Buy Filipino: Global Pinoy Bazaar(November 10-11)

Hi SavourLifers,

Remember Yabang Pinoy? I wrote about them here.

I received an email from them last weekend inviting me to the Yabang Pinoy Media Night which was held last night (I will soon write on a separate entry about last night’s event).  It was a fun night with food, games, gimmicks, prizes and surprises.  Apart from sharing with us the various advocacies of Yabang Pinoy, the bloggers were also introduced to the different brand partners of Yabang Pinoy; the reason why we were invited to a media night event.

Yabang Pinoy is celebrating its 8^th PHmade movement and they will be showcasing the brands presented to us at the media night along with  other brands which were part of the Global Pinoy Bazaar the previous years (check some of the brands here). This years  Global Pinoy Bazaar will be held on November 10-11 at Rockwell Tent, Makati City.

I'm giving away tickets to the Global Pinoy Bazaar 10 lucky readers will win 4 tickets each!!!

To win tickets, here's how:

TWITTER
1. Follow @yabangpinoy and @letssavourlife.
2. Tweet @yabangpinoy and @letssavourlife this:
“Hi @letssavourlife and @yabangpinoy! I’ll buy Filipino! I want tickets to the  #GlobalPinoyBazaar!”

Or

FACEBOOK
1. Like the Facebook page of Yabang Pinoy here and Let’s Savour Life here.
2. Post on your wall: 
“Hi Letssavourlife! I’ll buy Filipino! I want tickets to the Global Pinoy Bazaar! with Yabang Pinoy  and Letssavourlife.”

Below are among the products presented at the Yabang Pinoy Media Night. 

These are from Punchdrunk Panda visit them at:
http://www.punchdrunkpanda.com/

As you think of the best Christmas gifts you’ll buy for your loved ones, think Pinoy. Buy Filipino. Let’s choose Filipino this Christmas.

Live Life!

Mai=)

Tough as a Nail: Juste Un Clou chez Cartier

I was once among the many women addicted to buying fashion magazines. For several years I've been purchasing all 12 issues released by my favourite glossy outfit every year. But a point came when I thought their features turn to be the same almost every time, it started to bore me; I don’t get to read anything new from them anymore. So I decided to stop buying them.

But an assignment at work made me decide to purchase a glossy again, this time from another outfit, the first-time I purchased an issue from this glossy company. The magazine, I’m not sure if I like it or I don’t; maybe I still need to warm-up with them. But something caught my eyes while browsing the pages.

It's breath taking, it was shining brightly at me making me glow, its promise was certain, it knows how to complement your beauty, it’s very secure about its makings making you feel very confident in it, it’s a very silent piece of embellishment but its presence commands importance. 

Cartier. Their pieces will always remain a mystery and their incredible craftsmanship will never ever go unnoticed.

I'm probably among the very few women who’s not very much attracted to jewelleries. Well, I know how to appreciate a piece but I won't kill for it. And though I understand how enchanting these metal pieces are; it’s just seldom that they ring a bell with me. But if it's a piece of jewellery with great aesthetics then that will surely be a reason for a change of heart on my part. 

Juste Un Clou, literally translates to "just a nail". That's the bracelet I saw on my glossy.The only metal piece I eyed the longest, full of wonder; even lust. I was captivated, I fell in love at a glace. It held me paralyzed. I was staring in awe. But, knowing the price of this metal piece; I know it will soon be placed at the top of the list of my unrequited. Ohhh no...this will be difficult...=(

What I like about it. It's refreshingly unexpected ― a nail for your wall transformed to fit your fingers and your wrists. Simple, yet elegant. Minimalistic in design, yet something no one can ignore. It holds a presence in it's silence and it draws you into its mysticity. 

Here's a photo to leave you lusting too... 
(below are photos, secured at random from the internet)

Here's a video to leave you wanting...


Video credit to Vimeo, Cartier: Juste un Clou from Bagahol Cartier: Juste un Clou

Yeah,yeah,I can hear you...gorgeous right?Now, I think I now believe in Love at First Sight...no minus the lusting part... Watch the video over and over and I'm certain; the image of that bracelet will be hovering at the surface of your imagination forever...

RRRrrraaaaRRRrrrrr....I'm literally squirming and giddy at the same time...ohhh nooooo!!!Juste Un Clou !!!you got me bad.Really bad... 

I hope one day, i'll have one of those...Ohh world, ohh rich,rich world you heard me. I want one of those!!! I want one of those!!!I want it so much I wanna cry...haaayyy....

Juste un Clou bracelet you, your charm is so tempting you're so hard to resist, you've created a very deep hole in my heart, ummm in my head? Well I don't know which part really, but yeah, you did that. And yeah you nailed it good!Really good, or should I say bad?...Whatever, but one day, you'll wrap yourself around my wrist and I will never ever let you go. You'll be permanently hinged at my wrist. Remember that!

Ok, this entry is somewhat a slight sight to lunacy yeah? So before completely crossing the line I'll stop here.

Well, let's live forever hopeful at whatever the riches of these world can afford for us.*wink,wink*=)

  

Live with hope and full of Life,

Mai♥

P.S.This is not a sponsored blog entry

 

On Life Lessons: Remembering how to be Strong

A friend came to visit more than a month ago.

This friend of mine is among my most beautifuls. Blessed with a face of that of an angel, she carries in her banner fun and laughter; a voice that soothes fear, anger and pain and a heart that seem to not understand hurt, betrayal or danger. But her ability to love beyond love appears to me her greatest gift as well as her curse ― behind the pretty face is a heart breaking story...

I've know her half my life. I know her struggle, her pain, her ghost; I saw her truly loved and broke her wings, healed but scarred; tried to fly again awkward, blind, and uncertain with her direction.

It pains me.  There were so many times I wished to take her loads off her shoulders; my protective self tells me I’m stronger than her, my protective self tells me to take her away from the demons of her past, my protective self tells me to take the lashes and spare her bruised body from it; and once,  I did take it. It tasted acid; bitter, murky, evil, rusty, lethal.

But seeing her again after a short while that we haven’t seen each other― a change; a new beginning, a stronger heart was born. Not only once did I shed a tear with her narrating of her story; but I looked at her and her eyes are dry. She no longer weeps, no longer weeps for the past.

I am happy that finally the tides are starting to turn for her. Currently she is anchored safely at the harbour. But should she sail anew I fervently pray she would never have to encounter a storm of the same form.

A beaten soul can only endure so much adversity in a lifetime.

Initially this was supposed to be a standalone feature story. A written reminder on how to be strong, on who to look up to when I need to be strong; to inspire me and you my readers who might be sailing a difficult course. But amidst the pandemonium on the controversial Cybercrime Law a few days back; this friend of mine is who I have in mind while educating myself about this new law. 

She, like many of us benefited and enjoyed the freedom in accessing social networking sites on the internet. But unfortunately for her that same freedom that she enjoyed was used against her ― a victim of so many forms of violence from the actual physical, emotional, psychological abuse; to moral defacement and verbal deprecation, actual public humiliation and cyber malicious derogatory abuse. She had it all. 

Sometimes when I look at her I can’t help to ask myself “how can someone this good allow herself be treated this bad?” But I think to a certain point I understand...I have learned to understand...

Cybercrime Law. I hope for it to hold more promise to protect the ordinary netizens. I hope for it to be clearer in purpose. And most of all I hope for it to be able to carry out its purpose and not disappoint. On a personal note while most people are angry about some parts of this law, I secretly hope for this to be of help to my friend in winning her battle. Self-serving I know, but from where this is coming I think it’s understandable.

Until then, let’s carry on...

And to you my Dearest, like what you told me. From everything you've been through, nothing is too difficult. Something I learned from you. You’ll carry through, you always have.=)

Live a Better Life,

Mai =)

Nota Bene:

This entry is written with consent from the involved party. Some details from the image attached were intentionally removed to protect the privacy of the parties not part of this feature. 

From My Personal Journal: Conversations with GOD

September 13, 2012

Last night was just one of my many ordinary nights ─ or so I thought…

I got home a little late than usual. I had a doctor’s appointment after work and the consultation took a while; so, I was a little tired when I got home. I did all my usual menial activities, I checked my phone for unanswered messages, eat whatever food left in the fridge (I was in my “I’m not really hungry, I don’t think I need dinner tonight” kind of mood), prepared for sleep, took my journal and my bible to my bed, looked out the window, looked up the sky while hugging my bible close to my heart and started talking to GOD.

I talked to God like I would to a friend when I pray. I told him about my usual prayer. The only prayer I asked of him for myself. Then suddenly pools of liquid spring to my eyes. They trickled down my face and would never stop. I poured my heart out to God. And he encouraged me as if saying;

“My child, I am here. Tell me everything. I saw you trying to numb your heart for a long time. I am aware that you haphazardly picked yourself up and glued your heart to piece them back together, put a smile on your face, walked to the world nonchalant about your pains. But that’s not what I want for you.

I want a brand new heart for you; you have always asked me that. And that is what you deserve. Remember those glue and bandage you use to hold yourself back up? You see, those are just temporary bonds, it may have hold your heart for awhile but those actually made all the gaps and the cracks in your heart more visible to me. Temporary bandage are not good enough. That’s not what I want for you.

Don’t be scared of your tears. Don’t be scared of your pains. I tell you what I did. Those temporary bonds in your heart, you don’t need them. I turned them into liquid, let go of your pains and release them through tears. I heard you, I am here and I will heal you. Pour out your heart, let go of all your tears, let go of all your pains and I will reward you with a heart that’s whole like the one you used to have. A heart who knows how to forgive, to understand, to support, to listen, to be patient, to love and to trust. That’s the heart that you deserve to have; the kind of heart that I want for you to have again. My child, this has always been your prayer, be patient and I will give it to you in time.”

I was immovable for God knows how long. I was just crying out to him. I cannot believe myself. He spoke directly into my heart. His words bypassed my logic I didn’t have time to think I did not even tried to think. I did not want to let go of that moment. And then after a while I stopped crying opened the Bible at random and this is what it says:

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

Psalm 85: 10-13

And then I started crying again. Have you seen those video clips from the midnight program of The 700 Club on TV? Those moments when the person giving his testimony decides to go back to God and encounter their turning point? You could picture me somewhat like that only those clips only last for a few seconds. Mine took a longtime. I honestly don’t know how long I sat crying and rocking myself while hugging the Bible like that. I am happy with my faith, I’m not religious but I believe in my God with full understanding of my relationship with Him. I don’t claim to know him too well and I am not learned in Bible reading. And honestly my logic could not explain what that scripture wants to speak to me. But my heart says that scripture is the completion of his word to me a few weeks back.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

(Psalm 27:14)

***It took me a while deciding whether to post this or not. Firstly, because I promised not to post my life’s drama in this site (so forgive me for failing to keep my promise). Secondly, because of matters of conformity (though I’m not really a conformist, it’s just that I don’t want you, my readers to feel uncomfortable about this topic). The thing is I’m a Catholic, and Catholics are not really known to be openly talking about their encounters with God nor are they known for reading the Bible on a day to day basis (More about this on my future posts). But then again I reasoned why would people feel uncomfortable talking about God? And then, something told me, just post it. It’s never wrong to tell the world about God. The world needs to hear it (read it…), the world has to know. Besides, you wouldn’t know, there might be someone out there who needs it. Maybe it’s not for you; maybe someone else needs to hear it through you. So go ahead, post it.

God will see us through (This line I added just today, and I’ll hold this in my heart. God will keep me, protect me, and will never let me go through anything to push me away from him, to make me feel unloved.). He is God the beginning and the end…only in his time…

Live to Love and Honor God

Mai

The I Do Project:20 Things I Want To Tell Engaged Women

1. Marriage is made up of two good forgivers. Because every marriage is made up of two sinners. (Romans 3:23) 

2. At some point, you will have to learn that life isn’t all about you. (Philippians 2:3)

3. Don’t listen to women that tell you that passion fades…it doesn’t have to! (um…all of Song of Solomon)

4. Don’t give up. Love never fails. (1 Cor. 13)

5. He wants a kind wife, not a maid or another mother. Be nice. (Galatians 5:22-23)

6. Give your husband the gift of your respect.  He needs it more than you know. (Ephesians 5:33)

7. Be mindful of your expectations. 

8. Honor the Lord above all things. Colossians 3: 17

9. Find your worth and security in the Lord, and don’t look to your husband to

meet all of your needs.

10. Be very careful about reading romance novels, they set you up for an unrealistic view of romance.

11. Real romance is finding that one spot in the crook of his arm to snuggle into, that shared look over the dinner table when the kids are acting crazy, and the way he fixes the leaky sink when he is dog-tired after work.

12. Love is about relationship.  The more I love my husband, and seek a relationship with him, the less critical and duty-bound I become.  It is similar to my relationship with God.

13. Be thankful for the husband you have. Accept him as he is, not for what you want him to be.

14. Don’t compare!! Don’t buy into the game of comparing him with anyone else’s husband.

15.The Biblically “normal” marriage is filled with joy, connection, laughter, and peace.  It’s not free of hurt feelings and conflict, but they know how to process their pain with one another so that they live more often in a meadow than at the scene of a train wreck.  This is not the average marriage, but it normal – -because it is a visible display of Jesus’ relationship with His bride (Ephesians 5:22-33).

16. Your marriage is a testimony! 

17. Pray for your marriage. Pray hard.

18.I’ve heard that is gets better with age.  I have to say in my short {13 year} experience, that is so true.

19. Where there is God, there is always hope. Even for the most broken marriages. “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

20.Marriage is commitment and sacrifice. But it’s also the best, most wild ride you will ever have with your best friend.

 

 

 

 

This is another Great, Great, great reflection about Love. I’ve read this a few times and it never failed to make me misty eyed every time. She perfectly articulated the wife I want to become when it comes my turn. When it comes my time…I’ll strive to be this kind of wife…

I’m tempted to add my own thoughts about marriage and relationships but I’ll hold my tongue. Instead, let me share what one of the Ninangs one liner speech in my officemate’s wedding a few weeks ago.

 

“Wag sanang magtanong kung sino ang mas nagmahal, ang importante, may pagmamahal.” 

That’s all that she said, simple, direct. But it made so much sense. It resonated so much with me.

Love can be painful sometimes, but there was never a promise that it will never hurt. So, long as there’s love…

Live and Love with all your heart!

Mai♥

Photo Credits: Pinterest,Darlene Schacht (TimeWarpWife.com)

Text Credits: Grace Full Mama by Joy Forney 

*****Visit her site there are a lot you can learn from her. Also linked above is her article for  A Kind Wife another great article by her.=) 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

My brand of love, the only brand I know. What I want to have and hopefully what I can give...

 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

 1 Corinthians 13:4–8

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Advocacy: May Yabang ang Pinoy!

So, you’ve seen this picture. And siguro naiinis kayo sa mga pose kase pare-pareho lang naman and somewhat overly redundant. But I hope you don’t turn your back on me because of this. This photo is actually a teaser to this entry.

I’m sporting my new priced accessory. Yes!I’m referring to that abaca bracelet around my wrist. It’s a priced accessory not because of its cost, at Php50 it’s the cheapest bracelet I’ve worn. But it’s more than just a bracelet and the value attached to it is not at all cheap. It’s a Yabang Pinoy bracelet!

Yabang Pinoy is an organization who advocates in uniting the Filipinos through different events involving Filipino music, sports, travels, bazaars, etc. But they are most known for that Yabang Pinoy bracelet. I learned about them about 5years ago in a TV feature. It was also around that time when my Mom was scheduled to visit her sister in New Jersey, so I thought yabang pinoy bracelets would be a nice pasalubong to my cousins, it will give them an identification more associated to their roots. So, I looked for yabang pinoy bracelets in the malls but couldn’t find one. Eventually it slipped my head.

Moving forward to last Friday; I went to Robinsons Galleria  for a last minute shopping. I needed to buy a pair of shoes to wear for a workmate’s wedding on Saturday last week. And as my skill in memorizing directions doesn’t really work when I’m in that mall, my feet took me to the sports boutique section of the mall. It’s not really where I needed to be. So, pressed with time I stormed back and forth that whole section looking for an exit.

But as I was about to leave that section, a shop clustered among those sports boutiques caught my attention. I noticed the items on display on their glass walls have that Filipino theme on them. And then my eyes went to the direction of the cashier counter of Capital G Urban Arts Center (C.A.L.Y.E), that’s the name of the shop.

I found my gaze on the trinkets on display at the counter and my eyes automatically recognized their abaca merchandise, my Yabang Pinoy bracelet was among all the other abaca merchandise on display. In nanosecond I was already at the counter fitting those Yabang Pinoy bracelets on. It was a bonus that Jen the staff manning the counter was very accommodating. She even invited me to their anniversary it’s a weeklong celebration. Unfortunately I was unable to join any of their events because of my schedule. But you might be interested to give them a visit, on regular days they offer music and dance classes at their shop.

Now going back to Yabang Pinoy, I don’t think a lot of us know them. I’ve been wearing this bracelet for a week now and nobody even noticed it, nobody even asked what it is and why I’m wearing abaca bracelet on my wrist. I have a new bangle I started to wear the same time I started wearing my Yabang Pinoy bracelet and many a pair of eyes noticed it because it’s classy, it’s pretty and it’s sophisticated; not just a single time I was asked to take it off so they could fit it on. I want people to look with the same admiration at my Yabang Pinoy bracelet. It deserves the same admiring look because of it’s unique character it’s made of the strongest natural fiber, it’s simple but is an artistic piece on its own, and it carries in it a purpose; a promise that each piece sold feeds a home, and every wristband worn is a step closer to its goal of making Filipino's to be shouting proud Pinoys, sa isip, sa salita, sa gawa. Isn’t it more admirable than a fancy glittering accessory? It frustrates me...

Let’s not turn a blind eye on this. Help me promote Yabang Pinoy to the world share this and the Yabang Pinoy website with your friends. Like their site and become an advocate. It’s about time that we become involved. Let us support all the Filipinos who are taking part in nation-building. A better Philippines will become easier to achieve if we take part in creating a change. I know we have shown clear enough that we care about our country. But let’s try to show our love a little bit more. May Yabang Ka! Ipakita Mo Pinoy!

Show the world you’re proud to be Pinoy by wearing a Yabang Pinoy bracelet. You may purchase them from the Yabang Pinoy Partner Stores.

Live Life!

Mai

PS: The list for the partner stores may not be updated anymore. PowerBooks in Mega Mall doesn’t have it anymore but I’m told it’s available at PowerBooks Glorietta, Happy Feet at Robinsons Galleria doesn’t have it too.

The I Do Project: Video Series #1

So I told you on my The I Do Project: So Tell Me What’s your Love Language? post about a friend who tasked me to help him plan his marriage proposal to his girlfriend. So, while I stayed home calming a troubled heart yesterday day. No, it wasn't broken but it was skipping a beat literally, I had trouble breathing.No, don't worry, I'm used to having shortness of breaths every once in awhile,besides that's not the story for this entry. 

Now going back, while in that state I decided to seriously search for weddings and proposal videos, that's all I did half of my day. To start with here's a sample of a marriage proposal video, some of you might have probably seen this already since this is one of the most viewed marriage proposal videos at Vimeo and Youtube. And rightfully so, it's simple, it's cute, it looks like they were just enjoying what they are doing, and you can see the guy(Tim) is happy doing it.I guess that's the best you can do in a nerve racking situation like that, to just enjoy the moment.=)

So, let's join them in. Enjoy and celebrate happy moments!This might inspire some light bulb in you head if you're planning to propose too.*wink,wink*

Ohh, by the way load the entire video first before playing it again.Umm,just sayin'.=)

The I Do Project: Video Series #1

Video Credit to: Meme Proposal | Tim * Audrey from Crazy Monkey Studio on Vimeo.

I hope this makes your day.It did mine. Expect for more!=)

Live Life!

Mai