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Hi, Candy girls!

How was your Christmas? I'm recharged from our four-day holiday and raring to go back to work! But before I dive back in to that, let me tell you about my Christmas.

A few days before Christmas, I went to the mall with my two younger brothers to finish shopping for gifts. We got awesome gifts for our kid cousins and nieces and for our Kuya's inaanak. We were so tired from walking around so we retreated to Oody's to grab a late lunch. Mmm. Good stuff.

The following day, my first ever godson paid a visit to our house. Believe it or not, the last time I saw him was when he was a teeny tiny baby during his christening. And now, he's a lovely eight-month old little boy. Aww, I couldn't stop taking pictures of him! He's so cute! He couldn't stop playing with the squirt toys I gave him. Hopefully, bath time will be lots of fun with them.

On Christmas Eve, we heard Mass in our village where my mom was a reader. Yihee! We all teased her after and told her that she did a good job. We had the traditional Noche Buena at home. And we opened gifts after. Here's a picture of my Mommy and Daddy. I love it! They look so happy and in love.

On Christmas day, I finally ran out of things to do. Haha! Our computer died so that was out of the question. I ran out of TV shows and movies to watch so I looked around my room and found a book to read. I decided to re-read this:

I love Francesca Lia Block. A friend introduced her to me a couple of years ago and I eventually got a copy of her books from another friend. I've read Echo, Violet and Claire (so far my favorite), and this one. This is a collection of 9 stories by Block. Girl Goddess #9 is a story about two girls who make a zine (oooh! just like E-Candy! :P) and meet one of their favorite artists and even get to interview him. All of Block's stories show the different kinds and forms of girls there are in the world and that each and every one of them are goddesses. And that just because you're different doesn't mean you aren't extraordinary in your own right.

So that was my four-day holiday crammed into one post. Haha! How about you? How did you spend your happy holidays? Let me know. I'd love to hear all about it!

Loff,
Macy

Sorry for the corny title, but I couldn't think of a nicer one for my post!

Last Saturday, I went to the CROCS grand store opening at Serendra, Fort (next to Market! Market!) with my buddy B. I literally got a high from that place party due to the store's rubbery new scent but mostly because of the new CROCS designs, colors, and Jibbitz (accessories). Ines and I are big fans of the Primas, but we are happy to be proud owners of the CROCS Mary Janes. I loved wearing MJs in high school, so I got nostalgic when I wore my puuuurty in pink new shoes.

Before I left the CROCS carnival party, I got to talk to one of the owners and he mentioned that they were bringing in Disney CROCS! WOW! I asked if they had samples, and so he led me to his baby daughter who was wearing a pair. Aww… Just as I thought, they were the cutest shoes ever! I've always loved finding Hidden Mickeys, but they weren't hiding at all on this pair.

They're cute, right?! The CROCS peeps told me that the Disney line and Jibbitz will be out in the market soon. So if you're itching to get a pair, you've got to drop by CROCS Serendra asap.

Super off topic, I went to two events this month and met two really cute guys! I'm sure some of you recognize the first guy, but the second guy is totally fresh. Haha! Anyway, it's Kwon Sang Woo (the star of the Koreanovela Stairway to Heaven) who came over to promote The Face Shop, and 12-year-old performer Miguel Aguila, one of the winners of this year's Cartoon Network Awards of Excellence. Both guys were total charmers!

I've been eating so much, I think I'll burst come Christmas! Are you ready to celebrate?

Lots of love from the Candy staff,
Mimi 

I can't believe it. Tonight's the sixth night of simbang gabi in Gesu and Christmas is only five days away! What have you Candy girls been doing to prepare for Christmas? In our house, it's been smelling like chocolate and sugar because I've been baking chocolate turtle pies for my friends. My parents and I have been attending simbang gabi and we haven't missed a day yet. I've been going since 2000 as far as I can remember and I've always completed the nine nights. Did you know that if you complete the nine Masses, you can make a wish? What's your wish?

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to share this journal entry I wrote on Christmas Eve last year, when I was still a college senior: 

"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old man's hat."

I won't deny it; when I was younger, I was incapable of associating Christmas with anything other than presents. I used to wonder how my Mom and Dad could just leave their gifts by the Christmas tree, with none of the curiousity and excitement I felt at the idea of getting to tear off all the wrapping paper after Noche Buena. When they do get around to opening their presents, there are no hysterics involved, as opposed to my gleeful screaming at the sight of a new dollhouse, or a new book of fairytales.

This year, the Christmas rush came a bit late for me. I was preoccupied with school and all the stuff I had to work on, but the minute my friend Maris and I stepped into the Church of the Gesu for the first simbang gabi, I was finally embraced by holiday cheer. Everything just felt so magical: lights twinkling, children singing, bells ringing. It was one of those moments when you have no intention of doing anything other than sitting back and allowing the sights and sounds to wash over you. And somehow, despite all the papers I had to finish, tests I had to study for, errands I had to run, conflicts I had to resolve, and confusion I had to straighten out, I felt strangely at peace with myself. I guess that's what Christmas does to you—it takes your hand and invites you to breathe, reminding you that in the end, everything will be alright.

As I sat there, basking in the quiet happiness of my newfound holiday spirit, I realized something: I was still incapable of associating Christmas with anything other than presents. But this time, the presents are no longer dollhouses or fairytales. As the Christmas carols filled the air, I thanked Him for the year-round gifts of family and friendship, of love and laughter, of real homes and real stories.

And at that moment, I knew I was blessed. Because honestly, what more can I ask for?

Sometimes, all you really need is a penny. 

***

This year, I decide to put pennies in other people's hats.

Last Saturday, I woke up early to participate in Living Dreams' project for the Payatas kids. We treated them to an advanced screening of Santa Clause 3 in Eastwood, then moved to nearby Club 650 for lunch. I was paired with a sweet 12-year-old named Justine, who called me pretty (Aww!) and kept thanking me for the M&Ms and popcorn I bought for us at the snack bar. We laughed at Tim Allen's antics and pigged out on our junk food together. We talked about normal stuff—school, family, friends, and even crushes! Justine's really smart and funny, and even if we were only able to bond for a few hours, I can definitely say we enjoyed the time we spent together. Here's a photo of us in our matching shirts. Thanks for being a great partner, Justine!

Wishing you all the warmth of the holidays,
Marla

I've had such an exciting week — I went to Negros and visited my cousins and I also went to the Charity Christmas sale of Splash!

In Negros, I not only ate myself dizzy, but I met all these amazing dancers at the Silay City Daigon — it was their Christmas presentation for the less privileged. My cousins danced too and I was so proud of them!
Here I am with the girls who danced at the Daigon. It's amazing how we all fit on the stairs! 

Meet Liana — a true blue Candy girl who was also part of the dancing — she looked like a real pro up onstage! I was impressed Hey there, Liana!

After getting back from Negros, I attended the Splash Christmas sale — it was so much fun because I met the kids (the beneficiaries of the sale), the couple behind Splash and HBC (they're both dermatologists — and they're married to each other), and I was able to get lots of goodies—dirt cheap! What a good deal! Don't worry, I didn't forget the Candy team. I got them body wash and hair products

Here I am with Ces, the editor in chief of Hi!, Ianne, editor in chief of Cosmo, and Joey, the account executive of Splash

Ianne and I pose with the kids who gamely answered her questions and even did a little dance afterwards! 

Couldn't help remembering a shot my cousin took of oranges at a European market when I took this pic — of course I wasn't in Europe and these aren't oranges! haha! 

 
The Christmas spirit was everywhere! 

So now that Christmas is nearing, it's really all about family and the spirit of giving — especially to the less fortunate. I'm so lucky that I've been given all these chances to actually be a part of something like this — and to spend quality time with my family. What about you guys? How have the days leading up to Christmas been like?  :) 

love, Ines