BACKSTAGE IS THE NEW FRONT STAGE

From the success of MEGA, the Philippines' best fashion magazine’s initial venture into television comes yet another exciting offering called MEGA Fashion Crew.



"Life here in MEGA has been a constant search for these people," shares Sari Yap, editor in chief of MEGA magazine.

The show offers a unique peek into the fashion industry and is dedicated to finding the individuals who will make it big in the fashion industry. With a total of 60 hopefuls, MEGA Fashion Crew Gen M Season 2 aims to find the next top photographer, fashion stylist, make-up artist, hair stylist and female model.

(Witness yet another milestone in the publishing-television industry. MEGA Fashion Crew Gen M Season 2 airs every Saturday nights on ETC at 7:00pm, starting July 30 and replays every Sunday at 10am)

SHIP AHOY

I love the cool sea breeze as much as the sun.

Before I got back into the workforce after being in hiatus for two months, weekdays were spent at my friends 39 foot sailboat. Being the skipper that I am, I was all about preppy dry fit shorts, white pique shirts and my favorite red parka that I still wear.



Though I would sometimes force myself to sail on an 8 foot long Optimist (yes, that small sailing dinghy), it’s just tough for me to sail from point A to point B with my size (haha!)



I have not gone sailing since summer of 2010, and looking at photos from Muffy Adrich’s album with Kiel James Patrick, Sarah Vickers and F.E Castleberry as her crew pretty much reminded me of how much I miss and enjoy it.


(All photos from The Daily Prep)

When is the next Presidents Cup?

BASIC MATTER 24: NAUTICAL STRIPES

I have always admired anyone who can pull off nautical stripes and yes, Pia last night was on the spot – chic!


(Pia Arroyo - Magalona, Mother of 8 and wife of the late master rapper Francis Magalona)

Popularized by Coco Chanel, nautical stripes are more like a fashion staple than a trend and have been worn by everyone - from the French who pair it with tapered, navy coats to style icon, Audrey Hepburn.

My mom is a big fan too. She would normally wear the classic, boxy marinière paired with more than 3 strands of pearls – definitely tres chic!

BASIC MATTER 23: THE PREPPY WARDROBE

Time to edit your wardrobe with the right basics like classic chinos, polos in pink, Kelly and lime green, white and powder blue, Bermudas and bespoke slim shorts for the weekend, a comfortable cashmere pullover for that random trip down south or at the country club and yes, loafers and Sperry’s!

Wrap that pullover casually around your shoulders and tadah! Sprezzatura!

A little bit of swagger helps too! Remember, it is all about class, elegance, and yes, neatness.

WRITER'S BLOCK: ANTON JAVIER

Anton Javier, a feature writer based in Singapore has always put a premium on privacy.



Yes, although pretty active on Twitter and his blog, Alphabeticalife, privacy has long been a priority for this creative wonder child.



“Understated, never over the top”, Anton is an epitome of good taste. While he is an avid fan of all things classic like a finely tailored crisp shirt, Kelly green shorts, club collared shirts and everything A.P.C, his taste in music skews toward Florrie, Adele and of course, Lady Gaga.

Here is a peek into this feature writer’s bag and his penchant for all things pretty.



WHAT’S IN IT? BlackBerry 8520, 2. Gucci tortoise shell sunnies, 3. House keys, 4. Moleskine planner, 5. Muji pens, 6. Jack Spade card case, 7. Cigarette holder + lighter, 8. iPod touch, 9. Tod's thumb drive

MUSIC : WHITE TREES

(White Trees)

I just got myself a copy of Bear Trees and Spaghetti Brains by the White Trees and I couldn’t stop myself from playing Going up Slowly, Dog Fiction, Bear Trees and Around the Table - all four has been on repeat since Saturday.



Hardly slumber-inducing, the songs play from dreamy soft tempos perfect for lazy afternoons at home to surprisingly trippy road trips.

Can someone drive me to the moon?

SHORT STORY

Who cares about the heavy fog down south - It’s time to be brave and hit the hue.


(Bespoke salmon dress shirt, Club Monaco khaki shorts, Ribbon belt by wright supply and lime green pullover)

Last weekend was all about bold slabs of color.

AU REVOIR MANILLE, BONJOUR PARIS !

Au revoir, Tessa! Bonne chance dans votre nouvelles aventures dans the City of Lights!


(T: Tessa, Myself and Alfonso, B: Finn and Alfonso)


(Arrun and his jaeger bomb)


(T: Irene and Sigrid, B: Finn trying his best to give birth HAHA!)

We will all miss you! Á votre santé!

BEDSIDE READING: L'UOMO VOGUE

I have always enjoyed curling up in bed or on my sofa with a good book or a magazine. With almost zero luxury of time and a minimum of 12 hours a day in the office, I have been reading e-zines instead which is pretty much anxiety-producing and feels almost like work.

It was a joy to find out last week that my friend who just flew in from Rome got me last month’s Art issue of L’UOMO Vogue.



Last month's issue pays tribute to the Venice Biennial with Zhang Huan and Maurizio Cattelan on the cover.

Tempted to tear every page, you would not believe how happy I was creating my own virtual scrapbook. Grazie!