Hedonistic Paupers went to El Nido

The day started with dark clouds hanging in the horizon, storm brewing in our shore. A typical scenario in Manila, where-in a little drizzle means puddles and rain means what else but flood. Ever heard about the saying, when it rains it pours? My friend Curty and I barely made it on time and arrived at the airport looking like drowned rats.

We thought that our agony was over only to be reminded beggars cannot afford to be choosy. We were jarred, turned and tossed every two minutes during the whole drive from Puerto Princessa to El Nido. I was entertaining murderous images during the seven hours bus ride, had my mother had any inclinations about the nature of my thoughts, I would probably be eating soap regardless of my age. We resembled human espasol on a bad hair day. Luckily, we were not pregnant or we would have passed out something resembling a human fetus 30 minutes along the trip.I made a vow that day I'll never (as in never) take this trip again unless I could afford a charter plane, only to change my mind when I saw El Nido. 

El Nido was heartbreakingly beautiful. It was akin to a lover, who seduced you at first glance, reeled you in the second, and hooked you like its going to last. I was haunted by its beauty- El Nido despite being penniless was a sight to behold. To say that it was a paradise will be an understatement, it has beckoned and cleansed my soul.

As a self confessed hedonist, I like comfort as much as I love life itself. As we passed by Apulit Island Resort the tour guide kept boasting about how beautiful and expensive the place was. I was already at awe with El Nido, had I have the money and time I would have stayed and not went home. I remembered just looking at the resort as we passed by its periphery, catching a glimpse of its rare beauty from the outside. I kept on thinking, if my budget-bargained tour had left me breatheless, what more of Apulit Island Resort? A resort known for providing guests with the once in a lifetime experience with its state of art diving equipment, resourceful staff, and majestic location.  It was like looking at a burger when you are on diet. 


 Luckily, I found a burger that's fat free.  

Here are the reasons why this girl wants to have an El Nido Vacation at El Nido Resorts Holiday (pictures taken from my previous El Nido Vacation with my friend Clairecynth Yu)

This girl just wanna have fun! 

A much needed R&R from the daily grind.  Enjoy the pristine white sand, blue sky and clear waters of El Nido while soaking up some rays.  It's time to tan baby!

On top of the list of things to do was (and still is) snorkeling. Myriad colorful coral reefs and unique biodiversity of existing marine life had left me wanting for more.

It was an opportunity to observe, experience, and learn about marine life, flora and fauna.

Since touching animals was strictly a no-no- I just posed with my new found friend here.

El Nido as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia have a steady influx of guests and visitors all year round.  It was not surprising to see people from different walks of life and race.  Its a golden opportunity to make new friends and learn about new cultures.

From Australia, France, Germany, Spain and of course, Philippines!

Another fun thing to do in El Nido was Kayaking! 

The third on my list of activities that I enjoyed most during my vacation was island hopping.

Not only did we get to see the different wonders of El Nido, the leisure of exploring caves from nearby islands to learn more about rock and stalagmite formation was an added bonus.

The serene call of nature.  El Nido's sunset was one of the most beautiful I've seen in my life.  Everyone one should see it at least once in their lives.

And so with the sunshine and the great burst of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had the familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)

Everybody has their own reasons why they wanted  to win, for me its simply because I lost my heart to El Nido and I never really had gotten it back.  With everything that I have, I wish and pray to see you again. Till the next time we see each other mon amour!

The epic bus that has flat tire

Photo Credits:  Clairecynth Yu

My Favorite Francis Libiran Looks and Poses

We are a narcissistic generation, where-in most of our lives are chronicled in different social media.  We create this artificial, unrealistic persona patterned after some elusive prototype dictated by the media. We listened to tips on how to pose skinny, we mimic Hollywood- only to be brought down to reality that regardless on how much we suck in our stomach and extend our right leg- our daily excess will still show in flab.  I am a lover of beautiful things. I have a sense of humor. Though I pride myself as an intelligent person, I too am a posing victim. So here's some of my favorite Francis Libiran looks complete with some undignified poses.

It's all about the length baby!

We are all guilty of this one asking a gullible person to take a photo of us with our back turned and staring off into space.  Here's my theory, people do this in order to look smarter and calmer than they usually are, which speaks volume about the grey matter existing.

For my part, I am trying to imbibe Scarlett O' Hara, though truth be told I am no more enamored with poverty than she is.  I wore this on an event in Edsa- Shangrila. According to Sir Francis, he had a number of clients who are also fans of the look and approached him to have this exact garment replicated when they saw this on my site.  

Strangely Imeldefic

Not that you would catch Imelda Marcos, the former wife of dictator Marcos, grinning like a loon anytime soon.  On the other hand I remember her, telling her saying plastic is tacky only to recant and completely embraced the plastic trend two years later.  There's also this interview she gave BBC featuring her priceless Picasso Art only to tell ABS CBN in an interview she is broke.  So that's kinda loony without the grin. Its contradiction confuses the heck out of me.

About the dress, I wore this during my graduation. A Filipiniana-inspired gown by Francis Libiran. The detail is so gorgeous. I envision myself applying for an understudy if ever a play for Imelda Marcos is written in the future. All I need now, is an abaniko to complete the look.

Pilita Corales Wannabe

                          

If you are wondering how I managed to get this liyad look, then you are not the only one.  I must have some serious Pilita Corales fetish.  This gown needs no introduction. It's one of the most beautiful gown I have seen and worn in my life. The gown's gorgeous, the pose not so much.

The Constipated Look

                                 

Why do I look like I am in serious agony here?

About this dress, I love the color of this dress.  It reminds me of Spanish Senorita about to break into salsa, which is probably the reason I look like I haven't taken a dump for a couple of days since my salsa skills is close to nil. I need El Zorro to buy me some laxative. LOL

I'm Sexy and I'll Show it short numbers! ^_^ Bieber-ette Version

              
Just some elbow poses:  If the Bieber has his hair flipping thing, I have also my own secret moves.  Don't mind me, I am just busting some serious elbow moves here.