ME BUDDHA BANANA

ARTEXTURAL AT MARMONT

2012-02-23T11:39:00.004+08:00

Stay tuned for ARTEXTURAL’s launch at the famous Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.

Yes, that French inspired boutique hotel where Sofia Coppola’s movie, “Somewhere” was shot.

Featured designers: Vito Selma, Clayton Tugonon, Ramir Bonghanoy, Francis Dravigny, Juan Carlo Calma and Jamaica.

ART+HOME: ARTEXTURAL DESIGNS

2012-02-22T11:43:00.008+08:00

There is nothing quite like the third week of March in Manila, when the design crowd congregate en masse for Manila FAME International but hold on, if you can’t stop by, Angelenos and Filipinos in the west coast will be drawn with a real crowd-pleaser.

(Merella Single Seater and Stella Stool in laminated rattan)

ARTEXTURAL, a design showroom of high-end home complements and objets d'art from internationally acclaimed, award-winning designers from Cebu (Vito Selma, Clayton Tugonon, Ramir Bonghanoy, Francis Dravigny and Jamaica markets) ASEAN's declared city of culture, with focus on natural materials such as abaca, rattan and tobacco leaves, recently opened its doors, luring visitors in the art + fashion hub of downtown Los Angeles.

(Paisley accent chair and wrinkle pendant lamp)

Yes, all furniture and accessories are synonymous with progressive design, artisanship and function, handcrafted in Cebu, ASEAN's official City of Culture.

(Extra large crazy cut vase and Cheesan planter)

The opening of ARTEXTURAL in Los Angeles just gave us an excuse to linger a little longer in this sun-soaked city.

Gallery at Luma South, opening in March, will showcase sculptures by Juan Carlo Calma.

I’ll definitely put this on my agenda for 2012!

ARTEXTURAL SHOWROOM
910 S. Los Angeles Street, Suite 702
Los Angeles, CA 90015

STYLE BAR MITZVAH

2012-02-16T13:28:00.003+08:00

Josh Peskowitz
Editor, writer, stylist and consultant
Park & Bond, GQ and men.style.com

Never uptight, Josh Peskowitz dresses subtly intersecting old world tailoring and street sensibility. Yes, it’s all in the details!

" Great clothes make you stand up taller and feel more confident. You don't need a ton, but consider your clothes carefully. Wear what you feel comfortable in but make sure it fits properly." - Josh Peskowitz

I must agree and oh, who said the Jews aren’t stylish?

GROWING UP OVERDRESSED

2012-02-10T12:15:00.004+08:00

There is a fine line between style and good taste.

Any man who likes clothes think, at some point in his life, about the best suit tailors in Naples, bespoke shirts from Saville Row, New York and Hong-Kong and the best brogues and monk straps from Alden, Barker Black and Church’s.

I have always been inspired by my parents, mom being the classic convent schooled Ilongga and dad, the preppy, Jesuit educated, football playing farm boy. Both believed in decency and good manners, and in hard work – things which I have pretty much adopted growing up.

(Mom hours before her wedding with cousins Vina Corazon Lopez-Vito Ledesma and Paolo Isidro Lopez-Vito Miranda)

My mom lived in a very simple, but wonderfully stylish fashion; from her strands of pearl necklaces to statement chokers from her trips. Just like my dad, her charm, straightforwardness and elegance are qualities I have always tried to imitate.

Blame it on my mom, these days I find it inspiring to meet men who spends hours leafing through cloth bunches at the fabric store (yes, dad and I would do that at Fanbi with my mom). Honestly, it is wonderful to find all these like-minded people, as I spent my childhood being ridiculed for the way I dressed (a lot thought I was always overdressed as a kid).

For the nth time, I have always believed in keeping things simple. Wearing head to toe designer doesn’t make one stylish nor look good – it’s just plain pathetic!

(Mom wearing a maxi dress and yes, that's me! I know, I know, I look like a melted ball of cheese! haha)

We all know there are a lot of style rules, some of which are eminently sensible like not matching your tie with your pocket square but both should at least be harmonious, etc. I, myself, like wearing red socks, making me sometimes look like the pope but again, who cares!

Rules can stop people making disastrous choices, but “bejeweled shirts from Ed Hardy” should be consigned trash of sartorial bullshit.

RED EYE

2012-02-09T18:30:00.002+08:00

February is not for sissies – get a shot of this month’s season’s boldest primary color.

And yes, add that pink blazer too!

(Photos from The Sartorialist and Tommy Ton)

THINK PINK!

2012-02-08T14:06:00.002+08:00

Leif-Erik Hannikainen stands out in a sea of men in power suits and white dress shirts.

His style is recognizably Ivy – classic and individual, avoiding the more predictable combinations. And yes, he wears pink!

(Leif-Erik Hannikainen is a personal shopper (Brands, Stylist & Interiors) at Rustan Commercial Corporation)

A lot of Filipinos think pink isn't the most macho of colours. (oh, come on! Wake up guys!) but European businessmen have know for ages that you can’t go wrong with a pink dress shirt.

(Title inspired by Think Pink from "Funny Face" - too funny not to share!)

My dad for instance have been pairing his pink dress shirts with his trusty bespoke slim khaki and gray trousers (yes, my dad and I have slim – almost chicken like legs). The amazing thing with pink, it suits everyone.

In fact, I just had two shirts made!

BASIC MATTER 32: CARLO RUFINO ON KEEPING IT SIMPLE

2012-02-07T18:34:00.003+08:00

When it comes to my personal style, the most basic and effective rule is “keeping it simple”. Classically well-dressed men like my good friend Carlo Rufino, Brand Manager of local preppy brand, Regatta to menswear designers’ Thom Browne, Michael Bastian, Scott Sternberg and brothers, Kirk and Derrick Miller knew this principle, and so should you.

(Carlo Rufino wearing Regatta and shoes from Opening Ceremony. Photo by Anson Yu)

Hey, it’s 2012 and there are hundreds of styles to choose from with certain classicism with a modern, sophisticated twist whether bespoke, high-street, designer or ever thrift finds from that hole in the wall vintage store.

Trust me! You don’t have to look trendy to look good and yes, you don’t need money to look damn good.

DEATH BY LARYNGITIS

2012-02-06T17:06:00.003+08:00

I was over the moon again last weekend recuperating from a bad case of laryngitis, to put it lightly. My utterances consisted mostly of me staring in front of the mirror, asking myself: "You serious? Like, really now!?"

Yes, I was mute and I had to work double time just to send my message across. Only a few times in my life has my head been swimming this much. This whole thing has had me nearly-dizzy for two days.

Thank god for a couple of indie films that I have downloaded the night before. One minute, I was having trouble just wrapping my mind around how itchy my throat was, and the next, caught myself with a bowl of hot chicken soup, drooling over Pranzo di ferragosto followed by Le conseguenze dell’amore, and yes, a box of tissue watching L’ultimo bacio (haha).

(Pranzo di ferragosto - reminds me of how overbearing my mom can be with a lot of things. I love you mom!)

(Le conseguenze dell’amore)

( L’ultimo bacio)

8 tbs of cough syrup after and being gods little helper for 3 days, I'm really hoping this will help clear my throat so I can stop gazing off dead-faced into nothingness at work.

ART OF THE MATTER: WHEN LOOKING GOOD IS MORE THAN JUST AN ART. IT’S ROCKET SCIENCE.

2012-02-06T11:52:00.003+08:00

Style, taste, savoir-faire – these are qualities that make a man.

I have always liked featuring men who best reflect these calibers in their lifestyle and it feels great to be part of a generation of men that is re-defining itself and what being a man really means.

(The bow tie is the only piece of neckwear one should choose when wearing a tuxedo.)

Well cut bespoke dress shirts from Rome’s finest tailors, slim belts in black and braided tan, navy and khaki blazers cut beautifully and tasseled suede loafers - Alfonso Tagliaferri, a diplomat, is obviously having fun, loving life and fearlessly taking over the world.

(Navy blazer, tan penny loafers and khakis during the inauguration of OVO Habitante at the National Museum.)

Most men overlook the importance of a good fitted shirt but not Alfonso – it is almost like lingerie for women. He even makes a simple navy long-sleeved shirt with batik piping he bought during his trip in Bali look bespoke! Now, that’s sprezzatura!

Trust me, a man has more confidence knowing the piece he is wearing under his suit is made for him.

WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

2012-02-03T19:31:00.005+08:00

The Lisbon Tailor recently posted photos of three men from Paris, Madrid and Lisbon all dressed in superb bespoke classics.

(El Parisien)

(El Madrileño)

We all know these Mediterranean trio (why on earth wasn’t the Roman featured? ) have superb taste and value classic style, but look closely, still differ from one another.

(El Lisboeta All photos from The Lisbon Tailor.)

Obviously, all three don't dress in an exuberant and arrogant way but has kept it sophisticated and are simply amazing with that!

So, which one are you?

I definitely can relate more with the Madrileño!

BASIC MATTER 31: MIXING HIGH AND LOW

2012-02-03T17:51:00.004+08:00

August Wilson, an American playwright once said, “style isn’t nothing but keeping the same idea from beginning to end.”

Recently, I have noticed a lot of men are dressing a little more creatively and a little more unexpectedly and yes, more confident. Totally not bad!

(I mean, what is life without whimsy, right?)

I have always liked mixing high and low, mixing my Seven for all Mankind’s, APC’s and Viktor’s with tailored bespoke shirts, my Ascot Chang’s and shirts bought from the nearby thrift shop. Growing up, I always remember my parents telling me that dressing well means dressing like an individual and not like someone who you idolize on television.

I know I am sometimes guilty for staying on the safe side of dressing but hey, I love how a lot of designers now are more on individuality and putting a new version of what we guys should look like. Thom Browne and Michael Bastian for instance focuses more on individuality.

(Don’t blame me for being traditional and oh, those watch straps are sweet!)

I recently purchased a couple of nice fabrics in Japanese cotton and seersucker in purple, salmon, powder blue and white and have a couple of shirts and bespoke shorts made. Yes, creating your own visual style is always the key, let it be unique and hah! still identifiable for others.

CHAMPAGNE AND FLIP FLOPS

2012-02-02T15:17:00.008+08:00

Aside from boogieing the whole night with a glass of champagne on my right hand, what better way to start the lunar year and welcome summer than with a timeless new pair of flip flops from Bling Duck (Thank you Ruby and Trina!).

(Happy 25th Anniversary Lifestyle Asia and a big congratulations to my friend, Cheryl for doing a great job! Photos by Ingrid Chua Go)

Gong xi fa cai! Yes, these tired feet of mine embarrassingly need a lot of help from all the pain I got pretending to be an expert in tap and instead of tucking myself in bed at 2 AM on a weekday, I still opted to dance for another hour at Salon de Ning.

People close to me know I rarely wear flip flops in public but Bling Ducks’ just too impossible to pass. It has an ultra soft rubber foot bed making it more comfortable than any other flip flops in the market and yes, making it hard for the wearer to say no.

(Yellowduck LTD. is a Hong Kong-based company known for its high quality and comfort at a very reasonable price. The company recently launched a new and innovative line of urban flip flops.)

Bling Duck is also available in all Schu stores in TriNoma, Glorietta 3, Mall of Asia. Chocolate Schubar in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell and soon in Schu Ayala Center Cebu.

JEAN HILL : PUNCTUATED BY KNOTS

2012-01-26T17:39:00.003+08:00

Jean Hill
Designer

Definitely breaking the mold, Jean Hill transforms the common jersey into a work of art, breaking fashion tradition. She finds beauty and inspiration in antiquated materials and the beauty of the natural human form, punctuated by knots yet carefree in her designs.

Her collection is a mix of unexpected pieces, perfectly draped as if the wearer were a sculpture and yes, women who wear her clothes aren’t force-fed into fashion.

Hill’s designs may not have great hanger appeal but hey, when worn, it looks divine.

BASIC MATTER 30: PORTER YOSHIDA

2012-01-25T20:19:00.003+08:00

I cannot get enough of these hypoallergenic striped socks I got for a bargain a few years back and my trusty navy gingham shirt from Thomas Pink.

I just love pairing them with my selvedge APCs which I have had for 5 years now, my 3 month old back cap toe Aldens and yes (yes, haters to the left) my newly purchased Porter Yoshida Freestyle bag for some added punch of color.

DEFINITELY NOT A STABLE BUT CLOSE ENOUGH

2012-01-12T15:43:00.001+08:00

I might have gone a bit (well, not really) overboard on dressing up for the farm.

(plaid shirt from Brooks Brothers, cut off navy shorts from Ralph Lauren, flip flops from Massimo Dutti and hat from my dads closet.)

I mean, I don't really get to country it up very often, so made the most of the occasion since I only fly down south once a year.

RESOLUTIONS AND L'ARTE DI NON FARE NIENTE

2012-01-11T12:42:00.006+08:00

Aside from mastering the art of doing nothing (right, l'arte di non fare niente!) during my two week break down south, I have repeatedly watched Luca Guadagnino’s “Io sono l'amore (I am love)”, a tragic love story set at the turn of the millennium in Milan. Don’t blame me! Watching Tilda Swinton in Jil Sander is enough reason to make me melt.

(I am Love. Enough said!)

Tragic? Definitely not!

It has been almost three weeks since I last posted something on this blog ( yes, I have a lot of catching up to do at work ) and I am starting to hear blog posts in my head throughout the day.

Yesterday, I couldn’t stop but babble them to myself internally a few lines at a time like a retard who just downed four shots of Jägerbomb.

I embarrassingly crawled home in my navy trousers at 4 AM today and I am hopeful a few will make it into text.

I have grown disgustingly fat and floppy during the holidays hence me avoiding plaid for the meantime -My tummy, although more square than round has finally surfaced.

But hey, I’ve been trying my best to start the year right with dedicated and determined calorie restriction. Yes, I haven’t had a glass of soda since the holidays and been running a few kilometers each week to strengthen my leg and back muscles.

GOALS FOR 2012:

•Fit into my new pair of jeans
•Fit into the shirts I’ve had altered last July when I lost 40 lbs (unfortunately, I
gained it back)
•Stop myself from buying maternity pants (tempted!)
•Must not pretend I’m 3 sizes smaller my current size
•Get my groove back (if you know what I mean *wink*)
•A closet with inspirations from Ami’s Spring/Summer 2012

(Ami’s Spring/Summer 2012)

Anyway, I think it’s time to revamp my closet and replace the straps of my vintage wrist watch. Yes, I’m simple that way.

OUT WITH THE OLD. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-01T04:46:00.004+08:00

Last year went too fast, it’s amazing to see the calendar turn over to January again!

I am totally out with the old but grateful to everyone who has been a part of making my 2011 a blast ( Alfonso, Ingrid, Cheryl, Erika, Tessa, Janelle, Christina, Irene, Mario, Lester, Smiley, Carlo C., Carlo P., Carlo R., Carlotta, Ana, Ryan, Ivah, John, Monica, Alexei, Anton, Jacobo, Kristian, Karla, Kath, Sven, Finn, Jean, Michael, Christine, Anton, Gayette, Anna, etc) though midway turned out to be a bitch, I still managed to keep my head up.

Hoping 2012 will give me more reasons to smile and be a springboard for an explosion of more blessings in the next twelve months.

This year is all about looking to the future, having more balls and pursuing your dreams with fresh energy.

Excited? YES! Happy New year!

MUSIC : LOCKSLEY

2011-12-29T20:30:00.007+08:00

Listening to Locksley’s music made it easy for me to stay smitten the entire day.

(Locksley perform "The Whip" for Brooklyn Bugle Sessions.)

Aside from being heavily influenced by early British Invasion bands with an instrumental style based more on early American punk bands and modern garage rock groups, their style’s just spot on landing them an 8-page fashion spread in ELLE.

Those pair of red socks and saddle shoes – totally sick!

Watch Locksley’s full interview here:

B IS BANANAS, B-O-N-O-B-O-S!

2011-12-28T01:46:00.006+08:00

Who said you can’t be impeccably well-dressed at the office?

The guys behind Bonobos. a New York-based online menswear company known for providing clothes with an amazing fit since 2007 have been good examples of the saying, “if you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk".

Just like myself, the Bonobos guy is all about having a great fit that is tailored, stylish but totally not over the top – I think that makes a lot of sense.

Learn from them:

“Every outfit should have one unexpected thing, one conversation starter, one beachhead for a casual compliment, one thing that says you care. When in doubt, wear a blazer.” - Andy Dunn, Co-Founder and CEO

“I am a big believer that it's all in the fit. My advice is to find a great tailor.” - David Fudge, Head of Social Marketing

“My personal style is modern preppy, and typically pretty comfortable.” - Richard Mumby, Vice President of Marketing

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y BON NADAL

2011-12-25T02:35:00.014+08:00

Next to shopping and a shot or two of Jeiger, there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit.

Mi abuelito used to tell me and my hermana this when we were little, "Esta noche es Noche-Buena, Y no Es noche de dormir" which means "Tonight is the good night and it is not meant for sleeping!"

Natural high, YES! I couldn’t stop myself from singing, “cascabel cascabel, suena cascabel, este dia en trineo vamos a pasear, Navidad Navidad hoy es Navidad, es un dia de Alegria Y felicidad!!!!”

DELAYED FLIGHT AND OCCASIONAL FREE THROWS

2011-12-20T00:58:00.010+08:00

Last night was dripping with humidity and heat, and it is supposed to feel crisp and cool. Tonight surprisingly gave in and I just can’t help but enjoy the smell of newly cut grass.

I have taken my holiday break a few days earlier and it feels like I am centuries away down south. Yes, this sudden shift makes me feel like I am in celebrity rehab but thank god I was able to grab a copy of Rafe Bartholomew's basketball diary to the Philippines, where most men here are 5'4, and everyman's Air Jordans are a pair of flip-flops.

(Rafe Bartholomew, currently an editor of Harper’s Magazine, obtained a Fulbright grant to study the phenomenon of basketball in the Philippines.)

Rafe’s wonderfully written journey in my side of the pond kept me giggling non-stop the whole three hours at the airport, that I almost missed my flight.

“Basketball fever in the Philippines ran so hot that the government once rescheduled a voter registration drive after learning that it conflicted with the telecast of an NBA finals game.” – Rafe Bartholomew

I was hooked and the wrigglers inside my stomach skipped a beat as I continue to flip each page – I mean, who would have thought my country was so hoops obsessed.

Now, what to wear tomorrow?

GUILTY PLEASURE: MONOCLE MAGAZINE

2011-12-12T17:14:00.005+08:00

Just got my copy of this month’s Monocle Magazine. Yes, Monocle Magazine is the definition of a guilty pleasure.

(Photo from Marc of That is just Awesome.)

Now, let us not hate Tyler Brûlé for doing a fantastic job.

(Tyler Brûlé, Editor in Chief of Monocle Magazine and The Monocle Shop in St. Francis Yard, Hong-Kong)

BASIC MATTER 29: ALL THINGS TAILORED

2011-12-05T17:02:00.004+08:00

I have a deep relationship with my tailor – not that it’s a bad thing. Bespoke really is not about fashion, It is about individual style and elevated quality. I’ve always had my clothes hand-finished to the exact shape of my body.

(every tailor's guide to anything bespoke)

For the ignorant douche next to me, bespoke means having clothes hand-finished because anything mass produced won’t fit me – yes, consider yourself stupid!

(A trip to my tailor is always a joy!)

I admit, I am just as vain as Italian men even if they won’t admit it HAHA!

(My good friend, Mario in his usual Friday night party get-up!)

Right, Mario?

I mean, nobody really wants to look sloppy, right?

BLACK AND BLUE

2011-12-05T12:25:00.002+08:00

Call me boring but yeah, I am the kind of guy who wears denim with everything from pique polo shirts to bespoke. Since some jeans are inherently dressier than some and will therefore look better with my bespoke dress shirts in my closet.

(ACNE max cash slim jeans in black and Rag and Bone straight leg denim jeans)

A good pair of jeans should always enhance your body and not hide it. Almost all my jeans are cut slim (I was never used to super baggy blue jeans dad used to get me in high school) but not skinny but hey, I look good in them despite me having almost the same body type as Jack Black.

Sometimes, when I see a nice pair with the right wash in a different cut, I grab them without even thinking twice. A quick trip to my tailor usually does the trick.

I mean, you just don’t want to wear your jeans – you also want to look great in them.

Note: the darker the blue, the dressier the jeans and please, no studs. You can also try black.

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE: ON WHAT TO PACK AND GETTING THE PERFECT TAN

2011-12-05T10:43:00.006+08:00

Packing for the province always isn’t too easy for me especially when it’s sweltering hot down south (yes, double the humidity compared to Manila).

What I have considered packing with me:

1.Espadrilles. Who cares about them being a big trend, I’ve had my pair even before
it became a trend in this part of the world. My Abuelito (grandfather) would
always wear them walking around the terraza and lanai.
2.My pink beach shorts. I’d rather be easily spotted in the middle of the sea than be
bitten by barracudas.
3.Sun tan lotion (yes, not sun block!).
4.Slim shorts in red, khaki, navy and seersucker.
5.My go-to cotton plaid shirts
6.My trusty perfectly beaten-up tan Gucci loafers
7.A pair of white dress shirts in cotton and oxford.
8.And a pair of selvedge denim for than unexpected after party.

It is always important to head down south or whichever destination you’re going for
the holidays with a simple but sophisticated capsule wardrobe. And please, no fur!

I have also been looking forward to the following:

1.An early morning drive to the farm.
2.House-hopping from lunch to dinner ( plus a few
bottles of wine).
3.Afternoon merienda (knickerbocker) at uncle
Greg’s restaurant, Palmeras.
4.The usual Hawaiian dinner at my aunt’s place overlooking the city.
5.Lazy afternoons at our Lanai.
6.A trip to pink sand Santa Cruz Island (yes, I need
to get toasted!)
7.Gift shopping in Barter and Yakan Village.
At the same time, I am also looking forward to getting back on the first of next
year to start working on a big project.

Note to self: have those golf clubs cleaned before hitting the fairway.