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Just a sneak preview of our campaign shoot for the skin care line Defensil... We were instructed to wear neutrals so the safest thing I could grab from my black-infested cabinets included a Lycra dress and cardigan from Topshop. Literally just grabbed whatever light-colored items I could find after a meeting in the morning, just so I'd make it in time for the shoot and then be able to walk into another meeting right after. I thought I'd post the last two photos just to show that I can be a bit demure at times... Totally became the butt of all girly jokes yesterday since they were all used to seeing me in dark everything (not including my soul. Heh.). 

I had fun getting tortured at the shoot since they wanted me to smile more... Typical. Would you believe that whenever I'm forced to smile at shoots the crew always has to make me laugh just so my teeth would show? I'm cursed with an extremely small smile and my gums never peek out so I'm more comfortable just staring into the camera. There you go, the secret's out. 

I also attended the Globe Christmas party for bloggers after my meeting but I only have a few iPhone photos to share with you guys. Posting them just for the memriez!

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Cebu Next

It's out tomorrow! So honoured to be a part of the list with these talented & humble Cebuanos. Please grab a copy of Zee Lifestyle's December issue.

(L-R) Vito Selma, Matteo Guidicelli, Slater Young, Vania Romoff, Mia Arcenas, Holly Dychangco, Raleene Cabrera & Kryz Uy
Photography by Dan Douglas Ong Creative Direction by Melo Esguerra   Shot on location at Cebu Yacht Club ❧ some behind the scenes photos to add to my previous blog post [via iPhone].. We were all suffering under the sun and it felt like the hottest day of the month.  Look at everyone squinting/ scrunching up their foreheads! We also had solo shots taken before everyone arrived for the group photo and I had to wear the first dress I had under the kaftan. I forgot to bring a slip! No choice but to layer or else I'd be flaunting my undies... Thanks to Mia for the beautiful kaftan and cuffs ♡  It was a really fun photo shoot even if we had to look away from the camera after every shot (cos the sun hurt our eyes soooo much). We all knew each other well so you can only imagine the amount of jokes we cracked in between the serious poses. We all look so prim and proper, right? Don't be fooled! We're a wacky bunch.  Thanks so much to Zee for including me in this lineup. You guys are always so supportive and accommodating every time I visit. Can't wait to see the full spread! 
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Cebu (Nov. 2-3)

I guess my dad found it funny to leave more than 20 photos of me just floating like an otter on my camera & iPhone... Ridiculous.

The best Japanese food at Fiji 

Thanks to my sister Riz for taking the last few photos from the resort.

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Right after the Halloween festivities I had to prepare my things for a shoot in Cebu. Sam was kind enough to lend me some dresses as I had no time to shop, plus Mia agreed to lend me one of her kaftans for the group photo. I was on the brink of having a panic attack since I didn't own any white outfit/dress! Aside from a few pairs of heels I just stashed all the items from my closet that I thought could pass as resort wear. Because of the hastened packing I forgot to bring normal-day clothes and a swim suit! Right after this trip I promised myself never to pack on the last minute since it sucks having to avoid people & places just cos of my outfits (yes, that bad).

The first few photos were taken at the Cebu Yacht Club last Nov. 2 while we were shooting for a spread for Zee Lifestyle. I can't disclose any details about it yet, but it was loads of fun despite having to endure shooting for hours under the sun. It felt like one of the hottest days ever and I really pitied our photographer because unlike us, he couldn't take breaks. We even transformed Mia's car into our holding area since the place where we had our hair & makeup done was an open-air dining area without any electricity. I'm only realizing how hard the set-up was as I'm writing this down! I guess none of us complained since we spent hours having fun talking to one another, plus Mikey kept making us sing so he could record it. Can't wait for the feature to come out this December- the photos are so nice and it made the entire day of sweating [and praying we don't get heat strokes] all worth it. 

Vito invited us to his new pad that night for some drinks. He designed the interiors  including the furniture and I just love it! He's leasing it out starting next year since he's moving to another country. The photos don't do it any justice because I took them at night under low-light conditions with the awful zoom/kit lens (primes are the way to go). I already envy whoever's going to live there. It's a 2-bedroom flat with a great kitchen, plus I love the photographs & decor. 

For the rest of my stay my mum decided to take us to Plantation Bay. Back in high school my friends and I would frequent this resort just so we could use the game room, swim, bike around or wall climb. This time I just wanted to tan, veg out by the porch and swim. Love that the lagoon was a mere 10 steps from my bed- yes, our porch had stairs leading straight to the water! I can't really choose which resort in Cebu's my favorite because each one has something I really get attached to. For Plantation Bay, it's got to be the easy access to the swimming area and the best Japanese food at Fiji . 

I can't wait to visit Cebu again! Will definitely bring along some friends so we can all beach-hop or island-hop. It's always nice to take a break from all the cooking and cleaning (almost unbelievable how I'm not used to having household help available 24/7 anymore). Plus I already miss my mum's cooking- nothing will ever beat that.

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