CandyMag.Com

As you may have read a week ago, the COC 8 has already officially signed off from their blogging duties. But really, did you think anyone could let this cute little corner in Candymag.com be abandoned altogether? Of course not!

*cue entrance*

To end the short hiatus of the COC blog, here comes the COC 9 come to the rescue! Instead of the usual 8, there are 9 of us this year (cool meter = up one level!), and for some reason, we’re always arranged alphabetically (cool meter = up another level!). So to start off …

Aura Patricia “AURA” I. Azarcon, 16
4th Year HS, De La Salle Santiago-Zobel School

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
The whole experience makes working fun and worthwhile. The assignments are always cool, and so are the people you get to work with!
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
Serving in the student council, dancing and collecting zebra-print items!
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
I never really had a favorite color, but I have my favorite color combinations: purple and gold, gray and pink, and black and white.
My dream destination is:
Before I travel the rest of the world, I want to have my very own “Wow Philippines” tour first. I’d take a month off from my normal life and visit all the landmarks in our country with my loved ones.

Christel Jane “CJ” Alayon, 20
4th year, Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
I’m a Candy Girl at heart! It really feels great knowing that I’m now contributing to the number one teen magazine in the country, (insert drum roll here) Candy! Aside from meeting inspiring celebrities, going out and having fun with different activities, getting freebies and stuff, I also get a chance to work with the amazing Candy editors and fellow COC members! Yay!
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
I enjoy exploring the wonders of life through the gifts God has given me. Singing, dancing, acting, martial arts, painting, playing the piano and flute, photography, and graphic design are the things I am passionate about.
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
I have thousands of personalities. Beat that!
My dream destination is (and the reason why):
I always want to spend few hours of my life in the world’s center of fashion, Paris France. The place spells A-R-T with all those amazing museums, famous structures, fashion boutiques and shops!

Deanne “Ding” Banares, 18
AB European Studies, Ateneo de Manila University

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
Being a member means being able to make my once far-fetched dream a reality. Also, I have the opportunities to meet new friends, experience the ins and outs of a fashion magazine, write for Candy Girls, and have the time of my life.
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
I absolutely love to dance and sing (performing is always fun), travel the whole world, shop and put fashionable outfits together, and tirelessly chase my dreams.
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
I own seven diaries. I’ve been writing in one ever since I was in the seventh grade! I love looking back on those memories.
My dream destination is:
The Bahamas. I am a sucker for sun, sand, and surf. I love the beach and based on movies and pictures, Bahamas has one of the most beautiful in the world. That’s actually where I want to go for my honeymoon!

Dyan Michelle “DYAN” Zarzuela, 20
4th year, BA Journalism, University of the Philippines Diliman

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
It’s only been a few months but already I’ve experienced so many new things and met the most interesting people. And of course, I found new friends in my COC mates!
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
my org (UP Journalism Club), second-hand books, fan fiction and UAAP basketball games
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
It was only this month that I started to eat gravy.
My dream destination is:
Never Never Land because I don’t want to grow up. 

Marta Gabriela “GABY” Alegre, 18
AB Interdisciplinary Studies, Ateneo de Manila University

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
I’m given the chance to experience writing for/contributing to an actual magazine, I get to see what happens behind the scenes at Candy, plus I get to meet new people too!
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
the people I love movies, music, taking photos, art, Photoshop!
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
It’s gross, but when I have a cold and I blow my nose, I blow one nostril at a time! HAHA SORRY! But it’s easier and more efficient HAHAHA
My dream destination is:
EUROPE! –the museums, the sights, the rich culture, the cobblestone streets and quaint coffee shops, oh and Ricardo Kaka… I’m kidding, hahaha.

Anna Katerina Rafaella “KATYA” Rara, 16
Year IV, PAREF-Rosehill School, Inc.

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
Working (and writing) behind-the-scenes is just fab. The Candy editors and my fellow CoC girls are totally awesome, too!
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
Foreign cultures and languages (I speak Spanish and Japanese, but I want to learn German too!), music, animals, books, chocolate, sweets, and, of course, Candy!
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
I’m a fan of Avril Lavigne. Yes, I finally admit it. Pink is good. Pop-rock is better  Both of them together: the best combination ever!
My dream destination is:
India! I’ve been practically everywhere, but I haven’t been around much of Asia besides Japan, so, yes – India’s my dream destination, for the food (the spiciness is amazing), for the music (which is different in a cool way) and for the fun Indian people I met last February!

Ma. Lourdes “MARI” N. Colinares, 18
III AB-Communication, Minor in Creative Writing, Ateneo de Manila University

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
Simply because it’s cool! I get to write about things I like and I get to meet fellow cool people.
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
Books, beads, and smooth-textured things.
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
I’m such an impulsive buyer especially when it comes to little trinkets like glass beads, miniscule stuffed toys, and suede notebooks—which I don’t really write on.
My dream destination is:
Neverland—as in Peter Pan’s, not Michael Jackson’s—because I want to stay young forever. I want to be The Girl Who Never Grew Old.

Mikhaela Georgette “MIKA” Chiong, 19
M.A. History, De La Salle University – Manila

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
First, I’ve always wanted to be part of the Candy family since I was 12 and being part of the Council gives me the chance to fully express myself through writing in my beloved teen magazine (that was once just confined in my own personal blog entries and thoughts). Second, because I’ve met eight beautiful people whom I know will be a source of true friendship. I love you CoC 9-mates!
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
History (World history, Natural History, Philippine History, as long as it involves HISTORY!!! Haha!), Tennis, being an “ate” to younger teens who I try to mentor, etc.
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
Hmm… I secretly believe that I lived during the Renaissance period in my past-life, which I claim to be the reason why maybe I’m such a history freak! (See next question)
My dream destination is:
Europe, particularly ITALY because of its rich history. I’m a sucker for the Renaissance period so it’d be such great joy if I’m able to walk on the same grounds as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Niccolo Machiavelli, and all the other great Renaissance men once did! (Even Julius Caesar during the reign of the Roman Empire! *wink*)

Sarah Shayne “SASHA” Lim Uy, 18
3 AB Communications, Ateneo de Manila University

I love being a Council of Cool 9 member because:
I got to meet the most interesting people here.
Things I’m passionate about (aside from writing):
Reading, sewing and crafts (hey! I’m gonna be the next Martha Stewart minus the law suit)
One random fact about me that nobody knows:
When I was 5, I cut my bangs until they were a millimetre long! I had to live with that haircut for five months!
My dream destination is:
Italy—I’m a history dork!

There you have it! All nine of us, ready to continue giving life to this sweet virtual space handed over to us. We’re definitely keyed up about this blog because this is a unique opportunity to reach out to you, in a more personal way. So stay tuned, Candy Girls!

XOXO,
COC 9