Category Archives: Fashion Design and Photography

When ChatGPT Writes in Bikol

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There is something about the Bikol language that I find particularly romantic. It’s like the local counterpart of French, which is dubbed as the most romantic language all over the world.

So I thought, why not ask ChatGPT to translate one of the poems I’ve written from way, way back about unrequited love? Because I’m a Lit major, that’s why. 😀 I wrote this poem some time ago, which is dedicated to all hopeless romantics, because let’s admit it, every generation has a hopeless romantic.

According to an article by the Cornell Daily Sun, the idea of hopeless romanticism can be largely attributed to American pop culture, where love takes center stage in most art projects, oftentimes influenced by artistic culture in every generation.

I also wanted to see how fluent ChatGPT is in the vernacular language. And I was once again impressed with its wide Bikol vocabulary, although some words were translated into Filipino, I think. I asked ChatGPT which Bikol language it uses, and it mentioned Central Bikol. From Naga area daw ako. Mukhang doon siya nagkamali. ahahay

I also asked ChatGPT to come up with an image that would best fit the poem, and voila, it already went ahead and incorporated the poem in the image. Very proactive, right? 😀

“Kun Sana Magibo Ko, Alagad Sagkod Duman” by Christine Lailani

ChatGPT included the Mayon volcano, possibly because it’s one of Bicol’s most famous landmarks. And the composition of details in this image is very fluid, no element is out of sync. The galaxy, the moon, and the stars also somehow added to the romantic feel of the poem.

Speaking of “shooting stars,“ it looked like Mayon wishes to end the month of May (please do read my previous articles for the MAY/Mt. Mayon Series) in a blaze of glory (figuratively). Because last night, PHIVOLCS reported a meteor sighting that fell towards the Mayon volcano, though the agency confirmed that the meteor dissipated in the atmosphere before reaching one of the volcano’s slopes.

Read more about it here: “WATCH: Meteor comes close to slopes of Mt. Mayon”

It looked like some Albayano’s wish was answered last night. 😉 Lakas nya kay Lord, meteor ang pinadalang sign. You already. lol

To quote:

In the Bible, meteors, shooting stars, and falling stars primarily represent divine judgment, the end of the age, and spiritual rebellion. While not using the modern word “meteor,” the scriptures frequently describe falling stars as signs of God’s power and the temporary nature of the universe. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Key Symbolic Meanings

  • The End Times & Judgment: In the New Testament, falling stars are heavily associated with the Second Coming of Jesus and the Tribulation. Jesus stated in Matthew 24:29 that after the tribulation, “the stars will fall from the sky”.
  • Spiritual Corruption: In Jude 1:13, false teachers are compared to “wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever”.
  • Cataclysmic Plagues: In the Book of Revelation, large celestial objects like comets or burning meteors are used to symbolize catastrophes. For instance, a great, burning star named “Wormwood” is prophesied to fall from heaven, poisoning a third of the earth’s drinking water. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Awestruck Reminders

Beyond doom and judgment, meteors in the Bible serve as stark reminders that the universe is vast, temporary, and completely under God’s authority. For a deep dive into the prophetic texts, you can explore the eschatological themes of cosmic disturbances directly on Bible Hub. [1, 2]

(Source: Google/AI)

Going back to ChatGPT, the potential of AI is ever-increasing year after year. Although we all know that AI technology uses a lot of natural resources. That is why I have been asking ChatGPT how they plan on combating resource depletion and avoiding environmental degradation on a massive scale.

And it is also my prayer that AI technology will be used for the good of mankind and the Earth, and not the other way around, because of selfish ambitions. Pope Leo XIV just recently expressed the church’s concerns about AI in “Magnifica Humanitas.“

Speaking of AI and Mt. Mayon, I had an idea about asking ChatGPT to create a level 4 Mt. Mayon disaster scenario and the corresponding emergency response during above-normal rainfall. It came up with a very comprehensive result.

Level 4 Emergency Scenario: Mayon Volcano During Above-Normal Rainfall

Scenario Title

“Compound Volcanic and Hydrometeorological Disaster: Mayon Volcano Alert Level 4 with Extreme Rainfall”

Situation Overview

Mayon Volcano is under Alert Level 4, indicating that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within days. Simultaneously, the Bicol Region is experiencing above-normal rainfall due to a tropical depression enhanced by the southwest monsoon.

Heavy rainfall saturates volcanic deposits on Mayon’s slopes, significantly increasing the risk of:

  • Lahars (volcanic mudflows)
  • Flash floods
  • Landslides
  • River channel overflows
  • Ashfall remobilization

Several municipalities within the 6–8 km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and extended danger areas are affected.

Scenario Timeline

Phase 1 – Pre-Eruption Conditions (Day 1)

Indicators

  • Increased volcanic earthquakes and harmonic tremors
  • Lava dome instability
  • Sulfur dioxide emissions exceed critical thresholds
  • Continuous moderate rainfall (100–150 mm in 24 hrs)

Communities at Risk

  • Legazpi City
  • Tabaco City
  • Daraga
  • Camalig
  • Guinobatan
  • Sto. Domingo

Initial Impacts

  • River systems begin swelling
  • Minor ashfall reported
  • Road visibility reduced
  • Evacuation centers activated

Phase 2 – Explosive Eruption and Extreme Rainfall (Day 2)

Major Event

A moderate explosive eruption occurs:

  • Lava fountains rise 500–800 meters
  • Pyroclastic density currents descend southern gullies
  • Ash plume reaches 10 km high

At the same time:

  • Rainfall intensifies to 250 mm within 12 hours
  • Thick volcanic ash mixes with rainwater

Secondary Hazards

  • Lahars flow through major river channels
  • Bridges become impassable
  • Floodwaters isolate barangays
  • Power outages occur province-wide
  • Cellular networks become intermittent

Casualty Risks

  • Trapped residents refusing evacuation
  • Respiratory distress due to ash inhalation
  • Injuries from collapsing roofs under wet ash load

Phase 3 – Escalated Humanitarian Emergency (Day 3–5)

Emergency Conditions

  • Over 80,000 evacuees displaced
  • Evacuation centers overcrowded
  • Water contamination reported
  • Food supply chain disrupted
  • Local hospitals overwhelmed

Critical Infrastructure Impacts

  • National highways blocked by debris
  • Water treatment facilities damaged
  • Schools converted into shelters
  • Airport operations suspended

Emergency Response Framework

1. Incident Command Activation

Lead Agencies

  • PHIVOLCS
  • National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
  • Department of Social Welfare and Development
  • Department of Health
  • Philippine Red Cross

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

Activated at:

  • Provincial level
  • Municipal level
  • Barangay level

ICS Functional Sections

  • Operations
  • Planning
  • Logistics
  • Finance/Admin
  • Public Information

Emergency Response Actions

A. Evacuation Operations

Immediate Actions

  • Mandatory evacuation within 8 km radius
  • Forced evacuation in lahar-prone river channels
  • Prepositioning of buses, trucks, and rescue vehicles

Priority Groups

  • Elderly
  • Pregnant women
  • Children
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Hospital patients

Evacuation Challenges

  • Flooded roads
  • Nighttime evacuation
  • Panic and misinformation

B. Search and Rescue (SAR)

Deployment

  • Swift water rescue teams
  • Urban search and rescue teams
  • Military augmentation units

Equipment Needed

  • Rubber boats
  • High-clearance vehicles
  • Thermal drones
  • Satellite communication systems

C. Public Health Response

Health Risks

  • Acute respiratory infections
  • Gastrointestinal disease outbreaks
  • Skin infections
  • Psychological trauma

Response Measures

  • Distribution of N95 masks
  • Mobile medical clinics
  • Emergency vaccination
  • Mental health support services

D. Relief and Humanitarian Assistance

Essential Supplies

  • Food packs
  • Potable water
  • Hygiene kits
  • Blankets and sleeping mats

Shelter Management

  • Physical distancing enforcement
  • Gender-sensitive spaces
  • Child-friendly areas

E. Engineering and Infrastructure

Priority Tasks

  • Clearing lahar debris
  • Restoring power lines
  • Temporary bridge installation
  • River monitoring

Critical Monitoring Areas

  • Miisi River
  • Bonga Gully
  • Basud River
  • Mabinit Channel

Warning and Communication Strategy

Public Warning Systems

  • SMS alerts
  • Sirens
  • Radio broadcasts
  • Social media advisories

Key Public Messages

  1. Avoid river channels and low-lying areas
  2. Wear masks and eye protection
  3. Boil water before drinking
  4. Follow official evacuation orders only

Recovery Considerations

Short-Term Recovery

  • Damage assessment
  • Debris clearing
  • Restoration of utilities
  • Livelihood assistance

Long-Term Recovery

  • Relocation of high-risk communities
  • Reforestation and slope stabilization
  • Improved lahar diversion systems
  • Strengthened early warning systems

Worst-Case Escalation Scenario

If rainfall continues for 5–7 days after the eruption:

  • Massive secondary lahars may occur even without further eruption
  • Additional municipalities may require evacuation
  • Long-term displacement may exceed 6 months
  • Economic losses may affect agriculture, tourism, and transportation across the Bicol Region

Recommended Emergency Preparedness Measures

Before Eruption

  • Conduct pre-emptive evacuation drills
  • Stockpile food and medical supplies
  • Inspect evacuation centers
  • Prepare alternate transport routes

During Eruption

  • Maintain 24/7 monitoring
  • Restrict entry into danger zones
  • Disseminate hourly advisories

After Eruption

  • Continue lahar monitoring during rainfall
  • Conduct structural safety inspections
  • Provide psychosocial support programs

P.S. I am praying more Bikolano artists will come up with a lot of art workshops (art therapy included), such as a paint-by-number Mt. Mayon art workshop. I think it would be a great way for artist wannabes, young and old alike, to learn about color blending (I am not good at this) using an actual paintbrush. The photo below is an example of a design template for the workshop, which I generated through ChatGPT. The more design templates, the better. Ipi-print na lang sya. 😀

P.P.S. I requested ChatGPT, by the way, to convert the Bikol poem to a song, and it came up with a creative rendition. Well, without the melody, of course. I am praying I get to play it on my guitar one of these days, God willing. 🙂

“Sagkod Duman” by Christine Lailani
(A Bikol Love Song)

Verse 1
Kun sana mahiling ta ka pa giraray
Nin saro pang pagkakataon
Dadal-on ko sa sakong isip
An lambang parte nin saimong ngonit

Kun sana makapaghimangraw ako
Asin masabi an nasa puso
Alagad ini na mga tataramon
Sa papel lamang nagtatao nin buhay

Pre-Chorus
Bako man kita magkarani
An sakong gugma dai nagbabago
Sa gab-i asin sa aldaw
Ikaw pa man giraray

Chorus
Sagkod duman, higugmaon ta ka
Maski harayo an saimong harong
Sagkod duman, hihingakon ta
An ngaran mo sa lambang panahon

Asin kun dai pa kita tinadhana
Mahapot ako sa Dios na bantayan ka
Ta an gugma ko para saimo
Magtitinindog sagkod duman

Verse 2
Kun sana mahiditan ta ka pa
Asin mayakap nin mahigpit
Mabatyagan an init nin saimong presensya
Na minsan nang nagtao nin kapayapaan

Kun sana maitao ko gabos
An sakong puso asin kalag
Alagad panahon muna an bahala
Na mag-ayo nin mga pilat

Pre-Chorus
Bako man kita magkarani
An sakong gugma dai naglalaya
Sa bituon asin bulan
Ikaw an sakong orasyon

Chorus
Sagkod duman, higugmaon ta ka
Maski harayo an saimong harong
Sagkod duman, hihingakon ta
An ngaran mo sa lambang panahon

Asin kun dai pa kita tinadhana
Mahapot ako sa Dios na bantayan ka
Ta an gugma ko para saimo
Magtitinindog sagkod duman

Bridge
Naglalampas sa dagat asin kabukidan
Dai matitinag nin unos asin panahon
Sa idalum nin mga bituon
Ikaw an awit nin sakong puso

Final Chorus
Sagkod duman, padagos ini
An gugma kong dai nauubos
Maski tahaw an pagitan ta
Ikaw pa man an sakong kahinguwan

Sagkod duman, sakong marahay na gugma
Mahapot ako na mag-abot kita
Sa tamang oras nin buhay
Sagkod duman…
Sagkod duman…

More articles in the “MAY/Mt. Mayon Series”:

Celebrating MAY-on
Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged In Fire
[Part 2] Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged In Fire

[Part 2] Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged In Fire

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Because May is being “Mayon-ified,” I thought about creating a movie poster or book cover design for my “Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged In Fire” adaptation of “The Legend of Mt. Mayon.”

I first introduced an AI-generated image of Panganoron in the article, “Celebrating MAY-on,” without using a reference photo. I thought I’d let AI come up with its own version of Panganoron, and I just edited some details for the revised image. So, this guy is nonexistent in our world, but maybe he exists in the parallel universe. 😀

Here’s my step-by-step guide on creating the images of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron, which I generated through ChatGPT.

Step 1: Create a character profile (image version) by coming up with specific details for your initial prompts.

Panganoron V. 2.0
Daragang Magayon V. 2.0

Step 2. Recreate Daragang Magayon’s photo and change it to an active combat stance with a gritty expression.

Step 3: Combine these three images to create the movie poster or book cover design template.

I requested ChatGPT to adjust the lighting for this photo.

Step 4: Add the movie or book title. You can indicate which words in the title you want to emphasize, i.e., capitalized, bigger font, font style, etc. Then include other design elements you want to see in your image. In this case, I added the “fire” element around the title.

Design Concept #1 (Dark Theme)
Design Concept #2: I added a headshot of Daragang Magayon since this new narrative is about her. This is a great design concept, but the outline of the Mayon volcano is hidden, and methinks there are just too many details. Is this a yay or a nay? What do you think? 🙂

These are some of the design concepts I came up with, and I am still considering creating more, so there are more options to choose from. But I think the design concept above better fits the new narrative.

Here’s the new image I generated of the heroine and her love interest, which can be used as sort of a “teaser” copy. Though I think it is perfect as a pre-nup photoshoot inspo. lol

Version 1 (Portrait Mode)

Question: Bakit kaya si Panganoron naka-sandals at si Daragang Magayon ay nakapaa?

Answer: Naisip yata ni ChatGPT, para daw kapag tumuga si Mt. Mayon, kakargahin ni Panganoron si Daragang Magayon ala “hokage moves” para hindi mapaso ang paa ni Daragang Magayon ng hot lava.

Ay ambot saimo, ChatGPT. lol

Version 2 (Landscape Mode)

Seryoso na ngani. O di ba, no need umakyat ng Ligñon Hill para sa pre-nup photos nyo. 😀

Once again, ChatGPT just never underdelivers as long as you make very detailed prompts. The results always exceeded my expectations, and I only had to do some minor edits to achieve the designs that I desired.

Aside from the combat stances, I also tried experimenting with other actions, such as “bathing in the river.” In the local legend, Daragang Magayon fell into the river and was saved by Panganoron. This was their first encounter.

Unfortunately, ChatGPT cannot generate exactly what I had in mind about a woman bathing in the river. Or maybe I need to tweak my prompts a bit more. But I am still satisfied with the results.

And I took the left photo above to yet another level to test how far AI can go by asking ChatGPT to incorporate it in fashion designing and styling. I just had to request some edits later on, so I’d get my desired results.

This includes replacing the accessories with a tribal or Boho-inspired necklace and earrings, adding a woven brown belt, and changing the background to a soft and mellow ambiance. My first prompt included the black, tight-fitting long-sleeved top with Sabrina neckline, the cream-colored wedge shoes, and the A-line, long skirt.

First Attempt
Final Version

I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of “artwear,” or art that you can wear, particularly with paintings. If you ask me if I will wear anything like what the model wears above, my answer is “yes.” Well, depending on the occasion, of course.

Do you think my chickens will love me more when they see me wearing this? I mean, they’re the only creatures outside of the house who see me often here since I don’t go out often. 😀

By the way, if you want to use some of these images, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or just comment down below. ❤ Including my face in the AI-generated images is one of my strategies, so nobody would steal my photos. lol Oh, and yes, I am using the free version only of ChatGPT.

P.S. I mentioned in some of my previous articles that Mom designed her dresses when she was in her early 20s and had them sewn by a seamstress here in our town. She got her inspo from fashion magazines and made her own fashion creations, too. Sadly, these dresses don’t fit me anymore since I already weigh 58 kgs. lol

You may read more here:

“How My Passion For Art and Fashion Came To Be”

“SEVEN WEEKENDS MNL: Bringing Out The Fashion Versatility In You”

“To The Only Mother I’ll Ever Have”

When They Say Glam Up

P.P.S. I am grateful that the provincial government of Albay made considerations for preemptive evacuations of communities near the Mayon volcano in preparation for the rainy season. In case there are emergency evacuations during heavy lahar flows, I hope the LGU will prioritize less crowded and more evacuation sites. The Philippines is currently on standby for the possibility of a Hantavirus and/or an Ebola outbreak in the country.

Air ambulances might also be necessary if there are a lot of routes that are impassable due to lahar flows. If Mayon continues its activity for the rest of the year, we can expect more buildup of PDCs and other debris on the slopes of the volcano. This will increase the likelihood of path changes in the gullies, possibly extending beyond the 6km permanent danger zone. Weather experts have already warned that we will experience above-normal rainfall volume this year due to El Niño, which will persist until 2027.

I am also praying that no mining operations will be allowed near Mt. Mayon, whether privately funded or not, Filipino-owned or owned by a foreign investor.

Pirmi lang kirita magpangadyi, maghanda, nyan magsunod sa abiso. 🙏

Celebrating MAY-on

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Earlier today, I just had an idea to create an abstract painting of Mt. Mayon using ChatGPT because I wanted to test the limitations of AI in art creation. Once again, I was completely stunned by the results.

But how we write our prompts really matters. And I’m going to show why. My first prompt went like this: “Create an abstract painting of Mt. Mayon with swirls.” I included swirls because I want it to be a Van Gogh-inspired painting using details from his famous artwork, “The Starry Night.” This was the image generated.

“Mt. Mayon And The Dreamy Sky“

It’s beautiful, right? But when I ran the image on Google Reverse Image Search, there was a painting very similar to this. I had to mention it here so I wouldn’t encounter any copyright infringement issues.

If you want the generated image to be unique, the prompt has to include very specific details. What I did, I created a new prompt by tapping the visual artist in me for the nitty-gritty details. It came just in time, too, because it’s been a while since I had any artwork done.

And this was the result:

“When Daragang Magayon Visits Mt. Mayon“

I was totally blown away by the result. I ran it on Google Reverse Image Search, and indeed, it’s a unique image with copyright belonging to yours truly, of course. Just ask for my permission if you want to use it, though. 😀

There are no other images online similar to it. I am not sure, though, if there are real paintings that closely resemble this one. Please do inform me if you know of any. I would truly appreciate it. You can contact me on my social media profiles in the About Me section of this website. 👍

At the start of the month, I also wrote an article entitled “Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged in Fire,” where I also used ChatGPT to create my images of Daragang Magayon.

Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged In Fire

So, I wondered, why is it that I feel like I am “Mayon-ified” this May? 😀 There must be a connection between May and the Mayon volcano. I typed into Google Search and voila, “Magayon Festival” is actually celebrated during this month. It started out as a month-long celebration in 1999, founded by former Albay governor Sir Al Francis Bichara.

Then I realized, my Daragang Magayon article is actually incomplete because it doesn’t even have a photo of Panganoron or him and Daragang Magayon when it’s supposed to be a love story. lol

Say “Hi” to Panganoron version 2.0.

This is not the first image generated because the first one looked more buffed with long hair. I requested ChatGPT to recreate a leaner version of the image with shorter hair because I think this character fits the new narrative better. 😀

But for the photo of the lovers, I thought the first ChatGPT version of Panganoron best fits the image composition because it resembles the original version of the local legend. I also made different variations since the first photo looked too simple, though it’s also appealing. So, I requested ChatGPT to add brighter colors and to increase the brightness and contrast of the first image.

First Attempt
I love this photo more, which is a painting version of the image above. This got me feeling so amused because my real hair is actually wavy, very much like the hair of Daragang Magayon here. ChatGPT, you tryin’ to mess with me?!?! lol I’m just kidding. Well, I don’t have a cleft chin. And of course, they have to have ‘matchy-matchy’ outfits. 😀

I also ran this image on Google, and it’s all original. Yaaay! 😀

Since I got inspired by Mt. Mayon’s AI abstract paintings above, I also requested ChatGPT to come up with an abstract version of the lovers’ painting. And the result is an entirely different but equally captivating work of art.

Which painting do you like best? 🙂

The “Magayon Festival” this year was cancelled, though, due to the energy crisis and the heightened activity of Mt. Mayon. Hopefully, it will resume next year. And maybe the PTCAO of Albay will include Digital Art as a sub category under Contemporary Art in a Mt. Mayon art contest if they ever have one.

I think it is a good way to entice the younger generations to have a deeper appreciation of local culture and explore digital art more, especially since they are more digitally adept. I believe all of us have an artist in us. We just have to find the right medium where we can express our art better. 🙂

And, of course, the greatest artist is none other than Him:

“How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24

P.S.

The Flower Festival or “Flores de Mayo” is also celebrated during May. The photos below show the flowers in bloom now in the garden. Mom had more vibrant flowers because she devoted so much of her time tending and taking care of our garden when she was still alive.

We celebrated Mother’s Day this year by placing some of her orchids that are prolific bloomers and some Birds of Paradise flowers. I bet Mom’s enjoying even more beautiful flowers in the heavenly paradise with our Creator. 🥰

Happy Mother’s Day in heaven, Mommy! We miss you. ❤

Fragrant Rosal flowers for you from ze garden. ❤

I planted these Bougies in 2022, and they’ve been transplanted several times already. lol They’re going to be transplanted again once the construction of the Chicken House starts. It is actually one of my dreams to revive a dying forest and turn it into a Garden of Eden, God willing. 🙏

P.P.S.

If you’re wondering why I am into creating images through graphic design, I have been working in the digital marketing industry since 2013 as a brand journalist and a copywriter. In my line of work, I pitch ideas to the graphic design team during brainstorming sessions for every ad copy that I write. Some of my former clients also requested images included in the write-up upon submission. I am currently on a career break, as circumstances are not in favor of balancing online work and obligations at home. But I can’t wait to be back in the workforce, once everything’s sorted out, if God wills it.

If you’re into fashion designing and styling, you might want to check out this article: “F” for Food & Fashion Fusion.

Read more: “Art Exhibit: Donation for a Good Cause.”

Here’s another article on creating art for a good cause: “Tabang Tambayan: Pin-Tayo’s Color Bursting at Sip and Gogh.”

Flash It Back This Friday

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I reactivated my personal Facebook account for just a couple of minutes to search for old photos of my 2nd sister and brother when I stumbled upon these old photos of mine. I thought I should also post these photos here just in case I decide not to reactivate my Fb account for good.

I am also feeling oh-so-shameless now to post them publicly because I seldom post anything like this. lol In fact, this is the first and probably the last time I’ll be posing in front of a professional photographer, given my introverted nature. Actually, I think I am more of an otrovert.

Do otroverts look like this? 😂

Just for context, here’s the story behind these photos.

I was working on my master’s thesis in 2013 when a couple of my friends from graduate studies suggested we have our graduation photos taken already, as we were targeting to finish it in just two semesters. Sadly, only 1 of us was able to graduate on time. lol My reason, though, was a shift in priorities.

The Creative Shot was part of the graduation pictorial along with the Toga and UP Sablay Shots. Since I had no prior experience in modeling, I asked the photographer if he could be creative enough on my behalf. 😂

Before we started, he asked me if I’m a “rakista.” I told him that I am not. I guess the fedora gave away my love for singing and the guitar, since there are some musicians who wear fedoras, which became their signature style onstage. Or he’s just too good at reading people’s personalities based on their fashion style or aura.

By the way, this dress belonged to the photography team and is included in the set of costumes for the pictorial. I chose this dress because blue violet is my favorite color, and it was also the right fit. I was weighing 49 kgs only back then, compared to my 60 kgs now. lol But the fedora (borrowed from my bro), accessories, and shoes were all mine. I was supposed to bring the guitar with me, but it’s too bulky. Though it looked like I pulled off the “rakista” look even without the guitar.

I would like to commend the photographer because he’s just very skilled in capturing the right angles. He also captured the “rakista” vibe in me just by guiding me on how to pose. Since I have a flat nose, the serious look isn’t my best bet. So, I wasn’t really confident doing these poses because I knew I wouldn’t be looking my best. And they really aren’t the best in my honest opinion. lol

But I guess the photos turned out okay, all thanks to Kuya photographer’s superb skills in composing every photo. He even climbed on a chair to get a good overhead shot. I just edited these photos using Adobe Lightroom because I was aiming for a “morena” skin complemented by my flat nose to pull off the “dalagang Pilipina” look. 😉

Personality wise, this is my other side. Beneath the “smiling always” demeanor, I also have a temper, which I call “The Kraken.” I tend to be on the extreme ends of the spectrum – I am either too kind or too harsh. I still have to find the right balance, so while I’m in the process of doing that, I don’t socialize often because there’s a high chance I’ll offend people if I won’t be able to control myself.

But praise God for the gift of salvation and faith, I think I am making progress on self control albeit slow and small. A progress is still a progress, right? As they say, celebrate even your small wins. 🙂🙏

What’s another side of you that people don’t get to see often?

P.S.

If you’re wondering why I was digging old photos on Facebook, my 2nd sister and brother are the November celebrants in the family. I was looking for something nostalgic to add to my birthday greetings for them. 😊

I’ll also take this time to share one of my brother’s greatest milestones, which is being one of the 189 officers who finished the Command and General Staff Course (Class 76) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines representing Philippine Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Force. And he finished it as an Honor Graduate, too. 😻

Congratulations, Kuya Commander Abe! 🫡
With his very own Gal Gadot, my very pretty sis-in-law, Heather. 😻

Ah, yes, that is my brother, one of my accountability partners, and the one who planted the seed for my being born again. Together with my sister-in-law, they are living proof of God’s profound love and faithfulness.

May God’s favors and protection be upon you always, our brother bear, as you conquer new heights in your career.

Soli Deo gloria! 🙏🥰

P.P.S.

You can check out the other poses I did for the Creative Shot through this link: https://thejourneymansmoments.wordpress.com/2024/04/09/when-they-say-glam-up/. 😊

Nails Just Nailed It | Paris Hilton Nail Polish Review

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To be honest, I have never been to a salon/spa for a manicure or pedicure session because applying nail polish is like art therapy for me. So I do it myself. 😉

Pastel Blue
Pink Power featuring Mom’s ring.
Lavender
Silver
Paris Hilton Nail Polish

I also don’t buy branded nail polishes because I only wear them for about a week before they start chipping off since I do a lot of household chores. This set of nail polishes was a gift to me, and I must say it’s the perfect brand for all workaholic ladies out there.

Aside from the beautiful colors to choose from, these unscented nail polishes are very easy to apply and dry up quickly. They also last long, but I do not suggest wearing nail polish for an extended time because it can damage your nails.

No nail polish and also my first time growing my nails this long.
Magenta
Pink Feet

These photos were taken when I was still in Manila. So my hands still look flawless here. lol Now that I am a gardener, these hands are tanned and a bit worn out from doing some gardening tasks.

These hands and feet remind me, too, that there will come a time when they will all be wrinkly and bony. Because as Scripture said, “from dust we came, from dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19).”

Indeed, may God “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12) and start doing things that truly matter such as extending a helping hand to those who need it, with nail polish or not. 😉🙏

Chop, Chop Those Tresses A La Quarantine Style

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I believe I’m not the only woman right now who’s faced with the dilemma of getting their hair trimmed and done since all the salons are closed. I have wavy hair, and I usually have it rebonded.

After some moments of deep contemplation (it’s a major life decision. lol), I finally decided to have my haircut from the comfort of our own home (thanks to my husband) because of the following reasons:

1. Use less hair products, save more.

I used to consume two bottles of shampoo and conditioner for my long hair in a month. But now, I use just one. I prefer hair products that contain natural ingredients because my hair’s been treated. They cost a bit more, however, than the regular shampoo and conditioner sold in the supermarkets.

2. You can save time and effort in managing your hair.

It became my habit to tie my hair in a bun without combing. Let’s just say I am too impatient to brush tangled hair, and it’s a bit painful too especially if you’re just going to brush them off without untangling the strands first.

There was one time where I got too impatient I brushed my hair intensely. The result? A huge chunk came off. Was it painful? I didn’t notice because I was so furious. 😂

3. I wanted to look my age.

Yes, I look like a high school student with my long tresses. Though looking young can be a compliment, it’s a disadvantage sometimes, let’s say, when you’re at work. If you want to achieve a professional look, a short hairstyle always does the trick.

The last time I cut my hair up until above the shoulders was back in high school. A shorter hair makes me look more matured, and I now look like someone in her 30s (I think). I still need your opinion on this one though. 😃

4. Less mane, less contact with COVID-19.

There are several instances that will make it easy for you to catch the virus if your hair falls everywhere. Like when you’re buying groceries and doing other errands, for example.

If your hair is long and untied, there’s a high chance your reflex is to tuck it behind your ear or brush it off your face. And this is what we all have to keep in mind while the COVID-19 situation is still ongoing – avoid touching your face at all times.

5. It feels light.

Ah yes, this is probably one of the best reasons why I chop my hair off down to half of its length if its long. It feels airy without that sticky feeling on your nape. My hair also tends to be greasy after a day.

No matter what our reasons are for keeping our hair short or long, it really isn’t the crowning glory. Go on and experiment with different lengths and styles. It’ll grow long anyway in a matter of months.

But what’s more important is how confident you are regardless if you sport a short hairdo or a long one. Beauty from within always wins the hearts more than what pleases the eye. ❤️

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.” – 1 Peter 3:3

“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. – 1 Peter 3:4

Beautiful in God’s eyes always,

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P.S. Having a gentle and quiet spirit is what I’m currently working on. Let’s just say I came from a generation that breeds alpha females in the society. 😉

Photo Feature of the Day: “Light on Carabao”

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Copyright: tingineterome | photography

Let the Light shine upon you, my dear carabao. May the yoke you carry won’t be too much of a burden as you continue to do the work for your Master. ☺

A blessed Sunday, everyone! ❤

5 Tips How To Beat The Holiday Rush

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This article was inspired by the 3-hour waiting time at the mall because we can’t book a Grab car. 😀

A woman beside me vented out her frustrations and while listening to her rants, I can’t help but just smile, nod, and agree to everything she said. Not that I complain a lot too but because she’s right. And yet I never commented anything. Why? Saying a lot of things will fuel her anger even more and when we look at things from a wider perspective, Christmas isn’t supposed to be like this.

Of people complaining about the heavy traffic, the long queues everywhere, lack of options for public transportation if commuting, being late in your Christmas parties, and a whole lot more of inconveniences. But I wonder, why complain? Man made the celebration of Christmas complicated enough so why complain about something that is of our own doing? 🙂

The First Christmas

Originally, the celebration of Christmas was never grand nor lavish. It was the birth of a baby in a not-so-good-looking manger without the nice hotels, Christmas trees, the colorful lights, the grand feasts, the beautiful costumes, and the surplus of gifts.

But today, Christmas is celebrated with too much grandeur and all the hassle to achieve that grandiosity. I guess we are missing out the true Spirit of Christmas when people are complaining, bickering, etc. because of the holiday rush and the holiday preparations. The truth is, the Christmas spirit isn’t seen on the lavish display of ornaments, of parties, nor playful, colored lights. It is meant to be felt deep down in the heart and soul.

Would you also complain and be irritated when someone took the cab that’s supposed to be yours after waiting for 3 hours? Will you not be affected when a sales clerk handed you a broken item which was supposed to be a Christmas gift to someone only to realize it when you already got home? How do you display the true essence and spirit of Christmas during the holiday rush?

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Be Set Apart During The Holiday Rush

1. Lower your expectations.

A lot of things go wrong when everything around you is in chaos. Expect that a lot of imperfect moments will come up.

2. Be calm.

Take time to breathe. Even when everyone around you is irritated, just breathe. And keep calm. Hum a song to release the negative vibe around you.

3. Plan ahead.

Nothing beats being prepared holistically and plans B, C, D, and so on and so forth come really handy during this season. Because let’s all admit it, a lot of plans fail and get drowned by all the holiday rush.

4. Prioritize.

Is this item you plan to buy for a Christmas gift worth all the hassle of being stuck in the traffic or stranded at the mall? Should I skip this Christmas party over the other?

5. Create a list.

These are the to-do lists and to-buy lists. Because being forgetful in this season is unforgivable. 😀 Aside from the lists of items and tasks, arrange them in a way that you won’t be going back and forth or going up and down because the items you plan to buy are located in different parts of the mall. Make one smooth sweep from down to up or vice versa when shopping.

My prayer for this season is that we won’t be carried away by the holiday rush and forget what exactly should we be displaying over the holidays. It can be patience, it can be gentleness, it can be forgiveness, it can be understanding or any of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. But more importantly, the celebration must be about love.

What is love? You will know when you have the Father in you. 🙂

“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” – 1 John 4:8

Celebrating Christmas not in a rush,

December: Revival and Reconciliation

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What’s with December? December is everything – the time to be busy and be mellow at the same time. 😉

Paulo Coehlo’s planner is always in tune with the seasons I am in. Always.

I finally had the time to make this article real quick after finishing today’s article due at work and a whole lot more of tasks in-between. Busy as always. But being busy for me means being able to include my 1-hour guitar playing, a couple of minutes of social media time, checking the plants, doing my daily devotion, and other “me time” moments along with the other regular tasks. 🙂

My bro-in-law and sister from Norway are also here and they got to spend their first Christmas in the Philippines as a couple in their new home. It is also our home (hubby and me) for the meantime since we look after it while they’re away.

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I thought my bougainvillea won’t bloom but it did – one set of white bracts. Finally. 😀 So yes, there is always hope. 😉

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Thank you, Ate Ayn and Kuya TK! ❤

Thank God for the gift of family, I very much appreciated talking to my Norwegian bro-in-law who’s 10 years my senior. He’s also a born-again Christian and he and I got to talk so much about faith. Through the entire course of our conversations, I can say that our religious beliefs are aligned with one another although we have different cultures – praying for Every Nation Norway. 😀 Indeed, I am extremely grateful for the fellowships in my biological family.

My brother also invited them to attend the Sunday church service led by a former pastor in Victory QC where I was baptized as a born-again Christian. So attending this church service was a revival of some sort for me. It brought back memories of how I was saved back in 2013 – nostalgia, yes.

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“God is sovereign over all things.”

If I’ll summarize the series for this month in the church, the words “reconciliation” and “revival” will pop up. And this is basically what December means – the season when God reconciled with the man by sending His Son Jesus here on Earth to revive us from our sins and to be with us always.

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Personally, these two words have so much meaning and greater impact on me because of the current season I’m in. And yes, I can only hope in the Lord that all things work together for our own good. But for now, all I can do is wait with a joyful and grateful heart.

I am looking forward though to better days ahead starting with the holiday season. This is, thus, a heads up to even busier days ahead. Am I seeing a social media hibernation? Perhaps yes or perhaps not. We’ll see. 😀 ❤

It is beginning to look like Christmas in the neighborhood. 😀

To end this article, I’d like to share a couple of verses with you and I hope you’ll be encouraged by them, too:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.

We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬10

Revived again and again through the Cross,

Cityscape: Heatwave Is On

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While watching the church service today, this image of a beautiful sunset over a cityscape that I took a few days ago from our condo came into my mind. When we’re awestruck with nature, it automatically brings us back to the Creator – God.

Sunset and heatwave over skyscrapers.

But it also struck me that as inhabitants of this world, we also have an obligation to take good care of it. As the sun sets down, I wondered how long will nature remain to be this when the threats of climate change such as the heatwave are looming over all mankind? How long before man takes care of nature and be content to say that enough is enough?

CNN already released a report about the projection of enviromentalists and experts that 2030 is the saturation point. It made me think if we are making this world a better place for the next generations or making it worse. I’m not anxious on my end though but I am waiting on God. All I can I do, in my own little way, is just raise awareness as a nature advocate by taking photos such as these:

When night begins to fall.

Caught my attention from my room.

The cityscape under the stars and the moon.

How about you, my friend? What’s a sunset to you? ☺

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11

A nature lover who chases sunsets and watches nightfalls,

P.S. I am praying the land developers of the condominium where we live will incorporate bigger gardens (I’ll hang out there every day) within the estate.

I believe that is what God wants us to do – strike the right balance between preserving what is God-made and adding what is man-made. ☺