I'm a Barbie Girl...

Famous Filipino designers have created doll size couture ballet costumes for every girl’s favorite toy—Barbie!

The dolls were auctioned off to raise money for the Ballet Philippines organization. There were no rules, but designers were told to design something a ballerina could wear as a costume.

The roster of participating designers includes Pepito Albert, Aureo Alonso, Jerome Ang, Ivarluski Aseron, Avel Bacudio, Vittorio Barba, Alex Bitong, JC Buendia, Mitzi Quilendrino-Bustos, Louis Claparols, Auggie Cordero, Dong Omaga Diaz, Patrice Ramos Diaz, Rhett Eala, Joel Escober, Ramon Esteban, Veejay Floresca, Tan-Gan by Solenn Heussaff, Cesar Gaupo, Katrina Goulborn, Len Nepomuceno-Guiao, Sassa Jimenez, Gerry Katigbak, Rajo Laurel, Brian Leyva, Jojie Lloren, Jerome Lorico, Dennis Lustico, Pitoy Moreno, New Yorker by Tina Lirag, Tippi Ocampo, Randy Ortiz, Frederick Peralta, Eric Pineda, Puey Quinones, Barge Ramos, James Reyes, Mike de la Rosa, Joey Samson, Cary Santiago, and Eric delos Santos.

Check out some of the designs here…

Lulu Tan Gan- Solenn Heusaff

Tippi Ocampo Collection

Randy Ortiz Collection

Rajo Laurel Collection

Puey Quinones Collection

Louis Claparols

Pitoy Moreno Creation

Len Nepomuceno Guiao Collection

Joey Samson Collection

Jerome Lorico Collection

James Reyes Collection

Ivarluski Aseron Collection

Fredrick Peralta Collection

Eric Pineda Creation

Dennis Lustico Collection

Cesar Gaupo Collection

Aureo Alonzo Creation

Auggie Cordero Collection

Alex Bitong Collection

Commercial Time

Some are similar to American commercials, and some couldn't be more different...

Check out these Philippine commercials!

FITA




Bingo


McDonalds


Jollibee


Coca Cola

Save a Tree

Deforestation

In 2001 less than 8 % of the country was covered by original tropical rainforest! Less than 100 years ago this was still 70 %! The deforestation has to bestopped to save the biodiversity andthe productivity of the forest as a natural resource. If not, there will be no rainforest left within 15 years.

Species in Danger due to deforestation

the tarsier (smallest monkey in the world)

the large Philippine Eagle

the Philippine cockatoo

flying lemurs

flower peckers

the Philippine crocodile

• The Anti Logging Movement Since 1994 the national Philippine government has been making serious efforts to stop the illegal logging. Laws and rigid regulations were announces and conservation programs were started in order to protect the rainforest. Heres how many loggers get away with it: Licenses are permits only for cutting a limited amount of trees (Just enough for forest- management) However, the practice is that these permits are used multiple times. Thats illegal! Recent actions of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) were succesfull in Northern Samar. In June 6, 2001, a fragmentation grenade was thrown at the tent used as a temporary shelter for anti-logging environmentalists. It was seen as a miracle that the hand grenade didn't explode. Investigation showed that its pin was already removed and that the safety lever already was detached. The eight environmentalists, who were resting inside the te nt, would have been killed if the grenade had gone off. It was thought that the attack was meant ´to silence´ the anti-logging groups." - The Philippines Official Website (http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/forest3.htm)

Girly Girl...

Ever heard of Monique Lhuillier?

I heard the name before...

Well this amazingly talented deisgners was born and raised in the philippines!

Cool...

Watch this video which features her Spring/Summer 2008 Collection! (I know its older, but its still BEAUTIFUL!!)



Wow...check out how her style has evolved with this more receint video from her 2010/11 Autumn/ Winter collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion week.

Pimp My Jeep

What the * is a Jeepney?

Well since you asked...A Jeepney is a vehicle made up of old World War II jeep parts. Its the most popular form of transportation in Manila (the capital of the Philippines for those of you who might have forgotten).

Think of it as a make shift taxi, and it only costs a total of 2.5 pesos to ride (about 20ents).

Jeepneys come in all different colors, and no two are the same. People find odd parts and use them any way they can, and some people even attach motorcycles to the bottom of the jeepneys to power them!


The Jeepney belongs to the Philippines just like the yellow cab belongs to New York or the red double-decker bus belongs to London...Icon? I think so…


Like many other automotive icons, they mirror the soul of the city: improvised, colorful, enduring and relentlessly cheerful.

Drivers painted the jeeps in bright colors to attract customers, competing to come up with the most ostentatious designs. The jeeps were also stretched to accommodate long bench seats. You commonly see chrome plating, forests of hood ornaments, colorful wheels, flashing lights, religious iconography, or names of sons and daughters. The only rule is that they must be over-the-top.
 Some feature advertising for local products and charities. Today’s jeepneys are cobbled together with used engines, second-hand transmissions, several steel bars, sheet metal, reconditioned tires, and bitsand pieces salvaged from dead automobiles in independent factories.

Little Miss Perfect

Some say Miss Philippines Venus Raj made the biggest mistake of her life with her answer to the final question at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant...

Actor Billy Baldwin asked Raj her final question: "What is one big mistake you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?

Raj gracefully smiled and thanked Baldwin for his "wonderful" question, then responded: "In my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean problem that I have done in my life because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here!"

Many say that the fact Raj was unable to point out a single personal weakness likely cost her the crown.

Since when is living a respectful and commendable life a bad thing? Philippino culture is very reserved and polite, and this is exactly how Raj was raised.

Yes, she could have given some form of answer even if it was a small mistake on her part, but Philippine culture has Hiya in mind.

Cultural Info: Hiya cannot be exactly translated into English but is close to the word shame. This word holds great importance to the Philippine people, and they go about their everyday lives to avoid this. It is a huge part of their culture and family, and many will go to great lengths in avoidance of it.

Did anyone every take this into consideration when Raj gave her answer in front of the world?

Get Your Flags Straight...

Someone made a big oopsie!

Here is an example of how understanding other countries culture has never been more important…

Back in late September, President Aquino of the Philippines joined President Obama at the 2^nd ASEAN-US leaders meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York.

There was a major issue at the meeting… The Philippino flag was turned upside down!

Cultural Background: The flag, which has a blue strip and a red strip, represents different things then the red strip is on top or the blue strip is on top. When the red strip is on top that means the country is at war, and when the blue strip is on top that means the country is a t peace.

Wait a minute…The US State department who was responsible for the event, said it was an honest mistake, but the damage is done. Once the meeting had started, viewers saw the mistake, but security as too tight and no one was able to go and fix the flag in time.

No one is admitting who exactly I responsible for the flag conundrum…but this is quite embarrassing for the Philippines and especially for a president who has been in office less than a year.