So no dark drapes will ever be seen covering our windows. Of course, it helps that the exterior aesthetics of the house does not call for anything garish. Haha!
As we plot out this little home decorating activity, we found ourselves in Our Home, Dimensione and Muji. Our Home, for a living room chair to go with the couch we plan to bring in from our Manila home; Dimensione for a console table and Muji for my room’s shelves.
There was a time in High School when Espadrilles were a must-have. In fact, in our school where there was no shoe-code, Espadrilles were a daily sight. I for one have owned several pairs. 
