HAZEL WRITES: Meeting Maja Salvador

Thankfully, after days and nights of being confined in the hospital,

 due to extremely low white blood cell count, I was able to get back up 

and finally be able to do what I love...which is (believe me or not)...to work!

Headed to annex with the whole Inside Showbiz and Celebrity Mom magazine team for two major shoots! Talk about being productive and professional, despite...everything? 

As of press time, we still keep our "Maja Salvador project" confidential and under the covers, but we sure do believe you are going to love what we've worked on. I promise. 

After a whole day of all the work, we were able to have a good time chatting about real life, and it has always been such a blessing for me as a writer to be able to have an access to the "real" side of celebrities like Maja Salvador...a side where the stars are just people--people (as in) like you and I. 

I can't wait to tell you the things we have talked about and what I learned from her being someone who has been in such a glamorous but crazy cut-throat industry. She is such a girl with a bubbly and energetic aura but at the same time, a woman full of wisdom and independence. 

Catch more of that on my next blog entry soon, okay?

MEANWHILE....(Behind the scenes)

Shoots = Free (pig out) Food

Stripes Day? We didn't get the memo. But looks like we had this unspoken imaginary agreement to wear stripes today. 

Me, Maricel Salvador (Graphic Artist/Art Director of Celebrity Mom), Chelsea (Writer of Celebrity Mom), Ms. Fatima (Executive Editor of Celebrity Mom)

50 Shades of Gray.....we mean, the literal color, okay?

Mina Cruzada (Graphic Artist of Inside Showbiz), Jerick Sanchez (Photographer from Studio100), and me.

It's a wrap!

Now, time to bond with the team for coffee. 

And by "coffee" I meant FREE coffee. 

Therefore, my lola face.

A Real Taste of Fulfilment

Writing articles could make me feel good for a day or two. But handwriting letters to children through the first pages of their books, telling them that they are bound to live a life worth living will forever fulfill my heart!

Thanks for the wonderful opportunity Bear Brand  — at Museong Pambata - Manila.

Hospitalized but Healed

Awtsuuuuu. We meet again, dextrose! :(

Hello, so I got food poisoned. Yes, vomitting and LBM tragedy. Just a request for prayers upon my white blood cells count, it's way lower than normal. But faithfully claiming my healing! :) 

There's no better medicine than being thankful for these best peeps;

Thanks Chappy for the pagbabantay while I'm maputlang-haggard-looking and for helping out with my hospital documents, Ate Trish, James & Leigh for the kwentuhan, and Mama for EVERYTHING @booleighleigh @charlescarino @trishvinoya ‪#‎HealedInJesusName‬

SPOTTED: Kathryn Bernardo shares JUICY details about Christmas gift for Daniel Padilla

It was a dainty and sweet afternoon filled with all things pink (and pastel blue) when writers and beauty bloggers altogether enjoyed a buffet of desserts like macarons, marshmallows and cookies at Stacy's Cafe in Capitol Heights, Quezon City. 

At the same time, it was also a #JuicyfiedBlogcon afternoon in celebration of ABS-CBN Teen Queen Kathryn Bernardo's two-year partnership with Juicy Cologne. Kathryn has long been using Juicy cologne when she was younger being that she find the sweet scent close to her sweet personality. 

And if Kathryn Bernardo would name her own Juicy Cologne variant someday, she would call it "Cloudy Cotton," Kathryn explains, "Parang cotton candy siguro [yung amoy]. Mahilig po kasi ako sa soft scents lang."

And just because Christmas is just around the corner, I couldn't help but ask her about how she prepares for Christmas and what Christmas gift she has in mind to give to her special leading man Daniel Padilla. Here's what she said: 

"Ngayong Christmas, I'm really looking forward na mas magkaroon ang ng bonding moments with my friends, sina Julia [Montes], sina Miles [Ocampo], kasi sobrang busy namin halos di na kami makapagkwentuhan. Also, time for my family rin. Ni-lu-look forward ko rin yun."

"Of course, I also try to personally buy Christmas gifts para sa mga taong malalapit sa akin. Gusto ko yung pinagiisipan ko talaga. Minsan pagbusy talaga ililista ko na lang tapos ipapabili ko. About gift for DJ naman, pinagiisipan ko na. Haha!"

"Mahilig po sya sa music eh. So, I'm thinking of giving him something music related!"

MEANWHILE...

I also personally do have a dainty personality. And I couldn't help but wander around this pretty cafe that was sooooo ME. hahaha! 

At a pretty cafe called "Stacy's"...but I loved it too much, I decided to call it "Hazie's" <3 #dreamBIG #WearYourApron #work

Ate Rose and Ate Joy of Stacy's :) I will forever enjoy meeting new people and asking them about life!

Ate from Stacy's told me, "You can take home desserts." So I panicked. And then she panicked because I panicked. #SweetnessIsMyWeakness

FUN TIME: Normal People VS. Me

Sometimes I feel like I ain't normal.....but then I hold my head up and say "No! I'm LIMITED EDITION!"

REAL TALK: The Life of the Party—A Different Kind

"You out clubbing? Well, I just made caramel delight." - Taylor Swift

Just because I don't like being in parties doesn't mean I'm an anti-party girl. I may be one of those "20-somethings" who's supposed to be out there spotted in the hippest hangouts of the BGC, socializing and dancing 'til she drops probably in the wee hours of the morning...but sadly partying really isn't my thing. 

Most of the time, the honest reason I attended parties before was simply just to avoid social death.

And I believe, there are more girls out there just like me who are feeling pressured to "act like 20-somethings" but really don't feel like it.

But should that make us less of a person?

SPOTTED @ The 8th Star Magic Ball

What can get classier than the magnificent sight of the country’s most influential men and

women sweeping gracefully across the red carpet in designer gowns of black, white and the

occasional silver?   We bring ode to style and elegance through our coverage of the 8^th Star

Magic Ball that took place in Makati Shangri-La on the evening of September 6

SPOTTED @ Making MEGA in South Africa

It's time for Africa! Our sister magazine MEGA just threw a party as big as its (so far) biggest and thickest fashion issue in Philippine history, launching the #MakingMEGAinSouthAfrica documentary at the Meralco Theater, followed by an exclusive party at VU’s sky bar in the Marco Polo hotel in Pasig City! 

Set in deep South Africa together with four of the most sought-after leading ladies of the Philippine Showbiz industry as coverstars—Kathryn Bernardo, Erich Gonzales, Maja Salvador and Julia Barretto—MEGA produces the biggest fashion issue with 436 pages!

After the showing, Kathryn with the other girls thank MEGA for the opportunity and the friendship the four has built and strengthened during the whole trip, “Hindi ko po akalain na sobrang magiging close kaming apat ng ganito. We want to thank MEGA for that."

WRITER DIARIES: The Naked Truth is the Enemy's Lie

So as I was starting to write about BENCH Naked Truth and scanning all the photos (since I didn't make it to the event), my blood just boiled over images where Coco Martin walked the runway holding a female model ON A LEASH! LIKE A DOG.

I'm not even posting a support photo. It's just too bad.

How degrading can this be for women? This is the reason why women are still struggling to get the respect they deserve. Women today strive in their own careers, caring for their family. But media still portrays women in a very dehumanizing light. Feminist na kung feminist.

Sorry Bench, but I'm writing in a different way. Yes, I am in this world, but I am NOT OF THIS WORLD. I just don't share the same values with your brand. I LIVE AND I WILL SPEAK UP FOR THE TRUTH......I will not support the enemy's lies and traps disguised in the name of "naked truth."

‪#‎GodsWhistleblower‬

WRITER DIARIES: Welcoming our newest Editor-in-Chief Direk Joey Reyes!

Baskin Robbins in the Philippines

Loving this paper-made ice cream invitation for the opening of the Baskin Robbins store in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig---wait, WHAT?! =D

WRITER DIARIES: Are you a #GoodyGirl?

#GoodyGirl Soft clips

Calling all mommies of kikay toddlers! 

It's time to say goodbye to "Ouchy" clips that can hurt your babygirl's sensitive scalp, because these soft, painless and easy-to-wear clips are already out for grabbing and are just perfect for your little #GoodyGirl

WRITER DIARIES: Lessons from Ms. CEO

When Ms. CEO stepped down to take my former boss' position with the intent to be hands-on in training me,  things in my career started to go beyond the what I expected. Suddenly, I moved fast-paced in terms of my career, opportunities boomed here and there and my sphere of influence and network of connection webbed larger and larger--way more than I can ever only dream of!

Here are the things she has taught me so far:

1. Know your worth. Don't microscope your work into only your job description. Look at the bigger picture! See how your work contributes to the company and to the society. Be involved with how the company as a whole wants to succeed and you'll find yourself motivated to go to work everyday, without thinking of the usual work cycle. Know that this company NEEDS you!

2. Everyone must think like a marketer. Don't look at marketing as if it's only a department, encourage and train all your employees to think like a marketer!

3. Be best friends with your market. Personify and individualize your market and name it. Then it's time to get to know her, know what she wants, know what she needs, give it to her. Fall in love with the market! Keep the market in mind--all the time. At all times. Like what you do when you're in love.

4. Ssshhhh! More sales are made by listening than talking. Don't just do sales-talking, also do more sales-listening.

5. Hire journalists. People just love and rave for stories. They just do.

6. Take care of your name. Your name is your brand, once you're published, you're there already. Stick to your core values! And always look good. And by good, she meant GOOD...like. Fabulous!

7. Stick to your moral values. As I quote her, “When you don’t do things the right way, they enchain you—you go to jail, get into all sorts of scrapes, shady business deals, drugs; kung ano-ano ang mangyayari sayo. If your principles are good and your moral values are intact, somehow you will be successful. The foundation is firm.”

8. Never allow yourself to be bullied. In this (show business) industry, you will definitely find yourself in a situation where you are intimidated and pulled down by people on purpose. Don’t let them—but don’t stoop down and fight. Just smile, keep your chin up and let them know that you are not a rag to step on, by speaking up in a way that is FIRM and fierce but is also GRACEFUL and sweet.

There's just too many nuggets of wisdom that she has shared with me and the whole team and these are just some of the things I can remember as of "press time"--but I'll be sure to post more CEO lessons soon. Hahaha!

And hey, happy weekend!

PHOTOSHOOT: Forever Young (July Issue)

Photographed by Mike Cuevas of Studio100 for One Mega Group Inc.

SPOTTED @ Mega Pinoy Pride Ball 2014

MEGA just never lets Independence Day pass without throwing one of the country’s grandest and most exclusive annual celebrations—The Pinoy Pride Ball. This year’s ball (being the fourth one since 2010--and being my second Pinoy Pride Ball from my first one last year) was set in Makati Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom on the 12^th of June.

Here I am, all set to interview and work ala Guliana Rancic on the red carpet. 

Oh, green carpet!

Thank you to Ms. Angel and MAC Cosmetics for my makeup. BenchFX for my hair. And my mom's closet for my dress. hahaha!

SOULBITS: In God's Light, I Sparkle

They drip in diamonds

They glitter with fame

Come and go in limos

Everyone knows their name

Nameless I come, just a pure string of pearls

The pendant of my heart is the light of His Word

Shining brighter than the best of their jewel

Because.........

APPETITE TALES: "Going Loony for Luna Cafe"

Taguig City Representative and Film/TV director Lino Cayetano pays homage to Pinoy food and coffee through his passion for his business—Luna Specialty Coffee!

In the world of film-making, it is almost unheard of that the role of “taga-timpla ng kape” would be given to someone as highly-respected as the director—but not anymore! I was fortunate to have Direk Lino himself make and serve me coffee (specifically, the Piccolo latte) as his way to warmly welcome me to his sweet hidden spot in NAC Tower along the 32^nd Street of Bonifacio Global City.  And by the way, if you are a coffee aficionado like Direk and I, check out this place where they serve the best brews which you will surely go crazy for. Promise.

REAL TALK: Sometimes you just need ALONE TIME

WRITER DIARIES: My First Coverstory..."The June 9 Issue"

"Yes, Chard and I are parents."- Sarah Lahbati

From ThePulse.ph

"The June 9 Issue

Inside Showbiz Magazine’s Most Gutzy Issue Yet

 It’s been a week since the pilot episode of E’s It takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez and Richard Gutierrez’ confirmation that he is indeed a ‘proud father.’ But the public still craves some answers. Why did they hide the pregnancy? How did their families react? Who does Baby Zion look like? All these questions and more will be answered in the June 2014 issue of Inside Showbiz magazine. Dubbed “The June 9 Issue” the issue will hit newsstands a day after the second episode of the reality show airs.

In a 26-page tell-all cover story, we go on a luxurious Asian cruise with one of the most iconic families in showbiz. We travel with them as they shoot their reality show in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. And on the cruise, we sit down with the elusive couple Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati and with their adorable baby, Zion, in their arms they answer all our burning questions. In a no-holds-barred interview, we found Richard and Sarah, candid and relaxed, content with their decision that the time is right to reveal their nearly 2-year-long secret

Why now? It’s natural to wonder. Richard and Sarah wanted to introduce their child to the world on their own terms and what better way to do it but in a reality show Inside Showbiz Magazine’s It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez where they have committed to welcome the public into their world. A world that has been made much more colourful by the addition of another member to the growing Gutierrez brood."

SPOTTED @ It Takes GUTZ to be Gutierrez Launch

at 71 Gramercy 

                                 with our CEO Ms. Sari Yap and Associate Editor Bianchi Mendoza

 with Inside Showbiz publisher Ryan Calmante, Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez