The only name that pops out of my head when the term blog advertising community is mentioned is Nuffnang.  They bring good news to bloggers like me with their constant blogging contests and advertising incentives.  This coming weekend the Nuffnang Team is rolling out a South Out: The Cebu Invasion meet and greet event at Red Box, Ayala Center Cebu on April 28, 2012 (Saturday), 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM.  

Now that they are intent on establishing their presence here in Metro Cebu, I would love for them to see my locale's eccentricities.  I will start with the best summer destinations in Cebu City, the heritage sites, then on to the very affordable delectable food, then to my favorite ukay-ukay destinations.

But who am I kidding? The Nuffnang team would most probably be pressed for time. Well then I'd have to take them to the one perfect place that best embodies the Cebuano vibe - the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño!  

So dali na Nuffnang Team!  Isuroy ta kamo sa cuidad sa Sugbo!

Thank you to the sponsors for making this possible!

Jed Lazaga with Atty. Elaine Bathan on Sunstar Cebu March 1 2012 Front Page

Results of the 2011 Philippine Bar Examinations was finally rolled out yesterday afternoon with anxiousness and anticipation from barristers, law students and law schools.  The vibe this previous February from everyone I know in law school was jittery, and since I'm such an empathetic kinda girl, nakiki-nerbyos pud ko.  Believe me the wait is really disconcerting, I dont know what will happen to me if it would be my turn to shine. 

The usual drill is to take note of the 2011 Bar Topnotchers, play betting games on who among the Top Law Schools in the country had the most passers - percentage wise, move on to who among the barristers I know have passed the bar exam, and then a litany of congratulatory messages.  However, only one name stood out as I was browsing the Supreme Court's website, LAZAGA, JED CARLO S - a name to be reckoned with.

Remember the guy who was wrongfully accused as the 2010 Bar Exam bomber?  The young man who was Stereotyped, Maligned and Bismirched by ignorant gossip-monggers is now ATTORNEY JED CARLO LAZAGA.  In your face, caps lock and in bold letters!

I could never pass a moment to learn from a very inspiring person.  Fortunately, Atty. Lazaga indulged me with a mini interview last night via Facebook chat.  After my repeated thank you's and congratulations, turns out there was more room in me to admire him some more.  It is my honor to share with you what we talked about and I leave you with your own impressions and conclusions about the man that is JED LAZAGA.

My Interview with Atty. Jed Lazaga

Me:  

First super congratulations. let me say you are inspiring not only me but all the other future lawyers, and that's a fact 

what are your current emotions?

Jed: 

Im so happy..........

but still can't believe that i made it... 

Me:

You must be really overwhelmed right now. But we all know you will make it!

Looking back on the drama that was 2010, what part of that event really gave you the fuel to become a lawyer? 

Jed:

After the report that i was the culprit of the bombing.. my friends and I were discussing the possibilty that I will be incarcerated in prison..

I soon realized how incompetent our peace officers and the national media..

They were only considering one side of the story they didnt even mind to ask me what had happened, they summarily accused me of throwing the bomb.

Nakaingon jd ko nga daghan ang nkaexperience ani.. ( I said to myself a lot have experienced this ) nga dli alng akong na napasunginlan... ( that I am not the only one who have been wrongfully accused )

So i tried my best to pass the exam in order to serve those who are experiencing what had happened to me. 

Me: 

Would it be correct to say that the trauma of the event made you realize that you wanted so bad to be the champion for due process and rights of the accused? 

Jed: 

Yup! 

Me:

What are your next steps - career wise, considering that motivation to protect the accused? 

Jed:

I want to serve in the pubic attorneys office

most of the clients there are accused of committing a crime/s who cannot afford the services of a private counsel..

gnahan ko mutabang nla.. ( I want to help them ) 

Me:

Wow! Usually some law students would answer that they will follow where the money goes... hahahha!

Any lucrative offers from law firms local or national? 

Jed:

wla man... ( none )

NGO's ra naa... ( only NGOs ) 

Me:

Now that your struggles are crowned with victory and glory (char doctrine) hahaha

Do you have ill feeling towards those who bismirched and maligned you? 

Jed:

Ever since, i dont have it...

Those people who inflicted physical injuries and robbed my wallet wla jd koy ill feelings.. ( I have no ill feelings )

nadawat nako nga part ra jd to sa sa life sa usa ka fratman.. ( I accepted that that was part of a life of a fratman ) 

Me:

Who do you want to give express thanks to? And I would like to request tips in preparing for the bar and a message to us future lawyers. 

Jed:

To God of course, this is not possible without him...

To future lawyers, I wud like to quote my esteemed professor Judge Anacleto Debalucos, according to him,"STUDY HARD AS IF EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON YOU, PRAY HARD AS IF EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON GOD" 

Me:

Salamat kaau brod Jed for indulging me with this interview.. its really my honor.. as Ive said to everyone you are my top notcher for 2011 bar exam..

Jed Carlo Lazaga is Innocent Facebook Fanpage

Jed Lazaga has been vindicated and now a lawyer, we are blessed to have with us a new champion for due process and the rights of the accused. I look forward to shaking hands with you soon Attorney!

Congratulations to New Philippine Lawyers

2011 Philippine Bar Exam Results

Nude, Pink and Red

Good things do come in threes.  I can give you a list but I'm not in the mood to be convincing right now.  However I am in a good enough temperament to share my personal theories on lipstick colors.  Lipstick, as many of my acquaintances know, forms part of my daily armor.  I carry it around like a switchblade - tucked away but can be easily whipped out when the need arises.  Pardon my tendency for violent metaphors, but I thrive on emphasis.  

Let me emphasize that a girl does not need to hoard on all the lipstick colors out in the market right now.  Believe me I have a trove full of lipstick that I could not possibly use up in the next 10 years.  And no, I am not giving them away, charity or otherwise.  A loud voice in my head says that I only really need three lipsticks to carry on and face the superficial demands of life.  Nude, Pink and Red.

Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Apricot Glaze, Pink Melon and Red

Its a bit tricky to choose the right hue or shade of these three colors that would match your skin tone.  Makeup Guru, Michelle Phan, has a video that would help you identify what lipstick shade would suit you best.  

As for me, I have found my perfect matches in Mary Kay Creme Lipsticks.  

  

When it so hard to choose, I stick to the basic lip colors and then I get peace of mind.

Last time I checked this is the 21st century.  Queen Elizabeth has long been dead and England is now on their second Elizabeth.  So whats with all the fear mongering about lead in cosmetics?  Come on conspiracy theories again?  It's sad how some people put their imagination to waste.

It really pays to be critical about rumors and do a bit of investigation first before you believe them at face value.  

Seriously if there were enough poison in today's commonly used cosmetics, someone somewhere would have dropped dead by now!

So again enough with the fear mongering and go get a real job that requires deeper thinking!

Read these for more information on lead in cosmetics.

FDA Report Lipstick and Lead: Questions and Answers

Also try to read what this entrepreneur has to say about Cosmetic Safety.  

Personally, I think this issue of lead poisoning from cosmetics is all baloney!

Suddenly the breeze has acquired a slightly sticky feel to it. I, for one, can sense that my tan is making a slow comeback. Well, hello February! This is the month everyone seems to be at their prettiest. Whether you are on a look out for a new squeeze or you are on the steady wings of love, everyone wants to wear that distinct blush akin to sweet romance. Leave any semblance of gloom and ditch that pale disposition. Replace them with a lovely glow, the kind we all want that special someone to remember us by. 

Mission: Captivate

Try to wear clothes that deviate from your usual look. Go for a dress if you consistently wear laid back styles, or try on a pair of sleek wide legged pants if you are mostly a very feminine dresser. If your wardrobe consists mostly of clothes in the neutral colors of black, white, brown or cream, have the courage to experiment with color blocking. Start by putting together two or three pastel colored garments. Have fun figuring out what makes sense on the color wheel. If you are bold enough, try formulating your own theories on color harmony. This year, I hear the color tangerine will stand for fresh and bold. How does a little orange dress appeal to you? Surely that is captivating! 

Now that we have laid out our color foundation, let us move on to setting the mood. I am talking about the intensity of impact. There are three ways to dress up to melt hearts; simmer, sizzle, or boil.

Simmer

Just like butter on an ever so slow heat, to look simmering is to dress subtly. Pick tops with scoop neck cuts, no showing of cleavage or bodily assets please. Show your charm in clothes that merely hint at the depth of your allure. Channel the Duchess of Cambridge for inspiration. 

Sizzle

Moving on to a notch bolder than the previous suggestion, dressing to look sizzling hot would not be that hard at all. Cebu’s fine weather allows for us to incorporate feminine textiles like chiffon and accents like lace into our weapons of choice - our clothes! This time it is all about sheers, silhouettes and light fabrics that seem follow where ever the wind blows. I love how this makes quite a room for imagination! 

Boil

The word needs no further adjective to further expound it. The communication is loud and clear, it is attention you want and therefore you shall get it. This time the clothes barely matter at all, it is the attitude brought forth by what we wear that gives the level of hotness we are after. The key is power dressing. Will for admiration and romance to come your way, by donning clothes that make you feel good about yourself first. I find that playing with men’s clothes, or those inspired from it, serves two purposes. One, men really like it, and two, girls feel empowered by it. It is hard to resist a woman in a boyfriend shirt dress. 

It is up to you to pick one course of action or you can just go ahead and progress to a boiling point. It is, after all, St. Valentine’s season - snag a heart!

note:  The foregoing is my article for Cebu Review's February Issue.  Download the digital version by clicking on the image below.

Thanks Mac of Style Cebu from lending me her gorgeous picture!

Cebu Review: Cebu's Travel, Leisure & Entertainment Guide