One of the country's biggest and most-anticipated yearly events is back in full swing! For the brands's 50th year of timelessly durable and stylish flip-flops, Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 is all about celebrating our own individual styles and personalities.

Today, style is not synonymous to wearing the latest fashion trends or hottest labels per se as even top designers look to everyday street style.It is about expressing personality and one’s sense of self. Whether one opts for the classics, goes with what is current or mixes, matches and accessorizes to come up with a style all their own, one’s personal style is the walking epitome of self-expression.

This August 2-5, celebrate that carefree personalized style and your individuality at this year’s Make Your Own Havaianas at the SM Northwing lobby, which promises to be the biggest and most special one yet. A grand exhibit promises to take us on a tour back to the brand's humble yet colorful beginnings. Tag all your Havaianas tweets and Instagram photos with #myohcebu2012 and be a part of the revelry! See you there! 

took a shot of the gorgeous stage set-up while waiting for the show to begin

encased crown replica. ooh la la

press box pass

with the super stunning Kookie Buhain!

gorgeous Cebuana socialites Tess Schaap, Bee Urgello and Mrs. Queenie Ammann

My dates for the night! My Manila friends Neil de Arroz and Taylor Bonostro both in blue

All the candidates during their opening presentation. Taray!

Vanessa's swimsuit segment. I loved the artistic direction of this.

 Beautiful Ms. Sheila Paul of TV5 in her embellished gown

Yours truly in a vintage tapestry sheath dress, SM Accessories faux-croc minaudierre, Nava belt, VNC heels and Forever21 gold choker

Despite always feeling like 24 hours is NEVER enough when I'm in Manila, I always manage to bring home wonderful memories with me. Everything and everyone is on the pulse and moving in the big city, and while that may not sound like an ideal idyllic vacation, I always thrive and look forward to my short escapes to Manila.

I luckily got to spend a blissful 48 hours in the city last June 23-25 (late post, I know!) after being picked by TV5 Philippines to be one of their regional blogger correspondents for the  Miss World Philippines 2012 competition. To say that I'm grateful for the experience is an understatement--we were housed in style (at Sofitel courtesy of Agoda.com, no less), and on the whole,  TV5 spared no expense or effort to ensure that we were taken care of properly from the moment we arrived.