You got it, Rachel Zoe!

I read this article from People Magazine which talks about fashion biggie and stylist Rachel Zoe on Holiday Dressing. I found her advice so fantastic, like hitting the nail so perfectly.

To repost part of the articele -

“Don’t expose everything just because it’s a holiday party,” she said. “I think sexiness is better left to the imagination — that’s always my number-one piece of advice. I think a lot of women feel that getting dressed up, especially around the holidays, means tons of cleavage and super-micro minis. But let’s keep it classy.”

Speaking to PEOPLE recently at the Piperlime boutique in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, Zoe, dressed in a sleek pantsuit, was busy styling perfect holiday party looks that were covered, but still sexy.
Even for New Year’s Eve, Zoe suggests a classy cocktail dress over a racier, plunging option. “Something like [a silver cocktail dress] is so much fun,” she offered. “It says, ‘Okay, I’m ready to party but I still look really chic and fun.’”

However, holiday parties don’t have to be all about dresses, either; Zoe said there is lots of flexibility this season.


“I want people to know how diverse dressing for the holidays can be — there’s a look for everybody,” she explained. “One person’s leather legging is another person’s sparkly party dress.”

So how will Zoe be spending her holiday season? From the sounds of it, by staying far away from the party scene, ironically.

“For the holidays, I just want to be with my family and not work and relax for 10 days,” she shared. “And just kiss my son 10,000 times a day.” Tell us: Have you picked your perfect holiday party outfit yet?

–Kate Hogan


I recently saw Kris Aquino in the MMFF Awards Night and thought that she better get some sense from what Rachel Zoe said. Her dress was in a nice emerald color but was way too revealing. Hopefully, she will keep her New Year's Resolution as announced over in the net. 

Fundraising Project

For many years now, I have somehow been involved in various construction projects for the Center. We ask for donations from generous people who are willing to help us in our worthwhile endeavors which benefit not only a small group but a huge number of people. We have done it before with the Tagaytay Conference Center, the Campanilla project and many other houses. These were all built for the spiritual as well as cultural formation of women of all age and social class. And now we are doing it again. Our latest project is the Kanluran Kamawi building which will be the venue for women, particularly for those less fortunate ones in the area. This will be the place where they can learn livelihood skills and even hotel and restaurant management. There will also spiritual formation given there. It has a lot of great possibilities and for sure it will do a lot of good for years and years.

Anyway, with the cost of construction going up by the day, we are in urgent need of more funds in order to pay the contractor. You see, the money that has been going to this project come purely from donations. And as of date, our fundraising thermometer tells us that we need to double the efforts so that we can finish this house on time and without going into debt just to pay the contractor. Good thing that as a response to the need, many of us are already doing our share of research on how to raise money for the project. Some even try to copy how school fundraisers do it. It actually works to copy to successes of others in order to bring positive results. And of course, there is nothing like praying and praying a lot to God to send more donations, since we know that this is all for Him.

Tips to Fighting Pornography

I was at noon time mass today and the priest urged every one of us to do our part, as Christians, to fight pornography in society. Here are some suggestions he mentioned and I hope you will find some wisdon in it:

1. Get rid of (or burn) all pornographic materials in our home - books, magazines, calendars, video cds, leaflets, etc. These are all considered trash for our soul.

2. Practice modest dressing and serve as a good example to your children.

3. Avoid all pornographic websites and other pornographic videos which can be passed on through the cellular phone.

4. Help report all indecent actuations shown on tv by writing to the producers.

5. Stop all non-sense 'green' talk at home, in the office or when with friends.

6. Start the custom of praying together as a family.

7. Take Mama Mary and St. Joseph as our role models for living a life of purity.

8. Frequent the sacraments of Holy Mass and Confession to be in the state of grace always.

Celebrities at our Home

Last January 4, we agreed to rent out again our humble home to the producers of Count Your Blessings (airing daily, Monday to Friday, 5:00 p.m. at NBN Channel 4). The episode which they were going to tape featured showbiz celebrities Sheree and Coco Martin.

Sorry for not being updated but I never really heard about this guys prior to that day. So out of curiosity, I asked the others about their background. I heard from the neighbor that Sheree was part of Viva Hot Babes and that she has given birth already. In fairness, she's friendly, sexy and pretty up close. I couldn't believe that she's already a mom! I was afraid to ask her if she had undergone a tummy tuck for there seems to be no trace at all that she has been pregnant before, that is, compared to me who let my weight go up uncontrollably during and after my pregnancy. Anyway, if my job is to look sexy (as in her case) and if I had the resources (which I don't), I would gladly undergo a tummy tuck!

As for Coco Martin, he was also friendly and I could see that our two helpers were so ecstatic to see him in person. I heard that he has an acting award for a movie so I "googled" his name up and found pictures of him which were too sexy for me, so I stopped.

Anyway, as before, part of our agreement with the director is not to use the house, especially the master's bedroom, for scenes which are too sexy or too violent. My Dad specifically told us this. I think it's good to point out this issue to the producer and the director. We said that we don't want to be a contributor in spreading lewdness on TV. Instead, we only want to be part in sharing good moral lessons to the viewing public. Good thing the show Count Your Blessings is more or less okay.

Leaving you with a picture:

TAG Meeting with NCCT Exec

I recently joined TAG (Television Advocacy Group), a group of concerned mothers whose mission and vision is the following:

VISION :
To establish an association of TV viewers who can effectively influence the content of local programming on free TV. This means getting network owners, producers, directors, stars and advertisers to hear the association’s opinion on particular media content.

MISSION :
To positively influence the content of local TV programs in terms of :
1. values portrayed;
2. decency in speech , dressing and action;
3. contribution to intellectual development of viewers;
4. promotion of healthy love for country; and
5. respect for religious beliefs.

We met with National Council for Children's Television (NCCT) Executive Director Alice Panares and discussed our possible collaboration in promoting good TV viewing habits especially for children. We had a very engaging and enlightening discussion on how children can be educated to make wise choices of tv shows, with the guidance of their parents, of course.

Again, TAG found a renewed sense of hope that it is possible to bring about good influence to the public through constant vigilance and the proper education of parents, teachers and kids.