TOPAZ HORIZON

A few days ago, I was at a lunch at the elegant and old Manila Peninsula Hotel where Pond's Age Miracle was relaunched. Married couple Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez were there as the brand's new endorsers. Charlene looked as stunning as she once did when she stood as our Miss Philippines at the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, and Aga, at 39, still looked like the teenage heartthrob he once was. The couple talked about their love story. Aga said that Charlene is even more beautiful now than when they got married eight years ago. All of us media guests swooned and sighed as the couple answered questions from the audience. I had to leave early but I really wanted to ask Aga this: "Not all of us look like Charlene. What can you tell women who do grow old and are worried that their husbands won't like what they see?" 

Halloo, dear neglected readers!

It's been very cold in this neck of the woods--a season which is rare in the tropical paradise that is the Philippines and even rarer in the noisy, smelly, polluted jungle that is Manila. On one hand, my skin is parched and dry; on the other hand, my scarves, coats, thick stockings and cardigans have been dug out of the closet and seen the light of the watery sun.

December to February, being the cool months, is also the season for weddings and parties. In the past few weeks alone, we've gotten so many party and wedding invitations. Hence, I've been away from y'all. And now I just discovered I've nothing to wear anymore to the next round of parties so my sister Jacqui and I are off to get some brand new threads! Will update with a real nice post soonest!

Take care!

I am still alive. Spent the last 13 days...

... having a wonderful party with my high school friends Tatin, Stephanie and May
... exploring the walkways in Makati with Vince and resolving to exercise more because, dammit, those stairs took our breath away!
... paying for overdue bills!!!
... opening a checking account because I will no longer use credit cards and will instead pay with checks! NO TO HSBC CREDIT CARDS! The damn bank refused to reverse the charges.
... cleaning the house for the Real Living photo shoot
... having a great time at the Real Living shoot, the staff of which taught me how to arrange flowers and how to arrange our shoe collection
... going to my stylist Louis Kee at his fantabulous uber posh new salon and getting a sexy haircut, great new color and highlights, a terrific hair treatment, and an hour-long massage... bliss!
... buying new bedsheets at SM Makati with Vince
... and trying to avoid all the malls (unsuccessfully, too) because of all the sales! Imagine that--pretty dresses, fab shoes, great books, discount furniture, and a lot more!

That's it. Just checking in while I catch my breath!