MIKKI GALANG

December 8, 2012 In Beauty, Life By Mikki Galang

Hands in Manila

2012 was a really good year for me. So I decided to give back with one of things that I can share – beauty. Orly invited me to join their workshop to women of Kaisang Buhay Foundation, which helps pregnant women who don’t have yet the means of taking care of their child – who then will eventually be considered for adoption.

When I was in college, I was the president of an organization called Ateneo Management of Applied Chemistry Association where MAC majors are tasked to bring their expertise in applied chemistry to teach a lot of things (yes, chemistry can do a lot) like soap/detergent-making, ice-cream-making, etc in less developed areas that can help them start their own business and potentially help them earn money and sustain life.

Similarly (except that we didn’t create nail polish here), the techniques that Orly, one of the leaders in beauty and nail care (and Wet n’ Wild, L.A. colors), taught them were not just potential income or cash, it’s something that these women can hold on to in moving on with life, with a skill that they can use to start fresh and maybe consider having a family that they can own in the future…

In a salon, or through manicure-pedicure home service where they can earn a minimum of P800 a day, these mothers can truly earn a living. I asked our regular one (who already sent her children to school and bought a house and lot because of her job and hard work) and she said that if she works 8 hours a day, with one client in every 2 hours for full service nail care, she will earn P250-300×4. That totals P1200 a day which is not that bad.

Aside from techniques, the mothers were given the kits as you can see below which contains everything they need – acetone, cotton, nail cutters, polishes, coats, filers, etc. I think that this makes them more ready than ever, with the right tools, to finally work (because most of them didn’t have stable jobs).

And this workshop was not just a livelihood project for me. Going there made me realize the value of life, of family, of working hard to sustain a home, not just a house, because after all, these women also treat themselves like a part of one big family.

Thanks Sprint Asia Beauty for having me. I will have more in 2013 (one is scheduled early January for the Department of Budget and Management) and I’m so excited to help and immerse myself in the lives of women with the spell of less opportunities than others.

December 8, 2012 In Life By Mikki Galang

My 1st Bloggers United

Entering the world of blogging, is not an easy and mundane task. Albeit it may – and there’s nothing wrong – with posting mini-diaries of everything – from the food that you’ve loved, to the necklaces and lipglosses that made you stand out for a day, the moments where you felt powerful with that red lipstick – each blog is an assertion of one’s self in front of this huge world, amidst different issues, diverse brands, numerous trends. Each word saved in this cyber space represents the empowered YOU/I because unlike Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, the public post is rationalized, personalized and asserted.

I’ve worked / been working with a lot of them for years and only until I had my own that I realized the complexity and responsibility that comes with it! They say what fuels a blogger is passion for your craft / niche. I remembered Back in Ateneo, Camille and I were Management students and on top of what we do in school, we pursued what we really loved! Below was a sample of my work as makeup artist back then! I got the chance to work with Camille who perfectly modeled for her successful clothing business, Co-exist. 😉 Similarly, I bet that aside from passion, there’s always the tedious work (from shoots, reviewing products and brands, etc) in blogging.

But what makes it really interesting for me as a fashion/beauty blogger (and a reader!!) is seeing and traveling to each of our own worlds; and discovering not just what’s exterior about a blog author’s style, look or make up, but also inside – what’s behind such style? what is the inspiration for the look which gives us a glimpse of her/his life? – which may contribute to better understanding of beauty (and fashion) in a universal way because we get to see within, and see a LOT.

So I attended the Bloggers United 3 and Beauty Junkie’s (beauty blogger’s) Meet & Greet to further enhance my traveling experience! Aside from shopping (and learning), it was the venue to meet and see personally the fashion and beauty bloggers of Manila, and witness their worlds!

and it was really more than just bazaar! There were around 40 blogger worlds! (talk about blog-world-hoppin’) I was super late though so I was only able to take few pictures. But so happy to meet one of my blogging idols, Anaztasia Siantar of Brown Platforms as you can see in the above photos!

November 8, 2012 In Life By Mikki Galang

Raw Empowerment Party

Let the pictures explain what happened in the Raw Empowerment Party by Petrol Philippines, a denim brand known for its utilitarian approach but withstanding its impressive and unpredictable fashion concepts that go hand-in-hand in fueling the high spirited, the fearless, the daring, and the rip-roaring 😉

July 25, 2012 In Life By Mikki Galang

#7ForAllMankindFridays

Gone were the days where I would go from one party to another – night life as they call it – where there’s lot of dancing like crazy, meeting new people on that crowded floor, showing off some sexuality (read: not equivalent to sex!), and enjoying the music made louder and better than life. There is so much in partying that some people don’t understand 😉

7 for All Mankind, ” the world’s premiere brand of denim-lifestyle products”, invited us to their Party Fridays at Republiq. It’s been a while since I visited Republiq and I felt I wanna show my “carefree and cool” self again! haha

I would usually go to Republiq with my cousins and friends, but this time, I went with my co-fashion/beauty bloggers. It was very nice partying with them, outside the digital world!

DID YOU KNOW that 7 for All Mankind was founded in 2000? Quite young but “the Los Angeles based premium denim brand quickly earned critical acclaim due to its innovations in fit, fabric and finish.” I would agree seeing these visuals especially from their new campaign c/o Bryan Franco.

“Born from an art film imagined and created by James Franco in collaboration with the brand’s creative agency, LIPMAN, the unorthodox campaign is an innovative multimedia experience that embodies the brand’s roots and ‘forever cool’ aesthetic.” Below is the Episode 1 featuring Lily as the protagonist.

“Shadowing a cast of actors, artists, models and musicians that embody the Los Angeles way of life, the campaign evokes the causal lifestyle interspersed with fashion and sexuality, the resulting imagery and

Phil Younghusband!

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film communicates the brands’ values with a realism that is entirely unique.” These vintage videos were shown during the party and I was very much amazed as these are very honest and artistic and saying so much about different issues.

And i think that these are truly unique, creative and real! More photos of the party below:

July 11, 2012 In LGBT, Life By Mikki Galang

Pink Friday at Manila

I never appreciated rap until Nicki Minaj came in the music scene. The feminine attack on a male-dominated genre, the slightly-toned-down sex imagery which is often strong with other female rappers, the fantasies and chants coming from fast but great music – all of these created the PINK dimension of the rap. So when I heard that Nicki Minaj is coming to Manila, I didn’t hesitate to watch and see her perform live!

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It was indeed a PINK day! I wore my pink wig from Catwalk Cosmetics, that Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Fuchsia and I’m Mikki Minaj! Good thing other people saw that too! While there were seats already in the mosh pit area at SM MOA Arena, I stood up and and danced with that super bass – figuratively and literally as I was very near the speakers!! Nonetheless, I was able to get good pictures also, thanks to Canon S100!

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As for the performance, she opened the event with the below costume and Nicki was really pretty and colorful! There was also a DJ who played the less familiar songs from her albums while she’s changing costumes.

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Her dancers were great performers and they kept the pink spirit alive! And yes, they were almost naked the whole time!!

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The fearless Nicki, didn’t just dance well, but also sing with heart. That pink and shimmering microphone allowed us to witness her great voice despite the kind of genre she’s into.

Speaking of great music, after performing a lot of upbeat ones from Pink Friday, she sang “Fire Burns” – the one you’re hearing now – and introduced her new album, “Roman Reloaded” which houses this song. Before singing this, she asked the audience, “Have you ever had your heart broken? I had my heart broken once and I wanted to kill him. He deserved it.” This was revealing indeed, but if we get deeper into all her songs, actually, this shouldn’t be a surprise.

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Then I kinda felt that something deeper and beyond reality that lived inside a Nicki Minaj. According to Wikipedia, indeed, “while growing up, Minaj’s home life was often chaotic, with her parents constantly fighting. As a means of escape, she would create characters and live her life through them. In an interview with New York she stated, ‘To get away from all their fighting, I would imagine being a new person. ‘Cookie’ was my first identity – that stayed with me for a while. I went on to ‘Harajuku Barbie,’ then ‘Nicki Minaj’. Fantasy was my reality’ ” (http://nymag.com/guides/summer/2010/66786/)

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As for me, her fantasies – pink friday, roman reloaded – actually influenced me in a way that it has helped me or maybe you, through music like “Last Chance” and “Fly”, create fantasies as well, that help us in trying to solve the realities that we face everyday. And thanks Nicki Minaj for that!

Then she performed more and made us witness great fantasies before she left. She sang the more famous songs like “Super Bass”, “Starships”, etc with the blue wig, her signature facial expressions and look.

Moreover, before she left, she invited some teens and girls to dance with her. And she really loved the little girls! According to Wikipedia, “in an interview with Interview, Minaj commented on her sexual image again stating, “I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness, I want people—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal. You’ve got to have something else to go with that.” And she was able to show that.

Lastly, one reason that I would like to believe on the rationale behind a PINK Friday, and maybe a Nicki Minaj, is her different approach on rap which obviously touched millions of people around the world, including the Philippines. According to her, “I think the world is getting more gay-friendly, so hip-hop is too. But it’s harder to imagine an openly gay male rapper being embraced, people view gay men as having no street credibility. But I think we’ll see one in my lifetime.”(http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/music-and-books/201005/hip-hop-artist-nicki-minaj)

Thanks Nicki for the Pink and Roman inspiration, and I hope you continue producing fantasies for everyone who wants (or doesnt want) to listen to you. Thank you Saab Magalona and Martin for letting me really hear Nicki.

June 28, 2012 In LGBT, Life By Mikki Galang

I’m Born This Way, Manila

“I’ve had enough, this is my prayer. That I’ll die livin’ just as free as my hair.” (Hair) Contrary to what Filipinos think, Lady Gaga has a god. And as she told us yesterday: “she wants the best for all of us”. I don’t believe that an artist and a woman like Lady Gaga workships the devil.

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So I attended the concert with this look. I was in the mosh pit area and people called me a lot of things but I didn’t care and I was as free as my hair, and my makeup at that moment.

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As for the show, despite all the political and religious protests that arose because this ball/tour, Lady Gaga as an artist showed especially yesterday, what she stood for: “a big giant statement of art liberation” every element of which further touched every part of her little monsters, every fabric of my identity.

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First, the stage! It was truly frightening but glamorous. It was like a haunted house, but only that beautiful creatures lived on it. And I guess that’s the point of art: to make you scared at first and realize how beautiful and different it is at the end!

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Of course, our Mother Monster in her Gaga clothes, makeup, music and performance! My goosebumps didn’t go away for 2 hours! This was truly beyond fashion, a song and a concert. While taking pictures using my left hand, i did put my paws up using the other during this part (that was difficult, but yes!!)

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Her sleeves were enormous! And looked like a Filipiniana indeed with all the holes or windows.

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This specific performance was very artistic and sentimental! She sang Hair and and I couldn’t forget this because this was when I really cried. I know right? But for people like us, who wouldn’t?

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But most importanly, her speech moved me! Quoting Lady Gaga, “And to those of you that don’t feel free, take the best opportunity to free yourselves. I just feel like, you know, so many people have been protesting and it really doesn’t bother me truly because I know that there has to be change, but for all those kids all over the world that take their lives when they’re so young because they feel bullied or they’re afraid because they’re gay and they don’t want to tell anybody, don’t you think that some of us should stand up and say the godd**mn truth? It’s true. It’s not about the music, it’s not about, it’s not about anything, it’s not about my clothes, it’s not about having a hit record, it’s the fucking goddamn truth that people in the world need to be free of who they are and be proud and feel valuable no matter where they are.” (MTV)

Below was when she said “hi” to me with her monster fingers, and smiled. I was close to tears!!! (felt like I can die already haha)

And yes, she could fight like that! And she won last night. Furthermore, her dancers were far from ordinary.You may call them of deviant color, or gender but they comprised the whole thesis statement of acceptance, of not being afraid of who you are and of doing what you want to do no matter what.

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The guy above is a Filipino! Gaga introduced her to the audience and looked too proud of him. She kept saying how she loved Filipinos, and Filipino gays, and gays in general. Thing is, her music went beyond pop and served as statements representing the “underdogs” of the society, the ones bullied, looked down upon. And as they say, that makes an art, truly art, with purpose and meaning.

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Gaga said, “It’s in uniqueness that we are all the same”. True enough, through Lady Gaga’s spell, we were all equal in that arena. People didn’t mind “crazy” monster dancing, excessive makeup…or people who dressed up like I did. And well, that’s because we were born this way.
Truly one of the best days of my life! I just thank God for Gaga.