There’s no shortage of style ideas in the Internet but finding inspiration that hits closer to home is a tricky matter. If you’re looking for style tips on locally available fashion, the personal style diaries of these seven Filipino girls will help you step out of your comfort zone, inform you about current trends, and even teach you a thing or two about snagging great deals at ukay-ukay.

Denise Katipunera (Denise)

Denise claims that there is nothing original about her, but a quick look at her photos is enough to disprove this statement. This wardrobe blogger has the prettiest ukay dresses around and can get away with wearing layers and scarves in our tropical climate. Aside from her perfectly-composed outfit photos, her sunny personality and positive attitude towards life makes her blog a delight to read.

Fashionista Fortune Cookie (Lloyda)

A girl like Lloyda is difficult to miss. Her outfits are playful yet polished, fashion-forward but not contrived. Every single outfit she wears leaves not only a lasting imprint of her style, but also a refreshing playfulness so rarely found in adults. It’s no wonder that she snagged one of Preview Magazine’s Best Dressed Awards this year, a spot in a style book, and numerous snaps at Style Bible. Her blog is a real inspiration for anyone who’s not quite ready to ditch their quirky duds for more “grown-up” attire.

Chic in the Tropics (Eden)

Black is often the safe, go-to color for those who are afraid to experiment with their wardrobe, but Eden brings back the edge and excitement to black clothing once more. This young disc jockey can be found partying in the streets of Cebu wearing statement pieces, trendy neutrals, and gravity-defying heels. Check out her blog for some real rocker-chick fashion and for ideas on new ways to wear black.

The Capricious Club (Bestie)

“Capricious” – an old-fashioned word for fanciful, whimsy, or erratic – is truly the perfect adjective to describe Bestie’s sense of style. There’s nothing predictable about her; on some days you’ll find her frolicking in a field in a maxidress like the hippies of old, on other days she waxes nostalgia in frilly blouses and bows. Follow her blog for ideas on how to translate vintage-inspired fashion and current trends into real life.

Death by Platforms (Kookie)

Most girls would pair lace and florals with girly accessories, but not Kookie of Death by Platforms – she wears her frilly dresses with layered black necklaces and lots of attitude. And of course, black platform heels! Her sense of style is a unique blend between classic femininity and gothic romanticism. If you’re adventurous enough to make unlikely pairings, check out Kookie’s blog for more photos of her edgy fashion sense.

A Plus B in the Sea (A and B)

We all want to stay abreast of current trends, but what if you’re on a limited student budget? Meet A and B, two spirited girls who can show you how to look good without spending a lot. They’ve got a useful guide on navigating Manila’s thrift stores, not to mention an abundance of dreamy photos that will make you want to frolic in the nearest field in lovely floral dresses.

Drowning Equilibriums (Aisa)

It’s easy to see why Chictopia Style Icon Aisa keeps getting featured on other fashion blogs – she can mix and match items from different eras with such effortlessness and grace. Although her preference for vintage-inspired fashion clearly shows, every new photo she posts is always exciting and inspired. She’s giving away tons of goodies from local online retailers soon, so if there has ever been a good time to follow her, it’s now!

Source: Seven stylish Filipina bloggers

A Filipina in the global news is Alexandra Escat because she was seen with Prince Andrew in a yacht. The Duke of York was seen engrossed in a playful conversation with the Filipina model on a luxury yacht last week.

Who is she?

Photo credit:estilodemadrid.com

From Night Celebrity

The 25-year-old swimsuit model joined the prince over the weekend as he jetsetted about. They even spent time aboard a massive multi-million dollar yacht that measures well over 150ft, only to end up in a luxury hotel with the likes of Janet Jackson and a few famous athletes.

But who is this woman, whom many believe to be Prince Andrew’s girlfriend?

For starters, she is a well-known socialite, who can be seen hitting up the party scenes in Madrid and Manila. Aside from bikini modeling, she has appeared in a commercial for hair products (see below), and has been invited to some of the most exclusive events in the UK. She is also a columnist for a Spanish website called ‘Estilo De Madrid.’

Her unique look can be traced back to her parent’s diverse background; her father is from Spain, while her mother is a native of the Phillipines, where she is often spotted at fashion events.

Cheryl Tiu, a wealthy Filipino magazine editor and close friend of the model, confirmed Miss Escat was the bikini-wearing woman snapped giggling as she allowed Prince Andrew to kiss her hand. Her friend wrote on Twitter ‘My friend Alex Escat was spotted yachting with Prince Andrew, Duke of York! Hello Magazine UK said she was the wife of another man. Hahahaha!’

Photo Credit: Anton Sheker of Blog Watch

I had the opportunity to hear Charice Pempengco sing the National Anthem , live during the Inaugural of the 15th President of rhe Republic of the Philippines. I was very impressed because her rendition is the original tempo. The National Historical Commission reportedly also gave a raving review to Pempengco’s rendition and for adhering to its lawful interpretation under the masterful guidance of Ryan Cayabyab.

“Okay ang pagkanta ni Charice ng Pambansang Awit,” added Ogie Alcasid, who co-wrote Noynoy’s inaugural song “Bagong Pilipinas” with progressive artist Noel Cabangon.

If you were not able to hear her sing, here is a youtube of her singing “Lupang Hinirang”
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THE woman who shook the nation by delivering P3 million in bribes to Malacañang 11 years ago is wanted in the United States for swindling and is believed to be in hiding in the Philippines.

Former textbook agent Mary Ann T. Maslog, who tried bribing officials of the Department of Budget and Management in 1999 so that her firm could wangle a P200 million textbook contract, is now Mary Ann Smith and married to an American who allegedly became her partner in crime.

Court records in Orange County in Florida show that Maslog is wanted for theft and scheme to defraud. She is facing charges of grand theft amounting to more than $100,000 and scheme to defraud in the amount of $50,000 which are classified as criminal felonies punishable with imprisonment.

Maslog also has been charged with civil traffic infraction for improper backing.

A source who participated in the investigation, and who asked to be identified only as James Katarungan, told VERA Files that Maslog operates with her husband, Michael Lee Smith, who hails from Virginia.

Katarungan said Maslog has a bag of tricks and the more successful one is where she takes a job as a salesperson with a reputable company, normally in radio or print advertising.

After a few months, her husband gets an office in or near the building where she works, identifying himself as a sort of a career guidance counselor. The two then promise their victims jobs at the company where Maslog works, although she is in no position to do so.

Maslog would even show victims around her company’s office, explain how things work, and even introduce them to her co-workers who welcome these visitors thinking they were clients.

The couple would then require a deposit from their victims ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, supposedly to cover training in another city, either Houston or Washington, D.C., for six months. Once they get the money, they close shop and skip town.

“She’s done this scam in Virginia and in Florida,” Katarungan said.

Maslog was also into credit card fraud. “While working in sales, she took credit card numbers from paying customers and stole their identities. She defrauded one man in Orange County Florida for over $100,000 by having credit cards made in his name and sent to her. This particular victim owned a gas station and has since gone out of business and was forced into bankruptcy,” Katarungan said.

A number of people the Smiths had conned have gone to court. Maslog was charged with grant theft and scheme to defraud on Feb. 26, 2007 and was ordered arrested Dec. 18 that year.

Arraigned in open court while in jail on Jan. 8, 2008, Maslog posted a $5,000 bail bond for the grand theft charge and $1,500 for the scheme to defraud.

Court records showed she missed the hearing of her cases last Feb. 22 and that her lawyer, David Faulkner, had withdrawn his services.

Read more http://verafiles.org/main/focus/pinay-in-textbook-scam-wanted-in-the-us-for-swindling/