A Way to Say "I Heart You"

It's that time of the year again when everything is hearts and flowers!

A little bit of history, this special day of love originated from the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day. 

Jumping back to present times, we still celebrate Valentine's Day by taking them out to a dinner or movie date, and giving flowers, chocolates, stuffed toys, sweets and other gifts to our loved ones.

Personally, although I am happily single, I like giving my family, friends and colleagues at work sweet treats to remind them that I appreciate them.  For 2020, I chanced upon these cute mini heart donuts from Dunkin' Donuts that come in a box of 4s.

Beautiful puffy donuts covered in strawberry jelly that's not too sweet, with a sprinkling of white confetti candies.  Such a steal at Php 55 per box with a promotional price of Php 149 for 3 boxes, giving Php 16 savings.

Of course, how can I give love if I don't love myself first?  Got my own box of mini hearts, too, and it doesn't hurt that the donut looks nice on my heart-shaped plate. 

Love, love, love!

For the Love of Theatre and Charity

In the spirit of 18th century French salons (where salon is defined as a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants through conversation), MMQ Theatre presents 4 Fridays 4 Love -- the February Theatre Salon series.

Join one or all four Fridays (February 1, 8, 15 and 22) and be entertained with four short comedies each night while nibbling on delicious canapes and drinking free flowing champagne.  For just P2,000 per ticket you get to enjoy the shows, network with the who's who of society and help worthy causes as all proceeds go to MMQ charities.

For more information on the event and the venues, please contact Iris at iris.ea@mmqtheatre.com or mobile at 0927-3839517.  You may also visit MMQ Theatre's website at www.mmqtheatre.com, Facebook at facebook.com/mmqthtr and follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/TheatreMMQ.


Filed under EVENTS

Love, Loss and What I Wore for 2012

Why do women shop? What is it with women and fashion? The answer is simple and very visible: each milestone in every woman’s life is filled with different emotions that are matched with memorable fashion choices. Behind each halter top, faded pair of jeans, cocktail dress, painful set of stilettos, and designer handbag is a story to tell.

The sensational Off-Broadway show, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, written by sisters Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle) and Delia Ephron (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Hanging Up), vividly recounts a selection of comic and heartwarming stories from various women who remember key moments in their lives through the clothes they wore. The show is based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, and has featured notable actresses such as Jane Lynch (Glee), Rosie O’Donnell, Brooke Shields (Blue Lagoon, Grease), Betty White (Golden Girls), Rita Wilson, Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Jamie Lynn Siegler (The Sopranos and Entourage), Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Kathy Najimy (Sister Act movie series), Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), to name just a few.

Since its debut in 2009 at New York’s Westside Theater, Love, Loss and What I Wore has garnered praises from critics and delighted audience members who saw themselves or someone they knew in each funny and poignant tale. The show won the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience as well as the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play. It has since then been staged in Los Angeles, Toronto, Brazil, Germany, Australia, and Paris.

Once again, it’s the Filipina’s turn to be charmed and moved by these tales of life and fashion as CTE Productions brings the acclaimed off-Broadway hit to Manila, for the second time, with some of the best female artists in the scene today.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore includes theater luminary and current Associate Artistic Director of Repertory Philippines, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo; veteran theater actress, writer, and emerging director Cathy Azanza-Dy; returning stage actor Liza Infante-Robinson; thespian and music industry sensation Bituin Escalante; and acclaimed classical vocalist, theater performer, and executive director for Music Artes Philippines, Jay Valencia-Glorioso. The show is directed by the same tandem behind the hit show Defending The Caveman, Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore will have a one-weekend-run-only on January 20, 21 and 22 at the RCBC Theater in Makati, Shows are at 8pm with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30pm. Made possible with the support of BusinessWorld, HerWord.com and RCBC Plaza.

I saw the show twice last year and I really, really recommend that you watch it, too.Tickets are available at Ticketworld at 8919999 or log on to their website. You may also call 2150788 or 09175378313 or email cteshows@gmail.com to order tickets. Php1,200 for orchestra center, Php1,000 for orchestra side and loge, and Php500 for balcony. Like 'CTE Productions' on Facebook and follow @cteshows on twitter for more updates.

Filed under SHOWS

Quote Post - 2

Here's my quote post for the week:

Have a LOVELY weekend!


Filed under QUOTES

Love, Loss and What I Wore

I remember prancing around in ruffled skirts during childhood birthday parties; feeling giddy on wearing a new dress to impress my crush; and buying a nice pair of heels for my college graduation. Just goes to show that each milestone in my life, in any woman’s life for that matter, is filled with different emotions matched with memorable fashion choices. Behind each halter top, faded pair of jeans, cocktail dress, painful set of stilettos, and designer handbag is a story to tell.

The sensational Off-Broadway show, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, written by sisters Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle) and Delia Ephron (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Hanging Up), vividly recounts a selection of comic and heartwarming stories from various women who remember key moments in their lives through the clothes they wore. The show is based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, and has featured notable actresses such as Jane Lynch (Glee), Rosie O’Donnell, Brooke Shields (Blue Lagoon, Grease), Betty White (Golden Girls), Rita Wilson, Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Jamie Lynn Siegler (The Sopranos and Entourage), Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Kathy Najimy (Sister Act movie series), Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), to name just a few.

Since its debut in 2009 at New York’s Westside Theater, Love, Loss and What I Wore has garnered praises from critics and delighted audience members who saw themselves or someone they knew in each funny and poignant tale. The show won the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience as well as the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play. It has since then been staged in Los Angeles, Toronto, Brazil, Germany, Australia, and Paris.

Now, it’s the Filipina’s turn to be charmed and moved by these tales of life and fashion as CTE Productions brings the acclaimed off-Broadway hit to Manila with some of the best female artists in the scene today.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore includes theater luminary and current Associate Artistic Director of Repertory Philippines, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, veteran theater actress, writer, and emerging director Cathy Azanza-Dy, thespian and music industry sensation Bituin Escalante, and acclaimed classical vocalist, theater performer, and executive director for Music Artes Philippines, Jay Valencia-Glorioso. The show is directed by the same tandem behind the hit show Defending The Caveman, Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore will have a one-weekend-run-only on July 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the RCBC Theater in Makati, Shows are at 8pm with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30pm.

A Touching Note From A Stranger

This day, exactly 3 years ago, I wrote in my old and now inactive Multiply blog about this heart warming note from a stranger. I just wanted to share this with you and hopefully inspire you as well.

This also reminded me that I should go back to painting and photography and update my deviantART page soon.

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As I was checking my deviantART site a few minutes ago for new deviations and messages, I found a very touching note from a gentleman from the United States, which made my day and I just want to share this with you. Made me reaffirm my belief that love between two people can last a lifetime and be as intense as the day they committed to each other.

The message was posted for one of my uploaded oil paintings. I painted it for one of my art classes back in college. I remember starting this artwork very inspired as I was in love at that time but I barely finished it as I encountered a minor bump in my previous relationship. It is my most favorite work and it still hangs on the walls at home.

A still life done in impressionist style, the painting has all the elements of a love in bloom -- roses, love card and heart pillow -- things that hint of a lady in love. But the title could also just pertain to the roses. Oil on 24" x 24" canvas

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The message from Joseph Thomas, a 62 year-old guy still very much in love with this wife:

“For some time now I have been e-mailing my wife a flower photograph every morning as a small way of saying "I love you."

This morning I sent her your beautiful flower. This makes you a part of a love story that began in 1965.”

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Am flattered and grateful that he made me and my art a part of their wonderful love story. I wish them more years to share in love and blessings.

To view the actual post, click here:

http://iamheartspeak.deviantart.com/art/Love-Blooms-74988777