Birthday Video - Questions Answered

Remember the time I said on Twitter that if you got any questions, I'd answer them through a video? So some of you tweeted, and I made sure that your questions were answered. Haha! I didn't prepare any answers, so my responses were very spontaneous and weird. Also, some of you asked two questions, and I was not able to answer them consecutively, so you might have to search your second question after my answers to the other questions. So far, I think it's Leomer and Jepoy who had two questions... Haha!

The people who asked are the following (because apparently, some forgot that they were able to ask haha!):

- Domingo

- @thewinekone

- @Leomer

- @taragism

- @lyzius

- @JAWSHorTEASE

- @erickamae06

- @JenneOllie

- @theprincejei

- @heyheykylie

- @superdevins

- @binobautista

- @musingan

- @DevonRealDeal

- @Akoni0609

- @leahsayomac

- @143mitchie

- @caffei_nate_d

- @______Michael

- @whatsadomadeof

- @applelipz20

- @carleendsantos

- @Sjmerida

- @JasonTelmo

- @LyonChantraE

- @emelynwestlifer

- @IncredibleJepoy

- @Romeocoolbadboy

- @freddiebadol

- @Gerlyndelillo

- @trishiebee

- @ginz156

- @kumagcow

Thank you for tweeting guys! I had fun answering your questions! =) Also, thank you for the greetings and the sweet comments! I love you guys! <3

Here's the video:

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Harvey Prince Fragrance Will Set The Mood

Scents can change your mood. There are plenty of articles out there which talk about this fact, and because of this, batches of mood perfume are coming out. One striking brand caught my attention though, and this line of mood perfume is Harvey Prince.

Stressed out? Maybe you need a "Yogini" !

Their perfumes are very specific according to what you want to happen. Their products include:

1) Yogini - The newest addition to their line. It is meant to give you relaxation by calming your mind with its elevating mix.

2) Ageless - According to testimonials, many women say that they feel around 10 years younger. The mix seems to cover up the scent of age, and indeed makes you feel ageless. This is the scent that started it all, because the creators of Harvey Prince created this originally for their mother.

3)  Eu Fling - This seems to be a love potion. It is known for attracting men. If you feel like finding a date today, maybe you need this to do the flirting part.

4) Eu Flirt - Another potion. It also does the flirting part for you. Once you wear this, people will start talking about you with a positive wonder.

5) Coupling - This scent will get your man to be all yours. This has a sophisticated smell, and men have responded well to this scent.

6) Eu de Creme - Want to smell as satisfying as your favorite dessert? This has a smell of pink passion fruit, dark chocolate, french vanilla, and rum raisin, which will definitely give you that mischievous and sweet impression.

7) Eu de Lite - This scent has decreased appetite among those who wore this. Maybe you need this when you go out for an eat-all-you-can mode with your friends.

8) Submariner - Men, you're included in the line! It has an aquatic touch that elevates your masculinity and confidence. 

These are only some of their products. If you check them out, you'll see more products which may interest you. 

As you can see, their products were specially made to attract or change the mood of the people around, or the person herself. Of course, if you can get that confidence in just one spray, you would grab the opportunity, right? Aside from smelling good, you can also get the additional benefits of feeling young or having the best date of your life. Talk about getting hypnotized!

Actually, this brand has been the talk of the town. They have been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, The Early Show, Cosmopolitan, and The Huffington Post. If you want to get samples before you start buying, you can visit www.harveyprince.com for more information.

Start spraying to start feeling exactly like the mood you want to be in!

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Happy Valentine's Day !

This is what I meant by "spreading the love"! <3

From the creators of "The Long Distance Relationship", here's another short from the GRIM FILM that shows the real meaning of Valentine's Day.

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Lady Gaga: The Born This Way Ball - Australia

Lady Gaga is coming back to Australia once again to bring us "The Born This Way Ball", which was produced by Live Nation. This is her new tour, wherein she will be performing songs from "Born This Way", "The Fame", and "The Fame Monster". 

According to Lady Gaga: "The Haus of Gaga and I have worked for months conceiving a spectacular stage. The Born This Way Ball is an Electro-Metal Pop-Opera; the tale of the Beginning, the genesis of the Kingdom of Fame. How we were birthed and how we will die celebrating”. Tickets to this tour are on Pre-sale under Visa Entertainment from February 13, 9 am, until February 15, 5 pm. The start of ticket sale to the general public will start on February 17, 2012 at 9 am.

TOUR DATES:
Wednesday 13 June - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Wednesday 20 June - Allphones Arena, Sydney
Thursday 21 June - Allphones Arena, Sydney
Wednesday 27 June - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Thursday 28 June - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Saturday 7 July - Burswood Dome, Perth

For more information, visit http://www.visaentertainment.com.au/Categories/Live-Music---Theatre/Lady-Gaga-(1).aspx

SOURCE: http://www.visaentertainment.com.au/

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Whitney Houston : Dead at 48

The news has just come in that Whitney Houston has died. The reason of death is still unknown... However, reports say that she partied heavily last night with her group of friends and died at Beverly Hilton Hotel. She was found in her hotel room's bath tub with her head underwater.

Her family said that she has been taking a prescription drug called Xanax, which aims to treat anxiety and when taken with alcohol, it may cause drowsiness. Aside from this, police has seen half dozen bottles of medications in her room (TMZ). Official results of her autopsy are still placed on hold.

I was just listening to her songs yesterday... May her soul rest in peace... She will always be a legendary singer.

SOURCES:
http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/11/whitney-houston-dead-partied/#.Tzcy5fUyrDc

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/02/12/whitney-houston-dead-prescription-drugs-drowned-autopsy/

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Kyle & Jackie O with Orlando Bloom on Feb.13

Let me start this off again... Remember how I've always wanted to get the chance to meet Orlando Bloom? I already said this about Miranda Kerr and events started to happen to give me the opportunity to do so, but due to the fact that I cannot absent from my clinical placement on the days of these events, I am just hoping for another event that would take place at the right time. =(

Kyle and Jackie O

It's my birthday and my cousins decided to tell me "Are you going to be free on Monday? That is the perfect time for you to give yourself a birthday gift." And I am like... "Why? What's up on Monday?" Then they both said that Orlando Bloom was the co-host of my favorite radio show "The Kyle and Jackie O Show" this Monday! And I know where their station is, and my cousins told me I can drop by.

Orlando Bloom.

You know the feeling wherein your mind and heart were racing tremendously in all directions? I got restless. I want to absent, but I can't... And... but... Grrrr... That's an opportunity! It's a sure thing that he'll be in that place at that very moment!

However, for now... All I can say is: "I know there's another opportunity for me." The next day, Miranda Kerr will be at my favorite store, and once again, I cannot go because of my clinical placement. =( Again, "I know there's another opportunity for me."  Everything will come at the right moment.

So to all the fans of Orlando Bloom and The Kyle and Jackie O Show, listen to them on 2day FM on Monday. The show starts at 6:00AM and ends at 9:00AM.

And Orlando Bloom, I hope you get to see these videos I made with you as one of the stars. Guess who the other one is... LOL:






I REALLY HOPE YOU GET TO SEE THESE...!!! :( That would be an amazing birthday gift!!! 


Sigh...All these events are happening during my birth month. LOL! And I can't even go to these events! =((

I'll pretend that Orlando gave me the balloon. LOL

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My Birthday - 2012

February 11... I was born on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is because of this blessing that my second name was derived from Our Lady of Lourdes herself. Also, I have always associated my birthday with the feast day, so I am thankful that I am deeply connected to the blessed Mary.

It is my second time to celebrate my birthday here in Australia. Of course, I would love to celebrate my birthday with all my family and friends in the Philippines, but I am still happy and I feel that I still have a fulfilling celebration, because I can feel the love from everyone who gave time to remember with me this special day. I am still grateful for all of the blessings and opportunities that I have received in the past year, and I am already thankful for what is to come.

Photo taken by Cristina! =D Balloon was from
her cousin LOL!
2012 BIRTHDAY!

This is just a quick post. I still have an upcoming birthday video, wherein I answered all your questions from Twitter. That will be my special birthday video upload haha!

Thank you to everyone who greeted!!! Family and friends, you are part of my blessings! I thank God everyday for having you! I love you all!

To my parents, I miss you and thank you for the messages!!! See you soon!!!

God bless! And again, thank you for all of your support and love! <3

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The Phantom of the Opera Invades Manila & Australia 2012

One of my lifetime goals is to be a BROADWAY musical star.  My friends would look at me weirdly when I say this, because they're used to me singing Pop or Rock. However, I discovered this when I was 7 years old, upon hearing Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA soundtrack through my cousin. That time, I haven't seen the movie yet (the one that starred MADONNA), and I was just creating these images in my head while listening to the songs. I started acting the scenes out, while singing the musical pieces, imagining I was Evita. That was the start of my love for musicals ...

At a young age, I was exposed to the theatre world. I watched Miss Saigon when I was 8 in Sydney (this starred Ms. Joanna Ampil), and I continued watching musicals while growing up in the Philippines, such as "They're Playing Our Song", (held in Manila, which starred Ms. Lea Salonga and Adrian Pang), "Florante at Laura" (Philippines production which starred Carl Virtudazo and Princess Virtudazo), "CATS" (the Australian production that toured Manila, which included our very own Ms. Lea Salonga), and of course, "The Phantom of the Opera" (the New York Broadway production) and "Love Never Dies" (The Phantom of the Opera's Sequel- Australian production). These are only some of the productions I've seen, and there are more of these which I wish I could just list down. However, this is not the point of my post.

So why am I telling you these things??? It is because of this great build-up of theatre enthusiasm that I deeply fell in love with the Phantom... Obsessed type of love. Lol!

2005 New York Broadway Production of the Phantom of the Opera.
I look weird. I know. Thanks to TITA MEL for the gift! <3 She didn't know
I was actually a fan!

I've grown up in the Philippines and ever since I fell in love with the Phantom, all I wished for was for them to have a production in my very own country. It's different when you watch these musicals in your homeland, right? And especially if you're a theatre enthusiast like me!

I moved here in Sydney last year, and I was so excited when I heard that the sequel to the Phantom of the Opera was running in Melbourne. I started planning my flight and accommodation just to see it. But God is indeed good, because the production announced that they are coming to Sydney in 2012! Last January, I watched the production with my cousin, and we were completely blown away by the amazing performance of the cast. I'm planning to review this later on because it will be long. Nonetheless, if the AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION is reading this, YOU HAVE COMPLETELY TOUCHED OUR HEARTS--even my cousin who never saw the first part of The Phantom of the Opera.

January 2012, Capitol Theatre, Sydney for Love Never Dies

LOVE NEVER DIES at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney (2012)

After watching the Australian version of the play, I saw that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is finally going to the PHILIPPINES this year! I seriously wanna see this because helloooooo? Firstly, it's THE PHANTOM, and secondly, it's going to be in my homeland!!! And of course, I HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS who love the Phantom, and it would be nice to bond with them through this amazing Andrew Lloyd Webber creation!


I have a question though... Is Ramin Karimloo playing the role of the Phantom in Manila? Because if he is, I am definitely coming home!



I am happy how the Philippines is getting so many musicals these past and upcoming months (CATS, Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!,etc). Sad though that this only started happening when I left Manila. Lol! First it was WESTLIFE, then the PHANTOM!? COME ONNNN! LOL. So to my fellow PHANTOM LOVERS, be vigilant and grab your tickets AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! I'm sure that the competition for the tickets will be really tight!

----

MANILA, watch the space for further announcement: https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/default.asp

AUSTRALIA, Phantom of the Opera 2: Love Never Dies is still running in Sydney! : http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Love-Never-Dies-tickets/artist/83053

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"Your chains are still mine... YOU BELONG TO ME!"
- The Phantom

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Meet Miranda Kerr in Sydney (David Jones & Kora Contests)

Since the beginning of this year, I've been promising myself that I am going to meet Miranda Kerr. I even stated it on my Facebook and Twitter: "I am going to meet Miranda Kerr this 2012." It has only been days since 2012 started when I saw an ad on Facebook that talks about getting a chance to meet Miranda Kerr by joining the DAVID JONES contest.

SOURCE: www.davidjones.com.au

In this contest, you can win:

- a MEET AND GREET WITH MIRANDA KERR for you and your friend

- personal stylist session at David Jones, Sydney

- $2,000 Gift Card 

- Flights and accommodation

- 2 ticket to the David Jones Winter Fashion Launch 2012

Days passed by when I saw that MIRANDA KERR, ORLANDO BLOOM, and BABY FLYNN have arrived in Sydney.

SOURCE: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

After these announcements, another news came in. It's funny because I just visited the DAVID JONES store to have a major shopping session and to get myself a refill of my favorite KORA product (by Miranda Kerr), when I saw these announcements after a few days:

1. Join Miranda this Valentines Day at David Jones Elizabeth St store as she shares her KORA Organics skincare secrets and reveals her idea of the perfectly romantic Valentines Day gift. Be among the first 300 people to spend $100 or more on KORA Organics products in David Jones on the day, or in the week leading up to the event (official in store receipt required), and you will receive a custom made Valentines Day card for Miranda to personally sign. Event details are as follows – Tuesday 14th February 12:30pm Signing Commences 1:30pm Signing Concludes David Jones, Elizabeth St store 

2. EXCLUSIVE ONLINE OFFER FOR ALL THE LOVERS! To celebrate Valentines Day this year KORA Organics is offering all online shoppers near and far the opportunity to receive a custom made Valentines Day card personally signed by Miranda. Spend $100 or more from Monday 6th February on KORA Organics products for yourself or the one you love most and receive your Valentines Day card in the post with your products. This offer is limited for the sake of Miranda’s right hand so please order as soon as possible and avoid any disappointment. Lots of Love The KORA Organics team xxx

(SOURCE: http://www.koraorganics.com/blog/ )

I don't think I can join because of my required clinical placement that day. It would have been a great birthday gift for me though. Before even moving to Sydney, I knew about her through Orlando Bloom (not that Orlando and I are close. LOL!). Also, it's great to know that she's from here, so the chances of seeing her randomly would be really high. However, I don't stalk, so I'll just hope that I would accidentally see her somewhere and get a photo with her (WARNING TO MIRANDA: I'm short...Please don't wear heels. LOL.).

Enough about my chance-- it's YOUR CHANCE to win! If you're from Australia and you are a huge admirer of Miranda Kerr, go ahead and join these contests! =) Good luck!

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A Hair Story: The Evolution of Straight & Curls

I was born with a beautiful, silky, and straight hair. When I was 6 years old, I was offered an opportunity to be part of a REJOICE Kids commercial. We had to turn it down, because our school was really strict when it came to such matters. I grew up with people telling me how lovely my hair was. Then I turned 9 years old, and my hair started receiving negative feedback.

"Your hair looks like a horse's tail."
"Your hair looks like a broom."
"Your hair is like a mananaggal's (a Filipino mythical creature)."

Yes, my hair suddenly became curly in a way that it didn't have that "GOLDILOCKS bounce" (My mom has a curly hair and my dad has a wavy hair. It's normal to have a gradual change of hair upon growing up). It was like having a hair that has this permanent hairspray on it. During those days, straight was  "in" and curly was "out". From 9 years old to 12 years old, I had my hair tied back in a ponytail, and I envied those who could let their hair loose and have the wind blow their hair dramatically. I hated my hair. I hated how I lost my beautiful hair.

I discovered rebonding when I was 13 years old. It wasn't known that time yet, and I was one of the few who became guinea pigs to this treatment. The first rebond I had was so bad--I had this straight hair, but it was stiff.

After a year, I finally found a good stylist. I had that silky and straight hair once again. I had my hair blown dramatically by the wind like everybody else. It received plenty of compliments once again. However, having a rebonded hair was so annoying. A few weeks later, of course, hair would grow, and you end up having that awkward uplifted square or edgy hair at the roots, since the rest of your hair is flat and your original hair is not. Because of this, I ended up ironing my hair all the time, and it's common sense that I was damaging my hair even though I was using heat protectors on my hair.

I enjoyed rocking it out with my hair not getting messed around by my hyperness on stage. This was in 2005.
"Sumusunod sa galaw kooo, sumusunoddd... " Lol... Catchy song from Rejoice.

Due to the high maintenance of a rebonded hair, I was rebonding my hair every year until finally, I was 20 years old. At that point, I discovered digital hair perm. Thanks to my Korean stylist, he studied my original hair, and permed my rebonded hair to resemble my original curls. Thus, when my original hair grew out, it only needed low maintenance.

I was back to my original hair. I never brushed my hair, and only put mousse on it to keep them intact. Now, my curls had been receiving sweet feedbacks, and I must say that I am thankful for the hair that I've been given with.

I learned to love my curly hair. In fact, I've been having fun with my hair these days. The only changes it had received the past few months were haircuts and colourings (which I did on my own). No rebonds, no perms. Before anything else, let me give you the evolution of my hair from 2010-2011.

My natural look.

My weird look.

Plain

My semi-formal look.

My dinner events look.

My SPRING look.

My pa-cute look.

My weirdo Spring-Summer look.

My Christmassy Summer look. Short hair for a change-- after 18 years.

This February, I am back to my dark hair. I miss my dark hair. The only reason I have been colouring my hair for some time was due to me wanting to release my creativity somewhere else aside from writing, singing, or making videos. Unfortunately, my hair received doses of it. Poor thing. Lol. I actually enjoyed colouring my hair. It brought me comfort especially during stressful times. It's how I pampered myself those days. However, due to the damage it has received from colouring, I decided to have a haircut last December, so that I can start the year with a refreshed hair.

Basically, my hair is back to its original state--which I totally missed. I also miss my old hairstyles, but I miss this look more. Hey, it's good to celebrate my birthday on the 11th with my original look. Lol!

In the end, I actually love my curly hair. I hated it before, but now, I am thankful for it. I know that I've coloured it plenty of times, but it's just my way of "accessorizing" or flattering it. I REALLY REALLY LOVE MY CURLY HAIR! Yeah! I realized that I was really meant to have a curly and crazy hair. You see, my hair may be crazy, but it really matches my personality well.

-Crazy Steph





P.S. I am happy that being curly is now appreciated by the society. Back then, products were all targeting straight haired people. This was one of the reasons why I disliked being curly. I couldn't find a product that supported my hair type. Now, hair care companies consider curly haired people in their range of products, which is a proof of appreciation and support for the curlies like me. =)

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This post was inspired by the people who have been asking me about my hair, and the thought of curls being disliked by many. I have also been receiving questions about how to maintain healthy curls, and I will be answering this on my next post. If you have hair concerns, leave your question through the comment section, and I will answer them all in one post.

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