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Because it’s Thanksgiving weekend!

1) Waking up and going to work with an amazing set of people. I’m truly honored we can influence and empower you girls through our magazine each month!

2) Listening to songs that make the heart soar. I’m liking Glee‘s tender renditions of “True Colors” and “Imagine” right now. I’m very thankful for Ryan Murphy for creating this addictive show. (You can still become a GLEEk by watching it on ETC and Jack TV.)

3) Having the chance to bond with different sets of people over the long weekend. My schedule’s packed to the brim. Friday night: Throw a special party for Mia. Saturday: Hang out and watch the Sweeney Todd play with my choir buddies. Sunday: Go Christmas shopping with the family. (I hope I get to buy them what they want and finish shopping by this week!) Monday: Have my first ever Thanksgiving dinner with travel pals.

4) Finding out that most American TV shows are taking a holiday hiatus. This gives me time to catch up on my show backlog and catch more Zzzs!

5) Belonging to a family. Some of my family members are crazy, some of them are cool, but all of them have shaped me into the person I am today.

What about you? What are you thankful for?

Mimi

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I have a confession to make: I hate shopping for Christmas gifts.

I hate going to bazaars where you have to squeeze through narrow alleys filled with people and haggle with sellers to get a discount. I hate going to malls where everybody is in panic mode, running around shopping for last minute presents. I hate having to spend my money on a bunch of cheap trinkets for people I’m not even that close to and that they probably won’t use anyway. I miss those days when I was a kid and I didn’t have to worry about shopping for gifts. All I had to do was count the presents I had under the tree and open them on Christmas Eve! (Selfish, I know!)

But what I do love is finding gifts for the people I care about—like that perfect item I know a friend would love, that cute toy in my niece’s favorite color, or that book I’m sure my dad would appreciate—even if I have to fight my way through a crowded mall to get them.

This year, it thrills me to see so many items that support a worthy cause. When you buy them as a gift for someone you care about (or for yourself!), you not only make the receiver happy, you make a difference in the lives of other people as well. Now that’s the true spirit of gift-giving!

Here are some examples:

Paulo Coelho for Mango

Not only will you get to wear this world-renowned author’s inspiring messages, you’ll be donating to the novelist’s charity organization too! The Paulo Coelho Institute is a non-profit org, which donates its resources to the most underprivileged in Brazilian society: children and the elderly. (Available at Mango stores nationwide)

My Philippines Statement Shirts

Last September, Pinoy Lifestyle and apparel brand My Philippines had a fashion show featuring statement shirts by different personalities such as Ilac Diaz, Uma Khouny, Raymond Red, and more. These shirts uplift and remind us to be better individuals, create a better community, and unite us as a nation. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the shirts will be donated to the personalities’ chosen foundations. (Available at SM Department Store and KULTURA branches nationwide)

TOMS Shoes

Since their beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 70,000 pairs of shoes to children in need through the purchases of caring customers. For every pair YOU purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. (Available at Anthem in Rockwell and Greenbelt 5)

For more awesome gift ideas, grab a copy of Candy‘s December issue with Katy Perry on the cover. (More gifts for a cause are on page 116. )

Happy gift giving!
Angel

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For the past few nights, I have been passing a yellow-and-white house being constructed along Katipunan avenue on my way home. I knew it was probably a restaurant but I couldn’t figure out which one it was until one night it just magically opened its doors. In front of it was a streamer that said, “we’re now open, too! :)” Banapple Too!

That very weekend, I asked my friend if we could have my belated birthday brunch there just so we could see the new restaurant.

When you enter the cute red door, you’re immediately greeted by happy decor—assorted odds and ends on white shelves scattered around the resto, their trademark marble tabletops, and fancy light fixtures that look like old school lamps.

We chose to sit on one of the couches. It felt just like home. You could also peek into the kitchen as you line up to choose your order. Sort of like a diner only prettier. I wouldn’t mind eating here everyday.

I had the garlic tapa (which I’ve been craving for ever since Marla, Angel, and I had a taste of it for a Candy Bites shoot way, wayyyy before) with a cup of cafe latte. I was super full from this so I just took home my slice of Cadbury Old Gold Oreo Cheesecake.

Maybe next time, I’ll have a slice of cake with my best friend,  get together with the Candy Girls, or maybe even have a cup of coffee by myself with a good book. I’m so happy they opened this bigger Banapple (their old one across the avenue is still open, though). I’m definitely going back.

What are the places you love to eat in? Let me know!

Ready to eat,
Macy :macy:

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Talented artists all over the world have been doing their part to save the only Earth we have. Musicians compose songs about caring for the future generations by conserving our natural resources. Writers churn out poetry or stories stressing the importance of being responsible and owning up to the sins we’ve done against the seas and the skies. Visual artists create paintings, sculptures, and other masterpieces to illustrate how every little step counts in saving the environment.

You too have a chance to open your heart and share your art, because JNBM Amazing Arts Philippines, Inc. (JAAPI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) recently launched Husay Ng Batang Pinoy 2009 PaperClay Nationwide Art Competition, and its first celebrity endorser Sam Concepcion.

PaperClay Art is a one-of-a-kind proudly Philippine made product. PaperClay is an art medium that has the consistency of moist colored paper with a hint of clay that could be applied to any surface—be it wood, paper, glass, ceramics, or even metal. Using two sticks for its application, without the need for adhesives, PaperClay turns into a beautiful piece of embossed textured art.

Husay Ng Batang Pinoy 2009 PaperClay Art Competition with the theme “Ako Para Sa Kalikasan” is open to all Elementary and High School students (both in public and private institutions). The competition has three rounds: Competition among DepEd Divisions (October 19 to December 31, 2009), Regional Selection (January 4 to 31, 2010), and National Selection (February 1 to 13, 2010).

Each contestant will be given a JNBM PaperClay Art competition kit. Contestants can mix PaperClay with other art media, including poster paint, acrylic paint, water color, poster color, colored pens and pencils, and other recycled materials.

Grand winners from the Elementary and High School divisions will win P50,000 each!

Sam Concepcion, DepEd youth ambassador, encourages you to join the nationwide competition. He says, “I usually explore my creativity through music by playing the piano or guitar or performing onstage. PaperClay Art is my newest creative outlet. It stimulates the imagination, and encourages self-expression and quality bonding time with family members. It’s also a very effective way to channel your creativity into something that can make a difference.”

For more details about the JNBM and DepEd’s 2009 PaperClay Art Competition, visit jnbmamazingarts.multiply.com.

Big hugs,
Marla
:penguin:

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Dearest Candy Girls,

I’ve just come out of a looong bout with the flu, and if there’s one skill I learned to value while I was sniffling like there’s no tomorrow, it’s to listen to my body. I tend to abuse my body in more ways than one; it’s a bad habit I’ve tried to shake for years. But after sneezing my way through a fashion event for work, toting a big pack of tissues everywhere I went for two weeks (including the Katy Perry concert!), infecting everyone in my household, wilting like a wallflower at our cover shoot, and scaring both my dogs with my coughing, I say enough is enough. Here’s What My Stubborn Self Must Remember If She Does Not Want To Be Sick Again:

1. Remember to eat, even when am busy trying to meet a deadline.
2. Sleep at a decent hour, and at the same time every night!
3. Rest for real when sick (as opposed to constantly trying to get something done, or worrying about my To Do list instead of sleeping, or sleeping yet dreaming of work).
4. Eat what’s good for me, not just what’s convenient (instant noodles) or right in front of me (Cheetos).

At the moment, I’m breaking rules 1, 2, and 3. And I am seriously craving a hot bowl of Nissin’s Savory Beef noodles. But tomorrow is another day, right?

Still Sniffling,
Mia

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