BEFORE you think of me being so full of myself ("lakas nito maka-artista mag advise tungkol sa rumours") this is just one those things I want to share and laugh about. This may not be a very substantial blog post, but I promise I have a point. Hehe! This is actually inspired by the brother whom I was with some nights ago --- he said "Ate, bigyan kita advice ikakayaman mo to, gawa ka ng libro --- "Fake News ng Buhay Ko" --- And I thought, hmmm... I can't write a book, but I can definitely write this post.

We had this small family argument/meeting where my Aunt started blurting out stories she heard about me that kept me and brother laughing.  Mind you, she started nagging about me being in the middle of these horrible rumours (when I was younger) while it was actually the younger sister and brother who was the topic of the argument.  You know, the classic Filipino Family scenario where the eldest gets all the blame for the younger siblings rebellious ways because you weren't such a good example back in the day? That's what happened.  -- But hello, rumours nga eh! Can't believe my Aunt actually believed them!



Anyway...

Just so I can make my point, let me give you a brief background as to how these old "rumours"  my Aunt was talking about started.  I lived in Marikina all my life and as you know, it's a very small city with tight knit communities.  Almost everyone here are either relatives, friends, friend of a friend and so on --- you get the picture, right?  And because the city is so small, people from within the city usually hang out in the same places and pretty much does the same things.  In effect, we all move about one tiny world within the city.  In such a tiny place, with so many people and too many things happening, stories are bound to be written and of course rumours are to be whispered from one ear to another.

Despite living in Marikina all my life, I was the "new girl" back in high school.  It was always --- That girl who used to live in that 4-Storey house and studied in an all girls private school, but lost almost all their family fortune when her grandfather died and was forced to live a simple life. --- That's a 37 word statement that basically sums up my teenage life, but you won't believe how much more words people were able to squeeze in them to make my story more dramatic and colourful.  As if it wasn't dramatic enough.  The rumours were as mild as I was the "naghirap" girl and as worse as "pakawala" or that 5 letter word we call the people we super love and super hate, or just you know, a female dog.

I did not write this post to defend myself from those rumours.  I can't blame whoever made it in the past, the person must've had a basis for all them.  After all, I wasn't the nicest and most proper teenager back then.  I wanted to write this post, because I'm pretty sure there are teenagers out there going through it as well.  Might even be worse in this day and age given how irresponsible some kids use social media as a weapon against their peers.

I am writing this post to tell you, whoever you are who is in the middle of a really bad rumour, to just LAUGH.  Really, just laugh it all out.  Laugh it out with your friends, your boyfriend/girlfriend, your family or whoever.  Don't let it get to you and don't let it eat you.  Don't feel the need to explain yourself to everyone.  If you do feel the need to explain, which is normal, explain only to the people you love dearly.  Don't make the same mistake I did of trying to please everyone around me.  It's not going to happen, just as "so fetch" wasn't going to happen for Regina George.  I made that mistake just so they would believe me.  In the end, it backfired and all went kaput right in front of my face.

Remember, you're no Kim K. You can't manipulate these rumours and convert them into cash.  The only thing you can do is laugh about it and just be with the people who love you and believe you.  Learn to block the negativity because believe me, they will only get worse.  Just when you think rumours are over and ends in high school, they get worse in college and even scarier when you start working.  As early as now, learn to block them and laugh about it.

These things are inevitable, specially if you are like the younger me who is all over the place.  It's part of growing up.  We can't please everyone and we have to accept that sometimes, there are just people who live for the rumours or fake news as the world of social media calls it now. As I always say to friends, bigay niyo na sakanila kaligayahan nila, baka kasi boring buhay nila kaya ganon. In english, let them be.  :P

Just be thankful, kasi trending ka hehe, kidding aside --- just be thankful of the things that you have in your life, moreover be thankful that you are not one those individuals who waste their time spreading rumours because that in itself says a lot about a persons character.

Nawala na naman ako sa internet world lately, guys. Sorry. I've been super stressed out with finances and a bit overworked since you know, BER months is kill yourself month in the advertising world.  Not complaining though --- just making that clear.  Just saying this because I want to share something I do to destress (apart from binge watching K-Dramas ANNNDD Chinese Dramas --- I found a super cute series, I'll share it with you next time)

Anyway, one of the things I do to destress and break away from all the corporate slavery is look at some stuff I love and like in the internet or just anywhere then make them into something I can put in  shirts. I know, it's not that original, but I do this mostly because I'm a shirt kind of girl, but I can't find shirts that I actually like (in the PH, at least) So, what I normally do is make them myself.  I do a bit of tweaking and bring them to the nearest shirt heat press while you wait station.  As we all know, heat pressed prints breaks and chips of in time and a single shirt can't actually go under the silkscreen process, because HELLO isa lang yun, hindi tayo mayaman.  

As I did my research on what other options I can use, I came across this really cool website, Fundr by Custom Thread.  This website became the solution to my shirt printing problem and more!  The likes of it are already famous and widely used abroad, but they're the first one I saw doing it here in the PH. 

I'm not sure how long Fundr has been in the business but they've already worked with local bands like Kwjan, Ransom Collective and Callalily.  Aside from that, they print your designs on 100% cotton shirts and use direct to garment (DTG) printing.  Not only do they make your shirt for you, they also give you an avenue to sell your shirts in their marketplace! Super cool nito guys.  

One day, I was just planning to destress and make myself a couple of shirts and voila! Instant business for me too!  

The website is very east to navigate and gives you a lot of guidelines and options too!  This is super perfect for work at home parents, bloggers, freelance artists, etc.  Fundr removes the hassle of managing an online shop by doing all the production and shipping them out for you.  All you have to do is create your design and upload it to your Fundr page.  

Check out their website to find out more and start your own Fundr Shop! And while in the process of checking out their site and making a decision whether you'd want to try them out, check out my fundr page too --- see that SHOP TICK TOCK ITS LOCKED button on the blog side bar --- Just click and start shopping! 

One of the reasons why I was also out of the blogosphere for the past 9 months is my small online clothing business which I have been struggling to manage for more than a year now.  Yes, struggling --- nevertheless, I love doing it.  Although, if you know me personally, you'd know that most of the stuff I sell aren't actually MY personal style.  I know it's weird because entrepreneurs usually start with selling stuff that are personally used by them.  How is it supposed to work?  Well, I am one of those backstage people who loves dressing up other people more than myself.  It's weird, but I find happiness in that.  Plus, mostly I sell clothes I would love to wear if I were gifted with a 36-24-36 body. Hihi.

Anyhoo, this is a short post with more pictures than words as I would just like to formally present my clothing line and brainchild, Mainline Clothing Co. :)

Mainline Clothing Co. today caters to mostly women.  We sell originally and locally produced (and sometimes originally designed) stuff and some imported clothing.  Early next year, we are (hopefully) planning into venturing into men's clothes as well.  We, we already started with some originally designed shirts designed by us and freelance artists here in Manila.  Hope you guys can check it out and maybe put it in your holiday gift list for the boyfriend, hubby or boy-friend :P

We know it's not much compared to other online stores who probably have the same range of merch as we do, but most of our designs and stuff are really close to our hearts.  We take time and put in hands on effort in creating the (original) pieces.  <3

When I was thinking of sharing this list, I told myself I had to start with a Gong Yoo drama and so first on the list is GY's 2012 drama, Big.  I wasn't big (pun intended :P) on the plot. For me it was kind of Freaky Friday meets Never Been Kissed. The whole show had a good build up, but somehow went down the drain towards the end.   It's still a good watch though, specially if you're a GY fan because his charm just dominated the whole show.  I mean come on, who wouldn't want a fun and reckless acting Gong Yoo? The lead female character played by Lee Min-Jung, is also very relatable, specially for those in their quarter life crisis stage because her problems and struggles are as real as they can get.  Plus, watch out for a shirtless Gong Yoo during Episode 1. Hehe!

The only reason why I was interested in watching this show was because of my (current) ultimate Oppa, Nam Joo Hyuk.  First few episodes didn't get me hooked, again I was really just watching it because of NJH.  Somewhere in the middle though, you will grow to love the characters.  I have never seen a K-Drama with that big of a cast (after The Heirs) and each one actually had a story.  The main characters (Park Hae Jin, Kim Go Eun, Seo Kang-Joon and Lee Sung-Kyung) really had strong interesting characters and that ending... oh my, that ending. 

Here's another one from my love, Nam Joo Hyuk.  I believe this was his second lead role after the Weightlifting Fairy.  The same K-drama which NamLee fans accused as the reason of their break up, which most fans believed was fake and was just done for the publicity and ratings of this show. Oha, updated ako diba? Anyway, it's kind of your typical Korean human-deity love story with a little bit of a twist.  The story line did have draggy and "ugh" parts, but I kid you not, the times Nam Joo Hyuk was shown topless (even naked in the first episode) makes up for it. Haha! Plus, I love Krystal Jung in this show.  It was the first time I've seen her with that persona and kinds of put her in a whole different light from her previous roles.  Also, I am no fashion person, but the female lead, Shin Se-Kyung's wardrobe throughout the whole show is my life fashion peg. If only coats and blazers can be worn everyday in the Philippines...

This drama was a breath of fresh air.  It's a coming of age drama set in a university with student athletes.  It gives a glimpse of how they overcome their struggles to becoming adults, experiencing first love, break ups, jealousy, priorities, dealing with the past, friends and family.  It was also in this drama that I realized that Lee Sung Kyung was actually a great and dedicated actor  --- she used to annoy me with her maldita roles.  Her weightlifter role was a big jump from her usual antagonistic roles and she actually gained weight for the show --- which she lost immediately towards the end of the show.  Talk about dedication and hard work.  Nam Joo Hyuk's character, Joon Hyung is (almost) every college girl's dream --- a swimmer with a compassionate and sensitive character (almost too good to be true po)  If you want something light and just for good vibes, this is for you.  Be warned though, I finished this in one seating the first time ---- yes, the first time because I watched it 3x. Haha!

Most people watched this because of Lee Min Ho, I didn't.  Believe it or not, I watched it because of Jun Ji-Hyun whom I first saw in Drama # 6.  She played a mermaid who went all Ariel because she saw Lee Min Ho's character who was a con-artist.  Turns out, they were actually lovers in their past life... and the story goes on.  Jun Ji-Hyun who's already a seasoned actress in South Korea and is 35 years old! --- guys, 35 years old and she looks like that! Ano ba! ---- is one of my favorites.  I like her when it's a serious scene and even more when it's a funny one.  Out of all the Korean actresses I've seen, I love her humor and acting style the most.  It's a modern day little mermaid story wrapped in Korean folklore.  The plot and characters were great, although if you are a major K-Drama fan, you'd probably think that Jun Ji Hyun and Lee Min Ho in one drama is an oversell.  Nevertheless, if you're in it for the kilig and feels, this will not disappoint.

I was head over heels Song Joong Ki (Descendants of the Sun) and was endlessly searching for videos of him online.  I came across his Domino's Pizza commercial with Park Bo Gum which brought me to watch this drama.  This drama delivered. Not only with the plot, but also the characters, the set, the wardrobe, etc.  It's the coming of age story of the Crown Prince played by Park Bo Gum who fell in love with a girl, played by Kim Yoo Jung who was pretending to be a man throughout the drama. Why? You have to watch it to find out.  The story which involved friendship, love, family, betrayal and even politics was well written.  It was serious and fun to watch all at the same time, plus Park Bo Gum and Kim Yoo Jung together is just so cute and lovely to look at. 

I believe this was released about 4-5 years ago here in the Philippines, but I only got to watch it now and it is one of my absolute favorites.  Jun Ji-Hyun plays a famous actress who by the powers of destiny moved in next door to the character played by Kim Soo Hyun.  Kim Soo Hyun's character was an alien who was living on earth since the Joseon Era.  The story had so much twists and kilig feels that will make you finish the whole drama in a day or two.  Both Soo Hyun and Ji-Hyun were amazing actors, together they made the show magical.

PS. Do not watch it right next to Legends of the Blue Sea.  You'll know why when you see both dramas.

PPS.  A proof the that Kim Soo Hyun is a really amazing actor, watch his movie, Secretly, Greatly. You won't regret it.

I am currently re-watching this NOW and it's the 6th time I've seen it. Need I say more? Haha! This is a classic.  Released in 2007 with an amazing cast and great plot.  It's not your typical rich boy - poor girl story as there is are more twist in the plot than you'd expect.  It's fresh, fun and very addictive.  Again, the whole show was dominated with Gong Yoo's awesomeness, but all the characters made had their own distinct personalities which you'll grow to love.

There are probably more high school themed dramas with a better plot, but the reason why this is in my list is because of the cast.  It had such a big cast that you'd think it was trying to convey a really complex story, but no.  It was just a straight up rich girl tangled in the world of rich boys, but still gives you the feels nevertheless.  You might find the first few episodes slow paced, but it'll build up eventually.  Aside from my two favorite girls, Kim Ji Won (Descendants of the Sun) and Krystal Jung (Bride of the Water God) you gotta watch out for Kim Woo Bin.  He has such strong character that he sometimes steals the spotlight from Lee Min Ho.  The Heirs is a perfect introductory drama to the world of Korean Dramas.

Who doesn't love the drama that brought Lee Min Ho to the hearts of Filipinas?  I could no longer count the times I've watched this drama.  I actually downloaded the whole thing and had it saved in my external drive for emergency purposes --- and by emergency I mean lazy days hehe!  I originally watched this because it was the Korean version of the sensational Taiwanese drama, Meteor Garden,  but eventually I loved this more because it was Meteor Garden 1 and 2 rolled into one plus the ultimate and original Oppa of my life, Kim Bum was playing So Ji-Yung, the playboy.  I watched the last 2 episodes more than the rest of the episodes since Kim Bum and Kim So Eun (lead female's bestfriend) had more air time in those.  If you're an old millennial like me, who grew up watching Dao Ming Xi, San Xai and the rest of F4, I'm sure you loved this drama just as much. And, I forgot to mention, the lead female character, Jan Di (Ku Hye Sun) had the most amazing wardrobe of hoodies and shoes!

Trivia: This show was so controversial when it was released in 2009 because the main cast (F4 and Jan Di) all had minor car accidents before and during filming the series (My oppa, Kim Bum actually had 2 car accidents!) Also, one of the characters that played Sunny (a mean girl that bullies Jan Di) Jang Ja Yeon, committed suicide during the filming of the series due to depression.  --- Sad, I know. SO kids, that is why we don't underestimate and make fun of depression, OK?

I don't even know if I have the right words to describe how sensational and great this drama was.  Not only because the goblin was played by the ultimate pamnbansang (and parang hindi tumatanda) Oppa, Gong Yoo, but also because the rest of the cast was amazing.  Top it with a well written story line, amazing effects and great cinematography.  Gong Yoo being a goblin erases all your childhood vision of a green version of Freddie Kruger then add up a grim reaper with Lee Dong Wook's face. My goodness.  I also loved the 2 female characters played by Kim Go Eun (Ji Eun Tak) and Yoo In Na (Sunny).  Eun Tak annoyed me at first, but you'll love her after the first episode pa lang.  I loved Sunny's character right off the bat.  Their pairings were amazing and it will give you that pa-cute level of kilig when you're older.  You know that kilig feeling you're trying to suppress because you think you're too old for it? That's it.  WATCH THIS. You will not regret it. 

I have seen this more than 10x. I swear.  I was so hooked that I actually felt like I was in the series, no joke.  I wanted to be friends with Song Hye Kyo's character! Play episode 1 and I assure you that you will get hooked immediately.  I especially loved the scenes that focused on Song Jong Ki --- watch out for the helicopter, emergency room and Urk arrival scenes and you'll see what I mean. AND GUYS HELLO, who wouldn't fall for a romantic series where the two main characters actually fell in love in real life and ARE GETTING MARRIED --- this weekend. DIBA???

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