Friday, 23 October 2015

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. According to an account by fifteenth-century Dominican, Alan de la Roch, Mary appeared to St. Dominic in 1206 after he had been praying and doing severe penances because of his lack of success in combating the Albigensian heresy. Mary praised him for his valiant fight against the heretics and then gave him the Rosary as a mighty weapon, explained its uses and efficacy, and told him to preach it to others.

Holy Rosary from Vatican, Rome

"Since the prayers of the Rosary come from such excellent sources — from Our Lord Himself, from inspired Scripture, and from the Church — it is not surprising that the Rosary is so dear to our Blessed Mother and so powerful with heaven.

"If we consider the power of the Rosary as seen in its effects, we find a great abundance of proofs of its wonderful value. Many are the favors granted to private individuals through its devout recitation: there are few devoted users of the Rosary who cannot testify to experiencing its power in their own lives. If we turn to history, we see many great triumphs of the Rosary. Early tradition attributes the defeat of the Albigensians at the Battle of Muret in 1213 to the Rosary. But even those who do not accept this tradition will admit that St. Pius V attributed the great defeat of the Turkish fleet on the first Sunday of October, 1571, to the fact that at the same time the Rosary confraternities at Rome and elsewhere were holding their processions. Accordingly, he ordered a commemoration of the Rosary to be made on that day. Two years later, Gregory XIII allowed the celebration of a feast of the Rosary in churches having an altar dedicated to the Rosary. In 1671, Clement X extended the feast to all Spain. A second great victory over the Turks, who once, like the Russians, threatened the ruin of Christian civilization, occurred on August 5, 1716, when Prince Eugene defeated them at Peterwardein in Hungary. Thereupon Clement XI extended the feast of the Rosary to the whole Church.

"Today, when dangers far greater than those of the ancient Turks threaten not only Christianity but all civilization, we are urged by our Blessed Mother to turn again to the Rosary for help. If men in sufficient numbers do this, and at the same time carry out the other conditions that she has laid down, we have the greater reason for confidence that we will be delivered from our dangers."  Mary in our Life by Fr. William G. Most

Monday, 19 October 2015

Candy Festival Instagram Photo Contest winner!

Congratulations @princesssoldiaries
Instagram Photo Contest 1st Batch Winner
October 12, 2015

Congratulations @princesssoldiaries

Entry for Instagram Photo Contest

Thank you SM City Sta Mesa

Thank you  Sweet Blooms!

Thank you Grab Taxi!

Friday, 16 October 2015

The 62nd Manila FAME, 2015

Finally, it's October 15, and I am happy that the much awaited Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle event is here again.  This is always an anticipated event for me year after year and I felt an overwhelming joy being a part of it. This event delights me and excites me as always. There is always inspiration seeing new and unique beautiful creations specially works of Filipino Designers gathered in one prestigious international event. Manila FAME has been a part of my annual event and I am gaining a lot of new experience from the beautiful people I met with their unique and magnificent vision of the future of the Philippine fashion industry.

Moreover, a Manila Wear: Blush, featuring pretty and svelte wedding gowns created by Iconic Fashion Designers, JC Buendia, Rajo Laurel, Rhette Eala, Randy Ortiz and Millennial Designer's Joel Escober, Jaggy Glarino, John Herrera, Happy Andrada , is highlighted, perfect for people looking for great design inspirations. You will love also those distinct furniture breakthroughs year after year that also produces amazing interior design works. I am thrilled meeting new interesting Designers with their alluring new creations. I always applaud and credit CITEM for giving great moments to our young and aspiring Designers to showcase their marvelous creations in the event. A tete-a-tete with this young designers is enjoyable especially listening to their perception of the future. This is Manila Fame. The Design and Lifestyle Event 2015.


Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo with Ms. Rosvi Gaetos executive director of CITEM

Manila Wear reveals Blush, a ramp-ready bridal line that exudes an utmost romantic femininity. On its 8th edition, Manila Wear will showcase a collection of finely crafted bridal wear to promote the Philippine traditional craftwork such as handloom, weaving, beadwork, among others in designers’ pieces that are both ethereal and feminine. Manila Wear’s collective designers are set to capture what the local fashion is all about: Filipino and global at the same time.

"Bridal Gowns by the fashion Pillars from Left to Right"
JC Buendia, Rajo Laurel, Rhette Eala, Randy Ortiz

"Bridal Gowns By Millennial Designer's from Left to Right"
Joel Escober, Jaggy Glarino, John Herrera, Happy Andrada


Bridal Gown By: Master JC Buendia

Mr. JC Buendia and Madame Rosvi Gaetos executive director of CITEM,
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions

Lovely afternoon with our favorite and most loved fashion designer JC Buendia!
So happy and proud of your beautiful creations!

Works of International Icon Industrial Designer Kenneth Cobonpue

It was always a joy to see our very own magnificent International Icon Mr Kenneth Cobonpue.
Kenneth Cobonpue is an industrial designer known for his unique designs
integrating natural materials with innovative handmade production processes.

Jared Servano, 44 from Koronadal city (1st runner up Season 4 Project Runway Philippines)
Fearless fashion is Jared’s signature style. For him, fashion is a living form of art.
He labels himself as a “non-traditional” designer who goes all out with every piece he makes.
This fashion warrior is in it to win it.
 Jared owes his children for pushing him to join Project Runway Philippines.

Amazing Jared Servano with Master JC Buendia and Me

Red Box is designer development program which aims to nurture the next generation of the Philippine designers. In every edition of Manila FAME, Red Box continues its work with emerging talents by matching them with local manufacturers to create fresh concepts that reflects their unique design sensibilities.


Joseph Rastullo is the final Red Box talent. Exploring material transparency and translucency,
he focuses on the subject of his exploration through different ways of manipulating material
such as glass and acrylic, playing and exploring on forms and textures.

Young product designer Lilianna Manahan has been chosen as one of the “Rising Asian Talents”
she was featured in the first Maison et Objet Asia interior design trade show in Singapore last year 2014.

Works of Thian Rodriguez


Accessories by Micki Olaguer 

Accessory Designer Michille Sabulao with Master JC Buendia

Accessory Designer Jeffrey Manahan 

Apparel Designer Leby Le Moria


Designer Adante Leyesa

Works of fashion designer Joel Escober
Shoes are works of our very own shoe designer Maco Custodio

Fashion Designer Joel Escober and Master Jc Buendia!

Works of Tony Evan and John Herrera

Works of Tony Evan

Works of Happy Andrada

Fantastic accessories by Ms. Ann Ong
Photo ops with JC Buendia


Ms. Ann Ong, Ms. Ching Cruz, Mr. JC Buendia


Beautiful accessories!

Proudly Philippine weaving!

Lovely head dress!

Beautiful hand made wood carvings from Laguna!

Unique and sophisticated hand carving toys and house accessories!

Hand made paper mache, product of Laguna!

Classy accessories at The Manila Gusto Gallery

Fantastic and unique vases!

Classy! 



Nice to see my fellow Interior Designer Marcelo Alonzo (PIID Board of Director)

Beautiful crafted tassels and other home interior accessories by Interior Designer Marcelo Alonzo
Obra Nicholas Objet d' art

Tassels and Tiebacks!

Le Petit SOUFFLE!

Ito Kish vases!

Grass roots indoor plants!

Anat Pamintuan






Katha winner!




Unique laminated furnitures!

Fabulous Christmas Decors!





Manila FAME is considered as the country’s premier design and lifestyle event, Manila FAME is a bi-annual showcase of craftsmanship, design innovation, and artisan-ship in Philippine products. It features finely selected furniture and home furnishings, holiday gifts and dĆ©cor, and fashion accessories designed and crafted in the Philippines for the global market.

Since 1983, Manila FAME has nurtured and promoted Philippine manufacturers and producers in the global market; consistently featuring top-quality export products and unique Philippine craftsmanship in home and fashion.

Manila FAME is organized by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). It is the second longest-running trade show in the Asia-Pacific, and is the only trade event in the country that is approved by Union des Foires Internationales (UFI) or The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

Thank you so much to both of you. I appreciate your wonderful gestures. Wink!

Beautiful afternoon at Manila FAME with my awesome friend.

I had a great time at the Manila FAME 2015
I'll see you again next season, April 21 - 24, 2016 "Boutique Edition"
Princess Sol Diaries 10/16/2015
by Sol Albar