Wearing a Topshop oversized knit jumper, Romwe mesh and pleather leggings, studded clutch from Oasap, and Emi flats from Blanc by Gold Dot

Word vomit for work is what I've been doing since I got back from Manila. I sometimes just wanna step off and walk off from all the rat racing we do as employees and be comfortably adrift in some lone island somewhere, but I think of all the shoes I'll be foregoing and actual bills and responsibilities that need to be taken care of, so with that I sit right back on my seat. I hate how my blogging sometimes has to wait for that to be cleared off my plate, but that's life. Hope you guys could just bear with me.

While waiting for my flight back to Cebu, young PR virtuoso and friend Niche Dumlao invited me to check out B-Side Makati for Chalk Magazine's Young Manila photoshoot where they gather the hottest and most talked about performers in film, music, art and fashion. I got to meet and chat up with the Chalk ed board, and it was a fantastic. Sadly my camera battery died on me while I was there and I couldn't share any BTS shots. :( I did, however, stumble on the adorable David Guison who just happened to be at the B-Side area to renew his license. After a short exchange on our shared Multiply feature as well as blogging, we took some outfit shots and called it a day. Dedicating this post to my friends who are HUGE fans of David (you know who you guys are, haha).

A special shoutout as well to the stylish and handsome Hezron Peralta who I met there as well.:)

CITT:     Was it hard for you to transition to the scene in Manila?
 V:          Transition surprisingly wasn't as hard as i had anticipated. I've made a living here as a commercial model for the past year, so i guess I've been doing something right hahaha. 


CITT:     What do you enjoy doing on your spare time these days? 
V:           Being outdoors, whether it be hiking/ exploring new places, swimming, jetskiing, wakeboarding or just laying in the grass somewhere. I feel very much connected to the earth and love running around barefoot when I can. Wearing heels everyday is surely something i had to adjust to, but so far so good.


CITT:     You've had some acting stints with some student films in Cebu.  Do you consider ever transitioning to film and TV acting now that you're in Manila? 
V:           YES! I've always dreamt of acting, whether on stage, television, or the silverscreen. For as long as I can remember and if my old year books can serve me right, I grew up in hope of becoming a model/actress/surgeon. But as time and reality kicked in, I realized medicine was NOT my future. Up to this day I still dream of performing in front of others.

CITT:     What's the one motto/mantra you practice/tell yourself every day? 
V:           Everyday can be your day! Shine so you can brighten up other people's day. I love making people smile, whether it be with a smile, a joke or a full on heart-to-heart. My shoulder is always there to cry on. Seize the day, make a friend, you are incharge of your own happiness, and sometimes, those of others 

CITT:      In the event that you do win, what's your immediate plan of action to work on MWP's Social Advocacy?

Cebu is beautiful in every which way you look at it. It's got lovely urban cityscapes that are as bustling and at par with other metropolitan cities around the world. A mere 15 to 30-minute drive from most of these areas immediately offer a sense of solitude and escape through lush greens and crystalline white beaches. It's an incredible, eclectic mix of all things one would look for in looking for a place to settle in. What's not to love?

Also mentioning the word "Cebuana" would bring to mind a number of stunning ladies with equally strong, captivating personalities. Cebu is the home of some of today's most beautiful TV personalities, actors and actresses, and key movers and shakers in society. Three Cebuanas, namely Rogelie Catacutan, Richelle Therese Borja, and Donna Maricel Cardino, all made it last year as candidates to Miss World Philippines 2011. This year, Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Vanessa Claudine Ammann will go head-to-head along with 23 other candidates in the quest of being named the country's most beautiful. Crown or no crown, these girls have already proven that Cebuanas are forces to reckon with in terms of beauty, brains, and character.

Richelle Therese Borja, Rogelie Catacutan, and Donna Maricel Cardino


Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Vanessa Claudine Ammann

Cebu is worth the visit because it combines the best of many worlds, and houses hospitable, courteous, and innately beautiful people. Planning a trip to the Queen City of the South sometime soon? Here's my a quick list of my personal recommendations of magnificent things you can't miss out. Before anything, make sure to check out the great hotel deals at Agoda.com to quickly secure your booking.:)

Life's a beach in Cebu! No matter which arrow in the compass you're headed in this island paradise, there's bound to be a white-hot beach haven of nothing but azure waters and powdery white sand beaches. Taking a dip is a MUST. From L-R: Sumilon Island, Malapascua, Sta. Fe Bantayan


Take in the magnificent and surreal city lights view from the Tops. I've been there numerous times myself and I'm still dumbfounded with how majestic it is from up there. I always tell friends that it feels like "communing with the universe." Ideal with your special someone in tow, haha.

Go scuba diving in Cebu, one of the world's best diving hubs. A diving instructor friend who has joined dives in other parts of the world once said that "if you're in Cebu and you're not diving, then that's a real shame". Best recommended diving spots include Malapascua, Moalboal, Mactan Island, and Sumilon Island.


Oftentimes I find myself barraged with questions like " don't you ever plan to go out of the country?", or "when are you leaving Cebu?". Dreams and goals in hand, I already have some of my life plans in check, and to move elsewhere to "seek greener pastures" might just be the practical choice. Strangely enough, I find myself often procrastinating on working on said life plans elsewhere, because to be perfectly honest, I find the thought of leaving the beauty of Cebu behind quite dreadful. I'm scared at the thought of having to move my entire life somewhere far off and call that home, because home is perfectly beautiful the way it is now, right here in Cebu.

Thank you once again to Agoda.com! :)

Things are heating up in the Miss World Philippines competition as a few days ago, the special awards were given out to the lucky ladies carefully chosen to bring them home. The awards night was held at the prestigious Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, in front of entertainment insiders and potential sponsors who will be helping out with MWP's partner charities.

It came as no surprise for Vanessa Ammann's supporters and friends  (fondly called V by her close friends and peers) that she would bag this competition's Miss Friendship Award, and for good reason. Starting her beauty pageant trail back in Miss Cebu 2011, she has also been singled out as Miss Friendship from among that batch. In the highly competitive world of beauty queens and the illustrious pageants they join, where they are constantly groomed and melded to always be ahead of their competition and with bringing home the crown their priority, being chosen as the friendliest and most approachable from among the pack speaks volumes about the candidate. Being chosen two successive times from two incredible beauty pageants does indeed speak a lot about Vanessa. She's doing Cebu really proud in the competition thus far.

I haven't had the opportunity to get close to her while she was in Cebu, but she would never hesitate to be the first one to say hi. My boyfriend, as a matter of fact, got close to her back in his film school days. He would speak nothing but good, kind things about her. He can ascertain that no matter what the public's preconceived notions of her are, she is a genuine friend and a super approachable person on the whole.

Who better to discuss this matter with than the people closest to her? I had the chance to speak with Edwardson Co and Beatriz Amanda Borja, two very close friends of V, to let us in on how awesome V really is to those around her, and why this Cebuana beauty deserves to take home the crown.

Edwardson Co

Interior Design Graduate, University of San Carlos

V's "Gay BFF"

I've been friends with V for over 7 years ago since we met in college - we initially became friends because we both love costume jewelry. 

What I love about her is that she is not the typical sheltered mestiza.  She is an unusual, fascinating mix of big hair, sharp facial features, olive complexion, and curves, but there is a lot more to her. She loves sports (she used to play soccer, and now she does wakeboarding); She's a brilliant at pen-&-ink illustrator; She surely can dance to mostly any beat; She is independent, street-smart; and most of all, she has this charisma that brings people together, regardless of where they come from. Over a year ago she moved out to Manila to become a commercial model, despite knowing that she is to compete against hundreds of other the fair-skinned, straight-haired, size-zero Eurasian-looking model girls. Since then she has been in TV commercials, magazine editorials, billboards, and other print ads. She was the top 3 model contestant in a fashion reality show, and made it to this year's 20 most beautiful list of a prestige fashion magazine. She is not exactly what comes to mind when you say "model" or "pageant girl", not even the ideal "mestiza" in our Filipino perception of beauty. But she is proof that determination and personality, backed up by embracing one's individuality, makes one worthy of a crown, if not more.

Beatriz Amanda Borja

CEO, Adnama Mining Inc.

Friends for a long time

By far one of the most beautiful people I know, V is a force to reckon with. She seems a walking contradiction - confident yet down to earth, simple yet a myriad of wonderful complexities. She has both heart and talent that will take her places, and you can bet that she's down for the ride. Headstrong and assertive with the things she wants in life, there is no stopping this whirlwind from reaching the pinnacles she aims to reach, effortlessly and with utmost grace. I've been blessed enough to have known V, the funny and quirky girl, the true and affectionate friend, the loyal and genuine person that she really is. I don't doubt that she will be a most deserving beauty queen, as she is compassionate and with a soul so open to giving and making others happy. She is a true embodiment of a modern day woman, and I believe that only great things lie ahead for her. Unassuming and sincere, she is not one to boast of her many god given talents. Let her color your day with her antics and wit, let her set the days ablaze with her spirit. Nothing but love, her friends and family know that she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. Best of luck and well wishes to the amazing woman that miss Vanessa Ammann is! :)

Stay updated here on CITT for more of Vanessa Ammann's journey in the Miss World Philippines as well as the latest on the pageant trail.

Miss World Philippines 2012 is presented in part by Agoda.com, where discount deals and great hotel accomodations all over the world meet.

For the few of you who do follow me on Twitter, I know I've dished in that I'll be sharing some massive news on my site. I wanted to wait until I've confirmed all the finer details, but here goes-- network TV giant TV5 emailed to let me know that I've been selected to be a part of their Regional Blogger Correspondent Pool for the uberprestigious 2nd year of Miss World Philippines!


I'll be doing profile interviews with Cebuana candidate Vanessa Claudine Ammann, as well as her family and friends, and just share my Miss World Philippines coverage to my readers. The awesome part of that is TV5 will fly me to Manila via Cebu Pacific Air and take care of my stay through their partnership with top discount hotel booking site Agoda.com. Since I've been through a lot lately, a weekend in Manila to cover a fabulous event is more than I could ask. I'm beyond excited! 

Follow this year's candidates Kaye Wigand, Vanessa Claudine Amman, Rosheila Tungol, Mariz Ong, Carla Terina Lizardo, Paula Rich Bartolome, Maria Teresita Alaine Baccay, Maham Ahmed, Rizzini Alexis Gomez, Larah Grace Lacap, Vania Valeri Vispo, Paulina Eliseeff, Maryanne Ross Misa, Mariver Ocampo, Daphne Tanya Molenar, Brenna Cassandra Gamboa, April Love Jordan, Rufaida Babudin, Marie Loraine Dione de Guzman, Kaye Michelle Agnes, Fer Mary Baliquig, Queenrich Rehman, Lara Lee Sarino, Natacha Peugniez and Maria Danna Javier through their MWP adventure and for us to find the most innately beautiful Filipina from the bunch! Best part is, you can read it here on my blog and live updates from my Twitter, too (

To be hosted by  Former Miss World 2nd Princess and actress Ruffa Gutierrez and Game n' Go presenter Edu Manzano, the main event will be aired live from Manila Hotel Tent on June 24, 8:30 PM on TV5.

Miss World Philippines Inks New Deal with TV5

Miss World Philippines has inked an incredible new alliance with the country's newest and most aggressive broadcast institution in the country, TV5, which entertainment insiders speculate would be a truly prolific and strong venture. 

After Gwen Ruais' incredible run and success as 1st runner up in last year's Miss World tilt in London, this amazing pageant continues to move forward with their celebration of "Beauty with a Purpose", emphasizing the cause of marginalized women and children as the main advocacy for the Miss World competition.

Things are getting more and more promising now with TV5 as the official media partner. After a careful deliberation process, the competition is set to bring together candidates that completely embody the true essence and innate beauty of the Filipina. Beauty and fitness guru and now Miss World Philippines 2012 Pageant Director Cory Quirino sees to the overall responsibility of finding the right Filipina for this gargantuan task and opportunity.

More than 113 candidates from all over the globe will compete for the miss World Crown on August 16 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia China. 

Catch the Miss World Philippines 2012 Grand Coronation Night to be aired live from the Manila Hotel Tent on June 24, Sunday, live on TV5.

color options for Havaianas Filipinas 2012

1) You must be a follower of Chic in the Tropics on GFC;

2)  Follow @shopatmultiply and @edenisdsknktd on Twitter  and Chic in the Tropics on Facebook

3) Tweet "Win free shopping from @shopatmultiply and @edenisdsknktd! Click here for more details: http://www.chicinthetropics.com/2012/06/win-free-shopping-money-from-multiply.html

"Electric Visions"

Dollface Cosmetics SS2012 Beauty Campaign

Photographed by Anne Lorraine Uy

Make-up by Pearl Sarcauga of Dollface Cosmetics

Styled by Eden Villarba

Modeled by Quennie Rose of Wafer Models Philippines

Just recently, I was fortunate enough to get hired by the talented Pearl Sarcauga, owner of popular local make-up line Dollface Cosmetics, to put together looks and style the brand's SS2012 beauty campaign. She wanted to take a departure from the usual "youthful and ultrafeminine" image of the brand to give it a polished, editorial-ish spin that played up this season's electric-hued trends. Me and pearl did research on the key make-up looks of the season and finally decided on a minimalistic yet bold-hued colorblock inspired editorial-- intense blues, bright pinks and other bold shades all came into play against changing backgrounds and nail color. I also had the honor of working with the beautiful Anne Lorraine Uy, who just literally took my breath away with her final shots of the campaign. No one else could have brought this idea into life better than her. Kudos, Anney!

Fronting the campaign is one of Wafer Models Philippines hottest up-and-comers, Quennie Rose, who couldn't have been more perfect with every peg change that we did. Seriously, how versatile is this girl? Overall, it was an awesome experience putting the color story and styling together, and I couldn't have been more grateful for the opportunity.

Check out Dollface Cosmetics on their facebook page, or order online at swtangel.multiply.com.

Wearing a pink structured blazer from SheInside, black studded bag and perspex sunglasses from Oasap, Forever 21 gold collar, Nava metal belt, H&M tribal-print trousers, Asianvogue flatforms, top gifted by Gizelle


Nail care courtesy of Beauty and Butter

Wearing a custom cut-out top from Yves Identify, Forever 21 tribal bondage skirt, Asianvogue creepers, stud Aztec necklace and stud bag from Oasap, chain accessory from Simon and assorted downtown accessories

Special thanks to Paul Gotiong, Kimberly Mendero, Gabriel Espina Vasquez, Event Photographer Society-Cebu, Jem Villaverde and Blanc Magazine Online for their event photos.

Last May 26, partyphiles from Cebu and beyond came together to make history by partying up a storm and dancing till the break of dawn in the hugely successful staging of Lifedance 2012. No expense was spared in making sure that the partygoers got a visual and aural treat tailor fit to compete on an international scale. Huge LED screens, state-of-the-art sound equipment and the masterful technical direction left everyone at awe of the scale and intensity of the event. That, along with fireworks lighting up the night skies literally every hour, as well as seeing young stylistas dressed up to the nines proved to be quite an amazing sight.

Highlighting the event are the back-to-back performances of trance legend (and a personal favorite of mine) Chicane and the young but incredibly talented Bjornberg who set the stage on fire with their hot dance favorites as well as some of Chicane's classic tracks. Local acts like Funk Avy, War, Distraction, Bong Durano, Marvin Evangelista, DJ Nina and Ira Cruz also proved that they can hold their own by also successfully leading the crowd into a partying frenzy. These pictures don't even begin to describe the revelry! Y
ou just really had to be there to grasp the intensity of it all.

I can't begin to thank the powerhouse team behind Lifedance, Paradiso Full House Concepts and Legwork Productions for the confidence that they have given me as one of their Event Ambassadors and for making sure we were fully taken care of. To Bing, Seffy, Mark, Tessa, Gahum, and the rest of their team down to their crew and personnel-- you guys deserve more than just a pat on the back for staging a feat never been achieved here before. Everything was equally well-thought out and executed, and everyone's comfort level was still a priority. Definitely can't beat that.

And for that, major hats off to you guys! Can't wait for the next installment of Lifedance.:)

Finally got this awesome bag and Aztec stud necklace from OASAP as well. The wait was excruciating, but worth it! Thanks again, Oasap.com!

thrifted blue top, Topshop moto white skirt, Nava metal belt, colorblock heels from Le Donne

Photos by Jem Villaverde, taken at Be Resorts

My June resolution (and basically from here on end) is to try and duke it out where my blogging is concerned, no matter how haphazard my schedule or work can get. I just came back from Manila after attending Bloggers United 3 (I can't wait to tell you guys about my experience there) and after seeing good friends in blogging and catching up with a few of them, I feel somewhat rejuvenated and inspired again. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, as they say--I'll always try to be committed to this mantra from now on. Hopefully I get to rapidly eliminate my backlogs soon. Lezzdodiz!

Just sharing this quick post of what I wore to the Zalora Grand Launch event here in Cebu (more on that later). As the press conference was by the beach and with the white hot heat, it was the right time to step out in blues and whites, as well as the super comfortable colorblock platforms that I acquired lately.

It might just be time to put the layers back on as the weather just took a drastic turn into rainy season. We'll see how that goes!

Thanks again for stopping by :)