Friday, November 30, 2012

My First Anniversary as a KPop Fan

It's been exactly a year since I was a certified KPop fan because of Mnet Asian Music Awards. I watched the main show on YouTube. I tweeted what's happening: from performers to the winners. Though I wasn't familiar with some of the presenters, the whole show was incredibly awesome.

Super Junior's Mr. Simple and Girls Generation's The Boys were my favorite KPop songs that time. But their performances stood out. Girls Generation dressed up as beautiful goddesses and performed the Korean-English version of The Boys. On the other hand, Super Junior wowed the audience with the medley-remixed version of their hit songs Superman, Mr. Simple, and Sorry Sorry.





This year, the Mnet Asian Music Awards will be held tonight in Hong Kong, Top contenders from KPop were nominated like BoA, Super Junior, Psy, SHINee, f(x), Big Bang, and Beast. Who will win this year? Who will grab most of the awards? Find out tonight live stream on Mnet's YouTube Account (and other channels to be broadcasted live).




Sunday, November 25, 2012

Smile and Style: The Azta Way

"Ms. Christine..."

Well, it's been a month and a half since my staff calls me that. I can't believe that I made it.

My job is kinda routinary but based on situation. I hold cash (receive payment and give change) and manage front desk. That's all. You think it's easy. But no, it's not. In addition, I do multitasking inside the branch. I failed many times but at least I avoided those mistakes and tried my best not to do it again in the future. And I learn because of those mistakes.The more important is that I'm happy with my work.

My training period was from October 10 to November 10. I started at Eastwood for two weeks then deployed at SM City San Lazaro for further weeks. I took series of training plus seminar at L'Oreal Academie. My training ended last November 20. That was six weeks. I received job offer last November 22 after I submitted requirements.

I noticed something on dates that I mentioned. All were birthdays of celebrities from Taiwan, Korea, and United Kingdom.

  • October 10: Wu Chun - a Taiwanese Brunei-born actor and a former member of Fahrenheit; Kangta - a Korean solo artist under SM Entertainment label
  • November 10: Calvin Chen - Fahrenheit member and MTV VJ 
  • November 20: Aaron Yan - Taiwanese actor/singer and Fahrenheit member
  • November 22: Ben Adams - A1 member from London
I think it was a coincidence.

For 37 days, I received total allowance of 9,250. I'm still at probationary period, but at least I will get monthly salary. I also had my hair cut and relaxed, even my eyebrows threaded and my face had make up done. Next time, I will have scalp treatment and ombre hair color.

"We liberate style."

This slogan means a lot. Distinct hairstyle shows unique personality of an individual, whether it's cut, styled, relaxed, rebonded, permed, colored, and/or treated. 

As they said, "Customer service consistency and continuous improvement is our driving force. Customer feedback is our fuel." That's Azta Urban Salon.




Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Fahrenheit's Aaron Yan Turns 27

A cute boy of Fahrenheit became a mature man. Aaron Yan Ya Lun represents winter and has released 2 solo albums.


Aaron Yan as Xing Yi Cheng

I watched his dramas. My favorite role he played was Xing Yi Cheng (in manga: Shinpo Ichi) in the drama Love Buffet. When it comes to love teams, I liked GuiLun the most. He paired with former Hey Girl member GuiGui in the drama Mysterious Incredible Terminator.


with Gui Gui in Mysterious Incredible Terminator

I can't believe that he's all grown-up. He accepts mature roles in the drama that has bed scenes. Well, I'm not used to it, but I guess he's in right age to play those challenging roles.


with Serena Fang in Gloomy Salad Days
I was a Pudding in a short time, from Love Buffet until his first solo album titled The Next Me.


The Next Me -- Japanese album

Though I'm not a Pudding anymore, I wouldn't forget that today is his 27th birthday. I wish him good health, happiness, and continuous success in his career. I'm hoping that he and GuiGui will collaborate again in drama or movie. Also, I'm hoping that he and the rest of Fahrenheit members (including Wu Chun) will reunite again for fifth album.



Thursday, November 15, 2012

Etude Makes My Eyes So Happy


Whether I just visit any Etude House shop for checking or buying, it was nice to talk with their sales staff for information regarding of a certain product. I already visited 6 branches: SM City North EDSA The Block, SM City Manila, SM City Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Eastwood Citywalk 2, and Market Market. 

October was an amazing month for me because I was hired on the position of store operations officer of a salon branch inside a shopping mall near our house. As a token of my hardwork from my new job as an assistant manager for the first month, I’ve decided to buy PhP 2,000 worth of products to have a special gift from Etude House. My first target was SHINee Diary.


To be sure for a shopping splurge of PhP 2,000, I searched the official site of Etude House Philippines to check their products and their prices. Then, I noted the items that I want using Microsoft Excel spread sheet for easy computation. When it’s done, I printed it few hours before I went to a shopping mall that has Etude House shop.

It was November 7th and it was my rest day. After I went to PhilHealth office in Manila for membership enrollment, I proceeded to SM City Megamall located at Mandaluyong City as my first shopping destination. I entered at Etude House shop. As I expected, the employees greeted me, “Welcome, My Princess!” I checked their gift section and SHINee Diary wasn’t available. I left the shop with hope. Few minutes after, my friend sent me a text message that she was in SM City North EDSA, Quezon City with few friends. I asked her if she went to Etude House shop found inside SM City North EDSA The Block. She informed me that the store has SHINee Diary. I thanked her and quickly went to SM City North EDSA The Block via MRT.

I arrived around 4:00 in the afternoon. Similar with those Etude employees in SM City Megamall, the Etude sales ladies in SM City North EDSA The Block welcomed me. I asked one of the staff that I will avail SHINee Diary after I purchased PhP 2,000 worth of products. It was hard for me to choose because some of the items listed on my paper were out of stock. After an hour of walking around and deciding what I could buy, finally I purchased a total of five items:
·         Open Your Eyes Mask Sheet – PhP 148
·         Tear Drop Liner #1 – PhP 328
·         Mint Cooling Eyes Cream 6.5g – PhP 428
·         Proof10 Auto Pencil BK802 – PhP 348
·         Lash Firm 3 Step Volume Cara – PhP 748


In addition, I had my first gift from Etude House: the SHINee Diary! Well, I deserved it as SHAWOL and as a loyal customer of Etude House for more than a year besides having my pink membership card. But I noticed something: all items I bought on that day were for my eyes! I’m sure my eyes will look happier. In fact, I spent exactly PhP 2,000. Next target would be either a Kiss Note or a Play Etude tumbler. As of now, I already have 62 points. 


Now that I am using the products I bought, it seems that my eyes look different and prettier. Etude really makes me happy. So see you next time, Etude!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Fahrenheit's Sunshine Boy Turns 32

Sunshine boy and Fahrenheit member Calvin Chen who represents spring turns 32 today. This day is very special for Fahrenheit fans most especially Cupcakes.


I am a Fahrenheit fan since 2008 when Hana Kimi Taiwanese version was aired in ABS-CBN on that same year. But I became a cupcake last 2009 when Calvin cut his hair for Fahrenheit's third album called Yue Lai Yue Ai (Love You More and More).



My favorite drama was Love Buffet. Calvin played Xing Da Ye (in manga: Shinpo Daiya). I never forget his line when he entered the wrong room: "Hello! My name is Xing Da Ye. Nice to meet you all. Is it my turn to say Shakespeare? Well, Shakespeare said 'To be or not to be, that's a question.'" Actually this Shakespeare line was said by Calvin as Wang Ya Se in the drama KO One.

He had a latest drama called When Love Walked In with f(x) member Victoria and Super Junior-M member ZhouMi and he currently hosts an MTV Taiwan show titled Ri Han Yin Yue Feng (Japan Korea Music Craze), now on its third year.


He has an apparel business called Factoryse7en (pronounced as Factory Seven), formerly WOW Designs. Its products are t-shirts, jackets, caps, and socks. Going on its 5th year, it continues offering expensive yet high quality clothes.

I wish him continuous success in his career and happiness in his life. Hope he will find his perfect girl who will complete his life.  

Monday, November 5, 2012

BoA @ 26: My KPop Queen, My Unnie

A KPop queen, truly a total performer debuted in 2000 under the label name SM Entertainment.



BoA Kwon started her career very young. She's very popular in Korea and Japan and tried her career in USA. For 12 years in entertainment industry, she's a girl on top, received numerous awards.

Why did I idolize her? Besides she is smart and can speak fluent English, she's really a pop star who can sing and dance at the same time. Her MVs were amazing, either pop, RnB, hiphop, and ballad. My favorite songs were Everlasting, Girls on Top, Copy and Paste, Hurricane Venus, and Only One.

I started idolizing her when I saw her MV called Gils on Top on Channel V. Years after, on my birthday, Calvin Chen of Fahrenheit introduced BoA's song Hurricane Venus on his MTV show called Ri Han Yin Yue Feng (Japan Korea Music Craze) in Taiwan. After she became a judge, representing SM Entertainment, of SBS KPop Star Season 1, she had released her 7th album called Only One. Its MV had two versions: the dance and drama versions. I liked the drama version more than the dance version.

Girls on Top MV

MTV 日韓音樂瘋 10.05.2010 Episode
Start at 4:44

Only One MV (Drama Version)

She's still one of the judges for the second season of SBS KPop Star. Plus, she has a Hollywood movie called COBU 3D. Then she will release Japanese version of her self-composed song Only One.


Today is a special day for Jumping BoAs because it's BoA's birthday! I wish her continuous success and blessings even happiness in her life. Hope she will find her Mr. Perfect who will love her unconditionally. From a talented girl to a glamorous woman, she's indeed a global star with humility, and knows in her heart that her fans are number 1 and only one who will support her until the end.  


Happy Birthday, BoA unnie!

생일 축하해요, 보아 언니!