The [Whereabouts]

We are all creative in our own ways and we all want our creativity to reflect in our daily living. Our hands and what we can do with them set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, essentially giving us the ability to be artistic, unique and creative.

This year’s celebration gives Havaianaticos (those obsessed with these comfy and stylish flip-flops) a nearly unlimited number of ways to create their personal memento of this historic fashion event. Embellish a pair of Havaianas Slim with a Swarovski-studded seahorse or mix glow-in-the-dark Top straps with the Philippine-designed MYOH commemorative sole and pin. This commemorative sole, the first printed sole to be offered at Make Your Own Havaianas, spells out MYOH@5 using sign language to symbolize how each pair is lovingly assembled by the hands of the dedicated Make Your Own Havaianas staff.

“Make Your Own Havaianas is really a labor of love from the brand,” says Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Havaianas Philippines. “We really try to come up with enough options so that every person can create a pair that’s perfect for them. This year, more than ever, we’ve really gone all out because it’s our 5th anniversary and that’s a real milestone for the brand.”

Make Your Own Havaianas, which is presented by Power Plant Mall this year, has always inspired flip-flops fans to unleash their creativity and let their imaginations go wild. With the celebration of its 5^th year, Havaianas offers a number of stylish, new options- from silver letter pins and Swarovski-studded pins to jelly, fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark Top straps. It’s the perfect chance to let your hands add more flair to your favorite pair.

Celebrate five years of chic and colorful customization at www.havaianasphilippines.com/myoh

Can anyone of us still take to see a tomorrow just like that? Less than three weeks from now and we’ll all be voting for leaders who in our judgment is right enough and brave enough to stand before us. Do you already have your list on who to vote this coming May 2010 elections? Perhaps it’s about time to have them reviewed again. In the past two years before this election, we have all witnessed a lot of killings for those who attempt to seek and expose the truth to the masses. It was a bloody and scary time for all of us. Everybody wants nothing but an honest and working relationship between the government and the society. Who wouldn’t want that, right? But instead of seeing the promise of a good tomorrow, getting out of our shells and standing with all our pride, it’s like we’re all afraid to go out of our shells and do what we really can do for our country. One thing we should know is that for us to see a progress in this country we all dream to improve, we must also work on it. We can’t just lift up all our burdens to the Lord and afterwards not do anything. The Lord  can hear prayers but He will need you to work on your prayers.

We all aim for change. We all aim for a free and progressive country and perhaps it’s really about time to realize that change should start within ourselves. If you are afraid to start on your own, you don’t have to worry because there are a lot of organizations where you can actually join and meet people with the same advocacy just like what Urban Time PH is trying to promote for our social awareness. We can choose to stay silent, wait and see or we can choose to take a stand against what is clearly threatening the democracy of the Philippines.

It’s about time all of us should do something to prevent electoral violence. Urban Time and Cherie Paris watches are urging each and every one of us to say no to blood, to say no to guns, to say no to death and torture. It’s about time we take a stand and choose to fight for democracy, all for a peaceful election.

Join us as we make a unified stand against electoral violence because there is no better time than NOW. Urban Time and Cherie Paris watches are a staunch reminder that it’s about time we do something to prevent any further electoral violence.

These watches are specifically designed as symbols of peaceful, non-violent and honest elections. The short hand is emblanozed with the words “It’s about time,” while the long hand reads “Enough blood on the ballot.” With three different colors to choose from, it’s easy and even stylish to wear what you stand for on your wrist.

I know I’m not this type of person who always ask for space but I really felt bad about people attacking me including some workmates who I treated as friends. I’m not a relationship-oriented type of person so I go to work just to work. I go to school just to study. That’s it. Friendship is something that’s always reserved for me. Well, I’m friendly but not because I’m friendly means we’re friends and you can do whatever you want to me. I really felt bad and that’s really just out of line. I’m assumptive but I don’t really put my assumptions into actions because that’s just not right. Well, unless I’ve proven my assumptions right. But now, I really am mad. If only I can express how bad I feel including all my negative auras, then I will. Unfortunately, there’s still this nice side of me telling me to extend more my patience. Okay, fine. That’s why I gave some people the space they might need to think about what’s really going on and for them to realize what really went wrong. It’s just sad that at this time I also need a space. And when I say I need space it’s like the whole space of the universe that I need. No, seriously. So it’s either you’ll be glad because you want me to be out of your life and you just can’t find the right words to say it or you’ll feel bad that after seeking for the space I need, I might not be able to go back to where I left.

If PLEASE is distilling respect into one word, and THANK YOU does the same for gratitude, EXCUSE ME is the ultimate recognition of the common space you share with others, which is consideration. Personal space is something we can’t see, but we all feel it. Physically, it is the area around our person that we consider sacred, safe and comfortable. Saying EXCUSE ME recognizes any intrusion into someone else’s personal space.

Beach has been the most common thing everyone thinks off on a Summer season. Yes, it’s fun to go beaching, get some tan skin, and party like you never will the next day. But don’t you feel like you’re sharing the same thing over and over again that it’s just the date that’s changing? Beach is fun but it’s in a way overrated when we think of Summer. How about engaging yourself in some cool sport? But wait, how do you define cool? Well, for me one way to say something is cool is when you’ll be engaging yourself into something you’ve never done before. Or it could be in a way doing what really drives you crazy. I’m sure almost everyone have tried badminton, basketball, tennis, soccer, or perhaps golf at least once in your life. But how about skateboarding? Nada? Perhaps that has something to do with the popularity and season as well. In the US, not at all times that everyone can play skateboarding. First, they have strict law and secondly, it’s only a seasonal game because you can’t play it on a Winter or Fall. Sad, ain’t it?

But hey, we’re not in the US. Philippines is indeed a lot different from what the US has. The law, the season, it’s a lot different. So armed with sick moves using their boards, Aloha Boardsports champion skates from all over the world decided to invade Manila, Philippines. As Thrilla in Manila kicks off the series of skate tours all over the country, Aloha tries to seek out more Pinoy skateboarding prodigies. “Aloha Boardsports aims to continue in engaging skateboarding enthusiasts, by inviting the best in the skateboarding world to serve as inspirations,” shares Freddy Gonzalez, President of Aloha Boardsports. “Their arrival will these skateboarding idols also jumpstart the first-ever skate tour series in the country along with premiere of the Flip’s latest skate video ‘Extremely Sorry’ in Handlebar Bar and Grill.”

Among these star skaters is 14-year-old Louie Lopez, a California-based boarder who is making a name for himself early in his career. He first started skateboarding at the tender age of 6—after being inspired from watching the world-famous pro-skater Tony Hawk skate a vertical ramp at the X-Games.

Lopez will skate along with his idol David Gonzales, the Columbian skater who joined the Flip Skate team in 2008. Luan de Oliveria, Volcom and Tampa Am competitions’ multi-awarded champ, also joins the line up with the European pro-skater Willow, who has likewise been featured in numerous skating videos.

The skater god Mark Appleyard will also wow the Philippine crowd as he shows his tough moves for the tour. Having been a two-time Transworld Skateboarding Skater of the Year and garnering more awards under his belt, Appleyard will show Manila his favorite trick which is the backside smith grind, along with his other famous moves. Meanwhile, Scottish Ewan Bowman, a proskater and also the manager of the Flip’s exclusive skateboarding team, will also be giving his perfect ollies, kickflips, and grinds. Isn’t that fun? This is the perfect sport this summer. It’s cost efficient but will still keep you on the move.