A Peso X A Dream

When Typhoon Haiyan hit in late 2013, I saw a brand named ‘Flipcore’ were selling t-shirts to help the cause – I had to get one to support the relief efforts and because they were designed very nicely! It was not until competing for Miss Philippines UK that I was able to meet Jonny who runs Flipcore. Now, through crowdsourcing on Kickstarter, he is following his dreams of making Flipcore bigger and better than ever.

Could you introduce yourself, where are you from and what are you doing at the moment?

I go by the name of Jxhnny Esta, but my friends know me as Cras. I am based in London and I am an Entrepreneur, currently working on a project for my brand, Flipcore.

What is Flipcore all about? When did you start it and what makes it important to you or different from other brands?

The name Flipcore originated from the term “Filipino to the core”, which spoke for every person proud of their heritage. I started this brand in 2007, when I got inspired to create something that portrayed the culture. As an artist I knew that seeing my artwork being worn by people was a special feeling. It was not until later in 2009 I came up with the name and established the name. Flipcore has now developed into a Lifestyle brand, which represents a movement to inspire people in achieving their goals and staying true to the heart. Unlike other companies, Flipcore is not just a clothing line with a logo, but it is a part of our daily lives.

What has been your favourite/most memorable project that you have worked on at Flipcore?

Hmm, I have quite a few favourites. Back in November 2013, we launched a fundraiser for the Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines, which really meant a lot to me. It was the only way I could think of to get funding from a crowd and donate back home. Like most people, I wasn’t in the position to donate but I did everything I could to make sure I made a difference. With the help of many supporters, we were able to raise some money by selling fundraiser shirts.

This project “A PESO X A DREAM” is the currently the biggest project I’ve done as it is real personal to me. It is the first time I am sacrificing everything I have into the brand and releasing a full complete collection (I have never put out more than one clothing design at a time). I recently visited the motherland, and during my stay, it made me learn a lot about myself and my life. Just like some people, I feel lost at times. I just can’t stick to one thing, like I am still trying to figure out what to do with my life. I’ve been through so much struggle in the past, and one day, God spoke to me. I realized I needed to make a change, because life is too short, and nobody wants to live with regret. If I didn’t have this project, this brand, I wouldn’t know what I’d be doing right now. This is my passion, this is what I love to do. I’m going for my dreams and trying to be the man God wants me to be.

What gave you the inspiration for the “A Peso X A Dream” project? And what is the meaning behind the name?

“A Peso X A Dream” basically represents anybody who ever started from the bottom. It speaks for every person who understands what it’s like to go through pain & struggle. Whether you come from a broken home, living without a job, living with addiction, money problems or even poverty. Throughout it all, you just want to change all that. I know this doesn’t relate to everybody, but it does for me. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but just know that I am not proud of my past as it left me facing lot of problems, spiritually and financially. I don’t really have much right now, but this dream. A dream that I believe will turn my life around and inspire people in the process if I really work hard for it. We all want to be happy, and we know that success brings happiness. I believe anyone can be successful, you just gotta be passionate about what you love to do.

And what makes you proud to be a Filipino?

I’m proud to be Filipino because lumpia… Hahaha! Seriously… besides the corruption and poverty, you can’t take away the fact that The Philippines is one of the happiest countries in the world. Oh, and the hospitality! I’ve learned that even with no money, Filipinos know how to be happy. We often laugh during difficult situations, bringing light into the darkness. Like even if we are struck by typhoons, we don’t stop trying and we can still put the smiles on our faces which makes us stronger through the trials and tribulations. That’s the true Filipino spirit. Dreams don’t easily come true for everyone in The Philippines, but the Filipino is one of the happiest, creative, passionate and hard working people you can ever meet. That’s what makes me proud.

His Kickstarter is live and there are some amazing rewards up for grabs. Jonny has also made a documentary that is on the Kickstarter page (we did a photoshoot together in Manila so try and spot me in the film!) I would personally recommend any of the t-shirts because they are amazing quality (the t-shirt I bought in 2013 is still in good condition after a million washes!) and their grey sweatshirt is going on my Christmas list. Any pledge would mean so much and I can not wait to see what is next for Flipcore!

Flipcore Kickstarter

Christa’s MPUK Experience | Part 1

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Christa Borja, and I have been given the privilege to be crowned as Miss Philippines UK 2015. For the last couple of months, it has been one of the most unforgettable and truly humbling experience that I will forever cherish. Who knew what I initially thought was a ‘silly’ idea turned out to be one of the greatest journey of my life.

Unexpected Entry

It was my older sister, Chriszelle who pushed me to join the competition. In fact, I actually missed the audition and few scheduled rehearsals that made me believe I’ve dodged the pressure bullet. But thanks to sister’s persistence, she was able to get in touch with Yulee Foster, last year’s Miss Philippines UK Winner, and persuade the event organisers to take me in last minute – then boom. Out of nowhere, I received a random text message from sissy confirming: ‘Yahoo! Pasok ka na! Rehearsals starts this Saturday’.

First Day

My first day is a summary of sweaty palms and pits (yes I said it), Not only I made bad impression to Yulee for being 1 hour and 30 minutes late (which btw, I had a valid reason for), but I also sucked at following all choreos for Latin, Hip-Hop and Ethnic. It was interesting to say the least. I’ve always loved dancing since I was a kid, however, the problem lies to the fact that I haven’t danced in a very long time. I haven’t moved a single (dancing) muscle since my cheering days at university. And 2 years worth of unmoved body, I felt stiff, rusty and awkward throughout the practice.

After my torturous first day, I went straight home and asked myself whether I was wasting my time. Contemplations re-occurred and I started to have second thoughts. My schedule was already swamped with 9-5 working hours on weekdays and if I was to join the competition it would mean that my weekends would be filled with rehearsals too, therefore, leaving me no time to rest. I felt stuck so I began to seek advice from other people. While many of my friends/family supported the harmless idea of joining, one opinion struck me the most: ‘Pano kung di ka naman manalo? Edi nasayang lang yung oras mo?’ The doubtful remark fuelled more fire in me. From that moment, I decided to use the negative judgment to pursue the crown and show everyone that I was worthy to be called Miss Philippines UK.

The Journey

One word: Exhausting! I believe most of the candidates (even the previous ones) can agree with me on this. Rehearsals can be draining whether it might be the length of travel that some candidates have to go through; balancing either part-time/full-time work with weekend practices or the endless hours of catwalks and dance routines. Indeed it was exhausting however, the experience was also fun. Never in my life I imagined that pageants could be this tough! And it didn’t take too long until I started to rely on energy drinks and skinny latte’s as if I was back at uni on my last year preparing for exams.

Knowing that I had quite a lot to catch up on, I started my weekend routine strictly at 6:00 am. No excuses. Tired or not, I knew I had to push myself. I practiced the choreos early before the actual rehearsal at 12:30 pm. I even practised the Hip Hop on my head whilst on the way to work and on the way back home.

For a first timer like me, I had no clue on what to wear, how to prepare for Q&As or how to walk on pageant shows. I realised that if I wanted to win this competition, it requires more than just memorising the dance steps. It also involves embodying a mind-set of what a true beauty queen should be. So I researched some of the most iconic Filipino Beauty Queens from the past. From Melanie Marquez, Gloria Diaz, Shamcey Supsup to Megan Young. Believe it or not, I sat in front of my computer for hours! I studied different commentaries about how each stood out from the competition, how they presented themselves and how they delivered their answers effectively. I also took inspiration from MPUK’s beautiful winners: Jacqueline Llaneza (2012), Kallula Dixon (2013) and of course, Yulee Foster (2014). I took notes of what they wore, how they walked, smile and pose. It was all about preparations! As soon as I finished work, I’d go straight home and practice my walk on heels, smiling and posing in front of the mirror while my cat watched me with embarrassment.

The most fun part of this journey (apart from winning the title) was shopping for my outfits and deciding my hair & make-up, after all, it is called a ‘beauty’ pageant for a reason. Luckily, I had great tips from my best friend, Crescent Samaco, who btw has the fiercest catwalk ever. She gave me advice that if you want to stand out, you’ve got to sparkle like a diamond on stage. Not only she taught me how to walk with attitude but she also gave me insights of the ‘pageant must-haves’. For instance, nails must only be red or french tips; dresses has to be sparkly –gold, silver or nude; and accessories have to be bold – the bigger it is, the better. It was like entering a new world and oddly enough, I enjoyed learning these things.

One Lovely Blog Award

Yay =) I can not believe it but this is my 100th blog post and I have received another blog award! Hopefully there are still another 100 more posts to come. Thank you so much Elina for the nomination. I love knowing that someone out there is actually reading my blog and (hopefully) enjoying it. This award’s rules are very similar to another one that I have already done, so I shall keep my answers short and sweet!

Rules:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
2. List the rules and display the Award on your post.
3. Add 7 facts about yourself.
4. Nominate other Bloggers and comment on one of their recent posts to let them know they have been nominated.

My 7 Facts:

1. I am strongly against Volvic water, it just does not taste right to me (similar to Pepsi and Coke for some people.)
2. Currently, I stand at 5’7 but sadly I do not think I am going to grow anytime soon.
3. I FINALLY own a bike! Nothing fancy, but I love it.
4. Cold drinks over hot drinks any day.
5. I love to take pictures but I am pretty sure everyone knows that.
6. Non fiction over fiction (when I am listening to audiobooks!)
7. 70s and 80s music is golden.

My Nominees:
1. No Juan Is An Island
2. Gail
3. Bong Bong Books
4. Alyssa
5. khayceelyncordovilla

Sept. 30 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Wednesday, Sept. 30: A farewell coffee date. Take some time to breath, sip a warm drink, and share with your new blogging buddies. If you’d like a prompt: how did the Blog-tember Challenge go for you? Any surprises? What was your favourite prompt, or what would you like to see included next time?

WOOO! September is over! I must admit, it was really hard to post something every day and considering that I only missed two days: “Saturday, Sept. 19: Tell us about one of the best days of your life” and “Wednesday, Sept. 23: Grab a guest post. Recruit a friend or fellow blogger to share on your space for the day”, I think I did pretty good! My favourite posts were the creative ones so look out for more of them on my blog, what posts were your favourite?

#blogtemberchallenge

Sept. 21 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Monday, Sept. 21: A favorite quote/expression and how it has impacted you.

Would you prefer to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond?

When I first heard this in ‘David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants’ by Malcolm Gladwell, I was in University. So, for me, it translated to: would you rather be the best at a mediocre school or be mediocre at the best school? This question has stuck me with me because I was the small fish lost in a big pond and I could not raise myself to the standards that were around me. If I could go back in time, I would definitely change my University choice to one where I could have comfortably aimed for the very top grades. Obviously, not everyone works better in the small pond; a lot of people strive in high pressure areas and achieve their goals much better than if they were the big fish. I think the most important thing to take away from this phrase is to take a step back and realising what situation you are in. As long as you are aware of your surroundings and can understand the necessary steps to rise to the standards of the pond then you can achieve anything.

#blogtemberchallenge

Sept. 10 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Thursday, Sept. 10: 10 items off your bucket list. If you haven’t made one, now’s a good time to start!

1. Live In A Different Country This is definitely number one on my list! I really want to live and experience what another culture is like. I do not have any places in mind but I am a self proclaimed summer baby so somewhere warm would be a bonus.

2. Get Into Great Shape
I mean, I want to be able to run for the bus without getting out of breath! It is not that I am unfit right now but I do find it hard opening water bottles from time to time…

3. Climb A Mountain This one is a bit more tricky than other things on my list and I do not really know how I am going to do it but, it is still on the list.

“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.”
― Barry Finlay, Kilimanjaro and Beyond

4. Go Blonde
Being naturally brunette and never dyeing my hair or messing around with it, the idea of going blonde is scary but exciting. How would I look? Would I act different? Questions that I need answers to!

5. See The Northern Lights Ever since I learnt what they were and how they are made I fell in love with them. I believe this is something that you can never understand from just looking at a picture and you actually have to experience them yourself.

6. Speak Tagalog Fluently
This one is so that people will not be able to say ‘so you are half Filipino but you do not know how to speak Tagalog?’ Plus, it would be amazing if I could speak it!

7. See A Solar Eclipse
The moon is the perfect distance from us for this to occur. Any closer and we would not get that magical ring of sunlight; any further and the sun would just have a hole in it for a while. Amazing, no?

8. Climb A Tree I have never climbed a tree before. Even though some might think this is a bit silly to put on a bucket list, it is a very real dream of mine to get to the top of a big tree.

9. Go To Disneyland
And see Mickey and Minnie and all the Disney princesses! I love ALL things Disney and I really want to experience the magic of Disneyland.

10. Create My Blog
I really want to work on my blog and have tons of posts and pictures but I do not know when I can tick this one off… I guess I will just keep working on my blog until it feel right or, forever!

#blogtemberchallenge

Sept. 7 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Monday, Sept. 7: Tell us about your blog name. Where did it come from?

My blog URL is just my name (not much to say about that) but my blog name is Mabuhay.

Mabuhay is a Tagalog greeting. It literally is the imperative form of “live”, from the root word buhay (life). The phrase carries various meanings including “may you live”, “cheers”, “welcome”, and “hurrah”.
– Wikipedia

When I chose it, I only identified the word to mean welcome. I wanted to welcome people to my blog and welcome them into the Filipino community that I am still learning about. It is only now I understand that it has a lot of different meanings and I think that it even more so reflects what my blog is about; it is sort of a little diary about my life as I continue to learn and grow about myself and my Filipino heritage. Recently, I wanted to discard the ‘Mabuhay’ title for my name due to various reasons but now I see that it is important to stay close to my Filipino journey and to welcome others on the journey as well.

#blogtemberchallenge

Sept. 4 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Friday, Sept. 4: What are you passionate about?

The answer to this question is very hard for me. I take interest in lots of different and random subjects ranging from travelling to organising and global warming to my instagram account. But I can not say that my heart is fully invested in just one or a few topics. My attention span is minimal and my mind wonders from one idea to the next, once I find something I am interested in it is not hard for my eye to wander to another subject. This is also a reason as to why I am finding it so hard to choose what career I would like to go into (I know I am too young to decide something for the rest of my life but it would be nice to be on the right path), because I believe that whatever I set my mind to I can achieve but it is finding what to focus on that I am finding so difficult.

Passion is such a strong word for me. I think that if you are passionate about something then that thing should be like a fire inside you, driving you to become a better person. Simply put, I have yet to find my passion.

#blogtemberchallenge

Sept. 3 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Thursday, Sept. 3: Create a collage or inspiration/mood board that describes your blog.

#blogtemberchallenge

University&Graduation

Yes, finally I am a graduate! I graduated with a degree in Mathematics last month and it still feels so strange knowing that my school days are over. I know that I definitely will not miss the stress of endless exams or the mad rush of getting to a 9AM lecture on time but I love getting ready to go back to school and the long summer holidays.

“There is a good reason they call these ceremonies ‘commencement exercises’. Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.”
Orrin Hatch

Deciding to do a degree in Maths was quite a simple choice for me. It had always been a strong subject for me and there are lots of different career options from taking such a vast subject, which (for me) was definitely a bonus since I had no idea what I wanted to do in life. I found the course very challenging and there were a lot of times where I thought ‘how on earth am I going to do the exam for this!’ but somehow I always managed to pull through. My graduation was held at the Barbican Centre in London. Wearing the robe and the hat, getting my graduation pictures taken and walking up on that stage to collect the scroll, all solidified that this was the end of a much loved era in my life.

Congratulations To The Class of 2015

Sept. 1 | BLOG-TEMBER CHALLENGE

Tuesday, Sept. 1: Introduce yourself however you like! Pics, vlog, collage, your choice 🙂

I have been looking to do one of these blogger challenges for a while now and I finally found one! There is so much on my blog written about me so today I shall introduce myself with a collage.

#blogtemberchallenge

Bohol Doodle

Both photos taken in Bohol, Philippines
Just having some fun in Photoshop
Inspired By Tayst

Philippines 2015

13th June 2015 – 13th July 2015

One month in the Philippines, going around the different islands and having so much fun. My sister, Charlene, helped film and edit this video, so thank you and a massive thank you to Miss and Mr Philippines UK, without them this amazing trip would not have been possible.

“I’m really proud to be Filipino. Filipinos are really supportive, and I want to thank all of them. I love them!”
Charice Pempengco

See more of what we did in the Philippines:
13th June – 15th June : Dusit Hotel
16th June : Visit To PCF In Tondo
17th June : Manila Hotel
18th June : El Nido – Manioc Island Resort
19th June : El Nido – Island Hopping
20th June : El Nido – Lagen Island
22nd June – 24th June : Baguio
26th June – 28th June : Boracay
28th June – 30th June : Cebu
1st July : Happy Birthday Charlene!
1st July – 6th July : Home Sweet Home
7th July – 9th July : Bohol
10th July – 13th July : Manila

Bohol

After a relaxing week back at home, it was time to say goodbye and head off to our last stop, Bohol! We took a challenging two hour boat ride and then a five hour car journey to get to Bohol Beach Club Resort but it was all worth it in the end. The resort staff were so friendly, it is located right on the beach and the food at the restaurant was just amazing! Since it was already night time when we arrived, we planned to take a guided tour around Bohol the day after and it was probably one of the best days that we had in the Philippines!

T A R S I E R

Our first stop for the day was at the Tarsier Sanctuary. Once we entered, we learnt a little about the tarsiers; what they eat, how big they get and how they are nocturnal creatures. After learning that they are nocturnal creatures, I thought we would only be able to see them sleeping but we were lucky to see one briefly open its eyes! They also have a really cute gift shop there and we got some souvenirs including a magnet monkey for our little sister.

C H O C O L A T E H I L L S

Firstly, we went around on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle, which I was very scared about!) to see the hills from the ground. Once I got over my fear of the vehicle, I had a lot of fun seeing the different hills and I would definitely do it again. Then, we went to the chocolate hills viewing point (after the 200 plus steps you have to climb to get to there, but it is worth it.) There are so many to see in all directions, they just seem to go on forever. We went during the rainy season so the hills were mostly green but I can imagine how they must look like in the summer, truly chocolatey!

Z I P L I N E

A zip line in the mountains over a river, need I say more? My mum went first and you have to lie down so it really feels like you are flying over the hills. Even though Charlene was afraid of heights, I was so happy that she decided to go on the zip line with me (even though she was silent for the whole ride – she had the biggest grin!) and I know she had a lot of fun on it. On the way back we took a slow cable car, that for me was just as scary, if not more. They also take pictures of you on the zip line and we purchased them as a little souvenir.

R I V E R C R U I S E L U N C H

Our last stop for the day was the River Cruise Lunch on the Loboc River and it was a relaxing way to end our stay in Bohol. While we ate there was some live music and traditional dances for entertainment and everyone was so talented. Once we finished eating the singer asked if anyone would like to sing and Charlene encouraged me to. Even though I did not really know the words to any song off by heart everyone enjoyed my enthusiasm and other people started to join in as well. By the end of the cruise we were all dancing and singing along to the music, it was so much fun!

Bohol Beach Club Resort

Eating In Boracay

Lemoni Cafe

This cute little cafe in D’Mall was great for lunch. The interior is fresh and light and their staff were nice and helpful. Located in the middle of D’Mall (next to the Ferris wheel) it was really easy to get to. Sadly, they did not originally have what I ordered, this is something that happens all over the Philippines and is definitely something to get used to, but our meals were still delicious and their deserts (which we were too full up to try) looked amazing as well.
What We Had: Lemon Lunch Box (soup, salad, sandwich and dessert) and Longaniza with two eggs and garlic rice.

SpiceBird

After reading great reviews about SpiceBird we decided to try it for ourselves. Located around the same location of the Lemoni Cafe meant that it was quick and simple to find. When we got there it was empty, which was a big surprise since they are rated highly on TripAdvisor in Boracay. We ordered two dishes and the mango and mint shake, which sounds weird but is a match made in heaven. Their flavourful food lived up to the reviews and their sauces are as creative as the names they give them.
What We Had: Peri-Peri Pulled Pork Sandwich and Peri-Peri Pork Board

The Sunny Side Cafe

For our last day in Boracay we wanted to try something different for breakfast. They have a variety of food and drinks to spoil you with, we only ordered two dishes because the portions were very generous. I really wanted to try their pancakes but after having too many crepes in Manila, I decided to just share with my mum. Good food and a great view overlooking the beach was the perfect way to end our holiday in Boracay.
What We Had: The Sunny Side Cafe Champorado made with Malagos Chocolate from Davao, topped with sweet mango, candied bacon and caramel ice cream

Lemoni Cafe
SpiceBird
Sunny Side Cafe

Boracay

D A Y O N E

When we got to Caticlan Airpot, I was unaware that you had to then take a boat to transfer to Boracay but luckily, from El Nido I was used to boats. For the three nights we were there we stayed at La Carmela. Even though it was cloudy when we arrived, it was still really hot so my sister and I spent the whole day lounging in the pool cooling off. On our walk to go have dinner, the sun was setting right on the beach. The beach at Boracay (the one you only see in pictures) is soft and creamy, with the water crystal clear, it really feels like you have stepped into a postcard.

D A Y T W O

Our second day in Boracay was scorching, probably the hottest weather that we had experienced since being in the Philippines, and the clear blue skies was perfect picture weather. We decided to walk to Station One since we bought postcards the day before and were told that the picture on the postcard was there. Once we got to Willy’s Rock, it was such a surreal place to see, with the calm waves and the sun in the sky, it felt like a dream. We grabbed some lunch in Starbucks, and even made some friends! (Filipinos are some of the friendliest people ever.)

After we went back to the hotel for a little afternoon nap, we went back out to see Mount Luho, which is the highest point in Boracay. From the top, you can see all of the water activities that are on offer as well as a 360 degree view of the island. Since we did not take any pictures this morning at Station One, we wanted to go back to take pictures in the sea. I think we could have stayed there all day but we had kindly been offered a hosted dinner at La Carmela and had to get back. During dinner, they had a fire dancing show outside. I am still flinching just thinking about it but it was amazing to watch.

D A Y T H R E E

Our last day in Boracay was pretty relaxed. We wanted to try another place to eat in Boracay so decided to eat out for breakfast and then after take a stroll by the beach. A lot of people say that Boracay is too overcrowded and is not worth the trip anymore. I agree that there are a lot of tourists here but you can understand why, it is breathtaking and anywhere this gorgeous and accessible will get busy. Even so, I would recommend anyone who comes to the Philippines to visit Boracay (especially during rainy season where it does not rain that much, since it is less busy.) The palm trees are lush, the water is sparkly and the sand is soft.

Baguio

We had another early start for our journey to Baguio. Our coach was at 6:20AM and we had a 5 hour journey to get there. On the way up we had to pass various mountains, which, in a coach trying to drive up winding roads, was quite scary to look out of the window. After the long ride and 5,000 ft above sea level, we made it! The Le Monet hotel is where we stayed and it is a modern style hotel with lots of glass and mirrors as you walk in but the rooms are cosy and the view is full of tall trees. We spent our first day adjusting to this city in the sky, looking around the town and getting a jumper since we heavily underestimated how cold it was going to be here! For dinner we ate at The Manor, which was a nearby hotel. I had the carbonara but they also had filipino dishes like sinigang. It had been raining throughout the day and so in the night time there was this really heavy fog which made the roads eerie with their minimal lighting, we were too scared to even walk down the street!

For our next day we decided to explore Baguio. First, we took a taxi to see Burnham Park. It was really pretty there and there is a boat lake that you can paddle around in, but my sister and I had seen enough boats after our El Nido trip so we moved on to our next stop. Our taxi driver suggested that we go and see Lourdes Grotto. We bought a flower and some candles to light near the statue. It was up a lot of stairs to get to the top but the statue of the Virgin Mary and the view of the colourful houses was worth the climb.

Then we headed to BenCab museum (after seeing good reviews of it on tripadvisor and various blog posts.) It has artwork from Artist Ben Cabrera’s and other contemporary artists in Manila. The artwork is really different to what I am used to seeing so it was interesting to see. They also have a really cute cafe that has amazing views of the mountains. Another breathtaking view that we got to see was at Mines View Park. They have tourist shops there and lots of really nice flowers stalls. Our stay in Baguio may have been short and we only had time to see a small portion of it but I absolutely fell in love with this city and can not wait to go back and carry on exploring.

Note: My sister, who has asthma, was affected by the relatively high altitude of Baguio. This does not affect a lot of people but it is something to bear in mind if you are thinking of travelling there.

Le Monet Hotel
BenCab Museum

Charlene’s MPUK Experience

My name is Charlene Foster, candidate of Miss Philippines UK in 2013 and sister of Miss Philippines UK 2014 (and I would like to say personal trainer! *wink*)

The Barrio festival of 2013 (when I was 18) was when I first heard about MPUK. They made the event sound AMAZING and persuaded me to join. However, the thing I was really worried about was being half Filipino…

I don’t look Filipino. I don’t talk Tagalog. And, I was not used to being around Filipino’s (it was only when I was 16 I started going to Filipino events and immersing myself in my Filipino culture.) I was really scared I wouldn’t fit in and that the other candidates wouldn’t accept me because I am not ‘Filipino’ enough (despite my blood being 50% Filipino!) Nonetheless, my mum and the organisers persuaded me to join and I also thought it was an amazing opportunity to discover more about my Filipino culture.

However, I did join quite late. I think I missed the auditions and the first two or three weeks of practice, everybody started to mingle with each other already and I was even more nervous when my mum and me were slightly late for my first ever rehearsal. But once I arrived, I LOVED it! Everybody was really friendly and nice and I definitely did not feel left out. Meeting a group of amazing people who supported each other throughout the experience, not only in the pageant but also through newfound friendships, made my pageant experience particularly memorable.

Although I should be writing “unfortunately, I did not win anything on the night,” I achieved far more than I could have imagined. In particular, I gained a MAJOR CONFIDENCE BOOST (and right before University, there was no better time!) I enjoyed it SO much that I even persuaded my older sister, Yulee, to join! I felt like as I already experienced it, I could give her thorough advice and guide her way through it. And, guess what? SHE WON!

The advice I gave to Yulee and the advice I would give to everyone is, well… I’ll let Yulee pass that advice onto you. I look forward to meeting all you lovely candidates of Miss Philippines UK 2015, despite all your worries, just go for it! I can 100% assure you that you WILL enjoy your experience.

Until then,

Charlene x

Paris

25th July 2014 – 28th July 2014

My sister has gone to Paris for the week! Since I can not tag along with her, I shall just reminisce about my trip to Paris instead.

My Philippines Bucket List

Now that most of my trip to the Philippines has been planned, I have started thinking about all of the things that I want to do in the Philippines. Of course, I want to visit all of the wonders of the Philippines like the Chocolate Hills and the Underground River, but I also want more personal experiences on my bucket list.

1. Go Snorkelling
Photo: Tripadvisor
At first this was scuba diving, but I am not too sure that I have the guts to go scuba diving, soooo I have changed it to go snorkelling instead! I love looking at all of the different types of fishes, the marine life in general and it just looks like so much fun to do.

2. Eat At The Waterfall Restaurant
Photo: Home-Designing
Probably the picture that comes up the most on Pinterest when I search ‘Philippines’ – a waterfall restaurant Basically, it is a restaurant, with a waterfall as a wall. Who can say no to this!? You can eat and feel the water rushing around your feet. It is such a unique experience and I think that it is a really fun and interesting concept; I mean, it is something you only think of in movies!

3. Go To A White Beach
Photo: Destination360
In the Philippines, I sadly have only ever been to stony beaches. However, there are so many of these perfect white beaches all around and I have never been to one. This must and WILL change this summer.

4. See The Smallest Monkey In The World
Photo: Nerdynomad
So, in Year 7, my friend Hazel and I did a presentation on visiting the Philippines and one thing we had on it was the Tarsier monkey. To this day, I can not decide whether they are the cutest little things or if they are just plain scary. I think that when I meet one this long debate shall be put to rest!

5. Go To A Festival
Photo: Explorer Philippines
After seeing the Santo Niño Celebrations in London, I really want to see what festivals are like in the Philippines. Everything seems to be much bolder, louder and brighter in the Philippines and I think it would be a lot of fun partying and dancing all day long. I also have a big dream of dressing up and being part of a huge festival, so someone please invite me!