Dressing Up Appropriately

By Francis Lloyd Sauza

Photo from Quito Treñas

Famous Ilonggo model, Quito Treñas, gives fashion tips to modern men and advocates "No-Carbs-After-Six diet"

Famous Ilonggo model, Quito Treñas

Next to music, fashion is the second thing that my heart yearns. Back in the day, clothes consumes almost 70% percent of my monthly earnings.

But now I realized that constantly following the recent trends in fashion would really hurt my pocket. Thus, I'm now starting to invest in basic fashion like going for a style and type of clothing that can withstand the never-ending seasonal fashion evolution. Simply put, I'm now going for classic yet trendy style.

Famous Ilonggo model, Quito Treñas validated my recent realization when it comes to fashion - dressing up appropriately. "I don't think guys need to be that fashionable.  We just need to look clean and fresh all the time. And when dressing up, we just have to be always appropriate. If your going to a club, look like you belong in a club. If your going to the mall don't look like your still going to a club."

"Fit is everything. It makes clothes look expensive. And it makes you feel good about yourself." shares Quito about his style philosophy. "I just like looking clean and polished." he adds.

This is true as money has become the primary concern of people in this day and age. Keeping your body fit can really go for a long way coupled with positive perspective can undeniably make you feel good about yourself. "What's good about going to the gym is that you could actually sculpt your body. You could, in a way, 'customize' and reshape it accordingly. Exercise and diet go hand in hand."

Despite that, Quito would like to put an emphasis on the condition that the clothes that one is wearing. "One thing that I am very very particular about is the condition of the clothes that I wear. They have to be well pressed. I don't go out of the house with crease or wrinkles on my shirt. It bothers me."

Quito is the son of the late Francis Perez Treñas and Dr. Kristin Gaona-Treñas, environmentalist and Chairman of The Heritage Council of Iloilo City. He is also the younger brother of current Iloilo City councilor, Jay Treñas.

MODELING WORLD

As a kid, Quito used to go out a lot which started the ball rolling on his modeling career. "As a young kid, I used to go out a lot. With that, I got to meet a lot of people and one thing led to another." 

When asked if what is it like to be notable in the national modeling scene: "I'm not quite sure about that. But I do think it could be humbling. It's reassuring and it gives a feeling of accomplishment."

PERSONAL STYLE

Quito looked up to James Dean when it comes to personal style. He said that he was inspired by the cultural icon and looked up to him when it comes to fashion. "He has a very bold style and quite an unapologetic stance," he shares.

Unlike other guys, Quito doesn't have any clothes or accessories that he can't go out without wearing. As of the moment, he shares that he's into oriental or East Asian fashion. "There seems to be a growing number of Korean and Japanese clothing shops that are opening in the country, they are quite trendy and they have fairly reasonable prices. And the range of sizes go down to XXS--which is always a good thing. I do not have a specific "favorite" brand. The newly opened shops in the Metro has caught my attention. I like them at the moment."

KEEPING FIT AND NO CARBS AFTER SIX

Quito shares with us how he achieved that perfect model physique. "Ideally, I like to work out four times a week. I like to workout in the morning. I usually do a 20-minute cardio [nothing too intense] before and after working out. I just usually work on one muscle group per day and I finish off with abs before I hit the treadmill for the second 20-minute cardio."

Quito has some workout and training suggestions. "Consistency. Just pick a workout routine that you could handle (make sure you follow through) and follow it up with a good diet that you will be able to maintain. You don't have to do anything drastic, just make sure you follow through. Think long term."

"One diet suggestion that isn't too drastic that I would promote is the No Carbs After Six diet. It means you don't eat carbs after 6 pm. This is what I did when I tried to lose weight. You can allow yourself to eat all the food you've been craving for in the morning [of course don't overdo it], and then forget about carbs starting 6 pm. Start small and be consistent," he advocates.

ADVICE

Quito shares some tips to the dreamers out there who also would like to get into the eye-catching world of modeling and be a model someday. "Like what they all say, It is not as glamorous as it seems. The end product is [without doubt] glamorous, but of course there is a process. You have to understand that it is a business. You are solely judged based on specific physical requirements -- and scrutiny could be harsh. Nothing should be taken personally. Just do what feels right to you and do it for all the right reasons."

Follow the writer on Instagram.com/FrancisLloyd

Myrtle Sarrosa: Out To Save The World

By Francis Lloyd Sauza

Photo from MyrtleGail.com

Famous Ilonggo cosplayer, actress, Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 Big Winner, Myrtle Sarrosa talks making a difference, reaching the top, yet still remaining grounded and attests that dreams certainly lie right in the palm of your hand

It all started by writing her goals on a piece of paper and having to read them every morning of her life. It seems that the destiny of the Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 Big Winner, Myrtle Sarrosa has already been plotted ever since her early life.

You certainly can't develop a character in six weeks time as they're just going to be gone after a minute or two. This is why Myrtle started the ball rolling ever since she was just a little girl. "What’s different about me and sets me apart from other teenagers out there is that at a very young age, my parents have taught us to have goals. And these goals are written on papers and we have to read it every morning. It keeps us focus," reveals this Cosplay Cutie.

"I think I was 12 years old when Kim Chiu became the first PBB Big Winner for the Teen Edition. After watching it, I wrote on my list of goals that I will be a PBB housemate.  So every time I arrive in Manila, I always ask my Dad to drive by the PBB house where I will have my picture taken. My desire to be a housemate intensified."

Of course it's easy for teens of this generation to be lured by the misleading effects of consumerism and mass media that sells them an image of themselves particularly by the entertainment media. Teens of this Information Age thinks that what's 'cool' is 'in.' It looks as if they needed to belong to the crowd. It seems that teens are imitating the images being sold to them. In spite of this pressure from the society, Myrtle remains headstrong and focused on her goals. "As a leader of the youth, nothing will beat living by example. I became an SK President at the age of 15.  At that time, I told myself that I have to somehow excel in my studies to set an example for the youth, thus, with God's help I passed the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) and got accepted in UP.  I also notice that there are so many untimely pregnancies.  It seems that teenagers associate desirability of the opposite sex by having a relationship. So, I told myself that I won’t have a boyfriend till I’m twenty. When asked why I joined PBB, my answer was, to be an example to the youth because in my heart I really want to set an example. Unfortunately, I could not be an example for the youth all the time and I appreciate that despite my faults which were shown and highlighted at PBB, they still love me and accepted me."

That is why at the age of 15, Myrtle is already the SK President in her hometown in Barotac Nuevo, at 16, she's already one of the popular cosplayer in the country, and when at 17, she's already the Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 Big Winner. "To all the young people out there, I have always said this - set a goal for yourself and read it every day. Dream big and act on it!"

Myrtle is currently a second year BS Accountancy Student at the University of the Philippines Visayas. When asked why she shifted from Political Science to Accountancy, she shares: "I love Political Science because it trained me to "think on my feet."  When I was at PBB they said that I know how to answer, I thank my teachers for that! Political Science is a very tough course and I love it.  However, I really want to be a corporate lawyer and the best training for that would be to have an accounting background and take Law later."

FIRST ILONGGO PBB BIG WINNER

“I am thankful that I am the Big Winner.  I always believe that being a Big Winner is a destiny. It’s a gift from God. It is very difficult to influence people to like you and more so to vote for you. I am very grateful to the Ilonggos and other supporters who were there for me despite the fact that they know my faults and weakness.   You guys are like my family who stick with me though good times and bad, thank you very much!”

“How does it feel to become the Big Winner?  Well, I am still me.  I still get scolded by my parents.  I has not sink in yet, maybe it never will. However, I now have more friends whose sacrifices for me are beyond my comprehension.  There are people I don’t know who spent more than Php 60,000.00 voting for me during the Big Nite and the amazing thing is, “ang dami nila at di ko sila kamag-anak.” I received open letters from a consultant from abroad who spent time to write that very long heart touching letter.  I thank God for these people!”

“Be passionate about something to the point that you will do it for free because this will make you special.  Be unique if you want to be in PBB.”

IN A WORLD OF LONG RED CARPETS

After winning the fourth edition of Pinoy Big Brother, Myrtle's dreams became a reality. “There are so many opportunities that are coming my way. I am now appearing in Kahit Puso’y Masugatan and Todamax. Young JV and I have a song together and I hope his album will receive a platinum award. I am also the current VJ of Hero TV.  I will soon be a perfume endorser, it is called Lolita.  I had also appeared in several TV shows and traveling in different places in the country for mall tours.  I thank God for these opportunities.”

“Aside from Politics, Cosplay and Acting, Myrtle is also into music. As a matter of fact, she covers Japanese, Korean, Filipino and English Songs and some of her cover songs are posted on the World Wide Web. 3. And just recently, she released a digital single together with your fellow Ilonggo Singer/Rapper, Young JV. "I always wished to release a record and I my wish was granted.  After coming out of the PBB house, my manager told me to study a song and later they told me that I will record it.  It’s a duet with an Ilonggo singer, Young JV. The song is about teenagers.

COSPLAY CUTIE'S ADVICE

“Cosplay is not for everyone.  You need to be creative and it’s a very expensive hobby but if there is a will there is a way. Normally, a cosplayer designs their costume, have it made, wear the costume and later sell it via internet. Cosplayers, by necessity, have learned the rudiments of internet selling. My first cosplay costume was just PhP 500 because the one who made it was a friend who was still learning how to sew.  I have a costume that I made and I have an emotional attachment to it, it took me an entire summer do make it with the help of my friends.”

“Aside from money constraint, a cosplayer also needs courage.  It is easy to have the costume but do you have what it takes to actually wear it?  What would other people say? Thus, cosplay is not for the faint hearted.”

“Do I recommend cosplay to other teenagers?  I recommend passion. Find something that you are passionate about, have the courage to do it even if you have to do it for free. What is life if you will not be able to live it the way you want it?”

You can follow Myrtle on her official Twitter account: Twitter.com/MyrtleGail. Check out her official website: www.MyrtleGail.com. Like her on her official Facebook fan pages: Facebook.com/MyrtleGail and Facebook.com/MyrtleSarrosa

Follow the writer on Twitter.com/FrancisLloyd

Iloilo City: Remarkably One Of A Kind

Living in Iloilo City for nearly two decades made me appreciate the exceptional beauty of this genuinely historic and magnificent city accessibly located in the heart of the Philippines. If truth be told, Iloilo City is undeniably rich in culture and history.

In my own personal observation, the city bears a resemblance of Southern Europe through its picturesque backdrop of majestic century-old churches, stately mansions, Hispanic landmarks and various building architectures.

In addition, here in Iloilo City you can incredibly feel the influence of various cultures all over. Though Spanish and Chinese culture and traditions are predominant. Actually, Iloilo City was a former venue of the Philippines-Spain Friendship Day and notably celebrated the Filipino-Spanish Friendship Day last 2005.

Moreover, Iloilo City is also known for having its very own celebration of the wonderful Chinese New Year. As a matter of fact, the Chinese New Year is flamboyantly celebrated every year in the city with anticipation and unmatched excitement along with amazing preparation which is beyond compare.

Without a doubt, Iloilo City is truly home for some of the world's most significant culture and traditions that will forever make difference in the way of life of the Ilonggos and the Filipino people as a whole.

Ultimately, those were just some of the marvelous things that genuinely makes Iloilo City remarkably one of a kind.

To check out more first-rate resources and information about Iloilo City, these publications can be a great help for you so that you will be able to appreciate and be aware of how remarkably one of a kind and breathtaking Iloilo City is and the entire Iloilo Province as well.

1. Iloilo: A Rich and Noble Land coffee table book

2. Iloilo Yearbook 2007

3. Iloilo Yearbook 2005