So here I am again with another outfit post. Yay! Sorry if we haven't been posting here at TVS. We've been busy lately but hey, at least we are here again, back to blogging :) So, you guys might wonder what we have been to. Well, as for me I was busy attending to a lot of job interview last July and thank God I am currently working at an advertising agency as a graphic artist. But on November, I'll be moving to a more corporate business at Alabang. To all the Alabang peeps reading this post, hope to see you around Alabang area! :)



So what's up with my outfit? It's a "happy birthday to me" outfit! Yay! Yes, I just turned 21 last October 16 :) But I didn't wore this dress on my birthday. This is what I wore on my birthday, click here. Anyway, me and my friend Mara, had this outfit shot at Portofino South along Daang Hari for their clothing line business, the A4 Tailoring. This is one of their products which eventually Mara just gave to me as a birthday gift because I really, really like the fit and color. A4 Tailoring creates a wide variety of apparels such as casual, corporate and a lot more. You can contact them thru Facebook or just email them at maraurbiztondo@gmail.com :)



A4 Tailoring Dress | Aldo Shoes | Thriftshop Accessories | Elf Makeup


Vote this look on: chictopia.com/iamraluna


Like this look on: instagram


A breathtaking infrastructure in Manila that caters the most astonishing artworks of different artists in the Philippines, from paintings to sculptures and pottery, to fossils and clothing; the National Museum of the Philippines became the home of Philippine history, and to see those artworks felt like being time-traveled way back in time. It is really fascinating how these artists were able to innovate such masterpieces given that they only had limited resources. The majesty of what they have created still astounds people even after hundreds or even thousands of years. Those works of art became a witness and evidence to lots of imperative events that helped shape the course of history, which we all know at this point in time.

With the advancement of technology, it is so easy to make an artwork in a shorter period of time compared to those artists before and the kind of art people do today is very different from what people did back then. They were able to enlighten, tranquilize, or even aid the start of a revolution. It's a mystery as to how life would be without those works of art being preserved. If those were not made, how will the flow of time be? Will it be the same or will it have a few modifications?




*iTouch photos

Whoa! I missed blogging here. Haha. It has been months since I last posted here. Anyway, let's talk about this outfit. I call this my "working" outfit. I wore this during one of my "client's" shoot, who is my sister. It was during her pre-debut pictorial. She was changing her clothes to another outfit so I grabbed the opportunity to have outfit shots. Not so much accessories or prints, just plain and simple black and white combination. I wore black leggings so if ever I would sit down on the floor, my leggings wouldn't look that dirty unlike other colored leggings. Another thing is that, I could move freely rather than in pants.


If you know that you are going to have a day full of running and walking, go with flat shoes. It.will.never.fail.you. Yes, because not only your feet will be protected, you wouldn't feel that tired. And also, black shoes goes well with any colored pants! So my advice to you girls and boys is to buy a black and chic sneakers/flat shoes. It can be your everyday shoes. A lot of my college friends wear black sneakers and it goes well with any outfits they wear. And of course, even though your shoes is nice and cool, if you couldn't pull it off, nothing will happen. Also, have confidence in whatever outfit you are wearing! You may wear a black leather shoes but if you are that confident, maybe you could start a trend! But again, confidence is very different from arrogance. Okay?



I also got new glasses! Yay! My glasses were inspired by Ninoy glasses and a lot of my fellow officemates wore this kind of glasses so I gave it a try. At first, it was a bit strange wearing such big glasses but then when I played volleyball, it was good because I could see things more clearly and I think it looks nice :)


Guess Watch | SM Department Store Shoes | Instashop (now BlackBox) Muscle Tee | U.S thrifted Leggings


Vote this look at: chictopia.com/iamraluna

Three days before the photo shoot, I was so nervous because I faced different problems in which I thought would lead to its cancellation. Good thing the authorities made a firm decision to still push through with the photo shoot.

 As the day of the photo shoot came, I had mixed emotions for it was my first time to actually hold such with big groups of people. All I ever thought of that time was how my dad would handle every worst case scenario as well as how he shoots big groups of people. He would always be calm, made sure that everyone's seen in the photo and the subjects being happy to be part of that group photo.



Lights... Camera... Pose! 

 This is the first group that I had to deal with. Being the first batch, it meant that I have to experiment with lots of things such as the lighting, angles, and poses in order to get the best shot. They each had an individual shot because they need it for their upcoming production. When the first model came in front of me, I don't know, but my mind just suddenly switched itself to "off" that I couldn't think of any pose. Good thing my fellow photographers helped me and I was able to get through. 

Girls: Magtanggal na lang kaya kami ng heels? Para 'di sila matakpan?

 Me: No need po. Keri na nila 'yan. Oh mga guys sa likod pag bilang ko ng three tingkayad na lang tayo nang todo ah!




All about FUN!

 This artist group was two weeks ahead regarding the information of the photo shoot. At first I told them to treat this pictorial like a photo booth wherein anyone can be taken a photo of. I was so surprised that those who are newly-recruited are the ones who used the "photo booth" more than the rest. To be honest, I was really excited to work with this group because they make me feel comfortable; there's no pressure at all. They're all just about having fun and giving a good show.



Always on "Stealth Mode"...

 We're usually at the backstage or the people who are Behind The Scenes. But now, we were given the chance to be taken a photo of and we never wasted any moment of it. I never thought that we would be this crazy having that we hardly ever get to be in front of the camera! :))

 Them: Tara, gawa tayo ng "The Ultimate Wacky Shot!" (refer to the first photo of those who are wearing black shirts) 


Pitch Perfect!

 Whenever I hear this artist group perform, I always remember the Pitch Perfect movie. They look professional on-stage and they always treat their every performance like it'll be their last performance ever. Shooting them was a bit awkward for me at first though because I'm not that close with them but good thing they are so nice that my awkwardness slowly wore off. 

 Me: Magpose kayo nung parang sa choir. Ganito *poses*

Them: Ganyan po talaga?

Me: Bakit? Hindi niyo ba ginagawa 'yan?

Them: Hindi po eh...

Me: Ay ganun? Medyo pahiya ako dun ah. Ah basta gora na lang! :))



 One Team!

I was about to have a problem on how will I be able to take a photo of this amount of people in a very small room. Good thing it was solved earlier that day and we were asked to transfer to the Dance Room just to have a bigger space. 

Taking group photos isn't that easy because in order to create something effective, one must be able to develop rapport with their subjects. As the shoot progresses, my confidence gradually arose. I began to realize that I was the one in-charge inside that room and that I have to keep myself together in order to create good photographs. So I then began to speak louder and give instructions more clearly to the subjects thus getting better results. 

 Me: (to the Contemporary group) Contemporary pose po tayo ah!

Others: Paano yun? 

Girl: Sige, kahit ano na basta awkward, contemporary pose na agad 'yun! :))


 Before every photo shoot especially whenever I am experiencing difficulties, I always ask myself, "Am I willing to do this for the rest of my life?" then as I just go through, my answer is always "Yes, I am willing to do this for the rest of my life because I love and enjoy what I do!" And in God's time, I hope that I'll be able to reach my dreams as a Professional Photographer in the future with my hard work and determination. :)


It's another time of the year wherein Catholics would do different things for their faith. The Holy Week is about remembering Jesus' passion in order to save us from our sins. We do things out of our faith, while some out of what their parents or grandparents told them.  

Quaresma and Mahal na Araw, Fasting and Abstinence, Visita Iglesia and the Way of the Cross, Penitensya and Panata. These words are commonly heard during this time of the year but is usually interchanged and some don't even know the true meaning of it. 

1. Quaresma and Mahal na Araw
Quaresma, also known as "Lent", is a 40-day season commemorating Jesus' fast in the desert wherein he was being tempted by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season and ends on Easter Sunday.  Mahal na Araw, also known as "Semana Santa", is the last week of Lent embarked by Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday. 

2. Fasting and Abstinence
Fasting is to diminish one's food intake while Abstinence is to abnegate something good, just as Catholics avoid to eat meat every Friday once Lent began and on the entire duration of the Holy Week but only until Black Saturday. 

3. Visita Iglesia and the Way of the Cross
Visita Iglesia is the visitation of the at least seven churches and praying on the exposed Blessed Sacrament on each. The Way of the Cross depicts Jesus' passion and praying on each station which can be done on one church only or during the Visita Iglesia. 

4. Penitensya and Panata
Penitensya, from the root word "penance", is done when a person voluntarily punishes oneself. It can be done by hitting oneself on the back, carrying their own cross, or even being nailed on the cross itself. It can also be done in less harmful ways for as long as it is to show how sorry a person is to God for their sins, believing that they will be redeemed to God through this. Penitensya is a kind of panata. Panata is a religious vow or personal commitment to God which can be done in any way a person desires for as long as it is pleasing in the eyes of God. The person also decides how long they will do their panata. 

This is how I understood them and if these words are still not clear to you, you can just google them.


Para sa mga taong minamahal, ang pag-ibig sa kanila ay parang langka. Lang-katulad, lang-katumbas, at lang-katapusan. Pero sa mga taong sawi, ang pag-ibig ay parang kidlat, bigla na lang darating at bigla ring mawawala. Akala mo noon pang-habambuhay na kayo pero iniwan ka pa rin niya. Pinipilit mong ibalik ang nakaraan kahit alam mong wala na talaga. Ito yung mga panahong mapapa-isip ka na lang na "Kung kailan naman ako naging seryoso, doon pa ako iniwan." Ang sakit ‘di ba? Pero ganun talaga, parte ‘yan ng buhay at mahirap talaga iwasan kaya ito ang limang paraan kung paano maka-move on sa taong minahal mo ng sobra.

1. Ilabas mo na ang lahat ng iyong sama ng loob. Umiyak ka nang umiyak hanggang sa maubusan ka na ng luha, ikwento mo kay Papa Jack, o kaya pwede rin namang sumulat ka ng liham kay Ate Charo. Malay mo mapili ‘yang ipalabas sa Maalaala Mo Kaya. Basta kahit anong sa tingin mo ay makapagpapabawas ng iyong nararamdamang sakit.

2. Dapat desidido ka ng gusto mo na nga talagang makamove-on dahil ito ay isang mahabang proseso. Hindi ito parang outing na overnight lang tapos na. Maging desidido ka na ayaw mo na nga talaga sa kanya kasi baka mamaya pag binalikan ka, um-oo ka na lang agad na para bang walang nangyari. Iniwan ka na nga ‘di ba? Maaari niya lang gawin ‘yon ulit.

3. Maglibang ka. Ito ay maibaling ang iyong atensyon sa ibang bagay. Subukan mong maghanap ng bagong libangan. Maglaro ka ng sports, mag-gantsilyo o kaya nama'y mangolekta ka ng kung ano-ano tulad ng mga dyaryo, bakal at bote. 'Pag ibinenta mo yun, nakatulong ka na sa kalikasan, nagkapera ka pa!

4. Mahalin ang sarili. Paano mo masasabi na karapat-dapat kang mahalin kung sarili mo nga ay hindi mo kayang mahalin? Huwag kang magpabaya, sa halip ay pagbutihin mo pa ang iyong sarili. Magpaganda o magpagwapo ka. Subukan mong mag-ehersisyo araw-araw dahil ikaw rin naman ang makikinabang sa pagkakaroon ng malusog na pamumuhay.

5. Magdasal at magtiwala sa Diyos. Ipagdasal mo ang iyong nararamdamang lungkot, pati na rin ang iyong buhay pag-ibig. Magtiwala ka na ibibigay Niya ang taong magmamahal sa’yo ng tunay sa tamang panahon. Huwag mo ring kalilimutan na hindi ka nag-iisa dahil may Diyos na nagmamahal sa iyo at tiyak na hindi ka iiwan magpakailanman.

 Ang mga kalungkutan na nararamdaman natin ay nagsisilbing leksyon sa buhay. Oo, mahirap makaranas ng dalamhati, ngunit ito naman ang makapagpapalakas sa atin. Masaya umibig ngunit hindi nawawala rito ang kalungkutan. Ang boring naman siguro ng buhay kung hindi tayo makakaranas ng pagiyak dahil sa pagmamahal. Ang proseso ng pagmo-move on ay tuloy-tuloy dahil sa oras na matigil ito, uulit ka sa simula.  Kaya mo 'yan, tiwala lang. 

This was shot last October 2013, during my birthday. I wore this dress for that special occasion. I thought it will be kind of cute if I dressed as like I was just thirteen. But yep, I'm on my twentieth year already and I'm somewhat feeling the pressure of having to be more responsible. I thank God for giving me another year to be better, to be with my family and friends and of course, to glorify Him. 





My Dad, Ruel, shot this photos when we visited the grave of my fraternal grandmother because she died before my birthday way back 2004. It was sad but we have to move on and accept that we have lost her. But anyway, about this outfit don't you just love how I look so young? Young as a twelve to thirteen years old. Hahaha!




Accessorize Headband | Guess Watch | Century Flats | Landmark Dress | Isabella Nail Salon Nails


Vote this look at: chictopia.com/iamraluna




Here's a collection of my nail polishes and nails arts during the year of 2012 to 2013.


"Silver Lining"
Red and Silver


"Fourth of July"
Blue, Red and White


"Dexter"
Teal, Yellow and Purple


"Tangerine"
Orange, Dark Yellow and White


"Cloud Nine"
Blue, Violet and White


"Patch"
Red and White


"Independence Day"
Blue, Red, Yellow and White


"Piiiiink"
Neon Pink


"Frozen"
Light Blue and Blue


"Find the hidden Mickey"
Black and White


"Mariah Carey's: Glitter"
Shimmering Pink


"I scream for ice cream!"
Yellow, Brown, Green and Pink


"Despicabe Me's Minions"
Yellow, Blue, Black and White


"The Grinch"
Shimmering Green


"Earthquake"
Black Crackle and White


"Pastel Love"
Light Blue, Yellow, White, Pink and Lavander


"Whiteout"
White


"Welcome 2013"
Purple, Black and White


"Untitled"
Aquamarine, Shimmering Tan and Orange


"Abstract"
Green, Yellow and Pink


"Christmas 2012"
Snowflakes: Blue and White
Christmas Tree: Green, Red, White and Yellow


"Valentines Day 2013"
Light Blue, Pink and Black


"Black trails"
Black Crackle and Neon Green


"PacMan"
Black, Red and White


"Line"
Black and White
So if you ask me how do I come up with themes for my nails, well I find inspirations through the internet and what's currently happening around me. For example, the Minions nails art. I had that during the movie showing days of Despicable Me 2 and many was amazed with my nails. So if you want your nails to be noticed, don't be afraid to try new things. Instead of the just wearing black nail polish, why not partner it with some other colors? I'm not saying that you can''t paint your nails only black but I suggest you try other combinations too! It'll be fun! So, any themes you have in mind that you want me to try? Just click the link at the lower left of this post and comment, we'll be glad to here from you guys too! :)
Nails done by/at:
Aiza Sanchez
Isabella Nail Salon
Palmes Spa
Fe Capistrano