Hi, Girls, I'm Back!

That's me in KC Concepcion's tone in her Palmolive Naturals TVC.

Whoah! It's been more than a month since I last posted an entry and more than months since I updated my blog like I used to do.

There are two important life events that happened during the months of my absence and I'm quite sad that Superloved missed to share these things with you. Real time updates are only posted on Twitter, uploaded on Instagram, and my random, silly and shallow ideas are shared on Facebook. 

Now I'm trying to pull my old self back with blog posts of endless photos (I have a lot to share since October!) s-l-o-w-l-y. For the mean time, feel free to sneak and find hints on my photos on Instagram (@MsMarianneMarcial) and follow me on Twitter (@mariannemarcial) too.

And before I end this wonderful comeback, I want to break the news myself, although this isn't new anymore:

1. I am engaged.

2. I am four months pregnant.

Have a great hair day!

♥,

Marianne

A New Life Is Coming

Weeks have passed, my silence brought me to a decision that will change my life forever. I can't even contain the happiness I'm feeling but there is something I'm certain of right now.

Happy news become the happiest when shared with your closest, best friends. 

I simply cannot wait for that day to come. The day I was sent to the hospital taught me so many lessons in life and made me realize that life is always full of surprises. The opening may not always begin with a big bang, but God never gives us something He knows we can't handle and overcome. I am beyond thankful for my parents, sisters, cousins and few friends who share the most exciting, life changing moment I'm currently in.

And if the world only knows how much I want that day to come, I'm super sure that it would throw the petals and the confetti for me.

I'm new, complete, and whole again. 

Thank you for this wonderful gift. I've never been excited to embrace this new life coming. And oh, should I say it's on its way? :)

♥,

Marianne

Babble

For the first time in two years, I hardly had the time to make my face up as much as I want to.

A couple of moments I've said that something new and thrilling is happening. I can't wait to unbox this new event but trust me, I think it's pretty great to possess the virtue of patience.

Every morning I try to open up my eyes after a short seven hours of sleep. It's like I live in a different time zone. My senses are wide awake until one in the morning, far from my daily routine of calling a day at ten in the evening.

At work, I meet new people. And as the day goes by, I slowly reshowing the people around me how youthful and bubbly I really am. I laugh harder than before. I'm not even aware of cracking jokes in unexpected instances. I get to the office, turn on my computer and realize in the next couple of hours that I need to go home. The feeling is like I only stay at my workplace for more or less three hours.

I'm so happy to be placed on where I am now. But a part of me is still missing the life I used to have. I'm slowly adapting, I'm slowly learning. I'm getting used to it. Maybe in a month or two, I'll be better.

I may not know the world, but I'm ready to meet it.

And in less than three weeks, I'm turning another year older. More responsibilities, more chances and so much more.

#$%\@\&*!(#(#&$

Suddenly I realized I'm becoming more and more emotional.

I hate it.

Good night! New stories this weekend! :)

♥,

Marianne

A Few More Learnings

One shouldn't commit a mistake twice when he said he had already learned from it.
Wounds and bruise hurt, and even if they're healed, they left scars to remind us of things. In life, we are given options--to stay or to go away. Which one do we have to choose?
Watching Gossip Girl for years now, I realized that my life isn't that far from what Blair or Serena or anyone else there has been going through. I'd like to write a book someday and collect all the beautiful quotes written and said, and share my personal stories on it. And just like Blair, the Chuck of her life both love and harm her.

Love isn't enough. You must be happy, too.

Season 5, Episode 20 - Salon of the Dead.
Dan: I don't wanna just melt into your world and lose myself completely. We need a balance.
Not all opposites attract. And not all differences can be changed. They simply have to be... accepted.

Season 3, Episode 12 - The Debarted
Gossip Girl: Sometimes reality comes crashing into us. Other times it dawns on us slowly, despite our best efforts to ignore it.
Reality hurts, it's even more painful than getting inked on the body's boney parts.

Season 1, Episode 10 - Hi, Society
Gossip Girl: It's often said that, no matter the truth, people see that they want to see.
How important other people's opinions are?

And lastly...


Season 5, Episode 17 - The Princess Dowry
Gossip Girl: Even when we think we know everything about the ones we love, there's always a skeleton in their walk-in closet.
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Marianne

Busyness Is Next To Success

Being employed for two years in TV5, this week so far is the busiest of all. I never even had the chance to stay in front of my desktop for five long days.

New exciting things are happening in my career now yet I can't share them for now. I'm itching to tell even a hint but I'm too scared to have it jinxed again. Patience, patience! All I know is my busyness is leading me to the right-er path. Oh gosh I am so lucky and thankful to be surrounded only by the best and the brightest in the industry.

While running on the streets with my high heels on and with a kiss of Morange lipstick on my smackers, I realized that new lessons in life, too girly or not, are learned everyday, everywhere.

Some of them, let me share with you.

1. Never buy shoes when you aren't going to use them. Two pairs of shoes are worn this week after finding out that they are starting to peel off. 

2. Related to number 1, I shall practice walking (and running) in heels again. I thought running a la Ashley in Just My Luck is so AHA days. Ever since I became a Kapatid, I have loved flats and wedges like I have never loved them before. It's time to rekindle my love for temporary heights.

3. Writing is smarter than talking... always. But isn't it lovely to sound smart every time you utter a word? I hate conyo like I'm asar talaga when I hear people speak that way. Hahaha. But seriously, it's time for me to practice my speech and sound like a real professional does and not the pa-sosyal way. Peace! :)

4. Never compare. When you start comparing, you start losing yourself. When you think someone is a threat, you're losing the game. Love yourself, be yourself! 

5. Be thankful to those who know your worth. Like I've said many times, I'm so lucky to be a baby of such a powerful group. I reach for my dreams with my feet (in heels) glued on the ground. 

6. Always smile. It brightens up the mood of others and boozes up the confidence in you. And who knows, your smile can save a life. Yes it does! 

7. Surround yourself with true friends. And stay away to those you know who will only do you harm. Thank you, Monthly Period. 

Have a great weekend! :)

♥,

Marianne

Ten Reasons Why I Love My Mom

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! This one's for you. :)

1. 

2.

3.

4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Seriously. Mom, there are countless reasons why I love you. I can't think of any good reason to start to tell the world why you're a cool, very loving and why you're the best mother for me and for my sisters. I stared at nothingness for nearly two minutes and I realized that five is not enough, and one thing topping the another is quite impossible.

Our relationship is far from what people watch in soap operas, in movies. It's not what I even read in books and heard from others. Your motherhood is different. It is unique. And like the rest, your love, it's unconditional. 

I may not tell you everything that happens in every single day of my life, but when I speak, I listen.

You may not always say how much you love us, but all your actions show how much you're willing to do anything for us.

Above all, I truly admire how much you take care of your Nanay, my Lola. Please know that I will do the same for you and I will give you all the best in life. Hanggang sa abot ng aking makakaya, Mommy! Promise!

Always take care of yourself, Mommy. I love you.

And from this day onward, I vow to live everyday of my life loving you, making you feel beyond special, as if everyday is Mother's Day.

♥,

Marianne

Slam Books

We had no Facebook but we had slam books (or known to others as autograph books).

In one corner of the room are my bags not in use. Since the Holy Week break, I've been thinking of giving those poor bags away to the needy but I didn't find time to do such. Thank heavens for the Labor Day, it was the perfect day to do it. I placed them inside an old canvass bag and asked my Mom to check it (baka may magustuhan sya, sayang nga naman).

Voila! Clearer, cleaner and bigger space remained. As I continued dusting my trolley box, I looked back on things and reminded my self why I was keeping them. Brand tags, movie tickets, receipts, pens, keychains and little trinkets. I inspected them one by one. Some were oddly kept in tumblers and containers of different sizes. I threw away the other stuff I'd no longer use like notebooks from high school and photocopies of lessons I thought I would be using in college. Old resumes for summer jobs and trainings, internship and workshops, torn brown envelops (I can't remember why I kept them)--I put these in the trash bin.

In the end, the bin weighed heavier than four kilos. The only things remained in my trolley box are the things I'm sure I'd keep forever, like slam books.

Slam books.

You're a certified 90's child if once in your life you got addicted to these special notebooks. During the last few weeks of the school year, these notebooks were passed around the classroom. I got so hooked in slam books I even found myself buying every quarter and had the same people sign those over and over again!

Some of my favorite items in my slam books are: (1) Friends. It's always cool to find your name written by a classmate even if you're not from the same "group". You'll gain a number of friends when you own the slam book (AGREE?). (2) Motto. I gathered all the motto and wrote them in a separate notebook. I found them so inspiring! Maaga ako na-inspire sa buhay. :) (3) Describe yourself. Honestly, I banned those who answered JUDGE ME or JUDGE MEEEH! Haha! (4) Define love. The ordinary ones answered, "Love is blind." (See item 2, TIME IS GOLD). As a kid, my favorite was "Love is like a rosary, full of mystery." Applicable until now.  Lastly, (5) Dedication. It's the heart of the message. While some wrote "Thanks for letting me sign here." and end the message with J-A-P-A-N, and others composed a message with their photos pasted on the small box as "required", the most striking and touching part for me is to be called Yanyan.

Before the nick Yannie, I was called Yanyan. And only a few can call me Yanyan sweetly and perfectly. On the day I reread the letters, dedications and messages for me, I felt so important to these people--the people who have seen me grow, who saw me in my siete haircut with full bangs, a la bulldog cheeks and crooked teeth and still called me beautiful. And caring. And cheerful. As we grew taller and more mature, the nick Yanyan has turned into Mar and/or Yan, yet nothing's changed. They are still the few ones who once called me Yanyan.

And no, these friends did not end their messages with J-A-P-A-N, but with FRIENDS FOREVER.

We are still friends up to this very moment, and we are keeping our words to be forever friends together with my slam books.

♥,

Marianne

Whereabouts: April 2012

April has been a very good month for me. It's pretty amazing how wonderful things happened in one month. From family matters to the undisputed friendship I have with Monthly Period and to my ever glowing career path and love life, I must say the things I'm constantly praying for are blessed upon me.

I shall continue sharing my blessings while counting them. Thank you, Jesus! I couldn't ask for more. 0:)

++

April happenings, here ya go!

1. HTC event at the Sky Lounge. I went there with Paolo, Tin, and Don to support Kuya Carlo. I'm a big iPhone fan but let me tell you that getting an HTC phone unit is almost the same as getting an iPhone. Trust me!

Tin and I chilling, literally. It's so windy atop but good thing I've got my trusty black blazers with me. I claim I can't live without blazers now. They add oomph and IQ into any outfit (smart-looking girls get longer attention!).

2. Kittycat's rainbow birthday required girls to wear orange or yellow. The other thing I looked for next to this celebration is seeing our baby Nei-Nei! She's one cutie patootie but was a sleeping beauty when we went up to the family's place. Next time, Ninang Yannie's gonna play with you, honey! Plus I've got something stylish for you!

3. Bon voyage, Baj! Our kuya CJ aka Baj (the one being lifted) left for LA last week. We had a simple farewell party for him on a weekday and munched on his ever favorite Jollibee Spaghetti! See you in December, kuya!

4. GUESS WHO'S BACK. My forever seatmate is now back after her maternity leave. Time zooms, as in! She didn't even look like giving birth at all. She's slimmer than ever, even slimmer than I am! I adore your fab pregnancy! No stretchmarks and everythang! You got that, girl! Oh btw, with us is our other officemate, Kim.

5. The undisputed Monthly Period. Period. We're back! And we're almost complete! It's always awesome how unplanned events turn into the best ones, ever! A simple conversation via SMS without even trying to match our busy schedules led the way for us to have a dinner, a booze and a coffee together. All in one, impulsive night!

It's the coffee/birthday treat of our beloved Toto! We had our group's name written on the cups! Thanks for the coffee, girl. I love you soooo much! How can I ever live without you? :)

6. Then came my blocked screening ticket for The Avengers care of my boss. Since Paolo's in Batangas for work, I knew it's only Toto who can qualify as my bf for a day. We watched it together in SM Mall of Asia and had our late lunch at Bistro Ravioli.

7. Baby Kalyx in our arms. Yes! One hot, sunny, Saturday late afternoon we, again, "unplanningly" planned visiting the newest baby of our barkada, Kalyx. :)

Iba talaga kapag biglaan! Other April whereabouts include my zumba and no-rice, only greens and peas diet, and moooore.

And another highlight this April is getting a domain. Forget about the DASH, my blog can now be easily accessed via www.mariannemarcial.com. Thanks, Bimbs! You really surprised me!

Hope you're all having a good time like me!

♥,

Marianne

Baby Bee Beau Bu

Five women close to my heart gave birth to five equally beautiful babies in a span of two months. Almost a month ago, my Facebook home page was flooded with graduation photos but now, it turned out to be a nursery section with photos and tags of sweet, angelic captured moments. The innocent smiles of these babies light up the world of my dearest friends and family!

I grabbed these photos from their moms' Facebook accounts. Meet baby boys Kyle and Kalyx and baby girls Nei-Nei, Naomi and Lilly. Happy cuddling!

Name: Mikyle Kendric

Nickname: Kyle

Mommy: Kristine Lim, friend/colleague

Name: Daenerys Zarya

Nickname: Nei-Nei

Mommy: Kim Inciong, friend

Name: Naomi Kourtney

Nickname: Naomi

Mommy: Ann Quong-Sapla, family friend

Name: Jalson Kalyx Simeon

Nickname: Kalyx

Mommy: Kristel Tan, friend

Name: Samantha Lilly

Nickname: Lilly

Mommy: Nice Marcial-Cortez, cousin

It's so heartwarming to stare at their photos. I wish they'll grow up according to what their parents pray for. Asleep or awake, these babies take my breath away and melt my heart in an instant. I salute the moms of these lovely creatures for braving the delivery! I treasure my mom EVEN MORE because of you!

♥,

Marianne

Surround Yourself With Creative People

I lack creativity--fact. I've been thinking for almost an hour now on how I can creatively write this thought until I realized that I need no extra uniqueness since I'm not... creative.

Creative [kree-ey-tiv] adjective (1) having the power of creating; (2) resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative: creative writing. (3) originative; productive.

If we're playmates on Draw Something, then you'd know I'm not a pro in drawing even a simple man so I always end up using the sticks. Back in school I accepted the fact that I'm not qualified in poster making contests, junk art projects and anything related to designing, illustrations, painting and sketches. Ask me to join an essay writing contest, a quiz bee or, as my friends call it, the boring ones, I promise to bring home the bacon for my section.

But my lack of creativity doesn't stop me from living the colorful life. Type the word creative on MS Word, highlight it then press Shift + F7. Imaginative, inspired, innovative. Aha! I have to believe it! I am creative in my own way. I may not be THAT artistic but I am productive. See, there's a liter of creative juices inside us. We just need to know how to squeeze it properly. :)

I ventured into fashion styling with the help of my friends who believe in me like Mika of MARiS and Kim of Royal Kouture. I made this blog so I can write and share my thoughts the wittiest and the sincerest way I can and I think it's the creativity in me that make things possible. And even if brushstrokes, watercolors and canvass aren't made for me, the good news is I know how to appreciate them. I know my craft.

There are three girls who live the "artsy" life for me. I'm so happy I came to stumble upon their amazing sites. I'm no longer longing for the perfect hands because my eyes are already perfect enough to see and admire their works. Meet cousins Alessandra Lanot of Life After Breakfast and Noelle Hilario of Wanderlust Drifted and international designer Niki Pilkington.

Just a few words about them.

Alessandra Lanot is Patty Laurel's BFF, my peg-for-life! She has a wonderful collection of watercolor illustrations. I think she's a genius when it comes to weddings (since I follow Patty's life through her blog, I know that she's the one who helped Patrick in getting Patty her engagement ring and made a cute blog post about it). Also, one of the favorite things I saw in her blog is their wedding menu. I want something like this on my wedding. Look!

The Timeline Of Love is just super cute! 

(From Life After Breakfast)

When it comes to traveling the 'indie' way, Noelle Hilario is the (wo)man! I also adore how she stays fit. She's a vegan and she does yoga. She's the only girl I know (online) who makes her own milk tea. In Tagalog, nagdidikdik sya ng mga dahon para makagawa ng sarili nyang tsaa. She's another peg for life like Patty. The only restrictions are I can't be a vegan because I looooove food and I can't be a surfer because I'm scared of big waves. That's all! And reading her blog always leads me to other links of my interests. I love you, Miss Wanderlust Drifted, you're so very hippie! <3

To quote Noelle, "organic apple cider drinks in recycled bottles, stripe straws from divisoria with little flags which i did myself and customized 'happy birthday' stamp made by the neighborhood stamp maker (:"

(From Wanderlust Drifted)

Lastly, Niki Pilkington! As I've said, reading Noelle's blog will link you to other equally admirable blogs/websites. Ms. Pilkingon's clients include Topshop, Evelyn and Crabtree, Elle, Elle Girl and MTV. Her illustrations are nothing but marvelous, it made me ask why in the first place did not pursue learning the art of arts. (Sorry, I'm opposing my earlier opinions!) But going back, hover on the link to see her other works with my favorite:

This girl in blue resembles Patty Laurel and the birdie is my boyfriend's favorite: mayna!

(From Nikipilkington.com)

How can I not be inspired? They standout. And because of them, I was able to see the clip 29 Ways To Be Creative!

# 11 is the title.

♥,

Marianne

All Grown-Up

I'm all grown-up now. I earn my own money, I pay tax, I pay bills and buy my own things. I'm all grown-up now because I can go anywhere, stay outdoors until the next day and I'm all grown-up now because I know the value of hard-earned money and the importance of free time. 

And most of all, I'm all grown-up now because I have half-nude photos taken.

DISCLAIMER: Yes, half-nude photos. But don't take it seriously or don't think that I'm a sex bomb or a bold star or something. I just wanted to achieve this kind of peg without maliciousness playing at the back of your mind. It's nothing but a pure desire of doing or getting something you want. :)

And no need to guess who's the right person to take the photos for me. My boyfriend did it. I told him if it's alright for him to take shots of me "almost" topless, in bed, without makeup. He didn't hesitate to say yes, because he knows what I want.

This one was also on the top of my list of "10 Things To Do Before I Turn 23". I'm so glad we did it exactly a day before I turned a year older and I'm also happy to share that I fulfilled the other 9! Yes to life!

Over all we had 13 photos taken and these three are my top favorites. I also watermarked the boyfriend's name for reasons that you already know, and edited them in black and white for a more classic look (plus I wanted to keep the original ones only for us two).

I really find the outputs cool and still wholesome! I felt like a model in a bath soap TV commercial or an endorser of an anti-bacne (back acne) cream. Anne Curtis, Marian Rivera and Kim Chiu did it in Palmolive, MaxiPeel and Olay ads respectively, I did it for myself. Leveling? No, confidence and determination. And besides, anyone can do this! Not a big deal!

Party Animal

I celebrated the eve of my birthday with my sisters and my closest friends! This is actually the first time we threw a party with a theme and you know it, everybody's required to wear something with animal prints. Men are not excused.

Photos from my friend, JC, who fortunately took up photography classes hence good quality pics!

The birthday girl aka me enjoying the drink Janbie prepared! My visitors called the drinks we served "Unknown Mixed Drinks" because we honestly couldn't tell them what they were drinking! Paolo unfortunately left the grenadine so there were no cocktails but we had vodkas and beers.

With JC who used my zebra-printed scarf because he got so scared when I seriously told him he can't eat and drink without it! Good boy! Next time, obey the rules!!!

Paolo's cousin, Janbie, helped us with the drinks!!! The party went on smoothly with his skills! Thanks, Bie!

My birthday (cup)cakes! It was my idea and Paolo brought it to life. Aww. <3 Frosting in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla. Wilton and Betty Crocker, thank you too!

Photo courtesy of JC's girlfriend Mau! The shoe I wore is a gift from my Monthly Period friends! Yay to them knowing my shoe size! ♥

You know I love stolen shots. I looked so angas there!

More candid pictures taken while convincing my friends Rachel and Toto to kiss. Hahaha!!!

Possible caption for this photo (because I'm torn between 2 funny descriptions):

1 - With the latest member of Girlfriends, Toto. (OR)

2 - With Rachel's boyfriend, Toto.

Next are the pictures from Kim and Mon's camera:

Back view. Aww I like this one! It's minutes before the girls left.

Redundancy. Haha, I don't care! I wore the shoes right away after opening the box! I love surprises!

Watching Rachel harassing Toto... Wait, Toto harassing Rachel. Oh, I'm confused! Hahaha!

My forever beautiful Girlfriends. The Leopard, The Peacock, The Cheetah and The Snake.

I'm so happy that everyone clicked with each other! And that all the girls followed the mini-protocol. :)

HS and college friends, left to right: Me, Jovy, Toto, Rachel, Kim, Mau, Mia, Mutya, Aiza, Jessica, Irene and Une! YOU REALLY MADE MY NIGHT TO SPECIAL!!!

Official photos (those from Paolo's camera) will be posted in a separate entry and will be uploaded on Facebook very soon. Super thanks to those who attended the party and I hope you really had a good time because I really did. Thanks for letting me start my 23rd year with a big smile and grateful heart!

23 Things

I listed down 23 things that I'm thankful for. Things that I achieved, I received, I had. This includes people who stayed, went back and just came. So as early as now, let me say thanks. Thank you. Thank you for making my 22nd year an unkabogable one! 

A slice of Toblerone cake from Coffee Bean. To quote my original caption, "If you know me so well, you'll know that I only wish for one thing before I turn a year older--a slice of cake." Yes, cakes and cupcakes make me happy.

In order:

1. My first trip to Baguio. Seriously. Paolo brought me to the Philippines' Summer Capital City for the first time. And it was epic. That's our first ever trip alone, meaning we're all by ourselves, just us two. ♥

2. Forever 21. Forever 21 opened its Philippine store on the 3rd quarter of 2010 in SM Megamall. I love Forever 21 because it houses a wide array of fashionable finds without hurting our pockets!

3. Reunion with Anne. Anne is my childhood best friend. We're classmates since Kinder 2 to Grade 4 until her family moved to Pampanga. Thank heavens for Friendster and Facebook, we found each other online and our friendship continued. We had a dinner last September and celebrated our 17 years of friendship.

4. Boracay. Boracay, Boracay, I keep coming back to Boracay. I made a vow a couple of years ago that I'll go to Boracay every October. Every year, my trip keeps on getting better!

5. iPhone 4. My first investment as an employee. This is the best thing I ever bought for myself. And I still can't believe that I have the world's most popular smartphone.

6. Longchamp Le Pliage--White. That's my first photo using my 1st Longchamp investment. I'm glad I got so many feedback from that bag, and close friends are asking me details about Longchamp now. They always ask for my opinion whenever they plan to buy one!

7. Longchamp Le Pliage--Bamboo. I got this. FOR FREE. Yes, I'm the happiest girl in the world on December 13 when our Head of Creative Services, Ms. Ana Perez, handed me over a white dust bag. I opened it and caught myself in awe when I saw a bag inside. A bag in bright colors and it looked so familiar! Ms. Ana said it's for me and she greeted me a Merry Christmas. I almost cried and hugged her with gratefulness! :-)

8. My 5th tattoo. An aqua blue tat on my right wrist, my family name inked on it. Forever, I am a Marcial. I got this last December, a few days before Christmas. I call this my perfect year ender. I love my surname!!!

9. My job. Oh goodness, I love my job!!! I have such a fantastic workplace and I'm surrounded by happy people from the happy network. I am a proud Kapatid. I'm super proud that my bosses are geniuses, they are famous but they still keep their feet on the ground. Indeed, they're the perfect people to look up to!

10. Our 7th anniversary. We're definitely stronger than ever now! Paolo and I celebrated our 7th year in Guimaras last February. We both fell in love not only with each other but also with the beauty and grandeur of Guimaras Island.

11. New friends from Guimaras. Filipino hospitality at its best! Paolo and I met a group of barkada during our 2nd night stay in the island. We had a sort of bonfire under the moon, enjoying tequila with other newly-found friends from the US and UK. We exchanged Facebook accounts and took pictures together the next day.

12. Magnanakaw from Baguio. Curious why I'm thankful despite the fact that he stole my bags? It's because we're kept safe by our prayers. He would have hurt one of us, or even shot me when I saw him red-handed, but he just ran away. Plus, it's just the material things he took away.

13. Rekindled friendship with Rachel. We had a serious fight last 2010 and haven't talked to each other for a year. I woke up one morning and realized that it was the perfect time to make peace with her. It came naturally. :)

14. The other girls. Friendship isn't all about daily catch ups and regular meet ups, sometimes, seeing your friends once in a blue moon makes the blue moon special. No, I didn't have a fight with Lizzie, Ana and Trish. We're just too busy with our own lives (and lovelife-s) that we rarely see each other now. THANK GOD FOR TWITTER. P.S.: Stephie, we missed you here.

15. Justin Bieber in Manila. Imagine watching the world's most famous pop teen sensation live, without paying even a centavo. I, with the rest of the young girls of Manila, went to the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds to witness Justin Bieber perform. And I screamed with them as well.

16. SoFA Capsule. AT. LAST. I've been wishing to enroll even for a single workshop at SoFA since I don't know when. The moment I heard about their Celebrity Fashion Styling capsule with Alyanna Martinez, I wanted to enroll but I missed the first one! Good thing they had a second run of her capsule so finally, yay!

17. My fashion finds: Aika, Jeanne and Noelle. They say the accessory you can wear is your smile. Yes, but you know what's the best fashion find you can ever have? Fashionable friends! I love these girls to death. Aika is my soul sister while Jeanne and Noelle are my SoFA capsule classmates. And by the way, they are also the perfect epitome of beauty and brains!

18. Tropang Logbi. They're the people I can count on any time of the time (parang may shifting talaga kami). They are one of the few that I turned to during my suicidal moments (NO I DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE HAAAA) and during my "high" moments (AND ANOTHER NO! I DO NOT TAKE DRUGS)!!! :p

19. My girls. Of course you know who my forever girls are! Our friendship has recently blossomed to the next level since Phoebe got pregnant and gave birth to her beautiful mini-me, Khara. More surprises to come, I'm expecting that. No one can ever take them away from me. No one.

20. Monthly Period. The best treasure I found in Araneta. It seems like I'm spending my whole life with them. They saw me at my worst (short hair with wild, full bangs, crooked teeth and virgin brows) and they now watch my way to my best. But wait, I guess I'm already at my best now because I have them!

21. My cousins. They say you'll meet your friends outside.. well, I meet mine at home! I can't imagine my life without them. Funny how we rarely see each other despite the fact that we live in the same compound but what's amazing is that we have sessions together, it's like we do not miss even a single day apart from each other. No catch-ups and how are you's needed!

22. FAMILY. No need to explain, right? But then again, let me brag that I have the best parents and sisters to claim! Mom and Dad raised us so well and my sisters and we owe them every thing. Love your family and you'll live a good life!

23. The boyfriend. I was 14 when I answered "Ok, sige..." to Paolo's question "Pwede bang maging tayo na?". Don't judge. I entered a relationship at a very young age but look at us now, achieve!!! Since 2004, he adds meaning to my life every single day. #pak #cheesy

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Thank you for all the birthday greetings sent via SMS, tweets, wall posts and private/direct messages!

Cheers to life!!!