If I had one word to describe what went down these past 2 (well, almost 2) months that I've been gone, I have this to say: HECTIC.

Not that I hate it though. :) It's been a rollercoaster ride for me as I took on a corporate job in a popular local nail polish brand. I loved working there, but at the end of the day, I realized that my passion for color cosmetics actually comes in second to my passion for organizing events. So I pursued putting up an events company with a partner of mine. It's been quite a journey, if I must say. But I super thank God for guiding us through it. :)

Anyway, let's get down to business. This post will be relatively short. I have a business plan and a cash flow sheet just waiting to be filled out after I write you all this quick update on what I've been raving about this September teehee :)) :

1. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

I've only heard about Great Lash from friends and family who have been to the States, but have never actually read any reviews on this mascara. So initially, I had no idea about it - just some knowledge that it actually existed. That all changed my friend and officemate, Venice, came home from her month-long Vacation Leave from the US. She decided to bring me home a pack as her "pasalubong" (awww - sweetie! :3) and it was only then when I found out about all the raves. I couldn't agree more.

I LOVE this stuff. Makes me wonder why Maybelline Philippines doesn't sell it here. It does exactly what it says on the package - gives me loads of lashes, spreading them out evenly. You see, I have a bit of an issue with my lashes. I don't really worry so much about length and volume since I already have both. My lashes are thick and lengthy but tend to droop, so it's really difficult for me to keep them curled throughout the day. What I really need is a mascara that will help me separate my lashes, since they're kinda sparse and are clumped together most of the time (I literally have to use a lash comb first before curling and applying mascara, and then brush them again to keep them separated! It's really tedious) and help the curl stay on for a long time. This mascara is my savior.

2. Etude House Shading Compact

My search for an affordable matte bronzer is OVER. Need I say more? 

Price? Check! Shade? Check! Packaging? CUUUTE!  

P248. That's P1.75 cheaper than the ELF shimmering bronzer. (P249.75 - plus I hate shimmer on bronzer) I got this at the SM Department store in Makati, so I'm not sure how it costs in the actual Etude House boutique. It could be cheaper. If I know my beauty stores well (because I work in the beauty industry), I know for a fact that Watson's sells their products a tad bit more pricey (like an addt'l P5+) than what they go for in their actual retail outlets.

And to think, I wasn't planning on buying anything that day. :)) But when I saw this baby, I just knew I had to get it - and good thing, because this was the last one in stock (in my shade) that day! :) This isn't impluse buying. This is being practical. :))

3.  The Face Shop premiere Lash Curler

Kinda reminds me of Shiseido's 24k Gold limited edition lash curler. I've been trying to wait this item out for the longest time, but every time I pay a visit to the store - they were always out of stock. So finally last weekend, when I dropped by TFS ATC and found out they had fresh stocks, I bought myself a pair!

Comes with 2 free rubber refills too! Not too shabby for a P209 lash curler (again, WAYY cheaper than the ELF deluxe curler. Haha! ELF talaga peg eh no?)

4. The Down 'n Dirty Dash

Okay, okay. Call it a lame attempt to promote my event, but whatever. For the past few days, I've been living, breathing, thinking, sleeping and eating (?) Triple D. It's been such a blast planning this event with my partner Jikay. :)

check us out on www.facebook.com/thedownanddirtydash or follow us on twitter @tripledrun!

Unfortunately and fortunately, the run won't be following it's original date, October 13, because our co-presentor (Asian Hospital) requested for it to be moved in light of the opening of it's new Breast Clinic. Triple D will now serve as the culminating event for the opening of the new center. The run is now set to happen on December 1, in Nuvali Sta. Rosa.

5. Bon Chon Chicken

My final fave for the month is BON CHON. Anytime. Anywhere. Whether I'm up north or down south; whether its for a meeting, a pre-prod, or just to grab some grub. My partner, Jikay and I always find ourselves ending up in this place. :)) Funny, hindi pa kami nagsasawa.

In fact, Jikay and I were just there last night! Hahaha :)

So there. At least you guys know what I've been up to lately - places I've been and people I've seen and thing's I've done. We've only 3 more months 'til the close of this year, would you believe? 2012 went by so fast and Jesus has taught me so many things in these past 7 months. :) I could say with all my heart that this was a great and eventful year for me, and the best part is IT ISN'T EVEN DONE YET. :) I'm super duper excited for the brand new projects and opportunities we'll be getting as we bring this year to a close. :)

I promise I'll try to update more. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I recently resigned from Corporate so I could actually concentrate on building my business, Event Horizon Productions. But I think that story deserves a post of it's own. :))

What were your favorites for September? :)

<3 Deb

It just never ends, does it?

My cousin Rejoice walked away from a hold up tonight. She got on a cab from Makati Ave (Manila Peninsula) with plate number PNT 858 (PALAND). She didn't notice that the front passenger seat was pushed and reclined forward, which made the man hiding in front unnoticable from the tinted car windows. It was a good thing that prior to riding the cab, she was already able to text the details to her boyfriend.

She lives in Shaw, but she was let off at Q. Ave - with all her valuables stolen from her. (earings, atm cards, money, watch, etc) I can only thank God AGAIN and AGAIN that she is unharmed, without a scratch - and she had the presence of mind to save at least one of her phones so she could contact us after. We picked her up and dropped her off at her house at 12:30 tonight.

I can only imagine all the emotions she must be going through right now. Funny, one of the verses we went through tonight in Family Bible Study was 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

 ^"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

Makes me thank Him even more for the trauma I went through last week- without it I wouldn't know how exactly to comfort my cousin. I couldn't help but cry with her and hugged her tight when I saw her. I don't even want to start thinking about the things that could have led to after the hold up. Three men in a cab with a defenseless young lady. OH LORD. You truly truly TRULY protect Your Children.

Though I know most of it, I'm still waiting for the exact full story from her. We didn't have much time to talk when we picked her up since we were coordinating with whole family and let everyone know that Rejoice was safe. Besides, I think it'd be best if you heard this from her instead.

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UPDATE (July 15): Rejoice has come out with a statement on her incident. Read the full story on her blog: http://delayinggratification.blogspot.com/2012/07/experiencing-presence-of-god-in-hands.html
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As for my dilemma, I think most of you would be relieved to know that action has been or is being taken. My father told me of this news report in TV Patrol last Wednesday about a Police stake-out at the exact area of my hold-up last week. It's been reported that a group of teenage boys were arrested, for being caught in the act of hold up (they had to set them up for it to prove it was really them) - I'm praying that somehow it was my assailants.

At least I can rest in the fact that tonight, and for the rest of our lives, I and my whole family are in Good Hands.

"If not for Your goodness, if not for Your Grace. I don't know where I would be today. If not for Your Kindness, I never could say I'm still standing... But by the grace of God."

It was about 12:56 in the afternoon when I left the house to head to Alabang. I was supposed to leave earlier to have dgroup, but my girls cancelled on me last minute, which caused me to leave a little later. 15 minutes into my drive, I got a phone call from my mum just as I was about to enter Daang Hari road.

I have this habit of pulling over on the side whenever I'm on the phone and driving, since my mum would always tell me of how drivers often get into accidents while talking on the phone. As I turned the hazard lights on my car, I saw a group of teenage boys walking by my vehicle and checking it out. They looked like they just came from swimming, since most of them were carrying towels with them and were wearing board shorts. I brushed them off as a bunch of onlookers.

Just as I ended my call with my mum, my phone rang a second time. It was from a friend of mine. As we talked, from my rear view mirror, I saw again the same group of boys, but this time they were lesser in number. When I put down the phone, I noticed that the three began to slowly make their way towards the direction where my car was parked. I was already a bit suspicious so I immediately released the hand brakes of my vehicle.

It all happened so fast: in a flash, the three surrounded my car. The smallest of the boys (who looked like he was only 10) placed himself in front of my car. The other attempted to open the back door of the passenger side, while the eldest who was sporting a black t-shirt and stripped pink and green shorts came to my side. Upon realizing that all my doors were locked and they were unable to open them, the boy on my side pulled out a gun and pointed it to my heavily tinted window.

Adrenaline kicked in - I switched my gear to drive and stepped on the gas as hard as I could. When the youngest, who was in front of my car, heard the engine roar, he dodged away. I drove like a madman. I think I went 180. I was going so fast that it was difficult for me to manipulate the turns on the road. But sense knocked into me when I realized I was far from danger. I pulled over a second time, but this time I made sure it was a busy street, and then I started to break down. With shaking hands, I called Angelo. - I called him because I couldn't call my mum. Since I told her I was already near Alabang that time. If she found out, she'd know that I wasn't telling the truth. Angelo rebuked me and told me at the time, it didn't matter - my parents needed to know where I was and what happened. Without even asking for my permission, I heard him talk to my mum on his other phone and just sat there weeping, as he relayed to her everything I just told him.

After speaking with my mum on the phone I drove as fast as I could to get to CCF. I was still shaking. But all I could think of at the moment was how MIRACULOUS it was I got out of that situation alive. "Thank You, God. Thank You" was all the words that my lips could utter. Later in the day, I get this message from my cousin:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

My Jesus loves me. And He knows what He's doing.


As for the three teenagers, when I was driving away I checked my rear-view mirror and saw them run away and slip into a corner. They disappeared.


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Lessons Learned:


1. When your parents/authority asks you where you are. TELL THEM THE TRUTH. - Keep them updated when moving from one place to another. Not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because IN CASE something does happen to you, at least they'd know where to start looking. I have no idea why I didn't tell them in the first place - leaving the house a little late wasn't going to get me in trouble anyway. If I died there and then, my parents would start looking around Alabang, where I last told them I was "supposed" to be.


2. Never, under any circumstance, at any time, pull over on roads that have little-to-no people/cars passing by. Not even if it's inside a village. My hold up happened just a stone's throw away from Fernbrook Subdivision and Portofino South. IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Nothing is MORE IMPORTANT than your life. So unless you hear God Almighty's voice speak from heaven to tell you to pull over, YOU STOP FOR NOTHING AND FOR NO ONE.


3. LOCK. YOUR. DOORS. There was only ONE factor that bought me time to make my escape that fateful afternoon, and that was the fact that my assailants couldn't open my doors. - Imagine if I didn't. It scares me to think about the millions of possibilities that could have happened. I wouldn't even be here writing this entry.. For me and my family, it's a rule to never leave the house without locking our car doors, and though I used to brush it off, now, I can see its importance. Make it a habit: upon stepping into your vehicle, lock your door. Especially when in parking lots or isolated streets. 


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Very few people walk out of situations like that unscathed and with all their valuables still with them. I'm very blessed. As I saw the gun barrel pointed at me, my life flashed before my eyes. I remembered all the dreams I still wanted to fulfill, my friends, the grudges I still held, I even remembered how I was upset with my mum that morning just because she was trying to teach me the proper way to clean the house - all of a sudden it didn't matter. The problems I go through, all the good memories, are signs that I AM ALIVE. And it made me realize that I DO only have one life to live- so every second counts.

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. Psalm 39:5

When I was safe and thinking about the whole situation, I asked myself: "What if I died today? Would my life be a fragrant offering before the Lord? If I presented it to Him, would He be proud and frame it to put on display?" - I felt ashamed of myself. I had nothing excellent to offer my Lord; in fact, He might even point out defects in so-called masterpiece of a life.

Don't wait until the last minute before you can change things. YOLO, as the saying goes. Carpe Diem for others. But what ARE you doing with that ONE LIFE? Have you used it to selflessly serve God and others? Or are you using it instead to pursue your own pleasures?

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As for me, one thing is for sure. My Jesus proved Himself real to me today. His grace is what rescued me. He could have asked me to come Home, but yet He says that He isn't done with me yet. And when you hear His voice, so clear, like that... something inside of you changes. Almost in an instant, your priorities are rearranged and your feelings - your feeble feelings. Don't matter anymore.

I don't matter anymore.

Thank You, Jesus. With all my life. Thank You.

HIIIII.

I know, I know. I'm sorry for being such a lazy bum who never updates her blog anymore. :|

So to make it up to you, I made a new cover with my cousin, Miko! :D (YAY!) 

My apologies for the poor sound/video quality. :| I seriously need to get better equipment.

Anyway, if any of you actually care, you're probably wondering what's been going on in my life. Things have been pretty crazy around here these days, so I actually don't know where to begin. Excuse me for the randomness of this update. Ever since I stepped down from Outbreak, God has been very faithful with presenting me opportunities. He closes a door here, and then He opens another window for me there. :) It's been quite a roller coaster, if I must say. But I'm learning so much and am constantly being brought to my knees.

For one thing, my [mis]adventures with the Networks have really been interesting.  It's never been a clear yes or no, but they continue to show interest in me. I'm so thankful for my manager, Tito Ronnie for always pushing me to become better. I mean, I may not have a job yet, but strangely enough, I don't feel alarmed about that at all. I guess this year, it's more about sitting at the feet of Jesus while getting to know myself better. I realize that this time, my goal are more clear-cut, and the direction I want to take is more precise. Now, it's all just a matter of finding resources to chase after my dreams. :))

My brother, Jared, is leaving for Australia in 5 days! :O Jared and I haven't been the best of friends these past few days, but I'd have to admit, I'm going to miss the kiddo. He'll be back in 3 months (I hope). :)

Been going through so many changes with this Funemployed lifestyle, but by the grace of God, i'm pulling through. He always comes through for me just in the nick of time. :) There are days when I feel like i'm not going to make it, when the change is just too painful. But He reminds me that He is always more than enough. :) I'm learning that there will be days when God takes me to places outside of my comfort zone, but He will be there waiting. I've taken too much time trying to grab the wheel from His hands, but this isn't MY story. It's actually His - His love, His faithfulness, His grace - all playing out in my life. <3

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."- Proverbs 16:9

Don't be afraid of change. The seed must first die and fall to the ground before it becomes a tree and bear much fruit. (John 12:24) You want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans. Nothing could be less than greater than His plans for you. :)

Hello again!

Finally found the time to actually sit down and write a new blog entry-- after one whole month. :| *Phew* Everything's just been happening so crazy fast that I barely have enough time to sit down and think. I'm glad I get to finally settle down and have some one-on-one time with myself + Jesus, now that all the fuss has died down. Watch out, you've got a long post ahead. :)

It's been a month since I graduated college and I've been busy as ever; preparing for the run of the year [Outbreak Manila] all the while, considering career options and which path am I to take. It's been one heck of a roller coaster ride for me as the Lord has been presenting opportunity after opportunity. And I can't help but feel in awe of all that He's been doing. I guess this blog post is just to recount some of the few exciting developments in my life.

As some of you might have heard, I recently put up an events company with my dearest friend Angelo, called Re-Create Events and Productions. When we were planning the business, I really wasn't looking into anything too grand. Before Angelo first left for the States to work, we were discussing how our company should start small - working on simple events like weddings, debuts and maybe some corporate events here and there. I knew that we had a long way to go in terms of "establishing a name" in this already thriving industry, but you couldn't deny the fact that the desire was still there.

The plan was already set, but the only thing missing was our first project. My parents, having put up an events company of their own some time in the past, told me we needed to either have a great idea and put it up or find a clout of companies - one that regularly held events - to be able to snag our first project. I already had a few enterprises in mind, but didn't know where to start. Fortunately, Angelo presented to me a great idea the night he came back from the states. It was this traveling running event which involved.. wait for it: ZOMBIES. Crazy, I know. After a few pre-prods and meetings we were set to launch. By now, you could probably figure that we were in the process of setting up Outbreak Manila -- which was a HUGE SUCCESS (photos to follow)

I was a part of the team that brought all your zombie-apocalypse fantasies to life!

I wish I could tell you all the nitty-gritty details of planning the whole thing. Putting up an event isn't all that simple. There's a lot of arguing, bargaining and hard work involved. There isn't enough time right now to tell you what I had to go through, but maybe if you would prefer - I could start a new series on this blog which shows you guys with my event planning side (in other words, what kind of a monster I really am haha).

I'd have to admit that it was difficult for me to deliver on that last requirement, since I was balancing school and work during the time I was planning. Jumping right out of the water into new grounds made it difficult for me to adjust. None of my majors prepared me for what I was facing (no offense, Ateneo). But as Israel Houghton puts it: "thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in His Name", in spite of all the trials, everyone had so much fun. The event was featured in news shows both locally and all over the world! Even though I didn't receive any credit, my heart is filled with joy knowing I made so many people happy. I could only point to Jesus for all this undeserved favor. I'm also grateful to my parents who literally walked me though the whole thing every step of the way and supported all my ideas and listened to all my hurts. And of course, to Angelo for the great idea.

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While all of that was going on, there were still plenty of doors opening for me. I recently signed a talent contract under a big network and have been doing cameos in a few shows already. In fact, I'm set for another big meeting this Friday. I'm glad to say that my efforts for the Outbreak did not entirely go unnoticed, as some of the clients I spoke with (upon realizing I was a fresh grad) and a few head hunters have been nagging me about my resume.

This makes me stop and think: what does God really want for me? I know we all go through a lot of trials and uncertainty in life - mostly because of failures and hurts. But success can be a form of trial too. I remember my mother telling me this  some time ago. Trials are anything that can draw you farther away from God. Blessings, on the other hand are anything that can draw you closer. We sometimes fail to realize that there are days when Failures can turn into blessings while Success can be trials -- whatever the case, all that matters is how we honor God with our response.

So where does this leave me? I'm still stuck here, faced with a number of options - but not knowing which one to take. Does God want me to go corporate, or pursue showbiz, or keep on with this events company? My heart is literally all over the place. For kids my age, they don't really get the chance to explore "options". They simply fire their resumes in any direction and grab hold of whichever responds first, and usually - these aren't decisions they really want to make.

Hay. Decisions, decisions. For now, I'm just really looking forward to spending time with Jesus this next month. I'm set to attend two retreats this May and I'm already stoked just by preparing for it. I really just want to settle down with the Lover of my Soul again and spend some highly-overdue quality time with Him.

which reminds me:

Don't miss Jzone Alabang's Summer Camp: ONE!
Last week of registration na!

Until next time,

<3 Deb