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.

The Pacman

Two words…Manny Pacquiao.

This 31-year-old boxing sensation is

said to be possibly the best boxer to ever enter the ring, and the people of the Philippines couldn’t agree more.

HE is HUGE (and I mean HUGE) in the Philippines...

He is the only man in the world to ever win a world championship in 8-weight division from 105-148 pounds, and even the insurgents will cease-fire for him.

Manny is known to for two things

1. His ability to hit equally as heard with his right and left and his

2. His constant smile

They say the closest Manny gets to the mat is when he kneels to pray after every fight…wow.

Born in the small town General Santos, Manny’s mother struggled to raise him and his five siblings. They would miss school regularly to help h

er sell cigarettes throughout the streets and secretly snuck off to boxing for 100 pesos (2 dollars) a fight.

2 to 2 million dollars a fight sounds like success to me…

At the age of fourteen Manny snuck on a boat traveling to the big city of Manila where continued to train and earn money for the family.

At 16, Manny was ready for the big leagues. One problem, he weighed 98 pounds and the minimum is 105 pounds. So being the clever man that he is, Manny simply put a few heavy objects in his pockets so he would make the weight..

And so the legend begins…

Upon becoming the world flyweight champion, Manny was awarded with a trip to Hollywood where he ended up at the wild card gym.

Trainer Freddy Roach, who has coached 28 world champions, challenged Manny and soon came to realize how talented the young man was.After training with Roach,

Manny was scheduled to fight Oscar de la Hoya, and no one had faith he could win the fight.

After nine rounds De La Hoya quit the match…and boxing all together.

You can find Manny everywhere in the Philippines. He is a boxer, business man, icon, and brand.

Manny even ran for Congressman…and WON! It seems that he is unstoppable in almost every aspect of his life, and with his humble and respectful demeanor it is hard not to love him!

Bebot Bebot Bet

Everyone knows the Black Eyed Peas…

We know this musical powerhouse for turning out hit after hit…Songs like “Don’t Funk With My Heart, Push It, and I Got a Feeling have everyone listening to the groups funky and contagious beats. The most recognized front man Will.i.am. and the beautiful Fergie lead the group, but can anyone even name the other two members?

Well there’s that one guy with long hair….and that other guy who raps in Filipino right?

Jaime Gomez better known as Taboo, is the member many recognize by his long dark hair and has been a part of the Black Eyed Peas since the early 1990’s before Fergie even joined. The final member, Allan Pineda better known as Apl.de.ap, is an original founder of the band. Apl.de.ap met Will.i.am in the late 1980’s, and the two decided to collaborate on a few songs…the rest is history.

An original member of the Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.ap has had

huge influence on the group and has lead many songs throughout the group’s history. One of his songs "The Apl Song" on the Peas' 2003 album Elephunk, includes cameos by fellow Filipino-Americans Dante Basco and Chad Hugo. It is also a tribute to the Filipinos who fought for the U.S. in World War II; the song reached number one in the Philippines. The song also references hardships throughout Apl.de.ap ‘s life including the death of two of his siblings. Another song entitled "Bebot" (which is Filipino slang for pretty woman) is Apl.de.ap’s most recognized song and is completely in Tagolog. Pronounced (ta-gol-ig), meaning ‘river-dweller,’ this Spanish and Latin based language is the official tongue of the Philippines.

This song was an instant hit in the Philippines, and Apl.de.ap performed live during HBO's Marquez Vs. Pacquiao 2 countdown show. Pacquiao, who is one of the biggest stars in the Philippines, also used the song as an entrance theme.

Apl.de.ap has used his fame to expose more of the Philipino culture, and he finds it very important to remember were he came from. In 2009, Apl.de.ap partnered with the Philippine Department of Tourism, and created a video that visually underscores Apl’s lyric homage to his homeland. Entitled “Take Me to the Philippines,” the song was also collaboration with MTV Asia to promote tourism in the Philippines.