Yuletide Cheers from the Philippine Skyway System : Toll-free Skyway!

If you are one of the many motorists who have to ply the long southward stretch of the Philippines' Skyway System everyday or if you really just have to brave it for the holidays - say on your way to visit friends and relatives or to go to nearby Tagaytay, Batangas or Laguna - then be of good cheer as the Skyway System will be toll-free for Christmas and New Year's Eve as per their 12-year tradition. Yes, TOLL-FREE baby! :)

Philippine Star's Businessline reports:

"Motorists using the Skyway System’s 13.5-kilometer Magallanes - Alabang at-grade and the 16.2 kilometer Buendia - Alabang elevated sections will enjoy toll free travel starting at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012, Skyway O&M Corp.’s external affairs head Ed Nepomuceno said. “The toll-free Christmas and New Year’s Eve has been a tradition followed since the opening of the Skyway System in 1999. It is our way of sharing our appreciation to our motoring patrons every Yuletide Season,” said Nepomuceno. Nepomuceno added that Skyway System motorists who do not normally use the elevated section to save on toll cost will have the opportunity to experience or enjoy shortened travel time on the elevated toll road. Meanwhile, due to the usual heavy holiday traffic volume, motorists are also reminded to keep their vehicle roadworthy for their own safety and convenience and those of other motorists. To ask for assistance or report stalled vehicles or unusual incidents, they can call the Skyway System hotline at 776-7777; Globe: 0917-900-5248; Smart: 0919-560-1163 or Sun: 0923-953-6189."

 IMAGE SOURCE: skyscrapercity.com

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, free media noche or even a free ride but at least the Skyway team gets to play Santa on hours you wish you weren't on the road at all.

Stay safe guys! Happy New Year!

Make-up by Karen Jean Santos

Ever since discovering the magic of make-up, I've been hooked! I've gone on to build  my own personal collection and know-how by reading blogs, watching videos (hello Michelle Phan!) and attending make-up courses offered in Manila. 

My first try at a make-up course was through Suesh, same company I bought my 16-piece make-up brush set from. This was in April 2009 and they held it at a condominium in Eastwood City for a group of 8 or so girls. I was so ecstatic to get a one-on-one time with a Kanebo MUA so I can build my HG day & night look. I remembered looking and feeling fab afterwards whilst trying to memorize every stroke and color that we did that day.

As memories don't always serve us well, over time I forgot how to re-create the same perfect smokey eyes they did to me that day. It was a good thing that my office mate Maan, invited me to a make-up workshop of her classmate, Karen Jean Santos. I have honestly not heard about her from before but since it was a referral by a friend, I trusted her good judgment. 

stranger a'lurkin..

There's a strange and scary man-lurker at National Bookstore Shangri-la Mall (business section) - at first i thought he was either a promodizer for new books or an NBS salesperson..he asked what i was looking for but i said i was just browsing..i expected him to sales talk me into the book I thought he was promoting (really big and thick hard-bound book he was clutching) but instead he extended his hand and introduced himself and I, so dumbfoundedly and absentmindedly shook his hand and even gave my name as well (aaackkk!!) and probably one other detail best left out for strangers..hunter on the prowl...yikes!!

Lessons learned:

1. Always have a screen name

2. You don't have to answer all questions

3. Really, don't just talk to strangers

Morning Headstart

I'm not usually or rather, I'm really not a morning person..I usually set my alarm to go off at 6.30 and then finally get out of bed from 7-7.30!! However, I noticed that lately I've been able to get up way before the alarm goes off - usually from 5 - 5.30.

My old self is pleased with itself as I'm able to wake up early but I still manage to sleep 2 more hours. Today it happened again and luckily this time I was able to wake the more logical/awake side of me who happened to think - What do I do with this morning headstart?


I was thinking if I continued my sleep I would just end up with a headache and groggy feeling later..I decided to get up (as in out of bed) take a bath and just do a run through of the things I should be doing today.

I realized that it was the best decision to get out of bed as soon as one really wakes up (and not haggle for 5 more minutes which really stretches to some more hours)..

I thank God for waking me early and giving me a generous headstart for this hectic day - it definitely felt much better not having to rush in the bathroom, I was able to apply my make-up quite well today (yes, very straight liquid eyeliner!! yay!!) on top of that traffic will be much less this early and I can get the plum parking slot!

...I should do this everyday then... = )

Hope you all have a great day too!

Beauty School Drool...

This morning I woke up with a smile on my face as the day I have waited for for almost two months has finally arrived. I'll be off to my half-day make-up class care of Suesh.

I'm really impressed with their previous classes seeing the transformation of the attendees from simple to stunning = )

Here are my make-up loot (as well as tools) for later:





Sooo excited to finally be able to use my 16-pc Suesh brushes properly..hahahaha = )

For info on their classes and make-up brushes (which both amateurs and pros can take delight in), check out their site: Suesh Site