Seifuku Done!

Enma Ai's Seifuku Outfit - One of my October projects done and made it's first appearance last Saturday (october 24, 2009) at ARCHON 2009, Ayala Center Cebu!

Had I worked on the costume non-stop I probably would've finished it in 3 days, accessories included. But since I had to break it down around my schedule, I finished the entire ensemble in a little over a week.

The sailor collar was the very first piece I made, because at that time I thought that if I will never get the entire seifuku tailored somewhere, I could just attach it to any of my long sleeved black tops and assemble something to look like a seifuku. When I got so engrossed sewing the thing (by hand mind you) the thought of "What if... I sew the entire seifuku myself". I thought I could pull it off and I love sewing, so why not indeed. (Bapan approves)

I had to recall my high school Home Economics class, use my common sense in dressmaking and construction to come up with patterns and the final cut. Of course, this was not without mistakes and needle punctured fingers!! 

For my skirt, I used one I already had and just adjusted the design by changing the shearings into pleats - hurrah for less work!

I was looking for material for my straw doll when I stumbled upon this in a arts & craft shop, I was sold. It had my name on it (though with an extra F):

then:

AND VOILA! Finished product: (I grabbed this photo from Maik Logarta on FB ^_^) with fellow cosplayers Al and Milezy + Frenchi. I'm Happy ^_^

Dashing Debonaire

Bapan, going to a black tie affair perhaps?

mini project for October

I'm busy making something ^_^ and I'm happy with it so far:
Bapan Approves!

 YES! I'm a seamstress - hidden talent! woohoo!

Ondoy Happened

After getting texts from my sister about her situation and what she experienced because of Ondoy, I checked the news. And boy was I surprised to see how nothing was exaggerated from everyone else's report. Some cities in the Metro were flooded and sunken. Naveen (my sis) is okay, it didn't flood in her area though it took her more than 10 hours before she could go back to the safety of her apartment since the rains wouldn't light up and she along with her officemates were stranded in the office bldg. Most of my bestfriends are in the affected areas, so I was anxious to know how they were. Thank God all of them are OK.

Rona in Pasig, had a couple of inches of water in their home but that subsided.

Sandra, amazingly, actually flew in to Manila from another one of her out of town trips, she got stuck for awhile in a gas station near the airport but is now safe.

Andre lives in Sta. Mesa also among the affected areas, their ancestral home was flooded up to above knee level. They were able to save some of their belongings by taking them to the 2nd level of the house. The water has subsided now and even though they have quite a cleaning to do plus their cars got all wet it's good to know they are safe.

Polaris - although I knew she would be farther from the floods, has the board exam to worry about by the middle of this week, and the whole situation isn't helping. I got to talk to her on the phone and this is all adding to her pressure. I pray she be fine.

Zee and I are preparing some clothes we can donate. Drop off points are sprouting all around Metro Cebu and if you have extras, time and want to help out, I'm reposting blogs concerning this issue:

FORMO & VUDU's DROP OFF: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141980207380
Donate to those affected by Typhoon Ondoy.

Bring your donations to FORMO Restaurant & Lounge!!!
Let's fill up Joseph Castillo's Container Vans and send some love and prayers to Manila.

We are accepting your donations, preferably in kind, until THURSDAY- OCTOBER1.

OTHER DROP OFF CENTERS:

TOYS@WORK -BTC
Green Booth-BTC Main Lobby
VUDU
OUTPOST

According to the Philippine National Red Cross
Most urgent needs:

CLEAN DRINKING WATER
INFANT FORMULA

Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water

Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases

Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap

Rehabilitation Programs: Shelter materials for house repair


Original Posts from Noelle:
Cebuanos, let's help the victims of Ondoy.

Istorya.net asks you to donate to the victims of Storm Ondoy.
Our brothers and sisters in Luzon need our help.

They need the following:

1. Canned Goods
2. Old Clothes
3. Blankets
4. Diapers for babies
5. Noodles
6. Rice
7. Medicine
8. Soap
9. Toothpaste
10. Water Container
11. Iodized Salt
12. Monggo Beans

Cash donations of any amount will also be accepted.
*For our members outside the country, we are currently setting up a way for you to make your donations.

Donations can be dropped off at the following iStorya.net drop-off points:

Aunt Genie's Breadhouse
1279 Talamban, Cebu City
In front of the Talamban Sports Complex

Bizroute Solutions (Mon - Sat 11PM to 4PM)
Unit 302 Keppel Bldg.
Ayala

Bizroute Solutions Lahug Office (Mon - Sat 11PM to 2PM)
Unit 201 MIT Bldg.
Gorordo Ave., Lahug (near JY Square)

Fratelli (Mon - Sat 1PM to 7pm)
173-A Maria Christina Extension Brgy Kamputhaw

Sunburst Tabunok Branch (everyday 10am to 9:30pm)
Gaisano Grand Fiesta Mall
Tabunok, Talisay City

New drop-off areas:

PRG Photoshop
Baseline, Dona Juana Osmeña St.
Cebu City

Formo Restaurant & Lounge (Daily 6PM-2AM)
Banilad Town Center

Albertos Pizza - A.S. Fortuna (Daily 9AM-2AM)
A.S. Fortuna, Banilad (Near Fly-over)

Reminder:
Please pack, seal, and label your donations with your name and a general description of the items inside. With the volume expected, it will be a challenge to monitor.


Cebu Musicians + Outpost + Istorya.net

ONDOY-LIVE-AID AT Outpost Restobar Wednesday September 30 at 7PM.
Bring your donations! Let's fill up two 20 footer Container Vans and send some love and prayers to Manila. Live performances from Cebu Musicians! Help Help help, let's do this!

Cebu Musicians, The Outpost, and iStorya.net are joining forces to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Here's what's gonna happen: Joseph Castillo, husband of musician Lia Luisa A. Castillo, will send two 20ft containers full of relief goods to Manila for the victims (particularly those in Cainta and Marikina).

The culminating point of this plan is a night of music and entertainment, during which relief goods and other contributions will be collected. The goal is to fill both 20ft containers with donations for the victims.

Details and final schedule are currently TBA (tentative sched is on Wednesday, Sept. 30 @ The Outpost).

The Charleston!

One of the dance blogs I've been following alerted it's readers to this link on youtube of two of the characters from the TV series, Mad Men. And they did a classic dance. As a dance enthusiast, I didn't mind watching an old dance routine from decades ago. It was enjoyable as it is - but what made it extra nice for me was that one of my fave matinee idol, Vincent Kartheiser (from when I was a teen) was the character (Pete Campbell) dancing, The Charleston!!! *adorable!* ENJOY!

I don't know why I still haven't gotten myself to sit and watch the DVD already. I've had it for a year now!!

a Bb Pilipinas Hopeful: Sandra Seifert

I am not one to keep up with pageants anywhere, whether local or abroad. And the ones I've truly enjoyed were the MG's I've gone to in support of my beloved friend Tor, in both cases it was actually to see him pass on his crown. I haven't, even if I wanted to, see him in actual competition. Another pageant I went to support a friend was the Mr & Miss TC when Qia represented CAFA, and we were all disappointed when they snubbed her. The major pageant I've been to was when I was a dresser for one of the candidates because, bestfriend Andre was their casual wear designer. I don't know whether it was the idea of women being exploited or that for the longest time no one was really worth rooting for. I'd simply lose interest half way.

But now it's different. though I've no comparison other than my own exposure to the whole Binibing Pilipinas to say that this year will indeed be different, for me at least. I will not only be following it, I will plunge myself headstrong into this hullabaloo. With the sole purpose of advocating my bet for the crown - that, to say the least, is how much I believe in this girl, one of my coolest and great friend, Sandra Seifert. I am not just biased here, but it is indeed with knowing Sandra over the years that I can honestly tell you that this lady is truly a winner already to me. Take my word for it or see for yourself.

And circumstances couldn't have been better. It suddenly seems clear to me that my trip to Manila will not only mean me getting my papers done, but it also gives the best opportunity to help Sandra out - how can I refuse a dear friend, when she asked?

So here I am a quasi-publicist; my cameras loaded and rolling, my notes for all the blogging and cellphones charged for all the gabbing... Let's get it on!

With that I ask of you to help me out too and whether you have your bets already or not, give Sandra a chance and check out some of the posts that are already in the works where you can follow her through this new adventure:

on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bb-Pilipinas-09-Hopeful-Sandra-Inez-Seifert/49242526793
Both Sandra and I will be updating that page, I will also be posting updates here in my photoblog (so just bookmark, why dontcha?)

GOOD LUCK SWEETIE!!! YOU'RE MY CHAMPION!
-Rafi