CandyMag.com

Dear Candy Girls,

The last long weekend (November 30 – December 2) was a really exciting one for me because I got the chance to climb Mt. Apo for the second time! The first time was during my induction climb (sort of like my club’s graduation) back in 2005 and it took 4 days and 3 nights because it was an extremely long route. Since we were taking a shorter route this time, I thought it would be easier. But apparently, the mountain still had a lot of surprises in store for us!

Here are just some of the crazy yet exhilarating things I did during this climb:

1. Walked for at least 8-12 hours everyday, for three days, to go up and down the Philippines’ highest mountain!

2. Crossed a vast boggy, marshland (It reminded me of when Frodo and Sam crossed the Dead Marshes in The Lord of the Rings!). I was knee-deep in mud most of the time!

3. Climbed down a 20-foot rock face using just tree roots and rocks as my footholds.

4. Crawled through several narrow grass tunnels. (Thank God I’m not claustrophobic!)

5. Crossed unstable log bridges—with a raging river right under them—in the middle of the night.

6. Endured freezing cold temperature at the summit. It was at least five degrees! Here’s a shot of the whole team at the Summit campsite.

Of course, as always, we saw a lot of spectacular views as well! Here’s a shot of the sunset on our way to the summit.

On our way down, we caught a glimpse of Lake Venado. They say it claims at least one life every year. Don’t worry, none of us dared to swim! My batchmates and I were just happy to be there.

Oh did I mention we got lost on the way down? It's okay though because we were near the town already and we were able to call more guides for help. While waiting for them to arrive, we simply sat by the river and looked up at the heavens. The sky was so clear and filled with a million stars! Beautiful. It was also very quiet, except for the sounds of the river and the insects around. Good thing I was with friends, so none of us had any reason to be scared (except maybe when we were trekking back and the guides kept saying, "Dahan-dahan, bangin yan sa tabi niyo!") Haha!

Well, as you can see, I'm happy and back in one piece. So, what’s the craziest, most adventurous thing you’ve ever done (and lived to tell the tale)? I'd love to hear all about it!

Still at a high altitude,

Angel

Posted in Candy | 3 Comments »

Hi, Candy girls!

Last Friday morning, Angel, Macy, and I received a pleasant surprise—free tickets to Vertical Horizon's first ever concert in Asia (thanks, MTV!). That night, we headed to the Big Dome to watch the guys of VH perform. Their energy was amazing, and so was the crowd's enthusiastic response to their music. They loved the Pinoy audience so much that frontman Matt promised to come back—and to start looking for apartments in Manila soon! How cool is that?

Let me share with you my favorite lines from the seven songs I recognized in the lineup (most of the songs sounded familiar, but these were the only ones I remember having listened to prior to the concert), plus my fave shots from Macy's cam:

"I'm still learning things I ought to know by now." —You're A God

"I don't remember you saying goodbye." —It's Over

"I'm all right by the way; everyone, seize the day." —Send It Up

"But I mean nothing to you and I don't know why." —Everything You Want

"If you were right and I was wrong, why are you the one who's gone and I'm still here?" —I'm Still Here 

"And it may take some time to patch me up inside." —Best I Ever Had

"Send me letters from above. Send me strength, send me love." —Forever

Thanks for rocking Manila, Vertical Horizon!

Heart in hand,
Marla <3

Posted in Candy, Candy Rap | 3 Comments »

Every year, we draw up wish lists—for our birthdays, Christmas, graduation, anniversaries, and any occasion we can think of. Just tonight, Mimi, Margaux, Steph, and I had so much fun typing our wish lists for our exchange gift this Christmas.

We like making wish lists because we love the idea of thinking of all the stuff we want and the possibility of getting them.

A couple of years ago, I submitted an article for a Christmas special in a newspaper. I made a wish list, not for myself, but for the people I love. So let me make a wish list for the Candy team the other way around, too (let's pretend I have all the money in the world ):

For Mia, I'd give you a dog just like Kelly (I hope I got the name right! Haha!) so you won't just keep wishing for one. And Mick will have a playmate!
For Steph, all of the four books in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series (hardbound!) and the DVD of the first movie.
For Mimi, an 80-gig iPod Classic with all the episodes of Gossip Girl, Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Private Practice, and Heroes. I'd also put in all of your fave music.
For Angel, lots of Dri-fit clothes for your gym use and adventures in the mountains!
For Marla, a pretty journal and a nice pen so you can have something to write your lovely stories in! Or better yet, that cute laptop you were eyeing the other day!
For Margaux, boots in all styles and colors for your fasyon wardrobe.
For Jennie, all the colors you want of peep toe heels. Haha!
For Roch, a lifetime supply of Oreos (that you will happily share with the Candy team, of course!).

And let's not forget the Candymag.com team, too!

For Mel, books of your choice from Neil Gaiman or all the Little Miss _____ shirts you can find.
For Beam, lots of felt and pretty threads for your arts and crafts projects.

I love you, gals! Happy holidays!

What about you? What would be on your wish lists?

xoxo,
Macy as Santa

Disclaimer: Please don't hunt me down if I don't give you anything on the list for Christmas. HAHA! Remember, it's the thought that counts!

Posted in Bond, Girl!, Candy, Reality Bytes | 11 Comments »

Every year, in late November or early December, I choose one weekend near my birthday and declare it Mia's Birthday Weekend. I know, I know, it sounds terribly self-centered, but when you come from a big family and give gifts more often than you receive them, you learn to milk your 15 minutes of undivided attention.

This year, my birthday weekend fell on a long weekend (woohoo!), so I was doubly excited. A week before my BW, I was already bugging my best friend, Nash, and my boyfriend, Patrick, to block off certain days of my BW. Nash is über busy and Patrick is über busier—she's always flying in and out of town, and he works 7 days a week year-round, no joke. So it's with extra relish that I like to say, "But it's my BW!" even when they agree to give me all their time anyway.

This year was extra wonderful because I got to spend oodles of time with them and my family. Here are some of my fave BW highlights:

1. Eating all the New York fish and chips I want at Fish and Co. with Nash, and not feeling like a pig or getting dyahe. Love their Endearmints mints! 

2. Having a sooper-dooper-shop-till-you-drop spree with Nash and not having to deal with crazy mall parking (she picks me up and brings me home!). 

3. Overloading on sweet treats at Mom and Tina's for my birthday dinner with my fam. I'm still in like with their Oreo cheesecake! That's my bro Chip in the kissy pic, and Avi showing me his growing tooth.

4. Heading to Books For Less for a midnight raid of young adult and children's books. I'm such a night owl that I get a thrill when I discover stores that close a bit later than the norm. 

5. Holding a Grey's Anatomy marathon one night, and having a banana split and swiss sundae another night—both with my bro! That's his banana split above.

6. Getting a huge bunch of flowers Sunday morning from my guy—it's a great way to wake up! I never get up before noon on a Sunday, so I was truly surprised! This is my sleepyhead look—all blotchy and scarily makeup-free!

7. Having my favorite Burgoo burger steak when I thought it was off the menu! I love small surprises like that.

8. Giving my doggie a bath and smelling his yummy strawberry-scented conditioner afterwards! This pic (with Bugsy) was taken before his bath, though! Haha!

9. Seeing a super cute Tigger (my fave Pooh character!) doll in my room when I strolled in after a shower. It's from my bro, and it's my new bedtime buddy. I just have to keep pulling it away from Bugsy! 

Thanks, guys, for the über sweet birthday greetings in last week's blog. I was all weepy reading one thoughtful greeting after another from the team and from super sweet Candy Girls and Council Babes. It was the sweetest ending ever to my annual BW! Mwah!

Posted in Candy | 14 Comments »

Hi, Candy girls!

Have you seen our newest issue? Just want to share some behind-the-scenes photos we took during the cover shoot.

Jigs Mayuga applying makeup on our gorgeous cover girl, Valerie Garcia. Jigs was impressed with Val’s long lashes… and so were we!

The staff goofing around with photographer Pat Dy’s psychedelic pillows! Can you guess who’s who?

Which outfit do you like more—the blue or the red one? I loved them both! We dressed Val in about four different get-ups, but sadly, the other ones didn’t make the cut. Hopefully, we’ll get to print them in the future.

Some snaps after the shoot. Here’s the whole team minus Mia (who was sick that day ) and the girls sporting bangs for a photo with the infamous Bangs. Hehe!

What do you think of our December cover girl? How about the whole ish? Feel free to share your thoughts!

XOXO,
Mimi

Posted in Beauty & Trends, Candy, Reality Bytes | 7 Comments »