The Panda Tries To Blog

It has been said that everyone has talent. What's rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads. I have always been a big fan of people who express themselves through art. I think they're in this level of deep thinking that no other person could understand but them. What amazes me more is when they come out and bring their ideas to life. I believe that's what makes these people fearless and unique -- to be able to share their God-given talents and a part of their world to others. So for today's article, I feel so lucky and grateful to be given the chance to do a short interview on two of my favorite female artists from the city. Read along as they each share their own sentiments on their passion for art and fashion. And here I am, giggling like a fangirl! Hahaha. Enjoy!

Photo by Patrizia Valerio Beanie, Top and Shorts from What A Girl Wants  Dreamcatcher handmade by Rashid Cid

These three words probably sum up today's outfit of the day. This is actually a throwback photo of me last December. But since it rained for a while today and this is totally one of my favorite casual OOTDs, I'm gonna share a little bit about one rainy evening that happened the day I wore this.

 Just recently, we've witnessed the opening of another shopping complex -- the SM CDO Downtown Premier. I've been invited to the exclusive preview for media influencers of this favored clothing line in the city, MAGS. We've got the regal Ms. Alice Dixson on the menu, new trendy clothes to watch out for and life lessons we can all take note of. Learn more about the humble beginnings of this homegrown fashion brand as you read along.

I smiled to myself as I held this piece of breakable figure in my hands. I was staring at my favorite character from Final Fantasy, Tifa Lockhart. Despite the fact that these collectibles are not as inexpensive as you might think and are rare to find, I missed my childhood. I miss my toy collections, my dolls, and the thought of being my imaginative self just by looking at this action figure. But do we really have to be kids to still be able to play with these toys?

Bonjour! Comment allez-vous? 

So here it is, as promised. A lot of people messaged me as soon as I posted my recent travel photos where it showed the iconic Eiffel Tower and everything that spells P-A-R-I-S. Ever since I was a little girl, it's not a question that the City of Love has always been a dream destination. Ain't that true for almost every girl out there? I'd imagine myself in my beanie, coat and boots, eating croissants in a quaint café while marvelling at the beauty of the iron tower of France. Well, here's the thing, all that's possible in just two hours away from the Philippines. 

Come away with me to Asia's Lion City. This place has been branded as one of the top emerging countries of the world. Rumor has it that the people here are very well-disciplined and they implement their laws very strictly. This was under the rule of the late Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister. What a dream for every country! And now that I've finally visited this place, I am happy to confirm that those aren't just rumors. Singapore truly is superb! Don't have second thoughts about booking that ticket now.

Photo by Ton Bollozos

The thirsty traveler is up for another getaway adventure somewhere in the Queen City of the South. Oh Cebu, you are just perfect for the first of summer. Anyone looking for an awesome summer destination in the country? I guarantee you that this place is gonna be worth the stay. Here is my Travel Diary Adventures DAY 1!

The famous Steve Jobs once said that, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all the matters of the heart, you'll know it when you find it." He wasn't an artist or a painter, in fact, he was an entrepreneur slash genius, greatly known as the co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. He just knew the secret to life through that quote. In relation to that quote, today's article will be about a certain someone who is actually living the good life -- a life where she knows that what she is doing is something she loves and it is in art where she finds such happiness. 

"Nothing makes a woman's heart beat faster than a fashion sale."

White cotton top from @ysasimbs, red peplum skirt from @barotsayacdo and 3-way bikini top from @thebeachproject_ph

The City of Golden Friendship has certainly evolved so fast in many ways. Lots of food joints, coffee shops, and drinking spots are opening everywhere! Well, it's about time Cagayan de Oro showcases the creative ideas, talents, and passion of the city's many entrepreneurs. 

It has always been a guilty pleasure of mine to explore new places here in the city. I feel like I'm on a mini adventure. I know it's just in the city but you never know what you might just find. I always have a love for customized places. It has always been a guilty pleasure of mine to visit shops that are decorated in a way where just by seeing it, it speaks for itself. So for this blog post, I decided to share some of my favorite newest spots here in the city which you should most definitely visit!

#1: THE OLD BLUE BURGERS

Location: Don A. Velez corner J. Gaerlan St. 

I finally did and I'm happy I did. It has still been a week and I'm already so in love with it. It's such an achievement for me to finally mark this one out of my checklist. It is sort of a big goal because I'm NOT good at saving! I've decided to write this article just because I feel like Fuji is seriously #photogoals.

Have you ever imagined your life as a movie sometimes? I SWEAR THAT'S MY FAVORITE PAST TIME! My life is seriously influenced by books and movies so much that I daydream about it most days. Yes, I'm weird like that.

"My sisters remind me, by their very steadfastness, that truth, beauty and goodness exist in the world and that no matter what, there are and always will be people loving people through thick and thin."

I gave in to the bandwagon. But whatever, I hope I'm not too late to upload my very own #NationalSiblingsDay post. I just found out about it today. It's not even on the calendar. WTF! Hahaha! Anyways, these two girls on my left and right are my younger sisters Caicai and Greta.

Sun's out in the Philippines but we're trading the heat for something cool and invigorating this summer at Hong Kong. Yup, we're back here again! A few might say that we should have tried a different country this time, but we've decided to explore the other parts of Hong Kong that we haven't visited so that it's a full check on our #bucketlist. Now we get it why tourists from around the world keep on coming back to this place. There's just so many things to try and experience!

Strikingly-cute cafes always seem to tickle my fancy ever since. Cafe-hopping has become a hobby for me. A couple of them have been sprouting out of nowhere in the city recently. So dope, right? Now we can have pretty good options to visit after school or work! Ramen lovers, hands up! Here are three new themed cafes where we can enjoy a hot bowl and where to find them:

"Self-love is not selfish. You cannot truly love another until you love yourself." Well, ain't that hugot right? But really, I'm gonna stop being melodramatic now. I just really needed a reason to express how important self-love is. It can be done in so many ways. For me, self-love means doing things that make you feel confident and happy in your own skin. I love to pamper myself, given that I usually have a stressful week. We all have our stressors and it's really important that we don't forget to take care of ourselves too.

I just couldn't stop staring at my nails as soon as the final touches were applied. I giggled like a kid after seeing my fingernails perfectly polished and more importantly, cleaner and prettified! Girls would just love this new nail salon that recently opened at the 2nd floor of Cagayan Town Center (CTC) located at Vicente Roa St. near Centrio Mall. It's the same spot that brought you Yakimix and Skinholics. And as of this month, another Mediterranean-inspired place has emerged. April Nail Salon definitely nailed it!